₦airaland Forum

nduchucks: Sam_Ikenna, I hope you are proud that you've exposed your disposition to bigotry, prejudice, and racism, by your statement in Red above. You have succeeded in claiming that the entire North has what you call "terror urge"; that is very unfortunate and tantamount to me calling all South Easterners flat heads and kidnappers - something I would not do in a million years because it would be wrong and senseless.

nwanne m, before you and your ilk jubiliate, we shall meet at the NASS, or war zone, whatever you prefer.

Yes you do have an unparalleled urge for terror. Show me any region in Africa that terrorizes their fellow country-men like the core north. Is there any week that passes by without someone or some ethnic group getting the machete or AK47 treatment? The problem is that Nigerians have amnesia so you can go on and pretend like Boko Haram is the only terror group in the north. Before boko haram, haven't we been perennially subjected to avoidable bloodletting?

Why not let Nigerians tell you if they think core north is a terror hotbed. You said you want war? well, war you shall get. And when its all over we shall make sure you're confined to Arewa. Better, we might return all non-Nigerians of Futa Djalon ancestry to Senegal. You want war because we refused to let you get extra. You want 5% first line of charge from the coffers of Akaluka's wife and Oluwatosin's Husband right? How much did your state govt give Akaluka's wife and children and Oluwatosin's new baby girl after snuffing their lives out? Yet you want money from the victims, impressive!

I don't know if Nigerians realized the 5% the Junaids and Bugajes of the north want will be coming from our total revenue. That is - if Nigeria takes in $1bn from crude oil, cocoa, palm oil, Telecom, manufacturing, import duties, banking, taxes, etc, we automatically remit $50,000,000 to the core north and their terror foot-soldiers. And if our revenue is in the order of high double digits then we would effectively be slaves in our own country for people who migrated from Senegambia. What are we? It seems we're about to become a state sponsor of terror. I guess their foresight of keeping Almajiris close and handy is about to pay off.

You want us to give you a check so you can continue killing the infidels knowing full well a check is coming. You ain't smart buddy. If the core north wants war because of this then war they shall get.

So bro, if you want peace I'm with you. but if you want war then make sure you win because if you lose you're in trouble.

After deliberations for four months, barring any last minute extension, the National Conference may round off its assignment next week. Weekly Trust takes stock of how the geopolitical zones have accomplished their respective agenda.

From its composition, the North seemed to have gone to the National Conference as a minority though it is the most populous region in the country.But after months of deliberations, horse-trading, lobbying, the North’s numerical disadvantage has really come to the limelight having failed to accomplish any of its several agenda.
Northern delegates went to the conference with the following major agenda in their kitty: 13 percent derivation should be calculated from onshore alone; the onshore/offshore oil dichotomy abolished by the National Assembly be returned; Federal Ministry of Niger Delta, Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC) and the Presidential Amnesty Programme for Niger Delta ex-militants be scrapped; local governments should remain as the third tier of government; there should be no state police; a special fund for North-east zone; among others.

On the other hand, the major South-south zone’s agenda included the following: total ownership and control of minerals, oil and gas resources by oil-producing states; 50 percent derivation formula; onshore/offshore oil dichotomy should not be reintroduced; local governments should be scrapped; the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta, NNDC, and Amnesty Programme for Niger Delta ex-militants should remain; there should be state police.

The South-west’s agenda included: states should be replaced by six or more geo-political zones as federating units; parliamentary system should replace the presidential system; onshore/offshore oil dichotomy abolished by the National Assembly be returned; 13 percent derivation should be calculated from onshore oil alone; state police force; geo-political zones as federating units should create states and local governments as they deem fit; states should have their constitutions.

The South-east’s interests included: an additional state be created for the zone; presidential system should remain with modifications; states should be allowed to create their police force; local governments should be removed as a tier of government; the presidency should be rotated between the six-geopolitical zones; geo-political zones should not be used as federating units, among others.

But four months after the conference started, the North seemed the worst hit as it barely achieved one or two of its agenda, but other zones have accomplished more than 70 percent of their interests so far, leaving the North as a laughing stock.

To begin with, before the eyes of Northern delegates, the 774 local government areas, majority of which are in the North, were scrapped. While considering the report of the politics and governance committee co-chaired by Prof. Jerry Gana and Chief Olu Falae, the conference adopted what it said was “a true federal structure with the states operating as federating units.”

It also resolved that “creation of local government councils should be done by the states as they deem necessary.”The delegates also agreed that “the states by law provide for the structure, composition, finance and functions of the local government councils.” [size=17pt]By this, the conference delisted local governments from the constitution, which is a source of revenue for the northern states, therefore would henceforth, receive no allocation from the Federation Account if this becomes law.[/size]

On state police, the North lost out again. The conference adopted the report of the National Security committee headed by retired Inspector General of Police Muhammadu Gambo Jimeta and Chief Albert Horsfall, which says that henceforth, any state desirous of having its police force could establish, fund and control it.

It said the areas of jurisdiction of the federal police would cover the entire country and on clearly spelt out matters and offences while the jurisdiction of the state police would cover the state and operate within the laws enacted by the state assembly.The state police when established, the conference added, are to compliment the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force.
On the other hand, South-south delegates had their way as the confab scrapped local governments, endorsed state police, left Niger Delta ministry, NNDC and amnesty programme intact, but endorsed the abrogation of onshore/offshore dichotomy, and above all, got derivation formula reviewed from 13 to 18 percent.

