Buba Galadima, one of President Muhammadu Buhari’s closest associates recently embarked on a campaign against his former party the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the re-election bid of the President. In this interview, he opened his heart and home to Seun Akioye who tries to unlock the man Galadima.
It was time for the Zuhr prayers and Buba Galadima quickly performed his ablution and joined other worshippers who had gathered at the praying ground, under mango tree. The tree, provided a shed for about 15 worshippers who had chosen that spot as a permanent place of worship.
The prayers over, Galadima set about his other duties which included attending to a myriad of visitors who had come to seek his counsel. Following this, he retired inside, went into the building and was not heard of for many hours.
The house where this meeting was held stands on the upscale Bangui Street, in an equally upscale Wuse 2 area of the Federal Capital with its exotic restaurants catering to both the local and international pallets. From the exteriors, one had the feeling it would be one of those old, yet fashionable houses usually associated with the area and inhabited by the Capital’s rich and connected. But as the gate pulled apart, it revealed nothing of the sort but a two-bedroom apartment, built in the olden fashion, with a large space in the front.
There was nothing to suggest this house belongs to Buba Galadima, a politician of repute who had served Nigeria at different capacities for many years. Though a couple of cars were parked in the vast compound, only a Kia Jeep belongs to the man and according to his staff, the car itself was a wedding gift for his son.
The house where Galadima lives is small, but from the outside, one could see it is tolerably clean and furnished spartanly. A huge mango tree stands in the right corner of the vast compound, it provided a shade from the sun and a barrier against the wind for the throng of visitors who have made the house something like a permanent home.
A man of the people
Galadima operates an open door policy in his house where the distressed, frustrated and people looking for hope flock to everyday. His house is open to everyone and his heart too. Among the throng of people who have made the house, a second home are his long term associates and political mentees. Many have come as far as Suleja to meet up, review the political landscape and renew hope.
Galadima’s personal assistant, Michael Olayanju, is a young man who preciously followed in the food business before he crossed paths with the politician five years ago. He has since grown to be one of the closest to him.
“ I can describe Baba as a comrade who speaks his mind. He is a very simple but highly principled person and he has that ability that ability to blend with people from different tribes outside of his own. From Edo to Rivers, he knows someone in every local government,” Olayanju said.
He described Galadima as a man of the people, a principled and “brutally honest” politician which is why he is having problems with many people today. Olayanju and a coterie of aides have had their own fair share of Galadima’s “honest brutality” which has seen him reportedly turned down millions of dollars.
“I know what I am saying,” Olayanju said trying desperately to make you believe his side of the story. Soon Sebastine James came in, he has been an associate and family friend of Galadima for over 15 years and has seen the politician in all his state. Olayanju continued: “ Baba has had many opportunities to profit from previous administrations but he rejected them all. We are here and we saw everything that happened. He said he would rather go and sell oranges in Wuse market and that people will buy it knowing he is the one selling.”
Sebastine is a veteran of Galadima’s politics. He is one of the many foot soldiers and strategies who worked assiduously for the President in his three unsuccessful bid to lead the nation. Today, Sebastine seemed broken and sad. But his bitterness may not be in what he did not benefit personally but in what he called he betrayal of the mandate.
“When Baba ( Galadima) works with you, he does it to the end. That was why we worked for the President, we worked really hard because we believe when he comes in, things would change in the country generally. I am disappointed, look at the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) manifesto, we worked hard so he can rescue this country. No Buhari supporter who worked through the different times with him will be happy with what is happening now,” he said.
Sebastine believes Galadima’s mission is for a better Nigeria and if the opposition wins the general election and fails, the party would be voted out until a good replacement is found. “ Jonathan failed, Buhari failed, if Atiku wins and fails, Nigerians will vote him out. Nigeria is no longer like that of the olden days, people are wiser now.”
From the throng of close associates who daily besieged the Galadima modest accommodation, his pan Nigerian outlook is clear. There were several languages spoken in the house at any given time with many tribes represented. It is hard to differentiate between his biological children and adopted ones. “We sleep in the same house, eat and do a lot together, there is hardly any difference among us,” Olayanju volunteered.
Why I am against President Buhari
It was time for the Magrib prayers and Galadima performed his ablution quickly, almost in haste. He joined others under the tree for the prayers which was already underway. Prayers over, he joined a mass of guests, hangers-on and political associate under the tree in his vast compound with a newspaper in hand.
The talk revolved around the elections, predictions and permutations but Galadima, engrossed in his newspaper, paid no heed. “We have Kano already, Kwankwanso is rooting them everywhere in Kano” someone said. Galadima looked up, displaying a face devoid of any expression so that it was hard to know if he agreed with the statement or not.
For a man who has been a long term friend and political associate of President Muhammadu Buhari who suddenly turned foe, fighting his old friend publicly must be tiring.
