₦airaland Forum

vigasimple:
Since you 'forgot' his title of office, then you may also not remember his siding with the cabals in perpetrating the 'offshore President' activities. He was known or reportedly to have single handedly persuade members not to bring YAR A'CLUELESS disapperance for discussion on the floor of the House.

His full title is the Speaker of the House of Representative. and as they call them, (he suppossed to be an honourable, doing honourable things especially when the fates of the youths are at stake, the dishounourable Banko ile ( rob the house) is after his own pocket like other PDP do nothing party members.

Shame on Bankole, shame on NASS shame on PDP.

By the way, WHERE IS YAR A'DIE?  Did PDP think we will forget? we wait for 2011 elections, then Nigerians will reply them.

This is what I mean by misdirected anger. The NASS is made up of people with different ideas and positions. At the end of the day it is a democracy and the power of the vote carries the day. Not all members of the NASS are the devils you paint them out to be, and such reasoning is a tad arrogant. We need to know who these people that oppose progressive legislation are by putting pressure on Bankole and David Mark so we start using a more developed voting system which can show what each member voted on for any particular issue.

No offence intended, but your anger is the type I am worried about. It is completely justified, but not really geared towards getting any thing concretely done. It is not just enough to shout for electoral reforms, but for such to be respected. Which means when/if the Uwais report is implemented, we need to then shift pressure from NASS to the presidency, so that he speaks to the top army officials and IG of police and makes them undertsand that if the army or police are used to intimidate people during elections, the head of the district in which such occured would be fully liable to prosectution or court martials. You see how I am looking at specifics as opposed to being vague and shouting that 'NASS is evil and we need electoral reforms'?

You keep shouting "vote out PDP". Though such a view is completely understandable and justified (and I will push for this at a national level), what would you expect people in places like Rivers State that feel the current governor (a PDP member) is doing a good job? They should vote him out and elect someone they think may be less capable even if it is at the expense of their potential future development? Now if we had a more thorough electoral process in which candidates actually debate and discuss the issues on live T.V; wouldn't that be a step towards making the issues key? You see how our approaches are different? What makes you think A.C isn't another potential PDP in the making? We need to make fundamental changes, as opposed to superficial ones.

The first step towards genuine electoral reforms is passing some legislation on electoral reforms. The house needs to look at this issue. If they are not looking at it then why? If the legislation is not passed as a result to opposition (majority vote carries the day), then we need to know who the reps or senators that opposed the bill are. These are concrete and measurable steps in the direction of electoral reforms. Plus, why hasn't Johnathan removed Iwu?

I understand the anger and frustration, and it is encouraging to see more and more people getting involved in challenging the status quo. I just hope that this time, the anger would be well channeled and directed at the right thing, so we actually get fundamental changes that outlast anybody. The anger should be at the system which allows such things happen, and we should we directing the anger towards having this system changed. Something as simple as making use of electronic voting in the house of rep and senate (which I believe is already installed) though an unassuming change, would go a very long way and make more of an impact than one might think. It could be the right step towards unveling this so called "cabal". I just hope all this energy going around is harnessed into something that could drive at fundamental reforms and changes to the sytem.

And in the abcense of a VP, who is going to represent the acting president when he is abroad? It is funny, because I brought up this issue before in one of those "keep Yar Adua" threads, and some poster was telling me we would cross that bridge when we get to it. The bridge has been reached now, ,so are we going to abandon widely acceptable protocol and allow the acting president travel without someone acting in his place on home soil? You see what happens when we run the country like it is some backyard market? Another constitutional imbroglio so soon after the last, but hey, as long as the not yet seen or heard or from in five months Yar Adua stays in office, right?

chosen04:
quote from blue sky.

Pressure from both the international community (UK and US) and internally, as well as the threat of instability was one of the major factors that caused the legislature to grant Johnathan Power and also curbed Turai's excesses. This pressure was as a result of exposure and heightened awareness of the problem brought about by protests from people like SNG with the backing of some prominent Nigerians[color=#990000][/color]

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You are very wrong. What led the legislature to grant Jonathan Power to act was 'simply fear of military take over'.
They all knew that if the military should take over power they will end up being at the losing side cos the legislature will definetly be dissolved. It was done for their selfish reasons. It wasnt for any pressure.

