₦airaland Forum

The whole truth is that we are about to accept who the boss is in Nigeria. One northern political leader (think it was Uba Ahmed, not sure now) said that whoever controls the superstructure (the military) controls the infrastructure (the government). That is why 2 battalions of the brigade of guards were deployed when Yar adua came back without Jonathan knowing about it and nothing happened. . And nothing will happen, because the north is holding everyone down by force. Everyone knows this fact.
The problem now is how to bell the proverbial cat -the north.

Ogbulafor is only conveying a message sent by the lords of Nigeria in the north -don't buy that idiocy packaged as "Nigerian elites ruining the country", it is the north!

For that reason, it is only reasonable to assume that there will be war in Nigeria sometime in the future because the rest of the country is gradually coming to realize this simple fact. No one wants war, but countries that fight wars don't chose to. It will take pure miracle for Nigeria to move forward without war.

Poor Joe! If only Nigeria is worth dying for now . .
There was a time Nigeria was worth dying for, but these days I'm not so sure . However, I think Joe is making history. If they don't kill him soon, other Nigerians will join him and the movement will be unstoppable.
Seconded, Joe is a hero.

The commentators[size=18pt] suck![/size]  

Commentators should be part of the building of our football. These commentators don't even care to name players and what roles they are playing in the game.

I (like many Nigerians) was not happy at the way this Islamic extremist was summarily executed without trial and it raises all issues that make Nigeria a primitive society. Recently it was repeated in Jos and it made me wonder what type of a country would tolerate a filmed police execution of crime suspects.  The executing officer was heard shouting "no need to waste bullets" while embarking on his brazen criminal acts.
Those policemen should be found and brought to justice. Period.  

A "significant number" of Nigerian police officers have been arrested over the alleged extra-judicial killing of members of the Boko Haram sect in 2009.

Police officials told the BBC more arrests would follow. News agency AP reported that 17 officers were held.

Al-Jazeera TV last month showed footage of alleged police killings.

Boko Haram attacked a police station in the northern city of Maiduguri, leading to days of clashes and hundreds of deaths - mostly sect members.

Police spokesman Yemi Ajyai said the al-Jazeera broadcast had led to the arrests and those detained had been taken to Abuja for questioning.

The footage apparently shows police officers telling a group of young men to lie face down and then shooting them at close range.

The AFP news agency quoted a police source as saying the the arrests were carried out on the orders of the acting President Goodluck Jonathan.

The BBC's Jimeh Saleh in Abuja says the police are often accused of extra-judicial killings but they always deny it and arrests are rare.

Boko Haram leader Mohammed Yusuf died in custody after being alive when the army handed him to the police, army officers said.

A few hours later, journalists were shown his bullet-ridden body.

The police said he had been fatally wounded while trying to evade capture.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8544131.stm

kobikwelu:
guys lets be realistic


goodluck needed somebody from the north who could neutralize the influence of the north (balance of power)

danjuma in my view is the only person with that influence who is not tainted by the cabals.

but to be sincere, who else is a person of stature from the middle belt who can wield such influence especially against the core north. some of the name that u guys are putting foward are relatively unknowns.

and lets face it, this is politics .he needs a strong hand that can gravitate some of the nothern elements towards his side.

smart move.

whether the move would be one he would regret in the future, i cant tell. but for now its a wise decision, as goodluck has started deflating the sails of the northern cabal

This "Cabal" has not been fully unmasked, so I would be careful dissociating Danjuma from this mystical cabal.

Like I pointed out before, retired Gen Martin Luther Agwai is a man with good credentials and he is from southern Kaduna (unless I'm mistaken). He was once Army chief of staff and later chief of defense staff before going to head the UN mission in  Dafur Sudan. So, he has local and international experience. Danjuma is a local coupist who killed his family friend for power. I wouldn't trust his words much if I want to survive in power 'cos he can go for my seat!  

@semid4lyfe

Ol'boy you too much o! I could have sworn we needed someone like you to do the job sef, wetin dey dia sef , or at least be somewhere within the hearing distance of our new coach.
Really good writeup.

