₦airaland Forum

Read the editorial and sign the electronic petition

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Opinion/Editorial/5510971-146/a_shameful_act.csp

Without sentiments and partisan interests, the question which senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and members of the Federal House of Representatives, just back from their Yuletide holidays, should be asking is: has President Umar Musa Yar’adua breached the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?
http://www.peoplesdaily-online.com/index.php/news/special-report/57-special-report/7667-did-president-yaradua-breach-the-constitution-or-not

I read recently in New African Woman of black British international make up artist, Eryca Freemantle (www.facethefacts.co.uk), exploring the possibilities of doing some work in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa this year. She is a household name in the UK, and according to the New African Woman, has an interesting story too. She was hit by a car over 25 years ago and her dream of becoming a model was cut short. She had 100 scars on her face. That is how Providence took her to make up artistry.

@ Pifa: I don't know how you feel, after doing this and getting to the bottom of the controversy. If I were you, I would pop champagne
There is indeed no technicality about this.
The outgoing CJ was right. It is there in the Second Schedule - the Presiddent or the CJ. It is there. In black and white.
But our distinguished attorneys decided to not return to the101 of things, and set the nation on a collision course.
We have to always return to 101.
Pifa - may you always find what you seek.
Thank you for taking us out of ignorance. Thank you, indeed.
In fact, I think that CJ Kutigi must have been having a laugh on those people when he didn't disclose the supporting law for his action.

The good thing about that constitution is that Section 39 grants every Nigerian citizen " freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference."

There is nothing more powerful than that.
The Section preceding it grants us "freedom of thought, "

Oh well.
There are also processes in amending the constitution.
9. (1) The National Assembly may, subject to the provision of this section, alter any of the provisions of this Constitution.

(2) An Act of the National Assembly for the altertion of this Constitution, not being an Act to which section 8 of this Constitution applies, shall not be passed in either House of the National Assembly unless the proposal is supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds majority of all the members of that House and approved by resolution of the Houses of Assembly of not less than two-thirds of all the States.

(3) An Act of the National Assembly for the purpose of altering the provisions of this section, section 8 or Chapter IV of this Constitution shall not be passed by either House of the National Assembly unless the proposal is approved by the votes of not less than four-fifths majority of all the members of each House, and also approved by resolution of the House of Assembly of not less than two-third of all States.

(4) For the purposes of section 8 of this Constitution and of subsections (2) and (3) of this section, the number of members of each House of the National Assembly shall, notwithstanding any vacancy, be deemed to be the number of members specified in sections 48 and 49 of this Constitution
Unfortunately, the framers did not stipulate any provision on how the Citizen can participate, because, as it were, the members of the National Assemby are deeme to be representatives of the people. Just that in thi ase,we have unrepresenting legislators
That is why, I personally advocate for a strong, vibrant press, which Constitutionally has the power to monitor governance on behalf of the people. Sadly, the press in Nigeria, despite the freedoms they had won for Nigeria, from independence to return to civil rule, had been unable to play that role as it should be. You know why? Most of the papers today are owned by serving and retired governors. But, we can't relent. We have to INFORM ourselves, and live less ignorantly. Once those politicians know that we cannot be taken for a ride, they will behave rightly

It would seem that the blame should go to the framers of the constitution.
How, on earth, do they expect them to vote against the person who appointed them to their positions? They would rather wait until the man goes into coma or dies. I think.

We behave quite stupidly most of the time.
That is why those politicians ride roughshod over us.
They know we would not take time to READ.

