₦airaland Forum

The opposition has called for the order of the parliamentary and state governorship votes to be amended, saying the timetable favoured the ruling party because if Jonathan won the presidential race then voters would be more inclined to vote PDP at state level a week later.

The electoral commission ruled out the suggestion on Friday, saying it was too late for such a change.

Fresh air indeed!

They are using the same "railroad" method PDP employed to rig votes in their favour in 1999, 2003 and 2007 -Get the president in first and all other positions shall be added unto you-

Stale Air 2011!

"GEJ (Jonathan) should have at least sent a Senior Special Assistant on Debates and Challenging Interviews," said one commentator on Twitter, mocking the ruling party's reputation for setting up committees without solving problems.

Hahahahahaha

^^Buzz me next time you are in Ekiti, we have work to do, plenty to chop bro. The earlier we start the better.

[quote author=eku_bear link=topic=626853.msg7942334#msg7942334 date=1300508175]If I'm reading this correctly, Akwa Ibom is losing these 86 wells to Rivers primarily because of an agreement singlehandedly signed by the former governor, Victor Attah.

How is that fair or legal  

When did it become possible for one man to sign away the wealth of his state and people  

And why did the supreme court agree?

If I were from Akwa Ibom, I'd be boiling mad. Mad enough to lynch this Victor Attah if I ever ran into him.

Anyway, is this not a terrible precedent? Why are governors allowed to enter into agreements of this form? That is too much power for them.[/quote]Why are you surprised? Didn't we all just listen to Shekarau saying the government has a right to determine what is good for the people and community? I heard people in the hall cheering him and clapping like mumus.

Nigerian governors are the most poweful group of governors since the beginning of modern human society, they can do as they wish. Let's accept our fate, quit complaining and work at becoming governors.

[quote author=EzeUche_ link=topic=626566.msg7938798#msg7938798 date=1300466988]https://www.riskmanagementinsight.com/media/images/weblog/Lemmings.jpg[/quote]Dude, like that smart lemming-dude at the back of the horde- some of them have lifebuoys  

A lot of GEJ/PDP supporters have life-buoys too.

I'm more worried about ignorant Nigerians who are voting for GEJ/PDP because they think he can reform the goons in PDP and bring True federalism for Nigerians.

[quote author=eku_bear link=topic=626596.msg7940321#msg7940321 date=1300479117]It is not an issue of articulate. He cannot think on his feet or answer questions. He didn't answer Jos or many other questions. He didn't answer healthcare. He kept answering unrelated questions, or talking about something completely different.

Look, I'm not saying I'll reject him. Being incorrigible and upright is important. He doesn't have to do much thinking, I guess the guys he selects to work for him will do it for him  

But he is not very impressive intellectually. That is a bit unfortunate.[/quote]What did you expect? dude was a soldier. He went to a military school not a liberal art college or some proper 4 year university.

We need a leader that can choose the right people, command respect, exude confidence and authority and more importantly lead by example. I like ACN, but SW and Edo might be their limit in this election, I dislike PDP, so I might just have to Say Buhari.

These people need to work harder on that coalition thing though.

It's high time we introduced Public speaking, communication and speech as compulsory courses in our Sec Schools and Universities

Or we just let our people speak their local languages and hire translators. . .

Ribadu is right though, any society with a poor system will have corruption and indiscipline run out of control. . .

Ribadu is kinda feisty sha, wetin dey worry am? LOL

^^ Lagos might be the wrong place to search. Try those small bookstores around University of Ibadan. Or go into the Yoruba hinterland. A friend bought ogboju ode at Akure recently at one of those obscure bookstores. Try those Yoruba cities outside Lagos.

Everybody for lasgidi wan teach their pikin fone English now so they ignore Yoruba literature.

If all else fails, visit Nelson Pitman publishers (formerly Thomas Nelson) I think they are in Ikeja. They published the last Ogboju Ode edition I saw. And if you get lucky, let us know, I want to buy the rest of the series, I only have Ogboju Ode Ninu Igbo Irunmole.

GOODLUCK: He was in the Customs sir!