I prefer someone like retired Gen Martin Luther Agwai instead of Danjuma. He is also from north central (if I'm not mistaken). His past is not bad like Danjumas. For a civilian president, Jonathan needs someone who believes in civilian authority over the military. Danjuma and Obasanjo belong to the same era.
Jonathan should be very smart in dealing with Danjuma -a green snake in a green grass!   . . And he must never smell VP position at all.  . . . even for a day.

I guess this list is ok with the exception of Danjuma. Some of its members like Prof Ben Nwabueze are champions of democracy in Nigeria and he possesses impeccable credentials and character.
My grouse with Danjuma is based on my suspicion that he may be angling for Vice President position. That would be too dangerous for Jonathan and Nigeria.

Ok, I'm back:

Jonathan constitutes presidential advisory council

Determined to put the distractions of the past few days behind him, Acting President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday constituted a presidential advisory council with former Minister of Defence, General Theophilus Danjuma as head.
A statement to this effect signed by the acting president’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ima Niboro, said the council would provide alternative inputs into policy formation, promote good governance in the areas of power, economy, security, infrastructure, social sector, the electoral process, and the fight against corruption, among others.

The council’s other terms of reference, he said included; to evaluate policy implementation and advise on areas requiring adjustments; to advise the president on how to maximize the benefits derivable from government’s efforts; to advise on such actions and programmes that may improve credibility and performance of the government as well as any other matter referred to it by the president.

Other members are foremost constitutional lawyer, Professor Ben Nwabueze (deputy chairman), Mr. Fola Adeola, Mallam Abubakar Gimba, Mr. Basil Omiyi, Alhaji M. D. Yusuf, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Amb. G. B. Preware, Professor Bartholomew Nnaji, and Mr. Kase Lawal.

Also on the council are Mallam Muhammed Hayatuddeen, Justice Alfa Belgore, Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, Mrs. Mobola Johnson, Hajiya Halita Aliyu, Alhaji Magaji Danbatta, Professor B. G. Bajoga, Dr. (Mrs) Sally Bolujoko, Mrs. Mariam Uwai, and Chief Kanu Agabi, Dr. Bamanga Tukur, Alhaji Ismaila Isa, Professor Shehu Said Sarinwata, Dr. Simon C. Okolo and the chairman of the National Economic Summit Group.
According to Niboro, the committee which will be inaugurated on Thursday by the acting president has the permanent secretary (special duties) in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation as secretary.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/mar/02/national-02-03-2010-009.htm

Anyway, this is where I get off this argument for now, but my alarms are ringing off the hook now. It is well. Anybody who forgets Nigeria's history is not being smart. Peace.

Why did Obasanjo (a fellow general) drop Danjuma? How can Jonathan rein that old villain in under his control?

edoyad:
Onlytruth i'm sorry to say sjeezy is winning this one with solid facts to back him.

Okay, edoyad, are you telling me that there are no other middle belters that can perform better than Danjuma? Really.
The man is simply dangerous, and since Jonathan is not Obasanjo, he cannot control Danjuma.

sjeezy8:
STFU NIKKU

I swear down if everyone does by what people read on the internet by igbo or about igbos you would think everyone has a conspiracy plot against igbos.- and nikkus dont

Obasanjo hates igbos but his childrens mother is igbo
IBB hates but his wife is igbo
danjuma gov hates igbo but his bro is[b] married to a igbo lady[/b]

anyway danjuma is ok his wife is from the SS so no worrying- yeye boy.
you paranoid goat

Wonder why they only see Igbo women to marry. Yeye.
Anyway, I don't want to derail this thread because of an "mpkuru amu aka ekpe" from the west.

Danjuma can kill Jonathan. Yes I've said it. The man is [size=16pt]DANGEROUS[/size].

^^^
Coward, I knew you would return to post trash after I logged out. Sniveling idiot.

I wouldn't keep such a dangerous man within ten kilometers. A loner is a dangerous man. Again he bears a curse! Current events in Nigeria could precipitate that curse.

^^^
Idiot, the curse from Mrs Ironsi was very real. I remember reading it in the Sun newspapers. Goat!

