Contenders for GEJ's Consensus Spot Arise

Good morning Panel of Judges, co-debaters, accurate time-keeper, ladies and gentlemen.

Allow me to argue against the motion which states that "Allowing Other Candidates Pick Presidential Forms to Contest Against the Consensus Candidate of PDP is Democratic and the Candidates Have a Chance"

The points of those favouring the motion are beautifully expressed and quite impressive. But were these other candidates not thought of when the hierarchy of the party were junketing across the country in their heavily publicised signature-gathering in all the zonal rallies of different opportunistic groups for support for their "Best President Nigeria Ever Had"?

2. Where were these other contenders at the time? I'm not going to aver that they were in the contingent of these cross-country travellers. It's likely, but...

3. Were they not aware of the party's decision to stick with a "winning formula" in the person of GEJ and his acolytes in power?

4. Did they not notice how N98.1m was purportedly raised by governors and other "well-intentioned" individuals (whose names were later listed) in a bid to "help" the once "shoeless" Otuoke son buy a N20m presidential form?

5. Can they claim to have been oblivious of the fact that having gathered signatures and provided the funds for the form, the party stooped to their most recent low to beg the incumbent "messiah" to contest so as to consolidate on his "good luck" to Nigeria?

6. Is their ignorance so massive that it missed all the media time purchased by a coterie of managed and tele-guided groupings to remind amnesic and senile Nigerians of the amazing "transformation" that has been Nigeria's lot since he took the reins of power as president, even though this (indirectly, if you like) flew in the face of the country's electoral law?

7. Have they forgotten that he is the incumbent with the blessing of the current party "leaders" and the faith family consisting of the biggest pastors in the world from this country?

8. Is it beyond them to witness the strides being made to secure the release of the girls abducted by Haramites and acquire for the country an unprecedented ceasefire with blood-thirsty extremists? The first of its kind anywhere in the world? Instantly making the incumbent the international celebrity model of terrorist dealings?

9. Do they not note how the incumbent singlehandedly fought Ebola to a halt, thereby acquiring a cult-like following internationally as the WHO gave the country a clean bill of health?

10. Haven't they noticed how Mama Peace, Dame Patience has become kingmaker across the South South, only needing to raise the hand of the "handpicked" candidate for the next election for said person to have the best chance of becoming the party's flagbearer? Such power only comes with longstanding and obese patience.

So, my ladies and gentlemen, with these few points of mine, it is hoped that you have become convinced beyond rational doubt that their attempts at democratising the process is a ruse and that some more observant of the populace see beyond the smokescreen. You don't democratise by giving one of the contenders an unfair advantage. For 2015, there is, as Adewumi Noah Adeniyi said, "only one Usain Bolt in the race" for Aso Rock in PDP.

Thank you.