@benedict44 Finding time to type your comments which you are liable to anyway would suggest to me that you also have time you use for things you consider personal. Congresses, conferences, general meetings, symposia, roundtables etc are not held for 24hours.

@Putin3 I may be wrong but have a feeling that you reminded the delegates they are not in Mecca in apparent misconception that all the delegates are Muslims from the North. At least Fayemi is a christian from the South. Such comments reflect unconscious bigotry which I think is making Nairaland lose its relevance as a platform for informed opinions and perceptions. Pardon my guess if erroneous.

God bless you for the enlightenment

@predatorX. Please don't mind the guy jare. Adolf Hitler was not a christian. Never! Btw kindly correct me. Jesus also was either a Muslim as claimed by Muslims or a Jew as claimed by the Jews. He was definitely not a christian! At least I do not know any part in the bible where the word christian was used to describe the followers of Jesus. Someone even told me the word bible was never mentioned therein.

Femi's piece absolutely reflects his pre-2015 election bias and pardon me to say personal dislike for PMB. The write-up seems driven by glaring unprofessional intents and Femi's ethno-religious bias least expected of a self-acclaimed pastor. Having a dissenting view is healthy for our democracy. However, it should be done with every sense of decorum. Anybody can claim to be a public affairs analyst, a columnist, or commentator and is liable to his opinion. Even when a pick-pocket meets a saint he sees only his pocket. I rest my case.

In my humble opinion, enough of these ethno-religious propaganda howbeit true or otherwise. The unintended consequences can only be imagined. Religious and traditional leaders should abstain from aligning directly or indirectly with any political aspirant or party. They should also refrain from directly or indirectly influencing the opinion of their subjects. Such actions are not only divisive, but erode the respect that the institution they represent deserve. Without prejudice to those who do not follow neither religions, there are northern Christians as there are southern Muslims. Jonathan and Buhari are on a combo ticket that reflects this reality. As such to the traditional and religious leaders, what happens for instance in the event that their anointed aspirants or party wins or loses in the elections? How would their revered advises and opinions be taken as non-partisan? I think they should encourage participation in the election by advising that their subjects obtain their PVC, come out on election day, cast their votes, make the votes count and observe maximum restriction against pre, during or post-election violence.

With all due respect to the political parties on whose platform these Vice Presidential aspirants intend to achieve their political ambition, this debate is turning out to be a mockery of the relative importance of this year's election to our nation, Nigeria.

Let the PDP continue to dig up the dirts while APC focuses on the issues of interest to Nigerians. PDP as a party has swallowed a pestle as a result has sacrificed its luxury of sitting down. Obviously, the medical report shown is fake. What else would have made PDP's job easier if it were true? That is how desperate a party or its supporters can be to discredit an opponent. Even more annoying is the statement that the man might die before his term ends as such giving Tinubu's candidate , PYO the opportunity to become the President. First, GMB himself has lost a daughter and GEJ recently lost a younger sister. May the dead RIP. The point is that both have lost younger members of their family and as such none can guarantee that if GEJ wins he will last till the end of his term. Only God almighty decides that. Given PYO's pedigree as a SAN, and Fasola's also as a SAN, the implication of the certificate saga would have been properly weighed. Remember, there was a selection committee set up at the party level to screen the candidates prior to their party convention. If our respected SAN, researcher is interested in Nigeria and not PDP, let him go to court. Gani-Fawehinmi of blessed memory would have done so and that is the reason why a few days ago he was honoured by the who-is-who in the learned profession. Even if GMB dies while as a President, in our utmost sincerity, would PYO not be a better president? If PYO were to contest against GEJ in a free and fair election who do you think would win given their pedigree? But in that case, racial bigotry would be appealed to. The argument would be Obasanjo has spent Yoruba's 8 years so a Yoruba man cannot be the President. Imagine somewhere in Anambra where people argue against a Catholic/catholic ticket. These are Igbos, of same religion yet the denomination sentiment is appealed to. If Buhari were to be a Christian, the argument would be he is a northerner. Sharia or Islamizing Nigeria would not be the issue, rather, the born-to-rule argument would be put forth. As claimed in one of the posts somebody claimed the north has ruled for more years in which case Gowon is seen as a Northerner, who in fact he is. But he is also a Christian. Similarly, someone would also argue that the Christians has ruled for more years if you add Ironsi, Gowon, Obasanjo, Shonekan, and GEJ years together. In my opinion, if truly we are in a democracy, how will it be possible for a country to be Islamized or Christianized? We should stop this nonsense of ethno-religious bias and face the real issues which are of importance to Nigerians.

