Don't contest for President, Obasanjo tells IBB and Buhari
By Musikilu Mojeed and Idris Akinbajo
May 2, 2010 12:24AM


The hope of Ibrahim Babangida, former Nigerian military ruler, or any other military general, to get the support of former president Olusegun Obasanjo for the 2011 presidential elections was dashed in far away United States of America last Thursday, April 29th in Washington DC.

The salvo was fired by Mr. Obasanjo himself at the ‘Dialogue on Nigeria' forum hosted by the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation' where he declared that it is now time for the younger generation to take charge of the leadership of the country."The generation before mine fought for and got independence for Nigeria. My own generation fought for unity and stability to keep Nigeria one. It is now left for generation after ours to move the country forward.


All of us who fought for the stability and unity of the country must now give the next generation a chance to take over the leadership of Nigeria," Mr. Obasanjo stated.As part of his campaign to seek support for his presidential ambition, Mr. Babangida, who ruled Nigeria between 1985 and 1993, had visited Mr. Obasanjo at his residence in Ogun State on April 1, to seek the latter's support.

Other presidential candidates that Mr. Obasanjo's statement refers are Muhammad Buhari, former military head of state; and Aliyu Gusau, the current National Security Adviser.

Mr. Obasanjo also used the opportunity to condemn the statement credited to Mr. Babangida that Nigerian youth were not ready for political leadership."It is wrong for my generation to say the youth are not ready to take over the leadership of the country," said Mr. Obasanjo.

Not all Nigerians are corrupt

While speaking on corruption, Mr. Obasanjo, who is alleged to be a major beneficiary of the $180million Halliburton bribe stated that "people are saying that the Nigerian police is corrupt but it is the same police force that produced (former anti corruption czar) Nuhu Ribadu.

So it is a challenge for us to always find the right people among us and thrust them with the leadership of our country."The former President, who appointed Maurice Iwu, the man who conducted the 2007 general elections widely believed to be the worst in Nigerian history, also spoke on electoral reforms."What is most important for electoral reform is for politicians to reform themselves," he said. "But in Nigeria, even if Jesus comes to conduct election, it would still be condemned."

Other prominent speakers at the event included Mr. Ribadu and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, managing director of the World Bank, and former finance minister.Johnny Carson, the US assistant secretary of state for Africa stated at the event that "Nigeria is very important for the US and the world and that is why it is one of the three countries we have bi-national commissions. We are serious about partnering Nigeria and maintaining cordial relations."

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5562828-146/dont_contest_for_president_obasanjo_tells.csp

Hardtalk:



The hope of Ibrahim Babangida, former Nigerian military ruler, or any other military general, to get the support of former president Olusegun Obasanjo for the 2011 presidential elections was dashed in far away United States of America last Thursday, April 29th in Washington DC.

All of us who fought for the stability and unity of the country must now give the next generation a chance to take over the leadership of Nigeria," Mr. Obasanjo stated.As part of his campaign to seek support for his presidential ambition, Mr. Babangida, who ruled Nigeria between 1985 and 1993, had visited Mr. Obasanjo at his residence in Ogun State on April 1, to seek the latter's support.

Other presidential candidates that Mr. Obasanjo's statement refers are Muhammad Buhari, former military head of state; and Aliyu Gusau, the current National Security Adviser.

Mr. Obasanjo also used the opportunity to condemn the statement credited to Mr. Babangida that Nigerian youth were not ready for political leadership."It is wrong for my generation to say the youth are not ready to take over the leadership of the country," said Mr. Obasanjo.

Not all Nigerians are corrupt

This man sure have something up his sleeves!.

This is the same greedy fool that wanted 3rd term regardless of what the constitution says.
Someone needs to the old man to go somewhere cool and stop making noise.

I wonder what was on his mind when he trapped the entire nation all because he wanted to remain in power.

OBJ, please the noise and go away!

2011:Jonathan’s ambition tears PDP apart
HeadlinesMay 2, 2010
*ACF cautions against move
By Jide Ajani, Deputy Editor


Even after its no-victor-no-vanquished national executive committee, NEC , meeting of last Tuesday, the leadership of the ruling PDP remains divided down the line over the widely speculated presidential ambition of Acting President Goodluck Jonathan.
Already the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has sent word to the Acting President to ensure that “the virtues of peace, fairness, equity and justice are the guiding principles of his administration”.

