GOVS. YAR' ADUA & JONATHAN PDP'S PRESIDENTIAL TICKET: THE NAKED TRUTH!

Congratulations to the PDP for conducting a successful presidential primary elections in the full glare of millions of Nigerians on ground in Abuja and on television around the nation. I also congratulate the "annointed" duo amongst the many messengers available to the ruling party's leadership.

At the rate and style by which the PDP is conducting its politics in Nigeria, I see no reason why it should not be in power for many more years to come. The opposition simple needs to regroup itself; identify an ideological cause and propagate it. In addition, its leaders ought to be advised to stop being "prostitutians" or political prostitutes jumping from one party to another like monkeys in search of bananas in the forest. That said!

Whereas the emergence of Governor Yar' Adua as the presidential flagbearer of the PDP was not a surprise to me considering a simple fact, that he is the most credible and viable candidate in the field of 7 aspirants  from his zone. What dumbfounded me, however, was his choice, I meant the PDP leaderships' choice as his running mate.

Before I elaborate further on the candidacy of Gov. Goodluck Jonathan as the Vice
Presidential candidate of the PDP, I will like to debunk some bad insinuations and
shed more lights on the other viable contenders  from the South South & South East zones who could have easily been nominated inplace of the "doubly lucky"
Gov. Jonathan of Bayelsa State.

I have read both in the newspapers and on internet blogsites wherein Gov. Jonathan is being castigated and labelled as Mu-Mu (a fool) because of previous existence in the shadows of his earstwhile boss, Former Governor Alamiesiegha who has proclaimed himself the, Governor General of the Ijaw people.

In the race for the PDP presidential flagbearer from the South South and South East zones amongst the governors, not a single one of them is believed to be more viable and credible than Gov. Donald Duke of Cross River State. I have since almost 6 months ago been touting the candidacy of the efficient Governor, first by pairing him with the equally efficient Chairman Ribadu of EFCC, who is of Northern origin as Vice President or vice-versa depending on the finality of the PDP zoning arrangement.

Until about two weeks ago when it dawned on me, that the Northern zone's wishes to have the presidency in 2007 would have to be met (for political reasons)did I considered the candidacy of Gov. Yar Adua of Kastina State.

Governor Peter Odili, who has informally declared his intention to run for the office of presidency longer than any of his fellow governor from the zone is not a credible candidate worthy of that pre-eminence office. He has gone ahead to spend money on his aspiration as if he was Mr. Adnan Kashogi, the famous wealthy Saudi Arms and Oil magnate. Don't we Nigerians not know that most if not all of that money belongs to his State? Is this who we want to be our next president?

I have read how analysts continue to tout Gov. Odili's viability, pairing him up with  all manners of aspirants including Gens. IBB and Buhari, what's is a credible and viable ticket consist of?

Gov. Victor Attah, who also declared his intention to run for the exalted office long before many others from his zone lacks credibility and as well being investigated by the EFCC for fraudulent practices.

Govs. Sam Egwu, Kalu, Nnamani and Udenwa are all from the Igbo tribes and at least 3 of them are all equally being investigated for fraudulent practices as such, not credible and viable for the office of presidency under any political party worth its salt. Please readers, before you lynch me for mentioning the fact that these aforementioned candidates are Igbos, therefore not viable for the presidency, avail youselves with the numerous information on the power play between and amongst the power players in the Tripod Areas.( Igbos, Yorubas and Hausa-Fulani). I am not the only one who thinks that the Igbos cannot win the Presidency at "this time" even if they present the Pope as a candidate.

For Gov. Kalu, he has been wanting to walk before crawling, for he has been wanting to be President of Nigeria even without any credible antecedent to bank upon. Not only is he a fraudulent governor, he has not also performed efficiently in his small State of Abia. He even enlisted his Mother in the plunder of State's fund.
Is this the type of President Nigeria wants and deserve at this time?

