Politics

2015 Elections And Buhari’s Bloodbath Threat

Published

14 years ago

May 21, 2012

Former Head of State, Mohammadu Buhari’s
declaration that “if what happened in 2011 (election) should again happen in
2015, by the grace of God, the dog and the baboon would all be soaked in blood”
has been viewed from various
perspectives. Expectedly, all of these views were either in favour, or
against the declaration

The most striking of the reactions were
those of the Presidency and the ruling People’s Democratic Party PDP; the stand
taken by the Northern Nigeria Governor’s Forum, and that of the Arewa Defence
League.

As expected, the reaction of the Federal
Government and the PDP was to see the declaration as a call to arms, something
which the country should naturally avoid, especially given the present
insecurity pervading the northern part of the country, no thanks to the
bombings by the dreaded Boko Haram sect.

The thinking of the Federal Government and
the ruling party may not be out of place, afterall, who would want to live in a
house that is on fire? Perhaps this thinking is guided by what Napoleon stated
years ago that for the maintenance of peace, nations should avoid the pin
pricks which forerun cannon-shots”.

For the northern Governors, who spoke
through their Chairman, Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, there is nothing wrong with Buhari’s
declaration. According to Governor Aliyu, it is “merely a warning against”
alleged rigging of elections in Nigeria by the PDP. Consequently, rather than
think of what the effect of rigging would be, the governors said those who
abhor such effect should consider ways to ensuring that the act of rigging does
not take place.

“All of us who are involved in
elections-political parties, contestants and the voters themselves- must be careful
so that whatever we do, the semblance of
good will be there”, Aliyu said.

He, however, noted that “certain people are
in a position that they should be careful about certain vocabularies they use.
So both ways, let us take it on our own stride and ensure that future elections
are seen to be transparent and are seen to be good”.

In a communiqué issued last Thursday at the
end of the meeting of northern State Governor’s Forum in Kaduna, and read out
to journalists, Governor Aliyu cautioned eminent Nigerians against “making
inflammatory statements capable of affecting the nation’s fragile unity and
security”, urging Nigerians to be concerned about the unity and development of
the country in all ramifications.

According to the communiqué, the 19
Governors agreed that if their “present opportunity as Governors and leaders
cannot earn us paradise, it should not send us to hell.

“Above all, we must do everything possible
to ensure that we enter 2015 as a peaceful and united constituent, Nigeria”.

On his part, Governor Aliyu noted that
Nigeria “is passing through a very difficult phase in the history of the
nation, a period that put patriotism, nationalism, sincerity and responsibility
collectively to test.

“This is the period that we have to
demonstrate individually and collectively our abiding faith in our nation, when
we must confront the common enemies of the nation, those who are sworn to
destroying the spirit of nationhood through wanton destruction of lives and
property”.

These fine words, said the manner in which
they were stated, seem to be a contradiction of the threat of bloodbath by the
former Head of State, Buhari, unless it is employed as a smoke screen to cover
up the governors’ real intention.

While condemning Buhari’s declaration in
its entirety, President of the Arewa Defence League, Murtala Abubakar, said
going by his initial stand not to contest election for the presidency
after his third attempt in 2011 failed,
the retired General is only dancing to the tune played by some selfish people
who only seek to ride on his (Buhari’s) goodwill.

“He told the whole world that he will not
contest election again. I am surprised that he is coming up now to say that he
may contest the elections in 2015”, he said.

Abubakar unequivocally noted that though
Buhari is blessed with certain qualities, leadership is not one of them a
factor that may have seen him make the declaration, hence he is not qualified
to rule Nigeria.

“Experience has shown that Buhari is a man
of integrity”, he said but he is not a
good leader. Look at the imposition of candidates that characterised the last
election. I believe that like several other Nigerians Buhari has personal integrity, and that is
not in doubt.

“But Buhari as a politician and candidate
still has a problem. When he came up with his political party, the CPC, there
was this euphoria about the party and the belief that with Buhari, we are going
to see principles in our politics. But look at what is happening.

“I am disappointed that he has allowed some
people manipulate him for their own selfish interest … These people are not
interested in what is good for the country, and as a leader, he should be able
to distance himself from them. But that has not happened, and it is not good
for him”, he said.

Also noteworthy is the position of the
Christian Health Awareness Initiative of Nigeria (CHAN), which said
unequivocally that Buhari’s declaration could trigger violence during the 2015
general elections.

