₦airaland Forum

SAN still living in the past. The new act clearly states trial shall continue even if there is an appeal. This is to stop abortion of trials due to appeals hanging at a higher court. Supreme court has better things to do!

All against the CCT, go and read the administration of criminal justice act 2015 and stop being lazy. This part of it should give you some lifeline.

"Defendants are at liberty to file interlocutory appeals if they so desire[b] but an application for stay of proceedings pending appeal will not be taken during the trial"[/b]

Billions of dollars for Boko Haram fight missing and we should not pick up anyone! What da hell.

Fools on this nairaland still alive! Reason I hardly post before them give me hypertension. Vindictive I hear! And IBB, Fayose, Obasanjo and a whole lots of people are not being arrested! So we should not arrest anyone or what?

SheffyUtd,

Please I am about to ship a 2015 Nissan Murano. Would like to know the clearing costs. Best option on the costs please. Also the clearing cost of a 2005 Chevrolet Gexpress Van. Will expect your response to o_kayus@yahoo.com. Thx

Gooooooooooooal

Awolowo was the issue in Nigerian Politics so said Ibrahim Banbangida! Buhari is the current issues in Nigerian politics judging by the positive and negative noises generated by the mere sneeze of this man. I am always delighted to see anger, joy, passion and hatred that come firing at all cylinders when the name Buhari comes up. Whether we like it or not, Buhari will still be the main issue in Nigerian politics in 2015 as a either a contestant or the king maker. 2015 is for the taking for North East North West and South West, including Niger and Nasarawa states. And Buhari brand is key to that. So let's keep making the positive and negative noise about this man. It makes him relevant the more! My first comment on nairaland in a very long time!

@gbanikiti

The 1k is obviously not meant for you so it is fine if it doesn't make sense to you. Sure there are people who need it and they are coming in. People are begging to write for free.

Can your fingers support your thoughtful mind in writing articles on governance and politics in Nigeria? If yes, get those fingers working by writing an article for us. We will select a winning article worthy of publication on politikalnigerian.com every day, and award you 1000 naira per article. If you are that good, you have a chance of winning 7000 naira per week. Drop us your article at politikalnigerian@yahoo.com. First 7 articles take 1000naira each if found worthy of publication. Note: we will validate the originality of your article and it's relevance to political enlightenment, awareness and decision of the Nigerian people in choosing the best to govern them at all levels of governance! Help broadcast on your BlackBerry, Facebook page, twitter, someone you know may value it!

http://www.politikalnigerian.com/buharis-walk-on-awolowos-path/

He is known as the people’s general judging by the millions of poor northern population that can go hysterical just by show of a fist, clenched with the support of that very thin but powerful hand of his. To some, he is the fearless, incorruptible, honest hardliner who would rather see a corrupt man behind bars for the rest of his life rather than have him spend some years and then regain his freedom to spend his loot. He is one with past records of brilliant performance as a soldier, as a Minister, Head of State, NNPC Chairman, and PTF chairman. To others, he is a memory of the past governments we want to move away from, a religious bigot, a serial contestant in Presidential elections, a human right abuser, and one that must not sit, ever again, as the head of this country, in whatever garment he is wearing. To me, General Buhari is the most divisive political Figure in Nigeria and the most talked about opposition leader in Nigeria’s history, after Obafemi Awolowo! Wow, I think I have this reader’s attention now. Yes, and what about this? General Buhari is about to have this same verdict written on his to-be condolence register, just like the late sage, ‘The best president Nigeria never had’.

I was not even close to God’s plan to have me in this world when Chief Obafemi Awolowo created a history in the Old Western Region that still lives in my three decades of existence. And I was told as an under-10 to watch out for his iconic eyeglasses in the full moon, which I did confirm within my imagination. I am not in any way in the top 1 million people to comment on the political history of the late sage, but I will still proceed to go beyond that and use it as a reference to the subject matter of today, restricting myself to politics only. Just to write safe!

With due respect to the octogenarian Awoists, as children, we were told Chief Obafemi Awolowo could not become Nigeria’s president because he was a Yoruba tribalist who wanted Federal Power to further the interest of his tribe. We were told stories of how he tried to be prime minister of Nigeria with block votes of the South West and some pocket of votes from elsewhere. We were told he made Igbos to feed on lizards during the Biafra war due to his economic blockade of the South East, and we were told how he contested to lead the country thrice, the last in his 70’s, and all with block votes of the South West secured for him! These stories we listened to with great interest as children, and we believed them, especially the tribal tag, when we sight that big frying metal the Yoruba’s named ‘Agbari Ojukwu’, a derisive name given to one of the most ugly cooking tools I have ever seen my life till this day. Now I am old enough to think and reflect on those stories to confirm if they still do make sense or they were just made up.

Some questions?

How come Chief Obafemi Awolowo never appealed to other political regions of the country?

