₦airaland Forum

Beaf:
Can someone sell Donald Duke to me? I am not conversant with Cross River state; I haven't been fed any convincing info, yet I keep hearing the name Donald Duke.
Please sell Donald Duketo me. What are his strengths and where has he used them? What was Cross River like before he came on the scene? Are there clear examples of his vision (societal, technological, educational etc) with provable implementation?

Basic research is not hard . From what I know, Cross Rivers was getting one of the lowest ammounts of allocation from oil derivation, yet Calabar is probably the cleanest city in Nigeria. Good roads, investment in tourism as a means of increasing IGR. The TINAPA project was quite ambitious and the first phase was delivered, but the retail section of it was hit by the foot dragging of the federal government even after the president declared his "support" for it. Traders for months (maybe even more than a year) that had paid the rent, could not sell anything because of customs (it was meant to be a free trade zone but the federal government had not yet drafted up the papers or something along those lines). So people could only go there to look which was bad for business and retail. I think you hear Donald Duke a lot because he was probably the only governor in the last administration that took on any mega project of that scale (kind of what Fashola seems to be doing right now). Visit the Tinapa site and do basic research.

mikeansy:
I agree with those in bold above too.

But the man is also more brilliant than his peers. I think his greatest offence was knowing what was right and failing to stand up for his conviction.

At the part in bold. It is interesting that you assume what his convitions were to begin with.

mikeansy:
I agree with those in bold above too.

But the man is also more brilliant than his peers. I think his greatest offence was knowing what was right and failing to stand up for his conviction.

Hitler was also brilliant. It is kind of like the way society looks up to people who are "educated" in the conventional sense; as if such gives wisdom and discernment.

Big B1:
Most of these cry-babies are not even going to be here in Nigeria to vote, but yet they make the loudest noise behind their LCD monitors.

Your president was missing for almost 125 days, and your balls are not big enough to even ask the federal government the location of your president; and these same guys think their tiny noise with stop a man that has the support of USA, UK and the current administration. 1ithout any doubt you guys know nothing about home grown politics. You have been gone for too long.
I want you to please come and stop IBB and we shall all see how foolish you will all look.

At the part in bold, you know this to be true because? Do you even know where any of us are? It is always fun to see you throw logic to the wind and use diversionary tactics when the topic of IBB comes up. What are his records and do they justify any form of trust in leadership abilities from Nigerians? Why do you keep dodging the issues? No rants please, the questions do not disappear just because you shy away from the confrontation. You actually aren't doing a good job of defending him so I would advice you to stop these your posts if you want to give your man his best shot at winning. LOOOL. 'IBB is the man to lead Nigeria' according to you, and you can't even admit his records the last time he was in power (massive nationwide corruption, chop I chop politics, inflation, loss of value of the Naira, neglect of industry, oil windfall unaccounted for, cancellation of what were seen to be the most free and fair elections in Nigeria). And we are all supposed to feign collective amnesia so we can fulfill a retired General's dream of "redemption"? This is not a soap opera and running a nation shouldn't be like nollywood. A lot of people do not want part 2.

mikeansy:
I am really not scared of IBB because IBB is a better man than he has been potrayed. But I am simply not willing to risk a second chance to see if he will do the right thing this time.

But the Nation is better off moving forward. In fact folks like IBB still being part of politics is why we have not made progress.

His records speak for themselves so if we are to judge based on that, he is at best dishonest, greedy, or just incompetent. Or do you have any other variable you would want us to consider before drawing conclusions?

mikeansy:
Kpele

Maradona go soon dribble una again as him do for 2007.

The only way IBB can be President is if he will be appointed interim leader. The man is too scared to throw himself in the election ring because he knows that he will be dymistified among his loyal supporters.

The thought alone that he could rig himself in isworrying. That is why Johnathan not even looking at electoral reforms might be he unveiling as nothing more than a supporter of the status quo. Let us have our best shot at having free and fair elections so we can begin to tell a lot of these leadership aspirants where to go.

Big B1:
IBB will be the next president of Nigeria.

LOL. At least be brave enough to say the truth to yourself. If IBB gets into aso rock, he would be the next dictator of Nigeria. Open your eyes to the truth for your own good. Not everyone believes in IBB as much as you do, and I doubt majority would be deceived enough to vot for him. Again enough with the talking. What are IBB's records?

Big B1:
It isn't about wanting IBB for president, but about electing the right man for the right job at the right time.

