Mohammed Buhari as Nigeria's "Araga" President.

President Mohammed Buhari of Nigeria

“Araga” is the Yoruba word for anything that is bogus or, at best, superficial. And Mohammed Buhari is the “araga” president of our nation at this stage of its life. How so? As the February, 2019 presidential election approaches, Buhari has reportedly outsourced the proposed presidential debates to his deputy, Osibanjo. Already, the man has practically abdicated responsibility for ruling the nation to those his wife referred to as a cabal. Abba Kyari (Chief of Staff), Babachir David Lawal (Secretary to the Government) and Mamman Daura (Buhari’s powerful nephew) constitute a tripod that controls the fate of the nation. Of the three though, Mamman Daura is considered as the de-facto vice president while Osibanjo merely serves as a “glorified errand boy”. As if he is “allergic” to granting live interviews, Buhari has passed the task of addressing the nation to his media aides. And now that the presidential election is around the corner, the same Buhari has declared that a member of his political party will be campaigning for him. Therefore, the question now is just what the heck does our “araga” president do on a day-to-day basis? The other day, one of his fanatical supporters said (tongue in cheek) that it would be wicked for anyone to expect a “sick, old man” such as Buhari to be on his feet for hours just to participate in the proposed debates with opponents. I thought that was a stupid thing to say until I heard another Buharideen declare that it would be too strenuous for “the old man” to go all over the country campaigning for votes. And so, I ask, why is the “sick, old man” insisting on going for a second term…is it by force?