In a statement, CHAN noted that “we have
noted with dismay the unstatesmanly conduct of Muhammadu Buhari, who threatened
the nation with bloodshed should the 2015 election not be free and fair’.

According to the body, given the manner
Buhari made the declaration, it is obvious that his description of free and
fair election is one that would see him emerge winner of the 2015 election.

“In reality, Buhari is saying that there
would be bloodshed in 2015, if he does not win the Presidential election,” the
statement said.

CHAN noted that the result of a similar
statement by Buhari, which called for the lynching of certain persons led to
the bloodshed that followed the 2011 general elections, which claimed the lives
of some Christians and some members of the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC),
serving in some northern states.

All of these perspectives may have their
followers at different for under
different circumstances. However, if we must think, eat, drink and smell “one
Nigeria” as often stated by our leaders, Buhari inclusive, such declaration (or
statement) coming from somebody of the caliber of a former Head of State, can
only call for one thing, War! The questions, therefore, are who is going to war
with who? Are we no longer one Nigeria again, just because another person is at
the head of governance? Will the envisaged bloodshed affect only the assumed
opposition/enemy?

Perhaps it is time to remind our hitherto
astute former Head of State, in the words of the late Albert Einstein, that he
should “try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of
value”, if he truly treasures the unity of Nigeria and his statesmanship as he
wants Nigerians to believe.

Politics

Parties’ Deregistration: How Justice Lifu Overruled Appeal Court Justices

Published

2 days ago

June 17, 2026

The Tide

Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday brushed aside the order of the Court of Appeal in Abuja which ordered him to stay proceedings in a suit that sought deregistration of the African Democratic Party (ADC), Accord Party and three others.
The Court of Appeal in a unanimous decision of a panel of three Justices had on May 22, 2026 directed the Federal High Court Judge not to proceed with the suit until an appeal pending before them and filed by Accord Party is resolved.
In a Certified True Copy Enrol Order of the Superior Court, Justices Mohammed Danjuma, Adebukola Banjoko and Oyejoju Oyewumi asked the lower Court Judge to stay proceedings until all issues on the appeal filed by the Accord Party were resolved
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State had, through the Accord Party, applied to justice Lifu to join him as a defendant in the deregistration legal battle instituted by a group of former legislators.
The contention of the Osun State governor was that he had a stake in the Accord Party, being the platform he was seeking re-election in the August 15 gubernatorial poll in the state.
In his ruling, Justice Lifu on April 27 ruled against the Osun State governor, rejecting his request to be joined in the suit to defend his own position and interest.
Not satisfied with the Federal High Court decision, the Osun State governor, through his lawyer, Musibau Adetunbi (SAN), moved to the Court of Appeal in Abuja where he challenged the Justice Lifu decision to refuse to allow him join the suit.
After listening to the argument canvassed, especially that he has interest to protect as Accord Party gubernatorial candidate for Osun State governorship election, the three Justices of the Court of Appeal, unanimously directed Justice Lifu to allow them look into the grievances of the governor.
In specific terms, the Court of Appeal Justices directed Justice Lifu not to proceed further with the matter and fixed October 27 to determine the interlocutory appeal of the appellant.
However, when the certified enroll order and notice of appeal were served on Justice Peter Lifu by Mr Adetunbi (SAN), the judge rejected it on the ground that it was a ploy to arrest his judgment in the matter.
Although the judge had adjourned his judgment delivery in the matter indefinitely, he finally made a dramatic turn around on Monday and proceeded to deliver the judgment that has now proscribed the five political parties.

