How Ribadu Will Defeat Jonathan, Buhari, Or Atiku-Dr. Bunmi Aborisade (Team Ribadu USA Coordinator)

Posted: December 20, 2010 - 16:50

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caption: Bunmi Aborisade

Citizen Reports

How has it been running Team Ribadu USA and the Ribadu for Nigeria Coalition?

Wonderful! Very exciting!! We are making progress. It is another opportunity to be part of the struggle to rescue our country from the dubious hands of some invidious interlopers who masquerade themselves as our leaders in Nigeria.

You recently launched the Team Ribadu USA and the "Ribadu for Nigeria Coalition," what is the difference between the two organizations and what progress have you made?

Team Ribadu USA is the US chapter of the Team Ribadu in Nigeria. It is a volunteer and youth-driven political movement supporting the presidential bid of Nuhu Ribadu, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The coalition is the umbrella body for all Team Ribadu groups around the world. The main job of the coalition is to help identify and unite all the Team Ribadu groups around the world (using its website-www.ribadufornigeria.org) for proper coordination and networking. The launching was the beginning of many activities lined up for the campaign period. We thank God that many Nigerians who believe in the new Nigeria that we are working towards made it to the launching despite the bone-chilly cold in the city of New York. The next step is for our coordinators in all the 50 States of the USA to get down to work and begin to mobilize Nigerians to join us in the struggle for the liberation of our country from the PDP ruling class that has pauperized our people over the years.

In your speech at the launching, you said Team Ribadu may lead to another NADECO, what do you mean?

I was trying to compare the Team Ribadu phenomenon in our country today with Chief MKO Abiola’s “Hope 93” which gave Abiola victory at the June 12 1993 polls and how the movement led to the emergence of NADECO after the annulment of the elections. What I am trying to say is that, if for any reason, ACN fails to field Ribadu as its candidate or Ribadu does not emerge as the next president of Nigeria for whatever reason, we should expect another NADECO. If you look at the rate at which Team Ribadu is spreading around the world, you will know there is no way Ribadu will not win the 2011 presidential election. As the coordinator of Team Ribadu USA and the convener of Ribadu for Nigeria coalition, I get calls from Nigerians around the world asking me how they can set up branches of the Team Ribadu group in their countries of residence. I have just helped set up the Malaysia chapter of the group and I am currently working with some people in South Africa, Germany and France to set up their chapters. If you want to know more about this, go to our website you will see their names and numbers. You can call them.

Let’s assume ACN will pick Ribadu as its candidate in the 2011 elections. What if the general election turned out to be fraudulent?

A. That is where trouble will start. That is when we should be ready for another NADECO. Any country where people volunteer the way people volunteer at Team Ribadu, that country must be very careful. If you tamper with their interest, there will be trouble. Just go and read the history of volunteerism anywhere around the world, you will understand what I am saying better. One interesting thing about the Team Ribadu groups is that, Nuhu Ribadu himself is not in control of them. The man does not even know how many Team Ribadu groups exist. Apart from a few of us coordinators that he is in touch with, he does not know the leadership of most of the Team Ribadu groups. If Nigerians like you, they can do anything to support you and that is exactly what is happening in the case of the Team Ribadu groups all over the place. Imagine when some colleagues and I published the June 12 Magazine, many people thought it was Abiola that gave us money not knowing we never met the man. People just set up their own Team Ribadu and start working for the man. That is wonderful! Apart from Chief Abiola’s “Hope 93” I have not seen any other political movement that has brought Nigerians from all walks of life together like the Team Ribadu. It is amazing!

Who is funding the Team Ribadu groups?

To the best of my knowledge, the groups are funded by their members and no one gets paid for whatever we do. To those of us in the USA, we are sourcing money from credible Nigerians with no strings attached to support Ribadu’s campaign in Nigeria. The Diaspora policy of the Team Ribadu is clear on whom we should accept donations from. I bet you know Ribadu will not allow us to accept donations from anyone who stole government money or individuals with questionable character.

Do you think ACN will give its ticket to Ribadu?