Meanwhile, the five percent fund to be established for stabilisation, rehabilitation and reconstruction of the North-east in particular and North-west and North-central is still being rejected by the southern delegates. Just like the South-south, the South-east zone got four of the 18 states recommend by the conference and state police, and are happy that local governments are scrapped.

Though the South-west demand for parliamentary system and geo-political zones as federating units didn’t sail through, they have the last laugh as they got state police, state constitution, additional states, and ensured that local governments are scrapped.

Several factors were at play at the conference which led to the ultimate defeat of the North. Its lack of unity was one as the Middle Belt Forum aligned with the southern delegates to ensure matters that are detrimental to its corporate interests such local government scrapping are actualised.

Not only that, ethnicity and religion were key in enabling the onslaught on the North. Most northern delegates who are from minority ethnic nationalities, abandoned the North (they consider as Hausa- Fulani affair) to align with the South in dealing a heavy blow to the North. Religion also played a part as most delegates in religious solidarity, formed an alliance with South-south delegates in taking major decisions.
Party affiliations to a lesser extent played out while the conference was taking decisions. Dozens of delegates, who are prominent party chieftains, and were nominated on the platforms of either the federal or state government decided to remain aloof so as not to attract the wrath of their benefactors.

As it is now, all hope is not lost. The conference’s recommendations, though mostly impracticable, most be accepted by the president and endorsed by the National Assembly.
They are mostly impracticable because many wonder why the president should accept the removal of immunity clause, or allow for the creation of state police or even state constitution and 18 additional states.


http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/weekly/index.php/politics/17012-has-the-north-lost-out-at-the-confab


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After going through Dailytrust one would think the north got zero. The north got the same thing SW and SE got - state police and new states. It seems they're crying because Nigerians refused to give them an open check on terrorism like we did in education. We gave them educational disadvantage open check since independence and since then they've been riding it like crazy. They stuck to it and refused to let go 2% cut-off on admissions. If Nigerians make this fatal error of giving them terror open-check then we should blame ourselves for enabling their terror urge.

dgitrader: referendum? if u think the south can produce 51% majority vote, go and study the pattern of arguements of delegates from lagos, plateaue, kogi, taraba, nassarawa, and even benue on critical federating and revenue topics, and retink your position.

referendum? if u think the south can produce 51% majority vote, go and study the pattern of arguements of delegates from lagos, plateaue, kogi, taraba, nassarawa, and even benue on critical federating and revenue topics, and retink your position.

Middle Belt people will get more states and state police. State police manned by their own men and women is essential if they expect to survive Nigeria. They can throw away state police and 2 more states and continue to wait for a compromised Nigeria security to stop the Jihadists from exterminating them. The outcome of this convo, as little as it may be, will go a long way in giving us a taste of what our collective future looks like.

Nigeria is and will always have cracks along its fault-lines. The core North can help put a gaping hole in it by shunning in referendum. The choice is theirs.

dgitrader: they have a plan B

if u remember the nothern delegates meeting held earliar in KD, the key speaker reminded them that they either decline attending d conference or decline whatever its outcome shall be, all because they(north) are at their weakest political point ever in d history of nigeria

They would be signing their final ARABA will/declaration if they decided not to participate in referendum. That would galvanize the south and some middle-belters to call their bluff. Nigeria wants to change structurally and it must be allowed to do so or it'll fall like a pack of cards. For long we've been hearing how 70% landmass and oil belongs to the north. They've lied to their people for too long. Today hopefully, the ordinary man in the core north now knows he owns no oil just like his counterpart in Ebonyi and Ekiti accepted long ago.

dgitrader: dont be too quick to assume the south is having d needed change. the last card on the north's table is truancation of the conference final outcome, EITHER BY REFERENDOM OR NATIONAL ASSEMBLE.
this they will achieve with block voting and readily available conspirators all over the south. the conference will be disguised as a vote of confidence on GEJ, just wait and see.

I get your point. But let's look at it this way: If the conference's recommendation is subjected to referendum in its current form (that is, without the 5% northern intervention Boko haram inducing fund), I guarantee you the votes for it would be similar to the map of Nigeria we all saw when GEJ was elected. The slight difference this time will be Osun State joining the wagon. Think about the 18 new states and state police in the recommendation - that's enough juice to get people fired up. Bugajes and Junaids know this and my gut tells me they will adopt the kitchen-sink to make sure referendum never happens.

dgitrader: the north got it wrong right from the inception by going in to scuttle any fundermental structural changes, while their sw, se, and ss counterparts were well intended and prepared for changes. the north brought nothing to the table, rather came on the full defensive. its pathetic.

I wonder if they thought and still continue to think we're blind to the obvious. If after 50 years+ as an independent nation all we could show are bunch of cyclical murderers who come by the names of Maitasine, Boko Haram, Ansaru, and other un-named violent religious zealots in secondary and Almajiri schools who take delight in setting their southern christian teachers and NYSC students on fire during exams and/or elections, then why not try something different? Even though the current political structure favors the core north, a closer appraisal of it indicates its unsustainable and more detrimental to them on a long term. At any rate, Nigeria is determined to change whether Professor Auwalu Yadudu and his Junaid and Ango gang like it or not. If they think the change is too bad or too sudden for them they can always shout Araba and save us the remaining Boko Haram nightmare.

