Buhari’s “Incorruptible” Posturing is an Outstanding Public Relations Success -By Chima Christian

Nigerians are generally untrusting of their politicians. A few have however found a way to consistently bypass that mistrust firewall. Muhammadu Buhari is one of those few.

From “Mai Gaskiya,” an Hausa word translated to “a truthful person” to a “reformed democrat,” Nigerians who are generally suspicious of their political leaders, always cave in to Buhari’s coordinated public relations campaigns.

For the everyday politician, allegations of corruption emplace an almost irreversible dent, at least in the court of public opinion. Not for Buhari. He has a formula that has helped him deflect associated dents of the allegations of fraud that buffeted his military regime, stint at the Petroleum Trust Fund and more recently as Nigeria’s President and “Honourable” Minister of Petroleum Resources.

The favourite excuse of “he is not aware” has largely helped Buhari’s public perception. His formerly Spartan life also helps. In consequence, Buhari’s incorruptible posturing has arguably become one of Africa’s most outstanding public relations successes.

Smarting from that “Mai Gaskiya” picture he successfully planted in minds of many, Buhari has launched another aggressive PR overdrive. This time, he has trained his focus on presenting himself as that leader who left a legacy of free, fair, and credible elections in Nigeria. Buhari has a formula that works. That is why the current PR campaign is recording an early success.

Well, I no longer try so hard to convince Nigerians these days. I just speak into the future and leave it at that. “Mai Gaskiya” is an otherwise beautiful story. Just like Abacha’s, Buhari’s “deposits into Nigeria’s future” will find their way home someday.

Africa’s morning will come.

Chima Christian