Former Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VoN), Osita Okechukwu, has dismissed claims by politicians within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) who believe they can inherit the famed 12 million bloc votes once commanded by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Speaking after an interdenominational church service held in Abuja in honour of Buhari, Okechukwu said the opposition figures in ADC are unqualified, both morally and historically to claim Buhari’s political legacy.
“With the greatest respect, those attempting to hijack Buhari’s 12 million-vote legacy are wearing shoes far too big for them,” Okechukwu said. “Buhari’s legacy wasn’t built on tribal sentiment or transactional politics. It was rooted in integrity, anti-corruption, and a consistent track record of public service.”
He accused these ADC hopefuls of lacking the moral compass Buhari was known for, stating that none of them has ever truly fought against corruption or avoided the murky waters of vote-buying.
“They have never run a campaign without engaging in vote-buying, nor have they demonstrated Buhari’s self-discipline or transparency,” he added. “Some of them were involved in the reckless stripping of national assets—NEPA, Ajaokuta Steel, Aluminum Smelter Company under the guise of privatization, with nothing to show.”
Okechukwu highlighted Buhari’s five-decade-long service spanning roles as military governor, petroleum commissioner, General Officer Commanding, Head of State, Chairman of PTF, and two-term civilian President—as one unmarred by scandal.
He cautioned those banking on the “northern card” to win favour with Buhari’s former supporters, warning that the northern electorate is far more discerning than they assume.
“The North is no rubber stamp. They voted for Abiola in 1993 and gave Tinubu more support in 2023 than some southern states. This idea that you can manipulate the northern bloc with tribal sentiment is not only insulting, but dangerous,” he said.
Okechukwu further warned that the desperation to seize Buhari’s support base could destabilize Nigeria’s zoning convention, which he described as a key pillar of national unity and peaceful transition in the Fourth Republic.
“Equity and justice demand rotational leadership. These ADC aspirants are trying to upend a principle that has kept our democracy intact,” he said. “And let’s not forget—many of them never subscribed to the Talakawa ideology of Malam Aminu Kano, which gave Buhari his cult-like followership in the North.”
He also celebrated the failure of attempts to draw members of Buhari’s former Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) into ADC, crediting ex-governors Tanko Al-Makura and Aminu Masari for resisting the move.
“The CPC structure remains intact and loyal. Those hoping to use ADC as a Trojan horse failed woefully,” he concluded.
Okechukwu’s remarks serve as a warning shot to opposition leaders banking on the illusion of Buhari’s vote-bank, urging them to pursue credibility rather than shortcuts through nostalgia and ethnic baiting.
