Wednesday, 22 May 2013
Nigerian Presidential Debate - GEJ Making Lame Excuses
Nigeria is a bundle of contradictions - a fertile ground for eternal belief in democracy, where all hopes for democractic progress go to die. It has even been said in "respectable" quarters that the very nature of electioneering and democracy is alien to us. Some "respected" elders have postulated that Nigerians are governable only by someone with a "iron fist". Nevertheless, Nigeria and Nigerians have consistently chosen to partake in the the commity of nations and we have continued to forge along, tottering on unsteady legs, weaving and bobbing. A coup here, a civil there; an inept bunch of kleptomaniac robbing us blind here, an internecine warfare over there; bad, good and ugly, we have tried to carry on. We are nothing if not a resilient and stubborn bunch of people. We adapt. In the pursuit of a participatory system of governance. Hoping that, by trial-and-error, we will someday get it right.
And so it is that, in spite of several years of disappointments, infrastructural decay, run-away inflation and unspeakable level of unemployment, crime, lack of any semblance of social welfare, Nigerians are gearing up to go to the polls again in April and pull a lever for Democracy. An uninitiated observer may be tempted to wonder whether we are just a bunch of self-flagellating psychopath for trusting so much in the system that has continued to fail us on such a regular basis. Such a foreign observer will be missing a critical component of the Nigerian psyche - everlasting hope for a better "tomorrow".
We are hopeful. We are trusting. So, we hope that, this time, the preparation for (and outcome of) the April elections will be different and much better than in the past. We are in a more modern era now, after all. Things are moving around us all over the world. The world is changing. What with the "internet revolutions", what with all the entrenched "regime-for-life" governments falling down faster than you can say "Egypt!"? We are hopeful (and praying) that, this time, the people who would like to rule us will be paying attention. How could they not? They all have iPhones and Blackberries and access to the interwebs and other sources of information and they are witnessing (with their own korokoro eyes) how quickly events seemingly brewing in tiny tea cups turn into uncontrollable tsunami that sweeps away "strong men" like some useless jagbajantis.
We were hoping that, this time, things will be different. Our political aspirants will be better behaved. Since we are in modern times, we were hoping that they will step away from the rot of the past and chart a new, more progressive course in history. We were hoping that the violent rhetorics and histrionics of the past (you know, those deplorable accompaniments of Nigerian politicking of the past) will be dispenced with and they will stand up and strive to play politics as it is meant to be practiced in modern times. Like, for example, by engaging in things like a public debate of important and relevant issues of the day.
Our spirits were lifted a great deal when the Nigerian News Channel, NN24, announced (to a great fanfare) that all the Major Political Parties in Nigeria have agreed to participate in a couple of Vice-Presidential and Presidential debates before the April elections. NN24 even broadcasted a footage of the representatives of the Parties signing the so-called "Memorandum of Understanding". Finally, we thought, Nigeria is coming of age. It had earlier been reported that the current ruling party might not agree to participate in the debate. But, now we have video evidence. And we will get a chance to, at least, witness a critical part of a modern-day democracy in Nigeria. In the year 2011. Better late than never.
We were hoping. And then we had our hope dashed. By no other person than the (dis)honourable Director of Media and Publicity of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Abah Daboh.
You see, Abah Daboh (and, apparently, his boss, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan) have a bone of contention with the "modalities" of the proposed debate. And, God help them, that bone must be picked. In Mr. Daboh's (and President Jonathan's) views, a "Debate" that does not include ALL the official 18 "Presidential" contenders has no bona fide, and President GEJ will surely not have anything to do with it. All 18 of them must debate together, otherwise there will be no fairness in the debate, according to the Wizards of PDP and PCC. Haba! We are so, so, so close to tasting the "Forbidden Apple" of Nigerian politics - Politicians actually talking about issues to their constituents, and engaging in a public back-and-forth with their opponents in the public arena, on the same pedestal. And here comes Mr. Daboh to yank it away from hour hands.
Mr. President, let's accept that your objection is sincere and legitimate. HOW, sir, do you propose to stack up 18 contenders on the same stage for an intelligent debate of REAL ISSUES? The whole point of a political debate is to present critical and concise argument of a position or policy, have them questioned by others, and defend them when questioned. In the process, you explain to the electorate HOW and WHY what you are selling them is of better qualities than what your opponents are hawking. In general, you can expect that the whole debate will last between 90 minutes and two hours, tops.