The more I look at this Danjuma choice the more I'm convinced he does not belong in a Jonathan team. Danjuma bears a widows curse I wouldn't keep him near me:



[size=14pt]Danjuma Vs Ironsi: A Widow's Curse![/size]


Former Defence Minister and Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma is one distinguished Nigerian whose oratorical vibrancy and intrepid outspokenness marks him out as a courageous man versed in military politics. But sometimes while expressing himself Danjuma betrays the mindset of a man unable to reconcile or come to terms with his moral and intellectual limitations. In the Nigerian politico-military tragedy one doubts if General Danjuma -- much like Babangida, Abacha, Abdulsalami or Obasanjo -- should pass off as a hero.

In an explosive interview with The Guardian newspaper in Lagos last two Sundays ago the reverberation of which has continued across the lenght and breath of Nigeria captioned: "Danjuma: My Role In Arrest And Killing of Aguiyi-Ironsi" Gen. Danjuma drew conclusions that could best de described as controversial. Though what he had to say about General Olusegun Obasanjo like his aborted third term gambit, his failure as president for eight years, his greedy acquisitions and criminal privatisation policy is already in the public domain the Aremu of Ota continues to reap whirlwind having sown vice and vile.

General Danjuma's relationship with his former boss deteriorated more because of economic interests and political differences. T[b]he former President was reportedly privy to the confiscation of Danjuma's oil bloc, a blow below the belt which Danjuma took agonizingly[/b]. In 1999 when General Abubakar wanted to re-establish democratic governance after the welcome demise of Gen. Abacha Generals Babangida and Danjuma were among those known to have drafted Olusegun Obasanjo, bankrupt and worn out after the Abacha gaol treatment, to succeed Abubakar and ensure the security of their economic interests. That was why Danjuma even threatened to proceed on exile should Obasanjo failed to be elected President.

The best PDP candidate in 1999, former Vice President Dr Alex Ekwueme, was rigged out of the PDP Jos convention. Obasanjo 'betrayed' both IBB and Danjuma in the end. Babangida's preposterous attempt to succeed Obasanjo was dealt a cruel blow by both the civil society groups and Obasanjo himself. And Danjuma fell out in 2003 with OBJ, a man reputed for his primordial vindictiveness and meanness of spirit. As Defense Minister from 1999 to 2003 Danjuma must have had something serious to say about his ex-Commander-in-chief (or Commander-in-thief?). Having worked closely with the Owu Chief in the military General Danjuma is therefore an authority in both military matters and the political tragedy Nigeriana.

For Danjuma, "Right now, we are standing still… for as long as Aremu of Ota is allowed to control the party and to manipulate things, so long will the standstill continue. We need to dis-couple Aremu from Umaru. We have to return PDP to its original constitution where we don’t have a gerontocratic and expired former head of state to sit at the centre of the affairs of the country. And we don’t have time." Few months before OBJ quit power (in February precisely) Danjuma had spit fire in Kaduna where he picked holes in the much-vaunted campaign of the then President against corruption by asking powerfully: "If a crusader is deficient in integrity, who will believe his gospel?". Today we all know that Obasanjo is not only deficient in integrity but his corruption crusade was nothing more than a smokescreen to cover up his vast corruptly-acquired empire.

Like Orji Uzor Kalu, former charismatic Governor of Abia State and the BOT Chair of the PPA Party, had advocated General Danjuma wants Olusegun Obasanjo returned to prison from where he was brought forward and imposed on the nation in search of democratic solutions to her dictatorship-imposed problems. It may take time but the atrocities of Obasanjo in power may not be overlooked at all times. A time shall definitely come when the Ota farmer would be made to answer to charges of mindless looting of the state and even alleged incest by a son Gbenga.

In the exclusive explosive interview published by The Guardian on Sunday General Danjuma was in his very best eloquent element lambasting Obasanjo and providing clues as to why and how he became "the most toxic leader" we have had since independence. Beyond Obasanjo however the retired General recounted what he knew about how late General G.T.U Aguiyi-Ironsi, former Head of State, was killed in a counter military coup d'etat by Northern officers in 1966 in Ibadan. His role in the assassination of a giant of a man known also as Ironside has been all along very unclear with some people saying he did pull the trigger that silenced General Ironsi.