Acting President Jonathan
The ACF, Sunday Vanguard can also reveal, is insisting that the zoning arrangement of the PDP is a sure panacea for the evolution of equity in the country.
A source in the party’s Board of Trustees, BoT, told Sunday Vanguard that “what we are hearing is that the Acting President wants to contest the presidential election of next year and it is dividing the party.
“Although I have not heard it from him, that is the general story.
“The only problem is that when the National Assembly made its proclamation making him Acting President, we had thought that he would just focus on solving the immediate problems in the country which is power supply and security.
“But we are still waiting to see what happens because things are not very clear now; may be in a couple of weeks we would be sure of what is happening and at that time we can speak better.
“The other problem is that the north has made its position clear about the matter and they are not lying low. They say they still want the issue of zoning which, to be fair, is their right”
Asked about the role of Obasanjo in the plot about Jonathan’s ambition, the source said, “we are watching events and if we discover that the Acting President will refuse to be his own man, then we will have to leave him to his fate”.
North Kicks
Sunday Vanguard gathered that the ACF in making its position on the issue of zoning known to the Acting President, last week, was very clear: it must remain.
Already, three northerners, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd); National Security Adviser, NSA, General Aliyu Mohammed Gusau (rtd) and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar are in the race for the presidency next year – although Gusau and Atiku have not made their ambition public.
The numerical superiority of Northern PDP in any election is what the ACF is said to be banking on in its insistence that any attempt to disorganize the zoning arrangement would not be taken lightly.
Jonathan’s Base
Meanwhile, there are indications that the acting president may not have an easy ride in his reported presidential ambition in his South-South base.
Edo, Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta States are not known to swing in the way of Jonathan in the emerging political re-configuration for next year’s presidential election.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State is a member of the Action Congress, AC, and, may therefore, remain indifferent; a large segment of the political leadership in Delta State does not share the Gestapo-style approach of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in its pursuit of the case against former governor James Onanefe Ibori of the state; and there is the challenge from his home Bayelsa State where the state governor, Timpreye Silva is at loggerheads with the Acting President.
Added to this is the concern in some quarters that Jonathan had never really mounted the rostrum to campaign in an election for himself and, therefore, may not have the political wherewithal to mobilize for himself.
For Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom State, it would only be a matter of time for their hands to be played out.


http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/05/02/2011jonathan%E2%80%99s-ambition-tears-pdp-apart/

I am not surprised, because I knew all these witch-hunting will soon give birth, to someone's ambition. Greed, will never die in this country!.

I dont think he has anything up his sleeve its about time that the younger generation moves Nigeria forward.

When Obj occupied office - it wasnt because he wanted to run for president it was soley to provide stability and pacify the SW from secession after mko abiola and keep Nigeria One.

So whats different in this time around are the ijaws/ ndeltans not calling for secession this time around?
The ONLY way that will solidify them from not seceding is having a president they can trust. It doesnt have to be Jonathan but someone who has the souths trust. Abd the older generation of Northerners(Gasau, IBB and Atiku) just dont have it.

maybe Elrufai if it has to be a northerner.

Big B1:

This is the same greedy fool that wanted 3rd term regardless of what the constitution says.[/b]Someone needs to the old man to go somewhere cool and stop making noise.

[b]I wonder what was on his mind when he trapped the entire nation all because he wanted to remain in power.
OBJ, please the noise and go away!

I think you are angry because he OBJ has said it the way it should be that your godfather IBB should leave the future to the youth to try since your IBB was so foolish enough to open his wide mouth to say that the 'youth cannot lead' this country. And you very well know that IBB has nothing in his brain than a secondary drop out from the south.

I have said it times without number that OBJ did not want 3rd term which he confirm at VOA interview and challenged anyone who says he want to confirm when he asked them to campaign for him.

I however agree with you that because of his nepotism and misguided love for SHEU YAR A'DUA, he hand picked, select and imposed on all Nigerian's UMORU  YAR A'CLUELESS.

Your IBB and BHUARI should let the youth take on the future.

OBJ has said it like it is anybody who dont like it can go hang himself.

The man has said it before that at his age he has fulfilled all he can fulfill and so he is not scared of death because Iyabo and her friends will always rally enough cows at his burial.

I agree with OBJ.

Gusau, Buhari, IBB, Atiku etc let them go and rest.

