Egyptian-type revolution impossible in Nigeria – FG


Nigeria’s highest decision-making body, the Federal Executive Council, on Wednesday said it was sure that the type of popular uprising ripping through some North African and Middle East countries could not happen in the country.

FEC said this even as it disclosed that President Goodluck Jonathan had ordered the immediate evacuation of Nigerians from the troubled countries.

The body at its weekly meeting in Abuja said Nigeria was being “run on constitutional order,” hence it was not possible for the people to rise against the authorities as currently entails in the North African countries, notwithstanding that Nigeria is facing similar developmental challenges as the affected countries.

Former presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) had warned in an interview at the weekend that Nigeria risked a popular uprising if the government failed to give the citizens credible elections in April.

Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak, was recently swept away from power after 18 days of sustained protest in Cairo, the capital city, and other major cities in the country, after spending 30 years in power. The protest that swept away Mubarak is today known as the “Egyptian revolution.”

Libya, a country with low population but that is oil rich, is located in the Maghreb region of northern Africa. It has been embroiled in violent uprising since February 11 as the people push for the ouster of Muammar Gadaffi, the man who has been at the helms of affairs since 1971.

A young graduate who set himself ablaze in Tunisia on December 17, 2010, in protest against government’s high handedness in the face of high unemployment and economic challenges, sparked off the wave of popular protests in the Middle East and North Africa.

People in Algeria, Bahrain, Yemen and Iran had equally protested against their governments.

Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, who briefed journalists as the end of Wednesday’s FEC meeting said the current situation in Libya topped the discussion at the session presided over by Vice-President Namadi Sambo.

President Goodluck Jonathan was not at the meeting. He was away in Minna, Niger State, where he held a campaign rally on Wednesday.

Asked whether the Federal Government was not worried that the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt could spread to Nigeria, Maku gave an explanation that purports that such a revolution cannot happen here. He said, “Yes there are parallels between Nigeria and these other countries when it comes to the level of development, but one thing that is clear is that when you see some of the countries where these protests are taking place, you have one man dictatorships that have lasted in those countries for decades.

“The difference between Nigeria and those countries is that this country today is run in a constitutional order where the tenure of office of leaders is fixed”.

He added, “Nigeria is probably the country in Africa today that has the largest number of former leaders alive.

“So our country has lessons that these countries can learn from.

“The lesson today is that it is more important to build institutions that can endure, because leaders can come and go but the institutions remain.”

Maku said Jonathan was committed to effectively address developmental challenges in the country, particularly problems in the power sector.

He said that once the power problem was resolved, the issues of unemployment and wealth creation would also be addressed.

“One of the major challenges we have in our country is power. “Power is what is going to drive the small and medium enterprises; agriculture and water resources cannot be mobilised without power.

“The fact that President Jonathan has taken firm control of power as his key sector is an indication of his serious commitment and determination to overcome this challenge,” he said.

The minister said, “Council discussed and reviewed the situation in Libya and some Middle East countries, where the wind of discontent has led to protest.

“The condition of Nigerians in these countries was particularly discussed.

“The Minister of Foreign Affairs briefed Council on the directives given by the President and the preparations made to evacuate Nigerians.

“Already Mr. President has directed that stranded passengers in Tripoli and Bengazi who are Nigerians should be evacuated and steps are been taken as we did in Cairo to evacuate these Nigerians back to the country “The standard procedure is that whenever there are conflicts in any country we advise our envoys to evacuate their families to safety so that the officers who are manning our missions can concentrate on the work at hand to ensure that they give attention to and consider diplomatic issues on ground.”

Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia, also admitted that, like in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and the other countries, “that there are problems of unemployment (in Nigeria),” although he noted that “the president has already put in place measures to address these problems”.

“They are clearly at the fore front of his agenda”, he added.

Ajumogobia further disclosed that the Federal Government “deplores the disproportionate use of force to disperse protesters in the Middle East.”

Instead of the use of force, which had already led to the death of scores of protesters, the Federal Government canvassed “dialogue” as a means of resolving the conflict.

“The crisis can and should be resolved through dialogue in those countries,” Ajumogobia said.

The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Muhammad Sani-Sidi, confirmed on Wednesday that his agency had received presidential directive to evacuate Nigerians from Libya.