Part of our problem is that we allow ourselves to be guided largely by those who don't know more than us. I sat down before a former founder of one of Nigeria's better banks the other day. And, I went away with a lasting impression. He said he always goes back to the basics for everything. He always starts with 101 of everything. It was after he read the Electoral Laws that he found out that you don't have to know who the chairman of INEC or that the INEC chairman does not even have to like your face before you get a party registered. It is there in the electoral laws. He has registered a party, and he has been doing everything thereafter based on INFORMED DECISIONS. A lot of people have reacted to the Justice Minister pronouncments on the Federal Executive Council being the only party that can decide on the fate of the president. And, there have been "mixed reactions" as the newspapers say. But, whether we like it or not, the Minister is bloody right. Section 144 (1) is so clear on it:
It stipulates that:
The President or Vice-President shall cease to hold office, if -

(a) by a resolution passed by two-thirds majority of all the members of the executive council of the Federation it is declared that the President or Vice-President is incapable of discharging the functions of his office;
We just allow ourselves to be wound by all sorts of people who would be so happy to feast on our ignorance.
Same thing with our religion. We depend solely on what our so-called religious leaders say without referring to the holy books. Pastor said this, Imam said that. What do the books say.

Guys, why are we looking for a crisis where there is none.
Yar'adua "appointed" the CJN, on the recommendation of the Judicial Council. He sent his name to the Senate. The Senate confirmed the "appointment." And the new CJN has sworn to an oath of allegiance. The constitution DOES not stipulate who should administer it. It seems that it is not important who does the administration. Rather it is the wording of the oath that matters. Please note that there is no where in the oath that the CJN will be loyal to the President; rather to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It seems to me that, indeed, the CJN could take the oath before a priest or even the registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
What else do you think the Western media would promote, other than chaos in the country?
Hey, the President of the United States DOES not swear in the Chief Justice of that country. We should face other more pressing matters, please. Let CJN Aloysious face adminstering justice.

A weekend to remember.
Bomber.
Maryam.

Aondoakaa asks Goodluck to act for president
•To fill power vacuum as a result of President Yar’adua’s illness: Attorney-General of the Federation, Michael Aondoakaa, has written to the Vice President, Goodluck Jonathan, requesting him to avoid any vacuum in the Presidency by acting on behalf of the President, Umar Musa Yar’Adua, on all matters of state as envisaged by “Section 5” of the constitution.

In a letter delivered to the vice president yesterday, Aondoakaa told Goodluck Jonathan that “Section 5 of the Constitution gives the vice president wide and unfettered latitude to act for the President at anytime and on all matters brought before him” at any time when the president is not available to excercise those powers.

Aondoakaa is believed to have taken the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, and other top administration officials into confidence before handing this important letter to the vice president. The Attorney-General, Peoples Daily also learnt, took the extra effort of flying to Katsina, the home state of President Yar’adua yesterday to brief the President’s mother and other family members of the latest development.

A family source who briefed Peoples Daily on the issue explained that the attorney-general was acting to avoid a vacuum in the Presidency because, as he said, no such vacuum had been anticipated by the framers of the constitution. “That is why they called the vice-presidential candidate a ‘running-mate’ in an election. By virtue of this, the running mate (Vice-President) is expected to step in to replace the presidential candidate whenever the need to do so arose.”

Peoples Daily learnt reliably from another source that the change of heart by the inner caucus of the administration was informed by the fact that many issues that will require the physical presence of the President will soon come-up, hence the need to checkmate the sustained calls for President Yar’adua’s resignation

The source, close to the Presidential Villa confided in Peoples Daily that another reason for the latest decision was the need to take the vice-president along and win his confidence. According to the source, his continuous alienation may have its repercussion as he may be the ultimate beneficiary of any eventuality.

The source said the new approach was a departure from the earlier position, where it was resolved that all matters requiring the attention of the president will be delivered to him on his hospital bed for his approval.

“That was why the earlier plan to take the supplementary budget to the president in Saudi for his assent was discarded as it will not only reinforce the call for the president’s resignation but also make the vice-president feel further alienated and that can have dire consequences at the end”, the source said.

When contacted on the issue on telephone last night, the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice-President on Media, Ima Niboro said: “In that circumstance, you know the appropriate quarters to call, since you’re claiming that the AGF wrote the letter, then call the AGF to confirm to you if he wrote such letters.