Anyone of El-Rufai, Donald Duke, Jonathan Goodluck, Fashola, Sulivan Chime, Soludo, Babangida Aliyu, Gen Martin Luthar Agwai, Adamu Mu'azu or anybody of the current generation will surely do it.

They will surely be better than the sum of IBB, Gusau, Buhari, Atiku. I have said this before. We are no longer fighting civil wars anymore. We need fresh ideas, ability to keep Nigeria one is no longer enough.

This is 2011 and not 1967.

Hardtalk:

Don't contest for President, Obasanjo tells IBB and Buhari
By Musikilu Mojeed and Idris Akinbajo
May 2, 2010 12:24AM

Johnny Carson, the US assistant secretary of state for Africa stated at the event that "Nigeria is very important for the US and the world and that is why it is one of the three countries we have bi-national commissions. [b]We are serious about partnering Nigeria and maintaining cordial relations."[/b]http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5562828-146/dont_contest_for_president_obasanjo_tells.csp

lol
translation - we need the oil from nigeria lol

Americans know what they are looking for. I hope Jonathan does not fall Mugu!.

This one OBJ is running mouth perhaps they should have made him Minister of Information or is it Foreign Affairs.

Quote frm Hardtalk:
Americans know what they are looking for. I hope Jonathan does not fall Mugu!.





U don't giv Jonathan his due credit, he can neva b anybodys mugu!!!

Obj is tryin 2 do d ground work 4 Jonathans presidency nd d sweetest part is Jonathans calculated quietness, incase u don't know he is already infiltratin d ACF he has infiltrated d BOT of d PDP, Jonathan knows those he shld talk to nd dose who can deliva him d presidency, Jonathan has wat it takes 2 get 2 d presidency he aint just lucky but is wise.

marvix:

Quote frm Hardtalk:
Americans know what they are looking for. I hope Jonathan does not fall Mugu!.





U don't giv Jonathan his due credit, he can neva b anybodys mugu!!!

Obj is tryin 2 do d ground work 4 Jonathans presidency nd d sweetest part is Jonathans calculated quietness, incase u don't know he is already infiltratin d ACF he has infiltrated d BOT of d PDP, Jonathan knows those he shld talk to nd dose who can deliva him d presidency, Jonathan has wat it takes 2 get 2 d presidency he aint just lucky but is wise.

Time will tell. because I can never trust any Nigeria again. They are all out for their pockets. Though Jonathan is better than IBB and their likes.

Obj has now found his voice

Crude Oil:

Obj has now found his voice

How I wished, BABA GOD will revisit the script he wrote about Nigeria, and help us from this mess. Anyway, I hope this movie called Nigeria will not end in tragedy, because it will be too disastrous. Too many dead woods, called actors. The one that annoys me most in this movie is that, even those actors that have been shot dead (IBB, Buhari, OBJ, Gusua) still came back to life, and are now making case for the lead roles (IBB and Buhari).

BABA GOD, na like dis we go dey dey?

Crude Oil:

Obj has now found his voice

How I wished, BABA GOD will revisit the script he wrote about Nigeria, and help us from this mess. Anyway, I hope this movie called Nigeria will not end in tragedy, because it will be too disastrous. Too many dead woods, called actors. The one that annoys me most in this movie is that, even those actors that have been shot dead (IBB, Buhari, OBJ, Gusua) still came back to life, and are now making case for the lead roles (IBB and Buhari).

BABA GOD, na like dis we go dey dey?

OBJ!!!
Brave heart. No matter what people say, he is standing for something. Good for him, he is only saying the truth. I dont care who runs and who wins, all i care about is that Nigeria is able to resolve its issues and move forward with a credible leader. The old heads should take a rest, this election should be determined by the people and should be free and fair. Jonathan also has the right to run, and so does dele momodu( , seems like someone has money to burn)

TewMuch:

OBJ!!!
Brave heart. No matter what people say, he is standing for something. Good for him, he is only saying the truth. I dont care who runs and who wins, all i care about is that Nigeria is able to resolve its issues and move forward with a credible leader. The old heads should take a rest, this election should be determined by the people and should be free and fair. Jonathan also has the right to run, and so does dele momodu( , seems like someone has money to burn)

I should have known that a dunce like you, would be in support of a gorilla looking buffoon known as OBJ. And you Yorubas have the nerve to talk about Ojukwu. Foolish people. OBJ does not have authority to tell who should run and who should not.

