₦airaland Forum

ROSSIKE:
You have to wonder what the APC bigwigs are making of this scandal. Privately they must be fuming... ''we're presenting an illiterate candidate''?

The scapegoats in this drama are those who allowed a so called "illiterate" to rise through the ranks and become officer and then General in the Army.

Buhari does not have a case to answer, the Army does.

If you appoint an illiterate as CEO, the Board of Directors will be the ones on heat, not the candidate.

If you appoint an illiterate as Regent, the University Senate are the ones to account, not the candidate.

chukwudi44:
I have been following the Buhari certificate scandal and has been wondering why the scandal has persisted if indeed Buhari actually acquired an ssc.

Even if Buhari's certificate is missing all he needs to do is to send his examination no to waec for authentication and kill off this heat.He does not need his original certificates to end this scandal.

I want to believe Buhari forged the credentials with which he enlisted into the Nigerian army. That is the only logical explanation for what is happening. If this is confirmed, he should not only be disqualified but also prosecuted and stripped of his ranks since he was never qualified to become an army officer in the first place

beside criminal thoughts, what other logic is open to a "chukwudi"?

FKO81:
Man Arrested For Killing Mother, Child & Removing Body Parts For Ritual In Ogun
The police of Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State has arrested a man for killing mother and a child and mutilating their bodies.
According to the Acting Police Public Relations Officer in Ogun, Abimbola Oyeyemi, who confirmed the incident, the suspect kidnapped the two victims, killed and buried them in his house. Reportedly, he removed some of their body parts for a ritual.
"The man killed a woman and her child and buried them in his house in Ajuwon. He was arrested and led the Police to the crime scene in Ajuwon," he said.
Mr. Oyeyemi said there was an attempt by the angry mob in the area to kill the suspect before the police got the information and moved in to prevent breakdown of law and order.

Southwestern leaders need to enlighten their people this new year because last year ritual killings and ritual dens in their region dominated media houses and national dailys, they are try to wipe their people out in other to compete with easters, let learn how to leave in peace with our neighbours.

Thesse things are already criminal acts in Yorubaland and is why everytime one is caught they are prosecuted. Our leaders dont need to intervene because the law in Yorubaland is effective when properly enforced.

Iboland on the other hand is a land of chaos. Your customs support the sale of humans and even when law enforcement intervene they fail because your leaders need the chaos for their political gains. Ibo leaders are needed to step out and step up and speak for the right to life in an orderly society. Put your collective interest above personal gain, take example from Yorubaland.

We have discussed endlessly the incompetence of Nigerian Army, either strategically or tactically in fighting combat.

This issue of a Nigerian Army General's credentials is an add-on to the list of incompetence.

Is it logically acceptable that a University will appoint a Vice Chancellor without first vetting the credentials?

Would an hospital appoint a Medical Director without a panel review of his/her credentials and competencies?

At this juncture, I must declare that the Nigerian Army is humiliating itself and becoming a laughing stock, the butt of jokes, a scapegoat that others point to when defining "cluelessness".

It doesn't stop there.....it drills upstream to their "Commander-in-Cluelessness", Jonathan.

talktimi:
Trouble dey sleep........

How is eradication of gender discrimination a "trouble dey sleep...."?

If this was tied to muslim men denying their women right to drive in public would you call it trouble dey sleep?

Logicpower, i agree with you.

You all calm down and respond to this tragedy with insight.

1. She was a free lady and desires to continue be a free lady.
2. Monday slept with her and got her pregnant.
3. She acted responsibly and approached him with a way forward.
4. With support perharps Monday could have influenced her decision and made her choose family instead of being "a free lady".
5. The irresponsibility of Monday calculated into her own decision choosing not to be tied down, particularly with the expensive care of a fatherless child.

We must ask .... are there welfare programs in East for surrogate care? It doesn't seem like it given the liberty with which nwafors operate baby factories and baby markets in that region.

The state and leaders of SE need to do more for their citizens instead of dumping them with their burdens for other Nigerians to care for.

Ive been following this drama for sometime. It is of interest to me for many reasons, part of which is political.

What is the situation now, are daughters and women in Igboland getting their due inheritance or are they still victims of discrimination?

