Femi Ajayi's Outlook

Buhari could mess up the whole stage already built for a better Nigeria. Nigerians should not allow another Military man at the helms of Nigerian affairs, at least for now. They have had their chances in the past, up till 2007, and blew them. Buhari would not help Nigeria.

advertisement

Sunday, April 15, 2007



Dr. Femi Ajayi

ANNOUNCE THIS ARTICLE TO YOUR FRIENDS
IT IS NOT OVER UNTIL IT IS ACTUALLY OVER - YAR'ADUA OR BUHARI!


he State election is over with its shortcomings, disqualifications, expulsions, abductions, kidnappings, arrests, killings, and assassinations, now Nigerians are ready for the big one this weekend, April 21, 2007, National Offices, the President and National Assembly. Gubernatorial elections heralded the extension of kidnapping into Obasanjo's household. According to some reports, seven suspects kidnapped Obasanjo's sister Mrs. Eweje for a ransom fee of $500,000.00 conniving with her personal assistant, Olusola Ogunleye, who has free access to Aso Rock. Obasanjo could be the next victim.


advertisement

PDP is a very funny Political Party. That is one of the reasons for Nigerians do not like PDP. Instead to obey the Court order, PDP preferred not to field any gubernatorial candidate for Imo State. "Madam Due Process", what did you teach PDP leaders? What is the offence of Senator Ifeanyi Ararume? Is he a 419er, Drug Baron, Womanizer, Fraudler, Smuggler, Fake Drug Kingpin, and what are the State Security Service (SSS) and EFCC reports on him? Who is Senator Ifeanyi Ararume? The vindictiveness and unforgiving tempo in the leadership of PDP has been demonstrated again,while cleansing of the PDP continues. The end result, only God knows. That is by the way.

Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, registered fifty Political Parties in the country of over 140 Million populations. That is about One Presidential candidate per 2.8 million people. On the average one candidate per State, no one wants to step down for any one. That could be scary. Unfortunately some Political Parties (10) registered with INEC, collected money, and REFUSED to register a single candidate. It is good because some people would make some money from the exercise. That is another evidence of unemployment in the Nigerian Political arena. That is Nigeria for you.

Out of the 50 Political Parties 24 of them presented Presidential candidates for the April 2007 elections. Some are known across the country, some are localized within their Political zones, some are just within their States, and some are already dead before taking off their campaign train from their hometowns. Out of the 24 candidates we possibly have about five or six that are very serious about their candidacy. Out of the five or six, we could say that only two are appealing to the larger communities. The two are PDP and ANPP, AC has already met its demise at the onset.

The Presidential battle could be a straight fight between PDP and ANPP, if ANPP knows how to play the standard political game card. It could have been a three-legged race, if AC was allowed to contest. We are looking at Umar Yar'Adua and Goodluck Jonathan, Peoples Democratic Party, and Gen. Mohammadu Buhari and Edwin Ume-Ezeoke, All Nigeria Peoples Party.

AC of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Chudi Nwike, Action Congress is lost in the wilderness.

Some political parties have good ideas that could resurrect Nigeria. Unfortunately, they do not have the resources to get their messages across to the people. Such parties are, Prof. Pat Utomi and Yusuf Mustapha, African Democratic Party; and Chris Okotie and Fela Binutu, Fresh Democratic Party.

Some of the political parties are known but would be lucky if they win any other State outside their States of origin. In this category are Chief Chukwuemeka Ojukwu and Habib Ibrahim Gajo, All Progressives Grand Alliance; Orji Kalu and Mariam Ibrahim Baba, Progressive Peoples Alliance; Adebayo Adefarati and Mahmud Danjuma, Alliance for Democracy; Osagie Obayuwana and Yinusa Tanko, National Conscience Party; Attahiru Bafarawa and Prof Uzondinma Nwala, Democratic Peoples Party.

Some would not hardly go beyond their Local Governments, such as Maxi Okwu and Hajia Rabia Yansans, Citizens Popular Party; Goodswill Nnaji and Adamu Musa, Better Nigeria Progressive Party; Major Mojisola Obasanjo (rtd) and Isa Saki, Masses Movement of Nigeria; Ambrose Owuru and Bello Bako, Hope Democratic Party; Sunny Okogwu and Hajia Larai Umaru, Republican Party of Nigeria; Aminu Abubakar and Prof. Kingsley Ibe, National Unity Party; Issa Odidi and Akeem Bello, New Democrats; Habu Fari and Johny Icheka, National Democratic Party; Lawrence Famakinde Adedoyin and Yahaya Danladi, African Political System.

