₦airaland Forum

Bode George, the failure serially pocketed and bettered by Tinubu and the ACN, is simply a myopic dinosaur. He claims Tinubu and Buhari have nothing in common without seeing the obvious. Progress for nations does not come from accentuating differences. Progress is best secured recognising differences and overcoming them because there is no other choice.

What the likes of Bode George remain fundamentally blind to, because they are jeun-jeun throwbacks, is that you work within legality in life. While we continue to be united as citizens of Nigeria we must work together and accommodate each other because non of us will succeed forming make-belief independent republics in our minds. We will only make progress if we engage each other and overcome differences. This is why Tinubu has always bettered George. The ability they have to 'read the game' is not at all comparable. We can always expect this sort of arrogant garbage from George while Tinubu fully understand that it is pointless treating anyone or any region like lepers so long as Nigeria still unites us.

George, the Dinosaur, is finished in the new Nigeria rising. There will be no place for his kind.

demmie1: For once I agree with him though.
If these people really have interest in SNC they wouldn't need the APC to propose it.

Insecure9gerian is nothing but an insincere charlatan. Why don't you ask him who said a flat no to an SNC when initially proposed if not his messiah GEJ? Conveniently he restricts issues to maligning perceived opponent of GEJ/PDP without commenting about the many benevolent and genuinely transformational things GEJ has the power to carry out yet glaringly refuses to do to the chagrin of the entire world.

Please, let us stop fooling ourselves and entertaining sycophants like scared9gerian. We all have our biases and affiliation but the dude, like his messiah, is an unmitigated fraud.

9icest: Exactly. I don't why these supporters of mediocrity are so angry and scared.

See how the author has intelligently dislocated their lame "they are all the same" argument which is just an excuse for inaction and/or a sad disguise for the real reason some are supporting GEJ and the PDP blindly.

Like you surmise, one can actually feel the very palpable anger and fear of some that this merger has materialised. They swore it will never see the light of day and that the same as last time would happen. Now they must move on to the next set of nit-picking and outlandishly false excuses.

As has been said many times, the "they are all the same" brigade need only look at the Tinubu model. For example, If anyone thinks lowly brawns did not help ACN win in Oyo then they are fooling themselves. The substantive point is that it is a top class technocrat, in the form of Ajimobi, who is head boy. If like replace like, then the SW will simply not be able to avoid development. It becomes a no-brainer template for development that can be adapted to Nigeria at the centre.

I have seen this happen live with Ghana over a 12 year association with the Country. They have their problems but quality leaders , since 2000, replacing quality leaders has ensured forward momentum is maintained. Overall, the reason the intelligentsia are excited about the merger has nothing to do with anyone naively thinking the new Party is a congregation of saints. What people are excited about is the realisation that the APC will raise the bar for Nigeria and knock out a very mediocre Party that has languished in a comfort zone, to the detriment of Nigeria's development, for far too long.

[quote author=GARRI (x7)]They may also have connived with the Murderers. Whatever the case, they've failed to carry out their assigned duty. If not for the fact that we've institutionalised ineptitude, some officers ought to be fired..[/quote]Word. Heads should roll but never does under this woeful government. When a government confesses to knowing who sponsors of terror are yet no arrests are made, then you know you are dealing with leadership failure, complicity and insincerity. RIP to those who have died. They are most likely brave and compassionate people.

*whistling*.

OP, What do you want to know? Fire away.

koruji: So all we have to do in Nigeria is find the most "comfortable" combination of religion for the presidential ticket, and we'll be in el-dorado?

Nigeria as an entity is the definition of madness i.e. doing the same things over and over again the same way and expecting a different result each time.

Wasn't that the same calculation that produced OBJ & Atiku, then Yar'Adua & GEJ - and still left Nigeria's stomachs empty!!!

How about we reform the structure of the nation so that no single person, no matter his religion or region, has enough power at the top to hold Nigeria down?

That is what the APC will try to offer but don't expect this highly mischievous and clannish OP to note that. Besides, how intelligent is his reasoning for postulating Oshiomhole's absence translate into lack of support for the merger? Let me spell it out for the clannishly emotional OP. Oshiomhole has nowhere to go supporting GEJ. That is a political dead end for him!!!!

Oshiomhole is on his last term as Governor. By his own admission, he has not exactly had it easy with the PDP who have compounded his efforts in Edo State virulently and murderously. By 2015 he will have one year to go as an outgoing Governor and there is a real chance the PDP could be going at the centre.

Sticking with the APC and defining himself as a committed player means anything (VP, Senate President etc) is possible for Oshiomhole.

In contrast, what can the badly divided and disunited PDP offer Oshiomhole either way? I.e Jonathan Presidential ticket or Northern Presidential ticket?

If Jonathan is competing then I don't need to point it out to anyone that "nothing for Oshiomhole" because he is from the same geo-political zone as GEJ, more or less, and will be incapable of dislodging anyone if/when he fully decamps to the PDP.

If a Northerner is competing, how will said Northerner find it expedient to ignore the Ameachis, Akpabios et al to draft in ACN decamped Oshiomhole?

What exactly, inspected pragmatically and without emotion, does supporting GEJ or the PDP achieve for Oshiomhole if not political suicide?

Oshiomhole needs the merger more than it needs him. Full stop. He is not anywhere near the 'beautiful bride' the sentimental OP is touting him to be. Oshiomhole, like everyone else, must get in line and show commitment or go and take his chances wherever he wants. Simple.

Sincere 9gerian: Story, story, story!!
Have the CPC members currently in the national assembly ever mentioned the phrase- true federalism?
What is stopping the CPC members in the national assembly from pushing for true federalism in the ongoing constitutional amendment? Have the CPC members in the national assembly ever clamoured for sovereign national conference? How will this same CPC members suddenly become apostles of true federalism simply because of change of party name?

Make APC park well joor. All na wash!!

Whether APC, CPC, PDP, APGA, ANPP, MBBS, LP, WAEC, NECO, BSC, POLIO, NL or whatever name they chose to call themselves, they'r all the SAME as far as I'm concerned. What matters are the PERSONS behind those names and the POLICIES such persons canvas.

Scared9gerian, shut up.

[quote author=Joel.]From inside source, the APC plans is to knocke PDP out and uproot them from both perlament. Senete and rep, then amend the constitution to true federal unit state, the country is not moving forward with this kind of practics, there is not found any state with no natural resourcess. Federal government can go ahead to support the backward states only with infratructure for money creation. This are the only to fast tract growth,[/quote]You are totally correct but the apostles of "they are all the same" will continue to sing their defeatist songs. I will only say that folks will be taken by surprise at the bold policy announcements that will be coming from the APC. In fact, at the core of thinking is the belief that the battle for the control of the upper and lower legislative houses is even more important than all else.

Using ACN SW states as microcosm models, a lot is being achieved now by Governors because they enjoy more anti-gradual legislative support due to how their Party did the work to change the legislative composition at State level and move it away from those who only know how to work for the deleterious status quo. Think David Mark as the ultimate symbol of gradualism, elitism and anti-people leadership. The thinking of the APC is "let's go there". All that the PDP has made taboo currently, when they should not be a big deal, will be 'cornerstones' for the APC.

[quote author=Omo_Tier1]Oshiomhole's seemingly cold feet towards the merger is not new. He is one man that is very skeptical about people's desire for power, hence He is not quick to jump into the whole APC dance song. Having said that, I do not think Oshiomhole is being overlooked as some have claimed. If anything, I think Oshiomhole is one of those in the books of APC to be considered for the slot of a VP.

Without any biase, it will be difficult for any party to sell Oshiomhole as a President material not because is not more than qualified to be a president, but more importantly is the reality on ground that right now, a northerner of high intellectual sagacity would help mend fences and create bett political stability for the much needed development in Nigeria.