The said discriminatory customary law is void as it conflicts with Section 42(1) and (2) of the Constitution. In the light of all that I have been saying, the appeal is dismissed. Other justices that also concurred to the verdict were Justices Walter Samuel Onnoghen, Clara Bata Ogunbiyi, Kumai Bayang Aka’ahs and  John Inyang Okoro.

In another case on the same subject, the apex court, held that Nigerian customs which disinherit women are repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience and should therefore not be allowed to stand. Thus, the court, declared as repulsive the custom of the Awka people in Anambra State which allows married women to be disinherited upon the death of their husband because they could not produce a male child for the late husband.


http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/04/inheritance-supreme-court-voids-discrimination-females-igboland/

This is why some men get annoyed and feel scammed and turn their women into a punching bag.

You go to bed with a beautiful girl, smooth skin and alluring, eyes glazed and inviting.....and you wake in morning and stare at her without make up and all her blisters and rough ashy skin and red blank eyes is right there in your face. You suddenly realize you have been tricked and gets you upset. Mmmtcccheew!!

lekkie073:
Kwankaso, thank u for understanding with fashola....unlike some mumu south east governors

This understanding is imperative amongst civilized people. Uncivilized societies feel victimized with this kind of action.

May his soul rest in peace.

Very nice Gbawe, thanks for your observation and input.

Follow-up from OPC on 2015 Elections and what to expect.



http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/opc-leader-adams-expresses-fear-over-2015-polls/198051/



The rather tense political atmosphere among the political gladiators ahead of the coming 2015 general election has been described as a situation that calls for great concern among Nigerians.

Leaders of pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Odu’a Peoples Congress (OPC), Chief Gani Adams, who expressed the concern yesterday during a chat with journalists at his Palmgrove, Lagos office, also attributed the problems facing the country to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s inability to conduct an acceptable National Conference.

Adams, who had been relatively silent about political issues in the country lately, said he decided to speak out in the face of the dicey situation ahead of the nation in 2015; because irrespective of who wins the presidential election between President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the possibility of post-election violence is high.

“If Buhari loses the election, the Northern youths may go into violence. And on the other hand, the Niger Delta region is likely to erupt in crisis if President Jonathan loses the election.

“We are in a dicey situation. There is insecurity in the country caused by Boko Haram; the price of crude has fallen in the international market and that is another problem. And at the same time we are faced with an election where the actors are all hoping to win. We are praying that Nigeria would not just break,” he said.
Describing the 2004 prediction of the United States that there is the possibility that the country would break up as “highly spiritual and far more than intelligence gathering,” Adams called on Nigerians to pray that the country does not break and that the prediction does not come into fruition.

Also speaking in the light of a book recently published by Obasanjo, the OPC leader pointed accusing fingers at the former president as regards some of the major problems confronting Nigeria.

“The very cabal that Jonathan complained about was created by Obasanjo. All the problems that are existing in Nigeria today, the foundation was laid by Obasanjo on the grounds that he had the golden opportunity to conduct an acceptable National Conference that should have addressed some fundamental challenges ahead of the 2015 election.

“If he had allowed the Yoruba agenda, we would have had the state police and also there would have been opportunity for independent candidates and many other changes that would have reduced tension now,” he said.

He discarded the rumour that there was plan for an interim government to be headed by Obasanjo, saying “There is no way Obasanjo will come back to rule Nigeria!”

On Election and Political Instability.


As the 2015 general elections approach, the Afenifere Renewal Group, ARG, a Yoruba socio-political body, has warned about the looming political instability likely to mar the process.

At a public presentation of their annual report, ‘Nigeria Democratic Governance Report: Curbing Political Instability and Extravagance,’ the ARG said that major indicators ahead of 2015 now put Nigeria on “red alert.”

“We are now faced with a depressing economic outlook because of dwindling revenues, corruption, and heavily flawed and extravagant budget,” said Olawale Oshun, ARG’s National Chairman.

“Worse still, divisive politics is now so pervasive that the concept of a free and fair election in 2015 is looking more like a mirage, especially with the way INEC’s rating has plummeted in recent times.