Sani-Sidi said, “NEMA, Federal Ministry of Foreign Afairs, Office of the National Security Adviser, among other stakeholders, have been mandated by the President to work out strategies for a successful evacuation of Nigerians to safety in their motherland.

“The Federal Government is very concerned about welfare, wellbeing and safety of its citizens who are in distress in any country and would do whatever it takes to protect them from the hardship.”

The NEMA boss was quoted in a statement by the spokesman for the agency, Yushau Shuaib, to have spoken when he received the Controller General of Federal Fire Service who paid him a courtesy visit.


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20110224339993

This is what some of us have been stressing here for a long time. We are more politically advanced than most of these Arab countries. Those countries are so repressive and corrupt that the only thing saving them from mass poverty and anarchy is their huge oil reserves and tiny populations. So a dictator or ''Sheikh'' can embezzle $100 billion and yet manage to take care of the basic needs of their tiny populations. Libya has just 6 million people but has larger oil reserves than Nigeria. By right every Libyan should live in a huge mansion and drive a Bentley or Rolls. Instead unemployment and poverty still blight them. No wonder they're fed up.

ROSSIKE:

This is what some of us have been stressing here for a long time.

So what kind of revolution will happen in Nigeria, with our money guzzling democracy and a rapacious leadership?

I actually agree with the comments. Nigeria has had its rocky years, but we're fairly stable these days, compared to many of these countries in the Maghreb. Those countries, in fact a lot of African countries, have a lot to learn from Nigeria. We are multi-ethnic and heterogenous in structure, yet we manage to stay afloat, and manage relatively bloodless transitions from government to government.

Men like Ghadaffi are nothing but raving lunatics.

I am sure Mubarak, Ben Ali, and Ghadaffi would have said same 12 months ago.

Pride comes before a fall.

Whats the difference? Do they think if all hell burst out there wont be half the entire population on the streets?
Why? Coz Power gets recycled every four years, just some particular political elite running this country to the ground.
Obj 8 years, plus UMY + GEJ = 16 years.
Its always been more of the SAME.
Your GEJ isnt any better than the same OBJ who spent 8 years creating division and unemployment.

AjanleKoko:

I actually agree with the comments. Nigeria has had its rocky years, but we're fairly stable these days, compared to many of these countries in the Maghreb. Those countries, in fact a lot of African countries, have a lot to learn from Nigeria. We are multi-ethnic and heterogenous in structure, yet we manage to stay afloat, and manage relatively bloodless transitions from government to government.

Men like Ghadaffi are nothing but raving lunatics.

i
I think we are mixing perspectives here. The reason such uprising occur is because of a central dictatorial leadership hierarchy not because Nigeria is advanced politically or that things are now stable in Nigeria. These countries operate a leadership style that centralized core political (thus economic) power to a single or few individuals. that is why when the Corrupt Leader bails, things return to normal and the business of democracy can begin in earnest. (Cut the Snake's head and the Body dies)

For Nigeria it is simply impossible for such uprisings to occur for the following reasons

Chronic Bad Leadership and Governance cannot be traced to one root source simply because in Nigeria, Bad Governance, Corruption, Bad Leadership is a sophisticated INSTITUTION.

An Institution is purposely meant to streamline the best practices of any social, economic, political and religious eco-system into a balanced framework where if each individual working within the guidance of the institution can contribute meaningfully to the general well-being of the eco-system. That is why you have Higher Institutions, Banking Institutions etc. If they were family businesses (like most African Nations are)  Uprisings are bound to occur and mostly likely will succeed in toppling the ruling structure simply because you have less people (usually 1 key person) to deal with

in Nigeria, every Politician is a Ghadaffi in his own right (try to make a u-turn in front of a senator's house and see where you end up. i dare you) and because they have undermined the very institution within which they operate, they can prolong their existence thus slowly strangle the benefits of democracy or suppress justice because the weak institutions allow them to. Do you know the funny part of all this. IT IS PERFECTLY LEGAL

Try getting an International Travel Passport and notice how many holes exists within the system that allow you to by-pass Instituted Practices to get your Passport in 4 hours (after bribes to officials working within the institution).