It seems Nigeria's day of reckoning came unannounced, especially for the Core Northerners. From the day GEJ authorized the conference of Nigerian peoples the Junaids, Angos, and Bugajes of the core North went on a calculated offensive overdrive to intimidate and/or derail the meeting. When their 'hot air' failed to ignite they reluctantly showed face. However, this sharp 180 banking or what my granny used to call 'about-turn' wouldn't have been possible were it not for their unshakable belief in the potency of their usual and time-tested weapon of obstruction. They believed they could shoot every recommendation, good or bad, down just as they've done in the national assembly and military supreme council since October 1, 1960. But to the shock of everyone, especially when it seemed the south had lost their mojo, voila! 18 new states, upward review of 13% derivation, removal of 3rd tier of Govt, and state police made a clean landing. The north which had initially pushed for downward review of 13% in the committee level is now running from pillar to post like they did when Banks were consolidated and no Northern bank survived. They now realized they've wasted valuable time fighting others' initiatives rather than coming up with their own. I guess the current Core North's situation is aptly summarized in the saying that one day guy-man go die for foolish-man's backyard.

Having failed in their bid to kill the conference before it began, their new mantra, I suppose, is now being echoed by one Professor Auwalu Yadudu of Kano State. To the 'eminent' professor, referendum is too 'hot' to touch. He's warning us to stay away from referendum because 'its bad' for us, Lol. Wow! Do this people think we're dumb? Its like someone telling you - don't vote! Its bad for you! You can vote and get a bad person elected!

Lord have mercy.......




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Copied from sunnewsonline.com
http://sunnewsonline.com/new/?p=71510

Delegates were yesterday divided over modalities to be adopted in implementing the recommendations of the Conference. Some delegates advocated that the reports should be subjected to a referendum while others believe it is not the duty of the Conference to decide that.

Making his contribution, Senator Musa Adede, representing South-south, said there were issues and items that bordered on policy, which President Goodluck Jonathan should begin to implement immediately, adding that those recommendations that relate to constitutional matters should be forwarded to the National Assembly to make the necessary changes.

On her own, a female delegate, Josephine Anenih, reminded the delegates of President Jonathan’s inaugural speech that peoples’ views must be heard.

She added that the president has given the Conference a task to decide the fate of the Conference final reports.

“I will recommend that we patriotically articulate and gather our people’s thoughts. Having done that, I do not think we should shy away from what we should come up with, as a team that will draft a constitution, which we will also present to the president to do the needful,” Anenih said.

Adekanbi Ayodele, representing persons with disabilities, said the Conference was put in place to dialogue and find solutions to Nigeria’s problems, adding that it will be a waste of time if the outcome was not taken to Nigerians through a referendum.

He said if the report was taken to the National Assembly, “they may remove certain aspects that affect them or the governors, who often control lawmakers.”

Similarly, Mrs. Olusola Obada said all matters of policy should be collated and sent to the president while constitutional matters, which are ongoing issues should be forwarded to Nigerians for a referendum.

Mr. Isaac Igbure voted for a referendum saying, “the National Conference is bigger than the National Assembly.”

Meanwhile, Kano State delegate, Professor Auwalu Yadudu shocked his fellow delegates when he accused them of suffering from delusion in their contributions.

While contributing on how the final reports should be treated, he cautioned delegates to be careful on their call for a referendum.

Sagamite: Oya, make I give you summary gists instead of toying with these ignorant boys while holding back knowledge and using it piecemeal to humiliate them.

At least you are open to learning and asked. And you know who to ask when you want facts.

The thing there in summary is that:

