₦airaland Forum

Aside the Medical profession, journalism arguably commands high degree of respect not only in Nigeria but the world over. However, the attitudes of our media practitioners most especially before and after the 2015 elections are beginning to erode the global rating of the news business. Nigerians now take news emanating from our media landscape with plethora of suspicion, despondency and circumspection. Chief amongst the violators and abusers of basic journalism tenets is the once revered Nation Newspaper which is fast portraying itself as the propaganda arm of the APC. For a tabloid that once prided itself as a liberal information disseminating medium to degenerate to this low ebb of selective, partial, sentimental, parochial and incitive junk journalism raise questions about the ability of Nigerians to continually uphold the oaths of their respective professions in the face of dangling political carrots and pecuniary considerations.
How do we reconcile various mischievous captions such as "Dasuki implicates past governors and PDP stalwarts in arms scandal", Dokpesi's arm scandal increases to N10billion", "$2.1billion arms scandal-EFCC weighs its option on Jonathan" etc? While Dasuki has vehemently refuted ever making such confession at EFCC or elsewhere ( a position corroborated by his lawyer), the apparent sensationalization of Dokpesi's trial simply connotes a vindictive agenda by the Nation and its editors. Politically induced captions and anti-PDP news now enjoy daily raves on the front pages of the Nation Newspaper while other sensitive news revolving around Boko haram escapades, economic downturn, the ongoing fuel crisis, Chibok Girls abduction and suicide bombings are rarely reported by the tabloid. This throws up the question-whose interest is the Nation Newspaper protecting?

Nobody (not even ardent supporters of PDP) is expecting Nigeria to be comprehensively fixed in six months but Buhari and APC have proved to be utterly unprepared for governance. For a president that spent over a decade contesting for the presidency to exhibit such naive and novice postures raises so much dust about what he and his party really have to offer. Economically, the country is been run on trial-by-error basis without clearcut direction. In the area of security the government is best known for propaganda rather than results. Boko haram is not only expanding its capacity, lives are been lost almost on daily basis but all we hear is the rhetoric of "Boko haram is fighting its last battle". Ironically, Fulani herdsmen seem to be having a field day without single warning from Buhari's presidency. Is this a height of tribalism and the often talked about religious bigotry? If a govt is still in the wilderness eight months post election, what awaits the nation in the remaining 40 months?

hammariise:
Alaibe just clarifies his stand,,,,
Up APC

Clarified what? All these gimmicks and beer parlour hoax will not save Sylva and APC from crushing defeat. Mark my words, APC will not poll more than 30% of total votes in Bayelsa today. No be only APC, na Panadol.

Bevista:
The points you raised are valid, but I want to offer some other perspective.

Nigeria operates a Federal system of government. PMB is the leader of the Federal Government while the Governors are leaders of their State Governments. In a Federal system of government, the president does not necessarily interfere with governance at the state level except it becomes an issue of national interest. The president does not even have a say on how much goes to a State - it is all set in our fiscal laws.

PMB is currently fighting corruption in the Federal Government, because he has information at his disposal at that level to fight it. At the state level, governors should also fight corruption of their predecessors since they have information concerning state transactions at their disposal. I am not aware of PMB hounding anyone from the state. It appears that he is hounding only PDP member, that is because it was PDP who have been running the Federal Government for which he leads now. State governors should also take the gauntlet and fight their predecessors with irrefutable facts if they have such evidence - but ofcourse they won't since "he who comes to equity must come with clean hands" and they are as guilty as anyone else.

Do you expect the president to go to Lagos and Rivers state government house to start asking for information to prosecute Amaechi and Fashola? What is the responsibility of those State Governors? We pay too much attention to the Federal Government while allowing the State Governors to be irresponsible. Please hold those governors responsible for what goes on in their states.

Many of the points you raised are cogent but you seemed to have digressed from the intent of my post. We are all aware of the separation of powers our constitution stipulates but the powers vested in the hands of the president avails him the opportunity of obtaining information about financial proceeding in States. One of such powers was used some weeks ago when Buhari ordered DSS invasion of Govt House in Akwa-Ibom.

Be it as it may, Buhari was aware of the fact that the monies spent on his campaigns did not come from the moon. He obviously knew they were from corrupt State Governors but did not raise any eyebrow about it. Under what expense heads were those funds from APC governors classified? Security or miscellaneous expenses? Why is he and APC now hanging Dokpesi for receiving money for media coverage and campaigns? Selective justice is a crime against man and God.

osewanu:
E-diot. In your little mind you have failed to realize that this is why Nigeria is so broke as not to be able to pay salaries at least Lagos can still pay salaries? Two wrongs can never make a right. This is our money and they have to pay back. It's simple. When they said Jonathan was distributing dollars all over the place in desperation, you and your fellow e-diots said it was APC propaganda. Now we see it was fact.

