Reasons 1 - 13 why Buhari should be rejected at the polls: (1) He is Hypocrite And Sanctimonious: Buhari is a self-acclaimed anti-corruption Czar, yet he served under late Sani Abacha without complaining of corruption. In the same period Buhari served as PTF Chairman under Abacha, Nigeria was named the 2nd most corrupt country in the world in 1996 by Transparency International; the most corrupt country in 1997 and 3rdmost country in 1998. Buhari didnt resign or protest. He dismissed the TI Report with a wave of the hand. A man who could descend so low to marry his eldest daughters classmate and friend in school (Aisha). A girl who saw him as a father and visits his home with his daughter. What kind of feeling do you think his first wife will have towards him and a girl she once welcomed like a daughter to her home as a friend of her daughter. Is this not corruption? Buhari has not apologized to Nigerians for working for the most corrupt govt in the world then, but he still maintains that Abacha didnt loot Nigeria dry even as Abacah loots are still being sent back to Nigeria. (2) He Is Corrupt: That Buhari has not been jailed for corrupt practises doesnt mean he is not corrupt, after-all, nobody has jailed IBB, OBJ etc., yet people say theyre corrupt. Buhari has never been able to account to Nigerians what he did with the N25 billion missing in PTF of which he was the chairman. Shagari incurred Buharis wrath when he decided to investigate the US$2.8 billion that disappeared from NNPC account and traced to the Midland Bank, London. Justice Ayo Irikefe panel was set-up and Saraki headed the Senate committee. The following were unequivocally discovered: The story of the thirty something suitcases - it would appear that they were even closer to fifty - For the exercise of a changeover of the national currency, the Nigerian borders - air, sea and land - had been shut tight. Nothing was supposed to move in or out, not even cattle egrets. Not only did Buhari dispatch his aide-de-camp, Jokolo - later to become an emir - to facilitate the entry of those cases, he ordered the redeployment of the Customs Officer who stood firmly against the entry of the contravening baggage. 3) He Is An Ethnic Bigot Who Thinks That Vendetta Is Fighting Corruption: After Buhari and his boys overthrew the govt of Shagari with the sole reason that the govt was highly corrupt, he locked up Dr. Alex Ekwueme - the then VP in Kirikiri maximum prison but left Shagari - the president and Head of govt in his mansion. Ekwueme was tried by the tribunal set-up by Buhari and the tribunal declared that he was even poorer than he was before he came into office. Yet, Buhari jailed him and allowed Shagari to relax in his mansion. He gave Dede Sam Mbakwe 100-year jail term for stealing nothing and also went after his wife. Ambrose Ali was tried for an undeveloped plot of land and he was jailed for 75 years with heavy torture that led to blindness and later death. Jim Nwobodo and Lateef Jakande were jailed for 100 years for stealing nothing. Adekunle Ajasin was tried by a military tribunal and found innocent. Buhari ordered a fresh trial, he was found innocent again. Buhari changed the tribunal and tried him again. He was still found innocent. Buhari still jailed him. But, Buhari left his personal friend - Awwal Ibrahim - the then highly corrupt governor of Niger State who was arrested at Heathrow airport with £14 million. Awwal was never jailed. He was placed under house arrest in his mansion like Shagari for just two weeks and indeed released. Chief Obafemi Awolowo who was not in government was restricted within his room for 24 hours. What a despicable action and intolerable to our revered and respected Papa Awolowo. (4.) He Is A Pretender And Deceiver: Buhari claims that he has no foreign bank account, no booming business, no house in Lagos or Abuja. He has 2 houses: one in Katsina and the other in Kaduna. Yet he has been contesting elections since 2003 and pursuing it up to the Supreme Court with his team of SANs. The minimum appearance fee for a SAN at the Presidential election case at the Supreme Court is N25 million. Where did he get this money? Can he tell us his sponsors? He borrowed N27.5 million to buy a form, yet he moves around in Chattered aircraft each time he wants to fly which is costlier than owing one. Buhari is definitely a pretender. Since his days as a Head of State, he only appointed his people in important positions. As the chairman of PTF, he employed an overwhelming number of Fulani/Hausa/Moslem at the detriment of other groups and concentrated PTF projects in the North. He used the company of his in-law - (Salihijo Ahmad), Afri-Projects Consortium in executed all the projects. He shamelessly executed about 74% of the projects in the north and 26% in the entire south according to PTF Situation Report (Vol 2, 98). (5). Buhari (GMB) makes provocative statements that put the country in crisis. His statements caused the death of over 800 innocent lives including about 10 Corp members after he lost the 2011 elections. A man who considers himself as an elder-statesman and wants to rule Nigeria again should not utter those statements, as an example: God willing, by 2015, something will happen. They either conduct a free and fair election or they go a very disgraceful way. If what happened in 2011 should again happen in 2015, by the grace of God, the dog and baboon would all be soaked in blood. - M. Buhari. 