I think a ticket with a Oshiomhole as running mate is sellable, who knows, APC might just end up with a grand plan of Buhari/Oshiomhole ticket for presidency and Fashola will be prep for Senate President where I believe He will be more relevant to Nigeria than being a President.[/quote]What "cold feet"? You would do well not to fall for OP's deceit. He thrives in a narrow gap of deceit and subjective interpretation and that is why he can say preposterously that "Oshiomole is the biggest asset the new Party can wish for". This is just the usual attention-seeking mountain-out-of-molehill "spin and spell" he brings here consistently.

While I like Oshiomhole, I can predict any ambivalence from him in future will not be tolerated because individual grandstanding will be dangerous for the APC.

This is why the APC has been delivered early. To flush out and neutralise uncommitted, treacherous element so that positions can become harmonised and unity fostered well before 2014.

Oshiomhole is no "biggest asset" as the deceitful OP states. Far from it. In fact, Oshiomhole needs the merger and not the other way round. That much will become obvious to all Nigerians soon. Let us not forget that this same Oshiomhole alleged that the PDP made attempts on his life before the election and killed his "son".

Overall, and truth be told, the importance ascribed to the participation or non-participation of Oshiomhole is overblown by those who do not see what is obvious. The APC will grow to be beyond personalities because of the platform it was always going to be that must differ to what the PDP is. OP has a penchant for dubiously arrogating importance to people/ethnic groups he supports so I am not surprised he wants to now paints Oshiomhole as the pivot the APC floats or sink by. Arrant nonsense.

Oshiomhole is simply another complementary part of a merged entity that is far greater than him and, ultimately, can comfortably do without him . Nothing more, nothing less . This thread, propping up Oshiomhole as having a fail-or-succeed influence/role, comes out of OP's penchant for politics of notice 'my local champion' . Below is what the media adviser of Oshiomhole reveals about the stance of Oshiomhole. OP can continue insinuating otherwise and using mischief to taint the efforts of a merger those of us who know him here will understand he can never support and will be fully committed to undermining. Of all the very good things about the merger, Nigerians from all corners are waxing lyrical about, he has only held on to Oshiomhole's absence at the declaration meeting. What does that tell you about the OP?

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/oshiomhole-obi-differ-on-all-progressives-congress/139035/

Oshiomhole, Obi Differ on All Progressives Congress

10 Feb 2013

By Vincent Obia and Chuks Okocha

Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole was fully involved in the process leading to the formation of the opposition coalition party, All Progressives Congress, and is fully committed to its execution.

The governor's Special Adviser, Media, Prince Kassim Afegbua, who stated this, however, explained that Oshiomhole could not attend the meeting in Lagos last week by the opposition parties’ governors, where the merger was finally agreed, because of flight problems in Benin City.

Some opposition parties, namely, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), and All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), had come together last week in Abuja to proclaim the birth of APC.

But the governors produced by the opposition parties, numbering 10, including All Progressive Grand Alliance’s Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, had earlier in the week met in Lagos to pledge the backing of their various parties for the merger. Both Oshiomhole and Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, who was elected on the APGA platform, were not at the meeting in Lagos.

The two governors were reported to have sent their goodwill messages to the merger promoters and expressed their commitment to the opposition alliance. But while Oshiomhole said he could not make the APC formation meeting in Lagos due to flight hitches, it emerged at the weekend that Obi had deliberately stayed away from the event.

Afegbua told THISDAY, “The Comrade Governor’s inability to attend the unveiling of the merger in Lagos was occasioned by the poor weather condition which made it impossible for flights to operate for two days in Benin City. That was the only reason that prevented him from attending the event.

“But he did speak with his Lagos State counterpart on the day of the unveiling to register his unflinching support for an initiative that will fully strengthen the pillars of competitive democracy in Nigeria
“It is the belief of the Comrade Governor that opposition forms an integral part of any healthy democracy, and especially so to the extent that the electorate are presented with viable alternatives in making their informed electoral choices.”

He said, “This merger is a wakeup call to all Nigerians who are desirous of seeing better approach to governance. It is an effort that symbolises the resolve of the people to take their destinies in their own hands, and move away from the culture of lamentation as a result of PDP misrule.

“The resolve by the opposition to put behind them their individual and collective aspirations, and midwife a platform that is all-embracing, presents to all lovers of democracy food for thought. It is commendable and admirable.

“Governor Oshiomhole will join others across the socio-political spectrum of the country to pursue the noble objectives for which the merger was consummated in the first place.”

Old sycophants like Tukur can continue to lick azz but things will never be the same for his ilk and his generation. They are all running scared now.

[quote author=baby_123]Ok, even if they are all the same. We see what cpc, and ACN has done in their respective states vs pdp. Sir, I ask you, what has pdp done. At the state level these parties have performed better than pdp since they held power in 2003. I will take my chances with APC. The odds are better. I don't think you can win the election with this type of strategy. PDP was given a last chance, and they f*#ked it up. What has PDP done for the down trodden? They stole their pensions. Now the down trodden are dying everyday. No food to eat. If they complain, they get killed. What PDP again? No salary for the people who work for PDP led states.[/quote]Thank you very much sir !!! Please pay no mind to the "they are all the same" apostles of doom-and-gloom who are using that vacuous and false utterance, not borne out by events on ground, to mask how they are committed to the PDP because of clannish, sentimental, ethnic and religious bias. Look around you and see what intelligent, detribalised and exposed Nigerians, from all corners of our Nation, are saying about the APC. Not many are peddling the redundant "they are the same" crap that has now become a staple diet on this forum. All this crap of "the devil you know" to plead PDP's case just validates Einsteins summation that "insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results".




http://saharareporters.com/column/new-dawn-hannatu-musawa

New Dawn By Hannatu Musawa
Posted: February 9, 2013 - 03:51

https://saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2013/hanney321.jpg?1360381812
Hannatu Musawa

Columnist: Hannatu Musawa
February 6, 2013 was a magnificent day for Nigeria. As the sun rose over the eventful day, Nigerians all over the world celebrated the thrashing our Super Eagles gave Mali’s Les Aigles to reach the final of the African Cup of Nations in South Africa. But prosperity was not done with us, for as the jubilations rang out, news that several of our most significant opposition political parties, including the All Nigeria Peoples Party, Action Congress of Nigeria, Congress for Progressive Change, and the All Progressive Grand Alliance had merged to form one party gave cause for much more celebration. As the news of the newly formed All Progressive Congress trickled in, the social networks went crazy. Nigerians young and old; far and wide expressed their delight at the possibility of this new coalition party. Opposition victories have been hard to come by in the last decade and this new coalition not only gives the vast majority of worn-out Nigerians a tremendous sense of achievement, it gives millions of people new hope that their cause was right and new determination that change will finally show its face in Nigeria.

For many of us, this week has been a time to be proud; a time for reflection on the possibility of a new dawn, a time where our country has the chance to sow the seed of success in overcoming the great turmoil that our electoral and political process has thus far represented. Now, as Nigerians look towards 2015, it is beginning to look like we may be standing at the beginning of a new chapter in our history; one that will hopefully be defined by a prosperous democracy incontrovertibly built upon the will of the people.

Nigerians have really been put through the ringer. Apart from dealing with the dearth of security, employment, health care, education, striving to provide for our families and rising crime to name a few, we have been lumbered with a political leadership that is solely focused on personal interests rather than on solving our widespread problems. And even though there are over one million and ninety nine thousand things that Nigerians would ideally like to see done differently, the one general consensus of what people want right now seems to be a change of government.

[b]A very smart man known as Albert Einstein once described insanity as ‘doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.’ It would be difficult not to agree with him. If having the same party in power since 1999 translates into a reality where we still have no stable electricity, no unity, no security, no peace, no job opportunities, no development and hardly anything good, then how on earth can anyone expect a different result in terms of the way the country is governed if the same party keeps hoisting itself into power? It would naturally follow that in order for our life to change from the nightmare we are living, into a more structured dream, we must change; the country must change and government must change. And for the first time in a very long time, a vehicle with the ability to translate that nightmare into a dream and then into reality is being presented to Nigerians. That vehicle is this newly formed united merger.

