₦airaland Forum

I read part of the Ngige interview and found this interesting paragraph. This is the kind of men ACN seems to be gathering together.

Kudos to Ngige - we look forward to really focused delibrations in the new NA.

[size=14pt]INEC PLEASE TAKE NOTE[/size]

NGIGE: I was never in doubt that I won the election ab initio. My campaign organization set up a Situation Room, which had a direct communication with all 1565 polling booth agents in all the polling stations that make up the constituency. So, as the presiding officers at the polling units were announcing the results, the results were transmitted to the Situation Room. My campaign staff was computing the figures minute by minute, and I was monitoring the process. So when I got most of the returns from the polling booths and from the ward collation centres, I knew that we had won the election. The problem started when, in their bid to wipe off my lead, they started the fraudulent cancellation of ward results from several wards where we had won or had marginal loss. This was in spite of the fact that there was no violence or any infraction of the law at the polling units to warrant any cancellation. The cancellations were perpetrated by the local government collation officers for Njikoka and for Dunukofia LGAs for flimsy reasons. It was when Mr. Anene rejected the cancellations that hell was let loose. Later he added up all the results including the purportedly cancelled areas and made the requisite declaration.

We have just concluded a much touted free and fair election, but we all know within us the exact nature of our 2011 elections.

Meanwhile, there are already talks of 2015. IBB says the North must have the presidency in 2015. The SE wants it too. Some think the next job for Fashola is in Aso Rock. Meanwhile GEJ is yet to declare personally that he is a one-term president.

Could we just back up a minute? The dust is yet to settle on the 2011 elections. The class of 2011 Nigerian Administrators are yet to begin their term. We need to discourage all this talk about 2015. We need to stop our politicians from thinking all they have to worry about is getting elected. We need to make sure that the issues they were elected to deal with remain uppermost in their minds at least until 2014. If we don't, then nobody should be surprised when they lose focus, leaving the nation rudderless to continue this match towards the precipice.

I know one body that needs to start preparing for 2015 - INEC. They need to start the preparation now - the 2011 performance left much to be desired.

For those asking what the Osun State governor has achieved since taking office a couple of months ago this is one of his notable moves.

In addition, he has embarked on an agric scheme with the partnership with farmers to cultivate 30,00 hectares across Osun State, and is engaging the help of IITA in Ibadan.

The decision by the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola to employ 20,000 youths under the Osun Youths Empowerment Scheme, has earned him an award of recognition in the United Kingdom.

The governor, on Thursday in London, was awarded Leadership Recognition for Youth Empowerment at a ceremony organised by the United Kingdom chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria.

Speaking at the event, chairman of the chapter, Dr. Ayodele Owoade, said the employment of 20,000 youths at once in a state that had been rendered prostrate by inept administration of the Peoples Democratic Party had given enough indication of the readiness of the administration to restore hopes of the people.

“It is a record-breaking achievement; employing 20000 youths in one go. This feat has never been achieved by any government anywhere in Africa before now. Aregbesola has restored hope and self-esteem to these youths who now walk about with a lot more swagger.

In his speech, Ogbeni Aregbesola thanked ACN UK for honouring him. He also praised the chapter for its contribution in internationalising the struggle during Obasanjo’s 3rd term agenda as well as championing the cause for electoral reforms.

Promising the people of Osun State greater more goodies, the governor said, “This is just the beginning as we are poised to show our people that leadership is all about service. And people must also realise that in them really the power resides. Without the people, leadership has no meaning. It is for that reason that we in the new administration have promised that we shall not let them down.”

Dignitaries present included Cardinal Odunmbaku (Baba Eto), Senator-elect Jide Omoworare, Former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Lagos State, Mr. Dele Alake, Mr. Rotimi Agunsoye (Commissioner for Local Govt Lagos State), Mr. Toyin Hamsat (Special Adviser on Health Lagos State), Prince Ghasali Adeyemi (Chairman, Ghazal Holiday Inn, Osogbo), as well as the Local Government Caretaker Committee Chairmen from Osogbo, Olorunda, Ilesa-West, Iwo and Ede South.

http://www.osundefender.org/?p=16305

Hopefully, we 'll continue to hear such pronouncements followed by action from Aso Rock over the next 4 years.

Sunday, 08 May 2011 00:00 From Madu Onuorah, Abuja News - National

PRESIDENT Jonathan yesterday assured Nigerians that he would put national interest above everything else, as well as give transparent leadership to Nigerians throughout his tenure.

