₦airaland Forum

The only achievement in my book so far is the increased transparency in the NNPC - we're now beginning to see more openness in terms of financial reporting. Even this may be reversed once Kachikwu is replaced.

Fair enough. I just don't want to hear "pim" from APC concerning corruption going forward. Just focus on governance.

Dharniel:
Trying to believe in their said policies and functions buh the group's name ain't earning my trust, no positive-goal-oriented group name itself "shadow"...

Try to Google the name "shadow cabinet".

LordAdam:
We can't have those infrastructure in Nigeria. It simply is not possible. You could blame the government all you want, however most in the government were once ordinary citizens. The government is a reflection of the citizenry.

Nigerians are short-sighted, have zero maintenance culture, and have chronic Alzheimers.

We do not have the discipline or know-how to plan effectively, we do not have the capacity to follow a plan even if we had one. Then what about the markup in price that can inflate the cost of a project from as low as twice the price to as high as a dozen times the price. N170m was used to build a borehole I remember. And that's where the borehole was constructed. In some cases, the same amount of money will be used to construct an artificial reservoir to collect rain water. In the worst scenario, no project will be done.

Now if any of those happened, there is zero accountability. If any one were to be convicted then all of it is politically motivated, how else is Ibori in jail and Tinubu is not?

Even if we were to get the project going, how are we sure sub-standard materials and personnel will not be used? Our roads are a good example of what I mean. Going further, do Nigerians have a maintenance culture? When last was the Third Mainland Bridge closed for maintenance (The answer is Never)? So what makes you think we would start with those mega road networks.

Our politicians travel, heck even the citizenry do. We are amazed by what we see outside. And you ask why not they replicate those stuff here? How about we replicate following simple traffic rules for a start? Do you adorn pigs with precious stones? How is it that a typical Nigerian will not litter Shoprite with the packaging of their sweet, but will litter sachet water packaging in the local open-air market?

You see, Nigerians like to blame everyone other than themselves for their predicaments. The government, another tribe, their kins in the village. Keep the blame games going while everyone else is moving forward.

If the perpetual traffic gridlock in Lagos were stabilized (note not eliminated, Manhattan, Beijing still experience traffic gridlock for several minutes at a time), Lagos will be the fastest growing local economy in Nigeria.

-Lord

Just to address the part in bold, it's not true that the 3rd Mainland bridge has "never" been closed for maintenance - I think there was one sometime last year and another two years ago (if my memory serves me well).

I agree with the substance of your post, however.

SkyBlue1:
Understand the traditions of the systems and where such traditions have come from before suggesting something. A major problem has been this "copy and paste" attitude we continuously adopt without fully nderstanding the implications. We don't run a paliamentary system. The president does not appoint ministers from congress or elected representatives.

Of course I know that the practice is mostly used under the parliamentary system. However if you read my opening notes I clearly stated my belief that it can be adapted to fit a presidential system. All we need is for the Constitution to mandate the biggest opposition party in the country to nominate ministers from within the party that will release statements from time to time on major issues in each aspect of governance: whether the economy, security, agriculture, foreign affairs etc.

To be honest I haven't fully thought this through (in fact, I'm willing to listen to better ideas) but my overall point is that we need to find a way to stimulate debate between the two major parties on the issues that matter. I'm tired of the frivolous nonsense that dominates the news. Let's find a way to elevate the political debate for the good of the country.

This thread is quite silent, I wonder why. Could it be because there are no specific personalities here to be attacked or defended? Or is it because there's no reference to tribe or religion? Or is it because it's a topic that requires intellectual depth to comment on?

In any case, I think it's a topic worth discussing. Lalasticlala, how market?

The article below argues that the PDP should set up a shadow cabinet to take on the ruling party on issues of governance. Not only do I agree, but I think we should make it a constitutional requirement. I think we can find a way to make it work in a presidential system. Lord knows we need healthy debate on topical issues - a shadow cabinet may help bring that about.

The excitement, craze, suspense and drama surrounding the nomination and confirmation of Buhari cabinet members are not funny or entertaining. It’s a childish scene which makes our country, outside of Abuja and Lagos, the laughing stock of the world.

The Buhari nomination theater shows us an opposition leader who was more interested in winning an election than properly prepared to govern a country.

When David Cameron won the British general election earlier this year, on May 7th, 2015, his government key members were announced in the afternoon of May 8th, and the full cabinet was officially announced on May 11th, which means four days after the election results had been announced.

