₦airaland Forum

trueword:
Since you are infering that you are not one of the supposed uneducated illiterates, tell us what the purpose of an anti-terrorism chief when you have a national security advisor. Isn't it the job of the NSA to advice the president on how to handle these kind of issues.

look in the mirror before you label others as uneducated

The NSA is an agency of government in the security department just like PHCN is an agency of government in the Ministry of power.

The MD of PHCN is not doing the same job as the adviser to the president on power.

An adviser is a representative of the president, he can speak for the president, he can give provisional approval for whatever the MD needs, the same way this Adviser on Terrorism will take the briefs of the National Security Adviser.

If you must note the adviser does not really have a constitutional role he is like an assistant to the president on issues, like the terrorism adviser would be an assistant to the president on terrorist issues.

If the NSA has info and need the presidential approval to move or need to brief the president they dont have to wait to see him they would be working closely with the adviser who would be on hand can take decisions on behalf of the president, the NSA chief can never take a decision on behalf of the president.

The role of this adviser is to assist Jonathan with the coordination of all security agencies including the SSS,Police,Army,DMI and all other security related units and organisations, the IG does not and can not report to the Chief of Army staff, same for the DG of the SSS ditto for the Director of the SSS, they all report to the president, the COAS reports to the president thru his CDS, at some point he does not have to share intel with the police, but when they all meet the presidential adviser its just like meeting the president and this is one reason why a politician will never be named as that adviser!!!

shotster50:
@ OYINBOGOJU,

Thank you for the brilliant analysis of the Ivory Coast situation. It would be comical if Ecomog go all that way to flush out a despot only to install another despot afterwards.

The section in bold should also apply to us, it would be disastrous if we all go out to vote out an inefficient leader to install a viciously inefficient leader. Gbagbo was the same man the whole world had to help to get to office just some few years back now he has turned out like this, what if in a free and fair contest we allow an Atiku steal his way in only to have him rig himself in for a 2nd term when truly we are fed up with him and go ahead to install a stooge after his 8yr reign.


We should analyse the Ivory Coast scenario more closely and relate it to our own situation.

At the end of the emergency security meeting yesterday, it was announced that an adviser to the president is to be named in the next one week. Although the name of the adviser was not revealed, it was gathered that the announcement was delayed because of the need to make some consultations and carry out some security checks on the appointee.


I dont know if I missed something here, it was an adviser to the president that was to be announced not an agency, the adviser to be announced is not to head an agency but supposed to be a direct adviser to the president.

I have said on this forum severally that the problem of this country is the high number of uneducated literates, these people think they know but actually they dont know and this is the worst type of fools you can have around, it is easy to lead a very educated and enlightened group because they understand, it is possible to lead stark illiterates who know that they know not because they know that they dont know but it is very impossible to lead uneducated literates because they think they know what they have no clue about.

An adviser to the president on Terrorism is meant to be the presidents eye on security matters and especially terrorism matters, he is supposed to be able to take decisions on behalf of the president even in his absence, these are the people that work on all the details before the president can give approval to anything, he is expected to have unrestricted acess to the president and all security issues he can receive briefings on behalf of the president he can give go aheads while he works on details for the president to be kept up on speed, the president who has a reelection bid on his table can not always be expected to take briefings from all security agencies, analyse their submissions and make his decisions.

Advisers to the president are not ordinary people because at a point they can make the job of the ministers difficult and impossible but that is in a case where they are involved in flexing of muscles, as you can see the President delayed the announcement because we have to be double sure of his records.

For all those talking about the CCTVs in Abj it has been commisioned today and is running, I dont think this was done overnight, it sure had been on the cards but with all that is happening all the red tape that had hindered its commisioning and use was cut.

Bureaucracy and procedures are normal in any large organisation, we cannot run Nigeria like a private primary school, even a bank or a private coy that has a turnover of N1b, has different advisers to the MD, not to talk of the President of a republic like Nigeria.

Why do we Nigerians like to exclaim when we hear money is been spent.

Who said money is not been spent on infrastructure, I travelled Portharcourt to Lagos during the break, the Benin Lagos road has been a road I have been using since year 2000, the road has always been known to go from bad to worse with all the allocations Obasanjo and Anenih were doling out there, but this particular trip the road was not perfect but it was a lot better, work is going on this is the truth some sections were completed others were near completion.

Jonathan has budgeted almost a trillion naira for the educational sector in 2011 elections 3times the budget of defence, this has never happened in our history yet we cannot appreciate this.

In my opinion the issue to be discussed here is if the civil servants get this money, this bonus is different from the normal rice oil and chicken always shared, it is an end of year bonus to serve as an incentive to the workers, that this has come to the public domain it is left for us in the public to use the information appropriately and ensure that some fat cats dont just pocket the money as usual.

When Ringim the IG of police was made commisioner of Police in Bayelsa state in 2004, the Bayelsa state govt always gave a special bonus to the police force in the state as end of year bonus but only the big boys in the police force always shared this money, but that year Ringim declared that it should be shared across the rank and file, find out from any policeman that served in Bayels at this time.

This amount is always been disbursed but does not always get to the intended recepient, now we have to follow up and see that the civil servants get their share of this national cake.

