Despite his age at 72, Muhammadu Buhari, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), does not fare badly among young folks, according to an online poll conducted by Youth Ballot Evolution (YBE), an organisation that creates political awareness among youths.
Buhari is squaring up against the more youthful candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), President Goodluck Jonathan, 57.
The poll was to determine between Buhari and Jonathan who is more in tune with young Nigerians and likely to give them a better deal in 2015.
The poll opened on December 18 with Buhari trailing Jonathan closely.
Facebook, twitter
Based on views and comments on facebook and twitter, the youth argued on both sides of the political divide.
A random count of the poll showed that out of 119 tweets Johnathan had 70 wanting him to win, Buhari 49.
But on facebook, 98 commenters gave it to Buhari, 35 Jonathan.
Comments were varied. For instance, Adebayo said: “GEJ (Goodluck Ebele Jonathan) is a good man. As a person his simplicity and gentility is second to none. He has given us his very best over the last six years. I mean! what are we still asking for?
“He has granted Alamieyeseigha ‘state pardon’ and my bros is running for Senate now. He allowed Fayose to disrupt a court session and beat up the judge, and works away with it.
“I wonder if we still have law in Nigeria. He locked up the House of Representatives. Seven lawmakers impeached a speaker in Ekiti in a House of about 26 lawmakers and nothing happened.
“Sixteen was suddenly greater than 19 in base 10, just to cancel the victory of Chibuike Amaechi, Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and Governor of Rivers State.”
For Joel Obinna, Jonathan remains the right candidate. “Nigeria is 50 years plus. He (Buhari) had the chance before now. Let the youth, the leaders of today, be given a full support.
“A man his age in politics is supposed to be the one backing up the current leaders. He is desperate to be on that seat again not knowing that age is not on his side. How many times will he keep on wanting the taste of power?
“The world is changing, this is 21st century. Let’s look around the world. Let’s check very well. The change from the old leaders is what we want.”
Privileges, responsibilities
Abayomi Alao countered that Jonathan has failed the country woefully. “It is apparent he is only interested in the privileges of the office not the responsibilities.
“That the Minister of Internal Affairs (Abba Moro) is still holding his position is the GEJ’s way of telling Nigerian youths ‘your lives means nothing.’ It will be a big sin and crime if any youth votes for GEJ.
“Unemployment is getting worse by the day despite the reported growth. How come GEJ is unable to name the Boko Haram members/supporters in his government?
“If he has enough time to micro manage NFF (Nigerian Football Federation) and force Stephen Keshi on them it shows we have a president who is not interested or involved in the serious business of governance.”
Munnir Musa reviewed the history of fuel price increases and concluded that things were stable when Buhari was military head of state (between December 1979 and August 1985).
30 years ago
But Adams Igie was blunt on why he would not vote Buhari. “Vote a former military man? Never! His views are deceptive and crafty.”
Emmanuel Umbu argued that when Buhari was head of state, the population of Nigeria was about half what it is today, so leadership was quite easy then.
His words: “Thirty years ago when Buhari was the head of state and built refineries, any 14-year-old child could have done exactly the same because there was the oil boom.
“Thirty years ago, about 90 per cent of our population was stack illiterate and engaged in farming: the civil service was not a burden to the government; payment of salary was no issue.
“Thirty years ago when Buhari bullied and crushed the citizens on his ‘War Against Indiscipline’ he was a military ruler and not a civilian; but today such tactics would amount to a violation of fundamental human rights.
“Thirty years ago when Buhari was the head of state, he was 41 years old; today he is 72 years old. By the life expectancy calculation for Nigerians, if Buhari wins the 2015 election, the APC does not sincerely believe that he would sustain the office till the end of 2019.”
Problem of corruption
Agbokeye Abiola riposted that the problem of Nigeria is corruption and only Buhari can treat the disease.
“I am very sure that 90 per cent of Nigerians will agree that the main diagnosis of this great country of ours is corruption; and we need the right man to tackle this corruption.
“GEJ is not the right man for this job any longer. I did my research on GMB (General Muhammadu Buhari) and I deem it that he is the better man for the job.”
Auwal Hassan Maigari insisted that he would go for a leader with good vision, “a leader who came into politics to serve but not to be served, to give and not to take, that is Muhammadu Buhari.”
Adrin Konandra said Jonathan has stabilised power supply and so would vote him. “Can someone clearly state what Buhari has done for this country? You don’t need to waste your vote. We don’t want a military dictator. What we need is a government that will take the people’s interest to heart.
“I stay here in Gudu, Abuja, we have at most 23 hours of electricity supply daily. Jonathan is doing a good job.”
Serving party interest
Mafia Princess said Buhari is an oligarch who does not believe in equality before the law. “He jailed Lateef Jakande, Jim Nwobodo, Ambrose Ali, Adekunle Ajasin, Ayo Ojewunmi on cases that have no basis.”
But Bill Smith argued that Jonathan has failed to perform creditably and cannot be entrusted with the 2015 election.
“I want to ask a sincere question. If you trust me today with a job and I let you down, will you have any reason to call on me tomorrow for the same job? Jonathan has failed the masses by serving his party interest.
“Now we must change things by voting the person who will have the interest of the masses (youths) in mind. I am asking Nigerians to stand upright and adopt change. Give Buhari your vote and be rest assured that Nigeria will move steps forward.”
Iruoje Olusegun said the Jonathan administration has created more confusion for unemployed youths.
Sure-P scheme
“Can somebody help me ask [Jonathan] what is the state of Sure-P in Lagos. The programme has turned into a pure waste of time and destiny of Nigeria youths.
“Just take a stroll to their office at toll gate on CMD road and see the leaders of tomorrow in their multitudes for over a year without appointment.
“The worst of it all is that those kangaroo officers claiming to be in charge are extorting money from these youths all in the name of giving them employment.
“God please save my fatherland and safeguard the future of the youth.”
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