Revolutions currently razing the Arab world is not because of corrupt institutions,but because of corrupt leadership. There will never be a revolution in Nigeria simply because we will have to now deal with ourselves as corrupt individuals working within a corrupt institution, sustaining a corrupt leadership. how will you mass a protest against potentially 1 million bad leaders who are actually the bolt and nuts in the wheel that turns this once great nation. HOW?

That is why many Nigerians and Internationals are usually perplexed at the way things work in Nigeria. it is simply a Corrupt Institution so doign away with a bad leader like ABACHA won't solve the problem, (Several Abachas will spring up in several places)

How many of you here preaching revolution wants to die in the process. Search your minds. How many of you want to sit in London and watch on AlJazeera how your parents, brothers, sisters, family are being killed in the face of revolution? How many of you ready to lay down your books and jobs in the west to come home and lead in the revolution? How many? None.

againstGEJ:

How many of you here preaching revolution wants to die in the process. Search your minds. How many of you want to sit in London and watch on AlJazeera how your parents, brothers, sisters, family are being killed in the face of revolution? How many of you ready to lay down your books and jobs in the west to come home and lead in the revolution? How many? None.

Of course no one wants to fight for what they don't feel is theirs to own in the first place - Do you own a piece of democracy in Nigeria, would you fight for it, sacrifice your life for your children to own a piece of democracy? I doubt it

^^^

So whats this shout of revolution all over the place then? So, its democracy you are supposed to fight for, or your country as an entity?

LOL

If they dont feel Nigeria is theirs, why are they proposing and shouting revolution right from their roof tops? You see what we are saying? Nigerians are all talk and no action.

ofcourse is not going to happen in Nigeria because another criminal army will takeover immediately.

I will like to see that happen

i am tired of dem OBJ's

AjanleKoko:

I actually agree with the comments. Nigeria has had its rocky years, but we're fairly stable these days, compared to many of these countries in the Maghreb. Those countries, in fact a lot of African countries, have a lot to learn from Nigeria. We are multi-ethnic and heterogenous in structure, yet we manage to stay afloat, and manage relatively bloodless transitions from government to government.

Men like Ghadaffi are nothing but raving lunatics.

Not really . All they can learn from us is lack of sincerity and leadership 419. Was the 2007 elections in Nigeria not adjudged "one of the worst seen in the history of man" by local and International observers ? what then are we celebrating ? Are we to beat our chest and strut around as "examples for others" proud of how usurpers have stolen the mandates of Nigerians , at every level , to leave us with crooks, conmen and discredited individuals who are looting us blind while enshrining a culture of ineptitude, fraud, indolence and brazen theft?

If we rig in change leaders every 4 or 8 years , with the same Party ensuring it uses "do or die" methods to enforce its misrulers on us, does that make us better off or a laudable example for others who may have one leader for 15 years yet enjoy far better education, infrastructure, employment, healthcare and better overall developmental prospect than we do? What is the difference between 20 years of PDP rule in Nigeria (albeit with different Presidents) and 20 years rule of an Arab Country by one man who still delivers  , far better than all PDP Presidents added together , a nation that resembles a normal one by all accounts? We should be careful what we celebrate in Nigeria. I know we enjoy few victory and praises as a nation but that does not mean we rush to pat ourselves on the back for something which is more indicative of our failings than our success.

I am surprised that many Nigerians forget too quickly.

The FG is a joker. A revolution can happen in Nigeria, it may not take the same form as in Egypt.

A hungry man is an angry man. Many people would participate in a revolution without knowing. Before they even know it, a revolution has happened.

It may surprise you that many Egyptians are still in shock in their accomplishment. And some Egyptians do not consider their effort to be revolutionary at all. But see the result.

The FG should be careful when making patronising utterances.

The FG should try to change the hopeless situation of our people now.

Revolution does not ring bell, it will come when it will.

When it start, it will not stop; that is revolution.

Gbawe:

Not really . All they can learn from us is lack of insincerity and leadership 419. Was the 2007 elections in Nigeria not adjudged "one of the worst seen in the history of man" by local and International observers ? what then are we celebrating ? Are we to beat our chest and strut around as "examples for others" proud of how usurpers have stolen the mandates of Nigerians , at every level , to leave us with crooks, conmen and discredited individuals who are looting us blind while enshrining a culture of ineptitude, fraud, indolence and brazen theft?

