Seven Painful Reasons Why Buhari Could Lose If He Runs For The Nigerian Presidency
It appears socially, emotionally, and evenly religiously satisfying to be corrupt in Nigeria, and understandably realistic to be in fear in the country,as evidenced by the longstanding circumstances facing our people. For many Nigerians born, raised, educated and working in the nation,from almost the beginning of their teenage years,and irrespective of ethnic, social, gender and class backgrounds; intellectual value is seen in corruption and a loathing of fear is seen everywhere.
In regard to the presidential contenders, President Goodluck Jonathan,on the people's behalf, thinksthe issue of corruption is over exaggerated and defensively states that “corruption is everywhere.” Jonathan like most Nigerians agrees that the country is griped in fear, as the people are loving people.
On the other hand, General Muhammadu Buhari believes corruption in today's Nigeria is worse than at any other time in its history, and while he agrees that there are safety issues in the country causing fears, he blames not only the Islamist extremist groupbut kidnappers and armed robbers across the country. But for many Nigerians across the country, the type of fear that is most disturbing to them is the faceless type coming from the Islamic rebels which Jonathan states have infiltrated his administration.
To many Nigerians both in the North and South, the nation's character and atmosphere is secular, and religiously flexible, and that represents more of Jonathan's personality, unlike Buhari who is seen as driven by a fanatic religious personality.
Buhari is seen as marked with bluntness which served him well as a military head of the nation, but his current pronouncements and messages of strict governance may likely affect almost everyone who is inspired by acts of stealing, corruption and secularity.
To most people, on matters of stealing, corruption and secularity, Jonathan will be less punitive, more forgiving and overwhelmingly less strict. Also Buhari does not bend easily with the secular world, unlike Jonathan who is known for his non authoritarian and lenient approach to life in general.
Like most Nigerians, Jonathan appears property conscious and enjoys living and roving large with friends but Buhari on his own recent admission once “operated an account... when I was in training in the UK, India and the United States and when I came back I closed all the accounts. I don't have a property, even in Niger.”
To many Nigerians,Buhari is just too disciplined for an undisciplined and affectionate people, in terms of work ethics, leadership, and approach to life.
To the people, the youthful-looking Jonathan, compared to the aging-looking Buhari, appears more charismatic, tends to smile and laugh more, and these Nigerian-oriented moods alone could be the feelings that will go through the minds and bodies of most Nigerians when judging these two presidential contenders. It could be that these pictures more than anything else will portray a mental image to them on Election Day.
Dr. John Egbeazien Oshodi is a Forensic, Clinicaland National Psychologist and a former Secretary-General of the Nigeria Psychological Association. [email protected]