Even taking into account what happened in Niger, military take overs are simply no longer in fashion, neither are they as popular with the army as they used to be. I guess you are saying that the fact that the US and UK and other European countries were cautioning the Nigerian government had nothing to do with anything, right? The Nigerian government that doesn't care about what the world thinks of it but was making sooo much noise about being added to the list of terrorist nations? Again I say no need for diversionary tactics. This is the time for acting and not talking. Those who can do protest have done protest and acted according to their own conscience. Wether or not you believe the protest achieved anything should not be made the issue anymore, we would just agree to disagree.

If posters like @kosovo, cap28 and the likes believe violence is the key, what on earth is stopping them? I just don't get it. It is like actually prouldy proclaiming the cowardice that one castigates the Nigerian populace for. What is stopping anyone from actually doing anything? Enough talk, "be the change". I am only pointing out that in this context, telling people to do something you are not yourself ready to do is just plain cowardice, let us not try and dress it up in some false and pretentious interllectual cloak. It is what it is. So spare us the "findings" and those little parcels of "enlightenment".

P.s., its Sky Blue, not blue sky

cap28:
haha, you, educate me - thats a joke 

okay let me educate you because its obvious you dont understand anything about any of the above named people  - Mandela did not use peaceful protests to overthrow the racist apatheid regime - the struggle to overthrow aparthied involved: mass mobilisation, armed struggle an underground movement and international solidarity - all of these elements combined to topple aparthied which was a formidable structure backed by many powerful superpowers including britain, israel and america.

Ghandi - again you have displayed your ignorance - Ghandi was humiliated in south africa when he was not allowed to sit in the first class section of a train despite having a valid ticket simply because he was indian as a result he vowed to fight injustice wherever he came across it, i doubt that you have read anything about him and just blurt out his name in ignorance, no doubt you have not heard of one of the very first resistance movements that he formed known as satyagrahis - which means force borne out of truth and love - he also stated the following: "A satyagrahi bids good-bye to fear," therefore for you to mention him as if he didnt understand the inevitability of challenging tyranny with force displays how little you know about him.

MLK possibly was the only leader who tried to use non violent means to bring about change but discovered belatedly that there was only so much he could achieve with it, the white establishment understood that he was no threat to the status quo as long as he kept preaching non violence, MLK and a few other black leaders were actually paid to keep the black masses from rioting, the whites in a bid to control the movement infiltrated it with informants which weakened it.  eventually MLK himself became dissillusioned with the movement and started openly criticising american foreign policy which resulted in him being assassinated.

after his death the white establishment paid off members of his organisation by giving them big jobs and positions in society and introducing minor changes like affirmative action, however the status quo remains intact with many blacks in america still occupying the bottom rung of the social ladder.

I won't further engage you in diversionary arguements, the research is there for you have been shown that examples do exist. Let us get back on point. You want violence? What is stopping you? Are you all talk and no actions? Are your convictions that worthless? Are you more lethargic and lazy than those that even have the courage to protest? What is stopping you from instigating this "change" you want? Does your courage end with the ability to post online recycled commentary? Are you unable to swallow your own remedy and expect others to do it for you? If you are all these then what gives you the moral authority to call those who are more proactive lazy? Who among the two have a bettehr chance of getting anything done? Why not cut out the diversionary arguements and engage in some worthwhile introspection?

P.S. protest is not the panacea to Nigeria's problems, but it is a step in the right direction. It shows a citizenry that is concerned enough about its ills to actually act. Protest is actually a manifestation of this genuine concern that is ready to go beyond cheap words. It is thesame way getting more people to pay taxes won't be the panacea to Nigeria's leadership problem and corruption, but again a step in the right direction. More people paying taxes or even doing something as simple as voting, can be seen as a form of investment of effort or finance or time having the potential to spark the curiosity of the citizens with regards to the result of such investments and the point of it all. If people can begin to ask "how was my tax spent", "did my vote count and if not why and how can I make it count", that is surely a start and the birth of a citizenry that is on the verge of questioning their leaders and holding them accountable.

