The rise of Muhammadu Buhari in Nigeria’s political arena was not mere coincidence, but a calculated response to rising regional tensions, according to Buba Galadima, a founding member of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) and long-time northern political strategist.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Tuesday, Galadima revealed that Buhari’s foray into democratic politics was triggered by fears in the North over the activities of the Oduduwa Peoples Congress (OPC), particularly its aggressive moves in Ilorin between 1999 and 2000.
He alleged that a convoy of over 500 OPC vehicles stormed Ilorin, reportedly to dismantle what they termed “Fulani structures,” a move perceived by northern stakeholders as a direct affront.
“The federal and Lagos State governments remained silent. We saw that as a form of complicity,” Galadima said, noting that then-President Olusegun Obasanjo and then-Lagos Governor Bola Tinubu failed to act decisively. “We were convinced something needed to be done—not through violence, but politically.”
Faced with what he described as a northern existential threat, Galadima convened a high-level meeting with 34 other northern leaders in Kaduna. The group narrowed their options to two: violent resistance or democratic mobilization. Choosing the latter, they identified Buhari, a former military head of state, as a symbol around whom northern sentiment could rally.
Despite Buhari’s initial skepticism toward politics—having openly criticized politicians in the past—he did not outright reject their proposal. Galadima said that, after persistent persuasion, Buhari agreed to run. His entry into the race, according to Galadima, rattled the Obasanjo-led government and forced it to address the OPC’s excesses.
“Our goal was simple: use the political space to balance power and neutralize what we saw as a growing regional militia,” he explained. “Buhari’s presence alone changed the game.”
The revelations, while not entirely new to political observers, offer fresh insight into the realpolitik that shaped Nigeria’s Fourth Republic. They also underscore the depth of mistrust between regions and the strategic role Buhari’s candidacy played in recalibrating power dynamics between the North and the South-West in the post-military era.
Analysts say Galadima’s claims revive long-held suspicions about the ethnic undercurrents driving Nigerian politics, raising new questions about how regional insecurity and perceived marginalization influence national leadership choices.
As Nigeria continues to wrestle with the challenges of national unity, equity, and regional agitations, Galadima’s disclosures serve as a stark reminder of how historical grievances continue to echo in the country’s democratic evolution.
