GEJ
& GMB, CHOOSING BETWEEN THE TWO “SAINTS”: SOVEREIGNTY BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE
OF NIGERIA?
It’s mandatory we write you O dear
citizen.
What exactly is your thought for your
country?
Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s words: Nigeria
is simply a geographical location on the globe or the constitution statement:
Nigeria is one indivisible and indissoluble sovereign state to be known by the
name of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?
The strength of words is far from
alphabets that make them! The total issue of the heart (transformed or not) of
the being that utters the word(s) depict(s) the asset or liability of the
word(s).
Same with thumbing while exercising
franchise right. Exercise of franchise right is a responsibility! If
responsibility then consequential; and the hereafter worth consideration. The
very person that wins at the poll is the electorates provided it’s done
thoughtfully. Once again, what’s your thought towards dear Nigeria? Fellow
Nigerian, please what’s your thought towards Nigeria? Vote for whomever in your
thought that will ensure our foremost constitutional statement- Nigeria is one
indivisible and indissoluble sovereign state…!
Of recent, I am much the reserved type
than the talker. Reserved to spare the word and do lot of strategic thinking.
Thinkers grow rich. The words of the strategic thinkers who brood over matters
are creative. They create what is useful especially when the heart from where
it is uttered is completely of the goodwill orientation towards humanity.
Section 2 (1) was uttered by some individuals on behalf of Nigeria: Nigeria
is one indivisible and indissoluble sovereign state to be known by the name of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Dear reader, for sure that is
creative; it is holding since 1914 before the words were uttered in 1999, and
will hold on as long as there is sun! And may I say further, it’s all about
you!
We write today to provoke thinking at
all quarters because “Sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria
from whom government through this Constitution derives all its powers and
authority” (Section 14:2a, Nigeria Constitution, 1999).
We say this in confidence that you won’t
put hope in any candidate but in Nigeria’s indivisibility and wholesomeness.
And you won’t be bullied into decision to vote in or to vote out anybody. You
will also do your best to help others bear this in mind.
Those who silence and manipulate the
media are wicked and selfish! Yet, they aren’t to blame exclusively as an
average Nigerian who don’t engage his/her mind in reading and thinking on
national matters. Again, the succinct provision of the 1999 Constitution of
Nigeria on media:
The press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media
shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in
this Chapter and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the Government
to the people (Section 22, 1999
Constitution of Nigeria).
I ask with nostalgia, why should any person muzzle
the agencies of the mass media? Whatever excuse by anarchy, oligarchy,
monopoly, acquisition and what have you.
In the consideration or candidates we have at hand in the on-going
political tussle, whose history and the present (personally, by association to a
party or regime) denies the power of this constitutional provision? Think and
ask why? What does that suggest to you?
Section 15 (5)of the
Constitution of Nigeria (1999) states: The
State shall abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power. And do you
bother to ask if these candidates again are found to have obeyed and allowed
the rule of law herein? An absolute obedience I mean. In the pursuance of this
stance of the constitution, do they follow due process? Banish the biased media
information especially from the media that has been bought. Do your personal
findings and establish the truth. This isn’t superficial! Dig deep.
These are the profiles of the two major
candidates aspiring for the Presidency:
Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ): A profile
Born on November 20, 1957 in Otuoke,
Bayelsa State, Goodluck Jonathan began his primary education at St Stephen’s
Primary School (now State School, Otuoke) and later moved to St School, Oloibiri, where he completed his
elementary education in 1969, at the age of 12. He proceeded to Mater Dei High School,
Imiringi for his secondary education andpassed out in 1975 with distinctions.
Before securing admission into the university, Jonathan worked as a Preventive
Officer with the Department of Customs and Excise for two years in 1977; he
secured admission into the Department of Zoology, University of Port Harcourt.