However, now that the first leg of the task has been achieved, this marks the point at which the real work needs to be done. To consolidate the exceptional success that the merger represents, the APC must now pass the crucial test without allowing the demons of the past to re-emerge. The demons which defy stepping up to the challenge of putting personal interest aside in order for the party to operate in the interest of all the people of this nation. The party must set the objective of making Nigeria a place liveable for the right of the many. The coalition must work in partnership with each other to create a dynamic, broad and competitive platform for progressives, for minorities, for women, for children, for the poor and for every interest. The party must be fashioned as an entity that seeks to restore trust in Nigerian politics, cleanse Nigerian politics and decentralizes it so that people can once again have hope that politics can be about the service to the public.[/b]

The APC should be a party entrenched with solid ideals; the ideals of integrity, impartiality, unity, honesty and development. And it should also be a party equipped with the valour to welcome new ideas required to make those standards a reality for Nigerians; a party of practical process in pursuit of a gallant cause and the solemn obligation to act accountably, transparently, and impartially. These should be at the core of APC’s intention for Nigeria.

True democracy has never been a concrete box that isolates the political leadership from the people. And if it’s true democracy we are interested in, then the party leadership must embrace that fact. Leaders of APC have the obligation to use their positions of power to earn the people’s trust because that is what will primarily impact the public’s confidence in the party. As the governors and leaders of the opposition gathered in front of the residence of the Lagos State Governor to announce the merger, they must know all too well the enormous responsibility that they have undertaken and the great trust that the Nigerian people may be willing to place in them. More than anyone, the leaders of the APC know well the change that Nigeria desperately needs. They know that this country is anxious to step away from its past, desperate to get those things done that need doing for the future.

No less important, the parties that have come together to form the APC must each individually get their acts together. The ongoing internal wrangling and court cases that litter the corridors of most of the opposition parties have to stop with immediate effect. If the APC is to have a chance of success and have a chance of being inclusive and nonpartisan in its internal decision making, then the different entities that form it must find a way of letting bygones be bygones, cooperating and actively seeking consensus through compromise and dialogue. Each of these parties is responsible for cooperating fully with the ideal and unity necessary to establish and promote the APC.

Let me state a simple truth: public faith in the political process is extremely low. Many people are still pessimistic, especially given the fact that a number of the strong players in the new coalition were once part of past governments. Part of the APC’s challenge is to earn the trust of the people by avoiding political trickery, standing up to the PDP, abstaining from inflammatory behavior, working together and convincing the public that the party really is ready to be the fresh new change Nigeria needs despite some of the personalities that make up the party.

If managed well, the APC has the ability to bring Nigeria together once again, to unite people as one nation in which our hopes for Nigeria corresponds with a sense of consideration, decorum and responsibility. Let us be hopeful and optimistic about this chance. One can only shape the opposition and make it what they need it to be when they participate in the process.

As Nigeria prepares to embark on this new chapter in its political life, one element of change seems to rise above all others in terms of importance: specifically the need for our politicians to show love for Nigeria. Love for Nigeria means putting public interests above personal interests. It means doing everything possible to keep partisan politics fair and clean. Love for Nigeria is not about the words that politicians speak but about their actions. It’s about putting nation building above everything else. Leaders of APC must display their love for Nigeria.

With 2015 approaching, we have a chance to start a new chapter, to put aside individual and party interests, to insist on accountability from the political class. More than anything, we should all accept individual responsibility for making this happen because only individual Nigerians putting Nigeria’s interests first can build the just, democratic society that will make present and future generations of Nigerians justifiably proud. As this new dawn breaks, the APC is giving Nigerians a platform to do just that.

February 6, 2013 truly was a magnificent day for Nigeria and as we keep our eye on the making sure the APC does right by us, let us also keep our fingers crossed for the success of our Eagles in the African Cup of Nations.

Hannatu Musawa
I invite you to follow me on Twitter- @hanneymusawa
Visit my Website- www.hannatumusawa.com
Like me on Facebook- www.facebook.com/hannatu.musawa
Subscribe to my Youtube Channel- www.youtube.com/HannatuMusawa

2mch: PDP goons are highly desperate ans scared on this thread. The new tactic is to say APC and PDP are now the same. So we might as well vote PDP. Well, we tried PDP, nothing to show for it. Only poverty, No infrastructure, no adequate educational standard, zero healthcare, zero security. All those funds, looted. Even pensions. What do we call PDP? The most lecherous and poisonous party. Now we will try APC and see the difference. Under Buhari, I think they will perform significantly better. And all those looters over the years have a lot to be afraid of. Including Jonathan. Once Buhari is in, OBJ, Jonathan the 40laptops will end up in jail.hahahahahahaha. We are ready to change Nigeria in 2015. Nothing can stop this hurricane. I predict $100 trillion being recovered.

My guy, their fear is palpable. They all reek of it. Their desperate lie that APC is the same as the PDP can only fool intellectually lazy Nairalanders who validate the notion that the black man does not like to read. I urge Nairalanders to leave their comfort zone and look around for information and opinions about this merger. One thing that will be noted quickly is that a lot of intelligent Nigerians, from every corner of Nigeria, are very excited about the APC. Clannish and bigoted folks can continue to fool themselves because they can never rise above primordial and primitive sentiments. You are right we are ready to change and will change Nigeria in 2015. Losers ready to endure with mediocrity via blindly pandering to ethnic jingoism , while the world leaves us behind, will have nowhere to hide when the PDP is soundly defeated in 2015.


http://saharareporters.com/article/apc-pill-nigerians-must-swallow-lauretta-onochie

APC, A Pill Nigerians Must Swallow By Lauretta Onochie
Posted: February 9, 2013 - 03:58
By Lauretta Onochie
Many years ago, before the advent of Paracetamol, APC was the medicine for headache, stomachache and indeed, all aches and pains. Today Nigeria has a headache, a bellyache and all known and unknown aches a d pains. The good news is that we know the cause of most of these aches. Diagnosis? Corruption and the poor leadership of the PDP! But it looks like the good old tablet, APC is back in Nigeria; not in chemists and pharmacies, but as a political conglomeration that promises to heal Nigeria of many of her aches and pains, commonly known as PDP wahala. It is the ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC).

Hear them, "We resolve to form a political party committed to the principles of internal democracy, focused on serious issues of concern to OUR PEOPLE, determined to bring corruption and insecurity to an end, determined to grow our economy and create jobs in their millions through education, housing, agriculture, industrial growth etc, and stop the increasing mood of despair and hopelessness among OUR PEOPLE.” In one short sentence, they used 'Our people' twice... Yet, Nigerians are sceptical about APC and their real intentions.

Nigeria is a nation where different groups of people in leadership have come to promise us heaven on earth, only to turn around to confine us to hell by impoverishing us the more. The present reality is the Peoples Democratic Party PDP. These people, since 1999, have made millionaires out of their immediate families and friends. That has also changed. They began to make billionaires out of their cronies and now, we are at a stage where many suspect that there might be more Dollars in Nigeria than in America as they continue to make 'Dollarnaires' out of their close associates.

Nigerians have met disappointments at every turn of their recent political history. Where we have been promised bread, we got stones and where we were promised soup, sludge was forced down our throats. Its all too recent and still raw as we all are now choking from air pollution, not only from the fumes from our electric-generating sets but from the corrosive materials in the breathe of fresh air we were promised by the current ruling party and its arrowhead of corruption, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

We, as a people have come to the stage where we lost all hopes in our leaders and consequently, in our nation. They have cheated us out of our national inheritance. They have run down our national infrastructures and left them in their dilapidated states. Examples are our roads and hospitals. They have, through their greed reduced our life expectancies to 47 and 45 respectively for men and women. They have made us look small among the comity of nations. We have become a people who are no longer warmly welcomed to other nations. Close to home, some African nations have been brave to voice the fact that we are bad news. Our leaders have become the butt of jokes as they go around the globe parading ignorance.

