₦airaland Forum

@manuch, you live in London and you are telling who wins election in Nigeria. On what basis are you talking? Feelers from PDP?

PDP will win Kaduna and the state almost went up in fire with curses been rained on GEJ/PDP when an election that is not even Guber/presidential election was postponed yesterday.

PDP will win in Nasarawa and GEJ was stoned when he went there for campaign? PDP will win Akwa Nbom? Then why is PDP detaining the gov candidate of ACN?

PDP will win in Adamawa - have you ever been to that state and see the apathy people have for PDP and support for Marwa?

Buhari's track record attracted me to support Buhari/Bakare 2011. As a head of state, as PTF chairman, as a governor and as a minister.

Anywhere this man finds himself, he leaves an indelible mark.

He did all these without enriching himself.

Has got no account or property abroad.

He didnt built a presidential palace for himself like the other former head of states - IBB, OBJ, etc. The man lives in a modest house and lives a spartan lifestyle.

The man will not dying or wine with the know corrupt elements in the system.

He mingles freely with all - the poor, the middle class and the rich.

The man represents the real definition of leadership.

It tells you people don't trust their leaders - which is like a vote of no convidence on the current government. It is sad that things have degerated to this level of followers not trusting anything their leaders say.

Most acceptable where? - He will get the least votes in SW. Note it down and read the below.

By Dele Sobowale - from a Yoruba writer. I have not seen any journalist from SW writing in favor of either PDP or Jonathan.
“Once to every man and woman comes the moment to decide, in the strife of truth with falsehood, for the good or evil side.”
James Russell Lowell, 1819-1891.
(VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS, p.254).

“0805-020-8987″

“My last born is now 19 years old. He has just told me he will vote, but wants to know who to vote for. I said I thought Jonathan is a wimp. Buhari is arrogant, aloof and ignorant of his rigid wicked selectivity. Ribadu is a deluded megalomaniac. He basks in the power and privilege of his lineage and former office. Okotie is as pretentious now in his pronouncement as he was as a singer! So, brother, how do we help our son pick a candidate to give his vote? Give him a name please, not a guideline. He needs a voice to follow at this age. You are it! He believes in you!”

By August of this year, it will be 17 years since I first appeared on this page. It all seems like yesterday. In all those years, I have never received a text message which touched me so much because none had challenged me so profoundly as the one above. To be quite candid, my heart raced suddenly. As a father and grandfather myself, my youngest daughter will be 16 in November, and the grandchildren are multiplying.

Reading that text over and over again, I suddenly realised that I have acquired a son, even if I don’t know him yet. But, that does not matter now. What the sender has asked me to do is to give the same answer to “our son”, and I heartily claim him, as I would give to all my own kids. That is a great challenge; but a reasonable one. After all, my children and grandchildren, as well as all of my readers, God willing, will live in the Nigeria which the candidate of my choice will create – if he wins the elections. We are co-travellers in the statecraft named NIGERIA. The consequences of our choice on election day will be felt by all –including the winner himself and his family (eg. power failure).

Although, I was enjoined not to give guidelines, I will plead for understanding, if that instruction is not strictly followed. And, I hope when this is over, all my readers, whether they agree with my choice or not, will understand the decision rules, or guidelines, I followed in reaching the decision. At all times I am guided by principles –right or wrong.

Months before the candidates for the leading parties emerged, I conducted a survey to determine the issues Nigerians felt were the most important. Time and space do not permit me to render the full report.

But, by a wide margin, 38 per cent, corruption came first. Security came second at 23 per cent; power supply and jobs were neck and neck, in third position. Personally, I would have placed security first; but a honest researcher does not cheat on the outcome of a survey. Thereafter, it was a matter of waiting for the candidates to emerge to determine who, in my view, is best placed to tackle the issues Nigerians felt were important to them. This is very important; I don’t depend on my intuitions alone.

I also added one personal, and, therefore, subjective, condition for myself when the time came for selection. I will not vote for any PDP candidate, irrespective of who or where he/she comes from. Twelve years and N30 trillion have gone down the drain in Nigeria under PDP; it is time for a radical change. The party is totally corrupt. So, those who have attempted to make mileage out of my “hatred” for Jonathan are deluding themselves. Alhaji Atiku is a friend; but even he would not have received my vote if he is the PDP candidate. I know the Turaki will understand.

