₦airaland Forum

This is perhaps the most important post to date on this unfortunate few days. I am not surprised the President has this much opposition from within. OBJ's presidency was supposed to placate the west for June 12. Granted many felt he was not the best person (and opposed him within and outside his party) and his presidency wasn't an overwhelming success, one thing is very clear, it has created the opportunity we see today (a southern presidency in succession). This is the crux of the problems we see today. Some northern politicians feel short-changed by the Yaradua presidency and would want to taste not just smell power. Secondly they feel if certain grounds are broken it might quickly snowball into the outright rebalancing of the entire national scape. All southerners, west, south and east should realise that GEJ's presidency is not about him (as OBJ's presidency was) but about breaking certain grounds. I for one am under no illusion that the utopia we all seek will be gained in one or two presidential terms but the reality is that those who felt untouchable are now touched and those who did not have a voice now have one. We may feel for instance that the appointment of a COAS from the east is no big deal but if we can hear the secret conversations of the 'owners' of this we will realise just how big a change this is. Things will change, they may move slowly but change is inevitable. Let us not scuttle it now. I tell you no one wants unnecessary violence and bloodshed so why don't we rally round to support this man. To those members of MEND that stand against the South-South presidency do not put yourselves in a quandry IBB cannot develop the Niger-Delta better than your son could. He had his chance and failed to do nothing. If in the twilight of a South-South presidency nothing has been done you then you have a case. My dream is having the south united the way the north is then anything is possible.

One thing for sure this whole drama (starting on Independence Day and continues) has shown the huge gulf between where we are and where we seek to be. I've searched intently in all statements to find where each actor stands, where ideologies lie and unfortunately cannot find any. It remains about individuals, ambitions and most likely financial greed. We have forgotten issues of federalism, resource control and social reconstruction and have become more sectional than ever before. If these Northern leaders have the true interest of the country at heart why did they allow the situation deteriorate to this level. Now arsonists have turned to fire-fighters, no problem. Can Ciroma who has been in government for God knows how long will now find a solution to Nigeria's governance problems in his twilight days. If IBB thinks he can reach out to MEND, the Niger-Delta or the South-South and has good intentions he can do that as an elder statesman, afterall Jimmy Carter has made more trips to North Korea (after his tenure) than any American leader living or dead, with great effect and respect. Has IBB made a single trip to the creeks since he left office to see and appease the situation he aided and abetted. He is not even needed. What Nigeria requires of him now I say is to tell his northern political friends and co dictators to give what is left of this country a chance to survive. If he wants to end Nigeria he is free to do so. I wouldn't implicate him in the bombing just yet but I suppose he is wise enough not to toy with things he cannot control. To Nigerians I hope we remain level headed in all this. I must commend the west in particular, they have shown a reasonable sense of maturity and neutrality so far. The stress to our collective psyche will not continue for ever. The President may be naive in the complex web of corruption and deceit that characterizes our system and has virtually destroyed this country but we need change, office holders that have an iota of respect for the people of this country.

I would rather look in favour of the content rather than the delivery afterall is it Obama's eloquesarynce that is in question now or the ability of his people to cash in. George Bush was not much of an orator but his effect (good or bad) cannot be discounted. If a leader has a burning passion for a certain value or idea. That idea takes the form of the orator. It is like fashion or art, we attribute expressions to people and its sticks like glue. If the president had mounted that podium and poured out his heart in a manner that connected with his people I personally will not remember how he put the words across (the ex-heads will not all have fallen asleep) but it is because the folks have little to offer other flaws become glaring. How do you eloquently express you desire to change the ills in society or the corruption in high places or the failure of governance. I watched the CNN interview with Aisha. Look, when someone is passionate about something he has an answer even in his waking moment. And his response will tie all tongues. You do not struggle with what you know. These folks are too far out of touch. It is a pity.

I will only agree most independence leaders were whiter that white if corruption is the only reason we are why we are. This is an acid test for most Nigerians. Do we know what is actually wrong with this country. If it was so good how come it turned out so bad. Were the first post independence leaders moving this country in the right direction. If so who then was the devil that derailed it or were we left a titanic by the British.

