Questions for the Candidates

As my contribution towards refocusing the 2011 elections towards the candidates qualifications, antecedents, policies and programmes, I have developed some questions which I (and I am sure many Nigerians) will like addressed by the candidates. I urge the media, civil society and all Nigerians to direct these questions to them and invite the candidates and their campaign organisations to provide responses.

General Muhammadu Buhari

1. Do you regret the killing of drug traffickers under retroactive legislation during your regime? 2. Do you now agree that retroactive criminal laws are an abuse of human rights? 3. Why did you lock up all political office holders, and set their leader, President Shehu Shagari free? 4. How did you arrive at the decision that you announced then that Vice President Alex Ekwueme and not President Shagari was responsible for the corruption witnessed during the 1979-1983 civilian regime? 5. What is your view about the Late General Sani Abacha’s regime? 6. Do you still hold the view which you and your other military colleagues announced sometime back at Abacha’s memorial that he did no wrong? 7. Why did you serve in the regime of General Abacha? 8. Did you ever complain to Abacha about corruption, human rights abuses, murder of Kudirat Abiola, or the jailing of your former Commander-in Chief, General Obasanjo? 9. Did you discuss the death of General Shehu Yar’adua with Abacha? 10. Do you think there is any veracity to allegations of corruption in the PTF which you headed during Abacha’s reign? 11. As Minister of Petroleum Resources during the so-called $2.8 billion affair, can you shed light on what really happened? 12. Do you believe in press freedom? 13. Do you regret enacting Decree 4 which restricted press freedom? 14. Do you regret jailing Nduka Irabor and Tunde Thompson of the Guardian under that obnoxious decree? 15. Do you agree that Decree 4 was obnoxious? 16. As military Head of State, you ruled out a transition to civil rule; indeed you are the only military ruler Nigeria has ever had, who never announced a transition to civil rule. Do you now believe in democracy? 17. Can you assure Nigerians that you will not abolish democracy in place of rule by Decree if you become President? 18. Is it a coincidence that you have been involved in Nigeria’s two most repressive military regimes- yours and Abacha? 19. Are you a democrat by instinct? 20. Do you believe in fundamental human rights? 21. During your regime, you showed little understanding of the economy. Are you now better equipped to deal with economic issues? 22. What is your economic philosophy? 23. Why have you never outlined a concrete economic or policy programme in your previous attempts at running for the Presidency? 24. Can you explain the”53 suit cases” matter which happened during your regime? 25. Your regime embarked on a controversial “counter-trade” scheme which reportedly became an avenue for corruption. Can you shed light on what really happened? 26. Why is it that you have never commented on the annulment of the June 12, 1993 elections? 27. Do you believe the annulment was wrong? 28. Did you ever discuss Abacha’s self-perpetration scheme with him? 29. Why is it that while Obasanjo and Yar’adua got into trouble with Abacha, you retained his confidence and trust, evidenced by the fact that you served in his government without any conflict between two of you? 30. How do you reconcile your reputation as incorrupt with your tenure as Minister of Petroleum under General Obasanjo; PTF Chairman, (PTF in particular was allegedly riddled with corruption) under General Abacha’a corrupt government; and the regime you headed as Head of State’s counter-trade scandal?

