As a young boy growing up in Nigeria, I gradually got acquainted with the cultural, political and heavily conservative environment fate put me into. As an Igbo boy growing in the dusty streets of Yola, I was exposed to more than I could handle at a young age. I listened as a little kid, probably 8 or 9, to my Father's discussion on politics with his muslim, Northern friends. I would sit at the end of the chair probably chewing my fingers or playing with some toys, as my father would try his possible best to get his friends to reason on the same plane with him and more more often than not, he was not successful, not because of the weakness of his points or his lack of of eloquence, he failed because of these basic and simple reasons, he was Igbo, and they were fulani, he fed from his business and they fed from the government. So no matter how clueless, incompetent or unintelligent these leaders were, they had thousands of obsequious sycophants who would lay down their garments as they trod on the future of their children, sitting on a colt.
Well, that was ten years ago and my father has long slept. But through those years, I grew from the finger chewing boy who sat at the feet of his father to a young man who is totally pained in the environment he finds himself In. I remember the anger I felt when I attended a children's day celebration in Yola and watched the former governor of the state, Admiral Murtala Nyako read a written speech. In the presence of thousands of little children, the very future of his state and this country, A state Governor could not read clearly an already written speech. This fact, clearly gives the logical right to ask these honest questions, How Intelligent are our leaders? How many of them can make a speech that motivate the people they lead? How many of them write their own speeches?
When we ask ourselves these pertinent questions before we go out to vote on Valentines day, we realize bitterly that the front running candidates simply do not just lack Intelligence, but they lack the eloquence, charisma, Integrity, creativity and innovation any body aspiring to lead a country of 170 million should possess. This does not apply to just the presidential candidates. A country where the committee of finance in its legislature does not have the intellectual capacity to produce questions for the minister of Finance should really pause and have an evaluation of itself. Ask any body screaming GEJ till 2019 why he thinks the incumbent president should continue, he lists scenarios where the president simply performed duties he swore an oath to perform. Ask Mr Goodluck why he thinks he should continue, he begins his speech by painting the opposition as black as possible, after his demagogue, he gifts the boys some wads of cash and then he is hailed the messiah. Ask a person screaming GMB why he thinks the General should come Into government, he starts by labeling the existing government as corrupt, ineffective and clueless then concludes by saying that the people's general is corruption free (I'm yet to see a person who is), not tolerant corruption and how he will bring everlasting peace to the troubled country called Nigeria. Ask GMB how he plans to rule Nigeria and he comes up with an elaborate plan to feed 25 million poor Nigerians (as opposed to creating jobs for them), stabilize global crude oil price, create numerous Job opportunities and lock up corrupt officials, where he plans to get the money for all these expensive plans (multiply 5000 by 25 million), we do not know, how he plans to prove beyond every reasonable doubt in a court of law that an officer is corrupt, he has not said, what measures he plans to use to stem corruption, he did not mention, yet, we are expected to support him.
Ask any supporter of these two one statement either of these have made to fuel their patriotism, you'll most likely get an evasive answer or no answer at all. To be sincere, I am tired of mediocre and unintelligent leaders. Sweat, tears, perseverance are constants where ever we see change. We should not be lured into the deceitful thought that the government alone can stop Nigeria's problems. For we to realize the Nigeria we see in our dreams, we must first acknowledge the bitter fact that no positive change comes without sweat. Then we as Nigerians must go into deep soul searching, and produce an Individual that boasts of the Intellectual capacity to motivate, encourage and get the best out of this country. We need an innovator, an eloquent speaker, a deep, creative and active mind. Until the wise ones among us stand up and refuse to be ruled by men of little intelligence, we would never achieve our true potential. Until that leader comes out and presents himself, I'll simply reserve my vote.

Am I supposed to read all these?

francizy:
Am I supposed to read all these?

Trust me, If you read things like these, You will come to see the tight corner your country is in right now. Or, are you schooling in france?

You have strong points and I like your explanatory write up but the truth is nothing will change until we all get involved. I used to sit on the fence like you while expecting things to change all by itself

olu77:
You have strong points and I like your explanatory write up but the truth nothing changes until we all get involved.

