₦airaland Forum

Ola17:

Gbawe:
@OP.

Well-said. A timely piece. It is time for all of us who mean well for Nigeria to put the past and our differences behind us to fully support the efforts of the present government to prosecute the thieves who have ruined Nigerian and left us in a very poor condition to survive what, as you stated, is probably the most economically difficult period in our history. Oil , the main export of our mono economy, is virtually worthless. We have no 'rainy day' savings either , with which to weather the storm, courtesy of the corruption and looting oga "don't give a damn" (GEJ) supervised. Our economy, thanks to the PDP that led for 16 years, is not diversified and totally dependent on oil sales. The SME sector is moribund. Critical infrastructure is completely pathetic. Manufacturing nko? Totally kaput !!!!

The government of the day cannot be perfect and I think the noise of selective prosecution will never go away because of the nature of Nigerians and the prejudice they innately harbour for their own religious and ethnic affiliates. "Metuh was handcuffed while Dasuki was not" and other blah, blah, blah. Yet we must all agree that prosecution of corruption, especially with looted funds recovered, is better than no prosecution at all as was the case under GEJ. What most must remember when they mention Fashola, Amaechi, Tinubu et al is that Buhari is not hounding PDP State leaders, i.e governors, either. As head of the federal government, and correctly, Buhari is going after those who stole from the tier of government he is head of i.e the federal government. State government are entirely free to prosecute any former governor.

It is time Nigerians stop charging Buhari to prosecute everyone. That is a silly and entirely senseless way to view things. Nigerians must accept that Buhari's first and most direct responsibility is to bring looters of federal wealth to book. If every Nigerian is free to mention their choice looter Buhari should prosecute then I might as well mention Chief Kamoru who is head of my local government or call our busy President to come and arrest the LASTMA thieves at the corner of my road!!!! Fact is that every leader must prosecute according to their jurisdiction and direct area of responsibility. Buhari will face federal thieves and Nigerians should charge governors to face State and local government thieves. As simple as that and it is time for all patriotic Nigerians who mean well for Nigeria to get behind Buhari and stop the distracting noise.

peacengine:
Say your truth shame devil, you chop Aisha rice or you no chop am?

bloodykiller:
[s][/s]



we shall continue with the brutal criticism we leant from you guys because do me i do you even God go understand.

Gbawe:
Bro, you have my blessing to do this. Let us just hope you have our resilience and 'dedication to the cause' because you have another three years and 4 months of doing this. Should Buhari and the APC come good then you will become a very tired grandfather practising your "do me I do you" in futility

Jesusloveyou:
this is d problem of nigeria, we always support evil and corruption, u need deliverance from dis ur automatic madness

Ola17:

Ama80:
My takes are 1.let d corruption fight be transparent and cut across political parties so it can b convincing.we need vibrant opposition seriously n d presnt clamp down on opposition is clear n present danger.2,d fight against corruption shud be given only 20% of d C in C's time n energy.let d govt hit d ground n running.d anti corruption bodies can go in full swing but certainly not d president.we r down already n need no further fall.d question is how do get out of Ds lowest low?

TonyeBarcanista:
Nigeria is facing her greatest challenge since her 55th history as an independent State. In fact, it has come to a point where corruption is being elevated to the zenith while anti-corruption crusaders are victimised. We are at a point where the alleged crime of once-upon-a-time powerful big man is immaterial but what is material is whether or not the "oga" is put on cuffs. It no longer matters who perpetuate fraud, neither does it matter the level of fraud perpetuated by people in positions of trust, what now matters is that those within our political comradeship are not "touched" ie leave our man for us. It no longer matters whether or not the government in power performs, what now matters for some people is to see the government to fail simply because it wasn't their choice at the poll. This period is the lowest of low for Nigeria.

