₦airaland Forum

Pharoh:
He is going to do that under the legitimate entity that should have conducted this debate which is BON in conjunction with other local stations. It is coming up on the 29th of this month and this nn24 is a new private station that does not have any form of national coverage.

Well, about more days to go for that debate, two weeks after that, elections. Would be amusing if the guys that turned up today don't show up for that one.

@eku bear said

Well, Shekarau's main point is that (A) I've already solved a similar problem in my own state (B) inclusiveness was a key tool I used, making sure everyone gets to share and feel as if they are not being marginalized. I did this concretely in my own cabinet by appointing Igbo, Yoruba, Ijaw, etc.

That at least sketches out the idea of a solution.

Ribadu gave empty platititudes.


Dude, keep in mind that I'm an ACN supporter! But I'm also trying to be honest and fair. Ribadu did not do well in my opinion. Simple as that.

Jos is not Kano. The situation is different. Jos is a majority christian state being apparently invaded by outside forces that seem bent on grabbing a much bigger stake in lands not theirs, and imposing more of their will on the indeginous community, with apparent collusion by the Nigerian state and military. How is that like Kano?

ROSSIKE:
Look at it objectively, Jonathan probably made the right decision not to attend this debate.

He leads all national polls at present. He stood to lose more by attending! The likes of Buhari and 'Rabid' Ribadu would have laced into him at every opportunity. Yeah. Great thing he stayed well away!  

GEJ/Sambo 2011

So in a nutshell he prioritised political survival over defending his candidacy and vision for the nation under arguably more in-depth scrutiny?

Newscaster:
Onyenso Kaycee

I noticed that most people agree that Shekarau won the debate (I also agree) but they still want to proceed to vote Buhari or Ribadu. Isn't it quite obvious now that an excellent debate is not the yardstick? If GEJ was there, all you GEJ haters would have picked out any small mistakes he makes and state them as reasons why you won't vote for him. So, probably GEJ was wise to have avoided this debate. Whether he debates or not, minds are already made up. This debate changed nothing! GEJ will still win by a landslide - Buhari and Ribadu will share the crumbs! Simple,  I'm going to bed!

Does not justify his absence, if anything it could be seen as slight disdain for the Nigerian populace. I was never really convinced about Ribadu running for presidency so I am not surprised with what seems to be the consensus on his performance. People who intend to still vote for Buhari even if Shekarau (from what I read) won the debate might simply be strategic so votes are not split amongst two northern candidates (by ethnically driven voters). It is a shame though because I heard him on hard talk and he was well spoken and seemed to be able to defend himself with sound logic. Over the coming weeks Shekarau will definitely be more closely scrutinised. Now, off to go look for video uploads of the debate. . . .

I can't believe I missed this!!!

Ribadu might be eroding his support with his own utterances. I thought Buhari and Ribadu would understand that some of the support Jonathan receives is due to the fact that he is not a "northern" candidate and hence a perceived break from the worn out zoning idealogy people were getting fed up with and wanted to fight against. Making such utterances might just lose him support of some who might have despite the urge to fight against zoning, still supported him. Zoning is no longer a popular idealogy and anyone even remotely alluding to such (either directly or indirectly) by their actions or utterances should be prepared to lose some progressive support (but possibly gain ethnically driven support). If Buhari even makes this mistake it might cost him. We need a president of Nigeria, not one of the north or south (if not you might as well split the darn thing up).

egift:
Atleast by ensuring that the election is free, fair and credible - such that Nigerians elect someone and their votes count. Let the masses have their say 

Vote integrity - Vote Buhari - Lets fix a Nigeria that will work for everyone.

I admire some of the zeal with which some posters have pursued the task of working towards getting Buhari elected, I do. But let us be careful here especially since we are talking of Nigeria. Voting integrity does not equate to voting Buhari and selling things like that is dangerous because using that reasoning if Buhari loses to Jonathan or Ribadu then the election was definitely rigged according to that logic. It might shock you to know that Jonathan actually has supporters. What might even shock you more if you are willing to open your eyes is that PDP has substantial footsoldiers that go to rural areas to solicit votes. People focus way too much attention on the urban areas and use crowd turn outs in such areas to guage popularity of a candidate which is not necessarily the case as the past Delta state elections should show. If there should be any claim of electoral rigging or post election violence based on that belief, it should be because you have evidence or something to that effect, not simply because the candidate you thought would win or wanted to win didn't win. At the end of the day election is majority wins and letting it stand. Even if Nigerians decide to vote in satan or hitler as president you would simply have to live with it.