He was one of the pioneer students of the university. He graduated with a B.Sc.
in Zoology in 1981, an M.S. in Hydrobiology and Fisheries Biology (1985), and a
Ph.D. in Zoology (1995).While pursuing his doctorate, he taught at Rivers State
College of Education from 1983 until 1993. He then served as an assistant
director at the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission, a now
defunct government agency, from 1993 until 1998. Jonathan Goodluck’s political
career began when he became involved with the nascent People’s Democratic Party
(PDP) in the late 1990s. He was elected deputy governor of Bayelsa state in
1999 under the party’s banner. He served in the position until year 2005, when he
was elevated to the governorship after the incumbent, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha,
was charged with corruption and was impeached. In 2007 he was selected as the
vice presidential running mate of the PDP’s presidential candidate, Umaru
MusaYar’Adua. He and Yar’Adua were elected in April and inaugurated in May
2007. He was sworn in as the President on 6May 2010 following the death of
Yar’Adua on May 5. He contested the 2011 presidential election and defeated
General Muhammadu Buhari of the Congress for Progressive Chang (CPC) and Nuhu
Ribadu of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) with 59% of the votes. His
dedication to service earned him the Best Performing Deputy Governor Award, as
well as the Honourary Award for Democracy and Good Governance. Given his contributions
to Environmental Management, he was decorated with the prestigious Honourary
Fellowship of the Nigerian Environmental Society. A member of various
professional associations around the world, he remains a Fellow of the
Fisheries Society of Nigeria, FISON, Fellow of the Public Administrators of
Nigeria, Fellow, International Association of Impact Assessment, IAIA, and
Fellow, Institute of Corporate Affairs Management. He is also a member, Science
Teachers Association of Nigeria, and Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary International.
General Muhammadu Buhari Rtd (GMB): A profile
Muhammadu Buhari was born on December
17, 1942, in Daura, Katsina State. He went to Primary School in Daura and
Mai’adua from 1948 – 1952, before proceeding to Katsina middle School in 1953.
He attended the Katsina Provincial Secondary School (now Government College
Katsina) from 1956 – 1961. On graduation from Secondary School in 1961, Buhari
went to the Nigerian Military Training School, Kaduna in 1963. In October of
the same year, he was sent to the officers’ Cadet School in Aldershot in the
United Kingdom and was thereafter commissioned Second Lieutenant in 1963 and
posted to the 2nd Infantry Battalion, Abeokuta as Platoon Commander in 1963. It
was at the Abeokuta Garrison that the real traits of a great soldier were
identified in the young man. From 1963 –1964 he was sent for further training
on the Platoon Commanders’ Course at the Nigerian Military College, Kaduna. In
1965, he went for the Mechanical Transport Officers’ Course at the Army
Mechanical Transport School in Borden, England. He went to the Defence
Services’ Staff College, Wellington, India in 1973 and to the United States
Army War College from June 1979 to June 1980. In August 1975, after General
Murtala Mohammed took power, he appointed Buhari as Governor of the
North-Eastern State, to oversee social, economic and political improvements in
the state. In March 1976, the then Head of State, General Olusegun Obasanjo
appointed Buhari as the Federal Commissioner(position now called Minister) for
Petroleum and Natural Resources. When the Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation was created in 1976, Buhari was also appointed as its Chairman, a
position he held until 1978. In 1983, Major-General Buhari and Major-General
Tunde Idiagbon were selected to lead the country by middle and high-ranking
military officers after a successful military coup d’état that overthrew
civilian President Shehu Shagari on December.In 1985, Buhari was himself
overthrown in a coup led by General Ibrahim Babangida on August 27th, and other
members of the ruling Supreme Military Council (SMC) ostensibly, because he
insisted on investigating allegations of fraudulent award of contracts in the
Ministry of Defence. Between 1995 and 1998, Buhari served as the Chairman of
the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), a body created by the government of General
Sani Abacha, and funded from the revenue generated by the increase in price of
petroleum products, to pursue developmental projects around the country. Buhari
contested the Presidential election as
the candidate of the All Nigeria People's Party in 2003 and lost to former
president Olusegun Obasanjo. Again, he
contested under the ANPP banner in 2007 against Late Umaru Musa Yar’adua of the
PDP and lost. In March 2010, Buhari left the ANPP for the Congress for
Progressive Change (CPC),a party that he had helped to found. Buhari was the
CPC Presidential candidate in the 16 April 2011 general election, in which he
lost to incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan of the People's Democratic Party
(PDP).He is currently the presidential candidateof the All Progressive Congress
(APC) inthe 2015 presidential election.