How come the ruling class including his own man, Obasanjo, never felt comfortable with him as president?

How come only the South West gave him block votes in all presidential elections, only stretching a little further in the famous political battle with Shehu Shagari in the 2nd republic?

How come many outside his tribe could not see beyond his breathtaking performance in the old western regions as Premier and as a War time Cabinet Minister?

How come some of his public statements were misunderstood by other tribes, the most popular and divisive one still had Achebe seething with anger in his eighties?

How come he remains celebrated in death only by the people of the South West?

How come the greatest literary mind out of the South East, Chinua Achebe, could still accuse him of genocide even when he was in his 80’s, decades after the civil war?

These questions have their answers embedded in them, and they are confirmation of what I was told as a kid. The following fiction, facts, or fantasy remain same till this day. Non Yoruba’s viewed Obafemi Awolowo as tribal leader for doing so much for his tribe, for doing so little to feed the Igbo’s during the war, and for daring to be in the opposition against the North in the first republic. Non Yoruba’s placed his tribalism above his good performance in determining if he could rule Nigeria or not. The ruling political class hated him for his independence, intelligence, performance and records. The SAGE contested all elections even when it was so sure only the South West will deliver the bulk of the votes!

Enough said of the Sage. Let’s come to the land of living to check on General Mohammadu Buhari, the man who is walking the same path Obafemi Awolowo created. Buhari’s records, good or bad, are everywhere, so no need to waste letters on that. Let’s just connect the dots.

Awolowo contested Presidential elections 3 times and lost, rigging or no rigging; Buhari has contested 3 Presidential Elections and lost, rigging or no rigging

In all presidential elections contested, Awolowo secured the block votes of his tribal region and got few votes from other regions; in all presidential elections contested, Buhari secured the block votes of his tribal region and got few votes from other regions

The old corrupt ruling class of this country never allowed Awolowo to rule Nigeria; the new corrupt ruling class will never allow Buhari to rule Nigeria.

Awolowo was stigmatized as a tribalist by other tribes, due to some of his actions and quotes, either understood or misunderstood; Buhari is presently stigmatized as tribalist and Islamist, due to some of his actions and quotes, either well intended or expressed in a wrong way.

Awolowo contested his last Presidential election in his 70’s; Buhari is about to contest yet another one, now in his 70’s!

Awolowo was known for infrastructural revolution in the old Western Region and his excellent management of available resources, but as far as Nigeria was concerned, his tribalism was enough to get him out of Federal seat of power; Buhari is known for the biggest infrastructural revolution ever done in less than 4 years as PTF Chairman, made possible by his excellent management of available resources – more of leftovers from Abacha’s looting – but as far as Nigeria is concerned, his tribalism and religious extremism are blockers to his rise to Aso Rock!

And both never helped the matter at hand now and then, contesting and believing the cult followership in their respective regions will get them to be Nigeria’s President. But there is one clear difference at this point, one is dead and has lost the opportunity for good, the other is living and still has his last chance in 2015. This is what will determine if Buhari will follow Awolowo to the grave as the best president Nigeria never had. From all indications, it is not clear. The APC arrangement sounds like Buhari is learning from Awolowo’ s mistake by digging deep into another powerful region, Tinubu’s South West, for block votes that will merge those 12 million votes from his tribal stronghold. The recent utterances on Boko Haram and the state of emergency – quoted or misquoted – indicates however, that Buhari has not learnt a single lesson from what his enemies, the ruling elite, have done to his brand and image, just like they did to Awolowo.

2011 saw the Buhari brand redefined by young, vibrant Nigerians outside his region, and he had the best performance ever in a presidential election, thanks to those young Nigerians who focused on his strength rather than his weakness. The Post-2011 election violence, for which he plays no part – if he did, ICC would have been on his case by now – has damaged his brand further, and his recent utterances are doing no good to that brand. 2015 is Buhari’s last chance, and except a miracle happens or something never done in brand marketing is deployed, Buhari will end up another Awolowo. Nigerians will never sacrifice a little perception of Islamism and tribalism they have on a candidate for his truckloads of honesty, records of past excellent performances, integrity, and passion to change Nigeria. It did not happen with Awolowo, I doubt Buhari can break that jinx.

Oh! I must also pen down one other thing they had in common, Awolowo never groomed a successor and supported him for President even in his 70’s; Buhari is still not seeing the stage can be left for a successor groomed by him in his 70’s! Maybe this is where Buhari must clearly define his path and end it on another note. Leave the public, political commentaries to the young ones – as he is always misunderstood; spend more time in searching and grooming a successor who shares none of your stigma but all of your virtues; withdraw from 2015 presidential election primaries without any prodding; and give the stage to your successor. Make sure you stand beside him in every corner of the North to tell your cult followers to vote for him, make sure he gets the backing of Tinubu and South West, and make sure he gets the nod of Rochas Okorocha, Adams Oshiomole, Rotimi Ameachi to secure a chunk of South South and South East. And when he wins, and defeats your enemy PDP, celebrate with him and bless him. Do this, and maybe we can then write on your condolence register, ‘Here Lies a man who gave Nigeria the best President she ever had’. Your cult followership, 12 million votes, ability to say no this time to the presidential ticket, and sustaining the yes on building bridges with ACN and ANPP can make you what you need to become.

