Nigerian 2011 Presidential Election Watch
By CHINEDU EZEH
ENUGU
Though, I am not the news or information freak or sort but I can read clearly the lines in history of our leaders, past and present. I can have a good read on the faces and statements of our leaders even recently as they make public/press presentation. I can tell their motives and what they are capable of doing. How do I know that? I have a very good instinct.
By CHINEDU EZEH
ENUGU
Though, I am not the news or information freak or sort but I can read clearly the lines in history of our leaders, past and present. I can have a good read on the faces and statements of our leaders even recently as they make public/press presentation. I can tell their motives and what they are capable of doing. How do I know that? I have a very good instinct.
Now, the idea of this presentation is to help Nigerians make the right decision in voting the right personality and idea in 2011 presidential election. The followings are my candid assessment and analysis of some our leaders and presidential aspirants in 2011 election.
1. General Muhammadu Buhari - was an honest soldier who was never ambitious to become the Head of Sate and Commander in chief during his carrier I the army. He enjoyed the office of the Head of State and wanted people to have a feel of his government. Although his government was popularly known as Buhari-Idiagborn regim, therefore, suggested that Idiagborn had a significant roll in that administration. And that made me believe that Gen. Buhari is a supporter of cause and positive idea.
Gen. Buhari (Rtd) is an honest man with moral integrity he has not really changed from the old general Head of State in 1983, but now on the other side believed a lot is very wrong in the government and having been there before know that with total patriotism and political will from our leaders Nigeria will do a lot better.
His interest for coming back in play for the office of the president is burn out of his passion to see a better and progressive Nigeria, just like any other concern and patriotic Nigeria. Not that he has a clear vision and excellent ideology to take Nigeria to the promise land. How do I know? I don’t know, but like I told you I have a good instinct. But he is most honest and transparent person among other presidential aspirants so far.
2. General Obasanjo: was a visionary leader, and he possessed some peculiar natural wisdom. He knew exactly how to wield the power of the head of state and commander in chief. Gen. Obasanjo committed several military sins as a bloody soldier and also did some good things as well. He was a patriotic leader who wanted the good of the nation, of course that explains why he relinquished power to the civil rule without holding power for long even as a soldier.
Chief Olosegun Obasanjo (OBJ) is a visionary and wise leader who in his rare intelligence discovered human resources that brought real significant progress in various sectors in the country. OBJ is a courageous man who was anointed by God to rule Nigeria in the appointed time just like king Saul in the bible. He is also a mercurial man. Though, he had good vision for the country, but was overwhelmed by the power of his office and the wealth of the nation. With his peculiar wisdom, he smartly embezzled monies from Niger Delta oil and from good projects (contract) his government initiated e.g. power project. OBJ’s government was ridden with corruption in many quarters, starting from the presidency to councillorship, from ministries to parastatals, in National Assembly and Judiciary, even to public and private institutions probably because OBJ’s administration was a hang over of a long military rule and its effect on the economy and social life of our nation.
I believe he is the right leader to stir the ship of the nation where the military left it. He was the right person that could hold our fragile democracy at that time; in spit of every pressure he transited government to another democratic government successfully against all odds.
3. General Babangida (IBB): was a visionary and purposeful leader, a creative and concept leader; a very talented and intelligent leader who can create a good idea to any positive agenda (very ideal), and can as well create a better idea to accomplish a negative agenda. IBB was a head of state who knew exactly how to wield the power of commander in chief. IBB committed several military sins as a bloody soldier, and did some good things as well. As a visionary and purposeful leader he initiated several good programs and institutions with a better prospect. He was widely criticized for annulling what was considered the freest, fairest and most credible election Nigeria has ever had “June 12 Election”. Whatever reason he must have had at that time was not justifiable to annul the election. That was a terrible mistake he will have to live with (even as a repented man).
Ibrahim Babangida (IBB) is visionary and purposeful leader, a creative and concept leader; a very talented and intelligent leader. He is a new man who ahs take new personality, though they say “Once a soldier is always a soldier” but I believe that IBB of 21st century has changed in different ways. How do I know? I don’t know, but remember I have a very good instinct. IBB’s interest in coming back in play for the office of the president is to change how government is been run in Nigeria. He desperately wants to come back to launder his image and to render his wealth of experience to the service the nation.
Ibrahim Babangida’s agenda and vision for the nation are in my own candid opinion the change we need in this country he talked about true federalism if nothing more, is the best that can happen in this country I have heard him speak in many forums and I tell you by my read on his statement he has a better ideology, vision, purpose than other presidential aspirants so far.