Knowing the above, Mr. President, HOW do you propose to allot the 2 hours among 18 people, giving each of them sufficient amount of time to connect with the electorate? Mr. President, we would like to believe that you and your handlers know the difference between a debate and a speech or press conference. You don't just get to deliver a prepared statement and then walk off the stage in a debate. No. On the average, you can expect to questioned on, at least, four of the major parts of your policies and plans. And, yes, you will be EXPECTED to question your opponents, too. You will be expected to provide a "rebuttal", usually to a controversial statement or asserion about you or your position made by your opponent(s). And, you will be expected to do each of these in more than one sentence, usually between 30 seconds and one minute, depending on the technicality or complexity of the topic at hand.
We know that you and your handlers are aware of all this. Because we are sure that they have seen one or more REAL Presidential Debates in modern era politics. What we don't know, and cannot fathom is HOW you and your handlers PROPOSE to do all of the above (and more) within the allotted time (anything longer than 2 hours, and your audience start to tune out, even if your co-debators hadn't started snoring on their feet).
We would like to ask Mr. Dabo and his cowering master:
With 18 ego-driven, self-important, larger-than-life Presidential aspirants, some of whom may be so enamoured of their own voice and importance that they will frequently forget to stop talking when required.
- How many minutes (sorry, seconds) do you propose that each speaker be given to talk?
- Would each be entitled to the same number of questions? Minutes? Responses? If not, why not?
- How many of the other 17 contenders are allowed to respond to the speaker, and how long should their response be?
- How many times is each of the 18 players allowed to speak out of turn (before being taken to Kirikiri)?
- How many times times can a question be asked of each contender?
- How long will the moderator(s) have to read each question? And, if the question is not clear, can it be repeated at the request of the speaker? Does this cut into the responder's allotted time, or is that time deducted from the Petroleum Funds?
We know that you reside in Aso rock, but we didn't know that you were all collectively and figuratively living under the rock. Apparently you are; otherwise, your handlers would have advised you against trying to cover your nakedness with this wet fig leave of an excuse. In all the Democratic countries the world over, there are always many aspirants to any elected office. Some do it for fun, some do it for the fame, some do it to write a book, others do it because they are crazy. Then you have the serious contenders; the VIABLE contenders. The ones whom everyone knows have a legitimate chance of actually making a good run for the office. Everywhere Political Debates happen in the world, prunning the chaff from the wheat has ALWAYS been an acceptable practice. It is even more especially necessary in a situation such as what we have here in Nigeria, with 18 people (a majority of whom 95% of the Nigerian populace have never heard of or seen) vying for the same position. Are you hoping to be conceal your nakedness and emptiness by surrounding yourself with as many warm bodies as possible on stage? That won't work, Mr. President.
You know that there will not be enough room, time, resource, or interest for a 18-person debating exercise. It is indeed sad that, of all the excuses that you could have made, this is the one that you chose to make. Your attempts to run away from selling yourself to the Nigerian people is selling you short, Mr. President. Nigerians deserve to see their country evolve and break with its sordid past. Having a semblance of normalcy and a sense of being a part of the modern democracies will go a long way towards bringing us ever closer to that evolution and goal. Refusing to partake in this debate for any reason will not speak well of you, Mr. President. Rather it will portray you as an insecure weakling whose only claim of success have been more through happenstance and accidents than by any measure of ability or capability.
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GEJ - LAME EXCUSES
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on July 5, 2012 - 02:52.
just my sentiments
NjYaVgdkCYKdG
Submitted by Anila (not verified) on June 7, 2012 - 08:54.
. . . I'm very deeply gervied! Nigeria is far too blessed a country for its people to resort to these humiliating alternatives to power. Its good to know that we're creative, but frankly, this attribute should be channeled to less mediocre projects. Everybody should get thinking --especially our electrical engineering grads and undergrads. Sometimes. . . I wonder what people are being taught in school
great!
Submitted by Ginnie khrung (not verified) on May 23, 2012 - 17:52.
I think this is a good thing to know "Politicians actually talking about issues to their constituents, and engaging in a public back-and-forth with their opponents in the public arena, on the same pedestal. And here comes Mr. Daboh to yank it away from hour hands
GEJ - LAME EXCUSES
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on May 7, 2012 - 08:23.
