₦airaland Forum

What OP failed to recognize is that, party structures, endorsements, etc do not in anyway influence votes in SW. Check the history of voting in SW. Yorubas treat endorsements with skepticism. To them if you endorse someone, you must have collected something. Some Yorubas will remember "demo mo wa." You may see my hand but you cant see my mind. That's yoruba for you. Even those going about endorsing Jonathan may end up voting otherwise. A Yoruba person will vote for his or her conscience. Not blindly follow any leader. This so called masterpiece is flawed, lacking both empirical and historical references.

Boss13:
This is a beautiful writeup.

Thank you

“If you talk about ownership of private jets, Nigeria will be among the first 10 countries, yet they are saying that Nigeria is among the five poorest countries." President Goodluck Jonathan

Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson in their masterpiece, Why Nations Fail, made a distinction between extractive and inclusive economies. An extractive economy puts economic and political power in the hands of few people thus ensuring their prosperity at the expense of many others. While an inclusive economy creates political and economic structures that strengthen the capacities of every individual to participate, innovate and bring about personal and collective well- being, an extractive economy is designed to support a few opportune persons who hold political power and their associates to convert commonwealth to personal possessions whilst majority flounder in the valley of want, poverty and hopelessness.

Nigeria since its return to democracy has been posting some remarkable economic results. The average economy growth rate, for more than a decade, is seven percent. Recently, the country rebased its economy and came out with a whooping 510 billion Naira!, making it the largest economy in Africa and 26th in the world. Bloomberg, in a new survey, projected Nigeria as one of the fastest growing economies in the world. PWC, in its own estimates, projected that Nigeria could attain top 10 status by 2050. By these estimates, for both present and future, Nigeria is a rich country, well endowed in natural and human resources. And consequently, we have seen an upsurge in the number of rich Nigerians. We, today, have Nigerians ranked amongst the richest in the world. The likes of Dangote, Otedola, Alakija, Adenuga, Ovia are few examples. In 2013, the Kenyans witnessed an unprecedented display of wealth and luxury when the Nigerian President led an entourage of corporate executives and government functionaries to the east African country in a fleet of private jets. By all means, we are a rich country.

The flip reality of the Nigerian story shows a country with growing unemployment and extreme poverty. 23 percent are unemployed and 33 percent live in abject poverty. Over 60 percent of Nigerian youth roam the street in search for Jobs. The recent FRSC recruitment scandal depicted the true picture of unemployment situation in the country. Worse is the level of underemployment, a situation where many Nigerians are forced to engage in employment with wages not enough to take care of their basic needs. The country still ranks 153 out of 186 countries in UN's Human Development Index. Basic amenities like constant electricity, effective transportation system, robust public education, basic health facilities remain elusive in a country with vast resources.

We cannot talk about the impressive growth of Nigeria's economy without talking about its failures to translate this into an economy for all. We cannot talk about the number of Nigerians who own private jets without talking about the number of Nigerians who find it difficult to feed their children daily. We may talk about the number of custom made i-phones distributed to guests during our president's daughter's wedding as long as we talk about Iya Muri's untimely death caused by her inability to pay her medical bills. We have succeeded in creating two economies in one country. One for the rich and powerful and the other for the masses, a twisted Pareto principle where only a few enjoy the wealth of the nation. Inequality has reached an all time high. What is good for the goose, in our country, is only for the goose. The gander must be high to think he deserves the good too.

We must, as General Buhari rightly said, address the issue of unemployment, poverty and inequality. We must create an inclusive economy that encourages healthy competition, provides incentives for innovation and investment, and offers equal opportunity for all. These are achieved by robust political participation and deepened democracy, where the people- rich and poor- ultimately hold the power. They can if not satisfy with an administration change it to another through the only power they have-their votes.

The present administration and the ones before it have all failed to address the disproportionate distribution of wealth in the country. While we keep churning out paper growth, our people are still held down in the bondage of hopelessness and perpetual misery. The forth coming election is an opportunity for the country to either set a new direction for bridging the gap between the 'over-haves' and have-nots, or maintain the status quo. The destiny of this great nation lies with our votes and the choice we make come March 28, 2015. Nigeria's economy will keep growing irrespective of who is in power. The question is, what will be your place in it?

Is anybody watching this award? October 1 is killing the all! Kunle, you are to much!

[size=8pt][/size] I have read a lot of comments about Asiwaju Ahmed Bola. Many people believe that he is corrupt. If truely he is, then Jonathan is indeed clueless. With all the security agencies at his disposal, he could not come after Tinubu. The best he can come up with is to harrass the man with soldiers. Tinubu remains the strongest member and perhaps the biggest financier of APC (so was he during Nadeco days). Taming him could have at least limit APC.

Tinubu is either smart enough or may not be as corrupt as we all think.

Feel free to comment, criticize, insult or commend.

