naijaking1:

Does anybody hear remember the 53 unsearched luggages belonging to an emir friend of President Buhari that went through the airport the same time 3 Nigerian students were retroactively convicted and put to death for carrying drugs in their own luggages

The soul of those 3 students carry out for justice .
Buhari should be in jail, not running for president again.

We don't want a Gaddafi in Nigeria.

Owing to the damaging effect of currency trafficking outside the Nation’s shores, the Buhari administration decided to change the colors of the currency notes in April 1984. This yielded the desired result as N5Billion excess liquidity was mopped off! As a backlash on this exercise, there was insidious story from a section of the media that the Buhari regime allowed the Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Jokolo to bring in 53 suitcases during the currecy change, thereby insinuating a case of double standard. Let it be said from the onset, the opinion tenaciously held on to about this incident was what was sold to the unsuspecting Nigerian public by a section of the press. So much hoodwinked that Buhari's explanation had never been heard!This is what Buhari said about this: "This is a typical case of the press believing what they want to believe. I hope it is not a reflection of the Nigerian society. I hope one day you will find the time to interview the Vice President on this. I understand he was the Customs officer in charge of the Murtala Mohammed airport, perhaps he knows more about it than myself. I have explained this so many times but the press write what they want to write and not what is factual."

. . . . .

As an undergraduate, I did a little bit of mathematical induction. Without doubt, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was very friendly with General IBB (the serving Chief of Army staff) at the time of this 53-suitcase saga. We cannot infer anything yet, it is necessary to delve a little into IBB's subterfuge and fifth-columnist-posturing during the Buhari regime.

During the infamous Nigerian Medical Association (NMA)-induced doctors' strike of 1984/85, Dr Fashakin (a former NMA President in Ife zone) had in an internet discourse, graciously acknowledged the 'logistics' support extended to the ‘fleeing’ NMA executive members by the same Gen. IBB.

. . . . . .  , 

The Newsprints ordered by Concord Press (owned by Chief MKO Abiola) were seized by the Buhari regime because of infraction of the subsisting importation regulation. On the day (27th August, 1985) the Buhari regime was toppled, an airplane owned by Concord airline ferried General IBB from Minna to Lagos to assume leadership of the Nation. Did that suggest a friendship that facilitated the successful removal of the regime?

Was there a possibility of an alliance by General IBB and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to embarrass the Buhari regime? I strongly believe so! I therefore make bold to declare that the 53-suitcase issue was a hoax! You are at liberty to hold on to your impression.

Atiku worked as a customs officer for 20 years and retired as a deputy director of customs before turning to business and politics in 1989. While serving as the area comptroller in charge of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos in 1984, the '53 suitcases' scandal happened. The Buhari administration noticed that politicians were engaging in currency trafficking and suddenly decided to change Nigerian currency notes as a solution. The suddenness and short deadline given for the currency change caught many unawares. The government also insisted that all luggage must be thoroughly checked regardless of the personality behind them.

Against this backdrop, the 53 suitcases belonging to the late Emir of Gwandu and A. Waziri, a former ambassador, arrived at MMIA with instructions that they must not be checked. Atiku refused and insisted that the luggage must be searched in line with the federal government directive. Mustapha Jokolo, a major and Buhari’s aid-de-camp, ADC,then and the emir’s first son, arrived and sealed off the airport insisting that the luggage must be cleared. Jokolo later became emir.

The luggage were eventually cleared. At the same time, Buhari ordered an immediate and thorough investigation into the matter. Atiku’s refusal to allow the entry of the suitcases unless they were checked almost cost him his job. Onaolapo Soleye, then minister of finance who was overseeing the Nigeria Customs Service, argued against his sack based on his unblemished record in the customs. But, Atiku was re-deployed from MMIA.

If Atiku is not in exile, when is he coming back to Nigeria to stay? He provided the answer: “Soon. Before the end of October.”

Here are the excerpts:

Let’s talk about the controversial 53 suit cases you claimed for your father, the then Emir of Gwandu, in 1984. What is your version of the story?


I have said several times in the last twenty something years that I was innocent of everything. Now, it has turned round that somebody like Prof. Wole Soyinka wrote a book saying that I was smarter than Vice President Atiku. It was wrong of Wole Soyinka to say it happened in Kano. Look, in 1984, my father traveled to London for medical check up. He had an entourage of about 13 people. After his operation, he moved to Saudi Arabia for Umrah, the lesser hajj. On his way back, he was on the same flight with Ambassador Dahiru Waziri who was the Ambassador to Saudi Arabia for six years.


He was appointed State Chief of Protocol and so, was moving back with his entire family. So, he decided to come with them on the same aircraft. Around that time, there was currency change because of the poor economy of the country and the naira was all over the place. We had no control over our economy. The government planned a secret operation to change the colour of the currency. All borders were closed and that was the time when this aircraft was landing. When it came in, I remember we were about to play squash with Buhari, Idiagbon and others.


Then Buhari asked me if my father was not coming back that day. I said ‘Yes sir, we have already sent people to bring him back’. He said ‘Are you not going to receive him?’ I said ‘No sir’ and he said I should go and receive him. He gave me orders to go and receive him.

