₦airaland Forum

This is funny dude! June is in the future!

Akainzo:
Beaf, you demonstrate clearly your lack of knowledge about the man Atiku.
I don't know your actual age, but if you've been one that was given to following the news in the 1980s, you would know why Atiku was retired from the customs.
You might want to read up on a certain 58 suitcases scandal.

But for avoidance of doubt, he was NOT dismissed from the customs service for corruption.[size=14pt] In fact the opposite was the case. And I challenge you to prove this otherwise.[/size]

The opposite was the case? You mean he dismissed Customs? Thats got to be a feat by any reckoning!!!
I am happy you have at least dropped the lie that Atiku resigned. He was sacked for corruption. Pesin go wound o!

[size=14pt]2 PDP Members Launch Legal Bid to Stop Atiku[/size]
•This is mockery of judiciary, says campaign organisation
From Tobi Soniyi in Abuja, 12.21.2010

A day after associates of Alhaji Abubakar Atiku went to court in a bid to stop President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting in the 2011 elections, his own candidacy has also become a subject of judicial battle.

Two-time gubernatorial aspirants in Adamawa and Taraba States, Mr. Bala Takaya and Senator Abdullahi Kirim, respectively yesterday asked an Abuja High Court sitting in Maitama to issue an order stopping Atiku from contesting in the presidential primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

They are inviting the court to move in their favour on the grounds that Atiku is disqualified by both the PDP’s constitution and the 1999 constitution to seek election into any elective office in the country on account of his alleged antecedents touching on corruption.

By the fresh timetable released by the secretariat of the ruling PDP last week, the presidential primary is scheduled for January 13, next year.

The two plaintiffs who want Atiku barred from presenting himself for the political party’s primary election alleged that the former vice-president was dismissed from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on account of corruption and the findings in February 2010 of the United States of America Senate Permanent Sub-Committee on Investigations/ Committee of Homeland Security and Government Affairs which investigated him on allegations of money laundering and other corrupt practices of some foreign officials in the US which indicted him.

They argued that his dismissal and the recent indictment by the US were enough grounds to disqualify him since both the nation’s constitution and the PDP constitution forbid anybody with such dirty record from contesting election into elective offices.

Besides, the two aggrieved politicians are also seeking a separate court order compelling PDP to probe and verify the various allegations of dishonest practices including alleged receipt of $2 million bribe from Siemens AG through his wife.

They asked the court to come down heavily on him if found guilty of the allegations.Takaya and Kirim invoked the original jurisdiction of the Abuja court via a writ of summons.

Although the case is yet to be assigned to any judge for hearing, the plaintiffs have, in the interim, filed a motion on notice for an interlocutory injunction restraining the PDP from screening or clearing Abubakar to contest the PDP’s presidential primary.

They are also asking the court to issue another interlocutory injunction restraining Abubakar from presenting himself for screening or clearance for the presidential primary.

In the suit, only the PDP and Abubakar were named as defendants.Detailing the reasons why they were involving the court to stop Abubakar from contesting the poll in a 31-point affidavit, they said his emergence as a president in the country would draw the nation backward.

[size=21pt]For instance, the plaintiffs averred that “between 1969 and 1989, Atiku Abubakar rose to become the Deputy Director of Customs and was dismissed following the findings of a panel of inquiry that recommended his dismissal.[/size]

“That in February 2010, the USA Senate Permanent Sub-Committee on Investigation Committee of Homeland Security and Government Affairs carried out investigation on the money laundering and other corrupt practices of some foreign officials in the USA in line with the strict moral code and integrity within which that country operates.

“That the findings of the said Senate Committee showed clearly that Atiku Abubakar was the source of the over 440m dollars brought into the USA over a period of 8 years (2000-2008) through more than 30 accounts and both questioned the nature and source of Atiku’s wealth as well as found that the allegation by the SEC that Ms Douglas received over $2 million in bribe payments from Siemen AG intended part for her husband cannot be dismissed.

“That the report showed how Atiku along with his fourth wife, one Ms Jennifer Douglas Abubakar, an American citizen , engaged in acts which have thoroughly embarrassed Nigeria as a country.