Blackteeth:
We can all still remember how obj single handedly selected and installed Yar'adua as his successor, and it suggests that a Nigerian president can play a huge role to decide who succeeds him. If this is the case, it means that Buhari is a big key towards a very bright future for Nigeria. The reason I said he is the big key is due to the fact that if he gets elected and exhausts his tenure as president, he would make sure that someone as honest and competent as he is will succeed him. And when his successor completes his tenure, he would also ensure that another honest leader emerges as president, and it goes on and on to make Nigeria have a dynasty of very good leaders.

In the case of Jonathan, he is not as honest as buhari, and wouldnt mind handing over to a crook at the end of his tenure. And when this happens, Nigeria will be doomed to have a dynasty of crooks as leaders going by the system of selection and installation of successors in Nigerian politics.

Vote wisely.

Apologies because I don't know how best to put this, but what a silly reason. Buhari would "make sure" he hands over to someone as honest as him? How? What about letting the people actually voting in who they want and whoever wins the election is handed power, how about that? Are we not tired of this god fatherism culture already? I hope you are not on the Buhari campaign team because with such reasoning you might not be doing him any favours especially when he has tried to break any link with anything that alludes to dictatorship.

[quote author=Em-my link=topic=622007.msg7895728#msg7895728 date=1299923317]5) END TO THE SEVEN POINTS AGENDA OF THE YAR'ADUA GOVERNMENT.
The best ever seen policy of a civilian government is that of Late Umaru Musa Yaradua.
Since a major member of the administation is in the race, why Buhari; who will wipe those plans as he will introduce his new policies.[/quote]What a complete and utter joke. Do people have amnesia or something?

aisha2:
8:36pm
Pastor Bakare's opening speech, "PDP's absence is arrogance of impunity"

Where exactly are you watching it because there is nothing on NN23 or Channel TV online (they are showing something else)?

Gbawe:
You see what usually happens ? You are going off in another tangent . We are talking about GEJ avoiding a debate other Presidential candidates are happy to attend and issues suddenly concerning posting videos? My point was and remains that :
Lets not muddy the water. Ribadu and Shekarau deserve credit , amongst those invited to attend, for stating unequivocally and democratically that they will attend and subject themselves to any questions asked in a political debate. Jonathan is merely relying on doing things the PDP way that got a chronically ill Yar Adua over the line. That was 4 years ago and Jonathan may be lacking vision not seeing that failing to attend this debate may lose him appreciable support. Simple . Lets not make this about videos of anyone speaking anywhere. Let us stay on course and talk of this the possible reasons for Jonathan to be avoiding facing other Presidential candidates.

You said Jonathan cannot sell himself to Nigerians because he is not confident to speak in front of the camera. I said to be fair none of the major three candidates have been able to really sell themselves or vision (beyond vague platitudes) in front of a camera but you are welcome to prove me wrong by showing a video. How is that off tangent? Didn't you bring the issue of selling one's self in front of a camera? You know what? Let us call it a day because this seems to be going down a very familiar path so please just forget it. Maybe its my lack of comprehension, put it down to whatever, I am not really bothered. I just don't feel like having one of those arguments with you anymore. Please just ignore my posts. Your point has been taken.

Gbawe:
I think you use "selling your vision" to mean a candidate revealing his plans for the nation. That can be done through a manifesto . Ribadu has a clear manifesto in place for anyone who cares to look for it so it is incorrect to say you dont think "all major candidates (except Utomi) have been able to sell any vision void of vague platitude in front of a camera.". This , from Utomi's website, is what I assume to be his manisfesto : http://utomifornigeria.com/issues . Utomi does not address key issues (security, power, etc) as specifically as Ribadu's does in his manifesto so , right now, it can be stated[b] factually [/b] that Ribadu is currently "selling himself" better than Utomi who appears to offer "vague platitudes" . The same same can be said of GEJ i.e "vague platitudes" in place of solid plans.

