₦airaland Forum

In a country with so much joblessness, crowds are the easiest thing to pull!!! People will fill up a stadium even if Ghadaffi were coming to Nigeria!
Abi you no see the crowd wey go welcome Bode George??

Kobojunkie:
Are you implying that as adults, we can not demand records from the one government without requiring, at the same time, from the other? What is this to you? Kindergarten? 

Typical!! Almost 30,000 posts and no meaningful contribution till date!!! Just empty questions!!

Kobojunkie:
You are absolutely right about that. Even $1 billion to any state in Nigeria is a huge deal and a request for account is in order. We need to stop pretending there is no money and making silly excuses for why our politicians can continue to get away with the thievery. I am with Fashola -- Let the FG account for all the money it has gotten and spent "on our behalf".

But Fashola is also a Government official ! Don't you think he should also account for the over 2 Trillion naira that has accrued to his state since over the last 4 years! I also think that is a lot of money!!

nastydamus:
But $292bn is mind-boggling enough, yes?

Minus 40% per cent of that figure= It goes to the oil companies! So what we are looking at is somewhere in the region of $180 billion! So where did Fashola get his $500 Billion figure from

Perfect Scenario Analysis!! Very exact on the Buhari/ Bakare scenario! Same with the GEJ scenario! The Ribadu scenario is a bit off! I think Ribadu and Tinubu would end up very serious enemies in the event Tinubu tries to play a Fashola on Ribadu!!!! Many of the things Buhari is promising to do, we would find eventually that in a democracy there are procedures, hence you cannot just do things by fiat!

Assessing he three scenarios, I'd go with GEJ's economic prosperity!!! Ever heard the phrase," its the economy, stupid"!!

Ibime:
@ OP, you've posed a legitimate question to the Northerners, so let me pose a question to the Niger-Deltans:

What if one of our own runs for President, we support him enmasse and then he rubbishes all our calls for constitution amendment and shows no political will to effecting the change that will give us land rights. Will our struggle ever hold legitimacy ever again?

In that case, whatever we want to achieve must be achieved by 2015 or we forever hold our peace. Can we point to any roadmap instigated by GEJ toward meeting our demands? He has already told us that the 1999 constitution is the best for Naija as it is a "democratic constitution".

We've gone from being vociferous haters of the PDP to being PDP greatest supporters without the attendant change in PDP structure that would trigger such. Is this all because of a chance for one of ours to "join the lootocracy" or because we notice evident change in the gathering of robbers called PDP?

Ok, Ibime, Nice reverse on the question! You've raised very salient points and I genuinely expect all those supporting GEJ with the expectation that he would  fix the Niger Delta quagmire, to think in depth about the posers you've raised!
The purpose for which I support the Jonathan ticket has very little to the with his region of origin!! While I think he might bring a little succour to the region, I have my reservations about the continued fixation on oil by the people of the Niger Delta!! I think Niger Deltans can think beyond oil! My point is, my support for the Jonathan ticket has little to the with his region of origin and the distribution of its resources!

I have stated before that I support Jonathan for three reasons and they mainly have to do with the Structure and  Economics of this country!
My first is Power generation! Jonathan has by far the best power road-map of any of the candidates. I have seen that of Buhari and Ribadu- its all rhetorics!! Ribadu is talking alternative energy, Buhari is talking 50,000 MW in 5 years, but they aren't interested in handing over to the private sector!! How dem wan take do the magicIts all gibberish!

The second reason is Private sector participation! [/b]Jonathan's government is very pro private sector! Entrepreneurship would thrive immensely under Jonathan!! His approach might not be excellent and I have my reservations but its definitely in the right direction!! Just an example. We might underestimate for instance the disbursement of $200million to the entertainment industry, but if you knew the potential multiplier effect on entrepreneurship, you'll get a picture of what I'm saying!

[b]The third reason is ephemeral and at the same time very fundamental! It is the breaking of the hegemonic tendencies of the Northern Elite!! Much of all the problems we face in this country can be traced directly to the born to rule philosophy of the Northern Elite. Jonathan has completed something like a 270 degrees cycle in breaking that philosophy by going against the zoning trash! When he wins the election,the full 360 would be completed and the camel's back would be broken!!
You talked about true federalism! That could be traced to the third point I raised. But as an aside, if you are seeking true federalism , do you actually think it is in the purview of the executive to change our constitution?? ACN which cannot have a majority in the house cannot execute true federalism!!Buhari doesn't care for true federalism!! The best we can't get right now is the dismantling of the structures that have propagated mediocrity in the country!!

$500 billion? Now who is deceiving who?? Pls do the maths and tell me how that figure came about!!
Sometimes we should just swallow hook line and sinker what politicians say!! I like Fashola with a passion, but I wouldn't fall for this!!

Asides, Fashola failed to answer the question posed by Dosunmu on what he did with 2 trillion Naira in just 4 years!! He failed to explain how a 2km road cost 7,7 billion naira! Or how the renovation of city hall cost 5.2 billion.

Pataki:
This is rather a lame argument to proffer.

Was Yar'Adua an old man of 70 equally?

Was Abacha an old man of 70 equally?

How old was Obasanjo when he contested for presidency twice?

Back to reality:

I am a supporter of Buhari. I am not from his region. So does that still imply Buhari's supporters are regional supporters and Buhari himself is a regional champion?

In case you do not get it, Buhari's supporters are not supporting him based on region or him having a Bakare, we are supporting his presidency based on the dire need of CHANGE and CREDIBILITY in Nigerian leadership. Enough is enough of looters and bad leaders from PDP.

While noting that some died while on the position of leadership such late Yar'adua and Abacha, it is equally worth noting that NONE of those who replaced them at the helm of affairs, were in anyway better! They were actually more worse off.

And with men of decency such as Buhari/Bakare; Nigeria has great hopes of sound leaders who care in utmost regard for the nation.

There is nothing lame about the argument! These are genuine questions!! Pataki, ask yourself genuinely, If there is a need for Bakare to eventually become our president before the expiration of the Buhari ticket, would most of Buhari's supporters especially those in North West Nigeria who are voting him because of his religion be willing to have a Pastor as their president This is a genuine question!!

You say Buhari's supporters like you are not supporting him based on ethno-religious centrism, I totally agree! But can you say the same for those in Sokoto, Kano, Katsina, Zamfara and the likes?? Buhari is 70 and I know he is strong and healthy, but 70 is old age by any means and the rigor of the office can be very intense for a man that age!!
The same people singing "Sai Buhari" failed to ask the same question about Yar Adua despite the fact the man wasn't up to the task. So we ended up in a political quagmire! Now lets just ask the simple questions we always forget to ask!

