Nigeria will be great again!

Nigeria is truly a great country. We are blessed abundantly with both natural and human resources. We are blessed with very hard working people, who if given a little opportunity will excel in any endeavour. But the opportunities are simply not available. We have the will and the capacity to do better and improve our lives, but the environment is not conducive for such.

In every society, social change is driven by a particular subset of that society. Today, this change for a new Nigeria is driven by the youth. This group is made up of young people; school leavers, job seekers, young professionals, and technocrats, whose collective dream is to see a better Nigeria. The older generation may claim that the young lack experience but time has shown this to be false.

When Obama came out and ran for the American presidency, he was said to be too young; that he lacked experience. His opponent, John McCain, was assumed better suited for the job, with years of political experience and a sitting governor for a running mate! The change that swept America, swept them away. When Louis Ignacio Da Silva of Brazil ran for president in his country, he too was assumed to be too young, and inexperienced. Today, the change he wrought in Brazil has seen the Brazilian economy soar and country move from international back stage to the limelight.

Today, in Nigeria, there are people who also see Nuhu Ribadu, the presidential candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) as being too young and inexperienced. But Nuhu Ribadu is the epitome of the youth; a champion for the dream of a new Nigeria. He believes that if the youth are properly integrated into our leadership processes and become part of it, that Nigeria will be a better place for everyone.

For a leader to truly champion a cause, he/she must believe in the cause. Nuhu Ribadu represents a visionary and dedicated leadership, determined to change the fortunes of Nigerians for the better. For despite all our God-given natural and human resources, Nigeria still lags behind in the comity of nations. There are many issues requiring attention in Nigeria, the most pressing being youth unemployment. Young people 30 years old and below make up 70% of Nigeria's population, yet youth unemployment is rampant. Up to 50-60% of our graduates are unemployed, to the point where parents and children now question the value of education.

The Nigerian economy is performing below its potential and is not creating enough jobs for our fast growing youth population. Though the economy is growing at around 6% per annum, it could grow at a much faster pace and more importantly it could create more jobs if the right policies are pursued.

The economy has to be managed with fiscal prudence so that our expenditure does not exceed our revenues. The fiscal deficit kept at 3% of GDP from 2003-2007 has now doubled to 6%, implying a great deal of spending without much impact or results on the ground. At the end of 2008, the Excess Crude Account (ECA) had the equivalent of US$20 billion in savings to cushion the country against a "rainy day".

Much of that money has now been shared between federal, state and local governments. What is left is less than US$500 million. Our foreign exchange reserves have come down from a peak of more than US$50 billion a couple of years ago to US$38 billion now. Our domestic debt has climbed to the level of Naira3.76 trillion or the equivalent of US$25 billion (from DMO website as of June 30 2010).

This in an abuse fiscal responsibility and it has serious impact on our domestic economy, especially as some of the states borrowing may not be in a position to fully service their debt. All the borrowing and use of our domestic revenues has not led to better services on the ground. The position of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu is that we must budget within our means and keep overspending to a minimum. This means bringing the fiscal deficit back to 3% of GDP.

The Ribadu Plan seeks to bring our foreign exchange reserves to a robust level of US$50 billion or more; and work for a steady and attainable economic growth rate of 7-8% per year for the next five years and 8-10% per year for the years following that. This growth must be job-creating growth focused on both the oil and non-oil sectors of the economy. It will invest in infrastructure, in health and education, and in creating the enabling environment for investment in all key sources of growth in the economy, particularly agriculture, the extractive industry, manufacturing, housing and construction, financial services, information and communication technology (ICT), as well as arts and culture, and the entertainment industry.

That is the challenge facing us in the second half of the Nigerian century; and that is the challenge Mallam Ribadu will address if he becomes president.

