Hmmmnnnn, interesting, actually.

But the way this coming presidential election has polarized Nigerians seems to be unprecedented in the history of this country.

But let's drop our partisan postures for a moment and analyze the situation in the country

I think a number of factors account for the current hysteria:

1, The popularization of social networking sites, leading to increasing interconnectedness across the country, opening avenues to vent out political opinions among the populace, making knowing what's going unavoidable for even the most apathy Nigerian

2, Since the Obama phenomenon globalized electioneering in 2008(where even a cattle rearer in Zamfara or fisherman in Rivers or hunter in Oyo knew there was election in America), this is the first election Nigeria is conducting post-Obama phenomenon, so teh surge in political awareness inspired by Obamamania is still around

3,The zoning quaqmire, the North-South divide, the conservative-progressive dichotomy,

4,The spiritual factor - it's teh reality let's not shy away from it, the God/Religious/miracle/superstition factor attracted a lot of people from both sides, and this increased political participation and fervour

Guys, let's do a non-partisan analysis of the war-like situation in Nigeria today. It's like two almost equally divided camps, one camp at one end of rope, the other group at the other end, struggling, singing, swinging the rope to their side, like a tug of war. After April 16, I'm just imagining what will happen, will we come back together as one again or divided along our pre-election default lines? Will this polarization endure? Is it possible for Beaf and 9ijaman for example to see things from same angle again, say 7 months down the line? Is this current division permanent?

Even many Nairalanders I have known in the past that always sit on the fence, this time around, have clear cut camps? Even Seun, the forum owner, who I have never known to take side(NB:taking side is not na crime), for the first time since I know him, has openly declared the team he is playing for time around?

It's actually interesting and intriguing. Can we have an intellectual/scientific analysis of teh current situation in Nigeria/Nairaland?

Please let's try as much as possible to drop our partisan toga here; let's go to campaign threads to campaign for our candidates or criticize other candidates.

Nairaland wars.Thank GOD nairaland people r not runnig Nigeria.

It shows that people actually believe their votes will count. It is a good thing.

I agree. The explosion in information technology has contributed massively to the passion we've witnessed so far. But Nigerians have always been passionate about politics and governance anyway.

We've anointed kings and we've poisoned them, We fought slave raiders and battled colonialism, We hailed Military rulers and burned civilian usurpers (wetie!). We fought a civil war with enduring pains and made sacrifices for peace.

We are a passionate people and all we've witnessed so far this season are different manifestations of that Naija passion. I expect to see more.

Yes, the legacy of Military rule silenced a generation of Nigerians, but their children are shaking off the fear. They are declaring their freedom to speak and be heard. I don't think their voices will grow quiet any soon, I hope these leaders, whichever party they belong to are ready for them.

Nigerians like "Beaf" will give a lazy President Buhari Hell and I'm glad to count him as a brotha, while a Nigerian like Oyb will never let President Jonathan's mess-up's go unnoticed. They are simply telling us that the Naija spirit is alive and they won't suffer fo.ols and laggards.

I hope these new generation of leaders are ready for us.

It is telling to see how unpopular this thread has been since Jarus posted it on April 6, before the NASS elections. I think it's time to revisit it again.

This is not war, no matter who wins this election, GEJ, Buhari or Ribadu. I think Nigerians have done good for themselves, the level of passion displayed on and offline by those with the time and resource to engage in this process has been unprecedented. Like I mentioned earlier last week, whoever wins this election will have a tough job, a more demanding job than previous leaders and a more aware electorate to deal with.

This can only be good for Nigeria and Nigerians. We are not at war and we shouldn't be but we've displayed unbelievable interest and passion spurred by information Technology explosion and a younger, more aware electorate.

Let us resolve to support the winner and keep holding them accountable. Although I support Buhari in the absence of a Ribadu alliance. BUT if GEJ wins in a free and fair election, I will pour a glass of palmwine and drink to his health and good judgement on behalf of us and our coming generation.

I have great hope for Nigeria as long as we maintain this same level of political involvement.

Congratulations to Presidents Goodluck Jonathan-Muhammadu Buhari-Nuhu Ribadu

Congratulations to My Naija people.