BABA IYABO:  And that makes him a military man shey? Olodo! Oya tell me if he also fought in the War?! I should have known the first time I saw your face, you are not smart at all Goodluck I truly regret installing you, because you are not smart at all

ROFL  

Since this is foreign affairs, I should post a video of one of my occasional indulgences. 

I think Jon Stewart "owned" US Republican hypocrites in this video by mocking their support for Tax cuts (for the rich) while they are demanding lower teachers pay and union busting initiatives.

US conservatives find it easier to ask 17-18 year old kids to go fight in a war in the name of collective principles like "responsibility" "bravery" and "patriotism", but they are not ready to open their pockets up and save their government and poor Americans from a depressing budget-deficit economy.  

Their double standard is truly disgusting.

See the video for more examples of puke-inducing double standards.

[flash=590,340]http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:cms:video:thedailyshow.com:376266" width="512" height="288" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" base="." flashVars=""></embed>[/flash]

^^ It's easier for me to accuse you, so carry the cross jejely.

The Fagunwa (Ogboju Ode) excerpts will have to be in Yoruba to carry the right literary punch, excerpts from Soyinka's English translation can substitute though.

I've heard about Sophies world, never read it though.

Ok I did not study philosophy, far from it, although I read a fair amount as part of my college requirement, my interest in it is more personal than academic. I'm not an expert in anyway at all. It still bores me but I find myself going back to read some Plato, Aristotle and Aquinas every now and then for perspective and Sophie Oluwole too(African philosophy ) They always leave me with more questions than answers.  

Naijababe I no be "Oga" o!  Isale you started the "Oga" thing Shey?

Buhari and Bakare better get P-Square to "interview" them before a National Stadium audience and broadcast it live. 

Like Kobojunkie explained, thousands of impressionable young Nigerians will vote GEJ because of this "interview" BB shine ya eyes.

^^ Yes o, They need protection from win or die politicians and their thugs.

I can't fault Adams Oshiomhole for threatening violent election "riggers" with death

These INEC people are actually brave and selfless, I mean, they are simply asking for life insurance in case they get killed.

I think they should also be given ammunition and bullet proof armor to protect themselves. They will need it.

^^It's like all the Abrahamic faiths (Islam, Judaism, Christianity) first encountered and related to the Dark skinned human as a Slave. hmm

Interesting thoughts there Isale. Interesting videos too

I will not be too surprised if there is a much deeper connection than we already know, one reason why I think dogma based religious arguments are silly.

You can't be too sure how or where your dogmatic practice originated from.  

@Isale, on books, I will try to do a small list soon. I'm currently reading The Honor Code: How Moral Revolutions Happen  by Kwame Anthony Appiah.

It is more of philosophy but less dense than most philosophy books i've read, very easy to read, so far at least, I'm about 25% in. Time is scarce these days. . .

How does one bribe police officers enough to pull guard duty on election day?

Very sad but important question. . .

These guys are scared and I cannot blame them at all.

It is a shame that after 12 years of Democracy, with all the examples to learn from, we still have a police force that is controlled by the federal Government and by extention the ruling party, they lack independence, they are poorly funded and poorly trained. And we expect them to be fair? are they Mother Theresas?

How do you play a football match when the Referee is hired(can be fired) and paid for by your opponent?

Now, INEC staff are worried they might need to bribe the police more than the polical parties, else the Police will aid the election riggers or neglect their duty on election day. . .SMH

Even my beloved Manchester United, without hiring or paying match referee salaries, we are constantly accused of cheating by sore losers like Arsenal and Chelsea   

The federal government controls the police, and the PDP incumbent = FG. I guess the people will need to help INEC staff out on election day. 

While Nigeria's election chief promises smooth vote, his staff asks for life insurance, police

By Jon Gambrell (CP)

March 17 2011

ABUJA, Nigeria — While Nigeria's election chief wanted to discuss ethics with his staffers Thursday ahead of pivotal April polls, poll workers asked about more practical concerns in the oil-rich and restive country.

Among them: How does one bribe police officers enough to pull guard duty on election day?