2015 will be bloody… - M. Buhari Buhari snubbed the same Nigerians he now wants their votes by refusing to appear before Justice Oputa Truth and Reconciliation Panel. Buhari knew how important reconciliation is to the stability of democracy, yet he refused to appear before the panel. Since 2003, Buhari has been jumping from one party to another in his desperate and endless quest to rule Nigeria. He started with ANPP in 2003 to CPC in 2011 and, now in APC. At 72 years of age, what is the desperado? (6) Buhari cannot formulate a Good Economic Policy: Buhari is the only former Head of State without a legacy despite ruling with iron-fist for 2 years. Some might say, Environmental sanitation is his legacy, my question is how has that improved our economy? He has not come out with a manifesto on how he will solve the numerous problems confronting Nigeria. All we heard during his recent interview on Channels Television was I will fight corruption; I will fight Boko Haram; I will fight and fight. How? BBC said about Buharis economic policy: Buharis attempts to re-balance public finances by curbing imports led to many job losses and the closure of businesses. These losses were accompanied by a rise in prices and a decline in living standards. GMBs economic policy started the devaluation of naira. During Shagari/Ekwuemes regime, $1 = N0.550 but before the end of Buharis tenure in 1985, it was $1 = N0.894 and the rise continues till today. (7). Lets Not forget the infamous Decree 4: Buhari closed down Newspapers, arrested and jailed many journalists such as Ndukar Irabor and Tunde Thompson of the Guardian Newspaper on stories that were factual. He told the Nigerian journalists then that it did not matter whether the story reported was true or not, if his regime did not like it, the writer would go to jail. Late Tai Solarin became the only voice who could speak as he stood at road corners distributing leaflets detailing the various atrocities of Buhari. He arrested and jailed him. In prison, he was denied his asthmatic drug. He was released by IBB and later died of complication from the torture he suffered in prison. The compromised APC loud speakers media probably have forgotten or do not care. They just want a change, yes a change may be necessary but should it be from frying pan to fire. 8). Buhari stopped the Lagos Metro Rail even when the military Administrator for Lagos State, alerted him a clause in the contract agreement ($60 million metro rail project) that would put the state into debt, if the contract was cancelled unilaterally. His reply to Mudashiru was I dont care. The fund for the execution of the project which would have given Lagosians an intra-city light train transport system was not coming from Buharis Supreme Military Council, Buhari, cancelled this project of the state government, without genuine reason but maybe ethnicity (Yoruba Land). Till date no Nigerian city has metro rail. Buhari also stopped all the wonderful projects initiated by Dede Sam Mbakwe in Imo State. Can you call GMB (Buhari) a progressive? (9). Buhari does not believe in Secular Nigeria; he believes that Quran supersedes Nigerian constitution. In 2001, he gave his total support for Sharia with this statement: I will continue to show openly and inside me the total commitment to the Sharia movement that is sweeping all over Nigeria. God willing, we will not stop the agitation for the total implementation of the Sharia in the country.- M. Buhari (August 27, 2001). He made the above statement after he had gone to BBC Hausa Service to condemn the then Vice President, Atiku Abubakar for urging Muslims states who adopted Sharia to return to the status quo. Prior to the 2003 elections, he made another shocking statement: Muslims should only vote those who will promote Islam. We are more than the Christians if you add our Muslim brothers in the West.- M. Buhari (2003) (10). At 72 years of age, old age has set-in and as an elder statesman, he must uphold his words. Buhari said publicly, he wont contest elections again, yet couldnt keep his words. Hear him: This campaign is the third and last one for me; since, after it, I will not present myself again for election into office of the president. - M. Buhari (April, 2011 at the Intl Conference Centre, Abuja). Then again in 2014, he swallowed his words with this: I humbly present myself to all Nigerians and to God, seeking to be elected as APCs presidential candidate. - M. Buhari (Oct., 15, 2014 Eagle Square Abuja). Then why are they complaining that GEJ said he is not interested in 2015? Why can he not allow younger, proactive, detribalized and not religious fanatics like