On IBB’s goal for Presidency in 2011 By Hafsat Abiola, Published: Tuesday, 27 Apr 2010



[b]
On IBB’s goal for Presidency in 2011



I first heard about IBB‘s declaration of intent to run for the position of President of Nigeria while in Jakarta attending the World Movement for Democracy‘s 6th Assembly. Since then, many people on social networks like Facebook have been asking me to join one or other campaign opposing IBB‘s bid to run. So far, I haven‘t done so. Principally because I think all citizens in a democratic country have a right to seek any office in the land. Indeed, this principle was precisely what both my parents gave their lives to defend.



However, as a concerned Nigerian, I would like to register my reservations about his declaration. Nigeria is a long story of stalled potential. So rich in human and other resources, it should be the jewel on the continent‘s crown. Yet, here we are, divided across ethnic nations, religion and class, poorer now than we were at independence.



The challenge of moving the country forward is daunting, indeed, and the single leadership currency that stands between failure and success is not past experience, nor capacity, but trust. Nigerian people must trust whoever steps forward to lead them.



Unfortunately, trust is an elusive quality even in the best of times, emanating from an individual‘s ability to do what he or she says.



Considered in this manner, no other public figure suffers from a greater deficit of trust than IBB. We could speak about so many reasons for this deficit, but let us focus on one: June 12, 1993. On that day, millions of people lined up to cast their vote because they trusted their head of state who had organised the elections, who had promised to step aside for a democratic government based on the results. These millions saw the elections annulled, their votes set aside. Till today, IBB has given no credible explanation for failing to do what he said, for letting Nigerians down.



In 2011, Nigeria‘s next president will promise to meet the country‘s challenges. So much of his or her success will depend on the people believing what is said. After all, it is the people that must carry out the policies designed to realise his objectives. If they do not believe, they will subvert even the best of plans.



Who believes someone who has a record of not doing what he says? Who believes someone who does not take responsibility for his own actions? Who will sacrifice current gratification because this same leader now promises that the future would be better, if we only wait? However much IBB may wish things to be different, under the shadow of his past actions, he will only be seen as a continuation of all that is wrong.



Should IBB wish to be taken seriously, before even conceiving a campaign, he should seek to close his credibility gap. ‘Maradona,‘ ‘evil genius,‘ and all these other epithets point to qualities of a liar, a dupe, a fraud. That persona may have been an asset in the context of a military dictatorship but in the quest for a leader that can move Nigeria forward, it is a liability. Whatever his camp may say, until this credibility gap is closed, average Nigerians listening to IBB will do so with a smirk, understanding that as he has not cleaned his hands, he need not be taken seriously.



Ultimately, as the country marks its 50th anniversary, the next election gives Nigeria a chance to turn the corner. Since independence, our country and its peoples have endured one failed promise, one experience of inadequate leadership after another. Perhaps it is time that out of love for our one and only country we vote for a leader we can trust. This will not guarantee success. But without such a leader, failure is assured.



Abiola-Costello is the daughter of late Chief MKO Abiola.[/b]

source-punch

hmmmm, IBB can never be president come 2011 because nigerians are wiser now,

So she says we shouldn't trust IBB because of June 12? I mean that's the example of his fraudulent act that shave gave.
We have other reasons not to. Fela and I also think Abiola would have been a terrible president. Seems she is against him just because he stopped her father from being president. IBB did Nigeria worse than that IMO.

IBB will not even run. . let's cobet

jumobi1:

So she says we shouldn't trust IBB because of June 12? I mean that's the example of his fraudulent act that shave gave.
We have other reasons not to. Fela and I also think Abiola would have been a terrible president. Seems she is against him just because he stopped her father from being president. IBB did Nigeria worse than that IMO.

I really does not matter how good or bad a President Abiola would have made. The key message is millions of Nigerians lined up to elect him as their president. Do you even know what the word 'Democracy' means? it's the peoples' choice! People chose who they wanted to rule them and this miscreant anulled the election for no good reason, plunging this nation into chaos and the hell of millitary dictatorship.

She has provided a clear and apt example of a grave betrayal of trust by this monster. it matters not that her father was Abiola, it does not make her point any less valid. Instead of making snarky remarks - and if you feel you have better examples to share - why not write to punch newspapers just like she did?

We face a common enemy in IBB. don't break the ranks now.

texazzpete:


I really does not matter how good or bad a President Abiola would have made. The key message is millions of Nigerians lined up to elect him as their president. Do you even know what the word 'Democracy' means? it's the peoples' choice! People chose who they wanted to rule them and this miscreant anulled the election for no good reason, plunging this nation into chaos and the hell of millitary dictatorship.

She has provided a clear and apt example of a grave betrayal of trust by this monster. it matters not that her father was Abiola, it does not make her point any less valid. Instead of making snarky remarks - and if you feel you have better examples to share - why not write to punch newspapers just like she did?

We face a common enemy in IBB. don't break the ranks now.

Good response

Well Nigeria has been denied democracy since IBBs coup or even beyond that.
And I am biased because after reading about the man, i really don't like him.
Democracy is overrated anyways.
* choosing who should rule you is not even democratic but I get your point.

Who else finds IBB even more condesending each time he drops his mantra of I take full responsibility for annulling June 12 without attempting to explain why he did so?

The man still lives in his military dictatorial mind-set.

i hope he wins, someone annuls the election, he forments trouble, gets jailed and poisoned in kirikiri

tkb417:

i hope he wins, someone annuls the election, he forments trouble, gets jailed and poisoned in kirikiri

dat jst all i want.

tkb417:

i hope he wins, someone annuls the election, he forments trouble, gets jailed and poisoned in kirikiri

Bless you!

I really does not matter how good or bad a President Abiola would have made. The key message is millions of Nigerians lined up to elect him as their president. Do you even know what the word 'Democracy' means? it's the peoples' choice! People chose who they wanted to rule them and this miscreant anulled the election for no good reason, plunging this nation into chaos and the hell of millitary dictatorship.

She has provided a clear and apt example of a grave betrayal of trust by this monster. it matters not that her father was Abiola, it does not make her point any less valid. Instead of making snarky remarks - and if you feel you have better examples to share - why not write to punch newspapers just like she did?

We face a common enemy in IBB. don't break the ranks now.

@texazzpete,
since u and abiola's daughter know the meaning of democracy, both of u shld allow the majority to make the decission here.
abiola was as established in criminality as ibb and if abiola in all that cld go ahead and win the election as a result of democracy, why do u think ibb will not win?
if there is an instrument used in measuring corruption, i will bet that the gap between ibb and abiola will not be much.
the truth of the matter is that all nigerian politicians are corrupt and selfish so all we owe them is a prayer of death and abiola's death was one of a great plus to this country so we need to pray for more.
until nigeria gets a J Rawlings who will delete these evil men, until these morally dead beings are erased from aso rock, the development of nigeria will surely remain in the hands of the devil himself.