Those who want President Buhari dead (II)

As President Muhammadu Buhari lay on his sick bed in London in February, some people were allegedly informed by their fortunetellers that he would not get up. It was a serious sickness, no doubt, with blood transfusion and all, and the President himself acknowledged it. Back at home, there was a scramble for power allegedly involving a couple of governors. Who would become Vice President in the event that Yemi Osinbajo achieved promotion to the number one seat? All praise is due to Allah, the President got up and they were utterly amazed; the hands of the power mongers having been seen.

The President has refused to die and they are changing the game; they want to change the government violently. There are tales of a possible coup d’état in the country. This was voiced out by no less than the Chief of Army staff, Lt General Tukur Burutai, who has warned officers and men of the Nigerian Army to steer clear of politicians prodding them to overthrow the government.

“This is to inform the public that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Nigerian Army, has received information that some individuals have been approaching some officers and soldiers for undisclosed political reasons. On the basis of that, he has warned such persons to desist from such acts.”

There it is. There is real desperation for political power in the land. It is easy to believe that the opponents of this government want to remove it via the military. There is unanimity of opinion even among his adversaries that President Buhari is above the fray of corruption. Buhari’s fight against corruption is a fight against them. So, it is quite possible that both the civilian and uniformed wings of our corrupt citizens now want to collaborate to unhorse him using undemocratic means.

The government has spoiled business for these people; no free money, no safe place to even keep the stolen one as they are shadowed daily by whistle blowers. If there is anything that unites Buhari’s enemies in and outside government, it is corruption.

It is also possible that those close to Buhari want to use undemocratic means to retain power believing as they do that the President may not survive his illness, God forbid. So, they think that their best bet is to disrupt democratic succession in the hope of maintaining their privileges.

Whichever group wants to interrupt our democratic order and for whatever purpose, should understand that the citizens of this country will not sit by idly and allow anyone to hijack power just like that. Time is gone past when any group will take political power except through a popular elective mandate. So, whether it is a kite or the real craft that is being flown, the proponents should know that Nigerians will not accept a coup d’état from any assemblage. Nobody imposed Muhammadu Buhari on us; we elected him on our own volition and so we remain behind him till his mandate expires. I suppose it is normal for people to defend their choice. Therefore this is no time for adventurism from power mongers. In the current circumstances, a coup d’état is absolutely impossible.

A few weeks ago, three ex-Heads of state had met in Minna where they privately discussed the state of the nation. Two of them had in the past called each other a fool and one had also dismissed the other as a fraud and you wonder what those two are planning with the third!

A coup d’état in Nigeria will be very unpopular. Since 1999, we have had election six times and citizens are increasingly gaining confidence in their ability to choose their leaders through elections. It is doubtful if we will give up such democratic rights. The disgruntled soldiers working with civilians to truncate our democracy should do well to heed the COAS; “Any officer or soldier of the Nigerian army found to be hobnobbing with such elements or engaged in unprofessional conduct such as politicking would have himself or herself to blame.”

The British government, ever supportive of Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, has also sounded a note of warning to those plotting a non-democratic change of government. Speaking through Mr Paul Arkwright, its High Commissioner to Nigeria, the United Kingdom emphasised that the “British government believes that democracy is actually critical in Nigeria. There are elections. If you’re not happy with your leaders, then you should change your leadership through the democratic process and through elections. Our position is very clear: we stand for the democratic process and we stand for change - if that’s what the people want. That has to be a choice the people make and not a choice that is imposed on them.”

President Buhari has already broken the national record since our return to democracy; he is the only President that has repeatedly transferred power to his deputy every time he is indisposed.

Only those who want the country to disintegrate will attempt a putsch - and let there be no doubt that they will not succeed. What is a military government coming to do? Is it going to decree high crude oil prices? Has the military solved its own problems?

It is very gratifying that the government has refused to say anything regarding the threat to use force to change it because there is really nothing to say. It shows that the government remains confident that its service chiefs and commanders will do what is necessary to crush any act of insurrection from any section of the military. Those who want Buhari dead, those angling for power through the use of force should understand that the masses of Buhari supporters will disarm them, strip them of their uniforms and lynch them before they ever acquire that power. Wasa wuka ba ya razana doki.