The journey towards the 2011 general elections may have commenced. But, the intrigues, high wired power-play, the seemingly hypocritical maneuvering and political engineering that are heating up the polity are definitely not good to tell as it has pervaded the political space with unimaginable bad odour, falling short of the great expectation that greeted the appointment of Prof. Attahiru Jega as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
And, with the seizure of a large consignment of arms and ammunitions in the west, Boko Haram sect wrecking unchecked havocs in the north, kidnappers and assassins having the best of the season in the east and south, there is no doubt that we are rock-steadily heading for the crunch.
Despite the sad occurrences, the National Assembly still stood out as it mustered enough courage to thumb down the obnoxious amendment to the electoral bill sponsored by the executives; and, which would have butchered the internal democracy, which is still at infant, in all the political parties. And, just last week, the legislature further moved ahead, to conclude the second alteration to the constitution amendment.
Once again this week, The Politico further takes you into the world of the personalities jostling for the presidential seat of power. Let's mount the soap box:

GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN
The first indigene of the south-south geo-political zone to become the President of Nigeria is equally the first doctorate degree holder to hold the highest office in the land. And, many also believed that he is the first person to have become the first citizen of the country without stress or painstaking electioneering campaigns.
The Politicos gathered that it was the mother-luck that shot him into political limelight, as he was hitherto known to have no any form of political aspiration. And, the journey began for him in late 1998, when out of the blues, Chief Diepriye Alamiesiegha, who was vying for Bayelsa State governorship under the umbrella of the PDP, nominated Goodluck to be his running mate, even when some high grade politicos had schemed to be nominated.
Goodluck Jonathan, who had served as Assistant Director at the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC) between 1993 and 1998, thus became the first civilian deputy governor of Bayelsa State on May 29, 1999.
Born on November 20, 1957, the son of canoe maker from Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government area of Bayelsa State was later catapulted into the seat of Bayelsa Governor by the same 'good luck' that took him out of the OMPADEC office.
Sometime in November, 2005, during his half way into his second term as deputy governor, his boss, Chief Diepriye Alamiesiegha allegedly lost face with the authentic political godfather of that era, and promptedly had his hands burnt in graft charges.
The self acclaimed Governor |General of Ijaw nation first scampered abroad, but later had a comic return into the country.
However, his return was met by guided Bayelsa State legislative arm, who thereafter impeached him. And, on December 9, 2005, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan became the governor of Bayelsa State, the seat he held until May 28, 2007.
And, in 2007, when most of the governors from the south-south and South East were jostling to be president, the 1995 doctorate degree holder in zoology, was contended with the seat of Bayelsa governorship.
And, having secured the ticket of his party, PDP, to vie for the governorship in 2007, which would have been his very squarely first baptism of electoral contest, that same 'goodluck' reared its head again.
This time, the hubby of Dame Patience was nominated to be the running mate to the late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, who had then somehow won the presidential ticket of the ruling party.
Unbelievably early this year, the ever non-relenting 'goodluck' also visited the nation's seat of power. President Umaru Yar'Adua was knocked down by life threatening terminal ailment. And, this took him to Saudi Arabia hospital, where he spent some months.
The health condition of Yar'Adua pushed the nation on the brink of collapse. And, the political maneuvering and events that followed definitely left a sour taste in the mouth.
And, it was the bad state of the nation that led the National Assembly into adopting the motion of necessity, which made Goodluck Jonathan, the acting president of Nigeria.
During the course of restoring sanity to the polity by the legislature, the then sickly and dying president was smuggled from Saudi Arabia into the country at dead hour of the night, by his wife and lieutenants. Political insiders claimed the move was to block Jonathan from assuming substantive leadership of the country. 
And, on May 6, this year, without mounting the soap box to seek for the highest office, the raging 'goodluck' came on the fore again, and showed that destiny can indeed knock down all barriers.
This same day, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan became the president of the world most populous black nation, after his boss, Umaru Musa Yar'Adua was transited above.
However, now that President Jonathan has signified his intention to vie for the presidency in 2011, which would ostensibly be his first competitive electoral contest, some political insiders are now beginning to wonder if the president is not trying to carry the goodluck too far.

IBRAHIM BADAMOSI BABANGIDA
17 years after he was made to step aside from the rein of power following the inglorious annulment of June 12, 1993 presidential election, which was allegedly won by his perceived friend, the late Bashorun MKO Abiola, the former military president is now set to take a shot once again at the presidency, but, this time in civilian garb.
Born on August 17, 1941 in Minna, Niger State, the retired four-star general believed that he has the experience that would propel Nigeria to greater heights.
The former military leader, who ruled the country for 8 years between August 1985 and August 17, 1993, when he stepped aside, is now busy criss-crossing the country in order to step-in as the Executive President of the country on May 29, 2011.
Married to late Maryam King in September 1969 with four children, the man popularly called Maradona, has virtually become an enigma in the political landscape of Nigeria. While many see him as controversy personified, others adore and worship him like an institutionalized demi god.
Vying under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the gap-toothed army general would be 70 years old in 2011, when he expects to emerge as the nation's president.
And, many of the younger generation are continuing to cry aloud over his decision to stand to contest the 2011 presidential election despite his advancement in age.
Some political insiders equally believed that the former head of state would need to climb many hurdles before he could vie for the nation's number one job in April 2011.

MALLAM NUHU RIBADU
After his exit from the anti-graft agency, the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was demoted from his new rank of the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police to the position of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP). He was later sacked by the Police Service Commission.
And, ostensibly, the one-time EFCC boss was later driven into exile, where he spent many months. But, when President Goodluck Jonathan mounted the saddle of leadership, reprieve came his way. First, his rank of Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police was restored by the same organ that pushed him out. Also, his dismissal was turned to retirement. And, the one-time head of the Legal and Prosecution Department of Police made a grand return into the country.
And, few weeks back, the retired AIG, who was called to the bar in 1984, decided to swim in the murky water of politics, when he decided to contest for the highest office in the land.
Born on November 11, 1960, the Adamawa State-born new breed politico has openly signified his intention to vie for the presidency under the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
However, jingoistic elites, thieving bureaucrats and professional politicians from all divides are said to have sworn on their blood that they would do everything to see that the former anti-graft czar lost out woefully in the presidential race.