- Jewish people originated and have always existed in that area.
- Unfortunately for them, most of the kingdoms and states they created there in the old times were always defeated and they were conquered.
- Time after time, many rulers picked on them and they had to start migrating to stay alive. They migrated as far as Europe, the Caucuses and North Africa in the medieval times.
- They have not been a major force in the area for about 1,300 years before 1948. Only a few Jewish communities existed in Arabia, where they were left in peace as Muslims tend to leave people they dominate. But the largest communities of the Jews were in the Palestine area of Arabia.
- But their time in exodus was not fun as well as their new hosts also oppressed them. Afterall, they were seen (in strongly Christian nations) as the ones that killed Jesu Christi and also they were rootlessly entrepreneurial (anything for money mentality) and selfishly usually kept it within the family.
- During the 1300 years period, there were many pogroms in Europe and Jews were slaughtered by others, from Russians to Ukrainians to the Spanish etc, or sometimes they were all expelled like Ghana-must-go in places like England.
- Jews suffered.
- So someone took the lead in the late 1800s and tried to organise them, after 1300 years to all go back to Galilee, abi Canaan de ni (or is it Canaan). This is what the Jews call Aliyah.
- So that started the gradual migration back to the promise land which was being ruled by the Ottomans now. It was now a full Muslim-Arab place after hundreds of years, just like Sagamu is a full Ijebu land. No "Nna" can ever come claim say Chukwu promise them my land.
- Only few migrated in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
- But after WW1, the allied forces defeated the Ottoman Empire and then after sharing the bloods (Chei, Chei, Chei!), they shared the lands with UK getting Palestine. Dairisgodooo!
- By this time, many Jews were rich and connected in Europe because they owned the banks and many industries. Notably were the family they called Rothschild. Rothschild Bank still exists to this day and the family are still billionaires.
- One of the Rothschild negotiated with his contacts in the British Government in 1917, and the British Foreign Minister, Arthur Balfour, promised them that they would allow Jews migrate to Palestine and have a home there. This is what is known as the Balfour Declaration.
- This led to Jews around the world starting to migrate more to Palestine in the 1920s.
- The Arabs there were not consulted and after a while started complaining that too much Jews were coming in.
- They complained to the Authorities (British), who did not listen or most likely did not take it seriously and could not control the Jewish desire to come to the promise land, the Arabs started rebelling against the British.
- The British being powers obviously dealt with them but now took them seriously.
- The Jews kept coming in illegal despite the British now trying to control the migration.
- Then WW2 broke out and the long suffering Jews were slaughtered en masse by Heil Hitler. Drastically killed for existing.
- After the allied forces defeated Hitler and the Nazis and freed the Jews, the Jews now took the migration more seriously as they did not want to be exterminated from Earth. The British could not stop them as the World now had pity for the Jews after seeing the horror they suffered.
- They started doing the Aliyah "goin back, back, forth and forth" .
- So the Arabs said "ALLLLLLLLLAHU AKBAR, ALLLLLLLLLAHU AKBAR! No Jews must come here" and then stated roaming the streets slaughtering Jews at night in their new homes in Palestine or on the streets with the daggers for Allah.
- The Jews that just realised they were almost wiped out in gas chambers said "Lai, lai" (Never, Never) and started fighting back. The news of them being killed in the Holy Land even led to more migration as angry Jews thought "these backward barbarians think even they can kill us too" and joined the fight to avoid another massacre like Hitler did them.
- This led to the 1947-48 civil war. The British, kia kia, (quick quick) pack their bags and left the area to independence. They just fought a WW and faced economic ruin, they aint getting involved in this shyt.
- The Israelis won the war and seized more Arab lands, drove out the inhabitants they did not slaughter and made them refugees till this day. The UN got involved in negotiating the end of the war in 1948 and let Israel keep some land, while Palestine took the rest unhappily.
- Another war broke out in 1967 with Arab nations trying to help the Palestines gain their land back and drive the Infidel settlers into the sea but Israel humiliated and defeated them in 6 days and even took the land of some of these Arab nations. But they gave it back years later.
- Since then Israel has overlorded over the area and locked the Palestines in a huge prison while some are still refugees without status in other Arab countries since 1948.
- Israel continues to bully them and even take more land despite the agreement made by the UN in 1948. These are what are known as illegal settlements.
- Palestinians continue to fight with the guerrilla warfare of sending bombs and suicide bombs to drive the infidels to the sea. Israel retaliates by committing atrocities of their own and then come and tell the world "We are civilised oppressors".

If this were to be graded based on best Jewish history summary it would probably earn you an A- or better. A lot of info, though arguable, were captured in it. Impressive.

eph12: Your answer is in the front page.

Do you mind linking it. Seems I can't find where it is. Thanks.

I don't expect NL to be super secure but it seems like after the 'attack,' as claimed by NL admin, things are kind of getting weirder by the day. First, my handle changed from what I chose to something else. If it happened during the said attack, perhaps, I would have assumed the 'attacker' changed it. But the change happened days or weeks after the whole shebang. And as if that's not worse I tried to deactivate my account yet that's not working either. NL Admin what's going on? Why the unauthorized handle changes? And why is deactivation not working?

djfaithy: Funny none of this pdp e goons have tried to address all the sensitive points raised by the op, as usual they've resorted to leaving the message and attacking the messenger, anyway we are still here because of what happened in 1967, if we continue this way, our children will still be here in 2067.

How is 1967 relevant to the thread. And if I may ask, who did 1967 benefit? Why are fellas who benefited from 1967 ignominy now complaining?

julybaba: It is wise to ( at least for a moment) wish this country well. Conceiving plans of separation will only lead to war, bitterness and backwardness. It was the biafran war, that sow tha seed of separation among us today. We can't afford to get it wrong again. The destiny of our Nigeria is in our hands. U & I

There is fantasy and there is reality. The dream of a united Nigeria is gone way beyond fantasy to outright joke. There's always a consequence for a man's action - good or bad. The declaration of Biafra had unforeseen and avoidable harsh consequences for her patriots, leadership, and innocent young children who lived in the young nation during those horrific times. Also, the killing and maiming of millions of little children in the name of forcing them back to a house their fathers voluntarily deserted has a consequence too. As if that's not enough, the manner in which the savagery was done and coupled with the glaring endless taunting, indifference, and triumphalism of the supposedly "victors," one can't help but wonder where the "one Nigerianists" expect the supposedly "vanquished" to get their patriotism from.

Anyways, Nigeria needs no war to rot away. Its a house of cards that voluntarily allowed termites in its foundation. Go check out Dailytrust. Read how over 200 people were slaughtered in Kadunna alone. Tell us who's doing the slaughtering - does anyone know? Or is it a case of hushed killing by the same unrepentant aggressors? You see, that's the point. No one cares in Nigeria anymore provided the termite is not eating the foundation underneath their own room. The current mindset is: other rooms can fall just not mine. The victors are slaughtering fellow victors, the vanquished are also getting caught in the crossfire once in a while, the army is too compromised to help, the nation is riddled with mutual distrust and antipathy, and the leadership can't find any ingenious way to lock genie back in the bottle. The whole dream/"one Nigeria" project seems to be one boiling soup of different combustible mixtures.

