₦airaland Forum

[quote author=EzeUche_ link=topic=595370.msg7631763#msg7631763 date=1296362010]Presidency for the Igbos is out of the question. The way things are looking, Igbos wont even see the presidency in 20 years. That is a terrible price to pay.

And do you actually think the restive Igbo population would like that? It is like we are being backed into a corner. We all know what happens when an animal is backed into a corner. That is when the creature becomes more dangerous.

I believe this is an insult to the Igbo race. How can a major ethnic group be made to suffer such nonsense? Has the Igbo people become weak? What happen to our courage?[/quote]The thing is the issue of Niger Delta or June 12 really complicates the issue of presidency. I believe the [path to Igbo presidency will tie into how well the SE develops and I believe that can be achieved if our elders step up and negotiate with guranteed results

@Ezeuche
But don't you think we should base whatever negotiations on the path to presidency based on what developments that affects us as a people?

Ndigbo in the Fourth Republic

By Simon Kolawole

If I were an Igboman, I would not find the current political calculations funny at all. Look at the fact: from an enviable height in the First and Second Republics, when Igbos held key positions in government, the reality today is that the highest-ranking Igbo is Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweramadu. And guess what? He is No. 5 in the hierarchy! For an ethnic group that is one of the biggest three, this is not something to cheer. If the last four years did not offer anything noteworthy to them, how can the next four years be different? That, to me, should be the focus of Ndigbo politics ahead of the April polls.


Let’s start with the most difficult question: when will an Igbo man or woman become President of Nigeria? The South East Leaders Forum, in a statement issued last Thursday, proposed 2015. Now this is very tricky. A major issue in the polity today is the return of power to the North this year to, as the saying goes, “allow the North complete its eight-year term truncated by Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s death”. Assuming President Goodluck Jonathan wins the presidential election and quits after only one term in 2015, the coming presidential battle then would be between the North and the South-east. It does not promise to be exciting.


On paper, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar made the best offer to the South-east before the PDP presidential primary election. He promised to complete the “North’s term” by serving only one term and vacating the seat for an Igbo president in 2015. Under this proposal, an Igbo president could emerge in just four years. That, I would say, was very attractive. It would be, for Ndigbo, a dream come true. Jonathan had nothing solid to offer the South-east. His own VP slot was automatically for the North, while the Senate Presidency was not available. In other words, Jonathan could only offer Ndigbo the status quo: No. 5 position.


At the level of making a tantalising offer, therefore, Atiku had an advantage over Jonathan. But for whatever reason, the South-east did not take his offer; of the 446 delegate votes from the zone, only 23 voted for Atiku. The rest chose Jonathan (a friend jocularly told me: “Jonathan is Ebele. We voted for him because he is our son!”) Did the South-east throw away a golden opportunity by not supporting Atiku? The counter argument is that even if the entire South-east had voted for Atiku, Jonathan would still have won. And the zone could have been considered as “opposition” by the president for not supporting his bid. That would have political implications.


With the Atiku offer now gone, what next for Ndigbo? There are two options, obviously: to support Jonathan or pitch tent with the opposition. If the alliance talks between ACN and CPC had worked out, Ndigbo could have pushed for the VP slot, hoping that in 2015 or 2019, the chance for No. 1 would finally come. But the opposition parties have behaved typically by failing to reach an agreement. The implication for Ndigbo is that their selling point is now at risk. What’s the selling point? Getting the VP slot with the hope of delivering the South-east votes to the opposition alliance in April.


Many Igbo opinion leaders believe that the unenviable position of Ndigbo in national politics today is a product of conspiracy. They argue that Ndigbo are still paying the price for the civil war—that, indeed, there is a deliberate plan to keep them out of power. On the other hand, some argue that Igbo themselves are yet to move away from the war and are always playing the victim instead of tackling the enemies within and taking their rightful place in the scheme of things. I don’t want to be involved in this sort of argument because it is neither here nor there. It is about opinions—everyone has one. I would say, however, that even if there is conspiracy against Ndigbo, it is not beyond redemption. Deft group politicking is a critical antidote. It requires strategic planning.


