Date Published: 11/11/09

So that Atiku/Buhari alliance may work

The Peoples Democratic Party is a major contributor to the hopelessness that has enveloped the country today. At present we are in a cu-de-sac or rather an endless journey that we don't even know how to return to the starting point. Our hope rests with the Almighty who will give us an alternative platform to be used in dislodging the evil called PDP.

Therefore, when the idea of a formidable alliance in the name National Democratic Initiative was conceived, serious minded patriots were happy more especially as the characters involved are veterans in the political field. Atiku Abubakar, Olu Falae, Muhammadu Buhari, Attahiru Bafarawa etc are no nonsense war horses that will give the PDP a tough fight any day.

President Obama of United States is making waves today not because he claims to know everything but rather because of his democratic credentials. He is ever willing to listen to the yearnings and aspirations of the ordinary citizens. I believe this is a rare quality of a democrat and Nigeria is in dire need of one.

The members of the Alliance all have their outstanding qualities. And as no one has monopoly of knowledge, it would be in the overall interest of this nation to put aside their differences and individual pursuits and work for the emergence of a true democrat as the next president of this great country. This remains the only way the country can move ahead.

The mistake the Alliance should not make is to allow the will of godfathers to prevail. Fair elections should be organised to fill in electable positions as against hand picking of candidates to satisfy the desires of godfathers. In the same manner, no one candidate should assume to have all the answers to our problems, and/or to assume to have all the qualities needed to be president of this great country.

More importantly, all the members should be on the lookout for sellouts. From experience, the government in power is always quick to plant moles in opposition camps to cause confusion. It is still very fresh in our memories the ignoble role played by the chairman of ANPP at the beginning of the administration. Up till date he is holding the party to ransom and has refused to allow it grow.

Abdallah Sha’aibu  Mailafia

(abdallahlafia@yahoo.com)

No 8A, Tudun Wada Street

Lafia , Nasarawa State