Olorunsogo is one of the NIPP initiated by OBJ when he was about to conclude his second term. Jonathan is just commissioning this 7 years after. A project that should have been done in 2 years.

Honestly, if we begin to count the cost of what Jonathan has done to this country, it will take the grace of God to get us out of this mess. The fallen oil prices has really revealed how wasteful his govt has been. For over five years of being in power, all price was at no time below 100 dollars. We could have saved up more than 100 billion dollars. This could have since us through this difficult time. We cannot as a nation continued this way. If we can reduce corruption by at least 50 percent, our story will definitely change.

WhiteTechnology:
Omo Owambe

You are wrong

#5000×25 000 000= #125 000 000 000 per month

And #1.5tr per year


You pass basic maths at all

Yes, I got the calculations wrong. 1.5 trillion for the poorest in the land is an investment worthwhile. The kids will go to school, be immunized and young Nigerians will be trained. These people will become competent and productive citizens. They are mostly likely to avoid picking up arms against the state and can meaningfully contribute to the development of the country. I fully support this programme. Only a handful rich have had access to the country's wealth through stealing. The money stolen so far in Jonathan's adminstration alone can sustain the programme for another at 10 years.

The Welfare program will cost the govt about 800 million naira monthly. That is less than 20 million dollars oil money missing. Or less than Jonathan's food budget for the year. Are we saying our government cannot afford one billion naira a month to assist the poorest amongst us? It is a programme that is sustainable.

By definition, evil is when you loot the national treasury and have to negotiate with your self- pride and self worth to avoid jail. Light is when you, irrespective of your religious and ethnic inclinations, join hands with other people to rescue your country from corrupt and selfish leaders.

one apple without CPU. Chai! I don die

slimmy05:
Watery profile. There is nothing unique about the profile. Anyone who has the power will definitely do more that these crap. The funny aspect is adding physiotherapy to that rubbish cosmetology. Anyone can be a cosmetologist, there is no damn biggie in it.

That profile doesn't even equal a successful women with the likes of Dora Akuyili, Obi Ezekwesili, and Ngozi Okonjo Iweala(these are professors and consultants).

Our Patience has all the power, yet she is sharing blood. You cant give what you do not have.

author=WombRaiders post=27829834]

useless ediot show me the factories taht your janjawiid party built in osun, oyo, lagos and ekiti

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see your useless fayemi's legacy to his impoverished people at 50 million naira a piece[/quote]Name calling reavels nothing but ur mental capacity. People like u always remind me of my pry sch days

Another white elephant project with no direct impact on the people. How many times will the stadium be used in a year? Build factories instead where the people can work everyday of the year.

Femi has just exhibited the traits of his payers. Tribal scentiments! He can speak for himself and his household, not for the yorubas. Yorubas will vote for whoever they think will give them good governance without recourse to ethnicity.

If we check the history of electioneering in south west, we would see that the people there will vote for whoever will give them good governance. The Yorubas voted for Jonathan simply because they thought he had a poor background and could identify with the common people. He has proven them wrong by his bad governance. Buhari is fast becoming a viable option to many people in SW. The only places Jonathan stands any chance are Ekiti and Ondo; not because of his personality but because of Mimiko and Fayose.

Never in the history of this country have we had any head of state that is more interested in politics more than governance. I pity this country.

I am really happy about this topic. There are three people I wish to meet before they die. Mandela, Obansanjo and Obama. Mandela is dead now. I hope I'd meet Baba soon o. He recently mentioned that nothing has improved in the power sector. The NIPPs he started just before he left power have not been completed up till today. Those alone can give us more than 10000MW. We cannot begin to mention the many reforms OBJ brought to our economy. He strengthen our public institutions and surrounded himself with technocrats and best brains in the land. Our dear Jonathan is surrounded by sychophants and fools. Obj's eight years gave us a leap and brought back the middle class. I was part of those who rejected the 3rd term agenda. Now I wish he succeeded.

BigBashiru:
The Bible speaks of a mark of the beast and a number of his name.

Ladies and gentlemen, cbn is bvn is the number of the name of the beast but not its mark.

You cannot buy or sell without it. It's not the mark though so this one is not a hell ticket.

For you mind now, you have made a discovery.
Are you planning to be around then? My bible tells me that this will happen after the rapture. Why bother yourself and others with your cock and bull discovery?

This propaganda is getting stale. Nobody can single-handedly islamise Nigeria and we all know this.

When many northerners were joining the military, southerners where pursuing other interests. Many of the SMC where the highest ranking officers in the Military. It was never a question of tribe but of rank. Twist it the way you want it. Military has its own standards and will be judge by that. This trend has achieving nothing but shown that the writer cannot see beyond tribal scentiments. Buhari's personality and records transcends all of these. He gets my vote.

