The most illogical argument in the world!

In other words, your motives have aligned with the bombers. They want him out, so you want him out. So you would support Buhari if he did another coup and executed Jonathan et al on bar beach?

The bombers bombed so that sentiment in the public would become like yours. You have shown them that they are succeeding. You are encouraging them to throw more bombs. So don’t complain when more bombs arrive, afterall it’s you who wrote that what they want is what should happen.

That is a comment from my friend Mark Essien on my previous post   Normally, I would not bother with such a comment but  unfortunately, he is not in the minority having this position. 

Let us examine the second (bold) paragraph, i’ll assume the first is a typo.

  • Someone/people point out your incompetence.
  • People create scenarios to prove it  
  • isn’t it a great opportunity to shine and show why they are wrong?

Rather, Mark and his cohorts are arguing.. “they are doing it so you will say I am incompetent. If you agree they would have won”

WTF?!!

Like a said sometime ago, the political class might not be our only problem; our fellow citizens give them the authority to incompetently preside over us. They actually have a mandate. I really hope the Marks are in the absolute minority.

Or am I the one that is not seeing things ‘normally’?

Citizen Fatigue.

My good friend (and Buhari’s not so good friend) Bayo described the deafening silence trailing the kidnapping of NYSC members in Rivers State as Citizen fatigue.

The realization that such things (failed state symptoms) are now normal.

As you can notice from the frequency of my posting, I too might be suffering from citizen fatigue. Maybe those that wanted ‘change’ have a right to suffer from this, but do those that opposed change have the right to get fatigued so soon?

I think my fatigue is not as a result of the government’s ‘reaction’ because it was expected, but from the reaction of the fellow citizens.

My friends Aboyeji and Lotanna said they ‘understood’ the reasons for the kidnapping of innocent citizens.

This one is financial, unlike the ‘religious’ ones in the North they argued.

Really?!!!

Of course they are not the only ones whose responses “don tire me”.

The #ProtectThecorpers campaign was expected to be reignited with this new development. but no, the corpers were not Kidnapped in the North. (Rivers does not sound like Bauchi … doh!).

For a country that  NEEDS a drastic overhaul URGENTLY, the mind set of it’s citizens is so divergent, so conflicted.. Each with his/her own views; his/her own goals? As a result, we the citizens  would most probably keep seesawing at the level we are operating while time will pass us by and the ruling class will continue to plunder our resources and our future.

Fortunately, fatigue is temporary.

#OneNigeria

Tambuwal emerges House speaker: Matters Arising

Aminu Tambuwal (PDP Sokoto) on Monday emerged the new speaker of the House of Representatives . He scored 252 votes to defeat his opponent, Mulikat Akande-Adeola (PDP-Oyo) who scored 90 votes. The total votes cast was 340, with eight invalid votes and one member abstaining.
Mr Tambuwal’s nomination was made by Emmanuel Jime ( PDP-Benue) and seconded by Nnenna Ukeje (PDP-Abia).


The new Speaker, 45-year-old lawyer, was elected into the House for the first term in 2003. He represents Kebbi/Tambuwal federal constituency of Sokoto State.
The election, which was conducted through an open secret- ballot system, was handled by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa.
Emeka Ihedioha (PDP-Imo), who was the former chief whip of the House of Representatives, was elected unopposed the Deputy Speaker.

via 234next.com

This is the end of ‘zoning’ as we know it.

Not that it meant anything positive to the Nigerian people. I am just wondering how this will play out.

Kayode Ogundamisi brought my attention to the geographical distribution of political offices in the country.

President-SS- Vice-President NW. Senate President NC. Deputy Senate President-SE. Speaker-NW. Deputy Speaker SE.

So the South West has been completely marginalized. (What role did Tinubu play?) He could not have won without the support of CPC and of course ACN (Tinubu)

The most telling thing in this whole episode is the first proof that Jo Boy’s political capital is at the same level as mine.

Is there any hope that Jo Boy can provide the radical push and leadership to change the direction of Nigeria? e.g get the legislators to reduce their salaries?

I guess not.

You?

A Short Prayer: Dear God, Let Jonathan Put Me To Shame

Dear God,

Let GEJ, surprise me by appointing technocrats to his cabinet.

Let me be a laughing stock as a result of Jonathan’s crackdown on all corruption. And keep the thieving Governors in check.

Let me have to hide as a result of Jonathan fulfilling 20% of his promises. Don’t worry about keeping number one.

Let me be silenced by Jonathan’s keeping of Nigeria secure.