-
Source (News24.)
According to Section 14(2c) through Sections 15-18,
policies are to be directed in certain ways for economic, social and political
development of the nation. How the candidates did in view fared with their
opportunities?
I was fascinated with different
messages from several friends and associate trying to convince me why it should
be GEJ or GMB. The so called "respected men of
God" in the country in which people like us sometimes look up to have also made matter worse by adding to the controversy. Pastor "X" has advised us to vote for GEJ while Pastor "Y" has said GMB is the chosen one. While in some quarters, where Imam or Alfa applies, worshippers are threatened with curse if they do otherwise! Rumour of same was diffused from the formal quarters.
Some even use social media platform to publicly speak on why their candidates would win the election. Let me use this medium to say what is on my mind concerning the coming election.
Neither GEJ nor GMB is the messiah that will liberate this great country from the present state. The only messiah I know is Christ Jesus who came to save the mankind. He is the only one that can bring a lasting solution to the challenges of Nigeria and the world. There is no Mr Perfect that can perfect the governance of any nation. Whoever comes in will try his best and leave.
"But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding" (Job 32:8). Belabour yourself to be emancipated from mental slavery; do not fear the atomic bomb of the media or what have you. Do the thinking! I will attempt to make little highlights.
Every Nigerian old enough to exercise franchise right should note that every one of us will account for our actions and inactions including voting! It is thus incumbent on each of us to readily take responsibility for our choices. Section 14, subsections 1 and 2 and articles a-c spelt out clearly the transaction that occurs through exercise of franchise right. We by our votes confer power of the state on a candidate to get provision of welfare and security of life and property in return!
In Retrospect, 1962-1985 were the years of GMB in power at different levels, though not by election. And while he returned to serve again in the 90s and in the millennium, it was by nomination. So he has never held an electoral position in his life time. 1998-2015 reflect what one can call the political career of GEJ. He has been elected as co-pilot on joint ticket twice, and once as a pilot. So he has history of being elected thrice.
Neither has been proved guilty of corruption in any law court, if you know of any please do air it. Both have made statements that people took them up it.
Like the controversial case of stealing isn't corruption by GEJ; and the mind bugling one made by GMB that accusation against Abacha looting the Nigeria's treasury is baseless.
In GMB's days, he's said to have zero tolerance for corruption. Whereas, GEJ do condole thieves as some people feel and can point at several incidence. GEJ hasn't shown interest in presented the accused for prosecution whoever they are, whereas GMB did. Even though many feels he wasn't fair in the punishment minted for the concerned. The case of ethnic and religion bias was said to have being meddled with by GMB when he jailed Vice president and had the president placed on house arrest! GEJ granted 'criminals' state pardon; regional balance.
Stella Odua and Farouk Lawal saga remain as fresh as yesterday
GMB built most of our refineries in Nigeria mostly in the South. None is built by GEJ till date. Whereas 9 Universities have been built more in the North by GEJ, GMB has no record of one. Green Revolution of Shagari never ascended with GMB and in fact I am not sure his isn't the only government without a named programme for agricultural development. In GEJ's time, Agriculture OBJ left is soaring with more initiatives.
God" in the country in which people like us sometimes look up to have also made matter worse by adding to the controversy. Pastor "X" has advised us to vote for GEJ while Pastor "Y" has said GMB is the chosen one. While in some quarters, where Imam or Alfa applies, worshippers are threatened with curse if they do otherwise! Rumour of same was diffused from the formal quarters.
Some even use social media platform to publicly speak on why their candidates would win the election. Let me use this medium to say what is on my mind concerning the coming election.