I was, and still am, willing to forgive any other short-coming, but not involvement in and association with a corrupt party. And, the reason is simple. Out of the almost N30 trillion which passed through PDP hands in 12 years, close to N10 trillion cannot be accounted for and the remaining N20 trillion had been squandered.

These people from the Executive to the legislature and even their appointees in the judiciary have openly robbed us without remorse (see the Bode George judgment and reception). More to the point, Jonathan had been part of it; from Bayelsa to Abuja. And, he has succumbed to Obasanjo – who has presided over the most corrupt government in Nigeria’s history – including Abacha’s regime. Show me your friends and I will tell you who you are. Nobody who has made himself a stooge of Obasanjo will ever receive my vote –even if he is my twin-brother.

I am running out of time and space; so, let me fast-forward this piece though I will like my son and other people to understand fully the basis of choice. As the text made clear, each of the candidates, mentioned, and even those ignored, has weaknesses. We need not allow arguments about the characterisation of each candidate to delay us here. The very valid point the sender is making is simple – there is no ideal candidate; no angels among them.

To adopt the language of one of my real professions, not journalism but marketing, there is no perfect brand. Selection among various brands (read candidates) is often based on need segmentation. Each consumer comes to the market (read polling booth) with a basket of needs, and under ideal circumstances (i.e. no intimidation, bribery etc), selects the candidate who will best fulfill many of those needs. Sometimes we get it wrong or are deceived by promises. But rational people should focus on their needs. Otherwise we get trapped in the sentiments of tribe, religion, party, etc.

So, given that caveat, let me start with my candidate’s faults as I perceive them. I totally agree with the text message that Gen. Buhari is aloof and sometimes arrogant. He is also disciplined to the point of rigidity. His commitment to a multi-religious and multi-ethnic society such as Nigeria is suspect.

But, he has some achievements to his credit which temper my fears in that regard. He also has the baggage of his military past to carry and perhaps, he needs to convince Nigerians more, including me that he can shed the excess. I can go on listing seriatim all his faults real or imagined. So, in making this choice, I am taking a risk – but a calculated one. Calculated because I also know that lined against Gen. Buhari’s faults are the positive attributes (honesty, self-discipline and patriotism) that Nigeria needs at this time.

In short, I have made him my choice because he is the man whose time has come. If corruption is our number one problem, and even Obasanjo said that in the interview he granted to CNN in 1999, then the man to start the process of reparation of our stolen wealth and who can immediately halt more malfeasance is Buhari. Jonathan and Ribadu at the Federal level and Shekarau at the state level have not fully given the accounts of their stewardships. The accounts of the Federal Government, including EFCC, and the states, including Kano, had not been audited since 1999. A lot more had been stolen than we know about.

And, we need the reparation, not loans to develop. Only a candidate who was not a part of the kleptomania can unravel what happened in 12 years and retrieve our money. Buhari is the man. And rest assured, if he derails, my pen like a Gatling gun is ever-ready to shoot him down and tell him where to go. There is more to say, but space and time demand I stop here. And, there will be no ill-feelings towards my son if the advice is not taken. I can make mistakes too!

I love the write up - the writer is a patroitic Nigerian.

By Dele Sobowale

“Once to every man and woman comes the moment to decide, in the strife of truth with falsehood, for the good or evil side.”
James Russell Lowell, 1819-1891.
(VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS, p.254).

“0805-020-8987″

“My last born is now 19 years old. He has just told me he will vote, but wants to know who to vote for. I said I thought Jonathan is a wimp. Buhari is arrogant, aloof and ignorant of his rigid wicked selectivity. Ribadu is a deluded megalomaniac. He basks in the power and privilege of his lineage and former office. Okotie is as pretentious now in his pronouncement as he was as a singer! So, brother, how do we help our son pick a candidate to give his vote? Give him a name please, not a guideline. He needs a voice to follow at this age. You are it! He believes in you!”

By August of this year, it will be 17 years since I first appeared on this page. It all seems like yesterday. In all those years, I have never received a text message which touched me so much because none had challenged me so profoundly as the one above. To be quite candid, my heart raced suddenly. As a father and grandfather myself, my youngest daughter will be 16 in November, and the grandchildren are multiplying.