Stromae:
which human beings are still looking at religion and ethnicity of candidates rather than credibilty? If I were to do the same I should be pushing for an Orji Uzor Kalu presidency.

If (God forbid) Buhari is unable to continue I have enough trust in his credibility and judgement to rally behind Bakare as president. It would have been hard if his vice were Tinubu because I personally don't see Tinubu as a true progressive.

Oh brada! You have no idea what is happening in the North West!! People are being told to vote Buhari because his victory is a victory for Islam! Jonathan, they say is an usurper!! He has stolen what "rightly belongs to the north"! He is a zionist!! He is supporting the christians in Jos!! He will work against Islam!! And so on and so fault!!
Or you think the crowd in Kaduna was there for credibility Wish you knew!

Me I like Buhari, don't get me wrong, but I must ask questions looking at the whole context and the questions I've posed are just a snippet of a whole lot other questions the average mind should ask before supporting a ticket whether BB, GEJ or Ribadu!!

Now, lets assume Buhari wins the election come April and is sworn in on May 29th 2011!Then on May 30th, he decides to "travel to another planet!

*Are all the Southerners in the crowd at the PDP rally who have chosen Jonathan because he is "one of us", ready to have a radical Pastor as as their president?

!! The bolded in red! Just another reason why plagiarism is a criminal offence!!

zeeleso:
If you dont trust Nlers, find someone who can speak hausa near you to interprete  this. "a kasa, a tsare, a raka, a jira, idan zaa taba ku hana. "That is what buhari said. Either there is now a new special revised version of Hausa that i've never heard of or they were not quoting his speech at the rally.

Lets assume for a moment the word was translated right and he inded said 'Lynch anybody who attempts to rig'. How does 'Lynch anybody that attempts to rig' turns into ' Kill Christians if i dont win'. Stop putting words in Buhari's mouth.
Are you know saying:
Lynch = Kill
Anybody = christain
that attempts to rig= If i dont win


All candidates are open to criticism but again wrong approach to criticizing someone.

I do speak Hausa, so I pretty much understand what he said! The insinuation in the minds of illiterates is what matters! An illiterate thinks differently! We all know that the slightest incitement/provocation can get an illiterate Hausa/Fulani to start killing Christians!

Go to the north and see the campaign CPC adherents are using against Jonathan! The only problem they have with him is that he is a Christan and that he is taking "their turn"! That is what CPC is currently using to sell itself to the illiterates of the North! That Jonathan, a Zionist Christian would work against Islam and its people!
When Buhari loses, these illiterates would remember the words of Buhari their mentor and take vengeance and start lynching Christians residing in the North!!
It is a dangerous situation this country might find itself. Now those residing in the North who look to vote for Jonathan would now be scared for their lives!!

solihu:
Well, first of all let me start by saying guy "your mind dotty no be small!".

Since all your assertations are based on ''if" I'd say you didn't consider Buhari outliving Bakare. Fact is the call to the great beyond has little to do with how long you lived.

[b]Personally, I give considerations to the ability of any individual, regardless of his age, ethnicity and religion that can navigate the ship of governance amidst all the stormy wheather in Nigeria.

I am on the same page with you on the bolded! But are those radicals who would vote Buhari for the simple fact that Jonathan is not a muslim, ready to have not just a christian, but a radical pastor as president in the case of an "unplanned trip" by Buhari!

Jamesakume:
Really interesting analysis, Buhari has always had the reputation of being an Islamic extremist. The Buhari/Bakare ticket is to me a case of trying to mix oil & water. Lets pretend for a minute that they actually win the election and move into the state house, i am quite sure that it would be a difficult task for them both to work together, Buhari an extremist, while bakare a radical pastor. more time would be spent arguing over their method of operation, than actually working on changing NIgeria. The Ribadu/Adeola ticket on the other hand is a stable and reliable ticket. They are two professionals who understand the deep rooted problems of Nigeria, with a strong commitment to bringing about National transformation in our beloved country. GEJ has shown us that he has no plan for us as a nation. RIbadu is the answer to the problems affecting this nation.

I like the Ribadu/Adeola ticket! It actually looks like the best ticket! But they don't seem interested in winning the elections as their campaign is very lack lustre!!
Not only do Buhari and Bakare not fit each other, Buhari supporters would be less than ready to accept Bakare as President in any eventuality!! Buhari brought Bakare to this ticket just to make him win Christain votes the same way McCain brought Sarah Palin to the ticket to energize the evangelical conservative base!

monkeyleg:
Another one living on slave mentality. They feed you scraps with your money and you say thank you

I'm pretty sure you are one of those that are looking for a Government that would put food on their tables!
Laziness does not pay! Government creates opportunities and what noblezone has stated is one of those opportunitiues!
Wait for a government that would put food on your table!

[quote author=fried-rice link=topic=615556.msg7836091#msg7836091 date=1299142916] it's obvious some people here in Nairaland planning to Rig the election for their principal
Jonathan Odechukwu have suddenly developed cold feet   . make una no try am oh!

you  better sit back here on Nairaland that election day and continue your silly campaign for jonathan
than go out their and lose your life [/quote]The reason I pity your likes is the simple fact that when the extremists decide to start the lynching in the very likely event of a Buhari loss, they wouldn't spare you for the simple reason that you don't speak Hausa!! This is simple!! I'm not asking you not to vote Buhari, but I'm pleading that Buhari should not incite illiterates to kill Christians simply because he doesn't win elections!! We've seen too much violence in this country already!

CPC will win in the North West, nobody argues that! However, the north west doesn't constitute Nigeria! I watched the Lagos Guber debate yesterday and there was no CPC candidate there! In almost all of the south and middle belt, there are no CPC candidates! There is no way they can win even 20% in these states!
Whether you are a supporter of Buhari or not, you should stand against any form of incitement especially where you are dealing with illiterates!

Ok! How do I start? Let me start with a prayer! May God grant Buhari long life and prosperity! May he live all of his days in good health and sound mind!
I've started with a prayer so nobody accuses me of wishing Buhari bad! I'm just asking a genuine question that any rational thinker would ask!


Now, lets assume Buhari wins the election come April and is sworn in on May 29th 2011!Then on May 30th, he is called on a trip "to another planet!

Questions
*Are we as Nigerians ready to accept Bakare as our president?

*Are all the northerners in the crowd at the Kaduna rally who have chosen Buhari because he is a Muslim, ready to have a radical Pastor as as their president?