In my opinion, the burden of proof is on those who claim Buhari does not possess the qualification whose certificate he has tendered an affidavit. INEC was even clear enough to say that whoever has a case should go to the court. Something tells me that PDP only wants to create distractions. The PDP I know would like to win outright by working towards GMB's disqualification if really there is a case. There are no other candidates APC can present now to attract such national support it enjoys on the GMB/PYO ticket. APC's quiet may also be a strategy not to play to the gallery as PDP would want it to. I also assume I have read here on Nairaland sometime earlier this month that the Military Board said they have the said copies of the certificate. Benefits of the doubt can therefore, be given that the cert is missing either through the IBB invasion or somehow. Moreover, WASC is a West Africa - wide exam whose confirmation can be made. Our dear respected SAN can have such search as an extension of his efforts to unravel the truth.

These Buhari certificate and age issues that the PDP and its supporters has turned to the main issues in the forthcoming election is rather annoying and a manifestation of the fact that they have nothing to show for the past or a vision for the future. Even more annoying is the fact that some supposedly learned persons are joining the bandwagon. If in the previous elections it was sufficient to state whether an aspirant has the minimum educational attainment, it would not have been necessary for Buhari to show his cert. In the current dispensation, however, where it is required, an affidavit stating where the claimed records are for verification has been stated. Although, nothing stops the APC from obtaining a certified copy from the Military Board, it is not for the public to coerce them to doing so as long as INEC is satisfied with what has been tendered. One thing I know is that PDP would rather wish that the election is settled even before February 14, 2015 if really they know that there is a case in the certificate issue. On Buhari's age saga, as long as there is no age limit for aspirants, then it is no issue. That should be APC's headache if they so wish to field GMB as their Presidential aspirant. The process that produced him was both transparent and inclusive even attracting commendations from Dr. Doyin Okupe (needs no introduction). There was a national convention where five aspirants from different geo-political zones of the country contested and were duly represented. None of the aspirants has since complained about the outcome. Rather, they have been working together. In my opinion, the PDP is indirectly doing APC a favour by leaving the issues that concern Nigerians but focusing on fabricated stories about Buhari's health records, daughter's education and residency abroad, family life etc. What a shame!

Osinbajo cannot be an errand boy. At least he does not seem so to me. The intrigues and careful process that led to his nomination suggests that he brings something to the ticket that transcends politics. Sentiments should be cast aside. This combo (GMB/Osinbajo) howbeit imperfect may be the best we can and should support for Nigeria to be back on track. Given the present circumstances, that GEJ would do better if voted again than he did in this dispensation (where he even knows he may contest for another term) is like building a house from the roof.

@temitemi1
As per GEJ's profile, he is/was also an academic. Should he not have stayed put so that the stage is left for the professional politicians? I learnt Sambo is also an architect. Perhaps, he should also have stayed put in his firm bothering about architectural related issues. Did Pat Utomi as well as Prof. Jerry Gana not contest a number of times for the office of the President. Are they not intellectuals? At least you should know that Obama was a former lecturer. Perhaps, Okupe should face his medical doctor profession rather than being an infamous spokesperson for a sinking ship. The truth is that regardless of your professional calling, you can aspire for political offices of your choice. We should appreciate intellectuals when they offer themselves for public service. Lastly, an intellectual is not necessary a lecturer or professor. Your intellect makes you standout because you are outstanding in your professional calling.

Thanks for your response @ flexing11.

@hansad
I'd like to advise that all the misinformation about GMB and anybody for that matter including GEJ should be verified else we would inadvertently be falling prey of the antics of people with very bad intent of feeding us with poo. Quite a surprise also that intellects have joined this bandwagon. Else, how do you explain the speech of Prof. Dupe Olatubosun as the guest speaker at the media presentation of GEJ organised by his media team. While such events are commendable, modern, and necessary to market a candidate aspiring for a political office, it should be devoid of such misinformation and bias that the Prof. advertised even at the expense of the designation he proudly carries. I do know that PDP would not hesitate to use any negative info about GMB to their advantage if they do have such. APC would also do same for GEJ.

