THE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE

de·bate [di báyt] 

talk or argue about something: to talk about something at length and in detail, especially as part of a formal exchange of opinion

Encarta®

"Learning is a continuous process and so no matter the age of man, he continues to learn everyday"

Today, three of the four invited Presidential candidates were present at the debate. Chief Mrs Ebiti Onoyom Ndoki of the UNDP, Prof. Patric Okediachi Utomi of the SMDP and Dr John Omoniyi Dara of the NTP. Though all speaking out of an interest of passion for our beloved counrty, the athmosphere was more of a question and answer interactive session.

A debate is an avenue for creating a mind change, a debate is speaking passionately as according pressing concerns. Its the ultimate avenue to showcase the relative competencies of the candidates in an intellectually engaging manner. A debate is a challenge, a debate is competitive, its fiery. A debate is pulling out the facts, throwing verbal molotov cocktails, a few tricks up the sleeve in a way thats acceptable by the rules of the game. A debate is not a jolly good ride

Today's Presidential debate was short in all measure of the signs of what a debate should be.

AN NTA AFFAIR

"change doesn't always have to be desired, its inevitable"

Time indeed is precious, as many who were in attendance for the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in collaboration with the Nigerian Elections Debate Group (NEDG) organised Vice presidential debate found out. Nothing spectacular really, a well organised audience, a male and female judge, one
time-keeper and of cos the moderator. Getting down to business of the day candidates for the debate were introduced as
Hon Rasheed Shitta Bay of the Mega Progressive Peoples Party (MPPP)
Alhaji Lawal Kasim Funtua of the Social Democratic Mega Party (SDMP)
Alhaji Galadima Samari of the United Nations Party for Development (UNPD)
Eng. Gabriel Ogbonna of the National Transformation Party (NTP)

No sooner than the candidates were introduced, one could easily tell that this was not only going to be a waste of time, but also an unfair contest.
The candidates of the  MPPP and SDMP were not in attendance, no reasons given. The UNPD candidate came with an interpreter as his only spoken language is Hausa, and his standing opponent remained the NTP candidate who had his first and masters degree in the USA. Though that didn't make much of a difference, as the engineer in him seemed to have roughed up his smooth foreign edges.

When Jonathan said "if i can make it, you can make it" such words surely do apply to Alhaji Galadima Samari of the UNPD. Though constant in the spotlight for longer periods as he answered questions back to back, he still turned out a star at the event as he answered his questions with ease and a technical know how, a clear indication of what must have transpired before the debate.
If this is the so called debate with a wider reach and known stakeholders, then NTA and NEDG need to come up with more initiative for the other debates. As this first one is but a basket full of water.

The second half of the Vice Presidential debate produced only one man on the podium, Architect Namadi Sambo of the PDP. Not that its a thing of surprise, one couldn't have expected more. If the incumbent PDP candidates have become too proud to share a stage, i hope such pride would not be alloted the ballot boxes.

THE TINAPA SCAM

"only the medicine man knows where the white elephant lives"

After sinking in close to 56billion naira (have in mind 1000 Million = 1 Billion) the Tinapa project is no better than the con of fraudulent emails, except that it was orchestrated by a State Governor Mr Donald Duke, who got approval from the Federal Goverment.
The promises of wonderland Tinapa, is short of what it should be as an operational free trade zone. Aside its bogus structure, activities on the ground premises have been simplified to an ordinary events center. http://tinapa.com.ng/leisure/modules/news/.
According to the Managing Director Mr Bassey Ndem, Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort can generate the sum of 100 billion annualy, so what then is wrong with Tinapa?

A PRESIDENTIAL MIXTAPE

"it is by free will that man asks the will of God be done"


The politicking of campaigns is similar to the dressing up of a bride, facial and body make up, beautiful dresses, sweet perfume, veil covered face, flowers in her hair, necklaces and bangles, ankle chains and painted feet, only to exhibit the dark fruits of her inner mind soon as the vows are over. The absence of the PDP from the Vice Presidential and Presidential debates held on the platform of the NN24 TV network hosted on channel 414 of the DSTV cable network  didn't go down well with other participating candidates who felt it was a "bullshit' attitude which was uncalled for and unbecoming of the PDP. Despite the so many excuses given by the PDP candidates about their absence, an afterthought of their actions birth the Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria in collaboration with the Newspaper Proprietors of Nigeria and other groups debate. To play it safe, eight political presidential aspirants have been invited even though only four out of the eight invited are known, namely the ANPP, (All Nigeria Peoples Party)  CPC, (Congress for Progressive Change) ACN, ( Action Congress of Nigeria) and PDP, (Peoples Democratic Party). The rest four out of the remaining 10 presidential candidates remain unknown. Although surely do not expect to see the types of Pat Utomi of the SDMP (Social Democratic Mega Party) or Chris Okotie of the FDP (Fresh Democratic Party) at the venue, as their presence there would be unfair since its not an english speaking contest with the man who wasn't born rich and had no shoes.


