Henrysophy's Posts
Nairaland Forum › Henrysophy's Profile › Henrysophy's Posts
 Politics › Re: Photos: Two Nigerian Newspapers Make March 28 Projections by henrysophy: 2:52pm On Mar 22, 2015 |
Let's see what happens GEJ we are strongly behind you, Go and rule de world |
| Politics › Re: Polical Analyst: How Many States To Support Gej Or Gmb by henrysophy: 2:50pm On Mar 22, 2015 |
GEJ u have supports from the whole 36 states. Go and rule the world |
| Politics › Nigerians Election by henrysophy(op): 2:47pm On Mar 22, 2015 |
Nigeria’s elections: An open letter to the international community – By Prof Nick Ezeh March 20, 2015 – This piece is specifically directed to the international community, especially the Obama-led American government, which has exhibited a stark misunderstanding of the unique nature and challenges of the electoral process in Nigeria. I will address this issue from both the historical and contemporary perspectives, but with a special emphasis on the 2015 elections. The purpose is to flag some of what is right or wrong with the increased level of foreign interest in the 2015 elections. Below is the rest of my thesis: One: It is noted that, like in previous elections, the pressure on INEC and Jega is just too much. But unlike 2007 for instance, Jega appears to have unwittingly stoked much of the pressures now arrayed against him. I say this because he freely allowed elements of foreign inter-meddlers who are passing off as either monitors, observers or advisers to gain too much access to the point that they now appear to be dictating policies on our elections. By their words and actions, Jega and these foreigners are demonizing anybody or political party that dares venture a contrary opinion. The ruling party, the military, the NSA, the IGP, the SSS, and even the President are worst-hit, as they have been cast as villains and enemies to ‘credible’ elections. To Jega and these few foreign elements, credible elections means that everything they say, however so unjust, must be accepted by all and sundry. That’s very troubling, and it portends imminent danger to the elections, and to Nigeria’s wellbeing. Two: Take the PVC for instance, and you get the the impression created by Jega and sold to these foreigners that the PVC can never go wrong. But it did and still does, in more ways than one. Up to this day, they are still in denial over the almost 20 million Nigerians who would have been disenfranchised had the elections held from February 14. It’s telling enough that, foreigners from advanced democracies, are not troubled by the skewed ‘victories’ that would have emerged from such patent anomaly. It appears that they have come to believe that anything goes, provided it sits well with the opposition, not minding thatvdisadvantaged others. The deliberately or negligently disenfranchised Nigeria voters do not matter. Well-meaning Nigerians and foreign friends of Nigeria should please ponder this, and ensure that we don’t go into March 28 without ensuring electoral justice for all – the voter and all the parties fielding candidates. Three: As for their opposition to the deployment of security forces on Election Day, Jega seems to have forgotten that organizing elections in the unique setting of Nigeria goes beyond INEC alone. Other pertinent national institutions like the police, the SSS, the military, and immigration, all have disparate roles to play. The police maintains civil order; the SSS acts as sleuths that detect and frustrate those operating covertly to rig or cause trouble. The military ensures that we won’t have bloodshed as we did in 2011, and secures the areas, like Northeast, which still have pockets of terrorists intent on scuttling the elections in those locales. And the immigration secures our borders to keep away illegal aliens from coming to vote and thereby diluting the results of the elections. It is very disturbing that Jega and these foreigners see it otherwise. Is it a coincidence that the opposition also sees it the same way? Four: Foreign funding of our elections has become too pervasive, and to the point of becoming a major factor in foreigners brazenly dictating our electoral policies. Unlike before, Jega appears to have stoked an unprecedented regime of INEC taking too much foreign funds. This is dangerous. Nigeria has come full circle to the point that we don’t have any business with asking foreign nations to help fund our elections. If foreigners are not allowed to fund our political parties, why would we accept their strings-laden freebies to fund our electoral body? This is a national security matter which came to the fore when these foreigners demanded access to the biometrics of Nigeria’s registered voters in 2007. It was reported then that they were refused. It is not being reported now that they have not succeeded. Is Nigeria allowed free reign to fund American elections; and then run wild in America dictating to its umpire and insulting its leaders? Five: Jega has missed two opportunities, in 2011 and 2015, to push for inclusion of the Diaspora vote. The fine idea of polling the diaspora vote developed out of the ‘Absentee Ballot’ system used in America, whereby Americans living overseas can cast their ballots at any of the American diplomatic missions closest to them. It doesn’t make sense and it is not fair that the Diaspora which remits quantum billions in forex that helps stabilize Nigerian economy are, to this day, still denied the right to vote. In a close elections, such as we now might have in 2015, the Diaspora may be all it takes to determine who truly won the elections. Therefore, it is duplicitous that foreigners and a Jega who together tout the beauty of credible elections would ignore this fundamental angle to making elections much more credible. Finally and most importantly, these foreigners, especially the Americans need to rethink this strange notion that elections in emerging nations are credible only when the opposition wins. That’s not true at all, as we can see from the recent reelection of Israeli Prime Minister, Netanyahu. In that very election, these foreign interests gave Netanyahu no chance but the Israeli voter voted otherwise but not before the foreign intermeddling has stoked an atmosphere of tension in Israel. Here in Nigeria, the same atmosphere now exists to the point of this same people almost calling the election for the main opposition. This is reckless, and unfair to the Nigerian voter, as well as the other political parties that have been marginalized and treated like token players in the electoral process. Prof Ezeh writes from Abuja. profnicezeh |
| Politics › Change The Changer by henrysophy(op): 12:12pm On Mar 22, 2015 |
EXPOSED: INEC Chairman, Jega, Osinbajo In A Secret Meeting In Lagos Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega and the Vice Presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Professor Yemi Osinbajo met secretly at a Lagos Hotel thursday night till early hours of Friday, an APC Source told Pointblanknews.com Different sources confirmed that both men checked in at the Protea Hotel, Ikeja, Thursday evening and had a meeting that lasted till the wee hours of Friday. Some unidentified chieftains of the APC were also at the meeting, according to a source who monitored the night meeting. Sources who sighted the two men confirmed to Pointblanknews.com that whileJega checked into the Hotel Thursday evening, he checked out at about 8:20am this morning while Osinbajo who also spent the night at the hotel checked out at about 9:00am. It is not immediately known what both men discussed during night meeting but sources told Pointblanknews.com that Jega has been highly compromised and covertly working for the APC. Sources told pointblanknews.com that some top Northern leaders had previous meetings with Jega where he was warned against working against the Northern interest. “This is not the first time Jega is having nocturnal meetings with APC leaders. He has had such before with some APC Northern leaders who pointedly told him not to allow kafir (infidel) win the Presidential elections,” a source who did not want to be named told Pointblanknews.com. PDP had recently accused the Chairman of the INEC of holding secret meetings with the main opposition party, All Progressives Congress (APC) in Dubai, United Arab Emirate (UAE). PDP also accused Jega of one-sided distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards, allegedly skewed in favour of the APC and against the stronghold of states perceived as pro-President Goodluck Jonathan. |
| Politics › Change The Changer by henrysophy(op): 11:05am On Mar 22, 2015 |