It is a simple and very clear fact that IBB can not afford to fail this time around. He has a lot to lose much more than any other Nigerian. It about correcting things that have gone wrong. And I'm confident that With the support of USA,UK and Yaradua's administration IBB is completely untouchable; sky is the limit.

LOOOOL Gosh, this is too funny. Even more amusing that someone thought this trifle was "deep". When you really begin to get into the arguments and logic of some posters you just have to laugh. Reminds me of what Igbenidion's father used as an excuse to get people to support him for a second term after his catastrophic first. His response to some doubters who were challenging his son's record was something along the lines of: 'Lucky fail lucky fail. Abeg make I hia word. If your pikin write exam come fail, you no go say make im take the exam again?'. LOOOL. Lucky got a second term. The rest  is history.

chykeo:
For me, I will advice him to declare a state of emergency in the power sectore immidiately. Set up a team that will ensure Nigeria has steady power supply within six months.

2. The Lagos Benin road might not be completed within the remnants of his tenure but something real can be done. Therefore to review the existing contract and hand it over to Julius Beger.

3. Overhaul and restructure the Police force. There should be a mass sack in the force.

4. Send a bill to the National assembly for the establishment of State Police.

5. Establish a human rights council that will be a watchdog of human right abuses like EFCC is to finance with headquarters in every state. A lot of human right abuses are going on in that country and no one is doing something about it.

POWER

INFRASTRUCTURE

SECURITY and

PEOPLE'S RIGHTS

are the fundamental areas where we really need fundamental actions in that country.

ELECTORAL REFORMS, ELECTORAL REFORMS, ELECTORAL REFORMS. This man has just got one year. ONE YEAR. He might have an excuse for not being able achieve stable power supply by the time he is out, but for electoral reforms, there will be none. He has already wasted time, so personally I don't really take him that serious anymore. He has already started dragging his foot on something as important as electoral reforms when elections are next year, campaigning and primaries start this year, and the planning for the election would also probably start this year. Electoral reforms and putting an end to the silly "yay", "nay" voting in congress. Give those guys modern equipments to vote with abeg so we know who voted for what and who to hold accountable.

Crude Oil:
Do you think the rally would change anything?

LOOOL. How predictable. Like the certainty of the change of seasons, I knew this excuse would come sooner or later. It is to be expected when putting the onus on Nigerians to act to change anything. In fact, if you don't get that magic question "what would it change?" or something along those lines of excuse, you should really begin to worry and doubt if you are really dealing with Nigerians. Anyone trying to do anything at all in their own power and conscience, to remedy the situation should expect such responses as standard. It sometimes seems some people will climb mount everest just to keep things thesame, and then complain about things being the way they are. People act according to their conscience and some have decided to do anything but siddon and look, they have decided to become more proactive. If you believe there are better ways to implement the so called "change" then no need boring anyone to death with it, just instigate it. Making excuses to do nothing became boring a long time ago. If you don't want to join don't join, but don't stress yourself that someone else wants to do something. Sometimes it just seems like it is people's guilty conscience actually responding to these kinds of posts. LOL.

marvix:
@Skyblue incase u didn't notice my question abt d enuf is enuf campaign was only rheotorical. We hav had enuf of dis type of campaigns witout result nd if u rily tak your time to read Aishas openin post u wil c dat it had no direction and dat was y ethnic bias was been introduced. Leaders of Save Nigeria wit these actions can't save nigeria lik dis because all dis protest are just senseles let d politicians sort themselves out even in d SNG ul b surprised @ d level of coruption within them nd we may neva kno abt d coruption xcept somtin goes wrong wit d sharin formula

"We" have had enough of these campaigns? Who is the we? Why do you use a pronoun that puts you in the collective? How many of these "campaigns" have you been involved in? I am sorry if you find this too direct but the arrogance and the cheek really does shock. Why are you crying more than the berieved? Has any of the (extremely few) people who have the courage and conscience to protest or do anything to make a change complained that they are tired of doing so? Did aisha herself tell you she was tired of protesting? So why on earth would you be tired if it does not involve you? I just find the very notion insulting to be honest. Were you forced to join? I mean, can you imagine? "We have had enough of these kinds of campaigns". Gosh

With regard to the second part in bold, how long till the politicians sort themselves out? Such a comment really is. . . . . . . .