Jonathan spoke to a delegation of the government and people of Kebbi State, who were at State House on a congratulatory visit on Saturday saying: “We assure you, we will provide good governance and transparent leadership throughout our tenure, putting national interest above everything else.”

The president said the successful conduct of the elections, resulting in a flood of accolades from the international community, has set the tone for greater achievements ahead, and added that he is ready to face the challenge of good governance.

Jonathan thanked the government and people of Kebbi for peaceful conduct throughout the elections and for supporting the programmes and policies of the government.

Earlier, the acting chairman of the PDP, an indigene of Kebbi State, Dr. Halliru Mohammed, said the delegation was in the State House to congratulate the president for “conducting and winning an outstanding clean and clear election.”

He said Jonathan and the PDP have proved that it is possible to conduct free, fair and transparent elections in Nigeria.

Governor Saidu Dakingari, in his comments, said Kebbi State supported President Jonathan because of his progressive policies and the good governance he has already delivered to Nigerians, adding that such support would continue till the end of the president’s tenure.

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47246:i-will-put-national-interest-first--says-jonathan-&catid=1:national&Itemid=559

@Beaf
This below illustrates my points in that post exactly. You are just as guilty of what you accuse others of. You hold on to Tinubu's alleged corrupt deeds like a dog-bone connection, yet you forget that GEJ and our first lady were accused, incidentally by the same EFCC, of corrupt acts. Unproven allegations that Ribadu has denied in both cases. Yet, you keep repeating the same things on Tinubu, but conveniently forgot about GEJs.

When I asked you, and expressed genuine interest in any concrete evidence you might have of Tinubu's involvement in the N2 billion monthly payment by Lagos State for tax collection, as well as whether Lagos is even paying N2 billion at all, you went silent. That you speak or write it doesn't make it true.

You compare Ibori to Tinubu - yet the latter is not afraid to roam freely within and outside Nigeria, while Ibori had to hide behind Yar'adua and when that failed high-tailed to Dubai and now under lock and key over concrete evidence of money laundering for which several of his associates have been convicted.

Look I hold no brief for any politician - they are all corrupt when we want to take the road of unrealistic absolutism. When we are realistic we can distinguish between those who know how to lead and can be given 49% of our trust (that is the highest level of trust I recommend that you put in any politician), and those who are just plain kleptomaniacs, indolent and selling snake oil.

There is simply no way you exist in today's Nigeria without having to engage in some type of corrupt act if you must survive - forced on you or not, small or big. It is to change such state of impunity where policemen can kill drivers over N10 that we are asking for President GEJs help. Now that he has all the instruments within his grasp we would hate to be disappointed since he did promise to transform Nigeria - he even went as far as to claim he will rid Nigeria of tribalism.

You talk about the topic being about ACN, but you were the one who introduced the "rascal" vs. "drunken fisherman" angle - and implied Tinubu must face consequences - of what I do not know. Or are you telling me this is what makes ACN a Yoruba party?

I do not expect you to change your perception, but at the back of the your head you would know that nobody is going to lay down in the face of ill-advised vengeance missions.

Lastly, and this is my very last post on this topic, why do you want ACN to change? Isn't it to PDP's advantage that ACN wouldn't make progress if Tinubu, according to you, continues to run it the same way? Ah ah - now you realize you have being working to make ACN better against yourself, unless of course that wasn't your intention at all - the real intention being to stop ACN's momentum under Tinubu which is inimical to PDP's sorry 12 years, and if this is what you guys are going to use the presidency for, going on 16 years of misrule. On the other hand, I am concerned that PDP might not use this chance to show they have the stuff it takes to move Nigeria forward. I am concerned about ACN is as much as it would be a disappointment if they cannot fulfill their promises.

I pray and hope that President GEJ succeeds beyond anybody's imagination - but mark my words, it is not going to happen if he or his foot soldiers start vengeance missions.

Beaf:
Dude, calm down. You are sounding extremely unreasonable. My perceptions are that ACN is a sectionalist party and Tinubu is a fascist, I do not see how you can persuade me or several others here who have reached the same conclusion by attacking my person. I also do not see how referring to GEJ and other political parties can change that perception, the thing that needs changing is strictly within ACN. Other parties might have their own problems, but this topic is about ACN.

99% of ACN's problems are with Tinubu who is bigoted and known to be extremely corrupt. How can a rogue be the leader of a pack of "holy" men?

