₦airaland Forum

hbabe:
Why are students so concerned in this Ibori's case to the extent of staging a protest? How does this affect education in Nigeria? I would have thought there are other issues the students should channel their energy towards or better still face their studies. I hope these young kids have not allowed themselves to be used. If Ibori's rights are being violated let his team of SANs fight for him or the human right activists help out; it isn't an affair for NANS.

It is very unfortunate that you posed a reckless question about the concerns of the students in the Chief Ibori’s case. The Chief Ibori’s case and others abound in Nigeria bring to limelight the cardinal principles of democracy. I had wished the students should emerge from the nest of knowledge and participate often in the issues involving the dictates of democracy in the cesspit called Nigeria.

@Post

The act of PUNCH and it editor to insinuate that Chief Ibori had to beg the Vice President Goodluck Jonathan over an issue the borders on the constitutional right of an individual in Nigeria is moronic. It is a shame that an entity meant to enlighten the citizenry about the tenant of democracy is making believe in dictatorship. The Vice President Goodluck Jonathan is not the law.

Nigerians must come to grips with the fact that their country is a colonial contraption that needs serious and urgent reconfiguration.

The acts of abusing the journalists for exposing the governors they deemed honest while praising same journalists for listing the names of governors and politicians they deemed corrupt are worst than following path of apathy to Nigerian politics as do many market women and village farmers in Nigeria.

Democracy preaches the principles of the rule of law and the same law that is respecter of nobody whether perceived innocent or guilty. The demeanors of certain peeps on this forum reiterate the fact that Nigeria is far from being qualified as an entity to study democracy talk less of practice it.

sjeezy8:
^^ I think you have it twisted because its not about ethnic group, its the issue of change in policies and the redrawing of land boundaries, resources and etc . . . it would have sounded better if you simplified it to Oil in specific states or other resources. . . cause the issue of seccession isnt only by igbo, its other deltans- Niger Delta republic, many northerners - who want an Arewa Republic, islamic country and some yoruba aswell- who want a 100% yoruba speaking Oduduwa Republic .

Any ethnic group can leave if they want- plane tickets can be bought and bus tickets also . . .

But I like many Nigerians think better leadership is better than splitting Nigeria into 6 countries.

I followed your rare but good analysis of the secession saga in Nigeria until the last two unfortunate sentences. The only people who do not want Nigeria divided into sovereign nations are evil cabals and greedy individuals that appreciate the unprogressive nature of Nigeria.

I have written in my previous post that the cesspit called Nigeria and currently led by the Vice President Goodluck Jonathan has no business singing the praises of democracy. I believe that a court in Asaba has issued injunction against the arrest by EFCC. How did the EFCC obtain the alleged warrant to arrest Chief Ibori when there is a pending injunction against it?

I have long concluded from the alleged report about the order to arrest Chief Ibori was consummated by the Vice President which paints pictures of selective justice and political witch-hunting. To second the views expressed by the COSEG, I am convinced that the actions of Vice President Goodluck Jonathan so far can describe him as not only a dictator but a puppet.

[quote author=Fhimi-nana link=topic=433272.msg5927822#msg5927822 date=1271835509]If I have the opportunity to advise Mr. Acting President I would suggest that all generators in the presidency, Government offices, Houses of Ministers, 3 arm Zone be removed, this will show Nigerians that he is identifying with what they go through and is ready to permanently terminate the perenial problems posed by this the power situation. I also dare to say that if he makes that possible, he would have won the heart of the masses and will be remembered forever in the history of this Nation.[/quote]You could not be more correct than this post.

Sky Blue:
SO how do you reconcile that with the part highlighted below?

I mean, what has that got to do with anything and how does that relate to your later statement? Is it Americans and Brits that are suffering as a result of the corruption in Nigeria? Won't it be in our own interest to clean up our act and deal decisively with corruption?

The plank of argument lies with the fact of local origination of legal proceeding against or for Nigerian citizens. Chief Ibori has been dinning with powers that be in Nigeria for number of years without legal harassment. However, Chief Ibori suddenly became a subject of interest to Nigerian legal systems after Ibori’s indictment in London.

