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.