₦airaland Forum

This is nice to read.

Mr Osita Okechukwu is the Director General (DG) of Voice of Nigeria (VON). In this interview, he speaks on the state of the nation and the steps being taken by the federal government to address the challenges.

There have been a lot of criticisms about the government on the issue of change. How do you feel when Nigerians complain about the difficult economic situation?

I have heard a lot of people expressing disappointment with the government. They say this isn’t the change that President Muhammadu Buhari promised. It’s what we inherited. President Buhari said that transparency requires that on whatever job you want to give out, you must follow the provisions in the Procurement Act. That’s why you find out that most newspapers and journals are bulky. If we implement the budget, by this time next year, the Nigerian people would be happier with Buhari than they are today.
There would be a “trickle-down effect” as the contracts are being executed. There would be more money with the people, more activity and productivity. Between 2015 and back to 1999, most of the budgets were never implemented up to 50%. Nobody has heard President Buhari sharing money in the National Assembly to confirm minister’s appointments or any other officer.
He does not need to bribe people for the budget. He can’t dish out money because it is under the transparent fiscal responsibility act. He has submitted the budgets of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and all those other agencies whose budget isn’t in the national budget to the National Assembly. You can check it.
The people do not understand this. They worry that if you say change, you have to bring the money that should be shared. We can’t do that because we are not the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). That’s what reigned in the PDP. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo finished eight years. But he couldn’t complete one federal road. He didn’t even complete the one in Agege, Lagos that leads to his farmland in Ota and to his local government in Abeokuta. Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan could not do the East-West road that runs across the Niger-Delta. Meanwhile, the oil, on the average, was sold at that time at $100 per barrel. There was even a time we sold about $145 per barrel. Unluckily for our regime, we are running below $50 per barrel.
When people see Mr. President fighting corruption, they think that it’s not a foundation. It is a foundation because that’s the key. Every eye is just on the center.

You said that Obasanjo couldn’t build the road that leads to his hometown. How do we expect something different with this current government?

Yes, they couldn’t do it. The ex-president, Obasanjo, knowing how busy Ibadan to Lagos was, he conceded it to one private company. He had unprecedented oil money that was accruing on a daily basis. But he didn’t use it for the people. This is President Buhari’s first budget. He will execute it. He wouldn’t mind the private sector’s involvement. But he would also execute it with the little money on ground. People will see it happen with the little money we have on ground today. Thirty per cent of the budget is on capital expenditure. That’s why you see adverts in the newspapers.

What are the signs so far that the execution of the projects is in progress?

I have attended several meetings. As soon as the money comes, we will conclude all the processes and award the capital projects with the ministries of power, works, housing and transport. It is the dedication of the people’s funds to their needs.
One good project can transform this country. That is the failure of the PDP and that is what we are trying to avoid. We want to leave behind a legacy. But it doesn’t come fast. You can’t turn around the power sector in one year. You can’t turn around the major projects in one year.

Because of the difficult economic situation now, some people find it difficult to even buy kerosene. States like Nassarawa have cut workers’ salaries. How will you allay the fears of the people who have begun to draw a comparison between your government and the previous administration?

It is a human element. We know that the hunger in the land is palpable. We are aware of that. But we are saying that we didn’t contribute to the stealing of our commonwealth, neither did we contribute to the drop in the oil price. Those are the two issues. The little we collected, we will use it prudently for the overall interest of the whole country. That is Buhari’s whole agenda.

How will appeal to people who expect instant results?

No, it doesn’t happen that way. There is a process. It won’t be long. We also say that as little as it is, there should be questions also at the local level. If you look at the center, it takes half of our earnings. People should ask their governors what is going on. The independence of the state legislature has been crippled. Those leading most local councils were appointees of the state government. Most states do not even conduct elections. Nobody wants to ask questions. These things don’t encourage prosperity or happiness of the citizenry.

http://guardian.ng/news/igbo-move-to-boost-southeast-economy/

https://cdn.guardian.ng/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Ekweremadu.jpg
Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu

A move is underway by leaders of the southeast geopolitical zone to forge economic integration and reposition the region for development.The initiative will have five governors and an array of prominent Igbo leaders from religious, economic, educational and political platforms rubbing minds together to tackle decrepit infrastructure and leadership void in the region.