Some might disagree and they are welcome to it. What is amusing is pontificating on thoughts which have in most cases been well discussed, thereby turning a lot of these analyses into a simple case of recycled speeches, while the house is burning. There is a time to talk and there is a time to act. For how long would people think talking blindly and doing nothing solves everything? If the people who went on the protest or did something else leaning towards the proactive are lethargic, then what on earth does that make all those who just stay online to "proffer" solutions they never seem to have the courage to chase or work on? Don't tell us what needs to be done, have the guts to start it yourself, or are you waiting for people with more guts to do it for you? If you think violence is the answer then get to it already and spare us the condescending speeches please.

cap28:
so nigeria's docile citizenry are part of the current problem? well, if you know this why are you advocating peaceful protest?  If our docility has enabled the nigerian elite to take us for a ride for so long - is it peaceful protest that will make them treat us with more respect?  

the fact that you are terrified of looking at the situation for what it is speaks volumes about what sort of person you are.  

the reason that you cant come up with any constructive argument to back your bogus claim that non violent protest works is for the simple reason that it doesnt work, you have not been able to name any situation anywhere in the world where peaceful protest has worked, even in so called civilised societies violence is always used in order to force the hand of govt, look at Greece which is currently in a state of economic meltdown - do you think the greeks are sitting around talking about peaceful protest - no they are revolting and in some instances they have resorted to violent protests in order to let their govt know that they will not take the current hardships that they are being subjected to lying down.

genuine apology if you feel offended, but I just can't be bothered educating you if you are genuinely not being mischevious for the sake of it. Mandela, MLK, Ghandi, please go read up on history. The fact that I do not respond to you is more to do with me not wanting to go into a futile debate. No need to dodge the issue. You want violence you go start it. If not you are much lazier and more docile than those who even have the courage to protest. So please, stop being a hypocrite and stop embarassing yourself.

kosovo:
@Sky Blue  how many times do we have to quote somebody and how many of those quotes have brought food to Nigeria people?
               it is a shame that you are among the set of people who still believe in promises rather than working-policies.

Not the issue, the issue is that it is in the public domain now, and we know the aid that said it. If you can't understand that then forget it. No need to dodge the issue. You say violence is the way, I am saying what is stopping you? Or are you only into proferring solutions without any convictions to act on them? Again, no need to argue on whether peaceful protests work or not. If you have an alternative, what is stopping you from acting on it? I wouldn't hold my breath for a direct reponse though. You seem to like dodging the issue.

cap28:
the fact that the US and the UK applied this pressure should arouse doubt in your mind not lull you in to the false sense of security that you are in because both of those countries have a hidden agenda towards nigeria - are you seriously trying to say that the US and UK care about nigeria's progress?  
for your information their interest is restricted to protecting the oil wells and the revenue it generates, nothing more.  
I beleive they know more about Yaradua's dissapearance than they are letting on.

the idea that pressure was brought to bear on the nigerian govt as a result of the SNG rally is laughable - if the nigerian govt thought that they were a threat they would all be languishing in kirikiri by now, the SNG are no threat to the nigerian govt.   Only a nigerian would be dismissive about a violent overthrow of  a govt which for the past 50 years has been  responsible for causing so much misery and suffering to its own people .  Had the iranians adopted your mindset i doubt that they would have succeeded in overthrowing the corrupt US backed shah of iran in 1979.


you are a dreamer, if you think a peaceful protest will jog the consciences of these murderers you are deluded - name any peaceful protest in the world that has brought about real change.

strike action? tell me how this will work in a country with mass unemployment, dont you understand that it is easier to bribe people when there's mass poverty, if a worker decides to join a strike action the govt will simply  replace the person with someone who has been unemployed for 5 years thereby defeating the whole objective, strikes cant work in a country like nigeria where there is so much poverty as there are too many desperate people who just want to be allowed to eat three square meals a day.  People in nigeria need to put aside ethnic differences and unite against this common enemy - this is the only way out.