Mohammed Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Tambuwal become APC presidential candidates if the opposition truly want a change. Baba 70 is unelectable and will definitely fail no matter who becomes his VP. Mark my word. 11. Buhari has no regard For Human Rights; Vera Ifudu an NTA reporter came to my mind as a good example. She was sacked for reporting what Dr. Olusola Saraki had told her in an interview about how the missing money was traced to Buharis account at Midland Bank London branch. Vera eventually won her case of wrongful dismissal in court against the NTA and was financially compensated. Also Dim Emeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, who returned from 13 years exile, just a little over a year then, was locked up in Kirikiri Prison by Buhari at the time. Up till the man died, he was not told what his offense was. Busari Adelakun died of ulcer because Buhari refused him to be taken out of prison for medical attention. The then Gov. of Ogun State, Bisi Onabanjo suffered similar fate which later led to his untimely death. Fela Anikulapo-Kuti used the US$2.8bn to sing and was jailed on trumped up charges under emergency law which prompted the sentencing judge to confess that he was ordered to do so and later apologised to Fela. Can I repeat here again how Buhari committed murder in the killing of Bartholomew Owoh who was just 26 years old under a retrogressive law that he used to execute two other Nigerians: Lawal Ojuolape (30), and Bernard Ogedengbe (29). Ogedengbe - was executed for a crime that did not carry capital punishment at the time it was committed. 12. Buhari is a Product of NEPOTISM - The manner Buhari rose in the army was a clear testimony of nepotism. At 21, Buhari was cadet trainee; at 23 he was promoted as Commander 2nd Infantry Battalion; at 25 he was appointed Brigade Major, 2 Sector 1st Infantry Division; at 28, he was promoted Brigade Major and Commander, 31st Infantry Brigade; at 29 he was promoted Assistant Adjutant-General 1st Infantry Division Headquarters; at 34 he was appointed the military governor of North-Eastern State; at 39 he was appointed Chairman NNPC and GOC, 3rd Armoured Division, Jos, 1981-83; at 42, he shot his way to Dodan Barracks as Head of State. Most of these promotions were with no further education or mandatory military training. No wonder he hates education just like Boko Haram, Buhari is a supporter of the almajir system. President Goodluck Jonathan is the person that established the first and only federal university in Katsina State - Buharis State and 100s almaijiris model schools across the northern region. 13. Buhari is known for his provocative, instigative, and influencing statements that urge people especially Boko Haram into violent conflicts (perilous insurgency). Two examples are: (i) The declaration of state of emergency in three Northern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe is a grave injustice against the North. - M. Buhari (Liberty Radio, June 2, 2013) (ii) …when the Niger Delta militants started their activities in the South-South, they were invited by the late President Umaru Yaradua. An aircraft was sent to them and their leaders met with the late President in Aso Rock and discussed issues. They were given money and a training scheme was introduced for their members. But when the Boko Haram emerged in the north, members of the sect were killed. - M. Buhari (Liberty Radio, Kaduna May 14 2012). But Buhari double speaks because on Ombatse, his tone changed because they killed the Fulanis, his kinsmen; hear him: …But those that killed the 56 security men must be hunted and prosecuted no matter how long it will take because this is the bottom line about law and order, and security in the country. They cant be forgiven, they cant override the constitution, Nigerians are being hurt and killed in their duties and those that killed them must be brought before the law. - M. Buhari. He was bothered only when his kinsmen were killed. What kind of leader is that? Reasons President Jonathan (GEJ) should be reconsidered and re-voted as President: PARTS 1 - 10 Part 1: Here I am not saying GEJ is a saint or the best man for the job but his current political gladiator is not better. GEJ has performed well in some areas, Fair in some areas, and very poorly in some areas. The depth Nigeria has sunk into especially in corruption did not start from GEJ. Nigeria was named the 2nd most corrupt country in the world in 1996 by Transparency International; the most corrupt country in 1997 and 3rd most country in 1998; GEJ was not the President at the time. Also Boko Haram insurgency did not start with GEJ though escalated during his administration. In a Corporate World, you permit those who have been involved in a process, exposed to that failure to understand better, where they fail and retry. Harvard Business Review puts it correctly Leaders who demonstrate good judgment understand that judgment is a process, not an event. It unfolds over three phases, each of which has its own challenges and opportunities. One