₦airaland Forum

I've always been quite curious about history in general and Nigerian history specifically (obviously). The first Nigerian historical book I read was Max Sioullun's Oil, Politics, and Violence.

It detailed Nigeria under military rule, but that was it.

I'm a millennial(almost Gen Z). So, while I was politically aware from the period of Goodluck Jonathan's presidency till date, I barely remembered what happened during the Obasanjo years.

So, I did the next best thing - went to Wikipedia. The Wikipedia entries for Nigerian history are quite sparse, but I remember seeing this book on the list of references.

I did a cursory Google search and didn't find it online. Since the author was foreign, I imagined that I would have to shell out dollars to buy the book off Amazon at some indeterminate time in the future.

Imagine my elation when I was browsing through the archives of Sunshine Booksellers and I saw the book, along with many other gems.

I didn't think twice before getting a copy. The book was worth it.

The book traces Obasanjo's history from the years before Nigerian independence till he left office in 2007.

I usually use about a month to read non-fiction books, but I finished this in about two weeks. It could be because I was reading a hard copy(which I find easier to read for some reason).

It could also be because the book was narratively similar to fiction. It had multiple arcs, which now that I think about it, reminds me of an anime with Obasanjo the "Naruto".

There were multiple arcs in the book. The Civil War arc. The Military Rule arc. The Abacha and imprisonment arc, and finally to wrap up the story, there was the return as civilian president arc.

The final arc had as much tension and excitement as the final arc of any anime. I remember feeling a bit solemn when I finished the book.

This is a book I would whole heartedly recommend. It's still in stock at Sunshine Booksellers, and you can order it here: https://sunshinebookseller.com/product/obasanjo-nigeria-and-the-world/

madridguy:
Sincerely, PDP wasted Nigeria's golden chance to reshape this country.
Even without a strong opposition, they couldn't get their act together.

It's just sad to be honest. On a whole, the PDP has been far better than the APC. I think things were moving on the right track with the PDP. Nigerians were just misled into voting for Buhari and destroying everything.

And even in this past election, Nigerians overwhelmingly voted against the APC. It's just sad that the PDP divided itself into three on the eve of the election.

yarimo:
Op constitutionally the national assembly can't impeach nigeria president or vice president alone, it's surprise to you because you think national assembly alone can impeach anyone of them . The impeachment process must go to 36 states house of assembly for deliberation and two third of the 36 state assembly must vote for the impeachment. The impeachment process is different from that of governor and deputy where it's only the state assembly can impeach anyone of them

What are you talking about?

I'm a lawyer. It's the National Assembly that impeaches a president, with 2/3 requirement.

The one that needs the states is constitutional amendment.

Who are the funny 6 people that liked your post sef.

nlfpmod

I've always thought that the subservience of the National Assembly to the president was an expression of Nigerian cultural subservience to authority. Imagine my surprise when I learned today that the legislature almost impeached Obasanjo in 2002.

When Obasanjo became president 1999 one would have expected him to have a smooth sailing relationship with the legislature, especially considering that the PDP had a majority in both houses.

However, the near experience with dictatorship under Abacha made the legislators jealously guard their autonomy. In the Senate, Chuba Okadigbo was the preferred candidate for Senate President, but Obasanjo wanted someone more amenable and supported the emergence of Evans Enwerem.

In the House of Representatives, he wasn't so lucky. The House first chose Salisu Buhari as Speaker. When it was discovered that he had forged some of his certificates he lost his position. The house replaced him with Umar Na'Abba, without asking Obasanjo for his input.

Chuba Okadigbo was able to wrest control of the Senate from the unpopular Enwerem and ultimately become the Senate President. However, he was more amenable to Obasanjo.

Umar Na'Abba was more hostile. The House of Reps clashed with Obasanjo repeatedly on the budget. They wanted to increase the expenditures in the budget to allow them carry out constituency projects. Obasanjo didn't want that because he was trying to impose fiscal discipline.

Na'Aba would be a thorn in Obasanjo's side, and Obasanjo decided to have him removed as Speaker. There were reports of bribes issued out to legislators to support the impeachment of Na'Abba.