Buhari-Fashola is the perfect fit for the Opposition. APC will win with a landslide if this happens. For people that think that a muslim/muslim ticket wont work should go back to Hope 93. Yorubas are generally a tolerant people. They have transcended beyond religious lines. They will vote for whoever they think will give them good governance. I am not sure if SE and SS will be able to see beyond religious and tribal sentiments but SW is always the battleground. I will urge many people to see beyond these sentiments and do what is right. I pray Buhari and Fashola ticket emerges. We shall then see an end to a clueless, purposeless, corruption ridden government.

I have read many comments on different social media platforms on the next presidential elections and I believe this is good for our democracy. Many of us here were not born when GMB ruled or were little to really experience what happened during his short tenure as a military head of state. So what we have is history. I have a few thoughts and I hope this will help us decide who to vote for in the coming general elections.

First of all, what do we really want as a nation? what do want our country to do for us? What do we require of our leadership? Secondly, What is our biggest headache (or greatest problem) facing us as a nation? I will leave the first question to all of us to answer. To answer the second question, I would say leadership; not corruption, impunity, terrorism nor religion. Leadership. Is this present administration really leading or drowning us? Do we need a change? If we do, what kind of change do we need?

Now, this is what I think. The present administration has a litany of goofs and mishaps which has made us a spectacle of ridicule in the community of nations. We have MAULAG, "diaris god o," #bringbackjonathan2015, cure for ebola, "corruption is not stealing, etc. Nigeria has never, in the history of our existence, had a purposeless, vision-less, reactive and unenthusiastic leadership. We may have had corrupt, brutal and unpopular leaderships in the past, but never purposeless, never vision-less. They always stand for something. Jonathan's administration is also stinking. If we are going to label this government with a name, the best pick would be corruption. Malibu scam, pension scams, 20 billion dollars oil scam, cash for job scandal- FRSC, fuel subsidy, 9.2 billion cash in SA and many more. Jonathan has only six years and we have never had it this bad in any democratically elected government. Oh, don't forget state pardon given to wanted criminals who looted our treasury. In all of this, no single person have been jailed. This is sad. We cannot deny that Jonathan did some good. Yes, youwin, agriculture, automotive policy, etc. But has he provided us with the right leadership we need? I would say no.

Now to General Buhari, whose declaration for the ultimate public position in Nigeria has got a lot of Nigerians thinking, I will give you some reasons why I will vote for him. Firstly, no politician, dead or alive, can contest his integrity. He is known for his incorruptible personality. He had many opportunities to retire in nauseating vanity like many of his contemporaries but he chose to be honourable. Secondly, does anybody truly believer that one person can 'islamise' Nigeria? This country will burn to the ground before that ever happens. I have heard some people say that Buhari is an extremist. That he will turn Nigeria into an islamic state. This is democracy for crying out loud! We have a constitution and a legislative arm of government. If it were possible for a president to single handedly make such decision, then Obasanjo could have had his way for a third term. Another bone of contention is his age. Many believe he is too old to rule Nigeria. We have examples of both old and young leaders in this country who never did us any good. Leadership is never a question of age but a question of character. Mandela became SA's president at 77. My people say if we don't know where we are going, we at least know where we are coming from. I will vote for Buhari and I will encourage you to also.

#kickoutjonathan2015

dayosaurus: Bros, you can lie ooo... which port have been decongested??, apapa-oshodi has been under going repairs for years. Lagos to ibadan is now 4 hours, how can lagos to Onitsha be 6hours?? most of what you wrote here are lies and half-truths
..

If you count these as achievements then you have a twisted understand of what development is really. Even Abacha built roads. What is the conditions of lives of Nigerians? Have their lives really improved since he became President? Can you honestly answer that? Can we say Nigeria is better than what it was 7, 8 years ago?

[quote author=omenka][/quote]I really do not understand your logic. Jonathan being a lesser evil? So you think boko haram is our biggest problem in this country? Far from it. Corruption kills thousands of people everyday in this country. Can you begin to count the cost of human potentials that have been lost to this epidemic? How many dreams and aspirations will ever remain unrealized because some few individuals are stealing the commonwealth of this nation? Insecurity and other seemingly bigger evils are all tied to this singular virus in our system. Jonathan's administration is stinking. Can you imagine? The guy released some billions of Naira to fight Ebola. Lagos, which still remains the only state with recorded cases of the outbreak, has not received a dime. So where is the Federal Govt using the funds? Aso Rock? I beg make the guy go siddon. His govt. is stinking.

Our president is interested in only one thing; being the president. Anybody that can fuel this interest can get away with anything. Posterity will always judge. I know one day Nigerians attitude towards corruption will change and all these sycophants will have their proper place in the history of this country.

odun4love: ;I smell e-war...........!!!





The president is good..... But bad people surround him....

Show me your friends and I will show you who you are!