Please let someone tell him, if he will listen though, as rigidity is also one of the many stigmas placed on him!



Check www.Politikalnigerian.com for more articles.

A short but deep question to ask on a Sunday morning, I guess. But it is worth pondering over without searching for answers. There was once a country called Nigeria where there was a powerful native authority at the local level, delivering excellent social services to the Nigeria people. We had the road overseers who ensured that the roads of those days are kept in proper shape. We had the state house of chiefs made of local chiefs who were answerable to the people and could commit suicide if his people wished so. We had the best regional governments that cared less about the federal government in Lagos. They controlled their resources based on the principles of derivation.

With groundnuts, Ahmadu Bello built roads I walked on in Kabba in 1991 as a kid, raised from the earth one of the most endowed universities – in infrastructural terms – in this country till this day, built institutions that stood the test of time, an educational system and scholarship scheme that saw my father – a northern Yoruba – educated all the way to Post Graduate Level at University of London and Fourah Bay College without paying a dime, and a Northern Nigeria that was content, secured and devoid of Islamic Fundamentalists even though he was a descendant of the famous Jihadist, Uthman Dan Fodio. With Cocoa, Obafemi Awolowo ensured a Cocoa house stands tall above its future generations and serves as a reminder to the glorious days of the western region, commissioned the first television station in Africa, built a massive football stadium even when we had not dreamt of winning the African Cup of Nations, took Ile Ife beyond the cradle of civilization to the center of education with University of Ife, loaded with structures that are masterpieces at this present age, and left behind an educated man in almost every household in the western region, free of charge. Do you remember the wonders Nnamdi Azikiwe did with Palm Oil? University of Nigeria, Nsukka is just one of many answers to that question. Long before these great men, the white colonialists laid rail tracks that made River Niger and Benue envy of the wonders of men, and this they did with what? Crude Oil, Gold, Silver? Far from it! They had nothing but brains and human resources!

And the 70’s was not that bad! We built refineries; laid thousands of kilometers of pipelines; sustained Nigeria Shipping Line; and ensured Nigerian Airways flew with pride and in good numbers! Those were the days of Gowon, Muritala Mohammed and Olusegun Obasanjo, when naira was smiling down at the dollar!

Do you remember?

The commissioning of the National Stadium in 1972 for the All African Games

The Nigerian Airways

The Nigerian Shipping Line

The Nitel building that stands as the height of corruption in Nigeria, thanks to Dimeji Bankole’s acquisition

The National Theater of 1977, now surrounded with filthy water and Igbo-smoking area boys

Paying 5 naira as a primary school pupil in a public school

Playing football as kids on a make-shift football field that is 5 kilometers away from your house while your parents bother less where you are

Rolling car tires on the streets without fear of kidnappers

The thieves who enter your house with fear and silence, running away just by shouting Ole!

Driving without fear of accidents and armed robbery on the highways

Shopping with Naira at the Harrods in London

Paying 100 naira for a hostel slot without having to bribe anyone

Writing SSCE without fear of failing and thought of micro chips

Holding your Nigerian passport and flashing it with pride at any airport in the world

Listening to the golden voice of Tafawa Balewa, the rich words from Obafemi Awolowo, the eloquence of Ahmadu Bello, all of who boast not of a PhD!

And to the old, corrupt leaders, do you remember stealing government funds with fear, in silence and without pride to flaunt your wealth in the open!

As the present generation of Nigerian leaders becomes noisier on their achievements, do they remember that they have done nothing, compared to where we came from? If they don’t, we must remind them that they have privatized our lives and yet will not do the little that is left for them to take care of. We must always remind them by voting them out as non-performers. The generations that voted in Ahmadu Bello, Nnamdi Azikiwe and Obafemi Awolowo were not as educated as the present generation, but honestly, they were more enlightened, more aware of how governance should be run and how to cast their vote wisely. It remains a shame to our generation we could not do what they did, preferring to vote people who just campaigned on the basis of no shoes, good luck, and public show of kneeling before a Pastor! And yet we worked in top echelons of the banks, manufacturing, telecoms; we know how to tweet more than the bird itself; we have in our files B.SC, M.SC, ACCA, ACA, CIMA, CISA, CCNA, PhD; and some of us are even Professors of Political Science!



