Nigerians should not vote for Buhari in April mainly because he does not have what it takes to cope with the dynamics of the new world order driven by genuine democracy and characterised by respect for the wishes and aspirations of the people–rule of law, accountability, transparency, intellectualism and information technology among other factors.

Buhari came to power as a military dictator after overthrowing a democratically elected government of Alhaji Shehu Shagari in 1983 and left office after about two years of no clear- cut vision of what he took over the reigns of power for.

Some people have credited Buhari’s person and administration with what they call integrity. While one is not here to drill any hole on that claim, it could be said that, 20 months was such a short period for Buhari to reveal his real self. But let’s leave that as it may be for now.

General Buhari ruled Nigeria as a usurper coup plotter about 26 year ago. Many of the children who were born when Buhari was Head of State are now out of the universities. In serious societies, young people of 26 and 30 years are the ones shaping their societies. But Buhari wants to be president again.

In spite of his obvious handicaps in formal education, Buhari has not acquired any additional training or skill since he left office nearly 30 years ago that would have helped to keep him abreast with modern techniques of governance. What would a President Buhari be telling President Barak Obama and Prime Minister Cameron of the United Kingdom if the three of them meet in a conference to discuss interplanetary communication evolution, digital military science and applications, information technology deployment as well as modern economic management techniques?

Nigerians should know that today’s leaders are well- educated and vibrant men and women who are so versatile in diverse fields of life so much so that they can take on anybody anywhere, on any issue under the sun. Today’s leaders rely less on advisers and policy analysts. Nations of the world are governed today by men and women who can log unto the internet to research and get information on anything under the earth, leaders who can communicate with their people making use of information technology tools like the facebook, twitter and the rest.

Time is no longer there for those leaders who apply brute force on people to queue at bus- stops, employ the service of horsewhips to force people to clean their environments and set up brigades as means to tackle the issue of corruption and indiscipline. Leadership by example first and second, civil persuasion are the basic driving forces in today’s governance. Buhari cannot begin to learn those basic techniques while in office because we cannot afford to wait for him to go to office in the morning and attend adult school in the night. He had all the time to do that but couldn’t.

When the United States President Barak Obama went to Ghana some time ago, he made it clear to all that national development anywhere today, depends on good governance. Obama said that no country is going to create prosperity if its leaders among other things exploit the people for personal aggrandisement. He said that nobody wants to live in a society where the rule of law gives way to the rule of brutality and force. Incidentally, those were the hallmarks of the administrations superintended by Nigerian tyrants.

According to President Obama, in the 21st century, capable, reliable and transparent institutions are the key to success which include strong parliaments and honest police force, independent judges and journalists; a vibrant private sector and civil society. He said that history is on the side of those who fight for freedom and justice and not on the side of those who use coups or change constitutions to stay in power. Is someone listening?

We cannot allow coup plotters and those who manipulate both the constitution and democratic institutions to become our leaders any longer. And Obama was right: We do not need strong men again. We need strong democratic institutions to take our nation to the Promised Land.

Wherever he goes for his campaign rallies, Buhari is telling Nigerians that his purpose of seeking the office of the President is to serve us. That is every good.

But I ask the General, must you be in government to serve the people you love and contribute to national development? If Buhari wants to serve Nigeria since he left office, there are so many other ways he would have done that without waiting to contest the President’s office every four years. Is Buhari saying that he has not been seeing what Kofi Annan, Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter and a host of others are doing?

Since he left office as the Secretary General of the United Nations, Koffi Annan has been running a Foundation called the Koffi Annan Foundation with a three- plunged vision of training people for global leadership, mediation in conflict and advocacy and partnership.

For Bill Clinton, it has been from one African country to another where his Foundation is helping to bring succour to millions of people afflicted with the HIV/AIDS pandemic through provision of cheap drugs, while the Carter Centre has been championing the war against guinea worm and other dreaded diseases across Africa and Latin America among other nations. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation last year released one half of the multi-billionaire’s fortune towards fighting poverty in Africa and other humanitarian activities all over the world.

If Buhari cannot see these philanthropists, has he not seen how General Yakubu Gowon through partnership with the Carter Centre is working round the clock to rid Nigeria of guinea worm? If Buhari does not have money as he claims, couldn’t he have used his tall and handsome figure and the so- called Mr. Clean identity some people think he has, to attract international donors to a Foundation in his name that would help to reduce the suffering Nigerians have been subjected to these past years?

You hardly can point at any manufacturing industry or visible business venture providing employment to any of the millions of Nigerians roaming the streets in search of meaningful life that you can say Buhari and his likes established. They have not, since they left office, added value to anybody’s life. But they want our votes so they can provide good governance. That would not work, not this time.

Can you prescribe alternative for us now?

Jarus:

Can you prescribe alternative for us now?

Sai Ribadu

Jarus:

Can you prescribe alternative for us now?

gbam

:p

True talk