[uhttp://www.?u=http%3A%2F%2Fnigerianbulletin.com%2F2011%2F05%2F04%2F%E2%80%98acn%E2%80%99ll-not-turn-down-ministerial-offer-from-jonathan-nigerian-tribune%2F%3Fsms_ss%3Dfacebook%26at_xt%3D4dc11d438f2254c2%252C0&h=c31b3rl][/url]

Is that not going to be an unholy marriage? at this tjme when a credible opposition is needed,what is your views on this?

its pay back time for Acn for helping to win southwest,those were some of the agreements reached.They will get like 3 ministries

Good development. What matters most is that Nigeria moves forward and everyone is on board (as much as possible). It is politics not war. CPC should watch and learn.

However it may weaken the opposition ,but Acn as learnt from the last agreement which Ad made with PDP and PDP betrayed after by taking over southwest ,but now it will be different.AM happy that the whole south have come together ,we will have a better country soon.

If ACN leaders know what they are doing, it should make them stronger and not weaker. It will be an opportunity to showcase their competence at the national level. Even the republicans in USA are a major part of Obama's decision making process.

ACN have stated definitively and officially that the Party is not interested in any "Government of National Unity". They hint that it is the PDP's way of weakening the opposition to provide a situation where the government of the day , undemocratically , has no critics . The ACN are happy to be a Government-in-waiting because there is every confidence that the next 4 years will cement the Party's reputation as one that is capable, more than others, of providing good leadership for Nigerians . This belief that the ACN will join a GNU ( see below) is the result of premature talk from an individual that is at odd with the stance reached by the Party. The Party have disowned his statement after meeting to officially take the stand of distancing the ACN from any GNU formed by GEJ.

http://www.dailytrust.dailytrust.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18572:acn-ready-for-jonathans-gnu--ekiti-chair-he-is-on-his-own-says-party&catid=1:news&Itemid=2

ACN ready for Jonathan’s GNU – Ekiti chair - He is on his own, says party
Wednesday, 04 May 2011 04:29 Abbas Jimoh, with agency report

The Ekiti State Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) said yesterday that the party would work with President Goodluck Jonathan’s proposed unity government if he followed democratic norms acceptable to the party.

Chief Jide Awe told reporters in Ado-Ekiti that the ACN did not see anything wrong in joining the government of the President-elect if it was to add value to governance and move the nation forward.

But the ACN’s national body however said it will never participate in any government of national unity (GNU) by whatever name it is called, adding that the Ekiti State chairman of the party is on his own.

Chief Awe had said that the party will join President Goodluck Jonathan’s government if invited and if it met some criteria. Awe said that whenever Jonathan called for nomination from the ACN the party would gladly oblige him.

He however said that Jonathan will have to first convince the party that he will not derail from the good attributes which made him secure the votes of people in ACN strongholds.

But speaking to Daily Trust last night in separate interviews, ACN’s National Secretary, Senator Lawal Shuaibu, and National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said Awe cannot speak for the party, even as the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party has ruled out any form of serving in President Jonathan.

“He is on his own. Our national chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, at his last press conference said we are incompatible with PDP and will not have any form of collaboration not to talk of GNU,” Senator Shuaibu said.

On his part, Alhaji Mohammed said, “he (Awe) has no authority to comment on such a sensitive matter without clearance from the national executive of the party. The National Working Committee (NWC) of the party rose from its deliberations this evening (yesterday) with the decision not to participate in any government of national unity by whatever name it is called.”

Gbawe:

ACN have stated definitively and officially that the Party is not interested in any "Government of National Unity". They hint that it is the PDP's way of weakening the opposition to provide a situation where the government of the day , undemocratically , has no critics . The ACN are happy to be a Government-in-waiting because there is every confidence that the next 4 years will cement the Party's reputation as one that is capable, more than others, of providing good leadership for Nigerians . This belief that the ACN will join a GNU ( see below) is the result of premature talk from an individual that is at odd with the stance reached by the Party. The Party have disowned his statement after meeting to officially take the stand of distancing the ACN from any GNU formed by GEJ.

http://www.dailytrust.dailytrust.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18572:acn-ready-for-jonathans-gnu--ekiti-chair-he-is-on-his-own-says-party&catid=1:news&Itemid=2

Man mi, u still dey town ? did u get the last mail?

Lagosboy:

Man mi, u still dey town ? did u get the last mail?

I go check now . I dey leave on Tuesday.

