It is no secret I am supporting General Muhammadu Buhari for the presidency of Nigeria. I voted for him in ’07 and ’11. In ’03, I voted for Ojukwu but I was definitely not against Buhari.

So why do I have so much faith in this man?

I’ll try to articulate my position in a few paragraphs.

First of all, let me clarify one thing. Buhari is no saint and he definitely does not have a magic wand to cure all Nigeria’s ills. I’ll go further and state that Buhari is not the best man to preside over Nigeria. I’ll extend that and even add that I know a few people I think will do a better job than him (I’m sure everyone does).

Sadly, that is not how life or elections work, especially in a popular democracy model.

To win a Presidential election, you have to first of all offer to run and most importantly, have the ability to win a National election.

Using the filter above, we are usually left with the usual suspects who we call recycled. Of these recycled people who come out to contest, I believe Buhari has consistently been the best placed (by a wide margin) to get Nigeria off the wrong path

The “wrong path?”

I am not alone in thinking Nigeria’s biggest foundation problem is endemic corruption. State sanctioned corruption and in this last dispensation, insecurity. There can be no national unity, economic growth, great infrastructure, good healthcare, wonderful education etc in a country that is insecure and endemically corrupt.

If you do not agree with that last paragraph, that’s where we disagree fundamentally. It’s ok to disagree.

If you agree that corruption and insecurity are Nigeria’s most urgent issues of those that have contested to run, who else has epitomized the fight against corruption or the ability to crush terrorist uprisings /insecurity more than Buhari? He has consistently shown his abhorrence for corruption (I agree, a bit too aggressively at times). As for tackling insecurity, go ask the Chadians and Maitatsine about the General

[If all the proof of corruption and financial impropriety against a man who was head of the North East, The Petroleum Ministry, NNPC, the country Nigeria and a Petroleum Trust Fund is newspaper clippings alleging 52 suitcases filled with Naira and money disappearing from a UK account, it is fair to say the man is quite clean.If running against 3 incumbent presidents is not enough motivation to provide proof and nail him, it is obvious that there is nothing to see.]

Endemic corruption is a top down issue in Nigeria. As long as the head is not corrupt, at least 30% of Nigeria’s corruption goes overnight. When the president or the head of a place is corrupt, it gives cover to every other thief below.

All forms of corruption can never be eliminated. Even in China where there is risk of capital punishment, there is still corruption. However, elimination nation stunting corruption is what a president with political will and credibility can do very easily.

Between Jonathan and Buhari, it is clear Buhari the best person with the political will and credibility to tackle the nation stunting corruption and insecurity that exists in Nigeria

This is the first post of many where I try and articulate my thoughts. If you want me to address anything specific, please send me an email ositanwoye@gmail sadly commenting will no be available at this time.