“We’ve been here before, it is unfortunate that we have seen Lagos state government treat us as commoners” James Zaphaniah says. He continued, “but we know better now, they come in every four years to plead for votes but ignore our existence when they win”. For residents of Sagbokoji Island, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, of Lagos state, nothing is particularly special about the 2015 general elections. The forthcoming poll serves as another Charade of Campaign Promises and unachievable plans by the ruling Political party in Lagos, the All Progressives Congress, APC. “The APC government talks about change but deprive us of our rights to livelihood, I’ve stayed here all my life, ACN as we used to call it, now APC has abandoned us because we have continued to vote for the PDP,” Abi Jewel, an Ijaw settler says. Just like the story with Makoko, a settlement on the Lagos Lagoon, forcefully demolished by the state government, which led to the deaths of many, residents express worry. “Governor Fashola kept talking about mega city but the poor is not welcomed to such a city. Before the general election in 2011, they were in Makoko to campaign for votes but did you see what they did there? The government even called us foreigners, miscreants and thives”, Rosemary Magre, an Ilaje businesswoman in Igbologun tells me. In the same vein, the Sagbokoji people have had to go to courts over the planned sack by the state government, having moved from Idiagbon community, another settlement sold to the rich and wealthy, says Abi Jewel. “We are nomads’ but they come over here for votes when it’s time to woo electorates, we are waiting for the day of election so we can show those screaming ‘change’ a slogan that only protects the wealthy Lagosians but we will go all out to vote and we will see that our votes counts” Jewel maintained. “We have not forgotten and we cannot forget.” The impoverished riverine settlers are right to consider their eviction a grave injustice. The government appears wholly disinclined to offer any housing assistance to evicted families. Mrs Komolafe Ezikiel says “Fashola and APC do not want us but want our votes, they have moved against our means of survival by ignoring our existence and pushing for our eviction”. “I am a trader,” she added, “all we have asked for is to be allowed to settle by the waterside to continue fishing, we do they sack us and now come for our votes,” The micro-economy here survives mostly on fishing and the trade of basic staples, but that survival according to a fisherman Mr Deji Emerua, in Ilado, another riverine community in same Amuwo Odofin LGA, cannot be guaranteed by the APC led government. A trip to Sankey Island, another community surrounded by wooden shacks, the riverine dwellers in strong terms vow to vote out the Fashola led government that it says has failed to provide the basic amenities for the people abandoned by the Babatunde Fashola government and successive governments since 1999. The riverine community is host to over a million settlera. “We have seen them coming here to beg for our votes, someone has informed us reliably that Fashola asked the court to suspend the case until after elections, which means he wants our votes for Ambode and APC before sending his bulldozer to send us parking again for the wealthy to take over our Land”, the Baale, Ade Ogun, maintained. “Can’t the poor live in Lagos”? The Baale probes further. As I visited Igbologun, another settlement, and spoke with some of the settlers, I saw – and felt – fear and dashed hopes visibly written on the peoples’ faces. “We have no boats for transportation, we have no healthcare facility, we’ve had to transport our heavily pregnant women to give birth in places like Apapa by paddling the boats, most have had to deliver their children on the high sea” explains Godson Abikwi, a resident said. This revealing story represents the the accounts of close to 2 Million Riverine settlers in Lagos who are yet to witness any form of change under the APC government and see the Party’s promise as failed while insisting that Charity – must begin from home. [Sponsored AD] Follow NAIJ.COM on Twitter! – Sell phones, cars, clothes, furniture to real people Write review and get real money – |
| Politics › Close To Our Victory by henrysophy(op): 10:28am On Mar 22, 2015 |
It's getting close to GEJ,s victory. We are now counting down 6days to go. Nigeria is seriously jubulating cos we are moving to that promise land, land of violence free, land of peace and harmony, come Saturday come our victory. 1 Like |
| Politics › Re: Why I Think GEJ Is Funding Boko Haram (opinion). by henrysophy: 10:22am On Mar 22, 2015 |
Who is writing this crap if you don't know what to post then keep to your self. Well it's getting close GEJ Victory is sure |
| Politics › Goodluck To Nigeria by henrysophy(op): 7:22am On Mar 20, 2015 |
President Jonathan believes that our economy grows even better when we invest our money in the state, creating jobs for our youths,than taking our money to foreign land for investment, thereby denying our people the chance of benefiting from their resources. |
| Politics › One Love Party by henrysophy(op): 11:40pm On Mar 19, 2015 |
Oba of Benin assures Jonathan of election victory March 13, 2015Sani Tukur RELATED NEWS Nigeria in 2014: Fact Versus Fiction, By Reno Omokri January 5, 2014 Nigerian govt. names 492 delegates to proposed National Conference - FULL LIST March 6, 2014 Arisekola buried in Ibadan amid tears June 20, 2014 Yoruba leaders harp on unity, endorse agenda for National Conference February 27, 2014 Outrage over N6bn donation to Jonathan’s Otuoke church March 17, 2013 The Oba of Benin, Omon’oba Erediauwa, has assured President Goodluck Jonathan of victory in the forthcoming election slated for March 28. The Oba gave the assurance Thursday in Abuja through his son and a chief in the Benin Kingdom, Ada Erediuwa, who led a delegation of princes and chiefs of the Benin Kingdom on a visit to a former Minister of Information and elder statesman, Edwin Clark. Prince Erediuwa recalled that his father had met with Mr. Jonathan three times adding that while the first meeting was a private affair between the two leaders, the second meeting was a public function when the president went to Edo to commission the refurbished Benin-Lagos expressway. He said the third meeting sometime in September 2014 was the most significant because the Oba presented a “red ododo” to the president. The prince explained that the Oba deliberately gave the president the material to pass a message. He said it was the highest Benin traditional attire and the Oba wore it when he had to go to court. “He wore it and trekked to the court to show he meant business,” Mr. Erediuwa said. “In Benin Kingdom, the ododo represents success and it is a sign of victory. Whoever wears it to the battle field must return home.” Reports in recent past had suggested that the Benin royal house was in conflict with the presidency. However, Mr. Erediuwa said the Oba had made it clear by his actions and words that he supported the president. He, however, stated a “need for the Benin Kingdom to hold a private meeting with the president after the general elections to address all areas of concern.” Mr. Clark, in his remarks said the president considered Benin home. He also pledged to ensure that a meeting between the royal house and the presidency was held as soon as the elections were over. Mr. Clark also said the little misunderstanding between the president and the Benin Kingdom may have to do with the appointment of the former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, ostensibly to replace her husband Christopher Ogiemwonyi, who was from Edo State. He explained that Ms. Oduah was appointed on her own merit having served as the treasurer in the president’s campaign prior to 2011. He said she was appointed to represent Anambra State while an Edo man was also appointed on the constitutional slot of the state and was even posted to the same ministry Mr. Ogienwonyi served in. “There was nothing the president did to spite Edo State,” Mr. Clark said. “What happened was a normal thing in government.” Mr. Clark also said to avoid a repeat of such an incident, the Benin royal house would be consulted “on the appointment of a minister from the state”. He also assured that after the election, which he said the president would win, “Bini will be accorded a pride of place in the government of President Goodluck Jonathan”. On the endorsement of Mr. Jonathan, the elder statesman said he believed “the prince has spoken the mind of the Oba”. EmailPrint More |
| Politics › One Love Party by henrysophy(op): 11:32pm On Mar 19, 2015 |
