The media have led us to believe that there are four leading presidential contenders, thus rather unfairly dismissing the sundry others even before the first ballot is cast.
Here are my views on the “top four” contenders, in no particular order:
Ibrahim Shekarau – What I like of him?
He came out shining like a million stars at the “Presidential Debate” televised live on the 18th March. I was impressed. Pity I have not been to Kano in the time he has been governor to be able to personally assess the development he has brought to my good old Kano, but if his persuasive claim during the debate is to be believed then the North, nay, Nigeria has a gem in Shekarau.alt
What I don’t like of him? Nothing really other than the fact that he’s jumping into the fray even before his tenure as governor of Kano State has ended, thus effectively robbing Kano of any meaningful governance in the last few months, if not whole year!
Gen. Muhammadu. Buhari – What I like of him?
If truth be told, he stands head and shoulder above all the other contenders in verifiable probity. Even against the suspicions I had long held that his running for president thrice meant he’s got some money hidden somewhere from which the repeated race drew from, or that he’s been running on the steam of those he had “suspiciously” empowered while he held those ‘treasury-key’ offices in the past, I now feel that may not be the case and that support for his campaigns were more from those truly appreciative of his quality and integrity, even while benefitting (not improperly) from his past offices. Everything points to the fact that if Buhari gets to be the president, not only would he depart from the ugliness of self-enrichment previous presidents had wallowed in, he would stand guard over the treasury and instil a greater sense of discipline and probity in the polity.
What I don’t like of him? Again, to be honest, I just don’t like him, period. Simply, he does not fit the picture I have of the president I want now for Nigeria – he is too old (being more or less of my age!) to have the dynamism of youth in an age where the average age of presidents in the developed world is 45. He does not impress me as someone with the vision to catapult our country into spectacular technological advancement. But, hey, perhaps not to run before we can walk, we may need first to get ourselves back on the track of discipline and good moral values. Buhari hasn’t said anything about the structural problem of the country. While he is shouting that he is ready to probe those who have milked us in the past and recover our stolen commonwealth, he has said nothing of the continuing burden of structural imbalance and public sector dead weight. Lastly, I don’t like the fact that he belongs to that abhorrent class of past military generals (and rulers) to whom, collectively, our miserable past is owed.
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan – What I like of him?
He’s a homeboy! There’s something reassuring about that! He’s the boy next door. President Jonathan has shown, even whilst his methods are unclear, some capability to get results! The things those rooting for him chalk as his achievements so far seem factual, namely, disappearance of fuel queues, improved power, less restive Niger Delta, etc – even if it is yet to be determined how proportionate the costs have been. Moreover, I am persuaded that GEJ truly wants to give us a free and fair election. He’s saying and doing mostly the right things in this direction. His appointment of Jega lends credibility, so is the manner he has so far left the guy to run the show his own way without pulling him aside! At 50, GEJ is also of the age bracket I want for our president – an age that should still be capable of listening to and understanding issues; an age that should still be able to work through the night ploughing through volumes of work and not see books or reading as some kind of sedative. He has also shown admirable capacity to take blows – coolly! I also like his being Niger-Deltan – about time someone from the creeks got elected president of a country that depends on resources from there.
What I don’t like of him? Quite a number: He does not fit the picture of the president I want for Nigeria now or at any other time! But that’s just silly me out of 150 million country-folks. I want an articulate and cerebral president. I don’t like the idea of dodging a debate and not coming out to dispel our fears. But it is his prerogative. GEJ seems lost most of the time or just going through the motion, a motion all too tedious and disturbing. Above all, I don’t like the party to which he belongs – the PDP. I am left in no doubt the PDP is inimical to the progress and wellbeing of Nigeria and that it is highly improbable that anyone can bring about desired positive changes in the country whilst remaining a member of that party.
Nuhu Ribadu – What I like of him?
Nuhu is full of life and idealism! In a country where being a policeman carries the odious tag of “corruption personified” it is remarkable indeed that someone of the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police can exist within the same system without his cupboard dripping with skeletons! Nuhu was one. Then in his time as founding EFCC chairman, he won me over with some striking actions and even more striking words. He chained and jailed ex-cop supremo, Balogun; harassed and jailed big boy governor Alamaseigha; he made governor rogues like Igbinedion and Ibori sleepless – regardless of them being PDP members and Obasanjo’s “boys”; and sundry others. And throughout his tenure, even if he was accused of being selective and of running Obasanjo’s errands, he could not be accused of having enriched himself in the process; and none that worked for him (known to me) had anything but respect for him. He is daring, young, and sufficiently articulate.
What I don’t like of him? Lately, and more from that “Presidential Debate” I began to feel very uncomfortable. While his impatience and anger over the state of the country is understandable, his brashness, even ill temper, unsettles. He looks like he’s not a team player but a Rambo with Messiahnic-complex.
So, finally, who is my choice? Ribadu, for whatever it’s worth. But in all likelihood GEJ is next president – and he doesn’t even have to rig. The opposition are help enough!
No comments:
Post a Comment