Under the aegis of South East Leadership and Development Initiative (SELDI), the move stems from “a near state of hopeless that has befallen the southeast since the end of the Civil War and in particular, since 1999, when the present democratic experience took off.”

The leaders, it was learnt, reviewed the state of the zone in the past 17 years and concluded: “The present democratic dispensation has not helped the area.”Besides governors of the region, the initiative is also being driven by the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu; former Commonwealth Secretary General, Emeka Anayoku; former Ministers Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Prof. Charles Soludo, and Prof. Barth Nnaji.

Other include Dr Idika Kalu Idika, Mr. Tony Elumelu, Prof. Pat Utomi, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, Prof. Pita Ejiofor, Prof. Elo Amucheazi, Rear Admiral Ebitu Ukiwe (rtd), Chief Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), former Governor Peter Obi, Dr Orji Kalu, Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Prof. Philip Emeagwali, and author, Chimamanda Adichie.

A source told The Guardian: “The assumption that the Federal Government should play a leading role in reactivating the moribund infrastructure that stares the zone in the face is the greatest undoing of the region.”

If you look at it, critically, you will know that over 80 per cent of our active youths have remained without jobs, thus wasting their productive age. If we have the quantum of investments that have remained moribund working, we won’t have the level of unemployment existing in the southeast.”

A document obtained exclusively by The Guardian said SELDI “is dedicated to transforming and fostering the development of Nigeria, especially the southeast region, focusing on leadership development in order to change the fortunes of the people, and giving hope to present and future generations. SELDI is the response to the developmental gaps and challenges that confronted the southeast after the Civil War, which devastated the region.”

Mr Michael Johnny is a leader in the Niger Delta. He is the Chairman of Egbema/Gbaramatu Community Development Foundation. He hails from Okerenkoko, a coastal community in Gbaramatu Kingdom of Delta State. In this interview with NAIJ.com’s Austin Oyibode, Michael Johnny speaks on the massive sins of former President, Goodluck Jonathan and the crime of Tompolo against the region.

Excerpts

What is your thinking over the crisis rocking the Niger Delta?

It was in Bayelsa Government House where the militants vowed to make the nation ungovernable if former President Goodluck Jonathan did not win the 2015 presidential elections. They categorically said that in the Bayelsa Government House.

The Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, was there, Kingsley Kuku was there, Asari Dokubo was there, Tompolo was there. A lot of Niger Delta leaders were there when the militants gave this threat to the nation. And now that God has pushed Jonathan out of office, they are fulfilling their promise.

People are saying there is Niger Delta Avengers somewhere, there are no avengers anywhere. The avengers you are hearing about is Tompolo. Tompolo is the avenger, let Nigeria stop deceiving themselves.

The military should stop dealing with Gbaramatu people, it is Tompolo and his co-traducers that are the avengers. The community and the rest of the people do not know anything about the whole matter.

Tompolo was shouting telling people that he doesn’t have a kobo, that the little money he has today was given to him. How come he has all these billions in his account that has been locked up by the EFCC? And because of him, people are losing their lives, communities are being wasted, the Nigerian economy is going down.

People like Ibe Kachikwu are still playing politics with the whole thing. They are looking for appointments, the so-called Ijaw leaders, people like EK Clarke are taking responsibility for the damages these young people have done to the economy of the nation.

The billions Tompolo has in his account, he never spent a dime to build even a foundation in Okerenkoko. Today, the poor people there are suffering but they cannot talk because they are afraid and scared of the diabolical powers Tompolo has. I’m not under his payroll, my family is not under his payroll, Tompolo should respect somebody like me, Michael Johnny, who exists in his kingdom.