-By Deshola Komolafe

Young Nigerians Finally Earn a Seat at the Table in Deciding Their Political Future; Mr. Nuhu Ribadu (ACN) Voted Winner of the What About Us? Debate

Abuja, Nigeria (PRWEB) April 2, 2011

About a week ago, on March 25th, a coalition of Nigerian youth advocacy groups bearing the moniker "What About Us?" hosted Nigeria's first ever youth-centered presidential debate at the Shehu Musa Yar’adua Center in Abuja. Hosted by Big Brother Africa alumnus Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, and moderated by world renowned novelist Chimamanda Adichie, the debate featured questions crowd-sourced from young Nigerians around the world using email submissions, SMS short code and Google Moderator.
Based on a poll that ran on http://www.whataboutusnigeria.org, seven candidates were invited to engage in a direct dialogue with Nigeria’s youth, who account for more than 70 percent of the population. While Reverend Chris Okotie (FDP), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (CPC) and President Goodluck Jonathan (PDP) chose to be absent, three of the selected candidates, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau (ANPP), Mr. Nuhu Ribadu (CAN), and Chief Dele Momodu (NCP), were in attendance. Professor Pat Utomi (SDMP) who had initially accepted the debate invitation, apologized for pulling out due to extenuating circumstances.
The event was broadcast live on Channels TV and simulcast on the web powered by YouTube, allowing viewers across the globe to watch the event unfold in real time. Following, viewers cast their vote for ACN candidate, Mr. Ribadu, as the winner of the debate with 57 percent, Mallam Shekarau followed suit with 36 percent and Chief Momodu earned the remainder 9 percent.
“This was a major first step for Nigeria – not just for us. By sitting silent for so long, we have allowed our leaders to take advantage of our apathy but that stops now. The mission behind 'What About Us?' was to give the youth a voice in the political process, empowering us to better understand the issues that most affect our lives and enabling us to hold leaders accountable on the promises they make on the campaign trail. Whether we go out to vote on April 9th, tweet or use our mobile phones to report fraud at the polling booths or encourage friends and family to vote wisely in person or on Facebook, we must continue to play our role and reclaim our stake – because with more than 50 percent of the vote, IT IS ABOUT US,” the group said in a joint statement.
Several prestigious universities in Nigeria and abroad hosted viewings of the debate including the University of Abuja and Columbia University in New York. Media outlets including Sahara Reporters, Voice of America, and Bella Naija also streamed the debate live to a global audience.
About the “What About Us?” Campaign
What About Us? is a NON-PARTISAN coalition of several youth empowerment groups and blogs, including Vote or Quench, Enough is Enough Nigeria, Sleeves Up, and Stand Up Naija, calling for the first-ever presidential youth centered debate in Nigeria. The group's mission started on January 11th, 2011, with the #IfNaijaVotes donate your status initiative, prompting Nigerians across the globe to voice their predictions on the nation’s prospects if free and fair elections are held, The group sought out to further educate the Nigerian youth on the missions and motives of presidential aspirants through the debate and will continue to collaborate on various initiatives to drive voter awareness and participation.
The debate sponsors were Yar’Adua Center, Youtube, DigiPrints, RCCG City of David, CBC EMEA (Nigeria), Hawthorn Suites, Smoothie Heaven, Hi-TV, Trinity House, & Guiding Light Assembly.
More details on participating groups for the initiative can be found on our website, whataboutusnigeria.org or Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/whataboutusnigeria.

Response to General Muhammadu Buhari and his Party by Nasir El Rufai - 'Buhari should stick to facts'

The attention of Mallam Nassir El-Rufai has been drawn to statements from Generals Muhammadu Buhari and Ibrahim Babangida purporting to be responses to the advice he gave both men to retire.

Since Babangida libelled whole generations of Nigerian youth as being unfit for leadership, age has become an issue in the coming elections. While it is true that neither youth nor age supplies wisdom on their own, it makes sense to ask those who have been recurring decimals in our country’s sorry history to leave the stage. That is all El-Rufai asked of these men who seem to think that their failure to do their best for Nigeria when they had the chance qualifies them for a return to office. Our people surely deserve better.

