The real tragedy of course is this: the only three viable options for national leadership are the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). On the side of the PDP, its national leader President Goodluck Jonathan continues to underwhelm, and on the part of the ACN, its leading light and, to be fair, exemplary governor, Babatunde Fashola of Lagos, now seems focused on rolling back the goodwill he spent his first term establishing.
When it comes to options, fellow Nigerians, our case is almost hopeless.
But we must face our despair one case study at a time, and at this time we focus our lenses on General Muhammadu Buhari, founder and inevitable presidential candidate of the CPC.
Every society has its flame-throwers. They will say anything to attract attention, and no thought is too low for them to amplify in the search for reaction. They are permitted to live in society, because after all, there is freedom of speech, but no sane man takes them seriously. They are not allowed to take the stage in polite society and they are avoided like a plague by thoughtful, respectable people.
They are most likely to make statements like this: “If what happened in 2011 should again happen in 2015, by the grace of God, the dog and the baboon would all be soaked in blood.” The tragedy, however, is that this statement was made – two days ago – by a man who has once been the ultimate leader of the Nigerian enterprise and who has sought, three times, to return to that office.
If it were in any highly sophisticated society, this kind of statement would immediately marginalise the general, immediately overturning his leadership of that party so a more temperate voice can lead its vision. If anything, people would begin to question judgement and common sense. We will stop short of that – but only out of respect for the man’s distinguished service to the nation.
Lest we offer comfort to Buhari’s adversaries, it is crucial to repeat the culpability of the Presidency in this atmosphere of irresponsibility. The knee-jerk response marshalled by it can only be referred to as putrid. In its hurry to match Buhari silliness-for-silliness, the party abandoned the high moral ground it could have easily assumed. Someone needs to remind Team Jonathan that they are not just a political operation – they occupy the Presidency; and petty press releases referring to zoos and baboons are beyond the pale for the leadership of a 50-year-old nation.
Still, the issue is Buhari and his words, which can always be interpreted loosely to invoke violence. Where he applies metaphors however, those who follow him have no such complexity of thought. Thus the war-chant that his lieutenants in the party have had no problem repeating at the slightest provocation. Fate has now pushed them to that point where they have crossed the line from rhetoric to extremely dangerous.
So let us make this clear: we have no choice but to respect a man of such distinguished public service, but what General Buhari said – the statement in its entirety – was parochial and reckless.
He might have a sense of genuine grievance for a Nigerian state that has not acted with responsibility and discipline, and he might be legitimate in his grouse for an election he sees as stolen, but those are not the words (nor the stance – public or private) that we seek in any man or woman who wishes to go close to the highest leadership of this fragile enterprise we call Nigeria.
And willful recklessness, however, is a dangerous trait a country afflicted so deeply by insecurity cannot afford.
Even if Buhari breaks his word and decided to contest in 2015 – and we are hard-pressed to see why the CPC cannot find an alternative before that time – it would behoove the general to spend the next three years in sober reflection. It matters little if he founded the CPC; he must now come to terms with the fact that, if he cannot align his words, his mien and his campaign to the realities of a post-military Nigeria, it is time for him to pass the mantle of public engagement to comrades who have the temperament and perspective to inspire confidence and trust in that party’s ability to lead.
We are hopeful that he will do right by himself, his distinguished service to the nation, his millions of followers who truly believe in his vision, and whatever campaign he chooses to run in the future.
Any other option – and the venerable general will only be cannibalising himself and all that he believes in.
What a darn shame that would be.
Having read carefully all comments first I will like to commend Ynaija for not filtering negative comments against them it shows how daring they are, also putting up this editorial or piece shows boldness and an outfit daring to be bold.
First sincerely speaking most Nigerians deep down will not even vote buhari if there was a half better persnality apart from goodluck who sincerely most Nigerians are dissapointed in. Secondly, “change” is not about replacing a face. Just beacuse u just don’t like the other face, which is what most Nigerians seem to want to do in this elections and for me that’s not good enough. If Buhari is not good enough if we had a fraction of a third good profiled cntender for the presidency then GMB is not our best option. We should pray for our Nation, hold more dear our Nation and look into the affairs of ppl who make such violent comments and By GOD Grace, Come next election we will have better contenders and d message would have been sent to parties like Apc and the rest that Nigerians will only go for the best and not a bettr washed “HandKerchief” for no lack of options..
Please Nigerian Youth Remove the sentiments be real and please let’s not pray for Nigeria’s destruction for it is our home. Let’s always Bless our Nation like the great Nations do, no matter what- GOD Bless Nigeria. #PrayForNigeria.
Having read carefully all comments first I will lik et commend on Ynaija not filtering negative comments it shows how daring they are, also putting up this editorial or piece shows boldness and an outfit daring to be bold. First sincerely speaking most Nigerians deep down will not even vote buhari if there was a half better persnality apart from goodluck who sincerely most Nigerians are dissapointed in. Secondly, “change” is not about replacing a face. Just beacuse u just don’t like the other face, which is what mst Nigerinas seem to want to do in this elections and for me that’s not a enough. If Buhari is not good enough if we had a fraction of a third good rofiled cntender r the presidency then GMB is not our best option. We should pray for our Nation, hold more dear our Nation and look into the affairs of ppl who make such violent comments and By GOD Grace. Come next election we will have better contenders and d messgae sent to parties like apc and the rest that Nigerians will only go for the best and not a bettr washed “PIG” for no lack of options. My opinion. Remove the sentiments be real and please let’s not pray for Nigeria destruction for it is our home. Let’s always Bless our Nation like the great Nations do, no matter what- GOD Bless Nigeria. #PrayForNigeria.
