Once again my fellow compatriots, Nigeria, our beloved country is in a state of being on the proverbial thin line between achieving greatness and falling deeper into the abyss. The latter event is unimaginable and definitely unacceptable, most especially, because we have a golden opportunity to change the course of the ship of the Nigerian State towards Eldorado.

Since the last time I wrote (30 days countdown to Nigeria's greatness: Support Gov. Donald Duke for President) about our collective responsibilty in ensuring and giving our unconditional support to the candidacy of Gov. Donald Duke as the most desirable aspirant to the soon to be vacant office of President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, a few event has occurred which deserves our urgent attention and by which we must strenghten our resolve to inform the PDP and its leaders that in choosen their flagbearer on December 16, 2007 should prove to Nigerians that they are truly for the emancipation of the oppressed masses.

Within the last 10-14 days, political heavyweights such as the former NSA Gen. Gusau has declared, applied, submitted and canvassing for support to be the next President of our dear Nigeria. The PDP aspirants who are in the low 20s then, have now become about 30 in numbers. Please, don't get me wrong, my fellow compatriots, the more candidates the merrier, but wait a minute! in Nigeria, the more candidates the sadder; the worst for the delegates who are to choose the flagbearer, the worstest for the masses because at the end of the day, it might be possible for the wrong candidate to emerge as the flagbearer of the PDP.

We have heard in the news how one of the presidential mavericks have sponsored at least 15 of these 30 candidates in order to use them (their delegates) during the primary elections for his own support. If this maverick's should win the PDP nomination; what becomes of him you might ask? The truth is that whoever wins the PDP nomination would win the election proper in April, 2007. 

Can the PDP leaders scheme this likely winner out of the race by using state machinery to hound him? I think not, especially if they have not been able to do it before the primary elections on the 16th of December. There would be only one choice left for the PDP and its leaders including President Obasanjo, on this: I defer for now.

Some of you might ask how I am sure that only the PDP's candidate can win the presidency in April of 2007,  and I would answer thus: The only alternative and formidable party, Action Congress (AC) cannot win PDP in a free and fair elections, therefore would attempt to rig but will find their match in the PDP with its power of incumbency and state machinery to go along with it.

Based on this fact alone is why I am imploring you all to do all that is possible in helping and assisting Gov. Donald Duke to emerge as the flagbearer of the PDP on December 16th, 2007. To this end, I am asking that we, Nigerians in the diaspora, those of us here in the Nigeriavillagesquare should come together and contribute as much as possible for the publication of our statement of support for the emergence of Gov. Donald Duke of Cross River State as our preferred candidate of the PDP and ultimately the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

You, you and you, I know that your candidate is Prof. Pat Utomi, the other credible candidate, but he is in the wrong political party, AC and also, even if he wins the primary elections in AC, he would be a good opponent to Gov. Duke in the run-off to the elections in April, 2007. At that time, whoever between them that wins the presidency should and would have our total support as both of them are eminently qualified to be our leader after President Obasanjo leaves office in 2007.

Nigeria is at a crossroad and we can help her to either stay the course of progress by our unconditional support or continue to harp mindlessly about how greatness has continue to elude us due to bad and incompetent leadership. The choice is ours!

To President Obasanjo, my hero, I say: You have more than deliver your fair share of risk in making sure that this entity called Nigeria remains one and progressive, notwithstanding your obvious shortfalls and misgivings. But, Sir, I implore you, the greatest gift you can give Nigeria/ns in your second chance is to ensure that the right and honorable candidate emerge as successor in office. Please, Sir, do not be like the Mr. IBB "Maradona" who dribbled himself out of play-field, only to be wishing in hell that he has another chance. To IBB, we say: no, thanks, but no Nigerians have had enough of you. And to the rest of the 30 Volunteers, who wants to be President, we say: we art thou credentials?

UP! UP!! UP!!! Donald Duke. UP! UP!! UP!!! Nigeria

May Allah, the Almighty continue to Bless Nigeria and her people. Amen.

The writer, Adebayo Animashaun is not an official supporter of the Donal Duke for President Campaign Organization, but rather, a supporter of good leadership for the Nigerian State. He is a political realist, who knows and accept the fact that Nigeria's politics involves some variables which include zoning of offices according to area of origin, therefore, would accept the candidacy's of a Northerner such as the Gov. of Kastina State, Musa Ya' Adua who has also been adjudged as competent and credible to assume the position of Presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. If the PDP leadership determined in their wisdom that the Presidency should go to the North of the Country, Gov. Ya' Adua will be accepted to the majority of the Nigerian people. We hope and pray that either way, Govs. Duke and Ya'Adua should be paired as President and Vice President respectively.

I also at this time announce my intention to donate $100 to the aforementioned publication in one of Nigerian Newspapper. Any taker?

Robot  # 1 | 06.12.2006 00:12

...Read the full article.

Obi  # 2 | 06.12.2006 07:08

Are you campaigning for Donald Duke or are you implying that he's the best performed Governor? Yes! of course, your next argument will be TINAPA. But is It all that is needed to qualify to lead 140 million people? You said, "If the PDP leadership determined in their wisdom that the Presidency should go to the North of the Country, Gov. Ya' Adua will be accepted to the majority of the Nigerian people" Really? Please, Is this hypothesis based on which benchmarks? On what polls? Has equity been served in Nigeria's political history with Obasanjo's tenure of eight years? So, Obasanjo has doused the tension enough for the "power owners" to take it back? Good thinking!