The Wickedness of Political Leaders Since 1999
Are Nigerians aware that the level of mismanagement and corruption in our democratic era since 1999 eclipse the combined military and civilian administrations since 1960? Are Nigerians aware that Nigeria has made NO significant gain since 1999 when compared to what we had before 1999? Are Nigerians aware that the late dictator Sani Abacha that we love use as point of reference when talking about corruption is a fine gentleman when compared to Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan's administration? Are Nigerians concerned that while Generals Sani Abacha and Ibrahim Babangida were accused of looting $5billion and $12billion respectively, Obasanjo administration couldn't account for $16billion spent on power, while Jonathan's administration spent a whopping $6billion(N2trn) for fuel subsidy in 2011 alone with nothing to show for it(but blaming some fictitious cabal)? In fact, the over $2billion Abacha loot that has been repatriated so far cannot be accounted for by Obasanjo and Jonathan's administrations. In fact, we are told that part of Abacha loot was relooted in the $2.2billion arms fraud.

Are Nigerians not concerned that during Abacha's era with fuel price averaged at $15 per barrel, Abacha reduced Nigeria's debt from $36billon(1993) to $27billion(30% reduction), $494million to $9.6billion(1800%), reduced inflation from 54% to 8.5% and implemented projects through PTF. However, during Jonathan's era, oil price was average $100 per barrel but our external debt still rose from $3.94 billion to $9.4 billion as at Dec 2014($6.1 b is FG external debt), Foreign reserve went from $47.7billion to $32billion, and Excess crude account went from $6.5billion to $460million in 2010(GEJ got $3.36 billion/56%), it rose to $9billion in 2012 and was again depleted to $2.2billion when he left office(GEJ got $6billion) with nothing on ground to show for it?.

Are we not concerned that when the at $30per barrel oil price, Nigeria is crying for money whereas President Olusegun Obasanjo on assumption of office ensured that he saved for the future by created an Excess crude Account from zero kobo in 1999 to $20billion in 2007 to take care of moment like this which was depleted to meagre $2.2billion even when oil price was averaged $100 per barrel between 2007 and 2015?

Nigeria is Behind Her Peers
Are we not concerned that while war-torn country like Libya still manage to maintain $66billion in their Sovereign Wealth Fund(SWF), Iran $62billion, and Algeria $50billion, Nigeria could only manage to save $3billion(ie $1billion SWF + $2billion ECA)? Are we not concerned that even Angola with lesser oil income has over $5billion in their SWF? Are we not concerned that Angola that fought civil war 28years ago, whose poverty rate as at 2010 was 68% now has about 40% poverty rate(CIA Fact book) with massive infrastructures in the country, while Nigeria that fought civil war about 50years ago and with access to more funds still has poverty rate of 70%(official figure) with no single infrastructure to boast of.

Our Attitude As Responsible Citizens
If we are responsible citizens of this country, we'll be very much concerned about state of affairs rather than imprison ourselves in irresponsible and unpatriotic positions by telling authorities to let go of corruption suspects when he/she/they has/have the privilege of legal process. It is irresponsible and unpatriotic for any person/party or group to be more concerned about someone in handcuff rather than the alleged crime the person is facing in court. In case people don't know, Illinois Gov Rod Blagojevich was arrested and put on handcuff in December 2008 as an incumbent governor even before his impeachment/conviction. It is a fact that the convicted soldiers were tried on handcuff, late Audu Abubakar was also brought to court on handcuff during Yar'adua era. When did handcuffing a suspect become an issue in Nigeria? While it is our civic responsibility and right to vote for candidate/party of choice at the poll, it is irresponsible to elevate the interest of any single person or party above national interest.


It is a truism that Nigeria is in her trying state. We have been ripped and raped by insatiable gluttons that are privileged to be on fat salaries and allowances, and life pensions, yet very irresponsible to corner the little left for the masses. Bringing these people to justice irrespective of how highly placed they are or their political/tribal affiliation will not only serve justice but will also send message to those in positions of authority and those prospecting to hold positions of trust in the future. If we don't fight corruption we may wake up one day to hear that one President has changed the title of the Federation Account to his own name.