The principle of zoning and federal character is good for our nation, but can not be used as a yardstick for disqualification for an elective post.

Towards 2011 does anyone know where the senate president or speaker will come from?

all we know is that after we know d president and vice then we can zone the senate pres and speaker and after these the deputy senate president and senate president cant be from d same zone.

zoning and federal character have their pros and cons, lets put it like this if Obj had declined contesting the 2003 elections would Atiku have looked for another Yoruba to contest as Vice president to?

If Obj had died in office Atiku would have completed the term and go ahead to seek reelection in 2003.

Depointer1:
This is obviously a campaign strategy. You dont need a prophet to cling to the presidency, all you need is to make an impact on the poor electorate. Those people driving the country to a death park are often found in church and holly ghost camp per say. Once people see them in this type of gathering they immediately trust them. Politicians like GED have some political psychologists who know what Nigerians are always happy about. Seeing GED in Christian camp should not make us belief that GED has a better promise for us. Religion has nothing to with politics, but humanity and good social policy that will touch every Nigerians can make you win peoples heart. Yesterday GED was in Ife for a Chieftaincy title and today he is in Holly Ghost, tomorrow he is a secret cult meeting with the looters for endorsement. Who is fooling who? Nigerians should be wise enough to relate this olden days campaign strategy to OBJ , he also did the same to achieve his aim but weren't people let down? I will rather cast my vote for one who is a free thinker with a good program than one who visits various crowded occasion to impress with his presence without having by now anything to expect.

@Depointer, impacting the electorate alone does not also assure of victory at the polls. If this is a campaign strategy he sure has gotten my vote and some few million folks who like to see their president acknowledge God publicly to the extent of kneeling at the podium for prayers.

If he likes he goes to secret cult tomorrow its only more votes he is going there to get and that is what elections are all about, if I were one of his advisers, I would advice him to join Sambo on the last friday of the year at the Central Mosque for prayers for the nation and for themselves, he should join them by sitting on the ground and even decline giving any speech, just ask that the muslim faithfuls join him in prayers for this nation.

Even if GEJ loses the elections it cant be the end of his world or his life, as a matter of fact his life has just begun, whatever happens its a win win for Jonathan but I cant say for Nigeria.

Obasanjo in my opinion is the single biggest calamity to have happened too this country especially his adventure of 1999-2007, as a nation we would have been better off if he had died in Jail like Abiola and Shehu yaradua.

He must have realised his folly by now, the biggest mistake he made was to contest a second term, he should have abstained from the 2003 elections and allow people choose whoever they wanted in 2003, then he can make utterances like this and we would listen, but as far as Obj says this I m just pissed

All the Dora haters keep hating cos all ur hate cant stop this woman!!

She is a sharp, smart and sensible politician.

The next president after 2011 will emerge from the National Assembly, the PDP is going to win the 2011 election weaker, by 2015 or 2019 the opposition would be ready to take over and finally rubbish Ogbulafors prediction of PDP ruling for the next 60yrs.

When the PDP is finished and out we should be more interested in the type of people who would succeed PDP.

Dora can after a term at the senate can eye the vice presidential slot under a northern president, where it would be fair to return power to them, I am not a tribalist but would rather support Ribadu with a female like Dora in the 2015 election to oust the ruling PDP and Dora if time allows may even become the first female president of Nigeria and take the igbo slot.

As a matter of fact Dora should eye the presidency after a stint at the senate she can be the female version of our own Obama!!

9ijaMan:
GEJ has been there for several monrhs now and all his footsteps has shown he's more of the same. I still wonder why people claim he might have good intentions. If GEJ indeed has good intentions, everyone would have seen it clearly by now.

Isn't it an irony for you to adduce that Buhari is a good man who really has the love of the country at heart and then turn around to disqualify him 'cos you think he's old? Age is nothing but numbers and has little or nothing to do with governance.
On the one hand you claimed godfatherisim is the bane of progress in governance in Nigeria, while on the other hand you are asking Buhari to become a Godfather to GEJ. You stated that Buhari was able to be his own man, yet you feel he's not capable as the lead man today but should play a supporting role.

You also alluded to the fact that Buhari would make a great leader but since it's politics, he would not get to the presidency! You prefer GEJ, and so far everyone in his right senses knows that GEJ has failed woefully in playing this your so called politics. My humble questions then are as follow:
[list]
[li]How can Buhari (a political neophyte by your definition) be a god father to another political vegetable in the like of GEJ? [/li]
[li]What sort of results do you think such a combination would yield?[/li]
[/list]

You concluded finally that you'd vote for GEJ "not because you feel he is better than Buhari" but because "you know" GEJ is capable of achieving more than Buhari ever achieved. Please explain to us how you came to such a ludicrous conclusion.
[list]
[li]How has GEJ convinced the likes of you that he can achieve?[/li]
[li]What has GEJ done in the almost 12 years he's been in one form of leadership role or the other?[/li]
[li]Can you tell us about GEJ's past records which makes you think he has BIG plans for Nigeria?[/li]
[/list]

This is the biggest problem we have in 9ja, we eulogize a leader for his achievements when compared to the other zealots contesting and then we come around to say he's not fit for the job, giving flimsy excuses like, he's old, he's a former soldier, he's been there before, we need fresh ideas etc. I'm always utterly bewildered whenever I read such statements to the point where I sometimes feel we simply are not ready for good leadership, but more inclined towards having rouges in power.

