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Jonathan, Lai Mohammed And The War Of Words by Beaf: 2:14am On Mar 14, 2012 |
[size=14pt]Jonathan, Lai Mohammed and the war of words[/size] Wednesday, 14 March 2012 President Goodluck Jonathan was recently involved in a war of words with the spokesman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Alhaji Lai Mohammed, over his (the president) remarks that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was not run in an autocratic way like some other political parties in the country. Leon Usigbe, who was present when the president made the statement at the last National Executive Committee (NEC) of the PDP, brings the issue into perspective. PRESIDENT Goodluck Ebele Jonathan recently pointed out to members the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) why he thinks the party has continued to be the dominant political machine in the country. He thought it was its ability to resolve disagreements among it’s teeming members; that it was the only party which did not have a single and over- bearing godfather whose word is law to the party faithful. When he said that, he refrained from mentioning the name of any political party. But it would appear that the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) believed it fit the description by the president. The common saying is that it is old people who feel discomfort whenever dry bones are mentioned. The All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) did not react, neither did the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) worry about the pronouncement of the president at an internal meeting of the ruling party. The ACN, through its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, voiced the consternation of the lords of the party over Jonathan’s remarks in what should be seen as an admission of the traits highlighted by the president and in anger at the truth. The ACN advised Jonathan “to take a long, hard look at himself in the mirror if he truly wants to see the face of a party leader who is fast turning his party into a one-man show.” Mohammed further accused the president of failing to “show deep introspection in his public comments,” and of “rushing to exhibit soap-box mentality,” describing the president as “a highly partisan and easily excitable President.” However, the question that easily comes to mind is, why would the ACN vent anger on the president over the statement if, indeed, the party is democratic and not subject to the dictates of a single powerful individual? Jonathan has not hidden his strong desire for the development of a political system where the people are not only the centrepiece of government actions, but also the most influential in the running of the political party affairs. The Office of the President has reacted appropriately to the unwarranted tirade of Mohammed, who has increasingly cut a niche for himself as one in the habit of stirring the hornet’s nest for want of something more meaningful to do. Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity), Dr Reuben Abati, thought what Mohammed did was an attempt at the denigration of the Office of the President in the name of opposition politics, which, to him, is “clearly unhealthy politics and completely tactless.” The Federal Government is obviously at a loss as to why the ACN spokesman has repeatedly resorted to personal attacks and disparaging remarks about the president whereas it is him, Mohammed, “who needs to take a long, hard look at himself in the mirror and ask whether his party is truly a democratic party.” Jonathan has showed immense tolerance for the antics of the opposition and tends to see a thin line between his party and the others in the way he has sought to integrate opposition views in governance. Whereas PDP is large enough to source within itself all the personnel or ideas to run a successful federal administration, Jonathan has often found it expedient to consult with the opposition, including leaders of the ACN, before taking decisions on critical matters of national consequence. His reform mindedness, as far as the internal democracy of PDP is concerned, is legendary and he has obviously extended that to national politics as was vividly expressed during the elections that have taken place since the advent of his administration. Against all pressure to influence the outcome of the Anambra State gubernatorial election, he allowed the due process to take its course and for that reason, the winner of that election and incumbent governor, Peter Obi, has the highest regards for the democratic credentials of President Jonathan till today. The election occurred in the early days of Jonathan as the executive president of the country. Critics may say he could not have done otherwise as he was trying to impress the country as a leader who could be trusted. But at the time of the April 2011 general election, Jonathan had established himself and could have planned and executed the election any way he chose. However, he came forward with the slogan, ‘one man one vote, one woman, one vote.” He was insistent on an election that would be free, fair and credible and even volunteered to use himself a a democratic guinea pig, a serving African leader who could be defeated in an election and he would willingly vacate the high office. Many other elections, including gubernatorial elections, have taken place in different states of the federation since then with the president encouraging the conduct of an exercise that reflected the wish of the people. Mohammed does not attend meetings of the PDP where Jonathan is present and, therefore, could be forgiven if he does not adequately reflect in his views the way the president