Obasanjo was confident that he had the 2/3rd required to impeach Na'Aba. However, on the D-Day, members of the House of Reps reported that they had been bribed by Obasanjo's agents.

The impeachment bid against Na'Aba failed. So, he decided to hit back by uno reversing and trying to impeach Obasanjo instead.

In August 2002, Na'Aba issued an ultimatum to Obasanjo to either resign in two weeks or face impeachment.

Obasanjo thought it was a joke.

The legislators were dead serious though. By the end of August, the Senate voted 77 to 6 to investigate wrong doing by Obasanjo. A motion denouncing Obasanjo in the House of Reps was received with rapturous applause. About 90% of members present scrambled to sign the motion

The South West, which had rejected Obasanjo in the 1999 elections, rallied round him. The AD said they would oppose any attempts to impeach Obasanjo.

The PDP called meetings in an attempt to mend fences where Bala Na'Aba and other proponents of impeachments tongue lashed the former general. The allegations against Obasanjo were that he didn't fully implement the budget, the massacres at Odi and Zaki Biam, and so on and so forth.

Obasanjo ultimately had to apologise to his detractors. Saying that if anyone was to blame, it was him.

Na'Aba was undeterred though, and was committed to proceeding with the impeachment.

Fortunately, intervention by former heads of states and intense lobbying by Obasanjo helped to reduce the 2/3rd needed for impeachment in the more amenable Senate.

Obasanjo would not forgive or forget this humiliation, and he would pay Na'Aba in kind by ensuring that he didn't get the PDP ticket in his home state of Kano. This move ultimately cost the PDP Kano State, but I guess that's a sacrifice Obasanjo was willing to make.

Source: https://x.com/olanrewajuolam6/status/1865413449376735480

CountinBlessins:
Use this energy of analysis to get a job and better your life. No one cares for this nonsense knowledge. Go and learn a skill and do something with your life before its too late. Time is not on your side

Use your time to learn skill, get money, marry wife, and have her bleeped by a random dude on camera

10mobile:
🤔 I don't like apologies made with excuses. But, since he apologized at all, let's give him another chance. If you agree, say "chai!". Otherwise, say "kai!"

Kai. He must do jail!

Sadly, when Aguiyi Ironsi took over as head of state, he was detribalised in his appointments, especially in the military. He had soldiers from the Northern region handling his personal security.

This was decisive in the July counter coup, as it meant that those same soldiers like TY Danjuma, could easily take him out.

It makes sense for President Tinubu to have his kinsmen handling sensitive security organisations in the country. Especially the Brigade of Guards, the military, the police, and the DSS. Makes it easier for him to defend against a coup. Unless of course, it is those same kinsmen that carry out a coup. But that would be difficult to justify. Only Northerners have that audacity.

Allotrope69:
And u had to mock me?

Where is the location of the school? 40k is unfathomable.

A lot of people here are giving suggestion and you said the school doesn't allow it. I think you should ignore them. Whenever the management says you should change and do things their way, don't argue with them. Tell them you've heard, that they're correct, and you will change. Then just ignore them and do things your way. Once in a while, you can do things their way to make them think you're listening to them.

But ignoring them is better. You'll gain nothing from arguing with them and trying to change their minds. People are set in their ways. Just carry out action and they will follow along.

Allotrope69:
I'm tired o. The pay is just 40k.

Blood of Jesus.

lexy2014:
how did he shift the goal post? you said



how did that answer the question he asked?

The guy asked if power generation has gone up compared to what Adelabu met on ground. And I mentioned that power generation rose to 5300 MW, which broke a three year record. So, it's definitely more than what Adelabu met on ground.

lexy2014:
how does this show that power has improved?



he said that as at 2012, Nigeria generated more than 5000mw. but in 2024, you still saying 5000mw is an achievement.

how is that possible?

He shifted the goal post.