I weep for my Nation.

9ja man go and read SLS article on Buhari and you would appreciate my position.

That Buhari achieved what he achieved in 1983 as a military man does not mean he can achieve that much as a democratic politician in 2011.

The population of Nigeria in 1983 is less than half of d population today, the amount of information available today cannot be compared to what was available in 1983.

I never said Buhari is a political neophyte and I believe u are wrong to refer to Jonathan as a political vegetable.

U asked what Jonathan has done in the last 12yrs to show that he is capable of running the country, I have one simple answer for you, he rose from very irrelevant to very relevant without building an army of enemies.

If you think it is easy to move from Dep Gov to Gov and still have your Gov on ur side ask Bucknor Akerele and Pedro, If you think it is easy to succed a sick president ask Atiku.

Nigeria does not need a civilian dictator either benevolent or not, but instead we need civilian presidents who are not all powerful, but must always be able to negotiate with opposition knowing that he has an upper hand as president.


Quote
li]How has GEJ convinced the likes of you that he can achieve?[/li]
[li]What has GEJ done in the almost 12 years he's been in one form of leadership role or the other?[/li]
[li]Can you tell us about GEJ's past records which makes you think he has BIG plans for Nigeria?[/li]

GEJ convinced me that he can achieve by the way he has handled the fuel distribution system in the country, his lifting of the ban on textiles as he also approves the bail out for our local textile industry, his determination to see credible elections in 2011 gives me hope that he would want to improve on whatever he is able to achieve there in 2015, his efforts at the power sector is a solid foundation for success.

If you want to know what he has done in 12yrs pls look out for his profile, I am not his media assistant, but if he could rise where mafias like Odili and Ibori have been consigned to history, if he worked with a Yaradua that worked sincerely in the interest of the nation, If Jonathan could because of Nigeria, as a VP go to a militants camp agreeing to disarm his security details to have an audience with tompolo at that time, if I can walk the streets of portharcourt today with my hands beside me instead of on my head, If I can go to his FB page and keep posting something there and learn on the news taht the president has effected change or has queried those involved, If even in my life time there is a president of Nigeria that is truly soliciting for my vote then I will give him not only my vote but the vote of every associate of mine.

To your 3rd question, is not about big plans, its about patience to achieve whatever plans u have what is the purpose of Buharis big plans if he will never become president or is murdered after a yr?

Buhari does not need all the votes of voters in Nigeria to bcom president, so my vote is for GEJ no apologies to anyone not even Buhari, if Buhari goes ahead to win the elections I will stand by his side when people like you would start complaining that he is failing you, because I know that once Buhari becomes apresident those who were just shouting blindly will be the first to be disillusioned.

Most of the members on this forum kicking against Jonathan were the same people screraming on this forum that Jonathan should be sworn in when Yaradua was sick.

The PDP will become weaker after the 2011 elections, what we should do is encourage them to become weaker by massively supporting Goodluck Jonathans ambition.

He would go into the contest win fair and square lose some of his govs and senators and in the process a divided PDP which in 2011 will be totally sacked by the people.

I am happy about all the development because its just like a child trying to challenge his father, he can only shout and rant but his father will always have his way no matter how loud the dissidents within the party shout they would lose out.

If anyone is interested in unseating the PDP this is the time to plan and prepare ahead, plant your loyalists around the state govt houses, align with every other visible opposition and concede to them their states of influence.

After the 2011 elections Nigeria will come out stronger while the PDP will come out weaker win-win situation for Nigerians

Atiku has no interest for Nigeria. As VP did he not benefit from the rigging of the 2003 elections or was that election free, fair and credible. While the PDP was building and oiling their rigging machine for 2007 was he not a part of it up till the point he realised the machine would not be working for him.

As a VP what was his contribution to the rule of law, as chairman of PTDF how many scholars did Nigeria send abroad, as Chairman NEC how did the economy fair, how did he host COJA with N40b, was he not a part and parcel of the Obj corruption, did he not allocate the Onne Port to himself as Vice president.

Atiku is a common criminal just like those on the roll call.

If we look at the roll call we see politicians in the twilight of their political careers and all I can wish them is GoodNight, while I wish Nigeria Goodluck!

@homerac, we need smart politicians and credible people.

Is Doras credibility in doubt, she is human so her interests must also be catered for.

It is just a Nigerian mentality to think that out of principle you would deny your interests.

Dont forget she tried to mend fences within the PDP in Anambra after they lost the governorship elections but the warring sides looked down on her and snobbed all her entreaties.

She has made a smart move instead of staying on in PDP to supervise the rigging of elections for herself in the central senatorial district where it would have been unnecessary and by effect support the rigging in the other zones and other PDP idiots with nothing to offer will ride on her popularity and get various seats like the state house or maybe allow a free contest where even within the PDP in her state members would betray her by then she would have joined the list of failed politicians.

Homerac Nigeria needs people like Dora in a place in govt, see what Sanusi is doing, see what Ribadu did in the EFCC, do you think Dora will make a statement like Nuhu Aliyu that his colleagues were criminals and back down because of pressure instead of substantiating it, do you think Ribadu will back down if he ever accuses a member of corruption that he has evidence for.

