Is APC the New PDP? By Chido Onumah | Sahara Reporters

Is APC the New PDP? By Chido Onumah | Sahara Reporters

It is about the narrative - absence of progressive narrative is what the author is talking about. A compelling progressive narrative is as important, if not more important, than recruiting, infidel PDP members.

Obasanjo’s ‘Satanic’ Letter By Chido Onumah | Sahara Reporters

Obasanjo’s ‘Satanic’ Letter By Chido Onumah | Sahara Reporters

May be someone should ask President Obasanjo of the where about of his good friend, former President George Bush. He is enjoying his retirement; not interfering with the Obama's Presidency, or writing self-serving letter, laced with bogus claims. Obasanjo should go and mind his farm. he ruled Nigeria for about eleven years. If he is that good or was that good, his last eight years at Aso Rock would have taken Nigeria to the promise land. Instead of working with his Vice President, with a view to building a lasting and enduring legacy, he spent his last four years in government scheming to subvert the constitution in order to create another Third Term of four years. He failed woefully in his clandestine maneuvering. Feeling unrepentant, he went on a retaliatory adventure, openly frustrating his VP out of the political process using the EFCC. He succeeded - first, they disqualified him, later they beat a retreat. At that point it was too late for his VP to be relevant in the race.. He did not only frustrate his VP, but he succeeded in preventing more eligible candidates from running at the PDP Primaries. I do not give a 'damn' about the veracity or otherwise of his letter - it is like the pot calling the kettle black. He cannot impose another President on us again. This time, the choice is ours. 

YES, I AM IN - READY TO RUN

Introduction.

I want to use this opportunity to thank every one of you for your very valuable insights. Trust me; you guys will be the first to hear from me about the name of the Political Party at the appropriate time. The truth is I am not an ‘accidental public servant.’ I am prepared – fully prepared in every respect imaginable. More prepared mentally, morally, and physically than most of the major participants presently on the scene, as well as those who came to the scene in 1999. 

Indeed the political process is corrupted, but that by itself is not enough to stop credible candidates from getting involved. Yes, politics is said to be dirty. It is dirty because credible candidates are unwilling to get dirty. Thus, creating opportunities for opportunists and political careerists to dominate the scene. That has to stop. 

Yes, I am in, and it's going to be an exciting time - a new dawn in our local and national politics. This is a crusade, motivated in part by an honest resolve to take power back to the people, collaborating with government and private institutions, with a view to meeting the demands of the people within a reasonable time. 

As I take this new step, my mind is alert, my conscience is clear, and my motives are real. Yes, I have been around, writing and developing ideas for leaders. Yes, I write what leaders read. Yes, I am going to run, and run a good race. Believing as I always do, that God is watching over me - I shall not want because the Lord is my Shepherd.

I will come up with a public statement in early 2014.

Suffice it to emphasize at this juncture that there are more than twenty registered Political Parties in Nigeria at the moment. Therefore, there is room for anyone contemplating a run for public office. What is sad though is that there are no visible ideological differences between any of the dominant political parties. 

It is now strictly a personality factor - the main reason the so-called political godfathers and influential leaders of political parties are readily disposed to fielding candidates who are susceptible to manipulations. In that case, it is your ability to live up to the expectations of the people that voted you into office that makes the difference. 

Right now you cannot distinguish APC from PDP, or PDP from New PDP. In other words, it is simply futile praying for something new in terms of a grandiose developmental initiative or a marshal plan that is sustainable from any of the dominant political parties. 

Therefore, it doesn’t make any sense for me to remain on the fence hoping and praying for change from APC. It is about control of the narrative - a progressive narrative IS MISSING AT THE MOMENT. Yes, I have been around, and I write what leaders read.

One: When I wrote “Game Change: The Uncertainty of Sovereign National Conference (SNC) and a Case for Progressive Option”, published on March 16, 2012, I made a strong case for a political alignment of Southern Progressives and Northern Mavericks and Intellectuals, with a view to assuming control of the federal government at the national level. I hold that view with the best of intention, believing that fresh-start within the context of Nigerian structural reformation connotes fresh insights from contemporary and social-culturally diverse progressive Nigerians at home and abroad. 

But, as I write, the same new party that evolved from that romance (APC) is now running after the same likes of Obasanjo and all the discredited PDP natives with tainted public records who debased our federal system and wrecked a supposedly great nation-state.

We expect APC to embark on a vigorous search for enthusiastic and aggressive progressive candidates at home and abroad, making speeches around campuses and public places, defining and spreading a brand new progressive narrative all over the country, with a view to suffocating PDP and their protracted power game. Sadly, and very contrary to every reasonable expectation, 

APC is now running all over the place, gravitating towards, and co-opting the same worn-out opportunists who shamelessly corrupted our entire political system. Without any doubt, the struggle is no longer how to enshrine in the political system a brand new, vibrant, and robust political order, with an ascertainable ideological framework that is radically opposed to what President Jonathan and his PDP represent. Surprisingly, it is presently all about how to nail President Jonathan and kick him out of Aso Rock. I find that undemocratic and blatantly retrogressive because that was not the original goal when I and other progressive commentators in the social media initiated the call for a handshake across Niger and Benue. 

No, you cannot separate President Jonathan from PDP. They are one and the same.  If President Jonathan is going down, every fragment of that old order, every trace of it, including the New PDP must be erased from our political system. That vacuum has to be filled, thus making the need for credible progressive candidates to become active participants in the emerging new order. Until the true progressives step on the scene, waging an aggressive and real battle for vote counts, the political careerists will not learn a lesson.

Two: When you vote people into office, you do so with a clear conscience – expecting that they represent you and your interest diligently as a true fiduciary. Today the reverse is the case. They only come to town when they want to distribute money to you to buy your conscience and by your vote. 

Today, Abuja is their primary abode, and when they come to town, they do so surround by armed Police Men, displaying their automatic rifles with reckless abandon as if they are traversing an enemy kingdom. If your hands are clean, and you are living up to the promises that you made during the election, you will not have any need to surround yourself with armed Policemen when you visit your own village. A man of the people is always a man of the people anytime. You all know who I am.

Three: A Senator, for instance, should be able to comprehend to a reasonable degree, the scope, content, and legislative intent of every Bill he is called upon to vote on. Nigeria of 2015 and upward is no longer going to be the Nigeria of yesterday. Decentralization of our federal system and devolution of power, as well as semi-autonomous status for the federating states, are the slang of the moment.  

Therefore, an aspiring representative should be able to make an educated distinction between a Unitary System, Federal System, and a Confederation option. And as we match towards convening a sovereign national conference in early 2014, you need an authentic and credible representative, adequately schooled in the legalese encapsulating law making, with a thorough understanding of the relationship between law and public policy to represent you at the National Assembly following the completion of the conference. Yours truly has been a major contributor to the cause of defining that new Nigeria that will emerge, come 2014 and beyond.

Four: Yes, I have been around. I have been around developing common sense ideas steadily, making significant impacts in the political process of nations. I wrote, “Obama: Citizen United, Invisible Resistance, and the Hacking of American Democracy” which helped to turn around a Presidential campaign for good. I am the author of “Immunity: The Scope and Extent of Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria” - one of a kind article that brought new insight into the use and abuse of interlocutory orders by lawyers and judges in our courtrooms. Yes, immunity does not follow a Governor to the Senate. I made it a public record on the main street. 