How long is the committee going to take to carry out the investigations? That is a question I thought everyone would be asking. How many committees have been set up? What became of the power committee and what was done with their "findings"? I am optimistic but cautious that this might just be making noise.

monkeyleg:
They should leave this nonsense and go and Catch IBORI. The Thief is working free

Peter Odilli should be on that list, lest we ever forget.

marvix:
Aisha Yaradua bein sick or well is not Nigerias prob, wheda som ministas decide to hold d Ag President hostage is also not our prob but his own personal prob if Jonathan can't play d politics nd put dose ministas in check or scheme them out of d FEC peacefuly nd transparently den he isn't ready 4d top job yet so instead of makin noise and distract him my advise wld b dat dis is actualy d time to siddon look as Jonathan stands up to defend his presidency and do it in such a way dat wen his bos returns his bos wil not b able to find fault.
As a mata of fact aisha how am I sure dat u hav not bin contracted to stir dis protest so d north can claim dat d nation is in anarchy and ask d army to take ova d way they easea out Shonekan wen he was actin president pls Nigerians who love peace pls advice your friends nd family to avoid d protest if they kno they aren't sure of wat d protest is abt or else we might just be abt to beget somtin worse adan Abacha

It is annoying when people just blindly dodge the issue by pontificating. You just admitted earlier that you really don't know what the protest is about, so why the long gist? Have you asked her (aisha) what it is about? Why the lecture if you don't even know what the protest is about? Apologies and I don't mean to offend, but it is tantamount to somebody shouting about how right he is when he doesn't even know what he is talking about. She wants to protest and you don't want to, so why the hassle? If you feel there are better things to protest about, then what is stopping you? Abeg enough of all the talk talk, anybody that wants to see a change (in whatever way they deem fit) should go and act to claim it. All this talking over thesame issue for over a million times without doing anything isn't interlect or being educated, it is just cowardice.

marvix:
Pharoah I must say a big thank u to u, there is no sense in d protest if they arenot fightin 4 anythin tangible or reasonable they may as well sit in their homes nd kip criticising.
We should lead a protest abt probs facin us in dis country, lik a protest by unemployed youths protestin d high rate of unemployment, Manufacturers leadin a protest abt d issue of power and leave politics to d politicians

Have you asked her (aisha) what the protest is about and she said it is just for protesting sake? If you feel there are more important things to protest about (bearing in mind you don't know what this is about), what is stopping you from starting such protests? Naiaraland can be funny at times.

amarilo:
Na by force?

You are right, stay and continue to make your point. Just quite amusing that you are still on after showing your strong disapproval for the proposed protest, without necessarily having anything meaningful to contribute to what seems a thread that has less to do with pontificating and more to do with acting. Keep discussing with yourself

amarilo:
There are many other words you have not used let me remember for you in case they skipped your mind(Retard,dimwit, slowpoke, do u need more). My people say "who don't know where the rain started beating him will never know where it will stop. The problem of Nigeria did not start from the cabal you people are pursuing and will never stop with them. Correct what is wrong from where it started and not all these topical approach. Yes you are smart, intelligent and educated yet the cabal use you as they use me that is not smart enuf like you.

Those kids are still crying, those kids are still gnashing there teeth, those mothers are still in agony, those wives are still widows and nothing has been done to pacify them and you come here to tell me placard can do the magik. You are far from the truth. Odi, Zakibiam, Gbaramutu or whatever did not just happen, Jos is on fire right now, its not an accident. Once blood is involved especially innocent kids and women it takes more than placard and NL to solve the consequences.

Bookmark this page very soon one of the 3 other regions from the south will try to secede. Then you will see how blood gonna flood their cities. The end is not near.

You don't want to be involved, you have made your point (whatever it is) . . . . . . . so why are you still on the thread? No need for long gist, you are not in support, it is a democracy so you have said you part. . . . . . . so move on already.

aisha2:
Put your money where your ounth is and join the save Nigeria group as we demand for An Acting President that can act. We cannot be held ransome by any person or group of persons, A few Ministers and Governors cannot tell the president what to do. We refuse to allow any man or party summarize Our development as a country to a power sharing formular between North and South. Who is North and who is South, who in the North and south benefits from this arrangement apart from a small bunch. Why do we rely on rumours and grapevine to get information about our president. When have we been reduced to hearing from a "cousin" to the president when we have an Information Minister who is paid for that purpose. Lets join hands and fight a common a=enemy: Remember, this has nothing to do with tribe and religion but has everthing to do with Greed and money sharing. They do not care about North or South but how much they can get.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
Date: Wednesday 10th March, 2010
Time 7.30 am
Venue: Convergage at Unity Fountain ABuja and we march to Aso Rock (Wednesday is Federal Executive Council Meeting)

Please young Nigerians, we can no longer siddon look and complain on Nairaland. Our sidoon look let it get this bad, Enough is Enough. Lets march side by side as we say no to rubbish

I would advice that you try not to be put off by comments that you get on this forum. Do it not necessarily because it is popular, but to satisfy your own conscience that you are doing what you can. I am only sorry that I would not be around so I would not be able to join. I don't know if you did this already, but for such events, spread the news at least a week or two before the said event (unles you already have a loyal following), because despite the comments you will get here, there are people who would be interested in joining.

ifedy:
This is getting out of hand.
Religion and ethnicity is a major problem in naija

Law enforcement is what you seem to be ignoring. How many people were arrested, prosecuted, and punished for the last incident? How many people have ever been arrested for all the violence?