*Are all those shouting[b] "Sai Buhari" ready to shout "Sai Bakare"[/b] in the event of Buhari "making an unplanned trip to say Jupiter or Venus"

*Are the supporters of the BB ticket taking time out to ask themselves if Bakare has the required experience and political sagacity to lead this very complex cacophonous contraption called Nigeria??

*Are the proponents of zoning aware that they could end up with another South Western president?? Are they not going to plunge Nigeria into another constitutional crisis in the event of such an unplanned trip as we saw in the case of Yar Adua's trip to Saudi??

*Are the extremists who adore Buhari desperately not going to bomb this country to smitherings in the event we find ourselves with a muslim turned Pastor as  our President??

These questions are not out of place. First [/b]because, Buhari is an old man of 70. [b]Secondly, we are still fresh off the crisis that was caused by Yar Adua's trip. And Thirdly, because Buhari is so much of a regional champion that his supporters would accept only someone from their region!

I put these same questions on Jonathan and Ribadu's vice- Sambo and Adeola and I find that because they are not regional candidates, it is easy to accept their vices in the event of a trip to another planet! But for Buhari, I don't think his supporters are ready!!

Buhari is dangerous for this country!!

He is encouraging lynching against supposed "riggers" but he failed to explain to his illiterate supporters what exactly rigging means!!!

These illiterates are going to lynch anybody caught voting for Jonathan!!

Buhari is on a dangerous mission! And I sympathise with all those clamouring for his ascension!!

When he loses and the almajiris he is inciting start killing non-muslims, they wouldn't spare any Buhari's supporters who don't speak Hausa!!

This is very very bad for the Buhari camp! I thought they had the North West on Lock down! If Ribadu is able to get a few votes ion the North West, then Jonathan sails to victory with absolute ease!!!
I want more ACN in the North!! More of this, Ribadu! More of this!! Buhari is stealing your popularity! Don't give up without a fight!!


Below is a picture of PDP rally in the state last week!! And someone is telling me people are tired of PDP!!

He cannot do it! It is not the job of a of the office he is aspiring to! It is the job of the legislative arm!! How is he going to do this?? Is he going to promulgate a decree??

Buhari needs to learn that we are in a democracy where the Executive has its functions which is separated from the legislature and the judiciary!!

If by any chance this guy wins, he will end up the worst president we ever hard, not because he wasn't willing to work, but because he failed to take off his toga of  militancy mind and understand the workings of a democracy!! His administration would be filled with constant fighting between legislature and executive with the populace bearing the brunt!

The PDP will win a majority in the house, so please how Mr Buhari do you intend to do this in the very unlikely event that you win?

The only solution to Nigeria's infrastructure problems is private sector financing!! When the private sector finances the construction of a road, that road has to be tolled. Nigerians love everything to be free but we end up paying much more eventually. Just an example: It costs more to convey a container from Lagos to Abuja than to ship the same container from Shanghai to Lagos. If we had good infrastructure, that would not be the case.
I would rather pay thousands in tolls for a good road than spend hours trying to navigate through that pit called Ore-Benin express road.

The problems Lekki Epe Express tolling is facing today is a testament to the very socialist mindset of the average Nigeria which is even more prevalent in the south west. I pray this works out. In fact Governance as a whole should be privatized while the Government should focus on policy design and regulation!!

Jarus:
That was the lamentation of a PDP member who saw the trend.

Even if Kwankwasso of PDP does well in guber, his supporters are all for Buhari.

Now, anybody who says Buhari cannot get 90% in teh NW, which has the largest voting bloc, should have a rethink.

Even in Kaduna, a very close friend of mine who was in Sambo's ward during registration told me that Sambo cannot even win his ward, given the massive support Buhari enjoys in that area.

Buhari's joker now is winning the SW, or at least doing reasonably well, say 40%.

What then happens to Shekarau The man is very popular also in Kano state. Every body knows Buhari will win the North West, but it would have served him much better if Shekarau wasn't in the race. Shekarau would definitely post a good showing in his home state. Even if he gets just 20 % of the votes, thats bad for Buhari because in a race that could be tight, every percent counts!! Borno and Yobe will also be split mainly between ANPP and CPC. States like Adamawa, Nasarawa, Niger and Gombe will have Jonathan recording at least 30% give their large Christian populations and PDPs very strong footing. Kaduna south votes Jonathan all the way. Plateau, Benue and Taraba are flat out Jonathan.

As per the south west giving Buhari 40%, that's impossible! First because Tinubu and his ACN gang will be doomed if that happens(They won't allow it) and secondly because Jonathan has a very large portion of supporters in the south west especially amongst the older folk(40+) and the pentecostals. In my opinion, the south west will be split between  ACN and PDP. I will give Buhari a measly 20- 25% here.

If you do a survey, you will find that the BB tickets popularity outside of the North West and some of the North East is limited to the internet! Talk to people on the street in Ogbomosho or Akure and you'll find there is very little buzz on the ticket!!

People are tired of PDP, but the opposition has failed to put up a hard and worthwhile fight!

I must confess though, that the Buhari/Bakare ticket is temptingly impressive especially with the character and passion displayed by the supporters!! Two radicals on one ticket is no doubt a good sell in a corruption infested nation!
But no, there are some fundamentals that must be shifted in this country and Jonathan's presidency represents some of  that shift!!

Let me start by acknowledging the fact that the Bakare pick by Buhari, has improved Buhari's fortunes desperately. In many online polls I've come across of recent, Buhari/ Bakare's popularity has skyrocted sometimes surpassing that of Jonathan. What I observed however, is that the biggest loser is Ribadu. All his fans seemed to drift enmass to the Buhari/Bakare ticket. Jonathan's popularity remains good, just a little less than the early days.
Given the fact that Buhari controls the North West with 19 Million Voters and has a pretty Good Showing in the South West, you would think Victory should be certain for CPC.
However, I'm 1000% sure that after a free and fair election come May 29th Buhari would not be anywhere near Aso rock for the simple reasons stated below

1)They are not campaigning
We have just 5 weeks to the elections and I can't see any sign of Buhari campaigning anywhere in Nigeria . He hasn't visited any states in the south or middle belt. No rallies whatsoever. Does he think everybody reads newspapers or have internet connection?? Ruralites which constitute the real voters in Nigeria have never heard about CPC. How are they going to give him votes. How is the farmer in Isale Egan, Arochukwu or Gbaramatu going to vote a Buhari he has has never heard about? Jonathan on the other hand is travelling everywhere despite the fact that he has the required visibility already.

