We should be very careful NOT to turn Nigeria into a One Party State. Whereas, I may express happiness over the fact that one of our own from the Niger Delta would finally receive a resounding support from the entire country, it is frightening to observe that we Nigerians are gradually transforming the PDP into a giant Packman which is always ready to swallow its opponents. This would not be democracy anymore if there are no formidable opposition parties. In the 1960's we had the NPC (Northern People's Congress), the NCNC (National Council of Nigeria and the Camerouns), and the Action Group led by Chief Obafami Awolowo. We were able to have healthy debates in the country, and those who belonged to these parties did so on the basis of their philosophies and Party Platforms which sought to unify the country under one flag.

What we are seeing today are followers of a trend without purpose. I have yet to see the PDP roll out their platform which spells out what it plans to do for ordinary Nigerians in the next 4-years. Every leader in the party is mainly concerned with grasping what economic opportunities they could garner from being affiliated with the party. Being a member of the PDP has become a nourishing ground for tomorrow's political thieves, and members of the media are unable to ask the hard questions. Wasn't it President John F. Kennedy who, in his famous speech in Berlin said: "Ask not what your country can do for you; but ask what you can do for your country?". Mine, mine, we are too quick to forget lessons of history. All PDP Members are busy asking themselves what positions they could attain from being members, and how much money such positions would command for them in their bank accounts for the few years they would be in power. I write here that this is a frightening trend because everyone seems too eager to endorse Jonathan without asking themselves what plans Jonathan has for all Nigerians, not just the Niger Delta. We should be very careful about creating a false prophet or a hollow Second Coming. As much as I would love for Jonathan to continue to lead the country, it is high time the media asked the hard questions rather than being led as sheeps to the slaughter.They are the defenders of our democracy.

I do sincerely believe that if we are going to adopt the American democratic systems, we must endeavour to organize televised Presidential Debates whereby each candidate for this office would define his/her mission for the country, and state clearly what he/she would do for lifting every Nigerian out of poverty. We should strive to know what their economic policies would be for the next 4-years. They should inform and appeal to unemployed graduates on what programs they would put in place to re-absorb them into the employment stream. The should address such issues relating to environmental concerns especially in the oil spills ravaging the entire Niger Delta eco-systems. They should tell Nigerians what plans they have for the disappearing Lake Chad, and the ever encroaching Sahara Desert into the heartlands of Nigeria. They should tell all Nigerian what emergency measures they have to contain the influx of refugees into our country. They should also tell all Nigerians what plans they have to curb domestic terrorism and domestic abuses within Nigerian homes. They should tell all Nigerians what plans they have in order to eradicate the spread of HIV/AIDS within the country, and especially among our very underpaid working poor. They should address such issues as exploitations of labour in our country, and why the government has been unable to advocate for adequate minimum wage for every working Nigerian. They should address such issues as China and other EU countries using Nigeria as a dumping ground for contraband goods. They should tell Nigerians why their legislators are paid far more wages than even Members of Congress in the United States or the British Parliament, and yet they do very little in the interest of the public who voted them into office. They should tell Nigerians during these debates as to why they have allowed the culture of kleptocracy to pervade through our corridors of power. They should tell Nigerians why they allowed contractors to inflate their bidding prices to include kick-backs for Members of the National Assembly and State Houses.

In an organized national debate forum, these candidates cannot run from reality about answering these questions. This would give every Nigerian a view of those they may be electing to represent them. It would be the responsibility of the media to ask these hard questions in the interest of the common man or woman or child in this vast land we call Nigeria where no one takes responsibility for their misdeeds and actions. It would be the responsibility of the media to hold their feet to the fire, and letting the observing public decide who actually deserved a chance to rule the country. The media should hold each politician accountable for their campaign pledges. I do sincerely believe that Nigerians are tired of being taken for granted. The media must do their job and stop playing tag with people in power. If the media refuses to effectively police the behaviour of our politicians, then I would argue that we do not have a democracy, but rather a country run by kingpins under the guise of a democratic setting. This would be no different from what the mafiosi does in Sicily. Nigerians, you'd better wake up.!!!

This is good news because there are so many parties and nobody knows who are the leaders of the parties which creates nothing but confusion. I hope other parties will consolidate into fewer parties of at least 3 or 4. I think all together there was 63 parties??? With 46 joining Jonathan, there are still 17 left which are still too many. These parties need to come to their senses, and know that fewer party is better to produce a credible candidate. Nigeria is civilized enough to stop playing political ignorant!!!! Let us unit and for the first time in Nigeria elect a credible President who will lead Nigeria as a whole, and work with other parties. Cheers to the 46 political parties that adopted Jonathan. You did the right thing without worrying about PDP this and PDP that.