Putting the conspiracy theory aside for now, I would suggest that two key developments have contributed to pushing Ndigbo down the pecking order of national politics: (1) the mainstreaming of the South-west and (2) the rise of the Niger Delta. The failure of Chief Obafemi Awolowo-led South-west to join forces with the centre in the First and Second Republics meant the South-east had an advantage over them. Dr. Azikiwe’s National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) went into coalition with the Northern Peoples Congress (NPC) and formed government in the Independence era. In the Second Republic, Azikiwe’s Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP) also had an understanding with the ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN), while Dr. Alex Ekwueme (an Igbo) was Vice-President to Alhaji Shehu Shagari. It appeared as if it was a matter of time for an Igbo to become president (I still believe if the military had not struck in 1983, Ekwueme was in line to succeed Shagari in 1987—but we would never know).


Ironically, Yoruba’s route to “centre politics” was through an unusual source: Bashorun MKO Abiola. Derided for “selling out” because he did not support Awolowo in the Second Republic, Abiola began building bridges across the country. When he eventually had a shot at the presidency in 1993, he won hands down. The annulment of the election created a serious national crisis; the powers that be decided they had to appease the Yoruba by zoning the presidency to them in 1999. The beneficiary? Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, another Yoruba reviled at home for “selling out” because he did not support Awolowo and the Yoruba cause in 1979.


With a Southerner occupying the No. 1 position from 1999-2007, it was expected that power would return to the North going by our political mathematics and sociology. The Igbo could neither take the VP slot under Obasanjo nor realistically have a go at the presidency in 2007. It’s a zero-sum game: my gain is your loss. If a Southern zone gets something, other Southern zones are automatically “zoned out” until the next time around. To compound matters, the South-south had become a big political force as a result of militancy in the oil-producing region. The politicians had also established a claim that the zone had never produced the No. 1 citizen, even for one minute. It became a movement. Militants were firing on one side, politicians on the other.


Suddenly, Nigeria was no longer seen as a tripod of Hausa-Fulani, Igbo and Yoruba; the Niger Delta had assumed a life of its own, making a somewhat convincing claim to the presidency as the “hewers of stone and fetchers of water” for the country. With the Niger Delta now thrown into the equation, Ndigbo lost the most. They would logically have expected to produce the VP to Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, thereby positioning an Igbo to succeed the Fulani man from Katsina. But the powers that be decided to pacify the South-south by picking an Ijaw man. (Remember, the decision to appease the Yoruba in 1999 also effectively ended Ekwueme’s quest).


These two factors—mainstreaming of the South-west and the rise of the Niger Delta—did not favour Ndigbo in any way. However, they could still have got the No. 3 position—Senate Presidency—in 2007, but the nature of Nigeria meant the Middle Belt also needed to be accommodated. So the No. 3 position, held by the South-east from 1999-2007, went to another Northern bloc—the North-central. The least I expected was that the South-east would get the Speaker (No. 4); it went to the South-west instead. The South-east could only get Deputy Senate President, the No. 5 slot.

What next then? Ahead of the polls, the South-east leaders need to sit down, strategise and negotiate the zone’s interest with regards to projects and positions, irrespective of who they support. Truly, going forward, they are faced with difficult choices: one, to go with the ruling party and negotiate their interests in concrete terms; two, to pitch tent with the opposition and aim for the VP slot, hoping that power would change hands in April. It’s not an enviable situation, I conclude.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/ndigbo-in-the-fourth-republic/85573/

asha 80:
you need more than that to solve nigeria sorry

Dude, it is a start. I would rather start small, than wait for big things to fall from heaven. We all can agree, there is a problem, some young folks are doing stuff in that direction deviating from the past. I am all about solutions sorry.