The question is, why are we spectators In the play that determines our own future? Why are we not Involved?

hope u re not giving people reason not to vote??....keep d reasons to ur self....please..

mrryon:


Trust me, If you read things like these, You will come to see the tight corner your country is in right now. Or, are you schooling in france?

My dear friend, we are on the same school of thought, so even without reading what you wrote, I know what you meant.
Firstly, we are of same tribe,
Secondly, we both live/lived in the north (schooled in ABU)
Thirdly, am neither supporting GEJ nor GMB, just like you (you can confirm from my posts on Nairaland)
Fourthly, am not voting too..
We probably have a lot in common..
God will help this country..

stalemate situation we're in

Hmmm, only if electorates neglect sentiments, religion, ethnicity, and many other barriers to getting a good and competent leader to over-see the affairs of our dear country Nigeria. Then progress sets in!

I support Buhari based on comparism of government failures and achievements! Buhari is better than the man who consciously said he had failed Nigeria and Nigerians.

patrickdarlins:
hope u re not giving people reason not to vote??....keep d reasons to ur self....please..

First and foremost, I have the fundamental freedom of speech and I am entitled to my opinion, so I am not keeping quiet because you don't want me to talk. Secondly, If I give people a reason not to vote, it is to make them realize the futility of doing the same things over and over again and expecting a different result. A wise man once called that the definition of gullibility.

motherlode:
Hmmm, only if electorates neglect sentiments, religion, ethnicity, and many other barriers to getting a good and competent leader to over-see the affairs of our dear country Nigeria. Then progress sets in!

I support Buhari based on comparism of government failures and achievements! Buhari is better than the man who consciously said he had failed Nigeria and Nigerians.

I dont get, You are a teacher and Nigeria is the class, You want to go for a competition, why insist on choosing the better between two poor students when there are many untested and promising students in the class?
Its just a simple analogy of the statement you made and the point I am pressing

Thanks this wonderful piece

francizy:


My dear friend, we are on the same school of thought, so even without reading what you wrote, I know what you meant.
Firstly, we are of same tribe,
Secondly, we both live/lived in the north (schooled in ABU)
Thirdly, am neither supporting GEJ nor GMB, just like you (you can confirm from my posts on Nairaland)
Fourthly, am not voting too..
We probably have a lot in common..
God will help this country..

and if you both fold your arms to watch without setting out to vote on that day, how will you be proud of your country? Don't pretend, many like you after folding their arms and also turning deaf ears to the call of change begin to bite their fingers or are first to complain of lots of negativity in the country. You have the ability to chose between bad and good, failure and success. Change is constant so chose and either blame yourself for voting in an incompetent govt or make a joyful shout cuz your vote is yielding a positive results!

motherlode:

and if you both fold your arms to watch without setting out to vote on that day, how will you be proud of your country? Don't pretend, many like you after folding their arms and also turning deaf ears to the call of change begin to bite their fingers or are first to complain of lots of negativity in the country. You have the ability to chose between bad and good, failure and success. Change is constant so chose and either blame yourself for voting in an incompetent govt or make a joyful shout cuz your vote is yielding a positive results!

pure nonsense, how do you expect him to vote between two clueless and visionless politicians?

I won't vote either, voting buhari in and Jonathan out is retrogressive

I swear with my life this is another propagana from APC, they tried to split our votes they didn't succeed now they want to intimidate and scare us to reduce our voting block, they know our massive votes will affect their plans. GEJ should promise and provide enough security for our people before, during and after the election.

GEJ 2019

mrryon:


I dont get, You are a teacher and Nigeria is the class, You want to go for a competition, why insist on choosing the better between two poor students when there are many untested and promising students in the class?
Its just a simple analogy of the statement you made and the point I am pressing

don't forget that those untested or promising students are busy sleeping how do you intend to wake them?

FKO81:
I swear with my life this is another propagana from APC, they tried to split our votes they didn't succeed now they want to intimidate and scare us to reduce our voting block, they know our massive votes will affect their plans. GEJ should promise and provide enough security for our people before, during and after the election.

GEJ 2019

Disappointed.

PDP don give this dude one bottle of ORIJIN in exchange to his conscience.


Odikwa very risky.

TheWholeTruth:


Disappointed.

PDP don give this dude one bottle of ORIJIN in exchange to his conscience.


