₦airaland Forum

Atiku! Atiku!! Atiku!!! How many times did I call you? Listen, Nigeria has gone beyond your demagoguery. The only people with democratic presidential experience are Alh. Shehu Shagari, Mr. Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan in that order. You were barely a governor elect when they nominated you as vice president. As VP for eight years you did not act in an execitive capacity, you never sent any bill to NASS.

D'Banj, offer a rebuttal of this allegation if it's untrue or apologize quickly if it's true. And then ignore the babe thereafter, that is, if there is no deal to make this babe a star overnight.

Azuka, please stop challenging a man to 'endowment' contest, it has repercussions, yes, roughening-up, not the type you allege here though.

It can happen anywhere, the whole world was involved in the operation, they didnt leave everything to the Chileans. The rescue is largely due to advancement in science and technology. It is doubtful if this would have been possible 10 years ago.

Again, there was the advantage of time. On their own they would have resorted to prayers due to helplessness like Africans, but Americans came to their rescue.

All in all, bravo to the entire rescue team and congratulations to the rescued miners and their family.

A terrorist suspect has a right to call any media house anytime he wants? The US, the UK, Canada, France, Netherlands, Australia, Finland, Sweden etc need to domesticate such laws.

It'll be interesting watching Farouk on CNN or hearing him on BBC or VOA  talking about frame-up. Common! Dailytrust also reported that Yaradua was going to resume at a particular date.

@jaygeta

You are soon going to see similar scenarios across the world. They will be emboldened by their shameful acts as they fill leadership positions in the media, judiciary and politics. They will find a name to label the rest of us who are opposed to this unnatural act, they'll call us 'incestphobic' or something like that.

Fake scientists would rise up to prove that these guys are born incests, that there is nothing they can do about it, just like the rest of us are born the way we are.

Bills would be sponsored in parliaments across the world for the change of constitutions to alter marriage defination, they will claim incest a is human right similarly to black or latino or women's right. They will claim they love their parents and children therefore they want to get married, raise family and be 'happy together'.

They will bring heavy money into the debate. Europeans will lead then other so-called civilized nations, then South Africa will start it SSA, sub-Saharan Africa.

Above all, they will claim it (incest) has always been with us. They will cite cases of incests, including Ramoni's, and Noah's in the bible. We must prepare for the battle ahead.

I ask a simple question Kobo, is that what you guys do in Canada? Terrorist suspects granting interviews in custody? Are you saying SA laws and legal conventions are being relaxed becuase of Naija's peculiarities?


Agreed he is not new to OIL and perhaps petty/small time arms politics, but this a different kettle of fish, 12 Nigerians already wasted for that and these just 500 metres away from a sitting president, 15 or more other world leaders, the diplomatic community and former heads of Nigerian government, this is not the same thing kidnapping. It's about the control of billions of barrels of OIL reserve and trillions of cubit feet gas reserve.


If what I am saying is confusing, it's simple, Okah granted an interview in prison, Okah claims he was approached to help plead with MEND. MEND had earlier claimed resposibility for the bombings, he declined. If he could plead with MEND, he must have substantial influence on MEND, meaning that MEND's leadership is beholden unto him some sort, meaning that he might be an influencial MEND leader, inferring that he ask MEND to press the button.


The allege contact was so desperate to get him on that he allegly volunteered some alleged behind the scene plans of GEJ, he wanted to get the some northerners roped in a presidential contest, if he declined because UMYA, a northerner, did better than GEJ, therefore his preference for a northerner, and confirming Jonathan clams that highly placed politicians are behind the terror attacks.  Nobody can dictate to another his political preference but nobody has a right to show his political preference violently. May I remind you that Yaradua's interview with BBC was used to remove him.

KOBO, are you seeing what I am seeing, it jeopardizes the trial, he is suppose to plead his innocence in the court room not on the airwaves, suspects have a right to remain SILENT while in custody, (everything said will be used against you in the court of law). His lawyers are there for God's sake, why can't they allow his lawyer to help him? Is that what they do in Canada?