I’m not part of his criminal activities. How should he think I will be part of those nonsense so that I will keep my mouth quiet? Whatever that is going on in the Niger Delta is not strange. It is Tompolo that is behind all those things.

He is after my life, he is looking for me everywhere. His boys are looking for me. I’m not running away. I’m in my house. My family and all of us stay here. I’m not from the North. I’m not from Sambisa, I’m not from Cameroun but I’m from Okerenkoko. I’m from the same family with Tompolo. So, he knows me. If anybody hurts me, we know ourselves very well. He knows my family, I know his family.

Now, the federal government is prosecuting Tompolo over fraud. How do you see the issue surrounding his prosecution?

I saw a newspaper news that said a Federal High Court in Lagos invited Tompolo for N13bn land deal. That was the first thing I protested when they informed the community. I protested against it.

I said the community needed to be carried along. The law says communities must be carried along. That is where I represent the community. However, the federal government started the probe, all Nigerians expected was that Tompolo will be civilized, courageous and more Nigerian enough to present himself and answer questions.

I expected that if Tompolo claims innocence, he should go and defend himself. That is what every Nigerian expects every civilized man to do. But rather than going to present himself for questions, the Niger Delta crisis came up and they are demanding that the federal government should step down the case against him. Tompolo has made many people to be suffering in the region.

Jonathan that empowered him financially could not even build access road to Otuoke, his village. He does not even understand Ijaw language. If he understands Ijaw, he would have responded to the needs of his own Bayelsa people, he would have known the pains of the Ijaw people.

Don’t you see his name, Ebele, Azikiwe and all those names he is bearing. He is a total failed man. He has failed the Ijaw people. He has failed the Bayelsans. What led to the death of Alamieyeseigha? Today, people are saying it is APC government that killed Alamieyeseigha, the family of Alamieseigha does not know what killed him. It is people that set him up. Alam was the only proud son that the Ijaw people had. He stood for the pains of the Ijaw people.

He was set up by the PDP people that called themselves Alam’s brothers. They made him useless before they killed him. Was it not the same people that called themselves PDP that dressed Alam like a woman? Was it not the same people that set him up? So, today people are turning the truth to another thing. And they are saying the present government is against the Ijaw nation. No, we should stop deceiving ourselves.

So, Tompolo’s prosecution is something that every civilized man will pass through due process to answer. Look at Fani Kayode, Raymond Dokpesi and others, they went and came back. Those are civilized people. If every other person passed through due process to answer their case, how should Tompolo not answer his case if his hands are clean?

There is a lot of fraud in that Maritime University. I have documents to prove, if Tompolo gets to the court and starts saying other things I will bring the documents. I will prove what he did in that place. I am not the person probing him. It is Tompolo that dragged this thing to this extent. He is being wrongly advised. Let him go and answer his case.

Now, let’s talk about Jonathan, what can you say that for the six years Jonathan was President of Nigeria that he did for his Ijaw people?

Yes, what Jonathan did to us was that he brought disunity to the people of Ijaw nation. The Ijaws were united until Jonathan came in as president of Nigeria. And we felt that yes, we have gotten somebody whom we needed to change our lives.

We never knew Jonathan would bring abject poverty and disunity to our people. A lot of Ijaw people have been victims of Jonathan’s sins. Many have lost their lives. Five to six years would have been enough for Jonathan to change the lives of his people.

He tried in some places but he appointed the wrong people into power. He appointed prodigal sons into power, people who do not have access roads to their communities.

They went there, packed all the money and kept them in one place. And whatever devil gave to you he will collect them all. They kept all the money in their banks, EFCC now came and seized all of them, including their property and now they have returned to square one.

Jonathan owes the Ijaw nation an apology. He brought disgrace to us. He did not do well for the Niger Delta people. He may have tried in some areas, managing government is not just awarding contracts or whatever you call it. How many of the major contracts did he complete in the Niger Delta?