Exactly one year ago, December 19, 2005, the Southern Leadership Forum met in Enugu and took a stand: that the Presidency must remain in the Southern zones (except South West). I am sure part of that stand was to debunk the persistent demand of "Power Shift" by our Northern Power Brokers. I was sure then as I am today that President Obasanjo wanted power to remain in the South because both Chief Anenih and Minister Fanikayode were present in that August meeting. In fact, Chief Anenih, the Chairman Board of Trustees of the PDP made an announcenment to that effect.

In May, 2006 after the defeat of the so called Third Term Agenda, President Obasanjo regrouped and assembled all the governors under the PDP wherein he informed them that they should find a successor to himself amongst them. It was based on this premise that I launched my support for the candidacy of Gov. Donald Duke who is from the preferred zone, South South and equally credible and viable to be President of Nigeria based on his laudable achievements in his State of Cross River. One of the political mistake that Gov. Duke and his handlers made was to defer his informal and formal declaration and preparation till the last moments towards the convention.

Is there anyone out there in the cold who are still doubting the fact that both Gen. IBB and VP Atiku are scheming to be President at all cost? And is there also any political neophyte who are still doubting the fact that President Obasanjo is determined to have no hand whatsoever in their emergence, but would rather even, truncate their evil desires?

I always cry inside of me whenever I read analysts touts these unworthy duo for the exalted office of President of Nigeria in the year of our Lord, 2007. Should Nigeria continue to suffer irreparable consequences of these duo's actions?
I want to ask these so called political pundits which planet they are from: Mars or Pluto? For they are not from planet Earth and definitely not from Nigeria. For
if they are from Nigeria, they must be the ones who are agents of these evil people, IBB and VP Atiku.

The truth is that the problems of Nigeria today, are from the evil scheming of these terrible duo. They, IBB and VP Atiku are amongst the major sponsors of President Obasanjo as a candidate in 1999 and are determined to pull the rug from under him in 2003. They, IBB and VP Atiku are successful in planting their stooges in all spheres of governance from the Legislature and Executive to destruction of the Judiciary by monetary inducements both at the State and Federal levels. They even have their exceptional legal team who are ready to stall the progress of justice for the right price.

The question begging for answer is: How does a President Obasanjo fights these menace of a people without adequate funds and foot-soldiers in a democratic system of government with all of its check and balances as well as the ultimate "Rule of Law"? Therein comes the Ubas, Adedibu, Bode George, Tony Anenih and the others who the President have used and dumped along the way?

I remembered writing an article a few years ago, wherein I stated that Nigeria needs a "Ruler" and not a "Leader" at that time, I still believe to some certain extent that Nigeria still do. For, it is only a good Ruler who can purge Nugeria of all of these cancerous leaders who are parading themselves as "Latter Day" Democrats. They are better called Prostitutians!

Now, back to my analyses of the efficacy of Govs. Yar' Adua and Jonathan as
President and Vice President nominees respectively under the PDP ticket.

Amongst the set of criteria which I used in rating Gov. Duke and Chairman Ribadu
as qualified for the office of President or Vice are: age, reputation, acceptance,
academic qualification, religious consideration, rejection of military ruler and
fear of unknown by President Obasanjo's administration.

I will proceed to rate the duo of Govs. Yar Adua and Jonathan on this same set of
criteria and a little more.

Age: I am happy that both Govs. Yar Adua and Jonathan fall within the bracket of
45-55 years and as such can be termed: younger generation.

Reputation: Gov. Yar Adua is reputed to be credible, prudent and a silent achiever who dislike extravagance while caring for the needs of the poor masses.

Gov. Jonathan on the other hand has a reputation of being a good follower who does not takes-up arm against his boss while performing the task assigned to him. His credibility, I can not vouch for I know next to zilch on that aspect. But labelling a Ph.D holder and a scientist a "Mu-Mu" is denigration on his personality.

Acceptance: If Gov. Yar Adua is not accepted by the generality of the Talakawas
from the North and South of Nigeria, I don't know anyone else in the race under the PDP from his zone, who deserves to be accepted based on his performance and credibility in office?