Isn't it funny that when Ibori haunted the political scene, we all joined hands to condemn him and call for his arrest; but with positions reversed, you do not see anything wrong with Tinubu and his obnoxious politics?
Instead of reporting me to "Uncle" Gbawe, ask him if he can condemn Tinubu for his criminal ways, if he can not, why?

@Gbawe
People can surprise you when you least expect it. Before Beaf got PDP religion he was a very "reasonable" guy even amid the madness of NL. Once he was reached by the GEJ people he started behaving like a completely different person. Now with the Presidency in the pocket his views has become just as parochial as those of the usual suspects on NL.

We all have our biases and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Absolute power to do as they wish seems to be the next objective of GEJs PDP and their cohorts. I am happy that ACN (sectional or not) stands ready to challenge PDPs indolence in running our affairs. We cannot quickly forget how Yar'adua the "saint" moved to get rid of Ribadu while all of our mouths were ajar and proceeded to engage in even more barbaric acts. Beaf's campaign on here is already showing signs of such behavior on the part of "humble" GEJ wrt Tinubu/ACN.

They must know that they cannot bamboozle anyone. We are not going to stand aside and watch Nigeria engage in another death-match to nowhere this time. We must engage them while they are still within reason's earshot. Hopefully they would not develop the tunnel vision that seems to be befall Aso Rock dwellers.

Gbawe: @koruji.

Man mi , you have time trying to reason with losers. Their perambulation and crass dishonesty is proof that , undoubtedly , they are losers . If you want to know who are failing in life from how they talk the first clue will be that they cannot accept what most objective folks see as the truth . They also create fantasies at odd with commonsense or reality . They are fond of using highly incongruous descriptive words that is more an ode to the fantasy world they live in than to useful intelligence that brings personal progress and advancement.

Together , those thing prevent these folks from working effectively and pragmatically with others in the real world for measurable success. I would suggest you quickly learn to identify those who come here to feel good because their personal lives are sorry tales of failure and inadequacy. The way they talk is a dead giveaway . Arguing with those sort of individual is a waste of time . You run the risk of getting dumber and more bellicose as well rather than gaining refreshment and knowledge.

I really believe in Nigeria. This development that we seek is not magic - we are the ones preventing ourselfs from it by this sentimental approach to national life.

We have to treat each other as equals from all angles, and agree on common principles that nobody violates in the corner.

Then watch the spring in our development.

alj_harem:
man, you are trying to convence this beaf since page 1 and yet they have still not change
what makes you think it is page 4/5 the animals will change

In the 2003 elections ACN was a Lagos party that was supposed to die naturally. Then in 2007 it won elections in Edo, while OBJ held on to stolen mandates in Osun, Oyo and EKiti states, at the least - only to be forcefully taken from his long-throat by the courts.

The next stage is to demonstrate that its performance in Lagos can be replicated everywhere else if given the chance to find and put good people in charge of a great manifesto.

You guys are just now scared stiff because even without trying too hard ACN showed up to be counted in many non-SW states. Won a couple of elections in the SE and is going to be challenging close/rigged elections in Akwa Ibom, Benue and Kwara. ACN has put its faith in a reasoned approach to solving our problems.

You are simply trying to contain ACN for your own sentimental reasons. How is a party with a great agenda supposed to spread beyond its original base to another when those others keep shouting at the top of their voice "keep this party out of our domain by all means" Still, I believe that when the Nigerian people actually see good governance nobody will tell them to kick out the pretenders.

If ACN fails and PDP fails to repent, then SWers will find another platform to promote good governance. It is simple as ABC.

I hope GEJ can repair what is wrong with PDP, but I am not holding my breath. Whatever the case, we need at least two strong parties so that none of them would have the temerity to play with our life like Yar'adua and co did.

EzeUche_:
ACN is a regional party. People cannot explain why ACN only did well in the SW, and not in any other state besides Edo state.
Until you all answer that, the perception will remain the same.

@Beaf
Well, lets talk policy a little bit. When Fashola called for revisions to the revenue allocation formula that is based on two things. As you mentioned below we still have a centralized fiscal system -within that system the FG cannot sit in Abuja and jack up the minimum wage, without thinking about how the states can cope. The simple answer is follow you bill with the money. That is the first reason. The second is this silly attempt in the NA assembly to collect even more taxes that would usually go to the states and bring it to the center - they are currently tinkering with thresholds for taxation that would reduce states internally generated revenue tremendously.

