Kobojunkie:

^^^ Just as I suspected

Beaf:

Gbawe's comment about corruption being Nigeria's main problem is completely wrong and displays a fundamental lack of understanding of the Nigerian fabric, but going further to build his candidates profile around that is almost hilarious.
I will make a very bold and assertive correction; corruption is simply a by product of Nigeria's deeper problems. It takes a lot of understanding and deep thought to discern that the government structure of Nigeria was deliberately tailored by the cabal in such a way that ethnic bigotry, religious bigotry and corruption flourish, all for their financial benefit. Nigeria's biggest issue is our national architecture, this is something GEJ understands perfectly and in his usual quiet way, has begun tackling.
True federalism below the surface, will ensure accountability and the demise of corruption and ethnic bigotry. Jonathans govt is planting the seeds.

On the surface, true federalism is about the decentralisation of power from Abuja, the empowerment of states and local govts, the diversification of our economy, empowerment of the private sector, true grassroots representation, the ability to choose local leaders that are the peoples choice. True federalism is about citizen wellbeing, industrialisation and economic growth.
Jonathans govt has kicked of the true federalism process by taken up privatisation of key areas, like power, petroleum refining (3 new semi-private refineries are being built for $23billion); but there are also the the quieter and vastly more exciting and profound projects going on, such as the provision of a comprehensive statistics base for Nigeria. All sorts of statistics projects have kicked off, these include projects for taxation to projects that will provide the precise figure each and every one of Nigeria's 770 Local govts adds or subtracts from the Nigerian economy. There are also projects to localise certain elements of security.

Any aspirant that see's corruption, rather than its causes as Nigeria's problem lacks experience and the ability to think at an abstract level, of course, such candidate are non-starters who still leave in the primitive Worlds of coup plotting and command mentality of a lifetime in uniforms and regiments (police or military). But, leadership is not about how to use a koboko, it is about wisdom, patience and the healing touch, all of which Jonathan posesses. Civilian democracy cannot be approached with a barrack mentality, which is only a throwback to the years in which the errors of the Nigerian contraption where created.
Nigeria requires fundamental re-engineering of the sort only thinkers can wrought. At this crossroads in our history, we do no need wrestlers and boxers in govt, what we need is the calm, wise head on Jonathans shoulders.

Nigeria needs a man who can reach out to the various ethnic groups and religious faiths, as aptly demonstrated by Jonathans across the board victory at the PDP Presidential primaries yesterday (winning across Muslim and Christian states and all ethnicities); a victory that was delivered in the most transparent way; every Nigerian participated in the ballot counting, either as a witness or directly; a beautiful example of what Nigeria can be, a first in the country. That same transparency is what Nigeria craves and Jonathan, now unshackeled from the dirty politics of opponents (zoning, bombing, ethnic bigotry etc) can begin to deliver.

Jonathans outreach to the everyday Nigerian is evident with his prolific use of every available medium to reach out to the ordinary person, from church services, Muslim holy periods to facebook. He is a man WITH the people, a listener, an ordinary Nigerian like you and I who is in position to cure (and will cure) the ills of Nigeria.

Gbawe:

All this "Cart before the Horse" pontifications is naive, dishonest, uninformed and especially unrealistic when your man , confronted with several critical tests of leadership, has not even shown he is capable of grappling with basic issues talk less of him even being a leader who can talk of , let alone sustain the difficult and sincerity-dependent effort to effect true federalism. Jonathan has chosen political expediency , while shunning integrity, every time he has faced stern tests of his leadership. Commical you posit that this simplistic opportunist is the saviour of Nigeria. Anyway, it is hardly surprising considering that conferring qualities and achievements on Jonathan he does not have is the favourite pastime of his supporters who have nothing real or tangible to work with. Go back to dreaming about true federalism without understanding that folks far more intelligent than you and far more involved with influential Nigerian public office , all accross our nation, do not speak of it because they understand the historical evolution of nations enough to know we are not even close to begin broaching the issues of true federalism sincerely.

jason123:

GJ has had his test-run and what did we see? A chaotic country like never before.

Gbawe:

All this "Horse before the Cart " pontifications is naive, dishonest, uninformed and especially unrealistic when your man , confronted with several critical tests of leadership, has not even shown he is capable of grappling with basic issues talk less of him being a leader who can talk of , let alone sustain the difficult and sincerity-dependent effort to effect true federalism. Jonathan has chosen political expediency , while shunning integrity, every time he has faced stern tests of his leadership. Commical you posit that this simplistic opportunist is the saviour of Nigeria. Anyway, it is hardly surprising considering that conferring qualities and achievements on Jonathan he does not have is the favourite pastime of his supporters who have nothing real or tangible to work with. Go back to dreaming about true federalism without understanding that folks far more intelligent than you and far more involved with influential Nigerian public office , all across our nation, do not speak of it because they understand the historical evolution of nations enough to know we are not even close , as a nation , to begin broaching the issues of true federalism with any realistic level of sincerity.

Eziachi:

To the three candidates and their representatives: What is your takes on this three issues?
1. Land Use Decree or Act
2. Ayo Irikife-Boundary Adjustement Act
3. Revenue Formula

ndu_chucks:

Please give us a brief description of each of the items you listed. Don't assume that the commentators understand or even are aware of the items.

Thanks.

jason123:

GJ has had his test-run and what did we see? A chaotic country like never before.
'@ beaf

How does federalism eradicate corruption?