Yes, I have been around. I covered the concept of true federalism before it became a national issue. I have written extensively on the Sovereign National Conference and the Decentralization of the Federal System. See “The Search for True Federalism: Balancing Feudal Interests with Southern Greed and Opportunism”, posted on my Blog on January 2012.

Yes, I have been around, writing what leaders read. 

Five: When the idea of State Police came, I was the first to kick against it immediately the National Governors walked out of the meeting where the decision was taken. My fear was grounded in the unavoidable dictatorship of State Governors. The following day, the Arewa Conservative Forum, also kicked against it, using the exact term that I used: the dictatorship of the State Governors. That position was echoed by the Association of Retired Inspector General of Police, followed by the Presidency. 

Also, I demanded a comprehensive Almajiri educational program beginning from the Elementary level in the Northern region similar to what Awo and Action Group did in the old Western Region and what Governor Abubakar Rimi’s government did in Kano during the Second Republic. And we have it now. I proposed the reintroduction of Highway Patrol and a SWAT Team for the Nigerian Police. Today, there is Highway Patrol, but not yet a SWAT Team. Yes, I have been around, writing what leaders read – way more relevant to our national issues than those of them right here at home.

Yes, I am involved.

Five: My Blog, Hamiltonatlarge.blogspot.com, is about two years old, and it is, to some degree, a true definition or reflection of me. Indeed, you have something on record for your judgment, and when you stand with me and support me, you will go to bed each night confident that you have a child, a brother, an uncle, a father, a cousin, and above all, a friend and a lawmaker you can trust. 

Let that revolution of ideas start from Esan Land. After all, it was an Esan dude, in the person of late Chief Anthony Enahoro who first moved the motion for self-rule from Great Britain in 1953 at the Western House.  Yes, I have been around, and I write what leaders read. I trained with the best and the brightest in the field of Management and Administration. And they taught me how to make the government work for the people.

Six: Water and Electricity are inalienable rights and essential basic needs for every Nigerian; they ought not to be a campaign issue. The Odu River, at Idumhangho-Ewohimi, in all her majestic purity, is still bubbling with fresh water as never before. And the beautiful Dam at its bank is still as strong as it was when it was first constructed in the early seventies.  

If you don’t know, now you should know that The Odu River, with its Dam, is capable of generating and supplying clean water to the entire Esan land year-round, if only the political leaders at the scene since 1999 know exactly what to do. 

Seven: Yes, every community needs men and women with great ideas and with genuine motivations for power. 

When the late Pa Awo and his Action Groupers and the Unity Party of Nigeria told you that they will provide you with free education and quality healthcare delivery, they did so with facts and figures and executed the program successfully. Today, that is rare, because of one and only one reason: greed. That has to change. They run away from challenges that call for intense brain work. That has to stop.

Eight: It takes enlightenment to know the enlightened. A community deserves a genuine representative who knows how to identify greatness and unique qualities in others – a representative who is not afraid to surround himself with men and women, very dedicated and more knowledgeable than he is on a specific issue. 

Pa Awo did that with remarkable success in the Old Western Region. And President Bill Clinton, my hero, took it to another level for the eight years that he was in government in the US - surrounded himself with the best minds that his Presidency could buy.

Nine: I am a true Progressive - an unrepentant Awoist. I espouse the philosophy and ideological mindset of the late sage, especially his egalitarian approach to governance. My views on political and national issues (as you will see on my Blog) are consistent with those of prominent Nigerian progressive commentators of our time. 

Indeed, Pa Awo is no more, but there is a Senator presently whose accomplishment within two years in office is second to none. His name is Babafemi Ojudu. And he is from Ekiti State. He is a Senator after my heart. Yes indeed, he is a role model of immense attributes who I intend to work with, learn from and emulate, if the need is, for the good of Esan Land. 

Above all, I count on your love and support. I look forward to a fruitful debate on the issues with the other candidate or candidates anytime anywhere. This is an exciting time in Nigerian politics, and I call on my friends to get involved. Let’s go for the change we talk about and write about every day. Yes, I have been around - writing what leaders read. Yes, I will run, and  I will run a good race. 

Ten: That's my Coca-Cola. 

Finally, in the words of President Barack Obama, “The first piece of advice is this. Don’t just get involved. Fight for your seat at the table. Better yet, fight for a seat at the head of the table. If you decided not to set yourself at the table, you have to make sure you have a say on who does. It matters. My second piece of advice is never to underestimate the power of your advice. The last one is simple, but perhaps the most important. Persevere. Persevere. Nothing worthwhile is easy.” Commencement Speech at Bernard College, New York. 2012.

For the record, this is not a campaign. It is simply a response to a legitimate inquiry posted on my Facebook Wall.

The Search for True Federalism: Balancing Feudal...

"The Search for True Federalism in Nigeria ...", was written December, 2011 and posted on this Blog on January 2, 2012 as the flagship article. This Blog, Hamiltonatlarge.blogspot.com, was founded, because I needed to place on record my thought on the distorted Nigerian Federalism. In principle, there is nothing wrong with federalism or federal system of government. Ours became a misnomer, because the concept was abused and manipulated by subsequent administration at the national level since 1960. The abuse and the manipulation of the federal system was championed by northern political leaders and military elite groups to suit their feudal and sectional objectives, while southern academics and political leaders, with superior brain power and economic advantage to boot, watched helplessly from the sideline. Some participated actively in subordinate capacity - dancing along timidly and greedily, content with crumbs falling down from the high table, not minding the corruption of the federal system that was evolving with blatant impunity. 

"The Search For True Federalism, Balancing Feudal Interest with Southern Greed and Opportunism", is a candid and unbiased account and interpretation of the Nigerian history since independence. Twice, it was posted in the past on this very Blog, and on each occasion, it had a good read by Nigerians. I am posting it again, because reading it and dissecting it will give you a clearer picture as well as in-depth understanding of why we are where we are today in our political system - how the federal system was perverted and distorted to suit the selfish interest of northern political leaders. 

It began from the Sadauna era (who didn't want to touch the North or create another state out of Northern Region, because doing so would diminish his command and control of the greater part of the geographical Nigeria). But he went ahead and championed the creation of Midwestern Region, knowing full well that doing so would diminish the control of Action Group in the national politics, and invariably erode Pa Awo's national influence. This clandestine maneuvering took a different turn when his "Boys" became the dominant forces in the Military and in the national political system. These latter groups dismantled the untouchable Northern region to pieces in the form of new states and new local government councils, because doing so would channel more federal funds to the regional north. Except for the short period of Aguiyi Ironsi's government when we had a Unitary system, Nigeria, since independence, has been at the mercy of northern political and military leaders as regards the form or system of government, including the creation of states and local government councils. 

It is republished as a reminder that we must not, out of partisan political posturing and disdain of President Jonathan, trivialize the true essence of the newly inaugurated body set up to design a fundamental framework for convening a Sovereign National Conference. In it, you will be able to understand the differences between Unitary System, Federal System, and Confederal option, as well as how our Federal System of Government was debased in Nigeria. I blamed it on southern academics and political leaders who stood by content with fringe benefits. 

I am for one indivisible Nigeria, but I do also hold that southern political leaders should be firm of purpose and seize on this opportunity to impress it upon their northern brothers and sisters and elders that the Nigerian Federal System is what it is today, because of their unrepentant blatant pursuit of regional interest that did not benefit the greater majority of northerners - the almajiris and the talakawas. 