A. I don’t have any doubt that it will, but if it does not, the party will lose gallantly and that may be the end of the party. Then, Nigerians should brace up for 60 years of PDP rule predicted by Vincent Ogbulafor and that will be terrible for all of us. As a matter of fact, ACN has a lot to gain by fielding Ribadu. Just watch out, you will see how politicians from other parties will decamp to ACN if Ribadu emerges as ACN candidate. Go and read what Femi Fani-Kayode said about that at Ribadu’s book launch you will understand what i am saying. If a PDP irredentists like Fani-Kayode can say that, people from PDP will join ACN if ACN picks Ribadu as its candidates, that is a sign that PDP is in total disarray and that is good for Ribadu and ACN.

Assuming Ribadu gets the ACN ticket, do you think he can defeat the likes of Goodluck Jonathan, the incumbent president, Atiku Abubakar, former vice president, and Mohammed Buhari or even IBB?

Let’s first remove IBB from our calculation; the man already got the result of the general election before the party primaries. Nigerians are not fools. Nigerians have moved beyond his antics and no one will ever fall for his evil tendencies. One thing about Nigerians is that, once they reject you, you are finished. Imagine those who betrayed the June 12 struggle, where are they today? Let’s look at the other candidates: Nigerians took to the streets to force the National Assembly to make Jonathan vice president and later president, what has he done since he became president? That is a shame! In the case off Atiku, it is only in Nigeria that a man like Atiku will be walking on the streets with the case of money laundering hanging on his neck, not to talk of running for president. As for Buhari, I am not sure Nigerians regard a man like him as their messiah. Even when he was military head of state, it was his deputy that was the defacto president. If not for Idiagbon, Buhari’s regime would have been a total failure. That was why the regime was tagged Buhari/Idiagbon regime to show how powerful Idiagbon was in the administration.

What makes you think Ribadu is the ideal President Nigeria needs?

Before you can say someone is fit for the job of the president of a country, you must first of all identify the challenges ahead and the capability of the person to face the challenges. In the case of Nigeria, we all know that corruption is our biggest problem and anyone that must lead Nigerian to the Promised Land must be ready to fight corruption. And there is no one who has demonstrated that courage in public service in Nigeria today than Ribadu. That is why many Nigerians want Ribadu to help rid the country of those looting our collective treasury so that we can reclaim our lost glories as a nation.

But there are other qualities like leadership quality, experience in governance, and understanding of issues....

I don’t know of any leadership quality or experience that we need that Ribadu does not have except you are talking of experience in stealing money. Here is a man who trained as a lawyer and was in the police for 18 years and rose to the position of AIG and we are still talking of lack of experience. I am beginning to think that people who say Ribadu does not have experience thought the man was at the road block collecting bribe like other policemen during his 18 years in service. Here is a man who was offered $15 million dollars in bribes and he rejected it. How many Nigerians can do that? What is the difference between a man who worked for 18 years in the Federal or State Ministry and a man who served for 18 years in the Police Force? As far as I am concern, there is no difference. You see, those who don’t want Ribadu to be president are those looting our collective treasury. They are afraid of him and that is good. They should all know that the Nigerian masses are watching and are waiting for them at the polls in 2011.

Are you aware of the move by the leadership of ACN to adopt Buhari as its candidate and Bola Tinubu will be the running mate? Have you spoken to your candidate about this?

I read about it all the time and I laugh. One thing that I know is that, Bola Tinubu is not a fool and he will not do anything that will hurt his political career and the people of Nigeria. Some of our members have asked me about the so-called alliance, I equally raised it with Ribadu, and he dismissed it. Our position for now is that, we will not be distracted by such moves. I know ACN will not want a repeat of what happened to the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in 1999 when the party formed an unholy alliance with the All People’s Party (APP) and lost the election. They must have learned some lessons from the unholy accord between the leadership of Action Congress (AC) and former president Obasanjo, which led to the defeat of the party in the Southwest, not to talk of the adoption of the former Vice President Atiku (from PDP) by AC as its presidential candidate which led to the defeat of the party the 2007 elections.

Why do you trust Tinubu and the leadership of ACN so much that you think they will not betray Ribadu?