Gov. Jonathan in my view, will satisfy the just demand of the South South zone to produce either the President or the Vice if the former is not achievable. And he is also from the Ijaw Tribe whose natural resources the country's leaders have been plundering without just compensation and distribution. Can't we in Nigeria be convinced to accept an Ijaw son to occupy the exalted office of Vice- President? He may not be squeegy clean but Gov. Jonathan is far better than all of the other candidates from the South South zone, except Gov. Duke, based on the available records to judge them upon. (It is either there is a negative attribute about Gov. Duke or that the Powerful PDP & SSPA's leaders prefer Gov. Jonathan because of his tribe, Ijaw being the largest of all the Oil Producing Areas).

Academic Qualification: Gov. Yar Adua obtained two degrees in the science field, precisely, M.Sc in Analytical Chemistry, and some of you labelled him, MU-MU? Give me a better academically qualified president since Nigeria's Independence?

Gov. Jonathan obtained 3 successive degrees in Environmental Sciences and some of us are castigating him for laying low under his former boss, Gov. Alamiesiegha,
how many deputy governors had battles with their bosses and succeed?

Religious Consideration: While Gov. Yar Adua is a practicing moslem who lives and lead by example, I heard that Gov. Jonathan is also a practicing Christian thus
satisfying the two major religions in Nigeria.

Rejection of Milatary Ruler: I am not one of the opinion that former Military men
cannot and should not rule Nigeria, however, all of the available military men are the ones who corrupt the system which we are now suffering the consequences of their actions and inactions. Maybe by 2011, we would have a desirable former military officer worthy of consideration. Therefore, both candidates Yar Adua and Jonathan satisfy this peculiar demand.

Fear of Unknown by President Obasanjo Administraion: I am sure President Obasanjo sees the hidden strength in Gov. Yar Adua before supporting his emergence. 1) Gov. Yar Adua is from the North, 2) he is reputed to be credible, 3) he is prudent, 4) he is efficent, 5) he is sellable to the generality of the masses, 6) he would be accepted by the "military boys", 7) the Northern Power Brokers will also accept him and 8) his health is of major concern to some analysts? On the last item, about his health, how is he able to perform in the last 7 years as State Chief Executive if his health is that bad? And who in his right mind can predict the date of death of any mortal who has not been bed-ridden by any known terminal ilness?

Further on the state of health of Gov. Yar Adua, I am a little concerned myself, but what concerned should I have, when it is a fact that all of us will die eventually one day in the future, should that preclude us from giving our best to humanity?

I am a little concerned also, that should Gov. Yar Adua dies in office,(May Allah
forbid), Gov. Jonathan would assume the Presidency and I know not much about him in terms of his credibility and level of performance. On this, I hope he proof us, the cynics wrong if ever that happens.

In conclusion, I rise in support of the only deserving and winning party, PDP in the  presentation of Govs. Yar Adua and Jonathan as the President and Vice President
of the Federal Republic of Nigeria respectively. I join, my hero, President Obasanjo
and the PDP's leadership in wishing the duo well and pray Allah's guidance, protection, and blessings for them and Nigeria in totality. Amen.

Long Live Federal Republic of Nigeria!

Adebayo Animashaun, the writer, is a political realist who approach Nigeria's political intrigues based on widely available informations and not on emotions or sentiments. He is not a card carrying member of the ruling party, PDP nor of any political associaton. He verily believes in the overhaual of the political system for better performance to serve Nigerians well. And, he has written extensively on political ideas which he believed will lead Nigeria into the 21st Century and beyond. He can be reached personally by email: aniade@yahoo.com

Robot  # 1 | 19.12.2006 16:28

GOVS. YAR' ADUA & JONATHAN PDP'S PRESIDENTIAL TICKET: THE NAKED TRUTH! Congratulation...Read the full article.