It is time to have titans in the National assembly, People like Ayogu Eze and the current breed of senators should give space, we dont need their experience anymore.

Setting the records straight Dora never denied Yaradua, she only said what had been on her mind for a long time, she did not call for the impeachment she only asked that Jonathan be given the full powers of an Acting president so that the buisness of govt can continue, it was more out of frustration that a simple thing as that was being made complex by we spoke with the president he said bla bla bla, what she was saying was let Jonathan act as president whenever Yaradua gets well he should comeback if he can.

She only stood for the truth and stood for doing things right.

I supported her and also in my submission in those heady days, I said we donot need any resolution from the senate or letter from the president for a VP to act on his behalf, the president can remain president for 6months on a hospital bed as long as there is a vice that is acting on his behalf and a cabinet that believes that the president will make it back.

Dora stood for the nation in her days at NAFDAC even if she was driven by personal vendetta, she stood for Nigerians as Minister of Info nd Communications by insisting that communication coys should reduce their tarriffs even when the EVC of the NCC said it was not feasible.

Dora has proven beyond reasonable doubt to my humble self that if given an opprtunity at the senate while representing her constituency she would always have the interest of the nation at heart.

Quote from Donmeca,
Wait oo. . .she didn't just quit d cabinet but also the party! I was thinking she believed in fighting and getting results, she shud av gone home to rally support for PDP and Jonathan. Chei! Obi must have promised her the ticket on a platter. PDP has lost another member. . .the subject of this thread shud av read "Dora Dumps PDP for APGA"



That is why she is a smart politician, the best Jonathan hopes for in Anambra is to have a large share of the votes, Jonathan knows that APGA would not have a presidential candidate that can even win Anambra state ahead of him even if the APGA candidate is from Anambra. If Dora is projected as a PDP candidate in Anambra an APGA candidate can beat her having the support of Obi and Ojukwu, but if Dora is running under APGA, Anambra can comfortably become a full APGA state with all members from APGA while they will cast their presidential vote for Jonathan.

The woman is indeed wise, let Utomi take his party to his senatorial district, let falana represent his district, let Ribadu represent his district, let Duke go to the senate let us have credible stubborn people in the senate then it would not be a lone voice against the thieving majority, it would be a pricipled set vs unprincipled set, national cleansing should start from the national assembly then and only then would we be prepared to move into the next phase of our democratic experience.

Some govs in the PDP who think that the 2007 transition would play out in the future where govs naturally are the strong contenders to the presidency would only suddenly realise that a coalition in the National assembly will only make them more like regional lords with no influence at Abuja.

This is how to play smart politics. It is not in doubt that APGA has a stronghold in Anambra and it would be just impossible to beat APGA with a party that is not united in Anambra.

For those of you criticising her and trying to ridicule her, it is just because you dont understand politics, in politics there is nothing personal, no permanent friends or foes only permanent interests.

Doras interest is a senatorial seat. APGAs interest is a credible candidate to support, dont forget that a PDP member is currently representing that district, Goodlucks interest is credible people in the senate he can work with in 2011.

By this move Dora has shown that she is smarter than Ribadu, Lets not get carried away, if Dora was nominated by any of the Northern presidential aspirants as VP that team should have a good chance, take a Buhari asking Dora to be vice, that team is a tough team to beat, but Dora did not consider those options but opted for the senate, she could instead lend her voice to zoning and lobby to be vice to Atiku, but that is going to be a lost battle, Ribadu should take a cue, go for the senate allow the PDP to fight itself and naturally become weaker by 2015, the presidency will be taken for the asking.

Who says we cant have a Ribadu/Dora combination in 2015 to dislodge the incumbent of Jonathan/Sambo by that time Atiku,IBB,Gusau,Saraki,Buhari and all the old legs with suffocating influence would have lost relevance even Obj should no longer be around to disturb, that is when the real democratic experience would begin.

Madam Dora I wish you Goodluck and I and a lot of forward thinking Nigerians are waiting for you at the hallowed chambers.

I also believe that Buhari will serve the interests of this nation better than most of the aspirants, but this is because we have seen him act as his own man in the past.

What I would have loved for Buhari to do now is to raise a team of younger individuals who willa bide with his ideals, he should become a Godfather, who will always promote the interest of the truth and justice, Buhari can agree to become an adviser to Jonathan, a Godfather, so that when Jonathan wants to move against Obj on an issue Buhari will back him. The problem of this country is not the president persay but the individuals who hold the president in place.

Obama had some issues and invited Clinton to the white house where Clinton gave his support to the president, that is where we should think of taking our politics to, see what Tinubu is doing planting his loyalists and capable hands in the southwest govt houses, one day Tinubu will be the strongest man who can determine the fate of the opposition taking power, Buhari should start building a power bloc, the likes of Ribadu should always have Buhari backing him.

It such a shame how your time can pass you, but what a wise man would do is acknowledge that indeed my time is past and its time to adjust.

Buhari is a member of the Council of state, as a matter of fact a permanent member till he dies, he should use that position, he could sit in a council of state meeting and let his opinion be heard on the NASS 25% overhead expenses. Atiku is not a memeber of this group and will never be a member.