General Ibrahim Babangida

1. Your regime announced a transition to civil rule for 1990. Why did you shift it to 1992? 2. Why did you shift again from 1992 to 1993? 3. Do you believe Nigerians are entitled to know why the June 12, 1993 elections were annulled? 4. Will you explain that now? 5. You were Military President when Dele Giwa was killed through a parcel bomb, an unprecedented and unusual development in Nigeria. Was your government interested in finding out who killed him? 6. What did you discover and what can you tell Nigerian about the death of Dele Giwa? 7. When you were “stepping aside” you retired all the service chiefs but left General Sani Abacha in office. Why did you do this? 8. Why do you think Nigerians accuse you of institutionalising a culture of “settlement” in Nigeria? 9. Can you shed light to Nigerians and the family of Major-General Mamman Vatsa the events leading to his death? 10. The educational sector was virtually crippled due to strikes, cultism, brain drain and poor funding during your regime. Why did this happen? 11. The same factors in the education sector manifested in the health sector. Again can you shed light on why this happened? 12. Do you believe at 69 years of age, you are strong and sufficiently mentally alert to rule a complex and dynamic nation like Nigeria? 13. Why are you predicating your claim to power on an ethnic or regional claim to power, rather than policies and programmes? 14. Will you have a First Lady as President? 15. Your son’s generation are leaders in USA and UK. Why do you believe Nigeria’s case should be different? 16. Can you shed light on this vexed issue of the Okigbo Report and so-called Gulf war windfall? 17. General Salihu Ibrahim described the Nigerian Army under you, as “an army of any thing is possible” .Do you believe you contributed to de-professionalising the army when you were in power? 18. Many commentators accuse your regime of eroding national values. Why do you think phenomena such as corruption, 419, etc are traced and associated in popular consciousness with your regime? 19. What is your view about corruption? 20. Do you think you will have the credibility with Nigerians and the international community to fight corruption? 21. During your regime, professional and civil society institutions such as NBA, NMA, NANS, NLC and the media appeared to have been systematically subverted. Do you accept this viewpoint? 22. Do you accept responsibility for our present un-ideological party system due to the strenuous effects of your government to banish “extremists” and “old breed” politicians from the political space? 23. Do you believe in democracy? 24. Why did you ban certain categories of politicians from politics? 25. You threatened many times that you know those who will not succeed you and decreed into existence government sponsored political parties. Do you believe such actions are compatible with democracy? 26. You were referred to as “Maradona”, “evil genius” and you seemed to relish such characterizations. Do you believe a leader should dribble and manipulate the citizens? 27. Do you believe in transparency, openness and accountability in government? 28. In your view, why is it that in spite of relative domination of power by “Northern” leaders, such as yourself, poverty and illiteracy remains predominant in the Northern States? 29. You have ruled Nigeria for 8 years. Why do you want to rule again? 30. What is your vision for Nigeria? Is it different from the one you had while you were in power?

General Aliyu Gusau

1. Your entire career has been in the military and security services and Nigerians know very little about you or what you believe in. Do you think it is necessary in a democracy for the people to know who their prospective leaders are? 2. Can you share your social, political, economic and other views and programmes with us? 3. Your ambition seems predicted entirely on “zoning” and the “North’s” entitlement to the presidency. Why are you not basing your ambition on your competences, qualifications and programmes for the presidency? 4. There was a recent newspaper report which stated that there was an agreement between you, IBB and Abacha for each of you to rule Nigeria in turns. Is this claim true? 5. Can you shed light in your role in the events leading to, and the aftermath of the June 12 1993 elections? 6. You were a major player in the Murtala/Obasanjo, Buhari, Babangida, Abdulsalam and Obasanjo regimes even though Nigeria know little about your role in these governments. Can you explain what actions, policies and initiatives you carried out during these regimes? 7. Do you believe military rule was a disservice to Nigeria? 8. Would you support, in any circumstances, a return to military rule in Nigeria? 9. Do you think your advocacy of power returning to the north as a MUST can compromise the unity of Nigeria? 10. What concrete policies and programmes can Nigeria expect from your government?

Dr Bukola Saraki

1. You were defacto CEO in your family bank, Societe Generale Bank which is now distressed. Can you explain to Nigerians what happened to that Bank? 2. There are allegations that the EFCC conducted an investigation which indicted you and some other members of your family regarding management of the Bank. Is there any truth to these allegations? 3. You are the out going governor of Kwara state. Do you consider Kwara State a democracy? 4. Most Nigerians perceive Kwara state as ruled exclusively by your family. Is this a fair allegation? 5. Can Nigerians expect that as President you will seek to replicate the system of politics in Kwara state all over Nigeria? 6. Some analysts suggest that you have indeed attempted through your activities as Chairman of the Governors Forum to export the “Kwara Style” of politics to the national level. How would you react to this accusation? 7. Do you believe in openness and transparency in governance? 8. If yes, can you explain in details the structure, ownership, operations and financing of the so –called” Zimbabwean White farmers” transaction? 9. As a “new generation” aspirant, do you believe leaders should be selected on the basis of their character, qualifications, antecedents and performance? 10. If yes, why are you joining the coalition of “Northern aspirants in the PDP in coming out with a “Northern” consensus candidate to oppose President Jonathan? 11. Do you believe such actions advance unity and cohesion in the Nigeria Federation? 12. Do you believe such actions reflect a new way of thinking? 13. Many Nigerians regard you as a member of the “Cabal” that tried to prevent President Jonathan from taking office doing the late President Yar’adua’s illness. Can you shed light on your role during this trying period in Nigeria is history? 14. How do you think the issue of your successor in Kwara state should be handled? 15. Do you believe your sister is the best person to succeed you as Kwara state Governor?