“That Atiku was invited by the Senate Committee for questioning but that he declined the invitation.[size=14pt]“That since he was invited for questioning by the said US Senate Committee, he has never set his foot in the USA for fear of being arrested.

"And that Atiku Abubakar’s spouse, Jennifer Douglas-Atiku has also relocated to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and has not set foot in the USA since she appeared before the US Senate Committee."[/size]

Meanwhile, the Atiku Campaign Organisation told THISDAY on phone last night that the case was "ridiculous". A spokesman of the organisation said the court case "is a mockery of judiciary. We know where this is coming from and we are surprised that President Jonathan will lend himself to an abuse of court process.”
Atiku has consistently denied allegations of corruption, insisting that they are politically motivated.

http://www.thisdayonline.info/nview.php?id=190421

www.nairaland.com/attachments/317132_ROTFLM_gif474f1382cac6aa709538e551d507cbfc

[size=14pt]What more can be expected from an immoral man, THIEF and a purveyor of violent, bloody politics like Atiku?[/size]

www.nairaland.com/attachments/360110_thief_jpg03fa410e988f7d5957843ec1511da5af

Akainzo:
Which court case is that? In Beaf's court or a court that exists within your imagination?

Helloooooooooooooooo!!!

[size=14pt]2 PDP Members Launch Legal Bid to Stop Atiku[/size]
•This is mockery of judiciary, says campaign organisation
From Tobi Soniyi in Abuja, 12.21.2010

A day after associates of Alhaji Abubakar Atiku went to court in a bid to stop President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting in the 2011 elections, his own candidacy has also become a subject of judicial battle.

Two-time gubernatorial aspirants in Adamawa and Taraba States, Mr. Bala Takaya and Senator Abdullahi Kirim, respectively yesterday asked an Abuja High Court sitting in Maitama to issue an order stopping Atiku from contesting in the presidential primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

They are inviting the court to move in their favour on the grounds that Atiku is disqualified by both the PDP’s constitution and the 1999 constitution to seek election into any elective office in the country on account of his alleged antecedents touching on corruption.

By the fresh timetable released by the secretariat of the ruling PDP last week, the presidential primary is scheduled for January 13, next year.

The two plaintiffs who want Atiku barred from presenting himself for the political party’s primary election alleged that the former vice-president was dismissed from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on account of corruption and the findings in February 2010 of the United States of America Senate Permanent Sub-Committee on Investigations/ Committee of Homeland Security and Government Affairs which investigated him on allegations of money laundering and other corrupt practices of some foreign officials in the US which indicted him.

They argued that his dismissal and the recent indictment by the US were enough grounds to disqualify him since both the nation’s constitution and the PDP constitution forbid anybody with such dirty record from contesting election into elective offices.

Besides, the two aggrieved politicians are also seeking a separate court order compelling PDP to probe and verify the various allegations of dishonest practices including alleged receipt of $2 million bribe from Siemens AG through his wife.

They asked the court to come down heavily on him if found guilty of the allegations.Takaya and Kirim invoked the original jurisdiction of the Abuja court via a writ of summons.

Although the case is yet to be assigned to any judge for hearing, the plaintiffs have, in the interim, filed a motion on notice for an interlocutory injunction restraining the PDP from screening or clearing Abubakar to contest the PDP’s presidential primary.

They are also asking the court to issue another interlocutory injunction restraining Abubakar from presenting himself for screening or clearance for the presidential primary.

In the suit, only the PDP and Abubakar were named as defendants.Detailing the reasons why they were involving the court to stop Abubakar from contesting the poll in a 31-point affidavit, they said his emergence as a president in the country would draw the nation backward.

[size=14pt]For instance, the plaintiffs averred that “between 1969 and 1989, Atiku Abubakar rose to become the Deputy Director of Customs and was dismissed following the findings of a panel of inquiry that recommended his dismissal.[/size]

“That in February 2010, the USA Senate Permanent Sub-Committee on Investigation Committee of Homeland Security and Government Affairs carried out investigation on the money laundering and other corrupt practices of some foreign officials in the USA in line with the strict moral code and integrity within which that country operates.

