₦airaland Forum

aljharem3:
When Igbo leaders threw all their political eggs into President Goodluck Jonathan's basket, and convinced their kinsmen and women, home and abroad, to do same, I was apprehensive. My worry informed my July 27, 2010 article, "Igbo and Jonathan's presidential ambition," published here, almost a year ago, long before he became the de facto presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).



The support was total, so much so that the five Southeast governors met in Enugu and unilaterally, without the people's consent, disqualified themselves from the presidential race. That was long before their colleagues from the South-south, the President's zone, bought into the project.

As if to amplify their resolve in order not to leave anyone in doubt of the political pathway they had chosen to tread, they shut their door in the face of every other presidential candidate shopping for a running mate. Such steadfastness was unprecedented in the country. But it was a huge gamble, full of risks, particularly coming at a time nobody was sure that he would even win the nomination of his party. The drums of opposition were still resonating against his ambition in the North, and loudly too.

In the article, I asked a simple question. What was in the unprecedented support for Jonathan for the Igbo nation and her people who have, perhaps, suffered more marginalisation than any other group in the country? Will the support be reciprocated?

And my conclusion was simple; "I am not against Jonathan being President beyond May 29, 2011. But if he must be with the help of the Igbo, then it must be discussed."



Not even the humiliating ouster of Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo, former chairman of the PDP, who sharpened the "mainstream politics" argument as reason why the Igbo must embrace the party, dampened the enthusiasm for Jonathan in the Southeast. Instead, they followed through with their promise during the general elections. Southeast voted 97 percent for the President. He got 5,090,140 or 22.93 percent of PDP presidential votes, the second highest after the South-south zone. This is despite the fact that the Southeast is the only zone with five states and the least populated, courtesy of fraudulent figures churned out by dark forces bent on making the Igbo a minority group in the name of census.

Beside Jonathan, the PDP scored about 90 percent in the National Assembly elections and won three governorship seats. There was no governorship poll in Anambra and PDP lost in Imo.

It was therefore natural to expect that in this dispensation, Jonathan and the PDP would compensate the Igbo with a political position that would be worth their sacrifice. But there are indications that that may not happen without a fight.

The first sign that the Southeast will be forced to still hold the wrong end of the political stick which President Olusegun Obasanjo handed them when he was leaving office in 2007 was when the President refused to ensure that the PDP chairmanship returns to the Southeast even after many Igbo leaders met him over the matter after screening and short-listing candidates.



Having delivered their votes to the PDP, expectations were high that the Southeast will either produce the Senate President or the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The North Central presently occupies the position of Senate President - David Mark, while the Southwest produced the Speaker, Dimeji Bankole as decreed by outgoing President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2007.

But the Southwest made a conscious effort to go back to their opposition cocoon. The result is that the PDP got only five out of 66 available House of Representatives seats and one seat out of the 18 senatorial seats in the zone.

As the Southeast National Assembly caucus noted after a recent meeting, "These numbers provide few choices in the Southwest for recruitment of quality leadership that will ensure national stability," because as they further noted, "It is conventional that a presiding officer must enjoy a good measure of parliamentary caucus support."

So, even if the North Central retains the Senate Presidency because of the performance of the PDP in the zone, what will be the justification for retaining the Speakership in the Southwest?



But PDP has a record of compensating failure. One of the conditions for emerging the party's presidential candidate in 1999 was ability to deliver one's zone to the party. Dr. Alex Ekwueme, former Vice President, and founding member of the PDP fulfilled delivered the Southeast to the party. Obasanjo lost the ballot even in his own polling booth but the military wing of the party handed him the ticket.

Some political jobbers have introduced the combustible element of religion into the equation. If a Christian retains the seat of Senate President, then the Speaker must be a Moslem, they argue. But that is a calculated attempt to ensure that the Igbo does not get the Speakership, knowing full well that there is not likely to be a Muslim lawmaker in the National Assembly from the Southeast.