2)The CPC has very limited structures
CPC has no structures in many states across the country. In fact, they didn't even field Governorship candidates in many states. Elections are won by politicians and not on the pages of newspapers. People actually think PDP wins because they rig. Thats far from the truth. PDP winS elections because they built structures across the country. Every Okada Association, Taxi drivers Asscoc, Market women group, and every other group that controls large swaths of REAL voters are all on the payroll of the PDP. The CPC structures start and finish in the North West and some states in the North East. Structures in the South West are shared between PDP and ACN. Without these structures, there is no way CPC is winning even 10% of the votes in the South West.

3)Jonathan's Popularity
It is not very often you see a popular incumbent. Jonathan is very popular, not because of his performance but because of the nature of his ascension. Nigeria is a very religious country and many people have come to believe that Jonathan has been propped up by God to bring change to the country. There is the impression amongst so many I've spoken with, that God will use Jonathan to change Nigeria.
Buhari knows this so well, so he calculatedly brings in a Pastor as running mate to tilt the balance. Was it a good strategy,I think very much so! Will it improve his fortunes, sadly I don't think so as Bakare is known to have discredited all the crowd pulling ministers including Adeboye whose he seems to be courting desperately these days.

4)Cash, Money and Finance
Seriously, in any election, Cash is King. Whether that Election is in America or Zimbabwe, Nigeria or New Zealand!! Obama raised $600million dollars to execute his election. Without that war-chest, he would have lost to McCain. Fact is, He bought that election legitimately!!
Nigeria is not an exception! Money rules! Donald Duke estimated that it would cost close to 20 Billion naira to execute a honest presidential election. And that's just for campaigning minus settlements. My opinion, 50 Billion wouldn' t even do. If Buhari can raise that money in 5 weeks, then trust me he stole it!!

The PDP can buy up all the almajiris in the North West with N1000 each and they would line up enmasse for Jonathan. 19 Million almajiris will cost the PDP only 19 Billion Naira= Now that's chicken change for a party that has controlled a the economy of a country with some of the world's finest oil wells.
On a serious note, where is Buhari going to get the money required to campaign across the nation in just 5 weeks.The man needs to advertise, billboards, posters, etc they all cost money !!

[b]5)Jonathan is relaxed
[/b]Jonathan is so relaxed. When a man is so relaxed, you can tell that he has very little to worry about. The Buhari ticket would have worried the Jonathan camp if they had teamed up with ACN. But as it is always with the opposition their selfish interests carried the day.
Before the PDP presidential Primaries, Jonathan was very uneasy until Babangida was out of the race. When Atiku was left in the race, Jonathan became relaxed because victory was now certain. Atiku was an easy case. Exactly the same is playing out with Buhari. Jonathan's relaxed mien suggests that Buhari's CPC is nothing but a paper tiger!!

[b]6)25% in 24 states
[/b]Buhari cannot win up to 25% in any of the South South or South East states. That takes 11 states out of the running, leaving him with 25 states to score at least 25% of the votes. Is that a possiblity? I doubt especially given the fact that in the south west, the votes will be split in three between Jonathan, Ribadu and Buhari. Also states like Plateau and Benue would hardly give Buhari 25%. It will be so hard for Buhari to score that 25% in 24 states. That automatically nullifies any numerical victory he wishes he might obtain.

[b]7)Time and Chance
[/b]One of the most fundamental principles in life is the Time and Chance principle. Somehow it just appears like this is Goodluck Jonathan's time. Despites many miscalculations on his part, his popularity just doesn't seem to want to go downhill. Whether we like him or not, it looks like he is here to stay at least till 2015.
Same way Obama came and upset the dreams of so many like McCain and Hilary Clinton, so also Jonathan has truncated the life long ambitions of the likes of Babangida, Atiku, Gusau and come April it looks like Buhari will be added to the list of those who have fallen under Jonathan's dream killing sword!!

Fact is I have learned a strong lesson about Nigerian politics. If you read the papers or go through discussion boards, you would think the PDP is very unpopular. But go to the streets and the villages where actual voters live and you will find that the most popular party in Nigeria is PDP.

The elite exist only on the pages of the papers. The PDP politicians are everywhere and control everything. They control Okada riders, Market women and Road transport workers. They control the farming villagers and the Agberos and every other thug that exists in Nigeria.
Interestingly, these are the voters.

During the voters registration I kept searching for the elite at the registration booths, but for where!!

Truth is Jonathan is by far the most popular candidate. His popularity amongst the masses is enormous! Forget all the things you read on the papers. The papers are all owned by Politicians. Buhari is also enormously popular in the core North. The problem however is that his party CPC doesn't even have any offices in most southern and middle belt states. Ribadu would lose his home state Adamawa. His would struggle to win any of the south west states.

Genbuhari3:
seanet02,

you got convinced on a report that was written wayback by a man who set up the first confraternity in Nigeria? a man who once used a gun to seize a radio house? I love Wole Soyinka, but just like Buhari, he has his own flaws and that is what he has failed to realize!

i tire for you ooo. instead of you to research well, you have based your decision on this. have you researched tunde bakare as well?

anyway i wish you all the best.

Ribadu will win south west - we have already given him that. but a ward in the north he will not win! the north and the little votes like mine in the south will see us winning the first round of election. it is BB ticket all the way.

Your calculations have already failed you! The North you refer to is actually the North West minus Kaduna. And that consists of just 6 states.
Buhari will probably win Kebbi, Sokoto, Katsina, Jigawa and Zamfara. He will struggle for votes with Shekarau in Kano, Borno, Yobe. Adamawa will be split in three between Ribadu, Jonathan and Buhari. Other northern states of Plateau, Kogi, Taraba Benue and large chucks of Niger and Kaduna states will go to Jonathan. The South west is up for grabs  between Jonathan, Ribadu and to a very minute extent Buhari. South East and South south would give Jonathan block votes.

With the analysis below, Buhari is certain of victory in only 6 states. He cannot win this election without a good showing in the south west!

The Crimes of Buhari

By Wole SOYINKA

This intervention has been provoked, not so much by the ambitions of General Buhari to return to power at the head of a democratic Nigeria, as by declarations of support from directions that leave one totally dumbfounded. It would appear that some, myself among them, had been overcomplacent about the magnitude of an ambition that seemed as preposterous as the late effort of General Ibrahim Babangida to aspire yet again to the honour of presiding over a society that truly seeks a democratic future. What one had dismissed was a rash of illusions, brought about by other political improbabilities that surround us, however, is being given an air of plausibility by individuals and groupings to which one had earlier attributed a sense of relevance of historic actualities. Recently, I published an article in the media, invoking the possible recourse to psychiatric explanation for some of the incongruities in conduct within national leadership. Now, to tell the truth, I have begun to seriously address the issue of which section of society requires the services of a psychiatrist. The contest for a seizure of rationality is now so polarized that I am quite reconciled to the fact it could be those of us on this side, not the opposing school of thought that ought to declare ourselves candidates for a lunatic asylum. So be it. While that decision hangs in the balance however, the forum is open. Let both sides continue to address our cases to the electorate, but also prepare to submit ourselves for psychiatric examination.