Anyone who calls Buhari a religious zealot is only an educated illiterate, Buhari as head of state for 20months never contemplated taking us into the OIC, Buhari is more Christian than a lot of Christians in this forum.

Buhari believes in Nigeria, this is my humble submission, Buhari would have made a great leader but it is politics now only those who can handle politics can get to the seat of presidency.

My vote is for Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, not because I feel he is better than Buhari, but I know that he has the capability to achieve more than what Buhari ever achieved.

MisterMan:
You are indeed very naive. Rigging is NOT only done on election day only. When some things (I can't remember those things and which were not supposed to be in his house) were found, what do you think he was up to? Rigging starts with voters registration. Don't be surprised when you see Bill Clinton or Prince Charles on the voter list. Those who stole it know what they are doing. Of course, they stole it not because they want to resell it. It is NOT edible as well

Why should we be bothered if there is Bill Clinton or charles taylor, all we need is truly honest people, if ur name is Bill Clinton and you have an ID go ahead and vote, what we should call for is for INEC to have a thumbprinting recognising software so that when you register as Bill Clinton, if you register again as Barack Obama the computer recognises ur thumbprint as Bill clinton and disqualifies u with a flag for ur thumbprint the moment you show up at a polling booth, once u place ur thumbprint the alert will come up on the screen, all that the electoral officer can do is advice u to kindly leave or hands you over to security agents.

Gbawe:
I hope you understand that free and fair election actually begins from the stage men and women are chosen , in free and fair elections deviod of manipulation , as the candidates for their respective Political Parties? What "free and fair elections" are folks like you talking about when Jonathan is moving the goal post every seconds and changing so many rules and parameters just so he is assured of clinching the PDP ticket?

Yar Adua , many posit , may have won the Presidential election without the need for rigging but we must ask if he had any business , in the first place, being the PDP candidate when it was clear that "do or die" OBJ (like GEJ is trying to do) used supreme executive power to bully everyone else out of the race unfairly . Due to OBJ's unfair and undemocratic tactics Nigeria went on to gain a very poor President in Yar Adua. The rest is history. I hope that example makes it clear to you why free and fair elections actually begin at Party level.

So Gbawe in your mind you really believe that Jonathan can not win a fair contest in the PDP. Please what is a fair contest in the PDP. ever heard the phrase that in war all is fair,
In the PDP there are rules but the ultimate rule is to outdo your opponent. If Atiku could not patiently fight within the PDP in 2007 what is he there looking for.

If Jonathan has to destroy PDP to emerge candidate I say all the best because it suits us better, its better the umbrella scatters with Jonathan holding the tatters than for the Umbrella to remain intact and Atiku holding it.

I look at it this way it is a win win situation for us Jonathan for 2011, any state chapter not happy with the developments lose their state to opposition hence a fledgling democracy is being built where the multi party actually exists, theopposition is expected to position now to take up whatever position they can take now as this is the only way 2015 will be better for the nation.

Jonathan would not be rigged out of the presidency by whatever trick of blackmail that they device.

proudly9ja:
Sanusi's position is a tenured position. It is almost impossible without breaking the law, to sack him. Did you hear the point the senators tried to box him into saying that the position was too difficult for him to handle?

Ribadu/Utomi/Duke accepting any ministerial position is to me, an easy way to ridicule. Those positions are not just easy means of spoiling whatever little name one has made for himself, even the 'masses' who sugested you accept such position will finish you before you start.

What happened to Okonjo Iweala after OBJ got what he wanted from her? Same thing Ezekwesili? They barely managed to hands of with their integrity intact. Even Wole Soyinka was not spared by IBB. Have you also forgotten so soon what happened to Ribadu at EFCC?

I assure you, if Sanusi was a minister, he would have been fired long time ago. Was the minister of state for finance not ridiculed and sent to 'special duties' ministry by the same Jonathan government for a statement not even half as bad as Sanusi's?

Even if Sanusi is to be fired by the NASS wont we all see him as a hero.

If you are appointed as a minister pls dont take it as being favoured, it is a call to duty, its serious work, there is no blessing when you are made a minister, because ur life is now public.

Imagine being a minister of health and just when you are preparing and planning to celebrate ur 50th birthday, the doctors call a strike, you either forget abt ur birthday or go ahead and bear all the insults that Nigerians would give you.

As a minister its not a life position do your job, say it to us as it is, dont put in too much fineese, just give it to those who need to know insimple english that we can all relate with, if you are been pressed or embarrassed by the president quit honorably!

At least the Minister of state quit, after he was posted to special duties, the same thing Okonjo-Iweala did.

Ribadu allowed himself to be used, we all know Objs daughter was involved in the scandal that swept out Adenike Grange as Minister but because of her father what did Ribadu do.

You need to follow Sanusi when he speaks and you will understand his passion.

He said at a particular forum that his grandfather and father were able to grow to become northerners while we of today have not been able to grow to become Nigerians, that statement is very powerful if you can look at it critically.

If you have integrity take up a job and salvage the country, put ur integrity on the line ensure you live aboard even if you must loot or embezzle ensure that it is an approved looting or embezzlement.