“That the findings of the said Senate Committee showed clearly that Atiku Abubakar was the source of the over 440m dollars brought into the USA over a period of 8 years (2000-2008) through more than 30 accounts and both questioned the nature and source of Atiku’s wealth as well as found that the allegation by the SEC that Ms Douglas received over $2 million in bribe payments from Siemen AG intended part for her husband cannot be dismissed.

“That the report showed how Atiku along with his fourth wife, one Ms Jennifer Douglas Abubakar, an American citizen , engaged in acts which have thoroughly embarrassed Nigeria as a country.

“That Atiku was invited by the Senate Committee for questioning but that he declined the invitation.[size=14pt]“That since he was invited for questioning by the said US Senate Committee, he has never set his foot in the USA for fear of being arrested.

"And that Atiku Abubakar’s spouse, Jennifer Douglas-Atiku has also relocated to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and has not set foot in the USA since she appeared before the US Senate Committee."[/size]

Meanwhile, the Atiku Campaign Organisation told THISDAY on phone last night that the case was "ridiculous". A spokesman of the organisation said the court case "is a mockery of judiciary. We know where this is coming from and we are surprised that President Jonathan will lend himself to an abuse of court process.”
Atiku has consistently denied allegations of corruption, insisting that they are politically motivated.

http://www.thisdayonline.info/nview.php?id=190421

www.nairaland.com/attachments/317132_ROTFLM_gif474f1382cac6aa709538e551d507cbfc

[size=14pt]What more can be expected from an immoral man, THIEF and a purveyor of violent, bloody politics like Atiku?[/size]

www.nairaland.com/attachments/360110_thief_jpg03fa410e988f7d5957843ec1511da5af

[quote author=Kilode?! link=topic=578293.msg7456858#msg7456858 date=1294109205]@Dapobear it's funny how we are posting those same thoughts at about the same time, I agree with beaf, we can do something with these ideas, I propose we invade the senate, Beaf will supply the warriors! [/quote]You no like me at all at all!

OAM4J:
. . .
NB. This is the beaf's debate i know and love  

Thanks dude. But I'll keep you worried until the 13th, there is something strangely rewarding about getting into brainless fights with Atiku's thugs.

jason123:
I have followed your argument and it is quite impressive but i have a question. what if some of the groups start pursuing REGIONAL interest instead of individual or national interest? What i mean is, the groups start to form bonds with other groups (eg yoruba and itsekiri) until a cabal of more than 50% of the entire senate body is formed. Then, what happens? No matter how the remain 40% agitate, it still falls on deaf ears since they become a minority cabal.

I will be waiting for your reply.

The number of Senators will simply be too unweildy to manage that. There are 250+ ethnic groups.
That said, I see no problems if they wish to form alliances and band together. You will find that such alliances would be fluid and would require pretty large numbers of ethnic groups to agree (125 ethnic groups, if there is 1 Senator per ethnic group) in order to form a majority. Now 125 ethnic groups cooperating is a shining example of the sort of democracy Nigeria should have.

[quote author=eku_bear link=topic=578293.msg7456820#msg7456820 date=1294108397]Nah, in practice what he'd do is to live, eat and drink Isoko, but makes sure he forms alliances with others within the senate to ensure that Isoko interests are represented.

Only a foolish senator would be beating his chest. Smart and effective senators are diplomatic and strategic. If the Isoko pick a sharp man who is good at alliance-building, then when it comes time to locate a new federal institute for X somewhere, somehow it will end up in Isoko land.

Alaska for example had this BADASSSS Senator, Ted Stevens who did a crapload for his state. Dude was an absolute stud and did a lot for the state of Alaska.[/quote]You put that brilliantly! I agree with all your points.
We really can build a virile democracy with these ideas.

Katsumoto:
Nice idea but we no go gree.     Your idea na ojoro

Mo ni gba

There are more people in my village alone than the entire Isoko group. I suspect OnlyTruth, Dede1, EzeUche, and NduChuks will agree to your proposal.