Can't you see Al-Jazeera's access to him might embolden some dare-devil guys to attempt to harm him? He is allegedly making wild allegations against a sitting African president. He is already in the realm of politics my sister, OIL politics, terrorism politics,  that is the most dangerous realm known to man (sorry, and woman too)

I tell you it was wrong to grant that interview, whatever they want to achieve is temporary.

Exactly Kobo, it's obvious MEND is still in creeks and by Okah's admission, they did it, killing 12 Nigerians because UMYA's admin outperformed GEJ's admin in ND. If you read the supposed interview very well, he already confirmed everything they charged him for. He is adding some more, he confirms what they are saying about that he is being sponsored by some politicians. If he blasted Abuja on Nigeria's independence day because UMYA (a Northerner) out perform GEJ in ND, he is already in the realm of politics, albeit violent politics, and confirming what GEJ already said that some politicians sponsored him. Why did SA allowed a murder suspect grant an interview while in custody.

Why did they put him in prison custody for 'his safety' and allowing him to grant interview that jeopardizes the trial and then expose him to more harm? Is this protective custody sort of assylum granted by SA authorities? He even allegedly praised them for allowing him access to the media, Zeera. Do murder suspects grant interview under SA laws while in custody?

Is this not an admission of guilt? The prosecution could latch on this supposed interview to nail Okah. There were bomb blasts in Nigeria killing a dozen people, the UN already called it a terrorist act, same with major world powers. There was a prior intel report implicating Okah hence his arrest and raid on his house the previous day. The bombs went off all the same, MEND claimed responsibility through Jomo Gbomo. Jomo Gbomo allegedly a pseudo for Okah and three others who has the emails pass, and 400 phones calls intercepted allegedly linking Okah with the blasts, Okah arreted after being read his rights (Miranda rights) arraigned in court for terrorism, his lawyer pleaded his innocence but prefers a prison custody for him because of his 'safety', Okah was allowed access to the media in a terrorism case? (indeed unprecedented, no one has been granted that luxury since the war on terrorism started, it's doubtful if suspects/accused are allowed media access while in custody). Okah admitted that MEND actually planted and detonated those bombs. Pray, why was his house raided if they could reach him so easily to assist them plead with MEND? Did they reach him pleading not to detonate those bombs and he still did it? If he is an ex-MEND they are claiming, can't they reach out to 'current' MEND leaders for the same task? What evidence does SA rely on in his trial for terrorism? Would SA be so crude as to arrest someone for terrorism and then unleash the media on him in order to jeopardize the case? What is Al-Jazeera's motive in all this? Why is Zeera showing footage of an interview it conducted 48 hours before the blasts, 48 hours after the blasts? Why did they not show it as part of Nigeria at 50 which ran several days on that network before the independence anniversary? (Special Caution - FG please do not compound already bad situation by sending Zeera out of Naija, there is no need for that, allow them to expose themselves)

Abagworo:
I decided to study the texts and discovered that they were flawed.

(1)None of the texts was even on Dokpesi's line

(2)I doubt if any of the accused could address Dokpesi as "DOKPESI" as written.Anyone who knows Nigerian English knows very well that "Chief", "Oga" or "Chairman" should have substituted that.

You must be extremely simple minded to think that Dokpesi was linked with this plot only because of this text, we are talking of terrorism with severe consequences here. There must be more to it. Everything will not be revealed. I think what they attempted to do on NTA was a PR which to me is childish.


Dokpesi would the greatest fool to think that they won't get him one way or another, the moment he made such outrageous allegation against the president, any right thinking person will know that he lost any kind of privacy.

chyz:
The bolded is a damn good question.

Your questions sound like you are one of those who planted the bombs. Looks like you are so disappointed the bombs didn't go off, bad for you, good for Nigeria. How are we sure you are not sure or privy to a bomb planted near the president and the dignitaries?