I am saying I have more respect for people who actually put their money where there mouth is. You have more chances of achieving a goal when you try and zero chances when you don't. I could actually address your comments why I think peaceful protests can be a very effective tool, but (no offence intended), I genuinely believe it would be a wasted effort. All I am saying is, if you think violence is the way forward, at least have the guts to act on it, or does your conviction not go beyond pontification? I am just saying, enough talking, it isn't "deep" because most of it has all been said before. What has brought the country to its knees has not just been dictatorships and a corrupt system, the docile citizenry has done worse.

kosovo:
The Report only you saw and No member of the house can say, they have seen it . it is not a classified document, or is it?
I laugh in Pidgin

Never claimed to see the report, only said it is now on record that it has been sent so we can quote somebody (thanks to the rally).

kosovo:
Keep dreaming and living in a world of Fantasy, 

And keep "proferring" your solutions. I would take a dreamer who has the courage to work to realise his dreams than a talker anyday.

kosovo:
Embarrassment is the Last thing the Nigeria Government cares about. Like i said earlier,  The Direction of the Ghana-must-Go is the only thing they care about,  If the Nigeria Government did not see the absence of the president for over 3 months as an embarrassment, then i doubt if a mere protest with placard shown all over the world would have any desired effect,

Pressure from both the international community (UK and US) and internally, as well as the threat of instability was one of the major factors that caused the legislature to grant Johnathan Power and also curbed Turai's excesses. This pressure was as a result of exposure and heightened awareness of the problem brought about by protests from people like SNG with the backing of some prominent Nigerians. The SNG rally yesterday has now brought to light the fact that Johnathan apparently sent an unedited Uwais report to the house and we can quote his aide on that. Those guys have done more than a lot of people. All I am saying is instead of all the discussions, try an original approach for once people, do something. You think violence is the answer? Then go ahead and lead the way, but please stop boring us with talks of how it should be done. Enough of being the talker, try to be the doer. It is always amusing when you hear Nigerians complain that they have "tried other means". It is quite irritating when peope us "we" anyhow, as if they were par of some collective that actually did something beyond talking. What other means have you tried please? How many protests have you been on? How many times have you called your rep? Did you vote? Spare us the sermons please. If we could get one million people on the street backed by some strike action, that would be the beginning of something special.

It is a step in the right direction and a better foundation to build on ensuring true democracy is achieved in the future.

kosovo:
After carefully watching the Nation gradually turning into a Tomatoes Republic, i have come to understand that peaceful protests are a total waste of time and resources. No political official would be moved by a bunch of happy people ([insert Happiest people in the world] here) carrying placard of various inscription trying to bring home any of their demands. Nigerians always amaze me each time they engage in this act and expect aliquantum from these political defalcators who only see the direction of the Ghana-must-go.

I want to categorically say that, there is no Use for Peaceful protest, what Nigeria needs is effective and aggressive means to drive home their demands. If the people of Greece were as happy as Nigerians when their Government mismanaged public funds that eventually lead to their economic recession, Their Government would have remained in power, but the combination of protest with force caused the resignation of the President within 24 hours. No Nigerian politician would resign over placards, Nigerians must wake up,  For too long the Nigeria Government has enslave her people, For too long the Nigeria people has been in a state of excruciation. The Nigeria people and the international community  have labeled the Government as malus peior pessimus, but the Government have refused to change their discredited political policies, Yet we still carry placards and sing solidarity songs? what a waste of human capacity.

For The Nigeria Government to know that Nigerians are no longer happy, Peaceful protest must be abandoned, Nigerians must wake to reality. I want to say that yesterday protest was nonsensical, what has the save Nigeria group achieved since it's inception?, Lets stop deceiving ourselves. with the over-abundance of natural resources and human capital, No Nigerian should be meant to suffer.

