Northern grandmasters, governance and 2015
Written by Idowu Samuel Wednesday, 27 July 2011
From left, Ibrahim Babangida, Aliyu Gusau, Atiku Abubakar
The contemporary politics of Nigeria has thrown up apprehensions now characterised by perceived uncanny reticent and malice by northern political grandmasters, who seem contented staying aloof, as government activities run haphazardly. From indications, the 2011 presidential election had succeeded in raising more posers, while leaving room for suspicion among major players in a manner that makes future politics more endangered.
Nigeria did not just find itself in this cul-de-sac. The failure of political elites to find a common ground on the issue of zoning actually complicated matters such that President Goodluck Jonathan appears alienated from a major section of the country, the North, which never wanted him in the saddle for obvious reasons.
Close to four months after the 2011 presidential election, the North has been in turmoil with a seeming unending bloodletting which is occurring more like an unstated protest against the political status-quo ante in the country.
Northern grandmasters after presidential poll
Before the last general election, the North, indeed, relied on its presidential candidates, represented by General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, General Aliyu Gusau, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Bukola Saraki, all on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to regain the presidential power it lost due to the death of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. It also counted on the experiences of General Muhammadu Buhari of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) to make a difference with the election. It fought to actualise its desire to reclaim the presidential power while it made very strident advocacy on return of the power through zoning. The northern political elite, led by Mallam Adamu Ciroma, added an impetus by forging a consensus among all the aspirants. It eventually narrowed down its choice of presidential candidate to Atiku who contested the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary against President Jonathan.
Before the last general election, the North, indeed, relied on its presidential candidates, represented by General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, General Aliyu Gusau, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Bukola Saraki, all on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to regain the presidential power it lost due to the death of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. It also counted on the experiences of General Muhammadu Buhari of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) to make a difference with the election. It fought to actualise its desire to reclaim the presidential power while it made very strident advocacy on return of the power through zoning. The northern political elite, led by Mallam Adamu Ciroma, added an impetus by forging a consensus among all the aspirants. It eventually narrowed down its choice of presidential candidate to Atiku who contested the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary against President Jonathan.
The failure by the North to get the presidential power seemed to constitute an anathema to governance at the centre today. Ciroma, who heads the Northern Political Leaders Forum, had severally decried the manner the ruling PDP addressed the issue of zoning and then ended up adopting a wait-and-see attitude to subsequent political events in the country.
In the same vein, each of the presidential aspirants had voiced dissention to the election that produced Jonathan, as they expressed reservations to his government which they believed merely usurped the slot due to the North through alleged political subterfuges. Although, the spate of unrest in some parts of the North has never been linked to any of the presidential aspirants, there is a general belief that, had the political juggernauts rallied round President Jonathan in the present critical moments in Nigeria, the activities of Boko Haram, which have been occasioning killings and destruction of properties in some parts of the North, would not have got to the peak. Worst still, since President Jonathan took the oath of office on May 29, none of the northern presidential aspirants had been seen around the corridors of power, courting the president in any form. Their resolve to stay aloof appears very conspiratorial in a manner that suggests that they are only keen in watching the outcome of their distaste with the present government.
Although the presidential election, held in April, had been lost and won, there are reasons why eyes cannot go off the northern presidential aspirants, given the tendency of each one of them to bounce back to make more statements in the politics of immediate future of Nigeria.
Ibrahim Babangida
The Minna-born General has been consistent in sticking to the standpoint of the northern elders on zoning of political offices. He had surprised Nigerians, most especially his supporters, when he backed out of the 2011 presidential race in support of the consensus candidate by the North.
The Minna-born General has been consistent in sticking to the standpoint of the northern elders on zoning of political offices. He had surprised Nigerians, most especially his supporters, when he backed out of the 2011 presidential race in support of the consensus candidate by the North.
There were times Babangida went out of his way raise voice against the manner the ruling PDP swept the issue of zoning under the carpet.
Not too long ago, when members of the House of Representatives jettisoned the zoning principle by the PDP to elect Aminu Waziri Tambuwal as Speaker, Babangida came out of his shell immediately to offer a congratulatory message and took a step further to lampoon PDP for creating chances for such rebellious tendency demonstrated by Tambuwal and his supporters.
Babangida has since been keeping to himself, while cutting short his usual vivacious movements around power. Although there were reports that Babangida had said goodbye to presidential contest in the future, yet, given his unassuming nature, it is not clear whether or not Nigerians could hold him to that.