Gbawe:

ACN have stated definitively and officially that the Party is not interested in any "Government of National Unity". They hint that it is the PDP's way of weakening the opposition to provide a situation where the government of the day , undemocratically , has no critics . The ACN are happy to be a Government-in-waiting because there is every confidence that the next 4 years will cement the Party's reputation as one that is capable, more than others, of providing good leadership for Nigerians . This belief that the ACN will join a GNU ( see below) is the result of premature talk from an individual that is at odd with the stance reached by the Party. The Party have disowned his statement after meeting to officially take the stand of distancing the ACN from any GNU formed by GEJ.

http://www.dailytrust.dailytrust.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18572:acn-ready-for-jonathans-gnu--ekiti-chair-he-is-on-his-own-says-party&catid=1:news&Itemid=2

<Coughs>

So what's the story just after May 29?

Find out here: https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-680715.0.html

shame of a culture!!!!!!

Where are those who keep claiming ACN as a party have any philosophy different from PDP?

I have said it, people should stop confusing the efforts of Fashola and Lagos to mean there is anything different about ACN as a party.

efisher:

<Coughs>

So what's the story just after May 29?

Find out here: https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-680715.0.html

Please give it a rest. So what if Tinubu met with GEJ? Has Tinubu not always stated that the ACN will always be interested to hear what the Government has to say so far as efforts are sincerely aimed at moving Nigeria forward? If GEJ does not want to fail he should be seeking advice from the likes of Tinubu , rather than the usual brainless AGIPS lobbying the Presidency intensively, because the ACN boss is known to be capable of recognizing and faciliating achievers. GEJ could just be picking Tinubu's brain and it is only the most inobjective Nigerians who would have a problem with that notion considering that so many enemies of progress , who do not believe in giving nada back to Nigeria and Nigerians, have now laid seige to Aso rock intent on sponsoring themselves or their rapacious cronies into influential positions.

Trust me, GEJ needs to talk to folks like Tinubu if he wants to succeed. GEJ himself has been shocked by the "greed" of PDP lobbyist to the extent he openly spoke about how some were presenting their sons and daughters for important office !!!!! Mr. President has no choice but to look beyond what is offered by the PDP if he genuinely wants Nigeria to make progress. Folks can hate Tinubu all they want but no one can accuse him , as is the case with OBJ, of sponsoring deleterious mediocrities alone.

ACN is just flip-floping; changing their position on a daily bases. The so call ideological differences btw ACN and PDP is non-existent. They are both bird of a feather. Tinubu need work with GEJ if only to cover his corrupt ar/se.

mikeansy:

shame of a culture!!!!!!

Where are those who keep claiming ACN as a party have any philosophy different from PDP?

I have said it, people should stop confusing the efforts of Fashola and Lagos to mean there is anything different about ACN as a party.

The ACN have shown , with actual leadership feats, that they indeed have a different philosophy to the PDP. I don't understand where someone as intelligent as yourself is going with this blanket demonisation of the ACN. Have you noted their actual daily leadership actions that sets them apart from the PDP? Where were you when it was ACN legislators who vehemently opposed the confirmation of an ambassadorial nominee who , amongst other things, did not know our National anthem? The PDP , as usual , moved for her confirmation because "she will learn on the Job" while the ACN stated firmly that "Nigeria must reject mediocrity for the sake of progress". There are several examples like this where the ACN , in real situations that matter, has behaved with ideological steadfastness.

Those are the real and actual indices that set the ACN apart from the PDP i.e the conduct of respective ACN leaders in actual office . For you to now rashly declare them as no different to the PDP simply because Tinubu met GEJ is indicative of lack of objectivity. You should give us real examples, when critical decision making impacting on lives is concerned, of the ACN consistently behaving as rapaciously as the PDP to the extent that they merit your blanket categorization. Since GEJ won we have seen many erstwhile intelligent commentators , by ommission or commission, become apologists of the PDP and , by default, casual critics of th ACN. It is now fashionable to minutely srutinize what the ACN is doing so as to establish they are "no better than the PDP" thus justifying how some have now embraced the PDP , warts and all, because of their support for GEJ.

The ACN is far better than the PDP in ideology and actual deeds. That is the truth for anyone who cares to investigate or has a decent knowledge of the actual behaviour of our politicians in influential office.

emeka_gh:

ACN is just flip-floping; changing their position on a daily bases. The so call ideological differences btw ACN and PDP is non-existent. They are both bird of a feather. Tinubu need work with GEJ if only to cover his corrupt ar/se.

