Gen Buhari… campaigning with knives!
A visitor to the city of Jos would find it difficult to reconcile the fact that the city of Jos is indeed the home of peace and tourism, considering what happened Yesterday 23rd march 2007.
The campaign team of the All Nigerians Peoples Party (the major opposition party in the country) led by its presidential candidate for the 2007 elections Gen Mohammed Buhari, "stormed" the city of Jos for their campaign rallies like most parties have done but suffice to say that theirs was unique.
Unique in the sense that aside the normal rowdiness that accompany campaigns of this nature , knives and heavy sticks also characterized the campaigns which left some innocent citizens injured not to mention the reckless manner in which the supporters drove their vehicles and motor bikes with most, exceeding the speed limit.
I was worried at the ugly happenings for 2 major reasons, firstly Youths who are custodians of the future appeared to be used by the rich and mighty to cause nuisance.
Also the presence of knives and sticks didn’t appeal to me at all it looked more like a riot than a campaign . It is a common knowledge that knives have never symbolized anything positive. For all I know ,it represents death, bloodshed, crisis and pain. Till this moment, I still find it difficult to connect with the message the party passed intended passing across to Nigerians and the world. Are they by any means telling Nigerians ahead of time that bringing them into power will result in crisis or are they intimidating Nigerians to vote for the party , I think the peaceful people of Jos, deserve an explanation for disturbing their peace and party should apologize to them as well. Whoever was responsible for the campaign rally in Jos should bow his head in shame for embarrassing the party. Gen Buhari, from all indications is a fine gentle man by all standards, just as he has portrayed himself as a noble man. I had expected these values to be reflected in his campaigns but I guess I was disappointed. If the general must think of getting the votes of Nigerians, I will advise that he encourages his supporters to desist from the use of dangerous weapon that could send fear to the populace especially when you remember that the people have not gotten over the crisis that engulfed Joss some years back.
I am a young man that has the interest of this nation at heart and have a duty to make it work because it’s my business. I strongly believe Nigerians deserve more, more respect than what is been obtained at the moment. A situation where an ordinary man on the street is flogged by security agents, assaulted by political thugs sponsored by political aspirants and major roads blocked because an aspirant is coming to town should be condemned.

And to the youths, like my big brother Gbenga Sesan will always say," we represent a generation that can say YES and NO". NO to political thuggery, violence, corruption, mediocrity and laziness. While we must at all times say YES to opportunities, hard work, innovation and excellence because that is the Nigerian spirit. Am proudly Nigerian!