El-Rufai is amazed that General Buhari cannot debate this matter without scurrying to the gutter, making claims that are baseless and unsupported by any facts. Mallam El-Rufai’s tenure as FCT minister was a period of stellar performance in remaking our federal capital. Despite the difficult decisions that had to be taken to restore Abuja, Mallam El-Rufai continues to receive deserved praise and recognition for his achievements in restoring the Abuja master plan, introducing Nigeria’s first computerised land registry and helping thousands of Nigerians achieve their dreams of home ownership in the federal capital. Buhari is perhaps one of a tiny few blinded by their prejudice from recognising the quality of El Rufai’s service.

That same prejudice accounts for the baseless claims of corruption Buhari levels against El Rufai. The fact is that Mallam El-Rufai served Nigeria with integrity and has never been convicted of any corrupt act. He is boldly contesting the false charges which the Yar’Adua government filed against him in court. It is strange that a Buhari who protests when unproven claims of N2.5 billion (about US $3billion in those days!) missing oil funds are levelled against him can gleefully elevate similar claims into facts when it concerns another. How would Buhari feel if the corruption allegations made against him by Group Captain Usman Jibrin, then a board member of PTF, are today reported as if they were proven facts? So much for “corrupt background” and “shoddy performance”.

Mallam El-Rufai wishes to remind General Buhari that he has remained perpetually unelectable because his record as military head of state, and afterwards, is a warning that many Nigerians have wisely heeded. His insensitivity to Nigeria’s diversity and his parochial focus are already well-known. In 1984, Buhari allowed 53 suitcases belonging to his ADC’s father to enter Nigeria unchecked at a time the country was exchanging old currency for new. Against all canons of legal decency, he used retroactive laws to execute three young men for drug-peddling after they were convicted by a military tribunal and not regular courts of law. Buhari was so high handed that he gave himself and his officials immunity even from truthful reporting. That obnoxious Decree 4, against which truth was no defence, was used to jail journalists and attempt to cow the media as a whole. That tyrannical legislation shows the essence of his intolerance. These are facts of recent history.

The story of counter-trade and import licensing, the cornerstone of Buhari’s stone-age economic strategy and those whose interests it served, is a tale for another day.

Mallam El-Rufai respects both Generals Buhari and Babangida as elder statesmen. He believes their age, experience and guidance may contribute to the success of any future government. El-Rufai however believes that it is time for a new generation of leaders with new thinking and wholesome democratic attitude to move our nation forward. The vicious response by the Buhari camp to a simple statement that their almost-70 principal should retire is proof enough that a Buhari, the new Democrat, tolerant of views different from his own, is yet to evolve. And that is sad, for his fledgling party and its leadership. Buhari and his cohorts may wish to reflect that it will take more than attacks on personalities to become electable. Having seen his version of discipline, Nigerians are not likely to cherish an encore. But they will welcome an engagement with the issues and problems of everyday life that have hobbled the peoples of this land.