^^

No candidate can win in a free and fair manner please so stop putting the burden on goodluck alone.

I actually believe that there is no going back and the divide created as a result of this election will remain for a long time if not forever.

The opposition went too far in the way they portrayed goodluck or pdp supporters and that cannot be set aside easily after the election.

^^ I don't think the burden was placed on goodluck or any particular person, as a matter of fact, the burden is on ALL of us.

It is ok to see divisions in an election atmosphere, I expect no one to set criticism aside even after the elections, but I expect an acceptance of a fair result, I'm not looking for 100% perfection. This is a democracy after all. That is the point of my post.

Pharoh:

^^

No candidate can win in a free and fair manner please so stop putting the burden on goodluck alone.

I actually believe that there is no going back and the divide created as a result of this election will remain for a long time if not forever.

The opposition went too far in the way they portrayed goodluck or pdp supporters and that cannot be set aside easily after the election.

I beg to differ brotha, I actually believe that a candidate of majority acceptance will win and will definitely put the burden on Goodluck because he's presently our CIC (to ensure a free andfair election).
As  for the opposition role, I certainly do not think they went too far, every single one of our candidates has employed the use of spin (for want of a better word).

If you really believe that the portrayal of GEJ cannot be set aside, then you certainly need to be respectfully reminded that in politics afterall there are no permanent friends, only permanent interests.
@ Post, I certainly do not think it's war, whoever wins will my support as a Nigerian  

Pharoh:

^^

No candidate can win in a free and fair manner please so stop putting the burden on goodluck alone.

I actually believe that there is no going back and the divide created as a result of this election will remain for a long time if not forever.

The opposition went too far in the way they portrayed goodluck or pdp supporters and that cannot be set aside easily after the election.

There is no denying the fact that this election has divided Nairaland, like many otehr places, into 'us' and 'they'.
For example, we BB supporters know ourselves and in most threads we tend to see things same way. The GEJ supporters too know themselves and even in non-GEJ Vs Buhari threads, the division is still there. My question is, will this division endure, or we will integrate back?

naijababe:

I beg to differ brotha, I actually believe that a candidate of majority acceptance will win and will definitely put the burden on Goodluck because he's presently our CIC (to ensure a free andfair election).
As  for the opposition role, I certainly do not think they went too far, every single one of our candidates has employed the use of spin (for want of a better word).

If you really believe that the portrayal of GEJ cannot be set aside, then you certainly need to be respectfully reminded that in politics afterall there are no permanent friends, only permanent interests.
@ Post, I certainly do not think it's war, whoever wins will my support as a Nigerian  

That is the point. And yes I agree with you. The words in bold captures the essence of the thread.

The division is around personalities, not around ideas.

The division is superficial, and it will not last.

This is not a Liberal Vs Conservative kind of division, it is not a class/social status division. It is a Buhari Vs GEJ division, both have no original ideas of their own. There are no Buharists school of thought, neither do we we have GEJist nor Ribadu-ists.

None of them has an Economic agenda in the mold of great minds like Milton

So they wont last, personalities fail eventuality since no one is infallible.

Jarus:

There is no denying the fact that this election has divided Nairaland, like many otehr places, into 'us' and 'they'.
For example, we BB supporters know ourselves and in most threads we tend to see things same way. The GEJ supporters too know themselves and even in non-GEJ Vs Buhari threads, the division is still there. My question is, will this division endure, or we will integrate back?

If GEJ wins as I suspect he will and does right by Nigerians, I believe the division will heal (I am in team BB). Look no further than 2007 Lagos election, the emergence of Fashola by no means polarized Lagos, but Lagosians have come to rally behind him including your truly.

fstranger3:

The division is around personalities, not around ideas.

The division is superficial, and it will not last.

This is not a Liberal Vs Conservative kind of division, it is not a class/social status division. It is a Buhari Vs GEJ division, both have no original ideas of their own. There are no Buharists school of thought, neither do we we have GEJist nor Ribadu-ists.

None of them has an Economic agenda in the mold of great minds like Milton

So they wont last, personalities fail eventuality since no one is infallible.

Exactly, but unfortunately a lot of less discerning folks tend to get stuck on divisions/fights over ephemeral, less enduring things like personalities and immediate gratification.