In any case I use, "selling yourself" , via participation in a debate against other candidates,  totally differently .  In a debate Nigerians can see how effectively the various contenders understand the problems facing the nation and how they candidate can speak , impromptu, to demonstrate they have effective solutions for those problems . Ribadu is ready to debate and take questions from Nigerians while GEJ is not . Yesterday Ribadu , Utomi and Shekarau showed up to talk of their plans at a forum in Abuja. They had been invited to do so along with Buhari and GEJ. Buhari and GEJ did not show up and they did not offer any reason for not showing up . People can make what they wan't of that. My point , I think you misunderstand , is that Jonathan is over-reliant on winning the PDP way without having the "vision" to see that times have changed. Ribadu , Utomi and Shekarau show they understand that times have changed . showing belief in best current democratic practices can only demonstrate that some candidates are perhaps more democratic than others who want top positions yet are not ready to work for it perhaps because of the sole belief in Party structure , as an election winner , ahead of everything else.

Out of all the people who aspired to the presidential office, Atiku had the most articulate manifesto, that is beside the point. As I stated earlier, anyone can be hired to write a manifesto. I don't argue that to be the case, but I think it cannot be a replacement for speaking in plain terms and vocally articulating your ideas to the people. In that regards, sorry to say this, but neither Ribadu or Buhari or Jonathan have fared anywhere near brilliantly (to be kind) in this regards. You can post a video link or something of that nature where speeches rise above vague platitudes to prove me wrong though. I am quite happy to reconsider.

youngies:
Anyone know the time for the debate?

6pm Nigerian time. I think like the past debates, it should be available on channel tv online. About half an hour left before they start.

Chuks84:
Its unfortunate. This is the kind of president we're saddled with. Does he suffer from stage fright or what? see the flimsy reasons they're giving us and some nitwits are still trying to defend him here. I've come to the conclusion that GEJ supporters are either intellectually deficient or mentally not-so-smart. I see no reason why any sane person would continue to support this fraud despite his numerous gaffes.

I think in your tunnel vision approach you might be failing to see something. I don't think it would be as easy as you think to reel out posts from diverse sources that claim Jonathan to be the person Nigeria needs now. Personally I would rather have Pat Utomi anyday, the problem is can he win? It is unfortunate that people have been made to think along these lines but that is the truth. I think you might be confusing people selecting their perceived lesser of three evils as a clear vote of confidence for any choice. Personally I can't see myself advocating Ribadu, why on earth would I do that when he has Tinubu behind him and it even appeared to be a fight to pick his own choice of VP when it went against Tinubu's wishes? The ideal case for me has always been Utomi or someone of that nature, the one to settle for has been between Buhari and Jonathan. So you might think Buhari (an ex military dictator) the man Nigeria needs right now but not everybody does and failing to see that only makes you look more partisan and petty than level headed and unbiased. Heck if Jonathan seems a falling ship I might even start campaigning for Utomi as a moral stand (even if Buhari would probably win). If Buhari ends up winning it, well, it could be much much worse and hopefully we would get to see this whole "discipline and magic" people have been quick to assure us he can perform.

Nigeria is yet to see ideal solid candidates with solid fighting chances of attaining such lofty positions via a ballot box.

Gbawe:
I don't think so . I think Jonathan , in testimony to his lack of vision, just failed to grasp that things are slightly different to when OBJ foisted Yar Adua on Nigeria. A day is a long time in politics. Just ask Mubarak . It may no longer be okay for Nigeria to gain a taciturn recluse like Yar Adua as its President . Jonathan misjudged issues completely when he relied on the PDP platform alone to get him over the line rather than his own performance in office and ability to sell himself as winning tools. As per performance in office , he has already lost the election. He cannot sell himself to Nigerians because he is not confident in front of the camera and he has to be forced to speak in public.  He will not show up for any debates . You guys are simply wasting your time.

Unfortunately I don't think any of the major candidates (except Utomi) have been able to sell any vision void of vague platitudes in front of a camera, and we have all heard it before. Singling out not seeing any solid vision as a Jonathan trait is being a tad dishonest and mischevious. I was really hoping on a debate to really see what they were like. Anybody can hire people to write for them.