May God Bless Us All and Bless Nigeria

BeardedMeat:
A critical look at this post exposes the writer as a myopic citizen who has abandoned the burning issues of trampling on the fundamental human rights of citizens. Nigeria is currently under siege by a white washed sepulcher whose grasp and understading of democracy is nepotism, high-handedness, selctive war against corruption, and dictatorship. A president who lacks what it takes to carry all regions along, a president who will focus the dividends of democracy mainly on those who voted for him, a president who is hell bent on emasculating the opposition through any means possible, a president who lacks indept knowledge on the way forward, an escapist president who was ill prepared for the task ahead, a double speak president. Nigerians must continue to resist every attempt to drag them backwards in a new world where other nations are asserting themselves in technological advancements, economic advancements, democratic advancements, medical advancements, food security etc etc.

RightBoo:
When is it now a crime for people to speak their mind...?

When is it unpatriotic for people to demand justice for all?

For crying out loud we are in democracy where freedom of speech is recognized...

For me I will say you are just a sadist for taking what other citizen views about a situation as personal insult..

Nobody is against the fight against corruption even PDP is not against it... What people are totally against is not following the ambience of the law in persecuting any accused citizen.

For crying out loud, we have been hearing from one mouth source either the DSS or the EFCC, our sinful nature and tribalistic egocentrism has blindfolded our judgement from not considering hearing from the accused. Which should be the right thing...

Meanwhile, You can only hear the side of the accused if and only if the accused goes to court to plead not guilty to his or her crime which he or she is accused of and ask for bail for the court and the people to hear what he has to say.

Let's be civilised and act like responsible human beings in this country. Human beings that can think, thats the difference between human and other lower animals like monkeys and baboons. before condemdning an accused here his own part of the story. Being lopsided isn't patriotic whether it involves $100000000000000000000000000000.

AWONEYAN:
God bless you Tonye, for this sincere,non political and objectice post

Ovamboland:
Has any of the accused being condemned? Why are you more interested in their welfare than the impact of their alleged misdeeds?

TonyeBarcanista:
Nigeria is facing her greatest challenge since her 55th history as an independent State. In fact, it has come to a point where corruption is being elevated to the zenith while anti-corruption crusaders are victimised. We are at a point where the alleged crime of once-upon-a-time powerful big man is immaterial but what is material is whether or not the "oga" is put on cuffs. It no longer matters who perpetuate fraud, neither does it matter the level of fraud perpetuated by people in positions of trust, what now matters is that those within our political comradeship are not "touched" ie leave our man for us. It no longer matters whether or not the government in power performs, what now matters for some people is to see the government to fail simply because it wasn't their choice at the poll. This period is the lowest of low for Nigeria.

The Wickedness of Political Leaders Since 1999
Are Nigerians aware that the level of mismanagement and corruption in our democratic era since 1999 eclipse the combined military and civilian administrations since 1960? Are Nigerians aware that Nigeria has made NO significant gain since 1999 when compared to what we had before 1999? Are Nigerians aware that the late dictator Sani Abacha that we love use as point of reference when talking about corruption is a fine gentleman when compared to Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan's administration? Are Nigerians concerned that while Generals Sani Abacha and Ibrahim Babangida were accused of looting $5billion and $12billion respectively, Obasanjo administration couldn't account for $16billion spent on power, while Jonathan's administration spent a whopping $6billion(N2trn) for fuel subsidy in 2011 alone with nothing to show for it(but blaming some fictitious cabal)? In fact, the over $2billion Abacha loot that has been repatriated so far cannot be accounted for by Obasanjo and Jonathan's administrations. In fact, we are told that part of Abacha loot was relooted in the $2.2billion arms fraud.

Are Nigerians not concerned that during Abacha's era with fuel price averaged at $15 per barrel, Abacha reduced Nigeria's debt from $36billon(1993) to $27billion(30% reduction), $494million to $9.6billion(1800%), reduced inflation from 54% to 8.5% and implemented projects through PTF. However, during Jonathan's era, oil price was average $100 per barrel but our external debt still rose from $3.94 billion to $9.4 billion as at Dec 2014($6.1 b is FG external debt), Foreign reserve went from $47.7billion to $32billion, and Excess crude account went from $6.5billion to $460million in 2010(GEJ got $3.36 billion/56%), it rose to $9billion in 2012 and was again depleted to $2.2billion when he left office(GEJ got $6billion) with nothing on ground to show for it?.