Lanre, fantastic write up but really so what? who are in those universities, who uses the fuel or imported toothpicks, look in the mirror. Yet they know we can do nothing about it. How do you effect change. Vote, they rig it. Don't vote and they remain in power. How do you exchange bad leadership, I ask. Mark you this is not a generational or an intellectual thing. I know of someone who was invited into the inner circle of one who stood for public office (just a month ago) and won. I tell you this fellow has changed beyond recognition. Formerly a sane, young, educated man, on coming from the police station where he finalised his battle with the opposition I could not believe what he had turned to. All in three short weeks. This fellow is in line to be the next LG chair. Is that our future? Look, we are playing games in this country. Those who do not support violent change will have to do better in convincing those that subscribe to it that it is possible to wait for change. For some this status quo is a headache, while for others it is hanging by your finger tips over burning coal. While we accept the former we cannot discount the latter. Let us not assume for one minute that our personal perspective of this country is universal. This government does not know what the bottom line (where the dregs of society live) is. This is the unfortunate effect of corruption. We shut our eyes to everyone and everything except ourselves. MEND has made a statement unfortunately. They don't consider it a problem. Ask them how many corpses they have seen in the last two years. You think a mechanic who is stained in oil will mind sitting on a dusty bench. This is the bottom line, a crime ridden society top to bottom. They are simply expressing theirs.

I have refrained from making any comment so far on anyone of the threads on this matter because I am convinced there is a lot going on, much more than most simplistic and I must say unfortunate responses most Nairalanders have posted so far perhaps with the exception of Ehoi. On the way home your bag of garri develops a puncture. What do you do? Blame the hook, blame the bag, blame the garri, drop the bag and gather the spoil, cover the puncture with your hands, or what. What if it isn't garri but a can of highly flammable fuel, when there is an accident how do you handle the stuation, blame the car, blame the driver, blame the road, blame God, call an ambulance or administer first aid. We have seen all sorts of responses from Nairalanders, now we have the first response from government. I will wait for further developments but I will summarize Ehoi - this should not have been allowed to happen. We cannot all claim (sympathizers and proponents) that we have done all we could to prevent such from happening. If we value our lives then we should start living. Freedom is very, very expensive.

This gathering was not on independence day. I am sure they know holding it that day wouldn't sell but hey, If you cannot express your independence on independence day tell me when else. I see it as a litmus test of our tolerance levels. The Olympics had natives protesting (not just meeting) in Los Angeles, Sydney, Beijing. The SA world cup was used as a platform by unions, the list goes on and on. High profile events will always attract statements. Civilised minds would say yes what are you saying, lets put an end to this and that so that the next fifty years will produce a more tolerant and progressive society.

It has happened. 11 people confirmed dead.

This is pathetic. Even if Igbos are valets in this country when you party they are not expected to serve in rags. That is why I personally see nothing in Nigeria at 50 nor respects its celebrants. For our information the whole world is watching not see what we have achieved (nothing to show for it) but how far we gone as a nation, how well we have sown our social cloth, how strong the seams are. The question we should be asking like every American president will at a time like this is; the state of our union is, It is not about where Igbo Day is celebrated. For goodness sake will every easterner travel home for this, do we travel for every birthday and anniversary. If Nigerians will not ask questions that define their unity and seek inclusiveness at 50 how can we succeed as a nation. How can an engine work well when the sum of its parts are faulty. And tomorrow we turn round and complain about government at this and that. Unity is basic. If we cannot work together and respect each other then we should not even attempt to develop as a nation. Ohaneze is simply testing this and yet again we are all failing badly. If I was a foreigner visiting the country at a time like this what do you think I would be interested in. Watching soldiers marching around, helicopters flying overhead or the largest cake in the world. Let's be real folks it starts with how are you doing.

The poverty we have in Nigeria is not one of bread and butter but of ideas and sincerity. If that bag of rice will bring about change I think she should take one home and share some with members of her husband cabinet, probably lift it up to God and multiply it to feed the entire nation. Maybe some bags will turn to cement and bitumen to patch the roads and build schools. Maybe some will turn to school tables and text books. Perhaps some will turn to bandages and drugs while others form transformers and electric poles. I would like some rice to turn to privatised enterprises and a few grains to handcuffs, ah noooo it may just clasp my wrists. Hmmmm, your Excellencess (permit me), when people are starved for long emergency responders do not rush food, they carefully administer fluids first or the dying will die. Nigerians do not need charity, we need justice, equity and opportunity. We are enterprising enough to create wealth. You give us 2,000 bags of rice and spend billions on waste. You really need to eat some for deliverance.

Fellow Nairalanders, will you offer goods and services (particularly high networth services) to those you know or are widely known in society to have corruptly enriched themselves; Is this a moral or economic challenge and how do you evaluate the risks/rewards. On the other hand if you have done so inadvertantly do you feel you are part of the nation's problems and wish to seek restitution. Can you live with it.