The infamous debate planned by the Broadcasting Organaisation of Nigeria in collaboration with the Newspaper proprietors of Nigeria and other groups is scheduled for Tuesday the 29th of March 2011. Interestingly the ANPP, CPC, and ACN  Presidential candidates who were present at the NN24 TV debates have snubbed the invitation extended them as they have unanimously refused to attend. Not to worry though, the bitter pill of karma can be swallowed with the honey of opportunity this creates, as it provides no competition for Goodluck (who is lucky once again) and allows him present a mixtape of already rehearsed responses as was declined him previously by the NN24 TV debate.


Hopefully, since the debate a meant to bring good-luck to the contestants, Goodluck should have no problems attending this one.


The excerpt below is taken from the reader comments on the online page of the 234Next.com on the issue of the decline by the ANPP, CPC and ACN candidates.
"i guess they want him to know that if Mr President prefers talking to D'banj rather than debating with them, then they are not ready to be seen as his kokolettes"

THE ASSURANCE OF PRIDE

"confidence is a face that stares directly at criticism and speaks with deserved boldness"

 on the 26th of September 1960 the first televised presidential debate between Senator John Kennedy and the incumbent Vice President Richard Nixon was viewed by over 70million people in the United States only. The organization of debates for candidates running for public offices is no new business in the election and campaign process as it helps to evaluate the candidates competence and views on policy options. It also provides an opportunity for candidates to come forward and lay out a blueprint plan for positive progress in the presence of an audience they intend to govern, for which they can be held accountable for every word spoken.

A look at the succession of events these few weeks before the April 9th elections shed some light on what to expect really.

On the 11th of march 2011the NN24 TV station aired the Vice Presidential debate between four political parties. The Vice Presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) Mr Tunde Bakare was present, the Vice Presidential candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Mr Fola Adeola was also present and Mr John Odigie Oyegun of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). Conspicuously absent was Architect Namadi Sambo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Well not to worry, the promise of a presidential debate coming up was looked upon with high expectations as the belief that if the PDP chickened out of the Vice presidential debate, they should be bold enough to bring out their big masquerade during the Presidential debate. 

To the surprise of everyone 24hours before the NN24 TV Presidential debate, the incumbent President and PDP Presidential  aspirant Mr Goodluck Jonathan granted an interview to our own koko master, D Banj in an exclusive one on one session which was aired on Silverbird TV on the 17th of March. This time around, there is cause for worry, as the questions arise:

Why should PDP Presidential & Vice presidential candidate absent themselves from public debates if they have tangible offers for the Nigerian people, what exactly is this supposed to mean?

On what basis does Mr President expected to be elected if he bluntly refuses to make himself available for public appraisal given an opportunity such as a debate platform?

First there was the matter of a Presidential delegate welcoming Bode George from jail, next the absence of His Vice in person of Namadi Sambo from the Vice Presidential debate, then his own absence from the Presidential debate only to grant an entertainer an exclusive interview. Hmmm, na wa o.

Once again not to worry because this time around votes surely will count, as the machinery of manipulation cannot be rolled out unseen anymore. 

The new Nigeria begins now.

BUHARI/BAKARE CPC TICKET

"the hands of time speaks more than the mouth of man"

The game of politics for many, is one that runs deeper than blood, affiliation, social values, family and a lot of other conflicting intricacies to which the human mind finds little expression in a way sufficient enough for a broad and acceptable definition.

A walk down the road of history tells the story of Muhammadu Buhari, a war hero during the Chad invasion back in 1983, as the man who overthrew the democratically elected civilian government of Shehu Shagari, a disciplinarian of some sort during his short lived regime as Head of State and as one who has run for presidency twice under the ANPP umbrella. Also having served as the Federal Commissioner for Petroleum and Natural Resource 1n 1975, Chairman of the newly created Nigerian National Petroleum Commission (NNPC) in 1977 and chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) in 1995 under the Sani Abacha regime.