pukpabi  # 2 | 19.12.2006 17:09

Hmmm! Well done oh! Mr. Analyst. You have done your analysis to suite your warped understanding of the Nigerian experiment. (remember, nigeria is still an experiment, and from all indications, it will not succeed. Hear you: "Until about two weeks ago when it dawned on me, that the Northern zone's wishes to have the presidency in 2007 would have to be met (for political reasons)did I considered the candidacy of Gov. Yar Adua of Kastina State". Are you saying the the wishes and aspirations of Igbo people, and their southerly neighbors is not politically reasonable? Now, you guys can go on and say anything you like. The position of Vice-President in a presidential arrangement means nothing. Atiku had so much power because he aided in crowning Obasanjo. When he overreached, Obasanjo cut him to size. Tell me in all honesty; do you really think that if anything happens to Yar'adua (God Forbid), we will have a President whose name is Goodluck Jonathan, from Bayelsa? What political clouth does he wield to carry the nation along? Is it not clear to you that Obasanjo survived because he has a major constituency behind him? If Obasanjo were not Yoruba, he would have either been kicked out, or reduced to a lame duck President. Now, you say you can't see Igbo become president now. Okay; we fought the civil war, with other Easterners, including Ijaw, Kalabari, Efik, etc, or are you saying their contibution to Biafran war efforts is inconsiquencial? Now brother, I get the gist. The civil war is still on. But remember, you defeated my father, but not me. Nigeria must be ready to reap what it is sowing now. Time will tell. Paschal Ukpabi, J.D. Michigan, USA

makinde  # 3 | 19.12.2006 18:53

hello, I will like to start this by informing people that I am a Yoruba man to the core. Please, do not misunderstand Mr Animashaun. I think what he was trying to say concerning the south easterners ruling Nigeria is about the fear we all have, even some of the easterners have it too... because in my view, the civil war was a total mistake which unfortunately will stay in our memories forever because of our make-up as a people. I am sure if we are given a chance to re-enact the scenario that prompted the war, we would do better in handling it than plunging ourselves into unneccessary war. we have better and more qualified people amongst the Igbos who would rule Nigeria to satisfaction but the fear of Biafra lurks in our minds, especially now that we have all somehow accepted the project Nigeria thing. The MASSOB movement and the consistent Anambra political crisis is not in anyway helping matters. Who in Nigeria presently would undermine the integrity of Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Dora Akunyili, Charles Soludo, Emeka Anyaoku, Who? and so many more. But who, also in this same Nigeria would, amongst those who witnessed the ravage called civil war, would equally under-estimate the bitter pills and the fear of the Igbo man that the war left in our mouths and hearts forever, who? Makinde

Auspicious  # 4 | 19.12.2006 19:11

=makinde;144594>hello, I will like to start this by informing people that I am a Yoruba man to the core. Please, do not misunderstand Mr Animashaun. I think what he was trying to say concerning the south easterners ruling Nigeria is about the fear we all have, even some of the easterners have it too... because in my view, the civil war was a total mistake which unfortunately will stay in our memories forever because of our make-up as a people. I am sure if we are given a chance to re-enact the scenario that prompted the war, we would do better in handling it than plunging ourselves into unneccessary war. we have better and more qualified people amongst the Igbos who would rule Nigeria to satisfaction but the fear of Biafra lurks in our minds, especially now that we have all somehow accepted the project Nigeria thing. The MASSOB movement and the consistent Anambra political crisis is not in anyway helping matters. Who in Nigeria presently would undermine the integrity of Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Dora Akunyili, Charles Soludo, Emeka Anyaoku, Who? and so many more. But who, also in this same Nigeria would, amongst those who witnessed the ravage called civil war, would equally under-estimate the bitter pills and the fear of the Igbo man that the war left in our mouths and hearts forever, who? Makinde Nna, bia Makinde, speak for yourself o! I say that with regards the highlighted parts of the comments above. I personally have absolutely no fear of any qualified Nigerian - Igbo, Hausa, Ibibio, Yoruba, Ijaw, Itsekiri, Tiv - anyone of us, ruling Nigeria - civil war past or no civil war past. Na onli dose wey get somtin to fia, wey dem hands no clean, wey get deadi-bodi and skeleton for inside cupboard get somtin to fia! If Pat Utomi, an Igboman, ascends to power today, I will sing and dance to the Dawn of a New Era! If Donald Duke (fashi all di tori wey dey circulate about am) win today, na me go hapi pass. Even sef, if El-Rufai win elecshon today, fashi say ein go be di shortest President for Africa, I go still hapi! True, the civil war was unfortunate...and with hindsight, Nigerians - all of us, Igbo included - would not have suscribed to it. I believe we've come far since that time. The pain an agony can NEVER go away, but we are grateful to have many Igbos out there who are still passionate about making Nigeria work - despite the depressing events we witness from time to time. Dora Akunyili's possitivity, for example, is quite infectuous. Auspicious.