You want the presidents and other dignitaries to scamper for safety leaving their shoes behind? Comon! Am sure you have a lot of intelligence, use part of it. That is why they call it security, check the word in the dictionary many times and reflect. Oh, you want the whole security operations to be revealed to you? it won't amount to anything again if gets to that level, many will be classified until several years later, if you can't wait till then, too bad. Just a clue, the bombs were detonated by cell phones, they simply jammed all signals around the president and the dignitaries. Next time you move near the president, try using your phone and see.

These guys have not been convicted of despoiling those girls, all we know for now are mere allegations. There is no iota of evidence yet to convict these accused persons. In the absense of a credible scientific proof like DNA tests, we are left with STD test on these guys. If actually the doctor's report showed an STD on the girls, at least of the guys should test positive to a similar disease.

In addition to that, police should find out what the relationship between these guys and the parents of the girls are. They should find a way of getting the sex history of these guys from perhaps their girlfriends, friends and neighbors. Are they known despoilers, are they pervert, many perverts exhibit the trait through vulgar comments on the street etc.

They should find out from the parents at what point they noticed these girls' unusual walk. If they didnt gang rape the girls, it is difficult to know see how all of them will take their turn on this girl for so long without traces.


These allegations are very damning and deserve thorough a job by the police. We need not condemn these guys before the conclusion of the case though as there is something very unusual about the case. Above all, let the media follow-up on the case.

I think the detail of the two sentences are different, Bode George was not found guilty for advanced fee fraud but for not following due process and disobedience to constituted authority, while this lady was sentenced for fraud.

Let's not discredit our judiciary without genuine reasons. Prosecution and attorneys are very significant in justice delivery, it is not the job of the judge alone. Some attorneys are smart and can muddle cases up especially where it involves high networth people.


The recent case of the former governor of Illinois who was alleged to have attempted to sell Obama's senate seat to Rev. Jesse Jackson's son but who was acquited of all but one of the charges is a vivid example.

22 billion naira from SGBN. 6 billion naira from Trade Bank Plc, and 32 billion naira from Intercontinental Bank Plc. You can't have that kind of loot and not have crazy idea of becoming your country's president.

@metalgong, how is Saraki qualified than Jonathan? Saraki is governor of Kwara, Jonathan is already the president of the whole of Nigeria. Jonathan is a consummate academic, his brand of politics is 21st century compliant (proof, he has given all concession the governors ask for without bullying or arm twisting, we have not noticed any hard horsetrading so far) look at Saraki in Kwara, he has muscled the opposition to submission and still boasting that he is bold. I laughed when I saw his apparent talk down on Nigerians. That you are bold and not depending on any good luck is taking your LUCK too far.

By the way, Saraki's strategy is either to leverage for the Vice Presidential slot or to negotiate for soft landing. The vice presidential slot is not opened anymore, it's been taken by an architect gentleman, Namadi Sambo. I guess Bukkie is overating himself. The bulk of Kwara south vote is guaranteed for Babangida. Particularly, Offa people are fanatical in their support for IBB, therefore, I don't know how Bukkie can even win all Kwara vote. The neighboring Kogi where Saraki's father used to extend his overbearing politics, is 100% for Jonathan. Where else?

As for negotiation for soft landing, Bukkie is just an inch away from jail just as his friend Ibori, you can't finish off three banks, make hundreds of depositors destitute and not end in jail. SGBN, Trade Bank Plc and Intercontinental Bank Plc were directly finished off by Saraki. The future does not look bright for Bukkie if you ask me.

And while they are on Nigeria's case, Al - Qaeda is finishing them off on their soil. In preparation for a grand launch of Sharia in the US, Al - Qaeda and Saudi Arabia is PLANTING a great mosque close to where they massacred thousands of their citizens.