It is easy to get caught up in those disagreements, So we often need to calm down and force ourselves to look at the big picture, that is the point in here.

Kilode?!:

Exactly, but unfortunately a lot of less discerning folks tend to get stuck on divisions/fights over ephemeral, less enduring things like personalities and immediate gratification.

Very unfortunate. Even our so called First Class mind from OAU falls for such triviality. The biggest problem in Nigeria has been the educated elite, very uneducated really. Those who are supposed to be more discerning, more critical and more alert. Our journalists have done a poor job educating the masses and the rest of us why we should vote for well thought out plans, instead of plantains.

It is easy to get caught up in those disagreements, So we often need to calm down and force ourselves to look at the big picture, that is the point in here.

I really dont think there are disagreements here. where is the disagreement between GEJ and Buhari? Buhari promises to fight corruption, GEJ did not disagree? What else do we know about Buhari? That there is nothing wrong with our educational system?

Where is the disagreement here? None! So how can we talk about disagreement when the two front runners do not  disagree? There wasnt even a debate between the two, let alone any intellectual spar we know of.

Even though Hillary and Obama are both liberals, we understand where they differ because they debated each other more than 20 times before the election.

In our case, our mallam cant even articulate his plans and uncle Joe, even as the sitting president, does not have facts and cant defend himself; yet, we are here talking about division.

What division I ask again ?

fstranger3:

The division is around personalities, not around ideas.

The division is superficial, and it will not last.

This is not a Liberal Vs Conservative kind of division, it is not a class/social status division. It is a Buhari Vs GEJ division, both have no original ideas of their own. There are no Buharists school of thought, neither do we we have GEJist nor Ribadu-ists.

None of them has an Economic agenda in the mold of great minds like Milton

So they wont last, personalities fail eventuality since no one is infallible.

I concur

@stranger, I mean disagreements over personalities and other less enduring things are easy to get caught up in, that is life.

Human beings are creatures of passion. We even fight "wars" over booti, parking space and other silly stuff. If you look at history you will see plenty examples, wars over stools, flags and other stvpid stuff.

Other societies experience it too, we are not unique in that. Our inability to build systems and enshrine an idea based polity just makes it more difficult to look at the big picture, but we can blame a lot of things for that, it will be out of the scope of this thread though.

As per GEJ and Buhari, let's not deceive ourselves, the people are the passionate ones not politicians, at least so far. It is ok to support politicians because you want them to do A or B but to see them as infallible is just plain silly.

This thread should be on the front page.

The themes that Jarus highlights (zoning, born to rule, religion, "destined one", or whatever they call Goodluck) are things that can probably tear apart Nigeria, if not dealt with properly.

Yes, Fstranger is correct. . . this is not really an election about ideas, but about personalities and individuals. At least, for your average voter this is the case.

The problem is, many Nigerians view the candidates as ethnic/regional champions, so to speak. Buhari representing the core North, GEJ representing the ND (and I guess Igbos as well.) Neither is truly a national figure.

Imagine a scenario in which Buhari wins, utterly flops, and the lot of the ND man is much worse? It could even be something out of Buhari's hands, like plummeting oil prices. Do you think the ND man will view this election as anything other than a pivotal event that lead to hope for the future being snatched out of his hands?

On the other hand, suppose that GEJ wins. My strong suspicion is that these amazing GDP growth #s for Nigeria as a whole have primarily been concentrated in the south, not the north. Maybe +10% GDP growth for Nigeria in a year represents 5% in the North, 12% in the south. . . something like that. Anyway, if this hypothesis is roughly true and your typical Northerner doesn't see much improvement in his life over the next four years, won't they be even more prone to blaming their misfortune on being "cheated" out of the presidency by GEJ? I've not even discussed the issue of who will succeed GEJ (North or SE?), and how that will play into things.

Anyway, the above picture I paint is pessimistic. But is also not really an unlikely scenario, to be honest.

I wouldn't be surprised if the country becomes more divided. Whoever wins will really need to reach out to the loser(s) and pacify them.

EDIT: Post might have typos, errors. . . a bit late here

@fstranger,
The ease with which you resort to attacking my school, my certificates and course of study, at teh slightest opportunity, honestly, makes me wonder what I have against you. How lowly can one get!



