THE GOOD AND THE BAD, #2015ELECTION

THE GOOD AND THE BAD, # 2015ELECTION I have considered opinions from different angles, and with this I did few investigations on candidates from both parties. # GMB Born on Thursday,17 th December,1942 in an ancient village called Dumurkol near Daura town [now under Katsina state ],General Buhari is traced to a noble Fulani family since his father, Adamu was the village chief and his mother,Zulaihat was the daughter of Musa Sarkin Dogarai [ i.e. the Head of the Daura infantry Division] who still doubled as the son of Kauran Daura Lawal[ i.e. the Head of the Daura Armed Forces] at the time. He grew up in nobility and started his education from Daura and Mai Adua primary schools,1948—52;Katsina Middle school 1953— 55;Katsina Provincial secondary school [now Government college Katsina]1956—61 ;Nigerian Military Training college, Kaduna 1962;Mons officer Cadet school, Aldershot United Kingdom,1962—63;Defence Service Staff college, Wellington, India January –November 1973 to Army War college 1979—80 in the United States of America. I wish the space would allow me to itemize his military career for the benefit of my readers. Meanwhile, General Buhari is married with eight children. He became Nigeria’s Head of state via a military coup against the then government of Shehu Shagari on 31 st December, 1983.The aim of the coup according to Nigerian military elite was to save Nigeria from impending economic and political collapse as a result of crass mismanagement of resources, crisis of confidence and general insecurity in the country occasioned by the recklessness of the serving second Republic politicians. In his inaugural speech on 1st January, 1984 Buhari had this to say: “Fellow Nigerians, you are aware of the change in the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which was announced early this morning. In pursuance of the primary objective of saving our great country from total collapse, I, General Muhammadu Buhari of the Nigerian Army have, after due consultation among the services of the Armed Forces, been formally vested with the authority of the Head of state of the Federal military government and commander–in –chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The change became necessary in order to put an end to the serious economic predicament and crisis of confidence now afflicting our nation.” As It is on record that Buhari’s military regime is the only one in Nigeria’s history that failed to promulgate a program for return to civilian rule. This same Buhari would now have us believe that he has gone through some metamorphosis and has become a democrat. Buhari is not, has never been, and will never be , a democrat. Only in Nigeria would a man with his track record, who came to power through a military coup that illegally overthrew a democratic government, now be acclaimed as a democrat. # GEJ Goodluck Jonathan, (born Nov. 20, 1957, Otuoke, Nigeria), Nigerian zoologist and politician who became vice president of Nigeria in 2007 and president in 2010. Jonathan, of the Ijo (Ijaw) ethnic group and a Christian, was born and raised in the region of the Niger delta in what is now Bayelsa state. He attended Christian primary and secondary schools in the area and later attended the University of Port Harcourt, earning a B.S. in zoology (1981), an M.S. in hydro biology and fisheries biology (1985), and a Ph.D. in zoology (1995). During his university education, he also taught at Rivers State College of Education from 1983 until 1993. He then served as an assistant director at the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission, a now defunct government agency, from 1993 until 1998. Jonathan’s political career began when he became involved with the nascent People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the late 1990s. He was elected deputy governor of Bayelsa state in 1999 under the party’s banner. He served in that position until 2005, when he was elevated to the governorship after the incumbent was charged with corruption and impeached. In 2007 he was selected to be the vice presidential running mate of the PDP’s presidential candidate, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua . He and Yar’Adua were elected in April and inaugurated in May. As vice president, Jonathan engaged in efforts to negotiate with militants in the Niger delta, who were fighting against petroleum companies operating in the delta region, but otherwise he largely remained in the political background. His profile rose considerably in early 2010 when Yar’Adua’s extended absence from the country for medical treatment made many Nigerians anxious and generated calls for Yar’Adua to formally transfer power to Jonathan. As concerns mounted and there was no word from Yar’Adua on the request to transfer power to his vice president, members of Nigeria’s National Assembly took matters into their own hands and on Feb. 9, 2010, voted to have Jonathan assume full power and serve as acting president until Yar’Adua was able to resume his duties. Jonathan agreed and assumed power later that day, but it was unclear whether the assumption of power was constitutional. When Yar’Adua returned to Nigeria on Feb. 24, 2010, it was announced that Jonathan would remain as acting president while Yar’Adua continued to recuperate. The next month, Jonathan asserted his power by replacing Yar’Adua’s cabinet. Yar’Adua, who never fully recovered, died on May 5, 2010, and Jonathan was sworn in as president the following day. Jonathan vowed to continue his involvement in the Niger delta peace negotiations and declared his intentions to reform the country’s oft criticized electoral process as well as tackle corruption and deal with the country’s energy problems. “Today, the Jonathan “Administration have spent $32 billion on security and defence, Nigeria is not any safer, with thousands of deaths, 221,000 square kilometres of territory captured by Boko Haram, 650,000 Nigerians internally displaced and also a daily harvest of death from ethno-religious crisis, clashes between pastoralists and farmers, armed robberies and kidnapping. “To make matters worse, our once proud and globally-acknowledged military has been brought to its knees by lack of necessary fighting equipment, even with $32 billion spent. One wonders where the huge funds went to.” After carefully considering both candidates, I urge Nigerians not to go for the available option all in the name of the need for a "Change ". #GMB no doubt seem to be a better option for Nigerians due to the current predicament in Jonathan's administration, but I want you to remember that as It is on record that Buhari’s military regime is the only one in Nigeria’s history that failed to promulgate a program for return to civilian rule. Buhari I fear cannot be trusted, remember the statement made in Hausa would readily be translated into English, Buhari later declared unapologetically in a BBC interview: “If what happened in 2011 should again happen in 2015, by the grace of God, the dog and the baboon would all be soaked in blood.” These are the tokens of an irresponsible politician, whose ambitions for power supersede the national interest. Who then are the dogs and baboons that Buhari has in mind to soak in blood if and when he loses yet again come 2015? Are they his children or are they those of others? To the youths who are willing to tell a success story of how they shaped the future of this great Nation, I write. Don't be deceived, think thoroughly and vote wisely. Yours: Onawale Stephen.

