Friday, 11 May 2007

REAL MEN FOR 2007

The present administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo will terminate on 29-May -2007, which is the longest ever in the history of democratic government in Nigeria . With the death of “third term” which brings to an end the purported elongation for another tenure for President Obasanjo, the coast had become clear for the emergence of another democratically elected president.

Politicking had begun in earnest for who will steer the affairs of the nation and other electable posts. As usual the political atmosphere is filled with agitations for which part of the country will produce the next president .Will Nigerians once again allow themselves to be beclouded with sentiments rather than quality on who should be our next president?

The opportunistic and parasitic politicians once again are hiding behind sectional and regional claim as yardstick to which part of the country will produce the next leader .The clamour for power to shift either to the North ,South-south or South-east is been religiously canvassed rather than credibility ,quality and competency as yardstick for electing our next president .

The president that Nigerian masses need is someone who have the nation at his heart, who will be father to all people of the country irrespective of tribe, region or religion. A true nationalist that sees beyond sentiment and will not present himself as a tribal or regional president.

Some presidential materials had already started showing interest to succeed President Obasanjo come 2007. Among them are Vice President Atiku Abubakar, General Muhammadu Buhari, General Ibrahim Babangida, General Aliyu Gusau, Brig. General Buba Marwa, Prof. Jerry Gana, Alhaji Bashir Tofa, Governors Kalu, Odili, Udenwa, Makarfi, Ahmed Sani, Adamu Mu’azu, and Adamu Abdullahi. So far each geo-political zone is evenly represented for those seeking for the mandate to occupy Aso Rock.

The above listed candidates and others that will emerge later should canvass for votes based on their manifestos rather than laying emphasis on region, tribe or religion as a yardstick to be elected. Let them try to make headways into every geo-political zones to be accepted and voted for as the case of late Chief M.K.O Abiola who even defeated Alhaji Bashir Tofa not only in Kano his state of origin but even in his Gandun Albasa ward.

Nigerians should be more wise come 2007 and elect leaders that can deliver their campaign promises. Sentiment should be kept aside so as not to elect incompetent person based on the reason that “he is my kinsman”. Nigerians in the past seven years should have realized that our politicians when they have a common intrest to pursue you will find them together irrespective of region, tribe or religion together. They should now not allow themselves to be fooled by those seeking short-cut to the presidency based on ethnic regional or religious agitation.

Nigerians should be vigilant not to allow themselves to be used through tribal and regional organizations who only concern is to present the highest bidder as their “adopted” presidential candidate .Due to their selfish agendas they will hardly present the best presidential material from their tribe or region.

Activities of religious organizations should also be watch closely by Nigerians as they will always propagate “vote only those of your same faith” irrespective of rather he is incompetent. They never look beyond their members as to who to elect even though a more competent and dedicated candidate is available.

It is a collective responsibility on all Nigerians to ensure a free, free and violence free elections in 2007. We should never allow what happen in 2003 election to happen again as the present incumbents will attempt foul means in imposing their cohorts and errand boys on us.

Nigerians should go for real men in 2007 elections, those men who are patriotic, sincere, honest, focused and have the interest of the masses at heart. Those men who have the zeal to gear this great nation to greater heights, where corruption, hunger, unemployment, insecurity and nepotism will find no place to prosper.

Political parties have a great role in presenting credible candidates for the 2007 elections. They should ensure that there is free and fair party primaries. Nigerians will reject any incredible and incompetent candidate presented by a party to a party that have fielded a more credible, capable and competent candidate.

The dominant presidential candidates for 2007 election whatever the case might be are General Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Atiku Abubakar and General Ibrahim Babangida. Nigerians should start assessing their worth, credibility, capability and ability to chose the real man as to who will steer the affairs of this nation come 2007.

Nigerians need real men to occupy seat of power at federal, state, local government councils and state/national assemblies for a new dawn from 2007 elections. Politics of moneybags, godfatherism and electoral fraud should be roundly rejected by people of this nation. Competence, credibility, ability, dedication and patriotism should be the yardstick for electing real men for 2007 elections.

Yours faithfully

Shehu Mustapha Chaji

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