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Expectations of Personality Cult on Democratic Governance in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic

Olawari D. J. Egbe, Ph.D.,, David O. Gogo, Ph.D.,, Iyabrade Ikporukpo, Ph.D.,, Epoweido Isaiah Koko, Ph.D.,

Abstract


In politics, force of personality of those into it is consequential. In Nigeria’s long historical trajectory, the personality cult images of the likes of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Amadu Bello, etc., are incontestable. General Muhammadu Buhari’s brief stay as Nigeria’s military head of state between 1983-1985 endeared him to many Nigerians. Expectedly, many Nigerians desire to see Muhammadu Buhari as president of Nigeria. A sort of personality cult was, thus, built around him. Little wonder, when Buhari unsuccessfully contested Nigeria’s presidential elections between 1999-2011, the wish of some Nigerians to have him as president became more compelling. Luckily, General Buhari became president of Nigeria in 2015. But, has President Buhari’s force of personality impacted on his administration of Nigeria since 2015? Has President Buhari transferred his huge personality cult unto his presidency since 2015? Is it Eldorado for Nigerians under President Buhari after almost eight years in office? The paper cautions Nigerians to look beyond the personality cult of would-be-leaders because indeed governance speaks louder. The paper concludes that whereas President Buhari’s personality cult is incontestable, it did not impact on his administration. Keywords: Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, Force of Personality, Fourth Republic.


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