Describing the assassinated former Head of State as "a useless, desk-clerk Head of State" General Danjuma went beyond what should be accepted by many in the east who still see General Ironsi as a hero. Mrs. Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi, former First Lady, widow of the murdered Head of State took exception to the Danjuma diatribe and she poured her heart out in an interview she granted The Sun in Umuahia last weekend. Fuming with anger in a sharp bitter reaction at both official government neglect and the Danjuma reckless description of her husband forty years after his gruesome murder which provoked the 3-year pogrom against the Igbos Lady Victoria came down hard denouncing both Danjuma and the federal establishment.

Describing General Danjuma as a "blood-thirsty, wicked Igbo hater" Mrs Aguiyi-Ironsi cursed Danjuma invoking vulture to descend on his corpse and devour same. "Yes, vulture! (Banging the table…) For making such a wicked statement against my husband in the paper, that is how vulture will describe him. For a man to make that kind of statement like the kind he made in that paper, it’s vulture that will describe him. Vulture will eat his corpse", she told Shola Oshunkeye, The Sun reporter who did the interview. And continuing she declared "Yes, I have to curse him. He deserves to be cursed because I am very, very bitter. Johnny has lived all over the world with people and I have never seen anyone make reference to him that way. Vulture will answer him, not me. He will go before his God and answer for this iniquity. Vengeance is for the Lord."

Picking holes in the assertions credited to General Danjuma in The Guardian interview Mrs Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi described Danjuma as "shameless coward and a terrible liar" who waited till the witnesses (like ADC Nwankwo) to the cruel elimination of the ex-Head of State had died before going to the press with his half truths and bare-faced lies.

Lady Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi's anger is understandable. She remains a high-profile widow with pain in her heart, pain over a loss so painful, the loss of a dear husband and bread-winner so terrible. Trying to remind her of what went wrong four decades ago and the brutal murder of her husband in Ibadan by the Danjumas of this world should be seen as a deliberate ploy by those who see themselves as heros that they are not to re-open old wounds and strike at the fragile and tender heart of an old woman. General Danjuma deserves the curse from the widow if you ask me.

Let me end this piece by quoting the ex-First Lady when asked by the reporter to describe General Danjuma from her vintage position when the latter was only a Major in the Army: "He has been a very sly and cantankerous man all his life. He is a loner. He doesn’t move with people. He is a dangerous man. We had always suspected him to be a dangerous human being, going by his strange behaviour and the way he kept to himself most of the time". Is there any other better description?

Sunny Chris Okenwa


http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/articles/sunny-chris-okenwa/danjuma-vs-ironsi-a-widows-c.html

paddy_lo:
- -Alhaji M. D. Yusuf former Inspector General of Police
- - Chief Emeka Anyaoku former Commonwealth Secretary General
- - Chief Kanu Agabi. former Justice Minister
- - Hon. Chibudom Nwuche former House of Representatives Deputy Speaker
- - Justice Alfa Belgore former Chief Justice of Nigeria
- - Prof. Bartholomew Nnaji chairman geometric power company


anyone know the rest 

The rest are thieves! .
Bro Jonathan sef I just hope he is right. He obviously should know better, right? He should know what is best for Nigeria, right? I'm not there, so I would assume he knows what he is doing. Let's hope he does! I don't trust Danjuma still. There must be other smart younger middle belters to pick. Why Danjuma

There is no way in hell Bluetooth wrote that piece. In fact I recognize sections of it as an article written by Obi Nwakama of Vanguard Newspaper's "The Orbit" column. Bluetooth will have to die and reincarnate 7 times before he can attain such level of intellectualism.
I agree with the article though.

Danjuma is good and bad. He is good because he is a middle belter who is respected by the north (and so clan split northern pressure on Jonathan). He also has a lot of coup experience, so can help checkmate the military. But, he is too powerful for a President Jonathan. Obasanjo could use Danjuma and dump him when he needed to without Danjuma raising a finger (one general sabi another! ). Jonathan has no military background and so should watch out! Even a Vice president Danjuma is most dangerous because he could end up replacing OBJ as the next problem for Nigeria after he takes over from Jonathan next year ('cos he would!).
I would have preferred someone with less taint in his past.