"If we inform the police, most of the time ,  they come to the area and ask you for money and for other assistance to do their job," said Michael Osayande, an election official in Niger state.

Staff from the Independent National Electoral Commission asked for life insurance and worried aloud about ethnic and religious violence during the meeting with Jega, the assistant university chancellor picked to manage the nation's election.

Those problems illuminate the tough task Jega faces, as his popular appeal alone won't be enough to manage polls in a nation where elections have been marred by rigging, intimidation and violence since it became a democracy more than a decade ago.

Lawmakers confirmed Jega, 54, as head of the electoral commission in June, giving him a year to confront a challenge gnawing at Nigeria since its independence from Britain in 1960. Corruption and troubled elections mark the nation's history in between long bouts of military rule. Politicians strive for power and the purse strings of a nation funded billions of dollars in oil revenues with little financial oversight.

Jega won praise for deciding to scrap Nigeria's infamous voter registry, which included entries such as Mike Tyson, Nelson Mandela and Muhammad Ali. Officials used that registry in the country's 2007 election, which represented the first civilian-to-civilian transfer of power in the nation's history. However, international observers roundly rejected the poll as being rigged and marred by thuggery.

"A credible voter's register is the foundation of a credible election process," Jega said Thursday. "We believe, now, we have a credible register, not a perfect register, but certainly a register which is substantially much, much better."

The election commission spent more than $230 million to purchase laptop computers, digital cameras and fingerprint scanners to register voters across the country in roughly 120,000 locations. But the process saw long lines and anger as the machines failed to properly take fingerprints. A follow-up period for voters to check their registration saw many unable to find the lists that were supposed to be on display.

Officials later announced 73.5 million people registered to vote, up from 61 million in the previous election. However, some critics and opposition candidates have questioned the high registration numbers, considering the problems election officials had during the process. Taken at face value, the registration numbers also imply election officials had at least an 80 per cent success rate at registering eligible voters in a country with large rural regions.

But registration remains only part of the "very difficult exercise," Jega acknowledged. On the days of the elections, officials will be largely on their own in areas where bribery and threats are rife.

President Goodluck Jonathan's ruling People's Democratic Party has been the only force in the nation able to manipulate the unruly polls to hold the presidency. He is running to extend his mandate in Africa's most populous nation.

Election officials also fear ethnic and religious tensions spilling over into the polls. At least 50 people have died already in election-related violence, Human Rights Watch has said. During the January registration drive, a Christian mob killed a Muslim election worker and set his body ablaze in the troubled central Nigerian city of Jos.

Jega promised workers they would get money to give police officers to pay for their meals as they guard election sites. He also said the commission would offer life insurance, which drew applause.

"These problems will be brought down to the barest, manageable levels," Jega said.

But during a January rerun gubernatorial election in Delta state, there continued to be missing polling stations and allegations of stolen ballot boxes. In that election, more than 20,000 police officers were on hand and Jega even flew by helicopter to various polling sites in the Niger Delta region.

Caught by a CNN camera crew after boarding his helicopter, Jega offered a series of reasons for the poor performance.

"No one is voting because in those areas people are taking the law into their own hands," Jega said.
"Many of our officers have been attacked, many of our voting materials have been diverted in many of these places you are talking about. So it cannot be our fault."

Come April, as voting takes place across a nation twice the size of California, Nigerians likely will put the blame on Jega if it all goes wrong.



http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jIamDEsZJZKXnY7sbK_ojrF5HAcQ?docId=6276969   -Via Canadian press.


http://www.statesman.com/news/nation/nigerian-election-staff-ask-for-life-insurance-1327934.html

Gbawe:
The point is that Bakare is wrong terming Tinubu "undemocratic" because a political merger did not happen. Bakare does not seem to understand the context within which the word "undemocratic" is apt . In a merger or alliance , positions are reached through choice, negotiation and agreement . No one can be forced to agree to a deal that will not benefit them  because that , in itself , is "undemocratic" .We will never be privy to all the negotiation that went on. We were all dissapointed because the merger did not happen but those involved know why they made the choices they did . It is their prerogative totally and nothing brings democracy, or the lack of it, into this . Bakare should at least attempt to understand terminology before using it. People should therefore not back his gaffes blindly because they support him. Buhari has been fantastic through everything . he has behaved , above everyone else, with the highest grace and decorum. He refused to engage in the blame game with anyone regrading the crash of alliance talks. Bakare should learn from Buhari.