One might argue it was easier for Cameron as his was a second-term government. Good point, but let’s look back at what was the timeline when Tony Blair won his first term as the Labour Party leader on May 1st, 1997, after 18 years in the opposition. Blair’s full government was announced on May 2nd, 1997 — the day after.

Buhari’s failure to form a cabinet five months after being elected is something that would be unheard of in countries where the practice of a shadow cabinet exists and has become a tradition, like the United Kingdom or Australia. In those countries, opposition parties are always ready to step in to govern the country almost immediately because they run a full-time alternative government.

What is a shadow government?

According to the British Parliament glossary, “The shadow cabinet is made up of frontbench MPs and members of the House of Lords from the second largest party, or official opposition party. The opposition party appoints an MP to shadow each of the members of the cabinet, in this way the opposition can shadow each government department and can question them thoroughly. It also means that the opposition has MPs and lords that are ready to take specific jobs in the cabinet if they win at the next general election”.

In other words, the opposition party forms an alternative government with the structure and ministers’ portfolios mimicking the ones in the official current government.

In the UK, the shadow cabinet is a formally recognized political body and is called “Her Majesty’s official opposition”. The leader of the opposition receives full salary from public financing, and the ministers of the shadow government are usually members of the parliament which means they are already salaried as MP.

Following that tradition, five months after Cameron formed his second-term government, the Labour Party cabinet was announced on September 14th.

In Australia, the opposition shadow cabinet is also a formally recognized political body. Shadow ministers’ salaries are set at the same rate as ministers. Researchers and other staff also receive an allowance, around one-fifth of that allocated to ministers.

What are the benefits of a shadow government?

There are three main benefits.

A shadow cabinet helps the opposition to become an organized and disciplined political body. Losing power usually leads to disarray, disaffection and internal conflicts that often damage the image and the morals of members of the opposition. However, the immediate requirement to elect a new opposition leader, define a new political agenda and also form a shadow cabinet with possible future ministers has the virtue to bring in fresh ideas, new faces, and revive the opposition’s fighting spirit to get back to power.

Next, the opposition party is always ready to step in with an alternative government. The shadow cabinet usually models its structure on that of the current government. By doing so, and by having shadow ministers for the various portfolio areas, the opposition would be in the capacity to follow, understand, oppose and offer alternative to the actual government’s polices and decisions.

The shadow cabinet settles specialization among opposition members, as it’s not possible for the opposition leader or the party spokesperson alone to comment knowledgeably on all issues. Shadow ministers are positioned to tackle their counterparts in the government with deep knowledge of sectoral issues, and exert one-on-one pressure on ministers whilst developing alternative policies and plans.

For example, in recent political campaigns in Australia, the campaign debates were not limited to face-to-face between the opposition leader and the ruling party leader, but also featured face-to-face debates between ministers and shadow ministers in various high-profile portfolios, such as health, industrial relations and finance. These debates were much more specialized, more informative for the public and the media for the evaluation of policies and government performance.

Finally, a shadow government provides training to potential future ministers and helps them gain experience. For wannabe ministers in the opposition, competing for nomination in the shadow cabinet, then exerting the role of shadow minister constitute a ground for training in these two areas: the skill to argue, debate and project a strong public image as opposition member, and the skill to coordinate, organize and administrate. These are necessary for a minister-to-be.

Nigeria should follow others’ example

A shadow cabinet is a miniature of a full-blown cabinet with less workload, less stress and accountability. For example, in a real cabinet, the members compete for resources and priority of policies, while a shadow cabinet is much more collegial, less internally competitive.

Regardless of the limited training, a shadow cabinet could offer to prepare shadow ministers for the scale and depth of activity of a government. It still is the best way to provide familiarity to the forms and processes used in government to future ministers.

The following countries have adopted the shadow cabinet tradition for the benefits we have described above: Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Malaysia, New Zealand, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Scotland, Wales.

In Nigeria, the PDP should initiate that healthy tradition to avoid the full-scale ridicule the APC is covering our country in.

Source

Enahi:
Buhari should make him an Ambassador instead. If Amaechi scales through and be made a minister trust me Nigerians will never respect Buhari's anti-corruption war.

The whole world is watching, its no longer a Nigerian thing. Trust me what what becomes of Ameachi will be used as a yardstick to measure Buhari's anti-corruption war and the Senate as well.