Neither GEJ nor GMB is the messiah that will liberate this great country from the present state. The only messiah I know is Christ Jesus who came to save the mankind. He is the only one that can bring a lasting solution to the challenges of Nigeria and the world. There is no Mr Perfect that can perfect the governance of any nation. Whoever comes in will try his best and leave.
"But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding" (Job 32:8). Belabour yourself to be emancipated from mental slavery; do not fear the atomic bomb of the media or what have you. Do the thinking! I will attempt to make little highlights.
Every Nigerian old enough to exercise franchise right should note that every one of us will account for our actions and inactions including voting! It is thus incumbent on each of us to readily take responsibility for our choices. Section 14, subsections 1 and 2 and articles a-c spelt out clearly the transaction that occurs through exercise of franchise right. We by our votes confer power of the state on a candidate to get provision of welfare and security of life and property in return!
In Retrospect, 1962-1985 were the years of GMB in power at different levels, though not by election. And while he returned to serve again in the 90s and in the millennium, it was by nomination. So he has never held an electoral position in his life time. 1998-2015 reflect what one can call the political career of GEJ. He has been elected as co-pilot on joint ticket twice, and once as a pilot. So he has history of being elected thrice.
Neither has been proved guilty of corruption in any law court, if you know of any please do air it. Both have made statements that people took them up it.
Like the controversial case of stealing isn't corruption by GEJ; and the mind bugling one made by GMB that accusation against Abacha looting the Nigeria's treasury is baseless.
In GMB's days, he's said to have zero tolerance for corruption. Whereas, GEJ do condole thieves as some people feel and can point at several incidence. GEJ hasn't shown interest in presented the accused for prosecution whoever they are, whereas GMB did. Even though many feels he wasn't fair in the punishment minted for the concerned. The case of ethnic and religion bias was said to have being meddled with by GMB when he jailed Vice president and had the president placed on house arrest! GEJ granted 'criminals' state pardon; regional balance.
Stella Odua and Farouk Lawal saga remain as fresh as yesterday
GMB built most of our refineries in Nigeria mostly in the South. None is built by GEJ till date. Whereas 9 Universities have been built more in the North by GEJ, GMB has no record of one. Green Revolution of Shagari never ascended with GMB and in fact I am not sure his isn't the only government without a named programme for agricultural development. In GEJ's time, Agriculture OBJ left is soaring with more initiatives.
Below are some of the strengths and
shortcomings of GEJ administration
Strengths:
ü Considerable
Free and Fair Election in 2011
ü Liberation
of Press and guaranteeing the freedom of speech
ü 9
Universities establishment
ü Agriculture
(Food importation reduced 40%), Cassava is at 45m tones in (FAO, 2014)
ü Human
Development: Women development
Shortcomings:
ü Education: It was observed
that GEJ government has failed in its responsibility to provide quality
education for Nigerians in line with Section 18 of the 1999 Constitution which
mandates the state to ensure equal and adequate educational opportunities for
all and to strive to eradicate illiteracy. While poor state of education in
parts of the North may represent the extreme, the reality is that education in
all parts of Nigeria is in total state of decay. No country achieves
development without placing high premium on education.