The few projects they brought were to siphon money. Jonathan and Tompolo used the Ijaw people to get major contracts and after getting all the money, they siphoned them into their pockets. So, Jonathan’s six years brought disunity to the Niger Delta people, most especially to the Ijaw people.

Now, President Buhari is probing Jonathan’s men but Jonathan is not being touched. Do you subscribe to Jonathan being probed?

How many people have you asked this question? Why do Nigerians think that Buhari is just probing Jonathan’s men? If you see the mess, not just what people are hearing and saying, if you see the mess my brother Jonathan and his team did to Nigeria, you will be ashamed to bear an Ijaw name.

Jonathan was not wise enough. Jonathan is not civilized enough. He thinks that he can run government like his family affairs. He left Nigeria in the hands of people like Tompolo, EK Clarke and Akpobolokemi. Do you know how NIMASA has been operating for these years? They went there, instead of them to do the work, they stole money.

See what Akpabio did in his own state before he left. Even if Akpabio is a thief he worked for his people. So, Jonathan brought curse and disunity to the Ijaw nation. Jonathan is a disgrace to the Ijaw nation.

It’s a disgrace for him to talk to the president about the Niger Delta. I cannot say Nigeria should hold him responsible. I will not say that. I will never say Goodluck should be arrested. But nemesis will catch up with him. The Ijaw nation will never forgive him. They have now turned the Ijaw nation to shrine. They need to come together and ask us for forgiveness.

There have been cries over oil block ownership in the Niger Delta. The oil blocks are owned and controlled by the Northerners and Westerners. Are you comfortable with them owning oil blocks in the Niger Delta?

There is a procedure to apply, then you involve the politics, provide an enabling environment, create a peaceful atmosphere, people will come, then use that opportunity to demand for what you want. If I want to demand for oil block, I will talk to the federal government and if they refuse to listen to us, if we all pack to the flow station and say they will not operate the flow station without bursting any pipe, will they kill us?

Formerly, that is how we were doing it. The Itsekiri people have been protesting for over days in Chevron, have they blown up any pipe? Have they destroyed any Chevron equipment? Have they killed any soldier? So, ownership of oil block is a right that we can never compromise. We want our own share of that one.

But I will not support the manner the avengers are going about it. Nigerians should know that it is our right and we need it. We do not have farms in the North, so we need to have oil blocks in the Niger Delta. But we have tried through the gun, we did not succeed, we tried it for the second time, we did not succeed, why do you want to try it again? That is my stand.

So, what do you advise Niger Deltans to do to get the oil blocks for themselves?

t is dialogue that will bring peace. Nobody settles issues in the midst of war. If really the Niger Delta people are ready for dialogue, the avengers must drop their swords completely.

You cannot drop your sword for one week or one month and give the federal government ultimatum and within one to two days you start blowing pipelines again when the dialogue process is still on. What I know in government is that you cannot hold government under duress to get what you want.

Having laid down your arms, for six months or one year, you may not hear anything. But rather than be patient with the federal government, many now see it as business.

We need to also say that not all the pipes they are blowing are done by Tompolo’s boys. There are some criminals, there are even some contractors who are repairing pipes, they give money to boys to blow up pipelines so that they will repair and make money. At the end of the day, Tompolo now claims responsibility as avengers that they have blown another pipeline.

So, it is through dialogue that it can be achieved. The Niger Delta people must provide the enabling environment. Buhari said he will develop the Niger Delta and he is a man that stands by his words. But for that to be, we must be at peace. We must separate criminality from the genuine agitation. Then we give the federal government time.

Many have said that former presidents have made series of promises but they have failed to actualize them. They will say, we will do this and do that but they have continuously failed. And to the Niger Delta militants, the best way to bring the government to their attention is this pipeline bursting.

I think five to six years of Goodluck time was much enough for even Tompolo to strike once and give Goodluck a warning to develop the Niger Delta fast. They allowed him to finish for good six years. He was going after Sambisa forest looking for Boko Haram.