Kobojunkie:
At this point, I would suggest individuals/groups take it on themselves to adopt-a-school or help in their way.

It is truly a shame that People do not seem genuinely interested in raising noise about this festering problem. I really wish people would speak up and out more on this issue as it is getting worse by the year, and there seems no end in sight. And this is a problem has affected not just millions who are now parents, and millions of their kids, and the future of the nation as a whole.

Thanks Kobo,

I feel a trusted Non-Profit organisation can be useful in turning this situation around (curriculum change, libraries, infrastructures etc). I feel the government has spent good sums of money even though it is still low compared to other nations however civil service corruption has affected whatever gains that could be made. In the mid 90s my primary school in Abuja like most primary schools in that city were well built, with school desks and clean toilets. Fast forward ten years later, no football fields, furnitures stolen or dilapidated. Government had a model to keep costs low by adopting similar desks and building easy to maintain toilets but even headmasters contributed to the problem of decay.

I will research few non-profit education groups and come up with a model since am really looking to spend more time in Nigeria very soon.

We want to learn to riot? Abi dodge tear gas?

First, the situation in Tunisia and Egypt is totally different, I commend them for their courage but they woke up too late to allow tyranny rule for over 20 years. When we start saying people are not dying for others, it seems we have forgotten about the struggles of June 12 or Ken Saro Wiwa, we forget that at a time when politicians were on national TV adopting Abacha as a sole candidate there were people fighting and putting their lives at risk for this country.

Not all struggles can be achieved with strikes (ask NLC). We need change. There are young Nigerians that give me hope about what is needed in this country. Have you registered to vote? How have you contributed to any failing sector be it education, health or road accidents, Jos? Get in touch with the detribalized young people making a change, the struggle for our generation is different and we must seek out ways to create change and it will come albeit slowly. But it will come.

Any solutions? What can individuals/non-profits do to help?

1025:
every igboman can do better than our past presidents. if anyone is to imagine anything, i think it will be imgining nigeria having the first woman president in the name of Madam Dora or Okonjo Iweala. i have to mention these two names as internationally certified products of igbo land and nationally tested and trusted made in nigeria products.
in their positions as Nafdac and finance bosses respectively, they have done better than any other minsiter anyone can mention as far as nigeria is concerned.
they lived above board and have been the only reason for anyone to say that there are still very few good nigerians.
as long as nigeria and nigerians continue to shy away from these realistic truths and revealations of our time, we will continue in our round-about system of movements.

I don't understand how people come up with this kind of statements.
Ironically the Doras, Okonjos and Soludos that we are all quick to boast about were given their chance not by an SE governor but by other people from "enemy" tribes. This same folks will not win an election in the SE or given a chance to excel in thier locale .

Well, we need a leader, thats all and tribes don't make them.

tensor777:
And how exactly do you know this?
However it would be extremely naive and foolish for any faggott activist who goes around the society preaching abominable anti family doctrine not to expect extremely violent retribution from conservatively minded elements in that same society.

That is how it goes, its always an over zealous "Christian" fighter that kills the abortion activist or homosexual. Is this an anomaly? Yes. Do anyone deserve to be killed? NO! And that is my concern. At the end the killer, homosexual, adulterer, thief are all anti family and anti society. God views them the same and we can't doubt that. When you preach hate, you really can't acheive much.

Mcleo007:
I quite agree with you on a fair note, but then, in an industry of this kind(music), peculiarity is not always the same. Success has no universal standard, and like i said in an earlier comment, the problem is duly on lack of investment and vision by the stake-holders in the business, which is why piracy can not be done away with. Location plays a great deal in business. You can't run a good farm (growing crops on commercial scale)business in a city like lagos, just like you can't launch an acting career in your village. You need to move to where things are happening and the people involved are concentrated. By that, you get a good understanding of how the game is officiated, and the opportunities get open for u to exploit. Eminem moved from Detroit to LA.