“ Nigerians should be in a position where they can hire and fire any public officer who has not done well, that is what I am trying to build. That is where I am getting the Nigerian people to, that is what I am trying to build,” he said underlining the philosophy behind his antagonism to the President.
Unknown to many, Galadima’s problem with the President did not start yesterday. It began in 2014 when according to him the President called a press conference to denounce him. “He called a press conference and addressed the press in 2014. We didn’t have any disagreement, but some people gave him conditions that that he had to denounce us for them to support him.
“That tells you the kind of person he is. I still supported my party in the 2015 election, it has reached the point of no return, I was a signatory to the formation of the party. At that time, I wanted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration out, so we had to work to achieve that,” he said.
But if you think Galadima has one trace of regrets for helping to bring the All Progressive Congress (APC) to power, he was adamant there is nothing to regret. “ I did not regret doing that and I am not regretting wanting to throw Buhari out because I am trying to build the people’s power.”
The supporters of the ruling party have accused him of corruption, described him as frustrated and angry after he failed to secure lucrative contracts and ministerial appointment because President Buhari would not do business as usual. Galadima and his associates laughed at the accusations.
“They are in power isn’t it and they can arrest you and try you,” he began, putting the newspaper aside. He waited for some seconds as if he wanted the import of his message to sink in and then said in a frank voice. “So why did they leave a corrupt man like me to be walking on the streets, then they don’t know their job and they say the man is integrity and fighting corruption and there is a corrupt man he knows, abusing him, they can’t lock him up?” Many people nodded in agreement, but Galadima was not done.
“Do they have any evidence that I was running after contracts? Did I work for Buhari from 2002 to 2015 to deserve an appointment? If I don’t, then who deserve the appointment, those he appointed what is their record of sacrifice for him to deserve that appointment, do I look like an intelligent man that could be minister? If I am not, what was the yardstick he used in appointing those he did, is it their intelligence or input into the campaign?”
Then he stopped. He looked as if he was thinking about his next statement which might prove earthshattering, then deciding against that, he said, rather calmly: “ The other side of it is that I was offered ministerial appointments severally when I was with President Buhari. Obasanjo, Yar’adua and Jonathan government all offered me several appointments but I refused because I had a project, that was Buhari. For 15 years.
“ The offers included Minister for Abuja, not once, so what is the issue, if it is minister that I want, I can get, long time ago. People ran away from us, went and got minister, appointments, and contracts and after making their money, they came back. I want to ask him through you, how much was he paying me for the services? He should tell the world now. I want to say finally, that has anybody suffered deprivation, humiliation like me?
“I was arrested , detained, questioned 38 times, not only that, I was framed up and tried for treason, they appointed 12 Generals ( from Brigadier upwards)to try me, I was chained legs and hands and put like this inside four floors below ground level, I wouldn’t know night or day.
“So all these doesn’t mean anything to Buhari and now you are supporting Buhari and want to vote for him. Could you have suffered that deprivation and humiliation and when he becomes President, would you clap for him?
Bu this time, the atmosphere had worn a somber look and except for the noise of the wind and the hooting from the cars, one could almost hear each other’s breathe. Galadima probably took the silence as a sign his message was sinking into his audience and he used the opportunity to further drive home his point.
“You were garnering 12 million votes for him and he sits in the house, people bring him cars, go to his farm in Daura how many jeeps will you find, those that they accuse as thieves brought it and money. Have you heard that Dasuki gave him money and jeep?”
That was a former Head of State according to reports.
“Not as a former Head of State, it was not Dasuki’s responsibility to provide cars for former Heads of State, it is the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. So because Buhari is the President, everybody should be a liar, me I have betrayed Buhari, is one of the things they say. What I pray for you young men is that you should make my kind of sacrifice and at the end you should be paid the way I was paid by Buhari.”
This last sentence woke up the subdued audience and a loud disagreement ensured. Galadima smiled, but it was short-lived. He looked at the young people in the audience and said, “ I see people jumping up and down, shouting Sai Buhari, Sai Baba and because they are young men, they have no experience in life, they didn’t even pause to say, how about those jumping for him before, how did he reward them?”
“The President has promised to reward those who work now,” someone said. It was not immediately clear if it was meant to be sarcastic or genuine. But Galadima took it serious when he replied, “Why didn’t he pay those who worked before, pension and gratuity?” He asked no one in particular, a few of the people looked away while a man opened his two palms and showed it to the sky.
“Which means he himself admitted he didn’t do well, he didn’t act as God would have wanted him to act, that is the admission. Why should you waste your votes going to appoint somebody that doesn’t even know what is happening around him and he said with his mouth that he is caged. Buhari that said integrity, you don’t know that he cried in 2011, that he will never contest election, but he did, where is the integrity?”
I am still Buhari’s best friend
Almost without ceasing, Galadima has made a career in criticizing the President and trying to pick a hole in his integrity mantra. Recently, he announced on a national television that members of the President’s inner circle who prior to Buhari’s presidency were poor have suddenly become multi billionaires. However, the talk seemed consigned for the realm of mere allegation.