Any way, you have always wanted to "Talk." Now is the time; don't blow it. For the moment, think less of the outcome yet unknown, but more on the process - how to manage the mechanism diligently and selflessly, with a view to making the outcome what we have always wanted of true federalism or of Nigerian Federal System. Finally, lets join hands in the process to ensure its success. The goal is to ensure an enduring unity germane or desirable for our peculiar diversity. That's my expectation as a very hopeful and optimistic Nigerian. 

I have argued in the past on this Blog and else where in the Nigerian social media scene that leadership, to a great extent, defines the attitude of the citizens towards graft, bribery and corruption. In that case, if we can solve our leadership problem, we are on our way to the promise land. At this moment, I am no longer sure of that. Our leadership problem is an offshoot of our structural problem that most progressive commentators are crying over. You cannot possibly separate our leadership crisis from the structural deformity. It is the structural problem or deformity that defines the quality of our leadership; not the people/electorates. In other words, you cannot solve the leadership problem, without solving the structural problem. 

Indeed the amalgamation of 1914 was a colossal historic error, but our unwillingness to work together and accept one another as equal gave life to that colossal error. Amalgamation was a huge success story for the colonial master who invented it. It didn't work for us, because of fear of southern dominance or "second colonization" - real or imagined - as expressed by Sir Ahmadu Bello. 

The Northern Region under the leadership of Ahmadu Bello, rejected self-government, not necessarily because he thought colonialism was a legitimate development, but because he did not see Nigeria as one one country - he did not want the dominance of Southern Region after independence. And that is the one and only reason the motion for self-rule by Chief Anthony Enahoro in 1953 did not receive the support of The Sadauna of Sokoto - the north is not ready. It was irrelevant whether Awo or Zik, or East or West was ready. 

Worse still, when independence was eventually granted in 1960, the respected Saduana, did not consider it worthwhile to come to Lagos to form a government. Rather, he remained in Kaduna and sent his subordinate, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa to Lagos to take control of the "conquered territory." So there is Nigeria, but there is Northern Nigeria, first. A Northern Nigeria whose territory and people will never be under the leadership of a Southerner. That belief persists till this very moment. Don't fool yourself about the Presidency of Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan. Think first of the circumstances surrounding their emergence as leaders.

Yes, you cannot separate the leadership crisis from the structural deformity. If Nigeria is one country, or, if Nigeria is to remain as one country, the brouhaha about "it is my turn or the turn of my region to produce the next President" must stop right now.  If that is all what we have to discuss at the Sovereign National Conference, let it be. I support the Conference. 

Ours is the only country where an Awo, Gambari, Aguda, Kontagora, Idiagbon, Eme Awa, Aboyade, Adedeji, Kalu Idika Kalu and Ayagi cannot become President. For instance, for an Idiagbon Military coup to be legitimate, a Buhari had to be brought in from retirement to satisfy the interest of the so-called Sokoto-Kano Caliphate. Where it not for that historic blonder, there would not have been an IBB Government or an Abacha fiasco. In similar vein, no one has come forward to tell Nigerians how the decision to annul the 1993 Presidential election won by Moshood Abiola was taken, and who were present at the deliberation. Also, IBB and his friends and fellow mafias, imposed Obasanjo on us. Not to be left out, Obasanjo, knowingly and unilaterally imposed a visibly sick man on us, and at the same time, successfully decimated his Vice President politically. Therefore, since we cannot have leadership that we can trust through a credible electoral process, then it is expected that the conference come up with a full-proof model for managing leadership selection at the national level, instead of leaving it to powerful interest groups headed by Obasanjo, IBB and Northern Elders. 

Now you know how the structural deformity defines the poor quality of our leadership, and by extension, the state of our federalism. And it is that anomaly - trust deficit in the leadership cadre - that defines the state of corruption and squandering of riches in Nigeria. 

"It is my turn or the turn of my region" must stop for Nigeria to evolve and develop as a true and indivisible one nation-state. Let it be about you the candidate. What makes you different, what are you bringing to the table - ideologically and philosophically?  That is the question. If we are not ready to eliminate the abuse and emphases on "state of origin" in our scheme of things, then we should be willing to embrace "true federalism" or a "certain degree of autonomy" for the component or federating states. It is called decentralization of the federal system. See the three posts preceding this as my contribution to the evolving Sovereign National Conference. 

In the mean time, I have nothing more to write about Nigeria until further notice. 

Sovereign National Conference and Decentralization of the Nigerian Federal System - Part Three

CommonsenseXpress: Leadership and Motivations in Power*: Sovereign National Conference and Decentralization...: Preamble: My position on Sovereign National Conference, true federalism, resource control and semi-autonomy for the component states w...

Sovereign National Conference and True Federalism - Part Three

First Publish November 21, 2012.

True Federalism, Presidential Succession, and Marginalization - Part Two

CommonsenseXpress: Leadership and Motivations in Power*: Federalism, Presidential Succession, and Marginali...: On Federalism A federal system of governments involves the delegation of power between the national government, the federating state...

Sovereign National Conference and True Federalism  - Part Two

First Posted February 6, 2012

Rethinking Disintegration of Nigeria - Part One

CommonsenseXpress: Leadership and Motivations in Power*: Rethinking Disintegration - Chapter 4: Introduction Yes, things have fallen apart and the center is not holding on strong. Few months ago, one Leonard, Shilgba, Ph.D., a reg...


SNC and True Federalism - Part One. 


First posted January 02, 2012.

A Worthwhile Journey Coming to an End.

When the men came to Jesus, they said, "John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, 'Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?"' At that very time, Jesus cured many who had diseases, sickness, and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. So he replied to the messengers, "Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind received sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me." Luke 7:20-23  - New International Version.

And Jesus said unto them, Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's. And they marveled greatly at him. Mark 12:17 - American Standard Version.

At this juncture, I have nothing to prove anymore. My body of work and ideas have been adopted by individuals, sovereign nations, and institutions, with huge success. Age has nothing to do with it. And years of experience on the job have nothing to do with it. It is something fresh, realistic, and practicable - made possible by a commonsense and creative mindset. Simply put, I read, and I am intelligent. I am one of a kind God-created visionary strategist. And like President Bill Clinton, I know little about most things. 

And it all began with stories of great leaders and everything leadership as told by my Mother in my period of adolescence, coupled with the sacrifice that I made buying and reading Time Magazine every week and The Guardian Newspaper of Nigeria almost every day during its first ten years of publication. The knowledge that I gathered from The Guardian Newspaper School of Thought is comparable to any Master's Degree in Public Policy obtainable at any top University in the developed world. Yes, the training/interest/focus has always been about leadership, managing changes, and organizational behavior. 

(I am not a Social Medial or Internet-made current and public affairs enthusiast. I was already deeply into commentaries on government and public affairs, with unqualified passion, if I may add, before the emergence of the Internet and social media. In the Eighties, just out of Grammar School, I wrote an Op-Ed piece for the Daily Times of Nigeria and the Nigerian Observer, titled "Toxic Waste Terrorism" following the dumping of Toxic Waste at Koko Town, near Warri in present-day Delta State, by an Italian Company. That was even before my Bachelor's degree and of course, before the advent of the Internet and social media). 

Adding to that, I appreciate the meaning and essence of effective communication. I write what people can read and understand, interpret and easily translate to other languages, if need be, without any hassles. Oftentimes, my opinion provokes cause for further action, and that is the way it should be. 