Kobojunkie:

Wait a g____m minute, you are looking for answers from another when you could not provide me a single one yourself?

jason123:

.
The thing is, I do not want to get into an argument with you . BTW, who do you support?

jay_getta:

Kobojunkie, if Jesus was to reappera today, would argue him to a standstill the fact that the Bible claimed he was crucified on a cross. . . Unable to win against Kobo, Jesus would probably flee back to heaven into the warm, loving hands of his father. . . That said; give me a man whose tenures as Governor, Minister, Head of State and head of PTF was devoid of the usual stories of corruption; a man performed admirably as head of Nigeria's Anti-Graft Agency (and also refused a whooping $15million bribe); and one whose wife was involved in a $3million bribe scandal, depleted the National Reserve just to serve his own agenda to the detriment of Nigerians, surrounds himself with the very people that have been destroying Nigeria since its birth and you should know who my choice would be. . . And it definitely isn't the third individual described. While I won't castigate Mallam Ribadu (his sincerity and love for Nigeria is not in doubt), I do not believe he is the one to deliver Nigerians from hell. Simply put: the corrupt do not fear him AS MUCH!!!!! The name BUHARI strikes fear in the evil minds of Nigerians who aim to turn the country into their own personal fiefdom through the depletion on the Nation's coffers. Buhari might be see as being brutish(mostly by those who wish to continue "business as usual"in the country), but, if 'brutish' is what we need in order to eradicate corruption and set this great nation onto the path of glory, then give me it. Because, I will accept 'brutish', anyday, anytime, over 'silent works' and handing over control of the Nation's affairs to known crooks and pilferers. For this reason, amongst others, I say:Muhammadu Buhari is the man we need to set Nigeria back on the right track.

Everybody in Nigeria knew that Abacha was an usurper, and that he was uncontrollably corrupt and was also involved in state sponsored murder, but Buhari who you paint in such glowing colours, still agreed to serve under such a man as the chairman of PTF. As chairman of PTF, he made his own cousin the sole consultant for monitoring and assessing the value of contracts. Afriproject consortium was so corrupt that at the inception of Abdulsalami's regime, fearful of exposure, Buhari's cousin committed suicide in his office. When the books of PTF were opened, the can of worms was so much that Haruna Adamu said he felt sickened by it. One body determined the contracts to be awarded, the payments to be made and whether the contracts had been satisfied.

jay_getta:

Kobojunkie, if Jesus was to reappera today, would argue him to a standstill the fact that the Bible claimed he was crucified on a cross. . . Unable to win against Kobo, Jesus would probably flee back to heaven into the warm, loving hands of his father. . .     

Kobojunkie:

But you have not answered my question. I am not looking for a generalized sort of answer to this. I am looking for a more to-the-point answer to the questions asked. You have gone as far to believe Buhari the messiah the people have been waiting for and so I would expect you have probably considered all this.

How is Buhari, surrounded by corrupt individuals in the Senate and House, probably in his own cabinet, at the various levels of Government going to accomplish any of what you have suggested he will.

You mention the lack of infrastructure and discipline in the society, and we are speaking here of a society of over 140 million. How is he going to cause these millions from the corruption-as-usual mindset to one where they see themselves part of the solution to Nigeria?

If you believe that, fine. . .  I don't. I believe that one, he is a Nigeria and so it is not impossible for him to turn out like the others. Now, I do have to ask, what you think will happen to people like Obasanjo, Nwodo, Atiku, Saraki, Ciroma etc when and if Buhari is elected. Do you somehow think they will all disappear? Their minions will no longer do the work these goons pay them to do?

Beaf:

Anybody unaware of each and every item on Ezeachi's list really shouldn't be here.
I have posted arguments for the gradual move of the ship of state toward true federalism. In every federal system, the rights of communities and individuals are sacred; they are upheld and resolutely defended.

A community or an individuals rights to property and land as an asset must be held as sacred, land should not be siezed by govt for any reason. A man from Zamfara should not be split from his kinsmen, because there are fears that his gold bearing land will make him more powerful than the nation (think Ayo Irikefe here), neither should economically unviable states be created for ethnic nationalism reasons. With true federalism, such primitive ethnically bigoted politics would be gone forever.
We need a Nigerian system that revolves around merit and individual enterprise.

The revenue formula will need to be renegotiated around a basket of policies, funding and frameworks that would span over an agreed period.

As always, these are my personal thoughts.

jason123:

I believe Buhari or Ribadu have an impeccable anti-corruption history to be corrupt. Also, the radical change in our security system and operatives would drastically reduce corruption. Once they know the consequences that accompanies corruption, it would serve as a deterrent to the rest.

jason123:

On the infrastructure,
I believe all he needs to do is to provide constant electricity and the economy would do the rest itself. It a simple solution.

jason123:
On your second paragraph,
No, they would not disappear as they have not done so now but they would be demystified by their distance from the position of power. This would reduce their grip on people.

OAM4J:

Getting interesting already.

The key issues that need to be addressed by each candidate representatives should include but not limited to:

1. Economy
2. Power
3. Corruption
4. Infrastructures
5. Education
6. Health
7. Peace/Unity
8. Federalism

Please we do not need the old vague, unintelligent slogan like " My candidate will do this", "He will provide that", "He will solve this or that problem" etc as much as we want you to answer the what question, we more importantly also want to know the How

jason123:

@ kobo
I got it from his manifesto.

Kobojunkie:

It's actually not bad. I mean it does not answer the question 100% but it is not bad at all. Only there remains the problem of how he intends to accomplish all that whilst surrounded by many of the same corrupt entities we have in office today. I mean the Bankole's etc, the new batch of thieves/legislooters, the governors etc.

jason123:

I know. We also have to support him when he fight against these people. Pls cast your vote for Ribadu if you want any change in Nigeria. God bless our country!!!