A. It goes beyond mere trust; it is a matter of the caliber of people that form the leadership of the party. I have known Tinubu since the June 12 struggle and he is one person who does not joke with his supporters and he recognizes his source of popularity. Let’s take a look at the role he played in reclaiming the party’s stolen mandates in the Southwest, look at the defeat suffered by Chief Segun Osoba in Ogun State and the humiliation meted on him and his people by Governor Daniel, needless to talk of how Niyi Adebayo lost to an inconsequential person like Ayo Fayose in Ekiti State. With all that, I think they have learned a bitter lesson in the past and they will get it right this time around.

Many Nigerians believe Ribadu has not been taking on his opponent as expected, particularly when it comes to the issue of corruption. What do you think about that?

I know some people wanted Ribadu to take on Jonathan when he was accused of bribing the Save Nigeria Group and Atiku on the issue of $40M money laundering. That is a waste of time and Ribadu does not have the time for that. Why they were busy throwing tantrums on the pages of newspapers, Ribadu and his policy team were brainstorming on how to rescue Nigeria from abyss. He was preparing for a robust campaign. Nigerians know the type of aspirants in the race. I bet Nigerians know who will serve their interest among the aspirants and they will surely vote for that person in the 2011 presidential election. Just wait and see, Nigerians have learned their lessons. Ribadu will speak when it's necessary. He is not a noisemaker like the others.

What is going to happen to Team Ribadu if Ribadu does not emerge as ACN candidate?

A. I don't want to speculate. We don't speculate in Team Ribadu. We work with facts. And the fact on the ground is that Ribadu is ACN's best bet to dislodge the autocratic PDP. The ACN comprise of experienced political strategists. They are aware of this. I can't imagine Ribadu not emerging candidate. He is just too beautiful a political bride.

Will you be willing to work for another candidate in case Ribadu does not emerge candidate?

I have just told you how confident I am that our man will emerge candidate of his party. But let me make this clear. I have Ribadu’s mandate to form the Team Ribadu USA and not Team Jonathan USA or Team Buhari USA or Team IBB USA. After all, We saw all these people before we opted for Ribadu. My colleagues and I are responsible and accomplished democrats. We don’t jump around like that. We talk all the time in Team Ribadu USA and I know where our members stand. It is either Ribadu or no other candidate.
What will Nuhu Ribadu do differently if elected President?

There is no doubt that the present regime has failed the nation woefully in all aspects. So, if anyone is coming on board to repair the damage of both the past and present regimes, the person must to do a thorough appraisal of the system and come up with a package on how to fix the problems and not just making empty promises on the pages of newspapers, on the Internet, radio and television as our politicians always do. What Ribadu has done is to appraise our problems and the extent of the damage done to all aspects of our life as a nation. He has come up with a “Blueprint for Change.” It is a fifteen page document and it is available free for all Nigerians. There are hard copies that you can pick up from all Team Ribadu coordinators in the 36 states of Nigeria and you can download it free from Ribadu’s official website (www.ribadu2011.com) and our website (www.ribadufornigeria.org) for Nigerians in the Diaspora and Nigerians back home that have access to the Internet. The fifteen page document is very explicit on what he will do differently as the president of Nigeria. It is a document of hope that touches on all aspects of our life as a nation. It is not a document that someone sat somewhere to craft without input from Nigerian as our politicians do. The document truly reflects the yearnings and aspiration of the masses of Nigerians. In the days and months ahead, Ribadu will hit the road to discuss the “Blueprint for Change” with Nigerians.

Comments

120 comment(s)

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on April 16, 2011 - 17:01.

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Submitted by Doctor Love (not verified) on April 7, 2011 - 00:12.

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Advise.

Submitted by Adelodun Waheed (not verified) on March 21, 2011 - 00:00.

I am very happy to see someone that can transform nigeria to better. PDP has been promising but failed us,i've never used my hand to vote b4 but now i've registered to make sure that i vote 4 ACN in general. My own fear is that, pdp has been splashing a lot of money on our people in order to get vote from them and forgotten that immediately they got there they will derive the money back in multiplication. I want to implore my people expecially in kwara not 2 sell their vote in order 2 free free from slave.

Atlanta event for Ribadu

Submitted by John 41 (not verified) on March 6, 2011 - 04:49.

