JONATHAN V. BUHARI 2015, ISSUE-BASED CAMPAIGN PLEASE!

Icheoku says being an animal scientist does not make anyone more qualified to be president of Nigeria, neither is it analogous to successfully understanding human beings and knowing how to govern them better? Therefore having a PhD or being a semi-illiterate should not be the only benchmark or criteria for choosing who becomes the president of Nigeria in 2015. Icheoku opines that sometimes even complete illiterates are good administrators, otherwise ask our grandfathers how they successfully managed their harem of wives and integrated concubinage? Also when you see a typical Onitsha trader, the popular OMATA, ask him how he successfully juggles his containers on the 'High Seas', his profits and losses as well as his numerous understudies and underlings, apprenticing under him? 

So whereas it is good to be educated, whether up to PhD or at "semi-illiterate level, what is imperative in a good leader is the ability to tap into dynamic talents to help the leader manage the onerous and complex task that governing is. No single individual, no matter how academically qualified or endowed, can single-handily, successfully run a country. In the same tandem of argument, a 'semi-illiterate' president who surrounds himself with the cream of the society can deliver a wondrous governance for the people if he is a good leader? So successful governing depends principally on intelligence rather than academic qualifications, although it is helpful in faster understanding of the fine lines of policies of  state for a quicker moving of the process forward. Icheoku says a semi illiterate president who surrounds himself with very good administrators including PhD holders, and gladly listens to their advise and points of view on issues; and believing that they know what they are talking about, could successfully run a country too? 

Conversely, an over-confident, self absorbed PhD holder, who scornfully looks down on people around him and snubs them as not knowing what they are talking about and would not listen to their advise or not do what they recommend because he believes he knows more than any other person around him, would end up being an unsuccessful administrator of a country. Icheoku says it is therefore about time both the PDP and the APC campaigns stopped emphasizing on the educational qualification of their presidential candidates and rather refocus their effort on what their candidates will do better towards uplifting Nigerians standard of living. Most civilized campaigns are ran based on the records of candidates as that is usually the precursor of the trajectory the candidate will eventually take the country and this also enable the citizens to vote according to which course they prefer. Icheoku harps that both parties have a lot they can advert Nigerians' minds to in favor of their candidate and also adverse the other candidate,  and they should have a recourse to this talking points and now.

As with Muhammadu Buhari, fortunately for Team Jonathan, he has been on the stage before and thus have accumulated some records Nigerians can hold him to account now that he wants a second chance at a do over. As Wole Soyinka said, in his "Crimes of Buhari" article, "History matters, Records are not kept simply to assist the weakness of memory but to operate as guides to the future", so Icheoku asks why not Team Jonathan ask Buhari to explain some of his past actions as opposed to what he now pretends to represent? There is a plethora of things the then Buhari did which to many Nigerians, including Wole Soyinka and Icheoku, is an unacceptable behavior of any sane leader, especially when the perpetrator now wants to be readmitted to the seat of power? Icheoku says if Buhari did those things then what is the guarantee he will not go back to his vomit if elected this time and do them all over again? 

Why not Team Jonathan ask Buhari to respond or answer to Wole Soyinka's charges (Crimes of Buhari) and exonerate himself accordingly or defend his position against those accusations? Why don't Team Jonathan ask Buhari to explain why he cancelled Lateef Jakande's Lagos metro line project which by now would have helped solve or at least alleviate the notorious Lagos traffic nightmare? Why don't Team Jonathan ask Buhari to explain why the Ajaokuta Steel Industry project was cancelled? Why not Team Jonathan ask Buhari whether he would have similarly executed Bola Tinubu as he did those three innocent Nigerians, Bartholomeo Owo, Bernard Ogedengbe and Ojulope  Lawal based on his drug dealing allegations? Why not ask Buhari if he will respect freedom of the press if elected and tolerate people criticizing his government? Why not ask Buhari if he is overthrown in a coup like he did to President Shehu Shagari, how he will feel and react? 