“But I don’t know anything about that,” the vice president’s spokesman stressed.

Concerted efforts to reach the Attorney-General last night however failed. Several calls to his line did not go through as it was said to be “currently switched off” up to press time.

However, when contacted last night, Chief Press Secretary to the AGF, Ambrose Momoh said: “I’m hearing that for the first time. I just resumed yesterday and I’m hearing that for the first time. I’m not privy to that.”

A legal expert who spoke to Peoples Daily yesterday said with the resort to “Section 5”, the Attorney-General had defused the potentially explosive issue of the alleged lack of hand over by President Yar’Adua to Vice- President Jonathan as envisaged by the constitution under “Section 145”.This has caused a bitter argument between the government and its opponents.

He also said that with this development, the underground contest for the position of vice- president will be rested because Goodluck Jonathan is just an Acting President and does not need a vice-president and President Yar’adua will now have sufficient time in his hands to attend to his health.

The prolonged absence of the president has stalled the 2009 Supplementary Appropriation Bill that addressed critical issues of state which has been duly passed by the National Assembly since November 24, 2009.

Just last week, the amnesty programme in the Niger Delta being personally supervised by the president ran into a hitch that led to protests by ex-militants and resumption of attacks by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND).

Although the Senate confirmed their nominations, more than a week ago, the new Chief Justice of the Nigeria and the President of the Court of Appeal could not assume their respective offices because their oath of office that should constitutionally be administered by the president could not be carried out in his absence.

Well, the man has reversed himself, according to the Abua's Peoples Daily in its front page story this morning, and this is a deft masterstroke by him. I think he is now practising law.
He has invoked Section 5 of the constitution which stipulates:
5. (1) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the executive powers of the Federation:

(a) shall be vested in the President and may subject as aforesaid and to the provisions of any law made by the National Assembly, be exercised by him either directly or through the Vice-President and Ministers of the Government of the Federation or officers in the public service of the Federation;

http://www.peoplesdaily-online.com/index.php/news/59-front-page/6494-aondoakaa-asks-goodluck-to-act-for-president

Good morning, Ma
Good morning, Sir
Good Morning, Teachers
Good Morning, Headmaster
Good Morning, Friends.

Rain, rain, go away
Come again, another day
Kidsam wants to play

Moni ni, moni ni
Moni ni, moni ni
Mo ba'rugbo kan lodo, etc

What would The AMAKA remember if not about food?
You are the Masterchef.
You try.

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the King's horses, And all the King's men
Couldn't put Humpty together again!

Black, black, black sheep
Have you any wool?

Eye melo tolongo waye
Tolongo
Okan dudu aro
Tolongo
Okan rere osun
Tolongo

There is a guy Castles Weekly who used to present articles on how to build and the cost of materials. If I can get past issues, then I will check his email address and stuff.

@ naijagal:
you finally showed up.
Well spake (sic)

The first part of that article was chopped. The moderators at work I think.
Oh well, the full article will be in Peoples Daily tomorrow. If it is posted on their website, I will post the link. If not, ayone who desires it could leave his email here.
Have fun, all you guys.
And, GTay, thanks for chatting on Skype

His opening post on the thread was simply “The Revolution” apparently in reference to what MNET tags the BBA4. Strangely, he showed up sparingly, thereafter: he had only 16 postings on the thread. He is a regular on Nairaland’s Computers/Internet, Gaming and Technology Market forums.
The diadem for the Most Regular Contributor/Commentator/Analyst on the thread would be a keen contest between Naijagal, who showed up first on 8 September at 10:26am and GTay, a self-described Big Brother Watcher, whose entry, on 13 September, at 10:33pm, looking back, promised a regular interactive presence. He was the first to show the mug-shots of all the 24 housemates.
Other regulars include: Lindabon, Ziggy mama, Dominique, Lawyerchap, Soloqy, Tampico, Mannylex, Soki2ng, BlueDiva., Ambber, Gunnergal, Ponytail, TEE ZERO, Honeric01, Mykali, Aladunni, Osuide4, Omohwummy, Salsera, Sultan003 and df2006.
Someone like Kaydee came in saying “it’s Big Brother’s turn to watch me,” but the lure of the thread was irresistible; he kept posting.