The Nigerian print and electronic media mostly became instruments of misinformation for peddling lies, innuendoes, gossips and propaganda in favour of those who use our collective wealth to suppress the truth. And then the Social Media emerged! Subdued Nigerians found a live wire. Many began joining the social network such as Twitter and Facebook. Some went in with their body, soul and spirit. Others went in slowly and cautiously. And then, it exploded! Nigerians threw caution to the wind, taking the bull by the horn. They went for the jugular, chocking the day light out of the present inept, corrupt and clueless government of President Jonathan. Nigerians on the Social media used it to their maximum benefit, exposing the corruption, ineptitude, incompetence and the waste that were and are still the hallmark of this sick government.

[b]But this government, this sick government of President Jonathan still refuses medication. It struggles on, refusing to see that the people they asked to serve needed to be served. This sick government that refused to take all prescribed medications devised means of avoiding contact with Nigerians for fear of being lynched by angry Nigerians. Private jets became the new means of mass transit for our corrupt leaders and their friends, along with their religious associates. Nigeria's Independent celebration events which we looked forward to as children in Nigeria, became a private affair. Children in our nation have not been given the opportunity, even on children's day to interact with the man who decides on their behalf.

The new found confidence of Nigerians, armed with the deluge of authenticated data on the corrupt activities of the present administration of President Jonathan, gave wings to the courageous showings of the #OccupyNigeria Movement a year ago. That became the first arrow shot in recent times by the Nigerian people at their ignoble leaders to put them on notice that it would no longer be business as usual. A lot more corruption has been unearthed and exposed since then and all we hear from them are denials, denials and more denials. The complicity of our National assembly is not in doubt neither is the collusion of our judiciary. It is common knowledge that people, (yes they are Nigerians), are eager to keep the Boko Haram crises going because of the huge gains from the unaccountable security votes for that region. "Vampires" I call them. Those who flourish and bask in the blood of others are called vampires.[/b]

Nigerians, ordinary Nigerians are therefore left to their own devices as unemployment soars. Lynching popularly known as jungle-justice and mass raping have become popular in a nation that has lost her morals and community spirit. Campus prostitution, armed robbery, kidnapping, human-trafficking fraud and scamming etc are now ways of earning a living in a nation blessed with huge natural a d human resources.

Therefore, I must say that I clearly understand the apathy, suspicion, scepticism and distrust with which some of us view APC, the soup-pot or what some of us call a collection of strange bed-fellows. After all, some of these apothecaries who prepared this APC, have been in the forefront of the Nigerian politics for decades and have not been part of the solution, to say the least. However, we must look beyond the people who are the principal players in APC now. If one was drowning, and someone threw him a life line, he would grab it and ask questions later about the identity of the life saver. Our nation is sinking. We have no time to dilly-dally. Our problem had been that we did not have a united opposition in our nation that was proactive. Now we do. One has presented itself.

[b]A party like this APC is what many of us have been campaigning for. There is no way we are going to have an opposition that is led by people we do not know. Nigerians and indeed the world, are predisposed to starting from the known to the unknown. Many people may not know how tediously many of our well meaning youth have worked to build a solid opposition, but were not taken seriously because they are not known. This is a chance Nigerians must take with both hands and firmly plant their feet on. APC is made up of the known at the present but unless we all join at this its inception, the unknown would remain in the background.

I therefore, appeal to Nigerians, especially our youth population, to join, no, to invade this APC. Its only when we are in that we can have a say from the beginning and make the necessary changes like standing against god-fatherism, mediocrity, tribalism, nepotism and other vices. Once we allow them become a cabal, we would have ourselves to blame.

Nigeria was standing between the devil and the deep blue sea and suddenly, a ship appears out of the deep blue sea. This may be our last chance to recover our nation by ourselves through democratic means. It is not going to be easy-sailing but we are the ones that must make the difference. When the known leaders begin to show self interests, we the unknown Nigerians in APC would be the ones to keep them in check and insist on what we want for our nation or push then aside. Nigerians must arise and hijack this party for their benefit. With PDP, we are outsiders. We don't want to be outsiders with APC too.

Suddenly, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.[/b]

wild child: ogun state is developing,I reside in Abeokuta and I know what I'm saying

No doubt about that. Amosun is genuinely working. A lot still needs to be done, as is the case with many States throughout Nigeria, but the fact of the matter is that Amosun has done a lot in his 1 year and 8 months as Governor.

Mukaz: Most of the pdp governors and legislators will move to apc because of 2015 ambitions

They can but they are guaranteed nothing. There are outgoing Governors like Aliyu and Lamido who can 'bring something' but I can comfortably predict that the APC will clearly be about providing genuinely transformational individuals for transformational positions. That will not change despite any PDP influx into the PDP because everyone now accepts that this is what is largely behinds Tinubu's defeat of the PDP in the SW. If Tinubu had backed an Igbinedion-type in Edo, instead of the much feted Oshiomhole, then the state would be under the PDP today. Ditto for Oyo, Ekiti, Osun et al. I think opposition strategists now pragmatically understand what works in Nigeria against the PDP.

[quote author=Omo_Tier1]any surprise at your reasoning? When your clueless fisherman has misappropriated over $67bn why won't you seen Dickson and Uduaghan as apostle of developments?

Delta receives x3 Edo State allocation in year, yet Edo State is miles ahead of Delta in infrastructure and development, curtsey of ACN under tinubu. Where it not for the scheming prowess of people like tinubu, Edo State would have been languishing and wishing as Delta is doing currently!

Tinubu might not be a saint, butHe prowess in helping to put men of vision in positions that have helped the lives of many cannot be ignored. [/quote]This is why, despite the noise of bigots against Tinubu on this forum, progressive folks on the ground and undisputed good guys (like Utomi, Oyegun, Balarabe Musa, Wole Soyinka, Femi Falana et al) are now firmly behind the man. Wole Soyinka, a very principled Nigerian, is working with the ACN Party today in ways he has never shown a readiness to do with the PDP.

This is all despite the fact Soyinka was a vociferous critic of Tinubu. Yet when Soyinka saw the calibre of men Tinubu was supporting, he had no choice but to moderate his opinion of Tinubu, as many of us have done, in combination with recognising the reality of Nigeria. In fact, Soyinka threw his weight publicly and completely behind the ACN duo of Ribadu and Adeola in 2011. Soyinka has not looked back since then. Today Soyinka always answers when Aregbesola comes calling. Whether it is to head an education summit or be part of important commissions. Abeg, bigots can continue to vilify Tinubu but liberal and balanced folks should look at the calibre of those, on the ground, publicly joining and endorsing Tinubu.

http://dailyindependentnig.com/2013/01/aregbesola-appoints-tinubu-soyinka-others-into-board-of-awolowo-centre/

Aregbesola appoints Tinubu, Soyinka, others into board of Awolowo Centre
POSTED ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 5TH, 2013

By Gbenga Faturoti, Correspondent, Osogbo

Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregebsola, has approved the appointment of the pioneer members of Board of Trustees and Board of Directors for the Awolowo Centre for Philosophy, Ideology and Good Governance.

The Osun-based centre has Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT).

Members include the Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka (Ogun), the founder, Aregbesola (Osun), former Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor Wale Omole (Osun), former Vice Chancellor of University of Ado-Ekiti, Professor Akin Oyebode (Ekiti).

Other BoT members include Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Dr. M Usman Bugaje (North), Professor Mrs. Bolanle Awe (Osun) and Professor M. A. Makinde, who is also the director general and secretary to the board.

Besides, the board of director is headed by Governor Aregbesola with Prof. Tunde Babawale, Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN) National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Muhammed; human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) and Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa as external members.

Internal members include the DG/CEO, Prof. Makinde, director of training and research, director of administration and finance, director of planning, programmes and linkages.