Oba of Benin assures Jonathan of election victory March 13, 2015Sani Tukur RELATED NEWS Nigeria in 2014: Fact Versus Fiction, By Reno Omokri January 5, 2014 Nigerian govt. names 492 delegates to proposed National Conference - FULL LIST March 6, 2014 Arisekola buried in Ibadan amid tears June 20, 2014 Yoruba leaders harp on unity, endorse agenda for National Conference February 27, 2014 Outrage over N6bn donation to Jonathan’s Otuoke church March 17, 2013 The Oba of Benin, Omon’oba Erediauwa, has assured President Goodluck Jonathan of victory in the forthcoming election slated for March 28. The Oba gave the assurance Thursday in Abuja through his son and a chief in the Benin Kingdom, Ada Erediuwa, who led a delegation of princes and chiefs of the Benin Kingdom on a visit to a former Minister of Information and elder statesman, Edwin Clark. Prince Erediuwa recalled that his father had met with Mr. Jonathan three times adding that while the first meeting was a private affair between the two leaders, the second meeting was a public function when the president went to Edo to commission the refurbished Benin-Lagos expressway. He said the third meeting sometime in September 2014 was the most significant because the Oba presented a “red ododo” to the president. The prince explained that the Oba deliberately gave the president the material to pass a message. He said it was the highest Benin traditional attire and the Oba wore it when he had to go to court. “He wore it and trekked to the court to show he meant business,” Mr. Erediuwa said. “In Benin Kingdom, the ododo represents success and it is a sign of victory. Whoever wears it to the battle field must return home.” Reports in recent past had suggested that the Benin royal house was in conflict with the presidency. However, Mr. Erediuwa said the Oba had made it clear by his actions and words that he supported the president. He, however, stated a “need for the Benin Kingdom to hold a private meeting with the president after the general elections to address all areas of concern.” Mr. Clark, in his remarks said the president considered Benin home. He also pledged to ensure that a meeting between the royal house and the presidency was held as soon as the elections were over. Mr. Clark also said the little misunderstanding between the president and the Benin Kingdom may have to do with the appointment of the former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, ostensibly to replace her husband Christopher Ogiemwonyi, who was from Edo State. He explained that Ms. Oduah was appointed on her own merit having served as the treasurer in the president’s campaign prior to 2011. He said she was appointed to represent Anambra State while an Edo man was also appointed on the constitutional slot of the state and was even posted to the same ministry Mr. Ogienwonyi served in. “There was nothing the president did to spite Edo State,” Mr. Clark said. “What happened was a normal thing in government.” Mr. Clark also said to avoid a repeat of such an incident, the Benin royal house would be consulted “on the appointment of a minister from the state”. He also assured that after the election, which he said the president would win, “Bini will be accorded a pride of place in the government of President Goodluck Jonathan”. On the endorsement of Mr. Jonathan, the elder statesman said he believed “the prince has spoken the mind of the Oba”. EmailPrint More |
| Politics › Re: Data Analysis Of The Election...my Objective Take On Possible Scenario by henrysophy: 11:31pm On Mar 18, 2015 |
U r all magicians, let's celebrate GEJ,s victory 1 Like |
| Politics › Apc Pushinh Nigeria To The Brink by henrysophy(op): 10:33pm On Mar 18, 2015 |
APC pushing Nigeria to the brink – PDP March 16, 2015Press Release PDP Manifesto word cloud RELATED NEWS Jonathan's supporters over-heating, endangering Nigeria - APC December 8, 2014 PDP remains largest party in Africa, says Vice Chairman November 30, 2013 The Limit of Political Brigandage, By Zainab Suleiman Okino June 18, 2014 Why South-East Must Reject Jonathan in 2015 — APC August 26, 2014 APC’s statement, ‘desperate effusion of noise’ - PDP July 10, 2014 The ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, says the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, now confronted with the reality of failure in the 2015 general elections, has intensified its frenzied deployment of false alarms aimed at throwing the polity into chaos and wreck the electoral process. The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, in a statement on Monday said, “Having been exposed in its hypocrisy, lies and empty promises, the APC in obvious frustration is now engaged in dangerous mind game using wild allegations in a bid to cause panic, balkanize the nation and create the way for a reign of anarchy in the country. “For the APC, it has become a matter of ‘if we can’t have it, then let’s destroy it’. In the last couple of weeks, this opposition party and its leaders have engaged in dishing out dangerous false alarms in a bid to discredit the electoral process, heighten tension, create fear in the minds of the people and push the polity to the brinks. “For instance, how else would one explain the false alarm by the leader of the opposition, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on Thursday, March 12, 2015 alleging that there were plots to assassinate him, a phantom claim which was followed on Sunday, March 15 by the APC in a statement that there were plans to kill their Presidential flagbearer, General Muhammadu Buhari. “Also, on the same March 15, the APC in a yet another statement falsely claimed that the Federal Government paid N9 billion to ethnic militias to foment trouble, before, during and after the general elections. This was immediately followed by a release on Monday, March 16, in which the opposition, in their unrelenting effort to further discredit the process, alleged that the Federal Government has hired an Israeli expert, Gyora Berger to sabotage card readers on Election Day. “In the same vein, on March 4, 2015, the APC released a false alarm claiming that there were plots by the Federal Government to frame its leaders and sensitive INEC officials and manipulate the electoral process. This is in addition to another statement on March 9 in which it alleged of plots to harass its financiers and cripple its operations ahead of elections. “We are aware that the APC has lined up many of such false allegations and nuisance alarms, which would be methodologically released to the public to swell the tension as the elections draw nearer. “APC’s history of lies has become legendary. Nigerians may recall that this party in their penchant for deceit had in June 2014 alleged that a plane carrying Kano state Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso to attend a rally in Ekiti to support Governor Kayode Fayemi’s re-election bid was denied landing permission in Akure, only for Kwankwaso’s Director of Press Affairs, Baba Dantiye to announce that his boss was at another event in Kano and had no plans to travel to Ekiti state. “It is indeed clear that the APC has no positive agenda for Nigeria but on a mission to grab power at all cost, failing which it has perfected plots to unleash mayhem and destabilize the nation. “We therefore alert the entire nation, especially security agencies, electoral officials and our members to be vigilant as these allegations could indeed be a subterfuge by the APC to cover a grand plot to unbridle violence on innocent citizens”, the party said. The PDP also charged its members to remain focused on the campaigns and not allow themselves be distracted, especially seeing that it is enjoying the support and confidence of majority of Nigerians. The party restated its commitment to issue driven campaign, leveraging on the enviable achievements of the standard bearer, President Goodluck Jonathan, for which Nigerians are determined to give him a deserving second chance, while berating the APC for dwelling on lies and insults without articulating any positive programme for Nigerians. “Our final advice to the APC is that rather than plunge our dear nation into chaos in the pursuit of their selfish interests, they should be humble enough to face reality, acknowledge their electoral inferiority to the PDP and surrender to the will of the Nigerian people,” the PDP said. EmailPrint More |
| Politics › What Actually Happened by henrysophy(op): 10:15pm On Mar 18, 2015 |
