Buhari: fourth time lucky

They said he will never be elected president of this country and used every trick in and out of the book of politics to make sure. Three times he tried, beginning from 2003, and three times he failed. But the man simply refused to be deterred.

Part of his problem seemed to be where he came from – the northern part of Nigeria whose leaders, in mufti and in Khaki (including himself), had ruled the country for  much of its existence as an independent country. Mr Femi Fani-Kayode, the director-general of President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign organisation, once alluded to this at the time he had pressed himself into the service of President Olusegun Obasanjo, the estranged benefactor of his current political master. This was back in 2002.

Because the North had ruled the country for so long, he said in an interview in Sunday Vanguard(July 21, 2002), “We also have to be able to rule for possibly close to 50 years.” By “We” he, of course, meant the South where Obasanjo and himself came from. But not only did the South deserve to rule for nearly half a century in compensation for the longevity of Northern rulership of the country, he also believed, he said, good governance was a preserve of Southerners.

Photo: APC supporters jubilate in Abuja

APC supporters jubilating over Buhari victory in Abuja on Tuesday

APC supporters jubilating over Buhari victory in Abuja on Tuesday

Alh Lai Mohammed(left) Timipre Sylva and senator elect, Kogi West, Hon.Dino Melaye celebrating Buhari victory at party headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.

APC supporters jubilating over Buhari victory in Abuja on Tuesday

APC supporters jubilating over Buhari victory in Abuja on Tuesday

APC addresses supporters on Buhari’s speech

The All Progressive Congress (APC) has announced that the speech of the President newly elected on its platform, General Mohammadu Buhari would not be given until 11 am on Wednesday.

The party made the announcement following the elongated time spent so far by the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to compute the final results and officially announce the winner of the Match 28 presidential election

Buhari…the president-elect

Buhari

Muhammadu Buhari, former Head of State and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was this morning declared winner of last Saturday’s presidential election.

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega declared Gen. Buhari winner of the keenly contested election after the collation of results from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Gen. Buhari scored 15,424,921 votes to defeat President Goodluck Jonathan, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDPwho polled 12,853,162 votes.

Gen. Buhari won in 21 states. Jonathan won in 15 and in the FCT.

The day started on a sour note when PDP agent Elder Godsday Orubebe almost disrupted the announcement of results. As soon as the process which started on Monday, resumed yesterday, Orubebe requested to make an observation. He was obliged. He created a scene,  swearing and screaming as he accused Jega of bias. The calmness with which Jega handled Orubebe’s distraction saved the day.

But the day ended on an exciting note as President Jonathan conceded defeat even before the final tally. He called Gen. Buhari a little after 5pm, to congratulate the APC candidate.

Jonathan’s action did not only douse tension but earned him accolades.

Former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar told reporters after meeting with the president at the Villa that Jonathan told him that he called Gen. Buhari around 5.15 p.m.

The APC also confirmed the “historic call”.

“President Jonathan called at 5.15pm, “Gen. Buhari’s campaign spokesperson Garba Shehu said.

Asked if Jonathan conceded, he said: “Yes, and General Buhari has accepted and thanked him for this.”

The president confirmed his call to Gen. Buhari in his message to Nigerians last night, saying: “I have conveyed my personal best wishes to Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.”

It is the first time in Nigeria’s history that a sitting government will be defeated in an election.

President-elect Gen. Buhari shelved his planned address to the nation at about 12:45am. It was shifted till 11.000am this morning

Party officials announced the decision to cancel the address after a long wait for INEC to formally confirm Buhari’s victory.

Before the announcement, supporters besieged the party secretariat to catch a glimpse of Gen. Buhari, dancing and singing. The podium was already set and leaders of the party, including House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, were at the secretariat.

The supporters left disappointed, but with great enthusiasm and anticipation.

All streets leading to the party’s secretariat were taken over by youths celebrating Gen. Buhari’s victory.

The youths, holding broom were singing and drumming.