ü Health sector: According to Section 16: 2(d) " The state shall direct its policy towards ensuring: that
suitable and adequate shelter, suitable and adequate food, reasonable national
minimum living wage, old age care and pensions, and unemployment, sick benefits
and welfare of the disabled are provided for all citizens". The
government’s claims of achievement in this sector are not supported by
verifiable evidence on the ground. Contrary to government’s claimed
achievements in the healthcare sector, Nigeria has been consistently ranked
within the category of low human development index in all UNDP Human
Development Index reports. Other recent reports have also ranked Nigeria as the
worse place to be born, one of the worse places to be a mother as well as one
of the countries in the ‘serious’ category- the one but last category in the
Global Hunger Index. All these combined or taken in isolation, make it
difficult for Nigeria to achieve the levels of improvements in the healthcare
sector as it claimed in the midterm report. The transformation agenda vision-
to save one million lives by 2015 was launched in 2012 as Nigeria government’s
contribution towards saving 6 million lives of mothers and children globally by
2015. It was observed that the Global Health Index with a score of 15.7 ranked
Nigeria 40 out of 79 countries with a score higher than 5 thereby contradicting
the federal government’s claimed achievements in the key performance indicators
for the healthcare sector. With regard to the 4 pillars enunciated in the
National Strategic Health Development Programme with focus on expanding access
to basic services in the areas of maternal, neonatal and child health, Nigeria has
consistently ranked low among low Human Development Index (HDI) category of
countries from 2010 to 2013. Life expectancy has also continued to lower from
51.9 in 2011 to 41.4 in 2013. The most significant indicator of the decline in
the state of healthcare over the years, and particularly, in recent times, is
the fact that state dignitaries, as well as other privileged personalities
including high profile business persons, continue to seek medical treatment
outside the country for all manner of ailments from the most common to the most
complex. The Nigeria Medical Association has stated that the country loses over
600 billion naira annually to what it calls “medical tourism”.
ü Insecurity:
As stated in Chapter 2, Section 2(a) of the Nigeria Constitution “the security and welfare of the people
shall be the primary purpose of government”.
Since 2010,
the Nigerian nation has on daily basis experience an upsurge of activities that
threatens and endangers its national security. Kidnappings, arms proliferation,
armed robberies, drug and human trafficking and violence associated with
ethnic, religious and political conflicts are among these threats. Recently
however, a new dimension of bomb blasts, occurring on a daily-basis, is a major
focus of attention in Nigeria's security analysis. The Boko-Haram Islamic
militant sect (literarily translated as Western education is a sin) has been
fingered as the perpetrators of the bomb explosions. Is GEJ administration
cognizance with the public and media reactions to such actions? There is a
higher degree of fear and insecurity, especially in North-eastern Nigeria.
Based on the palpable tension threatening to shatter the fragile thread that
binds us together as a nation, the role
of the government is to ensure peace and stability endure in the country.
ü Economy: Isn't it laughable when some people rejoice that Nigeria
has the largest economy in Africa? By simple calculation, Nigeria has the
largest population in Africa with about 180 million, and the economic size or
performance is a function of trade and productive activities of its citizens.
In April of 2014, Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics had revised the
country’s GDP in 2013 from 42. 4 trillion naira to 80.2 trillion naira. As a
result, Nigeria’s output grew by 89 per cent, making the country Africa’s
largest economy, ahead of South Africa. Has this impacted positively on the
citizens? What is the cost of living in Nigeria compare to smaller African
countries? What is the standard of living in Nigeria? How many families can
conveniently feed on 3 meals daily? GEJ administration says electricity supply
has improved greatly, how many Nigerians can confidently say that power has
improved as claimed by the government. How many hours of electricity supply do
we enjoy in Nigeria? Has the country celebrated one day of uninterrupted power
supply nationwide? Nigerians are even made to pay more for power that was not
provided as a result of increase in electricity tariff. Have you wondered why
millions of our youths turn themselves into okada riders (Motor Cycle)? A lot
of our artisans have turned to Okada riders due to epileptic power supply. On
corruption, hasn’t the president failed to fight it, or is it that GEJ is
incompetent to tackle corruption? The case of this country can be likening to a
child of cloth-seller who roam about the neighbourhood with rags whereas
his/her mother boast to be a successful cloth-seller.
GMB
Strengths:
ü Cutting
back of excesses in National Expenditure and his zero tolerance to corruption through
the establishment of War Against Indiscipline (WAI) in May 1984
ü Establishment
of 2 petrochemical Refineries under his supervision.
