By EMMANUEL AZIKEN

Perhaps General Muhammadu Buhari has finally become a politician as some are now suggesting. After all, one trait of the political class in these shores is their slipperiness, lack of principles and a clear deficit in principles.

Just about a year ago, the well respected General and former Head of State, had declared that he would no longer seek the nation’s presidency after three failed attempts in 2003, 2007 and 2011.

His declaration last year no doubt arose from his frustrations with a system in which rigging and all sort of electoral irregularities signpost victory at the polls.

Buhari’s frustration with the system could no doubt have been compounded with recent developments in the polity especially after one of the most prominent leaders of his Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, former Senator Adamu Aliero walked out of the party back to his Peoples Democratic Party, PDP about a month ago.

Gen Buhari

Aliero’s mysterious return to the PDP just days to the last gubernatorial election in Kebbi State came as the major opposition candidates in last month’s Kebbi gubernatorial election – including the CPC’s candidate — all stepped down for the PDP’s candidate. One chieftain from Kebbi told me it was evident of the voodoo politics at play in Nigeria now!
There is no doubt that Buhari would have been greatly disappointed by the action of Aliero.

So when some aficionados of Buhari from Igabi Local Government Area in Kaduna State called on him few days ago it became an opportunity for the retired general to again ventilate his opinion on the polity.

Receiving the delegation, Buhari was reported to have said:
“I will remain in politics even though I may not contest the 2015 presidential elections. But whatever it is I will remain politically active for the struggle of bettering the lives of Nigerians. You should also look for my replacement.”

Though the words and intents of the general were obvious, a number of newspapers, remarkably, chose to report the general’s comment to the contrary. Surprisingly, some reports quoted Buhari as saying that he had disavowed his words of last year and that he would be contesting the 2015 presidential election.

It is interesting that what Buhari said and did not say have since become a point of contention among his supporters. While some desire his return to the fray as a candidate in 2015, many others are asking him to keep to his acclaimed principles of upholding his words.

It is noteworthy that Buhari did not say that he would be completely leaving the political space, a point that has been aptly amplified by the CPC spokesman, Engr. Rotimi Fashakin.

Given the deficit in the moral conduct and principles of our leading politicians, Gen. Buhari’s predicament can be well appreciated. While many are egging him on simply on the basis of how they could sustain their political relevance through him, the judgment of history is waiting to give its pronouncement whether the General is also one of the unprincipled politicians around.

All that General Buhari should do is to look around among his followers and find a man of consistent character and content who he should avidly support among the opposition to contest for the political space!