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 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) appeared to be the top contestants and that is why this write-up focused on them.
President Goodluck Jonathan, a former lecturer in the University of Portharcourt was once a Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State. Luck later catch up with him after the impeachment of then Bayelsa State Governor Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha which led to his swearing in as the state governor. Throughout his regime as governor, Jonathan was unpopular until former President Olusegun Obasanjo spearheaded the event that led to his nomination as a running mate of Late Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’adua in the 2007 Presidential election which they later won under the platform of the PDP. Shortly after the inauguration of Yaradua-Jonathan presidency, Yaradua became critically ill and at that period, many speculations started surfacing about his capacity to continue running the office of the president. It went to an extent that at a time, it was speculated that then Vice President Jonathan was deliberately denied access to his boss Yaradua. The tension was high and Nigerians began raising concerns over the events within the Aso Rock Villa. Constitutional crises emerged due to confusion on who was really in charge of the nation’s seat of power. The Save Nigeria Group (SNG) started protests that catalyzed the adoption of a doctrine of necessity by the National Assembly. The doctrine of necessity empowered then Vice President Goodluck Jonathan to assume office as the acting president of the country. However, the then ill president Yaradua later died on 5th May 2010 and barely twelve hours after his death, was Goodluck Jonathan sworn in to complete the remaining part of Yaradua’s tenure that ended on the 29th Day of May 2011.
Before his election in 2011, Goodluck Jonathan enjoyed massive support from Nigerians especially due to the speculated negligence that he suffered from the ‘Cabals’ during the later days of Yaradua’s tenure. Jonathan also campaigned efficiently then through which he made various promises to Nigerians and Nigerians gave him their trust which metamorphosed into his election in 2011. Some of the promises of Jonathan include fixing the power sector before the end of 2012, fighting corruption efficiently, construction of second Niger Bridge, Rehabilitation of Nkalagu Cement factory, Ensuring security of lives and properties, rehabilitation of many kilometers of roads, revitalization of the education sector, construction of Onitsha inland water ways, generating employment opportunities and reducing poverty. President Goodluck Jonathan further told Nigerians that if he failed to achieve those things in four years, there is no need for him to contest again. He further maintained that he needed just one tenure though he recently denied promising such.
However, it is very sad that in 2015, the president has failed to live up to expectations. Though his current administration executed some policies like the establishment of nine new universities in order to ensure that each state has a federal university, allowed freedom of speech to a higher extent and revitalized rice production, he still failed to utilize those ideas, policies and visions properly. It is improper for a president to establish new universities while the existing ones are either neglected by government or in ebola conditions. If those funds channeled to those new institutions as takeoff grants and allocations were channeled to the upgrading of existing ones, better news will be assured.
Also, though the current administration under President Jonathan allowed the freedom of speech and opinions to prevail to a larger extent, the in ability of him and his media aids to properly utilize criticisms of his government makes mockery of the freedom of speech and opinion. His aids instead of addressing issues raised by critics usually resort to verbal attacks and this caused the president’s image and goodwill a lot of damage. Moreover, freedom of speech and opinion is a fundamental right of every citizen in any democratic setting 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 revitalization of the agricultural sector because Nigerians can’t depend on only rice every day. Total revitalization of the Agric sector would have been better.
Also, the failure of his government to generate employments led to increase in poverty rate.
It is important to note that the security of lives and properties is the prime function of every government and any government that failed to achieve that is simply a failed government. Many Nigerians died due to the attack of the north-east region by the boko haram sect. Also, many properties were destroyed by the activities of the insurgents, and many territories within the north eastern part of the country were captured by the insurgents though the security agencies with the help of some neighboring forces have secured back those territories. 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 properties over the years, the current administration of president Jonathan also failed to fulfill his 2011 election promises like rehabilitations of many kilometers of roads, construction of second Niger bridge, fixing the power sector, construction of Onitsha inland water ways, revitalization of the Nkalagu cement factory, as well as revitalization of the education sector are no where closer to fulfillment despite his humble background and trusts Nigerians had on him in 2011 when they elected him. Also his current administration is widely seen by both Nigerians and international community as highly corrupt especially after his government fired the former governor of Nigeria’s central bank Sanusi Lamido Sanusi after he raised alarm about missing $20 billion. Many Nigerians and the international community expected his government to launch sincere and immediate investigation of the claims of Mr Sanusi instead of engineering his sack. The sack of 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 more doubts on the sincerity of his government to curb corruption. His frequent statements on live national television that stealing is not corruption fuelled more fears that his administration is never willing to fight corruption.
These failures of Goodluck Jonathan’s administration 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 has predicted that the APC will be a past tense during it’s presidential primaries over predicted confusion that will befall the party while electing the bearer of it’s presidential flag. 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 War against indiscipline gave birth to the adaptation to queues by Nigerians, monthly sanitation among others. 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, criticized for it’s disrespect for human rights and press freedom. The enactment of decree no 4 that prohibited 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 owe Nigerians apology over the high handedness possessed by his military government while many also argued that the General does not owe anyone any apology since his actions took place under the eye of Military regime that is 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 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 that is widely believed to possess the urge and 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!
The Writer Chukwuemerie Uduchukwu can be contacted with @emerieuduchukwu on Twitter.