conducts himself. Jonathan as leader of the PDP has served as a bridge, a conciliatory voice for various contending interests within PDP. If he has an idea or a policy to press for, once the stakeholders of the party do not find it worthy, the president yields grounds to them. That is the hallmark of a democrat. On a national scale, we may take the issue of the proposed single tenure for president and state governors. At the time the idea came to light, it was just in the exploratory stage. But it was obviously misconstrued to mean an attempt to elongate his stay in office, even when the motivation was a stable democracy where office seekers would think less of elections and focus on the business of effective governance. Jonathan similarly yielded to the outrage, especially orchestrated by the opposition and suspended the idea. Yet, Mohammed believes that such a man is turning government into a one-man show. With the forgoing, Mohammed view is, at best, a misnomer. That is why it is not easy to concur with him that President Jonathan is a “partisan and and easily excitable president”, or that he has failed to “show deep introspection in his public comments,” or “rushing to exhibit soap-box mentality.” Beside not showing interest in ramming down his enormous presidential powers on whoever stands on his way, the president has demonstrated that he is indeed a humble gentlemans, one who is extremely cool in the face of overwhelming crisis. He has been criticised for not being dictatorial; he has been pummeled by opponents for appearing to lack clues to handle pressing situations and he has been accused of being too slow to act. But what he has clearly manifested is a character that is thoughtful and measured in action which, as most Nigerians are seeing today, is required to tackle the deep-rooted woes that beset the country. Rather than crush the Boko Haram sect with brute force as many pundits are suggesting, Jonathan has left open the door for dialogue which is the most powerful weapon in a democracy. Today, many members of the radical Islamic sect are expressing the intention to embrace the idea. The result is a fading away of angst of the Boko Haram and the improvement in the security situation of the country. Jonathan, therefore, does not deserve the appellation that the ACN’s spokesman has sought to tag him with but deserves respect, just like the type he accords to Senator Bola Tinubu and other political leaders in the country. He is the president of the country and the custodian of the peoples’ mandate. Though he is entitled to his views, Mohammed has no right to disparage or undermine that mandate. What he should be concerned with at this time is the evolution of a truly democratic ACN, capable of challenging PDP in national elections. When this is achieved, perhaps he would have the chance to rule the country the way the ACN leaders please. http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/politics/37552-jonathan-lai-mohammed-and-the-war-of-words |
Re: Jonathan, Lai Mohammed And The War Of Words by Beaf: 2:21am On Mar 14, 2012 |
ACN has produced Tinubu (drug baron, forger and fraudster); Aregbesola (thug who slaps anything that moves); Lai Mohammed (a man with age and loose lips). What can really be expected of such a crew? |
Re: Jonathan, Lai Mohammed And The War Of Words by EkoIle1: 2:30am On Mar 14, 2012 |
Na Trinube the PDP lap dogs and water bottle peddlers. When clowns nd swamp rats post rubbish without links, they are hiding their foolishness and lack of credibility... http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/politics/37552-jonathan-lai-mohammed-and-the-war-of-words |
Re: Jonathan, Lai Mohammed And The War Of Words by Beaf: 2:36am On Mar 14, 2012 |
Eko Ile: Na Trinube the PDP lap dogs and water bottle peddlers. You are a fool and swamp rat. ACN is packed with NURTW and LASTMA operatives like you, Tinubu, Lai Mohammed and Aregbesola. Bunch of primitive losers who think sounding like agbero's is cool. |
Re: Jonathan, Lai Mohammed And The War Of Words by koruji(m): 3:38am On Mar 14, 2012 |
This is the kind of blind-sight and cluelessness that is leading Nigeria to doom under GEJ's leadership. What is more amazing is that if GEJ is so blinded by his own need to appear "real", what is Beaf's excuse for not realizing that like many other statements, calling attention to this one puts GEJ in worse light than those he is desperately trying to tarnish. Beaf, if you don't understand my point go and check the "truth-o-meter" on this portion of the statement: "He thought it was its (i.e. PDP's) ability to resolve disagreements among it’s teeming members". Isn't it the political conflict over zoning WITHIN PDP that is killing Nigeria slowly almost one year after GEJ's election. Or is he saying, like it really seems, that Nigeria doesn't matter as long as PDP is in control. When your own kids just doused your house in gasoline and set it on fire, you have no mouth warning the neighbour's kid not to start a fire because they are smoking cigarettes near paper. Your full attention should be how to stop the fire about to consumer all you own and you are. WORD. PRESIDENT Goodluck Ebele Jonathan recently pointed out to members the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) why he thinks the party has continued to be the dominant political machine in the country. He thought it was its ability to resolve disagreements among it’s teeming members; that it was the only party which did not have a single and over- bearing godfather whose word is law to the party faithful. When he said that, he refrained from mentioning the name of any political party. But it would appear that the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) believed it fit the description by the president. The common saying is that it is old people who feel discomfort whenever dry bones are mentioned. The All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) did not react, neither did the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) worry about the pronouncement of the president at an internal meeting of the ruling party. |