Action begets reaction. The consequence of brutal repressions by those who believe they own Nigeria, by those who slaughter the innocent people of southern Kadunna, sack TorTiv, and are un-apologetically seeking to dip their Koran in the ocean; is that the nation they seek to make one evaporates. We can keep seeking for patriotism where none exist or we can ditch a collapsing behemoth.

Jakumo: While we are on the topic of terrorist sponsor Ayatollah Buhari Bin Laden of the "Blood-will-flow-if-I-lose-this-presidential-election" fame, could someone please be kind enough to ask Buhari if he could oblige the civilized world by ordering his virgin-seeking Boko Haram terror gang subordinates to release the remaining kidnapped school girls not yet killed, before yet more of the girls' parents die from the stress of their ordeal.

If the Ayatollah can do just that small favor for Nigeria, his other heinous crimes against humanity, ranging from post-election massacre incitement to treasonable support of fundamentalist slave-raiding rebel hordes, might be forgiven but certainly NOT forgotten by the people of Nigeria, EVEN IF the International Criminal Court ultimately decides that Buhari Bin Laden should still be apprehended and deported to stand trial on charges related to political and sectarian murders already traceable directly to his own specific instructions issued over the past few years.

Lol, easy brother. Anyways, is it me or does anyone else notice that this is NNIA (Northern Nigeria's Internal Affairs)? One (secular) Nigeria indeed!

There is no right or wrong side in wars that pit Islamic militias/armies against each other. Non-Muslims should stay out of their endless wars and hunger for 17th century theocracy, provided they (muslims) are doing whatever it is they're doing in their own homeland. They all are the same. Call it ISIS, Hisbullah, Al Qeada, Boko Haram, Al Shabbab, Saudi Arabia, Iran, or whatever name you choose, the endpoint is that they all want non-Muslims dead or utterly dominated. Partition is the solution to any society that's going through Islamic monstrosity. Those who want peace and freedom from religious impositions should move to side X while the rest of muhajideen and sharia defenders/jihadist move to side Y. Partition saves lives when you're dealing with unrepentant and murderous zealots.

eunisam: lets write a new constition cos the old one is full of flaws. I think the nigerian 1999 constitution is islamic inflenced. Tell me 4 places where Christianity was mentioned and i will tell your 400 places where islam was mentiond

After 38 years of woeful leadership by the north it seems they're poised to play a new 38 yrs of obstruction. Should we let them......

Check the tone of the piece below written by Nuruddeen M. Abdallah of DailyTrust.



Indications have emerged that intense pressure is being mounted on selected prominent Northern delegates to adopt a new constitution at the conference.

Daily Trust gathered that the deputy chairman of the conference Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi is at the fore front of consultation with Northern delegates with a view to convincing them to accept a new constitution.
A source privy to the moves said Akinyemi met with the delegates about a fortnight ago, trying to convince them so that the conference can adopt a new constitution for the country.
But it was not clear whether Akinyemi is acting at the instance of the Presidency whose political operators inside the conference are already working purportedly to actualise its agenda under the platform of Unity Forum convened by Senator Ibrahim Mantu.
It was learnt that Akinyemi spoke to the co-chairman of Northern Delegates Forum (NGF) and chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum former Inspector General Ibrahim Coomassie but Coomassie nominated a delegation to meet with the deputy chairman.
The delegation comprised Professor Auwalu Yadudu, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, Mohammed Kumalia, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu and Senator Khairat Gwadabe.
At the meeting with the delegates, Akinyemi spoke of the need to write or adopt a new constitution but the delegation reportedly voiced their reservations.
Our source said the Northern delegates gave him four reasons why they cannot accept his proposal.
One, they said that the conference itself lacks the powers to amend or change the constitution, saying its membership is selected not elected representatives of the people.
Two, they said by the composition of the delegates to the conference, the North was deliberately under-represented. Therefore, they won’t accept that proposal.
Third, the delegates said that they didn’t come to the conference to change the constitution. Rather, they are there to make recommendations to the relevant authorities on policy issues.
Lastly, the delegates said the mechanism in which the new constitution, if drafted, would be presented to the public [referendum], is alien to the constitution. And also, what would be the content of the new constitution, is it the conference recommendations or a draft already prepared by someone?
The source told Daily Trust that when the delegates confronted Akinyemi with these pointers, he seemed to back out.
But it wasn’t clear whether the idea was shelved or not. Although the Mantu group was seen last week inviting some select members of the conference for a meeting, it was not clear whether the issue of a new constitution was part of the issues the group discussed.
Already there is a proposal to empower President Jonathan to come up with a new national constitution. It came in form of a Bill but senators opposed giving the president the same latitude as the National Assembly in proposing a new constitution.
This forced chairman of the committee and Deputy Senate President the Senate Ike Ekweremadu to withdraw that aspect of the bill to avoid a negative vote.
Daily Trust learnt that there is now a plan to bring back the proposal, and senators are being lobbied to tone down their opposition.
The plan, sources in the Senate said, is to give President Goodluck Jonathan the powers to introduce a new constitution which may be drafted by the on-going National Conference.
The National Conference comprises mostly appointees of the president, the Federal Government and state governors.
Sources said already the president has identified key provisions that he would want in the new constitution.
They include abolishing of the 774 local government areas as the third tier of government; stoppage of Federal allocation to the local governments; setting aside 50 per cent of oil revenues for the Niger Delta; creation of an additional state for the South-East; and provision of six-year single term for the president.
Meanwhile, Daily Trust has learnt that President Jonathan has been lobbying interest groups to support his bid to introduce a new constitution.
The president has been meeting with various groups, where he has been personally pleading with them to see reason with him on the need for a new constitution, sources told this newspaper.
Few months ago Daily Trust reported that Professor Ben Nwabueze and a small committee that he handpicked would be commissioned by the Presidency to draft a Constitution for Nigeria which would be tabled as the main working document at the proposed National Conference.
The controversial constitutional lawyer himself demanded in a letter to President Goodluck Jonathan to convert a small committee that is already meeting in his house into a Presidential Committee to draft a constitution. He similarly asked Jonathan to insert a clause into the proposed National Conference’s enabling law for his draft constitution to be laid before it and to “form the basis of its deliberations and decisions and to be piloted through the conference by the members of [Nwabueze’s] committee, just as was done in 1977/78 in the making of the 1979 Constitution.”
The demands were contained in Prof Nwabueze’s latest letter titled ‘Nature and Character of the Proposed National Conference: Its Primal Purpose and Modus Operandi.’ In it, he recalled the process adopted by the Obasanjo military regime in the 1970s to fashion out the 1979 Constitution. He recalled that a 49-member Constitution Drafting Committee [CDC] chaired by Chief Rotimi Williams drafted a constitution in 1975-76 which was then tabled before the 1977-78 Constituent Assembly. He recalled also that Williams and CDC’s six sub-committee chairmen, including himself, piloted the draft through the Constituent Assembly.