GEJ has proofed beyond reasonable doubt that he lacks intelligence, the man is nothing short of an imbecille. with hindsight we can now see why he did not participate in the debate. by the way, they claim he has a PHD, Nigerians have challenged him to publish this, or is it the case that someone else wrote this for him, GEJ is incoherent, and not capable of constructing a simple sentence, me thinks he thinks in his native ijaw, hence his difficulty in making sense when he speaks the white mans language. Nigeria is in trouble, we are being governed, by morons, illiterates, not forgetting, the armed robbers called ministers, governors, legislator etc
good
Submitted by donna cerca uomo (not verified) on April 12, 2012 - 15:03.
Good food for thought here. Thank you very much for the extensive explanation.
I am very enjoyed for this
Submitted by Anonymous456 (not verified) on March 29, 2012 - 02:16.
I am very enjoyed for this side. Its a nice topic. It help me very much to solve some problems. Its opportunity are so fantastic and working style so speedy. I think it may be help all of you. Thanks
Ibrahim Abubakar Jallo or
Submitted by Mariam Mike (not verified) on March 8, 2012 - 11:55.
Ibrahim Abubakar Jallo or whatever u call urself u should be surffering from PHALLOCRYPSIS for having no regards to the number one citizen of this great nation Nigeria.I think it is u who is going to die b4 ur time.u are from a particular region or state in this country have u ever ask about the development there even wen allocation are being taking from the federation acct. every month. in short u'r the Great GOAT.
Good stuff. Thanks, this is
Submitted by donne (not verified) on January 23, 2012 - 18:14.
Good stuff. Thanks, this is in every respect what I need to know.
why is goodluck so stupid?
Submitted by abubakar ibrahim jallo (not verified) on January 18, 2012 - 11:31.
Well,i think dis country is 2 gigantic 4 u 2 carry.why not go back 2 ur niger delta nd try ur best there,mr president sir!with all due respect sir,i will lyk to addres you has our great GOAT.
home sweet home
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 1, 2011 - 12:48.
DEAR OGA MINISTER OF OIL LOOTING SIRIm an unfortunate orphan who heard about the gigantic ugly house/sorry villa wey u get for austria.
Is there any chance u can adopt me? i sabi wash car well well O oga.and i get good broom skills.all i ask is a space to live in one of your wardrobes. if yr hse is like mugabes then u can fit me and my 42 siblings inside a garage.please sir dnt let dem say u is greedy and dnt care,i will even help u hide yr russian ashewo dem when yr wife and kids dey town.
i dnt mind the cold of austria you on the other will die a quick death if u live there.
at least i fit inherit yr villa when u quench.hurry up and come DADDY.
YOUR NEW SON,MANMUSTWHACK
Not valid
Submitted by Doctor Love (not verified) on April 3, 2011 - 13:13.
The excuses were not valid
Your guess is as good as mine
Submitted by KOOL (original) (not verified) on March 10, 2011 - 17:53.
According to a Youruba proverb, when a man is very confident of his charm, he uses it to beat his head. Is GEJ confident of his poise and charm? Your guess is as good as mine. A coward runs away even when no one is pursuing him. Is GEJ a coward? Your guess is as good as mine. The water of the pap is just the same as the pap. You cannot express potentials beyond the DNA of the family you carry. Can GEJ be a good president from a PDP family made up of pen robbers, crooks, greedy liars, murderers, etc? Your guess is as good as mine. I will rather not vote than to vote for GEJ and thereby for PDP. Cheers and cheers again.
presidential debate
Submitted by RICHARD (not verified) on March 10, 2011 - 16:51.
I am not surprised that GEJ and his advisers are opting out of the debate. it will be the wisest thing to do for a man and hs advsers who are not aticulate and intelligent. Have you heard GEJ talk in public? You will be amazed at the person we are planing on rulng Nigeria in 2011 and beyond. He is scared because he talks before thinking and makes blunder after thinking. so be not surprised.
Ha ba
Submitted by bankole ola (not verified) on March 10, 2011 - 15:58.
GEJ is surrounded by midiocres who cannot diferentiate left from right. Where is the SA Media? GEJ needs matured minds around hom if he must succeed.