of the most important elements of the judgment process is what we call the redo loop - the opportunity to go back and try again if youve skipped a step or handled it poorly. Redo loops are built in at certain points in the process. The stage GEJ is now is what I term redo loop. He therefore is much suited to solve Nigerian problems than a 72 year old Buhari who is just going back after 31 years of first trial. Maybe the change some people are clamouring for would have been possible if APC has presented a proactive, detribalized Younger Northerner not Buhari. Part 2: GEJ should be re-elected in the absence of a good alternative. Unlike his predecessor, GEJ allows the Rule of Law and Freedom of Speech. We take an aspect of failed governance and blow out of proportion. I know Nigerians deserve the best from their elected officers but when there is no ready good alternative as it is, then redo Loop is the only option. On core projects like Infrastructure, GEJ did his best. I will recount some of the Projects for information. On Transportation: 1. Lagos to Kano rail - Fixed and running with new coaches added 2. Enugu - PH - Maiduguri Rail - Fixed. To be commissioned soon 3. Aladja - Ajaokuta Rail - Fixed and tested. To commence full operation in new year 4. Key Benin NNPC depot - Fixed and running 5. Onitsha River Port - Fixed and ready 6. Onitsha Owerri Road - Fixed. Smooth sailing 7. Ibadan - Ilorin Road - Fixed and smooth sale 8. Second Niger Bridge - Ongoing with Sure-P funds 9. Owerri - PH Road. Ongoing. Almost complete 10. Benin - Lokoja - Abuja Road - Ongoing with work from two ends simultaneously. Road being expanded to 10 lanes at some sections. Part 3: GEJ deserves another chance. Jonathans administration diligently implemented its agenda for national transformation in priority areas, that includes the expansion of national infrastructure, agricultural development, and education among others. His administration successfully negotiated a strong Common External Tariff, CET, agreement with the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, partners on the need to protect the countrys strategic industries from foreign domination. As a result of his administrations backward integration policies, Nigeria moved from being a net importer to a net exporter of cement, with its production capacity growing from just 2 million metric tonnes in 2002 to about 28.5 million metric tonnes today. In fact, for the second year running, the UN Conference on Trade and Development, UNCTAD, has named Nigeria as the No.1 destination for investments in Africa. Apart from the production of over 8 million metric tonnes of additional food during the year, his administration was able to bring inflation down to its lowest level since 2008 partly due to higher domestic food production. The countrys food import bill was reduced from N1.1 trillion in 2011, to N648 billion in 2012, which has placed Nigeria on the path of food-sufficiency. Part 4: While it is true that the present activities of Boko Haram, the terrorists in the three north-eastern states have become more deadly in mindless killings, kidnappings and supposed territorial seizures, government has made giant diplomatic strides with our neighbouring countries in order to checkmate the crisscrossing of the insurgents. The Chibok girls kidnapping was very unfortunate and the girls non-release till date has impacted negatively on the administration of GEJ but we must remember his major economic strides. He Signed into law the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Bill 2010 (Local Content Bill) which has increased Local Content in the Oil and Gas sector. And as a result of that law Royal Dutch Shell awarded a N7.8 billion ($49.9 million) contract to a Nigerian firm, S.C.C Limited, for the manufacture of high pressure line pipes that would otherwise have been awarded to a foreign firm; providing employment for Nigerians. Also as a result of this law, Exxon Mobil awarded an off shore platform contract to a local firm, Niger Dock Nig. PLC that would otherwise have been awarded to a foreign firm. GEJ completed and commissioned Omotosho I Power plant; built from scratch and commissioned Omotosho II power generating plant; completed and commissioned Geregu power generating plant; and rehabilitated and upgraded the whole National transmission grid. The first of its kind N1 two way transmission grid installed between Benin and Onitsha to prevent nationwide grid collapse like we have always had and completed the Power privatization and PHCN unbundled. GEJ paid off all workers of the former PHCN. Very soon, electricity will be totally improved in Nigeria. Part 5: Corruption or stealing of governments money has been on since the first republic, remember the Okotieboh (the then finance minister) saga. From Jack Gowon military regime till date, corruption has been cited as reasons for change of government. GEJ has impacted positively on the macro and micro economies of Nigeria: GEJ Initiated the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF). A