So, I asked Captain Maitama who was the Commander of the Brigade of Guard to accompany me. So, two of us drove to the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos. While there, I saw some officers who were going on course to the United States. Colonel Walbe was the one who arranged that course.

While we were there, I was told that the aircraft had landed and was also told that they had some problems at the baggage area. When I went with Captain Maitama, I saw some Customs officers with some of our people and I asked what the problem was. They said that the Customs said that they were not allowed to check the luggage. I asked why, every luggage here should be checked. They said those ones on the ground had been checked, but that there were some that were taken away from the aircraft itself in a truck direct from the State House without coming through the customs area. I said whose luggage were they and they said it belong to State Protocol.

One ASP Saidu Gella who also was from Adamawa state like the Chief of Protocol was the Luggage officer in the State House. He was the one who went with Maigari to collect the luggage direct from the aircraft without coming through the Customs. I said ‘Is there anyway you can call them?’ Unfortunately, we do not have the mobile telephone at that time. I asked if they had walkie talkie and the said they had none.

So, I said I was not here for him and asked if they had cleared these ones and he said they had cleared them. ‘Can we go?’ and they said ‘You can go’. I swear to Almighty Allah, if there is anything other than this, may God strike me dead. May he not forgive me my sins. That was all that I knew about all that happened. The following day, we read in the newspapers that there were 35 suit cases that passed through Customs without clearance.

The Emir did not come with 35 suit cases. It was the Chief of Protocol, Dahiru Waziri, whose luggage were taken away from the aircraft straight to his house without going through customs. The Emir’s baggage were not more than 12. All of them had one piece each because they had landed them there. Whatever shopping they did before, they transported them from London in an aircraft and they received them. So, we had cleared their luggage before. At this time, they were in London when there was this ban. When they finished, before they left, there was this border closure.

They had nothing to do with the 35 suit cases. When we cleared their luggage, they had not closed the border and so, they came with single baggage of their dresses. We did not allow what was going on. Then, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the present Vice President was Area Administrator at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport. He was the one who came on air to say it was an Emir from the North who brought not 35, but 53 suit cases. Onalaope Soleye was the Finance Minister. To date that I am talking to you, nobody has asked me to answer anything.

I think there was power play at that time and there were many interest groups. There were people who were trying to bring Buhari down. Buhari’s half brother was on the Emir’s entourage who was father to Alhaji Mamman, same mother with Buhari. People knew about it. So, he was the target. Then, they started mentioning the Emir of Daura, but it was Buhari’s brother who was in the group. Now, Ambassador Dahiru Waziri was colleague to Ambassador Rafindadi who was the Director General of NSO. On their own part, they were trying to cover the Ambassador.

Another angle to it was that Atiku was aiming to be Director of Customs, while Abubakar Musa was Director of Customs. If he was painted in bad light, if Atiku presented himself as the champion of the discovery, Abubakar Musa being from Sokoto, would be painted black and possibly he would be removed and automatically, Atiku would be made Director of Customs. So, you see, there were three interest groups. One, people who are trying to paint Buhari black by referring to the Emir of Daura in the accusation. There was a mention of the Emir of Daura, but they knew it was Buhari’s brother, but they didn’t have the courage to mention Buhari’s brother, Alhaji Dauda. There are people like Atiku who were out to get the Director of Customs and there was Rafindadi, the Director General of NSO who was trying to protect his own friend, the State Chief of Protocol whom he brought to Buhari.

He never knew State Chief of Protocol and since I was there, my father was not the victim, but me. To get access to Buhari, they had to get me first. This is all part of power play and the whole thing was like that. It was being sponsored within the military itself. For example, when Chief Awolowo’s house was searched, Buhari never knew about it. He read it on the pages of newspapers. It was carried out by a group of military officers who arranged for Chief Awolowo’s house to be searched. They knew Buhari would not come out to say ‘I didn’t order it’. So, it was power play and I had no opportunity to defend myself because I was not allowed to speak.

Abubakar came up the ranks of the ruling PDP primarily, due to the pivotal role he played in its formation. He was also an ardent opponent of General Sani Abacha, the late dictator. Atiku's source of wealth has caused some curiosity among Nigerians but that also goes for many other wealthy Nigerians. He has said in a new biography yet to be published that he made his money, "through wise investments, hard work and sheer luck of being at the right place at the right time," but many think this statement is just a smokescreen.

