Questions are being asked about the deafening silence of former military ruler, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.), in the face of the raging fire in his back yard.

A cult hero in northern Nigeria and strong defender of the interests of the region as well as of Islam, Buhari has yet to make any public statement on two earth-shaking developments of the past week: Thursday’s devastating attack on his hometown, Daura, by suspected Boko Haram warriors and the military operation in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa following Tuesday’s emergency rule imposed on the three states by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Buhari’s silence have sparked a heated debate online, with a cross section of Nigerians trying to figure out what the leader of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) is up to.

“Maybe I missed the news. Please forgive me, but I would like to know Gen. Buhari’s stand on the declaration of state of emergency on Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, since he’s a candidate in the 2015 presidential election,” wrote popular blogger Kaanayo Nwachukwu.

Churchill Umoren, another popular blogger, asked: “Is General Buhari anti-state of emergency...is he on the fence?” Umoren said he was asking the question “because Boko Haram has moved into Daura, his hometown, where they left a huge pool of blood on Thursday (11 murdered).”

Below is a sample of opinions on the issue:

Onukagha Chibuzor: He is too afraid to take a position!

Nzegwu Ifeatu: No position ’cos he does not want to let his people down.

Victor Aguku: As usual, he is waiting to see where the pendulum of public opinion swings and then latch unto it as if it was his idea.

Akinbiyi Sowemimo: CPC apparently didn’t expect BH to visit their Oga’s house so soon. It would appear that the appointment was moved fwd at BH’s instigation without informing CPC secretary. The words that we speak are incredibly powerful and it would seem that Gen. Buhari sowed the wind with his call for violent resistance by his followers after the 2011 election and Daura and environs are now about to reap the Whirlwind. We can only hope that the General doesn’t get consumed in by the flames of violence he inadvertently fanned.

Lubem Gena: What goes around comes around. Buhari and some of his supporters thought the BH will not come closer to them. They thought the insurgents will concentrate all their efforts in the North East, but with this development, I think shivers will be sent down their spines. The earlier they name and shame the BH underground sponsors, the better for all of them.

Augustine Auska Kawoh: He has got a taste of the onion. Hehehehe. Let see if he will join the fight or remain a coward....mtchew.

•Photo shows Gen. Buhari.