The time being so close to electoral decision, we can understand the haste of some to resort to shortcuts. In the process however, we should not commit the error of opening the political space to any alternative whose curative touch to national afflictions have proven more deadly than the disease. In order to reduce the clutter in our options towards the forthcoming elections, we urge a beginning from what we do know, what we have undergone, what millions can verify, what can be sustained by evidence accessible even to the school pupil, the street hawker or a just-come visitor from outer space. Leaving Buhari aside for now, I propose a commencing exercise that should guide us along the path of elimination as we examine the existing register of would-be president. That initial exercise can be summed up in the following speculation:[size=5pt] “If it were possible for Olusegun Obasanjo, the actual incumbent, to stand again for election, would you vote for him?”
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If the answer is “yes”, then of course all discussion is at an end. If the answer is ‘No’ however, then it follows that a choice of a successor made by Obasanjo should be assessed as hovering between extremely dangerous and an outright kiss of death. The degree of acceptability of such a candidate should also be inversely proportionate to the passion with which he or she is promoted by the would-be ‘godfather’. We do not lack for open evidence about Obasanjo’s passion in this respect. From Lagos to the USA, he has taken great pains to assure the nation and the world that the anointed NPN presidential flag bearer is guaranteed, in his judgment, to carry out his policies. Such an endorsement/anointment is more than sufficient, in my view, for public acceptance or rejection. Yar’Adua’s candidature amounts to a terminal kiss from a moribund regime. Nothing against the person of this – I am informed - personable governor, but let him understand that in addition to the direct source of his emergence, the PDP, on whose platform he stands, represents the most harrowing of this nation’s nightmares over and beyond even the horrors of the Abacha regime. If he wishes to be considered on his own merit, now is time for him, as well as others similarly enmeshed, to exercise the moral courage that goes with his repudiation of that party, a dissociation from its past, and a pledge to reverse its menacing future. We shall find him an alternative platform on which to stand, and then have him present his credentials along those of other candidates engaged in forging a credible opposition alliance. Until then, let us bury this particular proposition and move on to a far graver, looming danger, personified in the history of General Buhari.



The grounds on which General Buhari is being promoted as the alternative choice are not only shaky, but pitifully naive. History matters. Records are not kept simply to assist the weakness of memory, but to operate as guides to the future. Of course, we know that human beings change. What the claims of personality change or transformation impose on us is a rigorous inspection of the evidence, not wishful speculation or behind-the-scenes assurances. Public offence, crimes against a polity, must be answered in the public space, not in caucuses of bargaining. In Buhari, we have been offered no evidence of the sheerest prospect of change. On the contrary, all evident suggests that this is one individual who remains convinced that this is one ex-ruler that the nation cannot call to order.

Buhari – need one remind anyone - was one of the generals who treated a Commission of Enquiry, the Oputa Panel, with unconcealed disdain. Like Babangida and Abdusalami, he refused to put in appearance even though complaints that were tabled against him involved a career of gross abuses of power and blatant assault on the fundamental human rights of the Nigerian citizenry.

Prominent against these charges was an act that amounted to nothing less than judicial murder, the execution of a citizen under a retroactive decree. Does Decree 20 ring a bell? If not, then, perhaps the names of three youths - Lawal Ojuolape (30), Bernard Ogedengbe (29) and Bartholomew Owoh (26) do. To put it quite plainly, one of those three – Ogedengbe - was executed for a crime that did not carry a capital forfeit at the time it was committed. This was an unconscionable crime, carried out in defiance of the pleas and protests of nearly every sector of the Nigerian and international community – religious, civil rights, political, trade unions etc. Buhari and his sidekick and his partner-in-crime, Tunde Idiagbon persisted in this inhuman act for one reason and one reason only: to place Nigerians on notice that they were now under an iron, inflexible rule, under governance by fear.

The execution of that youthful innocent – for so he was, since the punishment did not exist at the time of commission - was nothing short of premeditated murder, for which the perpetrators should normally stand trial upon their loss of immunity. Are we truly expected to forget this violation of our entitlement to security as provided under existing laws? And even if our sensibilities have become blunted by succeeding seasons of cruelty and brutality, if power itself had so coarsened the sensibilities also of rulers and corrupted their judgment, what should one rightly expect after they have been rescued from the snare of power” At the very least, a revaluation, leading hopefully to remorse, and its expression to a wronged society. At the very least, such a revaluation should engender reticence, silence. In the case of Buhari, it was the opposite. Since leaving office he has declared in the most categorical terms that he had no regrets over this murder and would do so again.



Human life is inviolate. The right to life is the uniquely fundamental right on which all other rights are based. The crime that General Buhari committed against the entire nation went further however, inconceivable as it might first appear. That crime is one of the most profound negations of civic being. Not content with hammering down the freedom of expression in general terms, Buhari specifically forbade all public discussion of a return to civilian, democratic rule. Let us constantly applaud our media – those battle scarred professionals did not completely knuckle down. They resorted to cartoons and oblique, elliptical references to sustain the people’s campaign for a time-table to democratic rule. Overt agitation for a democratic time table however remained rigorously suppressed – military dictatorship, and a specifically incorporated in Buhari and Idiagbon was here to stay. To deprive a people of volition in their own political direction is to turn a nation into a colony of slaves. Buhari enslaved the nation. He gloated and gloried in a master-slave relation to the millions of its inhabitants. It is astonishing to find that the same former slaves, now free of their chains, should clamour to be ruled by one who not only turned their nation into a slave plantation, but forbade them any discussion of their condition.



So Tai Solarin is already forgotten? Tai who stood at street corners, fearlessly distributing leaflets that took up the gauntlet where the media had dropped it. Tai who was incarcerated by that regime and denied even the medication for his asthmatic condition? Tai did not ask to be sent for treatment overseas; all he asked was his traditional medicine that had proved so effective after years of struggle with asthma!



