As a matter of urgency, we must reject the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in this election, just the way we rejected military rule in 1999 because it has refused to provide Nigerians, since its inception, leaders.  Instead, it has been imposing criminals, looters, embezzlers, thieves, vagabonds, ruffians, political neophytes and killers on us. The consequences of these are 12 years of abuse of power that resulted into deterioration in the living standards of Nigerians, potholed roads, crumbled infrastructure, and abuse of trust with impunity.

As it stands presently, the PDP is a beehive of those who are opposed to the liberation of Nigeria and Nigerians as well as failed and discredited politicians who are hell bent on maintaining their status as internal colonialists.  It is a congregation of empty heads, fortune squanderers, looting vampires; political light weights whose weight lies in manipulation, money and the power of digital rigging; self seeking monsters who are hell bent on pampering Nigeria on her neocolonial bed for plundering and stealing to continue ad infinitum. Their brutality permeates and pervades every sphere of national life. Like the termites and locusts, they devour everything – our national unity, assets, polity, codes of conduct, development and advancement.  Our suffering is their mansions, posh cars, luxuries and many mistresses they enjoy. It is time we reject these termites and locusts that have made us starve and are scheming and plotting to continue for 60 years.

Buhari possesses this discipline and integrity that comes with occupying public office and refusing to be corrupt in all ramifications of the word.  If you doubt all these, this was what Obasanjo said of him in his book ‘NOT MY WILL’ that Muhammadu Buhari as a member of the Supreme Military Council and the Head of Petroleum Department is by nature introvert. But he took any work given to him seriously. If he failed at whatever he did, it will not be because he did not put his best. He was as reliable as he was honest and hardworking, (p.53). At what point did Obasanjo find these qualities not good for Nigeria and Nigerians who are desirous of leaders with these qualities?

Furthermore, unlike the PDP which rule has become synonymous with outright stealing and irresponsibility that has brought us to this dangerous valley of blood and death, Buhari’s presidency and leadership qualities are still being remembered by many well meaning Nigerians with nostalgic feelings of having lost a golden decade of purposive and responsive leadership which promises can be banked on. If we desire purposeful leadership with a genuine passion for Nigerians and Nigeria, one cannot find alternative to Buhari among the contenders. His actions and lifestyle while in active service as governor, minister of petroleum, head of state and chairman of the PTF as well as in retirement and, currently, as presidential candidate of the CPC, has said it all.

Shekarau, Nuhu Ribadu and Jonathan have not displayed the discipline and integrity of Buhari.  It is on record that Ribadu ran away from Nigeria simply because he was removed from EFCC, asked to declare his assets and explain to Nigerians his stewardship in the EFCC. He only returned when the president offered to pardon him and went a step further to withdraw the case(s) against him. Secondly, Ribadu is romancing with the very man he and his father, General Obasanjo, said was corrupt.  He called Tinubu a thief yesterday only to deny it today (see NN24 Presidential Debate). How can Ribadu promise and deliver change?

Coming to Shekarau, nobody knew him before the 2003 elections. If he was known then it must be in the circle of principals of secondary schools and some of the Kano State ministries where he had served for his supposed discipline and integrity. This earned him a sort of respect among those who knew him. Armed with these supposed two qualities, people began to perceive him to be in the mould of Buhari. By 2003, Shekarau decided to join Kano gubernatorial race without money and larger political following. It is no longer news that Buhari won the 2003 elections for Shekarau in Kano not his supposed discipline and integrity.

Jonathan is the worst of all. He is a serial betrayer. He betrayed alamieyeseigha, Yar’adua and his party’s constitution. Here is a man that got to where he is today starting from his days as a deputy governor of Bayelsa courtesy of zoning. That formula he has denied and repudiated with all the naira and the EFCC powers he can surmount. How can we trust a man who is a serial betrayer of his bosses, cannot call to order unruly and plundering governors, ministers and National Assembly members for fear of being rejected during the party primaries and the general elections?

These contradictions personified by Jonathan (a Jonathan who wants to be president by all means and at all cost and a Jonathan who promised free, fair and credible election) made him more dangerous than an exuberant Ribadu and ambitious Shekarau. Apart from zoning, manipulation of ethnic and religious sentiments and rigging what make Nigerians vote for the PDP and its members in this election?

Abdulrahman Abu Hamisu is a researcher and Public Affairs Analyst, Plot 736, Gwagwalada, Abuja [email protected]