give GOD a chance

A child once asked, “What does God do all day?” If the answer to that question depended on how much we allow God to do in our individual lives, some of us would have to reply, “Not much!” In difficult situations, it’s easy to say we trust God and yet try to handle things ourselves without turning to Him and His Word. This is masked unbelief. Although God is constantly working, He allows us to set a limit on the degree of work He does on our behalf. We see this truth demonstrated in Mark 6 when Jesus tried to do mighty things in His hometown. Because the people saw Him merely as a carpenter’s son and not as God’s Son, they limited what He could do for them (v.5). So Jesus moved on to other towns. During my younger years, I tried hard to be a strong Christian, seldom revealing my weaknesses. Then, through a rock-bottom experience, I made this dynamic discovery: Strong Christians are those who unashamedly admit their weaknesses and draw on Christ’s power. The more I learned to depend on God, the more opportunity this gave Him to be active in my life. Now, whenever I face a daunting task, I say, “Joanie and Jesus can do it!” So can you and Jesus. I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus; Never let me fall; I am trusting Thee forever, And for all. —Havergal

give GOD a chance

A child once asked, “What does God do all day?” If the answer to that question depended on how much we allow God to do in our individual lives, some of us would have to reply, “Not much!” In difficult situations, it’s easy to say we trust God and yet try to handle things ourselves without turning to Him and His Word. This is masked unbelief. Although God is constantly working, He allows us to set a limit on the degree of work He does on our behalf. We see this truth demonstrated in Mark 6 when Jesus tried to do mighty things in His hometown. Because the people saw Him merely as a carpenter’s son and not as God’s Son, they limited what He could do for them (v.5). So Jesus moved on to other towns. During my younger years, I tried hard to be a strong Christian, seldom revealing my weaknesses. Then, through a rock-bottom experience, I made this dynamic discovery: Strong Christians are those who unashamedly admit their weaknesses and draw on Christ’s power. The more I learned to depend on God, the more opportunity this gave Him to be active in my life. Now, whenever I face a daunting task, I say, “Joanie and Jesus can do it!” So can you and Jesus. I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus; Never let me fall; I am trusting Thee forever, And for all. —Havergal