Nor must we omit the manner of Buhari coming to power and the pattern of his ‘corrective’ rule. Shagari’s NPN had already run out of steam and was near universally detested – except of course by the handful that still benefited from that regime of profligacy and rabid fascism. Responsibility for the national condition lay squarely at the door of the ruling party, obviously, but against whom was Buhari’s coup staged? Judging by the conduct of that regime, it was not against Shagari’s government but against the opposition. The head of government, on whom primary responsibility lay, was Shehu Shagari. Yet that individual was kept in cozy house detention in Ikoyi while his powerless deputy, Alex Ekwueme, was locked up in Kiri-kiri prisons. Such was the Buhari notion of equitable apportionment of guilt and/or responsibility.



And then the cascade of escapes of the wanted, and culpable politicians. Manhunts across the length and breadth of the nation, roadblocks everywhere and borders tight as steel zip locks. Lo and behold, the chairman of the party, Chief Akinloye, strolled out coolly across the border. Richard Akinjide, Legal Protector of the ruling party, slipped out with equal ease. The Rice Minister, Umaru Dikko, who declared that Nigerians were yet to eat from dustbins - escaped through the same airtight dragnet. The clumsy attempt to crate him home was punishment for his ingratitude, since he went berserk when, after waiting in vain, he concluded that the coup had not been staged, after all, for the immediate consolidation of the party of extreme right-wing vultures, but for the military hyenas.



The case of the overbearing Secretary-General of the party, Uba Ahmed, was even more noxious. Uba Ahmed was out of the country at the time. Despite the closure of the Nigerian airspace, he compelled the pilot of his plane to demand special landing permission, since his passenger load included the almighty Uba Ahmed. Of course, he had not known of the change in his status since he was airborne. The delighted airport commandant, realizing that he had a much valued fish swimming willingly into a waiting net, approved the request. Uba Ahmed disembarked into the arms of a military guard and was promptly clamped in detention. Incredibly, he vanished a few days after and reappeared in safety overseas. Those whose memories have become calcified should explore the media coverage of that saga. Buhari was asked to explain the vanished act of this much prized quarry and his response was one of the most arrogant levity. Coming from one who had shot his way into power on the slogan of ‘dis’pline’, it was nothing short of impudent.



Shall we revisit the tragicomic series of trials that landed several politicians several lifetimes in prison? Recall, if you please, the ‘judicial’ processes undergone by the septuagenarian Chief Adekunle Ajasin. He was arraigned and tried before Buhari’s punitive tribunal but acquitted. Dissatisfied, Buhari ordered his re-trial. Again, the Tribunal could not find this man guilty of a single crime, so once again he was returned for trial, only to be acquitted of all charges of corruption or abuse of office. Was Chief Ajasin thereby released? No! He was ordered detained indefinitely, simply for the crime of winning an election and refusing to knuckle under Shagari’s reign of terror.

The conduct of the Buhari regime after his coup was not merely one of double, triple, multiple standards but a cynical travesty of justice. Audu Ogbeh, currently chairman of the Action Congress was one of the few figures of rectitude within the NPN. Just as he has done in recent times with the PDP, he played the role of an internal critic and reformer, warning, dissenting, and setting an example of probity within his ministry. For that crime he spent months in unjust incarceration. Guilty by association? Well, if that was the motivating yardstick of the administration of the Buhari justice, then it was most selectively applied. The utmost severity of the Buhari-Idiagbon justice was especially reserved either for the opposition in general, or for those within the ruling party who had showed the sheerest sense of responsibility and patriotism.



Shall I remind this nation of Buhari’s deliberate humiliating treatment of the Emir of Kano and the Oni of Ife over their visit to the state of Israel? I hold no brief for traditional rulers and their relationship with governments, but insist on regarding them as entitled to all the rights, privileges and responsibilities of any Nigerian citizen. This royal duo went to Israel on their private steam and private business. Simply because the Buhari regime was pursuing some antagonistic foreign policy towards Israel, a policy of which these traditional rulers were not a part, they were subjected on their return to a treatment that could only be described as a head masterly chastisement of errant pupils. Since when, may one ask, did a free citizen of the Nigerian nation require the permission of a head of state to visit a foreign nation that was willing to offer that tourist a visa.?



One is only too aware that some Nigerians love to point to Buhari’s agenda of discipline as the shining jewel in his scrap-iron crown. To inculcate discipline however, one must lead by example, obeying laws set down as guides to public probity. Example speaks louder than declarations, and rulers cannot exempt themselves from the disciplinary strictures imposed on the overall polity, especially on any issue that seeks to establish a policy for public well-being. The story of the thirty something suitcases – it would appear that they were even closer to fifty - found unavoidable mention in my recent memoirs, YOU MUST SET FORTH AT DOWN, written long before Buhari became spoken of as a credible candidate. For the exercise of a changeover of the national currency, the Nigerian borders – air, sea and land – had been shut tight. Nothing was supposed to move in or out, not even cattle egrets.



Yet a prominent camel was allowed through that needle’s eye. Not only did Buhari dispatch his aide-de-camp, Jokolo – later to become an emir - to facilitate the entry of those cases, he ordered the redeployment – as I later discovered - of the Customs Officer who stood firmly against the entry of the contravening baggage. That officer, the incumbent Vice-president is now a rival candidate to Buhari, but has somehow, in the meantime, earned a reputation that totally contradicts his conduct at the time. Wherever the truth lies, it does not redound to the credibility of the dictator of that time, General Buhari whose word was law, but whose allegiances were clearly negotiable.



On the theme of double, triple, multiple standards in the enforcement of the law, and indeed of the decrees passed by the Buhari regime at the time, let us recall the notorious case of ‘Triple A’ – Alhaji Alhaji Alhaji, then Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance. – Who was caught, literally, with his pants down in distant Austria. That was not the crime however, and private conduct should always remain restricted to the domain of private censure. There was no decree against civil servants proving just as hormone driven as anyone else, especially outside the nation’s borders. However, there was a clear decree against the keeping of foreign accounts, and this was what emerged from the Austrian escapade. Alhaji Alhaji kept, not one, but several undeclared foreign accounts, and he had no business being in possession of the large amount of foreign currency of which he was robbed by his overnight companion. The media screamed for an even application of the law, but Buhari had turned suddenly deaf.

By contrast, Fela Anikulapo languished in goal for years, sentenced under that very draconian decree. His crime was being in possession of foreign exchange that he had legitimately received for the immediate upkeep of his band as they set off for an international engagement. A vicious sentence was slapped down on Fela by a judge who later became so remorse stricken – at least after Buhari’s overthrow that he went to the King of Afro-beat and apologized.