This thread should be rated AMP (Amusement Purposes) only. Talking about the police is like Steven Hawkins quest for the origins of the universe.

No, no no. Facebook na mirror wey I go take straight my cap walahi.

Sorry to say so but I'm afraid he'd right on this one. The part I don't seem to understand is why he should not be lecturing from some deep dungeon because with the exception of the Tafawozik powder keg, OBJ was the main attraction in most episodes of this sordid drama and the side kick in a couple of others. He fought in 1967 without understanding he will lecture against it in 2010, became sole administrator in 1979 institutionalising corruption, conducted one of the first flawed elections (and actually earned a doctorate in election fraud) way back then and rose like the Phoenix from the ashes in 1999 to impose senators and legislators and lighting the fuse of grand salaries and fringe benefits such as the third term revenue allocation. He surely has our number. Nigeria's postcode should be changed to OBJ. No single Nigerian living or dead has had more opportunities to right this country and yet he is telling us it is up to us to clean his mess.

Yes Guyman, Its one of those very sad things. I wish someday someone somewhere will wake up and realise what we lost. As we grow up and understand why we are like this. Why things are so bad. I hope several threads can be opened and we can learn why the east was destroyed. I can understand conflict, it has happened in every society but the vengeful destruction (till date) of al and area represents is hard to comprehend. I was watching the bombing of Hamburg on Discovery a few days ago the very Germany that today is an industrial power house. Japan was destroyed too, Iraq lately, yet everyone of them was rebuilt by the very powers that wiped them out. And when I say rebuilt it was not only the infrastructure but the institutions, the industries, the culture and the pride. German scientists then pioneered several technological advances at home, in the States and the then Soviet union. Where are the Biafran scientists, where are the war advances, why were the wartime industries not rebuilt. Because of narrow minded, vengeful post war policies perpetuated till date by evil men hell bent on selfish misrule. Guys we've had our chance to develop our country and blown it.  It will take hell and high water for another chance and we will beg God on our knees for that.  You can imagine that as we mark 50 years of independence we cannot produce the fuel we use. 40 years ago oil was being refined in Biafra without Shell, TFE or NNPC. Where is that technology. 40 years ago.

If Biafra had been structured like the present Nigeria then perhaps. But nothing can beat this failing state called Nigeria. In the military days these sort of problems were hidden. Now that civilians rule and the police is the  prime law enforcement organ the issue/problem of federalism viz security is slowly emerging. You simply cannot effectively tackle local problems without local input. It is appropriate for the Federal Government to step in only when local enforcement is unable then as we say the files get handed over. Information is the key to success here. Where does a man coming from Abuja start. What language does he speak. It is the reason for example that local security is being set up in Iraq and lately Afghanistan. You simply cannot handle certain issues without winning the so called hearts and minds. The best those troops coming from afar will do is to set-up road blocks and hope the problem will go away. In this case finding those kids is their priority. What happens after then. Real security goes to the very root of the problem. This is only possible by Abians themselves. The time has come for us to re-examine the issue of local security. I would not call it state police (because a lot of people chose to live the lies of the past) but the Federal Government has to devolve power. Now to those who think this is an eastern issue should know that the Nigerian Police is failing throughout Nigeria. It is only when you crack an egg you realise it is rotting inside. It is, it can and it will happen everywhere.

This is bad, this is really really bad, 130 billion to be free. This is an unbelieveable cost and I hope those who collect the cheques can live with it. Can you imagine the cost of winding down a corporation that has caused so much pain and loss to people for so long. Who will write them cheques. I don't care what anyone says. We should not be paying for failure, civil service or not. We also work and we employ people and we would not break our backs to pay for losses. This is why the government should have acted years ago before this monster became so large. Now we are forced to smell the rot of an elephant instead of an ant. The government should just get the hell out of all enterprises now. 130 billion is just shy of 1 billion dollars. For what.

Hmmm, what can we say. Its a total mess. Playing the fiddle while the house burns. Clothing unwashed bodies. Pretending all is well. I just wonder what will be in another 50. For better or worse our grand kids will look back and have one a big laugh. Its so embarassing.