EzeUche:

I should have known that a dunce like you, would be in support of a gorilla looking buffoon known as OBJ. And you Yorubas have the nerve to talk about Ojukwu. Foolish people. OBJ does not have authority to tell who should run and who should not.

Guy, it has not come to names calling. Just make your point, and let there be peace.

selingel:

Guy, it has not come to names calling. Just make your point, and let there be peace.

Lol, he has shown himself again, just disgracing himself; his family and his tribe. EzeUche the biggest fool on Nairaland. If they stereotyped your people to make conclusions on their ability to reason and be intelligent, it will be a very terrible stereotype. But i leave the stereotyping to your primary school brain to keep spewing stupidity and nonsense on Nairaland. Too much time on your hands, i think you have some work in the farm to do for the person that owns the cyber cafe you are currently typing from.

TewMuch:

Lol, he has shown himself again, just disgracing himself; his family and his tribe. EzeUche the biggest fool on Nairaland. If they stereotyped your people to make conclusions on their ability to reason and be intelligent, it will be a very terrible stereotype. But i leave the stereotyping to your primary school brain to keep spewing stupidity and nonsense on Nairaland. Too much time on your hands, i think you have some work in the farm to do for the person that owns the cyber cafe you are currently typing from.

I could care less if a Yoruba man hates me. That means I am doing my job. I will never bow down to some Yoruba. Never in my life. You Yorubas are too much with you hate for the greatest Igbo leader we have ever seen. As long as Ojukwu lives, I know he gives your people nightmares.

And stay in you stinking overcrowded city while I am in yankee getting my education. Foolish Yoruba boy. And I would choose my village over Lagos anyday.

EzeUche:


I could care less if a Yoruba man hates me. That means I am doing my job. I will never bow down to some Yoruba. Never in my life. You Yorubas are too much with you hate for the greatest Igbo leader we have ever seen. As long as Ojukwu lives, I know he gives your people nightmares.

And stay in you stinking overcrowded city while I am in yankee getting my education. Foolish Yoruba boy. And I would choose my village over Lagos anyday.

You dont make any sense, and cannot come up with a reasonable and objective discussion. You are juvenile and lack the capability to think like an adult. Only fools and people that wallow in self hatred hate other people, so as to call them names and be so stereotypical. From your comments am sure you feel very bad about yourself, and lack pride so you feel you can bring others down with you. Someone on your thinking level will descend low and rain the curses on you that will make your great grand father turn in his grave. But i am no you, so i will let you do your job and ignore you. You are irrelevant and do not deserve to discuss any issue with me. Please crawl back in your hole and die in your hatred. Peace and love.

Who the hell is obj, that nincompoop of a semi-human

EzeUche:


I could care less if a Yoruba man hates me. That means I am doing my job. I will never bow down to some Yoruba. Never in my life. You Yorubas are too much with you hate for the greatest Igbo leader we have ever seen. As long as Ojukwu lives, I know he gives your people nightmares.

And stay in you stinking overcrowded city while I am in yankee getting my education. Foolish Yoruba boy. And I would choose my village over Lagos anyday.

And will you advice millions of your brothers in Lagos to choose their villages over Lagos too?

Why do you hate the Yorubas this much? Honestly you are doing a good job at that, because that is the only thing I know your ID with on this forum - HATRED for Yorubas

Well done at at, hope it makes you sleep better at night.

Jesus Christ: AC attacks Obasanjo
MONDAY, 03 MAY 2010 00:00 VICTOR ORIOLA


The Action Congress (AC) has described as blasphemous, uncouth and unbecoming of a self-acclaimed born again Christian the statement credited to former President Olusegun Obasanjo that not even Jesus Christ can organise free and fair elections in Nigeria.

In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the painfully flippant, highly insensitive and deludedly messianic former President may be stretching his fabled luck too far by blaspheming against Jesus.

“To paraphrase world class author Prof Chinua Achebe, Obasanjo may have had his palm kernels cracked for him all along by a benevolent spirit, but we must warn that that spirit may not back him now that he seems to have challenged his ‘chi’ - or personal god - to a fight, so to say!” it said.

AC said contrary to Obasanjo’s postulations, Nigeria is capable of organising free, fair and credible polls.

“The 1993 presidential election is widely acknowledged to be free, fair and credible, and was not organised by a spirit, but by a human being, a Nigerian named Prof. Humphrey Nwosu.