But una go get House of Rep na!
The Senate would be the ultimate check against any ethnic fowl play.

Katsumoto:
Beaf,

At the national level, will they not debate on issues that affect every ethnic group? If you agree that they will, what stops ethnic senators from protecting their ethnic groups? Afterall, that is why they were elected; to protect their groups.

Of course, they will vote to protect their groups, but they wouldn't have the numbers to vote against the national interest. In any vote, all ethnicities will be equally represented.

OAM4J:
How can a Senator representing Isoko do anything to negate ethnicity factor, when he got there on ethnicity ticket? The man will think, drink, talk, breath only in Isoko.

There will only ever be say 1 Isoko Senator. That number will never ever change. There will also be 1 hausa, 1 Igbo, 1 Igbira, 1 Koma etc.
Say we have 250 ethnic groups, that will be 250 senators. How loud will the Isoko voice or the Hausa voice or any other ethnic voice be in such a setting?

That solution would effectively remove politics that is driven by ethnic bigotry from the national scene. If the Isoko Senator decides to live, eat and drink Isoko, his Isoko voice will be completely dilluted by 249 other voices and he will soon learn to live, eat and drink 100% Nigerian interests instead.

Atiku was dismissed from Customs for corruption.

Katsumoto:
Exactly

What do you mean?

Beaf:
Yes, I did and there is no contadiction. If there is an equal number of Senators per ethnic group, it totally negates ethnicity as a factor at that level of govt.

[quote author=Kilode?! link=topic=578293.msg7456718#msg7456718 date=1294106304]Beaf I just got the time to read that Jubril Aminu interview, OMG!!

I thought I heard it all, including GEJ praying that bomb blast demons will confess to Nigerians[sorry I couldn't resist ]. I cannot believe we once had that dunce as a minister!! Petroleum right? Haba! that guy is a functional illiterate I take that back, he's a non-functional !diot, I don't care how many degrees he acquired.

You need to read it again, I almost broke my phone! The arrogant idiocy is indescribable, that guy is not fit to run a public latrine.

I now know why we signed off our peoples future to Shell and co, leaders like Jubril Aminu can't help themselves even if they try. I feel so sad and sorry for him. If I ever get an opportunity to influence what we teach Nigerian kids, I'll insist they read that interview as an example of "how not to think even if you were born dumb" Damn!!

Sorry about the "derail"  I had to vent,[/quote]You should also hear the likes of Rilwan Lukman! Ciroma and Yakasai are bursting their veins with bigotry and madness, so you should have a clearer idea of the unbelievable dross some people represent.

OAM4J:
I thought you started the idea of having equal senate representatives base on ethnicity.

Yes, I did and there is no contadiction. If there is an equal number of Senators per ethnic group, it totally negates ethnicity as a factor at that level of govt.

^
There is a court case against Atiku right now with part of the evidence being his sack from Customs for unreal levels of corruption. Dude, take your "evidence" to that court.
I de laf oooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!

Katsumoto:
Then why have equal representation by ethnicity? If we are sophisticated enough to over-look ethnicity, why then must each group be represented? You suggested equal representation for each E.G so that each groups interest can be protected? If each group needs to be protected, then the larger groups will want more representation than the smaller groups. Why should only 4 speak for Hausa (15 million) when 4 are speaking for Anang (700,000)?

Equal representation of ethnicities is to cancel out effects of local politics being projected on the national stage. More importantly, it is to stop any single ethnic group bullying all others based on population. Ethnicy matters should be local to the areas where the groups are found.
Any group that wants larger representation can always get it in the house of reps. The senate will act as a check against ethnic bigotry polluting the national scene in any guise. That is the only way we can progress without unnecessary ethnic tensions.

Katsumoto:
So you mean an arab can become president of France? French caucasians who are to the left of the political spectrum will vote an arab who is a socialist? You got to be kidding. Yes Europeans will follow ideology when choosing between two caucasians but will certainly overwelmingly vote white if one of two candaidates was non-caucasian. The point I am making and which I will continue to make until someone can prove me wrong is that people vote their own.

