My Candid Take on 2015

20 Apr 2013

Font Size: a / A



By Dele Momodu

Fellow Nigerians, please allow me to set the records straight before I go into the main meat of this letter. On a personal note, I have no problem with President Goodluck Jonathan seeking a second term in office. It is his legitimate Constitutional right. It does not matter if he truly reached an unwritten gentleman’s agreement with some members of his political party, openly or clandestinely. When did it become a criminal offence for Nigerian politicians to renege on their promises? At the very worst, he would have committed a moral offence of being a reprobaterather than a gentleman who keepsto his words. Finito! But that is an act of indecorum which is not punishable under any of our Acts or Statutes.


My take is simple and straight-forward: let Jonathan run, if he wants to. It is cowardly to stylishly force him out of the race. The essence of democracy is to give every aspirant a chance except we can establish legal reasons to debar him. The Nigerian Constitution permits a President to run for two terms if he can win the presidential race twice. So be it. This Constitution is definitely superior to that of any humongous political party. If the President has decided to exercise that right, there is nothing anyone can do to stop him from running if he gets his party ticket which I suspect won’t be any problem for him given the way things work in Nigerian politics.


However, difficult as it may seem, there are options open to those who don’t want him to be the next PDP candidate if they are ready to fight all the way. But they can only achieve that through Constitutional means. Members of his party can decide to change him for another aspirant, and they are not in short supply, by ensuring he doesn’t get the party nomination during their National Convention. As far-fetched as this may seem, it cannot be totally ruled out if they can muster enough resources to match him dollar for dollar. The only snag in that calculation is that I’m not sure any Nigerian currently has access to such a monstrously deep pocket, as Alhaji Atiku Abubakar discovered on his night of the long knives at the Eagle Square in Abuja barely two years ago.


First, the law enforcement agents would be encouraged to lock up the delegates in their hotel rooms and ensure that no other aspirant can reach them. Two, the incumbent President would easily receive the support of every businessman worth his salt in Nigeria and beyond without even asking. The President of Nigeria has the power of life and death and would never waste any time before deploying it. He can turn a billionaire into a pauper overnight and turn a certified pauper into a billionaire before you pronounce Jack Robinson. No wise businessman ever fights government in Nigeria. It is an unwritten code you learn from kindergarten school.


Three, Mr President understands the weakness of most Nigerians. It is the special craving, craze and propensity for political appointments. That obsession is so insatiable that even at 80 many Nigerian politicians would sacrifice anything and everything to obtain government appointments no matter how degrading or demeaning. The reason is not far-fetched. Returns on investments are usually high in Nigerian politics. Economic recessions hardly affect them. Right now, most Nigerians are moaning and groaning, yet the politicians have no cause to complain. They are awarding themselves stupendous remunerations and allowances with infinite opportunities to globe-trot on very outlandish estacode. This is why most people want to be in the good books of the President including those who abuse him in public. At the right time, the President would call them in and speak the original dialect they all understand. Money!


I believe it is for those reasons some people want to elbow the President out before the race begins. My prediction is that Jonathan will get the PDP ticket again, no matter what it takes. And my advice to those who don’t want that to happen is to either support him or quickly leave the party for him. Unfortunately, there are not too many stronger parties in contention. The only one available for now, if and when it gets registered, is APC. But even here, there are formidable obstacles to scale. How easy would it be for our dear Atiku Abubakar to return to APC with all his former AC allies in firm control? How easy would it be for a Waziri Aminu Tambuwal to persuade General Muhammadu Buhari to jettison his voluptuous dream of ruling Nigeria again? How simple would it be for a Sule Lamido to risk all his investments in PDP and hope to upstage our own BAT, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu in APC? By what magic would Governor Babangida Aliyu control enough influence in APC? These are technical issues that those leaving PDP would have to confront sooner than later. It is a dilemma offering no easy escape route.


I see four clear options. The first is there will be the original PDP under the firm grip of Jonathan. But that Jonathan-PDP may become a shadow of itself if most of the Northern Governors, members of the Senate, House of Representatives and other State legislators collectively pull out and join the Obasanjo renegades in the South Westand leave the dry shell for Jonathan and his die-hard supporters in the South-South, South-East and parts of the Middle-Belt. That is the Second option. The third is for APC to risk a Muslim Muslim ticket in Buhari and Tinubu and hope to garner enough crowds from the North West and the South West.