No need for long gist, apologies but I have ceased to find such pontifications interesting in anyway, they are not a sign of "interlect", it is just more talking. It is funny how you talk of the people in the protest playing it safe after they were informed that some up to no good politicians were planning on sending some of their men to attack the protesters and disrupt it. Even in light of such news, the protesters still proceeded. What they achieved? They mounted more pressure on the government, the protest was briefly shown on CNN, bringing more shame and embarassment to the government and increasing pressure on it. Perhaps if you did less pontificating and actually went out to add to the numbers on the street, perhaps we could be closer to achieving a million man march which would definately be something. Everyone wants to "proffer solutions" and alternatives but no one wants to act on them. Sorry, but you might want to reaccess who the cowards are. Apologies if this was a bit blunt, but if you would rather use an alternate route to get the point across, no need to write an essay about it, go instigate it and try and get others to join you. We really need to do away with all this talk and no action. Gosh has it gotten old quite fast,

Hmm. The protest was shown briefly on CNN (World One)

Big B1:
[b]Pat Utomi was among the folks that took bad loans.[/b]He needs money; and it usually takes folks like this few months before they start opening foreign bank accounts. I have seen this movie before, we do not need this man, absolutely not this time.

Up till today Duke still struggles to acct for the mighty senseless recreation park project he implemented at his home state during his time as governor. Trust me, in politics such silly and glamorous project is called ex large pepper soup, Sky is the limit. Mostly smart dude or saints are the entities that engage in such an enormous project. This dude did not fool everybody. He also needs more money to steal.
I can assure you guys that none of these 2 dudes can handle the Nigeria of today, and this is why USA or UK will never back such entities. They are good people, but not what Nigeria needs at this time.

Nigerians will experience improvement in less than 6 months after IBB becomes the president. The man is powerful,brilliant, firm,focus and profoundly understands the right button to be pushed to quickly make things happen. He has the people and knows the folks that will do anything and everything to give him their support.

May be we should all ask ourselves why this man is so love, incredible and extremely popular even though, we have more than 6 other living ex presidents.
Why every single politician in Nigeria today stops whenever IBB's name is mentioned?
The election is still far away and many ball-less cowards amongst us are already scared and crying at the same time.
Why?
Something must be very special about this man; and something tells me that this is the exact uniqueness that the USA and UK notice.

They know Nigeria needs a man, an iron man, and incredible hurk to correct thing in our society, and they know that it takes more than just appearance, and big talk to make things happen.

Again, please let us make sure that all our votes count; because when IBB is introduced in 2011 as our new president, I don't want to hear bunch of sweet-fruitloops crying foul play.
You've got to be in the game to win the game. Just don't sit behind your LCD monitor typing poo and expecting miracle to happen.

It usually doesn't work this way.

You mean thesame list that was later revised followed by an apology by Sanusi? Have you no shame? No need for all the long gist, I am not running a campaign for Pat Utomi or anybody, just pointing out that there are a wealth of alternatives to the so called "evil genius (allegedly)". Your arguements have already been exposed to have no substance. Defend IBBs credibility and achievements, or is asking for a credible, proven and trustworthy candidate nowadays too much of an ask?

Pat Utomi, a professor of political economy and management expert is a Nigerian entrepreneur whose ultimate goal is to positively affect humanity.

Born in Kaduna on February 6, 1956, Utomi hails from Ibussa in Delta State. He had his primary education at St Thomas School, Kano, 1960-62 and Our Lady of Fatima School, Gusau, 1962-1966. He later proceeded to the prestigious Christ the King College, Onitsha, for his post-primary education and finished up at Loyola College, Ibadan in 1971.

Utomi had his first degree in mass communications at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN. He also holds MA, MPA, and Ph.D in political economy.

He was director of research and corporate affairs, News Training Consultancy, Lagos; chairman/chief executive officer, Patike Communications Limited. In 1982, he was appointed special assistant to President Shehu Shagari. Following the demise of the Second Republic, he became chairman/chief executive officer, Utomapp Holdings Limited, 1984-86, and assistant general manager, corporate affairs, Volkswagen of Nigeria Limited, Lagos, 1983-93.