2015 is shaping up, and it is our chance to shame our shame, and vote based on what we know of the past before these present crop of leaders, and what we expect of those who need our votes. Throw away the shame or we will all continue to take the blame!

Source: http://www.politikalnigerian.com/nigerians-do-you-remember/

Buhari is not president yet some people cannot sleep, when he becomes president, that would be insomnia for a whole lot of people. CPC convention is the thread, people end up on Buhari. APC wins 2015 either with or without Buhari as its presidential candidate. It it that simple!

Www.politikalnigerian.com

Dear nairalanders. Check out this site where you can connect with people from ur polling unit. You can find polling unit in kaura namoda!

Mourning one of them, Chinua Achebe

Yes they are dying! The few still living are at the brink of death according to the laws of nature, having crossed the threshold of 70 years in this part of the world known for corruption, bad governance, and massive gap between the rich and the poor with a few on the good side of the gap. The vices they fought against are still very much around, growing stronger like the case of Benjamin Button getting younger and swift!

From their 20’s intellectuals like Chinua Achebe picked up the fight with a pen and a level of socio-political awareness that is uncommon for that age in this present world. They wrote against all forms of vices oozing from the Nigerian government, with prophecy of the first military coup creeping into the pages of ‘The Man of the People’, a novel written in the sixties but so close to 2013 Nigeria! And many more followed in different forms – novels, poems, articles, journals, speeches, letter to Mr. President…

This generation we are losing went as far as shutting down a radio station with a gun, walking several kilometers in street protests and changing Nationality from Nigeria to Biafra and back to Nigeria without losing their sense of patriotism to the country that survived from the civil war. They spent years in jail, sang songs that shook Dodan Barracks, threw ‘yabis’ from the revered shrine of Kalakuta Republic that got an unknown soldier so angry to the point of killing an older version of this fading generation.

As we mourn the death of Chinua Achebe and pour the usual superlative tributes on his cold body, let us remember that the same vices, issues, problems, impunity and recklessness they fought against are surviving his generation, and even staring in triumph as their aged, dead bodies are lowered into mother earth. For us in our twenties to forties, where does this leave us? Keep writing, protesting, granting interviews and organizing intellectual forums like the Patito’s gang that ended up with a member crossing from his pen to the words he had written in the past?

The fading generation have created their ideas to fight this war and exhausted them, where is ours? It is time to take ownership of the electoral process with our own breakthrough ideas. How do we get ourselves to register, then vote, then vote rightly, and then get our poor, illiterate relatives, friends, acquaintances from selling their votes for a branded pack of sugar? How do we get the vote guarded and counted, and the tallied figure captured independently before it embarks on a long walk to collation center, arriving there exhausted and in a different shape?

These are the questions and many more we will be answering with this platform and the ideas to be rolled out on it. And we pray the spirit of the heroes falling will bless us on this journey. Rest in peace, Chinua Achebe

Politikal Nigerian. Twitter @ PoliticalNaija
PolitikalNigerian.com coming soon

The greatest criminal.in this fuel subsidy campaign is Goodluck Ebele Jonathan! And i was very clear on this fuel subsidy thing during my campaign against him during the elections.
Let's rewind.
2009 November - president yar'adua refused to pay fuel subsidy beyond the budgeted sum of 250billion naira with reports that some people were making 72 million dollars day. Do we remember?
December 2009 - with yar'adua bent on fighting this cartel and refusing to pay their excess claims, the oil thieves went on strike and the nation was paralyzed. By this time, yaradua had fallen sick and was bedridden? Do we remember?
Jonathan as vice president then rilwan lukman, petroleum minister not to travel for vacation in december cos of the fuel strike. Rilwan refused and left for austria. This became news. Do we remember
January 2010 - strike ends aas Jonathan, now taking charge engages oil thieves to supply fuel at whatever costs.
May 2010 - Jonathan becomes president and final seal was given to the oil marketers to import fuel at whatever costs. Ahmadu ali is pppra chairman.
January 2011 - jonathan makes availability of fuel one of his major campaign slogan. A campaign being funded by these oil.marketers whose fradulent claims were now reaching trillions and the president said nothing!
October 2011- ngozi iweala enters and screams at the rate at which fuel subsidy claim is growing. Jonathan screamz as if this was a stunning news to
December 2011- rather than face his accomplice, jonathans wants to feex them more by inflicting poor nigerians by removing fuel subsidy. Nigeria revolted.
Fast forward to today, another deception is being played by gej. Naija nothing go happen. Gej and the thieves are dining together as we speak. He is the biggest criminal of them all. He cannot dump them after using them as his main campaign team and source of fund. God will soon purnish him