Muyiwa Adekeye
Media Adviser to Mallam Nasir El-Rufai
October 4, 2010

We the spokespersons of the Presidential Candidate of the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP); the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) wish to clear the air on the matter of the presidential debate organised by NN24 so that our teeming supporters and Nigerians in general will understand and appreciate our position.
We had held series of clear-the-air meetings under the auspices of the organisers at which logical and other arrangements for the debate were exhaustively discussed.
The representative of the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation, Dr. Doyin Okupe, was in attendance and actively participated in all deliberations.
It was at Dr. Okupe’s instance that the two dates earlier proffered by the organisers; March 8th and 15th as contained in the memorandum of understanding signed by the three candidates were rejected because according to him, those dates were not convenient for his candidate. Dr. Okupe, on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan, suggested the March 18th date in which the debate was successfully held.
All of us accepted this date not because it was convenient for our Principals, but as our sacrifice to afford Nigerian voters an opportunity to assess and judge the candidates’ programmes as well as personality under the spotlight.
For emphasis, we had to adjust our respective campaign time tables at great logistics costs to us as our sacrifices for the growth of the culture of debate as an essential ingredient of the open society.
We indeed bent backwards for the office of the President even when we are fully aware that the occupant is no more than a co-contestant in the context at it were.
But the there is a limit to which we can subject ourselves to this sheer impunity of the ruling party which they have flunked on our faces as a people in the last 12 years. The PDP has a record of shunning every Presidential debate since 1999.
We are highly suspicious of the celebrated romance with the BON debate by the president Jonathan’s camp which shunned the NN24 debate without an apology. We can only hazard that since most of the agencies organizing the BON debate are government parastatals, the organizers may not be in a position to resist the request for advance questions being given to the debates in which the NN24 agreed with us because they were independent. This does not mean that the men and women running these agencies lack integrity but the awe some power of the presidency may be too much for them.
Our principals being men of dignity with high regard for the people of Nigeria will not be part of such orchestrated charade of a D. Banjis “kokolete” debate.
Like millions of other Nigerians, we consider this behaviour of the president as egotistical, condescending and unbecoming of a man seeking a mandate to govern Nigeria. Leadership entails humility and respect for others.
A situation where the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation deliberately set out to humiliate other Presidential Candidates by reneging on an agreement it proposed is unacceptable to us and the millions of our supporters.
Consequently, we state without ambiguity that our principals will not honour any debate session with president Goodluck Jonathan in the 2011 elections as he has arrogantly shunned the credible debate for which we made ourselves available.
Future presidents of Nigeria will have to be more careful in dealing with the feelings of others.

Signed:

Sule Yau Sule
Deputy Director Communications, Shekerau for Nigeria

Yinka Odumakin
Spokesperson for General Muhammedu Buhari

Ibrahim Modibbo
Director of Media and Communications
Ribadu Presidential Campaign Team

Dear Compatriots,

Every great journey in fulfillment of a dream begins with a single step. We have started ours and we invite you to join us to be part of this epochal journey. Our fathers fought and obtained independence for us. Their lofty dreams were built on the promise of a better tomorrow. For the past fifty years, we have hoped and struggled to make those dreams a reality.

Our nation’s recent golden jubilee celebrations, although marred by unfortunate loss of lives, provided the backdrop for a sober reflection on our journey these past fifty years, and also an examination of the policies of the ruling party since 1999. The overwhelming consensus is that we have underperformed given the country’s enormous endowment in both human and material resources. The nation’s social and economic indicators are startlingly weak. Regional and civil conflicts are on the rise, threatening social cohesion and national security. Ordinary Nigerians are beginning to question the value of democracy and even the necessity of staying together as one people in a country where things no longer seem to work.

We are on the threshold of another general election, the fourth since the restoration of democracy. I believe this is an opportunity for change, to orientate our shared values into restoring the foundations of our nation. I believe it is possible to build a united Nigeria devoid of ethnic or religious conflicts; a Nigeria where the well-being of the people is of paramount importance; a Nigeria that inspires the highest level of patriotism in her citizens. I believe that it is possible to ensure justice for the people, the security of lives and property, and the peace and stability which would engender growth and development.

Today, we have a great opportunity to right the wrongs of the past and make meaning of our political independence. We have embarked on this struggle because we believe in the lofty idea that every Nigerian should be proud to call this country home.

This is our chance as young and patriotic Nigerians to make a difference. We do not claim to be the only repository of knowledge and ideas of what this country needs to move forward, but we dare to dream. Come and parley with us so that together can find answers to our problems.

Join us at the Gamji Multipurpose Hall, Hassan Usman Katsina Park (formerly Gamji Gate) Swimming Pool Road, behind Police College in Kaduna on Friday, March 11, at 9.am.

Looking forward to meeting you.

