Muhammadu Buhari: The Rehoboam of Nigeria

Muhammadu Buhari: The Rehoboam of Nigeria

King Rehoboam went down in history as the last king of the united Israel in the old testament of the bible. The account was covered in 1 Kings Chapter 12. Rehoboam was the son of King Solomon, who succeeded him in the throne. A careful analysis of the attributes of Rehoboam will reveal that Muhammadu Buhari and Rehoboam have lots of things in common. It was under Rehoboam that Israel broke up as a united country.

The ingredients and actions that led to that historic breakup of Israel are replete in Nigeria. Buhari is the modern day incarnation of King Rehoboam.

Rehoboam just like Buhari came to power when their respective countries were undergoing turbulent phases. King Solomon's tyrannical reign, which taxed the Israelis so much pushed the country to a brink. The burden Solomon placed on the people was so much that they heaved a sigh of relief when he eventually died. 

Thinking the son would be wiser, Jeroboam, who had opposed Solomon and was forced into exile led the tribes of Israel to the newly installed King Rehoboam to plead he lightens the load on them. 

Jeroboam and the whole assembly of Israel went to Rehoboam and said to him: 4 “Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you.”

6 Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. “How would you advise me to answer these people?” he asked.

7 They replied, “If today you will be a servant to these people and serve them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants.”

8 But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him. 9 He asked them, “What is your advice? How should we answer these people who say to me, ‘Lighten the yoke your father put on us’?”

10 The young men who had grown up with him replied, “These people have said to you, ‘Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but make our yoke lighter.’ Now tell them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist. 11 My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.’”

12 Three days later Jeroboam and all the people returned to Rehoboam, as the king had said, “Come back to me in three days.” 13 The king answered the people harshly. Rejecting the advice given him by the elders, 14 he followed the advice of the young men and said, “My father made your yoke heavy; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.”

16 When all Israel saw that the king refused to listen to them, they answered the king:

“What share do we have in David, what part in Jesse’s son? To your tents, Israel! Look after your own house, David!”

So the Israelites went home. 17 But as for the Israelites who were living in the towns of Judah, Rehoboam still ruled over them.

Similarly, Buhari came to power when the Biafran agitation was simmering underground. As Rehoboam had stubbornly  told Jeroboam and co in clear words that he will deal with them, so did Buhari did to Biafrans, when he openly declared in the United States that he will deal with Biafrans for giving him only 5% of votes.

Like Jeroboam Buhari had jettisoned wise advice he had been freely offered and followed that of his jihadi colleagues.

Nnamdi Kanu is the spark plug for Biafra. Arresting him was stoking the Biafran flame.Release him now and the problems in Nigeria will evaporate - Jerry Gana tells Buhari

Buhari's exacerbated the Biafran agitation when he arrested Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). He escalated it when he refused to release him from illegal detention even after the courts had ordered him to do so.

Buhari like Rehoboam increased the yoke of Biafrans by instructing his soldiers to kill unarmed Biafran protesters.
he had marked his words with action - completely sidelining Biafrans in all his critical appointments. Sacking Biafran senior military officers in the Nigerian army. Refusing to step his foot in any Biafran state since his inauguration.

Buhari while ignoring the atrocious acts of Fulani terrorists has pounced on the Niger Delta. He had ordered a full blown military operation in the oil rich part of Biafra.
This war Buhari has gone into will mark the beginning of the end of Nigeria.

Buhari is unknowingly dancing the same song Rehoboam danced. He is dancing the spirit dance - SURUGEDE!

As Rehoboam led to the break up of Israel so would Buhari's ill thought actions lead to the breakup of Nigeria.

The dance is already on and the people are singing "

“What share do we have in Nigeria, what part in Hausa-Fulani kingdom? To your tents,Oh Nigerians! Look after your own house, Dullard of Duara!”