give GOD a chance

A child once asked, “What does God do all day?” If the answer to that question depended on how much we allow God to do in our individual lives, some of us would have to reply, “Not much!” In difficult situations, it’s easy to say we trust God and yet try to handle things ourselves without turning to Him and His Word. This is masked unbelief. Although God is constantly working, He allows us to set a limit on the degree of work He does on our behalf. We see this truth demonstrated in Mark 6 when Jesus tried to do mighty things in His hometown. Because the people saw Him merely as a carpenter’s son and not as God’s Son, they limited what He could do for them (v.5). So Jesus moved on to other towns. During my younger years, I tried hard to be a strong Christian, seldom revealing my weaknesses. Then, through a rock-bottom experience, I made this dynamic discovery: Strong Christians are those who unashamedly admit their weaknesses and draw on Christ’s power. The more I learned to depend on God, the more opportunity this gave Him to be active in my life. Now, whenever I face a daunting task, I say, “Joanie and Jesus can do it!” So can you and Jesus. I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus; Never let me fall; I am trusting Thee forever, And for all. —Havergal

adversity quotes

Quotes About Adversity 1 Adversity Quotes and Quotes About Problems and Trouble! When you’re up against the hounds of hell, never underestimate a trip to Starbucks. – Joi @ Self Help Daily’s Creed, Motto, Way of Life, Words to Live By, Doctrine, Dogma… Not every bad break is negative in the long term; not every problem is a bona fide injustice; and not every injustice is major when juxtaposed against the millions of injustices that occur daily throughout the world. – Robert J. Ringer Quote, “Getting What You Want” Crises force our attention on the disorder in our thinking and can save us as we teeter on the brink of an even greater disaster. – David McNally Pain nourishes courage. You can’t be brave if you’ve only had wonderful things happen to you. – Mary Tyler Moore Life is thickly sown with thorns, and I know of no other remedy than to pass quickly through them. The longer we dwell on our misfortunes, the greater their power to harm us. – Voltaire If you break your neck, if you have nothing to eat, if your house is on fire, then you got a problem. Everything else is inconvenience. – Robert Fulghum In times like these, it helps to recall that there have always been times like these. – Paul Harvey The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain. – Dolly Parton Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. – Psalm 34: 19 Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. – M. Kathleen Casey I have learned there is a gift wrapped inside of every adversity and, if you have faith and hope, you can lose everything and still survive. – Sandi Bachom Count the garden by the flowers, never by the leaves that fall. Count your life with smiles and not the tears that roll. – Author Unknown Problems are the price you pay for progress. – Branch Rickey We shall draw from the heart of suffering itself the means of inspiration and survival. – Winston Churchill Problems are only opportunities with thorns on them. – Hugh Miller, “Snow on the Wind” Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones. And when you have finished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake. – Victor Hugo There are times in everyone’s life when something constructive is born out of adversity… when things seem so bad that you’ve got to grab your fate by the shoulders and shake it. – Author Unknown You have to accept whatever comes and the only important thing is that you meet it with courage and with the best you have to give. – Eleanor Roosevelt Talking about your grievances merely adds to those grievances. Give recognition only to what you desire. – Thomas Dreier Good timber does not grow with ease; the stronger the wind, the stronger the trees. – J. Willard Marriott Prosperity is not without many fears and distastes, and adversity is not without comforts and hopes. – Francis Bacon The darkest hour has only sixty minutes. – Morris Mandel There are two things that one must get used to or one will find life unendurable: the damages of time and injustices of men. – Nicolas Chamfort God brings men into deep waters, not to drown them, but to cleanse them. – John Aughey Adversity has the same effect on a man that severe training has on the pugilist: it reduces him to his fighting weight. – Josh Billings We look before and after, And pine for what is not; Our sincerest laughter With some pain is fraught; Our sweetest songs are those that tell of saddest thought. – Percy Bysshe Shelley Quote, “Ode to a Sky Lark” Rock bottom is good solid ground, and a dead end street is just a place to turn around. – Buddy Buie and J.R. Cobb, from the song, “Rock Bottom” Despair is anger with no place to go. – Mignon McLaughlin,”The Neurotic’s Notebook” To have become a deeper man is the privilege of those who have suffered. – Oscar Wilde Problems are messages. – Shakti Gawain Bygone troubles are good to tell. – Yiddish Proverb In this world there are only two tragedies. One is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it. – Oscar Wilde, Lady Windemere’s Fan Mishaps are like knives, that either serve us or cut us, as we grasp them by the blade or the handle. – James Russell Lowell, “Cambridge Thirty Years Ago” I don’t like people who have never fallen or stumbled. Their virtue is lifeless and it isn’t of much value. Life hasn’t revealed its beauty to them. – Boris Pasternak Everybody ought to do at least two things each day that he hates to do, just for practice. – William James You gotta play the hand that’s dealt you. There may be pain in that hand, but you play it. And I’ve played it. – James Brady We have no right to ask when a sorrow comes, “Why did this happen to me?” Unless we ask the same question for every joy that comes our way. – Philip E. Bernstein The difficulties of life are intended to make us better, not bitter. – Unknown A problem is a chance for you to do your best. – Duke Ellington Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict. – William Ellery Channing Sometimes it’s worse to win a fight than to lose. – Billie Holiday Nothing prevents happiness like the memory of happiness. – André Gide Quote, “L’immoraliste” Every evil is some good spelt backwards, and in it the wise know how to read Wisdom. – Coventry Patmore You’ll never find a better sparring partner than adversity. – Walt Schmidt Have the courage to face a difficulty lest it kick you harder than you bargained for. – Stanislaus I, Maxims When life kicks you, make it kick you forward. – Unknown Adversity enhances this tale we call life. – Ever Garrison Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. – Albert Einstein There are two ways of meeting difficulties: you alter the difficulties, or you alter yourself to meet them. – Phyllis Battome Accept challenges, so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory. – George S. Patton Adventure is worthwhile. -Amelia Earhart Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. – Joshua J. Marine When life kicks you, don’t let it kick you over. – Kay Yow I had a lover’s quarrel with the world. – Robert Frost Quote, “The Lesson for Today”

