By Michael Jegede
General Muhammadu Buhari is highly respected and loved by many within and outside Nigeria for his simplicity, uprightness and zero tolerance for corruption. Born on December 17, 1942 in Daura, Katsina state, Buhari, a professionally trained soldier and military Head of State between 31 December 31, 1983 and August 27, 1985, has over the years proved himself as a man of rectitude, and demonstrated his commitment towards the struggle to build a better Nigeria in the interest of the masses.
As a dogged, resilient fighter and uncompromising politician with unalloyed forthrightness, he pursued his presidential ambition with great persistence and tenacity, despite his failure at every attempt since 2003. The retired army General’s sojourn to the Presidency actually started in 2003, when he vied on the platform of the defunct All Peoples Party, APP
In fact, he received commendations from a lot of Nigerians who had maintained that the support for Buhari from the people since he began his journey to occupy the seat of Power at the centre in the current democratic dispensation was purely based on his personality and reputation. He is believed to have distinguished himself in all the various positions he held in the past and thereby succeeded in getting endeared into the hearts of the populace.
Today, the former Head of State has made history by becoming the first Nigerian politician to defeat an incumbent President. He polled a total of 15,424,921 votes to defeat Jonathan, who scored a total of 12,853,162 votes to place second in the race involving 14 contestants. His victory has been described by many observers as a welcome development heralding the beginning of a new era in the administration of the affairs of the country under a democratic setting.
Congratulatory messages from prominent Nigerians have continued to roll in for Buhari on his emergence as the President-elect after his triumphant outing in the presidential poll.
Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (rtd), described the victory of his professional colleague against Jonathan as well-deserved. IBB said: “This victory to me conveys two significant statements on our political history and evolution.
First; that incumbents can be defeated in any democratic process if the people’s aspirations are not fulfilled. Second, that there is good reward for perseverance and hard work. Buhari has been very consistent in pursuing his political aspiration. In fact, he reminds me of President Abraham Lincoln of the American fame, who was very dogged in pursuing his political aspiration and enriched the contents of democracy in America.
General Buhari lives true to his military calling by remaining very consistent, resilient and courageous right from 2003 till date. This enviable feat to me further enriches our democratic process and matures us into the top echelon of nations where democracy has taken firm root. That President Jonathan has indeed conceded defeat and congratulated the President-elect is also cheering news.”
He continued: “With this election and its outcome thus far, Nigeria has once again recorded another milestone in her march through the enviable ladder of democracy. Our leadership role in Africa will further be enhanced by the way and manner we manage the gains of this process. But I trust that the President-elect will live up to the expectations of many Nigerians that crave for change; and lift Nigeria to greater heights.
I wish to implore the President-elect to reach out to other contestants in the spirit of one Nigeria, as he settles down for the task of leading this nation in the next four years. Your victory has no doubt broken the barriers of ethnicity and religious inclinations; two sensitive issues that undeservedly dominated the campaigns. I am confident that this victory will usher in a new perspective in our political history and development.”
Jegede wrote from Abuja
