Nigeria, Aug. 3 -- Yes, indeed, the late Muhammadu Buhari was perhaps the best politician of the Fourth Republic. He knew what he was doing when he spoke of Sharia in Sokoto, which caused him problems with the South and Northern Christians. But that solidified his Northern Muslim base and assured him of a solid 12 million votes. Hiskare jini, biri jinimantra further caused more schisms that made him the ultimate "champion" at home to be projected and defended at all costs.

But perhaps the single most incredible view of himself that he deliberately courted and promoted, which made him "vulnerable" and "fragile" and to be worked for, was the impression he gave of not being a politician. That, in itself, was a masterstroke.

You see, the av...