I have been waiting for that particular word and OYB said it. The constitution of PDP  from day 1 has always been one of expediency. It has always been interpreted by the most powerful figure in the party at the particular time. As far as I can remember I have not seen  a single primary - this should be the fourth where only candidates from either north or south, or from one geo zone has contested. In OBJ's time, Rimi, Gemade, Atiku, Okorocha, you name them all contested. It wasn't exclusively a south thing, neither was it a south west thing then. The only thread that appears to bind the opponents then was that they felt the party had drifted and a change was necessary. Zoning of the contestant had never happened. But the President is correct, after the presidency other positions have to fall in line, but this cannot be called zoning but an issue of Federal Character that has been in practice (and in the constitution for that matter) since the military era. IBB, Atiku, Saraki are trying to ride the wave of expediency now and its fair for Goodluck to fight back. Whoever wins, like OBJ in the Yaradua saga, will write his laws but none of them can claim it is universal for their party thoughtless of the nation.

PS: Saraki should just shut up. If the state party chairman did not oppose his moves will he not continue his monarchial rule through his sister. Now that power is slipping in his backyard and he's attacking the Abuja base camp expediency has decided he turns to this so-called zoning. Loser.

I hope it is not true that Ohakim is responsible for that. I can't understand why he would be so short-sighted. A meeting like that would guarantee even his own future relevance. Other regions are watching and disunity can never help matters. They should rally to form a credible pressure group to actualise the Presidency in 2015 and win more concessions in the shorter term.

This is Government at its most inept best. How can the release of excess water from a dam be categorised as a disaster. Did it sneak up on them. Could they vouch that they were unaware of the critical situation building in that dam and the consequences of not spilling it. They had enough time to evacuate and relocate. The real disaster would have been inaction by the basin authority, the failure of that dam and the consequences. The dam in question is an earth type and was built for irrigation purposes. It has failed in the past due to this very type of ineptitude that government is demonstrating. The day we will have sensible men and women in authority who take the lives and welfare of its people serious will be the day.

I find it difficult to understand how the cabbie got that far but he's one lucky chap. Ram the president's ride in any country including the States, yes Obama's limo and you'd probably go down in a hail of bullets, no questions asked. Lucky chap.

Good move. We must never, never, never return to 1985. The future belongs to civilians, the future belongs to those who have not been there before. The future belongs to the youth. The future of leadership belongs to the educated and enlightened. The future belongs to pluralism. The future belongs to leaders who have an iota of respect for the aspirations of the led. The endorsement is an internal PDP affair, for delegates only. It does not say you and I have to vote for Jonathan but it is a clear signal to those we donot want that the time is up.

His children or his grand and great grand children. Funny the way he refers to his children, you'd imagine them to be something like five to ten years old. His immediate kids are probably bidding their time too, or is Papa still firing. Life is good oh.

Says a lot about the choices we are presented with. If we expected the forthcoming elections to be three course meal. This aspirant if ingested will cause acute diahorrea and if not expelled quickly could lead to kwashiokor and other forms of economic malnutrition.

Then what should farmers and miners, petty traders and tanker drivers (to mention a few) do. Have you examined the environment in which they work. The problem with all armed and paramilitary services is TRADOC - Training and Doctrine. Their service manuals would make good reading for pre-independence historians when the colonial masters used them to surpress rather than serve the interests of the public. They remained tools in the hands of the old independent feudal Nigeria aristocracy that hopefully ended in 1999. They are not suffering in conditions worse than the average civil servant for the qualifications they possess and the tasks required of them. The best endowed police force in the world barely makes the middle class. That is why it is called a service, they pay a subsidy on our existence, not seeking a way to milk it. If they want to live comfy in the present state of this nation they then have to partake in the crime they have sworn to check. If they want a better country then they are the sharp end of the stick in ensuring it happens by serving. They have nothing to complain about if they walk barefooted when provisions have been made. What laws stops them from arresting their bosses, none, but will they?. That is why these organisations have become very attractive to (I'm so sorry to say) the criminally minded who seeks a quick buck. And everyone of them wants that pre-independence doctrine that makes the public your sworn enemy. That is why they all without exception wear uniforms, march around like soldiers and seek to bear arms. Tell me why organisations like the FRSC, LASTMA and even the immigration service act like soldiers in service. To intimidate and exploit the public of course. I bet if we had a functional fire and ambulance service they too will have parade grounds and peak caps.