Above all, I was taught by the very best of Professors as well as by men and women who are highly learned and seasoned in their respective fields and industries - the same fields and industries I have covered with painstaking endeavor and commitment since the inception of this Blog.   Today, one of our articles, "Stabilization Clause vs Human Rights and Sustainable Development", has become a must-read for most graduate students as well as professionals in the energy and environmental law. 

Besides, I exceeded the goal I set for myself when I opened this Blog to the general public on January 3, 2012. From the search for True Federalism; Game Change and the need for Progressive Option; The Immunity Clause in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; the thought-provoking articles on the last US Presidential election that turned out to be very effective for the campaign; Sovereign National Conference and Decentralization; Sustainable Development and managing the Niger Delta crisis; Leadership crisis and Education related problems in Nigeria; Managing Tolerance and Western Interests in the Middle East, etc, etc., we covered all of them with a new approach. 

Therefore, I won't be writing anything new anytime soon for the general public. When I do, it will come with a fee - in the form of a legal or expert opinion. However, I will continue to post commentaries on developing issues as appropriate.

It's been a wonderful experience and a cause for joy and celebration, seeing that my ideas and teaching work miracles for those who embrace them and are willing to adopt them unconditionally. 

When I wrote "Bonga Oil Spillage, Niger Delta, and Sustainable Development", it was in reaction to the never-ending clashes between host communities and IOCs over environmental desecration and neglect in the Niger Delta. Our main goal then was how to overcome the not-so-friendly relationship between the stakeholders - foreign and local investors, the federal government, and the local communities. We developed a framework (commonsense formula) for maximizing the investment interests of foreign investors (IOCs), without undermining the expectations and sustainable development of human and natural resources in the region. 

Surprisingly, someone tumbled the article on tumblr.com, leading to a cascade and hits from professionals from all over the world. In no time, two foreign developing countries adapted the piece to their situation and took over ownership and control of their mineral/natural resources deposits. Later, some lawyers in one of the law firms that handled the project in one of the countries started sending me connection requests on LinkedIn. The other country went a step further - I am now on their mailing list. Any new law passed by the National Assembly of the country is in my e-mail box as soon as it is getting out of print. 

Also, the Dean of a prominent Business School here in the States who is, by the way, a lawyer, sent me a note, suggesting that I add his textbook on Energy and Natural Resources Development in Africa, to my Library. And another organization was gracious enough to have me on record as a major recipient - without a fee - of any major energy-related contract signed by any country anywhere around the globe. 

With respect to Nigeria, it was a different story: They came up with "Host Community Funds" in the new Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), instead of "Land or Water Reclamation Funds", which I suggested with detailed explanations in the piece. Today, Northern Governors are fighting relentlessly to kill the entire Bill, because of that Section. You cannot really fault them; you cannot have a Ministry of Niger Delta as well as a Niger Delta Development Corporation and a "Host Community Funds" in the new Bill. About a year ago, when the issue came up, I advised in social media that the earlier they amend the wording of that Section and change the name to "Land Reclamation Fund", the better and faster to have PIB passed into law. The World is watching. I pray for reason to prevail within the governing class, and for the PIB to become law as planned. 

As I sign off once again, I will continue to devote time and energy, to perfecting my skills in public affairs - focusing on Energy and the Environment, Leadership, Foreign Investment, Education, and Sustainable Development of both human and natural resources. I am open to well-structured collaborative engagement in any of the areas listed in the previous sentence. Meanwhile, I strongly suggest you read the Social Intelligence series (part one to five) for a road map to who I really am. If I am right, and I know I am right, I do not vacillate. See, for instance, "Obama: Invisible Resistance and the Hacking of American Democracy", and "North Kicks Against Ban on B'Haram, Ansau." No double talk, no dilly dally, when the mood calls for action and result. 

So long everybody. 

September 21, 2013.

Sovereign National Conference vs Decentralization of Nigerian Federal System.

Decentralization, without Disintegration: The Star...: Preamble: Our position on Sovereign National Conference, true federalism, resource control and semi-autonomy for the component states ...

First published about a year ago. We post it again following the recent demand for Sovereign National Conference by Clark, Ekweme and others. Like most other advocate of SNC, the elder-statesmen did not give reason for their demand. We provide a road map. 

OVERCOMING THE CRISIS IN THE MUSLIM WORLD

Non-Aligned Progressive: Leadership and Motivations in Power*: OVERCOMING THE CRISIS IN THE MUSLIM WORLD: INTRODUCTION The escalating riotous situation in the Middle East and the Muslim World in general, is not in any shape or form, a reflecti...

First published about a year ago - how we defined the Middle East policy for the new western world.

In Search of a Real Political Party

Preamble

PDP, as it is today, would rather commit to hara-kiri (suicide) than subscribe to President Jonathan's second term ambition. And on a more disturbing note, months after the amalgamation of CPC, Labor, ACN, AC, and others splinter groups into a one and only APC, we are yet to see real progress or an electable candidate emerging from the crowded patchwork.  At this point in time, I want to belong to a political party - a party with ascertainable political agenda, a party with a true goal for real leadership. Not a party, relevant because PDP cannot heal itself or because you want President Jonathan out of Aso Rock by any means possible. I need some information about the founder or founders of Independent Democrats - one of the two new political party registered recently by INEC in Nigeria. Is the party another splinter group, displaced or left out of PDP power game? Or is it something fresh with genuine sense of purpose that one can readily relate to with pride at the national level? Nigeria is worth saving, and I am not giving up on remaking the project the way God wanted it at creation. 

Why the Search?

About a month ago, some nonpartisan (progressive learning) opinion writers, called on Buhari and APC to embark on a familiarization tour to impress it upon Nigerians why they are better than PDP and President Jonathan. Surprisingly, the response from Buhari supporters was brutally disparaging. By the way, claiming progressives label when you starkly lacked progressive credentials is a hard sell. Thus, making the need for lecture circuit a major priority. Unfortunately, the call was misconstrued, and the timely articles went unappreciated. Consequently, a progressive narrative that would have heralded the emergence of APC, suffered a stillbirth. 

In a similar vein, and of late, Tinubu is nowhere to be seen. General Buhari is behaving as if he is a President in waiting - an anointed crown prince waiting for the demise of the King. Adding to that, he is yet to develop a coherent narrative for the propagation of his presidential mission. That he has to embark on one on one meeting with Nigerians of different ethnic or religious background that he is indeed the solution to their problems is not an overstatement. The General should know right now that pandering to the Arewa enclave is not good enough. He has to move out of his secured territory. 

And on a more disturbing note, El Rufai, one of the most competent and outstanding administrators in the Nigerian political scene, is having difficulties making his presidential pitch before the relevant audience. At the same time, he is seemingly more comfortable operating under the shadow of General Buhari. May be Mallam El'Rufai knows what I don't know: that he, indeed, is not capable of winning the heart and soul of Nigerian voters nationwide. 

Also, Governor Fashola on his part is busy feeling comfortable in his Lagos almighty chair - not showing or declaring his presidential intention, probably for the fear that doing so is tantamount to undermining the interest and goal of his mentor. And that leaves Tinubu and Buhari as the dominant and potential figures in 2015 under the APC platform. 