Reading that text over and over again, I suddenly realised that I have acquired a son, even if I don’t know him yet. But, that does not matter now. What the sender has asked me to do is to give the same answer to “our son”, and I heartily claim him, as I would give to all my own kids. That is a great challenge; but a reasonable one. After all, my children and grandchildren, as well as all of my readers, God willing, will live in the Nigeria which the candidate of my choice will create – if he wins the elections. We are co-travellers in the statecraft named NIGERIA. The consequences of our choice on election day will be felt by all –including the winner himself and his family (eg. power failure).

Although, I was enjoined not to give guidelines, I will plead for understanding, if that instruction is not strictly followed. And, I hope when this is over, all my readers, whether they agree with my choice or not, will understand the decision rules, or guidelines, I followed in reaching the decision. At all times I am guided by principles –right or wrong.

Months before the candidates for the leading parties emerged, I conducted a survey to determine the issues Nigerians felt were the most important. Time and space do not permit me to render the full report.

But, by a wide margin, 38 per cent, corruption came first. Security came second at 23 per cent; power supply and jobs were neck and neck, in third position. Personally, I would have placed security first; but a honest researcher does not cheat on the outcome of a survey. Thereafter, it was a matter of waiting for the candidates to emerge to determine who, in my view, is best placed to tackle the issues Nigerians felt were important to them. This is very important; I don’t depend on my intuitions alone.

I also added one personal, and, therefore, subjective, condition for myself when the time came for selection. I will not vote for any PDP candidate, irrespective of who or where he/she comes from. Twelve years and N30 trillion have gone down the drain in Nigeria under PDP; it is time for a radical change. The party is totally corrupt. So, those who have attempted to make mileage out of my “hatred” for Jonathan are deluding themselves. Alhaji Atiku is a friend; but even he would not have received my vote if he is the PDP candidate. I know the Turaki will understand.

I was, and still am, willing to forgive any other short-coming, but not involvement in and association with a corrupt party. And, the reason is simple. Out of the almost N30 trillion which passed through PDP hands in 12 years, close to N10 trillion cannot be accounted for and the remaining N20 trillion had been squandered.

These people from the Executive to the legislature and even their appointees in the judiciary have openly robbed us without remorse (see the Bode George judgment and reception). More to the point, Jonathan had been part of it; from Bayelsa to Abuja. And, he has succumbed to Obasanjo – who has presided over the most corrupt government in Nigeria’s history – including Abacha’s regime. Show me your friends and I will tell you who you are. Nobody who has made himself a stooge of Obasanjo will ever receive my vote –even if he is my twin-brother.

I am running out of time and space; so, let me fast-forward this piece though I will like my son and other people to understand fully the basis of choice. As the text made clear, each of the candidates, mentioned, and even those ignored, has weaknesses. We need not allow arguments about the characterisation of each candidate to delay us here. The very valid point the sender is making is simple – there is no ideal candidate; no angels among them.

To adopt the language of one of my real professions, not journalism but marketing, there is no perfect brand. Selection among various brands (read candidates) is often based on need segmentation. Each consumer comes to the market (read polling booth) with a basket of needs, and under ideal circumstances (i.e. no intimidation, bribery etc), selects the candidate who will best fulfill many of those needs. Sometimes we get it wrong or are deceived by promises. But rational people should focus on their needs. Otherwise we get trapped in the sentiments of tribe, religion, party, etc.

So, given that caveat, let me start with my candidate’s faults as I perceive them. I totally agree with the text message that Gen. Buhari is aloof and sometimes arrogant. He is also disciplined to the point of rigidity. His commitment to a multi-religious and multi-ethnic society such as Nigeria is suspect.

But, he has some achievements to his credit which temper my fears in that regard. He also has the baggage of his military past to carry and perhaps, he needs to convince Nigerians more, including me that he can shed the excess. I can go on listing seriatim all his faults real or imagined. So, in making this choice, I am taking a risk – but a calculated one. Calculated because I also know that lined against Gen. Buhari’s faults are the positive attributes (honesty, self-discipline and patriotism) that Nigeria needs at this time.

In short, I have made him my choice because he is the man whose time has come. If corruption is our number one problem, and even Obasanjo said that in the interview he granted to CNN in 1999, then the man to start the process of reparation of our stolen wealth and who can immediately halt more malfeasance is Buhari. Jonathan and Ribadu at the Federal level and Shekarau at the state level have not fully given the accounts of their stewardships. The accounts of the Federal Government, including EFCC, and the states, including Kano, had not been audited since 1999. A lot more had been stolen than we know about.