Thanks Solomon for that piece. Nobody is saying GEJ is perfect. But can anyone suggest who else is better placed by May 29 next year who wouldn't drag us back another twenty years. Change is the only constant in life and you either embrace it or fear it. Change in the military is very, very necessary. This idea that the military is a class apart from other Nigerians must be changed. They are nothing but armed civil servants. All Nigerians (including serving personnel) MUST embrace this change in ideology. And this change starts now. If we don't get it right our democracy will continue to misfire. The muslim Major that ran amok on that US Army base was taken down by the police and yes it was in their jurisdiction. We will get there. General Stan McChrystal had been exchanging notes with some Nigerian Generals and Obama showed him the door. So what is wrong with what is happening. Are we not at war?. OBJ twice re-organised the military top brass and we thanked him for that. At least 11 years of unbroken democracy. This is phase three. That professionalism must be institutionalised. Up next, the police. I can't wait.

PS: Don't you suppose IBB would dabble into the military if he were to be elected. But with the kind of baggage he's carrying it would be a real worry what the outcome will be.

That is where he continues to miss it. IBB is still living 20 years ago. Nigeria has changed quite a bit and the penalty for his grave actions whether intentional or not weigh heavy. The fact he cannot apologise makes matters worse and he wants to rule us again. Is this a monarchy. In civilised societies even when public officers apologise for their indiscretions they are confined to the dustbin. Could you imagine Nixon coming back, could John Major, or Tony Blair even if their country's electoral laws permitted it?. We want a new generation of leaders. Those who have a little tiny winy bit of respect or is it fear of those they govern. IBB feels we need him. What bunkum. And the worst part is that at his age he doesn't just seem to get it.

Guys, you will be hard pressed to find anyone in public office who hasn't corruptly enriched him/herself and while I back calls for his exposure and accountability as far as the Presidency is concerned the issues here go far beyond corruption. Let us try and think progressively here. What are the real and immediate alternatives. Do we shelve elections because there are no saints contesting. We are talking about trying to break the monopoly of the military, the monopoly of a certain section, class and generation of rulers. Our problem is in our heads not our wallets. Let us get someone in Aso Rock who is at least a bit respectful and fearful of failure. If we dislodge that man now IBB will walk right in and with the baggage he is carrying progress will be impossible. Goodluck may not move too far forward but IBB is definitely reverse gear. If I can't fly I prefer to crawl. There are no alternatives for now.

I quite agree Ezeagu but mono-ethnic England wasn't always so and God knows they had their bitter wars but we must realise that in 2010 the world is fast shrinking. Nations and peoples are seeking alliances of all types across religion, politics and ideologies. The States, England, France, Germany and even Russia, yes Russia today all have blacks in authority. Sectional walls everywhere are crumbling. I was particularly pleased for the Benenoir who got elected in Russia and I'm sure every black man would. On Nairaland we celebrated the election of Nigerians in the UK a few months ago. My deal then is why are issues like these a problem back home. Why would a man not feel comfortable taking a wife from anywhere in Nigeria. If politics or business can do it 6,000 miles away why can't love do it here. Afterall Nigeria is no more than 1,000 miles across.

What a topic in 2010, Nigerians wake up. Can someone from Leeds marry a person from Brighton, what about New-york and Boston, how about Marseille marrying a dude from Strasbourg, Milan V Palermo, Cologne and Munich and on and on. What is our problem. We school together, serve together, worship together, work together, trade together, no problem and then when it gets to man and wife we talk food, village, uncles, language. Rubbish. No wonder, fifty years after so called independence we are more dependent than ever before, more comfortable, more trusting of non-nationals than ours. We must rotate for acceptable leadership, we must have every tribe represented in our sporting teams, we must have an airport, university, refinery, etc in every state viable or not. We are in a mess not knowing it. How can foreigners trust and respect us as Nigerians when when tribe and tongue is powerful enough to turn a single matrimonial bed into a bunk domitorial one.

I can marry anyone I want, live anywhere I choose, conduct business with anyone I please and invest every dime I have in any field that's viable. The great USA is a product of very strange bed fellows, poles, greeks, irish, english, etc and not forgetting Kenyaindonesiamerican or what ever Obama is.

No. There are a few other things we could be doing that day, celebrating is certainly not one of them. It is very risky. You can imagine how silly it will look in another fifty years. Our children and grand children laughing at us. Reflection is a better word. Opportunity for reconstruction is another. I expect our leaders to be out in the townships, the villages, on the streets mobilising Nigerians to take their destiny in their hands and leading the desperate struggle for survival from the front. You don't do that with cake in your mouth and a bottle of Dom Perignon. Its insulting. I'm in Abuja right now just hoping and praying one of those old, rusted Russian attack helicopters buzzing around dosen't falter on my little abode.