For decades, President Muhammadu Buhari has been flying mainly on one thing: integrity/anti-corruption. This was what brought him to power in 2015, which proved once again, in my mind, that Nigerians are generally fed up with this corruption plague and desire a clean society.
Unfortunately, since coming to office in 2015 the President’s performance in this key area of anti-corruption has been far lower than most of us expected. His performance in two or three other areas has not been very commendable either.
Some other aspects of him we didn’t know about have been unearthed, made worse by poor judgement occasioned by age and ill-health. All these have diminished his electability, paving way for Atiku Abubakar to rise and shine despite his serious integrity problems. Ordinarily, Atiku would have been no match for Buhari. At this time, so close to the presidential elections my judgement is that Buhari is still ahead of the Adamawa-born politician.
Then enter this highly durable retired army General, Olusegun Obasanjo. He has crossed carpet. Is that something to worry about? I think so. He knows how to make success. Victory at the top has often gone his side. When he endorsed Atiku I thought he made a bad mistake.
But looking at his record I am compelled to ask some questions. Is he seeing something we are not seeing? Is there a master stroke waiting to be pulled in the coming days? Is he better able to interpret the popularity progress of both candidates? I think it is getting more interesting. Who can say who the winner will be? Hope we all live to see. Good luck to both candidates.