While he was busy doing that, they never one day blew up a pipe and give warning to Goodluck. Buhari came into power, the man has not spent even two years and they are given him ultimatum and blowing pipelines. The Ogoni land your man could not clean, he just did that, is that enough reason to keep quiet and watch what that man can do?

So, you can’t tell me that enough time has been given to the president. Before the man came into power, Dasuki who was the ATM card was paying billions of naira to everybody. My own point is that give the federal government time to develop the Niger Delta and he will do it.

You mentioned Kachikwu, do you mean he is sympathetic to the Avengers?

Kachikwu is a sympathiser to Tompolo. Kachikwu’s younger brother, Dumebi, is a friend to Tompolo. Kachikwu knows the truth, he should have advised Tompolo the right way to go.

Kachikwu invited people like us to Asaba, we held meeting with him. Am not a representative of the avengers. I went there as an invitee. At the end of the day, they went back and turned the thing that we were negotiating for avengers.

Kachikwu is not telling the president the truth. He feels he can solve the problem by doing so. If he is discussing with Tompolo alone, because Tompolo is blowing up pipes and he is not discussing with even the community chairman of that place that is not right.

Kachikwu should tell the president the truth. You cannot tell the federal government to drop its sword when Tompolo is firing his gun. If Kachikwu is playing a transparent game, he should tell Tompolo and his boys to stop blowing pipelines. That is when Nigeria will be convinced that he is working.
[img]https://i.onthe.io/vllkyt8huugsaqloi.aa52b5cb.jpg[/img]

https://www.naij.com/936495-the-many-sins-of-jonathan-and-tompolo-against-the-niger-delta-people.html

They have been running game us for centuries. They want us to do as they say and not as they do. Western countries are the messiest bar none. They sponsor coups and provide assistance to atrocities in every locale. The internet has revealed them for what and who they are.

Interesting piece.

I'm praying for peace.

modath:
No lies man, NO LIES...




With covert support from the original western stooge, evil genius IBB.

I always thought Blaise was solely responsible but after a quick web search Maradona's name is popping up in some of the results. I never knew his reach was that long.

He's still making waves. This is from a few days ago.

http://dailypost.ng/2016/08/22/importation-petrol-depreciates-value-naira-kachikwu/

He can't be as visible now because he only has 1 job now since he no longer heads NNPC.

He's still minister bling bling shades tho.

https://www.natashanotables.com/cp-admin/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Group-Managing-Director-NNPC-Dr.-Ibe-Kachikwu-360x333.jpg

Alfranco:
The country have so many nations with diametrically opposed views that can't make a whole. It's either the country is restructured or the nations rightly go their separate ways.

EXACTLY! Equity is the only solution. I'm still in the dark on how long it would take to implement "restructuring" & "true federalism" but from all indications that's the only option for the country to have long term peace and progress. People are getting restless something is gonna have to give.

SamuelAnyawu:
I'm always scared about the white man's interest -Thomas Sankara

EZIOKWU! Sankara was a wise man. The west killed him for never selling out and being Apologetically African.

Jayceo:
Yes you are right.

There is a new awareness that is sweeping the nation. The fact that we are finally acknowledging our differences can either unite us or divide us. I'd like to believe people will be wise enough to embrace the diversity and see its positives. Restructuring is becoming more and more necessary. But as my aunt always says,"Tomorrow is pregnant and no-one knows what she will give birth to." We shall see.

IT HAS BEGUN! Or as my Northern comrades would say AN FARA!

https://cdn.niketalk.com/7/7b/200x200px-ZC-7b0e94d0_african-celebration-o.gif

Times are changing! Something must be in the water.

Ouch.

I love it!

That second pic is begging to be meme'd by NL's finest.

NIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICE! CHAI! Those hands are blessed!

jpphilips:
First, peace in this era is an utopia, let alone a country where common sense is expensive.
Secondly, it is wrong to use the word Opulence to qualify Nigeria, this country is not rich.

lastly, the last time I checked, two things guarantee petro dollars, an oil acreage and investment capital, it must be both not either.
If you can not point to oil and gas investments belonging to the Niger delta, I may not understand why you think they deserve petro dollars by virtue of possessing one out of two major index of earning petro dollars.

I see you have an abundance of pessimism and understandably so. I choose to lean towards a brighter future. Our country is abnormally wealthy in terms of resources. I say opulence because Nigerians are known world over for being big spenders and yet we have such an alarming level of poverty.

When I say the people should be living better I'm speaking about every region not only the Niger Delta. From the slums of Makoko to the mud huts of Katsina. We have too many resources that are being siphoned and squandered by a few. Host communities should always be reimbursed. Even in Niger state where the children die from lead poisoning in the water from gold exploration. I'm for the compensation all.

ultmatmus:
exactly what am thinking.........they said that their cheapest is 1.5 million naira....... i just pray that G-wagon look alike is not too expensive sha cos that's the one i would luke to buy......

You aint never lied.

Nigeria is always action packed. Never a dull moment. I wanna see how this plays out.

Spread this message! GBAGAM! REAL TALK!

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has urged the federal government to ignore the outcome of the meeting of the Niger Delta Coastal States, which held in Warri on Friday. The meeting was jointly convened by former Information Minister Edwin Clark and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State.

A statement issued by the group and signed by Mudoch Agbinigbo said MEND is in full support of the ongoing military action in the Niger Delta and categorically urged the federal government to ignore the communique released at the end of the meeting convoked by Mr. Clark and Mr. Okowa for a number of reasons.

The first, said MEND, was that the communique failed to categorically condemn the activities of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA). This, reasoned MEND, was because Mr. Clark is a major promoter of the NDA, as was recently claimed by the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA).

MEND also contended that Mr. Clark lacks the moral authority to lead a discussion on the re-structuring of the country.

"Throughout the six years his 'son,' former President Goodluck Jonathan, was in power, the elder statesman kept mute and actively participated in the economic dismemberment of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In fact, Chief Clark's Abuja residence was an extension of the State House," said MEND.

The group also based its call on the government to ignore the outcome of the meeting because none of those in attendance have the capacity to persuade the Niger Delta people to support the current Federal Government initiatives to bring peace to the region.

"None of the persons who attended the stakeholders meeting convened by Chief Clark and Governor Okowa have the capacity to persuade the people of the Niger Delta region to support the current efforts of the Buhari administration to bring peace and development to the region," the group said.

MEND also said it is planning a tour of the region to canvass support for the federal government in an exercise code-named "Operation Moses."

MEND further argued that as long as elders and stakeholders do not publicly denounce the NDA, the federal government should also continue to ignore them.

http://saharareporters.com/2016/08/21/mend-tells-fg-ignore-edwin-clark-governor-okowa

We are non starters when it comes to corruption


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYNVNhB-m0o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU4GdHLUHwU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4dzECaBxFU

jpphilips:
There is no peace anywhere in the world, peace does not necessarily represent absence of conflict.

First off, I wanna say I love your signature.

Secondly, I ask why can't we be the first place of peace? Why can't we set the trend?

I'm not suggesting some imaginary utopia but rather an environment of equity and without marginalized people. Disagreements are expected because we are just imperfect people but we can do better.

I just want my people to live better lives. The amount of suffering in the midst of oppulance is startling. Our country is too rich for the people to be so impoverished.

DropShot:
I understand you and I agree the PR was woeful. Nevertheless, there can't be any justification for their senseless act.
The amnesty was due to end in 2015 and that's exactly what the president said in his speech. In that same speech, he said the FG will invest heavily on the program but in different dimension.
The amnesty signed was originally meant to end in 2015 my friend.

I've said too many times the amnesty program is a waste. The aggregate strength of the money is being wasted. Whereas the money could be pooled it's being split up. 1 billion Naira and 1 million Naira 1 thousand times equals the same amount but when spent frivolously in different areas it no longer does.