Big B1:
@shoot2kill:
Where were you when your president was missing for almost 120 day without any explaination?
Where were you when Nigerians were facing fuel shortage for almost 3 months?
Where were you when 17b dollars (powersupply improvement funds) disappeared?
Where were you when all our governors were stealing from us?

I beg stop making noise and go sit down somewhere, where there is no internet access or computer. You're not making any sense with your foolish post.

Although one could argue that @Shoot2kill's threats are a little extreme, one could also argue that if he isn't making any sense then neither are you. Where was IBB when all the events you list were occuring? Where were you? In a nation of over a hundred million people IBB is the only one capable of ruling? Even after his history in Nigeria? It is always amusing when you argue this same topic, because when you have been confronted with the substance of your arguements in the past they always come out weak and limp.

Is your genuine reason for IBB having to be the one to lead in 2011 thesame as the last one? Because he has "changed" and wants to make "amends"? It is indeed an irony, because some posts actually go to prove that making a dictator is not always a one man job, rather that of a small community of people around him who continue to egg him on and noture his vain and self indulgent tendencies till they manifest. The fact that you think the presidency should be given to IBB because he is on a quest to redeem himself and prove himself worthy once more is indeed quite laughable. This is not a movie of one man's quest to "find his way back home" along his "journey of self discovery". This is governing a country, not finding nemo.

Why don't we push for electoral reforms and see if IBB would be able to win an election in a democratic process whereby parties and candidates from all parts of the country are allowed to campaign for the votes of the people; let us see what will happen then. Unless of course IBB forces his way through the rigging machinery of the PDP and proves himself once again to be the unapologetic and cunning dictator he has been known for. If after all the information is presented and IBB campaigns and wins a free and fair election - which I highly doubt - then fine (Nigeria would deal with the consequence of its choice).

Ikengawo:
nigerians only option is to start producing and keep a weak currency, because if they remain unproductive AND start increase reserves excessively giving them a 'strong currency' they will forever remain unproductive cause industry will spill to the lower currency countries and skip nigeria.

The strength of a currency isn't directly dictated by reserves, a lot of factors come into play but it all boils down to confidence.

Ikengawo:
ive noticed nigerians think high currency = good economy

and want a developing country with little industrial production like nigeria to have high currency. silly.

in fact, as a nigerian your probably reading this without a clue of c\uhat im talking about.
anyways, in public, dont talk about currency, you'll hurt yourself.

I get the point you are trying to make (strong currency does not mean strong economy - e.g. Japanese Yen), but I think you might have things mixed up. Nigeria imports almost everything except crude oil, so I believe a stronger Naira at this point in time would be in our favour. It is when you export much more than you import (e.g. Japan), that a weaker currency would favour you. What you also export and import (basic raw materials or higher value finished products) makes the difference. It isn't always as clear cut.

blueflame1:
May I point out again to members of this forum that in my opinion the greatest failure of Nigeria is the inability of the educated and well informed to win the battle of informing and sensitising the general public. The mischievous  elites (includes Yaradua, Jonathan, Mark, Bankole and a host of others you all know) have continuously, since the inception of independence in 1960 sold their selfish agenda's with ethnic coloration's which "we" who should know better bite hook line and sinker. They are all birds of the same feather and have brokered their deals and benefits while we shout our self hoarse over the wrong things.

Apart from a few friends and cronies no one else benefits from the thieving people who have ruled us for decades. Neither would the Ijaws benefit from a Jonathan Presidency (apart from his retinue and friends and a few elites: did u look at the list of the presidential advisory council?), Katsina has been crying loud that they have benefited nothing from Yaradua and Ogun state indigenes and elders would readily tell you the legacy of the Obasanjo's rule (part 1, and part 2) resulted in disruption and oppression.

