There should be no complacency as the fact of Nigeria’s President-elect is yet to be formalized in less than two months. But that fact is already known to Nigerians and the outside world. Accordingly, voters must perfect their cards, turn out as never before in Nigeria’s political history to cast their ballots.
Above all, they must defend their votes, a legitimate right all over the world but ever blackmailingly twisted in Nigeria as incitement to post-election violence.
Muhammadu Buhari’s emergence as All Progressive Congress’ presidential candidate was at a stage threatened by the prospective chances of the other four aspirants but his ten minute speech canvassing for support before the votes were cast at the party’s convention threw delegates in their thousands into wild acclamation.
Other aspirants also made their submissions but Buhari’s speech – short, precise, modest, unpretentious, honest and almost risky – had clinched the nomination for him. Like rival aspirants, General Buhari might have expected to win but never in his imagination could he have bargained for such landslide of almost four thousand votes far ahead of his rivals, none of whom scored a thousand votes.
The icing on the cake of Buhari’s victory was the transparent voting pattern watched throughout by all delegates at the convention and millions of Nigerians watching live on the television or listening on radio sets in their homes throughout the country all night.
Very much like a carnival. General Buhari’s speech destroyed erstwhile political encumbrances, not the least money influence. He made it clear he had neither dollars nor naira and according to him, even if he had, he would not bribe delegates because he does not believe Nigerian leadership should be for sale. Such bluntness was a risk only Buhari could have taken with the potential of losing votes of the delegates.
In the past, such delegates would have, instead, fallen for money to cast their votes, a bane which had disgusted respectable names from taking part in politics. Before the convention, as proof of his sincerity, there were advertorials in various newspapers (soliciting financial support) by Buhari Supporters Organisation but with a signed personal undertaking by General Buhari as the sole signatory with a pledge to account for every kobo donated.
General Buhari’s speech at the convention also destroyed the current bogey of political hustlers parading as youths exploiting emotive sentiments to demand a purported generational change. Reading that mood, one of APC’s presidential aspirants, Rochas Okorocha, in his speech at the convention, solicited for nomination among others, as the youngest of the lot at the age of 52. Rather politely, Okorocha was turned down with shouts of “Arugbo la fe,” literally meaning “we prefer older ones.” Like Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola 20 years earlier, General Buhari’s candidacy bridged every divide – religious, ethnic, class, zone, state, etc. Christians, non-Northerners, non-Fulanis, all embracing him. Buhari has ignited how a President should be elected on a platform of reputation, nation-wide acclamation, integrity and people’s trust.
Buhari must be a born-again Nigerian experiencing a miracle of the enhancement of his political cause not just by Northerners but particularly Southerners of all caliber – the poor, the professionals, academics, journalists, young and old, the middle class, artisans, transporters, market women etc. It is the duty of these varied lot to protect their votes. It is no longer General Buhari’s task to campaign against rigging in the 2015 elections. Instead, the onus is on election riggers not to try any hanky-panky.
Even the outside world is demanding credible elections. That is the stark warning that 2015 elections are not internal matters just as similar exercises in Ghana, Sierra-Leone, Ethiopia, Botswana, Senegal and even Malawi were closely scrutinized by locals and foreigners, to ensure peaceful, credible and acclaimed elections leading to change of government sometimes twice. Nowhere in the world does any political party in or outside government with universally acknowledged dismal performance ever wins any subsequent elections except through rigging.
The current crusade is for Nigeria on behalf of Nigerians. So far, Muhammadu Buhari and his associates have done their best in assembling a somewhat national coalition. That is the first leg. The second and final leg is financing the campaigns. Buhari made the case clear in soliciting for campaign donations.
Millions of Nigerians must contribute their effort from one hundred naira each to millions, scores and hundreds of millions of naira. It may not be easy but every effort is worthwhile. Buhari staked his integrity as the sole signatory. Nigerians must show their trust from the beginning. The Buhari Supporters Organisation must also reach out to Nigerians in Diaspora for donation.
Then, there was Buhari’s master stroke in the choice of his running mate, Yemi Osinbajo. Who else? The choice of the young man completely blocks all other possible outstanding loopholes. The young ones, the modest, the professionals and, as a fitting complement to General Buhari’s stature, Osinbajo’s virtual all-round personal distinction. The delay in announcing Osinbajo as General Buhari’s running mate particularly lured their political opponents into a foolish belligerence of deriding the method.
