In 28 days Nigerians will be selecting their leaders for the next four years. I and millions of Diaspora Nigerians will not be voting even though we contribute billions of dollars to the economy, in fact we contribute more to the economy than over three quarters of Nigerian states contribute. It is another case of taxation without representation. But this will
be a subject for another day and time.
Before I jump into what I would do with my vote let me say what I will not do. I will not vote for General Muhammadu Buhari (GMB) and here are my reasons:
1. He overthrew a popularly elected civilian president. He
became a dictator. He did not respect the people’s choice and voice. He is now preaching that something had happened to him on his way to Damascus where he was going to persecute Christians (politicians). And that spirit of democracy caught up with him and told him to go there and preach democracy. This Thomas is in doubt. I still ask “is this not Saul of Tarsus?”
2. GMB does not have experience working in a civilian
setting. He should have started as a governor and learned how to work with legislators before trying for the presidency. Aso Rock should not be the place for in the job training (OJT). Especially when his vice is as, or more inexperienced, as he. His VP has not run any important thing such as a university, large business or a corporation. His political experience is merely a rookie politician. His management experience extends only to managing a parish church in a very small denomination.
3. GMB’s military career is not distinguished. We know who commanded which division, who was Chief of Staff, who was in charge of Logistics, intelligence, ordinance, training, etc. during the civil war. What was GMB’s role during the most difficult time in Nigeria? Did he not just wear well ironed khaki and drove fancy cars at HQ?
4. He has had a stint as a head of state. What is the legacy from that era other than that Nigerians stood in line to board buses? What infrastructure was started (don’t mind completed as he was not there long enough), which educational institutions was started, what policy initiatives came from then, which rehabilitation efforts of the Biafrans do we associate with him? His two-year tenure does not resonate.
5. I feel that this is GMB’s second coup. The difference
between the last time when they used enlisted Nigerian
troops to overthrow President Shagari and now is that he is using terrorists. GMB has not condemned the insurgency (he made awkward attempts at Chatham House) but it was too little and too late.
6. I am not convinced that GMB is healthy enough for the job. If he can take a two-week vacation in the last months of the election it suggests either ill health or laziness. Neither is good for a Head of State or Government. Or that he is entitled to rule and that Nigerians must honor his aspiration.
7. Has GMB written anything such as his political manifesto where he explained his philosophy of government, economic management, and social philosophy of even ordinary beliefs? Are they published in peer reviewed journals or even in daily
newspapers? Has he ever done any research? How
intellectually sturdy is Buhari?
8. GMB seems to me as a man who is another man’s man. His first presidential action was the appointment of his vice. GMB thinks that the best Nigerian after him is Mr. Osibanjo, a man he never met until just a couple of weeks before his appointment and a god son of Tinubu. This suggests that GMB would not be making his own decisions. Nigerians want their elected officers to be in charge.
9. GMB’s incompetence is best manifested by the way he handled his educational qualification when it became an issue. He went and swore an oath that turned out to be lying under oath, he scrambled to submit papers that even now has not fully answered or settled the debate. Where does this matter stand to date?
10. GMB is associated with the emergence of
Sharia Courts. Why has he not made his stand on religion clearer knowing the religion is an issue in Nigeria polity? Why is he not going to churches to allay the fears of Christians?
Ten points seem enough.
I will not vote for Buhari. Ok. Who will I vote for? I will vote for the reelection of President Goodluck Ebere Jonathan (GEJ). I will do so holding my nose. It will not be an enthusiastic vote but the better of two evils.
a. GEJ has held the country together despite many
difficulties.
b. The economy is growing at 7% one of the fastest growth rates in the world thanks, to Ms. Okonjo -Iweala and her team.
c. The press is freer than it used to be.
d. He built 12 more universities although I do not think it is the right thing to do.
e. He has managed to work with the legislature which is a difficult balancing act.
f. I HOPE he will develop a stronger backbone next time
around.
g. He is not a dictator and never was one.
h. I hope he will confront BH more strongly if he has no
elections to face.
i. I hope he will help Nigeria build strong institutions that would make corruption less rampant than it is now.
j. I hope that the Diaspora Nigerians will get the vote next time around.
I do not have a vote and this is a pity.
By.
Benjamin Obiajulu Aduba.
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