I agree that house of rep has more minority representation but why is it that despite having 12% of the population, there have only been three black senators in the history of the US? There are even less numbers for Asian and hispanic people. Why is the more minority representation in the US senate not higher?

The fact that blacks only got the right to vote about 50 years ago and US senators tend to hold their sits for decades accounts for the low number of black senators in US history.
As for the lack of minority representation in the senate, again it comes right back to to core of why I introduced the idea of zero ethnic representation in our senate. Business at the national level is not local, whereas color is. In fact you should view color in the US the same as height, weight, hair length, eye colour etc. People group together on weightier issues, such as political leaning.

That said, we should be looking to how we can perfect our proposals to eject ethnicity from the national level of our politics, rather than stall on the weaknesses of the US system.

Katsumoto:
People always identify with something and vote along those lines. In Africa, it is ethnicity/tribe and in Western Europe, it is race. A truly representative US senate will include Caucasian, black, hispanic, Asian, red, native American, etc but the system has been designed such that it is always composed mainly of Caucasians. Even in Areas where there are huge numbers of non-Caucasians, Caucasians always win the seats because they always invariably have the numbers to vote in their 'people'.

I agree with your comment about bigotry but I am merely stating that human beings will always identify with a group. This is evident in fairly 'advanced and sophisticated democracies' of North America and Western Europe where racism and sectarianism are still rife. To expect Africans in their current state, to ignore ethnic affiliations is naive, in my opinion.

Yes ethnicity is part of identity, but identity like ethnicity is local (one to the individual and the other to an area).
There is no reason for local solutions or a local outlook at national level; so what is the point of representing ethnic groups at national level where Senators aren't going to be speaking their languages or passing local laws?

If ethnic population was the answer, then Nigeria would have no business relying 100% on oil revenues from areas with low ethnic populations. Perhaps, it is Gods wisdom that has made it so, and for us to learn to reach beyond primal affiliations.

I agree entirely that humans will always form groups, but those groups do not need to be ethnic. There are many overriding needs and interests that can form the kernels of interest groups in such a way that ethnicity becomes very much a secondary and poorer alternative. Everyone will prefer the chance to fulfill themselves to wearing a big ethnic badge that wouldn't fill bellies.

Obiagu1:
OnlyTruth, I know you support GEJ but no Igbo that supports GEJ has given me an answer to this.

What will be the fate of Ndigbo and even Southern Nigerians if GEJ wins thereby putting the last nail on the coffin of rotational presidency, then after mere 4 yrs hands over to the North, who will then rule us forever because we can’t win if the presidency is not rotated?

Can we stand perpetual northern rule with its associated bias towards the place/state/region of origin of the ruler?

Maybe this will be how you convinced me to support GEJ.

Obiagu1:
What about greed? We all know what it can do. History has shown that people have betrayed their own people.

For the population part, what if their population is really as big? All your argument collapses. Not to talk of the other smaller groups that go along with Hausa/Fulani.
Fact: Hausa/Fulani are next most populated group in every part of Nigeria after the Igbos; Holds #1 in their region.

There has never been any hint on the true population of Nigeria. GEJ should leak such figures if they exist so as to calm the North down (that is part of politics) but I really doubt he has such information.

Population is not that important in elections. You need to have vote spread as well, scoring a quarter of the votes in two thirds of the states of Nigeria. It is a very very very very very very very very long stretch to think the North can monoplise the presidency based on some mythical population (even if it was real).

Read section 132 of the constitution for more info: http://www.nigeria-law.org/ConstitutionOfTheFederalRepublicOfNigeria.htm

Abagworo:
This is your best response since 2010 and I hope that you stop abusing Hausa people henceforth.We are all brothers and should tolerate one another.

You must be hallucinating as usual! The only way to deal with those who rule through ethnic bigotry is by calling them out. The Ciroma's, Yakasai's, Kaita', |Kanti Bello's etc may be your brothers, but the surely ain't mine. Neither will ND people ever accept their wicked parasitism.

sochan:
@9aijaman,

Stop being funny. Where did an ex-customs man get that sort of money to aquire that sort of investment? How much was his salary? People like you are quite prepared to look the other way when a terrible wrong is being commited, and thus become part and parcel of the corruption problem in Nigeria.