Dr. S Adetunji  # 3 | 06.12.2006 08:57

=Obi;141196>Are you campaigning for Donald Duke or are you implying that he's the best performed Governor? Yes! of course, your next argument will be TINAPA. But is It all that is needed to qualify to lead 140 million people? You said, "If the PDP leadership determined in their wisdom that the Presidency should go to the North of the Country, Gov. Ya' Adua will be accepted to the majority of the Nigerian people" Really? Please, Is this hypothesis based on which benchmarks? On what polls? Has equity been served in Nigeria's political history with Obasanjo's tenure of eight years? So, Obasanjo has doused the tension enough for the "power owners" to take it back? Good thinking! I belong to the school of thought of my brother Dr. Dejo Raimi (Forum of Southern Leaders) which canvasses for a nigerian presidency from the South East. Nigeria stands on three major appendages (the three bigs) with associated props (minorities). It is therefore only fair that the South East should take their turn now. This is not to mean that they should present riff-raffs as contestants to the entire nation. What about Ukiwe for his apparent honesty, and Okorocha? The later has been a philantropist of note, especially in the north. At the end of the South East tenure, leadership must go to the southern minority and then back to the north. Only then, when justice and fairplay has been shown, can the nation progress.

rodman  # 4 | 06.12.2006 10:09

Obi wrote: Are you campaigning for Donald Duke or are you implying that he's the best performed Governor? Yes! of course, your next argument will be TINAPA. But is It all that is needed to qualify to lead 140 million people? Obi, do not underestimate Duke's eight years of service in Cross River State. Of all the governors in Nigeria, he seems to be the only one who has lived above the usual routine of mismanagement and squalor. His feat is not restricted to Tinapa, but a wide array of well-spoken-about projects in his State. His State is known as the cleanest state in Nigeria, and possibly by now, the tourist capital of West Africa. I am in support of anyone, who has proved with little authority,—in this case State Governorship-- great potential. That I have no doubt of fresh-faced Duke is hinged on evidence. He is the only governor I know about in Nigeria, who has not been tied to corruption. Managing a state of a few million, to my mind, presages a consistency. I think we Nigerians should get into the habit of throwing our weight behind proven hands.Hands that have tailored State allocations to pressing needs. Perhaps, you need to embark on a little research, to expand your perception of the young Governor. I dare say, that he used his own money--with State money-- to build the world-class tourist resort owing to the tight resource his State receives against other pressing needs. Apart from being away from the blares of corruption ,Cross River State appears to be free from political rivalries. Dr. S Adetunji (PhD), wrote: I belong to the school of thought of my brother Dr. Dejo Raimi (Forum of Southern Leaders) which canvasses for a nigerian presidency from the South East. Nigeria stands on three major appendages (the three bigs) with associated props (minorities). It is therefore only fair that the South East should take their turn now. This is not to mean that they should present riff-raffs as contestants to the entire nation. What about Ukiwe for his apparent honesty, and Okorocha? The later has been a philantropist of note, especially in the north. At the end of the South East tenure, leadership must go to the southern minority and then back to the north. Only then, when justice and fairplay has been shown, can the nation progress. It my belief that we must de-emphasize ethnicity in Government. I may be termed a dreamer unschooled in the tug-of-war insignia of Nigerian leadership, but I contend that this is necessary for political health. We must pry into the CVs of contenders and settle for the deft-handed. Rodman

tonsoyo  # 5 | 06.12.2006 11:57

Governorship position just like in the United States is a good breeding ground for Presidential material in a Presidential system of government. Donald Duke is a tested and passed candidate in this regard. I also believe that being from the south-south-east is a plus. I believe a good candidate from any part of the old Eastern Region would satisfy the equitable and balanced opportunity to lead that we desire. My vote is for Donald Duke. Mr Adebayo Animashaun please send me a private mail @ Tonsoyo123@yahoo.com. I am willing to donate and even co-ordinate in my area, we all have a stake in this, we need to do more than big big grammar on the net.

falcon  # 6 | 07.12.2006 04:25

Dear Dr Adetunji, I have a problem with PDP be it for Duke or whoever. PDP is that party that kills or within which killings happen. It is the Party of Adedibu in Oyo and those other thugs like Uba etc. Duke appears good; he should not be cynical, we should not be too realistic and go with PDP. We were not born PDP; if we do not like what PDP stands for we should sweep it away. If you like what PDP stands for then you should canvass for it.

Sincere Brillow  # 7 | 08.12.2006 05:27

hi folks, I will want to suggest that we look at some background information. No doubt Gov. Duke remains one of the governors that has distinguished himself in service delivery.We may want to talk about Obudu cattle ranch,Tinapa etc.. But let us not forget his role in the botched third term saga.He was one of those supporting the devilish move to see Old Man Obasanjo returning to power the 3/4th time. If Obasanjo the bill to amend the constitution has succeeded, how does he hope to become the president now? I believe it is a question that we hve to ask the young Governor Yours Sincerely, Brillowboy.

Correct Bobo  # 8 | 11.12.2006 23:26

I hate it when we talk about rotational presidency...who has and who has not had a fair share. It should be based on merit and collective acceptance from the nigerian people....otherwise i think the Nigerian state should be considered an illusion!