“However, that election was annulled and Nigerians have not forgotten Obasanjo’s role in the annulment, especially his statement that was meant to pull the carpet off the feet of the acclaimed winner: That Abiola is not a Messiah!,” the party said.

It said Obasanjo’s statement also trivialised the ongoing clamour for electoral reform, saying unless politicians are reformed, electoral reform will be meaningless.

“Again, we say Obasanjo got it all wrong by taking electoral reform on the superficial level. Our answer to him is that electoral reform is all encompassing. It involves strengthening institutions. Of course, strong institutions will checkmate crooked as well as do-or-die politicians,” AC said

The party said since Obasanjo has missed, forever, the opportunity to preside over free and fair elections in Nigeria, he should not discourage those who want to write their names in gold by ensuring that the next general elections in 2011 are free, fair, credible and violence-free.

“Obasanjo, as President, presided over the worst elections in Nigeria’s history. Obasanjo, as President, appointed the most biased and incompetent electoral umpire in Nigeria’s history. Therefore, we have nothing to learn from this self-important former President and he should leave Nigerians alone as they seek to chart a better electoral path for themselves.

“Our prayer is that Obasanjo will live long enough to be put to shame by the organisation of an election that the whole country and the entire world will acknowledge as free and fair. Ghana has done it without conjuring a spirit. Ditto South Africa and many other African nations. Nigeria will not be an exception,” AC said.

http://www.compassnewspaper.com/NG/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47328:jesus-christ-ac-attacks-obasanjo&catid=672:top-stories&Itemid=794

This man has really shown that, he is a beast who deserves to dine and wine with the devil in hell. No wonder he looks like a Chimpanzee. How on earth can OBJ open his mouth and say such? The Bible school the idiot attended should withdraw his certificate, if indeed, the school, is not as corrupt as OBJ. This is the height of all comments from a Nigerian politician. Anyone, with a picture of a monkey or chimpanzee to depict OBJ?

Falae advises Jonathan not to contest 2011 election
By Ayodeji Moradeyo and Alex Emeje
May 7, 2010 10:05AM



Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Olu Falae, has urged our president, Goodluck Jonathan, not to contest for the presidency in the 2011 general elections.

Mr. Falae ,while speaking with reporters on the death of Mr. Yar’Adua, said Mr. Jonathan should rather concentrate on how to conduct a credible election for the nation in 2011. “If Jonathan does not contest in the presidential election, it will enable him to organise a credible, free and fair election for the country,” he said. “If he, however, decides to run for presidency, he should be careful and choose his running mate from the North, to maintain a balance in the nation’s political equation.”

The former All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) presidential candidate described the death of Mr. Yar’Adua as unfortunate and a great loss to Nigeria.

“Yar’Adua’s death is unfortunate; it is highly painful that some people played politics with his protracted ill-health,” he said. “He meant well for Nigeria but his ill-health prevented him from leaving a good legacy for the country. But I think I am happy for him now that he is dead, for he will rest having passed through what he experienced,” Kano State governor, Ibrahim Shekarau said. Nigeria has lost a great leader in late Mr. Yar’Adua, whose contributions and sacrifice to the nation will for long be remembered. He described late Mr. Yar’Adua’s input to the democratic dispensation in Nigeria as immense, adding that his stance on the rule of law was outstanding.

To the new president, Goodluck Jonathan, he expressed the hope that God will guide him to continue with the good work where his predecessor has stopped.

The Action Congress (AC) on Thursday hailed the smooth succession in the presidency, following the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua, saying it shows Nigeria is now on a sound democratic footing and that it is ready to join the comity of free nations.

In a statement issued in Katsina Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, the party also paid glowing tributes to the late president, describing him as a man of integrity and uncommon humility.

Maturing democracy

It said the swearing in of Acting President Goodluck Jonathan as President, without any hitch, shows there is always a silver lining in every cloud, and has proven that Nigerian can rise above any challenge when it matters most, by upholding the constitution and the rule of law.

“A few months ago, there were speculations all over the place that certain parts of the country will not allow Jonathan to be sworn in as president, if necessary. But today, those speculations have been put to rest,” he said. “In a way, the smooth transition is a tribute to the late president, whose administration made transparency and the rule of law its mantra. It is also a fallout of the robust discourse that took place during the long absence of the late president, and a great credit to the Nigerian military, which has now subjected itself to constitutionality and the rule of law,” the AC said.

