When the Congress for Progressive Change Presidential candidate General Muhammadu Buhari attempted to visit some Emirs at their Palaces during a campaign tour of Nassarawa State, three of them abandoned their palaces or locked their gates against the General and his frightening entourage. One of the Emirs who received advance written request to receive the General wrote back with the excuse that he was too ill to receive the General. In Nassarawa town, when the Emir was nowhere to be seen, youth who accompany the General shouted that the Emir has run away. The Emir of Keffi who reportedly locked his gates also had Buhari’s youthful followers shouting that the Emir has run away out of fear.
It is possible that the Emirs in Nassarawa State who avoided the General at great cost to their dignity have heard of what happened when the CPC flag bearer visited the Emir of Zazzau. Many among the thousands of mostly young people who accompanied the General to the Emir’s palace reportedly abused the Emir, and broke doors and windows in a bid to witness the meeting the Emir an the General. Young people said many unprintable things about the Emir, and even the General made a comment about how difficult it is for him to control his supporters.
It has now become an established trademark of General Buhari’s campaign that he is accompanied by thousands of motorcyclists and other young people. This unruly entourage of the General is a genuine reflection of the incredible and genuine support which he enjoys among the poor and young people, as well as many millions who believe he represents their only hope for a better Nigeria. They will follow him everywhere, even if he tells them not to. They will also resist any attempt to limit their access to him, and, as happened in Jos a few days ago, some would even die while following him.
General Buhari himself is now a captive of the huge, unruly crowd which follows him around. He cannot get out of his jeep to address crowds. It must pain him to see many young people put their lives and limbs at risk to demonstrate their support for him. Millions of his supporters cannot get close to him, or even catch a glimpse of him because of the type of people who follow and surround his motorcade. His supporters clash with police; clash with opposition supporters, and tear down every poster or billboard of the opposition in their path. His campaign rallies are very brief affairs, because his security details have to struggle to get him to the venue, fight crowds to let him speak, and have to fight their way out to every gathering.
For most politicians, General Buhari’s awesome following will be worth its weight in gold. But his many other supporters who do not ride ‘achaba’, who are employed and are responsible citizens with families, are worried about the image being created by the General’s unruly entourage. Many of the young people who accompany the General see every form of authority as an enemy of the General, which must be insulted, challenge or destroyed. If the General does not respect or value Emirs and Chiefs, he will not visit them. It must embarrass him therefore when his followers rain abuses or then when he visits them. As an experienced politician, General Buhari knows that most traditional rulers are fully and unconditionally under the influence of State Governors. Many may even be instructed not to receive him by these same Governors. Yet they get abused by young people who have been brought up to respect these institutions.
If General Buhari will win the Presidential elections, he will need the support of all levels and sections of the Nigerian Society. There are many people in authority who believe that the General will be a good leader, and they are not afraid of his Presidency. He is also not the only honest Nigerian, and many other honest Nigerians identify with him. There are millions of rural dwellers, married women, artisans and unemployed people who like him, and will vote for him. But he has a problem in the type of people who appear to have made him their property. The General needs to lead all sections of Nigeria, not just those who have motorcycle to ride dangerously. He is not a candidate of the undisciplined, unruly and abusive supporter who approaches the General’s campaign as war between the General and the nation.
The Generals scary entourage are doing his campaign a serious disservice by alienating many Nigerians who want to see him run a responsive, inclusive and peaceful campaign. He has said many times that he is a committed democrat who abhors violence in any form. If his followers truly want to see him emerge as the next President, they need to allow him the space to run a campaign befitting a future President. More and more Nigerians want to see him and hear him speak about issues that matter to them. These Nigerians include many members of the elite. When his supporters abuse them, they alienate them from the General, and quite possibly create a resentment which may cost him valuable votes.
General Muhammadu Buhari has a good chance to become our next President. But he has to take charge of his campaign strategy and limit the damage which his frightening and unruly entourage causes him wherever he travels. The only way he can become the next President is by generating the support of a wide cross-section of Nigerian votes, from Damaturu to Lagos, Sokoto to Yenagoa. His fanatical supporters should allow him the space to show other Nigerians why they love him so much.
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