While they are thinking and planning evil for Nigeria, Al - Qaeda is achieving its aim of conquering their land by sponsoring terrorists to take up their citizenship and and equipping them with suitcase nuke to finish off their cities, infiltrate their armed forces and security organizations and killing them in their fortified army barracks.


By installing a Muslim or a Muslim friendly president, their country is looking the other way while a determined Islamic government is arming itself against their annihilation and their friend. Except Israel assist them by taking off those nuke plants in the next few weeks or days, they will not survive the impending nuke terrorism.


America, you have all the tendencies of collapsing as a nation before Nigeria, look at your economy? Your currency is being dump by your number one economic benefactor, China. How will you feed yourselves after 2013? Democracy cannot feed you? All your nuclear arsenal cannot turn to food on your table. Neither will your skyscrapers provide for your needs when the time comes.


Save yourself first.

Is Prof. Aluko saying PTF (under Abacha - whose Economic Adviser he was) did not contract Western/Southern roads to Northern contractors? Why didn't he raise objection then? At least he once told us that Abacha listened to all his advise then.


His idea about zoning being a peculiar arrangements to meet our circumstance is warped. From this logic, we can infer that the minority would simply use all the resources of the local council or state or the country for the benefit of their community during their own term while development freezes in the majority zone. And vice versa when it's the turn of the majority rule.


This is fake logic, and it runs against the tenet of democracy, except that the prof is saying the purpose of power is to enrich oneself or ones community to the exclusion of others. Several years of northern domination of government did not attract much development to the region and our ten year democratic experiment so far further put a lie to this kind of thinking. It is not about self belonging as much as elite aggrandizement.


Democratic rule is what the majority decides, through election or referendum.

This is NONSENSE!


Paul the Octopus will do a better prediction than this Ayodele guy. He predicted Yaradua's recovery, we buried him long ago.


Maybe some simple minded will believe this prediction but discerning minds will easily know that this guy has been reading a lot of newspaper like us and may have one or two intel contacts.


It is simple, there is tension in the land in the run-up to the 2011 elections. It is normal everywhere. To take power is not a cake walk.


The two gladiators are Jonathan (courtesy of incumbency, i.e. political patronage, dirty security/intel reports, once in life time South South chance) and Babangida - (deep pocket and zoning). Atiku and Buhari and others may just be in the race because some marabouts (like Ayodele) told them what they wanted to hear or because they know what we don't know or just plain foolishness.


I have been hearing this break-up for decades now and nothing has happened so far. I think it's stupid to think Nigeria will break-up in 2011. Yes, S T U P I D!

It is about the present and not the past.


Friedman would not have made this assertion if our present was a little different. It's not about the past folks, because everyone has some form of undeveloped past, Europe itself had to learn somethings from the Arabs and they ran with it.


Giving our culture of not documenting anything, it's not possible to have accurate accounts of where we were pre and post colonization, therefore we are left with what they tell us. Through hygiene and modern medicine introduced by the colonials some diseases and health conditions were better understood, so also are barbaric practices like killing of twins - ironically we worship twins now with beans and palm-oil. But we can see ancient civilizations in Chinese, European architecture.


It was not only Africa that was colonized, the USA, Canada, Australia, India, Hong Kong, etc were similarly colonized at one point or another. In fact Britain left Hong Kong in 1991.


We have stuck in the same place they left us in the 60s.


I think we need to encourage a broader debate on this topic than we are currently allowing, attempts by some to insinuate that we are less endowed in brain or that we had superior civilization than the white are simplistic. This is a fundamental issue than we are allowing. It is a debate on who we are. We need to get that straight first.

Does this guy have any adviser at all? Is he so dumb? Creating a bad boy persona might be good for a gangsta/rap artiste/nollywood act but definitely not for a politician. His rating is going down and he is moving from one scandal to another. From Ogunewe to Melaye to Gbenga Daniel/Daggash and now to a BA security-man.


And this Nigeria's No. 4 thing? What does it mean really? Who's Nigeria's No. 140 MILLIONTH?