bigtruth  # 5 | 20.12.2006 06:15

Auspicious thank you very much........., I am very happy to read this from you and I know it is the Igbo minority that wants out of Nigeria, I have prayed to God to not make me see a divided Nigeria, I know Igbo's are the most repected tribe in Nigeria today and the time will come where an Igbo president will run the final lap of the relay to take Nigeria to the promise land. United we stand divided we fall. All I WANT IS A GOOD PRESIDENT as long as he or she is a Nigerian I am fine. No country has ever managed to work without being united, our leaders must unite and be commited to Nigeria and stop playing devde and rule. Our people must be educated. I am very proud to be a Nigerian. After this PDP persidential ticket elections, we now see the type of Leader OBJ wanted for Nigeria, to be honest looking at all other political parties , it is easy to see which party is seroius about progress for the country, I have never supported PDP, but this time I will vote for them, it so clear the message they are sending and for once people should appreciate and support Nigeria.

hellofadude  # 6 | 20.12.2006 07:14

I was unable to complete reading this article as i loose patience when I read an article or opinion based on a wrong premise which inevitably leads to faulty arguments and wrong conclusions. On the contrary, i think we are seeing the manifestations of a quiet revolution within the ruling elite. Beginning with the coming together of all opposition parties with the help of the VP to defeat the 3rd term agenda, I am of the opinion that the opposition knows its strength and the value of showing a united front. Unless OBJ uses extra-judicial means or blatantly violates the constition, i am fairly certain at this point that there is no way the PDP will win the next election!!!!

akuluouno  # 7 | 20.12.2006 07:48

Dear Analyst Animashaun, I will only throw away your analysis and would not dare to throw you away because in the NVS, we are free to produce, distribute and exchange ideas or as the Igbos say, let the eagle perch and let the vulture perch on the same tree. Indeed your analysis is like the dog which was trained by a woman, in the legendary Igbo folklore musician, Gentleman Mike Ejeagha's masterpiece, 'Obiakor', which ended up eating only eggs instead of the real thing. Your analysis either lacked the real things or carefully avoided them. Having said that I think you have only scratched this serious matter on the surface without coming out clearly with your conclusions. Let me clarify your conclusions: that the Igbos due to the civil war can never be president of Nigeria ( a cliche) and that the nomination of Ebele as the VP to Yar Adua has sufficiently satisfied the yearnings of the Ijaws and other oil producing minorities in the south. Amazingly, newspaper reports have quoted Pa Clark as agreeing with you with regards to the latter, while on the former for which I am deeply concerned and involved, I would like to let villagers know that the jury is still out and may never arrive at a conclusion because that mere geographical expression we call our papas land has already passed its sell-by date and metamorphorsed into the open sore of the continent. I am not original in arriving at this thesis. As am I writing, Umar has already paid a courtesy call on IBB at Minna Hilltop while Ebele's wife has already met IBB,s wife Mariam for a serious tete a tete. I wonder how Baba would react on hearing that his freshly anointed sons have already gone behind his back to to meet his nemesis or maybe he silently sanctioned it. This is both a beginning and a pointer of things to come. Now with regards to the Igbos, I would only caution that we forswear being confused by their highly republican nature. This is one of the few nations in Nigeria that anyone underestimates at his own peril. Recall that Baba was crowned in 99 because Nigeria could no longer afford to underestimate the Oduas. Yet Odua never lifted a gun to show her capacity to do damage to that entity. War does not need to be hot for it to be civil, it can also be carried out by other means of which politics is but one. :D :D :D :D :D :D