It is a disgrace that a minister still wants to steal from the country, as long as u are a minister you dont feed yourself, ur kids fees are paid by the govt, u virtyally do nothing for yourself with ur salary and yet you want to acquire billions as if you are in buisness.

God alone will forgive all of them but while we await Gods deliverance every Tom Dick and Harry can not be president at the same time.

If our govt is run in a standard way the president is not an overall powerful man, remeber Yaradua once asked his ministers that if he issued a directive that is not in consonance with due process they should not obey but bring it to his notice.

It simply means that when the president asks you to spend or approves money from your Ministry without your recommendations and input you can hold back the funds by not authorising it.

this is good for democracy. let them all start exposing themselves, but sorry Mr Bankole it is not about the budget of the CBN, but about your effects on the overall economy, monies spent by CBN affect the economy positively while you and your fellow dishonourable members use our money to buy houses abroad and import all trivialities thus keeping people at their jobs outside.

Bankole clear the mess in ur house of rep, the system is imperfect but let us work as the system actually prescribes then and only then can we criticise the imperfections and duly correct them.

What Sanusi is doing is what people like Ribadu, Utomi and Duke should also be doing.

Take a job in govt and say it as it is.

Sanusi does not have and does not need the fineese of a politician, remeber during the era of sacking the bank MDs he went ahead to say some of them should be shot at the stakes, that is what it takes to talk passionately.

The National Assembly is taking more than the economy can afford is a political way of saying what Sanusi said but then would it have the same impact as the 25% overhead is having now?

Why wont Ribadu support Jonathan get appointed as a Minister in charge of police affairs where he will have to deal with the corruption in the police force, or takes a senatorial seat and become a member or committee chairman over EFCC and come all out with the truths not political statements.

If we have just 20 Sanusis at the highest level of govt, that would make contributions at FECs and NECs we would see changes in a short while

Jarus my suggestion is that we have it in the 6 geopolitical zones or 3 locations based on a poll of nairalanders, we may have 6 options like Lag, Abj, Ph, Cal, Osun, Jos then three cities with the highest votes will have a go, with committee members sourced from the voters.

It should not just be a party, we could organise a symposium, lecture or debate, invite some dignitaries, end it up with a nice party.

If it all goes well we may be able to agree on NAIRALAND CONSENSUS CANDIDATE but this would be after an exhaustive debate by regular members backed with facts, nothing stops us from becoming the next strong power bloc in this country to install a president and some govs.

It is possible Jarus if we put our mind to it, a consensus candidate would only be accepted as our concensus candidate after he agrees to receive our delegation and sign up his own account on NL.

Access to venue could be by username and password on a system and a nominal fee.

I will be monitoring this page to see if we can make it happen.

@beta things do u honestly think that Ribadu can win a free and fair contest in Nigeria, even in the CAN he can't pick the presidential ticket, the 12yrs Jonathan served in d PDP and was able to rise 2 d post of president of Nigeria is the experience he has over Ribadu though they are in d same age group.

Ribadu has all along be a part of the PDP misrule even he is more complicit in d corruption problem than Jonathan, he headed the EFCC that allowed Obj nd his cronies who remained in his good books to get away with their actions, or did d haliburton and all other scandals not happen @ his watch in EFCC?

Jonathan is what we hav 4 now and he is gud enuf with a bright chance 2 make d votes count.

Any vote against Jonathan would not bring in the future who I c as Ribadu but will take us back 2 d past which I c in either Atiku or IBB or Buhari, for ur info Ribadu is a non starter!

@Beta things can Ribadu win an election for nigerias presidency free or not? Can he even play d politics to get the ACN ticket.

In politics it is beyond your popularity and ideals it is more abt how u can handle d good d bad nd d very ugly in the political atmosphere.

Ribadu belongs to a future where the president will not be as powerful as it is today.

If you want to talk abt Jonathans achievement just consider that the thot that u have dat dis election would be better than d 2007 elections is already an achievement for d young man, don't 4get dat Ribadu also served in d govt f d PDP as d helmsman of d anticorruption agency, was corruption totally wiped out??

Beaf:
I laugh in Buhari!

During Shagari's rule, a senate committee (headed by Olusola Saraki) traced our missing $2.8billa NNPC money to Buhari's London Midland bank account. He got the reporter (Vera Ifudu) who read out the facts on NTA sacked (she later sued, won the case and got compensation.

Buhari simply hasn't been "caught", because of soldiers penchant for burning down whole buildings, staging coups etc just to get rid of evidence. Buhari is most likely struggling for democratic power now to get rid of the last traces of incriminating evidence against him (since the coup route don block wella).

If no be to cover evidence, den e mean say Buhari loot don finis and e wan com chop.

Beaf we are on the same side, but we dont have to paint Buhari bad to achieve our goal.

Buhari stands out as one of the few good leaders of our country in the past, his administration as a military man was better than Objs as a democratic leader.

