Why They Are Against IBB

By

abashirshuwa@yahoo.com

Recently there was an upsurge in negative reports about President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida from some sections of the Nigerian press who believe that they and they alone have the power to interpret to Nigerians who best suits to govern. However the angst of these so-called journalists whose prejudice against anyone from the north cannot be ignored at this particular period.

It is sad to note the low level of the editorial judgments of the opinionated reports in these newspapers which lacks credible source nor any iota of truth in their reportage but rather the embellishment of fabricated lies concocted and presented as hard news.

This Day newspapers are especially noted for their notoriety in opposing anything and everyone from the north and their stand on the failed third term attempt is well documented. Though one is not impressed to read from such a paper that lacks credibility and substantial readers across a whole part of Nigeria the claim that a candidate such as Babangida would be disqualified by the PDP based on its codes of ethics is hard to believe and certainly Kola Ologbondiyan's report was baseless stack of lies.

We are very much aware of the agenda of the South West press whose editorial policy is to find a way of discrediting politicians and public servants from the north through negative reporting and causing disaffection by inflaming religious conflicts. However the hate campaigns created by the South West press and their patrons can no longer succeed as the north has come to realize that it has been pitched against itself by agents of their detractors for their political gain.

The dubious nature of the South West press is evident from their attitude toward coverage of most aspirants from the north who receive their bashing because they believe that their countrymen are best suited to rule Nigeria forever. So myopic is their democratic principles that they come up with various undemocratic misconceptions they introduced into our political lexicon that has no place in civilized democracies. How can you ever imagine that a candidate has to be anointed by the serving president to gain support? Is that not what these so called loud mouth press insinuate when they claim that OBJ does not support a particular candidate or gives backing to certain aspirant? In a democracy it is the candidate that is best acceptable to the voters that wins elections and a party may lose election for fielding the wrong candidate. After all political parties are mere platforms for presenting candidates. Except if these papers are telling us that the present government will use the instruments of public office to rig which this time will be a suicidal attempt then they better shut up their dirty mouths and give democracy a chance.

It is evident that This Day as a paper has a political agenda which is opposed to the position held by northern politicians. One of such position is power shift. While we believe that the south had their fair chance of having two terms under Obasanjo, it was their contention that it be shifted to South South or South East. They based their argument on the basis that the South South produces oil the main stay of the nation's economy. But democracy is not about resource control since we are very much aware of which parts of Britain and USA produce crude oil and their people have never advanced reason for seeking elective office on the basis of what their regions or states contribute to their economy. This is merely politics of underdevelopment.

For time without numbers these so called South West mouth pieces have been dragging IBB'S name in to the mud simply because he poses serious challenge to the aspirations of their patrons. They are aware that he is the only person that commands a widespread support among all the aspirants to the detriment of their patron masters. IBB'S support base is deeply rooted amongst all segments of the Nigerian society who are direct beneficiaries of his past military administration's people based policies. As a matter of fact IBB is the most popular person in Nigeria, more popular than the serving president! I can bet you to conduct a public opinion in all geo-political zones and find out the popularity ratings of politicians and you can find out who comes top – IBB! Though nothing good can be said of IBB by the South West press will they kindly point to a single project executed with government funds by successive regimes since he stepped aside? You can count projects executed by IBB's government for example the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge which now these people want to destroy because it was built by IBB. How about electricity, how was power supply under his administration compared to today? Do you expect him to execute most of the projects implemented by his administration with sand? Money was earned and was well spent during his tenure unlike now that what we earned does not have direct reflection on the situation on the ground. IBB believes in collective responsibility and does not blame others for his shortcomings and as a true leader carries along those he chose to serve in his cabinet which is what obtains in most civilized democracies. It is time we stand up to the advocates of use and dump democracy and shame the South West press by rallying round our leaders and show them that we cannot be divided in our quest from capturing political power come April 2007. Since IBB has what it takes to win election we must support him since he is the one that has more followers and widespread support among all strata of public.
  Abba Mohammed Bashir Shuwa Holbeck