I feel Number 1,2, or 3 is more of who is next in succession should the position of president become vacant, I can't see any role for the speaker of the house of representatives concerning succession in our constitution. Bankole is simply not in line, Period.


This No. 4 craze is just the creation of the House of Representatives and giving Bankole's infantile disposition so far it's about time we discouraged the usage. Imagine the Speaker of Adamawa state legislature fighting BA security over some BS protocol.

Why is Europe forcing it's culture on unwilling people? Our laws say we don't permit sodomy in our society just like Europe forbids incest, polygamy etc, What is difficult to understand in this?

So, Iyanda has been collecting money from Europe to promote homosexuality using Nigeria's tax payer funded media, NTA, even when the laws forbids same?

Why have they not arraigned her in court? It's about time we started showing seriousness in our repugnance to this NONSENSE by making a scapegoat out of people like Funmi Iyanda.

First, this is a criminal matter being prosecuted by the Nigerian state, i.e. the Nigeria Police, only a court of law can acquit the accused.

Second, this issue bothers on infidelity allegation leveled against former Olori Bolanle by the former Deji, only a DNA can resolve that. Even Nelson Mandela did not forgive his former wife for an allege infidelity.

Finally, at least we have seen that the so-called Juju in Yorubaland and other African societies are mere acid and chemical substances that monarchs and secret societies have used for ages to torment the citizen, but have refused to acknowledge.

Mr. Bankole's notoriety as a celebrity pugilist is legendary. Mr. Independence Ogunewe tactically evaded a bout with Bankole in NASS sometimes ago. But, ask Dino Melaye and his "progressives", they will tell you what they learn in the hands of Bankole's trainees. Mr. Daniel and Arc. Dagash should have known that this guy can dethrone anybody. He got Ogunewe suspended twice for not honouring their boxing bout, then got Melaye and co. suspended indefinitely for not fighting enough. Mr. Daniel, Arc. Dagash, this guy is a pugilist par excellence, he has won so many boxing bouts now. And remember, it's not for fun that he has a master's in WAR MONGERING or is it BOXING?

Now we know how Tinubu rigged Fashola (out-rigged the PDP) in Lagos!

What exactly will make next year's election free and fair? Will it be free and fair if Jonathan, or Babangida, or Buhari wins?

We need to investigate this very well. They are a bunch of document and certificate forgers. May be with Jega coming on board, they are anticipating that the guy would dig up the documents used in registering the party. Chances are that the party has been operating on a forged paper.

Where is Dele Momodu, the Nigeria Basher In-Chief? What is his opinion about the leader of his paradise - South Africa?

Most Nigerians dont want to address issues, just personalities. Now before you begin to change your mind about Jega after these eulogies, consider these;

a) Voter registration - how do you convince villages, towns, local governments and states not to cook up figures in "my place is more populous than yours" mentality?

b) What do you do with the excess votes of those who might not come to vote as a result of one thing or another - sickness, out of station commitment, or apathy?

c) How do you get ballot materials to Manbilla Plateau from Yola - a journey of 8 hours - before ballot closes without jeopardizing the integrity of the papers? Votes open 8am and close 4pm.

d) How do you keep away guns, dangerous weapons, and pliable party agents from election venues?

e) How do you tell an unprepared politician that he cannot just win election where he has not done much ground work?

f) How do you convince an average politician that he cant win every time he contests?

Attahiru Jega's nomination may not solve most of these problems. It's deeper than we are willing to admit.

Sorry to disappoint you guys. The Oba is an ally of the governor of Ondo State, Dr. Segun Mimiko. He enjoys the protection of the governor anyday. Recall that this same Oba was deposed not long ago by 26 out of the 27 member Akure Council of Chiefs and all traditional rites performed, but to the surprise of many, the governor waved all aside and asked him to continue in the palace. It will not be surprising to see this latest controversy fizzle out and the Oba continue to do and undo in Akure town.