Orikinla: GEJ DEFINITELY IS GOING FOR SECOND TERM AND HE IS PLANNING HOW TO USE HIS POWER OF INCUMBENCY TO WIN BY ALL MEANS POSSIBLE.

No problem at all. Nkan to oju ba wa ni oju ma ri. Those vehemently opposed to GEJ that he has treacherously wrong-footed are not clowns either. The hardcore and stone-cold killers are the ones already using Boko Haram to cause problems for GEJ but to lose the moderates like Aliyu and Lamido as well due to treachery and lack of character? That is not a wise path to toe at all. May the best camp in the PDP win.

I notice GEJ fans will curse and abuse perceived opponent and "evil power-grabbing aboki governors" everyday but non of them has had the uprightness of character, on NL, to ever confront the treachery of GEJ vis-a-vis his single term pledge many have a right to feel betrayed by considering they had worked for GEJ believing "one good turn deserves another". The man's treachery was always obvious when he got into office, despite our urgent problems, to be pushing for a 7 year single term for his own office. That was quickly shot down. Let the next set of shenanigans begin. Very enjoyable show coming up.

[quote author=Omo_Tier1]Didn't disgruntled elements like you say the same in Edo State? But today, with the leadership of Oshiomhole, are these individuals not performing in Edo State? Let them decamp, the benefit of them doing so will mean PDP is weakened and woulda unable to inflict more poverty on Nigerians.[/quote]Man mi, you are wasting your time with these bigoted and clannish elements. They are like a broken record repeating the same unintelligent message that the APC is no different to the PDP if it does not shut its door to decamping PDP politician. What a redundant and unintelligent viewpoint. Read the article culled from the thread below that has said everything intelligent and liberal folks, whatever their affiliation, can discern. Stop wasting your own time with these die-hard charlatan totally devoted to personalities rather than to ideas and issues.

Unlike the clannish hacks you indulge here, the author of the article below admit there are PDP decampees in the APC but he intelligently lays out the pragmatic reality of this situation the children you entertain will never see let alone accept. Tinubu has gotten far today because he has become a master at the pragmatically effective thinking and action the author identifies below.

Let children continue to make unrealistic noise and conclusion at odd with the Nigerian reality. These hacks will go on about the former PDP members joining APC but never talk of progressives like Utomi, Oyegun et al who have joined the ACN even before this merger. Everybody has to belong somewhere. It is how they are managed that matters. Terrorise the Streets of Lagos with armed robbery for decades if you want. Move to London and do the same and you will be shot dead on your first job.

So far as the sum total is good, as author indicates, and transformational positions ends up in the hands of genuinely transformational leaders, as obtains under Tinubu's philosophy, then I am happy for the APC to use the strength and number decamping politicians bring. Failing to do this , rejecting the Nigerian reality, and eschewing pragmatism is what has ensured the Utomis, Buharis and Fawenhinmis have failed in past political pursuit despite being seen as undoubted good guys by many.

https://www.nairaland.com/1189861/apc-may-not-saviour-it#14218719

APC May Not Be Our Saviour, but…
Posted: 02/08/2013 by Abdullahi Aborode in Opinion, Politics

Yesterday 7th February, 2013 we got news of the successful merger of the opposition parties (ACN, ANPP, APGA and CPC) which has been ongoing for quite a time now pending INEC’s ratification. They came together to form the APC = All Progressives Congress. As expected, there will be supporters, skeptics and those who antagonize.

I have been waiting for this outcome for quite a long time, I believe it is the only realistic revolution we can have in Nigeria to effect change that won’t involve bloodshed (Well, minimal bloodshed). The reason for my belief is due to the poor condition and the sorry state the PDP led administration in the last 14 years has put Nigerians through. The APC as we know still parades PDP elements and those members who may have decamped for one reason or the other.

Our nascent democracy won’t survive in the hands of incompetent leaders for long, it will continue to cost us the future of our kids and the gradual death of the positive potentials our generation possesses. Now that we have another mega-party, I strongly believe it will keep the PDP on its toes. It will force them to act now in the interest of the general public or lose the next election. I am of the opinion that the PDP have taken Nigerians for granted so long because they haven’t faced a serious competition. Now that the APC is coming on board, they know they have an incredible competitor and they’ll do everything not to lose grip of power. That is if APC lives up to it’s billing.

Something is better than nothing! We can’t settle for just anything but we can’t also let that deter us from lighting the fire under PDP. The PDP’s grip on power needs to be loosened as soon as possible, for us to uphold our democracy and make it participatory. No party should be guaranteed a win as the case is presently. There is need to flash them the badge of “sit up or get out” and without a credible opposition or a good plan in place, we are just labouring in pain.

14 years is more than enough for a political party to build a strong foundation, it is enough to salvage certain ills in the society and it is enough time to convince the people that the movement is geared towards reasonable and beneficial one. The PDP led administration has failed in this respect, I urge us all to give the APC a try. Yes, I know leadership shouldn’t be a trial and error thing, but can we afford to dance to PDP’s horrible music over and over again?

This is the time for us to get down to work and do something. It is not the time for lazy or petty talks, surely no time to look for loopholes. It is the time to drill the APC and know what they have in stock for us. It is the time to let them know we will hold them accountable for everything promised. It is time for us to demand for their manifesto and study it. This is not the time to rubbish the party, this is not the time to be all pessimistic, and it is not the time to point fingers without providing realistic alternatives.

However, it is important to know that the APC are no saviours, we are the ultimate saviours because sovereignty lies in our hands, and it is time for us to decide which party we will support or join. We can only be hopeful that the APC brings the change we clamour for. Having great minds in both parties will be a huge plus for the country. It is high time Nigeria had two great parties and two great alternatives. That will do our nation a whole lot of good, no doubt.

The APC is still a work in progress and I’ll urge Nigerians not to ruin this opportunity with continuous and unnecessary skepticism. If you don’t support APC then you are in the hands of the PDP, there are NO saints in politics everywhere in the world. Morality without will to compromise is not a potent ingredient in politics, we need to understand this. Politics is a combination of the good and bad but the ‘bad’ must not overshadow the good. The outcome has to be positive, has the PDP given us this?

Democracy is all about viable alternatives, the APC could be that viable alternative which must be supported. It is time for us to be vigilant, it is time for us as a people to come together and ask for the very best from both parties. We still have 2 years to 2015, we can’t afford to wait till then before we act as citizens, let us put the heat on this current administration, the 2 years shouldn’t be a repeat of the wasted years.

We don’t have to necessarily join partisan politics to project progress. Some of us need to be on the look out to act as check for the actors, but being an ordinary critic without efficiently looking for ways to effect change is useless. Part of the efficient acts is educating the masses on need to vote and protect their votes. It is important to vote when the time comes and not say “They are all bad I’m not voting”.

The future of Nigeria is in our hands. Let’s give the APC a chance and for those keen on partisan politics, why not examine the manifesto of APC and see if you can align with it. Make haste before the bad eggs of PDP start decamping into the APC.

God Bless Nigeria!


By AAABORODE

Edited by Debo Adejugbe
http://aaaborode./2013/02/08/apc-may-not-be-our-saviour-but/

9icest: I think GEJ really needs to WAKE up, and REALLY address the REAL problems of Nigeria, and stop playing POLITICS with his country people....
Everyone is deserting this guys....The few sticking around him, are doing so because they know they have no more hope of future appointment, and hes mainly their life saver and nothing more, but a means to an end for them.

Get inspired, visit
www.inspired.com.ng
for your daily inspirational dose!

You speak the truth even as it will not be accepted by many here who clannishly support GEJ automatically, over every issue, while also automatically vilifying others who act against GEJ without a care for equity and fairness. They are not even fair-minded enough to see the treachery they are backing. If a moderate like Aliyu leaves the PDP after GEJ declares his ambition, why would any fair minded person not rise above bigotry, sentiments and bias to understand his reason? Aliyu sacrificed , even going against his political father, i.e IBB, to deliver the delegate votes that defeated the Northern consensus candidate (Atiku) to get the ball rolling for GEJ.

