The main competition for the 2015 presidential election is no longer an intrigue: the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan, the sole candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, will contest against the All Progressives Congress-chosen Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.). What do ordinary Nigerians think about this epic, albeit somewhat expected, Jonathan vs Buhari stand-off?
naij readers did not hold back in criticizing both Jonathan and Buhari when reacting to the news of Buhari emerging as the APC’s representative. The former was described as a “weak,” “not mature enough,” “corruption-supporting” leader who is not good at making decisions. Jonathan was also mocked for his PhD in zoology, and blamed for devaluation of naira. Buhari, on his part, was ridiculed for still striving for a political post despite his advanced age, past commentaries about unleashing violence in Nigeria, his religious affiliation and desire to impose Sharia law unto the country.
Prince Lucky Ikhuoria: They are both not qualified to rule Nigeria again. They were there before and did nothing to better Nigeria. Is a very wrong selection by the delegates because I know they are only trying to loot the remaining money, thereby making life miserable for the less privileged.
Shittu Bosun: The heartless people from the North, who are slaughtering innocent human beings like cows for politics despite the fact that they have ruled this country for over thirty years in the past, now feel so “marginalized” because someone from another religion/tribe is ruling as the president. If the North feels marginalized, what should the Ibos do? It is a pity that we love lies and darkness in Nigeria! Buhari, the solution indeed… The truth is that the Hausas have betrayed the spirit of motherhood of Nigeria. And by the time she will stand to fight, Buhari, Sanusi, IBB, OBJ, Tinubu, El-Rufai, and all you people saying that APC, Buhari and the Hausas are right while GEJ is bad, will not escape her cane of judgment. I can’t wait to see you all being punished for your lies on our nationhood.
Rowland Madu: Buhari is going to go down in history as the oldest man who has contested for a presidential seat for four times and never won. He is an expired general who still lives in the past glory after 30 years. Supporters of Buhari don’t see far. Children that were born when Buhari was in power are today fathers and mothers, and someone is still clamouring for him. What a call for a return back to Egypt! I reject it o!
Innocent Lexzy: Buhari will never win any election in any local government of any country. He is coming for revenge, and he is also a religious fanatic to the core.
Pora Hephsie: This is the 21st century, for crying out loud! We need young souls to rule us. Buhari should not have been the choice for the APC. He might even end up turning this country into an Islamic Nation. These are men without conscience. He does not deserve to be a president.
Johnson Oluwasegun Tanimola: President Goodluck’s refusal to pay ASUU-earned allowances will definitely deprive him from been reelected. But if he pays earnestly, we may change our mind. He is not doing well by not paying all outstanding allowances due to staff.
Abiodun Adeeko: There is one thing people don’t understand: Nigeria belongs to all of us, regardless of our religion, region or ethnicity. No matter who is the ruling president, if he didn’t meet up with our expectations, we should collectively reject him. GEJ was given a chance for 6 good years to move Nigeria forward, but nothing to show for that. When OBJ handed the country over to Yar’Adua, he left $45b in our foreign reserves. When Yar’Adua of blessed memory left, it was $47b in our foreign reserve, and he reversed the petrol price back to #65/ltr. Now ask GEJ how much we have in our foreign reserve? How much is petrol now? Let’s all be realistic, he was unable to do anything within 6years. So will he do any magic with the 4 years he is running after now? He has tried his best, nobody disputes that, but he must have consideration for the future generations of this nation. I have a video where GEJ has said it that he will be going for only one term. So why can’t he stand by his words? Can we continue following such a leader? Nigerians are suffering. Let’s unite to put things right. If this tribalism, which I can sense in all our comments, generates to war, it won’t augur well for our land, and the army will not fold their arms and allow the land to go into anarchy. Our current politicians are not helping matters. I implore each and every one of us to wake up and never allow politicians use their selfishness to destroy our future. United we stand, divided we fall. Long live Nigeria. Let’s vote wisely.
Kennedy Dixons: I’m an Igbo, but I’m supporting Buhari. Goodluck is too weak to rule Nigeria. We need to compete and challenge the world.
Abssy Audu: Earlier, Jonathan won my vote because he told me he knows what it means to go to school without shoes. The first gift I got was fuel price increase that affected my children’s school fees from N75, 000 per term to N120, 000 per term. I had to take one out to another school. Now, my NEPA bill is N12, 000 a month, from N2, 800. The list is endless. To cut long story short, Jonathan has enough shoes now. Buhari has shoes, too, but I know that he will not take away Nigerians’ shoes to become the sixth richest African president.
Ajayi Oluwafemi: It unfortunate that most Nigerians that are supporting Jonathan govt have no vision for this country. The PDP has been in control of affairs in this country for fifteen years now. I am convinced that we need change come 2015 in Nigeria, and that change has come.
Buhari supporters praised him for being a non-corrupt, reliable and disciplined politician, a leader with the ability to move Nigeria forward. “Buhari is far better candidate in character, leadership styles, integrity, personality, transparency and accountability,” one of naij readers said. Buhari is “not a bigot,” our readers point out, since he made Sundays work-free days, thus acknowledging Christians and despite the fact that he is a Muslim. His supporters remember him for building oil refineries, fighting corruption, building roads, providing equipment for hospitals and renovating universities.
Jonathan’s supporters’ commentaries ranged from expressing confidence in his imminent victory come 2015, to reasoning with fellow Nigerians to give him another shot at ruling Nigeria.
Okonkwo John: It is like Barcelona playing against Espanyol. GEJ don’t need to struggle to beat MB
Okechi Grant: If these old men were honest and sincere, they’d focus on giving Jonathan an authentic idea on how to tackle our problems, and not opposing him in anything he does. The issue of Boko Haram didn’t start with Jonathan. If only we had younger aspirants interested to contest against Jonathan! If only Nigerians would vote for them irrespective of tribe and religion, but in this country, it is what counts.
Many naij readers expressed their disappointment over the fact that our decisions are still based mainly on ethnic and/or religion sentiments. They tried to convince their fellow compatriots not to turn to violence during elections, and voiced their hopes that, whoever emerges victorious, he will consider our interests as their foremost priority.
Charles Ingreen: Congratulations to Goodluck Ebele Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and General Muhammadu Buhari, of the All Progressive Congress (APC), for emerging presidential flag bearers of their respective parties. The stage is now set to take us into 2015 election. None among them deserve my blood and yours for his victory in the next election. Be peaceful and shun violence, and to the contestants, whoever loses should congratulate the other. Let us restore the nationalist spirit that gave rise to independence. God bless Nigeria!
Alex Owhojeta: We look forward to seeing good political maturity between GMB and GEJ. The two should focus on real fundamental issues affecting Nigerians, especially power supply, poverty issues, corruption and insecurity
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