GMB as an officer of the Nigerian Army excelled in his chosen profession as per public records. As much as he may not do better than you in your profession, quite sure you may not make a better soldier than him if in the military force. He is also a Muslim by faith and that is his choice. Osinbajo is an astute academic and legal practitioner. He is also a devout christian by faith and choice. What unites both and what they bring to the ticket is that they are Nigerians and both are passionate about restoring our dwindling common-wealth in its entire ramifications. All these religious and ethnic sentiments should also be cast aside. Quite disheartening that we are already taking that to another level. I watched on Channels TV with great disappointment that in Enugu state PDP primaries there were issues about a Catholic/Catholic ticket being resented by some people. As a predominantly christian state, I would not expect a Christian/Muslim ticket at least given our apparent level of democratic culture. But then, a christian should have been seen first as a Nigerian prior to considering his denomination.

Back to this thread, Professor Osinbajo is a Nigerian first before any other notable demographic profile that may be used to describe him. As such, regardless of being a Professor, or a Pastor, he is eligible to vie for a political office in the capacity of his choice as long as the Nigerian constitution does not go against such intent. His pedigree indicates he is wise enough as one of the best in his profession and class to see himself first as a Nigerian that should help save this nation from degeneration before any other consideration. If he decides to vie for a local government chairman, would you say he is over-qualified? I remember during the SDP era a medical doctor with arguably what can be described as a big, modern, and quite famous hospital in Festac Town contested for a ward councilor. He must not have done so because of money. And if money is the reason, his professional calling, exposure, and experience would offer some refinement better than those of some touts that would take such position if left vacant.

Lastly, to clear your doubt as per the 2015 election, I am with the GMB/Osinbajo ticket.

@Caleboa
why not just read over what @Beta Things typed once again and try to make the best sense possible out of the logical piece. At least for once, let the Boko haram not find justification that western education is in deed very bad as portrayed by your comments which to me lacks depth. No offence is intended.

@naffyssa
May Allah bless the soul of his mother, Alhaja Fasasi. She taught me in Primary 2 at UPE school 1, Festac Town, Lagos. A disciplinarian, teacher, and a mother to the core. She remains my favourite teacher of all time.

@goldplated:

You are the one who is a jobless illiterate i must say. havent you seen all the similarities from american music scene, to the bba?

You have eyes, and you can see and You have a brain to tell you when something is being overly promoted then there is an agenda. Forget that people are shouting conspiracy this and that, but please even if you are an atheist think for once there are smart people, more smart than you, coming together to pursue this agenda of theirs and that is: DESTROY CHRISTIANISM!

I still don't get it. How can a programme that is cast by mostly if not entirely christians and from the christain majority parts of Africa, imported from and hosted in christian dominated countries etc used to destroy christianity? If this is true, then my fear is confirmed that anything western is not necessarily christian. If this fact is not well-noted, christianity becomes undefined. A case of if you do not stand for something, you fall for everything! too bad.[s][/s][b][/b][color=#990000][/color]

A public policy should consider both sides of the divide as far as policy outcome is concerned. While the idea of introducing the buses is good, the immediate opportunity cost for those mini bus operators may also be huge. A phase-in phase out or at least a pilot changeover would have been more like it.

[quote author=Toaskarity]
@Toaskarity.
Regardless of the apparently poor showing of the PDP vis-a-vis ecpectations of an average Nigerian, it remains the only party with a national spread and representation. However, after about 14 years of uniterrupted democracy, as a person not too young during the Buhari/Idiagbon regime, I PERSONALLY opine that the situation then was far better than it is today. I attended one of his keynote addresses abroad immediately after the last election. He had the chance during the speech to mention what happened during their regime. I felt so sorry for Nigeria and concluded that we started getting it wrong again since when Babangida overthrew that govenrment. ( I hope to post that address on this forum whenever I get it retreived from where I saved it). Nonetheless, I may personaly not vote for Buhari if he contests again. Not that I do not believe in his forthrightness and sincere intents for Nigeria, but I think he should give room for a young politican who shares his incorruptible attributes but perceived to and actually be more acceptable to Nigerians. His ethnic or religious affiliations should be secondary. Just like GEJ has two more years to prove that Nigerians were not wrong to elect him, Buhari also has the last chance to leave when the ovation is loudest and stand out from the crowd of our elder statesmen who have not lived up to expectations. I make bold to say that the choice is his. Whichever way, my repsect for GMB is profound and likely unchangeable

Simple arithmetic BPL=WWE

SELFWORTH: This is a stupid comment. What do you mean "Christians are wicked"? It is not about religion but about human wickedness. There are evil human beings in every sphere of the society in every corner of the globe. Generalising them like this is pure ignorance.