The fourth is for Buhari and Tinubu to sacrifice everything and reach out to Tambuwal and Rotimi Amaechi, or a similar formidable duo, and hope to break the monopoly of Jonathan in the South South. This is possible, where a bigger Rivers is already feeling oppressed by Bayelsa, Cross River is feeling emasculated by Akwa Ibom, the Ibori crowds are feeling marginalised in Delta and the godfathers are being rendered irrelevant in Edo by Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole. This scenario seems the most likely permutation to ease out Jonathan. Political pundits believe this is why Jonathan is already fighting like a wounded lion in Rivers State. Rivers has the hefty resources and more than enough electoral figures to threaten Jonathan’s ambition.


Tinubu and General Olusegun Obasanjo would have to bury their differences and rescue Nigeria from the brink of collapse. Many Nigerians still blame Obasanjo for giving Nigeria a weak and ineffectual leadership. They fail to understand why he couldn’t come up with a star-studded team of Donald Duke, Nasir El Rufai, Dora Akunyili, NgoziOkonjo-Iwealla, NuhuRibadu, Bukola Saraki, Julius Ihonvbere, Charles Soludo, Emeka Chikelu, Oby Ezekwesili, Akin Osuntokun, Frank Nweke Jnr., and others, when he left power in 2007. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar had a pool of young and vibrant technocrats like Chris Mammah, Onukaba Adinoyi-Ojo, Garba Shehu and Adeolu Akande who could have been groomed for the new Nigeria of our dreams. However they were all exterminated like irritants by Obasanjo who squashed them underfoot. Had power been transferred to such upwardly mobile people, Nigeria would have had its own version of Obama and Cameron by now. The decision to swim and drown with the weakest links robbed us of a more energetic government.


We have no idea yet what the general electorate might do after 14 years of narcoleptic leadership of PDP. Will they put a final stop to Jonathan’s voluble ambition by casting their votes for the new-look opposition or stick fervently to the devil they already know?


While it is tempting to be bought over by the lack of performance argument against Jonathan, it can be safely assumed that one’s man’s meat is another man’s poison. There is no other way to put the lack of performance to test than at the polls. Nigerians hardly vote like normal people do. We often base our decision on primordial sentiments that include the whiff of money, ethnicity, religion, position and so on. Who knows, despite our excruciating pains in the hands of the PDP hawks, Jonathan might still manage to hypnotise enough Nigerians with his Fresh Air razzmatazz? Elsewhere, PDP would have long been consigned to the dustbin of history but not in our long-suffering and eternally resilient and reticent country called Nigeria.

I won’t be surprised if all the PDP Governors line up behind Jonathan when tomorrow comes. What will shock me is if they don’t. A lot of government money is already being stockpiled for our type of rainy day. Loads of cash will jump out of the vaults when the time comes, as it certainly will, sooner than later. How many politicians born of women can resist the lure of money in a country where money speaketh all languages and conquereth all territories?


As for me and my house, the best option for Jonathan is to ignore all those putting pressure on him to run. Truth is he has nothing to prove again. God has showered him with too much kindness. He has entered the history books for life as Nigeria’s President and Commander-in-Chief. It does not matter how long he stays in power. What would ultimately matter is what he does with it. If I were in his shoes, I will concentrate on what legacy to bequeath to future generations and worry less about the distractions of a Second Term malady. He has nothing to lose if he does not seek a second term but he has everything to forfeit if he runs and fails to win. The best way to win or lose with dignity is not to make it a matter of life and death. It would even be worse if he has nothing tangible to point at as his achievement when his tenure expires, whenever that is.


If I were Jonathan, I will take off my hat, jump into some casuals and hit the ground running. I will work like a donkey and try to prove my enemies wrong. I will make sure I conclude the power projects. That alone will instantly turn any Nigerian leader to an all-time hero. I will cut the cost and burden of governance. I will keep a lower profile and kick out most of the deadwoods in government. I will concentrate on those projects I can complete as soon as possible. I sincerely believe all the energy he’s wasting on pursuing Rotimi Amaechi and company can be better utilised. He had never fought for anything in his life. Whatever he is today was at the instance of uncommon good luck and enduring patience. Why not allow God to decide his next destination in life instead of stopping others who want to try their own luck.


It is not too late for the President to ease the tension in the land. He has nothing more to ask of God. He became Nigeria’s President without much ado. It is for him to compensate Nigerians for that unusual favour. What I see is his proclivity for enjoyment and the good life. His government is too bloated and full of unserious elements. Those goading him on today,and encouraging him to fight on all fronts, would soon abandon him perchance he fails in this mission. They are his real enemies out to preserve their pecuniary interests only.


Where are those who said Obasanjo was their god a few years ago and daily swore by his name? They have since moved on to otherclimes in search of new gods, and I doubt if they even remember how to get to the Hill Top mansion in Abeokuta.