Truth is, Tinubu and Buhari ticket requires a vigorous, widespread and all embracing campaign, to be able to defeat President Jonathan. Tinubu is not Awo, and Buhari is no Aminu Kano. Besides, they are not smooth-talkers, and at the same time not believable outside their immediate enclaves. The earlier they start the talking points, propagating what the new party is all about, the better for the progressive movement. 

Back to PDP: 

Governor Sule Lamido, a very personable guy, in a joint ticket with Amaechi, cannot defeat Jonathan and Sambo in the PDP primaries. Also, Dr. Aliyu of Niger State, partnering with either Donald Duke or Amaechi, won't be able to defeat Jonathan in the primaries. Besides, Dr. Aliyu, one of the most enlightened and educated Nigerian political leaders of today, knowingly, and if I may add, foolishly kill his presidential ambition when he, without any sense of national pride, or show of contrite, converted his State to a Sharia Law State. In this modern age of Nigeria, and with the advent of the social media, he cannot win a Presidential election in Nigeria. 

Also, the Governor of Kano State, maverick as he professed to be, cannot defeat President Jonathan at any PDP primaries and he cannot win a Presidential election, as well. He has no national appeal. 

Governor Sule Lamido, is more Presidential than most of the guys on the scene, judging by his words and actions, but he is pursuing it as if President Jonathan is an intruder. He is no doubt, more progressive than most of the today political leaders, including those at APC. Problem is, he did not stay true to his identity. In a real world, he doesn't belong to PDP. Another problem with his candidacy is whether or not he will be tough enough to deal with erring party members and his profligate children. I do not want another good man Shehu Shagari at the Presidency. 

With respect to Abubakar Atiku and the New PDP, his main problem is that he is a flip-flopper - he doesn't know how to trust or who to trust. Simply put, he is not a fighter. I like him as a person, but he wants to eat his cake and have it. He wants to remain PDP because of the structure of the party. Also, he wants to be the main man of the new PDP that absconded from PDP, while at the same time, his men are busy registering a brand new political party with INEC. See People Democratic Movement (PDM). The Vice President need be firm of purpose. 

Since the exit of President Obasanjo, Atiku is the only political leader on the scene who is able to articulate what he really wants to do as President. His clarity of thoughts on public affairs is outstanding. I want to be very frank and honest here; the fact that the materials on his campaign website or his published interviews were put together by advisers is irrelevant. Irrelevant because his opponents cannot boast of similar materials or consider it prudent to put together similar materials. How can you be an effective performer, if you cannot conceive or develop a coherent narrative for leadership? I have no doubt in my mind that Atiku is much better than his peers in that aspect - why I want to be President. 

His major weakness; allegations of corrupt practices aside, is his unwillingness to ruffle heads or be seen to be overtly antagonist. He should have taken a lesson from South Africa main man - Jacob Zuma on how to game the process legitimately.  When Zuma time came, he stood firm - no scandal manufactured by man or self-inflicted can take my title away from me. He was battle ready, emerged onto the scene gallantly like a true warrior and got his Presidential title. 

For instance, when Obasanjo was using EFCC and INEC to disqualify and un-disqualify Atiku years ago from running for the Presidential ticket under PDP, he should have taken his fight to the street - the people. He did not and he paid for it badly. 

Atiku is a management and administrative strategist. Politically speaking, he is no Mr. "If You Tarka Me, I Will Daboh You." It is very unlikely that he will be able to defeat Jonathan during the primaries - those working against him are more daring than those likely to stand by him. 

President Jonathan needs a political party. The armory at Aso Rock is not impenetrable. For now, PDP is a shadow of its former self. The party is killing itself and will kill itself because President Jonathan will not step down - the law is on his side, constitutionally speaking. Only one option left for his adversaries - if you cannot beat him in the primaries, and he is not stepping down, then do the ultimate: dismantle the party. For now, PDP is killing itself slowly and cascading Nigeria along dangerously in the process. So that is not a party for a real progressive to join. Besides, they don't stand for anything - no unique manifesto.

What Do We Do Now?

Nigeria is not a one-party state. There is the newly registered APC, and from all indications, the leadership of the party will not field a candidate that progressives at home and abroad will rally around with enthusiasm. That is the main concern of real progressives, me in particular. If APC cannot grow out of the shadow of Lai, Buhari, Tinubu, and Ikimi, they will continue to encounter problems garnering nationwide acceptance. 

There must be a total, vehement, and unequivocal detachment from what's been. I do believe in my heart that General Buhari has the tenacity and toughness to deal with those stealing our wealth, but whether he has the intellectual wherewithal to carry Nigeria as a country - its people and resources - to a new and enviable level in this modern time, is my doubt. We are not under a Military rule. Nigerians do not want another abusive and intolerant President Obasanjo again at Aso Rock. That makes a nation-wide or campus tour very relevant. He has to talk.

That the core members of the new APC are not, historically speaking, progressives are not the main concern. That they are not strategizing at the moment towards developing a new brand - real progressive with populist narrative will doom the party. So, one can say without equivocation that it's deja vu all over again. These folks do not know when and how to capitalize on troubling occurrences within their major rival parties to strengthen their messages. 

A few years ago, PDP almost suffers extinction following the illness of President Yar'Adua and his subsequent death. While PDP members were entangled in a protracted constitutional crisis bordering on presidential succession and the validity of its zoning law, ACN, Labor, and CPC at the time didn't for a moment consider it germane to capitalize on the situation and exploit it to advance their position as a better alternative. For instance, a Presidential candidate collapsed and went into a coma during a campaign rally and was rushed to Germany for a medical emergency. He came back, obviously a sick man, and won the Presidential election. 

Members of the opposition parties did not consider it relevant to play the health card. It is not personal; it is a Presidential election whose outcome would, directly and indirectly, impact the polity. It is very legitimate to tell Nigerians during an election that the man Obasanjo wants to impose on Nigeria is not fit to be President. They did not. Opposition parties lack steam, cannot fight, cannot write persuasive talking points (campaign speeches), and do not have the skills to win a Presidential election.

Why Progressives Must Look Younger.

Back to El Rufai and Fashola: Politically, the two gentlemen cannot be easily branded or labeled, but they are the real performers - the true definition of pragmatism. 

As at this moment, they remain the best on the scene comparatively speaking - with better understanding of the essence of power and how to maximize it to do good. At this juncture, I want to add that before you crucify El'Rufai; do a comparative analysis with respect to the stewardship of all the major players right now on the scene. You cannot question or contradict facts that are verifiable. That Mr. El'Rufai did perform admirably while he was in charge of FCT is not disputable. If you like the transformation taking place in Lagos and Benin City; remember: El Rufai began the process at Abuja. Then, there was no precedent. That makes the difference. It is called leadership. If he is a thief, how come he is not in jail? 

On the question of progressive credentials: Buhari was once a Military Head of State and we know what he did and what he did not do. All I know is that he is not progressive. Tinubu was Governor of Lagos State for eight years - education was not free; poor Lagosians did not enjoy affordable health care; and Tinubu Square Water Fountain named after his Dad, did not drop down the rain. Simply put, he is not progressive and he has no progressive credentials. He is more or less a dictator just like Buhari was during the Military regime. 

The Search for the Unknown Force and a New Nigerian.

On a last note, Nigeria will not disintegrate. A third credible force will emerge to battle PDP, given the fact that APC is seemingly lethargic at the moment. In similar vein, it won't be from within PDM or the New PDP - they are already polluted. It won't be the Military, either. Battling PDP in the 2015 may fall on either Independent Democrats or an unknown third force. 