Link: www.dailytrust.com.ng/top-stories/27983-new-constitution-confab-secretariat-lobbies-northern-delegates

agbameta: Another 419 fabrication from ibo tabloid site.

The gig is up, [size=14pt]the idea was to prove that the woman didn't graduate from any graduate school [/size] and also to make sure our government website reflects truth and honesty and not deception, crookedness and corrupt practices synonymous with the most immoral and corrupt government in the history of Nigeria.

[size=14pt]No more lies in ibo newspapers like sun news crediting her with MBA degree, thanks to SR and premium times[/size].

Either the emboldened is an acceptance of defeat or the goal-post is changing given the emerging evidence in favor of the honorable minister.
Perhaps I was wrong, but I thought the initial "Breaking News" by SR was hinged on Oduah's "fake MBA" from "2nd rate" American university. Please, do update me - has the "Breaking News" changed from "outing Oduah" to "fighting to make sure everyone knows she has no MBA?"

We're still waiting and watching. This new show of shame that's now the hallmark of some of our so-called brother southern brothers and their media echo-chambers is approaching a dangerous proportion. I wonder what happened to the old saying - look before you leap. So much for "sophistication."

Donmams: [size=14pt]We destroyed Biafra when they challenged the unity of this country in 1966[/size]. We will get rid of Jonathan in 2015 and anyone that challenges the unity of this country on that basis will face the music.

Hmmm. Did you?

[quote author=ndu_chucks]Indeed. Nigeria shall remain one.[/quote]Says North East and North West.

Anyways, happy new year fellas.

hercules07: African countries have not had it good after separation, Sudan and Ethiopia/Eritrea come to mind. The disintegration of Nigeria is going to be violent and I do not see it happening for some time. There are too many vested interests in the Nigerian project for it to happen without violence, the international community will also not allow it except it is peaceful. The aftermath is also going to be very very violent, the North will descend into chaos because the BH guys will want to take over, the Christians in the North will want to defend themselves, the Niger Delta guys will fight for resources internally and externally, Biafra will need to fight the Niger Delta for resources and the spill over of the war in the North will bring refugees East, Yorubas will have to deal with the North and fallout of religious wars, so many things will happen in the event of a breakup. I will rather we have a true federal constitution where states can develop at their pace and control the bulk of governance power.

Only a curmudgeonly individual would read your post and not see the truth in it. However, one thing you must know is that power cannot and will not yield unless the other side of the divide threaten to go for broke should the recipients of a lopsided structure attempt to perpetuate their advantage. The way I see it - core north will never be interested in restructuring unless they see that the danger of their arrogance means the end of the nation. And as the nation goes so also goes their advantage and unending threats of war. I guess its safe to say that to get the much needed peace and restructuring we must be prepared for any eventuality - good or bad.

Also, I believe it's childish to cow and accept the current absurdity under the threat of war and its attendant hardship. We all will die after all.

Dhelake: It's so funny how many igbos on nairaland clamour for secession.... I know some few igbos and none wants it

Of course they don't want it. I didn't want it before but thanks to the unending human slaughter-house of core north.

Its only a fatalistic and blind optimist that would go through all the details of massacres and bloodletting in this country from 1945 through 2013 and still believe one-Nigeria is realistic. In fact you don't even have to start from 1945, just start from 2001 to 2005. Look at the number of souls wasted - just for what? Start again from 2010 through 2013 and tell me what you see. In all your findings its only one group that's perpetrated and still perpetrating over 90% of the maiming, killing, and purging. Then you ask why?

The answer lies in hunger for power and resource take-over. Another shocker is that in the end you're not and will never be considered a fellow country man as long as you're not part of this "elect" group. As if that's not enough, just as every one outside this group is trying to eke out something no matter the odds, educate oneself and family members despite back-breaking effort, the born-to-rule folks are busy making more almajiris who're ever ready to be unleashed on you and your family including the ones you labored to train in colleges.