The idea of rotational presidency is a dubious one concocted by the same thieving elites to give themselves an opportunity for a turn by turn in looting Nigeria. It is a very retrogressive and unreasonable idea. Naturally power would rotate in a Presidential system, whether it is a rigged or a controlled one; how? Its simple

When Obasanjo was president and his tenure was coming to an end, it was only reasonable that he would pick someone from the north to succeed him, he picked Yaradua and Jonathan as VP. If all things being equal Yaradua had ruled for 8yrs he definitely would have had Jonathan succeed him (if joe plays his cards well), If he eventually fell out with Joe, naturally political expediency would dictate that he fights to stop him or replace him with a candidate from Joe's region (eg Banbangida Annuling June 12; enter Shonekon; OBJ fighting Atiku enter Yaradua).

The Joe or Joe replacement would naturally pick a northerner from another geopolitical zone in the north (not yaradua's zone), when Joe or his replacement wants to leave the Northerner takes over and picks a deputy not from Joe's geopolitical zone; come in an Igbo man etc and continues. This is not a certainty but is likely to be the sequence and a naturally flowing one. The agitators for a contrived one are scheming for their own benefits and trying to expedite their case so they are direct beneficiaries now they are at the corridors of power

Now those of us supporting a clearly cut out constitutional rotational system are only playing into the hands of our enemies, cause the direct beneficiaries are the ones singing the tunes and beating the drums, they know themselves and they are a few.

The general public stands to gain nothing. Most despicable about this rotational balderdash is that it has not been practiced anywhere in the world successfully, America is more diverse than Nigeria, a multi racial society not even ethnic, same for India, UK, South Africa etc. For those who would say Nigeria is different, may i remind you that our difference has been associated with failure, looking at models and picking those that have worked is a sign of maturity and wisdom.

What we should be fighting for is a just and equitable society, without that the president can come from mars, it would not benefit anyone apart from the inner caucus or cabal (as is popularly used now).

Apt and quite true.

Decentralise powers and stop making the presidency a seat of some all encompassing god and people won't even care much as long as they can get development in their area. Make politics more grassroots oriented. Decentralisation of power is a must to douse the tension. I don't care if the president is from one village for the next hundred years, as long as he is competent, serves all Nigerians, progressive, etc. Give more power to the people so that states and regions can determine the way they would like to progress and develop. The federal government can't keep holding everyone hostage.

Tuyis:
The problem with your position is that every time there is an election in Nigeria where there is a Yoruba, Hausa or an Igbo candidate vying for the presidency, it always degenerate into a kind of ethnic battle and the voices of the minority groups are invariably drowned.

I am scratching my head, I can't find a situation where you throw open an election for all Nigerians and there is not an Hausa, Yoruba or Igbo. It is the way it has always been in Nigeria. But, if you have a better idea, Iam certainly open for it.

Also, there is nothing chauvinistic about rotational presidency, it is actually meant to prevent that. I don't understand what is chauvinistic about my position.

No need to be mischevious (intended or not). I never said I had any problem with an Hausa or Yoruba or Igbo candidate (how are you even sure I am not one of those?). I have no problem with any credible candidate. Free and fair elections for all, or proper rotation; I just said that like three times (so I really don't know why you are asking for my input again).

With regards to why some might see the rotational presidency you propose as chauvinistic, I really don't like repeating myself if I don't have to so if you are genuinely asking that question then I would point you back to my last post. You really want to rotate? Then rotate it properly, if not please spare us having to read such proposals.

Tuyis:
Each of the six geographical zones in Nigeria is big enough to stand alone as a country,the notion that you cannot at any given time find one person from each zone who is capable of leading Nigeria is laughable.
The president  is just a president, he is not God, he can never govern alone.
Whatever he can do, there are probably a thousand more who can do the same or even better. It is up to the political parties to throw up the best candidates.
If you think you are Nigeria's Obama and it's not your turn, just wait. besides, here are many other ways to serve your country.
Our own democracy does not have to look like anyone elses, we have to take into account our own peculiar situations and act accordingly.

Reading some of the comments here, you will think you are reading about a different country and not Nigeria. How long ago was it when people were complaining about the North monoplizing power, have we forgotten so soon?
The only thing that is truly capable of tearing Nigeria assunder is power struggle between the ethnic groups, if it is not addressed one way or the other we are inadvertently working towards a self fulfilling profephecy that Nigeria will break up one day in the future.

Amusing how you dodge the points raised. I genuinely mean no offence, but please no need for stating such obvious things like 'the president does not govern alone' it dodges the issue and is a tad condenscending. I simply said you should at least be honest when arguing based on your stance and watch the use of superlatives like "best", when the system you propose is not actually searching for that.