This is what he said:

Before Adelabu came on board what was the generated megawatt, as it gone up or surpassed

And I showed that Adelabu has actually increased it more than what he met on ground. Then he started talking about 2012, which is even before Buhari came on board.

chidiokay:
you disappointed even more than i estimated


As far back as 2012 we did generated 5000 mega watt, Maybe some of you dont know our capacity is 11,165MW and till date, we are yet to surpass half (5582) ... so where is the improvement

Under one week National grid collapsed 3 times and someone thinks we have improved

You asked if it had improved, and I showed you that it had. It has improved prior to what he met on ground.

chidiokay:
If the word is "improving" i wonder how your life go be

Before Adelabu came on board what was the generated megawatt, as it gone up or surpassed

How much were Nigerians paying for darkness before vs now

For any bus stop between oshodi to toll gate dem suppose dey slap you nii

He recently broke record for power generated at 5000 MW. So, actually, it has gone up.

Realtruth2023:
You tied to sound intelligent but only showed how foolish you are. Igbos were given only £20 in 1970 and by 1979 they had risen from the ashes of the war and were already at the top. The igbo have always produced the best breed of administrators from Sam Mbakwe and M.I Okpara.
See you are too young to dwell in hatred, bigotry and tribalism. Do not ruin your life by dwelling in hate and spewing of lies against a set of people.
Try and have sense.

What were the administrative achievements of Sam Mbakwe and M.I Okpara?

But that is still an aside. Assuming, without conceding, that they were good administrators, they're just two. Exceptions that prove the general trend of incompetence. If the Igbos were an advanced race, all the governors and senators of Igbo extraction would be exceptional.

Rather, they're all meh.

Realtruth2023:
Dude your concept is so flawed because of your hate and bias for igbos. For a tribe to rise from £20 after the war to where they are is no mean feat.

Maybe it means that your £20 narrative isn't really grounded in truth.

But that aside, we're talking of government administration.

If the igbo people are a special breed destined to save Nigeria, most igbo governors and civil servants won't be quacks.

But that isn't the case.

Igbo governors steal and embezzle the same wain they do in Osun State.

Igbo Civil servants would ask you for bribe the same way they do in Kebbi state.

Igbo senators and members of the house of rep join on sharing and embezzling like their counterparts from all other parts of Nigeria.

So, what is this superiority you're talking about?

Realtruth2023:
Which state is remarkable? Is it Lagos that is far behind its peers in Africa?

Nope. All Nigerian states are unremarkable. So, what then is the basis for Igbo superiority? The igbos are as shit and corrupt and ineffective as the average NIgerian.

UCyril:
Eastern region would've been one of the most developed country in the world , if not for the war ...
People who benefited from the war should praise him.
Leave others alone

Of course. And yet, Igbo states are unremarkable.

ScarletBrace:
Make she wash off the makeup make we see sontin first.

She would still be fine. You can tell. The foundation is not too much.

Omo! This girl is fiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

STEWpid:
That's occultism, not traditional religion.

Moreover, religion is also a culture that requires periodic modification.






Chai..

Lol. People go to Ifa priests and Dibias for nefarious reasons. It is part of the religion. Same for human sacrifice.

Kemetian:
Brainwashed he-goat.

People who are observing IFA and traditional religion in Nigeria and across Africa are not engaging in human sacrifice.

It’s you CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS who have slaughtered BILLIONS OF PEOPLE on this Earth throughout your history, often on the basis of LIES AND EXAGGERATIONS about traditional spirituality, in order to justify your BLOODLUST.

Lol. And the skull miners and ritualists of today, where do they go to carry out their rituals? Is it not the same Ifa priests?

Demon worshippers!

Omoawoke:
Wole Soyinka is a free soul

It takes the depth of all stupidity and idiocy for a black African man to worship the same useless foreign gods that were used to enslave them.

It is 1000times better to worship your ancestors than worshiping the ancestors of others

Jesus, Jehovah and his useless book called Bible was all about the Jews, did they mention your tribe in the Bible? Did you hear any of your villlage name in the Bible ? Are you a descendant of Noah, Abraham and the other useless Bible characters?

