Nigeria's Muhammadu Buhari in profile

BBC

31 March 2011

Nigeria's Muhammadu Buhari in profile

Will it be third time lucky for Muhammadu Buhari?

Former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari does not seem to know when to quit.

Defeated in the last two elections, first by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2003 and then by President Umaru Yar'Adua in 2007, he has returned to contest Nigeria's highest office.

Mr Buhari is now facing the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan, who is from Nigeria's southern Niger Delta region.

Mr Buhari is hoping that dissatisfied members from the northern hierarchy of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP), may shift their loyalty to him.

Many members of the northern hierarchy feel it is "their turn" to hold the presidency, after President Yar'Adua, who is from the same northern state as Mr Buhari, died in office.

Although Mr Buhari is popular among the poor of the north (known as the "talakawa" in the north's Hausa language) mere popularity on the streets may not be enough to win.

It is far from clear whether Mr Buhari has the political power he will need to beat the PDP.