This is really my ultimate fear. Not that this group can impeach Jonathan, but they can raise enough bad blood for him going forward.

It is very naive to approach Nigeria's problems with such simplicity of view. To make an effective president in Nigeria, you must have the backing of at least one major tribe (quote me on that! ). I understand that some might see Nigeria in idealistic terms, but go through our history and you would see that the major tribes have always played the deciding roles. Obasanjo was threatened with impeachment several times in his days, but he couldn't be impeached because the Yoruba would raise hell for Nigeria. It is for this reason that I think that the south south and south east (due to our history and circumstance in Nigeria) must unite to form a political block/base for Jonathan. I know he is Nigeria's president, but he needs a strong base to operation from.

It is on that basis that I argued that he got the wrong advise on this project (which is why I suspected Obasanjo).He merely consulted with south south governors and made his move.
It is also for similar reasons that I believe that Jonathan should champion the unification of south south and south east. If he plays smart politics, he could be the accepted candidate from both regions for future elections. Obasanjo came in without support from Yorubas, but quickly moved to secure the south west before seeking his second term.
History beckons for Jonathan. This game is his to lose.  

River Niger: Group asks N/A Assembly to impeach Jonathan

…accuses govt of diverting N19bn

ABUJA—A northern socio-cultural organisation, the Nupe Congress [/b]has called on the National Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against Acting President, Goodluck Jonathan for violating the 2009 Appropriation Act by stopping the dredging of River Niger without recourse to the National Assembly.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja yesterday, [b]the National Secretary of the Congress, Alhaji Yabagi Yusuf Sanni said the diversion of the N19billion meant for the dredging of River Niger to the reclamation of lands in the Niger Delta was illegal.

According to him, ‘the action of the Acting President is unconstitutional and illegal because appropriation is the prerogative of the National Assembly. The National Assembly must approve all virements of funds from one project to another.

“Due process also demands that projects must follow appropriate guidelines, budgetary provisions, advertisements in national dailies for competitive bidding and transparency through various levels of approvals including, the Federal Executive Council approval before contract award,” he pointed.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/03/01/river-niger-group-asks-na-assembly-to-impeach-jonathan/

. . . . .And ndu_chucks is smiling all the way to the bank!

Ezeuche [/b]please calm down and let's chase away this fox called [b]ndu_chucks first. Like Beaf and henry101 said, the real enemy is stoking the fires and laughing his fcking a/s/s off as you argue.
Your name is Eze Uche -king of brains. Please use your head. Thanks!

citizenY:
quote from Udezue today

If Yar adua is a southerner, do you think this drama would have lasted more than one day?  Ol boy sometimes you should at least try to remember that the rest of Nigerians are human beings instead of cows.

Ask your brothers in the FEC, National Assembly and The political parties.

Do they have any fire in them?  Or have they sold out? And  U 2 ? Where is your spunk?

When we say it is an elite problem, u say no, northerner this , northerner that.There is no abuse you have not levied . Am I justifed to now call you a cow?
Do  I say Udezue is a cow or all his people are cows?

Sharap dia and leave my home boy udezue alone! That quote was mine.
Some of you southerners should be stoned to death. I was responding to a northerner about the way his people are treating the Nigerian project as if they own it. Yesterday I was responding to your idiotic brother sjeezy8 who was complaining that Dora Akunyili was being too honest and too forward in the crisis engulfing Nigeria. I'm sure you would share the same views, but turn around to claim that everyone in the south is doing nothing and is afraid of the north. Serving Nigeria fearlessly is a problem for you. Serving her cowardly is also a problem. So WTF do y'all want

aisha2:
Please, where are all the men hidin na? It seems the only two people with any balls in Nigeria now are Turai and Dora.
My guys how far na?

They are hiding in plain view sharing oil money.
When the oil money finishes they will be back to the center stage. No be naija?

mikeansy:
If you ask Nigerians to choose between the last 3years and the previous 4years preceeding it. I don't know about you but I will choose the previous 4years.

The whole OBJ is the source of all our problems is a very big myth.