He worked as a Customs Officer for twenty years, rising to the rank of Deputy Director before turning to business and politics in 1989. While serving as a Customs officer in charge at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos in 1984, the infamous "53 suitcases" scandal belonging to the late Emir of Gwandu happened. [b]This incident incensed the then Head of State, General Buhari and his Deputy, Brig. Tunde Idiagbon, who ordered an immediate and thorough investigation into the matter, to the chagrin of the Head of State's then ADC, Maj. Mustafa Jokolo, who was, incidentally, the Emir's first son. The Finance Minister at the time, Onaolapo Soleye and another young but influential Army Officer, Col. Chris Alli, tried in vain to plead Atiku's case before Buhari and Idiagbon. Fate was later to conspire in Abubakar's favour just as his trial was all set to go ahead: General Ibrahim Babangida, in an effort to save his own skin, overthrew the Buhari regime. This worked perfectly well for Atiku Abubakar, who was eventually eased out of office (effectively sacked). [/b]A counter-view is however posited by Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, who records, "Not only did Buhari dispatch his aide-de-camp, Jokolo, to facilitate the entry of those cases, he ordered the redeployment, of the Customs Officer (Atiku) who stood firmly against the entry of the contravening baggage" (The Guardian, Feb. 6, 2007, p2)

naijaking1:

All these young, uninformed and impressionable kids running around these days don't know anything about Buhari, listen to this:

"A counter-view is however posited by Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, who records, "Not only did Buhari dispatch his aide-de-camp, Jokolo, to facilitate the entry of those cases, he ordered the redeployment, of the Customs Officer (Atiku) who stood firmly against the entry of the contravening baggage" (The Guardian, Feb. 6, 2007, p2)"

I have told everybod, Buhari and his group are part and parcel of Nigeria's problem right from time.

In an ideal society, Pat Utomi will be the Obama of our generation, follwed by Ribadu.

naijaking1:

Buhari should have been in jail long before now.

naijaking1:

Buhari should have been in jail long before now.

Jakumo:

Given the rising global threat of Islamic fundamentalist terror, of which Ayatollah Buhari is a poster boy, I remain convinced that Uncle Sam is paying very close attention to developments in Nigeria, given that nation's strategic importance as a supplier of high grade crude oil.

In the extremely unlikely event that Sharia amputation law exponent Buhari comes close to rigging his way into power as Nigeria's next president, there is absolutely no question in my mind that the Baboon-Dawa of Kutuwenji Village will be terminated with extreme prejudice in a manner that forecloses the option of an open-casket funeral. That necessary strategic elimination will have been sanctioned by agents of freedom and democracy, in order to save Nigeria and her trading partners from the cancer of fundamentalist lunacy, which the doomed Ayatollah exemplifies.

naijaking1:

Isn't it funny that people should believe anything Buhari says for the sake of getting elected?
Yes, he promises freedom for all, but did he give freedom to all when he had the opportunity?
He promises discipline, we still remember how biased his War against Indisciple was.
He promises, promises, and promises to do things he refused to do as president in the 1980s.
So, where did he go to have a change of heart, an informed perspective? No where, he's still the same old tyranical Buhari who thinks God created Christians and other Nigerians to serve his Hausa/Fulani oligarchy with their blood and sweat.
You can't fool me

9ijaMan:

Why would Buhari fool you when you are already being fooled by Jona. Your reasoning above shows clearly the effect of the 12 years of consistent decay in the Nigerian educational institutions. You proved to be a real product of PDP's misrule as such there is no need for anyone to try to fool you now. You've been fooled for 12 long years to the extent that you no longer comprehend what the word means.

Time2Think:

3. Rice, sugar, salf and toiletries became essential commodities, sold at controlled prices. --- prices that were within the reach of the average nigerian

13. WAI brigade

Kobojunkie:

Those two were all it took to make me love the change. We used to wake up early each day so we could head on down to Haruna Bread, at Haruna Bus Stop in Ikorodu to get freshly baked bread for 10 kobo on our way to school. It was awesome. And with the town CLEAN, and DISCIPLINED, it was great growing up in that town.  Even the then poor appreciated the fact that they could still get 3 square meals daily.

Seun:

Is that sustainable?  I bet you studied economics in school.  How would you like it if the government forces you to provide your consulting services at a more "affordable" price?

Seun:

Is that sustainable? I bet you studied economics in school. How would you like it if the government forces you to provide your consulting services at a more "affordable" price?

9ijaMan:

Seun you are not right there. The military government of Buhari only forced those who were hoarding commodities in order to creat artificial scarcity and subsequently force the price to go up. No government will be able to force anyone to make intangible goods such as consulting services to be cheaper.
Hence you postulation will not come to pass as you cannot possibly hoard intangible goods as you can tangible commodities.

noblezone:

Bros, where were you then?
I was an eye witness. The so called task force was moving through the streets with a van. One of them will enter a shop and ask for some items. If you are not selling on the "forced" price, you will be arrested, prosecuted and jailed.
Buhari is a tyrant and must not be allowed to ruin Nigeria. He is no different from the other dictators. Besides, Mr clean Buhari is yet to explain what he was doing with Abacha by serving as the head of Abacha's Petroluenm Theiving Funds.

noblezone:

Bros, where were you then?
I was an eye witness. The so called task force was moving through the streets with a van. One of them will enter a shop and ask for some items. If you are not selling on the "forced" price, you will be arrested, prosecuted and jailed.
Buhari is a tyrant and must not be allowed to ruin Nigeria. He is no different from the other dictators. Besides, Mr clean Buhari is yet to explain what he was doing with Abacha by serving as the head of Abacha's Petroluenm Theiving Funds.

10cirenoh:

^^^^^

Habaaaaaaaa you have started lying again, how can you buy for N5 and be forced to sell for N4? can you be truthful for once? what did you buy for N4 that was initially bought by the seller for N5?