And, we need the reparation, not loans to develop. Only a candidate who was not a part of the kleptomania can unravel what happened in 12 years and retrieve our money. Buhari is the man. And rest assured, if he derails, my pen like a Gatling gun is ever-ready to shoot him down and tell him where to go. There is more to say, but space and time demand I stop here. And, there will be no ill-feelings towards my son if the advice is not taken. I can make mistakes too!

@recoome, Goodluck name wining election where? In Bayesa or SW? Keep deceiving yourself.

Tell me the voting poulation of Anambra? 5m? 4? 3?

@Whoever says Jonathan will win SW is deceiving himself. What has PDP done for the people of SW that will make them vote for him? Yes, he will get some votes in Lagos from PDP members but how many are they? Majority of voters in Lagos are not politicians. Even the so called Igbo population in Lagos will not vote massively for Jonathan. I was shocked on Friday when I was discussing with a core Igbo man in my former company and he said he would vote for BB and mentioned other colleagues who are also igbos that would vote for BB. When people come on NL here and start typing rubbish from their dirty keyboards, I wonder where they got their information that all Igbos in Lagos will vote for GEJ.

To shock you, the population of hausas in Lagos is very huge as well and their vote is 100% for BB. Go to Agage, go to mile 12, go to Ikeja, go to surulere, go to everywhere there is a market (apart from electronic/motor spare parts markets) - you will see hausas everywhere. While the Igbo votes will be divided between igbos that want good leadership and those who are ethnic/religious bigots, the hausas votes in Lagos will be intact, 100% for BB ticket.

For the yorubas, PDP will get some votes but I can assure you that Buhari will win more aggregate votes in South West than GEJ and may even win SW eventually. Lots of underground works are going on and I can assure you, only the PDP members who trive on corruption will vote for PDP - and of course, the ignorant ones. Majority will vote for ACN and Buhari. Buhari is known across the south west more than any other candidates and it has been very easy to sell to people. Buhari's name here is stronger than any party structure of corruption that PDP has built. That structure will be uprooted by the people.

Buhari will win Ogun and Oyo states will vote enmass for Buhari - go and ask Akala of oyo state and he will tell you the presidential contestants in Oyo state. The contest is between GEJ and Buhari. How will GEJ/OBJ win in Oyo state?

Wait and see.

MEND calls off planned bombings, says Jonathan has failed
Font size: Bisi Olaniyi 03/04/2011 00:47:00

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), yesterday temporarily called off its planned bombings and attacks of oil installations, in order to allow for safe general elections in Nigeria.

MEND, in an online statement by its Spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, said it took the decision after careful consideration and extensive consultation, but alleged that President Goodluck Jonathan has failed.

It noted that the temporary ceasefire was ordered in the hope that the new government of Nigeria would consider true dialogue, founded on a sincere desire to bring justice to the people of the Niger Delta and true peace to Nigeria.

The militant group had earlier threatened to bomb strategic locations in Lagos, Abuja and the Niger Delta, over the alleged failure of Jonathan’s administration to develop the region, rich in crude oil and gas, but neglected over the years.

MEND said: “After billions of Naira spent, all the government of Goodluck Jonathan has to show for its amnesty and re-integration programme is colossal failure, as the true intention of the programme was hijacked for personal and political greed.

“The architect of the amnesty programme in the Niger Delta, the late President Umaru Yar’adua, intended this process to be a precursor to formal dialogue, in achieving a just and lasting solution to the unrest in the Niger Delta.

“The government of Jonathan and the oil companies believe the spirit of agitation in the Niger Delta has been blown away with the bribing of a few thugs labeled stakeholders.

“They assume giving alms to the youths of the Niger Delta will secure installations, but the government fails to understand that if the root issues of these agitations are not addressed, we would only be going round in circles, resulting in more groups springing up and no peace in the Niger Delta.”

The militant group also stated “categorically” that it had no affiliations with tribal assemblies such as the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) and Ijaw National Congress (INC), which it said neither represented nor could speak for the freedom fighters of MEND, which comprises fighters from every tribe in the Niger Delta.

It added: “If we see no sign by the new government for dialogue at addressing our key issues, we will take that as a green light from the government to commence our struggle, which will be very detrimental to all oil companies operating in the Niger Delta.”