@ Selfworth. Thanks for the clarification. I sincerely wish that we take a closer look at issues from perpetrators' perspectives and not their religious or ethnic inclination. It would really be misleading to tag Christianity a bad religion just because Pastors: divorce or kill their wives (Benenoch, Okotie, and the pastor in question in this post), have their children impregnated outside of wedlock (TD Jakes), request for convenant partners (), burn or kill their brethens (Rev. King), perform fake miracles calling it business tricks (The Kogi Pastors)etc.

Callotti: Hmmmmm!



But the men should feel free to go and do "ashawo" in Mecca with 5 year-old budless-females kwa nu? By travelling without their 'AJUWAYAS' patrolling around Medina?

Backward, seX-ist religion and country! Twa!!!!

@Callotti. Try to make ur point without bringing religious sentiments into the discussion. A person who lives in a glass house should not throw stones.

@Kenistry. Must you know everybody for him to be important to you? Even on Nairaland here, I'm not sure you are that prominent and that does not make you less important because I am sure one way or the other you also touch the lives of some people in your own little way. When religious and tribal sentiments are appealed to even at the peak of their irrelevance will not make us progress as a nation. Best wishes.

@Pukkah God Bless you immensely, amen

@Publisher thanks for your very enlightened post. If we continue to focus on the suspected perpertrators rather than the evil committed, the socially menancing and emotionally upsetting vices will continue in our society and will continue to bring with it psychological insecurity. It will get to a stage where all vices will be given religious conotations even where the motivations for such are unknown. Nigeria is neither an Islamic nor Christian state. The earlier we started to condemn the proven (not suspect) perpetrator of evil and the act itself rather than the likely religion, tribe, or other affliation of the (suspected) perpetrator the better. I was shocked to read that the CIA following the shooting incident in wisconsin, USA yesterday where 6 Sikhs were killed by a non-Muslim gunman declared that about 94% of terrorist acts in the US at least since 9/11 were carried out by non-Muslims. This is just a week after the Colorado shooting at the Premiere of the Batman film also in US where a non-Muslim killed about 12 people. These incidents do not make Christians terrorists. No! they are not! But the Christian perpetrators are. I beg to state that it is the act that denotes terrorism. The perpertrator who claims to have carried it out on the basis of his religious belief is a terrorist, not his religion. Christains did same in Norway (Brevik), US as stated earlier, IRA in UK, ETA in Spain, FARC in Colombia, South-South Nigeria for some time now, Berom people in Middle belt, Bhudists in Myanmar, Jews in Palestine, just as Muslims in Afghanistan, Iraq, France, Northern Nigeria in recent times, Mali etc. Just my opinion.

A crime is a crime regardless of the religion, tribe, or other affiliation of the perpetrators. I hope we on Nairaland at least will see issues from this perspective and stop getting at each other at the slightest opportunity. What is easily discernible and to a large extent tenable is that no religion promotes violence, theft, or other soial vices. If any any criminal by virtue of his or her name is likely to come from a religious or ethnic divide, it should not be enough reason to condemn the supposed religion, or tribe. I have met quite a number of people whose names are at variance with their religious belief or ethnic origin. But even then.....let it be said in capital letter that CRIME AND OTHER VICES SHOULD BE JOINTLY CONDEMNED. ITS ONLY LIFEBLOOD IS ETHNO-RELIGIOUS SENTINMENTS.

Na today! even wives of local government councillors in Lagos, yes Lagos, just returned from similar trip to South Africa. Mtcheeew

The graetest freedom is the freedom from fear. It is indeed unfortunate that it is now forbidden to celebrate your success in Nigeria. If this trend continues unabated, I forsee the beginning of the end of Nigeria. God forbid!