Utomi co-founded the Lagos Business School, now Pan African University in 1994 with the Opus Dei, a Catholic religious group. He was scholar-in-residence, American University, Washington DC, USA, 1996 and research associate, the Harvard Business School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, 1996.

He also belongs to many professional bodies. He is a member, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, Institute of Directors, IOD, Nigerian Economic Summit Group and Nigerian Economic Society.

He coordinated the establishment of several civil society groups on good governance and accountability such as Transparency in Nigeria,The Centre for Values in Leadership, The Concerned Professionals, and the Restoration Group. In the business sphere, Utomi is the vice-chairman, Platinium

http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/articles/pat-utomi.html

Very basic research which brought this info up that focuses more on his professional qualifications and achievements. He is also active online and from time to time posts articles on NVS, The point I am trying to make is getting informed of other candidates is not a gargantuan task. This was les than a minutes work. IBB is not the only viable option.

Fhemmmy:
Tried and tested by who and what?

erm. . . . . IBB has been tried and tested (he did rule Nigeria at one point). There are some progressives who have been tried and tested in their states or some other position they were given; but according to your arguement, a tried and tested dictator (IBB), would be better?

Fhemmmy:
Once again, i am neither for or against IBB, neither am i for any of the leaders so far, when the election draws near, i will do my home work and know who to give my vote to, IBB is yet to declare nor Duke

Whether you are for or against IBB is not my business, I was just calling out @BigB1 with regards to his weak arguements in defence of his preferred candidate. Was also calling you out on the notion that there are hardly any progressives interested in the presidency. I brought up the name of Pat Utomi who ran last elections, and told you better research on your path (and on everyone's) ,would suffice instead of saying we should settle for a tried and tested dictator based on the weak notion that there are no other choices. People should get informed of the choices before they make their decision.

Fhemmmy:
The difference btw a state politics and federal politics cant be overlooked.
I will admit that i dont know many of them, and that was why i said, if Duke would do a good job, sure, he will get my vote, but Nigeria is in too much state of mess to be doing trial and error.
I will love to see a good person lead and do a good job, but just cant be doing more of trial and error

So trying a known and tested dictator would be better than trying a professed (and in some cases tested) progressive?

Fhemmmy:
You have a point there, however, it is not as easy we all look at it.
If we have better leader that can do the job, why not
I hate recycling of all these people as well. . . . but none seems to be coming forward, and like i said yesterday, if Duke is who they said he is, then, why not.

Don't say there aren't better leaders, just say you are not aware of them. Genuinely no offence intended, but saying 'IBB would do' because you could not do some basic research is a tad lethargic. I mean, you didn't even seem to be aware of Donald Duke till of recent. Last presidential elections, there was Pat Utomi (and this is just off the top of my head). I am not intentionally trying to castigate you, but trying to hold the citizenry of the country to greater accountability too because that arm of our democracy has been failing just as bad (if not even worse). IBB shouldn't do just because people have not looked at what other parties are offering.

Big B1:
Letus take President Fashola as a study case.

Many have given credit to Gov Fashola for working so hard for the people of Lagos; but recently Fashola has been struggling to push Tinubu aside. And so far Fashola has been unsuccessful.

My question is if Fashola can not handle mere Tinubu how the hell do you expect him to handle the north and the Niger Delta boys? Nigeria of today requires iron hand and a well respected entity to start and complete the clean up process. After this process is successfully completed then folks like Fashola or Shoyinka can now be elected as Nigerian president. But for now allow the magnificent IBB to return to clean up this mess, or else Nigerians will forever experience same old shi t regardless of the entity that is living in Aso rock.

Since you keep dodging the issues of credibility, let us try a different approach. You might trust IBB, but many clearly don't (he is not called maradonna for no reason). The fact that you seem to be so impressed with foreign leaders allegedly paying him a visit is quite laughable, because you seem to be indirectly saying that the views of foreign countries who would not have to live through his regime, are more important than the views of Nigerians who would. For some (including I), giving the dog a bone and hoping to God he behaves himself this time would not do. Isn't it funny how the argument for his defence has changed when it was clear you couldn't defend him based on credibility and achievements? 

violent:
Forgive my ignorance, but does anyone knows which ranks higher, the senate or the house of rep?