The greatest criminal.in this fuel subsidy campaign is Goodluck Ebele Jonathan! And i was very clear on this fuel subsidy thing during my campaign against him during the elections.
Let's rewind.
2009 November - president yar'adua refused to pay fuel subsidy beyond the budgeted sum of 250billion naira with reports that some people were making 72 million dollars day. Do we remember?
December 2009 - with yar'adua bent on fighting this cartel and refusing to pay their excess claims, the oil thieves went on strike and the nation was paralyzed. By this time, yaradua had fallen sick and was bedridden? Do we remember?
Jonathan as vice president then rilwan lukman, petroleum minister not to travel for vacation in december cos of the fuel strike. Rilwan refused and left for austria. This became news. Do we remember
January 2010 - strike ends as Jonathan, now taking charge engages oil thieves to supply fuel at whatever costs.
May 2010 - Jonathan becomes president and final seal was given to the oil marketers to import fuel at whatever costs. Ahmadu ali is pppra chairman.
January 2011 - jonathan makes availability of fuel one of his major campaign slogan. A campaign being funded by these oil.marketers whose fradulent claims were now reaching trillions and the president said nothing!
October 2011- ngozi iweala enters and screams at the rate at which fuel subsidy claim is growing. Jonathan screamz as if this was a stunning news to him
Decem

I have not always been a keen reader of Pastor Tunde Bakare’s commentary and opinions, even his preaching, not for any reason other than that I don’t take interest in his views especially as regards to Fasting’ neither have I supported or voted for him during the last general election – again not because he paired with General Muhammed Buhari (rtd) but because having followed and observed the humiliation Mr Goodluck Jonathan was subjected to before and after the death of late President Yaradua especially in the schemes of Mrs Yaradua, Aondoakaa, former Speaker of the House of Assembly – Dimeji Bankole, I made up my mind to vote against any other presidential candidate than Mr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

Scouting my hourly routine on Saharareporters I was captivated by the caption of Pastor Bakare’s article, which I later learnt today was actually a sermon he delivered on Sunday in his Later Rain Church Lagos.  The title ‘’How to Change Government Peacefully...’’ was the catch especially the peacefully aspect. I couldn’t stop thinking how an African government could be changed peacefully.

At this juncture my curiosity forced me to read the article. In fact I had to study it because I had to bring my cross reference Bible to be sure Pastor Tunde Bakare (PTB) was not out to pull a funny one on me by cutting and joining  bible verses to make his points. I was wrong after all as the cross references were as accurate as the message he was trying to pass across.  

In the sermon I agreed totally with the Man of God. I was rather surprised on the comments some contributors were making about the article and the writer. For instance if someone was insinuating that PTB was having ‘’bad dream’’ and ‘…enraged…’’ (ifeanyi-Democracy Forever, Khumalo et al) because he lost an election, my memory could not fail me if I defend that PTB fought harder than any living Nigerian Pastor/Man of God, Iman, Herbalist or even Witch to that matter to see the same Mr Jonathan we talk about was enthroned as President of Nigeria when the so-called cabal, as Mrs Akunyili termed them, were stuck that Turai rather becomes the first Nigerian female President than Jonathan to be allowed the seat. In fact it was said that even Governor Sylva of the same Bayelsa as Jonathan openly worked against the emergence of Mr Jonathan as President of Nigeria!

It is amazing that memories are failing some people in such a short time as 12 months on the role the so-called ‘’enraged’’ PTB played in pulling us this far. It reminds me of the late Nigerian goal-machine Rahidi Yekini who was called ‘’mad-man’’, ‘’demented man’’ and all sorts of names when he was roaming Ibadan as a moving image of Nigerian sorry-football story only to be immortalised just last week by the same government that saw him roam like a ‘’demented man’’.

Two key areas of Pastor Bakare’s sermon made huge impact, which are,
1.    Demon Can Rule Through Men: I agree totally. A case fresh in history was the story of Chief Theodore Orji of Abia State. Pictures of this man standing stack naked in Okija shrine chained and forced to take oath of perpetual allegiance to Chief Orji Uzo Kalu and his mother Eunice Kalu was all over the news. If those pictures were true Abian should simply ask on whose authority today is Gov Orji standing to ‘’rule’’ them. Today the situation in Abia could be a living testimony of who indeed rules Abia State.

 The carriage and utterances of Mr. Jonathan implicitly points that he may be but a dangerous medium to rule Nigeria. This suspicion was climaxed at the infamous media chart he granted some weeks ago from-which he has been baptised ‘’President I-don’t-Give-A-Damn’’
a.    If demons and Satan, or God at that, do not rule the world through man as Medium, why was it rumoured and reported that General Obasanjo (rtd) had to engage the services of 30 Men of God to ‘’sanitize’’ Aso Rock before he occupied it for 8 years? Am sure he was suggesting that God rule through him
b.    Jezebel was a human being but demons ruled through her to the point she exhibited ‘’I don’t Give A Damn’’ attitude as we are experiencing in Nigeria today and she wanted to ‘’steal’’ the Vineyard of the helpless man, as we seem helpless to in Nigeria, before God used another Medium in the person of Jehu to crush the lesser Medium!
c.    Who says God cannot use any medium to crush a lesser medium?
d.    King Ahasuerus, Mordecia even Esther were all mediums the Almighty used to change the Government and the people prospered.
e.    If Pastor Tunde Bakare (PTB) makes noise, as he is being labelled, so be it so long a bad government is kicked out for good and better.

