₦airaland Forum

omenka:
Good evening.

It has indeed been an interesting season of political jousting, even though the time hardly seems right for the sort of discussion going on - 2023 succession battle. This is mainly for three reasons:

1. The current administration administration is barely six months old and talks about its succession is kind of premature.

2. The next presidential election is over three years away. Talking about such no doubt constitutes a huge distraction to the business of governance.

3. Discussing 2023 when there is a subsisting case over the conduct of the just concluded election in the supreme court is like foreclosing the case before the court.

Nevertheless, this is Nigeria and we have our unique political etiquette. Preperation for the next election more or less begins right after the conclusion of one- hence all the public racket over 2023. Interestingly, no where else is this racket louder than that coming from the South East.

This brings us to the essense of this article.

The strategy/claims of the South East is three pronged going by the records available on print and electronic media.

1. There are three major languages in the country, two of which have produced presidents since 1999. They claim to promote equity and fairness, the zone needs to produce the next president.

2. Threaten Nigeria with a whole scale regional support for IPOB in an event the zone is denied presidency in 2023.

3. To heal the wounds of the civil war and foster unity, they have to be given a foolproof chance to produce the next president.

To achieve this goal, they are demanding that the APC hands over the presidential ticket to the South East!

Now, let me state this clearly: NO ONE HAS FORBIDDEN THE SOUTH EAST FROM CONTESTING FOR THE PRESIDENCY. NO ONE CAN AND NO ONE WILL.

The demand being made is well within their right we must admit, the snag lies in the MEANS THROUGH WHICH THEY INTEND TO REALISE THE DEMAND.

A little history will suffice at this juncture.

1. The South East is by far the greatest regional supporters of PDP, since 1999 so much so that through the efforts of people from the Zone, PDP almost faught APC to a standstill in APC's greatest stronghold, LAGOS. Remember in 2003, Lagos state was the only APC state (AD back then) that survived the onslaught of PDP, leading to the resurgence of the opposition from 2007 down to what we have today.

2. Even when the Great Ikemba, arguably the most respected figure from the South East in their political history, the South East still stood FIRMLY BEHIND PDP in a rare demonstration of love and loyalty.

3. When Buhari under the opposition, picked a vice presidential candidate from the South East, Chuba Okadigbo, the East STILL stood firmly behind PDP even though no one from the Zone was on the ballot!

4. Any politician from the South East that is seen covertly or overtly associating with APC is immediately ostracized by the people of the region. Okorocha and Umahi are most recent examples, but Umahi tona lesser extent because he remains a PDP member and he seems not to be doing too badly in comparison to others. Notwithstanding his membership of PDP, the fact he has a good report with the president or APC, he is seen as a low key saboteur, what they call SABO for short.

The list is endless.

That is for the East. Enter the West.

The West, just like the East, needs little introduction when it comes to their political leanings. What we have today as APC owes its formation and survival largely to the efforts of the West. From AD to ACN to APC with their sister CPC morphing from ANPP, the story is that of resilience, tact, hard work and sheer commitment.

Bear these in mind.

1. PDP is Twenty years old, whereas was barely formed in 2013. This means PDP is FOURTEEN YEARS OLDER than APC.

2. PDP has enjoyed and continues to enjoy unfettered loyalty in the South East right from inception. APC hasn't a single governor in the East, therefore the zone isnt a stronghold of the party by any stretch of the imagination.

3. In an event Buhari goes on to complete his second term uninterruptedly, from the foregoing, commonsense dictates that the party's presidential ticket goes to the South West. It is almost a birthright!!

Now, given all these, the questions arise:

1. On what basis is the East demanding the ticket of APC? What does their resumé with respect to the party look like?

2. On what basis should the West be denied the ticket?

3. What exactly is HINDERING THE EAST FROM DEMANDING THE PRESIDENTIAL TICKET FROM PDP,
a party they've expended incredible sweat and energy for?

4. Is the East willing to turn a new leaf from their belligerent posturing towards the APC in exchange for a consideration on having them on the ballot?

These are salient questions that need to be answered from the proponents of an East bound APC ticket.

In all of these, one undeniable joker reveals itself in their deck of cards for discerning minds. The joker Carrie's a roadmap for a return of PDP to the seat of power. A good political observer will admit there is no chance in hell the East will vote APC should both tickets be (APC and PDP) be zoned to the region. Hell, these guys stood against Ikemba (rest his soul) when he contested, it will take a Jesus to sway them to vote anyone besides PDP at a presidential poll.

That is an undeniable fact!

THAT IS SIMPLY TANTAMOUNT TO CEDING POWER TO PDP ON A SILVER PLATTER!