I think some of you just talk for the sake of it while others , perhaps those from his region, feel that because they support GEJ (and by default the PDP) they must now casually demonize the ACN. Do you follow our politicians beyond their utterances? Do you , for example, know of the diligence of the ACN legislators in comparision to the majority PDP legislators? If you did and you focus on actual deeds you would know that the ACN is far different to the PDP in ideology . It is like night and day. While the ACN has many individuals desirous of moving Nigeria forward , and we see this with their actual conducts, the PDP , as reiterated by the USA, is mainly a congregation of folks who have gotten together for self-interest alone.

Gbawe
I am not going to question your intelligence or how you apply it, but I do know you understand what political philosophy means. Left or Right, conservative or liberal depends on how a party see the right of the "individual" vs the "State". Stance on "free market economics", their stance of "Welfare", their stance on "public institutions" vs "privatisation".

Can you actually demonstrate coherently where ACN stand on these issues, what policies of the ACN makes them a Liberal or Progressive party and whether these ideologies and examples have clearly been demonstrated by all ACN controlled state governments?

These are what make political parties progressive or conservative. Being against PDP or any ruling Government does not make you a progressive by default. What makes you a progressive is what you stand for.
PDP does not have a coherent ideology. The same applies to ACN, in fact no political party in Nigeria stands for anything. They are all simply platforms to contest elections.

I strongly believe ACN has a lot to offer in terms of governance. The reason I resurrected this thread is to correct the erroneous impression some of us here had that ACN will never have anything to do with PDP. Some have the impression that PDP is made up of demons and ACN made up of angels. Many have said "Nothing good can come out of PDP" etc. The lesson to learn is simple. Politics is about interests. It is not war. Bottom line: all hands should be on deck to move the nation forward.

Are you having a laugh?

Your example of calling ACN  a progressive party is because they insisted a nominated candidate must know how to sing the National Anthem?

This is a pure joke Gbawe.

Gbawe you will do well to avoid the likes of mikeansy. i used to think he was a brilliant and fair chap in his analysis on this forum. But lately he has gone way below expectation. cherry picking arguments (as can be seen from his last post and on many other topics) is disgraceful to say the least. A pity when some of the few brilliant members we have on this forum decides to look at issues through rose tinted glasses. Again I say its a big shame.
I may not have contributed anything to this discussion but I just have to point this out.

peter_tosh:

Gbawe you will do well to avoid the likes of mikeansy. i used to think he was a brilliant and fair chap in his analysis on this forum. But lately he has gone way below expectation. cherry picking arguments (as can be seen from his last post and on many other topics) is disgraceful to say the least. A pity when some of the few brilliant members we have on this forum decides to look at issues through rose tinted glasses. Again I say its a big shame.
I may not have contributed anything to this discussion but I just have to point this out.

Why not contribute to the argument and let the world see the premise of your stance.

There is no need abusing Mikeansy because you enjoy the anonimity of your computer and yet fail to present an alternative/superior argument.

I think we should all be more grown up than that!!!!!

Why do people like flogging a dead horse.

After meeting yesterday with GEJ- The spokes person for ACN cant remember his name clearly stated to the press that ACN was not interested in any ministerial positions - It is was on TV yesterday. Even Tinubu confirmed it himself. So i cant understand who writes these articles

mikeansy:

Are you having a laugh?

Your example of calling ACN  a progressive party is because they insisted a nominated candidate must know how to sing the National Anthem?

This is a pure joke Gbawe.

It is becoming obvious , and even as I am loath to admit it, that Peter Tosh is right about you. You no longer write like the intelligent contributor who was able to be objective consistently. it is obvious that the National anthem example is merely to illustrate that the ACN is about meritorious deployment of human resources yet you try to rubbish the main point as a "pure joke" . The crux of the matter still relies on you showing , with real examples and in real situation, that the ACN behaves just as rapaciously as the PDP in manners that has now gained the ruling Party international infamy. otherwise you must admit you are wrong to imply that the ACN is no different to the PDP. Effective analysts and observeres will agree that it is the actual political behaviour of politicians that must lead us to indict or praise them in comparison to others. It is very wrong to make a sweeping statement categorizing the ACN negatively because Tinubu met GEJ !!! Did Ngige not also meet GEJ as well at the same time (see below) as a clear signal that this may just be about GEJ picking the brains of those who stand for progress?

What you must do to show that your blanket and , IMO, hasty and outrightly wrong categorization of the ACN , not all all in consonant with behaviour on the ground of ACN politicians in comparison to their PDP peers, is to prove , with real example, that the ACN have shown a predilection for callous opportunism consistently !!! Please provide historical evidence , accross all arms and tiers of Governance, where the ACN has acted with the deleterious selfishness and callousness of the PDP. When you claim the ACN is entirely about Lagos and Fashola alone one can see that you are now openly pandering to mischief because that notion defies logic if one is talking about about the conduct of ACN politicians in all arms of Nigerian Governance beyond the myopic focus on gubernatorial endeavours alone.


