The guerrilla warfare against GMB

GMB’s emergence comes at a time when there is a general consensus among Nigerians that things have not changed for the better since the re-introduction of political democracy in 1999. Many Nigerian elites, including many pioneer beneficiaries of the 1999 democratic experiment, has expressed their total solidarity for GMB’s presidential ambition and alluded to the […]

GMB’s emergence comes at a time when there is a general consensus among Nigerians that things have not changed for the better since the re-introduction of political democracy in 1999.
Many Nigerian elites, including many pioneer beneficiaries of the 1999 democratic experiment, has expressed their total solidarity for GMB’s presidential ambition and alluded to the fact that Nigeria is on the brink of war as a result of bad governance.  Poverty has become our hallmark; President Goodluck Jonathan (GEJ) administration has been marked by allegations of corruption, incompetence and insensitivity to the rising security challenges in the country.  
This is against the background that Nigeria is ranked the sixth largest crude oil exporter in the world, but the distribution and allocation of the nation’s oil revenues lack transparency and accountability.  Evidence on ground suggests that there has been no infrastructural development despite accrued oil revenues. Nigeria has become a terror-filled jungle; with the rise of insurgency in the north-east, blossoming business of kidnappings, child trafficking, and militancy in the south.  
Lawmakers with a few exceptions, have inadvertently retro versed into rubber-stamp congress. Election rigging has made non-sense of political liberty. The country’s military hitherto well-reputed for conflict management abroad appear to be demoralised, ill-equipped and incapacitated in the face of increasing security challenges. Government is not forthcoming as it could have been in dealing with the rising security challenges. GMB’s emergence is an absolute nightmare for the PDP. No sooner had he been declared the APC flag bearer than GEJ foot soldiers re-launched a libellous campaign against his personality with renewed vigour. The attack on GMB was necessary today as it were eight years ago when he contested against OBJ and the late president Umaru Musa Yar’adua. It is indeed a necessary project to enable GEJ challenge a strong consensus that rates him a failure in many important respects.  
The readiness of those holding public/political offices to joggle facts and lies was forged to undermine the popularity and acceptability of GMB. He is portrayed as misfit, vindictive, illiterate, arrogant, contemptuous, sharia proponent, Islamist/Boko Haram promoter, etc.  This is an indication of the weakness of both the leadership and society.
The political gladiators acted on the basis of lower standards of honesty and morality. Apparently, their propaganda is informed by greed and the need to perpetuate political and economic corruption. It is indeed a misnomer to associate GMB with this disposition and misconstrue his hard line stance against corruption, tribalism, love for his faith as contempt and vindictiveness.  From across Nigeria come voices of support; the Yoruba in the west offered a hand shake by initiating and ensuring that the merger between ACN, ANPP a faction of APGA and CPC was a great success. The consummation of this marriage of convenience formalised on the February 6, 2013, was unique and strategic given that it was a symbolic departure from Yoruba traditional past that seemed not to extend its hand shake to the Hausa-Fulani political establishment and inclined more to northern Christian minorities.  
The south-west is the only geopolitical zone that has remnants of politics of ideology with credible leadership committed to Yoruba political causes. They are focussed and politically conscious. The merger is a brain-child of Ahmed Bola Tinubu an influential member of APC who saw the need to extend his political participation beyond boundaries of the Yoruba nation.  GMB needs the south-west not only to win block votes but to emerge as a truly national leader at a time when the traditional ally of the north, the south-east has chosen distanced itself in anticipation of power-shift to it in 2019.  
Governor Rotimi Ameachi of Rivers State and Owelle Rochas Okorocaha of Imo State have contributed in no small measure in replacing the entrenched “Buhariphobia” that existed in the hearts and minds of the people in those regions with enthusiasm and hope for his leadership. The APC presidential primary which was contested by astute politicians and a veteran journalist; GMB, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar,  Governor Rabiu Musa kwankwaso, Okorocha, and Sam Nda Isaiah spoke volumes of the party’s commitment to uphold democratic values. APC primary was relatively free and fair and the acceptance of its outcome by all the competitors and stakeholders was a clear demonstration of the ideals for which the aspirants stand for. It would have been a very strategic and technical mistake for APC if GMB were to emerge through consensus.
The primaries established the party’s credibility and showcased GMB as a man with national outlook. GMB’s acceptance by the Yoruba is a significant challenge to the northern political establishment. IBB’s cautious optimism for GMB might have set a tone for reconciliation within the northern political family. Little wonder when the Daura-born general emerged winner of the December 14 primaries, enthusiasm boiled over from across the country as evidenced by the mammoth crowd during his political electioneering.  Nigerians need not to be reminded of the historical antecedents of GMB. The entrenchment of Buhari-phobia in the hearts and minds of Christian brethren is the apex in betraying PDP hopelessness in political brinkmanship.
The deployment of such a dangerous strategy created deep division along ethnic and religious lines and undermined national security.  At no time in the history of this country have Nigerians become so deeply divided and harboured mutual suspicion than under the PDP leadership of President Jonathan.  When all else failed to make a case that the electorate should reconsider their views of him, GEJ foot soldiers adopted a new tactics by engaging GMB in legal and media battle bordering on his past.; a modified form of guerrilla warfare. The battle took another dimension which culminated into postponement of the elections that were first scheduled for Feb. 14 to March 28.
Expectedly, the deferment attracted widespread condemnation from the international community. The rescheduling has exposed GEJ’s underbelly in political brinkmanship and PDP’s dictatorial tendencies. It remains to be seen whether the election will hold on the rescheduled date. Conclusively, GMB is highly likely to win the presidential election considering the fact that the battle ground states like Lagos, Kano, Rivers and Kaduna, which have the potentials to determine who wins, are opposition strong-holds.  His victory will usher in a new political era. GMB will face the task of nation building in a country where corruption and moral irresponsibility are deep-rooted culture and where freedom is unlimited.
Sani is a senior lecturer,  Business Education Department, COE, Zing, Taraba State, [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>; <mailto:[email protected]>;