You don't clearly do not understand Buhari's threats. I am proud of a media organization that has told the truth as it is. Post election violence must not be repeated…rigging or no rigging. BUHARI SHOULD BE TRIED BY THE INTERNATIONAL COURT FOR CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY.
THIS SHOULD BE AN EDITORIAL. LET'S CALL A SPADE A SPADE…MUHAMMADU BUHARI IS AS DANGEROUS AS BOKO HARAM…FACE IT
Ynaija r gradually becomin a joke run by som faceless hungry nigerian youths. I guess d pay check is gradually pillin inn. Well unlike the dumb editor of ur site or magazine or watever. Wat GMB said is nt new to us. We understnd wat he meanth. Our I.Q is nt dat low. After all even if u translate wat he said directly, wats d differences btwn wats happenin now wt wat will happen in 2015 if pdp rigs election? I hope nigeria as a country make it to 2015 sef. All dis freedom fighters or activist can be trusted anymore. Its obvious dat dey r workn for demselves. Buhariri cried b4 electn bt nigerians r nt only cryin nw bt dying. So @gambo watever. Keep up ur biased journalism. The blood of innocent nigerians will be hanging on u and ur sponsors neck. Peace
I agree
Oh Nimrod go take a seat and don't be silly. First, I did not write the editorial – you might want to google up on what an "editorial" is. Second, you might also want – as Chinedu advised above – to widen your reading and look at how strong the language of editorials across the world are. You might learn a thing or two.
@Levite – beats me!
I can't believe human beings are actually defending that statement.
By the time dis "Hauwa Gambo" is done destroying ur reputation with her tasteless writings, nobody will bother reading ur articles anymore… Then u will av her 2 thank 4 it.
I wonder what happened to a certain atiku abubakar who said the country would be made ungovernable if he failed to get the pdp nomination. Oh sorry, he is a strong member of the pdp, and so cannot be called to account for his utterances. But when Buhari says the obvious, sentimental people like the person who wrote this article, will quickly descend to calling him unprintable names. What a country! Wake up Nigerians! We are our biggest problem.
I agree
I am highly miffed by people suggesting that this article isn’t fit to be an editorial. Lest you all forget, an editorial is a ‘no holdback’ opinion of the management without mincing words or fear of being politically incorrect. Dare I say that public’s expectant of sugar coated scripts from management of YNaija sums up all that is wrong with our society.
Like Seriously…is this an editorial? Come to think of it what has the General said wrong?
I am suspecting that Reuben Abati wrote this piece [of rubbish].
Yellow journalism at its best!
It really saddens me that nigerians has become so sentimental that they can't think straight anymore.Because in a "sane" society where people are "logical",we wouldn't be here arguing if GMB was right or wrong.
This was the same reason people (SS/SE/SW/NC) didn't vote for him in the last presidential election because He's been perceived as an 'Extremist.
I agree with Jide. This should not be an editorial.
The problem with us in Nigeria is we don't like hearing the truth…GMB is only stating the obvious…with the high level of insecurity in the land,a slight provocation in 2015 and …………..
IS THIS EDITORIAL ABI OPINION??????????????
This article is shameful to say the least. What GMB said is not different from what majority of Nigerian's are saying and this has been stated long before he said it again. Nigerian's are tired of the deceit.
It is quite unfortunate that ur medium can descend so low in taking side on this matter regrettably you fail to put an excerpt of Buhari statement. Anyway the General is right if ur editors thinking faculty ve gone to sleep. Rigging in 2015 will be suicidal, so prepare urself for d worst.
It is quite unfortunate that ur medium can descend so low in taking side on this matter unfortunately you fail to put an excerpt of Buhari statement. Anyway the General is right if ur editors thinking faculty ve gone to sleep. Rigging in 2015 will be suicidal, so prepare urself for d worst.
Demn! YNaija, you guys always hit that nail right on the head with your editorials!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Someone had to say this to Buhari. It's sad what he's become.
And em Jide? You need to read more widely. This is how editorials are written in other climes. See the NY Times and WSJ editorials for instance
I am not a journalist but I am very sure this is not an editorial. I think this should be maintained as the opinion of writer. Tagging it an editorial puts your outfit out there as not only bias but acting out a script.
With that said, I believe that statement and analogy used by GMB is most unpresidential and language is far from statemanly!
The dilemma as highlighted in the price above is that, there seem to be no better option or platform! Maybe 2015 won't be that different again.
Kudos to whoever did this piece; hit the nail on the head
While I agree that saying what GMB said was unbecoming of a man aspiring to lead a country in socio-political and economic distress, most especially at a time like this when Nigeria faces her biggest security challenges ever, yet, I believe that the management of YNaija should have maintained this article as opinions of the author (Hauwa Gambo) rather than taking a corporate queue behind it as its editorial. "Every society has its flame-throwers. They will say anything to attract attention, and no thought is too low for them to amplify in the search for reaction. THEY ARE PERMITTED TO LIVE IN SOCIETY, because after all, there is freedom of speech, but NO SANE MAN TAKES THEM SERIOUSLY. They are not allowed to take the stage in polite society and they are avoided like a plague by thoughtful, respectable people." Not only do these words denigrate the person of General Buhari; expressing them as a corporate opinion speaks volume of YNaija's partisanship in Nigeria's volatile political terrain. Not even PDP condemned GMB in such degrading words as you have. Since editorials "reflect the views of the owners, managers or board of directors of media companies," then this article leaves much to be desired as regards what the owners/managers of YNaija seeks to achieve. The ed. may have everything but it certainly lacks civility and belie the refinement for which its owners are known for. My take!