2.    Election May Hold Before 2015: who says this is not possible? If Mr Jonathan was sworn in before 2011 when general election should take place why can’t it happen in his time?
a.    It is great the House is kicking for impeachment of this supposedly rogue federal government that have refused to remove what is clogging our wheels – corruption, how far they will go is another matter to consider.
b.    It is also not out of place if the people would revolt as PTB opined as a possible last option. Historically, people’s revolt and revolution have always been instigated by the ruling and political class. What should one make in a society where N155b just vanished with evidences of where it was later found yet the rulers could not give good reason for such disappearance?

Going back to my point of commentary, I am of the opinion that issues PTB is raising are as genuine as the options available to confront them. For anyone to say that these genuine calls for change and progress are because of loosing elections is as barbaric as the result of not saying anything. And for anyone to think that the Pulpit is sacrosanct only to preaching ‘’Repent for God loves you’’ than ‘Repent or perish’’ is as laughable as poverty of ideas that seems to have overtaken most of the leaders of today. The Expo (exam malpractice) generation of early 80s who are indeed the ruling class of today seems to be making a laughing stock of the entire polity.

I do not think that the preaching by PTB or that of any Iman somewhere in Damaturu is causing as much heat to the polity as the broad day robbery of the common wealth of the nation. As a matter of fact, if 1/10 of the ‘’big’’ Nigerian preachers or Men of God as they are called, could raise the heat and their voices as PTB, may be we will get to the Promised Land sooner than 40 years!

A commentator to the article actually audaciously declared that it’s only the prayers of the Pastors of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) that would ‘’redeem’’ Nigeria. If only the donkeys could have wings them it will be easier for the merchant to get to Jericho on time! I want to believe that the commentator is not speaking officially for the RCCG because the Catholic, Anglican, Assemblies and many more have paid as much dues to saving Nigeria as the ordinary student in the out-of-reach schools of some of these acclaimed ‘great men of God’

The feeling I have is that the critique of the government by people like PTB are long overdue and should be supported and partnered. If judgement should start from the Pulpit, then call for change should actually originate from the Pulpit.

From Biblical opinion, Samuel was in the camp of Saul till the glory departed him (Saul). God did not listen to the opinion of men when he chose Saul because he (God) sees beyond what we see. Today if PTB could go all out for Jonathan to become president why should I fault him if he stands now against him especially when the reasons are obvious? Mr Jonathan should be harshly chastised to wake him up from his strange slumber! The characteristics him and his family is offering Nigeria is deeply worrisome and highly unbecoming of a President.

The mockery of PTB and his article on ‘how to change a government’ is as undoing as the intents of the mockers. There is nowhere in the entire Bible, of all versions, that Preachers are exempted from the politics of their days. A good bible scholar would exegete that Solomon and David were all Priests and Kings who carried out full Priestley and Kingly roles during their times. Ezra, Nehemiah and many more were Priests, Kings-of-sort and Warriors at same time. So its biblically myopic for one to insinuate that Priest should be secluded to the little holes of their pulpit than to even aspire, nominated or be elected to rule over the people. Understandably, there are couple of instances in the scriptures where Priests declined offers to rule as Kings but loosing an ‘’election’’ by a Priest does not amount to God not being with him or her. There are also some biblical instances where God actually sanctioned an action and decides to let it fail. Who can question God?

My point therefore remains that if God wants to use Pastor Tunde Bakare to kick or remove a diabolic regime, who are we to say no. It reminds me of what transpired when the Jewish political leaders were deliberating on how to deal with Jesus, his disciples and His teachings and one man cautioned that if indeed God has sanctioned the actions of Jesus and his people, no one can, would or will stop them. The same could be the case here!

Contribution by
Rev Ayobanna Ikeanumba, DTheo
Director, Africa Debate Institute
Johannesburg, South Africa
Email: ayobanna@live.com

I have tried not to respond to some comments on nairaland cos I believe most people behind the usernames are either kids, cluessless adults, politically naïve or just damn fools! I don't care what Pastor Bakare or any other Nigerians say about GEJ. I only care about what I think and pray should happen to PDP, the corrupt leaders of this country, the oil cabals, the bloody political elites ruling this country. And my prayer is that a Jerry Rawlings of Nigerian origin and of whatever tribe will rise and crush their heads. Clean these nation and make the fools behind some of these posts wise. And it is just a matter of time. Prophet Olabayo has said it, Bakare has said it. And it tallies with my prayers. 2015 will not meet these people in power! It is not about God's prophecy, it is about what must happen in this country

The only breaking news I expect from my dear country is the take over of power by a young Jerry Rawlings who will shoot/jail for life these thieves we call rulers in Nigeria. The problems in Nigeria have gone beyond a cluessless president and his PDP thieves, Buhari, Tinubu, Fashola or any other politican on the radar for presidency. This country needs a shock therapy, a sudden death and re-awakening. the box called Nigeria must be emptied of its contents (poured on the ground without care) and then have those contents better placed inside the box.

