¶3. (C) Like President Obasanjo before the 1999 election, General Buhari's political experience is limited to that of military Head of State. Buhari came to power as a result of a 1983 New Year's Eve coup against the democratically elected Shehu Shagari. The eviction of Shagari came as a welcome relief as did Buhari's promise to root out corruption. That relief, however, was short-lived as Nigerians watched despairingly as the Buhari regime's promises to revive the economy and wipe out rampant corruption withered during 20 months of heavy-handed, largely ineffective rule.

¶7. (C) Buhari's current attempts to gain support from the Southeast have also been unrefined. After calling on the Southeast to unite with the North, Buhari stoked ire in the eastern region by tutoring Igbo politicians not to follow the path set by previous generations of Igbo politicians he described as mercenaries to the highest bidder. (Comment: While there may be a grain of truth in his remarks, it was grossly impolitic and politically naive for Buhari, as a visiting Northerner and supplicant for votes, to abuse and embarrass his Igbo hosts. This episode demonstrates Buhari's penchant for divisiveness in Nigerian politics, at the very moment when Nigeria needs a leader to unify the nation. End Comment.)

¶4.(C) In May 1984, Buhari ordered the brutal expulsion of 700,000 illegal immigrants from neighboring African states, jailed hundreds of political opponents and muzzled a once aggressive press. His loyalty to the military also came into question as he dismissed 30,000 soldiers as a cost-cutting measure. Buhari also soured Nigeria's relations with Britain, when he was accused of masterminding a clumsy and unsuccessful attempt in July 1984 to kidnap President Shagari's brother-in-law, former Transport Minister Umaru Dikko. Moreover, Buhari undermined traditional rulers throughout Nigeria, slashing their benefits and questioning their authority. Still, many of these moves resonated well with the common man. Now, economic hard times and the perception of avaricious politicians have caused many people in the North to remember Buhari's efforts nostalgically and see him as the man of the moment who can extirpate the corrupt, machiavellian elitism that still characterizes Nigerian politics.

¶5.(C) Despite accusations of heavy-handedness, supporters praise Buhari's former prosecution of corrupt public officials, governors, Ministers and others. Buhari supporters also contend he performed well as chairman of the now defunct Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF). In fact, the PTF did accelerate road construction, and subsidized agricultural equipment and pharmaceuticals. Schools and water works were also rehabilitated; some claim that the PTF performed better than most Ministries. However, detractors claim the PTF did disproportionately more for the Northwest than any other region, and that the South, in particular, was practically ignored.

¶6. (C) As if he had not alienated enough people during his previous tenure as Head of State, Buhari continues to trod on sensitive toes in his current quest for the presidency. Due to indelicate public statements, he has been accused religious bigotry. Last year, Buhari reportedly encouraged Muslims to vote only for a Muslim President. These reports caused a swift reaction in all sectors of Nigerian society, particularly from the Christian clergy. Buhari has been accused of "playing the religion card" and stirring up tensions. Buhari compounded his political gaffe by waiting two months before issuing a clarifying statement. According to Buhari, his call was not for exclusive voting along religious lines, rather an appeal to conscience.

(C) All in all, Buhari represents an ideologically vague but psychologically resonant viewpoint in the North. He is the pennant for a religiously conservative, yet politically anti-establishment Northern populism. It is these adjectival qualities that strongly endear him to those who fit into this category but also alienate him from the many Nigerians who do not.

Kagame:












http://wikileaks.org/cable/2002/09/02ABUJA2712.html

otil1:
Problem is the large no of youngsters on Nairaland who don't know Buhari.

I personally queued for a whole day to buy essential commodities and ended up getting nothing B'cos the warehouse stock finished b4 it got to about ten persons before me.

Meanwhile, even with WAI people would come with notes from Brigadier and get served

nduchucks:
See desperation.

If una like make una dig up articles from 1992 instead of 2002, e no go stop GEJ from early retirement in Otuoke.

otil1:
Problem is the large no of youngsters on Nairaland who don't know Buhari.

I personally queued for a whole day to buy essential commodities and ended up getting nothing B'cos the warehouse stock finished b4 it got to about ten persons before me.

Meanwhile, even with WAI people would come with notes from Brigadier and get served

otil1:
Problem is the large no of youngsters on Nairaland who don't know Buhari.

I personally queued for a whole day to buy essential commodities and ended up getting nothing B'cos the warehouse stock finished b4 it got to about ten persons before me.

Meanwhile, even with WAI people would come with notes from Brigadier and get served

clevvermind:
Buhari cannot lead Nigeria. He can't solve Nigeria's problem. He doesn't have the clue to do so.

KanwuliaJara:

The other choice wey make face like 'OTU OKE' is just as ridiculous!
I really pity NIGERIA and NIGERIANS!
Tufiakwa!!!!

Adminisher:


Wr were not queuing after six months. All forex issues were solved and profiteering were eliminated. There was even no more need for price controls after some time. Please dont take a traders view of the events at the time. Buhari practical caused FMCG sector boost in 83/84

bokohalal:
Buhari is ideologically vague

Jonathan is ideologically bereft

KanwuliaJara:
Vague is an understatement!
The only thing I see about him is HIS GAP-TOOTH!
A weakling that fell asleep to wake up to a bloodless coup?

It is so shameful that this is the BEST Nigerians can do!
The other choice wey make face like 'OTU OKE' is just as ridiculous!
I really pity NIGERIA and NIGERIANS!
Tufiakwa!!!!

KanwuliaJara:
Vague is an understatement!
The only thing I see about him is HIS GAP-TOOTH!
A weakling that fell asleep to wake up to a bloodless coup?

It is so shameful that this is the BEST Nigerians can do!
The other choice wey make face like 'OTU OKE' is just as ridiculous!
I really pity NIGERIA and NIGERIANS!
Tufiakwa!!!!

clevvermind:
Buhari cannot lead Nigeria. He can't solve Nigeria's problem. He doesn't have the clue to do so.

KanwuliaJara:
Vague is an understatement!
The only thing I see about him is HIS GAP-TOOTH!
A weakling that fell asleep to wake up to a bloodless coup?

It is so shameful that this is the BEST Nigerians can do!
The other choice wey make face like 'OTU OKE' is just as ridiculous!
I really pity NIGERIA and NIGERIANS!
Tufiakwa!!!!

nduchucks:
See desperation.

If una like make una dig up articles from 1992 instead of 2002, e no go stop GEJ from early retirement in Otuoke.

otil1:


My own take on the situation is simple. Jonathan is definitely not that leader that will take Nigeria to the promise land, but Buhari is definetly not a solution. I can give jonathan a very weak pass (39.9999%) but Buhari who, today, stands on the same pedestrian as Jonathan, as both have ruled Nigeria and must be judged based on their performance and known tendencies; cannot get my 30%. So who will replace near 40 with 30? I'd rather wait. How I wish we had a 3rd better candidate, but we don't. So I will wait out the bad dream