Kaduna, an acclaimed capital of northern Nigeria is indeed full of political activities preparatory to the presidential election on Saturday. Meet anybody in Kaduna, the discussion among the citizenry is who becomes the next president of this country, particularly between the two major presidential candidates, Muhammadu Buhari and Atiku Abubakar.
Most people have different views as to who between Muhammadu Buhari and Atiku Abubakar will carry the day in Kaduna. Mr Musa Nawa, a resident of Kaduna, said, “I have run all potential models, and have come to the conclusion that even if Atiku had not campaigned, he would still win. It’s based on simple arithmetic, political structures and demography.
“I still do not understand how anyone believes, thinks or is hoping for a Buhari victory. What is the exact basis for such analysis? It’s just not possible, rigging or no rigging.”
He said in 2015, the people were not happy with Goodluck Jonathan’s style of leadership. Coupled with the use of religion and ethnicity, the people were easily deceived to believe that the then opposition party, the All Progressive Congress, APC led by Muhammadu Buhari was the best alternative leading to the massive votes the party enjoyed in Kaduna state.
He explained that President Muhammadu Buhari’s inability to tackle insecurity, poverty and other social vices that have become the order of the day will definitely work against his candidacy in the state.
Others believe that the Buhari-led administration is counting days in the country. Some also believe that Senator Ahmed Makarfi, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, PDP gubernatorial candidate, Isa Mohammed Ashiru and other stakeholders that decamped to PDP in the state will seriously affect the chances of Buhari’s victory in the state.
To Ibrahim Moses, he believes that what will work in favour of Buhari in the state may be largely the belief by most uninformed residents who have no deep knowledge of what is happening to the country and others who believe in Buhari no matter what is happening around them.
He added that majority of Muslims just believe in Buhari irrespective of what he does because they are insensitive to what happens around them.
It is believed that the December 2015 massacre of Shi’ite members in Zaria when hundreds of their members were killed and the continued incarceration of their leader, Zakzaky will work against President Buhari chances in the state.
Report has it that the Islamic Movement in Nigeria who have a substantial number of their followers in the state are mobilizing themselves to vote against anything APC in all elections.
Some APC members in the state who voted for the party have since distanced themselves from the party due to what many of them described as total failure of the APC led administration in the country to address pressing issues affecting the common man.
Governor Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai style of leadership in the state, many believe, will affect President Buhari’s quest to enjoy popular support in the state. His recent outburst and threat of ‘’body bags’ that has generated heated controversy appears to be working against the president both locally and nationally.
However, El-Rufai’s dogged disposition and political dexterity may spring surprises and the PDP may find it very difficult to defeat his party at his doorstep. His relationship with the President, as well as his unalloyed support for him, may bring some Buhari die-hard supporters together to challenge the clamour for another change of government.
But Usman Haruna said, “Besides it has become very clear to many Nigerians through Buhari’s performance, his gaffes, his falls, his interview performances, that the President is both unhealthy and incapable. Not even his wife is able to campaign alongside him. She has been in hibernation since Christmas.”
The recent declaration of the former Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Professor Ango Abdullahi, who is an indigene of the state that himself and other stakeholders were canvassing votes for Atiku Abubakar, describing Buhari’s tenure as total failure to the yearnings, aspirations and hope people had on him prior to the 2015 general elections is another factor counting against the incumbent president.
President Buhari presidential campaign to Ogun state where Buhari led team were stoned has further made most people in the state to have a rethink that the APC-led administration has nothing to offer as many people are of the in view of that Nigerians are going through difficult times.
There is a general opinion that with a free, fair, credible and peaceful election, the APC will lose to the PDP in Kaduna State. According to their views, President Buhari has exposed himself that he is not and can never be the Messiah the entire north and by extension, the country is looking for to overhaul and ensure the fortunes, blessings that the Almighty has endowed the country with.
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