(APC) Delegates Choice, the Plunder of our Time...

I woke up this morning the 13th of Dec.2014 tired and frustrated. A down feeling from lack of sleep emanated from night of restlessness, resentment and worries about the political development coming out of Nigeria my home country. My headache started just two day after the opposition party APC committed the greatest political plunder of our time, a political miscalculation to elect, a onetime military dictator Muhammad Buhari as the presidential standard bearer to challenge (again) Mr Jonathan (PDP) the incumbent president he had challenged in 2011 and lost. Two days back before the primaries I had published an article entitled “Rochas the man to beat come 2015”...it was a treatise meant to warn the APC delegates to be wise and to elect a non controversial candidate that would be acceptable to all Nigerians or risky to elect a candidate who could throw up more trouble and challenges for our fledgling democracy. I had advised them against choosing Buhari even though I knew the chances of choosing him was overwhelming, was sure he could be chosen based on what I called unnecessary emotional sympathy anchored on religious sentiment, tribal and regional agenda fertilized and hatched by those who are bent on taking power at the centre at all cost.

But unfortunately that warning was not heed and the choice of the delegates, their action and inaction instead has brought up bigger problems than Boko haram. But before moving on, let me first outline what makes me thought Rochas should have been the best to emerge as the opposition candidate to challenge Jonathan. To make myself clear, the man Rochas is younger (52); vibrant and acceptable in all the 6 geo-political compared to Buhari whose is only acceptable within his Hausa-Fulani core north. Rochas with his background as someone who grew and up and studied in the north, speaks and communicates fluently in their native language stands a better chance than Jonathan. In south east where Rochas came from no doubt he would have gotten almost 100% Vote as the people of that areas are desperate to get their turn in office. While south west would have voted 60 to 40 against PDP; the south south the zone where Jonathan came from had given APC much chances in some states most likely in River state where the Governor Chibuike Amaechi and the President Goodluck Jonathan are in strong opposing end.

Now let looks at the some of the reasons given why Buhari was voted as the flag bearer, according to the report the delegates chose Buhari simply because he is one of the founding father of APC, a position many of these selfish delegates believed deserves a compensation, against the other candidates some new defectors who by every intent and purposes are marketable and electable than Buhari, another factor was that it would had amount to shame to turn the septuagenarian down after his much sacrifices to the party. What an excuse! It appears these delegates sees Buhari as a family head chief who by all account must be respected. These mental dogs refuses to consider the controversial nature of the General and what the consequences of him loosing again mighty be and the attendant fall-outs as was the case in 2011, these APC delegates refused to read the hand writing on the wall that its retirement time for the old man and Nigerian by and large are fade up with military mentality. Once again this set of mental deranged politicians have out of sentiments mortgaged our future and our children future, holding on to the past, and ready to take all of us on the retrogressive part. Anybody who doubt that Buhari supposed to be on retirement should check how Obasanjo who was incarcerated by Abacha was brought out of prison penniless made president of Nigeria, he did not only misrule Nigeria he equally has refused to give up his influence and heavy handedness on the present Government; (the hallmark of reviving ex-General back to Power) Obasanjo with his second missionary journey back to power ruled with iron fist-hand for 8 years. All the present issues with Nigeria revolves around the General Obasanjo who his time in office mainly was used making up with his past mistakes in terms of accumulation of unnecessary wealth and settling old with his enemies, which is exactly what Buhari is warming up to do himself. Tufiakwa!

Looking at this circumstances one tends to ask this question; Is Nigerians confused as to what they want? How come just 6 years after Obasanjo heavy handedness; which everybody condemned for his military style of leadership, Nigerians are again warming up to elect another ex-dictator to preside over the nations affairs. Buhari unlike Obasanjo is a religious figure who believes in sharia law and he never hides his intent to spread it all over Nigeria as Muslims all over the world are presently doing, a mission represented by Boko Haram in Nigeria . Fine and good, Buhari is not yet the president and God forbids he will be. But having elected him means his party APC members are ready to see him take over from Jonathan and without minding his ruthless past. What a confused fusion called Nigeria!

The delegate's decision however did not correspond with the will of the people. They also failed to reason that Buhari can only win in the north and that other section of the country are not ready in any slit of imagination to vote for him, so what makes the delegates thinks that the people of south east, south-south and partly south west who voted against him (Buhari) in 2011 and in favour of Jonathan could vote for him in 2015,? What makes the delegates believe he could turn the leaf this time around after so many unsuccessful attempts? Or is this a conspiracy by the delegates to choose an unwinnable candidate to challenge Jonathan probably a secret plan by Jonathan´s foot soldiers for an easy election show. Whatever may be the issues, this write believes APC have lost their chances to take over power from Jonathan. Buhari´s is a calamity in the making and the danger of it all is the unspeakable truth that he cannot rule Nigeria again unless maybe Arewa Rupublic ironically in the making. It's almost certain Nigeria will witness a political tsunami next year in addition to the flying bombs; with Buhari as a choice I can see Nigeria going the way of former Yugoslavia where ethnicity strife among different factions helped to torn apart the then government and helped Balkanized the country.

Finally, To his Excellency Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State; Sir, you have spoken very well and wisely as a visionary leader/politician at the convention, there is no doubt you are one of the best presidents Nigerian never or, are yet to have, your passion and intent for better a Nigeria was captured in your speech at the primaries. If APC had genuinely wanted to win next year general election, they should have chosen you, period. Real politics is all about winning strategy and in order to win there should be no sentiments or prejudice. The delegates have spoken and many Nigerians are not happy, common folks who want to see you bring your free education programme in Imo state to Nigerians have lost that opportunity to make you the next president in-waiting. I have every hope the Imolites will replicate their love for you next year, as was in 2011 for you to continue your giant stride in Imo state. Good luck to President Jonathan Goodluck , till 2019 Amen

Adams Kennedy Chidi (Is a Nigerian, Radio presenter and Freelance Journalist based Hamburg-Germany)