President Goodluck Jonathan’s purported dismal performance in the last six years has brightened the chances of his main rival, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), in next month presidential poll, the New York Times newspaper said.
The US-based international publication in its editorial Monday entitled “Nigeria’s miserable choices”, said that Jonathan’s poor record has helped a lot in soaring Buhari’s appeal among Nigerians.
The March 28 presidential election “presented voters with the dispiriting choice of keeping a lousy incumbent or returning to power a former autocratic leader”, the newspaper said.
The newspaper editorial noted that Buhari “has emerged as potential winner is more of an indictment of Mr. Jonathan’s dismal rule than a recognition of the former military chief’s appeal”.
On postponement of the polls, the New York Times said “any argument to delay the vote might be more credible if President Goodluck Jonathan’s government had not spent much of the past year playing down the threat posed by the militants and if there were a reasonable expectation that the country’s weak military has the ability to improve security in a matter of weeks”.
It said that “it appears more likely Mr. Jonathan grew alarmed by the surging appeal of Muhammadu Buhari, a former military ruler who has vowed to crack down on Boko Haram”.
The newspaper reasoned that by extending the date for the elections, Mr. Jonathan stands to deplete his rival’s campaign purse, while he continues to use state funds and institutions to bankroll his own.
On the Boko Haram insurgency, the publication said through its abductions and attacks, the group have exposed the weaknesses of Nigeria’s armed forces and the dysfunction of the government.
“Although Mr. Jonathan’s government has in the past been less than enthusiastic, and at times obstructive, in response to offers of American and European aid, he appears to be growing increasingly worried”, the editorial said.
Under Jonathan’s rule, beyond insecurity, entrenched corruption and the government’s inability to diversify its economy as the price of oil crumbles “also caused Nigerians to look for new leadership”, the newspaper said.
The newspaper concluded that though Nigeria cannot afford an electoral crisis, “the security forces may not be able to safeguard many districts on Election Day. But postponement is very likely to make the security threat worse”.
Am sorry i don’t see what this article is about. buhari soar towards which direction?
First President/ Head of State to sign into law the FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT
First President/ Head of State to EFFECTIVELY outlaw toll-collecting illegal police checkpoints in Nigeria
First President/ Head of State to introduce a national tax policy to create a self-sufficient economy that could bring development to the people.
First president to pay attention to our International and local Airports–Kano airport upgraded after 57 years, other airports upgrades in progress.
Kaduna Refinery rehabilitated after 15 years
The first President to summon the courage to unbundle Electricity distribution after 52 years, power supply more than doubled after almost 100 years after amalgamation (met power supply at about 2,200 mw, now 4,237 mw) States Begin Electricity Distribution
First President to address the bad state of the Benin-Ore road which was rehabilitated after 20 years.
First president to rejuvenate our comatose Railways back to life after 20 years of lull in the sector, Colonial laws under review, States and Private investors welcome in the railways sector.
First to introduce 35% female appointments in government positions.
First in decades to reduce salaries of public servants and examine the proliferation of different salary structures in the public service in the federation
First to deliver on Nine New Varsities, to accommodate, the growing number of admission candidates/population
First to promise Almajiri school, promise kept
First to follow due process/rule of law in government conduct
if this is lousy then i think something is wrong with this artcle, if buhari thinks he’s soaring then i say he just crash landed.
President Goodluck ebele jonathan has performed perfectly well within this few years in office no passed leader can beat his record, even the buhari did nothing in his time apart from embezzling the PTF funds. and you come up with an article gracing his efforts that he has soared due to GEJ’s lousy performance? the article it self is lousy.
So pathetic things we will see during an election, never cease to amaze me, buhari is like a worm stuck to the earth, it will be a miracle to develop wings not to talk of taking off into the sky.
aren’t we tired of seeing the same faces, hearing the same names over and over again. so much for youths being the leaders of tomorrow.
I’d list out 10 things among many things that were achieved under GEJ’s admistration
1] Goodluck Jonathan signed FOI
bill that obasanjo refused to sign and you join then in saying that
Goodluck is bad.
What’s the need of FOI afterall ??((which is now making people run their lips anyhow))
2] Goodluck approved N18,000 Minimum wage from N7,500 Which Obasanjo refused to sign and you say that Goodluck is
bad
and NYSC allowance from N7,500 to #19800 and nearly approved N39,500, yet they say he is bad. Is the increment that
necessary??
3] Goodluck dualized federal roads (about 25,000km) which obasanjo and past Govts abandoned and you say Goodluck is
bad.
Why dualizing when we can comfortably use flights and boats??
4] The rail system is working now, with little budget But obasanjo Sunk billions of dollars without result, other pasts leader
ignored and you say that Goodluck is bad.
