A VOTE FOR THE GENERAL WHO MEANS BUSINESS (GMB)

Basheer Tosin Ashafa

It is no longer news that the 2015 general elections have put most Nigerians in a
turbulent mood. The issue of who will be the next President is as uncertain as
what the next four years holds for Nigeria. Many have hinged their choice of a
presidential candidate on factors ranging from pure sentiments, the state of the
economy, corruption, insecurity, age of the candidates, to the need for continuity,
and other reasons that we may not know or be privy to.

Whatever the reason there is, it is only appropriate that we do a good evaluation
of our conscience, and in patriotism act in the direction that will bring relief to
the current unenviable state of our country. Amidst the issues on ground that are
very visible to the blind, let us take a moment to consider the task ahead of the
soon-to-be President of Nigeria, as would be announced after the election on
February 14.

Corruption has been seen by many to be the bane of the current state of our
economy. It has been described as a cankerworm that has eaten so deep into
every sector of the Nigerian economy. Some have even gone to the extent of
saying that it has come to stay. This exposes the state which we have found our
country today.

In recent years, the number of corruption cases raised have been really
astounding. Not one of the several cases have been brought to a logical and
conclusive end. Little wonder why the current President is reputed to have said
that stealing is not corruption.

In his words, What many Nigerians refer to as corruption is actually

stealing. Stealing is not the same thing as corruption. This is what a Ph.D.
holder, the President, said. However, I am still digging deep to find out why I will
not vote in General Muhammadu Buhari (GMB) as the next President of Nigeria.

Taking about security, or insecurity if you like, these are the correlating amounts
that have been expended on a yearly basis since 2010:
2010 826.3 billion naira
2011 920.3 billion naira
2012 864.8 billion naira
2013 923.5 billion naira
2014 920.9 billion naira

Commensurate to these amounts is the tens of thousands of lives that have been
lost, millions of internally (and externally) displaced persons, the over 200
kidnapped Chibok girls that we are almost weary of counting their days in
captivity, amongst other negative effects.

In the light of this, a respected leader, President Obama of the United States
said, The Nigerian government has not been as effective as it needs to be in not
only finding the girls, but also stopping the extremist organization from operating
inside their territory. While noting the phrase The Nigerian government has not
been effective I am still weighing my voting options.

Having been briefed on the concerns so far, I have paused to double-think and ask
myself, what is at stake for Buhari? Why should I consider him? Is my choice
about what I want for myself or what I want for my country? Does Think what
you can do for your country and not what your country will do for you? not ring a
bell?

Now, what better way can I help make Nigeria better if not by contributing to
bringing in the needed change that many Nigerians are clamoring for.
Weighing the odds on Buhari, lets ponder on his qualities. What comes to mind
when Buharis name is mentioned? A dogged fighter? A disciplinarian? A hater of
corruption? Respecter of the rule of law? You do not need to be deep in thought to
ask yourself Does he need a Ph.D. to qualify him more?

Now I think it is better to look at these qualities side by side with the current
challenges we are faced with as a nation which include:
- Gross incompetence in the leadership echelon
- Pervasive Corruption
- Debilitating Insurgency/Insecurity
- Gnawing Economic crisis

Corruption: A 1998 report in New African praised the PTF under Buhari for its
transparency, calling it a rare "success story".

Insurgency/Insecurity: In 1983, when Chadian forces invaded Nigeria in Borno

State, Buhari used the forces under his command to chase them out of the
country, crossing into Chadian territory in spite of an order given by then
President Shagari to withdraw. This 1983 Chadian military affair led to more than
100 victims and "prisoners of war".

In May 2014, in the wake of the Chibok kidnapping, Buhari strongly denounced
the Boko Haram insurgency. He "urged Nigerians to put aside religion, politics
and all other divisions to crush the insurgency which he said is fanned by
mindless bigots masquerading as Muslims.

Economic crisis: As a Military President, Buhari refused the idea to devalue our
naira as suggested by IMF. Buhari broke ties with the International Monetary
Fund, when the fund asked the government to devalue the naira by 60%.

On 7 May 1984, Buhari announced the country's 1984 National Budget. The
budget came with a series of complementary measures:

A temporary ban on recruiting federal public sector workers

Raising of Interest rates

 Halting Capital Projects

Prohibition of borrowing by State governments

15 percent cut from Shagari's 1983 Budget

Realignment of import duties

Reducing the balance of payment deficit by cutting imports

It also gave priority to the importation of raw materials and spare parts that
were needed for agriculture and industry.

Other economic measures by Buhari took the form of counter trade, currency
change, price reduction of goods and services.

Talking about continuity, in January 1984, in his new year broadcast speech,
Buhari stated that he would maintain and enhance diplomatic relations with all
countries and international organisations such as the OAU, UN, OPEC, ECOWAS
and the Commonwealth of Nations. He also stated that he would honor all treaty
obligations entered into by previous governments, which he did.

I am still asking Why shouldnt I vote for the General who means business?
come February 14, 2015.