Erm . . .
Lack of insincerity = sincere
no vex o bros

But seriously, the point is, we don't have a sit-tight alaye running everything in Nigeria.
That looters are running for office is kind of beside the point. We have PDP, ANPP, ACN, DPA, APGA, etc etc with at least one elected official somewhere. And 99% of all these people are looting. PDP just happens to be the biggest kahuna in town.

If we are misgoverned, we're wilful collaborators in the misgovernance. Forget political office holders, what about civil servants and private company workers who are happy campers in the school of 'ineptitude, fraud, indolence and brazen theft?'

Not trying to be sarcastic, bros. Though I do agree with you, revolution of that nature can't happen in Nigeria. But in any case, I don't think there's a need for it. In my opinion, we are exactly where we should be, and are moving forward at the pace a country of this nature and complexity can be realistically expected to move. Shi Kena.

beknown:

I am surprised that many Nigerians forget too quickly.

The FG is a joker. A revolution can happen in Nigeria, it may not take the same form as in Egypt.

A hungry man is an angry man. Many people would participate in a revolution without knowing. Before they even know it, a revolution has happened.

It may surprise you that many Egyptians are still in shock in their accomplishment. And some Egyptians do not consider their effort to be revolutionary at all. But see the result.

The FG should be careful when making patronising utterances.

The FG should try to change the hopeless situation of our people now.

Revolution does not ring bell, it will come when it will.

When it start, it will not stop; that is revolution.

With thousands or millions touting revolution via their comfort zones in the West?

some people are not at per with realities in Nigeria. Go to a place like Lagos, do a research, ask the market man/woman if he will join a revolution, do so for all the cities in Nigeria, you will then know what reality is on ground.

Not really . All they can learn from us is lack of sincerity and leadership 419. Was the 2007 elections in Nigeria not adjudged "one of the worst seen in the history of man" by local and International observers ? what then are we celebrating ? Are we to beat our chest and strut around as "examples for others" proud of how usurpers have stolen the mandates of Nigerians , at every level , to leave us with crooks, conmen and discredited individuals who are looting us blind while enshrining a culture of ineptitude, fraud, indolence and brazen theft?

If we rig in change leaders every 4 or 8 years , with the same Party ensuring it uses "do or die" methods to enforce its misrulers on us, does that make us better off or a laudable example for others who may have one leader for 15 years yet enjoy far better education, infrastructure, employment, healthcare and better overall developmental prospect than we do? What is the difference between 20 years of PDP rule in Nigeria (albeit with different Presidents) and 20 years rule of an Arab Country by one man who still delivers , far better than all PDP Presidents added together , a nation that resembles a normal one by all accounts? We should be careful what we celebrate in Nigeria. I know we enjoy few victory and praises as a nation but that does not mean we rush to pat ourselves on the back for something which is more indicative of our failings than our success.

Our falling isn't just caused by PDP alone, when the 5 fingers of a leprous hand ( God bless Bola Ige wherever he is) adopted Abacha and the likes of Daniel kanu and his YEAA youths were shouting ABACHA OR NO SHOW, what became of PDP was one of our saviours, you forget too soon, The problem isn't PDP the problem is our attitude towards corruption, its something like someone rightly pointed out that has become an institution a culture in Nigeria, and once you can root that out of us, then we are close to redemption.

Revolution can happen, not the type happening in these countries.

AjanleKoko:

Erm . . .
Lack of insincerity = sincere
no vex o bros

I meant lack of sincerity and have amended appropriately.

But seriously, the point is, we don't have a sit-tight alaye running everything in Nigeria.
That looters are running for office is kind of beside the point. We have PDP, ANPP, ACN, DPA, APGA, etc etc with at least one elected official somewhere. And 99% of all these people are looting. PDP just happens to be the biggest kahuna in town.

We do have a "sit tight alaye running everything in Nigeria". Its name is election rigging . If we think about it , election rigging ensures that those who have the mandate of the electorate are not allowed to represent the people who voted for them. This , in reality , is no different to sit-tight dictators refusing to give others a chance to lead.