There is no better lesson for the wise.

Source : http://thisdaylive.com/articles/my-ca…

Hmmmm!!!! Food for thot. A word is enuf for d wise. Btw 1st to comment.

Dele,go and sit down.we are not d problem ur ovation magazine isn't selling again,internet and social media are the reason.if u can't beat them,u join them.I believe u wish that u were made a minister,but that can't happen.u contested for presidency,why didn't u win if ur ideas are any better.go and recover from ur melt down

Itoroetti :
Dele,go and sit down.we are not d problem ur ovation magazine isn't selling again,internet and social media is the reason.if u can't beat them,u join them.I believe u wish that u were made a minister,but that can't haven't.u contested for presidency,why didn't u win if ur ideas are any better.go and recover from ur melt down

I am very sure this simpleton never read through this article.God what sort of blockhead is this.just state one thing he said wrong in that article.fools like you ought to be locked permanently in the zoo.

Nigerians hardly vote like normal people do. We often base our decision on primordial sentiments that include the whiff of money, ethnicity, religion, position and so on. Who knows, despite our excruciating pains in the hands of the PDP hawks, Jonathan might still manage to hypnotise enough Nigerians with his Fresh Air razzmatazz? Elsewhere, PDP would have long been consigned to the dustbin of history but not in our long-suffering and eternally resilient and reticent country called Nigeria.

The above is my deepest worry for Nigeria Politics

"to upstage our own BAT, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu in APC"

So to Dele Momodu, Senator Bola Tinubu is "our own" while president Jonathan is their own?

This is the same thing I observed with Kayode, one of the presenters of Sunrise, a programme on Channelstv which airs on Saturday morning. He discusses everything related to GEJ with so much cynicism and pessimism. But when it comes to Fashola, you'll hear patronising phrases like "our own dear governor Fashola". What is eating these few Yoruba bigots up?

I THINK HE HAS A POINT THERE.. BUT THE QUESTION IS, WHAT EXACTLY IS HIS POINT

Reserving space

Tor we don hear sir,but its only God that knows who's next

How will this affect the price of ga Rr i in the market

na wah oo,every dick and harry is just trying to use gej and the social media to seek relevance as a political analyst and activist.

iamswizz: I THINK HE HAS A POINT THERE.. BUT THE QUESTION IS, WHAT EXACTLY IS HIS POINT

i am still trying to get his point myself but the point is there is no point there ,he is only saying what everybody already knows

Oratorical jingoism! Mr. Dele we af hear

onatisi:
na wah oo,every dick and harry is just trying to use gej and the social media to seek relevance as a political analyst and activist.

Siddon there dey yarn rubbish. Keep voting for leaders that will rather waste billions of the country's resources on fanfare and grant criminals amnesty.


4 billion naira for First lady's office, 2 billion for food budget! And you keep voting like retardz simply because "He is from my tribe". Dem don use your brain take do sacrifice to Amadioha tey tey before you were even born. Oshisko!

The rest of the world are laughing at you. The picture below, if it doesn't make you weep, i wonder what will.

[img]https://www.nairaland.com/attachments/1071141_article-2311443-1962F89B000005DC-947_964x672_jpg38311e2b8e4e7b295ba70e20d18285ab[/img]

I am not yoruba,but Dele is so on point in his analysis on how to throw GEJ out in 2015,but will the opposition ever be cohesive enough to forgo personal ambitions and land the sucker punch on phee deeee pheeeee?.

One thing I like about this guy is his style of writing.

Sincere 9gerian: "to upstage our own BAT, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu in APC"

So to Dele Momodu, Senator Bola Tinubu is "our own" while president Jonathan is there own?

This is the same thing I observed with Kayode, one of the presenters of Sunrise, a programme on Channelstv which airs on Saturday morning. He discusses everything related to GEJ with so much cynicism and pessimism. But when it comes to Fashola, you'll hear patronising phrases like "our own dear governor Fashola". What is eating these few Yoruba bigots up?

When the chips are down the SW will haul azz like they did last time......Forget the rhetoric the South West follows politics of interest and as soon as GEJ pays their papa Tinubu ,they will all fall in line.

Dele Momodu is biased in his cryptic write-up. He does not impress me as an intelligent writer, I feel he needs to learn more from Hell-Rufai. By the way, has Momodu asked Pastor Bakare why he ceased insulting the President every other Sunday ?

I think Nigerians do not need a Dele Momodu to tell us who to vote for, in the end, the ballot box will speak and we will all obey.