The world over, political parties have but one cardinal objective - secure power and preserve it at all legitimate cost. The leaders of such parties then use the platforms to execute the party's agenda for the people. No political party would commit itself to such a suicidal mission as is being advocated by proponents of a South East APC ticket - it doesn't happen fellas.

My advice therefore are:

1. Impress it upon PDP it is time you be rewarded for your loyalty and hardwor for the party that spans over two decades. There is no zone with as much legitimate claims to the party's ticket as you.

2. Shun all tactics of bullying and coercion. That isn't gonna work with Nigerians.

3. Start courting fellow Nigerians and build bridges of friendship. If you want the APC ticket, work for it.

4. Stop investing too much emotions into politics. You didn't become the most successful tribe (head to head) in trade and business by relying on your emotions. You did so through wisdom, tact and cunning. Apply the same principles to politics and see how far it takes you.



May we never be denied the fruits of our labour, amen.


Thank you, and God bless Nigeria.

Osaze007:



Which part of my message was SW ambition was southern Nigerian agenda smh

LegendHer0:
They formed NADECO, fought Babangida and Abacha to a standstill and got compensated with Obasanjo later!

Are we clear!

Osaze007:
Igbo has 0 plans to present themselves
They want to ruin the entire south to spite south west that will most likely win anyways

Osaze007:
Yoruba can’t force anyone not to contest
Same way Ango said igbos can go to hell or secede
Yorubas can say what they wish and besides this could all be propaganda first it was Buharis wedding now we are dealing with this

Igbos should come out and contest instead of this rooting for north to contest are you guys not capable again ?

LegendHero:
It was actually Azikwe greed that got the Igbos cornered and rendered a major ethnic group like your eternal slaves. If not for Azikwe greed, the Igbos would have been calling the shots in Nigeria.

Seems you just finished smoking weed, so APC will field an Igbo vice in 2023? I’m even discussing with a kindergarten here.

SW worked for the presidency, we don’t go about threatening or abusing other tribe, MKO fought for it and got elected through the ballot, OBJ reap the benefit of MKO during those period. Even when NADECO was fighting the military, they did not go about insulting the whole north or taking it personal.

Your only work towards achieving a presidency in 2023 is constant threat about leaving Nigeria, abusing other tribes, shouting marginalization, and constant hate.

The Igbo man cannot be pleased, if you’re both given $50 to spend, the Igbo man will still complain that your notes are new and his own is old notes. They are NEVER contented.

Question: what work has the Igbos put in to become the presidential flag bearer of APC?

IamAtikulate:
Yoruba peopl greed got them cornered.

If APC fields a northerner candidate, it will definitely have SE as running mate.

PDP is sure to field to North/SE ticket.

Greed no good. After doing 8 years as President and another 8 as VP, they are eyeing the presidency.

This guys are funny.

Thiefubu will only be president of his follow thieves and yoruba moslems

One thing I know is after 2023 all the gods of yorubaland and the yoruba moslems combined will not stop Igbo presidency.

MelesZenawi:
Hypocritical message.


The north should complete their full cycle of presidency till 2027.

No more interruptions..

If the north still wants to continue, they are free to do so.

phlegmatic007:
Our governments are MAD!
Nigeria's rice is filled with lot of mad stones and yet they sell it at a mad price! those bastards better open the fucking border!
WTF!
Why!!!!!

Teewhy2:
It's another beautiful wet saturday in Lagos Nigeria, I know some of us might be at home with no light and some in traffic due to bad road and might be frustrated been a Nigerian.
I think after reading this about what most of us don't know about Nigeria and its people, you will agree that Nigerians are great people and you will be proud to be a Nigerian.

Do you know that all over the world Nigerians are setting the pace and also becoming the standard many nationalities are measuring their success?
In the united states Nigerians are the most educated immigrants, just google it and you will see, they are the most educated immigrant community in the US, 60% of Nigerians in the states have college degrees, which is far above the american national average which is 30%.

Do you know that Nigerians are one of the highest earners in the US , a good no of Nigerians earn 25% more than the median US $53k/ annual this is verifiable using the internet.

In the IVY league schools in Europe and American, many Nigerians outperforms their peers from other nations,
Do you know that a Nigerian family Imafidon have been officially been named the smartest family in the UK, also do you know that the designer of the famous Chevrolet volt is a Nigerian by the name Jelani Aliyu (sokoto) the man is a super talented designer. let's also look at the computer industry the world fastest computer (patent awarded in 2015) was designed by a Nigerian whose name is philip Emeagwali from the east but given birth to in Akure.