They are already collecting all the oil revenue and redistributing it through straws, now they want to do the same to ordinary taxation. The VAT is not enough for them anymore. That is a serious constitutional crisis in the making.

What ACN is calling for is a balanced restructing of our polity. Not a seccessionist agenda, not a "it is all our resources you can feed on air" agenda, and certainly not this monkey-dey-work-baboon-dey-chop unitary system.

Beaf:
The true federalism offered is nothing but poison. It is not possible to have true federalism while employing a fiscal structure that is even more dependent on Abuja than the current one. True federalism requires that both administrative and fiscal structures be decentralised, whereas the version ACN is selling requires that Abuja gives more money to the states, rather than the other way round with the states paying taxes to the centre.

@Ezeuche
I was making a sacarstic point at you.

Still you have probably heard the expression "You don't understand what is said until you understand what is not said". What you say forms a chain to other things left unsaid.
If you hate Yoruba politics, then you have to tell me what politics is that which you hate.

You are now linking Awololwo to ACN - a man that has been gone for almost 30 years to a party that is but 5 years old.

Have you read anything in the ACN manifesto that, taking away all veneers of sentiment, Igbo people would not want? Have you heard anything about ACN attempting to impose any Yoruba man as a leader in the SS/SE? No! What is your problem then, other than that ACN is currently holds sway in the Southwest which was Awolowo's old stumping grounds.

The same PDP that you could not stand under OBJ is now your darling just because power got closer to the SE via SS. Bottom-line is PDP under GEJ is injurious to the aspirations of Yoruba/Igbo people within the Nigeria state, just like it was injurious to the SWers/Nigeria while under OBJ. Take that to the bank.

SWers fought PDP's corruption and incompetence under a Yoruba man - if we are to behave like everybody else we would have cuddled him. The man was so bad even when he made a deal to save his political life, he dishonorably decided to steal the rest of the political cake for himself. [size=14pt]Now you hate the politics that trimmed his thieving hands?[/size] If GEJ wants to toe the same line then it is up to him.

As I implied before, SWers are not married to ACN. We are married to good governance. Let ACN fumble then watch them poured out like poissoned water!!

Amidst all this talk I have hope that President GEJ will turn a new leaf on Nigeria - that is my wish.

EzeUche_:
Did I say such? I am not your people's enemy. Simply stating that the ACN is a Yoruba party. And I am not the only one who holds this perception.

And due to the legacy of Awolowo with this particular party, I cannot support it.

How can you say I dislike your people when[b] I am in full support of Fashola[/b] and will vote for him if he runs for president?

@Beaf
Now I am really getting worried. The other day you were accepting congratulations and issuing it to others over your work in getting GEJ elected. You come on NL shouting yourself hoarse over something that was said to GEJ.

You are not working for GEJ? Does that even sound right to you? I remember that you have said such a thing at various times, but at other times go on to provide inside information.

Wo you are working for then.

Beaf:
@koruji

Dude, you know why you keep misfiring in your arguments with me on this matter? Its because you have convinced yourself that I am working for GEJ, I am not.
I am simply telling you the perception on the street and the right thing to do is correct it instead of posting in super-size font about Obj and other stuff that is peripheral to the conclusions of the man on the street.
In honesty, I didn't go past the first couple of lines of what you posted, not out of disrespect, but because you are so wide off mark that you are only seeing the cours you are painting.

I hold the firm belief that Tinubu is a fascist from observation. I don't see how constantly referring to external matters to that belief will change it.
That perception is also very widely held, so calling me names and making sad inferences is not going to change it one bit.

That is exactly my point. You can't distinguish between forgetting and moving on.

Obviously you cannot forget - nobody would ever ask you to forget and it doesn't matter how you interpret the events.

What is required is to set a proper role for remembrance so it doesn't cloud your need to make progress, and seek men of similar disposition towards reconciliation.

EzeUche_:
^^^^

Still fresh in the mind of many in the East. My parents survived that war so it will continue to remain fresh. It is not like it was a war that occurred centuries ago as you try to portray it.

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

The sad fact is that you all are trying to push your party on a region that does not want it.

Now keep it in the SW.   

No!

You just hate Yoruba politics? The politics that got rid of cretins at the helm of our affairs. I see the point now. Since you wish nothing good on Awolowo and his people, you would rather prefer the curse of bad governance on our people to the competence, at least so far, being displayed by ACN governors.