With regards to the part in bold, I find it even more amusing that you believe a system of rotation would not continue to put ethnic politics on the front burner as opposed to governance, credible candidates and performance. The only way I will support rotational presidency is if it is rotated among the 250+ ethnic groups, simple. So why this opposition to true rotation? What is the north? Is the north an ethnic group? Is the south an ethnic group? It is quite insulting and to be honest reeks of ethnic chauvinism (in my opinion a major cause of the ethnic tension in places like the Niger Delta) when someone says things like "let us give it to the south south this time". Is south south an ethnic group? Do you know how many ethnic groups are in the middle belt? Do you know how many ethnic groups are in the south south? So do you now see how silly it is when you say your proposed panacea to the problem would be to say, 'ok, south south or wherever, it is your turn to rule, everyone from there sort yourself out and give us a candidate'? This will defuse ethnic paranoia of other groups dictating to them and reduce tensions how?!! Unless we are ready to do this rotational thing well, please spare the excuses because it it just down right patronising and insulting. What is the fear? If people really want to rotate presidency then let us do it properly.

If Nigeria is to break, a significant reason would be because of this silly and arrogant WAZOBIA attitude the country has adopted. We can rotate among everybody properly so it is truely suited to our peculiar situation and respective of everyone; or we can just have free, fair and open elections for the presidency, while decentralising power from Abuja. But please, enough with the hypocrisy and enough with the arguement that rotation is to give everybody a shot, because it isn't. Rotation is simply a means of keeping power within a select group. What if after how ever many years the presidency returns to say the Middlebelt, and last time it went to a particular ethnic group; what is to say it can't go to that same ethnic group again and what is to say such a result won't cause tension? You want to deal with all the problem that goes with division along ethnic lines by instigating an unbalanced political system based on ethnicity?

[quote author=Kilode?! link=topic=407191.msg5630235#msg5630235 date=1267749974]Your observation on Obama/Nigeria is on point, while I care less about where Nigeria's president is from, I think the issue is that we have for too long ignored the need to implement the federal part of our national name. I know it will still be troublesome, but if more powers, yes including police can be shifted to the local govts, not even states, only then, I believe, will we be able to achieve a more just, more stable society than we currently have. The influence and power exerted by the office of the president and the national executive is just too much for a society such as ours.

Nigeria is not homogeneous, that was the same fact glossed over by the colonialists, wether you look at it in terms of ethnic culture or values(although I wish it was)it will not become homogeneous in 100 years, but power can cast down to its more homogeneous parts, local govts, cities and maybe states, with greater control over their local resources, while we leave basic monetary, national defence and foreign policy to the national government. This will make that office less attractive and hopefully give regular citizens greater access to their leaders. I believe this will improve accountability, provide better checks and balances, and provide some profitable internal competition, it is not fail proof, but it will be a good start.[/quote]I completely agree with the bolded part and do believe a key to diffusing all the tension is serious decentralisation of power. Abuja is simply too imposing and powerful, overbearing on almost every aspect of a diverse and truely multicultural country such as Nigeria, States can't even generate power for their own consumption, can't recruit their own police force to suit their needs. Decentralisation would also empower people to take control of their own development and would make government more closer to the grassroots and more in tune with the citizenry.

I don't see what this has directly got to do with having a truely democratic electoral process though.

mekuszyx:
You should be concerned with who leads you when you have cabals that dictate what goes as is the case now. What cabal that is deemed good for the hausa is definitely good also for the Yoruba, Igbo, Ijaw, Calabar, Bini, Fulani, Tiv, etc.

?? And what has this got to do with getting the best man for the job?

mekuszyx:
2015 should necessarily not be the time for an Igbo to rule. I think the SS should have it first. My take for RP is not necessarily for an Igbo to be president in the short run (2015) but that the possibility be established that anybody from the over 250 ethnic group which makes up the six different zones will be able to share in leadership at its very peak. The alternative to RP is that one zone will lord it over others perpetually and guess what, people will still come out crying.

Another reality from a different perspective is that we would finally be able to move away from ethnic politics and focus on the issues when election comes around (development). I don't care if the president comes from the north for the next 100 years, as long as it is the best man for the job that will give the whole nation development, unity, and equity. Just because you see it all through the glasses of ethnicity doesn't mean everybody else does, so please stop trying to speak for everyone. The idea of who the best man for the job is would probably be subjective, but it sure would be refreshing to have debates about who we think the best man for the job is, rather than wether the man is from the predestined ethnic group for the particular time; that way, the cream rises to the top.