Besides, until Dimeji Bankole became Speaker, Mrs. Patricia Ette, a Christian, was the Speaker and was removed for reasons other than her religion. And as members of the Southeast caucus argued, "In the Second Republic, Dr. Joseph Wayas and Chief Edwin Ume Ezeoke, both Christians from the South were Senate President and Speaker respectively even when Ekwueme and Chief Adisa Akinloye, both Southern Christians held the positions of Vice President and National Chairman respectively." Even now, in the House of Representatives, both Bankole and his deputy, Bayero Nafada, are Muslims.

Equity demands that one of the two National Assembly top jobs should be zoned to the Southeast. Insisting that the Southwest should retain the Speakership is tantamount to the Yoruba eating their cake and having it. It is ironical that the man who is pushing it is the same man who lost his polling unit to the opposition Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

But one pertinent question needs be asked. Why is President Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, the fabled friend, in-law and neighbour to Ndigbo not lifting a finger for them?

Those who cautioned Ndigbo not to put all their eggs in Jonathan's basket last year argued that if the President lost the battle, then the region would be out on a limb. The sad thing is that even with his victory, a victory made possible by the sacrifice of Ndigbo, nothing seems to have changed; Ndigbo may have laboured in vain.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201105100715.html

The truth is bitter and you have just said it. Even the South-South (GEJ's immediate constituency) will not give him a near-total support without pre-conditions and sadly my people will continue to learn the hard way if they don't have a common position before throwing their whole weight behind one man's ambition. The Yoruba's and Northerners have people in both the PDP and opposition parties and they have other forums where they can assess their progress and reconcile issues. The south-south has agreed to support their son but on concrete conditions. I have not seen a 2nd Niger bridge and our federal roads remain prostrate. Nothing to suggest that voting GEJ is worth it. Now if this administration was less corrupt by half one can say that there is something to look forward too and console oneself on regional infrastructural neglect but there is nothing. A few may argue that there are a good number of Igbos in federal appointments but my question remains (1) How has this number of appointees (meriting or not meriting their appointments) helped in consolidating solutions to common problems? (2) The highest ranking Igbo in government remains the deputy senate president (no. 5 man in the country) whose sole interest is controlling the politics of his state from Abuja, how does that help us? (3) The only political parties with south eastern origin has been allowed to collapse into the PDP or disappeared into nothing, I am talking about APGA and PPA. Now the western AC merely merged to form an opposition but still retains its identity within the larger ACN and other parties UPN and SDP remains as an alternative to doing business with the rulng party while many others are still in PDP. If a beautiful girl offers herself cheaply to be screwed by a man who perhaps couldn't believe his luck at the ease at which his lame offer was accepted then she should not blame anybody when the scandal unfolds because others can never take her serious.

I will not believe this until he makes the return journey from south Africa to nigeria using his hands.

robosky02:
Past Winners of the Nigerian league:

• 1972 : Mighty Jets
• 1973 : Bendel Insurance
• 1974 : Rangers International
• 1975 : Rangers International
• 1976 : Shooting Stars FC
• 1977 : Rangers International
• 1978 : Racca Rovers
• 1979 : Bendel Insurance
• 1980 : Shooting Stars FC
• 1981 : Rangers International
• 1982 : Rangers International
• 1983 : Shooting Stars FC
• 1984 : Rangers International
• 1985 : New Nigeria Bank
• 1986 : Leventis United
• 1987 : Iwuanyanwu Nationale
• 1988 : Iwuanyanwu Nationale
• 1989 : Iwuanyanwu Nationale
• 1990 : Iwuanyanwu Nationale
• 1991 : Julius Berger
• 1992 : Stationery Stores
• 1993 : Iwuanyanwu Nationale
• 1994 : BCC Lions
• 1995 : Shooting Stars FC
• 1996 : Udoji United
• 1997 : Eagle Cement
• 1998 : Shooting Stars FC
• 1999 : Lobi Stars
• 2000 : Julius Berger
• 2001 : Enyimba FC
• 2002 : Enyimba FC
• 2003 : Enyimba FC
• 2004 : Dolphins FC
• 2005 : Enyimba FC
• 2006 : Ocean Boys FC
• 2007 : Enyimba FC
• 2008 : Kano Pillars F.C.
• 2009 : Bayelsa United
• 2010 : Enyimba FC
• 2011 :Dolphine FC
• 2012 : Kano Pillars
• 2013 : Kano Pillars
• 2014 : Kano Pillars (winning it again)