Nigerians should be asking Atiku where he got his money from. if he was in the UK, US or anywhere sensible, he would have been in jail a long time ago

. . .Especially one who was dismissed from the service for corruption.

Katsumoto:
Correct me if I am wrong but there are almost 100 caucasians in the senate. That idea worked when caucasians set the rules. How many indians are in the senate. The point I am making is that representation is always based on association (ethnicity, race, etc) by numbers.

It has nothing to do with race. If there are almost a 100 whites in the House, it is simply because they were voted in as the representatives of their constituencies. If only black people stood, then they would have an all black house, but the number of members per state wouldn't change. It is practical to adopt the US model, only we will have states, instead of ethnicities.

Ethnic bigotry is Nigeria's biggest problem. It blinds our eyes to so many realities and narrows our perception of a wide range of possibilities. We need to kick it into the hedge. We can allow ethnicity operate at local levels, but it must be banished from the national scene. Ethnic bigotry is really primitive and drags us backward like a lead weight.

[quote author=eku_bear link=topic=578293.msg7456207#msg7456207 date=1294099251]They might be fine with the current situation, but satisfaction with Delta State doesn't mean happiness with the ND Republic.
Heh, I've heard it was Awo's fault too. But I'd also want to hear what my uncle says, as he is pretty astute.
See the first comment I made.[/quote]Their neighbours will be the same in an ND republic. In current politics, you will find that Itsekiri's form a bulwark of GEJ supporters (GEJ is Ijaw); in Delta state, Ogbe-Ijo elements (biggest Ijaw community in Warri) form a strong pillar of support for Uduaghan. There might have been bloodshed in the past, but we are cool and will cling together. No biggies.

It is only old fashioned, regressive folk on either side you still see carrying around the old hatreds like a badge of honour.

Ola edo:
Beaf, Uduaghan was never elected as Delta State governor.

I doubt any governor was. The fact is he got there in spite of coming from a tiny ethnic group and he looks the likeliest to win in the rerun this week.

Katsumoto:
You are suggesting that, for instance, 4 senators represent Isoko (200,000) and 4 senators represent Hausa (15,000,000). No one will agree to that. The major ethnic groups will never accept that idea. Every Ethnic Group should be represented but it should be on the basis of population.

Yes, I am. They will be there to create laws for the benefit of the nation, not for the benefit of their ethnic groups. The House of Rep alone, will be based on population.
we need to find novel ways to d-emphasise ethnicity in national politics, or we will continue marking time and praying for manna to fall from Heaven.

[quote author=eku_bear link=topic=578293.msg7456091#msg7456091 date=1294097277]Eh, Itsekiri seem to have zero interest in being in the same country with the Ijaws, lol. I don't know as much about the other minorities in Delta state (I should probably read a bit or chat with my uncle, who is based in Warri and would know these things), but somehow I doubt that your interests all line up exactly.[/quote]There is little they will be able to do about that. They are already in the same state and not crying that they want to leave. So forget about impracticalities.
Your uncle is unlikely to know anything about the Warri crisis, otherwise he would have told you Awo caused it in 1956.

Today, the governor of Delta state is Itsekiri, even though Itsekiri population is only about 500,000. Where else on Earth do you think they can ever get such a deal?
The population of Urhobo's and Igbo's is in the millions, yet Uduaghan is most likely to win the governorship again. Dude, Delta state is the best state in the country.

Poor Atiku!! Haunted by his lack of morality! Confounded by economics! Out of the presidential race before the 13th!
[size=14pt] Sacked from the Customs Service for corruption!!!

A disgrace to Nigeria.

All hail the concensus DIMWIT!!![/size]

www.nairaland.com/attachments/317132_ROTFLM_gif474f1382cac6aa709538e551d507cbfc

^
Something tells me that voter registration will produce several interesting shockers. I am hoping that will be the case, so we can have an oblique path toward realistic population figures.

[quote author=eku_bear link=topic=578293.msg7456023#msg7456023 date=1294096090]A very tough question. Let me chew on this a bit. In fact, I'll only address this last question you raise (in bold); the rest requires more thought.