There is no other healthy option for Nigeria in 2015, I can not see Buhari, an Ex-Soldier and Coupist, who overthrew a democratically elected Government of Shagari and openly got support of Boko Haram after instigating the attacks with the tears and blood mantra ruling this great country.

Tinubu is never a Presidential material going by his overnight 'unprovable' wealth possibly from daylight loot of treasury.

Who again is there in the opposition, I see no body. Amaechi is a political coachroach that needs lessons from history, PDP has a penalty for 'enemies within'.

Dele Momodu did well as a celebrity journalist, but I doubt his competency in the policy management and public commentary.

Adieu to Dele Momodu in the event of his political demise.

Itoroetti :
Dele,go and sit down.we are not d problem ur ovation magazine isn't selling again,internet and social media is the reason.if u can't beat them,u join them.I believe u wish that u were made a minister,but that can't haven't.u contested for presidency,why didn't u win if ur ideas are any better.go and recover from ur melt down

It's safe to say I.diots like your type are the major stumbling block to real CHANGE Nigerians seek.

Truckpusher: When the chips are down the SW will haul azz like they did last time......Forget the rhetoric the South West follows politics of interest and as soon as GEJ pays their papa Tinubu ,they will all fall in line.

help me tell them ooooo,nigerians seem to have short memory and they dont want to realize that every single nigerian politician can be bought over ,none and i repeat none of nigerian politicians is fighting for nigerians .the problem with nigerian politics is more fundamental than just voting somebody out .

eggheaders:
I am very sure this simpleton never read through this article.God what sort of blockhead is this.just state one thing he said wrong in that article.fools like you ought to be locked permanently in the zoo.

Dont mind the retar.d he iz suffering from incurable disease call illitracy.

onatisi:
i am still trying to get his point myself but the point is there is no point there ,he is only saying what everybody already knows

Dele Momodu is NEVER KNOWN to be on ANY POINT!
He is a "political Jobber", an over-hyped Junk Magazine Publisher and a first-class sycophant!

He is so Irrelevant he tries too much to appear relevant!

Dele Momodu should just shut his big trap of a mouth, focus on developing his junk magazine and continue to show-case and glorify official corruption ..... as he is well known for!

Most times, he reminds me of that foul-mouthed Fani-Kayode.

As for "political relevance', l laugh in Chinese!

Bunkum!!

Lastpage!


BTW: You can register twenty monikers on Nairaland and use it to criticize those who see through your shennanigans, it does not border me a wee-bit!

Is this not the same Dele Momodu whose Ovation magazine was dedicated to celebrating rogues who crippled Nigeria all these years of military dictatorship and the early years of return to democracy
Just like that lying hot dog, born-to-gain Executive Secretary of the AntiCorruption Network (ACN) Dino Melaye!
I guess anyhthing goes in Nigeria where we have short memory spans.




__________________________________
2015 - Next Level Democracy.
Join a political party in your LG ward with folks & friends NOW!

why is it that when these men become jobless, they immediately turn to writers...doling out public knowledge...and some pathetic foolsa wuld read this and turn pathetic lyk this is the first tym they jus heard it.....wah has rufai and his lyks been saying all along ni

we are tired of reading and hearing...we need action...dele save ur writin skills for d revival of ovation abeg

But seriously GEJ still appeals to me as the best candidate PDP has. Those names we hear such as ameachi tambuwal lamido etc are kids of same parents. I wish GEJ could just be more courageous and fix nigeria

anonimi: Is this not the same Dele Momodu whose Ovation magazine was dedicated to celebrating rogues who crippled Nigeria all these years of military dictatorship and the early years of return to democracy
Just like that lying hot dog, born-to-gain Executive Secretary of the AntiCorruption Network (ACN) Dino Melaye!
I guess anyhthing goes in Nigeria where we have short memory spans.




__________________________________
2015 - Next Level Democracy.
Join a political party in your LG ward with folks & friends NOW!

There is nothing wrong if a sinner repents of his ways and fights for the greater good. it's called CHANGE.
typical of Nigerians, fighting the Messenger instead of facing the Message. SMH

Bob Dee

Larryfly: why is it that when these men become jobless, they immediately turn to writers...doling out public knowledge...and some pathetic foolsa wuld read this and turn pathetic lyk this is the first tym they jus heard it.....wah has rufai and his lyks been saying all along ni

what annoys me most is that people applaud these rogues when they write articles like this and start calling them political analyst.the case in nigeria is the the association of political criminals has employed the services of ppl like momodu to spread her evil agenda,but nigerians are smarter than to fall for such lame tricks.give dele momodu a ministerial post and see if he wont change his tune

I think west plays more of politics of tribal hate while north play politics of religion.