MrOneNaija  # 8 | 20.12.2006 11:17

GIBBERISH ! The gibberish Mr. Animashaun has unloaded here is simply unbelievable. This rambling drivel is so hazy, disjointed and confused in its articulation that one is left perplexed as to its purpose and thrust. And the deeply offensive and legerdemain-like writing off of the Igbo politically aside, we are confronted with a ready acceptance on the part of Animashaun of the profoundly immoral context that has thrown up the two unknown quantities as flagbearers for Obasanjo's PDP. As has already been mentioned, the point has to be reiterated that Obasanjo cannot be allowed in 2007 to impose clones on Nigeria. Let me humbly propose for the reading pleasure of all the following commentary by Pini Jason PDP Presidential Primary: A charade fortold Pini Jason Vanguard Tuesday, December 19, 2006 I wonder if, in all honesty, President Obasanjo and his PDP cronies would describe what transpired at Eagle Square on Saturday 16 December 2006 as a credible convention and primary election. This PDP national convention, which produced Umar Yar’Adua as the presidential flag bearer, will go down in history as the most disgraceful charade of all times. What made this, the most ridiculous, was that it was foretold! I could not, therefore, help crying for this country as I watched President Olusegun Obasanjo sit through that farce he set up, pretending that a transparent election was going on. They didn’t need to fool themselves. The abracadabra was done before they arrived at the Eagle Square. After all, the chairman of the PDP was quoted as saying the Eagle Square outing was going to be a coronation! And a coronation it was not! It was cattle rearing! You whip the cattle into line, and they go wherever you directed. That is what happened in the run up to the convention, which is not different from those that produced Gemade, Ogbe and Ali as chairmen of the party. How else would anybody explain that Obasanjo has reduced this nation to this kind of joke? How could anybody have agreed that it is possible for one man to take hold of a nation and reduce it to his play thing, deciding when to crush it in his right palm and when to grind it in left hand, when to put it in his right pocket and when to transfer it to his left pocket? Obasanjo had his way. The people could not even put in a say. In 1999 and 2003, the aspirants were given time to address the convention. But in 2007 the aspirants were all muzzled. We are certainly climbing our way down the ladder of democracy! Two weeks to the PDP presidential primary, the rumour began to make the rounds that Obasanjo had settled on Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua as his successor. Yes! You are right to ask Umaru who? He is the Governor of Katsina State. That is about all the national and international credentials he has. Okay, you can add that he is humble, nondescript and invisible in national issues. Nobody knows him beyond his Katsina State. And if you asked a man like Alhaji Aminu Masari, he would probably tell you that this man who is going to be the president of the most populous black nation on earth is not the most popular person in Katsina! He is certainly not the best Northern candidate. He is nowhere near Lt. Gen Aliyu Mohammed Gusau. His health has been a subject of speculations. His handicaps seem to be his best qualifications. The only way to explain this choice is that it fits Obasanjo’s crude self-interest. Ever before this charade, I have, in this column said that the emergence of the PDP presidential candidate would be a pointer to whether Obasanjo’s priority would be just the consolidation of his modest achievements in office or the covering of his possible unethical conducts in office. The manipulation prior to the convention is a slap in the face of democracy. It is a suggestion that one man now has the power to dictate to Nigerians who would rule them. With the amendments to the constitution of the PDP, we have slipped back to the dark days of Bokassa and Kamuzu! Where then is the democracy? First, the news that filtered out of the PDP screening at Abuja was that only six aspirants were cleared. Then we heard that the Governors who were disqualified threatened to rock the boat, following which Obasanjo was said to have instructed that the Governors be cleared. Twenty aspirants were finally cleared. But minutes after, some EFCC files made the rounds and the Governors began to fall like overripe paw-paws! One Governor was reportedly told face to face that if he did not withdraw, the EFCC would take him from the Eagle Square straight to jail should he contest and fail! But unfortunately, the Governors could not stand up to Obasanjo. If you tell me that it is because some of the Governors have cases with the EFCC, I would ask, is it possible that the President is that clean himself, given what has transpired between him and the Vice President? It is at a time like this that one doffs his hat for Governor Orji Uzor Kalu. So far, he is the only Governor who has the balls to tell Obasanjo and his EFCC hound dog shove off. And so far, except going to harass his mother in the dead of the night, neither Obasanjo nor the EFCC has been able to cow Gov Kalu or blackmail him successfully. How can Obasanjo, who pretends to be fighting corruption and who has been trying desperately to block the Vice President’s presidential aspiration, brazenly contrive this scam? Is using blackmail to procure victory for Yar’Adua not corruption? What do we do with the rumour that the EFCC, as quid pro quo, is no longer looking the way of a Governor rumoured to have funded Yar’Adua’s campaign as well as funding the unconstitutional impeachment of Gov Peter Obi of Anambra? There is a fear in town that there is going to be an increase in the price of petroleum products, between now and March, because some oil moguls were corralled to make contributions to some primary elections to the tune of over five billions? Now, on what grounds would anybody ask Lt. Gen. Aliyu Mohammed Gusau, Gov Victor Attah, Dr Peter Odili, Donald Duke or Makarfi to stand down for Umaru Yar’Adua? If you are asking them to withdraw for somebody intellectually superior or more experienced in government, it can be understood. Whatever is Obasanjo’s calculations, all we can say is that the issue of who becomes President of this country is not closed with the PDP charade. There are other parties that may present more outstanding candidates. The arrogance that the PDP will win the 2007 presidential election, no matter what, is a dangerous hubris. Obasanjo cannot decide for over 150 million Nigerians who their leader should be. And I hope that Alhaji Yar’Adua does not go about believing that he won a presidential primary. It will be a shame if Nigerians allow this effrontery to stand. Thank God we have more than one party. There is Prof Pat Utomi out there. There is Rev Chris Okotie, who polled the highest number of votes in the Vanguard/Silverbird search for the Nigerian president. So the PDP does not have the last word on this matter. One last significant point is that politics in Nigerians is not yet about group interest. It is about self-interest. I say this particularly because of the agitations of ethnic jingoists from the South-East and South-South. If Rochas Okorocha is not good enough Igbo candidate, is Ebitu Ukiwe not good enough? If Raph Uwechue is not good enough because he is Igbo and Mike Akhigbe is not good enough a South-South candidate because he is Ishan, what of AK Horsefall, an Ijaw? Do you now see that the interest of the masses never coincide with those of the selfish political elite? Yet the political jobbers create confusion in the name of the masses they hardly know.

