By Lolade Showoolu
For the first time ever in Nigeria, a serving President is afraid of the polls – that’s an excellent sign of a growing democracy. With the numerous smear campaign emanating from the PDP camp attempting to discredit the candidacy of APC’s presidential flag bearer, one can’t help being joyful that there is at last competition for the No 1 office in Nigeria. Grounds like age, health, education, and religious tolerance are being attacked and it’s so interesting seeing accusations get worthy responses rather than generating counter-accusations. So far, the APC candidate seems to be having a good run. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of the PDP.
It is not news that the President has squandered his goodwill hence it is almost impossible for his campaign tactics to yield any good fruit. Perhaps that’s why he’s resorting to lame lines and political grandstanding. In no way has Jonathan been able to connect with the electorate and this is because he’s starting late – five years late. I really sympathise with his campaign team.
The president’s sudden visit to Maiduguri was insensitive. He’s not just late, that journey was better not made. To deny I exist is better than to think me a thing and treat me as an object. To visit me a month before your general election when I have lived in mourning, terror, hopelessness and tragic horror in the last three years is outright thoughtlessness. How else do you convince me that I do not matter? And crass doesn’t even begin to describe that anti-Northern advert Governor Ayo Fayose placed in the PUNCH cover last Monday.
The reduced fuel pump price hasn’t caused a drum roll or street carnivals either, simply because the electorate can tell it is a Greek gift. As a matter of fact many are probably bemoaning how much they would pay back to this government should GEJ be re-elected. DAM (Deziani Allison Madueke) would very likely come for our jugulars post Feb 14 but people don’t seem to care right now. At this point even if GEJ halves fuel pump price, no new souls will be swayed. If there’s anything all these ‘Samaritan’ moves show, it’s the panic in the camp.
The PDP camp is in palpable fear. It’s perhaps the first time a contesting incumbent and his associates are shaking in the light of possible defeat. As right for Lagos as candidate Jimi Agbaje is, his party doesn’t bode well and he knows. While the Lagos APC proudly flaunts the Ambode/Adebule posters as Gubernatorial candidates, Jimi Agbaje is being used to sell the Jonathan candidate to South Westerners courtesy of an unimpressive outing of the latter. Hopefully intending politicians, especially of the younger generation, are learning.