I won't dignify your post by exchanging banters with you but by your reasoning, I have no doubt that your IQ is seriously impaired. However, Nairaland is meant to educate kids like you. States cannot pay salaries not necessarily because of pulsity of fund from the Federation Account but simply because of State Governors' wastefulness, ingenuity and playing politics with govt funds. In the last elections, money meant for salaries were used to finance the campaign of Buhari and other candidates and that suggested why Buhari was arm twisted to approve the bailout fund. Read newspapers and open your minds to happenings in the country. OK?

sandraokosun1:
are u aware the dangotes,danjumas,dantatas etc where on buhari radar to push him, he had more than enough support frm non elected people who he even rejected some,apc didnt spend much on publicity, nta,ait,channel(neutral) vanguard, etc were all stormed by pdp. Apc was a masses movement by mostly the northerns who cant even read a newspaper, and the westerners who were aware on the goings in the nation. The branding was mainly done online with the common men who were feed up

Story from the pit of hell. I am surprised people like you are still in the dark about the lies and deceit of APC. My friend, APC as an opposition party was purely financed by the States under their control. That suggests why they are doing everything to hijack the oil producing States of Rivers and Akwa-Ibom from PDP. Don't fool us please..

niyidenrele:
.....are u saying,that since,they are thieves ,we should not investigate the former ,....leave APC ,to d next government coming after ,they too ,will conduct their own investigation

It's a sin and act of condemnable hypocrisy for thieves to be on the heels of fellow thieves. Do you remember the story of the biblical prostitute who was dragged to Jesus for condemnation? He who has not committed sin should cast the first stone. That's my beef with APC.

PRYCE:
Well thought, well written!

Many thanks.

CecyAdrian:
What is wrong with u

Nothing do me.

Barcanista, as logical as your postulations might be, practically, it does not seem to be in tandem with the realities in our govt bureaucracies. Ordinarily, the office of NSA should not be seen to have anything to do with party campaigns or anything outside Security but this is not straight-jacketed.

1. National Security is not about the police, military or paramilitary affairs only, it involves everything about the life of any sitting govt. Ensuring that such govt is not ousted from power (by whatever means) is a joint responsibility of the NSA and other govt officials.

2. Media advertisements against insurgency and expositions on individuals who are seen as enemies of the State also fall under the jurisdiction of the NSA and any fund allotted to his office can be used appropriately as situation requires..

3. Excess Funds from Security Votes can be redirected for other pressing needs.

4. Dokpesi has explained the purpose for which the money he received was meant. It's now left for the court to establish the veracity of his claim. After all every govt in power pumps money into NTA for image laundering and campaign purposes.

We all support any fight against corruption but it must be done with sincerity of purpose. Buhari should explain where his party got his campaign funds from.

omenka:
Why don't you just petition the EFCC with your facts and evidences instead of ranting online like a battered IPOD tout

My friend, stop been pretentious and cynical just like the deceitful party you support. Petitions were submitted by CACOL to the EFCC and the presidency months before Fashola and Ameachi were nominated, screened and confirmed as Ministers. Your doublemouthedness and sentiments are too inimical to the growth of Nigeria. OK?

No matter how we try to pretend about the rots in our electioneering processes, our type of democracy will always promote the act of using State funds to finance the election of public office holders be it at the State or Federal levels and this underplays the noise and hollaballoos the ensuing Arms Purchase probe is generating. This is not suggesting that deploying govt funds to finance individuals and political parties is a good practice or the best way to go but that's the reality. As long as our Constitution and Electoral Acts prohibit Independent Candidacy, as long as Political Parties are constitutionally mandated to sponsor their respective candidates, public office holders will always deep their hands in govt cofers to finance personal and intra-party activities .Has anybody asked questions on how Tinubu, Fashola, Ameachi , Aregbesola and other APC stalwarts allegedly used their respective State Funds to finance their party when they were in opposition? Did anybody try to unravel how Buhari's electioneering campaigns were financed (pls forget the story of N50m donations from members of the public)? How about the billions of Naira APC spent on advertisements both locally and internationally? Who financed the fuelling of the many private jets Buhari used during his nationwide campaigns? What about the money spent on Buhari's Chatham House appearance? Where did the funds come from? The answer is not farfetched. These are monies from State treasuries hidden under spurious, fictitious and questionable expense heads. It's as simple as that. Obviously, the N78million and N300million allegedly spent by Fashola on Website and Borehole respectively might not have gone into his private pocket but for party financing purposes. To this extent, the siting govt should first of all remove the specks from its own eyes before reaching out to the plight of others.
APC and Buhari are fighting a battle that may boomerang if care is not taken and I see them burning their fingers along the line. Kettles should desist from calling the pot black.