pukpabi  # 9 | 20.12.2006 11:43

Brother Makinde, The People of the South met in Enugu, and vowed that the next President must come from the South. What has happened to that? There is this Igbo adage that says "onye ji mmadu na ala ji kwa onwe ya." Meaning, if you are holding someone on the ground, you are also holding yourself on the ground too. Because you are holding the person on the ground, you are also on the ground. Hear you: "we have better and more qualified people amongst the Igbos who would rule Nigeria to satisfaction but the fear of Biafra lurks in our minds, especially now that we have all somehow accepted the project Nigeria thing. The MASSOB movement and the consistent Anambra political crisis is not in anyway helping matters. " This reasoning is flawed. What about the OPC movement, and the consistent crises in Oyo, and Ekiti? Are you saying the Yoruba are not capable of instilling fear in other Nigerians? Brother Makinde, have you asked yourself these questions? "Why is it that in the face of what has been happening to Igbo people in Nigeria since 1967, they still occupy the most enviable position in Education, Commerce, Technology, Rural Development. To prove these are no flash in the pan, the have the lowest poverty level in Nigeria; I mean these are defeated people, abi beko? Swallow your pride; make Igbo president and watch your country develop. If you make Igbo president, he will be occupied with righting the wrongs, correcting the distortions in our polity, in our economy, educational system, and social life. This, I am sure every patriotic nigerian wants to see happen. Igbo people have never, and will never be the proverbial dog that eats the bone hung on its neck. A Igbo presidency will end this Biafra agitation. Nigeria does not want Biafra, but continues to stoke the fire of Biafra. The agitation is not creating stronger waves now because it lacks intellectual input. Recent happenings will make that intellectual input very desirable. Is Nigeria ready for this? Nigeria, according to you, is afraid of the Igbo. If so, why can't the rest of Nigeria come together and kick out these trouble makers so Nigeria can have her peace, why? Whatever happens, MASSOB will continue to win converts. I have my doubts Nigeria desires this. Time will tell. Paschal Ukpabi, J.D. Michigan, USA