It is quite ironic that Nigerians seem to have this obsession with Obama. It is funny and ironic because if Obama was a Nigerian, among the myriads of factors stopping him from rising to power would probably be ethnicity. So we could have all believed he was the best man for the job, but of course if he wasn't from the North West and isn't muslim, then he could as well go peddle his "change" message somewehere else. Yet Nigerians shouting for rotational presidency would open their mouth and shout Obama Obama America. LOL.

okokomeji:
@ Mecuxxxx or Mekunnu or mekuturu
Get it straight on your thick head, if want presidency, you have to earn. I heard you claimed ibos are the most populous in Nigeria, why can't you win presidency by popular votes, you waiting on rotations?
Say no to rotational presidency, it’s a fraud. If practiced, I bet it would not hold two terms before Nigeria disintegrate. Polemic Ibos, let us remind our selves that there is no royal road to success, you have to earn it. If you want presidency you have to earn it. In 1999 APGA Biafra contested, 2003 APGA Biafra contested and 2007 APGA Biafra contested.
South South got to the dais of presidency, because they earn it, no miracle in the world would resuscitate Yar Adua and Jonathan, still owns presidency as his birthright till 2015. Nothing polemic ibos will do, if you don’t vote for Jonathan coming 2011, all other tribes in Nigeria will have his back. Anyway, we all know that power of incumbent is real.
As an authentic Nigerian with no duplicity like ibos, I will unequivocally say that I don’t care who will be president coming 2015, it could be anybody within Nigeria’s entity. But one thing for sure he must earn it.

LOL. I had already given up on this thread to be honest. Sometimes when you read some posts with thesame reasoning over and over again, and you look at the rubbish going on in Nigeria; you just sigh and walk away. I simply can't believe someone would be so scared of free, fair, open democratic elections in Nigeria, because they are afraid it will never be their turn. The irony is in the armguements being used. "Switzerland does it". Switzerland is not Nigeria. Nigeria has over 200 ethnic groups and the politics will never mature to what we all shout for it to be unless we work with true democracy, that is the foundation for equity. I long for the day when we will have a society that allows the cream to rise to the top, but it seems we never learn. I could make the effort to go more in depth, but I really do believe it would be a wasted effort because people have just already made their mind up that doing "turn by turn" as opposed to entrenching a system which in the long term, will allow the cream to rise to the top; is the way forward.

The point of long term is what I would not bother expantiating on, we all seem to want to build houses on weak foundations. What is the north and what is the south? Who defines what the north and south is? Is it along geographical or ethnic lines? If it is along ethnic lines and people don't want to fight for rotation among the over 250 different ethnic groups (with each getting two terms - so that we can practise the madness well), then at least be courageous enough to admit the arrogance and ethnic chauvinism in it all. Nigeria is not WAZOBIA. It is amazing that we never seem to learn the outcomes of these short term and weak solutions, or have we all forgotten about quota system? Where has that gotten us? Why must we fight for anything that will further stop the very best man from getting the job? The arguement that "every part of the country" (whatever on earth that means) can provide a "best man for the job", is quite weak and insulting to the notion of "best". But again, in Nigeria everything has to be redefined to suit coner coner road. It is like saying a man in Zamfara state getting the top mark of 85% in a nationwide exam is the best the country has to offer, when a man in Abuja actually got 95%. But hey, it is Nigeria so it doesn't have to make sense. I just wish people would at least argue with more sincerity when they try to defend their position. Don't say rotation will seek the best man for the job, say it will seek local champions and that would be more apt. At least have the guts to admit the truth. Don't say it is for everybody to get a shot at the presidency either, just say it is for certain people.

marvix:
Quote from skyblue
If you really feel this way then you should genuinely have no problems whatsoever with Yar Adua being a major candidate for 2011, even if he is in a coma, since he feels he can get better from this long term soar throat he just contracted after his swearing in.

I wld giv my suport to Yaradua to complete d northern term and believe me its beta cos Jonathan can hav a 2nd term as Ag President b4 he starts to campaign 4 his full presidency and work seriously on d 7point agenda

I see. In that case I don't think we have anything left to discuss, don't have the energy for this sort of argument today. We would just agree to see things fundamentally differently.

marvix:
Quote from ndu_chuks
Most of the posts here are insensitive and in very very bad taste. Will you people allow Yar'Adua  to fall ill and get well peacefully.

You are beginning to sound like insensitive and obsessed ethnic bigots. I bet none of you will claim to be a Northerner. Yar'Adua is a good man, let him be.