Folks should justify , with what Tinubu says below, any basis for attacking him or the ACN. Must the ACN stop attending meetings convened with the intentions to brainstorm for ways to move Nigeria forward. Some folks need to understand the difference between being in the opposition and being an outright and unhelpful feudalist.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/06/jonathan-in-talks-with-tinubu-akume-akande-ngige-others/

[b]Jonathan in talks with Tinubu, Akume, Akande, Ngige, others[/b]On June 2, 2011 · In Headlines ,
BY LEKE ADESERI, SOUTH WEST REGIONAL EDITOR, CLIFFORD NDUJIHE & DANIEL IDONOR
ABUJA — PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan is still exploring all options to put together a cabinet that will drive his transformation agenda in the next four years.

On this score, he met behind closed doors yesterday with the leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in Aso Rock, as part of efforts to carry all stakeholders along.

Although the outcome of the secret talks was not immediately clear, Tinubu told State House correspondents that the meeting went very well and was very successful, saying that “opposition is not about axes, cutlasses and dane guns.”

The president also met publicly with leaders of major political parties in the country where he called on them to join hands with his government for the country’s transformation.

The leadership of Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, was however absent at the meeting, which held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

This is coming as the President appointed the President of the Nigerian Economic Society, NES, Dr. Kenneth Adeyemi, as an Honorary Adviser on Economic Matters as indications emerged that Mrs Deziani Allison-Madueke may not be reappointed as Petroleum Minister.


From right: President Goodluck Jonathan; Senator George Akume; Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chairman, Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Chief Bisi Akande at the consultative meeting between President Jonathan and leaders of six political parties at the State House, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.
In an opening remark at the meeting which other parties including ACN; All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP; All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA; and Labour Party, LP, among others in attendance, President Jonathan said despite their political differences, major political leaders must work with the government to ensure that Nigerians get the dividends of democracy.

Cooperation of all the political parties

“No matter who is the President, no matter who is the governor, what Nigerians are interested in is to have food on the table, there should be infrastructure, there should be security and there should be good governance. And I know that not only the ruling party alone can make this possible. For me to succeed, to give Nigerians what they want, we must run a stable government. It needs the cooperation of all the political parties, all the leaders,” he said.

Roll call

Those in attendance were Bello Mohammed, Chairman of PDP; Kao Baraje, Secretary of PDP and Olusola Oke, Legal Adviser, PDP; Bisi Akande, Chairman ACN; Alhaji Bola Tinubu; Chris Ngige; and George Akume.

See more photos of those at the meeting here

Others are Ogbonnaya Onu, Chairman ANPP; Lanre Amosu, ANPP chieftain; Victor Ume, Chairman, APGA, Tim Manakaya, APGA; and Dan Nwuanyawu, Chairman, LP, among others.

Those on the side of government with President Jonathan were Vice President Namadi Sambo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe; Presidential spokesman, Mr Ima Niboro and Special Assistant on Research and Documentation, Mr Oronto Douglas.

I ‘ll run an inclusive govt — Jonathan

Jonathan said: “I want to plead with you that I will not want to run a government of opposition party or main party, I want us to collectively run a Nigerian government, a government that will take the interest of the country at heart and work towards solving our problems; the problems that are dear to our people.”

President Jonathan told the political leaders “that our interest is the interest of Nigeria, I am not going to play politics of discrimination. I want to assure you that I do not intend to run an opposition government. Let’s cooperate for the interests of our people,” stressing that whatever the point of differences among the different political groups was “we should be able to resolve our differences without rancour.

“That is why I call you, to assure you that I will run a Nigerian government. I want to assure you that our interest is the Nigerian interest and I know that the interest of every politician irrespective of the political party is the interest of the country. I am not going to play politics of discrimination,” he stated further.

CPC shuns parley

The meeting, which is part of the president’s consultation platform, was however shunned by the leadership of the Muhammed Buhari’s CPC. Not a single member of the party attended the meeting.

Nigeria is beginning to stabilise politically

While recounting the nation’s democratic journey, the president said he was hopeful that “Nigeria is beginning to stabilise politically” noting that it was through their collective efforts that the present leadership of the country emerged.

While emphasising the importance of the meetings with the different political parties, President Jonathan said “if it is possible and not at variance with your parties, I suggest we meet periodically so that things that are dear to our country, we will be able to discuss them.”