seed capital of $1 billion was provided to kick start the fund as well as establish three sub funds; the Nigeria Infrastructure Fund; the Future Generations Fund and the Stabilization Fund which will be the pillars of the SWF. He launched the Youth Enterprise with innovation in Nigeria (YOUWIN) initiative on the 11th October 2011 which is the administrations job creation centre piece. On Thursday April 12, 2012, 1,200 Nigerian youths emerged winners of the competition following a transparent process. Each winner receives a business start up grant of between 1 to 10 million Naira. The Foreign exchange reserves rose to $37.02bn by May 14, 2012. GEJ is the only leader that has given Nigerian women their real quota in appointment and other incentives: On February 13 2012, he launched the Public Works Women and Youth Empowerment Programme, an intervention programme designed to employ 370,000 youths in the year 2012 with 30% of those jobs reserved for women.a Part 6: The Federal Government under President Jonathan secured investment commitments worth 4.89 Trillion Naira. He launched the NigComSat-1Rsatellite which will help expand Internet Bandwidth, monitor the weather and provide early warning to prevent natural disasters like floods, crop monitoring and urban planning. It has the attendant benefit of reducing the over $1 billion spent in purchasing Internet Bandwidth from abroad. Nigerias GDP grew by a record 8.29% during the last quarter of 2010 and by over 7% in 2011. In the first quarter of 2012 Nigeria had verifiably become the fourth fastest growing economy in the world as recently attested to by several multilateral bodies and trading partners. GEJ revived the Textile industry via the 150 billion Naira Textile Industry Bailout. As a result the United Nigerian Textile Limited was reactivated amongst others and 2000 employees re-engaged. GEJ ensured the remodeling of 9 airports across the nation. Part 7: Despite the negative media reports meant to destabilize his person and government, GEJ has maintained a cool, and humble posture. GEJ government created an estimated 1.6 million new jobs in 2013 as a result of his policies and actions, and has promised more jobs to support the countrys growing population. GEJ made the countrys economic priorities to be stability and equitable growth, building on the diverse sectors of Nigerian economy. Part 8: Non oil exports from 2011 (standing at $2.3 Billion) and subsequent years are ten times what they were in 2000 (which were $200 Million) as a direct result of his administrations intervention in the Textile Industry and Real Sector. GEJ revolutionized the Agriculture Sector. His administration successfully tackled corruption in the input distribution system as farmers now obtain their fertilizers and seeds directly through an e-wallet system. About 4.2 million farmers received subsidized inputs through the programme in 2013; a scheme that restored dignity to our farmers. Part 9: Apart from the completion of the privatization of four power generation companies and 10 power distribution companies, the government started the process of privatizing 10 power plants under the National Integrated Power Projects, NIPP. To ensure effective evacuation and distribution of power generated, an additional $1.5 billion was advanced for the upgrade of the transmission network to boost electricity delivery to beyond 18 hours per day. Part 10: GEJ cut down on public expenditures and wastages, by curtailing foreign travels by government personnel in all ministries, departments and agencies. Also he has promised to complete the deployment of the three electronic platforms- namely, the Treasury Single Account, TSA; the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System, GIFMIS; and the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, IPPIS- to curb leakages in the system. In readiness for 2015; GEJ has launched Saving One Million Lives, an elaborate scheme to expand access to essential primary health care services for women and children at a meeting of the UN Commission on Essential and Life-Saving Commodities for Women and Children. Saving One Million Lives will be the new yardstick for measuring health sector performance in Nigeria, There is no perfect president in the whole world but it is important to compare the character and integrity of people aspiring to lead the nation. It is also important to bench mark cost of implemented projects. All APC states without an exception inflated highly on cost of projects and have put the states they govern in bondage of debts that will last many years to clear. They are also elitist in their choice of projects and programmers that have led to stunted growth/death of SMEs. Nobody deserves to be killed or to die for any political leader. Your PVC is your potent tool for your choice of leadership at all levels, make your choice and leave the rest to God. Nigerians desire Peace, not Bloodshed. I wish all readers Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year 2015.
Posted on: Mon, 22 Dec 2014 14:00:09 +0000