THIS ONE-CHANCE BUS, I REFUSE TO BOARD---By Matthew Akhere

Perhaps, we, Nigerians are quick to forget. We forget things so easily that the devil can harm us today and tomorrow we will clamour for him as an angel of hope.

While we are yet to go over the misrule and mismanagement of a PhD President, another name has sprang up, Peter Obi!

Just with one presentation, like a 'one-chance' bus calling for boarding promising a fastest, smoothest and safest journey, Peter Obi's credentials is being brandished and we are being told how he will be the best thing to ever happen to us. We are being told of how well he performed as the governor of Anambra state. We are being told of how he cut cost of governance, made huge savings amounting to N70bn and how he left no debt for his successor in Anambra state.

All based on one excellent public presentation! Nigeria we hail thee!

However, in his reaction, the current governor of Anambra state Willy Obiano debunked the N70bn claim. Governor Obiano said that when all the unpaid contracts he left behind are paid the state would be in debt! Hah! Another 'one-chance' bus don come o!

While not disputing that Obi did well not leaving debt and Obiano can run the state without such burden, is this enough credentials for someone to be seen as fit for the post of president of Nigeria?

This is the way they did with Goodluck Jonathan. Then, we were sold to many things. We were told he was a former deputy governor, a former governor, a former vice president, a PhD holder. We were told he left no debt for his successor as a governor of Bayelsa state. We were told he had hands-on experience. We were told he would be the best thing to happen to us as a nation. But today, we all know better. The so-called educated, PhD President oversaw the worst economy and most corrupt government in the history of Nigeria!

This sudden, out of the blue image-making, credential-fronting, and profile-raising effort of Peter Obi by unseen hands seems to me like another "One-chance" bus with the driver and the conductor armed-to-the-teeth. PDP is the driver and the looters of the economy is the conductor. And I refuse to enter it!

Goodluck Jonathan has thought me there is more to being the President of a complex, multi-lingua, multi-tribal, multi-religion country like Nigeria than a university degree or a debt-free ex-governor of a state!

If Peter Obi desires to be the President of Nigeria, first things first.  He should start by building a bridge of unity and allies across the Niger. Let him be viewed as a national leader not an Igbo leader as he is being presently perceived. If not, he, like Jonathan, in no time will be consumed in this tribal supremacy that is today tearing the nation apart and he will end up seeing himself as an Igbo president rather than a Nigerian president.

When he is accepted across board as a national leader, then he can launch his Presidential ambition. Late Chief MKO Abiola did it. And he, Peter Obi, too can! But will he be able to build that nationalistic profile and acceptability under in three years and vie to the presidency in 2019? I doubt!

My advice: be in the winning party, focus on becoming the Senate President in 2019, and use it to build your national image and political base. By 2023, having garnered enough political base, national goodwill and acceptance, and understood the complex nation call Nigeria, you can then launch your presidential bid.

Anything short of this, is another one-chance bus. And I refuse to board.