Look it didn't start with Fashola. OBJ, Yar'adua and GEJ combined had the same space of time as Tinubu and Fashola. Compare their performances then let's talk.

I just hope your hard-riding, empty, braggado doesn't encourage GEJ to misuse this one opportunity.

EzeUche_:
When did I ever stay in the SW? Sorry, but most Igbos and other Easterners do not have a favorable view of Awolowo. He is considered a tribalist by many and we all find it weird that you all worship him.
Awolowo killed many of my people through his policies and you want me to show respect? Sorry but "Pa" Awolowo will never get my respect.
It is not that I dislike Yorubas, I just hate your politics. And I have a dislike for Awolowo, which can be considered hate.

See what you are. Who is talking about Awolowo here? We are talking about our future and that of our children.

Think about it. You want to be old and gray at 60, 70 and 80 or whatever and still be carrying on about a man that has been dead for almost 30 years now.

[size=14pt]We hold on to so much crap from the past that it completely prevents our future from unfolding.[/size]

There is no vision of a common greatness, only the smallness that attends continued hatred over events that are decades and centuries in the past.

Really sad.

EzeUche_:
Igbos will never see eye to eye with the Yorubas in politics. We have different interest.
I and many other Igbos do not want anything from a party that is the legacy of the mass murderer Awolowo.
So keep ACN in the south-west. Thank you.

If only you know what the ACN formula is offering you people, you would grab it with both hands.

True Federalism, a high degree of regional independence and the rapid advancement that will definitely be the fruits.

You are blinded by hatred for anything that remotely involves Yoruba people, so you don't count.

EzeUche_:
How is it tribalism, by stating the obvious. ACN is a Yoruba party. Why is it that ACN has swept the SW, but not any other region?

ACN will remain a regional party.

Seeing the way BEAF is carrying on already, even before the swearing-in, I am predicting that you will come here to eat these words.

In reality, I hope, for the sake of the Nigerian people, to be the one that eats the above words.

Justcash:
Jonathan will surely be partisan, but very fair to every region and party that agrees to partake in his government. That, I am sure of.

How can the original bigot join in a discussion about bigots. Wonders shall never end

I have said it before, GEJ knew exactly what formula to use on the SE - the IBB formula plus a dose of "let's go teach this Yoruba people a lesson" will do the trick any day. The fact that BEAF is shouting himself hoarse on NL over that silly spat show that they are still searching for the formula for the SW. It is not going to work - simple as ABC.

We are determined not to tolerate the likes of OBJ ever again in the SW. If GEJ merely pretended his way to Aso Rock only to put on his wolf-OBJ-clothing then we 'll see how it works out at the end of the day.

EzeUche_:
As I said before, if Ngige needs to say this, then the perception around Nigeria is that ACN is a Yoruba party.
Ngige is just a toke Igbo in a Yoruba party.

This is what is called a strawman argument if I ever saw one.

You see no need to change the word "rascal", but you went ahead to change the color of the skin and reduce the number of people called by that name to one. You then changed the specific reply that called "one black man" a "drunken fisherman" to being called "a monkey" that left the "forest" by a "white man". This is no analogy at all. You are simply twisting what was said to your interpretation. Sure, it is your prerogative to interpret words how you "feel", but note that someone started it and the other parties has his own interpretation of what was said to them. [size=14pt]If you felt so bad about the reply, then being reflective would show you that the other party probably felt just as bad or even worse when you came to their backyard to cast aspersions on their dignity[/size].

I told you in my previous write-up that it was the clever-by-half reply to the complaint over the initial remark that probably angered Tinubu most - "you can call yourself rascals if you want" was GEJ's reply.  Unfortunately, that is exactly what you are doing to yourself here.

I'll leave you to continue fuming about this silly spat, if it delights you, but President GEJ should be advised that the Nigerian people (including the SW who gave him most of their votes) [size=14pt] need him, no demand him, to get on with the job for which he was hired[/size]. He and all those in government are our employees - that is why they get to stay in privileged quarters and ride in sweat-paid planes. [size=14pt]They just need to do their jobs - and tuck away their personal egos and sensitivities.[/size]  If ACN or SW begs him for appointment let him deny it. Bottomline is whichever way he wants to do it, he cannot afford to carry on like Yar'adua and OBJ. If anybody is so hurt about the "drunken fisherman" reply let them come back with something bigger than rascal, and get what they get back in return too.