The party said Mr. Yar‘Adua will also be remembered for the amnesty he granted the militants in the Niger Delta, which has been widely acknowledged as a success even though his illness truncated its smooth implementation,

The party also hailed the late president for his moral transparency, in becoming the first Nigerian leader to publicly declare his assets.

“The best tribute that can be paid to Yar’Adua is for President Jonathan to bequeath to the nation an electoral reform that will guarantee a free and fair election in 2011, and continue with the implementation of the amnesty programme to restore lasting peace to the Niger Delta,” the AC said.

Also yesterday, a chairman of the All-Progressive Grand Alliance ( APGA), Chekwas Okorie, described Mr. Yar’ Adua’s death as not only painful but a great loss to the nation. Okorie, in a telephone interview, said the late Yar’Adua would remain in the hearts of Nigerians as one president to have admitted the fraud in the process that brought him to office.

“The only legacy President Goodluck Jonathan owes Yar’Adua is to ensure that the 2011 elections are carried out smoothly, without any form of rigging, thuggery or arsonists,” he said.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/National/5565110-147/falae_advises_jonathan_not_to_contest.csp

Our-turn:

This man has really shown that, he is a beast who deserves to dine and wine with the devil in hell. No wonder he looks like a Chimpanzee. How on earth can OBJ open his mouth and say such? The Bible school the idiot attended should withdraw his certificate, if indeed, the school, is not as corrupt as OBJ. This is the height of all comments from a Nigerian politician. Anyone, with a picture of a monkey or chimpanzee to depict OBJ?

What has OBJ ever done or said, that was good? Check from his military era, to even the Ikeja Cantonment bomb blast. He had to tell a soldier at the barrack, "shut up, you are unruly". U can imagine a comment of such to man that was looking for his family?

Enjoyment1:


What has OBJ ever done or said, that was good? Check from his military era, to even the Ikeja Cantonment bomb blast. He had to tell a soldier at the barrack, "shut up, you are unruly". U can imagine a comment of such to man that was looking for his family?

The man is a junk! Heavy waste to Nigeria and Nigerians!.

Otobroto:


The man is a junk! Heavy waste to Nigeria and Nigerians!.

I dont blame him, it is Nigerian media, that is still giving him attention.

I am really surprised the direction this man is taking this Jonathan's administration to. Why would OBJ want to be relevant in every administration? Cant any government just make this man shut up (even though Buhari and IBB should have forgotten about this unmerited missions of theirs)?

Don’t contest 2011 Presidential polls, PDP NEC member tells Jonathan
National NewsMay 15, 2010
By Gabriel Enogholase


A MEMBER of the National Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), from Edo state, Mr. Henry Idahagbon has advised President Goodluck Jonathan not to yield to the pressure being mounted on him by most Nigerians to contest the 2011 presidential election.
Besides, he called on him to consult with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party under which he became the Vice-President and now President in the choice of who becomes his Vice-President.

Speaking in an interview with Vanguard in Benin Saturday, Mr. Idahagbon said, “a lot of people are asking him to contest, but from the inner recesses of my mind, I believe he should take the General Abdulsalami Abubakar example. There is limit to his good luck. He has beanery lucky but he cannot continue to be lucky because he cannot continue to be lucky ad infinitum”

“He cannot. God has gone out of His Almighty way to endear him and to bless him from a very humble beginning, from deputy governor to governor, to Vice-President and now to President of the most populous black nation on earth”

“He should deliver on power; he should deliver on electoral reform and conduct a free and fair credible election and handle over to whoever wins even if that person is from APGA and go back to Otueke (his home town). He will remain a local statesman in Otueke, he will remain a statesman in Bayelsa, he will remain a national statesman for Nigeria, and he will remain a continental statesman for Africa and international statesman.”
Mr. Idahagbon noted that should he yield to the pressure to contest the 2011 presidential election, he would not be able to contest a free, fair and credible election and advised him to toe the examples of Ghanaian former president Kuffor and British former Minister Gordon Brown who handed over the reins of government to the opposition parties.

“I am of the opinion that the day democracy will take root in this country is the day a sitting President will conduct an election and loses and he will hand over power to the opposition like Kuffor and Gordon Brown did in Ghana and Britain respectively”, he said.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/05/15/dont-contest-2011-presidential-polls-pdp-nec-member-tells-jonathan/