True talk - BB era,

The above post by OJUYOBO4LIFE further confirms his low intellectual capability. You expect people to vote for CPC even where a CPC candidate is not contesting the election? Also, most of the people that will vote for BB are not traditional politician like most ACN fans. We vote for personality - I am voting for Fashola for gov and Buhari for president. Likewise thansounds of the other people that will vote on April 9.

Is that crowd? Even Akala of Oyo state will say he is a crowd puller if the above is what make a  polician a crowd puller.

See below an example of crow and compare.

You will all be shocked when the figure starts rolling in. Note that Buhari does not need to even get a single vote from SS and SE to win this election.

I think of GEJ supporters as people who are afraid of a corruption free Nigeria. I see them as visionless people.

I will like to see Beaf's photograph -

In GEJ's state - it is a shame.

Even in Warri,

Another Ibadan, in "Aso Ebi"

Buhari in Ibadan,

Buhari in Minna,

Buhari in Maiduguri,

Buhari in Jigawa,

Buhari in Zaria-Kaduna,

I agree with this report, and I will show you evidence.

Polls: Buhari To Win At The First Ballot .Saturday, 02 April 2011 01:15 Amina Alhassan Ahman, Abuja

The presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Gen Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) may win next weekend’s presidential election on the first ballot, a study has revealed from Washington, USA. This is countering speculations that opposition parties might field a joint candidate against the incumbent president, Goodluck Jonathan.



The study, which was conducted by a US-based independent organisation that operates internationally and stands for humanitarian interest of all Nigerian citizens and for a transparent democracy- Freedom and Democracy in Nigeria (FADIN), revealed that Buhari is the most preferred presidential candidate among 67 percent of Nigerian registered voters. The report also revealed that a record number of Nigerians at home would be massively voting at the National Assembly polls today.

President and CEO of FADIN and coordinator of the study, Mr. Saidu Nda Ugonoh who has presided as electoral officer monitoring and supervising millions of registered voters in the State of Virginia, USA, said that Nigerians are ready to protect their votes and will not vote blindly for unfit candidates in the series of elections, stressing that, the outcome of the polls will see Buhari winning in the South-west and all over the north, while the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN will win the local elections in Lagos if politicians would allow the electorates to vote without snatching of ballot papers or boxes. He disclosed that Nigerians are now beginning to be motivated to vote for credible leaders with concrete issues that matter to them for the first time since 1999.

The study carried out by Freedom and Democracy in Nigeria FADIN, shows Buhari in the lead by a majority in the North with 89.1 percent and South-West, 65.1 percent respectively. In a shocker, the study shows Buhari coming close to the required 25 per cent short by 3 percent, while the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan in the South-South had 41.1 per cent.

According to the survey, the low rating of President Jonathan will transmit a negative advantage of PDP candidates as voters clamour for a total sweeping change. Buhari is expected to sweep the polls in the South-West underlining political forces in the region. The Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN will do well in many of the states in the South-West.

It will be recalled that FADIN was an accredited international election observer in Nigeria during the 1999 and 2003 general elections and during the 1999 election, Mr. Ugonoh worked closely with world leaders such as former U.S Secretary of State, Colin Powel, former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair and former US President, Jimmy Carter.

Ribadu is a time waster. The earlier he understands this the better.

Senseless posting,

@nateevs, can you see that post from another brother of us (Kristaz) from South east? As if there is no intellectual in the SE again. I keep wondering what manner of people we have in that side of the country. They don't associate with anything good. 419, they are the one; drug, they are the one; crime in South Africa, Dubai, London, USA, etc, it is igbo.

I am sorry to say - a lot of our Igbo brothers are brainless. How do we help them? They need help? What is the level of education among Igbos? Is it that the tribe is cursed?

Leave those unscrupulous few from the east alone. The good igbo people are all voting for BB - the educated ones among them that I know in Lagos. In my former company, virtaully all the Igbo guys there are voting for Buhari.

I thought those corrupt and ignorant supporters of PDP were saying they have won already. Why are they hoping for the north leathers to drop Buhari? Unfortunately norther leaders are not like SE or SS leaders who can shamelessly change camp overnight because of money.

Even if Ciroma declared support for GEJ tomorrow, it wont change anything in the north - minds are already made up.

As a matter of fact, with the look of things, the coming days will give GEJ hypertension as sms flies round north and forces are aligning in SW.

Some of you GEJ supporters will end up in your creeks.

It is going to be fun on Monday, We will shutdown Lagos.