If I say you are a "drunken fisherman"; you say "I am a drunken hunter" or whatever suits you. Besides, you should know better than to take these things to heart - every couple of replies you are calling northerners "abokis", "grass eaters", and telling them they will be "cut loose in the desert".

Beaf:
Its like a black man calls a white man a rascal and the white man replies that the black man is a monkey that has left the forest to converse with those on land. . . You know the drill.

Why would I and Nigerians not be stuck on PDP. ACN was PDP's doing - the daylight robbery of voter's mandate by OBJ. Whatever negative perceptions of ACN there are the Nigerian people will go back to the polls in another 4 years. So far, [size=14pt]between PDP and ACN PDP was the one scared stiff of what might happen if voters were really allowed to express their wishes[/size] - hence the mago mago.

I am on the side of Nigeria and the SW at the same time. Now that the thieves of wealth, body and votes have been sent packing from the SW it is time to liberate the rest of the nation. Whether ACN proves worthy of that task will be revealed in due course, but there are alternatives.

The bolded-below makes me wonder if someone else is pretending to be the Beaf that we use to know on NL - "extraordinary riots, carnage and assassinations due to ACN in Akwa Ibom" Who kidnapped the real Beaf?

I worried about the all out, caution-to-the-wind, attack you mounted on Buhari close to the elections, and have suggested that President GEJ's touted "humility" may really be a high act. Both are begining to prove true if one is to go by the way you are carrying on now. What is with you? Yesterday, it was a calling vehemently for Buhari's arrest. Today, it is Tinubu this and that. Do you think GEJ needs more enemies? Is he Jesus to whom "every knee" must bow, just because he is now in Aso Rock? Questions that are worth pondering!

Beaf:
It is also incredible that you can compare Tinubu to 'daylight-thieves and possible murderers that have no qualms contesting and "winning" elections under PDP.' Not only can Tinubu be described as a 'daylight-thief and possible murderer that has no qualms contesting and "winning" elections under ACN,' look at the extraordinary riots, carnage and assassinations due to ACN in Akwa Ibom (most recently, a man who recently congratulated Akpabio was gunned down and those in his camp have gone into hiding). Your scales are definitely biased; I am sure you will be quick to condemn Ibori, that is good and healthy; but you cannot do that while adoring Tinubu who is several times worse.
You really seem stuck on PDP and issues that have absolutely no connection to the negative perceptions others from outside the SW have of ACN and Tinubu.

You are crying wolf for nothing. What kind of candidate goes to campaign in a region and insults them? I didn't hear GEJ say anything back when he went up north to campaign promising all kinds of goodies only to be [size=14pt]severely insulted [/size] by being told to write it up and sign it so they can be sure he will keep his promise. Same thing when his dignity was being dragged around in the presidency under Turai. But let him call SWers "rascals" and be specifically called a "drunken fisherman" in return - his supporters go crazy. [size=14pt]It is not his fault, it is OBJ's. That. . .[/size]

Beaf:
It is always useful to be able to see things through the eyes of the victim, ACN has a lot to do to clean up its sectionalist and paranoid image outside the SW.

Beaf:
^
Bros, you still eating grass?
Its really affecting your mind badly sha!

Beaf:
Your arguments are merely sentimental and somewhat off point. The simple fact is ACN has been shaped and is perceived to be a party based on ethnic politics alone; the worst bit is the sheer volume of bigots who push their "supremacy" in our faces off the back of ACN. It is a very strong perception that will not go away with sentimental arguments; if I were you, I would call and persuade my people to order instead; a lot of unnecessary harm is being done.

I don't get into many of the arguments here on NL but do read a lot of the political stuff and cannot recall anyone on NL aggressively or gently push ACN as a Yoruba party. If you have a reference it would be good to see it.

The fact is that PDP stole elections in the SW as it did in many other states - the SW on their honor waited for the end game. How are the people supposed to recover their stolen mandate? They certainly can't fight back by going into PDP. Mind you, it was not simply rigging. No, it was the fact that OBJ made a political deal and BAREFACEDLY broke it. No honor at all! Tinubu single-handedly stuck to his gun and suffered for it, but was vindicated. That is the long and short of his fame - he showed himself wise, patient and hard working. There is nothing GEJ is likely to visit on Tinubu that OBJ has not tried.