The moment you adjust to the loss of your family and livelihood that went up in their flames of religious extremism, they threaten you with war if they don't produce the president. Meanwhile the rest of humanity is forging ahead.

If the little picture I painted above is your reality then tell me what future you have under this absurd condition. When will it end? Next year? next decade? As you come to terms with the un-feasibility of a united and peaceful Nigeria, please do recognize that our population will hit the roof between 2030 and 2050. By 2050 we'll be approaching about 250 million. With this huge number think about the rate at which strangers will encroach, or perhaps take over, hosts' ancestral lands under the name of one-Nigeria. If you think the violence we see today is unacceptable then imagine what would happen in 2030s considering how weak and biased our security agencies are.

Nkruma, in the 50s, believed Africa ought to be one nation matching forward in unity and in opposition to European colonialism and arrogance. Not that it was a bad idea. However, in the end we all saw what obtained - Africa could not be one nation because of many competing interests. Just as its impossible to transform Africa into an entity - a united house with a single leadership, it is equally impossible to transform Nigeria into a united nation.

So, what's the way out? We either demarcate it now and have the new nations enforce their internal and boundary laws, or wait until our population hits 300 million - methinks the second option will be doom.

maclatunji: Personally, I don't. However, it is imperative to lampoon your efforts sometimes because ultimately you have the most to lose.

Lol. Aren't you guys tired of that worn-out line? Ok, I accept I lose but I'm curious why you guys always rush to enlighten us on how much we stand to lose. Anyways, thanks for your advice but I think I'm going to take my chances. Let my losses be my problem, if I call for your help please do me a favor - don't look my way.

Reptyle: All the agitators for division exist only on Nairaland. The people that matter know the implication of division and WILL NEVER allow it to happen...at least not deliberately. The sooner we learn to live together in peace and harmony, the better for us all. We do not always have to be friends...but we can get along if we apply our minds to it.

Good luck on that. I think most one-nigerianists have a common diseases. They underestimate the resolve, will, and the unanimity of some group to abandon the Nigerian ship. 2015 and beyond will show who's been delusional all along.

Reski: killing all of you?

Akshow: u forgot to mention what provoke the "jihadist" to start their senseless killing in the first place. Not that I support violence but take part of the blame. The killings of southerners in the north was a reprisal revenge for the killing of their leaders in what we all know was an "igbo" coup. That is d genesis of tribal killings in Naija.

It's either y'all are newbies in Nigeria history or you're feigning ignorance. Anyhow, ethnic killings in Nigeria started in 1945 ok. And if you guessed who started it you wouldn't be far from the truth. The only problem I have with all these is - why did my so-called leaders press forward on collective independence with implacable and bloodthirsty jihadists in the face of cataclysmic cultural incompatibility and impending doom? This question continues to beat my imagination. I can only say it's blind optimism, unrealistic pan-Africanism, and personal greed. In all of the above I have zero blame for the Uthman Dan fodios. I blame my own leaders, and as long as there's life in me and my generation we will get this job done right this time. Expansionist jihadists and children of Zion have nothing in common. They can continue with their usual threats - I wish them luck because they need it to stop this avalanche.

egift: Keep beating your rusty chest. If you want to die, better hang yourself somewhere. The rest of us are building a united Nigeria with mutual interest.

Hmmm! What mutual interest if I may ask.

Olaolufred: I JUST REMEMBERED THAT WE USE TO CALL ANYONE WHO ACTS LIKE MUMU CHUKWUDI IN MY SECONDARY SCHOOL DAYS.

HAVING WORKED FOR TEN YEARS AFTER GRADUATION AS AN ENGINEER,

CHUKWUDI BROUGHT BACK THAT MEMORY VIA THIS POST.

YOU ARE TOOOOOOO DULLLLLLL.

[quote author=Sam_Ikenna]Having witnessed unprecedented "fronting" and "braggadocio" here on NL, I'm tempted to ask you, Mr Olaolufred, to tell us what kind of "ENGINEER" you are.

If we have to take people seriously in a faceless forum such as NL, at the very least, we ought to test the veracity of their claims. To that end sir, I would like you to shed some light, give us a little more "beaf," and make us believe you. I'm saying - tell us your field and let's test you on it and see if you're actually what you say you are.

Mind you, I'm not saying you're not an engineer. I just want NLers to test your claim, and perhaps, test others' in the future too.

So, lets roll it.[/quote]

Olaolufred: You and who?
Before I can allow such test, I must be able to know you are not another chu-kwu-di.
Thanks for your concern.

Can you help him list the states that makes middle belt?

Lol! Just like I expected. Perhaps, next time you concentrate on the convo instead of trying to impress folks. Whether you're a prof, priest, engineer, or whatever makes no difference. However, it becomes a little funny when you consider another NLer an intellectual midget while claiming what you're not.

I challenged you to prove you're an engineer, you didn't so its over. Go and sin no more buddy.

But the Jihadists in the core north have been killing all of us since 1945 so what is the difference. I guess by your standard it would have been better if the fake Arabs of north Sudan and their supporter of APC were the ones killing the christian south Sudan. What a joke!

Olaolufred: I JUST REMEMBERED THAT WE USE TO CALL ANYONE WHO ACTS LIKE MUMU CHUKWUDI IN MY SECONDARY SCHOOL DAYS.