Ibrahim On March 7th the inevitable happened – Boko Haram pledged formal allegiance to ISIS, sparking fears that West Africa may soon become over-flooded with ISIS jihadists fresh from the Syrian battlefield. But for analysts of the region, Boko Haram’s love of the Islamic State had been a fait accompli for months. The Nigerian group has slowly changed its modus operandi since the summer of 2014, adopting ISIS hymns, symbols and considerably improving the graphics of its revealing videos. Much like their Middle Eastern counterparts, Boko Haram’s territory has also expanded, measuring some 20,000 square miles of African “caliphate” where the jihadists have enforced their own reading of Sharia law. As in Iraq and Syria, could Nigeria also be splintered against the backdrop of institutional dysfunctions and violent militancy? The future all hinges on the March 28 presidential elections. The poll was postponed by 6 weeks from it’s original February 14th date at the request of military advisors claiming Boko Haram’s recent string of attacks risked derailing the process; so far, 2015 has been the bloodiest year in Nigeria’s ongoing fight with Islamic terrorism. A senior Nigerian military official recently announced the offensive against Boko Haram, backed by the multi-national Joint Task Force, was gaining ground and “achieving its intended goals”. Should the army be successful in taking back Boko Haram strongholds in the north, the upcoming elections could see the country’s first democratic transfer of power since the establishment of democracy in 1999. But should the process be mired in violence and rumors of electoral fraud, the country could see itself become further divided between north and south, and descend into violence. The threat is so persistent that it has united all presidential hopefuls, who gathered in Abuja earlier this year to sign a pact, pledging to ensure the peaceful conduct of the elections. A close call Currently the two presidential candidates are running neck and neck in the polls. Incumbent president Goodluck Jonathan of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a tumble in the polls proportional to the havoc wreaked by Boko Haram in the north. Despite his vast achievements in the economic sphere, and his planned “transformation agenda” aimed at diversifying the economy and generating employment, Jonathan has been accused of “lack of leadership” by his main opponent, Muhammadu Buhari of the All People’s Congress (APC). Buhari, a lapsed ex-military dictator who anointed himself president in the early 1980s before being overthrown in a counter-coup, has refashioned himself as a converted democrat. Running on an anti-corruption program and vowing to defeat Boko Haram, Buhari and his APC party are certain they can secure a first round victory. However, despite Buhari’s salt of the earth image of being one of the least corrupt individuals in the country, his reputation for abusing human rights and freedom of expression puts into question his commitment to the democracy he claims to support. Fighting electoral fraud Elections in Nigeria have historically been subject to vote rigging and electoral fraud, but this year the country’s electoral body, the INEC, has put in a variety of measures to prevent fraud in the polls. Biometric voter cards have been issued to the population and a fingerprint identification system was created in order to avoid the duplication of votes. Additionally, ballots, result sheets and boxes have been customized for all polling stations to battle with ballot stuffing. While such efforts to ensure the credibility of elections are certainly a step forward, preparation problems have meant that only a little over half of registered voters have received their voter cards, the majority of whom are in Buhari’s strongholds in the north. Considering the extremely close race in 2015, any feeling by either party that they have been cheated out of victory, could have grave implications for the country’s future governance. A parallel government Even though the army has been making strides to stop Boko Haram advances, election and post-election violence could end up splitting the country into two and result in the formation of a shadow government. For its part, the APC has already made threats of forming it’s own parallel government, should they deem the elections to lack credibility and be mired with electoral fraud. According to the Constitution, such an outcome would fall nothing short of a military coup against the elected government. A “one country two presidents” solution is not unfounded. The Ivory Coast’s contested 2010 presidential elections, which ended in the formation of two governments, plunged the country into a 4 month long civil war, claiming the lives of 3000. Unlike Nigeria, the Ivory Coast had no aggressive militancy wreaking havoc across several of its states and neither does it have the same north/south, Christian/Muslim divide that makes every conflict take sectarian lines. The escalation of violence by the population is also seen as an increasing threat, with some analysts concerned that should supporters of either candidate feel the elections were unfairly conducted, a disaster scenario of ethnic killings in both the north and south could erupt. Violence following the 2011 elections resulted in the deaths of 800 people, the displacement of 65,000 and the burning of Christian churches and schools. Electoral fraud and violent outbreaks during the elections will risk tearing Nigeria apart, resulting in the formation of dual political system in a country that requires above all else unity and strong governance. Already plagued with thousands of deaths due to the Boko Haram insurgency, ethnic and religious violence among the population will likely increase the strength of the terrorist group and render the already under pressure army unable to contain the violence on all fronts. The formation of a shadow government will similarly undermine efforts to put an end to Boko Haram and will indicate weakness on the government’s behalf to ensure the stability and safety of the population, country and the region as a whole. A parallel government, which won’t have “the instrumentality to execute the powers and functions of government defeats the entire essence of government”. The irony of a country risking destruction not only by an ISIS-affiliated group, but by the vanity of power-hungry political figures, which in the face of humanitarian disasters scheme and plot ways to win over power, should not be lost on us. *Malik is a risk analyst currently based in France working for several consultancies on issues relating to political and secu Eurasia Revie |
| Politics › Jonathan And Buhari by henrysophy(op): 7:37am On Mar 18, 2015 |
make Nigeria better – Gani Adams March 15, 2015Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji Gani Adams RELATED NEWS National Conference: OPC defends planned spendings, says Nigeria will benefit March 10, 2014 National Conference: Okurounmu wants presidential system jettisoned April 9, 2014 2015 Election Versus The Call For National Conference, Godwin Onyeacholam September 16, 2013 I will govern Nigeria in accordance with Constitution – Buhari December 12, 2014 History Encounters Bola Tinubu at a Dinner Table, By Gbenga Olorunpomi July 6, 2014 Neither President Goodluck Jonathan nor his major challenger in this month’s presidential elections, Muhammadu Buhari, can make Nigeria better unless the foundation of the country is restructured, the leader of the Odua Peoples Congress, Gani Adams, has said. Mr. Adams, who spoke on Saturday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, said the constitution upon which Nigeria is governed is defective and should be changed. “When we are looking for original change in Nigeria, it’s not about the individual or personality,” he said at the Lisabi Day Celebration in Abeokuta. “It’s about the constitution, the system, the institution. You can only change the system through a genuine constitution by the people.” “The constitution given to us in 1999, no millions of Buhari can move this country forward without a constitutional change; no millions of Jonathan can move it forward, if you don’t change the constitution. “If you don’t practise true federalism according to the way it should be practised like in the United States, Nigeria cannot move forward.” Mr. Adams, who supports Mr. Jonathan’s re-election bid, added that “to move this country forward for a change, we must change the constitution first. “We must change the structure and we must re-orientate our people. But for you to re-orientate our people, the document for running the country, the constitution, must change because when you have a bad book to run the country, there is no way the orientation and psyche of the people can change.” While mentioning some of the arrangements he considers defective in the Nigerian structure, Mr. Adams said, “You can imagine, the individual state cannot control their own security, the order