Therefore, Independent Democrats, in their search for a flag bearer, must go beyond the present bunch of discredited leaders who wrecked and corrupted a supposedly great nation. They will have to do a real search for real intellectual/technocrat as Presidential candidate for 2015 to prevent the emergence of the third force.

If they don't, Nigeria will come to a standstill after a brutal and bloody upheaval. At the end of the day, language, tribe, culture, and religion will cease to be of any influence in defining Nigerian oneness as a nation-state. The oppressed will speak in one voice, whether from Kano, Umuohia, Sokoto, Abeokuta, Ewohimi, Asaba, Keffi, Eket, Warri, or Lagos. A true hero will emerge out of the debris to restore sanity, grace, and real leadership to Nigerians at home and abroad.

(President Jonathan can avert a bloody revolution from evolving: it is about true leadership. And that again, depends on whether or not he is willing to send thieving ex-Governors to jail, prevail on bogus Oil Marketers to forfeit their loot and belongings to the Federal Government, stop the large scale squandering of riches in high places, and restore stability in our educational sector).

The fact that the present opposition forces, as highlighted above, are indolent, politically and strategically speaking, is not enough ground for PDP to start celebrating a 2015 victory, because Nigerians are no fools.  Also, that the country is going out of existence as postulated by western organizations, is not happening. Nigeria will remain one country, but with independent component states emerging in the true sense of a true federalism. 

PDP, New PDP, APC, or PDM as presently composed, cannot lead that new beginning - restructuring and openness. They are responsible for the decadence of the past and the uncertainties of the present. The monstrosity of the federal government is not sustainable - there is the need for a great deal of dilution (reducing the power and control of national revenue/resources and institutions by a sitting President). 

It is now left for the Progressives to step into the scene, with vigorous populist/progressive agenda, anchored on the principle of one nation one destiny (egalitarianism) under the leadership of an all round intellectual warrior - one who truly espouses the principle of true federalism, sustainable development of our natural resources, and war against official corruption as well as embezzlement of public funds.  That is the party I am ready and willing to align with.  

Thank you and God Bless.

Alex Aidaghese 

To be continued.

Younger leaders have failed, says Obasanjo

Younger leaders have failed, says Obasanjo

Blasphemy! Complete heresy!

Show me your friend and I will tell you who you are. Most of the names mentioned by Obasanjo where once upon a time his political buddies and allies. 

The massive capital flight - the siphoning of Nigerian wealth by elected Governors and political office holders under the administration headed by Obasanjo was at a scale that we have never experienced in Nigerian political history. There was no accountability. Some of the names he mentioned were apprehended overseas and not in Nigeria. That development was an indictment of him and the government and the law enforcement agencies that he headed. 

By the way, if Vice President Atiku was corrupt, it explains the nature of the system that Obasanjo presided over. In other words, Atiku understood the system better than Obasanjo; otherwise, Atiku would not have been able to corrupt it and enriched himself in the process. He frustrated Mr. Atiku from succeeding him as President because Atiku frustrated his third term gamble. 

What did he do to stop Ibori from squandering the wealth that accrued to Niger Delta from the federation account during his eight years rule? Nothing. Governor Ibori, was untouchable. We were told that he single handedly financed the election of the sick man that President Obasanjo single handedly and unilaterally imposed on Nigerians.

The Ministry of Justice, the Judiciary, and the law enforcement agencies that existed under Obasanjo did not have the muscle to indict and subject Ibori and other thieving Governors to trial for corruption and stealing of public funds. He is in jail today in London, England, because he couldn't resist the urge and temptation to have a feel of his Dubai luxurious abode acquired with the money meant to develop Delta State. In Nigeria, he was a free man. Same thing with his colleague from Bayelsa State.  

Under Obasanjo, buying of exotic houses and acquiring luxurious cars overseas by serving Governors became the tradition. Most of them, including his Vice President, spent more time overseas than they actually spent at home doing what they were elected to do. Obasanjo presided over failed leadership across the board. Worst of all, it was under him that Governor Yerima unilaterally introduced Sharia Law into our judicial system. 

In sum, Obasanjo was and is the kingpin of the past and present discredited Nigerian leadership, that should under normal circumstances, be circumscribed or excluded from participating in the governance of this country. He watched and did nothing while Governor Lucky Igbinedion wasted Edo State resources to build his family empire. Nigerian is what it is because Obasanjo does not stand for anything noble in terms of motivations in power.

This man presided over the worst form of electoral irregularities and malpractices in the history of Nigeria. Governors who never campaign for vote and did not win at the pool were declared winners and sworn in as Governors. Only to be removed years later by the heavily compromised judiciary after the illegal Governors have swindled and squandered state funds defending themselves and enriching themselves and their cronies. He imposed candidates on his party, and by implications, on Nigeria. He perfected the act of intimidation and electoral malpractices to the extent that any candidate himself and his party presented before the voters is sure to win - vote or no vote.

What policy or known reformation did Obasanjo as a party leader and President champion in any of the state that his party was in power?

Late Pa Awo espoused the idea of free education at all levels and campaigned on it for the three or four times he ran to become the President of this country. He did not win and he never did, but the Governors who were elected under the platform of his political party, implemented free education successfully at all levels. In addition, they gave out Bursary Awards to every student. Obasanjo should tell us the nature of educational reforms or quality health care that was introduced or provided by the Governors who served under him on the platform of his own political party? 

Without mincing words, on leadership and administration, Obasanjo is the last person to lecture us on public affairs and governance. It is on record that his government spent billions of dollars on electrification projects and construction of roads. Well, it is also on record that Benin-Ore road and Lagos-Ibadan Expressway are in their worse state than they have ever been. On electricity, it is a no go area - under him, they simply didn't know what to do to improve power generation and power supply - it was all about how much to spend, knowing full well that the budgetary allocation will end up in private pockets. Above all, the President he imposed on us died in less than two years in office. He saw the sign, Nigerian saw the sign and the whole world saw the sign, but President Obasanjo didn't care.

OBJ and his fraudulent ex-Governors masquerading as Senators cannot stop the dawn. One day, all of them will give account of what they did with the power and authority they extorted from us and abused. 

OF DEPORTATION, STATE OF ORIGIN, AND THE LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT.

Lagos Deportation Saga - The Guardian

My Comment

Section 15 (1), (2), (3), and (4) of the 199 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, provides:

(1) The motto of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress.
(2) Accordingly, national integration shall be actively encouraged, whilst discrimination on the grounds of place of origin, sex, religion, status, ethnic or linguistic association or ties shall be prohibited.
(3) For the purpose of promoting national integration, it shall be the duty of the State to:
(a) Provide adequate facilities for and encourage free mobility of people, goods and services throughout the Federation.
(b) Secure full residence rights for every citizen in all parts of the Federation.

You don't need additional requirements to secure the full protection of Section 15 of our Constitution, other than being a Nigerian through birth or by the process of Naturalization. Being destitute is not a criminal act that would erode your legal status in any state of Nigeria, and then subject to deportation. The victims need rehabilitation, not deportation. 

The fact that deportation is happening elsewhere in the country does not provide justification or excuse for what Lagos State Government did. No action is considered precedent, unless it has the forces of law and constitutional legitimacy behind it.  What Lagos State Government did was simply unconstitutional and morally reprehensible. It has no support in law, fact, moral or logic. We are talking about Nigerians in Lagos State - a once Federal Territory.