FOR THE ROAD
FOR THOSE WHO READ PEOPLES DAILY (PUBLISHED IN ABUJA AND CIRCULATED LARGELY IN THE NORTH), YOU WILL FIND THIS THERE.

For Kevin, massive, prideful, patriotic support from Nairalanders

Inside the Big Brother Africa Revolution house, there was Kevin “Jostified” Chuwang Pam - 27-year-old, English graduate, entertainer and proudly diminutive (“simple and short with guts”) native of  Jos, Plateau State. Outside, there were hundreds of Nigerians and friends of Nigeria from around the world, who converged daily on the social networking site called Nairaland (www.nairaland.com), owned by another young Nigerian, Seun Osewa (“armchair entrepreneur and part-time software developer and a reasonably competent Linux administrator”) and toasted, campaigned, mobilised for votes, voted, voted, voted, and voted for Kevin. Never mind that there was some roasting of the young man, whenever his swagger appeared staggered.
By press time, the Big Brother Africa 4 (The Official Thread) on Nairaland had notched 170 pages and  50,236 views.
The first post on the thread, on 6 September 2009, at 8:46pm was by a Nairalander (as members of Nairaland are called) based in Port-Harcourt, named Ogagusps3 , with a unique signature -“I’m the don, I’m the don, so its done, when I say its done (sic).”

