“You are addressed by the way you are dressed” Anonymous.
If this maxim is a popular one as claimed and the incessant blunders committed by the presidential candidate of the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC in the course of his campaigns, addressing the public as well as his certificate saga, then the maxim in all respect is in place.
The thought that there are several differences between one passing through an academic institution or an institution passing through one as well as obtaining a certificate could not be totally disposed or wave off with the hands since the lessons from that thought are obviously emerging.
Some weeks ago even till date the air waves, the media were and are still discussing the issue of General Muhammadu Buhari’s certificate, which the obvious is certain and may be proven in the court of law.
It is believed that by now the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, might be regretting her choice of the retired general Muhammadu Buhari base on certain obvious revelations that stares the party on the face. It would have been a better situation if the retired general had either openly or nichodemously accepted the fact of his academic lapses than dragging his party into a comatoes situation. The days ahead would justify this.
To start with, as at 1961 in Nigeria the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) had not included an emborsed passport photograph on its original certificates not to mention statement of results. Be informed, what the retired general finally tendered after the suspected serial lies was statement of result with emborsed photograph, not certificate.
Again, as at 1961, there was no class six at the secondary level rather class five, but the retired general tendered a statement of result bearing class six and in his wisdom as one who would provide the needed leadership, end the dreaded Boko-Haram insurgence, he was satisfied. One would recall how the ex-general insisted that his certificates were with the military office but later it emerged from his purported school.
As an evidence of alleged result falsification, it could be said that the ex-general is yet to tell Nigerians his real names, because judging from the statement of result. With “Mohamed Buhari” his examination’s number could not be “002” as contained on the statement of that resulted dated 21/01/2015 as collection date.
There are many indixes to be discussed as far as that result was concerned but the questions on lips of Nigerians are among others: could some one who is coming to change Nigeria begun with lies? Could he begin by intimidating citizens of sending people to Kirikiri? If a leader tenders forged certificate or statement of result, what would the citizens do? What would be his concern about education? Is he among those that abhors western education?
While Nigerians await the decision of the honourable courts of the land, it is incumbent to swing along the courts verdict. But the difficult question to answer here is, whether the ex-general had actually passed through an institution or the institution did not passed through him and where did the statement of result come from or who authored the result?
Away from that intrigue and brouhaha of statement of results, and back to the opening axiom of this episode as well as the title, a seeming answer could be provided following the interview granted some international media organizations by the APC presidential candidate.
It is not only laughable, disgusting, surprising but incredible that a former head of state, contestant of presidential position for consecutive four times did not know the full meaning of INEC, an electoral umpire which is to conduct elections that would usher him into office as he claimed. Could it be said that retired general Muhammadu Buhari before he fails or wins the 2015 general elections has change the meaning of INEC? Buhari, during a Press conference with Al Jezara and other media organisations gave the full meaning of INEC as: INDEPENDENT NIGERIAN ELECTORAL COMMISSION; a blunder no primary six pupil would make.
Furthermore, as if that was not enough, the presidential candidate of the main opposition party, APC, gave its full meaning as, “ALL PROGRESSIVES CONFIDENCE”.
Indeed, Buhari did not know the names of the Party with which he aspires to rule Nigeria. What an incredible situation.
This goes to confirm the claims of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Arch. Namadi Sambo, that Buhari was struggling with the name of his running mate.
At various fora Buhari had made various statements that did not only portray him in bad light but serves as an indicator of what his government, if at all elected would be.
If Buhari does not know the name of his Political Party and INEC what is he going to do since governance today is no longer in a military style, perspective rather democratic processes?
The former general need to be told that democratic process is rigorous not that of command and dictatorship but requires Patience and careful articulation of issues for the development and betterment of the Country and its citizenry.
With the subsequent event and many issues hanging around the former dictator, the issue of how he dressed would now determine how he is being addressed.
However, without mincing words there are differences between enrolment, passing through an institution or an institution passing through one. It is also obvious that obtaining the highest or brightest certificate does hot amount to passing through an institution.
Let this serve as lessons to other Buharis in the making, acknowledging that the Toronto University Certificate in Nigeria House of Representatives began with one Buhari, some years ago.
Being influential in the spoken words, does not exonerate one with Buhari’s type of result, hence no one should decieve himself, be careful of the result and certificate you tender, Nigeria is developing and democracy is building and gaining roots. Be warned. ###
With James Mgboineme
jamesthenewswriter@gmail.com