Others like Yuguda and Lamido did same because GEJ pledged to serve only a term. These men all thought he would keep to this pledge and then leave the path open for their own Presidential ambition. What manner of clannishly unfair minds will some have been cursed if they can then not understand that many Governors would rather leave than support the treachery of GEJ? Fair is fair in life and good is good. No manner of ethnic or sectional affiliation should blind a decent person to that. Yet it is a shame bigotry is not allowing some to see that.

GEJ, towards the end, and if he persists, will have the support of only treacherous, unprincipled mercenaries and his bigoted kinsmen dedicated to supporting him blindly regardless of the wrong he has done that has seen him lose the goodwill of Nigerians and become isolated from his political allies. Any person with any sense of fairness will agree it only right for folks to resent and desert unprincipled users. Yet, I know many clannish and bigoted Nairalandres will make this about the Governors and heap scorn and insult on them. They will never note what GEJ has done treacherously and offensively to now leave him isolated by friends and foes alike.

@Topic.

If not that certain folks only do clannishness, then the part below is fairly obvious. Is it not clear the soul of the PDP is resistive to GEJ's treacherous ambitions even with all his machinations ? The man will destroy the PDP because he respects nothing and no one. Treachery personified. The pledge he made and is failing to adhere to has gained him a lot of disdain. People need to ask why GEJ's candidate , for PDP BOT chairman, was cast aside easily by a last minute entrant who is effectively the choice of the Governors and the Northerners in the Party who feel GEJ is a cheat and user who fails to keep to an agreement.

Has it not been enough time to resolve the "deadlock" and reconvene a BOT vote or is it that the President is afraid he will be disgraced again by a Party vehemently resistive to his highly unpopular and scantily supported ambition? Put to the vote, it is obvious GEJ's candidate will lose if the BOT election is repeated 50 times. That is the level of resistance GEJ and his camp are now trying to smother with their ruse to buy time. They began their new assault with removing Oyinlola but yet still no joy.

Already Aliyu is waxing lyrical about the APC and glancing envious glances in its direction. The usual children can make the usual silly and empty noise but it is obvious that the last section in bold below is very much on the card if GEJ continues his thoughtless antics that pushes the limits of treachery even amongst thieves. Somehow, I doubt the PDP 'big boys' will allow GEJ to destroy the PDP. One man's unbridled ego (OBJ) achieved the same in the SW i.e the decimation of the PDP. It will be obvious that PDP will become a hollow shell as many Governors will leave if GEJ declares he is running. The likes of Aliyu and many others will feel the PDP is now a Party not able to enforce pledges and agreements. They will feel cheated , haven played their part in the past to deliver for GEJ based on the pledge of one term, and certainly won't stick around to help those who cheated them. 'Goodluck' to team GEJ and the PDP. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Predictable implosions, given the characters involved, yet fascinating to watch.

He said behind the show of ‘we don’t care’ by the party’s leadership, there was concealment of fear, as the party was afraid that the current crisis rocking the party could consume it and make it a minority party in the future.

He said, “The party’s leadership is afraid. I must tell you. We are not convenient at all because the formation of the party is coming at a time we are having problems in our party.

“Don’t forget that the NWC is divided. The governors are angry. We cannot hold National Executive Committee meeting. We are even finding it difficult to elect the chairman of our Board of Trustees.

“We are also having financial problems in the party as the governors have refused to fund us the way they used to do before the crisis started.

“So, if anyone is telling you that we are at peace and are not worried as a result of the formation of the party, such a person is being economical with the truth.”

The source also added that though the party is convenient with the attitude of his members in the Senate, the same thing could not be said of the House of Representatives.

“We know that the opposition is in control of the House, because though the Speaker, Mallam Aminu Tambuwal belongs to our party, he is more popular among the opposition political parties,” the NWC member said regrettably.

Among governors touted that could leave the party, four are from the North-West, three from the North-East, two from the South-South and three from the North-Central.

Our correspondent further gathered that these governors, especially those from the North, would move if it was clear that President Goodluck Jonathan would run for a second term.

“His second term ambition, if he declares it, will quicken the death of this party,” a source close to the party said.

seyi360: I don't understand d reason for d prolonged and unnecessary vexations and agitations against Tinubu. I'm not a memeber of his party,neither am I holding brief for him.He may have been corrupt in office,but name a govt official who is not corrupt.Instead of ranting about his corrupt years in office,why don't we look in d future by firstly commending him for trying to print his name in d good book of posterity.I sincerely think he redeemed his name by his wise choice of credible successor in Fashola.During d years of stone age,draconian ,dictatorial leadership exhibited by d Ota based General and his cohorts who were scavengers and power drunk fellows( in short supply of human feelings and definitely were aliens to to democrazy and its requirements) Tinubu was in d opposition as a sophisticated politician who as a former senator during d Military regime already acquired leadership skills that in no doubt made him more sensible and civilized in running d affairs of d state.Without cash and lots of it,how could he have effectively confronted d political demagugs and terminators at d Fed level? How could he have recovered d south western states of Oyo,Ogun,Ekiti,Osun that were snatched by d technocrats of ballot box snatching? How could he have restored d southwest back into the hands of those who still uphold d philosophy and tenets of Awoism? During d early years of our democratic xperiment,emphasis was placed on d fight for d political sole of our nation,which he fought. He may not be a saint,but a man who singlehandedly flogged d PDP out of S/West deserves some credit

Please, don't make the mistake of thinking that the clannish opinion of the perpetually hateful folks attracted to join Nairaland is indicative of a Nigerian hatred of Tinubu. If anything Tinubuism is waxing very strong now with how everyone is borrowing a leaf from his pragmatically intelligent yet winning political philosophy.

To those entrenched in ethnic hatred - and we get many on this forum - Tinubu alone must be vilified even when many, to include those in their own backyards, are far worse and totally worthless in every sense of the word. Yet, the on-the-ground reality today is that all the undisputed good guys from all ethnic groups (whether it is Utomi, Balarabe Musa or Oyegun) are pitching their tent with Tinubu in recognition of his political sagacity and what he really represents as an overall force for good in comparison to all others operating alongside him. Is it a surprise or coincidence that technocrats and talented solutions providers prefer Tinubu or is it that everyone now believes the man, most importantly for Nigeria, is naturally inclined to empower such folks hence their reason for gravitating towards him?

Even the likes of Soyinka have come on board because they realise a man, to be part of positive change, must side with the lesser devil till the beautiful ones are born. If so many intelligent men now believe in what Tinubu is doing, why should anyone take the clannish and unintelligent losers on Nl seriously? Of course Tinubu is no more corrupt than the politicians others have in their backyard even if bigotry leads these sad Nairalanders to shout "Tinubu" non-stop. The big difference is that Tinubu is an evolutionary force for good given the reality of Nigeria. Most Nigerian good guys who have been forced to become pragmatic about what our nation is and the solution she requires are all now behind the man. That reality speaks volume even if some people want to continue displaying aberrant reasoning and unthinking clannishness.

Ikengawo: The key word is desperation.
Everyone thought a party based on ideals would arise out of this. It's now clear that EVERY SINGLE failed politician, failed presidential candidate, debunked minister, and failed gubernatorial candidate have tied their bad fortunes together to one sinking rock. This has only worked to strengthen the PDP.
I'm not in Nigeria right now, but it looks to me that there isn't much excitement about the move and that shows that it makes no difference.

The only place you're hearing about this are on media outlets that have been obsessed with attacking GEJ, and are clearly funded by the rewards of the opposition and sensationalist lambast journalism.






