Kiss of approval:Could Muhammadu Buhari be Nigeria's next president?

Muhammadu Buhari in focus:

• Age 71
• Military ruler of Nigeria from 1984 to 1985
• Deposed in a coup
• Poor human rights record
• Seen as incorruptible
• Disciplinarian – civil servants late for work had to do frog jumps
• Muslim from northern Nigeria
• Survived an apparent Boko Haram assassination attempt

  The verdict on Mr Buhari’s 20 months as Nigeria’s leader is mixed. About 500 politicians, officials and businessmen were jailed as part of a campaign against waste and corruption.

Some saw this as the heavy-handed repression of military rule.

But others remember it as a praiseworthy attempt to fight the endemic graft that prevented Nigeria’s development. [caption id="attachment_14756" align="alignleft" width="300"] Will the former general get the kiss of approval in February – his fourth attempt to win at the ballot box?[/caption] He retains a rare reputation for honesty among Nigeria’s politicians, both military and civilian, largely because of this campaign. As part of his “War Against Indiscipline”, he ordered Nigerians to form neat queues at bus stops, under the sharp eyes of whip-wielding soldiers. Civil servants who were late for work were publicly humiliated by being forced to do frog jumps. He also introduced a notorious decree to restrict press freedom, under which two journalists were jailed. However, his attempts to re-balance public finances by curbing imports led to many job losses and the closure of businesses. As part of anti-corruption measures, he also ordered that the currency be replaced – the colour of the naira notes were changed – forcing all holders of old notes to exchange them at banks within a limited period. Prices rose while living standards fell, leading to a palace coup by Gen Ibrahim Babangida on 27 August 1985. Mr Buhari was imprisoned for 40 months. Mr Babangida wanted to speed up the restoration of civilian rule, which Mr Buhari did not see as a priority. ‘Up to the people’ Mr Buhari has continued to defend his military coup of 31 December 1983. “It is up to the people. If you choose correct leadership, there won’t be any need for the military regime. “The military came in when it was absolutely necessary and the elected people had failed the country,” he said in October 2005. [caption id="attachment_14757" align="alignright" width="300"] The opposition has united this time to back one candidate to challenge the PDP in the presidential pol[/caption] When former President Olusegun Obasanjo was a military ruler in the 1970s, Mr Buhari held the key post of minister of petroleum affairs. But the relationship between the former colleagues cooled as Mr Buhari’s coup ousted a civilian government, led by Alhaji Shehu Shagari, who won elections organised by Mr Obasanjo. This led to continuing questions about Mr Buhari’s commitment to democracy. Relations between the two former generals may now thaw following what seems to be an endorsement for Mr Buhari from Mr Obasanjo in his recently released autobiography. Mr Buhari “would not be a good economic manager”, wrote the politician who won two presidential elections for the PDP after 1999, but “will be a strong, almost inflexible, and a courageous and firm leader”. *Source BBC