There are many Ibori’s walking the corridors of power in Nigerian without a mere invitation by law enforcement agents. However the moment an indictment is handed to Ibori’s look-alikes in Nigeria, the Nigeria and its law enforcement apparatus initiates a man hunt that will originate from the presidency.

This thread reminds me of the advertisements that grace front pages of Nigerian dailies following the overthrow of the government. The successful coup plotters were perceived as messiahs. A friend that recently came back from Owerri via Port Harcourt informed that generator plant for electricity is must buy in Nigeria. He reiterated that the generators and their polluting effect are not vulnerable to the so-called Goodluck Jonathan’s miracle.

Sky Blue:
I think you might need to go and introspect, it might do you good. Has Ibori been found wanting? Have there been warrants for his arrest? Is EFCC the police? Taking into consideration the Nigerian factor whereby police can even be bought for protection, is it out of order that the IG has directly intervened? Now for the important questions you might need to rummage over and think about. Who are the greatest victims of corruption in Nigeria (carried out by the likes of Ibori and co), UK and America, or Nigerians?

How could functional governmental entity such as Nigeria have courts issuing warrants for citizen’s arrest without a copy of such warrant copied to the office of Attorney-General, DPP and Inspector-General of police? I found the whole episode as a mark of dysfunctional state where the Chair of EFFC is hoarding the so-called court order as in arrest warrant without sending the copies to the appropriate quarters. If Nigeria is to practice democracy, it must, at least, get its acts correct in the simple arrest procedures of a citizen.

Bros, I do not care about the brunt of the crimes committed by Nigerians. I am only worried about the proper manner that proffers remedy to the situation as to create exemplary precedents.

@OP


You are talking to the bunch that thinks that FOI (freedom of Information) act is a guaranteed declaration of open season on individual privacy. I hope the same Nigerians yarning for FOI also demand for Privacy act too.

Nigeria is a clown on a comic circle.

I hope all the recent political shenanigans of Goodluck Jonathan and EFCC are not connected with any possible extradition of Chief Ibori. Nigeria is recently roaming like one of the states in USA or counties in UK. It is very shameful to see how the present leadership of the cesspit called Nigeria is jumping up and down on the coughing of USA and UK emphasizing the odor of inferior mentality the Africans have come to embrace.

I am shocked to the bone reading from the seemingly voices of reason have decided to jettison cardinal bedrock of democracy in order to have pound of political flesh of an individual alleged to be corrupt. Chief Ibori is entitled to full and proper legal proceedings including the manner the so-called EFCC arrived to his indictment.

I am happy that CP in Delta State has refused to act on such miss-routed order. The Chairman of EFCC should work with the courts in conjunction with Nigerian police. There is separation of powers in any democracy. Nigerians must learn how to practice the democratic system of government and stop publishing their ignorance in the national dailies.

jamace:
@Dede1
A warrant of arrest was issued by the court. Read the highlighted portion above. Therefore, I feel Uncle Joe is right to order the IGP to arrest Ibori.

Nigeria is really a cesspit. If court has issued a warrant, the Vice President has no issue with this warrant. If the EFCC has secured such warrant to arrest Ibori, EFCC could invite Ibori to its office. If Ibori floats such invitation or resist any attempt to be arrested by operatives of EFCC, the chair of EFCC could take the warrant to IGP for assistance. Obama does not get involve in the arrest of any citizen in USA. Nigeria is a joke.

Does Goodluck Jonathan have the right to order IGP Onovo to arrest anybody simply on the dictate of the Vice President? I thought Nigeria is operating on the watchful eyes of democracy where such order to arrest anybody such as former governor should be a matter of the court.

If Goodluck Jonathan issues such an order, I assume that Onovo should tell the VP to seek proper channel.

Does Goodluck Jonathan have the right to order IGP Onovo to arrest anybody simply on the dictate of the Vice President? I thought Nigeria is operating on the watchful eyes of democracy where such order to arrest anybody such as former governor should be a matter of the court.

