Its election mania in Nigeria as we are now finally days
till the nations citizens go to their respective polls to choose whom
they want to be the country’s driver for the next four years.
A Graduate from the Department of Political Science Of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka.
Chukwuemerie Uduchukwu proves in the write up his quality as an independent thinker regardless of age or political affiliation.
EDITORS NOTE:
– Jonathan’s rise to fame, The amount of support Jonathan enjoyed from Nigerians after Yar’adua passed away.
– Jonathan’s failures from the supposed inaction which led to the growth of Boko Haram to the mass corruption in the nation.
– Buhari’s tenure as president, and how his rigid stance on corruption then has made Nigerians skeptical of the former military leader despite his pledge to change and be more democratic this time around.
On March 28, about 70 million Nigerians are expected to troop out to exercise their franchise as the next president of the nation is expected to be elected on that day. Out of all the presidential candidates, incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) appear to be the top contestants.
President Goodluck Jonathan, a former lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt was once a Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State. Luck caught up with him after the impeachment of the then Governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, leading to his being sworn in as the state governor. Throughout his tenure as governor, Jonathan was unpopular until former President Olusegun Obasanjo spearheaded the event that led to his nomination as running mate of the late Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’adua in the 2007 Presidential election, which they later won under the platform of the PDP. After the inauguration of the Yar’adua-Jonathan presidency, Yar’adua became critically ill and speculations were rife about his incapacity to continue running the office of the president. It got to an extent that as Vice President, Jonathan was deliberately denied access to his boss. During that period, the tension became high and Nigerians raised concerns over the happenings within the Aso Rock Villa. The country got on the verge of a constitutional crisis due to the confusion on who was really in charge of the nation’s seat of power, until the Save Nigeria Group (SNG) kickstarted protests that catalysed the adoption of a doctrine of necessity by the National Assembly. This doctrine empowered the then Vice President Goodluck Jonathan to assume office as the acting president of the country. However, the ill president Yar’adua died on May 5, 2010, and Goodluck Jonathan was sworn in to complete the remainder of the Yar’adua tenure, ending on May 29, 2011.
Before his election in 2011, Goodluck Jonathan enjoyed massive support from Nigerians, especially due to the obvious marginalisation he suffered from a cabal of Yar’adua faithfuls in power. Jonathan also campaigned efficiently then during which he made various promises to Nigerians who gave him their votes in 2011. Some of these promises included fixing the power sector before the end of 2012, fighting corruption effectively, constructing the second Niger Bridge, rehabilitating the Nkalagu Cement factory, ensuring the security of lives and properties, revamping many kilometres of roads, the revitalisation of the education sector, the construction of Onitsha inland water ways, the creation of employment and reduction of poverty. President Goodluck Jonathan further told Nigerians that if he failed to achieve those things in four years, there would be no need for him to contest again. He further maintained that he needed just one tenure, though he has recently denied saying such.
It is very sad that in 2015, the president has failed to live up to these expectations. Although his administration executed some policies like the establishment of nine new universities in order to ensure that each state has a federal university, allowing the freedom of speech to a higher extent and the revitalisation of rice production, he still failed in several other areas and the implementation of other policies. It is improper for a president to establish new universities while the existing ones are either neglected by the government or in ebola conditions. If the funds utilised as takeoff grants and allocations to the new institutions were channeled into upgrading the existing ones, the educational situation in the country would have been a lot better.
Also, though the current administration has allowed the freedom of speech and opinion to prevail to a larger extent, the inability to properly utilise criticism makes mockery of this as his aides, rather than address the issues raised, usually resort to verbal attacks, which have damaged the president’s image and goodwill a lot. Moreover, the freedom of speech and opinion is a fundamental right of every citizen in any democratic environment and it’s tolerance by government cannot be taken as an achievement.