“How we navigate 2015 elections in the reality of this context will determine the country’s survival.

“Nigerians should be concerned because the 2015 General Elections will not replenish the country’s depleted tank of political stability if certain reforms are not pursued as urgently as possible.”

The ARG’s report, a review of the state of the nation between 2010 and 2014, showed that since 1999 when the country returned to democracy, political and economic stability have been on the decline.

Mr. Oshun said that the country’s presidential politics had been taken over by nepotism and ethnocentrism.

“For instance, it is difficult not to read meaning to the fact that under the current administration, all economic agencies like CBN (Central Bank of Nigeria), SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission), DMO (Debt Management Office), AMCON ( Assets Management Company of Nigeria), NSE (Nigerian Stock Exchange), SWF (Sovereign Wealth Fund), and the Finance Ministry are headed by experts from the Igbo ethnic group,” Mr. Oshun said.

In its recommendations, the ARG reiterated its call for a return to the First Republic’s regional structure or adoption of the six geo-political zones as federating units.

“The uncontrollable wastage and rapacious corruption in Federal Government necessitates the reduction of Federal Government’s share in Revenue Allocation Formula to 35 percent, with maximum devolution of powers to the federating units,” the group stated.

“We must warn here, for the umpteenth time, that granting autonomy to local government administrations is counter-productive in a federal state. Remove LGA from revenue sharing and let each federating unit manage as many LGA as it could.

The ARG called for the abolishing of the Excess Crude Account and other “special” accounts as well as for budget implementation to be anchored on accountability and transparency.

“There is no public-compliant mechanism to monitor execution of contracts, which has become a ‘legal’ avenue for corruption because the NASS, in addition to proving inept in its oversight function, is also a willing collaborator.

“The pressure on Naira must be relieved as urgently as possible by reducing useless imports. Ensuring that refineries operate at a level that meets local needs is a critical project that must be pursued by an incoming administration.”

The group also called for a review of the current import and waiver policies in the country which it described as the single biggest threat to local SMEs.

“Once again, this report is the voice of reason, a cry from the wilderness. Will Nigeria listen and be saved? Political stability indicators are almost at zero levels and 2015 General Elections, especially the presidential election, is already laden with potential threats of violence that may be unprecedented in Nigeria’s history.

“Our advice is for the presidency, NASS, and all political parties to meet and agree to an exit strategy that embodies peace and upholds democracy.

“However, whether this advice is heeded or not, the ARG is conscious of the need to initiatives geared towards protecting the Yoruba people and their interest, as other nationality groups in the country are presently doing. Yoruba political and business leaders must now realise that they are more endangered than their counterparts in other nationalities, if the present trend continues.”




http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/174111-2015-general-elections-looking-like-mirage-afenifere-group-warns.html

A Warning on the Economy


http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/news/national-news/192308-afenifere-ojudu-urge-jonathan-to-declare-emergency-on-economy

JUST as the late Yoruba leader, Chief Obafemi Awolowo warned the then Alhaji Shehu Shagari government in 1982 that the proverbial ship of the Nigerian nation was approaching the rock, the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) and Senator Babafemi Ojudu have raised the alarm that all was not well with the country at present. They said all patriots and stakeholders, especially the presidency should urgently steer the nation away from hitting the rock.

  ARG, the Yoruba socio-political group which gave this timely warning at a news conference in Lagos where it reviewed the state of the Nigerian nation in the last one year, noted that the country from all sectors was facing a major crisis and that the way the leadership and other stakeholders handled it would determine the fate of the country in 2015.

  ARG, in a statement issued by its National Chairman, Olawale Oshun declared “…as 2015 approaches, Nigerians have to be sober because political instability is increasing and major indicators now put Nigeria on “Red Alert”. Indicators show that since 1999 when the country returned to democracy, political stability has been on the decline, contrary to the norm in democratic climes.

  “We are now faced with a depressing economic outlook because of dwindling revenues, corruption, and heavily flawed and extravagant budget. Worse still, divisive politics is now so pervasive that the concept of a free and fair election in 2015 is looking more like a mirage, especially with the way INEC’s rating has plummeted in recent times. How we navigate 2015 elections in the reality of this context will determine the country’s survival.”