The west median (CNN, BBC ....) will never tell you this, do you know that on 7th of may 2016 at Howard University washington D.C history was made, out of 96 graduating doctor of pharmacy 46 of them are Nigerians ( did you say ehen) and out of 27 awards given out Nigerians took 16 of the awards

Do you know that the wealthiest black man and woman in the world are Nigerians Aliko Dangote ( he still dey find money oooh) and Folorunsho Alakija the good thing about the two is that they have no trace of criminal records in making their money.

South African won't have ended apartheid and achieved blacking ruling if not for the leadership role played by Nigeria, also out of the three south african president who ruled after apartheid, two have previously lived in Nigeria under Asylum Nelson Mandela (60's) Thabo Mbeki (70's) before they became president of the country. Nigeria gave financial support , human support, boycotted an olympics (1976) and our politicians, musicians, activist campaigned seriously to end the apartheid. Nigeria spent over $3 billion and lost hundreds of soldiers to make the end the war in Sierra leone and liberia which the world ignored because the countries don't have oil they can benefit from.
In 2003 when they was a coup in Sao Tome and Principe Nigeria restored the elected president back to power.

Do you know that before there was street light in european cities, they was already street light ruling in the ancient Benin Kingdom which is powered by Palm oil. Nigeria gave monetary gift to ireland during our oil boom era and also built a statue for france free of charge that is to show you we are not poor black people. The first television station in africa is NTA and that was long before Ireland had their RTE station.

If you listen to mainstream western media you will not get the full & true of your Nigerian heritage , Do not listen to any leader no matter their position or who they are that says Nigerians are lazy or criminals, we are not a nation of scammers , drugs & corruption. but a people with a verifiable track records of greatness.

Nigeria is a single country with over 400 languages, we are over 180,000,000 people in Nigeria and maybe 500,000 people are cheats and scammers ( that is with traceable criminal records) That is just about 0.27% of our entire population.

Bighead9:
From this statement, I can bet with my Balls that you are Igbo.

ExAngel007:
https://punchng.com/i-want-to-coach-chelsea-mikel/

References:
Rice smugglers, whose illicit operations were affected by the closure of land borders, seem to have found a way out of their present predicament by diverting into a new line of business; the smuggling of pineapples. Despite the eagled-eyed security operatives deployed to man the boundaries since the closure of the land borders, the smugglers are having a field day, away from the prying eyes of the law enforcement agents.

Checks by Saturday Telegraph revealed that the diversion of pineapples into the country is the new moneyspinning business that smugglers engage in, as they have resorted to the use of locally-built vehicles, popularly called fayawo, to convey the products and fast-track their illegal businesses. According to some of the smugglers, who confided in our correspondents, the new trade, which was necessitated by the border closure, has started yielding dividends, as some of the smugglers now smile to the bank.
On August 19, this year, the Federal Government announced the closure of all land borders across the country in order to check the increasing smugglings of prohibited goods and services across the country. The action, which has now been circumvented by the smugglers, was to assist, among other reasons, in checking the smuggling of rice, cars, petroleum products and other goods into the country from neighbouring countries, especially Benin Republic as well as curb human trafficking.
Our correspondents gathered that the new trend in smuggling and the diversion into the prohibited pineapple business was occasioned by what some smugglers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described as their “inability to remain idle” in the wake of the border closure. One of the smugglers, simply referred to as Oga Ben, said he and colleagues decided to venture into the new line of business so as not to go hungry in face of their dwindling economic fortunes.

“We cannot afford to be idle. Since the Federal Government has closed the border and we need to feed our families, the development is our only resort to stay in business regardless of what is happening presently in the country.” While the government order is receiving mixed reactions across the country, statutory agencies saddled with the task of checking these arbitrary practices, such as the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), appear to be discharging the presidential directive with all sense of responsibility.
Recently, there were reports of remarkable improvement in government’s revenue profile, according to the NCS helmsman, Col. Hammed Ali (rtd), who said his agency was raking in close to N5 billion on a daily basis, while others on the divide, such as the manufacturing sector believe the effect of the border closure was impacting on their businesses with the sum of N2 billion been lost every day since the action commenced.
To underscore the enormity of this huge financial loss, particularly the productive sector, it was reliably gathered that there have been intense pressure on the part of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) to appeal to the conscience of the government of the day to soft-pedal on its border closure in the overall interest of the nation. This, it was learnt, was to help ensure that Nigeria does not infringe further on the ECOWAS protocol on trade liberalisation in the sub-regional sector.

