A nongovernmental, non-profit and nonpartisan organisation, Research Center For Integrity Assessment & Evaluation (RCIAE) has endorsed the former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, Chief Sharafadeen Alli and Otunba Rotimi Ajanaku in the elections coming up on Saturday, February 25, 2023.
Speaking at the press conference organised by the research center in Ibadan on Wednesday, the secretary of the organisation Mr. Bolaji Aremu described the process that produced the three candidates as rigorous and thorough.
Giving details of the process that led to their emergence as best and suitable candidates, the secretary said proper investigations were carried out to reveal all the needed information about their characters, reliability, dependability, commitment to the causes of the people in their communities, their background, personality and contributions to their various communities and state.
According to Aremu, family background and upbringing stand Sharafadeen Alli and Rotimi Ajanaku out from others that are contesting with them. Aremu said, “we discovered in our findings that both Sharafadeen Alli and Rotimi Ajanaku are product of good yoruba parenting style.
“The two candidates we have examined from Oyo State so far are best described as ‘omo ani’bi, ni’ran’, children born of responsible parents and reliable families. According to information gathered from residents, youths and leaders in their various communities, Sharafadeen Alli and Rotimi Ajanaku are very responsible, accessible, approachable and very familiar with happenings in their community.
Speaking on the choice of Atiku Abubakar as a preferred presidential candidate, the secretary explained, “after putting all variables into consideration, the researchers from the center who investigated, evaluated and assessed came up with convincing reports which rated Atiku higher than the 2 other candidates, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Mr. Peter Gregory Obi.
“Our unbiased report had it that Peter Obi remains the candidate with low cases of alleged looting of public fund and corruption out of the 3 most popular candidates examined by RCIAE. Though most of these cases are mere allegations which are yet to be substantiated by the competent court in Nigeria. Besides, governance at both state and national levels required more than being free from allegation of corruption to enjoy a sustainable economic development.
“On security, Atiku scored higher marks than Tinubu and Obi, being a northerner, an ex custom Chief, former Vice President whose tenure enjoyed relative peace, he has required experience to end insecurity in Nigeria. It’s also on record that Atiku Abubakar has never led political thugs to any state for election victory, neither has he invited any tribe or group against another tribes in Nigeria. He never encouraged thuggery or hooliganism, he has never been accused of disstabilising peace in any state for any reason.
“With the present economic situation, Nigeria needs a proactive leader with milk of human kindness not a leader who wouldn’t mind to add to existing sorrow/pains of Nigerians by imposing incessant taxes on them, like excise duty, value added and others. Peter Obi’s experience as a former governor of Anambra state is not enough to govern Nigeria considering his achievements while in office. For Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, he did a wonderful job as a governor of Lagos State, but masses were at the receiving end of his imposed taxes. Whereas, Atiku Abubakar was the head of national economic management team while in office as vice president and Nigerian economy really developed during the administration of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Atiku Abubakar, foreign debts were settled while foreign reserve was increased. Atiku is also discovered to be an investor in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors.
“Experience also count, Atiku is the most experienced among the contestants, he is familiar with the terrain, he knows nitty gritty of administration at the national level. One of the problems dragging back the progress of this country is the national assembly and only experienced president can succeed with the operational style of Nigerian legislators.
“The total monthly allocation to security vote in Nigeria is better not discussed here and its effect on economy is obvious, yet those benefitting from the insurgences are not interested in putting an end to their activities. From the information gathered, most Nigerians are uncomfortable with Shettima as Tinubu’s running mate. Nigerians are in doubt of their capacity to end insurgency in the north. Analysis revealed that ex vice president Atiku Abubakar will do better justice to Boko Haram, terrorism and insecurity in general to save Nigeria from huge debts. It’s better to have someone who was there for 8 years without suffering incessant attacks from insurgents.
“We also looked critically into zoning problems and arrived at the conclusion that, southerners are very unfair in their agitation. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo spent 8 years, Yar’ Adua came in with Goodluck Jonathan as his vice president.
“Unfortunately, Yar’ Adua died after 2 years and his vice completed his tenure. After the completion of Yar’ Adua 4 years, Jonathan indicated interest to contest, meanwhile northerners disagreed and insisted a northerner must complete Yar’ Adua second term but southerners rallied support for Jonathan and he won, depriving the north opportunity of enjoying 8 years like Obasanjo.
“Another angle to the issue is this, Obasanjo a southerner spent 8 years, Jonathan also a southerner spent 6 years, in all southerners had enjoyed 14 years. Whereas, Yar’ Adua spent 2 years and Muhammad Buhari also spent 8 years, in all, by May 29, 2023 north will just be completing its 10th years as against 14 years spent by the south. So, in our analysis northerners are still behind.
“Lastly, we have 3 regions in the South, Obasanjo who represented Yorubas from the Southwest, spent 8 years, Jonathan from Southsouth spent 6 years, Southeast hasn’t been given opportunity, yet yoruba is still insisting, it’s their turn (emilokan,), where is the spirit of fairness, justice and equity?,” Aremu queried.
“It’s important to also let you know that we have possession of the undertaking signed by each candidate, therefore we have no doubt that they will change the fortune of the people in their communities, state and nation in general if voted for on Saturday.
“We are assuring members of the public that after the election, RCIAE will continue monitoring, evaluating and assessing the performances of all elected politicians throughout the federation to compel politicians to give back to the society that offered them the juicy positions,” he assured.