You are mistaken about 1987 it was Leventis United that won the league that year (before being disbanded along with Abiola babes that same year). In 1987 leventis and Iwuanyanwu nationale had the same points, aggregate and goals scored but leventis had won more matches. That was how serious the competition was.

new2020:
GEJ plan B is working. Create a new SW party...SDP, fund them and put APC in disarray. Politics 101!

How can the clueless one be behind this nde?

gists:
Nnamdi Azikiwe => Christian => 1963
Major-General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi => Christian => 1966
General Yakubu Gowon => Christian => 1966
General Murtala Mohammed => Muslim => 1975
Major-General Olusegun Obasanjo => Christian => 1976
Shehu Shagari => Muslim => 1979
Major-General Muhammadu Buhari => Muslim => 1983
General Ibrahim Babangida => Muslim => 1985
Ernest Shonekan => Christian => 1993
General Sani Abacha => Muslim => 1993
General Abdulsalami Abubakar => Muslim => 1993
Olusegun Obasanjo => Christian => 1999
Umaru Musa Yar'Adua => Muslim => 2007
Goodluck Jonathan => Christian => 2010-date

Out of 14, we have 7 Christians and 7 Muslims

In South west, it is said that between 1979 - 1983 all the SW states (Ogun, Oyo, Ondo) were ruled by Christian-Christian tickets. Until the advent of Amosun, Ogun state had never had a muslim governor! Just 4 years ago, before Aregbesola, Osun was a under a Christian-Christian ticket (Oyinlola and Obada).

Between 1999 to date, South west has had more christain governors than muslims (Under AD/ACN and PDP)
1999
Ekiti=>Niyi Adebayo=>AD=>Christian
Ogun=>Olusegun Osoba=>AD=>Christian
Ondo=>Adebayo Adefarati=>AD=>Christian
Osun=>Adebisi Akande=>AD=>Christian
Oyo=>Lam Adesina=>AD=>Muslim
Lagos=>Bola Tinubu>AD=>Muslim

2003
Ekiti=>Ayo Fayose=>PDP=>Christian
Ogun=>Gbenga Daniel=>PDP=>Christian
Ondo=>Olusegun Agagu=>PDP=>Christian
Osun=>Olagunsoye Oyinlola=>PDP=>Christian
Oyo=>Rasheed Ladoja=>PDP=>Muslim
Lagos=>Bola Tinubu>ACN=>Muslim

2007
Ekiti=>Segun Oni=>PDP=>Christian
Ogun=>Gbenga Daniel=>PDP=>Christian
Ondo=>Olusegun Agagu / Olusegun Mimiko=>PDP / LP=>Christian
Osun=>Olagunsoye Oyinlola / Rauf Aregbesola=>PDP / ACN=>Christian / Muslim
Oyo=>Alao Akala=>PDP=>Christian
Lagos=>Babatunde Fashola>ACN=>Muslim


2011
Ekiti=>Kayode Fayemi=>ACN=>Christian
Ogun=>Ibikunle Amosun=>ACN=>Muslim
Ondo=>Olusegun Mimiko=>LP=>Christian
Osun=>Rauf Aregbesola=>ACN=>Muslim
Oyo=>Abiola Ajimobi=>ACN=>Muslim
Lagos=>Babatunde Fashola>ACN=>Muslim


PDP has produced more Christain governors in SW than other parties. Does that mean PDP is a Christian party?

All this religious antics are crap if you ask me. What is most important is the credibilty and the performance of the one in charge. Little wonder most south westerners doesn't even realise the fact above that there have been more christian governors.