Nuhu Ribadu

Presidential Candidate, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)

By Adeshola Komolafe

Let He who provide solutions to problems be the leader, for leadership these days is rooted in quick wins, and practical deliverables. Today’s form of leadership goes beyond mere experience and the thrust of political arrangements. A leader is that one who looks at the problems around him and instantly fixes them and not those who pay lip services to choking issues by engaging in political flattery. We have transcended beyond such manifestations. The paradigm of are archaic and outdated approach to contemporary leadership has sailed into oblivion.

One name that has continuously remained an occurring decimal in the paradigm of good governance Nigeria is one gentle but proactive fellow called Raji Fashola, the very Governor of Lagos state. Guided by conscience, ideas and passion, this man has greatly harnessed a team that has today changed the misfortune of Lagos state to an admirable level of global reference in terms of leadership excellence, accountable governance and inspiring reference.

So it was my greatest relief when Nuhu Ribadu, Nigeria’s embodiment of hope, credence and integrity indicated to run for the president of this great country under the umbrella of the Action Congress of Nigeria. Malam Ribadu’s calculated choice of the Action Congress party of Nigeria is absolutely not far from the incredible achievements of Governor Raji Fashola. Fashola set the mark of excellence and created a legacy that reconciles merit with intellectual creativity and today another refined, youthful, and conscious Nigerian motivated genuine patriotic zeal is on board to replicate the Fashola magic for the whole nation, there is indeed no better time than now.

The name Nuhu Ribadu has become a mark of what service to humanity should be, both in Nigeria and the rest of the world. His life history is a dedication to change and progress. In every facet of his interaction he is a crusader who spread the message of anti-corruption not in his wishes and words but in his actions and decisions. The name encapsulates courage and the will to do what is right no matter the odds. It was these qualities that endeared Nuhu Ribadu to peace loving and change hungry Nigerians both in the country and the Diaspora. During his tenure as the head of the EFCC, he not only brought the crime busting outfit to its rightful place in the world but made it a reference point in economic fighting to the rest of the world. Today, the applause from his days in office is still to abate. He plans to bring this same tenacity to bear on Nigeria and the best way to do that is to vie for the highest office of the land from where he hopes to entrench the culture of accountability and transparency, hallmarks that stands him out from the pack, to bear on the nation.

Being a man for the job at hand, he knows that the marriage of vision, commitment and service to the people can only be possible in a political party with the people’s mandate, coupled with a track record of excellence that even critics agree that the party is one of the best in Africa. The Action Party of Nigeria is the party that represents what Ribadu stands for. The only party that has actually fulfilled its promise to the people. In Lagos State where the party holds sway, crime has been reduced by over 80% since the inception of the Fashola led administration. Not only that, public infrastructure that people thought could never be put back in order, have not only been restructured but Lagos state boasts of the best transport system in the country. The novel BRT transport system has revolutionalised the transport sector in Lagos State and would do same for the comatose state of public transport in the country.

The visibility of the dividends of democracy as seen by the people has put confidence back in the people of Lagos State. Today, the average Lagosian knows that the government meant well and has thus complied to his/her taxes when due. People now queue up to pay their taxes, evidence of the faith reposed in the ACN by Lagosians.

These are just a few of what the party has to offer Nigerians. The party has plans to replicate what it did in Lagos in other parts of the country if voted into office. The Party has a vision that is built on the aspirations of the people of Nigeria and this vision should be a reference guide to everyone who believes in genuine change for Nigeria.

With Nuhu Ribadu new vista of intellectualism, deep rooted patriotism and impeccable personality there is no measuring reference as the credible person to chart a new course of our national history. Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, world most focused, cultivated anti-corruption Czar is on a new course that will transform the real dream of the Nigeria project. Finally, with Malam Nuhu Ribadu at the helm of purposeful governance, we should have disconnected from the generations of our fathers that have ruined and crippled this country to its abyss.