Let me have to apologise as a result of Jonathan bringing the masterminds (not a couple of almajiri’s) behind the bomb blasts and the election riots to book (whatever that means)

Let Jonathan cause me to be booed by sorting out power. 

Dear God, give Goodluck Ebele Jonathan all the help he needs to prove me a false prophet.

AMEN.

#AfricaDay Indeed!

Today is supposed to be celebrating Africa Day. The day that birthed the spineless OAU which evolved to AU. (The name change reminds me of NEPA.)

What are we actually celebrating? The grand failure of leadership? That we need France to sort out the problems in Ivory Coast, Italy to sort out Libya and England’ Zimbabwe? Independence indeed!

I am sorry to break it to you,but there is nothing to celebrate. We are still in our nappies as far growing up to meet the challenges of our continent.

Hopefully, the Egyptians and Tunisians will take charge of, and complete the revolution that has been started. Hopefully, it will lead us to the point where we would have something to celebrate.

Election Thoughts Part 1

My absence was caused by the combination of being busy, having no light to blog in the morning, my preferred writing time.(I moved house and did not have light for almost 2 weeks straight), temporary disillusion with the electoral process etc etc.

These posts are obviously late, but it is better to document thoughts late than never.

My ‘Election Thoughts’ series will cover MY VIEWS on Buhari’s candidature (spoiler alert: I am still proud to have supported him); that of Ribadu and of course the declared winner President Jonathan.

I hope to also cover my thoughts of the Nigerian Youth in this electoral process; The Christian South Vs The Muslim North; The election violence up North that Killed quite a number of people (God bless their souls); My Political Future (I dey form Awolowo) and my thoughts of the Nigeria’s political future.

These topics should be covers in about 4 short posts in no particular order.

Of course I did not forget about the Ndi Igbo political leaders. How can I forget those clowns.

In Search of a Scapegoat

I am still trying to get the logic of people who are desperate to blame Buhari for all the violence currently enveloping the North and trying so hard to absolve Jonathan THE CURRENT president and chief security officer (CSO) of Nigeria. The irresponsible ‘bigotic’ article by Reuben Abati is the epitome of it all. This is not a rejoinder. Someone has done that already. This is a call for reasoning and logic.


One of the fears I had about Jonathan being president was his ability to be the CSO of Nigeria. His inability in this regard came to the fore when two bomb blasts occurred ON INDEPENDENCE DAY in Abuja. I was in Abuja on that day and heard the blasts live. The blast claimed the lives of a number of people including my classmate Tahir.

Since Jonathan assumed office, thousands of people have been killed. From the massacres in Jos to bomb blasts in Bayelsa, Borono (where a governorship candidate and brother of the sitting Governor was killed), to the blasts in Abacha barracks in Abuja, to the blast in Suleja, etc.

NOT ONE PERSON has been brought to book (whatever that means).

This latest killings in Kaduna is however different; for the first time, there is a public political opponent that ‘people’ are desperately trying hard to make a scapegoat. Than person is Buhari.

I am asking that before you join into the boat that plunge Nigeria into a vicious cycle that can destroy us all, let us hold fire and reason a bit.


Was Buhari/CPC involved in the continuous Jos killings?
Was Buhari/CPC involved in the Bomb blasts that rocked Abuja on Independence day? And Abacha barracks some months later?
Was Buhari/CPC involved in the Suleja bomb blasts?

Is Buhari responsible for the ethnic and religious crises that have plagued Nigeria for decades?

What is the role of government in securing our lives and property?


Now let us assume that CPC is directly involved in this current crises and killing in the North, what is the government supposed to do? Do we let a group of people hold the country to ransom?


Hating Buhari, is one thing; try desperately to hinge security failure of the government (because of his ethnic and religious extraction) is another.


Like I said in a comment on Facebook, this incident has allowed people to comfortably expose the latent bigot in them. At this moment, I would not want to be a Northern Nigerian.

We have successfully allowed what was supposed to be a political issue to become a religious and ethnic one. It is just a shame!

This is a crucial moment in the Nigerian state. It will either make us or break us finally.

We have to confront the demons from the past. We should ask questions and not trade blames. (if you blame my guy, I will blame yours and it will be a  merry go round)

It is a shame that we have blended so well[into the western press sereotype “Nothern Muslims and Southern Christians.

I am actually tired of it all. I just ask that we Nigerians to not help make the famous US prediction that Nigeria will break up by 2015.

It would be tragic. We’ll all lose.

#OneNigeria?


PS: Please pardon the incoherrent nature of this post. It is my stream of thoughts. It is a combination of the sadness in my heart and the constant generator noise in my head.