Aliyu Gusau
Gusau, among the northern presidential aspirants, presents the most interesting story, given his present attitude to the government of President Jonathan. He was obviously the closest to Jonathan, having served as the National Security Adviser (NSA) in his government. Yet, he was the first to pull away the moment he declared his ambition to be president through the 2011 presidential election.
Gusau, among the northern presidential aspirants, presents the most interesting story, given his present attitude to the government of President Jonathan. He was obviously the closest to Jonathan, having served as the National Security Adviser (NSA) in his government. Yet, he was the first to pull away the moment he declared his ambition to be president through the 2011 presidential election.
Gusau believes in the northern cause and did everything possible to support it by suspending his aspiration to support the Northern consensus candidate. But unlike IBB, Gusau has been most taciturn since the end of the presidential election, and had not been seen, not even once, around the corridors of power where he had work for most part of his service years. It is doubtful whether Gusau, referred to in security circles as the Spy Master, had made contributions to the myriads of security challenges confronting the Jonathan government of late. Gusau is never known as a man of speeches, neither is he known as a man who loves the klieg lights, yet, the former NSA is unpredictable too. Gusau has sufficient time to make up his mind whether to make his third shots at the presidency or not by 2015, that is if age would allow him to do so by then.
Atiku Abubakar
It is not in doubt that Atiku Abubakar spearheaded the fight for the North to regain power in 2011. His past and present political antecedents have depicted him as a fighter, starting with when he confronted his former boss, Olusegun Obasanjo, on the question of ambition. It was by sheer political wizardry that Atiku outsmarted other northern presidential aspirants to emerge as the consensus candidate for the North during the April presidential election. He made no pretences about his preparedness to take over the presidential power from Jonathan in April, even up to the manifesto night when he carpeted the president vigorously. Since he lost the primary, Atiku has wound down his vibrant campaign organisation to keep a low profile. He only comments on political matters, just any time he felt the necessity. There is no underrating the former vice-president when the game of politics is involved. A foxy politician, Atiku fought valiantly from the zone of political relegation before the April presidential election to regain fame and form. He made a dramatic entry into the presidential race after re-aligning with PDP and eventually picked the nomination form.
It is not in doubt that Atiku Abubakar spearheaded the fight for the North to regain power in 2011. His past and present political antecedents have depicted him as a fighter, starting with when he confronted his former boss, Olusegun Obasanjo, on the question of ambition. It was by sheer political wizardry that Atiku outsmarted other northern presidential aspirants to emerge as the consensus candidate for the North during the April presidential election. He made no pretences about his preparedness to take over the presidential power from Jonathan in April, even up to the manifesto night when he carpeted the president vigorously. Since he lost the primary, Atiku has wound down his vibrant campaign organisation to keep a low profile. He only comments on political matters, just any time he felt the necessity. There is no underrating the former vice-president when the game of politics is involved. A foxy politician, Atiku fought valiantly from the zone of political relegation before the April presidential election to regain fame and form. He made a dramatic entry into the presidential race after re-aligning with PDP and eventually picked the nomination form.
The incumbent president and his supporters had to deploy state arts and guile in politics to subdue him in the process. The antics by Jonathan and his spin doctors really destabilised Atiku during the election. Given the advantage of age, Atiku holds a great prospect in taking another shot at the presidential seat in 2015.
Bukola Saraki
With a successful stint in government after eight years as governor of Kwara State, Bukola Saraki took a shot at the presidency in 2011. It was the best option available to him. He had mounted a robust campaign to actualise his presidential dreams, as he deployed tact and wits all the way. At a time it was difficult for the North to pick a consensus candidate, Saraki came with a proposal that he should be considered as the best option, flaunting age advantage, sound education and youthfulness as his strong points. Yet, he aligned with the decision of the northern elders to pick a consensus candidate.
With a successful stint in government after eight years as governor of Kwara State, Bukola Saraki took a shot at the presidency in 2011. It was the best option available to him. He had mounted a robust campaign to actualise his presidential dreams, as he deployed tact and wits all the way. At a time it was difficult for the North to pick a consensus candidate, Saraki came with a proposal that he should be considered as the best option, flaunting age advantage, sound education and youthfulness as his strong points. Yet, he aligned with the decision of the northern elders to pick a consensus candidate.
After the presidential election, Saraki contested and won election into the Senate. That has afforded him the scope to widen his political horizon and also the time to re-strategise politically. If he resolves, at the end of the day, to take another shot at the presidency in 2015, Saraki really has age to count on. His disposition to political issues in the Senate will determine the mileage he will gain in the future politics of Nigeria. He is one politician that the North
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