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has described as a pure fabrication the reports by a section of the media that there is a rift between Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the party's presidential candidate, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu, over the choice of the party's presidential running mate.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party also dismissed as tales by the moonlight the alleged walkout of its party chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, from a purported meeting of the party in Abuja on Thursday.

The party wondered how the Asiwaju and Chief Akande, who are both out of the country, could be attending a meeting in Abuja or walking outing of the purported meeting.

''The so-called deepening face-off between Asiwaju and Ribadu is a mere cliche, a figment of the imagination of the writers of such fiction, because there is no face-off, not to talk of a deepening one.

''Also, it is totally untrue that Chief Akande walked out of any meeting. Having served in many capacities, including as Secretary to the Government, Deputy Governor and Governor, our chairman will be the last to walk out of any meeting, when he has acquired the experience and wisdom to resolve even knottier issues without resorting to such actions that are being attributed to him,'' ACN said.

The party wondered why certain elements have decided to peddle falsehood about the ACN and its leaders, using certain media organisations that have now become notorious for being the purveyor of such lies.

''These publications are being sponsored by those who have become jittery at the rising profile of our party, and they are aimed at damaging the party and bringing its leaders into disrepute.

''But we are undaunted because Nigerians are very discerning. In the fullness of time, the lies and those behind them will be exposed,'' ACN said.

Alhaji Lai Mohammed
National Publicity Secretary
Action Congress of Nigeria
Abuja, Feb. 14th 2011

THE Democratic Front for a Peoples Federation (DFPF), yesterday declared its support for the candidature of Malam Nuhu Ribadu of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the race for the Presidency in the April elections.

In a communiqué issued by the party’s Directorate of Publicity after an emergency meeting by its executive in Abuja, the DFPF declared: “Following a spirited debate on the credentials, track records, and potential of all the candidates for the position of presidency, the Democratic Front has made its choice, and now declares its support for the candidacy of Mr. Nuhu Ribadu.

The party said it took this decision “with a deep sense of responsibility to the nation, and to the generation that the failed ones have produced to mop up their failures, betrayals, egocentrism and waste of one historic opportunity after another. The efforts of these ‘chosen’ to replicate themselves in the coming elections through sponsored surrogates must be countered with all possible resources and strategic thinking.

“We shall join hands with other progressives and mobilise the resources of the party, material, moral, and organisational, towards the attainment of this goal in the coming critical elections for the nation.”

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, founded the DFPF.




Reviewing recent events in the country, the party “observed with immense satisfaction a political development that has taken place within the current ‘ruling party’ of the nation, a development that finally put paid to the deceptive and retrogressive zoning policies that the party has deviously attempted to foist on the nation as a constitutional provision.”

It added: “While this by no means spells the emergence of a genuine democratic disposition, it nonetheless brings the nation a small step closer to the embrace of due democratic practice, enabling choices to be made on merit, rather than through regional, sectarian opportunism and blackmail.”

The Democratic Front took note of recent political developments in North Africa and the Middle East, stressing the import for “false” democracies across the world, especially in Africa.

It wrote: “First Tunisia, then Egypt, rumblings in Jordan, next? The tide of freedom and justice cannot be held back forever. Sooner or later the dam will burst, and the people will come into their own.

“It is the turn of open dictatorship today, tomorrow it may be the turn of false democracy, where the very principles of democracy are prostituted, indeed pressed into the service of dictatorship, cronyism, consensual thievery and massive exploitation.

“Nigeria is a prime example. A nation where a microcosmic minority, having largely manipulated itself into office through degraded electoral means, proceed to engorge over a third of a nation’s annual expenditure, using the same extorted resources to perpetuate themselves in arrogance and alienation, is a contradiction of all democratic definitions.”

The party charged “the electorate to study the DFPF manifesto in detail, educate itself about its provisions, send questions and comments through the party website, and engage in a sincere dialogue that has been denied the Nigerian citizens since its declaration of Independence.”