The 2014 APC Presidential Aspirants’ Speeches
Below are my thoughts from the aspirants’ speeches during yesterday’s national convention of the All Progressives Congress, which led to the selection of the party’s presidential flag bearer in the forthcoming 2015 elections.
Abubakar Atiku
He indeed had an articulated road map.
But I heard with my ears that were stuck to the ground 8000 miles away that he had been busy buying delegates with $s.
That to me signalled that it would be business as usual in a government under him.
In such a circumstance, he lost any sympathy I had.
I might as well stick with Bro Jona.
Sam Nda-Isaiah
Young but immature, and that showed in his speech.
He looked and sounded unprepared for the speech which he also decided to make off the cuff.
Leadership, particularly of Nigeria is not a tea party that you just stroll into with no previous experience.
He turned me off immediately.
Rochas Okorocha
To me, the Owelle as they call him did not have his heart in the game. That was why he was still holding on to the gubernatorial shot in Imo state.
In my opinion, his challenge was more of putting his name on the aspirants’ list representing the South-South and South-East geopolitical zones for publicity purpose rather than any form of seriousness.
‘My people, my people’ sounded to me more like acting a part than believing in the words.
He lost the plot completely.
Rabi’u Kwankwaso
Despite his credentials and what I have heard about him, I expected a more lucid presentation from the incumbent Governor of Kano State and a former Minister of Defence.
The man kept talking about Kano, as if Kano is Nigeria.
He failed to relate how his “achievements” in Kano (a small part) will be replicated in Nigeria.
He lost me on that count.
Muhammadu Buhari
I was initially sceptical of the General with his undulating speech.
The speech after a few minutes began to sound to me like that of someone who was tired of fighting for a people who will not rise up and fight for themselves, a man demoralised because what he was seeing (people selling their future for a fistful of $s and =N=s) was different from the dream he is birthing for Nigeria.
But the man caught my attention with his statements that “I can’t give you a pocketful of dollars or naira to purchase your support. Even if I could, I would not do so. The fate of this nation is not up for sale. What I will give you, and this nation is all of my strength, commitment, sweat and toil in the service of the people. What I can give you is my all. I do not intend to rule Nigeria. I want to democratically govern it with your help.”
Forget about Nuhu Ribadu, this man is the real anti-corruption czar.
I could not beat the sincerity in the voice and in the statements quoted above.
When Muhammadu Buhari gave his five promises to which Nigerians should hold him accountable, I went to sleep soundly knowing fully well that it was the lucky day of those who got a fistful of dollars and nairas.
If they really want change in Nigeria, they have just been paid by another aspirant to vote for the man who can turn the nation around.
And before you ask me, I did dream in my sleep of a Buhari victory, only to wake up and discover it was a tsunami, not even a landslide.
God bless Nigeria.
N.B.
Let me say kudos to the Dr Kayode Fayemi-led convention planning committee. Seven Up – The difference was clear.
Prof Jega and INEC should learn one or two things from the APC convention planning committee if the former is really serious about giving us a credible and transparent electoral process in 2015.