Politics

Why We Brought Buhari Into Politics – Galadima Reveals Strategy to Counter OPC in Ilorin

Published by Akinwale Fakinlede on July 18th, 2025.

Why We Brought Buhari Into Politics – Galadima Reveals Strategy to Counter OPC in Ilorin

Ex President, Buhari

Buba Galadima, a prominent figure in the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), has revealed the motivations behind bringing former President Muhammadu Buhari into Nigerian politics. Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show, Galadima detailed how a northern coalition introduced Buhari to the political scene as a strategic response to the activities of the Oduduwa Peoples Congress (OPC) in the late 1990s.

According to Galadima, between 1999 and 2000, the OPC launched aggressive operations in Ilorin aimed at dismantling perceived Fulani dominance. Concerned by the escalating situation and the perceived inaction of then-President Olusegun Obasanjo and Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu, northern leaders felt compelled to act.

Galadima recounted organizing a meeting of 34 northern leaders in Kaduna, where they deliberated on how to confront the growing influence of the OPC. He stated, “We realized that change could only come through either the ballot or the barrel of a gun. Since a military option was out of the question, we decided to challenge the system democratically — and that’s when Buhari came to mind.”

Although initially skeptical and critical of politicians, Buhari did not outright reject the proposal. Encouraged by his lack of refusal, the group continued to persuade him until he agreed to join partisan politics.

Galadima claimed that Buhari’s entry into the political arena immediately disrupted the political landscape. The Obasanjo administration, he noted, became visibly unsettled and took decisive steps to curb the OPC’s activities.

“In that sense, our mission was accomplished,” Galadima said. “Getting Buhari involved in politics helped neutralize the OPC threat in Ilorin. What followed afterward is part of Nigeria’s political history.”