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Monday, April 25, 2011

NIGERIA ELECTIONS: Farewell to Nigeria's Old Brigade


Before I round up this discourse on the issues related to the just concluded Nigeria's Presidential Elections, I want to quote what Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Chairman, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor said in an interview published in today's edition of Sun Newspaper.


“Let us not pretend by always saying the violence is taking place in some parts of the country. People like Gen. Buhari and others like him should not be allowed to roam the streets of this country because they are part of the confusion that has enveloped the nation today. “I believe that the current violence we are experiencing in parts of the North is because certain highly placed persons in this country magnified the PDP problem of zoning offices and gave the impression to the electorate and the generality of northerners, especially the gullible illiterates that it was their turn to rule.


“Basically, what we are seeing today is the fact that they feel it is their turn to rule. Those people who are perpetrating the mayhem do not know who won the elections and in what place. In fact, you will recall that the violence started long before the INEC chairman actually declared the results and sadly the mayhem is mostly in the states where Gen. Buhari won,”

The above statement by Pastor Oritsejafor puts a seal on what I have been talking about.  The violent riots was instigated by people who are no longer relevant in Nigerian politics but want to continue to have a say by all means.  The election of President Goodluck Jonathan, a minority is the final nail on the coffin of the Old Brigade of Nigerian politics.

Our nation has suffered from bad leadership from these same people who seek to lead us again.  Buhari's leadership style in the 1980s was a terror-style leadership under the military that had no democratic inclination.  Now, nearly 30 years later, he has not changed as his campaign speeches are laced by violent-instigating statements.

Like I mentioned before in my previous posts, I am not a card carrying member of any party and do not intend to join any party soon; but my interest is to see a Nigerian state led by a group of dedicated, committed and people-oriented crop of leaders.  That is why we need the Jonathan's team from May 29 to be made up of highly intellectual group of people whose major intent is to move the nation forward in every sphere.

As we go to the polls for the gubernatorial and state assembly elections tomorrow, I implore all Nigerians of voting age to come out and vote out all charlattans and then help those who have been performing to continue their good work.  I love what Fashola is doing in Lagos.  He deserves a second term!  

I looked towards Central Nigeria and I believe the people of Benue State know more than those of us who are not resident there that it is "time up" for Gabriel Suswam after 4 years of organizing "shows" in the name of governance.  Someone else needs to fix Benue.  

I will continue to pray for Nigeria, and I want all the friends of Nigeria to pray along with me.  God bless Nigeria.

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