  Senator Ojudu who also spoke at the ARG conference, bemoaned the state of the economy which he described as being in comatose and warned that more gloomy days laid ahead for the economy and the ordinary Nigerians except urgent measures were taking to halt the situation.

  Both the ARG and the senator therefore called on President Goodluck Jonathan to declare state of emergency on the economy as recently done by Venezuela; a sister oil producing nation which is also facing the adverse effects of the current vagaries in the international prices of crude oil.

  To kick start the emergency, they urged President Jonathan to without delay cancel the proposal in the 2015 Budget for the procurement of more jets for the presidential fleet.

  The president was advised to take a cue from the British Prime Minister David Cameron who is said to fly only British Airline when on foreign visits.

  Ojudu who accepted that the National Assembly failed in its task to check some of the excesses especially at the presidency which contributed immensely to the sorry state of the economy and the polity in general, however blamed this on his colleagues from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party who were in the majority and who were always ready to protect the presidency even at the collective wellbeing of the country.

  The senator further said that his colleagues from the PDP blinded by the desire to get the party’s ticket to return to the Assembly, were busy doing the biddings of the presidency and the party again at the expense of national interest.

  The group while calling for caution on the part of politicians and other political actors as the country enters the election year noted among others that it was only a no victor no vanquished situation that could save the country.

  “Our proposal therefore is for all stakeholders to work together for a win-win situation that will bring about the reforms outlined in Chapter Five of this report, some of which are: restructuring of the current governance framework to reduce the cost of governance and entrench maximum devolution of powers to federating units with a commensurate revenue allocation formula, transparency and accountability in budget implementation process, abolition of Excess Crude Account, reduction of import load by pursuing development of the real sector and eliminating importation of refined petroleum products.”

On The Budget and Crude Forecast


http://www.punchng.com/politics/24-states-wont-pay-salaries-in-2015-afenifere/

Pan-Yoruba association, Afenifere Renewal Group, has warned that given the drop in the price of crude oil, 24 states may not be able to pay salaries next year if the structure of government bureaucracies is not changed.

The group said this in its report on critical review of Nigeria’s economic and political governance in Lagos on Wednesday.

The report, which was signed by the group’s national chairman, Olawale Oshun, added that it was unfortunate that 60 per cent of public expenditure went to the servicing of bureaucracies.

It read, “Nigeria is over-governed with a bloated Federal Government, 36 state government bureaucracies, one FCT administration, and 774 Local Government Areas. When budgets of all these government tiers are collated, more than 60 per cent of all public expenditure in Nigeria goes to service these bureaucracies that consist of less than three per cent of Nigeria’s population.

“This high cost of governance is the reason we cannot fund the delivery of critical infrastructure and social programmes. High cost of governance contributes to high cost of doing business, which, in turn, reduces Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global market.

“Unfortunately, current economic realities show that Nigeria can no longer fund these bureaucracies as some states now owe workers as much as four months’ wages, with no respite in sight. One would not be a Prophet of Doom to say there is a high probability that two-third of states in Nigeria might not be able to pay salaries in 2015. This is another threat to political stability as social vices and malfeasance would increase.”

The group, therefore, recommended that the country went back to the regional system of government as practised in the First Republic or the adoption of the six geo-political zones as federating units.

The group further called for the abolition of the Excess Crude Account and the elimination of importation of refined petroleum products as well as the maximum devolution of powers to the federating units.

The group lamented the marginalisation of the Yoruba under the Goodluck Jonathan administration and wondered why all the heads of government financial organisations were of Igbo extraction.

It said, “Nigerians should be concerned because the 2015 general elections will not replenish the country’s depleted tank of political stability if certain reforms are not pursued as urgently as possible.

“In the absence of socio-political and economic justice, nepotism and ethnocentrism have taken over as the emblem of our presidential politics. For instance, it is difficult not to read meaning to the fact that under the current administration, all economic agencies like the Central Bank of Nigeria, Security and Exchange Commission, Debt Management Office, and Finance Ministry, are headed by experts from one ethnic nationality.”