The Chatham House Affair And Jonathan’s Surprise Visits

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After much media firestorm, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, finally gave his presentation at the Chatham House in London, United Kingdom last Thursday.
Report had barely filtered into the country about Gen. Buhari’s visit to Chatham House than some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders, particularly, the governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, started raising doubts as to Buhari’s intent of travelling to the UK.

For what it’s worth, his interaction with the international community at that level was aimed at primarily, dis-abusing certain dictatorial and inflexible perceptions about him, drawing largely from his days as military head of state between 1983 to 1985.
Also, the London meeting for Gen. Buhari availed him the opportunity to assure foreign diplomats, investors and media that he could do a better job with the economy, tackle corruption and the insurgency problem.
Infact, he said “let me assure you that if I am elected president, the world will have no cause to worry about Nigeria as it has had to recently; that Nigeria will return to its stabilising role in West Africa; and that no inch of Nigerian territory will ever be lost to the enemy because we will pay special attention to the welfare of our soldiers in and out of service.”
How significant the meeting will turn out to be, with regards to electoral victory in Nigeria, is subject to time and how far strong the party can finish at the polls.
However while the international community digests the promises and assurances of Gen. Buhari, back home, the president Goodluck Jonathan and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) needed to cash in on the media spotlight that would accrue from the London visit of the opposition party.
While the PDP and it’s presidential campaign organisation played down the import of Gen. Buhari’s visit to London, President Goodluck Jonathan, made a surprise visit to Mubi, Baga in Adamawa and Borno states, to boost the troops’ marale, but more clearly, according to some analysts, to shore-up his newly found victories in the fight against the insurgents.
The president, garbed-in a military combat uniform, took time to take photos with the troops, sending a clear message that he is on top of the situation.
The president also held some town hall meetings, particularly in the South West and attended the widely celebrated birthday of former president Shehu Shagari, which had in attendance all the heads of state, besides Gen Buhari.
Still, as the APC and it’s presidential candidate return to their campaign in Nigeria, having apparently cashed-in on the postponement of the elections to firm-up their international appeal, the lessons learned from their sojourn there would be instructive.
In any case, the battle over which party wins the election, would be won and lost on home soil, analysts have opined.