PapaBrowne:
Lets wait till the day of the debate! I still believe they will show up!

As much as possible, I try to be objective! Jonathan would have no reasonable excuse to avoid a debate that would be anchored by someone as professional as Jonathan Mann!! No silly excuse like tight campaign schedule would cut it on this one!! Thats flimsy!

However, nothing would make me blind enough to cast my vote for a known dictator/socialist/extremist who through a coup truncated Nigeria's democracy and oppressed and demoralised the true nigerian spirit of freedom and dexterity!!

I don't really understand either, is Jonathan trying to lose this election on purpose? Likewise I am going to wait for the day of the debate to see what happens.

Genbuhari3:
Hi All

If you have noticed, I don't respond to Pro-GEJ supporters again. waste of time for me. I am concentrating on the undecided and pro-Ribadu voters, and I have won many to the BB ticket, and I mean many.

You never win with Pro-GEJ people because logic and objectivity is not the basis of their support. But one thing i have noticed is while GEJ supporters are arm chair commentators and optimist (never leave their seat to convince people to vote Jonathan) the BB foot soldiers are backing their support with action.

9ijaman,

Leave them alone, guard your precious time

I assumed you were better than this.

[quote author=Chyz* link=topic=619156.msg7870153#msg7870153 date=1299586191]My brother, PDP has cheated us again. No APGA or ACN candidate is in the debate. It is obvious they only allowed candidate of unpopular political parties to enter the debate,in favor of Ohakim.This is sad. PDP must go.I am even about to Sai Buhari. [/quote]Question answered. All candidates were invited (according to channel TV) and some did not heed the call.

babytoun:
From even the opposition candidates, one easily understands that Ohakim has done quite well as governor. I am surprised though.

I am a tad skecptical about those praises, the question asked the Labour candidate by the guy in the middle was quite apt, is he begging for a job? Those questions asked the governor were weak. Ohakim is not doing terribly bad though I must admit. But then again, the labour candidate made a good point, the incumbency has statistics and information at his fingertips which the others don't neccessarily have, so don't get too dazzled by the statistics and remember the AGPA candidate (a probable solid opposition) is not there.

Labour candidate is making some good points and seems the likely challenger to Ohakim in this debate. He is making good points though a tad slowly. Government does not have to handle housing but set out a framework for the private secotr to get involved (which is essentially what he said). Good point. The only candidate bold enough to go against the norm so far.

babytoun:
Ohakim is doing fine so far.

There is still time. Can't wait till people start challenging his records, let us see if he would loose his temper (as he his known for doing). Would be interesting to know why an AGPA candidate isn't there. I don't think we should jump to assumptions though.

Ugh, the opposition is not bringing any challenge so far. Where is all the money for these proposed projects going to come from?

You had to open another thread to say it was boring?
https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-619156.0.html
Are you being forced to watch it? What is wrong with you . . . ?

bisiaet:
I can read so many hate words against this man called GEJ in the house, well everyone is entiltle to his or her opinion But I personally see some of these post as a pure hate campaing rather than just mere party supporter or party loyalist.

I discovered Nigeria is the best abusive master in the world I had gone to so many African countries and traveled to the Western world my country is number one I mean they bagged the first class award in abusive words. Whatever any one says he or she should be ready to be insulted and well abused even some in the house abuse each other parent this is so urgly indeed

Gej has just said No violence I dont think he has said anything wrong or step on anybody's toes with that statement. I dont see reason hating this man this much he is just a human like us. I'm not his party member but I dont just hate someone who has not done me any evil or wrong me this is just my person. Violence has be in politics for long so Gej is not the the man who created it and for saying what he said I dont see why I should abuse him. No matter who GEJ is he is the president of this country and to my knowledge he is not a bad guy at all in comparison to those who has ruled this country before this is the truth.