Whether we like it or not, our type of democracy will always promote the act of using State funds to finance the election of public office holders be it at the State or Federal levels. This is not suggesting that it's a good practice or the best way to go but that's the reality. Has anybody asked questions on how Tinubu, Fashola, Ameachi , Aregbesola and other APC stalwarts allegedly used their respective State Funds to finance their party when they were in opposition? Did anybody try to unravel how Buhari's electioneering campaigns were financed (pls forget the story of N50m donations from members of the public)? How about the billions of Naira APC spent on advertisements both locally and internationally? Who financed the fuelling of the many private jets Buhari used during his nationwide campaigns? What about the money spent on Buhari's Chatham House appearance? Where did the funds come from? The answer is not farfetched. These are monies from State cofers hidden under spurious, fictitious and questionable expense heads. It's as simple as that. Obviously, the N78million and N300million allegedly spent by Fashola on Website and Borehole respectively might not have gone into his private pocket but for party financing purposes.
APC and Buhari are fighting a battle that may boomerang if care is not taken and I see them burning their fingers along the line. Kettles should desist from calling the pot black.

comos:
The Governor has been shouting that PVC are been cloned but the media ignored him, now the desperation of APC to rigged Bayelsa election is gradually known. Don't forget that they control INEC, so anything can happen.
Bayelsan be vigilant, stand and defend your vote.

You're so much on point. Though one cannot establish the veracity of this story, however it's on record that Oshiomole was the first to raise alarm on the proliferation of cloned PVCs in the botched APC first primaries where he was the presiding officer. He specifically accused Timi Sylva of printing cloned PVCs for the heated primaries. Bayelsans should do everything to protect their votes from APC rigging syndicate.

themilanway:
This would be the last time I will indulge you so here it is.....

Fashola and Amechi were not the NSA,they didn't have a hand directly or indirectly to the loss of thousands of lives,properties and live stocks.

You must be dumb if you think Buhari will be chasing Dasuki if the bone of contention is 78million naira.

You must be extremely stupidd to shout witch hunting if you have never lose any relative or friend to the boko haram insurgency.

Dude your rant begins and ends here.

Deal with it

Just Check your post and see if you actually made any sense. By the way, I have decided not to exchange diatribes with people on Nairaland and you won't force me to do that. Who told you the allegation against Fashola is restricted to N78 million? How about the billions of naira allegedly mismanaged by Amaechi? People like you are better ignored for their folly. Don't quote me again.

themilanway:
These days everyone wants to/is now political analyst or pundit.Even those who ought to sit down and take a critical stock of their life as 2015 winds down now suddenly thinks that their opinion matters or count.

These same people will be the 1st to haul abuse and insult at the president should any bomb go off.

All Buhari is asking Dasuki and co is for them to account for every single kobo they signed off on,all in the name of buying phantom arms.

If you lots can't deal with it,locate the nearest lagoon and jump in it.

Your opinion and petty sentiment is never noted.

Something is actually wrong with you. If you think you're more analytical, why can't you ponder on why Fashola and Ameachi are regarded as saints by Buhari despite petitions written against them? The fact is that the president is sentimental and selective in the so called fight against corruption. Use your head dude.

Senator Sanni and Colonel Umar(of IBB era) are some of the decent voices from the North. They speak the truth no mater their political and sociocultural affiliations.

PassingShot:
With all the allegations leveled against those arrested, you still don't see the need to prosecute them!
Has the govt deprived any of them of their constitutional rights?

They are mere allegations until the court says otherwise. The fact that monies were paid out from the office of the NSA to individuals or corporate entities does not amount to corruption. Those arrested would defend themselves appropriately.

PassingShot:
Try harder OP. You're not making any point here.

Oh really? Try to read the piece with an undiluted mind. Our nation comes first before politics.