If we are misgoverned, we're wilful collaborators in the misgovernance. Forget political office holders, what about civil servants and private company workers who are happy campers in the school of 'ineptitude, fraud, indolence and brazen theft?'

We are overly focused , in Nigeria , on what leaders , elders and respected members of society do . For years , for numerous reasons , we have had the bad luck of gaining criminals and reprobates as leaders everywhere . They have produced a culture of corruption and get-rich-quick mentality to the extent many of us now posit that this indicates the average Nigerian is also corrupt by nature. I don't agree . Our parents are proof . My mum and dad still display virtues that leave me stunned . Let votes count and let us gain some good guys and I am sure we will see a revival of the good core values that typified Nigeria/Nigerians in the past.

Not trying to be sarcastic, bros. Though I do agree with you, revolution of that nature can't happen in Nigeria. But in any case, I don't think there's a need for it. In my opinion, we are exactly where we should be, and are moving forward at the pace a country of this nature and complexity can be realistically expected to move. Shi Kena

I dont care , either way, to say if the pro-democracy agitation we are seeing now can happen in Nigeria or not . I would not even like to argue wether we need this action right now. My point is that we are not neccessarily better off than the Arab Nations , with their sit tight leaders, because we change Presidents every 4 or 8 years. As citizens, not out of touch with the plights of average Nigerians, we should judge a leadership system in terms of how effective it is at dealing with the problems of the populace. The Egyptians have 24/7 electrivcity and much better infrastructure than we do . If they want to see the back of Mubarak and we we are happy with our lot that does not mean they have anything to learn from us. They may just have far higher standards and expectations than Nigerians - perhaps in testimony to their better education and overall civic sophistication in comparison with Nigerians.

againstGEJ:

With thousands or millions touting revolution via their comfort zones in the West?

some people are not at per with realities in Nigeria. Go to a place like Lagos, do a research, ask the market man/woman if he will join a revolution, do so for all the cities in Nigeria, you will then know what reality is on ground.

@againstGEJ,

You surprised me. You have forgotten that there is information technology revolution already. Our location is not relevant in a modern day revolution. I guess you know facebook, blackberry, twitter, internet, email, etc. These are the tools of revolution. Revolution depends on efficient communication.

The Egypt scenario did not happen with a few people running from house to house. Information technology provided a quick and efficient means of communication to help the people in Egypt to reach each other.

Technology is the bedrock of any modern day revolution. Do not expect people to physically knock on your door in Nigeria.

Do not be deceived by the word 'revolution'. True revolution will not mention the name.

As you now know, information technology revolution sweep through the whole world daily.

Never say never, when u push d people to the wall they will surely put aside their differences and revolt.

Revolutions are more uncomplicated in Nations than in Countries. Nigeria is not a Nation. Very few (if any) Nigerians feel any nous of Nigerian-Nationhood or be bothered about its wellbeing. It’s turn-by-turn, chop-I-chop failed state.
How would you realistically induce an Ijaw or any Niger Delta man to join in a revolution in this dispensation? Is it not his turn? Why wasn't there revolution during Abacha or OBJ tenure? Or were state of affairs better at that time? There ends his debate.

Again, spiritual conviction contributes a lot to individual responses and viewpoints. The Middle Easterners are predominantly Muslims. It's a lot simpler to rally the masses, particularly, after the Friday prayers, etc. In Nigeria, because of the approximately equal fraction of two key religions, it's awfully hard to get the dissimilar factions to unite in a mass protest. Whereas Christians accept prayers, faith and hope as weapons of warfare, it's not the same in Islam. If truth be told, it's easier for revolution to arise in the Northern Nigeria than elsewhere, but that would be inadequate to alter the status-quo.

We just can't carry on as one Nigeria given all these apparent divergences and anticipate a revolution. No Way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Sadly.

beknown:

@againstGEJ,

You surprised me. You have forgotten that there is information technology revolution already. Our location is not relevant in a modern day revolution. I guess you know facebook, blackberry, twitter, internet, email, etc. These are the tools of revolution. Revolution depends on efficient communication.

The Egypt scenario did not happen with a few people running from house to house. Information technology provided a quick and efficient means of communication to help the people in Egypt to reach each other.