Lesser known was the traumatic experience of the director of an international communication agency, an affiliate of UNESCO. Akin Fatoyinbo arrived at the airport in complete ignorance of the new currency decree. He was thrown in gaol in especially brutal condition, an experience from which he never fully recovered. It took several months of high-level intervention before that innocent man was eventually freed. These were not exceptional but mere sample cases from among hundreds of others, victims \of a decree that was selectively applied, a decree that routinely penalized innocents and ruined the careers and businesses of many.



What else? What does one choose to include or leave out? What precisely was Ebenezer Babatope’s crime that he should have spent the entire tenure of General Buhari in detention? Nothing beyond the fact that he once warned in the media that Buhari was an ambitious soldier who would bear watching through the lenses of a coup-d’etat. Babatope’s father died while he was in Buhari’s custody, the dictator remained deaf to every plea that he be at least released to attend his father’s funeral, even under guard. I wrote an article at the time, denouncing this pointless insensitivity. So little to demand by a man who was never accused of, nor tried for any crime, much less found guilty. Such a load of vindictiveness that smothered all traces of basic human compassion deserves no further comment in a nation that values its traditions.



But then, speaking the truth was not what Buhari, as a self-imposed leader, was especially enamoured of – enquire of Tunde Thompson and Nduka Irabor both of whom, faithful to their journalistic calling, published nothing but the truth, yet ended up sentenced under Buhari’s decree. Mind you, no one can say that Buhari was not true to his word. “I shall tamper with the freedom of the press’ swore the dictator immediately on grabbing office, and this was exactly what he did. And so on, and on, and on….



The argument of those who say that, by endorsing Buhari, they are settling on someone who can be guaranteed to give Obasanjo and the NPN a good fight, is one of the most depressing excuses I ever encountered for placing a political noose around a nation’s neck. Buhari owes a debt to this nation, not the other way round. If Buhari wishes to rehabilitate himself in the eyes of the citizenry whom he has so cruelly wronged, he should first scuttle his ambitions, then place whatever following he has garnered in the meantime at the disposal of a consensus candidate among the opposition. To insist on another taste of power, after such a history of gross abuse of power is an insult to any nation that values freedom and human dignity. Buhari should sit with the opposition and coordinate strategies to defeat the most unscrupulous act of political gerrymandering that, we all know, is about to be inflicted on the nation by a desperate incumbent seeking for a clone to secure his exit from power. The nation has more than sufficient time and strategic intelligence to organize behind a common choice, publicize his or her qualities and defeat the arrogance of incumbency.



What is being eroded, through the power of suggestion, is a people’s confidence in itself, and this is the beginning of mass suicide. Without that confidence, no powers on high or on earth, external or internal, can rescue the community from both the palpable and symbolic chains of slavery. To invite back into power a man who did so much to destroy a people’s self-esteem, dignity, and faith in law and justice, is a sign of self-abasement, lack of self-esteem, a slave mentality that dooms, not only the present, but succeeding generations.

I wish to declare, unequivocally, that those of my party, the ARP/DFPF shall not participate in such a degrading surrender.


[url]http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/crimes-buhari-wole-soyinka
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ola olabiy:
Philip Asiodu? The former Super Permanent Secretary?

Where are his mates? E.g. Alison Ayida. Thieves.

They were so reckless when they held sway.

He should STFU!

This topic is about the Lagos metro Project and how Buhari killed it! Those that know Asiodu know him as a man of repute. So please focus on the death of the Lagos Metro Project and how we ended up paying heavily for a project that was never executed probably because Buhari in his hegemonistic mindset never saw any reason why Lagos should have a Metroline.
Today, Cairo is enjoying the same metroline Lagosians would have been enjoyiing if not for Buhari!

I have just read this lengthy and rich interview with Dr Philip Asiodu. Very interesting read on how Nigeria slowly deteriorated from a potential super nation in the 70s to the squalor that has become of this potentially great nation. In the interview, he talked about the Lagos Metro Project and how Buhari just cancelled the project just like that! Looks like we ended up paying $3 Billion in debts for a project that was never built simply because Buhari just thought it should be cancelled!
We must be careful the leaders we choose!!


Here is an excerpt of the interview. Full interview is provided in the link.


‘We Lost Lagos Metroline To Our Stupidity As A Nation, ’

I was somewhere when you got stuck in traffic for hours and you bemoaned the lack of foresight on the Lagos Metroline project.  You know something about the project; can you give us an insight into it?

That was a terrible thing. It shows the irresponsibility and lack of memory of some of those who had taken decisions on some things since the destruction of what we had.

You know in 1964, Konisberger led a United Nations team to survey Lagos and directions of growth and make recommendations. And that Konisberger report recommended that Lagos should build a mono rail from Ikeja to Ebute-Ero.

It could see the way Lagos was growing and the need for mass urban transit. That was in 1964. That same report recommended a regional approach to the supply of water damming Ogun River, just like New York is supplied from Upper Hudson River.

That was to supply Ogun State and Lagos. Unfortunately, when the civilians came Jakande didn’t like the idea. That’s that. We had already in the vote 1964 to 1965 money to start central sewage around Tinubu Square and to be expanded. It was abandoned.

At that time, we thought we should not have government offices scattered around. We got through council in 1964 what we called planned construction of government offices. We were going to practically acquire, Holist Street, Oke Suna Street, and all the streets down to Race Course.  Anyway, all these were part of the concept.

Now, let’s go back to the Metroline project. With the coup de’tat of 1966, that put paid to that. By 1967 states were created. Even before the Konisberger report, there was a report from a group that came from Canada. They made recommendation on inter city transport. Lagos is like Venice. Go to Venice, there are a hundred lanes, water transportations, there should be a hundred ferries going between Ikoyi Victoria Island and where you have Lagos State University, LASU, in Ojoo. Under the colonial government we used to go  to Apapa by water. We have not exploited all that.

On the Metroline issue, nothing happened. We were retired in 1975 after the coup. I went into private life. Later, we resuscitated the project. There is no way you can carry everybody — workers, passengers within a short time on road where a city is more than two million. You want to put everybody in taxis? It’s not possible. We were able to persuade the government. At that time, Shehu Musa Yar’ Adua was the Minister for Transport to make it that one, in principle; every city above two million should have mass transit.  Two, arising from that we would identify 14 cities that were about two million or already two million; with of course Lagos. For Lagos, we agreed that they should go and design for construction a mass transit line immediately. We selected RTP of France. The fantastic thing they have in Paris is coordinating the buses with the subways etc linking one another. It’s fantastic. They had also worked in San Francisco, USA. They were appointed and we all agreed. Their credentials were very good.