With the announcement and choice of Osinbajo as Buhari’s running mate, their political opponents now stand bereaved. Since the return of civilian rule in 1999, the Buhari-Osinbajo is the first invincible presidential platform. It’s been a long journey, which started in 2003 and the destination is now nearest. In 1983, the then Imo State governor, Sam Mbakwe alerted Nigerians that if he was rigged out of office, there would be perpetual dispute between his family and the counterpart of whoever rigged him out of office. This time, such a dispute would not be between the family of Buhari-Osinbajo but between the outside world and whoever rigged the 2015 elections.
The elections will be the people’s verdict on the past 15 years to which even the outside world had been witnesses of how Nigeria, despite its resources and potentials, is noted for everything deplorable in governance. Buhari’s leadership style of inclusion and or delegation of responsibility to associates or a deputy has been wrongly interpreted as surrender of power or authority.
On the contrary, Nigeria’s Presidency is too massive for a single Mr. Know All. Hence, former President Shehu Shagari delegated much responsibility to erstwhile Vice-President Alex Ekwuene. Similarly, former President Ibrahim Babangida, even as a military ruler, delegated much responsibility to the late and Vice President Admiral Augustus Aikhomu. Delegated responsibility ensures harmony in a country’s presidency.
Currently, a major political problem is the complaint of deputy governors against state governors for allegedly rendering their deputies irritant. Buhari therefore deserves compliment for adopting collective responsibility in decision making. But there should be no surprise that his political opponents groan at nothingness. It is all evidence of the shock from the blow of Buhari’s unexpected candidacy. They never expected the strongest unbeatable candidate in Buhari’s mould from the APC despite the subterranean enemy action to make him (Buhari) lose the primary elections. It is now Buhari fever all over Nigeria comparable to only Obama fever in United States in 2008. There is this reader, Usman in Gombe who regularly phoned since Buhari first contested the elections in 2003. Usman’s concern is continued assurance on the Buhari project and for that long period, I encouraged him though I have never met him. According to Usman, the blood of the political struggle of his people is Muhammadu Buhari, and without blood, a human being is dead. Usman was happiest that Buhari secured the nomination. For Usman, Buhari is a passion.
Reactions of ordinary Nigerians in South West shown on television screens in Lagos also confirm the Buhari fever. Buhari under Tinubu? The decision of APC presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari to pick his running mate through close consultations with his party associates especially the top shots like Odigie-Oyegun, Bola Tinubu, Bisi Akande etc, generated derisive remarks from PDP that if elected, Buhari would be controlled by Tinubu. Pity this ignorance. Former President Ibrahim Babangida once disclosed that in the military, officers are trained to dominate their environment. That should about counter the PDP naivety.
Buhari is a retired military officer. However, in reality, what is wrong if, in selecting his running mate, General Buhari adopts close and sincere consultations with the party hierarchy? Formation of All Progressives Congress was a collective effort especially with contributions from the likes of Bola Tinubu, Rochas Okorocha, Sokoto governor Wammako, etc. And if the running mate of General Buhari is to come from a particular zone or state, it is only politically reasonable that party leaders in the zone or state concerned are involved in the choice. And even if Bola Tinubu is involved in the choice of Muhammadu Buhari’s running mate, is that worse or not better than political bouncer Edwin Clark’s control of Goodluck Jonathan or Jonathan’s wife’s (Patience) imposition of governorship candidates of PDP in Rivers, Bayelsa and Oyo states?
Then there is the historical precedent which compels close consultation and careful scrutiny when selecting a running mate in presidential elections. In 1972 in United States, Democratic Party candidate George McGovern all alone selected a certain Tom Eagleton; as running mate. For some unknown reasons, a powerful and otherwise highly respected syndicated columnist, Jack Anderson, dissected Tom Eagleton’s prospects as vice president with his thumb only away from the nuclear button and reported a medical defect bordering on rehabilitated insanity.