Technology is the bedrock of any modern day revolution. Do not expect people to physically knock on your door in Nigeria.

Do not be deceived by the word 'revolution'. True revolution will not mention the name.

As you now know, information technology revolution sweep through the whole world daily.

Leave the yeye guy alone jare. His benefactor, GEJ, is from the creeks where he earned his PhD. Apparently, the meaning pof revolution is skewed in their dictionary.

The revolution train is starting next week in a next door/neighboring country aka CAMEROUN and Paul Biya may as well be on his way out through the people's power movement. If Cameroun can revolt, how can a sensible government think it's impossible in 9ja.

Apparently their believe Nigerians cannot revolt makes it easy for them to continue to loot us dry.
It all started in Lebanon and then Jordan and the Tunisia and then Egypt. Currently Bahrainis, Yemenis and Libyans are revolting. Cameroun will join soon and Mr. GEJ thinks they can keep getting away with defiling the collective sanctity of our Nation.

The body at its weekly meeting in Abuja said Nigeria was being “run on constitutional order,” hence it was not possible for the people to rise against the authorities as currently entails in the North African countries, notwithstanding that Nigeria is facing similar developmental challenges as the affected countries.

Goverment has officially started the revolution.

This is the life time opportunuty for the south south people to have control of their wealth that is being wasted through corruption in Nigeria.

This is life time opportunity for other part of the country to free themselves from the hands of dictators in Nigeria.

50 years is more than enough to get our hearth together as a nation and we lost it.

Freedom Freedom Freedom.

Walai talai Nigeria will definitely break. Nobody can stop it. It's God making.

We have missed numerous chances of revolution in Nigeria.
We can have similar crisis in Nigeria and it could be a lot worse. Its just that it wont be much more than a serious breakdown of law and order with no particular aim. Also, an uprising has to include the North. An uprising without the North is a joke.

beknown:

@againstGEJ,

You surprised me. You have forgotten that there is information technology revolution already. Our location is not relevant in a modern day revolution. I guess you know facebook, blackberry, twitter, internet, email, etc. These are the tools of revolution. Revolution depends on efficient communication.

The Egypt scenario did not happen with a few people running from house to house. Information technology provided a quick and efficient means of communication to help the people in Egypt to reach each other.

Technology is the bedrock of any modern day revolution. Do not expect people to physically knock on your door in Nigeria.

Do not be deceived by the word 'revolution'. True revolution will not mention the name.

As you now know, information technology revolution sweep through the whole world daily.

You make me laugh hard.

Your own revolution, is to yab on the internet. I bet the gys killed, maimed, wounded in Libya/Egypt have never been on the internet. So the majority of people you want to go match on the streets are going to be doing so in the comfort of their homes?

If you want to use that argument, the guy in Egypt, the Google Executive who started it all, didnt stay on FB, he came out to join the protest. But majority in Nigeria cow in the west and urge people to go die in a war they will never be part of.

The protest in Tunisia started by someone setting fire on himself. Not on FB or somewhere. We need one of you, proponents of a revolution to come to Abuja or Lagos, set yourself on fire and see if others will follow you or run away from you talkless of joining you in a "revolution".

Talk is cheap, come and start, you say na for internet. LOL

@ROSSIKE,So you think we are more advanced than the Arabs,you are so wrong.Civilization is a movement and its definitely moving towards the political structure of the Arabs.I think we need similar or more powerful revolution in Nigeria before we can make any meaningful progress.Just a matter of time,it will definitely come one day when the masses are tired.

againstGEJ:

You make me laugh hard.

Your own revolution, is to yab on the internet. I bet the gys killed, maimed, wounded in Libya/Egypt have never been on the internet. So the majority of people you want to go match on the streets are going to be doing so in the comfort of their homes?

If you want to use that argument, the guy in Egypt, the Google Executive who started it all, didnt stay on FB, he came out to join the protest. But majority in Nigeria cow in the west and urge people to go die in a war they will never be part of.

You bet! That's the very problem a lot of you half baked school leavers have. I live amongst the families of those guys who were maimed and injured and even killed in Egypt. They were constantly on the web reaching their guys back home. If you are ignorant about an issue, do us all a favor to be quiet and read comments from more intelligent contributors.