The issue here is not whether Anambra State Government was contacted or not contacted prior to the deportation, or whether other State Governors are also engaged in the act of deporting "unwanted Nigerians" from their states. It is about protection of their inherent and constitutional rights as free born citizen  of Nigeria with power to enjoy full residency rights in all parts of Nigeria. 

The victims of the deportation madness, whether in Imo, Anambra, Abia, River State, or Lagos State deserve full protection of the law and full compensation for the cruel and unusual punishment that they suffered. This is a flagrant denial of one's freedom of movement and the much cherished fundamental human rights. 

VVF Disease, Child-Wives, and the Senator Yerimas of Nigeria.

Vesico-Vagina Fistula: Just call it what it is - Mutilation of the private part of underage children through unwanted, extorted, and indiscriminate sexual encounter with an adult - old enough to be their Grandparents. "Gbogbomushe" or no "Gbogbomushe" (sexual stimulant herbs), these kids, with an undeveloped and shallow cavity, cannot withstand the ceaseless violent thrusting of their vaginal by these pedophiles, masquerading as elders and political leaders. The disturbing aspect of the child-marriage saga in Nigeria is that in the event of ruptures of the internal organs through ceaseless penetration of the shallow cavity, these infants-wives would develop a peculiar symptom that makes it difficult, if not medically impossible, for them to urinate through the normal process – the vaginal. At that medical stage, the shameless Sugar Daddies, as well as all the Senator Yerimas of our world, would either abandon these kids or file for divorce. That is the sorry situation in the Northern part of Nigeria over the years about infant-wives/child-mothers. 

The worse part is that 99.9% of these abandoned child-mothers are wantonly lacking in basic education. They were given away under forced marriage arrangement before they could even learn to read or write. Worst of all, they don't have any sense of freedom or of self-worth. Human rights and justice are alien to them. The sad part is that they live among us, a supposedly free nation-state. People write about the development very often, but the practice is not abating because it is excused as a cultural or religious development.

Time and time again, we have seen some Governors in the Northern region arranging for group marriages as a way of assisting the young and the newly divorced child-wives to get back to marital status. These kids do not need another runaway lovers or temporary financial support. They need sustainable rehabilitation through purposeful career guidance and counseling. Provision of quality education and job training with a view to achieving economic and social emancipation override government assisted or sponsored marriages. 

The absence of quality education as well as inability to be self-supporting economically, breed social inequality. Forced or arranged marriage is not the way to go.

About twenty years ago, Frank Olize of NTA Newsreel (a Sunday Night Magazine Show), covered this same story, with details and disgusting pictures of underage girls, in and out of hospitals, with tubes connected into their navel for the passage of urine. I still remember vividly, Mr. Frank Olize, declaring in no uncertain tone that the solution to this sexually induced medical problem is: education, education, education. More than twenty years later, we are still talking about the same story and the same problem. Nothing has changed with respect to the educational solution proposed by Mr. Frank Olize on his magazine show.

Now, about Senator Yerima: According to a news report, he was once married to a 15 years old girl, in addition to other wives, and divorced her when she turned 17. Then, he went ahead and married an under-age (13 years old) Pharaoh’s Daughter, paying the Egyptian Father $100,000 (One Hundred Thousand US Dollar) as Bride Price. The same Senator was the one who introduced Sharia Law into the Nigerian political system when he was the Governor of Zamfara State. 

He is also a founding member of the yet to be registered All Progressives Congress - my supposed party. The same Governor who did not 'give a damn' about funding educational institutions in his backward State is now masquerading as progressive. What a sad period in the progressive movement in Nigeria! This guy wasted funds meant for the development of his state on frivolities, and now, he is professing egalitarianism. 

Progressive is about egalitarianism; not feudalism. It is about equal rights and justice. It is a populist influenced philosophy - professing free education at all levels and availability of affordable healthcare delivery to those in need. Senator Yerima's profile as a Governor or Senator does not bear any semblance of a progressive mind. 

Zamfara State, if you don’t know, is one of the educationally disadvantaged states in Nigeria. Therefore, to secure admission, for instance, into one of our Unity Schools in Nigeria, a candidate from Zamfara State would have to score four (4) points in the entrance examination. Quoting The Guardian Newspaper of Nigeria, here is the breakdown of the pass mark or cut-off points for some other States in the same exam: “Abia (130), Anambra (139), Ebonyi (112), Enugu (134) and Imo (138). From a nearby geographical zone are Delta (131), Edo (127), Cross River (97), Bayes (72), Rivers (118) and Akwa Ibom (123). Also in the high scoring class are Ogun (131), Ondo (126), Osun and Oyo (127), Ekiti (129) and Lagos, 133. There are also Benue (111), Kwara (123), Kogi (119), Plateau (97), Niger (93) and Nassarawa, 58.” I repeat: Zamfara State – Senator Yerima’s own State – is 4 (four) points.

Senator Yerima was the Governor of Zamfara State from 1999 to 2007. He was elected to the Nigerian Senate in April 2007, after completing the constitutionally allowed eight years of two four years terms as Governor. He has been in the Nigerian Senate since then. Therefore, there is every justification for holding Senator Yerima responsible for the appalling state of education in Zamfara State. He places Sharia Law ahead of popular education, leaving it at the mercy of Imams and Sheikhs as principals and managers - a breeding ground for the almajiri syndrome. 

Senator Yerima of Zamfara State is not illiterate. He holds a Master Degree in Economics from Bayero University in Kano State, Nigeria. He has been in Government since 19983. So, you cannot really find room to excuse his obsession with child-wives or cut him some slack with respect to the backwardness of his state in terms of literacy and educational advancement.  He is very enlightened. What the heck he is doing with infants-wives is beyond ordinary imagination.

In the same vein, his obsession with Sharia Law in Nigeria is nauseating and disgraceful. Recently, he was in the news again over Sharia and Child Marriage. He gave a diabolical interpretation to the age of consent or renouncement of citizenship and hoodwinked his colleagues in the process. The Amendment calls for 18 years of ripe age for anyone intent on renouncing his or her Nigerian citizenship. Senator Yerima prevailed over his colleagues, a majority of whom didn't really know what they were voting for, to change the wording to include a married woman. In other words, a girl who is thirteen or twelve years of age, and is married, can legally renounce her citizenship whether or not she is 18 years of age. In the world of Senator Yerima, an underage child-wife, by that provision, is a grown-up woman – maturity is irrelevant, marital status is the deciding factor.

I have observed with dismay that some guys in the social media are trying to justify the child-marriage craze in Northern Nigeria, because, according to the argument, fourteen years old girls in America do have kids as well. That is intellectually mischievous, to say the least. The fourteen years old Mother in the US is not in the same category with the thousands of fourteen years old child-mothers in Nigeria. About 99.9% of those mothers in the US were never given away in forced-marriage like their Nigerian counterparts. In the US, such pregnancies, most often, result from rape or incest, or it may even be as a result of a one-night stand affair. In Nigeria, it is a culture, a trend. There is absolutely no basis for comparison, justification or juxtaposition. 