Few weeks back, the nation was greeted with the frenzy of the arrest and detention of erstwhile National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki in connection with allegations bordering on illegal possession of arms, money laundering and diversion of funds meant for procurement of arms and ammunition. As the prosecution of the former security chief goes back and forth, news filtered in just yesterday that notable Nigerians who are mostly members of the opposition and their acquaintances including media mogul, Raymond Dokpesi had been arrested by either the EFCC or the DSS for alleged involvement in the same arms purchase quagmire. While all well-meaning Nigerians should key into any steps taken to rid Nigeria of graft, care must be taken not to allow such euphoria to push us back to the dark days of tyranny where rights of citizens were impugned upon in the course of fighting corruption. While the laws of the land should be allowed to take its full course, we must not close our eyes to the brigade of seeming infractions unfolding in the entire arms purchase saga and this brings us to the following points:

1. Funds allocated to the office of the NSA for national security are not meant entirely for the procurement of arms as been touted by the sitting government hence, it's not unexpected that monies budgeted for arms procurement can be redirected for other exigencies as they arise.

2. Funds allocated as Security Votes are not entirely expended on security be it at Federal or State levels. If these were so, State Governors should be asked to explain if their yearly security votes were used for arms procurement only.

3. As a result of the sensitive nature of national security, full disclosures are not often made on security expenditure approved by the President/ Governor or security bills sent to the Legislature for appropriation. If the approving authority sees the need to redirect an expense head to other pressing needs, it must not be taken as an act of corruption. Our concern should be whether or not those funds were judiciously spent.

The government of Buhari must exercise restraint in compromising our security in the name of fighting corruption and the desire to silence opposition voices in Nigeria.

Modified

VonBismark:
Truth is I find it very difficult to pray for nigeria because the level of hypocrisy is just too much. In truth the insurgency is getting out of hand to the extent that the news of boko haram is considered a normal phenomenon but that doesn't preclude people from defending the present regime with their last breath on this matter when its obvious that Buhari and his apc crew used the insurgency to score cheap political points when they knew that they don't have a clue on how to end it. Yes this issue shouldn't be turned into a politics thing but u can't talk about the insurgency without talking about those at the helm of affairs. If you want your prayers to be answered you need to embrace the truth not minding if it favors you or not. Nigeria is a country founded on lies and that is enough for God to turn his back on the country, the only way out is to accept the truth, drop all hypocrisy and go to Him with a pure heart, until then any prayer for nigeria na wash. As for me I have already settled for the fact that nigeria is bound to fail. Like someone said "End times are hear give your life to Christ" that's far more important than anything else

Good talk. We are been made to believe that telling lies and embarking on endless journey of propaganda are panaceas for wining elections and ascending to far reaching political heights (such as the presidency). This govt and the ruling party (APC) are beginning to entrench the culture of deceit as an acceptable template to live a successful daily live. No wonder Nigeria has been in the wilderness for the past 55 years. Churches and mosques are filled with "worshippers" on Sundays and Fridays, yet evil abounds in the land. May God have mercy on us.

Gosh! We are fed up of these phantom and unsubstantiated claims of successes by this propagandist government. Was deportation of 48 Nigerians from UK one of Buhari's image laundering campaigns and globe throttling achievements? Why couldn't our Image Launderer prevent the deportation of more than 500 Nigerians who were bundled home in Trailers from Cameroon just few days after visiting Paul Biya? With the way these govt officials are dishing out fables, Nigeria's credibility may not remain the same in four years' time.

The history of abandoned projects dates back to Nigeria's independence. For example, the sitting president Mohammad Buhari truncated the LAGOS METRO PROJECT in Lagos after assuming power as a Military Head of State. In similar fashion, the Jakande Housing and School projects were abandoned by administrations of Tinubu, Fashola and their predecessors in Lagos. If care is not taken, Buhari is likely to discontinue or discard some of the laudable and landmark projects of Jonathan and the circle continues. It's a Nigerian phenomenon.

Running an effective economy is beyond the fight against graft. Even if leakages are plugged and corruption nipped in the bud (though I doubt if Buhari possess such ability and sincerity), lack of clearcut economic direction, indecisive policy statements and counterproductive measures (as typified by the recent unpopular lifting of embargo on importation of rice and textile materials-a move targeted at compensating the alleged financiers of this administration in the last election), would whittle down any gain from fighting corruption. Steps taken by this govt and the seemingly unguided and damaging statements made by Buhari are enough to send jitters in the spines of both local and foreign investors. While the local capital market has remained largely bearish in the recent months, FDI is also on the downward trend. It's equally noteworthy that Buhari in his 5-month stewardship has not single handedly initiated any innovative policy aside fiddling around those of Jonathan for which the ex president was roundly condemned by APC. Another drab and lacklustre economic meandering by Buhari's govt in the next 6 months may throw the nation into recession.