I sincerely don't believe that in this case location is a problem for them since their first album still sold when they operated in Abuja. Distribution is the key. Its the same reason why 51 Upper Iweka is the hub for Nollywood movies, no one does movies in Onitsha. I feel their problem is internal commitment and professionalism. Remember Plantashun boys? Kush? They were based in Lagos but at some point every one went there own way.

Some of this elders have benefited from the same problems that has affected the SE. I would have preferred them to say SE LEADERS DEMANDS ONITSHA-OWERRI ROAD REPAIRED FINALLY, not this baseless demands/headline that shows itself every election years. smh

Funny how people mention Lagos as if when they released Olufunmi, they were in Idumota. Location is not a problem with a good distribution and management system. Asa does not live in Lagos but she still sells and attends shows. Styl Plus is like any other music group, it takes a lot of discipline for a group to be at the top except you are the Beetles or Rolling stones. At some point members can become divided based on their art direction, that I feel is the problem they have.

Sad events apparently by a Christian fighter, no matter what the killer is the real devil here. If only Kenyans will use the same zeal to fight corruption life would be great for them.

I wonder how the conversation will go with God

Evano:
I 'm ashamed of every negative comments on this site. One, GEJ is free to appoint whoever to whatever especially depending on the demands of the job. For example, when he appointed the current INEC Chairman even though he has never met him before all his life, we all sang his praise. In addition, when he reshuffled the last troubled cabinet, we all saw sense in his action. I believe appointing Mrs Bianca Ojukwu as Special Assistant, Diaspora Affairs isn't totally a lame move as some commentators will make us believe. Rather, Bianca could readily be remembered first as former miss Nigeria and now wife of Biafran Warlord , Odumegu Ojukwu. It takes someone who has some influence to be involved in diaspora Affairs. What do you think? Secondly, On the importance of every comment, I know some people are too emotionally involved when sharing their sentiments but, we should not tear GEJ or his families who has access to this site with our words,let's build one another up. God bless Nigeria.

Chei! Are you serious? What are the embassies doing? And what influence exactly is it that she needs, free Delta flight discounts or bringing diasporans home? Didn't you hear that the cost of running government needs to be reduced? What next? Facebook media relations officers and adviser.

aminalib:
i wonder if african resteraunts are truly making money?

The restaurant industry in USA, most of them are barely able to live above their means. Am in an industry that works directly with them however for an African restaurant it all goes back to professionalism, ambiance and unique food features. I believe for such business to work focus on white people who want to explore rather than just Africans/Nigerians. However it requires investments and the banks hardly give loans to African restaurants

I thought the government was advised to cut spending . Diaspora adviser? Really? She would be better in Silverbird helping with Miss Nigeria models and please people should stop saying this is for SE votes, thats very insulting.

1.
Start a craft store, import clothes from Africa, African arts to sell in the USA. You can start as a Non-Profit/
microfinance

2.
Photographer at African parties

3.
Short video production/ads for small African/Latino/African American churches. In other words you become their media department since they have small budgets but love their projectors lol. They will subscribe to you.
4.
Leadership training for African churches, funny but they need it
5.
Blog or website with informations that people need.

@OP

How many girls has she rejected?

And for you, what do you need in a marriage? What are you looking for?
If your current fiance meets your criteria for marriage, then make the decision. Talk to your dad to sort things out with your mum. Don't marry a person against your will even if your mum approves

Na website we go chop smh

Independent woman is a very misunderstood word. I love "independent women" that are unselfish and willing to work as an equal team mate in a relationship.

It is difficult for a woman because of psychological issue, I feel as one gets successful, you have two choices get someone richer/more successful (Oprah/Bill Gates) or lower (Oprah/Steadman). Each of them comes with adaptation to make things work. Some men lack confidence and thats a totally different problem.