In the end of the day PDP always wins because it's the only real party in Nigeria. CPC is a Buhari fan club, ACN is a yoruba cultural union, ANPP has been caught with Boko Haram, their senators have blood relatives in boko haram, and Rochas okorocha as OBJ said is a political failure and desperate prostitute. I used to support the guy until i realized he wasn't a leader he's an opportunist and a coward.

Whatever anyone wants to lay at the door of Rochas, there is no doubt he is a new breed politician who has not failed Nigerians serially and as devastatingly as OBJ et al have done. Quoting OBJ to put down Rochas? Pleaseeeeeeeee. The likes of OBJ still talk only because many strong young men have not taken their place alongside Rochas, Fashola et al to freeze out and neuter malevolent dinosaurs like OBJ, Anenih, IBB et al. An old man should respect himself and his past. Rochas is Imo governor today yet you uncharitably call him a "political failure". What is your own status/achievement today that makes you a winner in comparison to 'failed' Rochas?

Sincere 9gerian: Stop mis-firing. Your post is unrelated to the thread. This thread is not about CRITICISMS but about name calling, insults, abuses and hateful comments. I never said GEJ shouldn't be criticised.

Yes I criticise Fashola and Buhari but I dont engage in name calling, insults or curses. If you like you can dig up all of my comments to confirm. I deal with issues not the persons. I received proper upbringing and I was taught to respect other people, whether big or small.

I produced this thread to see if I could call those who consistently engage in name calling, insults and abuses to order. But like they say, it is difficult to learn how to use the left hand at old age. Unfortunately, some persons cannot do better than name calling, insults and abuses.

As for the criticisms, bring it on.

Man mi, you are nothing but a nauseating coward, a shameless hypocrite, barefaced liar and a spineless sycophant to boot. What people like you don't appreciate is that fraudulent attempt at deceit today will be ridiculed by your archived hypocritical conduct of yesterday. Even as I ignored you there, do you remember the thread below where I made my own pertinent contribution:

https://www.nairaland.com/1187548/fashola-inspects-isale-gangan-urban

Gbawe wrote:

Drastic urbanisation means , for Lagos, "the only way is up".

You then quote what I wrote above to supply the response below that totally ignores the issue and focus on personalities. Now you want to come here and lie that "I deal with issues not the persons. I received proper upbringing and I was taught to respect other people, whether big or small"? You are simply a disgrace for not recognising that your dull brain cannot pull off the deceit your shameless, sycophantic and amoral mind conceives. I just feel sorry for you. See your life exposed below after you lie here about being a man focused on "issues" yet your real conduct shows you to be a trolling and cowardly Weasel obsessed with personalities?

Insecure9gerian wrote:

Someone posted the comment below:

Re: Jonathan Is Working, Haters Are Talking! (New Images Are Added Daily) by Tippy Top ( m ): 5:38pm
Known paid ACN activist on Nairaland (This list is by no means exhaustive). They get paid but are the first to accuse any one of being a paid agent
Gbawe
dayokanu
Rhino.5dm
demdem
take dat
Orikinla
More names to come but the above names quickly came to mind.
Whatever you do, don't take the above people serious, they're only here to further the cause of Tinubu.
( Quote ) ( Report ) ( Like )

True or false?

Simply brilliant and exactly what I have been saying to the perpetual pessimists and defeated skeptics who say the APC is full of decamping PDP politicians. As the author concludes, it is not simplistically about saints but blending good and bad to come up with a formula that delivers a win for the people. As long as the sum total of the APC remains good then they do the right thing spurning no one. The leaders of the APC, like Buhari and Tinubu, would have no business being in politics if they mount an Ivory tower to reject former PDP members.

Many, to include Buhari, Utomi, Oyegun et al, have come to realise It is all about doing things the Tinubu way if the PDP is to be defeated. I.e using everyone that adds numbers and specific strength to secure overall support, which delivers electoral victories, while saving the transformational positions for proven solutions providers and technocrats.

The refusal to pragmatically embrace this concept has always ruined the Buharis, Fawehinmis and Soyinkas of the world. I.e the misplaced notion that being good can alone appeal to Nigerians. Fawehinmi, sorry to say, proved that flatly wrong. Alas Buhari too has now realised pragmatically that good and bad must be blended but the 'titration' controlled so that good remains on top. Nothing else can work given the reality of Nigeria. Any coalition exclusively made up of saints , if that is even possible, will fail horribly. We should ask the Nigerians here demanding saints to tell us the support they gave Utomi and even Gani Fawehinmi during his foray into politics. "Morality without will to compromise is not a potent ingredient in politics". I will add also that it does not and cannot get results in the Nigeria of today where so much still depends on a populace that is anything but politically sophisticated.

The APC is still a work in progress and I’ll urge Nigerians not to ruin this opportunity with continuous and unnecessary skepticism. If you don’t support APC then you are in the hands of the PDP, there are NO saints in politics everywhere in the world. Morality without will to compromise is not a potent ingredient in politics, we need to understand this. Politics is a combination of the good and bad but the ‘bad’ must not overshadow the good. The outcome has to be positive, has the PDP given us this?

Democracy is all about viable alternatives, the APC could be that viable alternative which must be supported. It is time for us to be vigilant, it is time for us as a people to come together and ask for the very best from both parties. We still have 2 years to 2015, we can’t afford to wait till then before we act as citizens, let us put the heat on this current administration, the 2 years shouldn’t be a repeat of the wasted years.

It really is pointless for anyone to direct any abuse or name calling towards the APGA. We tend to be emotional with everything in Nigeria - especially politics - when we should be circumspect and pragmatic. No Party deserves insult for choices it is legitimately entitled to make. Rather it is ordinary Nigerians who should learn to view the antics of political Parties as illustrative of the concept that only permanent interests endure in politics and not permanent friendships or enmity.

Let APGA and Oshiomhole support anyone they want as they are entitled to do. Are people so simple-minded they think those involved in the merger have not anticipated that happening? The merger has a lot of brilliant strategists in its rank who would have planned for various scenarios. APGA, under, Obi, and Labour , under Mimiko, have always made it clear they are extensions of the PDP. Those who have convened this merger have always known that courting both Parties amount to a waste of time, effort and focus. Nothing, even the Okorocha faction siding with the new Party, changes anything for either side i.e PDP or APC. Stakeholders will still do their thing.

Insecure9gerian, it is nauseating how you are always pleading, begging and on your knees despite being one of the most cowardly mischief-maker and glass house dweller here. You unite malevolent efforts , daily on Nairaland, against Fashola, Buhari, Tinubu, El Rufai and all others you consider threats to your messiah. Why can you then never never man-up and accept criticism of your messiah - especially when he had so much goodwill previously ?

Your cowardly conduct is even more disgusting considering you are a weasel who troll, stalk and vilify others, on one thread, only to then be pleading for some not to touch your 'anointed' on another thread. What a stomach-churning wimp and crybaby.

Smart jeezy: I saw 'em yesterday on my way coming from ministry of justice in oshogbo.This man is rare gem₹₹ Baba kabiru is working in state of osun. Slowpoke,barmy,callow and callous,idiota can go and jump from third mainland brigde if u are not sastisfy with this man achievement.

Bros, you are right. The man is working even as no one is claiming that Osun is now paradise. Highly revealing that his biggest haters on this forum are folks not even from the SW. It really leads me to wonder about the mental health and sanity of some Nairalanders. Why always hating on a Governor who is not your Governor and has nothing to do with the quality of life in your State?