Odikwa very risky.

I know you guys very well, APC is full of lies, deceits and propaganda.

GEJ 2019

motherlode:

and if you both fold your arms to watch without setting out to vote on that day, how will you be proud of your country? Don't pretend, many like you after folding their arms and also turning deaf ears to the call of change begin to bite their fingers or are first to complain of lots of negativity in the country. You have the ability to chose between bad and good, failure and success. Change is constant so chose and either blame yourself for voting in an incompetent govt or make a joyful shout cuz your vote is yielding a positive results!

We Nigerians are just like Mr. Arsen Wenger. We keep on doing the same thing over and over again and expect to get a different result.
I'll rather vote for a sensible 25-35 years old person with brains than vote for the persons offered by PDP and APC. I came across someone's post on Nairaland here and wa very impressed because what s/he had in mind about the failed NYSC program is what I also thought about. None of our leaders or politicians has ever thought about that and will never do because they don't know what it's like being part of the struggling masses.

FKO81:

I know you guys very well, APC is full of lies, deceits and propaganda.

GEJ 2019

So you're proud to call the person that made these speeches your president?

Is he the best Nigeria can boost of?
The outside world will see Nigerians as idiots.

TheWholeTruth:


So you're proud to call the person that made these speeches your president?

Is he the best Nigeria can boost of?
The outside world will see Nigerians as idiots.

There are more criminals in APC people like Tinubu, Atiku, Fashola, Amaechi, Kwankwaso, Dino and so many of them and they are the ones funding Buhari campaign, more than half of your members where former PDP members so stop deceiving yourself.

mrryon:


First and foremost, I have the fundamental freedom of speech and I am entitled to my opinion, so I am not keeping quiet because you don't want me to talk. Secondly, If I give people a reason not to vote, it is to make them realize the futility of doing the same things over and over again and expecting a different result. A wise man once called that the definition of gullibility.

i thought you knew....anyways...freedom of speech can endanger someone's lip...lols....nice write up tho.

This is an informed article.
Only an id**t votes for a president because he built a bridge and refurbished trains. First of all road building and trains are not the Presidents's job. It means the collective IQ is low in the country when a fundamental RIGHT becomes a bargaining chip for votes. Most of the things half exposed politicians are deceiving the electorate with are on the UN's basic human development lists.

All infrastructure federal projects should now be planned in 10 year cycles, with financing arranged in and kept in transparent dedicated accounts. The projects will be agreed to by all political parties and all stakeholders including ethnic nationalities. Execution of the projects will commence immediately in all geo political zones and physical evidence mist be verifiable on ground and completion dates mist beknown

If we do these, all boju boju will be exposed and corruption will come down. Also the start and stop way of handling projects will be done away with and no party in power can punish a region by not developing the area. The national assembly should be highly involved in the planning cycles and the entire process should not take more than two weeks to develop a wish list for the next ten years.

The PDP has chopped too much money from Obasanjo's time on ''bridge to nowhere' projects where they line their pockets, fund elections and poor quality infrastructure are delivered that nay last one rainy season.

motherlode:

don't forget that those untested or promising students are busy sleeping how do you intend to wake them?

If that is it what it takes to field the best candidates for the competition, why not?

motherlode:

and if you both fold your arms to watch without setting out to vote on that day, how will you be proud of your country? Don't pretend, many like you after folding their arms and also turning deaf ears to the call of change begin to bite their fingers or are first to complain of lots of negativity in the country. You have the ability to chose between bad and good, failure and success. Change is constant so chose and either blame yourself for voting in an incompetent govt or make a joyful shout cuz your vote is yielding a positive results!

If I choose not to vote, its because I dont see a reason to vote. We cannot be forced to vote in an average leader. It will be a prick on my conscience if I realize tomorrow that contributed to the ills my government will be suffering as a result of Incompetence. I can only stand for positive change, and I will not be voting in any election that bears no promise. My dear, stop eating foul food simply because you were offered one, you have the right to decide what you want

Adminisher:
This is an informed article.
Only an id**t votes for a president because he built a bridge and refurbished trains. First of all road building and trains are not the Presidents's job. It means the collective IQ is low in the country when a fundamental RIGHT becomes a bargaining chip for votes. Most of the things half exposed politicians are deceiving the electorate with are on the UN's basic human development lists.