Furthermore, though his government tried in encouraging rice production, the government’s inability to promote the production of other agricultural commodities is a great setback to the revitalisation of the agricultural sector, because Nigerians can’t depend only on rice every day. Total revitalisation of the agriculture sector would have been better.
Also, the failure of his government to generate employments has led to an increase in poverty in the country.
It is important to note that the security of lives and property is the prime function of every government and any government that fails to achieve that is simply a failed government. Many Nigerians have died due to the attack of the North-East region by the Boko Haram sect. Also, much property were destroyed by the activities of the insurgents, and many territories within the north eastern part of the country were captured by the insurgents, although the security agencies, with the help of some neighbouring forces, have secured back some of these. Though his administration later embarked on a massive fight against the terrorists after the postponement of the 2015 elections from February 14 to March 28, the inability of his government to curb the menace over the years led to loss of many lives and properties and the victims of Boko Haram attacks might be tempted to believe that the awakening of the security agencies to wipe off the terrorists on election period may be campaign tricks.
Aside his failure to secure lives and property over the years, the current administration of President Jonathan also failed to fulfil his 2011 election promises and his administration is widely seen by both Nigerians and the international community as highly corrupt, especially after his government fired the former governor of Nigeria’s Central Bank, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi when he raised alarms over the missing of $20 billion from the national treasury. People had expected his government to launch a sincere and immediate investigation of the claims of Mr. Sanusi instead of engineering his sack. The sack of the former CBN boss forced many, especially the international community to believe that his government does not have the will to fight corruption which is widely seen as a major setback to the country’s development. Also, the decision of his government to grant presidential pardon to a convicted criminal, Depriye Alamieyeseigha casts further doubt on the sincerity of his government to curb corruption. His frequent statements on live national television that stealing is not corruption has fuelled more fear that his administration is never willing to fight corruption.
These failures of Goodluck Jonathan’s administration has forced many to call for change.
The political party that has been championing the change principle is the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) that was a product of a merger between the defunct Action Congress (AC), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigerian Peoples party (ANPP) and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). The major aim of the merger that gave birth to APC is to form a strong opposition that will wrestle power from the ruling PDP. Many have predicted that the APC will be past tense during it’s presidential primaries over confusion at the selection of the presidential flag bearer. The party however surprised many by not only peacefully conducting it’s presidential primaries but by the transparent way in which the primary was conducted. After the APC‘s primary, a former dictator Muhammadu Buhari that was widely seen as a violator of human rights and corruption fighter emerged the party’s presidential flag bearer.
Buhari emerged as a military head of state after the December 31, 1983 military coup. His regime was widely believed to be too disciplined and rigid. His introduction of the War Against Indiscipline gave rise to coercion towards orderliness and sanitation, etc. His government had a strong stand against corruption which led to the jailing of various top ranking politicians who were believed to have indulged in corrupt practices. His administration was however criticised for it’s disrespect for human rights and press freedom. The enactment of Decree No. 4 that prohibited a free press was heavily condemned. His military regime though short, made a great stand against corruption and indiscipline. He was overthrown through another military coup on August 27 1985.
After his office as a military head of state, the General was appointed to head the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) by the Abacha’s military regime. One significant thing about the offices headed by Buhari is that they are widely believed to possess high level of discipline though he appeared to be too rigid then. Many have been arguing that the former dictator owes Nigerians an apology over the high handedness possessed by his military government, while many have also argued that the General does not owe anyone any apology since his actions took place under the watch of a military regime, widely known for such. Buhari, however, recently said that his actions were based on the principles of military administration that were guided by decrees, and that since we are now in a democracy, he will be guided by the constitution. He further said that he cannot change the past but can change the present and the future.
On March 28, 2015, Nigerians will decide on whether to choose a failed president or a former dictator who is widely believed to possess the will to sincerely fight corruption which if achieved, will go a long way in promoting Nigeria’s democracy.
The choice is yours! Secure Your PVC! Vote Wisely!