The dogged attitude of Muhammadu Buhari towards achieving his dream as a democratically elected civilian President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has now tagged him with the activist-preacher, now turned politician Pastor Tunde Bakare who is running alongside as the Vice Presidential aspirant under the CPC umbrella.

Tunde Bakare is not a new face in the Nigerian scene of events as he has had his share of experiences too. As a man of God his gift of prophecy has taken him from the warm loving arms of his congregation to the cold arms of the SSS. Among his famous prophecies was the death of Abiola, Abacha and even Ya'ardua.  Tunde Bakare also predicted the annulment of the June 12 elections, the step-down of Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB) and the disgrace of Earnest Shonekan. Other predictions include his detainment by the SSS, the escalation of economic crimes and the breakdown of the family structure should Obasanjo be sworn in as president.

Most recently, during the period of Ya'arduas absence from Nigeria while being treated for an illness abroad, Pastor Tunde Bakare once again became an instrument for change by daring to ask questions no other person was asking. He became the convener for the Save Nigeria Group (SNG) at a point when the political "cabal" was withholding information from the Nigerian populace, and ruling indirectly in the name of a President no one had seen in a long while except for a few who were taking advantage of the ignorance of the people. Tunde Bakare organized protest rallies, and spoke openly against the "cabal" using all available media technology has provided.

In 2010, his "State of the Nation" live broadcast was not allowed to air on any radio station by the National Broadcasting Commission for fear of sensitive material by the pastor was speculated. In response to this, the broadcast was streamed live on the internet.
The combination of these two men to run for the highest office in the land, has generated a lot of interest as to how they intend to blend their cultural and religious differences as they seem two extremes with very narrow meeting points.

The following excerpts are from an interview Tunde Bakare granted the Sun Newspaper sometime last year.
Question - Will you be seeking an elective post in 2011?
Answer - "No not at all"


Question - What of in 2015?
Answer - "I am not in a position to determine what happens tomorrow because I'm not God, but I know that in 2011, I wont be seeking any elective office" 

LAGOS GOVERNORSHIP DEBATE (what mr randle could not handle)

"dont throw stones if you live in a glass house"


The much acclaimed governorship debate organized by channels TV held at the Muson center on the second of March 2011 was as entertaining as revealing, not only about the plans of the contestants if elected, but also their demeanor.
The five contestants on the spotlight were:
Incumbent Governor & AC governorship candidate - Babatunde Raji Fashola
PDP governorship aspirant - Adegboyega Dosumu
APGA governorship aspirant - Dominic Agboola
ANPP governorship aspirant - Yomi Tokoya
SDMP governorship candidate - Jaiye Randle


 As issues were being ironed out, some of the aspirants brought up reasonable topics to debate on, such as issues of unemployment, housing, taxation, corruption and education, while equally keeping the debate spirit lively and simple. Mr Randle of the SDMP decided to make a spectacle of himself by mentioning personal issues as he cleverly accused Fashola of being  unresponsive and inaccessible. 
The answers he received for his sly punch was more than Randle could handle, as it almost angered the incumbent Governor Mr Raji Fashola who had to help Mr Randle wash his dirty linen in public, as he had to enlighten the audience Mr Randle's issues with the Lagos State Enviromental Protection Agency(LASEPA) for which Mr Randle has been seeking the assistance of the incumbent Governor Mr Raji Fashola. And also, a criminal matter for which Fashola referred him to the office of the Attorney General who was handling the issue. 
At the end of the debate, Fashola extended his hand of friendship for a handshake and was accepted by other contestants, but Mr Randle bluntly declined as he was still grudgingly nursing the wounds he suffered from a self inflicted injury.

SOUNDS OF AN ENDLESS CITY

Blue with the skies

A mind of her own she seeks.

Dark with the night

the  movement which

gives her life.

The power to reflect images of the living,

an attempt to create

spoken sounds of humans.

A beating rush of tongues and lips

lashing out as incessant waves.

Currents of anger

flowing as a gentle meek soul

yet full of turbulence underneath.

Thick as an enigma

she remains clothed with a sinister apparel.

Running through routes only

the city lights can follow,

not to brighten the path

but a further delve into her deep secrets

buried well below her lowest points.

Below the sands to which all life is birth.

Her face holds no emotions,

she gives her all and takes without remorse.

Her arms spread out to one another

her feet, a thousand toes touching the continents. . .