THE ROAD TO ASO ROCK: THE BEST CANDIDATES FOR THE OPPOSITION 2015 is still almost two years coming, yet attention has been drawn so much to it. Even though the President claims to be too occupied with the business of governance as to think about it, we all know better. Obasanjo up to date has never publicly admitted that he was harboring a third term ambition, but only 1st class ignoramus will listen to that crab. But why are people opposed to Jonathan’s second term ambition so much that they don’t even want him to stand for the election first. The spin doctors of the President are always posing such questions as these to bolster their support base. But that question is not out of knowledge. Free and fair elections in Africa still remains a desire and not a reality. The incumbent is too powerful that unseating such a person is never a joke. Someone who has an overriding influence on INEC the election umpire, the Police, the Military and the Judiciary, asking such questions is not out of knowledge. Obasanjo was also criticized and almost stop from contesting the second term by people opposed to him. But he wangles his way through. The bulk of those powerful men and women opposed to Obasanjo’s second term in office are also the one’s opposed to Jonathan, this time around, unfortunately also, Obasanjo is also opposed to Jonathan, forgetting his own personal trajectory. The arguments that was canvassed by supporters of Obasanjo fail third term is almost the same the Jonathanian are canvassing. “Allow him stand and let Nigerians decide”. The only major difference been Jonathan is constitutional allowed under the present constitution to stand, but Obasanjo needed the constitution to be amended to stand. In both cases, the spin doctors are only working on a bait, knowing fully well that the electoral process is designed currently to hand over government on the platter of gold to the incumbent should he stand. Yar’adua will forever be remembered as a remarkable leader, though many people have issues with him, like many have issues with Jonathan today, and who ever eventually becomes President in 2015 will also have issues at his/her hand it is normal. But Yar’adua will stand out tall; he left no debt in 8 year leadership as Governor in Katsina, leaving behind six billion naira in the coffers of the state. While in office as President, Ministers and extra ministerial departments where barred from end of year rush to clear budgets and had to return to the national treasury unspent funds. He publicly declared his assets, even though the constitution does not require him to do so. It took a serious campaign from Lai Mohammed, Garba Shehu and others to compel the then Vice President and now President to declare publicly his own assets. You will recall this line by Lai Mohammed of the ACN and later AC and now APC when pressing for the Vice President to follow suit in publicly declaring his assets. “The issue is not about Constitutionality and legality, but that of morality” Lai Mohammed. You will also recalled that the President in his 2011 Presidential campaign, publicly declared that he will be there for only a single term in office and no more. Many thought he was saying the truth, but those of us so deluded, like all delusions is not out of knowledge. Orji Uzor Kalu former Governor of Abia State, also said his personal fortunes dwindles as he devote time in the business of Governance and so was standing in for only one term in office, so as to return back to his legitimate business. But we all know he contested second term and won, stood as Presidential candidate in 2007 and loss woefully, has been standing for elections as Senator, thus far have not been successful. Buhari said in 2011, that if he fails to win, he will not stand for any election in the future, his followers were deluded and believe him, but we all know better what is happening, though the calculations does not favor his emergence as APC candidate for 2015 and so he may use that as a decoy or cover up for his eating back his words, yet he is touted as a man of integrity. The road leading to the emergence of APC was tough and rough. The ruling PDP tried seriously to frustrate the efforts of the opposition at aggregating to wrestle power from the PDP. When it fails in doing so, they result to calling it names and given it a religious toga. However, as fate will have it the long awaited desire and expectations happened, PDPs big umbrella was shredded into two halves. With the rains crashing in hard, a flood is now almost at the point of washing out Wadata Plaza. They are in a quandary state, state of emergency has been declared, things have really finally fallen apart and they are no longer pretending that all is well. It is no longer touted as a family affair; it is now a national affair. For the opposition to clinch victory and successfully retire Mr President to Otuoke; they will need to shop for a South East President and a Northern VP. That will be the master stroke. The South South craves and shouted that they needed one of their own to be listed as President or former President, Jonathan has gotten that for them. The South East has been clamoring and kicking for an Indigbo President, the time is ripe. The South East and the South South were the major support base of the President in 2011 elections and may remain his strongest allies in 2015 under the current arrangement. But a President of South East extraction will change that equation spontaneously. If those oppose to Jonathan in the new PDP merge with the opposition and for once shelve their own personal ambition for a common good, then even Jonathan will declined to stand election in 2015. Sule Lamido and Amaechi should shelf their ambition. Peter Obi of Anambra state, his track record of achievement in Anambra are not there to be perused and not much is heard from people of Anambra of any wonderful performance. Rochas Okorocha on the other hand is always showcasing his prowess in developing Imo state and the reports favour him in most quarters as one of the performing Governors. Though the writer has written in the pass that Rochas should not stand for 2015, the content of that article still stand on its own merit. But should the opposition decide of either of the duo of Obi or Rochas, though Rochas is favoured by these writer as the best candidate with a northern candidate. The duo of Nuhu Ribadu and Nasir el-Rufai, el-Rufai been the favourite of the writer. That will be the master stroke to yank out Jonathan out of power. Let us not be sold out by the spin doctors of the present administration telling us about those oppose to the President as pursuing a selfish interest, as if Jonathan is pursuing National interest. Let us join hand in removing a Government that personally admits failure, but alluding failures to activities of a cabal. Rochas/el-Rufai for 2015 is the answer that will solve many questions and observation. © 2013 Jacob Longpring OCFR
Posted on: Fri, 13 Sep 2013 07:09:06 +0000
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