@topic,
Yes, the division here is far from being a conservative - liberal dichotomy. That I have mentioned many times, including at the beginning of this thread. But many folks don't see it that way. Many people don't see it that way. That is why I, for one, will never attack somebody because he disagrees with me, in as much as he doesn't initiate the attack.   I also don't relate with someone on the basis of our past disagreements. Semid4lyf is one of the Mods I flow with most on NL, but in the GEJ-Buhari debate, we are at extreme opposite sides. In Buhari-GEJ threads, esp at the height of the arguments, I normally avoid him, so as not to create a hostility that will outlive the Buhari-GEJ debate. This I deployed so well thruout this period of politics. Beaf and I, for example, hardly agree on issue, from the 'Hurricane Sanusi' debate days(2009/2010), to the Buhari/GEJ period, but we are still in very good terms. In fact, caustic as Beaf usually is, I have never seen him attack me. So my own philosophy is our disagreement should not transcend teh issue of contention.

some NLers might even be running for office in 2015, if the polarisation is deep, such aspirants will not be comfortable to reveal their aspirations on NL. I think this is a good community though and by 2015 maybe diasporans might be allowed to vote which will make it more interesting.

The division would not stand in as much as what each and everyone of us is doing, no matter where we choose to pit our tent, is to see a country we can proudly called our own. How much do I and others collect to work for our candidate success in this election? Nothing my brother. In fact, individual at the end of the day would plunge into self condemnation if a candidate he so defends to enthrone finally turn out to be a failure and disaster to this country. Many, who has some levels of conscience, may want to change their usernames to hide their face in shame.

My brother, it would definitely turn opposite if an individual is being paid to tell lies and defend the indefensible. He may not be able to withstand the heat if his candidate fails to win or win but fail to perform. Every man becomes dangerous when the source of his livelihood is being threatened. And, I don't see these kind of people abound here. We are just a group of people who are passionate about the progress of our nation.

d

ziccoit:

  The division would not stand in as much as what each and everyone of us is doing, no matter where we choose to pit our tent, is to see a country we can proudly called our own. How much do I and others collect to work for our candidate success in this election? Nothing my brother. In fact, individual at the end of the day would plunge into self condemnation if a candidate he so defends to enthrone finally turn out to be a failure and disaster to this country. Many, who has some levels of conscience, may want to change their usernames to hide their face in shame. 

   My brother, it would definitely turn opposite if an individual is being paid to tell lies and defend the indefensible. He may not be able to withstand the heat if his candidate fails to win or win but fail to perform. Every man becomes dangerous when the source of his livelihood is being threatened. And, I don't see these kind of people abound here. We are just a group of people who are passionate about the progress of our nation.  

words of wisdom. I have been told by some that I hate GEJ . That could not be further from the truth because , first and foremost , I am a happy and fulfilled person. As such I have no time to hate anyone . Secondly, all I want is a Nigeria that will work for most of its citizen . Anyone that threatens that notion will get my condemnation. That is how I see GEJ currently . That does not mean I will remain his critic . If he starts to perform and do the right thing then he will have no greater fan than myself .

We really do not have time to waste with egotistical grandstanding and the deification of individuals . Other African nations are leaving us behind let alone we begin dreaming of being like the most developed Nations in the World with our 419 figures of "growth" and "economic strenght" not matched by what is on the ground . Some of us should travel around Africa to see countries where announcements regarding economic growth and progress can be attested to by the reality on the ground .

Gbawe:


words of wisdom. I have been told by some that I hate GEJ . That could not be further from the truth because , first and foremost , I am a happy and fulfilled person. As such I have no time to hate anyone . Secondly, all I want is a Nigeria that will work for most of its citizen . Anyone that threatens that notion will get my condemnation. That is how I see GEJ currently . That does not mean I will remain his critic . If he starts to perform and do the right thing then he will have no greater fan than myself .

We really do not have time to waste with egotistical grandstanding and the deification of individuals . Other African nations are leaving us behind let alone we begin dreaming of being like the most developed Nations in the World with our 419 figures of "growth" and "economic strenght" not matched by what is on the ground . Some of us should travel around Africa to see countries where announcements regarding economic growth and progress can be attested to by the reality on the ground .