I believe Buhari means well but he needs to remember he's a politician now. He has to play by a different rulebook and learn new tricks.

He has grand plans but they will take time and patience which are two things that he unfortunately lacks with the polity due to unfortunate circumstances. A few small well played gestures would go a long way toward his acquisition of good faith in the region.

His efforts in this life shall reverberate for eternity. Great men never die. Live on. Live long.

DropShot:
Don't find non existing excuses for the terrorists. The president never said the amnesty program was going to be stopped in his inaugural speech. The 5% statement was deliberately quoted out of context.

No need justifying militancy and terrorism.

You don't get it. I just said he was misquoted. But even If he was misquoted then it's his job or the job of the APC to clear up the misconception. Rochas, Ngige, Umana Umana and Lai should have been front and center to correct the issue.

He gave indications that the amnesty program would end in December 2015 but after the brouhaha he extended it.
https://www.nairaland.com/2344385/niger-delta-amnesty-due-end
http://dailypost.ng/2016/02/16/buhari-extends-niger-delta-amnesty-until-december-2017/

I can understand a situation/action without condoning said situation/action. The gov't has done a poor job with relations in the SE/SS. It should not have come to this but since it has they need to do something to correct the problem. More combat isn't the solution.

NOETHNICITY:
u re very correct. The guy is not a complete leader in my opinion. Though am one of his staunch supporter but I do think he is not a very matured leader.
But jus to correct u he never stopped the amnesty programme. The trut is that the amnesty programme as signed by Yaradua/GEJ was meant to run for a period which was supposed elapse sometime, I think, last year. But Buahri later renewed it, though.
Concerning the Maritime university the guy goofed big time and he shouldn't be ashamed to retrace his step.

You're correct about the amnesty. I just remembered there being a big hoopla about him saying it would end in December but he later confirmed the continuation. The Maritime University seems to be the final straw that really got this round of militants going. Kachikwu has the right idea but Amaechi has vendetta against certain entities.

They would be better suited to run a gov't of continuity in certain aspects. Finishing up more projects even if inflated would go a long way with the polity. People care about progress. The money has been spent and is long gone but atleast give the people the projects.

Buhari has to be more flexible. He's too rigid. Everything is must not always be body language or a fight. When he shows a willingness to talk things through things get better.

masciv:
Go and see how much America spends on security every year despite little to no terrorist attacks. Sentimentality is your problem. Can't you ever see good in any action of the Government?

You don't know me so please don't respond as if you do. Check my track record. I support gov't through thick and thin. But in this regard I figure finesse to be the better option in comparison to physical confrontation. Both sides stand to lose more from fighting.

In regards to the US they are nearing a police state. Their development is a byproduct of worldwide imperialism. From centuries of free labor to present day prison industrial complex slavery they need to use so much money of defense due to their worldwide bad karma. Their education sector is in the toilet and many of their citizens are angry.

Look up "the missing trillions of dollars from the pentagon" and then you'll see the US ain't so pretty after all.

So no I'm not being sentimental. I'm being patriotic. Let's stop killing each other and let's make our land the greatest nation.

This man is very sensible. I like his outlook.

NOETHNICITY:
Do u sincerely think Buhari should be blamed for the poverty and lack of infrastructure in the ND?

No. Just as I don't believe he is the cause of out present economic situation. But I do sincerely believe he is the one that must be held accountable for correcting the problems at hand because he signed up to be the leader of the nation.

From all indications he has every intention to develop the region. That Calabar to Lagos rail project and Ogoni cleanup are clearly signs he means well. His biggest problem was the shutdown of the amnesty program. That's the source of our present problem in my opinion. That and the prosecution of embezzlers from the region who have been made untouchables. And Amaechi needs to find a way to set Maritime University situation straight.

Peace costs less than war. Politics is all about negotiations. The very thing that brought Buhari to power he forgot. All he has to do is negotiate and he'll get his way.