Following his defeat in 2011, he had, amid lachrymal emotion, announced that he would not contest the presidency again. But the opposition forces, which had done their political calculations, realised that the only person who could passionately galvanise popular support in the north was Buhari. Little wonder they made available all the resources needed for his presidential enterprise while he only made himself available. Those opposed to his presidency panicked because of the cult-like following that he enjoyed in the north. Buhari was confident to sweep into power on the wings of the legacy party - the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Source: The North Africa Journal May 12, 2017 01:52 UTC