Beyond this, however, is the fact that while government appears to have taken the fight to the doorsteps of the smugglers, a new smuggling dimension may have resonated with smugglers now diverting to pineapple smuggling businesses. Market checks Further checks by Saturday Telegraph revealed that, in many markets, especially those in Lagos, traders are of the belief that imported pineapples are more delicious and more nutritious than those grown locally.
However, some local farmers have argued that they are not willing to plant the fruit because it takes time to harvest, aside the lacking of inadequate facilities to produce quality fruits in Nigeria unlike in some neighbouring countries where fruits are planted. A trader simply identified as Madam Osayemi, who sells pineapple at Ogba Market in Lagos State, expressed sadness over the lull in the business, saying that the situation has not been encouraging.

She said: “It has not been easy for us to get pineapple because the border is closed and we buy it at high price. Before, we buy it at N200 and I sell it at N250 but now I sell it at the rate of N350. I have no choice than to increase the price of my pineapples because I have to pay shop rent and other bills in the market”. Osayemi boasted to Saturday Telegraph correspondents that she sells imported pineapple which is from Bende in Cotonou, Benin Republic, with other fruits since the imported pineapple are more enjoyable than the ones produced locally.
"Pineapple is one of the best-selling fruits in Nigeria that one can sell and make quick profit and it contains vitamins and more nutrition for the body. Over 70 per cent of pineapples smuggled into the country daily are sweeter than the locally-produced fruit, but due to the border closure, there had been price increase in pineapple.”
In the line of fire Another young man in the line of the business, who identified himself as Joseph Shobowale gave a clear description of how they smuggled pineapples into the country, narrating how they perfect the illegal act before transporting it into the country. “Most of the pineapples we see in Nigeria are foreign pineapples because they are more nutritious than Nigeria’s pineapple.

We pass through Golo, and from there, it is transferred to the border, where the Customs officers collect ‘pass’ (bribe) from. “The ‘pass’ they collect allow us to be able to situate those goods in Idiroko garage. From there, we get a car to deliver these goods to different locations in Lagos and Owode in Ogun State”, he said. On his part, Olawale, a major player in the illicit transaction, said, he faces a lot of hurdles in the hands of Customs officials, as such he has to work according to their dictates. “We give them details about the goods and the car in order to bring them in; if we are caught, we are urged to pay a huge amount of money because the goods are contraband. Now that the border is closed, we take risk in bringing those goods in.

“Most of the time, we have some routes in the bush and that is why goods are more expensive because they don’t allow them to pass through the borders. Custom can collect it and not release it because the border is closed for now and we are not obeying the laws of the country.” Smugglers’ haven He further said it depends on the road as it takes a lot of weeks before they could deliver the goods to different locations. We used different cars to bring in these pineapples. We use Mazda, Peugeot, and curve 3 double doors commonly known as ‘fayawo motor’ (smugglers’ vehicles). “Most of the pineapples are from Germany, India, China and Benin. It passes through the sea and lands in the border at Golo in Nigeria. We leave immediately after we deliver the goods because it possible for us to get another person who may want to deliver these. “The reason we bring in pineapple is because it is fast selling and cheaper and it is very beneficial to our body system. 50 per cent of our fruits in Nigeria are imported and smuggled into the country.

Another smuggler, Mr. Wale Adeogun, also expressed his worries on the challenges he faces while passing through the border that was locked to deliver goods to the market women. The smuggler who spoke to Saturday Telegraph, during a visit to the Agege market recently, said: “While I was coming today, I paid N10, 000 just for my goods to be released because the owners had called earlier but there was no chance to pick the call, because I was locked up but was released around 6am with my goods. I have no choice but to pay the bribe.”

He added that there was a high demand from traders from the North, because the pineapples are fast-selling product and it is more nutritious than localised fruit. That is why it’s been sold abundantly in Nigeria by all market women and the molars. Another trader, Mrs. Adeshina Rofiat, at Jakande Ketu Market, said there was no difference between Nigeria’s pineapple and the imported ones but ‘’Nigerian pineapple is seasonal,’’ from imported ones. She, however, preferred to sell Benin Republic’s pineapples because it has a good taste and it is fast selling. “I sell my pineapple at the rate of N300, which was not so before,” she added. She further said: “The pineapple is expensive because the border is closed and the customs don’t allow the smugglers into the country; even if they were allowed, they would have to pay a huge amount of money so that the goods can be brought into the country.” Customs on the alert However, Customs Officer, at Seme Border, identified himself simply as Husseini, told the Saturday Telegraph, that: “I don’t think there is any genuine reason why they (smugglers) bring in pineapple since it is planted in the country. There is no point, but he thinks they do it just to earn a living.”