must come from Abuja; the states cannot control their own electricity. “You can imagine, cases have to be decided finally by the Supreme Court in Abuja. These are some of the things we corrected in the recent National Conference that ended last year. “About 633 recommendations were passed to the government and we categorized them in three sectors–the Judiciary, the Legislature and the Executive – so that Nigeria can move forward. There is a limit to which we can blame Jonathan.” Defending his call for practise of true federalism, Mr. Adams said if Borno State had its own state police, the Boko Haram crisis would not have gotten out of hand as the state government would have checkmated the insurgents before calling on the federal police. “But in a situation where you are expecting orders from Abuja, only one structure of police with a population of 200 million people and 243 ethnic nationalities, it will be extremely difficult,” he said. “Every nationality will play the game in the interest of his ethnic nationality in the system.” The leader of the Yoruba socio-cultural group also stated his reason for supporting Mr. Jonathan’s re-election bid. “The issue of Jonathan is not much problem,” he said. ” Although he has his own shortcoming, based on the issue of the Chibok girls and others, security challenges, but this man has tried his own best and this man has promised that he would implement the outcome of the National Conference. Speaking on his opposition to Mr. Buhari’s candidature, Mr. Adams said “the problem I have with Buhari is that he was one of the people who criticised that conference when we were being nominated as delegates. And my brother, (Bola) Tinubu was the one that said that it’s a diversionary tactics. Buhari does not believe in the progressive ways.” Mr. Adams spoke further on his disagreement with former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, who is a leader of Mr. Buhari’s All Progressives Congress. “Tinubu was one of the people we learnt true federalism from. I learnt true federalism from Tinubu. We saw him as a hero 12 years ago but a sudden change in his ideology gave me a serious thought,” he said. “I don’t have any serious issue about them because I’m not a government official but notwithstanding I have the right to defend my own future. I’m leading an organization of millions of people and I will not lead them the wrong way. “If it is the wish of President Jonathan to implement the outcome of the National Conference, let him be the president for a second term. That’s our position. That’s the position of OPC, Gani Adams, Fasehun. That’s the position of Afenifere. That’s the position of the Yoruba Council of Elders, that’s the position of many self-determination groups. “Yet some civil society groups have kept quiet on these issues. So, we need to move this country forward on the basis of structure and not about saying Buhari will come to perform miracle. When Buhari was in power, it was Buhari/Idiagbon government, not only Buhari. Idiagbon did much of the job in government. Buhari was just the administrator. Idiagbon was the master-strategist of that government.” On the teenage girls kidnapped last April from their school in Chibok, Borno State, the OPC leader said he believed the girls were no more on Nigeria soil,and therefore called on Federal Government to beam its search on the neighbouring countries of Chad and Niger “You are talking of Chibok girls. I believe those girls are not in Nigeria. If they were, they could have got them back. I believe the government should search beyond Nigeria. They should search Niger and Chad. We should look beyond Nigeria. 230 girls within age range of 15 years and you say they are still within our territory. It’s not easy with the kind of security network we have in this country.” Speaking further on how he believes Nigeria is being governed, Mr. Adams said, “Nigeria has got to a stage that our system is over-rotten. We have got to a stage that we are recycling some families in government since the 60s and we are recycling some Mafia. “When we are looking for original change in Nigeria, it’s not about the individual or personality.” On Nigeria’s various culture, Mr. Adams said government was not doing enough to promote it; but explained that since the government could not do it alone,there should be a synergy between the government and private organizations. “In the whole world, it’s not only government that promotes culture or sustain identity. Nigeria is a complex nation; we have about 242 ethnic nationalities. So, every nationality has to take its destiny in its own hands. You must not depend on the government. “If you depend on the government, it will be confused. Which one should we promote amongst the others and there is no culture that is inferior. So, it’s a duty and responsibility for individual ethnic nationalities to make sure they promote their culture. When it’s becoming popular, the government, whether state or federal will want to be part of it. “Outside the shores of Nigeria, when a good thing comes from your compound though it doesn’t belong to your family, you’ll tell outsiders that this is part of my family. But in a situation where you don’t package it well, you don’t organize it well, you don’t inform people about the uniqueness and goodness of it, definitely they will not align with it. Even if we are doing anything, a person who does not have knowledge of religion will continue to demonize it.” EmailPrint More More in Top News Missing $20bn: Alison-Madueke sues PREMIUM TIMES, APC, 9 others 120 Atiku support groups’ dump APC for PDP Switzerland returns $380 million Abacha loot Why I refused to debate with Jonathan – Buhari Nigeria2015: ICC vows to prosecute politicians inciting violence Nigeria2015: Jonathan, Jega, Security Chiefs in crucial Meeting Top News |
| Politics › Nigerians Be Wise by henrysophy(op): 7:18am On Mar 18, 2015 |
Nigeria ShareTweet+ 1Mail Share on facebookShare on twitterShare on emailShare on pinterest_shareMore Sharing Services 9 Image by boellstiftung The upcoming March 28 presidential elections in Nigeria are expected to be the most contested in the nation’s history. As election day approaches, the world is given a revealing look at the challenges facing Africa’s largest country today. The electoral candidates are incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which has been in power since 1999, and General Muhammadu Buhari of the newly formed All Progressive Congress (APC). Though the APC is a recent addition to the Nigerian political landscape, General Buhari is not. In 1983 Buhari seized power from a democratically elected government through a military coup. He held the presidential seat for 20 months and was eventually ousted by a coup himself in 1985. His time in power was marked by strict sanctions taken against those who opposed the law or his government, part of a campaign called the “war against indiscipline.” Armed with an idealized view of society, Buhari sought to educate Nigerian society by whip and police baton. Reports abound of people being beaten if they weren’t queuing orderly in bus stations or if they were late for work. Unfortunately, the memories of the Buhari regime have faded away, especially since 70% of Nigeria’s population is too young to remember his rule. For many Nigerians their role as voters lies in finding the lesser of two evils, between Buhari’s negative baggage and the deficiencies of the current president. Jonathan, who beat out Buhari for the presidency in 2011, has come under fire politically for his inability to quell the terrorist activities of Boko Haram or to properly deal with corruption in his own government. General Buhari’s campaign promises swift and effective solutions in both areas. But there are other factors to consider beyond the strengths and failings of the candidates themselves. On March 28th, a great intersection of economics, geography and religion will have occurred. Historically, few Nigerians vote outside of a predetermined socio-economical pattern. For example, in 2011’s contest, Buhari received 96.9% of votes from the north. Indeed, Nigeria is consistently stuck in a political game of tug-of-war between the majority Muslim north and the Christian, oil-rich south. The two regions, albeit equal in terms of population, have deep social divisions, with the north feeling more marginalized because of its general underdevelopment. These divisions, remnants of British colonial malpractice, have seen their grievances crystallized in two militant groups: Boko Haram in the north, and the rebels of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) in the south. Both groups have a history of political