The senate is seen as the upper house, so in that respect, some see the senate as ranking higher. But the house of reps is (meant to be) a more democratic representative of the people (more members from a wider section of the Nigerian populace)

ojimbo IV:
@sky b,
maybe you should start a thread on voice voting. the issue on ground is both houses have failed us on their lukewarmness to act and that is why i stand by my statement, which may be 'cowardly' and 'lazy' to you - no problem. and yes i took your advice. just sent a strongly worded email to my house of rep member.

Personally I prefer phonecalls, but believe it or not, that is action (although I don't know the content of your mail or if it was specific in addressing an issue). I meant no offence, but hopefully if you read my posts again, you would see where I am coming from. There are very questionable interest groups in the house of reps and senate. We keep talking about cabal this and cabal that and we would all like to believe that all members of the house of rep and senate are corrupt and thieves, etc. But fortunately/unfortunately (and this might blow your mind), that is not the case. The house is democratic. You can see some guys get up and give stirring speeches that show they are conversant on the issues that affect the citizenry, but when it comes to voting it is all "yay" and "nay" shouting that is used to vote, like some market place.

Fhemmmy:
You seems to finally understanding where i am coming from.
No one has asked for the head of the law breakers since the whole saga started and i think they all need to go in the next election, except those that blv that we need to invoke the part of our constitution to get rid of Mallam Yaradua

No offence, but my stance on this issue has been thesame for quite a while. That is why at one point I was posting links to house members and senators at; urging people to get involved. But hey, all people seem to like to do here is talk and "proffer solutions", as long as they don't have to act.

Fhemmmy:
Cos they are all busy looking for how to make money and make sure their bid for office next year never fail.

You seem to be falling in thesame line with the poster I was responding to. It is a democracy. We need to get rid of voice voting so we all know where each person stands by seeing what he votes on. Saying all members of the house and senate are all money chasing or whatever, is just a tad arrogant and to be honest shows a lazy citizenry. If the "yays" are more than the "nays", then the "yays" win. You get that, right? Does that mean there were no "nays"? We need to know who is "yay" or "nay" for all the issues and by so doing, begin to reveal the enemies of progress. I was even querying my rep as to why there is still voice voting considering there is some committee that attends to the funtions of the house. Contact Bankole and MArk. No more voice voting.

ojimbo IV:
the house of reps and senate are a bunch of gutless redundant twats. they invoked a 'doctrine of necessity' out of nowhere because it was expedient. a simple solution to calm the polity. its 2weeks and they have no agenda to solving the major problem.

While I completely understand that your comments might be as a reasult of justifiable frustration, I would tell you that there is more to it than that. You can't just paint the whole house and senate with one brush. The first step to holding our house members and senators responsible is to get rid of voice voting. Painting them all in one brush while understandable, is just plain lazy and almost cowardly. We need to start fishing out those enemies of progress. Get in contact with your reps. Get in contact with Bankole and David Mark or their offices, and ask why on earth we still use voice voting, when it takes away accountability from house members? Speaking with my own representative has cast more light on the issue. Get rid of voice voting and let us see who stands for what. At the end of the day, it is a democracy. Just because a vote or resolution was passed does not mean it was unanimous or there was no opposition to it. Just means the "nays" got it.

Fhemmmy:
Read me well, i never said he is not, for all you know, the dude was long dead and we dont know.
But the fact that his aid read a memo from him and said, he wanna get better and that Jonathan is in charge, let us attack the offices of the law breakers, cos they are the one that has refused to invoke the part of our law that cld have send him packing.
Jonathan's hands are tight . . . . he cant force force a man that he cant see to do anything.