Politics

ADC: Okonkwo Rejects Amaechi As Presidential Running Mate, Withdraws Support

Published

2 days ago

June 17, 2026

The Tide

Actor turned politician, Mr Kenneth Okonkwo, has rejected the choice of former Rivers State Governor, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, as the running mate to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a statement on Monday, Mallam Bolaji Abdulllahi, the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, announced the party’s choice of Mr Amaechi.
However in a statement, Mr Okonkwo said that the choice of Mr Amaechi from the South South strengthens the continued marginalization of people from the South East.
According to the former spokesperson of the Labour Party, any arrangement that would not factor a person from the South East either as president or vice president in the party is anti-Igbo.
He contended that Chief Raph Nwosu, who founded the ADC in 2005 and willingly surrendered it’s leadership to Senator David Mark did not do so to entrench Igbo marginalization in the party.
The former actor said: “I heard from the social media that ADC has picked its vice presidential candidate from the South-South. If this is true, it is unfortunate, as this will continue the crude marginalisation of the South-East.
“This geo-political zone has neither produced a president or vice president since 1999. To deny the South-East the opportunity to produce the president or vice president in the ADC in 2027, will amount to perpetuating the marginalisation.
“The ADC was founded by Ralphs Nwosu from the South-East in 2005. He made the sacrifice to give up the party in 2025 for the coalition to usher in a better Nigeria. He couldn’t have made that sacrifice to marginalise his own people.
“I did not join the coalition to assist in marginalisation of my own people further. I am of the opinion that if we made a sacrifice to give up the national chairman and the president, it will amount to unpardonable injustice to deny us the vice president in 2027.
“I joined politics to fight for a better Nigeria where no region, geo-political zone, or person will be marginalised.
“The only favour I asked Atiku Abubakar, who openly declared that he is the pathway to the presidency of the South-East, is to show it by choosing someone from the South-East to be his vice.
“If it is confirmed that he has chosen a candidate from the South-South, I wish him well. I am not favourably disposed to campaigning for any presidential ticket that does not have a person of South-East origin as president or vice in 2027”

Politics

2027: Tinubu’s Projects Give APC Edge In South East – Yilwatda

Published

2 days ago

June 17, 2026

The Tide

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, on Monday said that the numerous projects being executed by President Bola Tinubu across the states in the southeast will give him upper hand over other presidential candidates during next year’s general elections.
Prof. Yilwatda stated this at the Abakaliki Township Stadium during a mega rally organized by the Ebonyi State government and Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, during which President Tinubu and other APC candidates for the 2027 general elections were adopted.
According to the APC National Chairman, no President had done for the southeast region what President Tinubu has done for them and expressed the confidence that the president would not only win in Ebonyi State but in the entire South East.
Prof. Yilwatda also used the occasion to address growing insinuations in some quarters that Ebonyi State had been conceded to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Dismissing the claim, Prof. Yilwatda said the state would not allow the PDP to win any position in the forthcoming general election.
“We will return President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Francis Nwifuru as Governor of Ebonyi State in 2027.
“We want to return all APC senators, members of the House of Representatives and House of Assembly candidates in 2027.
“Nobody has conceded Ebonyi to the PDP. Therefore, there is no vacancy in Ebonyi State. Ebonyi PDP has no place, and there is no vacancy at all in the Government House come 2027,” the APC National Chairman declared.
He commended the people of the state for their support for President Tinubu and urged them to re-elect him in the next presidential election in appreciation of what he has done for the state and the entire South-East through infrastructural transformation and human capital development.
Governor Francis Nwifuru, who also spoke at the event, said the state had no other presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections apart from President Tinubu.

He declared that Ebonyi remained a stronghold of the APC and vowed that the party would deliver the President in the state.

Gov. Nwifuru said President Tinubu had shown exceptional commitment to the state and deserved total support for appointing Senator Umahi as Minister of Works, a role he said Senator Umahi had performed creditably.

“Ebonyi has no other presidential candidate apart from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and we will return him in the presidential election.

“We are standing here today to tell the whole world, especially those using the President’s name to orchestrate division and confusion in this great state, that we have only one party, and that is the APC.

“This statement became necessary because some people are going around claiming they have discussed with Mr President and that he has handed Ebonyi over to the PDP. They are also saying that Chief Nyesom Wike is their leader and that Wike said the President has given Ebonyi to him.

“Ebonyi is not for sale. We are restraining ourselves because the people are with us. Nobody should push us because we have what it takes to confront anyone trying to destabilise us.

“We want to tell Mr President that he has earned our votes. He gave us what we had never had in Eastern Nigeria — the office of the Minister of Works. And this Minister of Works is not sitting idle; he is working,” he stated.

Senator Umahi, in his remarks, said President Tinubu had done what no other President had done for Ebonyi State and the entire South-East by executing numerous projects across the state and the region.

“Ebonyi State is a one-party state under Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru. We are not going to repeat the mistakes of the past.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done a lot, not just for Ebonyi State but for the entire South-East and other geopolitical zones,” he said.