involvement, with MEND in particular having blackmailed government after government with terrorist attacks on key oil infrastructure unless its demands for more political representation were met. Threats made by MEND have led to an uneasy alliance between the militants and the government. In exchange for “amnesty” and pensions for its fighters, along with the promotion of fellow southern politicians, the group suspended terrorist activities. That is, until this round of elections, when MEND publicly endorsed Buhari, threatening to resume their attacks in the event of a Jonathan win. On the other hand, Boko Haram has proven to be one of the most consistent threats to Nigerian peace, causing the Nigerian government to declare a state of emergency in three of its northernmost states in 2013. The jihadist group, whose name translates to “western education is forbidden,” is devoted to the creation of an Islamic state and has vowed to hinder the election process. And while General Buhari is outspoken in his intentions to stop Boko Haram, on this point the two agree. The Muslim presidential hopeful has previously called for total sharia law in all of Nigeria and has repeatedly said he will not recognize the elections if he feels cheated, statements which signaled alarm for some. But beyond concerns for what might happen if Buhari is elected, there are also concerns for what might happen if he isn’t. After his unsuccessful tussle with Jonathan in 2011, pro-Buhari supporters instigated a campaign of violence and terror targeting Jonathan’s ethnic group. While Buhari denies any involvement, a legal action has been filed against him before the International Criminal Court, calling for an investigation into claims he encouraged his supporters to riot if he lost. As the election approaches, Nigerians are faced with an ostensibly simple choice between Buhari and Jonathan. But it is also seems to be a choice that can be expressed along several fault lines, such as north versus south or Islam versus Christianity. And with the date of the vote being delayed in order to ensure an adequate security presence and to prevent riots like those in 2011, it seems impossible to separate Nigeria’s elections from its history. Hopefully this doesn’t mean that history will be repeated. Image courtesy of boellstiftu
|
| Politics › Ofeimun Wants Jega Sacked by henrysophy(op): 6:35am On Mar 18, 2015 |
Poet, Ofeimun, wants Jega sacked; says Jonathan is Nigeria’s best president March 14, 2015Micheal Abimboye RELATED NEWS INEC fixes date for Anambra supplementary election November 22, 2013 Protest rocks Abuja over alleged plot to postpone elections February 5, 2015 2015: Jega demands N93 billion, says no election in states under emergency rule December 16, 2013 2015: INEC rules out election in states under emergency rule; demands N93 billion for poll December 16, 2013 INEC to prosecute political parties breaching electoral laws April 7, 2014 Popular Nigerian poet, Odia Ofeimun, has called for the removal of Attahiru Jega as the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, just weeks before elections. Mr. Ofeimun made the call while speaking on SaharaTV after the 7th pan African congress. He also urged Nigerians to vote in President Goodluck Jonathan for another term. Some supporters of Mr. Jonathan, including the Ekiti state governor, Ayodele Fayose; leader of the Odua Peoples Congress, Gani Adams, have asked the president to fire the INEC boss, accusing him of bias. Mr. Ofeimun said Mr. Jega has shown incompetence and bias, particularly with the distribution of voter cards. “Before the elections were postponed, the umpire had assured Nigerians that he was ready only for everyone to discover that about 23 million, one-third of the people that were supposed to vote, had no voters’ card,” he said. “The fact that the electoral commissioner can make such a public comment in my view meant that ought to be sacked.” “If it holds on March 28 without the proper resolution of proper disenfranchisement of so many Nigerians, I will continue to say for the rest of life that it was a rigged election. The reason is this, the card readers makes rigging impossible. Look, if you want to distribute voters cards in 10 days, it is possible because when they are doing census, they have enumerators who go door to door. Why can’t INEC do it? “In my own part of Lagos, you need only about 2 enumerators; they will go from house to house. You know how I got my own card? Somebody who has seen it told me about it and another one brought it for me. What that tells is that it was actually possible for a distribution to have taken place and the man who brought me the card has exposed one edge of the problem and that problem is that anybody can go there and collect the voters’ card. “What that means is also that politically interested Nigerians actually prevent those cards from being distributed were their parties are weak and that for me is a serious matter. And that for me is exactly what Jega should have avoided. “What makes it painful is that opponents of Jega have been saying he surrounded himself with people of particular ethnic colour. Then he moved beyond that, he created so many more polling booths in an unusual way. A larger one to one part of the country and a smaller part to another part and people were already complaining about this before this misdistribution of PVC where in one area had 80.1 distribution and places that were at peace had 40 and 38 percent distribution.” Why President Jonathan must be re-elected Mr. Ofeimun said he will vote for Goodluck Jonathan because the president has outperformed all his predecessors in office. He particularly praised Mr. Jonathan for convening the national conference, and defended the government’s performance on corruption. “Listen, in the case of Goodluck Jonathan, I always wanted to support him because I knew he would do a national conference and he went after it methodically; and even Tinubu admitted it that he was methodical in the way he called civil society organization, had a Belgore commission, had a National Assembly, Senate, House of Reps deal with the constitution before the national conference. “What that means is that we had a president while everyone was saying he was clueless, actually was very diligent in going after it. I have given a lecture on the national conference which I feel very good about. I will tell you this, if they did not start saying he was clueless, I would not have taken the pains of following the things Goodluck has done. “He outclassed every presiding president and I would say that anywhere because in fact I have a friend, when I told him there is a brand new railway line coming from Kaduna to Abuja, he said it’s a lie it never happened, but you can go there and take a photograph. “That lie that the man was clueless and hasn’t done anything in my view was a good way to fight a good election. It showed that the opposition had good propaganda weaponry but for God sake why couldn’t they put that propaganda weaponry into convincing Nigerians to do what we expected,” he said. Mr. Ofeimun also praised President Jonathan on corruption, saying the president deployed technology to curb fraud in fertilizer distribution and civil service pay roll. “When you are dealing with corruption, Goodluck managed to use modern technology to remove the corruption mafia in agriculture, also to remove them in the ghost workers department in the federal service. Pressed on corruption in the oil and gas sector, Mr. Ofeimun said much of claims were lies. “The corruption that is going on in NNPC is based on the lies of people. Sanusi was about to be sacked, 18 months to that time he should have been sacked but Goodluck gave him time because Goodluck did not want to be seen as oppressing someone from the north. On why the report of the audit report over the alleged missing $20 billion oil money was yet to be published, Mr. Odia defended the government, saying Nigerian governments are not known for publishing full details of report. “This one was brought out because people we re asking for it. The point I want to make and that’s question I want everybody to ask themselves. How can you have a sitting central bank governor who cannot count? Who starts by telling you 49billion is missing, then reduces to 29, then 10billion dollars, then raises it to 20. “A central bank governor who cannot count like that is a disgrace to his country and a disgrace to the position he takes,” he said. EmailPrint More More in Top News 120 Atiku support groups’ dump APC for PDP Switzerland returns $380 million Abacha loot Why I refused to debate with Jonathan – Buhari Nigeria2015: ICC vows to prosecute politicians inciting violence Nigeria2015: Jonathan, Jega, Security Chiefs in crucial Meeting Jonathan leading the campaign for violent poll, APC says Top News 120 Atiku support groups’ dump APC for PDP Switzerland returns $380 million Abacha loot Why I refused to debate with Jonathan – Buhari 1 Like |