4. Ahaji Atiku Abubakar: is a real political leader who knows exactly how to play the game of politics well. He utilized the power of his office in the Obasanjo’s administration and make himself very popular in the country even as vice president, not only a vice to any president but a vice to President Obasanjo who in himself was a very vibrant president who exercised to the last the power of the commander in chief. Of course Atiku’s vice presidency would have been just a formality if he is not a political guru who knows his onions with temerity. Atiku, no doubt was infected first hand by the corruption ridden virus that characterized the OBJ’s administration; what I don’t know is whether the virus still run in his veins. Why don’t I know since my instinct is good? I don’t know because corruption no dey show for face.
Atiku Abubakar was badly hurt by his boss and his political allies who wanted to remove him from office, but he was able to weather the storms apparently because of his excellent knowledge on how the game of politics is played in democratic field. His interest in presidential race I believe is not only to make good things happen, but also to seek political vendetta for his enemies. How do I know? I still have a good instinct remember. But, it’s not a matter of good or poor instinct if you observe closely you will also read these grudges and resentments written all over his face and in his tone when he makes presentation. Perhaps his vendetta might be a good thing if not for anything better it will make him transparent in his governance if he becomes president, (because he who crucifies others for their sins will be conscious of sin as well).
Atiku Abubakar’s agenda and vision for the country are more of “I will provide good road, education, good health etc” but Nigeria at this time need much more than these basic amenities, they are suppose to be our fundamental right as a citizens of this great and endowed nation and does not require a visionary or some special grace from our leaders to make them happen.
· In the conclusion of this presentation I will take a look at what our leaders needs need to fix in the country and every other thing will ensue.
5. Dr. Good Luck Jonathan: is an honest man with moral integrity though un-ambitious man, but God in His infinite wisdom promoted him to the highest office of the president and commander in chief of the arm forces of great nation Nigeria. A humble and loyal servant leader who wants to please every body especially the northern political elites who were believed to have the powerful influence in the Nigerian government. But I believe that only God Almighty has the sole power to anoint and appoint leadership in government of any nation whether to whom ever He pleases whether north or south, east or west.
President Jonathan’s interest to contest in the 2011 presidential election did not come from his own will to continue in office but was persuaded to run by Nigerians, friends/enemies and political allies out of sympathy, love and personal interest.
Conclusion
What Nigerians need now from our leaders is to fix Nigeria? We need a leader with moral integrity, a visionary and purposeful leader. We do not need only a good infrastructure we also need a deal of working government institutions and agencies. We long for that president who can look at in the eye corruption and tackle it squarely no mater whose ox is gored, we are yet that president, if not how can you tell me that a commander in chief of the arm forces of this country will turn a blind eye and deaf ear to open corruption in our police force. We need a working corrupt free police force in this country. A corrupt free police means a corrupt free nation, how can our president not know that?
The moment our leaders begin to take responsibilities of success and failures in their various departments then things will begin to work well in this nation. For instance if the president disciplines IG of police for corruption in his command, the IG will do same the same to the AIG, and in turn all in the chain of command will do same then sergeant and corporal on the street will behave. We need the police that will respect constitution; for God’s sake they are the law enforcers. There will be law and order if the police do not show example.
Nigeria needs a president and government that will respect the law and constitution. A justice system that works that actually has teeth and can bite no mater how highly placed. And how can the justice bite? The justice can only bite if the police know their constitutional rights and obligation and carry out the order of the court without fear or favor. We keep hearing “no body is above the law” but it seems that statement is applicable in Nigerian law. It worries me the way principal government officials violate court order and constitution, starting from the presidency to the national assembly, and these do not portray the good of the nation in the international community therefore makes all the branding effort a joke. Having said these few things about the police and the law, and left many things unsaid our leaders and government must know that only by leading by example and fixing the police and other security operatives will there be reasonable change that will be bring development and rule of law less corruption in Nigeria.
Let every Nigerian have change of mind set and get involved in any little way we can to make this country work. Let’s pray and vote wisely.
We need leaders with moral integrity and the political will to make things work in this country. To maintain rule of law and to further reduce corruption in Nigeria fixing and working must be extended to the judiciary. It is very unfortunate that our judiciary has been compromised, the very arm of government considered to be the conscience of the nation and hope for the people. It is obvious that our judiciary was infected by the corruption ridden virus that characterized OBJ’s administration; if not how does one explain why advanced free crime and cyber crime suspects (a.k.a. yahoo boys) are tried and convicted between 12 to 18 months while suspected governors, ministers and other government officials accused for more count charges lingers for over 40 months some were even thrown out indefinitely.
It’s rather more unfortunate that our judges and other principal ranks in the judiciary require more of the rare moral integrity expected from leaders to dispense their service, God help us. Their case is rather difficult because they are the police, law and judge of their deeds. But there is hope, because with a little internal reform in the institution they will do their work with integrity. Luckily, they are the only people in the arms of government who received the highest moral training and believe in the same school of thought
The judiciary must know that only by maintaining a high moral standard and being true honorable will there be law and order and civilization in Nigeria.
Our National Assembly
To be Continued ………..
Posts