I added more thoughts to my post, the short comment was to save the space so I can later post the rest without having to quote you.

I understand your point, and I agree. That is why they both need to be more guarded and strategic.

Politics sometimes demand that you respond to some attacks. They need to quit forcing out those responses, or else the back and forth between CPC/ACN actors will end up hurting them. I hope they know what they are doing

^^ Gbawe, Your earlier post is better than this new one.

I think a lot of these NL political supporters are trying to play a vicious zero sum political game. I'll argue that it is not wise at this stage.

These politicians are all corrupt and compromised. We can make an argument for every single one of then including Buhari. If you've lived a day of your life in Nigeria, I'm confident someone can convince you of how you've benefitted from corruption or even aided it.

We are already compromised because we live in a society where the prevailing social/political system supports and encourages corruption.

The issue is that we need to prevent these politicians from uniting together in corruption. PDP/ACN/CPC etc. They all have a right to protect their political interests in a democracy. Nobody forced us to accept democracy, so here we are. Interests and political pressure groups cannot be avoided. but we need to ensure that they are not united in corruption.

That is why the power equation must be re-balanced. CPC cannot balance out PDP as it stands, neither can ACN. That fact must not be lost on them.

Politics is a game of interests, but the people suffer when all the power brokers are united in corruption.

Tinubu obviously fought against a corrupt OBJ government. His state(Lagos) and people were starved of fund for years by the OBJ/PDP govt, he had to get "creative" raise funds and fight for his own personal political survival. You may not like his tactics, I do not. I doubt if there's a pure, saintly tactic you can employ in that situation. I stand corrected

PDP and the goons in it are also fighting for their survival.

So, It should not be a winner takes all game for CPC and ACN. Nigerians suffer when one party dictates the game by crushing all enemies. Alliances need to be formed and the way I see it, the CPC/ACN alliance is the better one, Not because Buhari and Tinubu/Ribadu are saints but because the dilution of power and the psychological effect of such a change will be good for our country, nevetheless, PDP will still remain strong. I have no problem with that. just give me federalism.

It is in the interest of the politicians in those two parties to sheath their swords, raise up the wisdom banner and find a way to work together to curtail PDP's power. Nigerians will benefit from having a strong opposition.

This political cannibalism will do no one any good, except PDP -the victors on this thread so far- I'm happy for them, I'm sad for Nigerians.

GenBuhari:
I think we should use "Up Buhari" instead, as Buhari is being accused of being a tribalist and religious fanatic.

Would the fact that an Hausa word is used in this slogan not alienate other tribes?

Just write it and advice them to shout it as; "Say Buhari" or "Say BB"

Or "Say [size=16pt]B[/size]ye [size=16pt]B[/size]ye" ----> to PDP,  a la Chris Brown's popular song

This is Buharis pikin?  

Ok where is that my voters card

Btw, I've not heard about Buhari's family "buying" oil blocks or beating up Ashawos, or harassing people with their status all over Nigeria. Are they recluses? Or just decent and incorruptible  

Did this happen after the curse?

Na like this Oba's curse dey quick work for Bini? 

If this story is true and this guy actually went into another citizen's house with guns, I doubt Oshiomhole will stand by and let some thug ruin his political future in Edo state.

Maybe the curse don work 

Pro Anti:
A social commentator shouldn't take sides.

That is incorrect sir. Or you meant a journalist/news reporter?

Social commentary: a spoken or written act of rebellion toward an individual or group; commentary on social issues or society.

What is the point of your social commentary when you cannot take a position or a stand?

DerMeister:
Nairaland moderators or owners or administrators, please take off this thread, this is a disgrace to our country. There should be a media blackout on this incident. This makes 9ja look bad, we are in the 21st century not 1432 AD, if any of the white guys working with me here see this, i'll be a laughing stock or at least the country would,

If they laugh at you, open their white Bible for them and show them all the curses written inside it, curses from their "white" God.

