Dear Delegates,

As you head to the primaries, ask yourself, what do Nigerians want? What are the biggest problems of Nigeria today?

Weighing the campaign thrusts of Atiku versus Buhari, it is rather clear. Atiku is campaigning on strong messages of security and economy, with a focus on jobs and youth unemployment, while Buhari is running on anti-corruption. While Atiku has published his widely commended policy document, Buhari has not really laid out what his plans are, even for his anti-corruption drive.

What is the biggest issue in Nigeria right now? Everyone knows it is security. The biggest point of argument between Atiku and Buhari supporters is whether the second issue is unemployment or corruption. While Atiku supporters believe the economy and unemployment are bigger issues, Buhari supporters have broken all of Nigeria’s problems to one issue: corruption.

Corruption is a big problem for Nigeria. Hundreds of billions of dollars have been stolen since independence, leaving the populace impoverished. Corruption is one of the reasons Boko Haram has not been defeated. But the security challenge is making corruption even much less critical. The dwindling economic fortunes of Nigeria may soon make even the economy a bigger issue in this coming election. While Buhari supporters will quickly point out that corruption must be eliminated, the reality is that an economy must exist first, before we can secure it. It is like a farm. Can you weed a farm without first planting a farm? The economy is the farm, while corruption is the weed. The ultimate irony of this campaign season is the fact that Atiku Abubakar, much maligned for a perception of corruption, has been the one who has published a clear, workable plan for eliminating corruption.

Both candidates are asking candidates to trust them. While Atiku has been attempting to paint a grand picture of his records as Vice President, and as a businessman, Buhari has hardly said anything publicly about his record. Buhari has said he will eliminate corruption, but he has not really said how he will do this.

Young people who will be voting in 2015 were mostly babies or unborn when Buhari was head of state, and this is a good and bad thing. Good, because many of Buhari’s weaknesses have been replaced by romantic stories of integrity, which he actually does possess. However, it is a plus to the Buhari’s campaign that his times in government are so far off. Many young people have no concept of how it was to live under Buhari’s authoritarian regime, or experienced the human rights abuses for which that junta was famous for. Atiku on the other hand must work extra hard to rid himself of the perceptions of graft, which started in 2003, while he was vice president.

Despite Buhari’s PR advantages over Atiku, Buhari has not taken advantage of these. His camp seems to take the trust of young Nigerians for granted. But this age of young Nigerians also want more. They want plans, how-tos, and connections. Bihari as a candidate doesn’t have any of those.

It speaks to the core of Buhari’s leadership abilities that a day to the presidential primaries, he still has not composed a campaign organization. He does not have a manifesto. He does not have a campaign website, or social media presence, which seems to be a must for the current generation of Nigerian youth. Everything that has been heard from Buhari has been from third party supporters, who have without his consent, created a website, and published policies on behalf of their mentor. But this shows more weaknesses than strength. Is that how Buhari hopes to govern Nigeria? Will he assemble a Federal Executive Council, or will supporters create an FEC of volunteers and create policies as they see fit?

Even the core Buhari supporters agree that he has not done enough to win delegates. He has not done enough to convince Nigerians that he is the man either. So why should the delegates vote him then?

I believe my fellow delegates will do the right thing. And vote the person everyone has agreed is the most prepared. I believe all APC delegates will vote someone who is in touch with realities, who understands global 21st century trends. I have done my part, for myself, for our children, for our unborn grandchildren. Dear delegates, do right.

If in the end, the delegates feel Buhari is the better candidate, and vote him, I will support. Change must come. #ANigeriaForAll

Best regards,
Brown Isiaka.

Their victory today is a failure come 2015. GEJ till 2019!!!

Atiku

#APC

Nonsense letter...

Na like this gobe dey take start
If buahri won which am expecting
Atiku camp go be like he didn't do much to win
Favoritism don set in

Fighting corruption is d Ultimate Campaign... Once its fought and victory over corruption is assured and ascertained, every other sector of the economy will automatically work itself out without much ado