ABUJA, July 15, 2025 — Buba Galadima, a senior figure in the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), has revealed for the first time the strategic motive behind former President Muhammadu Buhari’s foray into politics, saying it was a calculated move by northern leaders to counter a perceived threat from the Oduduwa Peoples Congress (OPC) at the turn of the millennium.
Speaking on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Tuesday, Galadima recounted how the OPC’s controversial activities in Ilorin between 1999 and 2000, especially a convoy of over 500 vehicles allegedly aimed at dismantling Fulani structures, alarmed northern stakeholders. According to him, the apparent inaction of then-President Olusegun Obasanjo and Lagos Governor Bola Tinubu heightened tensions.
“We saw the OPC’s actions as excessive and provocative. The silence of the federal and Lagos State governments seemed like tacit approval. We knew we had to respond,” Galadima said.
In response, Galadima convened a high-stakes meeting in Kaduna with 34 other northern influencers. Faced with the choice of violent resistance or political engagement, they opted for the ballot box—and began searching for a credible candidate who could stand against Obasanjo’s growing influence.
“Buhari came to mind immediately,” Galadima stated. “Though he was skeptical and had publicly criticized politicians, he didn’t say no. That gave us hope.”
The group intensified their efforts, eventually persuading the former military ruler to enter the political arena. His candidacy, Galadima claims, sent a strong message to the Obasanjo administration and led to the eventual de-escalation of OPC activities.
“Our mission was accomplished. by drafting Buhari into politics, we neutralized the OPC threat without firing a shot,” he said.
Galadima’s revelation adds a new layer to the story of Buhari’s political emergence, highlighting how deep regional concerns and security tensions played a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s political direction in the early 2000s.