Railway?? What for ??
5] Goodluck has been conducting free and fair elections whereas the ones conducted under obasanjo are Shameful and
national disgrace yet you say Goodluck is bad.
But why ??
6] Goodluck established 12 new universities, 9 in the North to improve learning and knowledge
and increase the educational accessibility rate, yet you say that Goodluck is bad.
Is western education important??
7] Goodluck established the Almajiri system for Northern abandoned street children and those deprived of education by their
own people and you say Goodluck is bad.
Whats the important of educating them ??
8] Goodluck has been building dams and improving the country’s power from 2500mW to 6,000MW – And successfully
privatized the sector which many analyst believed is the best
way to go and you joined them say that Goodluck is bad.
I think we are okay with kerosene lantern.
9] Agriculture have been revamped and for the first time in Nigerian history, Food prices came down during Christmas,
instead of skyrocketing and you say that he is a bad President.
Hmmm.
10] 2013 and 2014 was the Christmas in Nigeria, where Nigerian did not sleep in filling stations for 3 to 4days to get Petrol..
can someone list at least 10 from buhari?? just like i thought. None.
if any one here is lousy is GMB, too old for this.
wait oh, where dem talk say buhari dey soar go? fowl dey fly? make una take time oh no go write somtin wey go make person provoke for here, wetin buhari know say him go fit achieve sef. make una free our Niger delta broda for us , na goodluck we wan vote for. make una no dey talk anyhow sha dey insult my president make e for no bring quarrel.
Nooo i don’t agree,in terms of administration achievements Goddluck has surpassed a lot of leaders so i don’t is this coming from “New york Times”. we shouldn’t even compare Goodluck with any leader in terms of performance for now. i cant say about the nearest future but for now GEJ beats all hands down.
vote Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for Transformation agenda to continue. UpPDP!!!
As we have watched Jonathan respond in a quiet reasoned manner to crisis after crisis, in both the way he has responded after being attacked and lied about, if it was the administration of “you know who” well let me not go there. all i want to say is GEJ has done well and deserves a second term.
say no to GMB, its GEJ all the way 2015 till 2019 . leave all these news you read and see lets vote the right candidate.#teamGEJ #MARCH4GEJ
People say GEJ is slow, is it when he turns into a heartless killer that people will praise him. A Christian mind is so tender and kind. GEJ reps his religion so haters go and cry. #GEJ all the way……..
New York Times writer, first deal with Obama who is promoting gay which is an abomination b4 God & man. Obama who is finding it hard to tackle ISIS. Obama who according to some Americans is the worst president ever. Paid writer u will become poor for soon ur master will have nothing for u. The election has been shifted , u can do nothing about it u & Buhari with APC. God is incharge of Nigeria. U are one of those who is hoping for Nigeria breakup. Shame on u. #GEJCOMEMARCH2015/19
Whether you haters like it or not APC will be kicked out of the federal Republic of Nigeria and PDP will continue charge till God said it is enough that will should drop for another party but now we are gunning down the enemy APC is our enemy. GEJ is the best President ever in this country.
This is a lousy political article. Since you guys are too daft and blind to comprehend and see the achievements,success and good records of GEJ but only so fast to detect his lapses, i think Jeorge Bush, Bill clintton or even Obama can make a better choice….
If Buhari likes he shold go get CNN to report him as the best and only good thing Nigeria need, he won’t still win.
Another handwork of David Axelrod. Am not surprised.
A EWE is a bird but it doesn’t mean it can fly. Buhari sure has alot of guts still sticking around Nigerian politics with all this bad records.
Buhari na witch, em broom stick no go fit fly go oversea.. Jona na bros wey dey cruise with the gods.
hahahahaha…how can a chicken soar? nonsense! smelly article! #GEJdinesintheskies#GEJtill2019
i sincerely feel international editorials with little or no fact to base a comment on should not be given attention, what do they know about our country…….
buhari did not soar high in the last eight years, he will not soar high even in the next hundred years, maybe in his dreams not in reality
New York who? and who gave them the right to have an opinion in this?…i think they should be busy reporting the high school shooting cases and the number of suicide cases which is on the rise in their country! Nigerians dont need a word from this stupid folks
they have conspired together, buhari and these people have plans, but its high time they stopped all these fallacious comments
soar on what? the new york times are so stupid to write this…buhari is a loser, smelly new york times…
we cannot allow this dictator have a spot at the gates of the Presidential villa come to think of inside it…vote wisely, vote GEJ
even if obama likes let him wear APC panties and campaign for buhari..the sucker wont win…this is the second time he is betraying nigerians…