2011: JONATHAN, RIBADU, BUHARI TOP PRESIDENTIAL RATING LIST – SURVEY

A survey conducted by a Nigeria-based opinion research organisation, NOI Polls, has revealed that Nigerians are currently rating President Goodluck Jonathan higher than all other presidential aspirants for the next year's election. The former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the snap polls stated, came second while former Military Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) occupied third position.

The survey conducted between September 20 and October 11 this year showed that Governor Bukola Saraki of Kwara State, former Military President Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar are trailing behind. The telephone interview, which sampled opinions of 1, 058 Nigerians on the presidential aspirants, was silent on the chances of former National Security Adviser, General Aliyu Gusua (retd).

According to the NOI Polls, 87 per cent of the people polled agreed that Jonathan should run, 55 per cent felt that Ribadu should contest, 41 per cent said Buhari should also run. While 35 per cent felt Saraki should contest, 27 per cent agreed that Babangida should run,27 per cent saw nothing wrong for Atiku vying for presidency in 2011.

On Jonathan, the survey declared: 'Almost all (99 per cent) of the people polled said they were aware of President Jonathan's intention to contest in the upcoming presidential elections. Eighty-seven per cent of respondents said they felt he should run. This figure is slightly higher than a similar poll conducted in August 2010, before the president declared his intentions to contest, where 81 per cent felt he should run.'

Also on Ribadu, NOI Polls said: 'Eight-six per cent of respondents are aware of Ribadu's intention to run for the 2011 presidential elections. Just over half of Nigerians - 55 per cent, think that he should run, while 41 per cent think he shouldn't run.' Participants in the survey were asked if they were aware of Buhari's intention to run for presidency in the forthcoming elections, 97 per cent surveyed were aware of this fact, 41 per cent said he should run, while nearly 58 per cent was against his ambition.

While 88 per cent of the people polled were aware of Saraki's intention, 35 per cent among the respondents felt he should run. Sixty-two per cent said he should not run while three per cent maintained neutrality. The survey result on Babangida pointed out that 97 per cent was aware that he has declared his intention to run for the 2011 presidential elections, only 27 percent thought he should run for the office.

Also on Atiku, the survey said: 'Awareness of Atiku Abubakar's presidential aspirations is also high at 90 per cent, however only 27 per cent of the respondents think that he should run while 70 per cent believe he shouldn't run for the office the president.'

The NOI Polls stated that the results revealed wide disparities in the level of knowledge, opinions and preferences of the respondents about the aspirants. Nigerians formed their opinions on each presidential aspirants based on their reputation, need of a change in leadership, corruption, right to be voted for, zoning arrangement with the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and so on.

'What is clear, however, is that on one key question - 'Should the candidate run?' three candidates - President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu and General Muhammadu - are ahead. Governor Bukola Saraki, General Ibrahim Babangida and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar will need to do more work from the results of the Snap Polls.

'It is also important to keep in mind the fact that these results could change as other factors such as the choice of Vice Presidential Candidates and the current efforts of some Northern politicians to choose a consensus candidate from the region are factored in.'