Buhari is a good choice but the truth is that we need fresh air it is time to say goodbye to our past, Buhari and IBB represents our distant past we must put them behind us, forgive their mistakes highlight their achievemnts if any and listen to their advice when called to the council of state meetings, while Atiku represents our immediate past and I say we kiss that immediate past goodbye learn from his mistakes that you dont fight your boss when you are not principle, Jonathan is the present and is the present that can lead us to the future we crave for, he may not be the best man for the job in a country of a 100million people but definitely not all 100million people are contesting, he may not be the best among the pack that have declared their interest but he is the one with the brightest chance to help us say goodbye to our past, he is working hard at his job eventhough we may not yet see the improvements we want to see, but if we have found ourselves here because of a continuos degradation of our leadership that spawned 25yrs, then we dont expect anyone to perform a miracle in one year, if we have started taking fuel in the fuel stations for granted and know that once a court pronounces judgement it is final, if we can now report issues to the president directly on facebook whether he replies or not is an improvement surely he cant say he didnot hear us, if we all can look forward to an election with hope that it would be fair if not totally free I believe it is an improvement incase we forgot the run up to the 2007 elections we had no such confidence or expectation but today we look forward to it, if we have a president who welcomes govs from other parties after his party gov has been sacked these are little improvements but we must not lose sight of them.

For my friends clamouring for Ribadu, they should learn from our history, Nzeogwu should not have planned a coup at the time he did, he was a young radical man who wanted his country to change for the better instantly, Buhari was a young man with passion for his country when he sacked the politicians but that was definitely not his time, Ribadu belongs to the future that Jonathan is taking us to and when Buhari is ripe and ready to run for president a Sanusi lamido can give him a run for it, that would still be the time a Fashola and Oshiomole will also be contesting at that time more young vibrant men with passion and integrity would be running and all the old cargoes and their hanger on would naturally retire because Nigerians would have moved on.

In this present tense I give my unalloyed support to Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for the 2011 presidential election and note Goodluck has my vote note tha Goodluck has my vote but not PDP!!!

The splitting of PDP would not deny Jonathan the presidency but it would mark the beginning of the end for the PDP.

The opposition are supposed to take their stand now and start taking more states from the federation and that would be the first step to becoming relevant

The OP is highly unintelligent and must be politically naieve to think that the leader of the party would lose the primaries of his party.

The delegates from the north are politicians, just like the govs are, dont forget that it was a northern gov in d person of Gov Babangida Aliyu who said that zoning is not a political right but a political strategy, ponder on those words they should mean a whole lot to discerning individuals and these same northern govs had a vote for or against zoning and those against zoning had a slim victory, this goes to show you how politics is played in the north.

Those of us campaigning for Goodluck are doing so because we want fresh air and new air, most times when u put on the AC in a stuffy room the first air is not all that convenient but u relax because u know that the fresh air is about to be.

Jonathan to me represents a new brand of politics and a new set of political arrangement better than whatever Atiku can offer or any other PDP fellow.

A lot of us want the PDP out, but we dont know how to go about it, the only PDP president that will bow to our wish to leave the stage with his party in the nearest future is Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

Those of us campaigning for Jonathan have nothing to lose If GEJ loses the primaries because it would boldly mean that the PDP has just stabbed itself in the chest.

That Atiku is in the PDP is because Jonathan allowed it, Jonathan was the leader of the party when Atiku staged his comeback Jonathan could have agreed to allow him return and deny him the waiver that has allowed him to be an aspirant in the PDP, because the PDP constitution is also clear on this for defecting members who choose to return, Jonathan could simply have impressed it on the NEC not to grant waiver, but granting the waiver has made the PDP temporarily stronger.

Jonathan has acted in good faith all along and remember he never disgraced their northern brother out of office during his health travails but instead bid his time and allowed Yaradua a peaceful passing, what even Atiku could not do.

That Atiku flies in and out of this country at will is because Jonathan allows it, that Atiku is contesting for the Presidency is because Jonathan allows it, that the govs of northern Nigeria still retain their seats is because Jonathan allows it, That they can sleep on their beds is because Jonathan allows it and this is a democracy, Jonathan would lose nothing if he loses the primaries or the general elections but we Nigerians are bound to lose more.

It is just simply impossible for Jonathan to lose the PDP primaries, he may not win but he definitely can not lose, can a party exist without his leader, impossibility.

Why are some people even calling on Atiku? what are his life achievements, he served in the customs, what is the customs today, he served as VP what was his impact on the nation, he was incharge of the PTDF and only northerners enjoyed PTDF scholarships while southerners didnot even know about all the scholarships available within the PTDF, sold off the ONNE port to himself, assisted OBJ in killing NITEL, NNPC, PHCN.

Instead of Atiku to win the PDP primaries we may as well consign PDP to history, a man without standing, a man without loyalty to party structures, a man who can walk out of his party when he is frustrated not even because of idealogies.

I know some people will run out to remind me that Ribadu is their man, my take has always been that Ribadu belongs to the future and his time would come naturally after GEJ, if he is impatient men like Sanusi Lamido will go ahead of him and Ribadu will become the Buhari of the future while he watches people he can do better than running things at the presidency.

January is not far, I am very confident that Jonathan would not lose the primaries Atiku would be on the move as soon as Jonathan secures the ticket, this is indeed beautiful for democracy, or does anyone want to make me believe that Atiku can win a free and fair contest in 2011.