Some are not even known to the ordinary man on the street. Talk less of going beyond their Districts, when they do not even have Running Mates: Sani Mustapha, Peoples Redemption Party; Galgima Lima, New Nigeria Peoples Party; Arthur Nwankwo, Peoples Mandate Party; Princess Vivien Ijoma, Nigeria Peoples Congress; Dr. Akpore Solomon, National Majority Democratic Party; Alhaji Tajudeen Ariori, Allied Congress Party of Nigeria; Chief Emmanuel Okereke, All Peoples Liberation Party.

It is amazing the predictions from Prophets, and Political analysts, which I am not going to waste my energy analyzing. The predictions are very terrifying but I would say this categorically that Nigeria Political landscape is very difficult to trample on, for lack of standards, unlike in the Western world where we can easily predict any political behavior. Nigeria political prediction is like the Weather man who predicts that there would be rain and there is no rainfall. That does not mean that the weather man would lose his job. So also the Nigerian Prophets and the political analysts would not be crucified at the failure of their predictions.

In 1999 NPP manifestos were attractive to some Nigerians. Unfortunately, things changed within the ranks and files of NPP which metamorphosed into ANPP and when it picked a Military man, Buhari, as flag bearer, the situation became a double-crossed-K-Leg.

Initially PDP was full of 419ers, Fraudlers, Thugs, Criminals, and Drug Barons as shown by its challenges today. Good enough, PDP is doing some serious riddance now. Unfortunately we still have some jokers at the corridors of power in Nigeria.

Nigerians could be looking at the hot contest on April 21, 2007 between Yar'Adua and Buhari; the day of reckoning for the completion of Obasanjo's Political Castle.

My Choice? NONE! A friend just told me now that I could not do that. I have to choose one.

Would Buhari obey the Nigerian Constitution if ever elected as Nigerian President? Buhari bluntly disobeyed the Constitution that empowers Nigerian President to set up Oputa Panel. Buhari REFUSED to appear before the Commission of Enquiry, Ironically he wants to come back to defend the Constitution he does not respect, because he is a new Democrat, or a Born again Democrat. What a charlatan.

Buhari could be more vindictive than Obasanjo if we take a closer look. He is trying to woo Nigerians that he is a "Born Again Democrat". Nigerians should ask themselves what we made out of Obasanjo's "Born Again Christian" from his innate tendencies that could never be changed; being vindictive, and unforgiving. We could see what it means to be a born again Christian with Obasanjo that has no sense of forgiveness. In the first instance Buhari is an Ex-General. You cannot change that orientation. No one is saying that ex-Generals are not good people, but their services to the Country were not encouraging enough to give them another chance.

Nigerians should be ready for a worse situation than Obasanjo, if they elected Buhari as the next Nigerian President. A solider would always be a soldier. Nigerian should try other leaders outside the Military camp. Obasanjo should seal the Military rule in Nigeria. They are like leopard, they cannot change colors, regardless the amount of rainfall on their skin. Changing from Khaki to civilians dress is not good enough; you cannot change their orientation, being former Military Head of State. No one should trust the Military, regardless what Obasanjo says about the Military being the best politician in Nigeria today (2007). Obasanjo could take his ex-Generals to the Retired Army, Navy and Airforce Officers Club (RANAOC), in Abuja where he donated about N10 million to build the Ex-General's Club in Abuja. They could go there, get drunk, carry as many women as they could possibly have, and check with late Abacha what contributed to his early demise.

I doubt if you could ever trust Buhari. He was at the Council of State meeting held in Abuja on April 4, 2007. He toured the INEC facilities in company of other members of the Council of States and Federal Executive Council, assessing the preparedness of INEC. At the end of the exercise General Buhari had announced that he was impressed with INEC's preparations and he had shown much enthusiasm about the electoral process.

During the special session of FEC meeting with INEC Chairman, which was shown live on NTA, beamed to the USA, I happened to watch it from the beginning to the end. After the presentation of INEC, Obasanjo called a couple of people to make comments on INEC Chair's presentation. Igbinedion, Chairman of Governors Council, Dr. Bukola Saraki, Governor Shekarau of Kano State, Governor Bafarawa of Sokoto State a Presidential Candidate for Democratic Peoples Party, ex-General Mohammadu Buhari for ANPP, and Dr. Yakubu Gowon in that order. Buhari commended INEC's for an excellent job, which heralded some loud accolade from the members of FEC and Council of States on Buhari's statement.