And I am sure God knows this is the only option for this country. Just waiting for it!

LAGOS—The United States, yesterday, dismissed Nigeria’s war against corruption alleging “massive widespread and pervasive corruption affected all levels of government and the security forces”.

In its 2011 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, which was submitted to Congress by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, it said the law provides criminal penalties for official corruption; however, the government did not implement the law effectively, and officials frequently engaged in corrupt practices with impunity.

According to the report: “Public officials, including the president, vice president, governors, deputy governors, cabinet ministers, and legislators (at both federal and state levels), must comply with financial disclosure laws, including the requirement to declare their assets before assuming and after leaving office. Violators risked prosecution, but cases rarely came to conclusion.

“There was a widespread perception that judges were easily bribed and that litigants could not rely on the courts to render impartial judgments. Citizens encountered long delays and alleged requests from judicial officials for bribes to expedite cases or obtain favourable rulings.

“Police corruption remained rampant, particularly at highway checkpoints. Police routinely stopped drivers who did not commit traffic infractions, refusing to allow them to continue until they paid bribes. The Office of the Inspector General of Police attempted to strengthen the Police Monitoring Unit, which was charged with visiting police stations to search officers for signs of accepting bribes; however, the unit remained ineffective and made no arrests by year’s end. Citizens could report incidents of police corruption to the NHRC; however, the NHRC did not act on such complaints during the year, and no other mechanism existed to investigate security force abuse.

In August 2010 HRW released Everyone’s in on the Game, a report on corruption and human rights abuses by the police. HRW compiled information from 145 interviews and documented pervasive police extortion with impunity committed by police officers throughout the country. Police demanded bribes, threatened arrest and physical harm, and enforced a system of “returns” in which officers must pay up the chain of command a share of the money they extorted from the public. This system undermined the rule of law and created a large disincentive for superior officers to hold their subordinates accountable for extortion and other abuses.

“Civil society groups introduced a number of cases at the national and state level to test the FOIA during the year. For example, in September the SERAP brought a case against the Oyo State government after being denied access to information on state funding for primary education. The case continued at year’s end.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/06/fg-not-implementing-anti-corruption-laws-us/

Stinking Fresh Air.

Jonathan, PDP. 2015 is not far away. that is if there is no Military takeover before then.

I am laughing. Told u guys buhari remains the most talked about opposition figure in dis country. The likes of beaf and co will not sleep as long as he is alive. As a politician, u cant ignore a man that gathered 12 million votes in an election, cutting the north from the sout. Save for those miraculous figures from ss and se, and the acn silence,2011 wld have chased pdp out. Tinubu and buharu knows this and that is why the talks have started early. Mark my words, buhari and tinubu wull do 2015 and the north will be won as usual, and south west including edo will go tinubu. If ribadu cld flog jonathan in 2011 because aregbesola was not ready to to give pdp a laugh, despite tinubu's silence, pdp will cry with cpc and acn merger. And if they rig, then bye bye to nigeria in 2015

[/b][b][b][/b]Leaders of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) yesterday in Kaduna urged Nigerians to expect a positive change in the nation’s electoral fortune in 2015.

There have been speculations of a possible merger of the two parties. Yesterday, a meeting between the leaders of both parties lent credence to a working alliance between them.

ACN National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his CPC counterpart, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, said the nation should expect a positive change in 2015. They were silent on the likely merger of both parties.

Asked whether the nation should expect a formidable opposition, especially during the 2015 elections, Buhari said: “Certainly. We are likely to see a formidable opposition in 2015.” Tinubu said: “We are not talking about opposition. I hate to interrupt. We hope to see a positive change in 2015 and not opposition. We don’t want to be perpetually in opposition. Every politician wants an opportunity to govern.”

The ACN National Leader said his visit to Kaduna was to reciprocate a similar gesture by Gen Buhari ,who visited him at his Lagos home.

He said: “This is a return visit to the general who paid us a courtesy call in Lagos. As politicians, we discussed generally the situation in the country and how we can help to ameliorate the situation and help solve the problems.”

On the possibility of the ACN and the CPC merging to form a formidable opposition to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015, Tinubu said: “I will allow you to make your wise judgment about that. I am a politician and not a magician. I will rather allow you to wait until the pigeon is out of the hat.