This oppinion does not reflect the stance of Naij.com staff or editors and is the writer’s sole opinion.
A Graduate from the Department of Political Science Of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka.
Chukwuemerie Uduchukwu proves in the write up his quality as an independent thinker regardless of age or political affiliation.
EDITORS NOTE:
– Jonathan’s rise to fame, The amount of support Jonathan enjoyed from Nigerians after Yar’adua passed away.
– Jonathan’s failures from the supposed inaction which led to the growth of Boko Haram to the mass corruption in the nation.
– Buhari’s tenure as president, and how his rigid stance on corruption then has made Nigerians skeptical of the former military leader despite his pledge to change and be more democratic this time around.
On March 28, about 70 million Nigerians are expected to troop out to exercise their franchise as the next president of the nation is expected to be elected on that day. Out of all the presidential candidates, incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) appear to be the top contestants.
President Goodluck Jonathan, a former lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt was once a Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State. Luck caught up with him after the impeachment of the then Governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, leading to his being sworn in as the state governor. Throughout his tenure as governor, Jonathan was unpopular until former President Olusegun Obasanjo spearheaded the event that led to his nomination as running mate of the late Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’adua in the 2007 Presidential election, which they later won under the platform of the PDP. After the inauguration of the Yar’adua-Jonathan presidency, Yar’adua became critically ill and speculations were rife about his incapacity to continue running the office of the president. It got to an extent that as Vice President, Jonathan was deliberately denied access to his boss. During that period, the tension became high and Nigerians raised concerns over the happenings within the Aso Rock Villa. The country got on the verge of a constitutional crisis due to the confusion on who was really in charge of the nation’s seat of power, until the Save Nigeria Group (SNG) kickstarted protests that catalysed the adoption of a doctrine of necessity by the National Assembly. This doctrine empowered the then Vice President Goodluck Jonathan to assume office as the acting president of the country. However, the ill president Yar’adua died on May 5, 2010, and Goodluck Jonathan was sworn in to complete the remainder of the Yar’adua tenure, ending on May 29, 2011.
Before his election in 2011, Goodluck Jonathan enjoyed massive support from Nigerians, especially due to the obvious marginalisation he suffered from a cabal of Yar’adua faithfuls in power. Jonathan also campaigned efficiently then during which he made various promises to Nigerians who gave him their votes in 2011. Some of these promises included fixing the power sector before the end of 2012, fighting corruption effectively, constructing the second Niger Bridge, rehabilitating the Nkalagu Cement factory, ensuring the security of lives and properties, revamping many kilometres of roads, the revitalisation of the education sector, the construction of Onitsha inland water ways, the creation of employment and reduction of poverty. President Goodluck Jonathan further told Nigerians that if he failed to achieve those things in four years, there would be no need for him to contest again. He further maintained that he needed just one tenure, though he has recently denied saying such.
It is very sad that in 2015, the president has failed to live up to these expectations. Although his administration executed some policies like the establishment of nine new universities in order to ensure that each state has a federal university, allowing the freedom of speech to a higher extent and the revitalisation of rice production, he still failed in several other areas and the implementation of other policies. It is improper for a president to establish new universities while the existing ones are either neglected by the government or in ebola conditions. If the funds utilised as takeoff grants and allocations to the new institutions were channeled into upgrading the existing ones, the educational situation in the country would have been a lot better.
Also, though the current administration has allowed the freedom of speech and opinion to prevail to a larger extent, the inability to properly utilise criticism makes mockery of this as his aides, rather than address the issues raised, usually resort to verbal attacks, which have damaged the president’s image and goodwill a lot. Moreover, the freedom of speech and opinion is a fundamental right of every citizen in any democratic environment and it’s tolerance by government cannot be taken as an achievement.
Furthermore, though his government tried in encouraging rice production, the government’s inability to promote the production of other agricultural commodities is a great setback to the revitalisation of the agricultural sector, because Nigerians can’t depend only on rice every day. Total revitalisation of the agriculture sector would have been better.