| Politics › Letter To Buhari by henrysophy(op): 10:31pm On Mar 17, 2015 |
Letter to Buhari from the grave of the innocents – By Bashir Yusufu March 14, 2015 Dear General Buhari; I would’ve addressed this letter privately to you, but in the expectation that you may not receive it, I decided to make it an Open Letter, in the hope that you would stumble on it, read it and hopefully feel some of the pains and anguish that have been my lot. Having said that, permit me therefore to proceed with the rest of this missive from the grave of innocents departed. Last night, while I was at my modest home in Katsina, relaxing and probably half-awake, I heard the voice of my cousin who was killed in the North in April 2011 during the post-election violence instigated by your loss of the presidential election. With bloodshot sad eyes, my cousin, looking apparition-like, was wailing “Gen Buhari, why why”. My cousin’s name is (or was) Mallam Yusuf Danfulani, a bright young lad originally from Katsina State, who was slaughtered in cold blood and set on fire by youths chanting “Sai Buhari”, like they are again now chanting in 2015. Gen Buhari, in case you have forgotten, Yusuf was slaughtered in your name even though he never did any wrong to you, and even voted for you against Dr Jonathan. He lost his life just because the murderers you encouraged by your many hate speeches believed Yusuf to be from middle belt or southern Nigeria, most probably because of his bulky looks and brave, patriotic attempts to prevent the killing of an innocent Youth Corper, Ukeoma Ikechukwu. Even though he cried out in Hausa and Fulfulde, he was still not believed by those you (Buhari) managed to brainwash to see all non-Fulani Nigerians as conspiring to vote against you. In this very case, Yusuf voted for you but his ‘Sai Buhari’ killers never believed he did. Like you, Gen Buhari, the mob was baying for the blood of innocents. If not for Yusuf’s best friend who was with him and was himself nearly killed, we would not have recognized his charred body that was burnt beyond recognition. And thanks to the same friend for recounting to us the little he could make out at the last moments of Yusuf’s life, the agony he passed through and the most important words he uttered before he gave up. It is the same words I heard him utter last night from the grave: ‘Gen Buhari, why why’. Yet, to this day, you (Buhari) have not cared to apologize or show any remorse, but you instead offered lame excuses for the bloodletting you had instigated, and still instigate. I now ask you this: Gen Buhari, must you always shade blood, like you started doing from 1983, to rule Nigeria? Do you recall how you killed Brigadier Bako in 1983 just so you could take power by force from Shehu Shagari? General Buhari, Ukeoma Ikechukwu himself was reported missing that same day Yusuf was murdered by your supporters, and finally confirmed dead the following day when his charred remains was discovered in a hooded area. Apparently, your supporters had dragged him out of the open and tortured him before finally snuffing life out of him. Like my cousin, Yusuf, Ukeoma was very young and an innocent. Unlike Dr. Jonathan, they were not contesting against you. Yet, when they were killed, part of Nigeria was killed with them; the same Nigeria that you are now angrily campaigning to rule. Yusuf and Ukeoma were not alone. Six other innocent Youth Corpers were also murdered in Bauchi, where you Buhari, polled 1,315,209 votes (almost 82 per cent), defeating Dr Jonathan who scored 258,404 votes and did not even hit the 25 per cent mark. The corps members were reportedly chased to a police station where they sought refuge. But the rioters, who were raving mad with bloodlust and chanting “Sai Buhari”, overran the station and murdered the young Nigerians in cold blood. So, Gen Buhari, as you can see from the Bauchi result and it’s aftermath, your supporters even shade blood when you win; still you have no qualms. Today, you are prancing around the nation, arrogant and angry as usual, behaving like you have already won the election; and thus setting up another bloodletting if you are not announced winner. The story of Obinna Okpokiri is as heart-wrenching as Yusuf’s. The 27-year-old was butchered and burnt to ashes, in the service of his fatherland. Okpokiri’s own circumstances were as gruesome as they could be. He had run to the Corpers’ Lodge as the rampaging ‘Sai Buhari’ rioters targeted Youth Corper polling officers recruited by INEC for the election. As painful death loomed, the young Nigerians contemplated fleeing to the barracks. But they were not lucky enough. Your ‘Sai Buhari’ supporters caught up with them, slaughtered and set them on fire. Like Yusuf, these innocents are human beings and future leaders on the last laps of fulfilling their national duty before moving on to a bright future. But it was not to be because, in your name, Gen Buhari, they were slaughtered, sliced, soaked in petrol and scorched. Reduced to ashes in minutes and in the most callous fashion by those that are not better citizens or humans than them. General Buhari, while you are now busy inciting another violence, please bear in mind that in 2011, your supporters turned violent in whole 12 northern states as they burned the homes, vehicles, and properties of innocent Nigerians, some of whom are also Muslims and Northerners like you and my cousin Yusuf. Your ‘Sai Buhari’ supporters also targeted and killed Christians and members of southern Nigerian ethnic groups, who were seen as supporting the PDP, and they burnt churches across the north. One particular attack in Bauchi stood out as most heart-breaking. According to Human Rights Watch, on April 17 in Giade, a rural town in northern Bauchi, ‘Sai Buhari’ mobs attacked youth corps members in the town. The Corpers, who were mostly from Yoruba, ran to the local police station to seek refuge, but the mobs stormed the police station. The mob killed the police officer on duty and burned down the police station. They raped two of the female youth corps members and then hacked them to death with machetes, along with five male youth corps members. In total, rioters killed ten youth corps members in that town alone. A lecturer at the Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria, Kaduna State, described to Human Rights Watch how a mob of Muslims chanting “Change, Sai Buhari” attacked and killed several Christian students, a Christian lecturer and four Muslim students suspected of being PDP sympathizers on April 17: He said “Between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., they entered the school chanting slogans and shouting: “Where are the Christians and Muslims that supported the ruling party?” They had painted their faces black and were shouting that they needed “change”, the Congress for Progressive Change campaign slogan. The mob had all sorts of weapons – machetes, sticks, and clubs. They started breaking the glass on the buildings. The students ran away but the mob pursued them into the staff quarters and they had nowhere to go. The mob beat them to death. The lecturer they killed was Yoruba“. Finally, Gen Buhari, let me end this letter by asking you this question: When are you going to apologize to me, to Yusuf’s aged parents, to Ukeoma’s parents, to parents of all innocents murdered by your brainwashed supporters, to Nigeria and to mankind? And here is Yusuf again, asking you from the grave: “Gen Buhari, why why”. Bashir Yusufu. yusufubashir@yahoo.com Post navigation← OGBORU AND UPU: NAILING THEIR POLITICAL COFFIN OF EVIL ALLIANCE FOR 2015 |
| Politics › How Northern Nigeria,s Violent History Explians Boko Haram by henrysophy(op): 9:41pm On Mar 17, 2015 |