At the risk of being accused of 'falling for triviality' and 'deifying individuals' again, I must confess you are, to me, the hero of the whole presidential candidacy debates that have dominated this section in the last 6 months at least. I salute your zeal, your passion for your candidate(Ribadu). If one adds your analytical prowess, debating skills and grasp of history to those, then one will see that there are still loaded people here. You impressed me the most.

With bombs going off and the innocent dying?
It is war.

Beaf:

With bombs going off and the innocent dying?
It is war.

I was hoping Beaf wouldn't come in. Trust him to be true to type - anyhow, I guess he's just a harmless guy wishing the best for Nigeria in his own way. It actually is not war!

Just as the country is divided so we will always be divided here on nairaland and nothing is going to change that. Abusing people and the candidates they supported was something that should have been avoided in the first place but the did has been done and i don't think we will ever go back to the former ways.

Having a different opinion about any subject has resulted to enmity, abuses and superiority fights all to prove a point or show that i am better than you. We all should go back to those thread, analyze the comments we have made and surely know that we can never go back fully to the former ways. Somebody call you cow in the night and call you angel in the morning na enough reason to think twice oo.

Restore our reputation

Integrity, Competence with Humility

Be wise with your vote!!



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Jarus:

At the risk of being accused of 'falling for triviality' and 'deifying individuals' again, I must confess you are, to me, the hero of the whole presidential candidacy debates that have dominated this section in the last 6 months at least. I salute your zeal, your passion for your candidate(Ribadu). If one adds your analytical prowess, debating skills and grasp of history to those, then one will see that there are still loaded people here. You impressed me the most.

Don't worry, i will not crucify you this time.
you are right.
Congrats Gbawe for your enlightening views.
I might not have always agreed with you nor been articulate as you were but it was a pleasure and this comment of yours is a worthy climax.
Our consciences and offsprings will bear witness with our efforts for a better Naija.

naijababe:

If GEJ wins as I suspect he will and does right by Nigerians, I believe the division will heal (I am in team BB). Look no further than 2007 Lagos election, the emergence of Fashola by no means polarized Lagos, but Lagosians have come to rally behind him including your truly.

i feel you and see your point.
my problem is that i just can't see it happening.
From the morning, you know how the day will be.
you just don't hang around lions and tigers and suddenly become a domestic animal in the process.
The Fashola example is an anomaly.
His antecedents were a pointer that he would deliver.
Nothing in this morning points to any difference to the past 12 years.
Some of the passion of anti-GEJ folks is fuelled by the fact that this is one opportunity that might not present itself again in a long time.
The man might not be a bad person afterall (although i seriously question  his competence) but with the crowd around him i see no proof that his govt will be anything different from the past.
It is impossible to have blind faith as this is religion nor a love affair.
We need a strong hand to redress this slide.
If GEJ wins and fails to provide a strong hand (which i strongly doubt) the slide will only hasten and all these economic indices being bandied around will be worthless.

^ Totally agree with you especially on 'From the morning, you know how the day will be'. It's exactly the reason why I'm uneasy about him winning.

If GEJ wins and fails to provide a strong hand (which i strongly doubt) the slide will only hasten and all these economic indices being bandied around will be worthless.

I refuse to be hoodwinked, weren't we all here when 7-point agenda was being bandied around? Funny how that died along with Yar'adua

I really hope to be proven wrong and I guess time will tell

Jarus:

At the risk of being accused of 'falling for triviality' and 'deifying individuals' again, I must confess you are, to me, the hero of the whole presidential candidacy debates that have dominated this section in the last 6 months at least. I salute your zeal, your passion for your candidate(Ribadu). If one adds your analytical prowess, debating skills and grasp of history to those, then one will see that there are still loaded people here. You impressed me the most.

My brother , thank you for your kind words . I am still hopeful Buhari might win because , with all that has happened , he is now best placed to challenge GEJ . Unlike most I cannot bring myself to state all hope is lost because I know too well , looking at issues pragmatically and without sentiments , what Nigeria is in for under GEJ for the next 4 years.