True talk my brother, if they were civil servants and fell seriously ill would they be happy if their bosses recomended dismisal wen they feel that they can get beta.
Let Yaradua be the problems in dis country stil needs to be solved and we can do it wit Yaradua bein sick nd Jonathan actin

If you really feel this way then you should genuinely have no problems whatsoever with Yar Adua being a major candidate for 2011, even if he is in a coma, since he feels he can get better from this long term soar throat he just contracted after his swearing in.

mekusxxx:
Rotational presidency (RP) is practiced in several developed economies, the most apparent being Switzerland. Lebanon, a much more developed and organized society, also practices RT between christians and muslims.
In the absence of rotational presidency, no southerner can ever rule Nigeria because we are fragmented into SW, SE and SS in a very palpable manner, and the north, which has been able to hold out as one region (instead of looking at themselves as NE, NC, and NW) knows how to play the game of dividing the south. On that basis RP is the only way a southerner can have the opportunity to rule. Obasanjo was able to rule because the North (masters of the political chess game in Nigeria) allowed it via RP. If in doubt, let PDP remove RP and lets see how any southerner can ever be able to rule. Within the practice of RP, you can pick the best candidates that each region can offer and who are acceptable to all Nigerians, and subject them to an intense primary election process. This is a very simple matter that I have canvasses here several times. We seem to have this stalemate now because PDP has yet to constitutionalize RP. When that is done, scenarios such as we have now with Yaradua and Jonathan will not emanate.

mekusxxx:
One way that RP can solve problems such as we have now is this:

-Elect a president from one region (e.g., North East)
-Elect 2 VPs, one from the same region as the president and the other from another region (e.g., South South)
-The two VPs are equal in status, but the VP from the president's regions will be largely ceremonial and can infact have no biz in Aso Rock until needed (below) while the other VP, remains a normal VP working at Aso Rock
-If the president dies or is incapacitated, the VP of his region takes over and the other VP remains a VP.

Otherwise, we do it the Swiss way in which they have 6 men (from the 6 swiss cantoons) elected into the presidency and amongst them, they select the real president while the rest are VPs. Then we rotate the president among the other 5 VPs every 1 or 2 years until all have become presidents. Then the 6 of them automatically step down, never to contest for the presidency until after a specified number of years, usually 6. Basically they will not succeed themselves.

Ugh, enough already please. I would like to believe that you are not purposely trying to be mischevious with your rants. What about MKO Abiola? Was he a northerner? Yet he won what is regarded by most to be the most credible elections Nigeria has ever had. Again, please, stop already. Each party puts up a candidate (from whatever partof the country they are from), and we all vote for the person we want, who we feel is most competent and believe might be the country's best shot at progress and development. Why on earth would you rather have people's freedom taken away? So I should not be able to consider voting for Pat Utomi because it is not his turn. Ugh!!

So because Switzerland and Lebanon practise it means it should be copied? We do not copy anything progressive or good, only the questionable practises.A lot of countries have a freedom of information bill, why hasn't Nigeria got one? We should not copy that, it is rotational presidency we should copy. Do tell, how many ethnic groups are in Switzerland and Lebanon? If you are going to play the "progressive", who is only looking for a design to suit the peculiar needs of the country, then I say full rotation for all 250 ethnic groups (each one having two terms), or non at all. If your village or ethnic group's turn has passed forget about seeing the position for at least a millenium. Anything other than full rotation exposes the ethnic chauvinism, anti democratic and dictatorial tendencies, and anti progressive agenda of the supporters of rotation. Full rotation, or spare us the drivel. What is the fear in that? Una turn don pass? We are all meant to be equal so why not treat us as such?

[quote author=ndu_chucks link=topic=407030.msg5621528#msg5621528 date=1267635180]Would you be kind enough to tell us the reason why your rep did not initiate impeachment proceedings? Iit only takes one rep to do the initiation? 

By the way, there is nothing naive in acknowledging that some information available to your reps may be classified for security reasons. Even your governments in diaspora keep classified documents away from you.
[/quote]Enough with your presumptions of where I am, they are getting quite irritating and they are not necessary for the discourse. The simple truth is that when you consider reports carrying statements of support by the speaker of the house of rep and the senate for the current status quo, and you look at how fast bills like the freedom of information bill were thrown out by vague shouts of "yay" and "nay", it is not difficult to deduce that pressure is what is needed to instigate such a motion and the pressure should come from the masses so that the legislature gets the beat of the people. The majority of the house has already made its mind on the issue known. How many people have brought pressure on their reps to turn the tide? I will speak for no one but myself. You wanted to know wether I have contacted my rep and I gave you an answer. Have you contacted yours?