I have no comment on the burning of Bakare’s house yesterday.

I will be taking a break from posting here  (baring something extraordinary happening) to do some reading. About the coups, the Biafran war, colonization, etc. It is good to understand how we ended up here.

May God grant eternal rest to those that lost their lives in this crisis and give their friends and families the fortitude to bear the loss.

May EVERYONE involved in the ALL the crises that have ever plagued Nigeria NEVER know peace. AMEN!

The Promises of Mr. President

This post is culled from the Facebook note of Kayode Adesanya


Mr President,

It is with shock and utter disbelief I received the news that you have so far won 25 per cent in 28 states plus Federal Capital Territory. According to the 1999 constitution, a winner needs the majority of votes and at least 25 per cent of votes in 24 states of the 36 states of the federation. So far you have won 25 per cent in 28 states, leaving your closest rival, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari of the Congress for Progressive Change with victories in only 12 states. I know you and your cronies will be celeberating and popping the proverbial champagne now  but here is a word of caution from perhaps one of your worse critics.

Allow me to explain that the presidential victory of April 16th was a victory for yourself and not necessarily for the PDP, which you are a part and parcel of. This should reveal without any equivocation that the elections were not driven by issues, but sentiments about personalities, religion and ethnicity. It is my opinion that as a nation we should grow our democracy to achieve a situation whereby persons win elections on the basis of merit and actual performance not sentiments, and certainly not with the aid of financial inducements, blackmail and violence.

I will not bore you with all the expectations Nigerians (the ones who voted for you, anyway) have-I believe you know all of these and intend to meet all of them.

Nevertheless, I intend to remind you of all the myriad of promises you made during your political campaign throughout the country. In my generosity, I have listed some of them for you here.

1. You Prmoised to rule for only one term (reference http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12339017)

As a man of your words or rather as you want to make us believe, PLEASE stick to this plan and pledge.

I sincerly hope we will not have political jobbers, groups like Youths Earnestly Ask for Jona, Dbanj, Lagbaja, Sunny Ade all singing for your second term bid? I sincerly hope also, you will not come out and openly deny you didnt make such promise or statements as you did about the zoning saga.

2. You promised a consitutional role for Traditional Rulers!!! I am short of words but Nigerians are waiting

3. On March 17th 2011, in Dutse the Jigawa statte capital, you promised:”If I win the election, within my four years in office, I will establish domestic airports in all the states without airports, WE ARE WAITING.

4. In Nasarawa, at the flagoff of your campaign you promised at least a university in every state including building specialist almajiri schools to shore up education in the North so as to eradicate illiteracy. The Almajiris are waiting o!

5. On February 8th in Ibadan, the day you called some people “rascals”, you promised to create jobs and improve the power sector. The OYO people and indeed all Nigerians are waiting!!!

6. On Feb 9th, you were in Bauchi and you promised to intensify oil and gas exploration in the North-East as part of efforts to harness resources for economic development. Also you pledged to boost agriculture, power and water supply for wealth creation and revenue generation. Then you assured that projects such as the Mambilla hydro-electricity, Jada irrigation project and Kafin Zaki dam in Taraba, Adamawa and Bauchi would be pursued to boost agriculture and industrial development. Then you promised that your administration would establish two universities in the region. The NORTH EAST PEOPLE ARE WAITING,

9. You landed in Portharcourt on Feb 12 where you made alot of promises, maybe to woo your Niger Delta people. Be that as it may, you announced that the NNPC, in partnership with the private sector, would establish a petrochemical plant in the Niger Delta (you didnt state where exactly). You promised the plant will create job opportunities for the Niger Delta youths. Then you went ahead to promise the implementation of Local Content Law and Petroleum Industry Bill. In case you cant remember when you made all these, cast your mind back to the stampede that claimed some lives (where your wife called them martyrs).

10. In Kaduna- You promised massive transformation of the agricultural sector through construction of large dams and distribution of one million metric tonnes of fertilisers for the 2011 farming season (The rains are here already, so fulfil your promises o)

You also pledged to establish Almajiri model schools to address the challenges of the Almajiris.

11. In Benue-You promised to revolutionise agriculture and establish industries in the country through a five-year plan (We need that Plan now so we can keep track, the five years have started counting already)

You also promised to complete the irrigation project in Otukpo. Then you promised that the second Niger Bridge and the Benue Bridge projects will  be worked on in the next four years. I think its better to start now so by April 2015, we trust you would have completed it.

12. February 17th, you were in Plateau where you made shocked the entire country with amazing promises.  First of all, you pledged to refocus on the solid mineral development of the state and make it one of the key revenue sources in Nigeria. The Plateau people are banking on you.