FFk maliciously said APC governors are made up of 80 % muslims in order to manipulate the poplulace toward voting PDP against the facts above. What he maliciously lfet out is the fact that in South-East and South South governors have been 100% christians (and almost certainly, their deputies too!)

So Where is the Ismalization of Nigerian? In fact, should the majority of the Northan muslim population vote against PDP since PDP is the one playing the religion politics?

I agree with you 150 percent on the last paragraph at least.

Great Ikenga! "They say an Ikenga is never beaten anywhere". ABSU Boyz dey represent well Nwanne.

In a true democracy it is not the President (a member of the executive arm of government) that determines who should be speaker (a legislative member of the house of representatives). Where is the separation of power principle? Besides if it were a party meeting the party by what ever their constitution says or by consensus (where the party constitution is silent) can zone the position of the speaker if one of theirs emerge (still subject to the vote by members of the lower chamber regardless of party affiliation).

But as it is the House is yet to impeach the current speaker, he (the speaker) is still alive and earning his remuneration as a speaker and is yet to resign. The current speaker can only lose the representation of his constituency via elections or recall, as for his position as a speaker it is not vacant as of now and there is no court order ordering his removal or an in house election. The action of the acting inspector of police citing a section (leaning on his own interpretation) is unconstitutional without the judiciary, once again the executive arm is overstepping its bounds.

Enyimba now is your opportunity to wrestle the title from kano pillars, just do the job in PH tomorrow and in week 38 we will finish off kano pillars at Aba. Carry go! Nzogbu! Nzogbu! Enyimba! Enyi!

Frank talk by an academic. I feel this professor dude because GEJ is from his constituency (University)......then again having a Ph.D in zoology may have informed his (GEJ's) leadership style and quality. I will look for George Orwell's Animal Farm novel because there are similarities to this polity. When you remember GEJ saying "stealing s not corruption" and the Pigs at the Animal Farm saying "All animals are equal but some are more equal than others" you can't help but wonder if Nigeria is not on the brink of self destruction like the animal farm.

richardjemedafe1:
Is Gulder ultimate search for Ibos only??

I noticed that most of the participants are Ibo's(Any way c-grt 2 the winner)

Its not for Igbos only, it is for people who can compete (no holds barred style) devoid of quota system and God father things. And by nature hustlers are not easily beaten in a fair contest.

YungwizzzyPt7:
President Goodluck Jonathan will be honouring his wife, the first lady Dame Patience Jonathan with the award of GCFR (Grammar Commander of The Federal Republic). Sources said this is due to the immense contributions of the first lady to English Language in Nigeria. Another reason for this prestigious award is that the first lady has affected a lot of lives positively with her humorous speeches that make Nigerians laugh and forget their sorrows.

This according to Mr. President has increased the life span of an average Nigerian. Example of her speeches include:

* Nigeria is a great CONTINENT.
* My husband and Sambo IS good people.
* I rather KILL myself than to commit SUICIDE.
* My fellow widows.
* I travelled to abroad to rest in peace.
* My husband is the best couple on earth.
* The doctors are responding to treatment.
* For those who said I speech bad English, I left them for God. *Ojukwu is dead, but his Manhood stil lives on.
* Na only you waka come?
* Chai! Chai!! Chai!!! diaris God o...

Please support and honour our first lady by sharing to all

Signed
Yungwizzzy
Head of committee

So said the SHEPOPOTAMUS.

Peter Obi reminds me of Pops of the regular show.

LMAyedun:
This was their university days...she was a student, he was a lecturer.

I no fit laff who go Uni? Patience? Abeg! Abeg! Try another one. Many studios back then had gowns for 'hire and pose'.

valmunich:
WTF is he staring at

Implants baby, implants.

yungcyrus:
All the boxed up guys don marry all d fine gals finish



Broke Niggas be lyk " the beautiful ones aint born yet"

No be say na you talk bros abi na sis you be? no matter money fit make ugly man marry better chick, money still go make woman leave him man go after another, same money matter fit make ugly girl go plastic surgery and with subsequent maintenance she go be like Britney Spears far back.

dovelike:
Do they know that there are more cases of Ebola in America than in Nigeria?