Are we not concerned that when the at $30per barrel oil price, Nigeria is crying for money whereas President Olusegun Obasanjo on assumption of office ensured that he saved for the future by created an Excess crude Account from zero kobo in 1999 to $20billion in 2007 to take care of moment like this which was depleted to meagre $2.2billion even when oil price was averaged $100 per barrel between 2007 and 2015?

Nigeria is Behind Her Peers
Are we not concerned that while war-torn country like Libya still manage to maintain $66billion in their Sovereign Wealth Fund(SWF), Iran $62billion, and Algeria $50billion, Nigeria could only manage to save $3billion(ie $1billion SWF + $2billion ECA)? Are we not concerned that even Angola with lesser oil income has over $5billion in their SWF? Are we not concerned that Angola that fought civil war 28years ago, whose poverty rate as at 2010 was 68% now has about 40% poverty rate(CIA Fact book) with massive infrastructures in the country, while Nigeria that fought civil war about 50years ago and with access to more funds still has poverty rate of 70%(official figure) with no single infrastructure to boast of.

Our Attitude As Responsible Citizens
If we are responsible citizens of this country, we'll be very much concerned about state of affairs rather than imprison ourselves in irresponsible and unpatriotic positions by telling authorities to let go of corruption suspects when he/she/they has/have the privilege of legal process. It is irresponsible and unpatriotic for any person/party or group to be more concerned about someone in handcuff rather than the alleged crime the person is facing in court. In case people don't know, Illinois Gov Rod Blagojevich was arrested and put on handcuff in December 2008 as an incumbent governor even before his impeachment/conviction. It is a fact that the convicted soldiers were tried on handcuff, late Audu Abubakar was also brought to court on handcuff during Yar'adua era. When did handcuffing a suspect become an issue in Nigeria? While it is our civic responsibility and right to vote for candidate/party of choice at the poll, it is irresponsible to elevate the interest of any single person or party above national interest.


It is a truism that Nigeria is in her trying state. We have been ripped and raped by insatiable gluttons that are privileged to be on fat salaries and allowances, and life pensions, yet very irresponsible to corner the little left for the masses. Bringing these people to justice irrespective of how highly placed they are or their political/tribal affiliation will not only serve justice but will also send message to those in positions of authority and those prospecting to hold positions of trust in the future. If we don't fight corruption we may wake up one day to hear that one President has changed the title of the Federation Account to his own name.



May God Bless Us All and Bless Nigeria

Luciferlove:
Nice article but i sense you are delibrately castigating the previous administration...A good writter should be neutral(except for the pid one or others seeking political relevance).
I tand to be corrected but let us know that 90% of those in power now affected our democracy directly or indirectly since 1999...I would'nt mention names but untill the Amechis and Tinubus come out nd clarify there roles people will always see this fight as selective...If i'm a writter i will make my stand neutral..then i will earn everyones respect than jumping the ship like a cheap brat just an advise

shallomtr:
[s]Tonye, your post these days showed that you have sold your soul for selfish reasons, money is not all, someone like u cannot be trusted with any sensitive position, even the apc that have bought u back will never trust u, they will only use and abandon u. U are a big disgrace to the youths of this generation.[/s]

TonyeBarcanista:
You are the disgrace and not me. You sound like the sycophant that carries placard to chant "leave Metuh Alone". Unlike you, I'm not driven by money and I don't need to get "paid" to take a patriotic position. Honestly, crooks can't trust me in positions of leadership because I won't cooperate, but sincere Nigerians can trust me because they know that I won't trade national interest for petty partisan comradeship. In fact, if you guys want to sink in corruption, I won't sink with you.


Lubbish...

bettercreature:
Lovely write up.We shall get there

This government must sort out dollar asap,it's our biggest problem at the moment