Obviousity..
Submitted by Major (not verified) on March 10, 2011 - 10:18.
He refused to collect an allowance while serving as Chairman of the PTF because he said since he was already drawing a pension from government, his conscience would not allow him to draw another salary from the purse of the same government from which he was already drawing a pension.
http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/empowered-for-life/18525-who-is-afraid-o...
President Goodluck "Excuses" Jonathan (GEJ)
Submitted by Zainab Tukur (not verified) on March 10, 2011 - 10:01.
Nigerian Presidential Debate - GEJ Making Lame Excuses
Youth unemployment - GEJ Making Lame Excuses
Good Roads - GEJ Making Lame Excuses
Constant power supply - GEJ Making Lame Excuses
Poor education - GEJ Making Lame Excuses
Basic infrastructure - GEJ Making Lame Excuses
Opposition harassment - GEJ Making Lame Excuses
Permits for opposition campaign rallies - GEJ Making Lame Excuses
Free and fair elections - GEJ WILL MANUFACTURE Lame Excuses.
NIGERIANS WANT GOOD GOVERNANCE NOT GOOD OR LAME EXCUSES!
BROOM REVOLUTION: LET'S SWEEP OUT PDP IN APRIL!
Submitted by Soji Adebayo (not verified) on March 10, 2011 - 09:52.
My fellow Nigerians, here's something to reflect on:
PDP never delivered on ANY promise in 12 years, what makes Nigerians think they're going to deliver on anything in the next 4?
If you are happy with this incident or benefiting from the poor current state of things in Nigeria and DO NOT want any change, you are free to continue to vote for PDP/GEJ!
However, if you want a change and a new direction for Nigeria, I urge you to support Ribadu to be our next president. He's the only candidate running issues and fact-based campaign with a manifesto on how to fix the fundamental problems facing Nigeria and Nigerians.
I'm asking EVERY NIGERIAN to visit www.ribadu2011.com to download a copy of his blueprint for a new Nigeria.
I want to remind you that this is not just about you, it's about the future of your children and grand children who will have to deal with (while you're gone) and continue to languish in the jungle of incompetence, corruption, nepotism, poor infrastructure...
YOUR CHILDREN AND GRAND CHILDREN WILL SURELY ASK YOU SOMEDAY "WHAT ACTION DID YOU TAKE WHILE THIS WAS GOING ON, DAD or GRANDPA?" WHAT ANSWER WILL YOU GIVE?
If you do have some conscience, love of country and would like to see the beginning of a true transformation of our beloved country in your lifetime, I urge you to support Ribadu with your time and a donation - www.ribadu2011.com
I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT RIBADU?ADEOLA ARE WELL PREPARED IN HIS HEART FOR THE TASK AHEAD.
A vote for GEJ is a vote for corruption
Submitted by Chinwe Obiozor (not verified) on March 10, 2011 - 09:51.
Jonathan, Obasanjo, Bode George in ‘Operation Capture Lagos’ rally,
By Daniel Fayemi
President Goodluck Jonathan and his presidential campaign team were at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, venue of his campaign rally as the Peoples Democratic Party hopes to capture the State in the April elections for the first time.
Notable at the event were former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Olabode George and Speaker, House of Assembly, Hon. Dimeji Bankole among other party bigwigs.
George, who until his conviction was the former Deputy National Chairman (South) of the party, attended his first Party function since his release from jail on Saturday.
READ FULL STORY HERE: http://www.nigeriapoliticsonline.com/theContent.aspx?page_id=3&id=330
WE NIGERIAN YOUTHS CANNOT TAKE IT ANYMORE! WE'RE VOTING FOR RIBADU.
WHY RIBADU WILL BE PRESIDENT IN APRIL
Submitted by David Odiri (not verified) on March 10, 2011 - 09:50.
Seeking the presidency of this country is not about sainthood. Ribadu will be the first to admit that he is not a saint. But you don’t need saints to propel a nation to greatness. All that is required is the zeal and integrity to lead and to do the right thing.
Ribadu worked in the Nigeria Police for 18 years and at the EFCC for about 5 years, and nobody has come out till date and say, he took a kobo from him or her to pervert justice or that he has collected money before or after prosecuting a case.