When and where is the RIBADU Rally event in Atlanta,USA?

RIBADU IS UNDER BONDAGE

Submitted by Pastor Commander Samyoung Onwuzulike (not verified) on February 19, 2011 - 01:43.

Beloved Nigerians

Nuhu Ribadu and Lagos State Governor are two bright stars and new wine. They could have lead ACN and Nigerians to their promised land. Tinunbu is an old wine who have the money. He wants to control the destiny of the party and the people. His money ego held Ribadu in bondage, he would not allow them to demostrate their wisdom for Nigeria's One World of Mother and Child.

Bola Tinunbu come down. Allow these two Young men to carry out 2011 election for ACN.Stay back as a Statesman. They have given your wife a Senate seat without no hassel.

Any thing Nigerians are doing today which kept women under the carpet is made to fail.

You think that the Change for Mother and Son is a baby show, wait you will see that all your labors are for nothing. As things is going now The Messiahic Lady may be a Political Virgin, because Mother Grace come to demostrates the power of Supreme Grace to Nigerians.

Grace is given to the weak not strong.

Show your evidence, you guys

Submitted by Lekan (not verified) on February 18, 2011 - 09:37.

Show your evidence, you guys just open your mouth and yarn dust. We know your type, scammers dealt with by EFCC.

Ribadu Is It !!!

Submitted by Muyiwa A. (not verified) on February 17, 2011 - 17:07.

The ACN Conference held yesterday brought to light the real progressives minds needed for the real change needed in our great COUNTRY. I AM CONVINCED THAT WE HAVE A GOOD PRESIDENT IN ALHAJI RIBADU.
Though young compared with the likes of Buhari, Atiku or IBB, this gentleman is intelligent and very compassionate. You have my vote please.

Those who aspire to rule

Submitted by Patrick Agbobu (not verified) on February 10, 2011 - 19:20.

Those who aspire to rule Nigeria, leaders and elder states people, must act very responsibly and with the interest of Nigeria at heart. Nigeria is a coporate entity and any person who can have, the majority of votes in a free and fair election, is qualified to rule Nigeria. Nigeria is a very complex country with divers tribes, traditions, languages and religions. These make it a very delicate country and those who aspire to rule, must have this at the back of their minds. Scheming, plotting and ganging up, in the name of region, tribe, religion, etc is a very dangerous venture. This has the tendency to explode, not only in their faces but could bring the entity, we know as Nigeria to an end. We had our independence in 1960 and the north has ruled Nigeria for more than 38 years of the fifty years, be it civilian or military. Nobody from the south, openly challenged or plotted against it. The wealth that has sustained, Nigeria since independence has come, mainly from the south, be it cocoa, rubber, palm oil and palm kernel, crude oil and gas, manpower, enterprenurship and economic activities along Logos and environs. Eventhough the south sustained Nigeria and the north ruled, the south did not plot or quarell. The money from the south Niger Delta, built Abuja and all the associated infracstrures with unimaginable speed, while the Niger Delta was criminally neglected, abused and abandonned. The south did not grumble. Now a person from the south and where all the money that is sustaining Nigeria, in the person of Goodluck Jonathan, is now the front runner in the comming election. Some people from the north and mainly those who lavished all our money, for their personal gains are now ganging up, to stop Goodluk Jonathan. Shame on them. They will fail woefully and they deserve to fail abysmally. They should learn the lessons of Sudan, Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen etc. Should they be foolish, to make it immposible for Goodluck Jonathan to rule, then they will have themselves to blame for the consequences of their action. They should please give Jonathan Goodluck a chance and give Nigeria a brake. The south can survive confortably with their resourses, I do not believe that, they can say such with some parts of the North. Those who the gods want to destroy are first made mad. A word is enough for the wise. I rest my case.

Say No to Jonathan, Buhari for President!!!!

Submitted by DANIEL OKOROAFOR (not verified) on February 9, 2011 - 03:19.

What Nigeria needs from its potential presidential and vice presidential candidates is simply an end to corruption. Once that is achieved, economic progress, infrastructural development and so on would follow. Who can do such a job other that the dynamic duo of Buhari/Bakare, their zero tolerance for corruption would send the likes of IBB and ko running helter skelter. vote wisely my fellow Nigerians....