Shekarau and Bafarawa made their concerns known to the world right there. Shekarau applauded INEC readiness, but should make sure that those hired to work on the field were thoroughly trained. While Bafarawa commended INEC for its work and to make sure that things go well "tomorrow"; that is from that day to the election days. Gowon advised INEC to make sure that the1% that was not ready should be taking care of before the Election Day. In addition, that 1% could disrupt the whole exercise. Buhari was fully satisfied with INEC readiness for the polls, and was full of smiles to give an excellent mark to INEC. Underneath that gap-tooth is something vicious that Nigerians might regret if elected

Nigerians are free to associate with any political party of their choice, but Buhari has the history of gross abuse of power, a partial leader of an extreme religious fanaticism. In Buhari's open letter to Nigerians, and his plans for Nigeria, he appeals to Nigerians:

"Fellow Nigerian, I have plans for our country. I therefore need your vote and support to implement a manifesto that will bring a total change and development to our fatherland. I want to assure you that I have the determination and experience as your next president, by God's grace and with your support, to implement all the policies and strategies outlined in the programme."

If I may borrow from Buhari, I would say fellow Nigerians here is a window to Buhari's programs to come as Nigerian President: The deliberate humiliating treatment of the Emir of Kano and the Ooni of Ife over their visit to the State of Israel; Buhari refused Ebenezer Babatope, to go for his father's funeral, even under guard, from jail; Tai Solarin was REFUSED to take his traditional medicine for asthma while in prison, not to fly him to Germany or London for treatment. Late Chief Adekunle Ajasin, went through double trial, acquitted, but detained indefinitely in prison by Buhari for no reason, Audu Ogbe, an NPN reformer then, as he did with PDP, in AC now, went through same vicious treatment under Buhari, just by association.

Should I continue, fellow Nigerians, when Buhari took over power from Shehu Shagari, he kept Shehu Shagari in a comfy house detention in Ikoyi while his defenseless deputy, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, was locked up in Kirikiri prisons. Buhari intervened in the Judiciary and out rightly dictated to the Judge how a sentence should be delivered especially in the case of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti who was caught with Foreign exchange for his band members international trip, of which the trial Judge apologized to Fela after Buhari was overthrown; Alhaji Alhaji Alhaji, the then Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance was caught in Austria, on similar offence. Buhari looked the other way.

Nigerians could be looking at a more selective approach of EFCC under Buhari, if elected. He would retrospectively make EFCC effective to the time of his unhappiness with Babangida for overthrowing him. Just like he did with Decree 20 of 1984 with the execution of three drug convicts, Lawal Ojuolape (30), Bernard Ogedengbe (29) and Bartholomew Owoh (26), whose crimes were committed before the promulgation of the Decree.

Buhari would not lead by example, regardless how disciplined Nigerians might think he is. During the change of the National currency, against his decree, he allowed about 30 brief cases, if not more than that, into the country through his aide-de-camp, Jokolo. The irony of history is that the current contentious Nigerian Vice President, Abubakar Atiku, was a Custom Officer then. He stood firmly against the admission of the contravening baggage. At the end of the matter Buhari redeployed Atiku. See Atiku's past reputation as to what is happening to him today (2007). What a life!

Nigerians abroad here is Buhari's message to you all; "In case you are not in the country, you may wish to canvass people in Nigeria to support my candidature in any way they can." I have already placed so many calls to Nigeria covering most of the States where I know someone acquitting them with the above information. According to Buhari and to all Nigerians, "This is about you and the future of your children."


Alliance of Nigerians Parties

Buhari's unholy alliance with other political parties would not help him either, in as much as he represents all other political parties. Buhari is projecting himself as the rallying point for all opposition candidates considering Atiku's state of affairs. With his alliance, Chief Akande, the AC Chairman has said that Buhari cannot be trusted. According to him

"if President Olusegun Obasanjo, a military man could behave the way he did in office, then Buhari will do the same. Buhari is a gentleman, but I have no tolerance for a military man. He is a soldier. If President Obasanjo could behave the way he did by not keeping his words, then, Buhari will do the same, though Buhari is a better soldier than Obasanjo."
I rest my case.

While Nigeria political scene is going through some reforms, Sokoto Caliphate the seat of Islamic world, is undergoing some changes as well, using modern Technology for its activities. Nigerians in all facets of life should embrace changes for good. Would Buhari fit into the equation?


Yar'Adua & Jonathan

Since Nigerian Independence, (1960), the country has NEVER been led by a Graduate, except Shonekan. Zik was a ceremonial Head of State then, owning allegiance to the Queen of England, under Abubakar Tafawa Balewa as the Prime Minister. Aguiyi Ironsi, Gowon, Murtala, Obasanjo, Shagari, Buhari, Babangida, Abacha, Abdullahi, by the time they ruled Nigerian, none of them has a University Degree. We could see past Nigerian leaders hurrying back to School after their terms, except Babangida who is comfortable with his 'life' for now.