Katsumoto:
If you change the laws, don't you still have to enforce them? Wont people simply pay bribes to corrupt policmen who arrest them? Don't people get literally get away with murder in Nigeria?

That is why he says people have to take responsibility. Just heard today a DDC machine in Abuja was broken. Why? Fracas! Because a pastor bribed a policeman to jump queue. Now who is to blame is it the "Bribee" or the bribed. We need enforceable laws and that is through an independent judiciary. It is not everyone that is corrupt but like in this case the pastor should be in jail by now.

For me corruption is a result of a problem. The problem is we lack value for human life. It is what drives people to steal blind or act without any thought. No perfect society in the world but the earlier we focus on placing more value on a single life in this country, things will change.

Cutting spending cannot happen without a cut in civil service jobs which for both Federal and States is the largest expenditure. So maybe it is time to cut out the waste in our civil service and privatize companies under the government. We need an enabling environment to help privatized companies progress in the economy.

I would prefer Ribadu on the ticket but with Buhari's full support. This is a national service. With the violence in Jos, it would be difficult to sway enough southerners away from the false notion that Buhari is a religious bigot.

In all these, any idea what role the business people have played for an issue such as the roads. In all my life I have never seen so much okada bikes in one place than Nnewi, they even have nice Okada showrooms. I expect them to come together and help with the roads or lobby the government to help with those since good roads mean good business.

With the second article, I agree with a lot of what he raised. I would prefer Buhari step down for Ribadu and help him to succeed by directing his supporters to him and if the North want to gain any respect they should support Ribadu fully, if not they are handing PDP victory on a platter of gold.

By the way a funny quote I saw on SR, classic
"I WILL VOTE FOR A LIZARD, GOAT, OR FOWL THAT WILL RETURN $25 MILLION BRIBE IN NIGERIA.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF I WILL RETURN $25M BRIBE.
NUHU RIBADU CAN CONTEST FOR "MISS NIGERIA" AND WILL GET MY VOTE AND SUPPORT. PERIOD"

landis:
Bad:
Govt will continue to steal money since they know people will go ahead to build it.
Who will maintain the road when it goes bad and become death trap?
more people will be kill on the road since naija has no road-safety program in place

If I am that BIG MAN, I would rather use that to make people ENFORCE that Govt do their resposibility to the people.

Was the road safer before now?
How would you use the money to make people enforce government responsibility since as it is they have never known such good road in their community?
One way is to build it and then when it goes bad, the people can stand and say we don't want to go back to our old life anymore. Also, imagine the young people who have seen this happen and if they grow up and become successful they will emulate the good will either through roads or schools. Most villages buy transformers to get electricity from PHCN. Not absolving government from its responsibilities though

Commendable effort, its an eyesore when I see mansions with terrible road access.

North or East?
This country will never be the same after the events of 2010. Too many events have shifted the discussion. For the North, it is the end of a generation of leaders that had being key players in our politics. Age is no longer on their side to even raise credible people to succeed them and be acceptable to all. For the East, who is the next political superstar?

I think the Igbo threads sell more on this forum and yes some are entirely useless.

@topic, This is first a security problem and should be viewed as such. It could be Jos today and somewhere else tommorow. The government must be sincere in order to solve this problem.

Dis Guy:
another thing you'll notice is that they rarely understand what they are reading, if they miss a line in their speech the are lost, some don't even look up from the notepad they read from, i doubt some of them understand some words used in their prepared speech.
Totally agree on the connecting with the people part, the speech don't have anything personal, its totally abstract from their audience, many people just play with their phones or fiddle with their pen until they are prompted to clap.
Gordon brown wasnt excellent but he could connect with the people, he knows what he is talking about. our politicians just recruit some first clas graduate to write for them, unfortunately they cant convey the message

The one I find most annoying is reading a speech from paper at say a children's Christmas party. Am like, this are kids and its crazy when you have to resort to paper to interact with them. A lot of first ladies are very guilty of these