No one qualifies to inherit Buhari’s political legacy – Osita Okechukwu
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr. Osita Okechukwu, has declared that none of the current political figures parading themselves as heirs to the political base of late President Muhammadu Buhari possesses the integrity or credentials to inherit his legacy.
Okechukwu made the assertion on Sunday while speaking with journalists in Abuja after an interdenominational church service held in honour of the late President. He described Buhari’s famed 12 million vote-bank as a product of decades of consistent transparency, public service, and moral rectitude that cannot be easily replicated.
“With the greatest respect to those eyeing Buhari’s political base, the truth is that his shoes are too big. None of them has his uncommon integrity, discipline, or record of public service without blemish,” Okechukwu said.
He accused some of the aspirants of having histories tainted by corruption and vote-buying, stating that their conduct runs contrary to the values that endeared Buhari to the Nigerian masses, especially in the North.
“The people admired Buhari as Mai Gaskiya—the Honest Man—because of a legacy built over 50 years. He never soiled his hands in shady deals and never used vote-buying to win elections,” he added.
Okechukwu further criticized politicians allegedly using Buhari’s Northern appeal to stir regional sentiments, warning that such tactics threaten the rotational presidency principle that has helped stabilize the Fourth Republic.
He emphasized that northern voters have demonstrated political maturity and fairness over the years, citing their support for Chief MKO Abiola in 1993 and President Bola Tinubu in 2023 as examples of their broad-mindedness.
Warning against any move to ride on Buhari’s legacy for selfish political gain, Okechukwu said: “They neither have Buhari’s moral compass nor share the Talakawa ideology of Malam Aminu Kano. Their attempts to hijack Buhari’s political structure, including defunct CPC elements, have failed.”