Quotes About Discouragement

Disappointments will come and go, but discouragement is a choice that you make. – Dr. Charles Stanley Do not be discouraged if your plans do not succeed the first time. No one learns to walk by taking only one step. – Catherine Pulsifer Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success. – Dale Carnegie Nearly every man who develops an idea works it up to the point where it looks impossible, and then he gets discouraged. That’s not the place to become discouraged. – Thomas Edison Defeat should never be a source of discouragement but rather a fresh stimulus. – Robert South It is only after an unknown number of unrecorded labors, after a host of noble hearts have succumbed in discouragement, convinced that their cause is lost; it is only then that cause triumphs. – Madame Guizot Never, never, never quit! – Winston Churchill In spite of everything I shall rise again: I will take up my pencil, which I have forsaken in my great discouragement, and I will go on with my drawing. – Vincent Van Gogh Nobody else can make us discouraged; it is a choice that we alone make when facing disappointments. – Dr. Charles Stanley What we do not see, what most of us never suspect of existing, is the silent but irresistible power which comes to the rescue of those who fight on in the face of discouragement. – Napoleon Hill Discouragement is not the absence of adequacy but the absence of courage. – Neal A. Maxwell Don’t accept discouragement, keep going! Less stress will result by not allowing discouragement to be your attitude! – Catherine Pulsifer Seeds of discouragement will not grow in the thankful heart. – Anonymous Trouble has no necessary connection with discouragement. Discouragement has a germ of its own, as different from trouble as arthritis is different from a stiff joint. – F. Scott Fitzgerald Every great work, every great accomplishment, has been brought into manifestation through holding to the vision, and often just before the big achievement comes apparent failure and discouragement. – Florence Scovel Shenn Any man can work when every stroke of his hands brings down the fruit rattling from the tree … but to labor in season and out of season, under every discouragement… that requires a heroism which is transcendent. – Henry Ward Beecher The most essential factor is persistence – the determination never to allow your energy or enthusiasm to be dampened by the discouragement that must inevitably come. – James Whitcomb Riley (Discouragement) Can be temporary–or it can destroy our life. The choice is ours. If we refuse to deal with discouragement head-on, we are opening the door for it to completely dominate our life. – Dr. Charles Stanley Good work habits help develop an internal toughness and a self-confident attitude that will sustain you through every adversity and temporary discouragement. – Paul J. Fleyer Let no feeling of discouragement prey upon you, and in the end you are sure to succeed. – Abraham Lincoln