Saturday, March 28, 2015
BBN Editorial»»»The Die Is Cast! #NigeriaDecides
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And finally the anticipated day has arrived as Nigerians go to the polls to elect the Chief Executive who would be saddled with the responsibility of piloting the affairs of the nation from May 29 to 2019.
The ruling Peoples Democratic Party faces it's toughest challenge since the return to Democracy 16 years ago following collaborative steps put together by opposing parties which led to the creation of a progressive bloc, the All Progressive Congress, a party which has told whoever cares to listen that it represents Change.
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is at this stage faced with an uphill task of battling with even those who were instrumental to his emergence as the substantial President and later duly elected President in 2011. Like the biblical Jonathan whose father Saul wanted him dead, President Jonathan faces an opposition which is filled with bred opposition figures as well as founding members of his political party the PDP which has in the past boasted that it was going to rule Nigeria for atleast five decades.
The President is faced with several challenges despite reported cases of economic breakthrough and a controversial success of emerging the largest economy on the continent of Africa, several people disagree saying there is a wide spread hunger in the land. Asides this, the President since being sworn in has been faced with security challenges especially in the north where the dreaded Boko Haram reigned supreme while his inability to tackle electricity has also been an albatross.
Observers have likened Mr. Jonathan to Jimmy Carter(a farmer from Geogia), the 39th American President who lost his second term bid to a relatively older Ronald Reagan who defeated 57-year old carter.
Now in the American comparative, the most shocking similarities in this context asides the overwhelming inflation, recession and an embarrassing energy crisis is the abduction of 52 American citizens by Iranian fundermentalists for an embarrassing 444days. This readily brings to mind the the kidnapped school girls from Chibok who have remained in captivity for almost a year.
Notwithstanding, President Goodluck Jonathan's administration has also recorded some unprecedented feats especially after the economy was rebassed not forgetting his construction and rehabilitation of roads across the country although many people still criticise him for his inability to construct the long overdue 2nd Niger Bridge he promised the Easterners. The President has also made commendable efforts especially in the area of transportation where the rail system was brought back to work after being abandoned for decades. His support for farmers has also been commended as the activities of the Agriculture Minister has been rather a great advantage to the President. This has led to the production of 9million tonnes of rice by Nigerian farmers. Other feats the President boast of include creation of Almajiri schools for hitherto abandoned kids of the north, building of dams, an increase in cement production, return of automobile manufacturing, building of 9 additional universities amongst others.
On the other hand is the opposition candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari who is having his fourth attempt at the Presidency having contested in 2003 when he was defeated by incumbent President Olusegun Obasanjo, 2007 where he lost to then ailing Kastina Governor Umar Yar'Adua and in 2011 where President Jonathan first defeated him.
However a whole lot as changed as the opposition figures in the country have come under one umbrella(APC) to ensure Buhari emerges and if the social media space is to be taken seriously, then President Jonathan might be in for a shocker.
Unfortunately, elections aren't won on the internet (ateleast not in this part of the world) and like most politicians, the General isn't without a precedent which has left a mixture of thoughts in the minds of Nigerians. While many believe he is an anti-corruption czar whose 18 months tenure saw the fight against corrupt people in government at its peak, others believe he is a dictator whose tenure was filled with witch-hunting and a campaign against southern politicians. General Buhari's appointment as the Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund has also been questioned with many attacking him for working with and defending the government of Sani Abacha considered to be the worst dictatorship in this part of the world.
The General himself has however douse tensions about his past stating that he is a former military dictator and now converted democrat who cannot change the past but can change the present and the future. Buhari's candidacy has however despite the overwhelming support brought certain questions to the mind of observers with many wary of his ability to fight corruption if elected due to his dealings with former Lagos Governor and party leader, Bola Tinubu, Rivers Governor; Rotimi Amaechi and former vice president; Atiku Abubakar whom many has decreibed to be corrupt. His decision to pick Yemi Osinbajo, a professor of law and former Lagos Attorney-General has also made a huge difference as the Senior Advocate of Nigeria has brought an unprecedented upgrade to the campaign meeting and mobilising young people across the federation.
Asides the two top shots, observers however believe Professor Remi Sonaiya is also a star to watch out for. Although the retired Professor of French isn't expected to cause any major upset, her resilience and maturity has left many with admiration especially as regards controversy trailing other contenders who have all been linked to the two leading candidates in recent times.
As Nigerians goes to the polls this morning, it is expected that people would be allowed to vote in a peacefull situation especially as the two leading candidates have given their word on zero tolerance to violence...
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