I Have No Regrets Voting For Buhari….But Integrity Is Not Enough

Open Letter To Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

Mr Vice President sir,

In the last few months, there has been growing murmurs and complaints in the land. With many asking if it would not have been better had APC lost the elections. While I was not a supporter of the PDP, I can not really say I am of the APC too. In Nigerian politics, there is little difference between the parties, the vast majority of members have one primary goal: seeking office for the purpose of financial enrichment and influence peddling.
Nevertheless I have been a firm believer in the person and character of PMB from when as a little boy I first heard of him. I was reading a mountain of old news paper in my Fathers house and discovered how one Major General Muhammed Buhari had without orders taken troops under his command in Jos and driven to the Chad border to repel an attack by Chadian rebels and restore Nigerians honor. I also came across a quote by a serving Minister in the then NPN government in a veiled reference to Buhari saying that Nigerians would not be intimidated by any army officer and would vote for NPN. Apparently a statement had been attributed to Buhari in 1983 that the coming general elections of that year must be free and fair so as to forestall any need for the military to intervene. The implication of the Ministers statement seemed to infer that the General in question was apparently doubting the credibility of the NPN government to conduct free and fair elections. The NPN government messed up that elections and the military came to power.
That Buhari is a man of Integrity is not in doubt. During the brief period he ruled as military Head of State, the country witnesses dramatic change- patriotism was renewed, corruption was brought to a standstill, the world respected us, the country had real change and hope.
Looking back now, its clear that while then General Buhari provided the integrity and moral direction of that period-the power house and driver of that government was his deputy –Major General Tunde Idiagbon.
Fast forward to 2015 and history seemed to repeat itself. Nigeria was on the brink of moral and economic collapse. Politicians in all parties were stealing money like there was no consequence. And Buhari came to power. The difference now is that there is no Idiagbon.
This is where you come in sir. Mr Vice President-you need to be the brain of this government. President Buhari has the integrity Nigeria has lacked in leadership for much of its 56 years of independence-but Integrity is not enough. If Integrity was enough-Tanzania in the 1980s would have been one of the greatest nations on Earth.When Julius Nyere-then President of Tanzania left office in 1985-he was so incorruptible-that his friends had to buy a tractor for him –so that he would no longer have to use cutlasses and hand instruments on his farm during his retirement. Yet despite his incorruptible character –Tanzania was one then one of the poorest countries on Earth-improvised by years of socialism and communism.
Corruption must be tackled in Nigeria-but 21st Century ideas are needed to move Nigeria forward. We have stayed on this mountain too long. Countries like Kuwait, Dubai (UAE), Singapore and Malaysia that were behind us in all terms in the 1960s are now first world nations and economic giants. While India has not only sent a craft into Space-it has even sent one to the moon-we are still importing pencils.
General Buhari made the mistake of thinking the people would support his anti corruption drive of 1984 without corresponding economic fortunes for the masses-when he was overthrown -I then barely 10 years old-was probably one of the few people who cried for him. Even in our house, my dad, mum, aunties carried on as if it were just another day. There were no protests on the streets, no one speaking for the fallen government. We were later told the Buhari/Idiagbon had a 5 pronged plan to change Nigeria starting with instilling discipline and ending with democratic government. Why wasnt this plan revealed to the public. What is Buhari/Osinbajo's plan for Nigeria? Dont you know sir that you need to carry the masses of people along-before the elite get to you like they did to the Buhari/Idiagbon government in 1985?
It’s the same mistake Gorbachev made in the Soviet Union –not carrying along the 20 million strong Communist Party. To enforce real change-it must transcend a personality-and consist of a movement. If anything happens to Buhari today-whether God ordained or man made-the war on corruption will end and Nigeria will go into greater unprecedented corruption –just like it did back in 1985 when the IBB government ushered in greater corruption than even the politicians of 1979 to 1983 could imagine.
21st Century ideas involve a strong national focus and direction-Nigeria has none. Empowerment. In 2016-we still cant provide light to our homes. Cattle rearers are killing farmers with impunity, policemen treat the citizens like slaves and in an oil producing nation-we have endless queues for petrol.
Like Esther, Joseph and Daniel in the Bible-God may have positioned and placed you for such a time as this. You must be the brain and driver of this government-whilst still being 100% loyal just like that great patriot Tunde Idiagbon was ; BUT you must go a step further-by forming a movement that can believe in, support and carry out the true change Nigeria needs. Your party APC is not such a movement-like the PDP –it is one of the most corrupt and evil parties that Nigeria has ever known composed of wicked politicians who should be in jail.
Nigeria needs real change!

You see Buhari as a man of integrity but I wish to differ with you: how can a man of integrity open his well-shaped mouth to say that Abacha wasn't corrupt? How can a so-called man of integrity surround himself with the likes of Amechi, Tinubu, Atiku, Fashola etc?

Where did someone like Amechi get the trillions to sponsor Buhari's presidential election?

A man of integrity who claimed he recovered $20b from Dezieani and Trillions of dollars from his perceived political enemies from yet spent $2m to go to China to borrow $2b!

What happened to all the recovered loots in his custody?

What is the one tangible thing he's done ever since 29th May, 2015?

A man of integrity with lopsided appointments and so much hatred for SE and SS.