Should focusing on his own affairs and 'house' not be the priority of a balanced, well-adjusted person who has grown up with no 'issues' or malevolent programming? Would some not be better served taking their woeful Governors to task rather than being the first to comment hatefully, spitefully and negatively against efforts of Aregbesola et al? I don't understand some folks sha. Just very glad I don't have their 'issues'.


http://www.osundefender.org/?p=84108

Aregbesola Bags Governor Of The Year Award

Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of the State of Osun
Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has been honoured with the 2012 South-West Best Performing Governor of the year by the Nigeria Royalty Award (NIRA).
Presenting the award to the governor on Thursday, the National Coordinator of NIRA, Prince Kenneth Aigbegbede stated that Governor Aregbesola was chosen, having considered his efforts to transform the state through his developmental programmes.
He singled out supports for the elders, school feeding programmes, reconstruction of new schools and massive road construction by the state government, as part of the transformational efforts that were considered before Aregbesola was considered for the award.
According to him: “Governor Aregbesola is doing something different in Osun. We note the erection of schools, we are also aware of the massive road construction going on, we are also aware of the care for the aged and we are aware of your school feeding programme.
“This is a government that is running an open door policy and we are aware of the social re-engineering going on in this state,” he said.
Kenneth affirmed that the administration has shown commitment to the development of all sectors of governance, ranging from agriculture, education, economic, security and infrastructural development among others.
Commending the governor for his sense of maturity in running the affairs of the state, he said, “this is a state where you can assess a governor, criticise him without being molested”.
Responding, the governor said that though he was not keen to awards like this, but the award has encouraged him to do more to develop the state.
He said: “There is no human being that does not want to be adulated, but I run away from it because, with our situation in Nigeria now, there is nothing anybody does that must be commended, because we are too low, considering level of performance.
“Awards like this have been bastardised, because people run around to buy awards, whereas, the challenges before us is that the people are interested in nothing, not even an award, other than what will ameliorate their sufferings. Once that is done, the aftermath joy of the people is enough for an award”, he said.
The governor stressed that the Nigeria economy is battered and life is so cheap that people die for just N500, saying, the commitment of his administration is to change the trend, especially in Osun.
Commending the organisers of the award, Aregbesola said that within the next one year, all the projects that were considered for the award would have been fully developed.
BY KAZEEM MOHAMMED

[quote author=GARRI (x7)]Where is O'Gbawe to bring us some O'Pictures of the O'Ambulances??[/quote]O'Gbawe promised, O'Gbawe delivers.


https://www.osundefender.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/oambulance.jpg

[quote author=GARRI (x7)]Where is O'Gbawe to bring us some O'Pictures of the O'Ambulances??[/quote]Coming O'soon Please be O'patient.

Folks should take the i away from Messi to understand what Tukur is really saying.

sweetkevisco: Jonathan is too weak,Obansanjo would have crushed them all by them by now. Nonsense gang of armed robbers.

You don't seem to appreciate the dynamics of evolution. Could the likes of OBJ have operated their style and displayed their dictatorial excesses forever? Dinosaurs naturally die out because their environment and even other creatures move beyond them. If not we should still have the likes of Idi Amin leading African Nations and storing human body parts in their freezer.

OBJ is part of a sordid past Nigerians will do best to forget instead of wistfully evoke. For better or worse, and as obtains elsewhere, times are evolving to the extent strong men will only be tolerated if their tough actions is in the interest of Nigerians and not hypocritically self-serving as many of OBJ's actions were.

Show how any of the actions of these Nigerians are illegal or unconstitutional for you to be dictatorially and intolerantly wishing for OBJ to "crush them". When Nigerians themselves think as you do, then we deserve all the OBJ-style dictatorial Dinosaurs we get. I cringed when I saw the man being disgraced in Ghana , during their last general election, for his anti-democratic conduct Ghanaians have now moved beyond yet Nigerians like you would be indifferent to or even praise.

ypzilanti: Journalists of the stature of Amanpour and Fareed Zakaria have seen nations like UAE, Singapore and China develop at rapid rates from 3rd world to 1st world within 20 years. You cannot impress them with snail pace improvements. That is the fact. GEJ can boast of being better than OBJ or IBB...Local champions who are fighting over who scored 35th or 34th in class. Whether GEJ likes it or not, on the global stage he is being compared with the Mandelas, Mahatir Mohammeds, and the Lula da Silvas. When you look at it from that perspective, you will understand the dismissive attitude he got from Amanpour.

The only way the president can shut his critics up is by performing (beyond expectation) on the job. A good example is Stephen Keshi. He was maligned and written off, but now everyone is singing his praises and dissecting his style of leadership as if they were not the same people that wrote him off before.

The world is a global village now. Journalists have information at their finger tips. Amanpour's research team would have given her information about GEJ before the interview. Guess what? What she will know about Nigeria will be from what is on our headline news everyday: Kidnapping, Terrorism, Corruption, Bad infrastructure. What she will know about GEJ will be from the headlines too: Non asset declaration, allocation of billions for travels and feeding, appointment of wife as permanent secretary, allegations of incompetence.

It's not too late for the president to turn the tide and get some good press for a change. Just like Keshi, he needs to find fresh blood to inject into the team. He needs to drop some underachievers from his team, too. He needs to let his performance be so huge that it will silence or drown out critics. Finally, he needs to work on his public speaking skills: hire a professional, and read books too. The ability of a leader to articulate his position properly and intelligently cannot be overestimated. Do you see how Keshi handles the international press? Confidence and articulation are valuable tools of leadership.

Very intelligent write-up. Try telling that to the uncouth, bigoted little children on this forum and the NFA (no future ambition) sycophants who praise numbing mediocrity. Amanpour and others, including some of us here, who are used to a culture of direct and commensurate effort overcoming specifically identified problems will never be impressed with GEJ.

For example, the entire world has stated that Nigeria has no chance of developing while over 70% of our budgeted annual spending is devoted to recurrent expenditure. This is unacceptable given that very rich and stable nations have recurrent expenditure in single digits. What has "Mr.Transformation" done in regards to this problem? Nada. Such befuddling inaction indicates to the Amanpours of the world that GEJ is just another gradualist waste of space only in office to linger aimlessly and still leave the same set of serious problems for a future successor. In fact, GEJ has even actually increased waste, bloated governance and profligacy. Indeed we all remember how GEJ immediately conceded defeat over this problem, fundamental to Nigeria's development, by announcing, after being sworn in, that "leaner Government not possible".

That capitulation was the end of that whereas Amanpour would have expected a real leader to embrace an approach of reform, altering the status quo drastically for the better, as seen from the likes of former President Lula of Brazil. How can Amanpour ever respect GEJ when she has met many, many brave leaders who tackle serious problems head on? I can give several example of how GEJ avoids delivering the most important solutions that can truly transform Nigeria with pyramidal efficacy. Seeing a leader unwilling to confront the biggest monsters while he faffs about with microscopic ants is the main reason Amanpour and many successful/exposed people can never respect GEJ. Only mindless sycophants will praise someone any intelligent person can see is a disgrace to what leadership should be.

look at the petroleum sector. Is it not a pivotal sector? Perhaps even the most important? What has GEJ done that is transformational here? If anything, GEJ's style has been typified by inactions that glaringly enable the rot to continue. Ribadu identified Nigeria as the only major exporter of crude to sell its endowment through traders. Very obviously, this is done to abet corruption, theft and lack of transparency massively enriching a few at the expense of a Nation. GEJ has the total discretion, with a simple directive, to stop this odious practice today and save Nigeria further losses. Yet he does nothing and pretends he never even received the suggestion. Pray tell how Amanpour, used to leaders who act to do the right thing for their Nation, can respect GEJ after noting all this.

At least we know Amanpour is not Yoruba or Hausa for anyone to begin accusing her of ethnic hatred of GEJ. Some will never understand that it is not about praising a mediocre President for garbage achievements because even the most despotic leaders can be praised for doing one thing or another. For the likes of Amanpour, it is about leaders tackling the same deeply fundamental set of problems that has bedeviled Nations, for generations, and will continue to prevent genuine progress until tackled. Amanpour sees the likes of Lula doing this. Even in Africa, good examples exist with Botswana, Ghana et al. Why is Kuffour of Ghana feted throughout the World today if not for how his sincere approach to fundamental problems has now made him a father of modern Ghana? So why will Amanpour or any exposed/ambitious or talented achiever/solutions provider respect GEJ?