If Goodluck Jonathan issues such an order, I assume that Onovo should tell the VP to seek proper channel.

Nigeria’s insurmountable problem is tribalism. Topics and responses on Nigeria socio-politico-economic progress had to pass through the prism of either ethnicity or sectionalism.

sjeezy8:
Ibb is nothing Gasau is the person who hold the key to anyone who is president.
So if Gasau decides to run, he will be president no doubt.

Gasau will most likely be president thats if he wants to be.

Sometime you spew what is beyond the pale of your imagination. Anyway, this forum is a public delight where every goon is entitled to an opinion.

Characterization of the thread as NSA with presidential ambition is culpable.

EzeUche:
Maryland is a wonderful place for Nigerians to live. Especially in the DC area. And if you feel a little brave, maybe you could venture up to Baltimore where the housing is cheaper, but it has a high crime rate.

Anyway there are plenty of jobs in the Washington DC area. Move to Montgomery County where is safe, but has high housing prices or PG County where land is cheap, but the akatas from DC are moving there in droves.

There is always trade-off with every human endeavor on earth. Hampton Roads within the vicinity of Norfolk, VA is not bad but it looks more like a backwater than metropolis. The characterization you gave to Prince George’s County is not fair. I would like to know where land is cheap in PG.

@Katsumoto

You have a very good argument if the fine analogy has the same flavor as it existed in Nigeria. Does it occur to you that in the examples you numerated, the principals were already existing sovereign countries? Gowon, Nigeria and Britain had the same plan against Biafra as the capture of Calabar, Warri, Escravos and Bonny established the supremacy of the Federal Government in Nigerian waters and international waters bordering Nigerian coast. There were no shots fired in those operations except the naval bombardment of Calabar coast lines by NNS Lokoja under Commander Nelsen Soroh.

In 1967 war, for example, Israel had solid intelligent report about imminent coordinated attack by the Arab countries and launched quick surprise pre-emptive airborne counter-attack that wiped out the air forces and air-defense mechanisms including radar and command positions of the Egypt, Jordan and Syria.

If Germany did not take more than it could chew, the surprise attacks (blitzkrieg) with swift formation of motorized forces that caught many European countries in shock and awe had no stopping solution. The Operation Barbarossa, like you have alleged, was not a surprise attack but strategic blunder instigated by Hitler’s personal ego. In the battle of midway, the Americans recorded victory after victory against Japan due to diversionary attacks fuelled by elements of surprises. The same element of surprise got Germans and Panzer divisions wandering what rally hit them at the battle of the bulge.

@tensor777

As of May 6, 1967, Nigeria’s stock of weapons was loaded with tools from WW2 era and mainly dotted with carbines and Enfield MK4s. There were no battle tanks except few RECON (reconnaissance) patrol vehicles. Gen. Jerry Usani (rtd) in a recent interview alluded to the fact that both Nigeria and Biafra had absolutely nothing in terms of type of weapons needed to persecute a fighting war as against the intended police action every ear was told.     

Let me remind you that Lagos or any other city in Nigeria could not boost as military fort. Before the Ore debacle, Lagos was already infiltrated by operatives waiting for the arrival of 101 BEF.

Gowon was part and parcel of the July 29, 1966 coup in Nigeria. However, M15 operatives in Nigeria, western and northern regions of Nigerian publications of 1967 wanted everybody to believe that Murtula and Martin were the leaders of the coup.

I always welcome the idea of locking horns with Katsumoto and tensor777 with Afam,Onlytruth and Eziachi on my team or side.

@Katsumoto

Please Katsumoto can you tell me the reasons why101 BEF either commanded by Majors Chukwuka, Amadi, Onwuatuegwu, Igboba, Nwajei, Okwechime, Nzogwu or Nwawo would have stopped at Ore? I can argue unequivocally that If Lagos had been overrun by 101 BEF there were many Yoruba groups that would have swelled the presence of 101 BEF in Lagos and the rest of western region.