The president said the successful conduct of the April polls had placed more responsibilities on Nigeria both on the continental and at international level, especially the quest by Africa to occupy a permanent seat at United Nations Security Council, UNSC, and noted that “if we have a stable polity, our leadership role will increase and our citizens’ status will increase. The party of Mr. President cannot do it alone.”

Intrigues of Jonathan, Tinubu secret parley

Despite the warning of the leadership of ACN to its members not to visit Aso villa, the seat of government and his denial that he was hobnobbing with President Goodluck Jonathan, ACN National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chairman yesterday held a secret meeting with the nation’s number one citizen.

The parley seems to be a fall out of the meeting that took place between the two shortly before the April Presidential polls that delivered the predominantly ACN South-West to Jonathan, who contested under the PDP.

Although the ACN leader has denied interest in contributing nominees to the cabinet being put together by the President, watchers say yesterday’s meeting could be a forum to finalise such an arrangement.

Nation first before personal interest —Tinubu

[b]Justifying the talks with the president, Asiwaju Tinubu said: “The campaign is over, we are all Nigerians, patriotism dictates that you put the nation first before your personal interest, therefore you don’t have to look at the political partisan angle but look at the intention of the president exactly what he wants to achieve. He is the president until maybe the judiciary says otherwise.

He said that the meeting with President Jonathan to him “does not water the strength of the opposition parties in the country, adding that “it is a one-day meeting. It is not a regular meeting. There is a constructive level of opinion that you can get and use to build the nation.

Opposition not about axes, dane guns

“There is security situation; there are judicial matters too. There are so many issues in a complex country such as this that you can share and still not jeopardize the opposition. Opposition is not about axes, cutlasses and dane guns”.

Tinubu noted that as political leaders, who are interested in the growth and development of the nation, an invitation by the president to attend a meeting was in the right direction.

On the specific outcome of the meeting, he said “I am not in a position to discuss that, you have to talk to one of the party officials but the discussions were very constructive and were about nation-building and sustenance of democracy.

Meeting was successful

“As a nationalist, you have to respond to the call of the president and he spoke very well today, the meeting was a very successful one but that does not eliminate opposition”.

He, however, said ACN would continue to raise its voice in opposition to government’s decisions or policies that run contrary to the wishes and aspiration of the Nigerian people.

According to him, “we are not here to eliminate opposition and I am speaking for my own party and not for any other party. If you are invited by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, then what he really wants is a constructive opposition. However, that does not stop you from opposing any bad governance.”

Jonathan may appoint a man as next Petroleum Minister[/b]

Meanwhile, as Jonathan continues consultations on who would be in his cabinet, strong indications have emerged that he may have made up his mind to drop Mrs Deziani Allison-Madueke and appoint a man as the next Minister of Petroleum Resources.
Investigations by Vanguard revealed that President Jonathan publicly told Allison-Madueke so, in the presence of other outgoing cabinet members, at the Aso Villa, on Tuesday.

An ex-minister who hails from the same geo-political zone with the Mrs. Allison-Madueke, but prefers anonymity, told Vanguard that President Jonathan wanted to keep his decision to his chest, except for the outspoken nature of the Bayelsa-born former minister.

According to our source, Allison-Madueke was one of the few ministers that President Jonathan recognised to speak at a valedictory session packaged by the presidency for the outgoing ministers; where she commended the president for his courage to appoint a female as Petroleum Minister.

It was learnt that the former minister had hardly finished her remarks when the President interrupted her by saying “thank you very much. This time I will summon more courage to appoint a man as Minister of Petroleum.”

Allison-Madueke, like several of her colleagues, it was learnt, remained hopeful that she would be re-appointed by President Jonathan.
It was gathered that baring last-minute change of mind, the former Petroleum Minister would make the next cabinet but would be redeployed to another ministry.

While thanking the former FEC members for their interest to serve the country at a very critical time of Nigeria’s history; and wishing them the best of luck in their future endeavours, he said the country would continue to tap from their wealth of experience.

Jonathan said while some of them would be reappointed and reassigned their former portfolios, some would be assigned different portfolios. He urged others who would not return to the government to make themselves available whenever they were called upon.
President Jonathan assured the outgoing ministers to see their exit from the Federal Executive Council, FEC, as another opportunity to contribute their quota to the ongoing transformation agenda for Nigeria.

President Jonathan said he would have preferred the ministers to stay-on until a new cabinet was formed except for legal implication of the terms of their appointments which terminated on May 29, 2011.