As for pushing the supremacy before your face - I don't know where these statements come from. If it is from NL postings, I recall that you had advised others not to form real life outlooks based on NL. So take your own advice. If you call the desire of the SW for good leadership and the ability to push the cream to the surface "supremacy" then that is not really fair to you or me or to our people who are desperately in need of people who mean business.

Beaf:
If you think the fisherman comment was fair, there is little point attempting to debate with you. There was absolutely no reason on Earth for such an attack on a wide region, and we from the affected region see it as what it is, na'ked ethnic bigotry - any party that is driven by such things as ethnic bigotry is properly described as fascist.
I wonder why some ethnic bigots right here on NL have taking to calling SS people drunken fishermen if they do not interprete it as ethnically bigoted? Its a fact thats clear to the blind.

Tinubu did not attack any wide region, although you are implying it from his statement! He specifically refered to GEJ as a "drunken fisherman" in reply to GEJ's reference to the SW being in the hand of rascals. I am not saying it was good to make the GEJ drunken fisherman quip, but it was just as bad to make the SW rascals quip. We both know that GEJ was attempting to embark on a political fight - which was quickly counterbalanced aggressively. If anybody is to bear blame for painting with a wide brush in this case it is President GEJ. What probably annoyed Tinubu most was GEJ's reaction after he was told that such a language is unbecoming. He said something like I did not call SWers rascals, but they are free to call themselves rascals. That last statement was worse than the initial one. It is a tongue in cheek statement like "if not that I have great respect for you I would say you are a . . .". The point is that the same way that you are translating "drunken fisherman" in ethnic terms is the same way an individual Yoruba is likely to say "se a wa ni okunrin yi n pe ni rascal" i.e. "are we the ones this man is calling rascals" and when you call him/her a name he/or she is unlikely to call you a name back. He/she is more likely to refer specifically to parents and grandparents both dead and alive because that is the way your name calling feels.

As for NLers taking up the "drunken fishermen" phrase I do not doubt that some NLers have used the word as you stated. This is unfortunate, but you know the nature of NL and we cannot let the dreg of NL dictate what we do in real Nigeria, especially those at the helms of her affairs. NL should be called T.it-for-tat land, but it is really a case of a normal human being attempting to argue with a mad man. At the end of the day, both are mad in perception, and reality if not stopped.

Beaf:
ACN is not all bad, I deeply admire Fashola for instance. However, he has no say in wider party policy, that is all down to one mans whim, Tinubu; outside him ACN does not exist. I do not know of anyone outside ACN that does not detest Tinubu.

Good to admire Fashola, but without Tinubu we would not have a Fashola, at least not the way it happened. If Tinubu did not fight the good fight and stand up to OBJ there would be no party to counterbalance PDP's corrupt ways since Yar'adua decapitated ANPP with his GNU and Buhari relied on a phantom CPC for the elections. OBJ had a chance to deliver Nigeria into competent hands in 2007, but first he tried to keep it for himself and then he handed it to a dying man. So for worth it is worth Tinubu has done well. It is obvious that the man has also taken himself out of active political office for obvious reasons. That is someone who is willing to give up personal ambition (even though his wife was substituted in return). It is more than what can be said for the daylight-thieves and possible murderers that have no qualms contesting and "winning" elections under PDP.

There is really no need to worry about how ACN is running itself. In another 4 years we get a chance to judge their results. Tinubu has certainly done a couple of things that one would frown at. In any case, I 'll rather have at least two "crooked" parties that can counter each other than a "good" one-party Nigeria - because there is nothing like a "good" one-party state, especially in the Nigerian context. If there is really a party to worry about, it is PDP which has wasted 12-years of Nigeria's time and money.

@Beaf
You are developing [size=14pt]a penchant for making statements that are not backed by facts to people who may be unaware that they are false[/size]. I cannot remember anybody on here pushing, either aggressively or gently, ACN as a Yoruba party. True, ACN is THE platform that the Yorubas used to reclaim the OPEN ROBBERY THAT PDP ENGAGED IN IN 2003, 2007, and to a very good extent in 2011.

If you are a true democrat, with the welfare of the Nigerian nation at heart, you would be thankful that ACN is going to bring a semblance of democracy rather than the one-party state that you guys are pushing, whether by omission or commission .