“I told you at the beginning that the doors were left open. We are not part of any secret arrangement. Politics is not a dark room event. It is open and transparent. The ability to work with one another and set a common agenda is the purpose. We are still looking for areas where we can help our nation.

“As you know, patriotism is putting the national interest above self. If we have security agencies that are charged with the security of this country at the expense of their lives, then, the leaders must be able to make sacrifices and be flexible enough and accommodate and help to redirect. It is not just anybody who can steer the ship of the nation. It takes exceptional leadership virtue to steer the course of things to a proper destination.”

On the state of the nation, Tinubu said: “I am not going to be specific. We talked about the national patriotism and the direction the country is going as well as the need for a change. That change might be about us having a government of our own.”

The former Lagos State governor also spoke on the last 13 years of democracy in Nigeria.

He said: “Every democrat must be able to sacrifice for a free and fair election. Any democrat must be able to celebrate and accept the result of free and fair elections to deserve the joy of victory. But every democrat too must resist abuse of power, manipulation and irregular victories in elections.

“We have areas that even if we are not in the same political party, we can collaborate. We will not be able to face this country straight and talk to the cameras and look at Nigerians as a people and give a reason whatsoever on why we have not been able to promote the course of free and fair elections and the rule of law.”

Others at the meeting include Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun; his Ekiti State counterpart, Dr Kayode Fayemi; ACN chieftain, Mr Audu Ogbe and the National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news/49493-expect-positive-change-in-2015-tinubu-buhari-tell-nigerians.html

I am liking this!

I can see why nigerians are losing it to these clowns. How can the senate approve a bill without first reading, second reading, public hearing and final passage? I tire for some clowns on these nairaland sef who are celebrating what cannot be. Name eagles square after mko and then we know gej is worth his blunders.!

U guys are still on these Buhari matter. Like I said he is the most talked about opposition figure in Nigeria, one who makes the almighty PDP tremble. And that makes him thick. Good night guys

olyivy: Now I am beginning to love this guy!
However, no one placed a stigma on him. He stigmatized us in the south by not coming to campaign downsouth. I dont blame him though, its in his blood!

Ur compliment is well appreciated. For what I think of this nation, it will never develop without social justice. As long corruption remains a way of life, no idea to develp this nation will flourish. And I can't see PDP as a fighter against this menace. Buhari must not contest in 2015 but we need him to get us the northern votes! A man who won 12 million votes. And almost half of Nigeria in 2011 cannot be ignored. And ACN knows this! A nation that cannot change a party in power in 16 years is dead! Change is what makes the world beautiful

olyivy: Whatever happened to those '83 news archives of yours. Are you also giving up on the cattlefucker (like my friend Okija will say) already?
I dont blame you. Your 2ic El rufai termed him perpetually unelectable, who are you to doubt him

Mind u, I don't support Buhari for 2015 cos from my campaign for him in 2011, I have realized he is unelectable in the south because of the questionable stigma we in the south have placed on him. But I now crave for a young Buhari who will flush PDP and crush their heads in 2015. And as long as I am consistent and remain faithful on this line. It will happen, and even my best friend and family who steals along with GEJ will not be spared. And if I have stolen too, i pray not to be spared!

olyivy: He only jailed non northerners u meant?

Balarabe Musa was jailed and he confirmed he never regretted being jailed cos even in prison, the jailed governors were still bribing prison wardens to get higher portion of food

My thinking has gone even beyond Buhari. I wish for a Jerry Rawling incarnate in Nigeria that will tie these PDP thieves to druns and shoot them in broad daylight. Buhari only jailed. I am looking for more than that. U need to see what the blood of general Afrika, Archibong has done to the psyche of Ghanians.

honeric01: His name alone scares the hell out of them, this is the kind of leader we need in Nigeria. Beaf and co won't be able to twist truth when Buhari is the president and someone like olyivy would still be in jss 1 because her thinking faculty is too low. if not, why would a grown ass woman be happy she voted in this mess of a president? even Odunnu the cheerleader has quietly gone out of the playing field (due to too many disappointments JEG caused her)

It is a matter of time. Gej and his cohorts will rot in jail for siphoning our money through subsidy and for paying Dan Etete 1.2 billion dollars for an oil well that belong to the people of Nigeria. I curse them with my heart!

PointB: What happened? Have your ran out of Buhari greatness archive news?

Ur response to my post came in just seconds after I submitted. Just a proof of what I wrote. People like u like GEJ will never know rest as long as he is alive! And ur time is just ticking.

jmaine: I actually puke with disgust at the mention of him

And u just proved me right. Sure u won't collapse with heart attack

Interesting to know that Gen Buhari is the most talked about and consistent opposition figure in Nigeria. The GeJ apologists and corrupts people get High Blood Pressure cos of him. That is gladdening!!!