He, however, said when they (smugglers) were caught, they were meant to face the full wrath of the law and would be punished accordingly to the law. He said: “Now that the border is closed, they still find a way to manoeuvre the goods into the country but with all their ruses, we are still ahead of them no matter what. “But there are known solutions to challenge the nuisance that smuggle pineapple into the country”, he said, advising that “they should desist from all evil acts and find a legitimate means to earn living.” Reacting the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)’s Public Relations Officer at Ogun I Area Command, Abdullahi Maiwada, said 654 bags of coconuts were seized among other Items from smugglers. He explained that coconuts were intercepted at Ipokia axis and other illegal routes at the border, while denying the smuggling of pineapple fruits through the Idiroko Border.

Abdullahi said: “Our borders, both approved and non-approved are properly manned as no right-thinking smuggler could think of smuggling such item in large quantity. “The intention of daredevil smugglers was to smuggle such into Nigeria in defiance to Federal Government’s directive on partial border closure. Smuggling of whatever item is suppressed in Ogun Command to barest minimum.” Nutritionist, doctor comment Meanwhile, a nutrition expert, Dr. Olusola Malomo, has warned Nigerians that food safety could become an issue if they don’t watch the rate of consuming the imported pineapples.

In an interview with Saturday Telegraph, Malomo said: “Number one, one major issue we need to consider with the importation of pineapples is food safety because pineapple is a highly perishable product and the time of transition=, if you look at it, between one place and another, it would have started spoiling. “But because of nature of the bark, that is the skin of the pineapple, you would discover that it still looks greenish. But it is by the time you peel it that you would see it has started decaying and if care is not taken because at the point where it starts changing its physical features could harbour microorganisms so food safety issue is one of them.” As far as Malomo is concerned, there are other issues that have to do with content and the perishable nature of the pineapples and how long they might spend in transit.

“There is also the fact that it is sugary and that apart from the transition and perishable nature, even the vehicles they use in transporting them do not conform to the hygiene standards and could expose people to food poisoning and contamination. And that will now depend on how soon it is purchased by consumers, you know by the time they get to the major markets. There is also the issue of its content. If you check, you will discover that our own local pineapples are bigger and the level of fluctos, that is what the sugar level in pineapples are called, is higher in these imported pineapples so people tend to consume more of these imported ones more than our own conventional pineapples which are bigger and have more fibre,” he added. A medical doctor, Dr Doyin Ogunyemi, also weighed in, saying she doesn’t see any issue with the pineapple as fruit except if genetically-modified or not processed properly. “Pineapple is a fruit. For starters, I don’t know if there is an increase in the importation of pineapple, you would know that. But fruits are vegetable that are generally healthy; they only become a problem if they are either not properly processed or not if they are genetically modified. I can’t tell that either but essentially, fresh fruits, nutritionally grown, naturally grown and hygienically prepared are generally healthy to eat.”
https://www.newtelegraphng.com/2019/10/border-closure-rice-smugglers-divert-to-pineapples/

wirinet:
But Somalia is almost a monoethnic country (over 85% are Somalis) and they are permanently at war. The irony is the war is between different Somali factions.

RussianKGB:
Scam oil. We all know how this old trick plays out. They tell the gullibles they've found oil in the north so that the people can relax with the parasitic and leaching phrases they usually use to term the north.

Truth is no oil was discovered. They know they have no resources to bring to the table, so they bring up an imaginary oil discovery to ensure they keep leaching on the south.

LOMBARDY:
siding with Russia indirectly sends a wrong signal to USA in a political way.

Just my opinion though

Carmit:
6.8 billi-WHAT??

WOW...naija is a scam

eternityk:
Lol,I'm neither APC nor PDP
All I care for is development of yoruba land

eternityk:
And they will say they have no federal presence
These people have mastered victim playing

RussianKGB:
Someone who forged a WAEC certificate and swore a fake affidavit to that effect couldn't care more about education.

How he learnt to read and write still remains a mystery.

Anambralstson:
More pictures from Alex Ekwueme square

Unbiased1:
abeg don't cause problem on this thread. You need to search for Yobe state and see the good works of the current governor

Honor10:
It is only nairaland Igbo that think/talk like that, no one else

LOMBARDY:
Nigeria is still young when compared too

EXOUSIAng:
Igbos, always wanna bring tribe into issues,have you igbos realized that the hatred you think every other tribe has for you is a mirrow of the hatred you have for them, a criminal never trusts anyone, he feels they all like him...
the igbos think everyone hates them cos of the hate they have for other tribes. Funny thing is nobody is in competition with you guys, you are in the contest alone and you are still loosing to yourself..