FOLK IN ABUJA WOULD SEE THIS IN PEOPLES DAILY TOMORROW

For Kevin, massive, prideful, patriotic support from Nairalanders
Inside the Big Brother Africa Revolution house, there was Kevin “Jostified” Chuwang Pam - 27-year-old, English graduate, entertainer and proudly diminutive (“simple and short with guts”) native of Jos, Plateau State. Outside, there were hundreds of Nigerians and friends of Nigeria from around the world, who converged daily on the social networking site called Nairaland (www.nairaland.com), owned by another young Nigerian, Seun Osewa (“armchair entrepreneur and part-time software developer and a reasonably competent Linux administrator”) and toasted, campaigned, mobilised for votes, voted, voted, voted, and voted for Kevin. Never mind that there was some roasting of the young man, whenever his swagger appeared staggered.
By press time, the Big Brother Africa 4 (The Official Thread) on Nairaland had notched 170 pages and 50,236 views.
The first post on the thread, on 6 September 2009, at 8:46pm was by a Nairalander (as members of Nairaland are called) based in Port-Harcourt, named Ogagusps3 , with a unique signature -“I’m the don, I’m the don, so its done, when I say its done (sic).”
His opening post on the thread was simply “The Revolution” apparently in reference to what MNET tags the BBA4. Strangely, he showed up sparingly, thereafter: he had only 16 postings on the thread. He is a regular on Nairaland’s Computers/Internet, Gaming and Technology Market forums.
The diadem for the Most Regular Contributor/Commentator/Analyst on the thread would be a keen contest between Naijagal, who showed up first on 8 September at 10:26am and GTay, a self-described Big Brother Watcher, whose entry, on 13 September, at 10:33pm, looking back, promised a regular interactive presence. He was the first to show the mug-shots of all the 24 housemates.
Other regulars include: Lindabon, Ziggy mama, Dominique, Lawyerchap, Soloqy, Tampico, Mannylex, Soki2ng, BlueDiva., Ambber, Gunnergal, Ponytail, TEE ZERO, Honeric01, Mykali, Aladunni, Osuide4, Omohwummy, Salsera, Sultan003 and df2006.
Someone like Kaydee came in saying “it’s Big Brother’s turn to watch me,” but the lure of the thread was irresistible; he kept posting.
Quite a number depended on the thread to follow the show, because they were sure they would get detailed live reports, analyses, updates, and answers to all sorts of questions. Pity, videos cannot be uploaded on Nairaland.
Although there were three Nigerian housemates, Kevin was clearly the favourite of the Nairalanders. The first sole endorsement of Kevin (sometimes erroneously called Kelvin) was by Janeobi2, on 8 September, at 5:48pm: “The 9ja guy KELVIN is a flavour, intelligent and energetic. I think our guy will go far. Watch out!!!!!!!!!”
Ambber concurred, sort of: “With 3 reps in the house, naija votes will be split and that may mean early exit for all 3. am sticking with Kevin for now.” How wrong she was. Two Nigerians – Nkenna and Kevin – were in the Top Five. Nkenna was an exact opposite of Kevin and the other Nigerian, Geraldine, a law student. Nairalander Fellis was the first, on 13 September, to voice disapproval, with a hiss to boot, of Nkenna: “I don’t like Nkenna, why is she so hyperactive?” (Somewhere else, Fellis howled: “To say na only Nkenna dey rep naija, I for vex tire.”) Nkenna, in truth, on BBA4, was hyper-everything. If she reads all the things said about her on the thread, she would have to go for what the Pentecostals – which she claims membership of – call Deliverance. Never mind that Nkenna’s banner was: “Nice, friendly, creative, entertaining and funny.” Geraldine was The Silent One. Want to laugh? In a collection of Quotable Quotes contributed by GTay, this is what is attributed to Geraldine: “Hmmm!”
A large number of thread-mates felt she should not have been picked as a Nigerian rep. She is not the one to blame, really. It was her identical twin sister, Jacqueline, who had applied to be a housemate. Then fate determined otherwise. Jacqueline had to go face matters of marriage, and then persuaded Geraldine to take her place. Geraldine, it turned out, had hardly lived her life without her twin: they did a lot of things together. She may not have won the big prize, but she got her independence through BBA4. She left the show more confident to, walk alone.
But then she had defenders, like Reptyle, who posited, early in the show: “All of you saying Geraldine is boring should remember the fact that she was selected for her character traits. She definitely cannot come into the house and be something she isn't. Some are loud; some are quiet; others are somewhere in between. Overall, the diverse characters either complement each other and get along or antagonise each other and cause sparks to fly. That is the whole essence of the game.” Hear Ziggy mama: : “i think i prefer Geraldine to Nkenna now. . . she doesn't talk much n so does not say embarrassing things that seem so untrue lik NKENNA!” Some wondered why the cameras were panned away even when some of the housemates were semi-nude; even as the show was rated 18NL (N for Nudity and L for Strong Language).
A number also wondered why the thread was not migrated to Nairaland’s homepage, instead of being atop the TV/Movies forum.
Different folk, different strokes: that is really how to describe the trend of contributions to the thread. Opinions, counter-opinions; attacks and counter-attacks. Ambivalence writ large. Sometimes some of the posters wondered if they were all watching the same show. It was, after all a game, a study in psychology.
But the fulfilment, for the guys and gals on the thread, is summed up by another regular, Mannylex: “It would be a thing of joy to know that we have contributed to someone’s (read: Kevin’s) fame, to someone’s success, to someone’s breakthrough and that we have put a smile on someone. Yes we can, yes we will and God helping us definitely we would deliver. You all are the best, I've been to different sites, but there's none like u guys, how wonderful it would be if a Nairalander should participate in BBA cos u all deserve it, I can't start mentioning names cos it's so numerous, u've all done well. U guys are the best. All I can say is well done.”
The deed was done, to say it like Itai, the Zimbabwean male housemate, who was the last evictee before the Final 5. And, remember the first poster on the thread, Ogagusps3, its done when i say its done (sic). Give it to him.