THE TRUTH THESE PROGRESSIVES NEVER TOLD MUHAMMADU BUHARI. Written by Saint-Olawale Jimoh

  I'm still wondering which bank gave N27.5m loan to a 72 years old man to invest in politics? Ok let's assume it's not a lie (which glaringly it is) how does he intend paying N27.5m plus interest in the unlikely case he becomes president if not through tax payers' money?
By implication, Buhari has stated in clear terms that he will offset his many debts from our commonwealth. Should we begin to expect this from someone the 'progressives' say would drive away corruption?
    These are the questions I expected these desperate armies of boll weevils and termites called APC to have considered and asked Buhari before allowing him to be their candidate.
   There are two categories of Nigerians that want Buhari: the Northern oligarchy hiding under religion and zoning to actualize their aims and the unsuspecting youths who don't realize this old man is using part of their time. It's more like they have concluded they may never be relevant in governance or that they don't believe in themselves. They have refused to accept the stark reality that Buhari has served his time already and he's using part of theirs.
    What new vision does Buhari have? When will these men with greedy minds but weak bodies hand over the batons of leadership to the youths? When Buhari was Head of State, President Barack Obama was probably in high school. Americans have since stopped talking of Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan, yet we keep worshiping and re-cycling these old men and expect Nigeria to be like America!
   Meanwhile, Buhari's generation was a very privileged one indeed and he achieved everything possible in term of wealth and government power. In 1975 at the age of 33, he was appointed the Military Governor of the North-Eastern State, present day Borno & Yobe states. In 1976 at the age of 34 he became the Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources. In 1978 at the age of 36 he was appointed the Chairman of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). In 1983 at the age of 41, he became the Head of State. Most Nigerians at that age have not had the opportunity to serve. Today the reverse is the case. Most Nigerians at age of 35 are still unemployed and still living with parents. Many are still not married. One major reason for this unfortunate turn of events is that many elders like Buhari have refused to voluntarily hand over the baton to the next generation. This is the fact many youths clamouring for Buhari never realised.
    I quite agree with Professor Wole Soyinka who pointed out that some Nigerians love to point to Buhari’s past agenda of discipline as the shining jewel in his scrap-iron crown. But to inculcate discipline however, one must lead by example, obeying laws set down as guides to public probity. Example speaks louder than declarations, and rulers cannot exempt themselves from the disciplinary structures imposed on the overall polity.
    The case of selective punishment for drug pushers under Buhari's regime is still fresh in our memories. What about Nduka Irabor, Tunde Thompson and other journalists that Buhari jailed unlawfully. Tai Solarin was sent to jail by same Buhari for publicly opposing him; Fela Kuti was jailed by Buhari and parents and friends of Barth Owoh, Ojuolape and others wept when they were sent to their early graves. Come to think of it, is any coup plotter justified to rule Nigeria, especially the one that truncated our hard-earned democracy at all?
      I believe, as a former Head of State, Buhari is automatically a member of the Council of State. He has every avenue to channel his views across on how to move Nigeria forward. He doesn't necessarily have to be in a frontline role, he can serve in an advisory capacity.
He should go sit down and allow agile youths take charge.