What

A man who doesn't believe in one man one vote?
A man who is prepared to empower even the most vile humans to work for him?
A man who woke and unscrupulously signed away the Bakassi Pennisula (with 300,000 Nigerians) to Cameroun without even thinking. Mind you that Abacha didn't do that?
A man who is still fighting the civil war in his twisted mind?
PDP= Obasanjo and they don't believe in free and fair elections but do or die.
Ol boy I can go on, but I would at least blame Obasanjo for even this mess we are in. Of all able bodied Nigerians in the north, he only found a sick man to lead us.

His cup will be full one of these days, just watch.

mikeansy:
It is simple, if Jonathan stays away from OBJ. He fails

I think if anything he should aggressively sought advice from OBJ and make his own choice on what he feels is good for his reputation and that of Nigeria.

Mike I disagree with you on that. Mind you that Jonathan has only about 12 months in power. The biggest fear in the north is Obasanjo. They have been waiting to cut him to size. Next year, the north takes over again. Believe me Obasanjo is bad news to him. There are many other smart advisers from south south and south east he can use. Obasanjo is twisted and never forgives.

ndu_chucks:
You are fighting a losing battle on this issue. Go and find a more honourable cause to rant about. I repeat, Jonathan took the responsible action here.

I'm very disappointed in your stance here. Olodo

Go and explain that to your thieving brothers who are ranting most and looking for a cross with which to crucify Jonathan. Meanwhile tell them  that there can only be ONE commander in chief, and he has to be alive and fit.

SapeleGuy:
My brother you have nothing to fear but fear itself. First of all there is no unified north - the middle belt and those from plateau are not with them, secondly - the cabal have done their worst, dem no fit do OBJ or anybody else nothing.

Jonathan has outmanouvered them and they don't know it, he will be sworn in properly in due time.

Personally, I believe that THERE IS NO WAY the north comes out of this on top. That is really my view. They lost the game when Yar adua become too sick. As a wounded animal, they can be very dangerous now -which is why the military is deployed in Abuja even as we speak. I would still advise Jonathan to stay away from Obasanjo.

ndu_chucks:
I apologize if I misunderstood you.  Jonathan has not stopped the said dredging project as reported by the OP but only transferred N19 billion out of the N36 billion special intervention funds for the dredging of River Niger to shore line protection and land reclamation in the Niger Delta. Jonathan's action is very prudent and correct.

Both projects you mentioned above will be carried out

Why do you love rigmarole and spin so much? So, what is the transfer (correctly read by many as "diversion" about when you can simply "assign" funds to it.? What is the whole noise by your fellow northerners about then? Maybe you should go and explain that to them so that they can shut up. The thief crying alongside the victim.

sjeezy8:
they dont listen to anyone maybe ojukwku

as of right they should take some of objs advice because he knows how to break northern hegemony and get a ss or se as president of Nigeria. Most (not all) Igbo people tend to be too boisterous and somewhat too honest and WAY too forward, when they dont like something they say it immediately without any contstraint.

The bolded is why Igbos are always misunderstood in Nigeria. I never knew that there is something known as "too honest and too forward" in the service of one's country. I would think those are the only two things lacking in Nigeria, which is why the country has been stagnant for 50 years. This is where those who say Nigeria cannot be one score a huge point.

you cant do that in politics and esp in Nigeria that can cause a civil war. Jonathan is playing it cool taking advice from Obj and the US and britain. and its getting him far- no one has died and theres no civil war.
the same ojo that took the fec for a ride aound saudia arabia, to thank the king - he knewsyaradua was coming back without telling his fellow ministers.

The same Dora that lets out too much info.  that lady will get him killed FAST- if she doesnt mind her tongue. Jonathan almost locked her out for letting out info about him meeting turai.  it was suppose to be a secret meeting this one now told the whole Nigeria lmfao

haha I dont know why people think with their ethnic caps on you be real fool mehn.

You must be calling yourself an idio t because you posted the artcle saying that Jonathan is taking orders from Obj to cause division.
abi you get bad memory

I knew some folks would fall for it - most southerners are dumb

I would resign my post if I were Akunyili because Nigerians don't deserve a courageously patriotic servant. They LOVE mumus and siddon dey look so much, but they would turn around to complain that nothing is working. Simply pathetic and hopeless!