Auspicious  # 10 | 20.12.2006 11:54

The Gospel according to Pini Jason.:lol: Two weeks to the PDP presidential primary, the rumour began to make the rounds that Obasanjo had settled on Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua as his successor. Yes! You are right to ask Umaru who? Hehehehehehehe! Oro buruku t'oun t'erin! (A sad situation, yet funny!) "Umaru Who?" indeed! Hehehehehehe! What made this, the most ridiculous, was that it was foretold!...the chairman of the PDP was quoted as saying the Eagle Square outing was going to be a coronation! And a coronation it was not! It was cattle rearing! You whip the cattle into line, and they go wherever you directed. That is what happened in the run up to the convention, which is not different from those that produced Gemade, Ogbe and Ali as chairmen of the party. Bwahahahahahaha! I dey gbadun dis Pini Jason guy! His comparisons - parody and all - is as apt as ever! O ga ju! Na wa for Wadata! Fashi cattle, dat one still get class. Like goats, or better still, sheeps, they were herded into line as they trooped to the convention ground. First, the news that filtered out of the PDP screening at Abuja was that only six aspirants were cleared. Then we heard that the Governors who were disqualified threatened to rock the boat, following which Obasanjo was said to have instructed that the Governors be cleared. Twenty aspirants were finally cleared. But minutes after, some EFCC files made the rounds and the Governors began to fall like overripe paw-paws! One Governor was reportedly told face to face that if he did not withdraw, the EFCC would take him from the Eagle Square straight to jail should he contest and fail! Abi o! Khai! Prisoners of Conscience that they were, they could hardly protest and those who did protest did so in the mute mode. Now, it all adds up! Eyaah..poor Nigerians, we don suffer. Everybody for himself (including Mr. President), non for all. Now, on what grounds would anybody ask Lt. Gen. Aliyu Mohammed Gusau, Gov Victor Attah, Dr Peter Odili, Donald Duke or Makarfi to stand down for Umaru Yar’Adua? If you are asking them to withdraw for somebody intellectually superior or more experienced in government, it can be understood. Well, maybe Yar'Adua is more intelligent, cleaner and experienced than the whole lot? And talking about 'clean hands', isn't it rather absurd that those who annointed The Man with the Clean Hands have very dirty hands themselves? "...politics in Nigerians is not yet about group interest. It is about self-interest. I say this particularly because of the agitations of ethnic jingoists from the South-East and South-South. If Rochas Okorocha is not good enough Igbo candidate, is Ebitu Ukiwe not good enough? If Raph Uwechue is not good enough because he is Igbo and Mike Akhigbe is not good enough a South-South candidate because he is Ishan, what of AK Horsefall, an Ijaw? Do you now see that the interest of the masses never coincide with those of the selfish political elite? How true! If politics were about "group interest", the Igbos will probably have a President this time around - by now. Same goes for the Ijaws. The Yoruba's have the accident of the June 12 crisis and Abiola's death to be thankful for - not group interest. The only people with group interest in Nigeria are the Nothern folks. But that is another day's debate on its own!

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