Re: Jonathan, Lai Mohammed And The War Of Words by Beaf: 3:59am On Mar 14, 2012 |
^ Is it irrelevance that causes you people to sound so pathetic? There is no excuse for grown ups to talk like they just popped out of the gutter, especially someone of Lai Mohammeds age. You even have the gull to talk about the light GEJ is seen in. What worse hypocrisy can come from a man whose leader, Tinubu is a drug baron and fraudster who cannot point out his fathers compound? You keep on going on about PDP like a one trick pony, but have you looked around at your ACN (I don't need to mention the drugs thing again); just a couple of days ago, there were headlines about Aregbesola signing a contract to plant flowers for 0.634billion for an assembly complex that cost 100million. Daft as you are, it should click in your head that something is grossly wrong with that. Dude, take to clowing. Thank you. |
Re: Jonathan, Lai Mohammed And The War Of Words by koruji(m): 4:22am On Mar 14, 2012 |
This is why this presidency will end up in complete failure, just like the ones the liars have being imposing on us for ages. It seems that the only things that raise GEJ's temperature are "perceived personal insults" & "partisan bickering". Learn to give and take, and "focus on your job" Mr. President. Or better yet, develop a thick skin and again "focus on your job". Look and find the ideas wherever they may be, rather than playing political roulette with 150 million lives - at least you would like me to believe there is only one Nigeria. [size=12pt]It is the bad job GEJ is doing that is putting his popularity into the dustbin, and not what ACN says or don't say. Get it.[/size] The country is going down the drain, the president has a chance to deliver a major speech to his party and all he does is engage in political Rooster Bragging. Where is the vision on how you will pacify the north, which you are gradually losing to Boko Haram? How are you going to develop the economy? What is going on with your YouWin, for example? We need real evidences, not say sos. Where is our 6000MW electricity? These are the issues a serious president should address when making a big speech to his party. Political parties exist to promote a given set of proposed solutions to a nations problems, not engage in "political bigger-than-thou". The real problem is that PDP is filled with idea-less eggheads. Beaf, please take up your issues with Tinubu's life - you know where to find him.
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Re: Jonathan, Lai Mohammed And The War Of Words by Beaf: 5:12am On Mar 14, 2012 |
^ Comedy! So if you want to know about how youWin is doing, this best approach you can think of is to act like a thing that emanated from the gutter? Especially for someone as old as lai Mohammed? Do you think the best way to ask about the 6000MW (that was promised for the end of this year) is by playing the part of street urchins, liars and unevolved drip-mouths? What is wrong with you people? Lets just be plain and simple about it; ACN people come across like a park of NURTW thugs. It is in their interest to up their game and begin to sound civilised and coherent. |
Re: Jonathan, Lai Mohammed And The War Of Words by EkoIle1: 5:39am On Mar 14, 2012 |
It's just sad that with all the challenges facing Nigeria and Nigerians in general, the clueless, weak and incompetent president of Nigeria is as usual preoccupied with pettiness and market women shenanigans. How worthless... |
Re: Jonathan, Lai Mohammed And The War Of Words by karlmax2: 7:58am On Mar 14, 2012 |
This is why this presidency will end up in complete failure, just like the ones the liars have being imposing on us for ages. It seems that the only things that raise GEJ's temperature are "perceived personal insults" & "partisan bickering". Learn to give and take, and "focus on your job" Mr. President. Or better yet, develop a thick skin and again "focus on your job". Look and find the ideas wherever they may be, rather than playing political roulette with 150 million lives - at least you would like me to believe there is only one Nigeria. It is the bad job GEJ is doing that is putting his popularity into the dustbin, and not what ACN says or don't say. Get it. The country is going down the drain, the president has a chance to deliver a major speech to his party and all he does is engage in political Rooster Bragging. Where is the vision on how you will pacify the north, which you are gradually losing to Boko Haram? How are you going to develop the economy? What is going on with your YouWin, for example? We need real evidences, not say sos. Where is our 6000MW electricity? Acn where is our 4th mainland bridge that was promised lagosians for almost 16years now!!!instead what we get is the conversion of a public road into a private Property and planting flowers under acn no local government in lagos has withnessed any meaninful development!! 419 party!! |
Re: Jonathan, Lai Mohammed And The War Of Words by Demdem(m): 8:54am On Mar 14, 2012 |
Hehehehe. Abati has awarded another pdp stooge to continue his fight against ACN. Tribune is the mouthpiece of pdp in the SW. The mere fact that this issue is still boiling even in the midst of several challenges confronting us as a nation shows where the priority of this retardeen govt is. |
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