Ribadu is a clown.

Submitted by Morruf (not verified) on February 7, 2011 - 22:44.

Ribadu cant win in Adamawa his state not to talk of north west region. Tinubu has paved the way for Jonathan to win the election. Ribadu is a very corrupt criminal who enriched himself as the czar of EFCC, we all know how he sold the property belonging to Mr. Emmanuel Nwude at marina Lagos.

Ribadu to wait for 2015

Submitted by Patrick Eneshogbe (not verified) on February 1, 2011 - 14:33.

This is the last lap for PDP, so Ribadu should wait because of GEJ. Ribadu is the man for 2015.

THE REAL TRUTH ABOUT RIBADU EXPOSED!

Submitted by David Odiri (not verified) on January 27, 2011 - 23:05.

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 about Ribadu's programmes, please visit www.ribadu2011.com

Old hands have failed!

Submitted by ADELUGBA ADEMOLA (not verified) on January 27, 2011 - 14:29.

Why can't Nigerians learn from past mistakes.Why don't we try the "new breed" politicians? Ribadu will make a difference by God's grace. "Egungun Wata", I thank you for this piece.

RIBADU IS NOT A SAINT

Submitted by David Odiri (not verified) on January 23, 2011 - 15:05.

For those who raised issues of Ribadu's programmes, please visit www.ribadu2011.com

Anybody Willing to BET?

Submitted by Warrior123 (not verified) on January 22, 2011 - 21:15.

I'm willing to stake N1,000,000 Naira that Ribadu will not be running for presidential elections on ACN ticket. He will soon step down.:)

All these articles are meant to get ACN convinced that he is a good idea. He's not ready. He is likely to lose the north totally, win with a lot of people who don't have registration cards, lose in the south south and ACN knows these.

Ribadu is a police man who became EFCC chairman, who were the strong people on his team? What else did he do? Can he tackle the lack of security so strong in Nigeria today? Does he have an economic team? If while he was in EFCC his boys were still collecting bribes successfully, what difference will he make in 2011? It's not time yet... anybody taking me up on my bet?

You are not serious!

Submitted by Ologbo (not verified) on January 20, 2011 - 13:56.

@Peter Onwuazo, I must say your comment tries to hide reality. Atiku was touted as a man with strong political base and GEJ as a man with no experience,no political base. This entered into Atiku's head. What happened to Turakin? He suffered greatest humiliation any politician could ever suffer at polls. Ribadu seems to many like you as inexperienced and with lack of political base, but wait until the polls and see who has political base. Let the campaign start. We shall see, provided parties this time repent and do not rig the election and/ Nigerians defend their votes.

NOT YET TIME FOR RIBADU

Submitted by Peter Onwuazo (not verified) on January 20, 2011 - 05:22.

I have read and watched about Nigeria Politics for long. Ribadu does not I mean does not have the political structures on ground to win the presiential race.

I will advice he waits for his turn in 2015.

He should develop a strong political structures and hit the ground running in the 2015 race. May God help NIGERIA

I enjoy reading your article.

Submitted by OD (not verified) on January 19, 2011 - 09:09.

I enjoy reading your article. If Ribadu emerged as the alliance candidate, we will mobilize an army of will technocrat among Nigerians in Diaspora to come support his campaign and even offer our services and professional help for free to help build a country we all would be proud of. The Indians are doing it; the Chinese have done it, and other Asian emerging countries. We are tired of staying away from our homeland but the alternative is not entertainable under the current condition. I'm a Christian from Edo State and leave in the US. I'm a CEO of a thriving technology based company and have experience with some of the top companies here in the US. I Love to come home, server and contribute to building my beloved country Nigeria not to partake in the looting. My friends and I will come home wholeheartedly to support Ribadu for the Presidency of Nigeria. We need a true patriot and an honest visionary leader!
Long live Nigeria!!!

Not yet time for Ribadu

Submitted by Saint Morris on January 18, 2011 - 21:20.

Ribadu's time has not come,...by the way he worked under the so called corrupt government. He appears to be a good man,..but he too is corrupt in a way, and he knows.

