https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RSFMrAupwo

I watched this video and was intrigued by the way John Fashanu eloquently analysed the defects of the present Nigerian structure, which he traced back to the 1966 coup. He however didn't make his points without taking some time to lay into the controversial mallam , in what he (John) called being unafraid of "calling names" . I think El-Rufai will have a thing or two to say about this video .

But look for yourself. Quite an intersting video

The guy is playing with fire. Seems he is tired of living.

Ok...its finger pointing time! Lets see who gets the highest number of fingers pointing at him! And majority carry the vote!

Summary text of the interview below:

Fash Interview

Interviewer: John, you were a major star in the U.K, you met former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and many other world leaders. What would you say are those things that are militating against Nigeria's progress?

Fash: Well, let me begin by saying that the Nigeria that the British handed over to our founding fathers was a good country. Our founding fathers had input into the making of that Nigeria which was founded on social justice. But after the 1966 coup, that Nigeria was no more and we were bequeathed a structurally unsound nation where ethnicity and religion are more important that merit. So now, even if you bring an angel to run the affairs of Nigeria without changing that structure, it would be as Jesus Christ said: you would be putting new wine into old skin.

For a start, Nigeria is not a federal republic as such, but a unitary state with too much power concentrated at the centre; and every ethnic group wants their son desperately in charge at the centre, so that they can have access to the fabled National Cake.

Talk about corruption or terrorism, you cannot use the law successfully to punish those who loot or who covertly sponsor terror because when you do, it will be ethnicized until the public gets so confused they are unable to unravel the matter.

We need True Federalism for one. Now, tell me how a state will even attempt to develop its resources and be self sufficient if the government of that state knows that at the end of the month, they'll get a cheque from oil proceeds. That money is not tied to the work of the citizens of the state, so if the governor steals it, no one really raises enough of an uproar, because it was not their money in the first place. So, we have artificial states that exist solely because of the federal subventions they get. Where else in the world do you have such an artificial system?

The other day, economists were complaining that our economy is growing at record levels, yet poverty continues to exist in our society. The reason is because you have people in some parts of Nigeria whose population is increasing and this population is not being prepared to work; they are being told that the reason why they do not have enough is because they do not get more from oil. So when they need more funds, instead of thinking of how to develop their resources, their responses is we need more from the federal government. This is why, even though areas like Lagos, Rivers and Akwa-Ibom States are witnessing a boom, we still see poverty elsewhere because some people think it is the duty of others to look after them.

Each state has to be the direct beneficiary of its own resources like it is in any truly Federal system. Tax money from Lagos State should not be shared amongst 36 states. What incentive do those states now have to develop their own resources?

So in conclusion, the key to me is that we must have a Sovereign National Conference to fix Nigeria's structure.

Interviewer: Now, we have a lot of critics of the idea of a Sovereign National Conference; what would you say to them?

[b]Fash: [/b]When I read on social media people like Elrufai and his fellow travellers condemn the idea of a Sovereign National Conference, I just laugh because these guys are false progressives. The elrufai who says the government should dialogue with Boko Haram is the same elrufai who does not want Nigerians to dialogue with each other. Does that make sense?

These people are only interested in what benefits their political interests and not what benefits the nation. Didn't this same Elrufai once condemn Buhari to Nigerians as being too old to rule? That was in 2010. Today, he is campaigning for the Buhari, who was too old in 2010, to run in 2015.

How could you take a man like that seriously, someone is benefiting from the present system? Of course he wouldn't want the status quo to change. Isn't Elrufai the fellow who withdrew lands from people then turned around to give the same lands to himself and his friends? The same man who awarded lands to his wives and underage children? He is invested in the system.. He doesn’t want change.

This interview sounds like it was fixed. John Fashanu sounds like he is reciting answers he memorized. I also find it hard to take a person seriously after they call IBB their father.

Notwitstanding, he did make some good points. However, he spent a little too much time trying to score political points by dissing El Rufai.

True danjohn. The interview does seem sort of shabbily put together and maybe staged, but he really did hit home some salient points- albeit in a rather mischievious way

eboe boy: Why ppl dey listen to dis bastard ingrate, who ignored naija in his glory days only for him to now be living large in abuja wit corrupt politicians. E no go better for u, John Fashanu! Bastard!

pls use your grey matter when next you comment....if only u have meaningful contribution.

El Rufai I really don't like, John Fashanu I also despise.

This same John Fashanu a few weeks ago stood as a character witness for James Ibori in court. . . . .

But, in this interview, he spoke the truth. . . . most of the time.


I rest my case.

Fashanu fingers el-rufai? Are they gays? Hahaha nigerian newspapers english!

eboe boy: Why ppl dey listen to dis bastard ingrate, who ignored naija in his glory days only for him to now be living large in abuja wit corrupt politicians. E no go better for u, John Fashanu! Bastard!

Why are you rambling and throwing insults at the man? Just try to say what you need to say to counter his claims. No need for those venoms of yours.

eboe boy: Why ppl dey listen to dis bastard ingrate, who ignored naija in his glory days only for him to now be living large in abuja wit corrupt politicians. E no go better for u, John Fashanu! Bastard!

I don't really like fashanu as a person but we need to be knowledgeable about things before commenting and not open our mouths like fools. Fashanu did came to Green Eagles camp to play for Nigeria in the 90s but was ignored and treated as an outcast because he had no godfather, not member of the big boss mafia and Nigeria had more than enough stars then. Let's get our facts straight.

This FCT former Minister, and politician turned anti Govt agent is causing us plenty of trouble o! We know that his children didn't school in Nigeria, they don't receive medical attention even at the National Hospital either, yet he was FCT min, with powers to transform these places to international standard. We have not forgotten how he rendered people homeless, seized people's land and awarded same to himself, friends, and families. Today he condemns everything Govt does. God is watching and Nigerians are aware.

Oh Lord, please don't let this John Fashanu man come back to run for some office next.

Kobojunkie: Oh Lord, please don't let this John Fashanu man come back to run for some office next.

Cant you tell that thats his plan?

The situation and circumstances surrounding NIGERIA has given every lizard and fly mouth to say anything and talk. Good points though that man elrufai should call his northen brothers to order