Shortcomings:
Without any doubt, GMB has displayed to the entire
world his stance on corruption. In one of his campaign rallies on Tuesday
January 6, 2015, he assured Nigerians that all corrupt politicians will end up
in Jail once he is elected into power. He emphasized that he would block all
loopholes through which money was being siphoned out of the country. “When we come into power, anyone who
steals Nigeria’s money will end up in Kirikiri Maximum Prisons. We are going to
make that Nigeria’s wealth belongs only to Nigerians,” GMB said. Can GMB
claim to be saint, clean, honest, and incorruptible, when he is surrounded by
the most dirtiest and corruptible people in the country today? Or what will we
say of a white Sheep that befriend a wild Wolf, isn’t the Sheep digging its own
grave? I wonder how he would be able to tackle corruption with some set of
people he is surrounded with. Can GMB tell us that all his sponsors are people
of high integrity? Can his sponsors’ who have held one position of authority in
one way or the other give detailed account of their administrations without
finding them wanting? What I am sure of is that those financial supports used
in funding his campaigns are not from charity organisations, there will
definitely be “payback price.” Is GMB ready to Jail his benefactor? Will he not
be an ingrate to do that!
In May 1984 when he established War Against
Indiscipline (WAI) through Military Decree, the programme’s intention was to
instil morality, discipline or social order, civic responsibilities and
promoting Nigerian nationalism. However, some criticism align that some poor
planning, unreasonable and irrational punishments such as flogging and long
sentences for offences that are regarded as minors. A student of 17 years above
caught cheating could get close to 21 years in Prison as a sentence. Some are
also of the opinion that some of WAI’s patriotic objectives such as reciting
the national anthem and national pledge had little do to with order or
corruption. Some might say that was
during the Military rule but should human being been treated like animals in an
ideal society?
Today, GEJ has proved beyond
doubt that security is possible by obliterating BOKO HARAM at the time
international human right cannot charge him for genocide! It only coincides
with election! Brain work! Yesteryears, GMB has proved that
maintaining the integrity of our land against insurgency is achievable by
obliterating Maitasainne all the way. On foreign relationships scorecard GEJ
has more FDI than GMB, whereas dollar to Naira wasn’t this foolish in GMB’s
days! Corruption is said to be rampant in GEJ’s days wherein Nepotism and
tribalism characterises GMB’s days. FOI act exist now courtesy GEJ, decree
against even freedom of speech exist then so much that some journalists left
town and NBA was seriously GMB’s move to round it off. Peter Onu an Igbo man
won’t want GMB, in due to what was done to him as he needed GMB’s vote as his
Head of State to cliché Organisation of African Unity (OAU) secretary General
but his leader felt a Niger Republic man deserves it! And to GEJ, MKO Abiola
and family will not want to see him continue because he granted Al-Mustapha
state pardon… Fellow citizens, we have all the heavens to condemn the two not
to lead us, whereas, the whole earth and hearts awaits the new Nigerian
President elect or re-elect! We just have to decide. May God who earn us amalgamation
and independence help us ascend from here against all odds!
Well, for your consumption there are
elements gunning for an interim government at the federal level and are doing
all they can to ensure stooges are in who can be driving easily. Also, this
very election’s free and fair conduct is up to you.
Neither GEJ
nor GMB deserves our accord but the fatherland- Nigeria!
You still have more days to be good to yourself before you finally go on to
decide between the two ends: GEJ or GMB. And you got other choices as well. Note: Neither can do anything of lasting effect except we as a
people will it. On related thought, never you see what propaganda is making you
see. The sovereignty is what they want to rob you off.
Writers' Profile:
David
A. Adeoye, a research fellow with the Department of Animal Science
University of Ibadan. He is an advocate of sane politics.
Email
address: oyet2007@yahoo.com
Phone
Number: 08038790105
Twitter:
@Amelchiz
BBM:
3155E240
Ayokunmi-Solomon Jimoh, a public affair analyst,
and the President/Initiator of The Immaculate Team.
Email
address: apostleayoks@gmail.com
Phone
Number: 07034586467
Twitter:
@apostleayoks
BBM:
55865408www.facebook.com/groups/immaculateteam