Buhari is not a good example of a man of integrity, neither is he a competent leader in a any way.


Thank you.

@op. Just say u want wailers form.

amtaken:
You see Buhari as a man of integrity but I wish to differ with you: how can a man of integrity open his well-shaped mouth to say that Abacha wasn't corrupt? How can a so-called man of integrity surround himself with the likes of Amechi, Tinubu, Atiku, Fashola etc?

Where did someone like Amechi get the trillions to sponsor Buhari's presidential election?

A man of integrity who claimed he recovered $20b from Dezieani and Trillions of dollars from his perceived political enemies from yet spent $2m to go to China to borrow $2b!

What happened to all the recovered loots in his custody?

What is the one tangible thing he's done ever since 29th May, 2015?

A man of integrity with lopsided appointments and so much hatred for SE and SS.

Buhari is not a good example of a man of integrity, neither is he a competent leader in a any way.


Thank you.

I disagree sir.

The great problem Nigeria has had is that very few of our leaders have understood what it means to be a leader. They no policy direction, no idea of long term planning, no understanding of economic indices. Its not that there are not corrupt politicians in other countries including the West-but in those countries-they are CORRUPT LEADERS. That is a leader who is corrupt.

For example in the US State of Illinois-Rod Blagojevich-the former Governor is now in jail for 14 years. His crime-he tried to collect a bribe to nominate someone for that state's vacant Senate seat (vacated by Obama when he won the election for President). But Rod Blagojevich performed as a Governor-he did not loot the state dry or appoint his children and nephews as Special Advisers-his salary was the normal take home pay of about $177,000. It was that singular act that made him go to jail.

In Nigeria-most (although not all) our leaders are not politicians or even leaders-they are criminals-whose only mission is to corruptly enrich. Check the daily schedule of any Governor-they are busy meeting to dole out influence-any contract they award is to able to take their own share. Going about in their smelly corrupt filled agbadas, suits and babarigas -molesting University girls and turning young men into thugs and cultists-while their own children school abroad and live large.

When former Oyo State Governor Lam Adesina was asked on State TV why his children were living lavishly-he allegedly said " those children have suffered now-they need to enjoy"

Buhari is not perfect-but he is incorruptible and a man of integrity.

What Buhari has done since May 2015? Laid the foundation of a Nigeria where corruption will no longer be attractive, where budgets will no longer be padded, where the country will truly progress.

Hmmmmm what a letter.

You did not address any of the reasons I gave earlier for saying that he's not a man of integrity ma.

danies1941:


I disagree sir.

The great problem Nigeria has had is that very few of our leaders have understood what it means to be a leader. They no policy direction, no idea of long term planning, no understanding of economic indices. Its not that there are not corrupt politicians in other countries including the West-but in those countries-they are CORRUPT LEADERS. That is a leader who is corrupt.

For example in the US State of Illinois-Rod Blagojevich-the former Governor is now in jail for 14 years. His crime-he tried to collect a bribe to nominate someone for that state's vacant Senate seat (vacated by Obama when he won the election for President). But Rod Blagojevich performed as a Governor-he did not loot the state dry or appoint his children and nephews as Special Advisers-his salary was the normal take home pay of about $177,000. It was that singular act that made him go to jail.

In Nigeria-most (although not all) our leaders are not politicians or even leaders-they are criminals-whose only mission is to corruptly enrich. Check the daily schedule of any Governor-they are busy meeting to dole out influence-any contract they award is to able to take their own share. Going about in their smelly corrupt filled agbadas, suits and babarigas -molesting University girls and turning young men into thugs and cultists-while their own children school abroad and live large.

Buhari is not perfect-but he is incorruptible and a man of integrity.

amtaken:
You see Buhari as a man of integrity but I wish to differ with you: how can a man of integrity open his well-shaped mouth to say that Abacha wasn't corrupt? How can a so-called man of integrity surround himself with the likes of Amechi, Tinubu, Atiku, Fashola etc?

Where did someone like Amechi get the trillions to sponsor Buhari's presidential election?

A man of integrity who claimed he recovered $20b from Dezieani and Trillions of dollars from his perceived political enemies from yet spent $2m to go to China to borrow $2b!

What happened to all the recovered loots in his custody?

What is the one tangible thing he's done ever since 29th May, 2015?

A man of integrity with lopsided appointments and so much hatred for SE and SS.

Buhari is not a good example of a man of integrity, neither is he a competent leader in a any way.


Thank you.

1) You use what is legally available to get to power. How else would he have won the election? Aligned with the Better Nigeria Party with 30 members?

2)Amechi spent trillions? I dont know about that.

3) $20b recovered from Dezieani? That is not possible!

4) All loots so far recovered are with the CBN.

5) Lop sided appointments? No way. Not after all the appointments.

Let me know when you decide to be sincere with your reply ma. Thank you very much.

danies1941:


1) You use what is legally available to get to power. How else would he have won the election? Aligned with the Better Nigeria Party with 30 members?

2)Amechi spent trillions? I dont know about that.

3) $20b recovered from Dezieani? That is not possible!

4) All loots so far recovered are with the CBN.

5) Lop sided appointments? No way. Not after all the appointments.

amtaken:
Let me know when you decide to be sincere with your reply ma. Thank you very much.

100% SINCERE!