“ So all these are allegations, I expect direct interaction, me and you agreed to speak direct,” Galadima blurted, a slight offence was visible in his voice.
You mentioned Daura GRA?
“Have they denied? People went and used the drone to take pictures, so pictures lie? That is why you people in Buhari’s government, you are worshipping Ganduje (Kano state Governor) you say he has integrity. Even what we saw with our own eyes, you are denying so how can I convince you? And his friends are Ganduje and Adams Oshiomole. Why don’t you go and ask Asiwaju Bola Tinubu about me whether I am an honest man or bad person, he knows me sufficiently in political circles. I am not a stranger, from 1978 to date. So me, corrupt person, with all the positions I held, I stay in two bedroom house. About 40 of us sleep in this house.”
In politics, 24 hours is a long time according to popular saying, one is tempted to know if there is any chance of a possible reconciliation between these erstwhile friends, comrades and soul mates turn foe. Galadima shrugged his shoulders and picked up the newspaper he dropped earlier.
“You should ask him that question because he was the one that said he doesn’t want me, he doesn’t like me or my vote or that of anyone close to me. I am still his best friend in the whole country.” A murmur of disapproval mixed with disappointment greeted this astonishing revelation from everyone. But the old horse was undaunted.
“The man that looks into your eyeballs and tells you the truth is your best friend, so says our culture and tradition.
So who tells him what I say? I am his best friend according to tradition and culture. I told him that his friends are stealing, I was the first to say that on television and the next day some people went and brought how his own people are buying keystone bank and 9 mobile. And he is now keeping quiet and he is Mr. Integrity fighting corruption.”
It was time for the Isha prayer. Galadima and a few others began the process of ablution in preparation for the prayers which would again take place under the mango tree. There were animated discussions about politics and some of the revelations from Galadima. Because the principal has declared for the People’s Democratic Party candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, his associates also shifted their support to him. But the question of corruption and Atiku’s inability to travel to the United States was not too far from the talks.
“Let me tell you something, have they said what Atiku’s offence was?” Galadima asked in between ablution in a somewhat conspiratory tone. “They have only that he would not enter the US, they are government now, they should tell us why he cannot enter the US. I don’t want to volunteer an information for you. Can Atiku be held responsible for the offence of his wife or child? Everybody should carry his cross, that’s what the Bible says – maybe you are not a Christian- so why are you people not telling the truth?
So why should Nigerians dump President Buhari for Atiku Abubakar?
“No, I didn’t say dump Buhari, I am a democrat, I believe solidly within me that you have got the rights to make your own decisions and take your destiny in your own hands,” he said, almost in a shout as he began to walk towards the gate to the mango tree where the voice of the Muezzin was already audible.
“If you believe that Buhari is good and he can take you to the next level as he says, vote for him. I am not satisfied with what he is doing that is why I said he should be voted out, but you, don’t worry go and vote for him but when the day of reckoning comes, you should be able to remember that one Buba Galadima (whether alive or dead) said so. That is all I need from you.”
The day is never complete without the usual community dinner in Galadima’s compound. According to Olayanju, in order to accommodate as many people as possible at his table, Galadima would skip lunch and had a buffet for dinner. “ He serves everyone, no matter how many they are and he eats last. There is only one rule, that you must finish your potion otherwise, he would pack the rest and put in your pocket,” he said.
After prayers, Galadima resumed the interview. There has been so much talk about threats to his life and seeing he lives almost without security was a major concern to his associates. But Galadima shrug it off. “ Yes, I know I have to be careful and even people all over the world are telling me to get extra security. But see here, everybody walks in and out of this house, As a Muslim, I have one belief it is only the coward that dies many times. I have experience, I have lost children above 30, man and woman. So why should I lose children at that age and me that is now nearing 70 think I should live forever. In my tradition and community, there is a certain age that you will reach that you will not fear anything and speak the truth. I have reached that age. Those who want to kill me, tell them that when they kill me, let them not die.”
A call was made that dinner was ready. As people trooped into the compound, it was obvious they had come only for the meal which was a simple tuwo shinkafa and Kuka soup on the one side and jollof rice diced with some meat on the other. Though there were chairs which could sit about 10 people, Galadima chose to sit on the mat as he served everyone after which he served himself Tuwo.
At Galadima’s table, Nigeria could be said to have been represented. So what informs this pan Nigeria outlook? “The truth of the matter is that I married from all the regions of the country and from all the religions, that would have informed my disposition. We are seated here now, there is no single person even from my zone, that tells you who I am,” he revealed.
As dinner wore on and more visitors arrived, Galadima maintained a stoic look, like a man deep in thought. He looked a man, deeply bruised who had spent his life believing in a thing only to realize at the twilight of his days that all had been but a phantom. But according to him, whatever his new venture turns out to be, there would be only two word on his lips: No Regrets.