Sincerely, borrowing will only weaking our economy the more. As a net importer of other commodities than oil, we stand to lose heavily when we borrow. First, the borrowing will be created out of nothing as they are mere accounting entries. Even the money NOI is talking about that our debtors are not paying on schedule (as if it is bread and tomato we buy from our local market) will still be accounting entries. No physical cash like Dollars, Pounds, or Euro will be sent to Nigeria. Implication is that by borrowing, we are creating demand for these currencies which will further weaken our own already weak Naira. Take note that the power to create such accountig credits reside in very powerful bankers from the developed countries we plan to borrow from. It is their currency and they only need to tell us by how much they have credited our account. Second, the interest on the borrowing will be compounded. Let us recall that we only borrowed about $25billion in the 1980s and after so many years of serving the debt by paying more than the principal amount borrowed, we were still owing about $26billion part of which were purpotedly cancelled. I remember vividly that during Obasanjo's tenure prior to the debt cancellation, he was quoted as saying compound interest was evil. The third is that the seigniorage on the currency is claimed by the lenders since they created the currency. That is, even if they give us physical currency, they still gain. The cost of producing 1 dollar note is less than 1 cent. The 99 cents gain is theirs for given us paper money. As such, let our economic team at least for once justify why Boko Haram is the misnormer by proving the worthwhileness of western education. When we borrow, the principal is created from thin air. The compound interest that never existed when the loan was given will also have to be paid. When we pay back, if at all we can, we often do so with our natural resources, mainly oil. MUST WE CONTINUE TO USE FUTURE INCOME FOR PRESENT EXPENDITURE?

@ Elampiro City has been spending for three years, and now they manage to win this on goals difference and referee assistance with a red card to QPR and 5 mins added time. The 5 mins allowed QPR to get the other result and they knew they had survived. The rest was a scripted and fixed match, later money will exchange hands for allowing the winning goal. They can keep the cup on loan and clean enough to return it to the owners again.
[s][/s]
My guy Elampiro! Na wa for you O! Just be a gallant loser and accept that you can not win all the time. I do not see any match fixing in this one. If there was any in the season, it must have been the 6-1 bashing Man City handed Man U at Old Trafford.

NRI PRIEST:

I guess i just provoked you BLOOD-LICKERS abi ? I am very sure you will soon hit the KORAN to find a verse that says "GO AND BLOW YOURSELF UP IF NRI PRIEST UPSETS YOU" ! I know you are very thirsty for blood but dont worry i will slaughter my goat tomorow and maybe that will reduce the thirst for HUMAN BLOOD!

Nri Priest, do not miss the point. As someone in the Diaspora, US for that matter I expected that you should have risen above your state of unconscious subconsiousness to know that evil has no gender, religion, race, or lineage. It only has identity - evil. Earlier this year or late last year, two tribes from the Eastern part of Nigeria (your tribe, pardon my emphasis) engaged in intra-tribal wars and so many lives were lost. They are not Hausas nor Muslims. But then, this should not make me conclude that Easterners are blood-thirsty people. I swear that I had had the uncommon privilege of meeting with conscious and emotionally stable Easterners amd Southerners from Nigeria. Equally, I have met some amiable, down to heart Notherners, and very frank and upright Westerners. There are millions more I am yet to meet. I respect them for their dilligence, enterprise, brilliance and intelligence. Your grand display of ignorance will not make me to change my positive perception about postively exemplary nigerians. I sincerely wish that you are idle and by your comment you just want to pull some nerves, very expensive one though. If otherwise, the US you reside has not changed anything in you. It's even more dangerous to ask you to go back to Nigeria at this point in time because of the social menace and psychological insecurity your foul comments may generate. Hmmmn..... may be it may interest reasonable Nairalanders to suggest your suitable next location.

NRI PRIEST: Do you guys think a northerner(excluding middlebelters) can ever rule nigeria again ? I think the killing nature of the north was influenced by their religion because every chapter in the KORAN says "kill", "kill" and "kill" again for any little provocation ! You people will eat your shiit before you rule nigeria again!
You people are sick and hopeless and has become slaves to arab conspiracy! Destruction is your destination because you think human beings are like the cow you rear.

Kindly pardon me for lack of a better expression. [s]Nri Priest is a born again fool. The earlier he gets his odour oozing mouth that smells like a skunksewn up with a barb wire the beter for him. What a gossiping malicious old bag! It is careless statements like his that endangers the civilians and non-politicians caught up in this mess. Condemn an action not a religion or ethnic divide. Are atrocities committed by Christians make the religion evil? The notorious armed robbers ever known in this country are mainly christians. Do those robbers make Christians armed robbers?