Discovered it a few months ago and just got turned off the politics section. It is okay to rubbish government through intellectual debates and arguments, but most of the posts and threads in the politics section of Nairaland for the past few months have really been an embarassment. There are reasonable arguments, but there also seems to be a much larger number of posts and threads driven by just plain and simple bigotry. 'Jonathan talks funny, his wife talks funny', as if that was ever a criteria used to judge a non performing Yar Adua and his wife who weren't exactly paragons of eloquence when they were in power. Have people even heard Buhari speak? There are arguments to be heard drowned in a sea of pettiness I really didn't think possible for this section (en masse for that matter and including some much touted "intelligent posters".

omo9ja1:
[s]The president emphasised high-economic development as a process of transforming the country. He explained that the Federal Government was working on policies and programmes that would facilitate jobs for the unemployed youths in the country[/s]

We need you to resign now and stop promising nothing, your party is a Dump to Nigeria.

If Goodluck Jonathan being president of Nigeria irritates and angers you so much then you have the opportunity to rally together people and work hard towards voting him out during the elections in a couple of months. If you can't wait two months to express your displeasure through the polls then you are more than welcome to rally together people and start your own "revolution" or protest. What is no longer palatable though is people just running their mouths when they have no intention of even getting off their lethargic backsides to go and even vote. Its like whining has become a national past time. If you don't like the state of things, then do something about it and stop boring us with these rants. It is not by force to be Nigerian.

Depends on the country of origin but funny enough I actually don't think it is that difficult to be honest. A foreigner might be perceived on a more neutral plane and might not be a victim of the level of ethnic bigotry that all the current three major candidates face. And trust Nigerians, the thinking might be, maybe he/she would be able to make Nigeria like their country of origin (if it is a developed one). When I saw the question on the thread I wasn't thinking of how impossible such a scenario would be, but rather how possible it actually seems if such a case were to arise. You must remember though that the president by law cannot have dual citizenship.

blacksta:
when did beaf become a security mai guard - Lol


I have repeatedly warned my family and close associates  - If you love your life  - please stay away from any PDP rallies - especially the GEJ Ones.

James 3:16


For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

I knew you wouldn't be long. You are just as bad as each other. Three people died and you can't keep your childish partisan bickering aside for just one day.

Beaf:
I might be wrong, but who are the natural suspects?
Just, yesterday CPC thugs killed 5 in Kaduna, far away from any campaign ground. Yesterday also, Buhari urged his followers to lynch people.
Today, they are engaged in a tussle with PDP in Niger state over campaign dates. . . Then a bomb, who is the natural suspect?

Three people lost their lives, I can't understand how you can be so flippant. Are you ever non-partisan in your commentary?

And why would CPC be the main suspect? This bombing is frightenly turning into dare I say, a culture.

[flash=400,400]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JITI0dRDjD4[/flash]

Mkpotu:
What I watched yesterday was no debate. It was as if it was a child's play. I heard one of the debaters criticizing Fashola that a wife or mother of a prominent Lagosian was finding it difficult to have an appointment with Fashola and stuffs like that, which I think infuriated the Governor.

Anyway, I am yet to see a Governorship debate that could match what they did in Anambra State in 2010 (during the Gubernatorial Election there) where all the gubernatorial candidates in the likes of Soludo, Peter Obi, Ngige, Andy Uba etc, made very sound submissions that put the electorates into dilemma of who to vote for. Everyone of them looked like a likely winner in that election especially after listening to their various manifestos and how they answered questions, though the Governor later won the election.

But what I saw yesterday, there was no seriousness on the faces of the candidates, all the same, Fashola will carry the day. Congrats!

Exactly. I don't know how having no credible opposition and only one reasonably intelligent man is in anybody's mind a bastion of democratic ideals, I just don't get it. It is absolutely nothing to be proud of. Lagos has a population of over ten million, and those were the only alternatives the people had? What a shame and an embarassment.

What on earth is happening, this is interesting. In this year alone the house of rep has passed Petroleum Industry Bill, Freedom of information bill, and now minimum wage bill? Have they just woken up? This is encouraging, but I will hold my breath till these laws are passed by the senate and signed by the president.

@ Eko Ile said

You are for Dosumu and it's OK, this is not a fight and don't let it turn into one. Please lets enjoy the debate without needless attacks,

@ hannie said

@Skyblue

Dosunmu na your elder brother ?

Because I pointed out that Dosonmu made some good points I am for Dosonmu and might be his elder brother. How terribly childish. Please grow up