…appoints NES boss as SA without pay

In the push for appointment of credible Nigerians, President Jonathan yesterday appointed the President of the Nigerian Economic Society, NES, Dr. Kenneth Adeyemi, as an Honourary Adviser on Economic Matters. Adeyemi is also to serve as a member of the National Economic Management Team, NEMT, when it is reconstituted.

President Jonathan said this would be an enduring tradition to enable the economic body interface regularly with government towards national economic transformation.

He stated these yesterday during a consultative meeting with the executive council of the body led by Adeyemi, in the State House, Abuja.

Professional body

Jonathan described the Nigerian Economic Society as a strategic professional body with ultimate competence on economic issues. Jonathan said that his administration will regularly draw from its wealth of knowledge on critical economic issues in the drive towards actualizing national economic transformation.

According to the President, “there is no other group that should be more competent to comment on economic issues than the Nigerian Economic Society because the body comprises of competent professionals on economic matters.”

He said government would henceforth hold unfettered interactions with NES in a bid to filter economic policies and ascertain their feasibility on national economy. He also enjoined the body to work closely with the Chief Economic Adviser to the President in proffering useful advice to government from time to time on the economy.

Responding, Dr. Adeyemi, thanked President Jonathan for the high recognition accorded the Society which has been in existence since 1957, while pledging its commitment to constantly advice and partner with the Jonathan administration towards achieving its economic transformation agenda.

blacksta:

Why do people like flogging a dead horse.

After meeting yesterday with GEJ- The spokes person for ACN cant remember his name clearly stated to the press that ACN was not interested in any ministerial positions - It is was on TV yesterday. Even Tinubu confirmed it himself. So i cant understand who writes these articles

Thank you OOO my brother. How can the ACN be indicted negatively for meeting with GEJ? The ACN , or any Party for that matter, As nationalistic stakeholders concerned with the progress of Nigeria , should never stop providing the Government with a listening ear. Not wanting to serve in GEJ Government is not at all the same as refusing outrightly and bellicosely to listen to what the President of Nigeria has to say because there is the chance that we are wrong about GEJ. Wether we personally like it or not , the man seems to have the mandate of Nigerians . Those of us who are democratic will respect that mandate even if we don't respect the man. To that end everyone should listen to what GEJ has to say and make decisions based on the utterances of the President. What type of Country do we want if parties , supposedly all interested in the progress of Nigeria, cannot even be minimally civil and cordial towards each other? Base feudalism now has to be rejected because , even with anomalies , it seems GEJ is the President Nigerians wanted.

@Mikeansy. I have no intention to abuse/insult your person. if you think so, I hereby tender my unreserved apology. You have to understand that not every member of this forum is interested in making a comment. Although most of us look forward to read opinions of people like you, oyb, gbawe and beaf (I do not necessarily agree with most of his views, just a means of viewing the other side of the coin) and a lot of other forumites. Again, my apologies.

@all. Sorry for posting out of topic.

btw. I would like to know why most people want ACN to fail? I am not a member of the party. Just curious. Thanks.

peter_tosh:

btw. I would like to know why most people want ACN to fail? I am not a member of the party. Just curious. Thanks.

In short, tribalism and bad belle.

ekt_bear:

In short, tribalism and bad belle.

I am beginning to believe this is the case more and more. There is no bad name , under the Sun, the Nairaland fans of GEJ (most who are not from the SW) have not called Tinubu yet their hero, Mr. President , clearly rates the input of Tinubu as he is always consulting with the ACN boss and seeking his audience !!! Some people think that Nigerian politics is remotely similar to the feudalistic "fight everyone to a standstill" colouration they rant about on NL. GEJ , himself, has been disgusted with the antics of the PDP to the point of moaning publicly about the "greed" and anti-progressive "selfishness" of PDP lobbyist . Jonathan will realise that he will sink quickly without having governmental advice/input from Tinubu et al that will help him balance the rapacious and selfish demands coming from within his own Party .

There is absolutely nothing wrong with GEJ , for example , wanting to know who Tinubu would reccomend for certain Government positions because , admit it or deny it, Tinubu does seem to empower achievers . There is no indication at all that this meeting entailed any horsetrading. Any PDP President who wants to exclude inputs from opposition Parties , only to rely on the self-serving Vultures in his own Party, is doomed to fail. All of us do it in life i.e seek the opinion of those who are neutral and uncompromised because we feel they may be better placed to tell us the truth.

^ Now we are on the same page. 

ACN can decide to take it a step further by recommending their own best brains to partake actively in GEJ's government. There is also nothing wrong with that. Nigeria will be better for it.