We went from Lagos to Ibadan, Ilorin, Kaduna, Jos, Kano, Markurdi, Enugu, Aba, Port Harcourt, Benin City, Warri and Abuja, which was projected to be the capital. RTP decided on designing Lagos. Then the military government said they were going to hand-over in 1979. They bought the idea. Of course, they wanted to plan a Transport Commission but that they would leave it to the civilians. But in the meantime, the French RTP had done preliminary studies and handed over. [size=10pt][b]Jakande came. Some people went to him and sold the idea of light municipal mass transit or something. So, he had to fall back to the RTP decisions. And we were lucky, we secured $450 million  loan at six percent fixed interest rate for 25 years. One month later, it was impossible to get such loan because of change of policy. But there we were lucky that for 25 years we would have had this at give-away. And economic studies have already shown that charging the prices people were already paying, we didn’t need subsidy. The country would benefit. They looked at Abidjan and Cairo. Abidjan wasn’t quite ready. So, Cairo. They started designing Lagos and Cairo the same time. Then people"(Buhari/Idiagbon)" did coup against Shagari and decided to cancel the project of which we had already paid 15 percent per $60 million. Work had started in Yaba. They then took us to court and they found us guilty naturally and fined us $60 million. I am sure that’s part of what we settled finally in the Paris Club debt.

It must have become $3 billion dollars and not one kilometer was constructed. You can see the stupidity and how we waste money. But these same characters — then, we had not gone back to civilian rule —  were very happy in 1990 to be honoured guests in Cairo at  the commissioning  of Cairo Mass Transit which has made all the difference to Cairo! We are not ashamed. They all went there. Maybe they did not know what they were doing. How can   a country lose time, lose treasure? And they have brilliant Nigerians manning places abroad. Then as a country we make ourselves objects of ridicule.[/b]

They showed me what they are planning now. I am not opposed to it. Half bread is better than none. Let it go ahead. By now we should have been extending the previous plan towards Okokomaiko and Victoria Garden City.

That would have removed two- thirds of the cars from the road on a week day.



http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=38356:how-nigeria-became-prodigal-nation-by-asiodu&catid=104:sunday-magazine&Itemid=567#comments

The greatest resource that exists is knowledge. Knowledge as a resource far outstrips any raw material beneath the ground!!

Countries like South Korea, Singapore, Japan and other countries that have made great success in this half century had little or no raw materials.

Countries like Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Venezuela, Iran etc that have massive resources underground, have nothing to show!! Infact European and American countries benefit more financially from countries with resources! They are represented by the likes of Shell, Chevron, etc!


To think about it, Apple, Google, Microsoft have built companies that are far larger than many countries with huge natural resources! And they did it all with knowledge!!

honeric01:
Before you call me a liar, ANSWER JUST ONE QUESTION:

WHEN WAS THE LAST FUEL SCARCITY PERIOD? (the last time we had fuel scarcity in Nigeria) just answer that and we'd find out who's lying and who's not.

Thank you. (BTW, YOU ARE RUNNING FROM THE LOADS OF QUESTIONS I ASKED YOU, BUT YOU'RE HERE TO JUMP ON ONE MERE POINT WHICH I'M ABOUT TO PROVE YOU WRONG ON).

Honeric01, you can argue every other point against Jonathan, but not this one! Without any doubt, Jonathan was fully responsible for the end in fuel crisis.
One of the worst fuel crisis we experienced was at the peak of the Yar Adua Saudi saga. As soon as he took over as acting president, the fuel scarcity came to an end and its been about a year since then and we haven't had a single fuel scarcity since!
Ask any Okada rider or taxi driver and they wold tell you how its been great since Jonathan came in. They've never had tio by fuel above 65 naira!
These are the people that will vote in the elections and they wold srely be voting for Jonathan.

monkeyleg:
Still no congent answer from Beaf and co.

There is no better answer than the one given by Ribadu which Beaf has posted!! Ribadu's answer should serve as the last word on all these stupid beer parlor allegations for two straight reasons! 1) Ribadu wants Jonathan's job and should naturally use these to his advantage if they werew true! But no, he didn't because they are not true! 2)Ribadu knows better than any other Nigerian if these corruption allegations are true or not! He said They are not true!! Period!!

@Topic
Monkeyleg, while I completely agree with you that we shouldn't base our judgments on sentiments, I think your question should also apply to those who believe in Ribadu, Buhari, Shekarau and the rest!
Many people that believe in Buhari have this perception that the man would fight corruption. Fine!Would you prefer that the man fights corruption and destroys the economy with his welfarist mentality? Or do they think that his socialist approach to governance would create jobs in Nigeria
Or do Ribadu's supporters ever ask themselves why despite his 5 year stint as Anti-corruption Czar, Nigeria still remains one of the most corrupt countries in the world? Can they please ask why in 5 years as chairman of EFCC he arrested less than 10 politicians in a country where almost all of the over 1000 elected officials are extremely corrupt?


The reasons I will support Jonathan are simple:
1) His power sector reforms are by a long shot the best compared to the other politicians
2) His election would signal a death knell to the backward born to rule mentality that was instituted by Ahmadu Bello
3) Pro Private sector!! Jonathan is extremely pro private sector! His actions have shown that he believes in less Government and more business!
4)The Niger Delta! Surely this is something that has dragged for too long! For the first time in half a decade, there is less turbulence in the region!!
5)He delivered on his three promises when he took over- INEC, Power and the Niger Delta!! For the first time in a while we are hoping for a truly fair election!!

I like Ribadu and Buhari also (slightly)  but I don't trust their capacity in Economics. If El Rufai were on the ballot mixed out with Duke as VP or vice versa, then surely I would take that over Uncle Joe!

tensor777:
Again you totally miss the point. The "salvation" of Nigeria if you want to call it that will only happen if the people themselves are ready to change. That goes far far beyond keeping government officials in check.
What are you even saying. You expect government officials to develop Nigeria or make you rich?  
Face your business and stop pointing fingers at government officials.

Excellent point you made there!! I keep telling people that it is not the Government that makes countries great! It is the people for crying out loud!! People are expecting waayyy to much from Government forgetting that the Government didn't bring them into existence!!
Government has it's responsibilities and has surely performed poorly in most cases. However, the people have as much responsibility towards developing society and in Nigeria we the people have performed poorly as well.

We expect Government to create jobs but always forget to ask how!! Truth is, the Government's responsibility is to create an enabling environment while the entrepreneurs create the jobs!! In Nigeria, there are much more opportunities than there are entrepreneurs to take them.

I am not trying to absolve Government of its failures, but we the people have to quit this negativity syndrome and start asking ourselves what we can do to contribute to our collective development. Until then, our moral justification for criticizing Government looses its verve!