Buhari: Remembering ’Tunde Idiagbon

Voting overwhelmingly for him, on that day, the power of the ballot eclipsed the force of guns and allowed the combined power of over 15 million unique thumbprints that voted for change to triumph in the end. For the good of Nigeria; for the prosperity of the Giant of Africa and for the progress of […]

Voting overwhelmingly for him, on that day, the power of the ballot eclipsed the force of guns and allowed the combined power of over 15 million unique thumbprints that voted for change to triumph in the end. For the good of Nigeria; for the prosperity of the Giant of Africa and for the progress of over 170 million people whose destinies have been held captive in the last 16 years by inept leadership at the centre.
Discerning minds will understand that this long journey through the dark jungles of despair to the sunny seaside of change really began three decades ago. It stretched back to a time when a younger Buhari– whose reputation for integrity towers like a skyscraper–teamed up with Major General Tunde Idiagbon, a man of similar character traits, to steer this great nation away from imminent collapse. Fired by an unrelenting passion to shatter the shackles of corruption and indiscipline that had kept Nigeria’s promising destiny at bay, Buhari, as head of state and his de jure deputy, Tunde Idiagbon, launched War Against Indiscipline and other far-reaching initiatives. It was a time that witnessed great transformation and true change in the conduct and livelihood of Nigerians and consequently, the trajectory of their collective destiny.
These two men were so moved by their love for country that they gave their all to move this nation forward. They had so many similarities that made their collaboration in government a smooth-sailing one. Both men had unquestionable integrity and were disciplinarians who could not stomach any act of indiscipline. Hence, the strange site of people queuing up in an orderly fashion at bus stations became the norm. Environmental sanitation became an important component of social life.
Both men also served as military governors in North-eastern Nigeria, with Buhari serving as Military governor of North-Eastern state in 1975 while three years later Idiagbon governed Borno, one of three states North-Eastern state was split into. It was as though Time was preparing Buhari for this crucial period that has the North-east zone ravaged by violence.
It is unfortunate that fate did not permit Tunde Idiagbon–a man whose commitment to his boss’s vision for change was exemplary–to see a time as this when Buhari has finally become the President-elect of Nigeria after four shots at the presidency. Nevertheless, Tunde Idiagbon will surely be smiling from his grave now on account of Buhari’s era-defining victory. Fortunately, Tunde Idiagbon has in his son Adekunle Mohammed Idiagbon, an industrious young man in whom he inculcated the principles and ideals he stood for during his lifetime.

Yohanna John <[email protected]>;