The future of Nigeria is bleak if this is how the youths carry themselves or even those who claim to be of a different standard by being in opposition.

Folks are claiming their party is progressive, I say it is not and challenge them to demonstrate how. Instead of defending their claim to moral high ground all I got is accusations of tribalism or not being intelligent anymore. Well if sounding intelligent in your book means I must say things pleasing to your ear all the time then we have a problem because for all I know intelligent people also do disagree.

Every argument I have made on this thread, I have also made against folks like Onlytruth and Eziachi when debating about APGA. And I said at the time just as I am saying now that APGA stands for nothing because it can not be placed anywhere on the political spectra of Right, Left or Centre. I did not sound tribalist when I made this argument against APGA, but now that I am making the same argument against ACN all of a sudden it has tribalism written all over it.

A successful oppotion is in the interest of Nigeria. In fact I have argued that if the opposition tried to maintain a more moral high ground PDP will buckle up and that can only be good for Nigeria. However while being against the Government in power can qualify you as an opposition political party, it does not and will never qualify you as having some kind of established ideology. Ideologies are demonstrated in how parties craft their policies, what they stand for as per their world view on the relationship between the individual and the state and what is the way forward. The fundamentals/basics of these ideologies will also be commonplace where people of that political party are in power.

I maintain that ACN as APGA as PDP as ANPP are simply platforms to win election and currently stand for no known ideologies. Anybody who argues otherwise must come up with demonstrated facts to defend any claim that their party is different.

Reining abuses is the kind of thuggish behaviour we have come to dislike about PDP and their folks so using the same tactic to defend your position only justifies my argument.

If you want to lay claim to a moral high ground then you must be ready to defend it.

Something as simple as telling us what their party stands for, Gbawe has failed to tell us.

Something as simple as showing us how these values their party stands for has been replicated in all ACN states Gbawe has also failed to tell us.

Again being less greedy or selfish (as mush as the extent to which this is true is open to debate) is not a political ideology. It does not make your party a progressive party.

Because in history we have seen very greedy folks both on the right or on the left of politics.

Gbawe:

I think some of you just talk for the sake of it while others , perhaps those from his region, feel that because they support GEJ (and by default the PDP) they must now casually demonize the ACN. Do you follow our politicians beyond their utterances? Do you , for example, know of the diligence of the ACN legislators in comparision to the majority PDP legislators? If you did and you focus on actual deeds you would know that the ACN is far different to the PDP in ideology . It is like night and day. While the ACN has many individuals desirous of moving Nigeria forward , and we see this with their actual conducts, the PDP , [b]as reiterated by the USA, is mainly a congregation of folks who have gotten together for self-interest alone. [/b]

There is nothing wrong with my comment. The fact remains that ACN is flip-flopping; changing their positions on every comment at the least opportunity. Secondly, there is nothing 'regional' about my comment. Your blind alliance to regional sentiment is one of your greatest Achilles heels.

What is demonising about stating the obvious? ACN has said severally that they wont join the GEJ government, perhaps money has changed hand; or Tinubu has now benefited immensely from the 'benevolence' of the 'evil' PDP; that he can now romance openly with the devil.

But like I said, your blind alliance to ACN will not allow you to think rationally, hence your haste to defend ACN, and attack those who think otherwise.

And please spare me the load of crap about ACN having individuals desirous of moving Nigeria forward. Which silly forward are they moving Nigeria to? This:

https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-673905.0.html
?

Cos those are the kind of junks (Tinubu inclusive) hiding behind Fashola in your beloved ACN.

I have nothing against ACN, but please stop this holier than though attitude about ACN. We know a lot of PDP governors that are doing very well in their states. ACN is no saint, and no less corrupt than PDP, especially as long as crooks like Tinubu hold sway.

And finally, talking too much on Nairaland does not make you an authority on  this sort of debate any other at that.

Enjoy!

@Gbawe: Please surrender this conversation to the emeka_gh and mikeansy. The truth is that ACN has revealed itself to be a party of flip-floppers.


Kindly note that when Jide Awe (ACN Ekiti Chairman) came out to say ACN was willing to work with PDP for a better Nigeria, the party leaders came out in full force to shout him down. That article is quoted earlier on in this thread. A few days later,  They said the following

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5699105-146/story.csp

ACN warns elected members to shun unity government

By Taiye Agbaje

May 11, 2011 11:06AM



The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday warned all its National Assembly members-elect to steer clear of political appointments from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led federal government, saying “whoever accepts such offer is on his own”.

