Buhari vs Atiku: The prophesies and a morning after…

Let me tell you a few short stories: In 2015, shortly after President Muhammadu Buhari won the general election, he got two important goodwill messages; one from Tunde Bakare, the other from Femi Adesina. Both men had independently followed General Muhammadu Buhari for many years, and believed in his ability to change Nigeria. This was why Adesina, a revered journalist and newspaper columnist, will hit Obasanjo many times and hail Buhari, time and again, while the latter was running for president.

For Bakare, it was simple; this General Muhammadu Buhari had called him to be his running mate, and when Bakare asked him “General why me? Why not Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala?” Bakare suggested that Okonjo-Iweala, whom he had worked with was a Christian, more experienced than him in public admin, had better knowledge of the economy and management of the international community, female, and from the south-east — effectively balancing Buhari’s ticket on all sides, more than anyone alive could have.

Buhari had one answer: “No”. But why? “Why General?” Bakare would ask again. Buhari said “because I want a vice-president who can keep the nation together — should I die in office”. Saying anyone is fit for that role is such a huge compliment for the person’s character and leadership acumen. And we see this in Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, who we have little or no doubt about his ability to lead the nation, as he did while the president was ill.

But there is one question, I’d have loved to ask Bakare, Femi Adesina, and a few other who believed in Buhari so deeply: How do you feel on the morning after. For instance, the morning after Buhari lost in 2011 and the morning after he won in 2015? Were there things you wished you did differently?

ATIKU’S PROPHECY

Also in 2015, shortly after Buhari won the elections, I was speaking with a highly-placed senior friend in Buhari’s government. This person told me Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was going to run in 2019, and perhaps 2023. I said “how can you be so sure, seeing that he would have gotten older over time”. The response was simple; “Atiku is running on a prophecy”.

Many many years ago, Atiku met a “prophet”, I was told the Hausa name for this, but I cannot remember the exact name. The prophet, I was informed, told him, he would become president someday. Since then, the former customs boss has had his eyes on the highest office in the land. I had my doubts at the time, but the realities of today show that Atiku is running with those words, whether they were true or not. Everything this person predicted, Atiku has done in this campaign. He is running with a strange kind of confidence — the kind that his billions cannot buy. It may be the prophecy driving him.

But think about it, how many Nigerians have been told they would be president someday? A thousand? Hundred thousand? A million? I am certain, many Nigerians have been told the same words, but not every one of them will live out “the prophecies”. As a very religious nation, we have seen candidates run in the name of God. Many others have said God told them they would be president.

In all of these one thing is clear: Prophecy, hard work, sheer luck, poor judgement — whatever gets you in and out of power, there is always a morning after. This election will not be different, there will be a morning after.

THE MORNING AFTER

I’m very young as far as Nigeria’s history is concerned, and Saturday’s presidential election will be the third presidential election I would be covering as a journalist. In all these elections, there has been a pattern — the morning after! That is what I’d like every Nigerian to think about tonight, and tomorrow as the votes get cast.

If you decide to fight and stir up trouble, pain, and despair, what would you gain on the morning after? If they rent you to abuse your great grandfather for an “influencer’s fee” on Twitter or Facebook, and they lose elections, will your great grandfather not remain your grandfather — after all is said and done?

As a police commissioner, army commandant, opposition big wig, ruling party strategist, NURTW chairman, Niger Delta Avengers capon, as whoever you are, just remember that the elections will come and go, and you will be left with the morning after.

Winners will be declared, losers will lick their wounds, lawyers will make a killing, but Nigeria will continue. We pray there is no violence. But I want you to have it at the back of your mind that those who died due to violence in previous elections are still dead today. Do not encourage or perpetrate violence.

Before I get too preachy, I have one more thing to say: Corps member, remember say Khaki no be bulletproof.

One of my “pastors” at the university was the assistant presiding officer at a polling unit in Akwa Ibom during the last elections. Political thugs came and disrupted voting at his unit, asking him to do what was against his will, beliefs and convictions. He did it at gunpoint, today he’s living to fight another day in Canada. And guess what? Jesus still loves him. Be safe tomorrow. Vote your conscience, keep Nigeria safe — and remember the morning after.

Follow ‘Mayowa on Twitter and across major social media platforms @OluwamayowaTJ .