Buhari should give him an Ambassodorial post to take the eyes of the world off Amaechi.

To be honest, I thought he was gonna make him an Ambassador too. Anyway since he considers Amaechi worthy of a ministerial position we might as well drop the pretence of "fighting corruption" and focus on governance instead.

All I know is that I'll be sure to double-check every single thing he says as Information Minister, or wait for concrete evidence.

Where Ibori for dey get mouth dey talk from prison sef?

During last visit to the United Nations General Assembly meeting in the United States of America, Alhaji Nura was with President Buhari entourage and facilitated most of the meetings that President Buhari attended in the sidelines of the UNGA.

His sack may not be unconnected with the protocol debacle in the last UN meeting. But the propagandists told us Joy Ogwu was responsible.

Where on earth did Nasir El-Rufai get these figures from? Why do these politicians love deceit?

Truth be told Jonathan most likely spent more than Buhari but there's no need to exaggerate.

I understand the need to hype Buhari's outing at New York but why use Obama's name? Does that look like a man who's "captivated"?

Daft sycophants.

The Police under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police deployed our unique intelligence and operational capabilities including Police helicopters for aerial surveillance. Our intelligence and operational teams comprising Intelligence Response Team (a special anti-kidnapping unit), Conventional and Mobile Policemen were deployed for rescue operation. They followed the path from the point of kidnapping at his farm at Ilado, along Igbatoro Road in Akure, Ondo State and trailed the hoodlums through bushes to Owo in Ondo State. In the process, we were able to identify the major actors and currently high level Police activities are being emplaced to apprehend and bring them to justice.

I thought Olu Falae said that the kidnappers dropped him off? When did all this "action movie" happen?

Lol... una #ChildNotBride people dem say make una buy brain oh, shey una don hear?

The fear of Buhari. What a wonderful phrase. Who would’ve thought that a president who wins a landslide election victory would be termed as being fearsome.

Buhari's election victory was in no way a landslide. For God's sakes the difference in votes was less than 3 million, compared with 10 million in 2011.

Sycophants can't even be bothered to present facts.

But who are the people that keep spreading these lies though?

QuotaSystem:
Stop exposing your ignorance. Bilateral meetings simply mean a meeting between two sides regardless of whether private or otherwise.

Besides, the post never stated in what capacity Clinton and Gates met PMB. In Gates case it's most likely as CEO of his NGO which also makes their meeting bilateral.

My friend shut up. We are talking about a UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY here, you're bringing dictionary. In the context of foreign relations, bilateral meetings can only be held between countries or regional groups.

If you're going to talk nonsense, don't bother quoting me.

How does one have a "bilateral" meeting with a private citizen?

Lol.

Why on earth is a presidential address to the UN being turned into a political affair? How exactly does the number of people listening to the president affect the numerous issues affecting Nigeria? When will you people have sense?

My stand on this issue remains clear: By all means let the trial of Saraki go ahead and let him be punished if found guilty - but please and please, let no one come to claim that this trial is some kind of "fight against corruption". As long as you don't say that in my presence, we're cool.

But Saraki isn't being asked to resign as a result of non-performance, and neither did the Republican party "impose" Boehner or McConnell on the US Congress.

N.B: I'm not saying that "Saraki must stay" (I couldn't care less about him). I'm just saying this thread is pointless.

Good development.

However on reading further, this caught my attention:

Commenting on the state of the nation’s refineries, he said they were currently working at 30 percent capacity, which was unprofitable.

So were the people who said that the refineries are now working at full capacity? Why do we tell lies so much?

I'm sorry but why on earth is this an issue worth discussing? Of all the problems currently bedeviling Nigeria you actually have time to compare PMB and GEJ's descents from presidential jets?

What is wrong with you people?

I remember when the likes of Nasir El-Rufai went on Twitter to accuse the former president of sponsoring Boko Haram attacks.

I wonder why this article wasn't written before March 28. Did Saraki just start controlling Kwara State?

Sylva vs Dickson, Audu vs Wada - which one is worse?

Bayelsa people sorry oh.

Why is Amanpour speaking to the Emir of Kano as opposed to the Shehu of Borno? Did Boko Haram originate from Kano?

Yawn...

Wake me up when trial begins... *returns to bed*

They do have a point. The NDDC is a statutory body and the Board have a fixed tenure as defined by the NDDC Act. Any dismissals of these directors, to my mind, should have been done in conjunction with the lawmakers.