Bigprozzie:
He should use that opportunity for soul searching


He has nothing to be proud of,

The fact that he is opening his 32 when he is actually in his 60s makes it even more disgusting

He should be ashamed of himself

Ashamed of what? Can someone be ashamed of doing what he knows how to do best? In life, try to follow your conscience and leave the rest for God to judge. Never allow ordinary mortals to dictate or channel the course of your life. As far as I am concerned, Olisa Metu has been a decent party spokesman both in the then ruling govt and now, as an opposition. Happy Birthday to him.

Running an effective government is beyond the fight against graft. Even if leakages are plugged and corruption nipped in the bud ( I doubt if Buhari truly posses such ability and sincerity), lack of clearcut economic direction, indecisive policy statements and counterproductive measures (as typified by the unpopular lifting of embargo on rice and textile material importations-a decision allegedly taken to please election financiers of this administration), would rubbish any gain achieved from fighting corruption. Economic steps taken by this govt so far and various damaging statements from Buhari are enough to send jitters in the spines of both local and foreign investors. It's noteworthy that Buhari in his 5 months in govt has not initiated any innovative policy aside fiddling around those of Jonathan for which the ex president was roundly condemned by APC! Another drab and lackluster economic meandering by this govt in the next 6 months may throw the nation into recession.

OP, that's a good work you've done. For someone like me, I have taken time to dissect APC and its leadership from A to Z and I couldn't find any one of them trustworthy. Even Fashola who's APC reference point and local champion once said the reason why armed robbers struck and killed innocent civilians during campaigns for the last election was because Jonathan had deplored all police officers in Lagos for his visit to the former nation's capital. Two months after Fashola left office, the daredevil robbers struck again in similar fashion in Ikorodu but there was no Jonathan to blame and APC kept mute. God has a reason for allowing these people to get to power so that all of us can put on our thinking caps and stop being deceived by conmen who masquerade as Change Apostles.

If there's any past leader who should show remorse for his steward in office, it's definitely OBJ. He should ruminate on the following;

1. That a sitting President should not allow political assassinations for the purpose of entrenching himself in power. We were witnesses to sudden deaths and disappearance of perceived political enemies during OBJ's days

2. That an elderstateman should eschew writing irresponsible letters misleading the public and stoking emblem of hatred all in a bid to bring down a govt by all means.

3. That no blood of any Nigerian is worth been shed for the ambition of any politician. The case of "baboons been soaked in blood "is still fresh in our memory.

OBJ is much older than Jonathan, but he has a lot to learn from his one-time Godson.

Flets:
I think Obj should learn something from GEJ.
1. That being in power is not a do or die affair
2. There are other levels of honourable achievements at the global stage beyond residing in Asorock
3. That it is possible not to be vindictive
4. That it is possible to become more popular and celebrated even in loss

I agree with you in totality. In addition, OBJ should also ruminate on the following;

1. That a sitting President should not allow political assassinations for the purpose of entrenching himself in power. We were witnesses to sudden deaths and disappearance of perceived political enemies during OBJ's days

2. That an elderstateman should eschew writing irresponsible letters misleading the public and stoking emblem of hatred all in a bid to bring down a govt by all means.

3. That no blood of any Nigerian is worth been shed for the ambition of any politician. The case of "baboons been soaked in blood "is still fresh in memory.

OBJ is much older than Jonathan, but he has a lot to learn from his one-time Godson.

Aufbauh:
Those embittered species will still come here and shout APC propaganda, change topic or resort to vain blabbing as usual.
When efcc arrest an APC member, it is propaganda but when they merely invite a PDP member the cry of selective justice and Witch hunting will rent the air.

Stop that trick. Are you trying to play down APC and Buhari's selective and preplanned anti-corruption drive? Are you aware that CACOL sent a petition to EFCC and the presidency detailing Fasola's corruption allegations in Lagos months before he was nominated as Minister by Buhari? Are you also aware of the fact that a petition and a White Paper were issued against Ameachi for defrauding Rivers State? Why hasn't Buhari/EFCC taken any action simply because they were the major financiers and backers of the president in the last election? Don't be deceived, Buhari has a history. Only paperweight APC members and those perceived as in-house enemies are selected for prosecution/persecution.

Birds of identical plumage flock together. This is no surprise, after all, our Mr.Integrity, Mr. Anti-corruption, the Emperor, the new Sherriff in Town once said Abacha was not corrupt. Are there no leaders with ideology and conscience in Nigeria again? Oh Heaven help us.