Mr President, You promised to  build more dams and complete ongoing ones, so as to boost agricultural growth.

In addtion you promised to complete the Vom-Manchok-Jos road to boost economic links between Plateau and Kaduna states. Yoy left the state and the Plateau people have been happy ever since and now that you have won, they are waiting

13. Mr President on Feb 21, you were in Kogi. You promised among other things promised that the dredging of the River Niger and Lokoja-Abuja road dualisation would be completed very soon. THE KOGI PEOPLE AND INDEED NIGERIANS ARE HOPING AND WAITING

14. In Kwara State on Feb22, you pledged that the irrigation project in Shonga would be completed soon to boost the commercial farming activities of the New Nigeria Farmers in the area. Mr president, remember you also said the Jebba-Mokwa road and Jebba bridge would be given adequate attention to ease transportation in the area. Kwarians are waiting!

15. On February 24, Mr. President, you pledged to rehabilitate ALL ailing industries in Aba. I believe all Abians are hoping on you to provide the enabling environment to do their businesses, you must keep your promises,

16. Mr.President, on Feb 25th in Anamabra you said there is a plan to build a power station in the state, assuring that within the next four years your administration would construct and rehabilitate ALL federal roads leading to Anambra as well as the South East. You equally to provide potable water to the densely populated Onitsha and Nnewi cities and tackle erosion in the South-East. To tell you the truth, Mr. President, Anambrians are banking on you!

17. In Ebonyi state, you promised to dualise the Enugu-Abakaliki federal highway in addition to establishing  a secretariat for ALL Federal government’s agencies and parastatals in Ebonyi. Mr. president, The people of Ebonyi has never had it so good since the creation of their state. Now, you have promised them the good life. Please keeep to your words!

18.  In Niger state, you promised the more power generation. Perhaps the most important aspect of your promises is that your government would map out a five-year strategic plan for road projects. (Please we are waiting for the Plan NOW!!!!)

19. On Feb 27, you were in Asaba, the Delta state capital, which happens to be my state. On that fateful sunday, you revealed that “The NNPC is developing a new programme that will absorb about 5,000 youths, ”, Mr. President, Deltans are delighted at this REVELATIONS. While that number is a far cry from the number of unemployed youths in the state, at all at all na winch (as we say in Warri), so Deltans are waiting.

20. On March 2nd, you were in Ondo where you pronmised that roads and other basic  infrastructure across the states will be developed in four years. In addition you also promised the exploitation of the vast bitumen deposits in the state for national economic development and employment generation. The Ondo people are waiting. Your Four years have started already. You must start now.

21. On the same day, March 2nd, your campaigbn train was in Ekiti state. While there, you promised that more than N50 billion federal intervention projects were ongoing in the state. You can be rest assured that the Fayemi and indeed the entire Ekiti kete are waiting for you.

22. On March 9th, in Sokoto,  you promised to rehabilitate the abandoned Shagari irrigation project as well as reviving the nation’s rail system and figh the menace of desertification in the country. Sokoto people have sufffered for too long. This is your time to redeem your pledge, Mr President. The clock is ticking!!!

23.The date was March 12th 2011 and you were in Ogun state.

Remember, the day you rode to Abeokuta through rail?

Yes, That was the day you promised an improved power supply before the end of the year through the Integrated Power Project (IPP) initiative.

You also pledged to build more refineries, encourage downstream activities, resuscitate rail transportation and create jobs. In case you have forgotten, that was the day that Gbenga Daniel (your South West campaign coordinator was booed by the Ogun people).

24.On March 14th, your campaign trained moved to Kebbi where you promised to establish a federal university next year (2012). You also promised to create jobs through science and technology, tackle environmental challenges and boost health care delivery.

25.Katsina, was your port of call on March 15 where you promised to enhance the living standard of Nigerians through implementation of people-oriented programmes that would provide citizens the necessary opportunities to realise their potentials.

In my opinion, this was just mere rhetorics as you did not make any concrete promises. or did you have the premonition, you will lose in Katsina? I might just be right.

26.In Kano, you pledged to resuscitate the nation’s power sector and encourage the development of small and medium scale enterprises in the country while ensuring justice, equity and fair play in the polity.

Mr.President, Space will not allow me to list the deluge of promises in Lagos, Osun, Borno, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Imo, Taraba, Jigawa, Edo, Bayelsa and Zamfara states. If you can accomplish all your promises in the next four years, then you will go down memory lane as the best President ever.

In all honesty, I wish you GoodLuck!!!

Time will tell!!!