Quit being ashamed of our culture and religion because of some white people bro.

Ever been to Mountain of Fire and Miracle Church? You never hear curses o

BTW, While an assault case should be handled by constituted civil authorities, a man also has the right to invoke the power of his Gods when he feels it's necessary.

The other guy should invoke Bini Gods too now, or are Bini Gods biased?

If he's religious, he can use his religion too.  Abi na only the Bini prince get Gods ni?

In 1978, Adekola sold everything she owned, including her mink coat, leaving Milwaukee to move to the[b] Oyotunji commune in South Carolina[/b].

A civil rights activist and member of the Black Power movement, Adekola went to the village to connect with her African ancestry and to abandon the constraints of what she saw as a diseased American establishment.

Her studies on the commune included texts on[b] Yoruba [/b] and Egyptian history, astrology and Yoruba rites and rituals, all done by the light of her kerosene lamp. “The village was dedicated to the Yoruba lifestyle. The Yoruba of southwestern Nigeria is who we patterned ourselves after,” she said. “So we spoke the language, we wore the clothes. We danced the dances. We sang the songs.”

My people  

Keeping the spirit and teachings of the Orishas alive.

It's not hard to see the good results in Mother and Daughter

Iba! for the Irunmoles.

@Fstranger

https://www.rickey.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Naima-Adedapo-Audition-01-2011-01-26.jpg

Is this Naima Adedapo? rocking the "eyo owo" necklace?

looks like a typical "redbone" abi na "Yellowbone" AA. She "inherited" those amazing lips too.

Great vibe though, I just watched a video of her performance.

Did you notice the way she pronounces her name "Adedapo" like perfectly? Makes me glad

soldee:
@ OP

Christ - 6 letters
Okotie - 6 letters
Ojukwu - 6 letters
Niboro - 6 letters
Monkey - 6 letters
Sanusi - 6 letters
Nkwobi - 6 letters
Paraga - 6 letters
So freaking wot??

make I add join am for our OP

Ashawo = 6  
Condom = 6  
Shekpe =  6  

Total = 666  

^^ Where is the joint? I dey right behind you o.

GEJ! FRESH SONTIN!!

Sagamite:
I have no doubt that men cheat more than women.

I just laugh and have pity on men (and women) that argue like if women hardly cheat. People believe women like butter can not melt in their mouths and women will lie till the cows come home if they have not been caught red-handed.

Although women do not cheat as much as men, women cheat far more than society makes us believe they do. The only difference with men is (1) a slightly lower proportion of women cheat, (2) on average it takes longer into the relationship before a woman cheats and (3) the breadth of cheating by women is lower (i.e. a woman will find one other lover, on average, who she connects with as se.x has some meaning to them after a while, whilst a guy will pack as many hot women or skanks as he can get away with and who are willing to split because the se.x does not mean nada to him).

One of the main reasons women cheat is boredom after a long term relationship, after a while they might need to revalidate their worth in the market to boost their self-esteem especially if they are the good looking type (the not so good looking are less likely to risk losing what they have) or cheat if they are with a goody-two-shoe nice guy. They like their bad boys, the danger and the challenge.

Other popular reasons are lack of attention, money, bitterness and revenge, no more in love or was never in love (e.g. shotgun weddings) etc.

Women cheat, not as much as men, but at a significantly high level too.

Sagamite, Our Resident Professor of Womantology!!

Pioneer researcher and creator of the principles of Ikebehavioural-psychosis

Na wafer abi na cracker biscuit ?


Does the biscuit come with Political freedom? Freedom of Information dey inside? Jobs for graduates? Unbiased and efficient Police and security services?

Good roads and electricity nko, Zero tolerance for looters and no immunity for elected officials dey dia?

What about true federalism and state Police, Repeal of Land Use Act dey inside am?

This one go build refineries for Naija? abi e go fund efficient Universities and provide world class faculties?

Abi na goodluck juju to just dey make us smile like mugus?

BTW, shey dem no go share pure water join am ni? I dey thirsty.