Mallam Nuhu Ribadu

1. What are your plans and programmes if you are elected President of Nigeria? 2. As a lawyer, do you respect human rights and fundamental freedoms of the citizens? 3. While your commitment to the anti-corruption crusade in Nigerian is commendable, can you defend all your activities as EFCC chairman? 4. Do you believe it was right to use EFCC as a tool for securing impeachment of Governors as you once did? 5. Do you think it was right to use the EFCC to attempt to bar ex-President Obasanjo‘s “enemies” from contesting elections? 6. Can you assure Nigerians that as President, you would not abuse the power of the office in dealing with your opponents and critics? 7. What criteria would you adopt in selecting your running mate, ministers and other appointees? 8. What is your vision for Nigeria? 9. Do you believe you have the maturity and disposition to govern Nigeria? 10. Why did you select the ACN as your platform for seeking the Presidency?

Alhaji Abubakar Atiku

1. You were elected Governor of Adamawa State, before your elevation to the Vice Presidency, whereupon your Deputy and protégé, Bonnie Haruna took over as Governor. What were the achievements of the PDP government of Haruna, which you established in Adamawa State during its 8- year tenure? 2. Do you agree that as then leader and inspiration for the PDP in Adamawa, the performance or non-performance of Haruna’s government in Adamawa reflects on you? 3. It is curious that in spite of having been at or near top of Nigeria’s politics and government for almost two decades, Nigerians cannot clearly define your political philosophy, principles, policies and programmes. What do you believe in as a leader and politician? 4. Do you believe you are a principled politician? 5. Can you be validly accused of expediency, opportunism and lack of principle given your movement from PDP to AC and back to PDP again? Does this suggest that you will do anything or go anywhere to get power? 6. Why do you think you have a reputation with most Nigerians as a corrupt politician? 7. How did you amass, what is believed to be your vast wealth? 8. What is your net worth as an individual? 9. Do you believe Nigerians are entitled to know how rich you are and how you obtained your wealth? 10. Do you believe in the Freedom of Information Bill? 11. Do you believe in openness, transparency and accountability in governance? 12. Some analysts believe that predicating your 2011 presidential ambition on “Northern” claim to power has damaged your reputation as a nationalist. Will you govern as a national or “Northern” president if elected as president? 13. Do you believe corruption is probably Nigeria’s most important challenge? 14. How will you deal with the issue of corruption? 15. Nigerians remain unclear about the “Jefferson Affair” in the US in which you were mentioned. Can you clarify what happened? 16. What is your vision for Nigeria? 17. What policies, programmes and initiatives will you pursue if elected Presidents? 18. Some analysts argue that the Obasanjo regime made more progress in the second term when you were more-or-less marginalised. Do you agree with this observation? 19. Nigerians believe the customs service is a corrupt organisation. As a former customs officer, how will you reform this vital institution? 20. Why should Nigerians elect you President?

President Goodluck Jonathan

1. What were your achievements as Deputy Governor and Governor of Bayelsa State and as Acting President and Substantive President? 2. What programmes and policies would you execute if elected in 2011? 3. I personally believe your power sector roadmap is credible. What assurance can you give Nigerians on its implementation? 4. What criteria will you adopt in selecting your ministers and other appointees if elected? 5. Why did you acquiesce in the demands by Governors to deplete the “excess crude account”? 6. When will the Sovereign Wealth Fund which you promised be established? 7. How do you propose to tackle crime, insecurity, kidnapping and other vices that detract from security in Nigeria? 8. What is your programme on anti-corruption? 9. Do you believe the current EFCC is doing a good job? How will you re-invigorate the activities of the organisation? 10. Your appointment of Professor Jega as INEC Chair and the prompt release of funds to him are commendable. What assurances can you give Nigerians on the 2011 elections? 11. You have taken a good step towards government openness, transparency and communication with citizens by engaging with Nigerians through facebook. Do you believe the freedom of Information Bill will further entrench public communication and accountability? 12. What are your programmes for the social sector -Education, Health, Employment Generation, Social Welfare, etc? 13. What are your thoughts on leveraging Nigeria’s potential as a transportation hub in West Africa and Africa? Do you have any plans to revitalise the rail sector? 14. Have you read the Mines and Minerals Act 2007? Do you agree that if properly administered, solid minerals can bring huge amount of investments, jobs and public revenue? What are you doing to realize this potential? 15. What are your views on modernising agriculture and land reform? 16. Do you have a plan for urban housing and mass transit? 17. What are your views on Nigeria’s foreign policy and national defence strategy? 18. Some commentators have accused you of making changes in the armed forces, police and SSS for political reasons. Can you explain why you changed the service chiefs? 19. In your view, what should be the role of “first ladies” in national life? 20. What is your vision for Nigeria by 2015?