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the reply Tinubu gave to GEJ. There was nothing ethnically bigoted about it. In fact, he specifically mentioned GEJ, while the latter used a broad stroke that referenced an entire group of people. May be you are trying to tell us that Ijaws are the only ones known for fishing or getting drunk, otherwise I do not see the connection. If you must interpret that statement ethnically then you need to know that to call someone rascal in Yoruba land is to cast aspersion on their upbringing & family. That is why Tinubu descended on GEJ with so much forcefulness. Rascal is a word that applies to area boys, street urchins and the like. If President doesn't know the enormity of refering to someone like Tinubu in those terms then there is his education.

Exactly. Right here on NL, there are bigots like Gbawe, Eko Ile, Ekt_bear etc that very aggressively push ACN as an ethnic party, even to the point of disgusting bigotry.
The founders of the party actively claim it is a Yoruba party and act out such claims by making ethnically bigoted statements against other sections of the country (eg Tinubu's notorious "drunken fisherman" with "capsized canoes" coming to land to seek votes quip). Unsurprisingly, other sections of the country are beginning to percieve ACN as a fascist party that must be excluded from their territories like a dominating cancer.

Is the below what GEJ and co are going to spend four years doing with Nigeria's time and money? Pursuing shadowy enemies and getting back at people for spats, instead of moving rapidly to unite the nation and get to the job of development. Well, if that is the case, Goodluck (and appropriately so) to him. Yar'adua lost his way the day he decided his entire government would be about getting at people.

One advice to President GEJ. Do a good job instead of planning for 2015 even before the 2011 swearing-in ceremony is over. It is sad that the same GEJ camp that accused people of ethnic bigotry when people tried to zone him out of the presidency are the same ones trying to wrap the cloak of ethnic bigotry around someone else - throwing around weighty words like facism.

SMH

Beaf:
Let Tinubu live with the consequences, if a man slights you directly, you do not slight his ethnicity or section in return. There were enough signals even for the blind, but Tinubu persisted; if he wishes to practice fascist politics, then he must be prepared for the fallout.

Were there issues between SS and SW before Tinubu's statements? There were none, he invented tensions for his own shortsighted purposes; well, the consequences are here. Let the Ngige's continue denying the obvious, we can only be patient, because they will unfailingly return to the roots that nurture them.

No to fascism and ethnic bigotry.

You stated this like a fact - but all I have seen about this are rumours.

Do you have any facts that Tinubu collects N2bilion of Lagos funds?

I am genuinely interested in this question as well as this one: Is Lagos actually paying N2 billion monthly for revenue collection?

Any information will be helpful.

Beaf:
Fashola is doing very well, he is an excellent governor, but the fear is that Tinubu's take of 2billion a month will surely bankrupt the state. After Fashola leaves, what next for his successor?

Ok.  Didn't know it was a song - sounds good by itself.

Ileke-IdI:
Mu he he
No, I love that song. Kini a ti s'eyi si o, Ekiti kete. Ekiti gbadegbado ekiti kete!
My brother, I cannot wait till May 29th abeg.

You going to change that "Kini A Ti S'eyi si o, Ekiti Kete!" signature now

Ileke-IdI:
Thank God for Fayemi.

If he learns to earn the trust of Ekiti people, that state will be developed in no time. Too much successful Ekiti people in America with nothing to do with their money.

Old Eastern Region my backside. SS Presidency, N Vice Presidency, SE Senate President, N Speaker nko?

Tell us something we don't know. Would that be the upteenth time they have declared Jihad?

engineerd:
BoKO HARAM has declared JIHAD in Nigeria!!!!

I doubt if his sould will rest at all, not to talk of in peace. In any case, he faces his maker from now on. One thing is sure he's got to answer for that [size=14pt]72 virgins fib [/size] that has led hundreds of "primed" young men to their untimely and ghastly death  

zstranger:
MAY his soul RIP

God give me the will and strength to be the next Osama, Amen.

Yes people need to slow down. I don't know why people go overboad like this.

Many muslim resented Osama's actions.

Ileke-IdI:
You need to stop. Dont get carried away.
Not all Muslims are bad, okay?

There may be something to the stars after all - a little something. This week marks the begining of a brief alignment of 6 planets with the sun in the sky. Concidence or indicator of something big?

I like Obama's approach anyway - none of that we have won, who's next bluster of you know who.

ekt_bear:
Dude has had a pretty amazing week, hasn't he? Very lucky and talented guy

He was in a mansion near the Pakistani capital Islamabad.

Obama said they located his hiding place a while back, and it was a direct order from him to proceed with the attack.

Ileke-IdI:
Where was he?
hmm.