HAVING WORKED FOR TEN YEARS AFTER GRADUATION AS AN ENGINEER,

CHUKWUDI BROUGHT BACK THAT MEMORY VIA THIS POST.

YOU ARE TOOOOOOO DULLLLLLL.

Having witnessed unprecedented "fronting" and "braggadocio" here on NL, I'm tempted to ask you, Mr Olaolufred, to tell us what kind of "ENGINEER" you are.

If we have to take people seriously in a faceless forum such as NL, at the very least, we ought to test the veracity of their claims. To that end sir, I would like you to shed some light, give us a little more "beaf," and make us believe you. I'm saying - tell us your field and let's test you on it and see if you're actually what you say you are.

Mind you, I'm not saying you're not an engineer. I just want NLers to test your claim, and perhaps, test others' in the future too.

So, lets roll it.

Donmams: All these comments about GEJ till 2019 or 2050 are made just to spite the north and the south west. Ironically the north and south west have 80% of the country's voting strength. I wonder how power drunk GEJ thinks he's going to win elections when he's successfully alienated the two biggest voting blocs in the country. I think GEJ has no intention of conducting free elections which explains why he treats these two regions with utmost disdain. It is becoming apparent that GEJ believes that nothing will stop him from rigging the 2015 elections. Which is why he thinks he doesn't need the PDP, the north nor the south west. His body language tells me that GEJ is ready to plunge the country to war if his attempts to rig are unsuccessful. However i foresee this turning out very bad for GEJ, the south south and south east. I just hope nigerians are ready for another civil war in 2015.

However let me be clear about something. The north has had enough. We faced Igbo treachery in 1966 and still forgave the igbos. This time around, the north will not forgive the south east and their south south brothers. As soon as the SS/SE fire the first shots of the 2015 civil war the north will destroy most of the SE/SS with the exception of rivers and imo. The few people that will remain will be treated as slaves and second class citizens. We will show these arrogant SS/SE that the north can be more aggressive than the tiger.

Bro, the earlier the better, and the bigger the merrier.

For folks who think Igbo is scared of threat of war from the north - I say 2015 will be your year should the north put some teeth in their threat. We, and I mean, we as in Igbo and Ibibio/Efik people, shocked them for three years until they chose blockade and starvation with colonial help. And some folks run their cheap mouths on how "Igbos are bleeding," lol. Who're the bigger fools - the people running their mouths or the ones making the threats? I don't even know why they have to wait 2 more years to declare the show. Why not declare it now since y'all already know GEJ is not going any where.

And hopefully, all the fellas who're waiting for the north to start their Jihad again so they can join like vultures to enjoy the flesh of the carcass will get a brand new lesson of life. This time it will be one on one, no more soviet and British help. Who knows, perhaps you might get some Iranian and Arabian ketusha rockets.

Anyways, it looks like the wishes and prayers of many of us are coming to fruition. It feels good to know and see how we've turned the heat on the vandals and their co-travelers.

Any Igbo who thinks we'll ever regain our honor without beating these people in the trenches is the biggest fool of all times. Let the core north go ahead and boko-haram themselves to ashes - that's ok. For me, boko-haraming the core north or the entire Nigerian govt is not a declaration of war. War, and I mean the last fight, starts when we all pull back, like before, to our ancestral lands and then meet in the trenches along the border - that's when we separate men from all these bed-wetting and emotionally fractured little boys running around on the pages on NL with their usual "Igbo is scared" song.

Boko Haram didn't work for them, Sharia didn't, Fuel subsidy fell flat, and APC won't work for them - you know why? Because we have ditched you and your apologists for good and there's no looking back. GEJ will be your president anyhow - rig or win, he's going to be your leader post 2015. Your best bet is Arewa Republic if you hate GEJ that much. And if you want war we will oblige you.

This is Nigeria. If y'all hate how we play our politics go to the national conference in 2014 and bare your mind. Like I said, this is Nigeria. When the born-to-rules and their friends want a better nation they know where to find us, but until then its "turn by turn limited," according to Bode George. That's how we play it and that's how it shall continue to be played. The period we're in now is called Ijaw period and whoever wants to declare war in this period will have to answer to those who're favorably disposed to it.

Wait for your turn buddy, but if you feel war is better then make the call.

Freewilly: Ikenna biko if it's bride price money you don't have, biko our people will contribute and find you a fine Igbo girl. Leave those offemmanu* girls alone. My brother don't say I didn't warn you ohhhhh!!

But Igbo girls don't like to be 3rd and 4th wives. So where does that leave me? I'm about to be a high chief, like Ramond Dokpesi, and I need "extra" wives - unless you want to fill in Iyaboh's position. Besides, I doubt if you have written open letter before. My newest wife must come with a high grade in open-letter proficiency. Its Iyaboh or no one.

shymexx: She might be Igbo since her paternal grand father was Igbo.

Pic of her dad and her paternal grand father (Obi of Onitsha).

https://www.jaguda.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Front_460803865-300x150.jpg

Its ok. I'll take her since her people are starting to bad-mouth her. With the way things are now, I doubt if she would cost me a cent. I'm not planning on spending too much in dowry anyway, so it looks like things are coming into place for me, Allahu Akbar! - sorry - allah alhamdulillah!

Freewilly: Sure, that's her and your father inlaw.

Nope. I don't believe you. The person in that pic looks anything but OBJ. Iyaboh looks like OBJ so that aint my Iyaboh.