All infrastructure federal projects should now be planned in 10 year cycles, with financing arranged in and kept in transparent dedicated accounts. The projects will be agreed to by all political parties and all stakeholders including ethnic nationalities. Execution of the projects will commence immediately in all geo political zones and physical evidence mist be verifiable on ground and completion dates mist beknown

If we do these, all boju boju will be exposed and corruption will come down. Also the start and stop way of handling projects will be done away with and no party in power can punish a region by not developing the area. The national assembly should be highly involved in the planning cycles and the entire process should not take more than two weeks to develop a wish list for the next ten years.

The PDP has chopped too much money from Obasanjo's time on ''bridge to nowhere' projects where they line their pockets, fund elections and poor quality infrastructure are delivered that nay last one rainy season.

This is what I meant when leaders should tell us the means they plan to use to achieve these means then let us decide if their promises are feasible. Thank you for being an example.

FKO81:

There are more criminals in APC people like Tinubu, Atiku, Fashola, Amaechi, Kwankwaso, Dino and so many of them and they are the ones funding Buhari campaign, more than half of your members where former PDP members so stop deceiving yourself.

God bless you, your family members, your relations, your friends, your well wishers, your generations!
You shall know only success, wealth, life, good health, and every good thing that our good God can offer you.
Only few people reason like you in this Slave-serve-Slave Master country of ours.

Adminisher:
This is an informed article.
Only an id**t votes for a president because he built a bridge and refurbished trains. First of all road building and trains are not the Presidents's job. It means the collective IQ is low in the country when a fundamental RIGHT becomes a bargaining chip for votes. Most of the things half exposed politicians are deceiving the electorate with are on the UN's basic human development lists.

All infrastructure federal projects should now be planned in 10 year cycles, with financing arranged in and kept in transparent dedicated accounts. The projects will be agreed to by all political parties and all stakeholders including ethnic nationalities. Execution of the projects will commence immediately in all geo political zones and physical evidence mist be verifiable on ground and completion dates mist beknown

If we do these, all boju boju will be exposed and corruption will come down. Also the start and stop way of handling projects will be done away with and no party in power can punish a region by not developing the area. The national assembly should be highly involved in the planning cycles and the entire process should not take more than two weeks to develop a wish list for the next ten years.

The PDP has chopped too much money from Obasanjo's time on ''bridge to nowhere' projects where they line their pockets, fund elections and poor quality infrastructure are delivered that nay last one rainy season.

Shay you see your reasoning now?
If I say that you're far better than all the candidates out there and that I'd rather have you as my president, some gullible slaves out there will call me a fooool.

If you don't vote then whatever happens in the future you have no right to complain. Meanwhile moving forward to FeBuhari 2015!

babadee1:
If you don't vote then whatever happens in the future you have no right to complain. Meanwhile moving forward to FeBuhari 2015!

When it gets bad I wouldnt blame myself, and I'll have the right to tell u, "I told you"

francizy:


We Nigerians are just like Mr. Arsen Wenger. We keep on doing the same thing over and over again and expect to get a different result.
I'll rather vote for a sensible 25-35 years old person with brains than vote for the persons offered by PDP and APC. I came across someone's post on Nairaland here and wa very impressed because what s/he had in mind about the failed NYSC program is what I also thought about. None of our leaders or politicians has ever thought about that and will never do because they don't know what it's like being part of the struggling masses.

Quoting you on the Arsene Wenger part. I think you're myopic and do the man great injustice by equating Nigerians with Arsene. The man is so intelligent. He was recently asked about doing the same thing and expecting a different result, his response? "Without strong beliefs, you achieve nothing. You just keep changing". And truly, I ask you, to what end?

teekay12:


Quoting you on the Arsene Wenger part. I think you're myopic and do the man great injustice by equating Nigerians with Arsene. The man is so intelligent. He was recently asked about doing the same thing and expecting a different result, his response? "Without strong beliefs, you achieve nothing. You just keep changing". And truly, I ask you, to what end?

How is Arsen Wenger related to you that you had to insult me cuz of him? My elder bro, a die hard Arsenal fan don't insult people cuz of Wenger, so why you?