How Northern Nigeria's Violent History Explains Boko Haram Long before this extremist group arose, other radicals terrorized the region, British former administrator says. Muslim Kanuri horsemen ride in the independence day durbar in Kaduna, the regional capital of northern Nigeria at the time. Nigeria gained its independence from the U.K. in 1960. PHOTOGRAPH BY JOHN HARE By John Hare, National Geographic PUBLISHED MARCH 14, 2015 4 In the northern Nigerian town of Gombe, I became a registered alcoholic at the age of 22. The year was 1957, and I was starting out as a district officer (the last to be recruited by the British government for service in northern Nigeria) just three years before the country won its independence. The only way I could enjoy a "drink" in Gombe—a sleepy mud-brick township, laid out by the British in the 1920s, where Islamic laws were in force—was to issue myself an "addict's license." That document allowed me to obtain liquor from the "pagan" city of Jos, 175 miles (280 kilometers) away. In my administrative capacity, I also had the authority to issue addict's licenses to the 12 other expatriate Europeans who lived in Gombe. I doubt many other towns in the world can claim the distinction of having their entire expatriate community registered as alcoholics. I lived in a circular, thatched mud house and rode to work on my horse, which I hitched to a rail outside my office. Gombe was essentially a happy place, presided over by a benign and astute Muslim emir of the Fulani tribe and a team of enlightened councillors. Apart from the odd dispute over a woman or land, there was little violence. Gambling was frowned on, but a blind eye was turned toward the drumming and dancing that in a pre-television age carried on throughout the year, except during the month of Ramadan. Kanuri men draw water at Lake Chad, in the northeast corner of Nigeria, the heart of the old Borno Empire. Today, the Nigerian army and Boko Haram have been fighting intensive battles for the town of Baga, situated by the shore of the lake. PHOTOGRAPH BY JOHN HARE But today Gombe is on the front lines of the obscene and bloody battle waged by Boko Haram to impose an extreme interpretation of Islam on the whole of northern Nigeria. How has it come to pass that 55 years after Nigeria's independence, peaceful towns are being terrorized, attracting suicide bombers and an invading army of fundamentalist Islamists? Boko Haram seeks to impose an extreme interpretation of Islam on the whole of northern Nigeria. RELATED CONTENT The War for Nigeria The answers lie in Nigeria's northeasternmost state, Borno—a 27,000-square-mile (70,000-square-kilometer) territory south and west of Lake Chad whose prominent inhabitants are the Muslim Kanuri tribe and where radical dissent led by brutal, fanatical men goes back well over a century. In one burst of violence last month, Boko Haram attacked Gombe and Dadin Kowa, another sleepy town in my former administrative orbit, on the banks of the Gongola River. Boko Haram invaded Dadin Kowa, which translates as "tranquility for everybody," in 30-some Toyota HiLux vehicles from Borno State to the east, setting fire to houses and government offices. In Gombe, 60 miles (95 kilometers) to the south, the Nigerian army repelled the attack and called in the air force, which strafed and bombed the militant Islamists. There were numerous casualties on both sides—possibly as many as 50—but the exact number of dead has not been reported. In northern Nigeria, radical dissent led by brutal, fanatical men goes back well over a century. The kidnapping of 276 schoolgirls in Borno State in 2014 caught the world’s attention, yet that horror was only one of more than 800 Boko Haram attacks in the preceding four years. According to Human Rights Watch, some 6,000 civilians have died at the hands of Boko Haram since 2009, more than 2,500 of them last year alone. I still have a strong personal link to these troubled areas. One town in Borno I knew, Kukawa, was my jumping-off point in October 2001 for a trek that took me on a 1,500-mile (2,400-kilometer), three-and-a-half-month journey by camel across the Sahara to Tripoli, in Libya. It's saddening to realize that this trek would be impossible to undertake today. The Kanuri Empire After my time in Gombe, I was posted to Mubi 145 miles east (233 kilometers) on the border between Nigeria and Cameroon. One of my main tasks was to follow the old maps and confirm the international border between Nigeria and Cameroon just prior to independence. (See "Geography in the News: Nigeria's Boko Haram Terrorists."  This involved walking 170 miles (275 kilometers) along the top of the Mandara Mountains—great bosses of granite sticking more than 3,000 feet (915 meters) into the air, strewn with rounded boulders the size of houses and stretching between Lake Chad in the far northeast of Nigeria to just beyond Yola in the south.
|
| Politics › Change The Changer by henrysophy(op): 10:53pm On Mar 16, 2015 |
Nigeria will be a better country if we all vote for the right Man GEJ who will make sure he bring back peace to our country |
| Politics › Re: Poll: If Today Was Election Day, Who Would You Vote For? by henrysophy: 10:39pm On Mar 16, 2015 |
Oga Goodluck till 2019 1 Like |
| Politics › Nigerians Be Wise by henrysophy(op): 10:02pm On Mar 13, 2015 |
Be wise
|
| Politics › Re: Jonathan Reaches Out To Emirs To Beg Mu’azu by henrysophy: 9:40pm On Mar 13, 2015 |
[APC which is a party built and established on lies and deceit. God is finally exposing them to nigeriaquote author=kheart post=31591850]PDP can lie, imagine lying even on int'l politics. Dis is d 3rd media in 2days reporting muazu resignation.[/quote] |
| Politics › Goodluck To Nigeria by henrysophy(op): 9:34pm On Mar 13, 2015 |
Open your mind and accept the truth as we are already witnessing change in transformation agenda of GEJ. Goodluck to me, Goodluck to you, Goodluck to Everybody, Goodluck to Nigeria. |
| Politics › Re: I Cannot Ask My People To Vote For You – Awujale Tells GEJ by henrysophy: 9:28pm On Mar 13, 2015 |
Come and Jolly with me, celebrating GEJ,s victory in advance. Meet you all at the polls...... 2014 has already been sealed,settled and stamped, Nigeria has moved forward, you can keep the change...... |
| Politics › Re: PDP Using Religion To Divide Nigeria – Buhari by henrysophy: 9:19pm On Mar 13, 2015 |
Election is a day event, let us not disrupt the reasonable co-existing peace because of partisanship, #Never again# Nigeria must move forward in the absence of viable alternative let the transformation continue. Still GEJ for PDP 2015 |
| Politics › Change The Changer by henrysophy(op): 9:10pm On Mar 13, 2015 |
APC has once again be proven to establish on lies,failure and deceit, Victory is sure, JEGA will announce GEJ as winner 2015 presidential election cos Nigerians are wise, Change is a process and not a miracle, as we are already experiencing changes in the transformation agenda of GEJ,s administration, In the absence of a viable alternative let the transformation continue #vote for GEJ #vote for PDP |
| Politics › Re: Critical Reasons Why Nigerians Will Vote Buhari Ahead Of Jonathan by henrysophy: 9:02pm On Mar 13, 2015 |
APC has once again be proven to establish on lies, failure and deceit, Victory is sure, Jega will announce GEJ as winner 2015 presidential election cos Nigerians are wise, change is a process and not a miracle as we are already experiencing changes in the transformation agenda of GEJ,s administration, in the absence of a viable alternative, let the transformation continue #Vote for GEJ #Vote for PDP |
| Politics › Re: 12 Reasons Why Gen Buhari Is Likely To Win The Forthcoming Presidential Election by henrysophy: 8:47pm On Mar 13, 2015 |
Come and jolly with me, celebrating GEJ, s victory in advance, meet you all in polls.....2015 has already been sealed, settled and stamped, Nigeria has moved forward, you can keep the CHANGE.............. 2 Likes |
| Politics › One Love Party by henrysophy(op): 11:09am On Mar 13, 2015 |
Don't ever find your self in a party of one week one lie, join the winning party, a party of young leaders, a party with greater transformation for our country, a party that will always say no to violence and rather embracing peace, a party that make sure he puts smile on his peple,s face, a party that will lead our nation NIGERIA to the best tomorow, a party of integrity, a power moving party, Party that will even bring the Change to reality. PDP party you can always trust. GEJ 2015 we are strongly behind you. |
| Politics › Re: Awujale To Jonathan: Obas Don’t Campaign For Politicians by henrysophy: 5:27am On Mar 13, 2015 |
Whether obas campaign or not, der are other people who stands for the truth, who sees the good deed that has been done since his tenor,GEJ is already the winner. DAVECENA: |
| Politics › President,s Good Deed by henrysophy(op): 11:57pm On Mar 12, 2015 |
President GEJ has taken on the leadership of our country at a make or break time of historic proportions.he is also new enough to the political process so that he doesn't suffer from the terminally jaded cynicism. |
| Politics › Vote For The Better Tomorrow by henrysophy(op): 8:30pm On Mar 12, 2015 |
Vote for GEJ who will transformation, Jonathan is the sober voice of reason at a time of unreason,he is the healing presence at a time of national division and strife. Vote GEJ for greater transformation |
