22 May 2006 |
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  As much as I would have liked to still hold-on close to my chest, my preferred candidates for the offices of both the President and the Vice President of Nigeria in 2007, but the dynamism in the political arena in our country changed my mind against further and deliberate procastination. I have been keenly observing the political affairs of Nigeria, especially during the winding days of Gen. Abdulsalaam, and up-to the inauguration of the present government in 1999. Without much ado, I have studied all of the current prospects' profiles, and the best paired team who I would henceforth call, Dream Presidential Team--DPT--for short--consist of two lager than-life individuals who would both satisfy the majority of average Nigerians both in the North and in the South of the Niger. I will whole heartedly support the either of them for either offices depending on the PDP zoning, which I believed was already made known by BOT Chairman Anenih during the last Southern Leaders Conference in December 2005. These are my reasons for supporting the candidature of Gov. Donald Duke of Cross River State and Mallam Nuhu Ribadu of EFCC for the offices of President and Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria respectively. The DPT. 1) AGE: The DPT are young and dynamic leaders in their respective institutions. Should there be a reelection for this team in 2011, both should still have enough rigorous mental and physical requirements which their respective offices demanded. In addition, in an unfortunate incident of sudden death on the President, its Vice would still be well qualified to continue in his stead. I am saying that, we need a younger generation of leaders. Period. 2) REPUTATION: The DPT are a rare breed in Nigeria polity, they are amongst the beacon of this present democratic experiment, neither of them have been in any known scandal, let alone financial scandal which is drowning most of the other named presdiential contestants. They have higly succeeded where others have failed woefully. Take Gov. Duke, for example, he has been able to use his good offices to position his state for progress in the Travel and Tourism Industry such that not only will Cross River State soon become a Tourist Mecca, it will also creates wealth from jobs and taxes accruing from it. He pursues his goals with a passion and never lose focus. He is very bright, articulate and persistent. He has been able to show that: when a leader pursues a noble cause; he must see it to a positively conclusive end. He walks and looks confident with a charming smile to go along with it. Take Chairman Nuhu Ribadu: He is also a rare-breed in the police force who as an assistant commissioner of police surprises his ardent critics, when he pursued to a logical and positive conclusion the arrest, investigation and prosecution as well as conviction of the disgraced IGP Tafa Balogun. A first in Nigeria's history. He has since went on to aggressively pursue other looters. No matter how much blackmail thrown at him, Chairman Ribadu remained unshaken, to him, all of his victims are those deserving to be jailed otherwise he would not venture into it in the first place. I have no doubt Chairman Ribadu's effort is sentisizing and sanitizing of the Nigeria's financially corrupt landscape, has led to the improvement in Nigeria's image abroad as well as the facilitating of the just concluded Debt Relief. 3) ACCEPTANCE: Gov. Duke in my opinion would be a well received candidate, firstly, by the majority of Nigerians, especially in the South and to the political mavericks from the North who can galvanise their constituencies. Simply: In the unfolding political calculus, Governor Donald Duke is a Constant Factor. He would in my humble opinion, satisfy those who are sure to lose but are ready to put-up a good fight against whoever they think would not protect their interests. Chairman Ribadu would be equally well received by the Northern Youths as well as majority of Nigerians whom have seen him as a rarity and role model for young and aspiring future leaders of public offices. In general, I expect the Northern Power Brokers to find solace in knowing that a man as intelligent and deft as Chairman Ribadu would protect their interest and make them proud should he ever occupies the esteem office. He is well liked by his people in particular and by most Nigerians in general. 4) ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION: Both Donald Duke and Nuhu Ribadu obtained University degrees and have garnered experiences in their various callings and endeavors. 5) RELIGIOUS CONSIDERATION: Christian Gov. Donald Duke and Muslim Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. Perfect duo! 6) REJECTION OF MILITARY RULERS: Majority of well meaning and ordinary Nigerians are tired of the participation of the former military elites in politics and as such, wants a total break-away from the candidacy and rulership of Nigeria by ex-Generals who they believed were the major causes of our present predicament. In the dynamic-duo of Gov. Duke and Mallam Ribadu, Nigeria would get the discipline expected of military men and tenacity and credibility required of civilian leaders. Both of them have excelled in these departments: they are disciplined, persistent and creditable achievers. 7) FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN BY PRESIDENT OBASANJO'S ADMINISTRATION: There cannot be any doubt in my mind that, if there is any team of persons who would guarantee the continuation of the present revolution, either in the economy, political or others, Governor Donald Duke and Chairman Nuhu Ribadu is a sure bet. Going by their antecedents, they are likely to surpass expectation. First, the business community would accept them because, while one is enterprising, the other is conservative and capable of curbing excesses whenever it arises. In the International arena, the DPT would be well received, because the combination of entreprenuerial spirit displayed by Gov. Duke and the adherence to the rule of law displayed by Chairman Ribadu are the two necessary ingredients which are needed for much anticipated foreign direct investements and for rapid development of Nigeria economy. The huge foreign reserve which the present administration have accumulated would be in good hands with both Donald and Nuhu on board as managers. In my developed criteria and points award system, the dynamic duo of Donald and Nuhu scored the highest points. I implore the PDP, which have tentatively scheduled a meeting on deliberation on prospective candidates, to very seriously consider the emergence of this team for 2007. In conclusion, with the emergence of this Dream Presidential Team of Governor Donald Duke and Chairman Nuhu Ribadu, Nigeria and Nigerians would have finally succeeded in ensuring that its path to progress and development is almost assured. The President can retire knowing fully well that not only would his legacy be written in Gold, but in addition, he would be rest assured that Nigeria would reach the cruising altitude that he often spoke about in his address to the nation.
Adebayo Animashaun, the writer, is an keen observer of Nigeria Politics.
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