Unfortunately, respected columnist Jack Anderson got it wrong as Tom Eagleton denied such medical history. Jack Anderson was a strong sight in self-humiliation as he addressed the world press, admitting his error and apologizing to both Tom Eagleton and Democrats Presidential candidate George McGovern. But the damage was irreparable. Tom Eagleton offered to step down.
Other top notch Democrats blamed George McGovern for inadequate consultations. He lost the presidential elections on a landslide to Richard Nixon, on a second term. General Buhari is therefore in order to have consulted everybody in what is more of a rainbow coalition of All Progressives Congress. But don’t tell the PDP aggressors. Election debate, my foot! The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) gang is calling for debate before the 2015 elections. Goodluck Jonathan must have matured politically with such confidence to be pushed by his handlers on the stage for such a debate. Otherwise, who is interested in any debate? The debate ended even before the All Progressives Congress (APC) and PDP picked their respective presidential candidates.
By the way in 2011, when there were calls for such a debate, General Muhammadu Buhari showed up for the now defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). But Goodluck Jonathan shunned the debate except that some hustlers later arranged a debate in which Jonathan debated with himself. Therefore, so much for any debate now being demanded by the PDP. For purposes of clarity, it is up to the APC and its candidate, Muhammadu Buhari to accept the challenge of debate or not. Otherwise, not only have Nigerians been traumatised enough with such debates, but also no purposes were ever served. Jonathan’s national conference appropriately read the mood of the nation by completely rejecting all suggestions for such debates to be made a statutory part of our elections. Under the present dispensation, the debate actually started in 1998.
Following the death of Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola in detention, Nigeria was compelled by the reality that a political compensation was inevitable to appease South-West. Debate was therefore hottest on whether Yoruba should exercise their right of choice. Instead, a Gang of Four, former President Ibrahim Babangida, ex-Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar, retired army Chief of Staff Lt. General Theo Danjuma and one of his successors Lt. General Aliyu Gusau, unilaterally and self-servingly imposed one of their own, General Olusegun Obasanjo not only on Yoruba but consequently on Nigeria.
What was to follow was another divisive debate on whether Obasanjo was to serve only one of the statutory two terms of four years each. As if that was not destabilising enough, Obasanjo caused another debate on whether he should perpetuate himself in office commencing with a dignified third term. Nigerians also fiercely debated Obasanjo’s arrogance of usurping the right of Nigerians to choose who and who should succeed Obasanjo in office.
Definitely, the debate failed woefully as Obasanjo foisted on Nigeria an otherwise disinterested and ailing Umaru Yar’Adua as the new president with Goodluck Jonathan as his deputy. Within months, the folly of Obasanjo’s authoritarianism descended on Nigeria with Yar’Adua’s ailment taking toll and warranting treatment abroad and creating an avoidable constitutional crisis of whether, when and how Jonathan should act for Yar’Adua or succeed him substantively as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The dramatic escape through a dubious amendment to the constitution manipulated as a principle of necessity also generated a debate which almost disintegrated Nigeria. There was another divisive debate in 2011 whether Jonathan should quit after completing Umaru Yar’Adua’s uncompleted tenure or he (Jonathan that is) should seek his own mandate.
In the midst of that debate, a compromise was reached to keep Jonathan in office. For one or two terms? That was another divisive debate which eventually splintered the PDP into virtually North and South factions. This particular debate was an off-shoot of the post-2011 elections violent protests against alleged widespread rigging of the elections.
By far, the decided debate which has foreclosed any debate for the 2015 elections totally unwarranted is the widespread public perception of the performance of President Goodluck Jonathan in the last four years. Boko Haram, the economy, disappearance of billions of dollars of public funds from NNPC, payment of fraudulent subsidy claims of over two trillion naira to oil importers with neither Jonathan’s knowledge nor National Assembly’s appropriation, level of corruption, Chibok girls, Jonathan’s eligibility to contest, gerrymandering of nominations of candidates on PDP platform etc. On all these issues, are based the campaigns for people’s votes in 2015.
Nigerians have listened to the criticism of PDP and its candidate Goodluck Jonathan. Nigerians have therefore made up their minds on who to vote for and nothing new can come from a useless debate to make the average voter change his mind. Election debate for 2015 elections? My foot!
Read full article here: http://www.opinions.ng/president-elect-federal-republic-of-nigeria/
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