Obasanjo, 6 More Men That Have Power To Influence Gen. Buhari’s Presidency

Retired General Muhammadu Buhari has arisen as the new hub of power in the country after the defeat of President Goodluck Jonathan in the March 28 presidential election

But there are few personalities across Nigeria who considered to have the capacity of shaping some decisions of the president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari because of their long standing relationship with him.

Buhari’s victory in the poll after three failures has already caused an intense fight among different individuals and power bases – all trying to get in with themselves and their cronies into the president-elect political calculus.

Away these personalities, there are also emerging political power bases that are strategizing to position themselves in his power base because of the different roles they supposedly played in his campaigning.

Check out the list below:

1. Olusegun Obasanjo
Ex Nigeria’s president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo played an unintended role in bringing victory to Buhari.

Obasanjo’s public dumping from the than ruling Peoples Democratic Congress (PDP) as well as his public endorsement of Buhari is considered to have amounted to endorsement of Buhari before the polls.

Former president enjoys wonderful respect from president-elect, and he was recently seen to be coming closer to Buhari.

2. Bola Tinubu
Ahmed Tinubu, the national leader of the APC, was two terms governor of Lagos State from I999 to 2007.

His political penetration, resilience was considered to be instrumental to Buhari’s victory at the Lagos APC convention at a time when the APC governors were said to have endorsed their counterpart Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano State.

He also mobilized the South west APC governors for a robust campaign for Buhari.

3. Rotimi Amaechi
Rotimi Amaechi, the governor of Rivers state, is one of the Buhari die-hards. He commended himself to the president-elect by serving as Buhari’s pounding ram against PDP and Jonathan in the Niger Delta and in his role as director general of the Buhari presidential campaign.

But he didn’t deliver his state to the APC during the presidential and governorship elections because of the famed federal might, Amaechi stills draws sympathy and marvelous respect from Buhari.

4. Atiku Abubakar
Ex vice-president Atiku Abubakar is another heavy weight that may probably have influence on Buhari.

Atiku is seen as one of the most experienced politicians from the North in the APC and therefore could play a key role in the administration.

5. Mamman Daura
Buhari’s nephew, Malam Mamman Daura, a veteran journalist and industrialist, was, among others, editor of the New Nigerian newspaper and later its managing director.

He is believed as one of the rare Buhari’s friends and he was said to be one of the few individuals that played significant roles during the Buhari/Idiagbon regime in 1983.

6. Ahmed Joda
Ahmed Joda, one of the surviving figures of Kaduna Mafia, was one of the super enduring secretaries during General Yakubu Gowon regime.

He is a close friend of Obasanjo and a former chairman of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC).

Joda is considered to share same ideals with Buhari when it comes to civil service, policies and governance.

7. Halliru Dantoro
Emir of Borgu Alhaji Halliru Dantoro is a close friend of former military ruler.
A former senator, the emir was one of the first traditional rulers that visited Buhari after his victory.
Emir Dantoro led his council members on a congratulatory visit to Buhari some days after INEC declared him as winner of the presidential vote.

There are also several groups that can influence Buhari’s presidency.

The ex-Minister of the FCT and Kaduna State governor–elect Malam Nasiru El-Rufai leads a group of technocrat-turned-politicians that may play an important role in Buhari’s government.

Tinubu ‘boys’ or political sons from the Southwest that include mostly professionals and technocrats who are ex-governors, serving governors, lawmakers or even commissioners.

The Igbo group led by Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, the former ANPP national chairman and Sharon Ikeazor, the APC women leader and one of the lawyers who have been around Buhari since he began contesting.