Also, the failure of his government to generate employments has led to an increase in poverty in the country.
It is important to note that the security of lives and property is the prime function of every government and any government that fails to achieve that is simply a failed government. Many Nigerians have died due to the attack of the North-East region by the Boko Haram sect. Also, much property were destroyed by the activities of the insurgents, and many territories within the north eastern part of the country were captured by the insurgents, although the security agencies, with the help of some neighbouring forces, have secured back some of these. Though his administration later embarked on a massive fight against the terrorists after the postponement of the 2015 elections from February 14 to March 28, the inability of his government to curb the menace over the years led to loss of many lives and properties and the victims of Boko Haram attacks might be tempted to believe that the awakening of the security agencies to wipe off the terrorists on election period may be campaign tricks.
Aside his failure to secure lives and property over the years, the current administration of President Jonathan also failed to fulfil his 2011 election promises and his administration is widely seen by both Nigerians and the international community as highly corrupt, especially after his government fired the former governor of Nigeria’s Central Bank, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi when he raised alarms over the missing of $20 billion from the national treasury. People had expected his government to launch a sincere and immediate investigation of the claims of Mr. Sanusi instead of engineering his sack. The sack of the former CBN boss forced many, especially the international community to believe that his government does not have the will to fight corruption which is widely seen as a major setback to the country’s development. Also, the decision of his government to grant presidential pardon to a convicted criminal, Depriye Alamieyeseigha casts further doubt on the sincerity of his government to curb corruption. His frequent statements on live national television that stealing is not corruption has fuelled more fear that his administration is never willing to fight corruption.
These failures of Goodluck Jonathan’s administration has forced many to call for change.
The political party that has been championing the change principle is the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) that was a product of a merger between the defunct Action Congress (AC), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigerian Peoples party (ANPP) and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). The major aim of the merger that gave birth to APC is to form a strong opposition that will wrestle power from the ruling PDP. Many have predicted that the APC will be past tense during it’s presidential primaries over confusion at the selection of the presidential flag bearer. The party however surprised many by not only peacefully conducting it’s presidential primaries but by the transparent way in which the primary was conducted. After the APC‘s primary, a former dictator Muhammadu Buhari that was widely seen as a violator of human rights and corruption fighter emerged the party’s presidential flag bearer.
Buhari emerged as a military head of state after the December 31, 1983 military coup. His regime was widely believed to be too disciplined and rigid. His introduction of the War Against Indiscipline gave rise to coercion towards orderliness and sanitation, etc. His government had a strong stand against corruption which led to the jailing of various top ranking politicians who were believed to have indulged in corrupt practices. His administration was however criticised for it’s disrespect for human rights and press freedom. The enactment of Decree No. 4 that prohibited a free press was heavily condemned. His military regime though short, made a great stand against corruption and indiscipline. He was overthrown through another military coup on August 27 1985.
After his office as a military head of state, the General was appointed to head the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) by the Abacha’s military regime. One significant thing about the offices headed by Buhari is that they are widely believed to possess high level of discipline though he appeared to be too rigid then. Many have been arguing that the former dictator owes Nigerians an apology over the high handedness possessed by his military government, while many have also argued that the General does not owe anyone any apology since his actions took place under the watch of a military regime, widely known for such. Buhari, however, recently said that his actions were based on the principles of military administration that were guided by decrees, and that since we are now in a democracy, he will be guided by the constitution. He further said that he cannot change the past but can change the present and the future.
On March 28, 2015, Nigerians will decide on whether to choose a failed president or a former dictator who is widely believed to possess the will to sincerely fight corruption which if achieved, will go a long way in promoting Nigeria’s democracy.
The choice is yours! Secure Your PVC! Vote Wisely!
This oppinion does not reflect the stance of Naij.com staff or editors and is the writer’s sole opinion.
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