Let's remove sentiments. Jonathan has better CV to lead Nigeria than Ribadu.

If you love Nigeria don't be an antagonist,..support Jonathan and be the best you can be any where you are.

Ribadu can make it with wisdom.

Submitted by Pastor Commander Samyoung Onwuzulike (not verified) on January 18, 2011 - 13:53.

Beloved Nigerians

Nuhu Ribadu and ANPP candidate can make it with wisdom. The wisdom if the two can agree to work together.

Any of them should go to East and pick a female VP to give the motherless Nigeria, Africa and Black world a Mother to support Johnson of Liberia.

We have bright women like Dr Ngozi Iwuala,Prof Dora
Akunyili, Prof Ebele Maduewesi etc

A new wine needs a new bottle.

I agree. I read his interview

Submitted by Felex (not verified) on January 18, 2011 - 11:22.

I agree.

I read his interview in a magazine ( i foget the name) and his honesty and integrity shone through. I do have doubts about his strategy and solutioning but give me an honest fool over a crooked genius anyday.

However, his link to Tinubu is too much for me to ignore and if he compromises his integrity on one thing he will on others.

Re-post: SR, do not censor if you advocate transparency

Submitted by Strategist on January 18, 2011 - 00:38.

David Odiri said: "He is indeed, well respected abroad..."
This is exactly the problem we have in Nigeria and Africa in general. Problems in Africa came from "abroad". "Abroad" are the one manipulating and "corrupting" our leader. "Abroad" is helping them loot our economy and deposit it in banks "abroad" without questions. "Abroad" claims it wants to help Africa but they are not helping us to find and return Africa’s money deposited in their bank. Respect from "abroad" is the last reason anyone should be qualified to be President. I am sorry to say this, but, I have not seen any "leaders" in Africa. They are narrow minded; no matter their good-heartedness. I applaud Ribadu and wish him well; however, I do not know whether he is the leader Nigeria needs. Corruption is just a fraction of Nigeria's problem. Number one problem stems from unsavory foreign influences in Nigeria. Democracy is not a one-size-fits all affair. The West shouts democracy, democracy, but they know that democracy is more than one man one vote affair; if it were, why is Hamas under Western sanctions after winning a democratic election considered by international observers as fair?
We need a leader that will look at our problem from a holistic point of view. While corruption is a big problem, foreign influences are enemy number one. How can a corporation be the one to transport a whole President of Nigeria to a foreign land to be treated? Nigerians, are you reading Wikileaks on Nigeria? How can a foreign corporation use Nigerian children as guinea pigs in Northern Nigeria, and in the face of it believe that it was doing Nigerians a favor, without a criminal investigation and prosecution of those involved? Nigerians, are you reading Wikileaks on Nigeria? Foreign influences are responsible for sowing the ethnic divisions in our country. The foreigners are looking for compliant Nigerians who put the interest of foreign corporations ahead of Nigeria's interest. Nigerians, are you reading Wikileaks on Nigeria? Education, education, education, is a top priority. Why are children of politicians flying to foreign universities to attend be educated? Why is Nigeria allowing the proliferation of private school in Nigeria while public schools are dilapidated and substandard? Why are Nigerian children learning French, Italian, and other foreign languages before they have learned and mastered Hausa, Efik, Yoruba, Ibo, Ijaw, Fulani, Swahil, Epe, and other language relevant to their immediate environments? Why are Nigerian leaders shamelessly flying themselves and their families to foreign hospitals for medical check-ups when they have the human capital to build and maintain the best hospitals in the world? Do we have leaders who can say to foreign influences, we demand the transfer of useful technology other than war machines? Do we have leaders who understand the substance of the rule of law? The rule of law is more than legal formalism. It is a concept which demands substantive understanding and implementation? Do we have leaders who are interested in the well-being of Nigeria rather than empty affirmations from “abroad”; fattening of bank accounts; returning for a second term rather than using the first term to do the best job and let the chips fall where they may? Do we have a leader that will demand an independent judiciary as an ineluctable element of the rule of law? Do we have leaders who understand that the way we treat the least among us determines the mental and psychological health of our nation? What are we, as Nigerians, doing to support our brothers and sisters in the Niger Delta whose ways of life have been decimated by oil companies? Are we, as Nigerians, fighting for and with them or are they the “other”, who should just not disturb other Nigerians with their problems? Recently, in the U.S., BP paid a high price and will continue to pay for it, for “one” oil disaster. However, thousands of oil disasters have occurred in the Niger Delta; yet, not a single individual has been held to account! Are we only our brother’s keepers when it concerns our own ethnic group or self-interest? Are we happy when a single person is killed because of religion, simply because he or she belongs to that “other” religion or ethnic group? Are we happy when an innocent Muslim or Christian is killed because he or she is, well, a Muslim and Hausa or Christian and Ibo? I ask again, do we have a leader who understands the concept of the rule of law?