On the issue of being used by the former president, the response is simple, Mallam Ribadu has always said: when you fight corruption, corruption fights back. There has not been a case where any of those the EFCC prosecuted while he was in office has come to say they were innocent of the charges against them.
Since they saw themselves as untouchables, their response was always that they were prosecuted because they were opposed to the former president. When we went after 419 kingpins, it was the same response he got from some of them who said Ribadu was doing the bidding of foreign governments and individuals who were at the receiving end of the activities 419 fraudsters.
For those who raised issues of Ribadu's programmes, please visit.
I'll pick Ribadu/Adeola over PDP/GEJ any day!
Submitted by Ijeoma Okoh (not verified) on March 10, 2011 - 09:49.
PDP Rigging: Every Nigerian MUST read between the lines.
Below is a recent news from The Associated Press
Former Nigeria anti-graft czar starts campaign - The Associated Press
ABUJA, Nigeria—Former anti-corruption czar Nuhu Ribadu has kicked off his presidential campaign ahead of April's election.
Ribadu gave a speech Wednesday as the candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria, the strongest opposition party in the oil-rich nation. Ribadu promised to speak to the young as the "half century of our nation's history (has) loudly left them behind through failure of governance."
Ribadu and President Goodluck Jonathan will be the strongest competitors in the April 9 election, though Jonathan's People's Democratic Party remains the only one with the money and political connections necessary to manipulate flawed elections in Africa's most populous nation.
JONATHAN IS GOOD MAN HELD HOSTAGE BY PDP CABAL!
Submitted by Usoro Uduak (not verified) on March 10, 2011 - 09:47.
Just like his predecessor, GEJ is a good man held hostage in a corrupt, incompetent PDP politicians and surrounded by inept advisers, blinded by power and bereft of ideas for good governance.
1. GEJ preaches free and fair elections while his cohort is using SSS, police etc. to intimidate political opponents
2. GEJ promises transparency while his style of governing is anything but transparent.
3. GEJ preaches level playing field for all, while squandering our oil money on his presidential ralllies estimated at N500 million a day (plus the use of public funded official presidential jets)
4. GEJ promises war on corruption while he gleefully welcomes ex-convict, Bode Gorge and actively lobbying and spending government money to rescue Ibori from the jaws of justice.
5. I can go on forever...WARNING to my fellow Nigerians, Jonathan is a wolf in sheep's clothing.
6. After 12 long corrupt and incompetent years, what makes me and other Nigerians think they're going to deliver on anything in the next 4 years?
7. NIGERIANS, BEWARE OF PDP/GEJ EMPTY PROMISES AND ANTICS TO RIG AND WIN "DOE-OR-DIE" JONATHAN IS GOOD MAN HELD HOSTAGE BY PDP CABAL! IT'S TIME FOR THEM TO GO IN APRIL!
Well Said!
Submitted by Believer (not verified) on March 10, 2011 - 09:38.
To opt out of this debate, for whatsoever reason, is cowardice. It will definitely have grave negative effects, Mr President.
OBJ did it and got away with it because he rigged the election. You do not have that luxury, bro. Times have changed! You dare not attempt habouring the slightest thought of rigging...
If your handlers are worth their salt they will make sure you participate in the debate. Except if they already want you to fail and just deceiving you to think otherwise.
JUST BEFORE YOU CAST YOUR VOTE IN APRIL...
Submitted by Usoro Uduak (not verified) on March 10, 2011 - 09:30.
Please be sincere and ask yourself the following questions:
1. Has PDP never delivered on ANY of their numerous promises in past 12 years?
2. Has life improved for ordinary Nigerians in the past 12 years?
3. Are PDP stalwarts getting richer on our oil money with Nigerians having nothing to show for it?
4. Do PDP/GEJ really care about me, my family, my job, and well-being?
5. Do the do-nothing senators and reps deserve the fat salaries they're collecting compared to Nigeria's minimum wage? Is the ratio fair?
6. After 12 long corrupt and incompetent years, what makes me and other Nigerians think they're going to deliver on anything in the next 4 years?
7. If Goodluck Jonathan cannot deliver on a SIMPLE promise of attending a debate to let Nigerians hear what has been doing since he was sworn into office, how can I TRUST him on BIGGER issues?
VOTE YOUR CONSCIENCE. VOTE RIBADU/ADEOLA 2011
http://ribadu2011.com/
