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By OKE EPIA
Sycophancy is a thriving industry in politics. It is even more intense as it relates to incumbents eligible for reelection in Nigeria. As the electioneering season picks steam there is a fierce competition for prominence which usually escalates to cut-throat posturing to be the anchorage of the anticipated campaign. It does not matter that the principal is yet to declare his intentions. In fact, it seems part of the calculation is for the surrogates to engage so intensely in the shadows such that can conjure up an eventual declaration based on the ‘loud calls by Nigerians from all walks of life to continue the good work of the first tenure.’
The case is no different with President Muhammadu Buhari whose body language has suggested that he is not uninterested in seeking reelection in 2019. Aides, associates, friends, and family of the President have launched out various kinds of campaigns for a yet-to-be-declared ambition. The other day, some misguided youths threatened court action against the President should he decide not to contest for second term. While all of these time-worn shenanigans are going on, those in political opposition or perceived to be non-supportive of the supposed reelection quest are targeted in reprisals that are hardly justifiable to the politically uninitiated.
This explains why the All Progressives Congress (APC) is currently embroiled in an internecine tussle of gladiators that may lead to an implosion in no distant time. On one hand, party apparatchiks are divided along linear lines of loyalty; and on the other hand, its standard bearers in public office are in a struggle for placement in what is thought to be the President’s re-election campaign structure. Even those considered indifferent to a return of Buhari are graduated along a diagonal suspicion slope drawn up and closely monitored by the closest cabals in Aso Rock.
The battle for supremacy between the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and the reconciler-in-chief of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is aptly constructed on this template. So also is the silent in-fighting among governors of the APC and federal cabinet members over whom should be headliners of the campaign. All of these may snowball into unpleasant consequences for Buhari should he eventually declare to run in 2019. But this is not really the worry, as politicians have a way of pulling back from class destruction when occasion demands.
It is pertinent to observe that some far-reaching damage is being done to the Buhari brand ahead of his moment of decision. The President’s coterie of hand-picked sycophants is already nibbling at the fabric of whatever substance or propaganda his reelection bid could be anchored upon. The comments, conducts and comportment of these Buharideens are fast becoming a nuisance to decency, civility and public engagement. These closet vipers with their poisonous pricks may do the greatest damage to the perceived integrity, image or touted credentials of the President when the curtain is eventually drawn. It is a case of show me your friends and I will tell what kind of person you are. Even though impressions are already largely formed about the person and competence of Buhari for 2019, the antics of Mallam Nasir el-Rufai and Mr. Yahaya Bello who are governors of Kaduna and Kogi States respectively epitomize the unwitting friendly fire the President has exposed himself to from his political kitchen cabinet.
El-Rufai has in the last two months shown uncommon enthusiasm in projecting the Buhari bid for 2019. Being the vantage accidental Buharist that he is, the governor is trying very hard to be the avante garde of the ‘Buhari is perpetually electable’ riposte. Given the dubious character of the typical Nigerian politician, that would be less worry to close watchers of politics in this clime. But the governor’s series of missteps and ill-mannerisms recently are the real sources of worry. First, it was el-Rufai who led a gang of governors to the presidential villa to publicly announce a call for Buhari to run on a day scores of Nigerians were being buried in mass graves after they had been murdered by mindless herdsmen allegedly of his Fulani ethnic stock. Callously unmindful of the mournful mood of a traumatized nation, the governor told journalists exultantly at the State House: “We are politicians and those of us you see here want the President to contest the 2019 election; we have no apologies for that.
We believe in Mr. President we want him to continue running the country in the right direction. People can speculate about 2019 we have no apologies. We are interested in the continuity and stability and we want the president to continue with that.†The Kaduna governor got a befitting response from an APC chieftain, albeit a disgruntled one who had fallen out of favour with the establishment. Hear Mr. Timi Frank, a member of the National Working Committee of the party: “They chose to visit the Aso Rock Villa and make such demand for their selfish reason. Instead of these governors to advise Mr. President on how to put an end to wanton killings going on across the country, fuel queues, economic hardship and the rest, they chose to be selfish. Is Benue governor not an APC member? Is Benue State where 72 people were killed not part of Nigeria? Our politicians should learn to be sensitive to the plights of citizens when needed and not only when their votes are needed.†Need I say more?
But el-Rufai, admittedly a sturdy study in governance but an unraveling political fiasco, would not be ruffled. He is taking on his political foes with iron-fist and brandishing the toga of being the President’s man as a tower of protection. That is why he may very well get away with the crushing blow he is dealing members of the APC faction opposed to him as well as other ordinary critiques of his style of politics and governance. Pulling down houses, swooping on bloggers and journalists in controversial circumstances, as well as kicking teachers in the groins are some of his headstrong actions that will certainly impact his political fate. And by extension of course, these are baggage brought forward to buffet Buhari in 2019.
––Epia, Publisher of OrderPaper NG, tweets @resourceme.