Well, let me put myself in the boots of an Ijaw SS man. (I think the calculus changes for Itsekiri, Urhobo, and other ethnic groups, so let's not lump all their interests together.)

So if I were an Ijaw SS man, what arrangement would best serve my interests?

Well, the best arrangement imo is one in which:

A) I keep almost all of the resources that come out of my territory. So let's say 100% derivation.
B) I also get to control who enters and leaves my territory, to avoid being overwhelmed numerically by less wealthy but very numerous neighbors.
C) I also don't have to spend much money on security and preventing myself from being dominated from my neighbors or the strong powers of the world.
D) I am not only secure from my neighbors, I have great influence over them (some might view this as optional, but personally I'd want this myself.)

Suppose you could guarantee that a hypothetical Ijawland would never be threatened by its neighbors or by the great powers of the world (US, Europe, etc.) In other words, (C) is automatically guaranteed.

The current Nigeria setup doesn't give me any of (A) through (D), as an Ijawman. Federalism in Nigeria probably doesn't give me (A) or (B) (at least, not completely.) However, independence (under this assumption that (C) is automatically guaranteed) gives me everything, I think.

So in this hypothetical scenario, I think the best bet would be independence.

Now of course, in the real world, (C) will not be automatically true. In fact, I'd have to spend assloads of cash keeping my neighbors, the US, Europe, and China from screwing me over. And in the first few years of a new nation, my nation would be fairly weak. . . so the probability of me becoming a puppet of one of these foreign powers is pretty high.[/quote]The calculus certainly doesn't change for the rest of us non Ijaw. The Ijaw might go their own way, which will leave the old Bendel (perhaps, without Delta Igbos who will join Biafra) and the Eastern groups, Ibibio, Anang etc, who will form their own country or join with the Igbo.
The likelyhood though, is that the whole SS would remain one country of minorities, from Obudu to Ofosu.

[quote author=eku_bear link=topic=578293.msg7455862#msg7455862 date=1294094064]I agree with the sentiment, but am concerned a bit about the implementation. But in this proposed Senate of yours. . . why can't I declare the Ekiti an ethnic group, as a ploy to grab X more senate seats? After all, one can argue that to an extent that Ekiti, Ijebu, Owo, Egba, etc are just as deserving of being recognized as "ethnic groups" as say Urhobo.

Or if I am bold enough, why cannot I declare my own village as its own ethnic group?   After all, our dialect is different from other Ekiti dialects, not to talk of central Yoruba.

Like, how do you prevent cheating like this from happening? Or is this irrelevant, perhaps? I dunno, somehow I think it'd be bad. Perhaps one could take a LGA-based approach instead, and thus avoid having to define ethnic groups. I'm not quite sure.[/quote]It should be fairly easy to stop such cheating. We already know all the ethnic groups in Nigeria and no artificial "new" ones will be allowed to form. In fact, everyone would laugh if Ekiti people suddenly declared they were no longer Yoruba!
As Obiagu suggested, we could also write all the ethnic groups into the constitution and seal it.

How about being the first former VP of Nigeria to be indicted by the US Senate after being caught attempting to launder [size=21pt]a stolen 40billa?[/size]

www.nairaland.com/attachments/360110_thief_jpg03fa410e988f7d5957843ec1511da5af

“Such a man is only desperate to get what he wants without putting the interests of the nation at heart. In the letter he wrote, what credible alternatives did he suggest to the government if he were sincere? This clearly shows that Atiku is a man who thinks about himself and his immediate family alone.”

Word.

No credible alternatives can come from a dunce.

“Such a man is only desperate to get what he wants without putting the interests of the nation at heart. In the letter he wrote, what credible alternatives did he suggest to the government if he were sincere? This clearly shows that Atiku is a man who thinks about himself and his immediate family alone.”

Word.

What more can be expected from an immoral man, THIEF and a purveyor of violent, bloody politics like Atiku?

www.nairaland.com/attachments/360110_thief_jpg03fa410e988f7d5957843ec1511da5af