I shall remind you the before the debacle at Ore, four high-ranking officers of Yoruba extraction had already gone to Gowon demanding that he, Gowon, remove all northern region soldiers of Nigerian army from western region. In addition, Ijebu Ode people had shown every intention to send Gowon and northern region soldiers of Nigerian army packing from Lagos and environs. All these groups simply needed was backing from a force such as 101 BEF.

The capture of Lagos would have negated the factor of having effective and strong Naval force because all the four functional seaports in Nigeria would have been under the control of Biafrans. Nobody can engage in negotiation from the position of weakness. I had to reiterate the fact that element of surprise trumps every strategy during military escalation.

@tensor777

It is rather unfortunate that you have assumed that Ojukwu stated Nigeria-Biafra civil war due to the declaration of Biafra as an independent sovereign state. You have alluded in one of your posts that Nigeria in 1966 was fraught with coups which were unsuccessful at best.The Gowon led coup was completely unsuccessful because the leader of the coup did have complete control of the army in all the regions and was not recognized as either legitimate commander of the Nigerian armed forces or Head of State.

It was clear that at this juncture, Gowon has no legal or military authority to divide Nigeria into 12 states without fully consultation with all the regional governors and, in doing so violated the constitutional authority of eastern region of Nigeria. The creation of 12 states erased the eastern region from the contiguous tarrain of federal republic of Nigeria. In order to remain relevant, the eastern region declared her independence to compliment the actions of Gowon. I think you can agree with me that declaration of independent does not construe declaration of war.

Katsumoto:
Interesting points; I don't agree with everything you said but people will always have a difference of opinion.
Personally, I admire the stance that Ojukwu took during that era. I believe that he acted selflessly; he was forced into a situation where he had to act. For a man of 33, he acted rather well. I agree with what he advocated at Aburi; although I concede that the resolutions from Aburi should have been the result of a democratic process. When you consider the position of his father in Nigeria then, you can only admire him for joining the Army. That he made some strategic errors should not remove from his noble acts. However, my admiration of him stopped when he fled into exile. His actions since his return have also not endeared him to many. Having said that, I can understand why some Igbo people will forever adore him but they equally should understand the criticisms of him.

Concerning the questions that you asked; it is almost impossible to get an accurate index with regards to crime, poverty, education for a number of reasons
1. Migration
2. Underground economy
3. Unexplained sources of income and revenue
4. Crime
5. Private universities
6. Inaccurate data, collation, sampling, and analysis

I am sure that there are other reasons but I will mention just these. The issue of economic development will always rest on the kind of political leaders that we have. Whether you are going to agree with me or not, we are all affected by the same incompetent, vision-less, and corrupt leadership at the centre. I can not speak for the North but I know that there are hardworking, enterprising, and bright men and women in the South who are being held back by a rudderless and morally corrupt gang. This gang has as members Yoruba, Hausa/Fulani, Ijaw, Igbo, Tiv, etc. When it comes to the sins of Nigeria, no one is innocent and no one is unaffected.

I had been waiting endlessly for someone to expose me to the wanton strategic errors committed by Ojukwu yet it has all been hot air. I stand to be corrected that only glaring strategic error committed by Ojukwu was the appointment of Banjo as the commander of 101 BEF. If individual characteristic deficits were placed in check, I am of the opinion that Nigeria-Biafra civil war would have had a different meaning to what we have today.

Again, there will always be difference of opinions about Ojukwu’s last minute decision to leave Biafra. However, I am of the opinion that such a strategic move did not present the few hard nuts on the Nigerian side to declare open season on the surviving Biafrans because they did not comprehend if Ojukwu will make a sudden show of return with foreign fighters. Many Nigerian leaders feared that any maltreatment of Biafrans coupled with anticipated Ojukwu’s clandestine entry will be a combustible combination that could unleash a reprisal never seen by humans.

Granted that necessity is the mother of invention, there was no doubt that Biafra would have been one of the locally induced industrial powers at least within the corridor of West Africa. There were marked evidences in Biafra that the nascent country would have been a force to be reckoned in industrial revolution.