@Folem Sanusi got nothing wrong. The senators were wrong in asking what was the budget of the CBN in comparison to the National Assembly. For ur Info, the CBN has offices in 36 states of the federation where different cadres of staff work, the CBNs budget and expenses impact on the nations economy positively while that of the NASS is just a drain and something has to be mathematically and fundamentall wrong that the NASS should spend upto 50% of what the CBN spends per annum.

Sanusi said overheads and was speaking on the inflationary trend in the economy, when a small percentage of the population spends N158b in a yr, and whenever they receive their allowances they buy latest brands of cars for their wives, concubines and children send them on shopping sprees and all the properties they purchase abroad.

Folem kindly remember that when Yaradua was alive he called for a slash in his salary and allowances along with his appointees but at that time the NASS was approving a 100% increase in their pay.

The moral of Sanusis report is that we can not expect to grow our economy when our recurrent spendings far outweigh our capital expenses and the recurrent expenses keep increasing we really need to check ourselves.

The NASS salaries and allowances should be deregulated, senators and members of the house should be paid in line with directors in their respective state civil services, this would be the first step to true federalism

Before all this started I had already been takin a look at the issue and actually suggest that in the spirit of deregulating the national minimum wage the salries of the lawmakers should be deregulated.

Lawmakers should be paid by their state govs and report to their state assemblies, their pay should be a function of the civil service pay in their respective states.

Their salaries should depend on what ordinary Nigerians are earning, so that when ever they want an increase labour will also enjoy the same percentage of increase and when ever labour agitates for higher wages the lawmakers also benefit, this would be in the over all interest of the nation.

Their activities should be monitored by their state assemblies, national lawmakers should not see themselves as bosses to their colleagues in the state houses, this is a democracy, the senator or federal lawmaker is not senior to the state lawmaker, the federal lawmaker represent a district within a state and that district has about 5 members in the state assembly, so the federal lawmaker should be invited maybe once in a quarter to give account of what he has been doing in the national assembly, this should include how many sittings he has attended how many was he absent from for official reasons, what has been his contribution to the debates and how has the state where he represents benefited from his position as a senator.

This is the basis and principle of democracy, because as it is rite now the Assembly checks the execut5ive vis a vis the presidency, but who checks the assembly?

In my humble suggestion let the state thye represent check them.

When the dirt hit the fan, the Presidency summoned chairman, AVM Larry Koinyan( Rtd), to explain his negligence, and how Ugwoha could carry out such illegal act without his knowledge. It was learnt that President Goodluck Jonathan was so upset that he refused audience with Koinyan.

The Board sent a report to the office of the Secretary to Government, Ahmed Yayale, where the MD is well connected. He tried to kill the report but failed. He was eventually suspended because President Goodluck Jonathan was already aware.

This is one reason why GEJ continues to lose supporters, but as a nation we must not play ourselves into the hand of those who dont wish us well.

Corruption is a monstrous evil, we all need to unite to fight it.

Challenging corruption head on would be like attempting to break coconut with your head, the best that can result from it is that you would not be there to benefit from ur bravery if at all the bravery yields anything, we can ask Ribadu and Buhari.

When all this nonsense started I said that it was a non issue, the amount was meant to cover transportation, accomodation and inconvenience allowance for answering the PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA! does that mean anything to anyone and how much can you really pay to inconvenience someone, GEJ only acted as a nice host.

When I visit my uncles in Lagos from Abeokuta, transport fare was only N200 and to get to their place wont cost me more than N500, when ever I am going back my Uncle would sometimes give me as much as N5,000.00 and call it transport fare.

Now what is the ratio of N200 to N5,000 and who am I and who is my Uncle, then how much is a 1st class ticket to and fro Lag to Abj, how many were on the entourage who are those on the entourage and who are they visiting, common guys, $50,000.00 wont pay for a ticket to the moon.

ohaechesi:
$50,000, not a bribe? You don'y pick such money by the road side neither can someone give it out just for a mere transportation, it's unbelievable

[quote author=Off Dat! link=topic=559994.msg7251598#msg7251598 date=1291210369]7.5million naira for transport money How many were they and where were they travelling to. Thats alot of ,money from transportation.[/quote]mr man, stop trying to be smart - are sng government employees?

what official business were they in abuja for?

i wonder what sort of organization you work in, in which people are given cash / not cheques without tendering expense/travel reports

you do sound like you're in the fg though - sounds like something our lawmakers would do

do you realize how ridiculous your claims are?


The quotes above are just some examples of educated illiterates the Universities under past regimes have produced.

Someone asked for the difference between 6 and half a dozen, answer is, 6 is in figure, half a dozen is in words.

Jonathan gave them $50,000.00 if you are very sad about it kindly pick a mop and head to the Atlantic Ocean and keep yourself busy there!!!

@Ladi, thanks for seeing reason with me. All we need is institutions that dont run on the whim and caprices of individuals, a system that has principles.

How did we eva arrive at a point where our lawmakers don't feel d impact of the laws they make.

The idi.ot.s @ d NASS are not lawmakers they are just a bunch of clowns!!!

I guess we see why these bunch of clowns should be paid by their state governments and within their state civil service scale.

There would not be a need for all this clamour to be a senator anymore and whenever they want a payrise the ordinary civil servants will also benefit.

Imagine asking how much the CBN spends, what are they contributing to the nation if not disgrace