Why not ask Buhari to explain why he sent an innocent man Ogun State Governor Michael Ajasin to prison despite his being found innocent three consecutive times by tribunals personally handpicked by Buhari for a desired outcome? Why not ask Buhari to reaffirm his conviction that ACN governors are all corrupt? Why don't Team Jonathan find out from Buhari if he still feels that the Federal Government of Nigeria is a worse 'Haram' than Boko Haram? Why not find out from Buhari should the Niger Delta erupts again, following his victory, how he plans to summarily terminate their insurgency? Why has Team Jonathan not asked Buhari whether he still believes now as he believed then during the Sharia introduction in Northeast Nigeria that Sharia is good for the whole Nigeria? Also whether he still believed that blood should flow because of mere election and whose blood should flow and whether he is prepared to lead the riot alongside his family members? Finally why not make Buhari give human name to those baboons and dogs he plans to shed their blood in the event of an unfavorable election outcome? 

Icheoku regrets that in the midst of plenty issues needing urgent clarifications and explanations, that the handlers of Jonathan are occupying themselves with irrelevances such as Buhari being a "semi-illiterate" and the generic accusation that Buhari is sponsoring Boko Haram, and not the specificity of some of his salient comments in their support? Further Icheoku says what does it not matter whether or not Buhari is sponsoring Boko Haram since both of them have the same objective to foist a Muslim president on Nigeria willy-nilly, regardless? 

Conversely, Team Buhari has a lot of issues they can similarly hold Jonathan accountable for, since many Nigerians believe they have hopelessly watched his promised breathe of fresh air turn putrid; from lack of power to insecurity to joblessness to un-abating corruption as well as so many other unfulfilled hopes dashed under Jonathan's four year watch? Why not Team Buhari use Jonathan's own word against him by reminding him that what he cannot achieve in four years, he cannot either even if given four more years? Also whether Nigerians will continue waiting in hopelessly for a transformational government to get transformed or would they rather go for one that is ready, prepared and willing to get transformed immediately? Like John Odigie Oyegun said, why don't Team Buhari restate to Jonathan "that transformation is different from change. They said they have transformed the economy but there are no jobs. They said they have transformed energy but there is no light.  They said they have transformed security but the Northeast is almost gone and they said that have transformed education but out universities are shut down." 

Icheoku says this is the stuff real campaign is made of - real issues needing solutions and not market-woman like banters and name callings including the fantasy that Buhari will impose Islam on Nigerians when they know the chances in a democratic Congress is second to nil? Or that Jonathan is sponsoring Boko Haram to destabilize the North when all the security chiefs are from the North and cannot all be acting in concert with Jonathan against their Northern interest? It is also phony to try and attribute the restive Niger Delta as Jonathan's making because within the Niger Delta there are so many nationalities, with each at each other's throat. Icheoku says Nigerians want this two parties to convince them on why their candidate is better than the other guy and sincerely canvass his special attributes that rank him higher than the other guy; but this name calling and gutter-sniping brickbats must stop. Nigerians want to witness a  more intelligent campaigning in election 2015 to help help them make informed decision with their votes. 

Icheoku says it is in every Nigerian's interest that the election 2015 is successfully and peacefully concluded. It will also be beneficial for the infantile democracy if the campaign is based on real issues affecting Nigerians and not on frivolities and mundanities. This will enable Nigerians cast a more educated vote and for whoever they strongly feel would better cater to their needs. That way, whoever looses, will accept the outcome with less bitterness, knowing that he put up a good fight but that in a contest, one person has to emerge victorious. Icheoku says let the campaign 2015 going forward be more issue-based and objectively-driven; and let the campaigners be more civil as they move forward with pointy marshaling out of their candidate's strong points. May God and Allah guide and protect the two candidates respectively, as well as their Nigerian audience. Icheoku says on February 14, Nigerians please vote wisely and vote your conscience, vote for the candidate that will protect your interest more and whose policies will help you realize whatever dreams you may have. Say no to bigotry, say no to pettiness, say no to religiosity, say no to tribalism and also reject injustice! Your vote is your power, exercise it in a way that says you are indeed powerful. All the best Nigerians and may election 2015 fulfill your heart desires in choosing a president you can trust and live with, and who will help you keep your hope alive.