Same goes for Islam, you will be bearing Abdullahi, Mohammed , Ibrahim and abandon your own cultural name. ? Are you an Arab?
Worst of all these Arabs hate you and yet you love them because your brain is dead.
You want to pray to your God, you have to learn Arabic to speak to your god?
It is better to practice Ifa than any of these sick abrahmic religion. At least Ifa speaks your language, and represents you better than speaking in tongues (madness) and reciting useles Arabic. Yet na una wicked pass, na una selfish and evil pass. Na una do ritual pass and na una corrupt pass

Is it not the traditional religion that facilitates rituals and "wickedness" by casting spells on people you don't like?

STEWpid:

C h a i..










The two populous religion has killed Africans and destroyed their homes, even when there is no visible wAr, more than any other thing in the entire universe.

A religion that tells you to behead people or grab money from them is completely a useless thing!!


Chai..

And a religion that tells you to carry out human sacrifices nko? Or that lets you jinx someone because you don't like them.

Vadese1:
Who be this one again. Where in the world did you attend your school self. Do you even understand what is call grid. In country of over 200 millions people, you are telling the world that it's only 11 millions Nigerians homes that are connected to the national grid. Do you even know the population of lagos. I thought I have seen it all from Tinubu supporters, but you are the worst of it all

Chai. Maths, you no know. English, you no fit understand again.

11 million homes. Not 11 million people. You realise that more than one person can stay in a home right?

And unlike you, I am not making this up: https://guardian.ng/business-services/nigerias-grid-connected-electricity-customers-hit-11-27-million/

I know you can't read, so I'll post the excerpt for you.

Electricity consumers connected to the grid network in Nigeria have increased to 11.27 million, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said yesterday.

NBS, in a report, said that the number of consumers moved from 11.06 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 to 11.27 million in the first quarter of 2023, recording a 1.89 per cent increase.

Vadese1:
What a dumb comment. So the 40% electricity users are not Nigerians, they are from Niger

Jesus Christ. They didn't teach you set in school? Simple mathematics...

All electricity users in Nigeria are Nigerians, but not all Nigerians are electricity users.

There are Nigerians who aren't electricity users because they're off grid. They're not connected to NEPA. Only 11 million Nigerians are connected to the grid. That is, only 11 million Nigerians are electricity users. Of the 11 million electricity users, 40% of them are what the minister says have 20 hours light.

40% of 11 million is 4.4 million.

Do you now understand the simple maths? Or should I break it down further for you?

oliverwrites:
I am on band A and I get on average 23 hours per day, for 4 months now.

However, I am not sure up to 10% not to talk of 40% of Nigeria homes get up to 40%. Adelabu just lied.

He didn't. He said 40% of electricity users. The unscrupulous OP/journalist changed it to 40% of Nigerians.

Kobojunkie:
There are approximately 26 million homes in Nigeria, and 40% of that is 10.6 million homes. The Minister of Power wants us to believe that it supplies 20 hours of electricity per day to a whole 10,600,000 households using just 5,500MW of electricity which he claims the country generates. No be juju be that one?

Chai. Simple comprehension, una no get.

He said 40% of electricity users. Not 40% of Nigerians.

SWriter:
The upcoming launch of a new school curriculum by the federal government represents a significant step toward educational reform. This initiative could address gaps in skills and knowledge, aligning education more closely with current economic and technological demands. However, successful implementation will depend on adequate training for teachers, resources for schools, and effective engagement with stakeholders to ensure the curriculum meets the diverse needs of students across the country.

Lol. Did AI write this for you?

Splashme:
Damagun and Wike are killing
PDP gradually

Tinubu understands that his govt has become very unpopular. His strategy now is to weaken opposition parties so he will have an easy ride

Where is Atiku ?
.

He's in Dubai.

haybhi1:
He's not a clown! Some are contributing to science, some are contributing to hard drugs export, and others are contributing banditry. Why not let him celebrate his people?

We can also say there are those contributing skull mining.

Only four Nigerians in the list of top 100 African scientist. Which is a deplorable result, considering our size.

But because 3 of those four were from your tribe, it's something to celebrate?

So, you don't mind being in a shithole, as long as you're king of the sewers...

haybhi1:
He's not a clown! Some are contributing to science, some are contributing to hard drugs export, and others are contributing banditry. Why not let him celebrate his people?

And what of those contributing skull mining?