Tribute to President Muhammadu Buhari @80

President Muhammadu Buhari first came into my orbit in December 1983 when he became Head of State of Nigeria. I was then just 22 years old, fresh from youth corp and working in the Chambers of Chief Gani Fawehinmi. He was this young handsome officer who walked tall and straight and hardly ever smiled. The same with his Chief of staff Supreme Headquarters, Major General Babatunde Idiagbon. The two of them were the most disciplined rulers Nigeria had and have had since memory serves me. They proceeded to govern with the rule of discipline, instituting WAI and issuing Decrees that were extremely rigid and that seemingly trampled on the natural rights of citizens. 

As was expected, the civil society was not having this rule at all so the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) was at loggerheads with the Buhari regime and took a decision that no lawyer was to appear before any of the military tribunals that were set up to try corrupt politicians. That decision was controversial because the ethics of the legal profession is clear on the right of every accused person to counsel of his choice. By deciding not to appear before Tribunals, the NBA was going against its ethics. 

Chief Gani Fawehinmi stood against this decision of the NBA and defended some of the accused persons at the Tribunals and all lawyers in his chambers attended Tribunals. The NBA decided to punish Chief Gani Fawehinmi. My husband Dele Awokoya, was also indicted by the NBA, but as he was acting under instructions of his employer, his own case was not pursued by the NBA as vigorously as Gani's was.  In examining the cases of corruption that many of the accused persons were charged with, we reeled in shock at the share brazenness of the stealing that was perpetrated then, not knowing that our people would graduate from stealing millions to stealing billions and now trillions. 

President Buhari hated corruption then as he still does now. He has not changed. In 1983, his desire was to recover stolen funds for the use of the people and this is him again since 2015, doing the same. He was taciturn then and he remains a taciturn leader even now. People have been so so angry with PMB because of his taciturn nature and most people who dislike me on account of my love, admiration and unwavering support for Akanni, my oriki for him, do so mainly because of this singular trait of PMB especially when he does not immediately speak on what they perceive to be matters that require addressing. My response to them has always been this: “ I have looked into Bubu’s heart and soul and I know that he is an innately good and fair person and that is all I need to know. If he talks, fine, if he does not talk, also fine with me”. Without knowing it, I was echoing what Elbert Hubbard, a 19th Century American writer and philosopher had said that “he who does not understand your silence, cannot understand your words”. 

Perhaps because many of our leaders had talked so much, they were able to hide their true nature from us, perhaps their words wooed us and we were often deceived, that we could then not read their hearts. Bubu came out different. With him, you had to follow your heart and believe him and in him. This is what is different with us Buharists. We follow Buhari with our heart. We know him within us. We trust him because we know that he does not lie to us. We trust him that he means good. We may get frustrated with him over many things, but in the long run we forgive him for all his shortcomings because of our innate belief in his good almost childlike nature. 

As I speak, I am sure many out there will say that I am describing a Buhari that they do not know. Many prefer to continue to label him as all things less than salutary, but they are wrong. You see, I have been in support of Buhari since 1983. Did I agree with some of his draconian laws? No! But did I understand the need for them? Yes! Were they illegal? No! You see as a lawyer, I see issues in a more analytical manner. The Military rule is an aberration but in law, a successful coup begets its own legality, thus all decrees passed by the Supreme Military Council were legal. So to hate a man because he was a military ruler is just plain emotional mischief and not legality. 

Bubu is accused of being a religious bigot. The evidence is against this assertion. We have all just seen him relate with his VP for nearly 8 years in harmony and mutual love and respect. Before him, he was with Pastor Tunde Bakare who of recent informed us all that the only private donation he got for his church building was from President Buhari who donated 5m of his private funds. There is no amount of trying to give a dog a bad name that will make the name stick. The other accusation is that he is a tribalist. This one in particular amuses me. You say that about a man who chose 2 Igbo running mates before Pastor Bakare, who continues to eulogise his Igbo lawyer and the Igbo judge that gave a dissenting judgement in his Supreme Court case. 

I look at the evidence and I can’t see the bigotry. PMB stands on principles always. Those who would want to pin some fault on him remain unreasonable and linear. He is despised by those who he is most fair to, because he would not be bullied into a decision they want. He will do what is right only and what his conscience says is right. Latter day converts are beginning to see the PMB Buharists have always known and trusted. The slow and steady man, who goes to the root of problems and finds solution that endure. The naively childish man who believes that there is good in everyone and who trusts those he reposes confidence in and is almost perplexed when they fall short of the standard he gave them. 

Akanni! You have not disappointed us one bit in the past 8 years and we pray that we whom are adherents to your doctrines will not disappoint you. We understand the quality of your leadership, we understand your silence. Your leadership style is your ‘being’. Your silence speaks to us loudly and we who know you understand you. We are proud to have supported you all these years and on this your 80th birthday we share in your joy, that those who prayed that you would not see this day have been disgraced by the Almighty God who knows all hearts and sees your kind heart. Your God who preserved you when evil attempted to take your life will abide with you till the end. 

When a man’s way is pleasing to God, he will make even his enemies to be at peace with him. Those who swore to hate you are confounded daily that they now seek to be your friends. Muhammadu Buhari, our President, my President, your President, we greet you this day and pray the Lord to grant you many many more years in good health. As you retire next year to Daura, may your days be long on earth and filled with joy always. May your wife and children and grandchildren continue to delight your heart and may Nigeria continue in the trajectory of growth that you have laid. 

Akanni! 

Omo ogun!

Akogun 

Uncountable Gbosas sir

Happy Birthday and many many many more returns.