Why the fascination with Johnathan? Is everything done meant to be an attack on Johnathan?

aisha2, I am glad this thing went on and am only sorry I was not around to attend. Whenever you want to make a stand in Nigeria, it is best to just ignore certain comments and I am glad you did. For those who are not able to be there now, here are links containing lists of all senators and house of rep members, with their contact info. Enough with all the pontificating and "intelligent discourse", let us stop being cowardly. Do something as simple as calling up your reps. If we all did it you think there wouldn't be pressure?

http://www.nassnig.org/senate/members.php       - for senators

http://www.nassnig.org/house/members.php        - for house of rep members

Fhemmmy:
You mean the aide of Yaradua that read the note was giving rumors?
I remember how his speech was analyzed them when he refereed to Jonathan as the Vice President and not the Acting President, and now all of a sudden, it was a rumor, how come, we always blv things for our convenience?

If Yar Adua is not incapacitated why do we have to be hearing from his aides? Why? Whenever anything worthy of note happens you see world leaders setting up a press conference ASAP to speak to the people that elected them there. Even after the whole Abdulmatallab thing, adding to terrorist list, etc, we still haven't heard from the president. If in the absence of evidence, you cannot be sure that Yar Adua himself said or wrote those things, why on earth would you build arguements on such shaky premises?

Fhemmmy:
So why asking for a man that said, he wanna get better and that the Acting President could go ahead with his leadership?

Can people stop spewing this gossip, it is getting ridiculous. You knew president Yar Adua said 'he wants to get better' because? Really please, do tell. You are sure of anything Yar Adua has said since last November how? Did you see a letter? Did you hear him on the radio? Did you watch an interview? Who has seen Yar Adua since last November? Yar Adua did not hand over to Johnathan.

asscend:
DEMOCRACY IS GOOD. PEOPLE CAN PROTEST ON WHAT THEY WANT TO PROTEST ABOUT.

OTHER GROUPS CAN DO WHAT YOU SAID, SOMEONE ORGANISED THIS ONE FOR A SPECIFIC PURPOSE.

Simple and to the point. If anyone thinks there are better things to protest about then go start your own protest with your own objectives and stop relying on others to do it for you.

I am not necessarily a supporter considering he has not even said he would run for presidency. I am not going to be carrying the torch for anybody who does not want to lead. There might be some new guys (perhaps untested) who could sell themselves too. However, if Donald Duke does throw his hat in the ring, I would definately consider him, along with the likes of Pat Utomi.

Beaf:
@mikeansy

Thanks for the detailed writeup. Some quick research shows that what you wrote was accurate (two minor errors, though; he didn't start Obudu ranch, Cross River is among states with the lowest FG allocation - it doesn't have the lowest).
However, everything about Donald Duke seems to be very positive, in fact, one thing you failed to mention (corrected) is that, he was the only gov not to be investigated by EFCC during OBJ's time. Very interesting.

Its funny I don't know that much about Cross River thats in my backyard (I think I know much more about Kano and Adamawa).

I am now very interested in Donald Duke. . .

Just to expantiate on a point in your post. Obudu ranch has been around since like the 50s and was a cattle ranch. When Donald Duke came in he transformed it into a luxury get away and the cable car was built in his administration as a means of boycotting what would be an otherwise 6hour or so journey by road (you can still do that if you want).

Gekko:
hes a party animal fo sure, i heard his yearly carnival is to place to be.

His yearly carnivals brought in people from all parts of the country, its called tourism and it brought in money to the state. You also have obudu ranch and the longest cable car ride in africa leading up to it.

Beaf:
Yes, I know about Tinapa, but its shortcomings are as sweeping as the vision that created it. Tinapa cannot provide the sort of anwers I am after (though it satisfies me that he is intelligent and forward looking), neither can basic research (I'll do that anyway ). The sort of stuff I need are things that he has done to better the lot of the common man, what his personality is like, his outlook on life etc.

LOL. TINAPA's shortcomings are synonymous with the short comings of the federal government. Most of the money was from the private sector. Was it the first phase delivered and on time and looking like what was on design? Yes. So I do not get that statement in bold except you are just going by hear say. If people had done just basic research on Yar Adua before he was sold to Nigerians, I believe a lot of people wouldn't have voted for him. There is a video I watched with him speaking just before he became president. Cringe worthy. He didn't seem to have a clear agenda then and surprise surprise, that is how his presidency was/is (this whole thing has become confusing).