They should start by rejecting people from texas first.

Hold on! Is today 20th of October? make I look for my snuff box..... not that dark brownish substance my grand father used to take nowadays its white.

akumada1:
Negotiating with terrorists is not welcome in western countries and it should not be welcome here.

But it was in an middle eastern country (saudi arabia) that the negotiations are taking place not any western country besides 'Boko haram' means 'no to western education'.

See Allowiii ooooh!

Funny guys!

No place for the scum to hide.

Nonsense if them like make dem change Nigeria name to ebola (in their damned) records I couldn't care less. The UK and the US have conspired against us for years so what else is new. We have no friends anywhere in the world. Onye ndi iro gbara gburu gburu na Eche ndu ya eche.

Happy birthday phino ala la!!! On behalf of Umu 042 (ndi alooba gi).

YankeeJoe:
Helo fellow nairalanders, greetins 2 y'al..

Pls i got an experience i wud gladly luv 2 share wit u & seek ur positive advice..

I met ds gal i loved so dearly in 2006 on her bck frm skul. @1st sight, i developed a strong feelin 2 wards her ( i dnt mean infatuation, lets any man persecute me), we got along as frnds n along d line, i made my intentions knwn 2 her but she turned me down. She claimed bn ok wit me jus being a frnd 2her.

I felt d pains bt learnt hw 2 deal wit it while i continue my life wit sm1 else...
In 2013, she started showin emotional feelins 2wards wit d intention of bn in a serious n committed relationship wit me...

She came up wit d claim dat her ex did nt luv her like she wntd hence,
she quited d relationship ( na me be d maga wey go blve dat kind cock n bul story abi? Or na me go cum luv u pass nw afta dos nigas don finish wrk?)


Truth is, her ex(s) ve al used n dumped her bt nw she has rememba me (2 her she feels am a spare tire; God 4bid!!)..

She's up wit d claim dat we were both 2 young & inexperienced 2 date bck then.. Dat she alwz luvd n cherished me...

My qstn is: y wud a lady frnd-zone a guy dat sincerely luvd her bt afta wards go bck 2 him afta bn mesmerized by oda rouged guys?

Guys, pls, wat do u tink abt ds?

Thank God your name na YankeeJoe no be YankeeJones . One foolish babe come back after 5 years by then the a.ss and bosoms don go leave. Her eye bags too sef sag. She hear say I come training school under bank work, come dey yarn say she lose my contact.

Imagine the likeness.

Pro-Unitate!!

Has South Africa released our laundered funds? Whose private jet are they going to use to make the delivery? Let them no tell us say the plane crash come burn on top, beyond repair and salvation.

before or after tax?

See what they have done to Anambra Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

Well other parties like APC and APGA can come up with their candidates in Ebonyi State but consensus, imposed or competitive election it's going to be difficult to beat PDP (even without the help of the Federal authorities) in that state. The only good thing is that the ebonyi south senatorial zone has not smelt the position of the governor so Chukwu represents that opportunity.

All na poo! poo! poo! poo! If you exonerate president Ayo of money laundering in this not so convincing fashion what do you say about the breach of Aviation laws concerning an aircraft licenced for a purpose other than carrying government money and conveying people outside it's licence (since the were not executive members of the company that jet belonged to?)?


Is it just the aviation laws what of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) laws on leasing company property to another organisation without any formality?


Why would a CAN spokesperson (and not the PR staff of the company (or ministry) that own the jet be releasing official reasons for the cash and carry business the jet was involved in and in the process wittingly admitting to leasing the jet (breaking the company laws of the country)? Or is there no distinction between Oritsejafor as CAN president and Oritsejafor as head of his church (primary constituency)?


Say I no go school reach or say I no fit do nothing as a common ordinary citizen no mean say my sense don dull reach the level of millions of gullible nigerians.

End!

Why always round numbers?