2015: Between Jonathan and other contestants

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), its National Working Committee (NWC) and all its state governors have endorsed President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as their sole candidate in the 2015 presidential election. Whether he is legally eligible or not will be the decision of the judiciary, but politically, in sane climes, no party worth its mettle will […]

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), its National Working Committee (NWC) and all its state governors have endorsed President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as their sole candidate in the 2015 presidential election. Whether he is legally eligible or not will be the decision of the judiciary, but politically, in sane climes, no party worth its mettle will present a candidate whose popularity has seriously dwindled and continues to crash like a pack of cards.
Opinion polls indicate that most Nigerians are willing to change the present leadership through their votes come 2015. Although no one will be deceived by online polls, especially in a country like Nigeria, the polls indicate that Nigerians are tired of the present mess we found ourselves. It is also an indication that many Nigerians have realised the mistake they made in 2011 when they voted for Jonathan, not even the PDP. In the last five to six years, Nigerians have witnessed gross unemployment, insecurity, worsening corruption and poor provision of electricity. Unfortunately, instead of providing an alternative candidate, the PDP, which prides itself as the biggest party in Africa, has endorsed Jonathan as their sole candidate in the forthcoming elections.
With so many options to choose from, one wonders why the PDP is insisting on Jonathan. The primary responsibility of a leader in a democratic society is his ability to secure the lives of his citizens. Certainly, this leader has failed in that aspect. One actually wonders why the PDP is closing its eyes on other competent persons in its fold. Governors Godswill Akpabio, Sule Lamido and Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo have shown capabilities in terms of provision of quality leadership and democracy dividends in their various states.
If the PDP still insists that its presidential candidate must come from the South-South, what stops it from presenting Godswill Akpabio or Donald Duke? The present governor of Akwa Ibom has recorded tremendous achievements when compared to his counterparts in the South-South. His style of governance can only be compared to that of Donald Duke. Akpabio’s free, compulsory and qualitative education policy, free medical care for pregnant women, children and the aged, and the massive infrastructural investment in many parts of the state is enough evidence for him to present himself to Nigerians and contest as presidential candidate of the PDP.
In the North, the PDP has at least three governors that can be models for all. One is the Jigawa State governor who, in the last seven years, was able to transform Jigawa into a model state. His social security intervention was adjudged the best in northern Nigeria. His free education policy for both the able and the physically challenged is worthy of emulation. Lamido also introduced free maternal and child health care. These, in my opinion, are some of the yardsticks to determine the person to fly a political party’s flag.
Conversely, President Jonathan’s style of leadership has been divisive, to say the least. The level of corruption under his watch is unprecedented while some parts of the country have been ceded to terrorists. The insecurity ravaging northern Nigeria has been treated with a lackadaisical attitude by the present leadership.
As we approach the 2015 general elections, several interest groups are being used to achieve political goals. Young people are made to become political prostitutes under the umbrella of the so-called Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN). These people are said to have collected money from interested individuals to announce that a nomination form has been purchased for the president. Is this how the PDP will rule this country for 60 years as predicted by its former national chairman, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor? We expect a new leader in Aso Rock come May 2015.
Lawanti wrote from the Department of Mass Communication, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.