If Ibrahim Babangida will rule Nigerian through the PDP, he must pass new stringent tests, apparently designed to stop him and other candidates from being president in 2007. Some of the rules under which the dictator may be felled include respect for rule of law and human rights.
In the last few weeks, Babangida has been extremely weakened by allegations of murder, arson, corruption and the like - all of which were the highlights of his regrettable eight-year dictatorship in Nigeria.
However, some of the rules are so vague that it can actually be used against any candidate.
The ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) mounted the fresh hurdles, withouth doubt, because it knows simple petitions from the public can make stillborn the ambitions of candidates such as Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, General Ibrahim Babangida, Governor Victor Attah of Akwa Ibom State,former Governor of Lagos State abd Brigadier-General Buba Marwa, all of whom have signified their intention to have a shot at the presidency on the platform of the PDP.
Some of the obstacles aspirants must overcome are verifiable means of living, experience in management of men and materials in public sector, good knowledge of Nigerian political, economic and social environment, high level of integrity, evidence of personal discipline as well as courage of conviction.
Others include respect for rule of law, respect for human rights, belief in popular participation and consultation, knowledge and understanding of the working of the international system, voluntary service to the community, wholesome track record, sense of history and lesson, competence in concepts and tools of development and respect for African value and cherished traditions.
Candidates for the position of president and governors, according to the party, must have high level of integrity and evidence of personal discipline.
These guidelines were special road-map issued by the secretariat of the party. The road-map, which was signed by the National Publicity Secretary following its adoption by the National Working Committee, was complementary to the overall 32-page guidelines approved by the National Executive Committee of the party Monday.
In the road-map entitled, “Desirable qualities for candidates,” the party leadership indicated that in the run-up to the election of candidates for the various elective positions, loyalty and commitment would be a prerequisite.
In the road-map entitled, “Desirable qualities for candidates,” the party leadership indicated that in the run-up to the election of candidates for the various elective positions, loyalty and commitment would be a prerequisite.
The leader of the party, President Olusegun Obasanjo, had in a nation-wide television programme in 2004 raised questions of the loyalty of the Vice President to the government elected on the platform of the party.
According to the road map issued yesterday, however, “the PDP is certain that among its aspirants are Nigerians who not only have the experience of running governments at various levels but also share in the party’s vision of a new Nigeria founded on the substructure of a new PDP.
“The new PDP is about building a platform for sustained growth. It is also about a new policy architecture that derives its essence from the reforms embarked upon by President Obasanjo.
“The new PDP affirms a new covenant with Nigerians, a solemn pledge to provide the platform for policy continuity that would enable long term planning and sustenance of progress thus made.
“The new PDP affirms a new covenant with Nigerians, a solemn pledge to provide the platform for policy continuity that would enable long term planning and sustenance of progress thus made.
“In line with this mandate, PDP has opened the space for credible candidates that possess certain qualities that are critical to the implementation of PDP’s vision of Nigeria.”
In pursuit of this objective, the road-map affirmed that the party would doggedly commit itself to free and fair process of election of candidates, whom it said must, however, meet certain qualities, 18 for presidential and governorship candidates and 13 for those aspiring to the various legislative houses and council elections.
In pursuit of this objective, the road-map affirmed that the party would doggedly commit itself to free and fair process of election of candidates, whom it said must, however, meet certain qualities, 18 for presidential and governorship candidates and 13 for those aspiring to the various legislative houses and council elections.
Under the general qualities of the roadmap, the candidates are also expected to have incontrovertible Nigerian citizenship and a passion for national interest in addition to proof of non violation of any existing party rules just as they must have ability to abide by rules against personal and group interest.
PDP hurdles for aspirants
*High level of integrity
*Consistent and verifiable means of livelihood
*Evidence of personal discipline
*Courage of conviction
*High degree of loyalty to the Nigerian State
*Loyalty and commitment to the party
*Experience in management of men and materials
*Knowledge of the working of the private sector
*Good knowledge of Nigerian political, economic and social environment, tolerance, especially religious
*Respect for the rule of law
*Respect for human rights
*Belief in popular participation andconsultation knowledge
*Understanding of the working of the international system
*Voluntary service to the community
*wholesome track record
*Sense of history and lesson
*Competence in concepts and tools of development
*Respect for African values and cherished traditions
*Incontrovertible Nigerian citizenship
*Passion for national interest
*Proof of non-violation of any existing party rules
*Ability to abide by rules against personal and group interest