On the media: Do we have a leader who would demand responsible journalism? This means the type of journalism that does not incite ethnic and religious violence or hatred? You see, those from “abroad” preach democracy, the freedom of speech and freedom of the press to Africans; however, in their own countries, they have laws that criminalize speech. For example, in Germany, it is a criminal offense to say that the Holocaust, in which millions of people were murdered because of their “otherness”, did not occur. Germany knows the hatred bred by such speech and criminalized it. However, those from “abroad” will tell Africans that anyone has a right to write anything about any ethnic group or anyone, without accountability. We know how many innocent live we lost senselessly because of the Mohammed (PBUH) beauty contest comment in one of our newspapers. Note that prohibiting hate speech or speech that incites violence is not infringement of freedom of expression. Do we have leaders that ensures that all media outlets in Nigeria, be it in print or otherwise, are not foreign propaganda machines, set-up by foreigner, with Nigerian paid agents, to psychologically and socially engineer our people into believing that everyone is better than they are, causing them to prefer other nations to Nigeria? Do we have educated leaders? By educated leaders, I do not mean just acquisition of degrees from Universities? I mean perceptive leaders who understand international relations and its effects on his or her people?
On Equality: Do we have leaders who understand that every Nigerian is an asset to our nation? Is the son of the Senator more important than the son of the farmer in the village? Do we value our daughters the same way we value our sons? Why are our daughters in foreign lands being exploited as prostitutes? Do we have leaders who will understand the substance of women rights? Do we have a leader who will help our men mature from their childish macho-attitude in dominating our daughters and mothers? Do we have leaders who can protect our children from exploitation in the form of child slavery in the home of rich people? Are we happy to see the children of the village farmer wasting his or her tender years in the houses of “big” men and madams as domestic servants, under abusive conditions? Do we have domestic violence and child abuse laws that are substantively enforced? Do we have leaders who understand that a man making 30,000.00 a year should not be having eight children? Do we have leaders who would engage the society and candidly educate them on the issues of “controlled birth”? Note, I did not say “birth control”, like China’s one-child policy.
On Security: Do we have a leader willing to see the Nigerian security apparatuses as public servants rather than personal security detachments? Do we have leaders who understand that security is not just for foreign expatriates and elected officials but for every Nigerian? Do we have leaders willing to decentralize the Nigerian police force, retrain the police to respect their oath of office, the public and the rule of law? Do we have leaders who would set up independent civilian watch-dogs to monitor the police and report any abuses, which must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law? Do we have leaders who would candidly educate the masses that they should respect the police but not afraid to engage any police officer who have exceeded his or authority? Do we have leaders who would make the teaching of the Nigerian constitution part of the academic curriculums? Do we have employment discrimination laws to eliminate tribalism from the employment arena and mandate the hiring of the best candidate only?
These are just a few of the questions we must pose to our leaders. As you can see Nigeria’s problem is more than “corruption”. Yes, it’s true that a lot of the questions posed can be traced to corruption when fashioning a solution; however, in choosing our leaders, we need more than what we currently have. God willing, that leader will emerge one day. Whether it is Ribadu or Jonathan, we all must play our part to make Nigeria a better world for all who live in it. But to achieve this, we have to look at what is relevant to our people, not what is relevant “abroad.” Looking “abroad” to copy their best practices relevant to Nigeria is a good approach; however, Nigeria should come first.

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