The National Chairman of the party, Bisi Akande, who dropped the hint at an interactive session with the new members-elect in Abuja, said a unity government is of no use because the nation is not faced with problem of external threat.

“GNU is done, even abroad; but only when there is a problem of external threat;” he said. “But when the country is at peace, vibrant opposition allows for improved democratic process. And if we want to have a government of one party, why do we contest elections in the first instance? Therefore, don’t use our logo or position to accept any offer. If you do that, you are on your own. However, if you want to go on chop chop, you are not representing us.”

No need for unity government

Speaking on the topic, “The Position of ACN as Distinct from Party in Power,” the national spokesperson of the party, Lai Mohammed, also noted that a unity government weakens a democracy. He said since his party campaigned based on its manifesto, there was the need to focus on its agenda.

“GNU started in 1979 when NPN and NPP came together, but we knew how it ended. Similar attempt was made in 2007 and all the parties in agreement, like PPA and ANPP, paid for it. ANPP started with five governors and ended with two, while PPA started with two and ended in zero,” he said.

“Therefore, our position is clear. We have banned courtesy visit to any government that is not a member of ACN whether at local, state or federal level. A person appointed by another party must first resign his membership from ACN. You must know that all Nigerians are looking forward to ACN and our success is not for the party alone but for Nigerians.” While urging the newly elected lawmakers to draw agenda for the party to differentiate it from party in power, Mr Mohammed suggested that public account committee at both houses must be left to members of the opposition party in order to put a proper check on the executive.

The National Secretary of the party, Lawal Shuaibu, said legislature is the power house of democracy and that members should not allow themselves to be bought over.

An outgoing senator, Olorunnibe Mamora, urged the newly elected members to create time to study the legislative rules. “You cannot be a good parliamentarian without the mastery of the rules, because it helps you to navigate legislation easily. Read and study it. And do know that the powers of legislators are so enormous and without proper application, you cannot get good governance. Also avoid high rate of truancy and absenteeism,” he said.

Be prepared

Babatunde Fashola, governor of Lagos State, who assured the lawmakers of support, advised them to imbibe the culture of regular and full attendance of parliamentarian proceedings.

“You need to be computer literate if you have not because through Google for instance, you can get lots of information. I use it very well in my research and this will arm you to be able to speak confidently as a prepared mind,” he said.

Leader of the party, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, charged the ACN lawmakers to ensure that fiscal and true federalism is practised in Nigeria.

“We have not been running federal system but unitary system and this has to be stopped,” he said. “Obasanjo was the worse abuser of this and it is only you, the legislators, who can effect a change on this issue. A situation where the federal government is dictating to the states when it does not hire their employee for them is abnormal. And our party’s position on Senate presidency and Speaker must be made known.” At the end of the session, the party’s chairman, Bisi Akande, announced the dates for a retreat for all the elected members of ACN.

“Elected governors will assemble in Benin City on 19 May for their retreat, State Assembly members in Lagos on 24 and 25 while National Assembly members will assemble in Osogbo on 24 and 25 for their retreat,” he said.

If the same leaders who came out to say this three weeks ago are now running to Aso Rock to meet Jonathan, then I wonder what that spells.

Therefore, our position is clear. We have banned courtesy visit to any government that is not a member of ACN whether at local, state or federal level.

I won't even talk about the nonsense they were saying some months ago about the difference between internal democracy within a party and external democracy between all parties. What a load of bullcrap.

Tinubu is going there to benefit his pocket and not the common Nigerian. Just like Mikeansy said, ACN is thriving on the name and hard work of Babatunde Raji Fashola.
None of the other ACN governors have half of what he has to offer. That's just my opinion. However, only time will make all of this clear.

peter_tosh:


btw. I would like to know why most people want ACN to fail? I am not a member of the party. Just curious. Thanks.

Cos they are over hyped . Fundamentally there is very little to differentiate them from the other parties.

Johndoe100:


Cos they are over hyped . Fundamentally there is very little to differentiate them from the other parties.

Well thats your own opinion though

But I think its only the most mischievious of human that would say theres is little to differentiate

Fashola from Obanikoro/Dosunmu

Ajimobi from Akala

Amosun from OGD/Olurin

Olorunmibe Mamora from Bankole

Professor Adeyeye from Iyiola Omisore/Isiaka Adeleke

Aregbesola from Oyinlola

Fayemi from Fayose/Segun Oni

Who in ACN comes close to Tony Anenih, OBJ, Ciroma, etc

I have challenged anyone here to compare an ACN run state like Lagos to any state in the country putting into consideration Population and available income

No one has taken the challenge