When Umaru Yar'Adua, a 'spoiled child' of Yar'Adua's family, with M.Sc. Degree in Analytical Chemistry, won the Presidential election, with the ticket of Dr. Jonathan Goodluck, Ph. D., Zoology, it would be the first time Nigeria would be led by Graduates. They would both bring to Nigeria, the advantage of University education with its intellectual competences and analytical skills. Do not even ask why so many Nigerians are running after Honorary Degrees. Yar'Adua-Goodluck Team would bear on the practice of statecraft, the value of relying on Knowledge, Skills and Ability, KSA, as we call it in psychometric where I derive my daily living.

Nigerian leaders' decisions would be pragmatic, clearly analyzed, rather than based on conjecture. Those who work for them would be freer to be honest in their services. That is a great value Nigerians should be expecting from Yar'Adua-Goodluck ticket. Not with Buhari coalition of self-centeredness, or boondocks arrangements that would further drift Nigeria deeper into abject poverty. It should go beyond those that do not understand that they have to promote the public interest over and above their personal, groups or institutional interests they represent.

Possibly and with very high hope, the ticket would be able to use their God-given brain to do something for the common people in Nigeria. Unfortunately, poverty is written on the faces of most Nigerians, while those of them at the corridors of power are carrying their five-month old pregnancy about places.

Beside the poor health of Yar'Adua, reports have shown that he is a man of his own mind. Yar'Adua may not be as noisy as Obasanjo, in his calmness; his apparition could go beyond that of Obasanjo. If we have to use Obasanjo and PDP as the barometers to measure Yar'Adua, we might be throwing away the baby along with the bathing water.

As a former Senior Lecturer, Kaduna Polytechnic, Musa Umar Yar'Adua belongs to Nigerian progressive family for long. As a young man he participated in the 1977 All Nigerian Socialist Conference held in ABU Zaria under the auspices of Movement For Peoples Democracy. He was also a known member of the Mallam Aminu Kano led Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), one of my favorite Nigerian leaders, the Talakawas, during the second republic, and a close associate of late revolutionary historian Comrade Bala Usman. Yar'Adua has vowed

"As a president I will derive powers from the constitution and not any internal arrangement within the PDP. No candidate is as prepared as I am."

Regrettably, Yar'Adua has no other choice except to pay allegiance to the Nigerian Constitution. That is the only orientation that Yar'Adua is familiar with. He is not a Military man. As a graduate we expect that to happen, unless he wants to tell the world that his years at the University were wasteful. We could see how some of the Governors with Degrees have performed in their respective States. Tinapa and Obudu Ranch projects are backed up by an American Trained Donald Duke, of Cross River State, in Business Law and Admiralty from University of Pennsylvania. Those that passed through the University but the University never passed through them could be worse off. We are not talking about those with fake degrees claiming to have their Degrees from the schools in the outer space.

Yar'Adua has gone public on what he is going to do for Nigeria; he would declare a State of emergency on Energy; approach anti-graft war in a systemic manner, now that Ribadu's tenure has been renewed and promoted to the AIG position, Yar'Adua might approach the issue of corruption in a more greater moral favor and authority than his predecessor; collaborate efforts with Lagos State to improve Lagos as the key and nerve centre of the national economy of commerce and finance in Nigeria, not only in Nigeria, but through the West African States; focus more attention on the proposed study just presented on Niger-Delta and work with the people; and work on other areas such as infrastructure, Education, Agriculture and Health where Obasanjo has massively failed. All of these would bring down the unemployment rate practically focusing on domestic issues rather than foreign Affairs. Buhari is still chasing the shadow of becoming what Babangida stopped him of been in 1985, scrambling his head on what to do for Nigeria, like not probing Obasanjo. Finally Yar'Adua would run a detribalized administration with every Nigerian having a sense of belonging, and Nigerians would live in peace and prosperity.

Buhari could mess up the whole stage already built for a better Nigeria. Nigerians should not allow another Military man at the helms of Nigerian affairs, at least for now. They have had their chances in the past, up till 2007, and blew them. Buhari would not help Nigeria.

I am giving it to Yar'Adua, for the survival of Nigeria. Yar'Adua could be the best thing to happen to Nigeria at this time (2007). For PDP, do not take anything for granted. Not even in Politics. It is like chameleon.

It is not over until it is over.