Senator Zamfara has no excuse for his obsession with under-age-infants-wives. Above all, he has no excuse for the abysmal level of illiteracy in his state. He could afford to give away $100,000 for an Egyptian virgin, but popular education remains an aberration in his state. He could unilaterally introduce Sharia law to bamboozle and subjugate his helpless and predominantly illiterate subjects, without regard to the secularity of our federal system, but he just doesn't give a damn about the economic emancipation of his pauperized natives. Today, he is one of the new and emerging progressives. It is a very very sad day for the progressive movement - a movement I spent most of the early part of this Blog writing about, campaigning for, and nurturing. 

This man should be in jail for his inexcusable child molesting proclivity. And for his participation in the underdevelopment of human resources in Zamfara State, he does not deserve to be in the Nigerian Senate. That he is still a Senator in Nigeria is a shame - a dent in our national character. He is an educated man, a supposedly reasonable and enlightened member of the society. He is as guilty as charged because he is learned enough to appreciate the danger and health hazards inherent in his crude behavior. 

Even though the State/Government, as of now, cannot legally prosecute the Yerimas in our society for devaluing these children, the Nigerian Government and the society at large should find ways to hold them accountable for the  rehabilitation of these children as well as some form of lifetime compensation for the psychological trauma accompanying their medical state (vagina and intestinal mutilations. You enjoy the sex while it last; therefore, you should remain morally and financially liable to the victims for the permanent damage that you inflicted in their internal bodily organs. 

President Jonathan and the Decaying Nigerian Educational System.

Purposefully left blank to give President Jonathan time to resolve his differences with ASUU. We will re-publish the piece as originally written in the event of deadlock in the on-going negotiation.  We want them to succeed. 

ASUU STRIKE: Nigerian varsities may remain shut for a long time to come — Prof Iyayi

ASUU STRIKE: Nigerian varsities may remain shut for a long time to come — Prof Iyayi

The problem with Nigerian Universities as revealed by Professor Festus Iyayi. I met him once in 1985, and he is a man of his words. I cannot wait for the day that this honorable and upright fellow will emerge as the Minister of Education in Nigeria. 

The Trial and Conviction of Trayvon Martin: A Common Sense Analysis.

"You can stand your ground if you're white, and you can use a gun to do it. But if you stand your ground with your fists and you're black, you're dead." - David Simon, the Creator of the "Wire" and numerous other TV series. http://tv.yahoo.com/blogs/tv-news/-the-wire--creator-david-simon-on-trayvon-martin-case---ashamed--to-be-an-american-011408813.html

They shot him. They tried him. And they found him guilty. They found him guilty for allegedly inflicting cuts on the head of a racist aggressor masquerading as a vigilante. Yes, Martin was his name - a vivacious young fellow, a child-man with a beautiful heart the whole world has come to know as the unarmed black teenager, ambushed and killed in cold blood by a vigilante Zimmerman for simply being black. 

He was walking along a familiar path that he had every right to be at. Sadly, throughout the duration of the trial, the world never had the slightest opportunity - not even by reference - to see the bruised and battered body that shielded the bleeding and mutilated heart of Trayvon Martin. 

The bloody nose of the vigilante bigot was on full display on the TV and on the pages of Newspaper throughout the trial, but nothing was said of the bullet-ridden and mangled heart of an innocent child with no criminal history. No doubt, Trayvon could have been President Barack Obama 35 years ago as the President rightly stated during his address to the nation following the acquittal of Zimmerman. Indeed, Trayvon could have been any black teenager at the moment. And to the black race, there is every Trayvon in every one of us, and that is the more reason that his story is, and will always be our story. 

Twice I tried to watch the trial, twice I cried. Twice I cried, because guilty or not guilty the world will never see Trayvon again. And that's the tragedy of the story - a vivacious and lovely child-man gone so soon. Gone forever through the fatal bullets fired by a trigger happy vigilante whose responsibility it was to be the “eyes and ears" of the Police and to "report suspicious activities" to law enforcement agencies - not to accost, not to ambush, not to confront, and not to shoot at point-blank at any a "Trayvon Martin" who was not committing any crime. 

Seeing Trayvon, Zimmerman momentarily went blank - he decided to forget the scope of his assignment and what he was trained to do in the circumstance that he was in - report. In addition, Zimmerman failed to heed the timely warning of the 911 Operator who told him DO NOT FOLLOW THE GUY. Zimmerman protested, arguing that 'they always allow these punks' to getaway. In his mind, this time, this very one, this Trayvon Martin, is not going away a free man - he is black, and therefore, he is suspicious activity, one intent on committing a crime and deserving of death. He must be stopped. And true he did. 

He confronted Trayvon and he shot and killed him in cold blood while the young man was defending himself. Juror B37 told Anderson Cooper of CNN that Trayvon threw the first punch, therefore, Zimmerman must walk free. And he did walk free. We will come to that later.

Trayvon had every right to be where he was when Zimmerman confronted him - he was walking home minding his own business. Zimmerman knew that he, Zimmerman, was carrying a loaded weapon when he accosted and confronted Trayvon. Zimmerman was never a Police Officer. Besides, Zimmerman, as a private citizen, was not in a position to make a "citizen arrest" when he accosted and confronted Trayvon because Trayvon was not committing any crime. Again, he was simply minding his own business, walking along a familiar path he had every right to be at. In other words, Zimmerman had no right in law, or in fact, equity, or moral to confront Trayvon when he did, except of course that he saw a black guy - a punk who "they always allow to get away."

When Zimmerman failed to heed the Godly warning of the 911 Operator, who specifically told him not to follow Trayvon, Zimmerman had his mind made up. This punk, this time, is not getting out of here a free man. Zimmerman parked his car and walked up to Trayvon. A fight ensured, he pulled his semi-automatic weapon and fired at Trayvon, killing him instantly, and in cold blood.  Just like that. 

He told the Police that he acted in self-defense, pursuant to the articles of Florida Stand-Your-Ground-Law. And the six white Floridan women jury concurred, claiming that Trayvon threw the first punch.  

Trayvon who is dead, and not in a position to tell his own side of the story, or to display his bruised and battered body to the jury and to the world, was found guilty and convicted of a crime he did not commit - a violent encounter he took all the necessary steps to avoid.  "The man keeps following me," he told his friend.

Zimmerman told the world that he was simply defending himself under Florida Stand-Your-Ground-Law and that he was the one who cried for help. The Jury believed him and they set him free. 

From what we have heard so far from Juror B37, she was never in any mood to convict Zimmerman. She had her mind made up from the very beginning of the trial that Zimmerman will walk free. In her calculation, 'Stand Your Ground Law' or not, Trayvon, by birth and by inclination (a black man), was an aggressor, and always a potential aggressor. Proof or no proof, corroboration or no corroboration, he was the aggressor. He must die. And he died.

Under the American criminal law, an aggressor cannot plead self-defense, unless the aggressor (that's the one who initiated the confrontation) successfully renounced the aggression or totaling withdrawn from the aggression. Here, Zimmerman who parked his vehicle and walked towards the innocent child and started a fight did not at any time beat a retreat until he shot Trayvon to death.  

Juror B37 told Anderson Cooper of CNN that Trayvon threw the first punch. Really? Madam, were you there? She labored disdainfully to find all the excuses in the book to empathize with Zimmerman and to justify his action - Trayvon threw the first punch, and he must die. Zimmerman went beyond the scope of his brief and defied instructions. 

As a vigilante, Zimmerman was not making any ‘citizen arrest’ when he confronted Trayvon because he was not in a position to do so – Trayvon was not committing any crime.

If race was not a factor as Juror B37 is telling the whole world, the question still is: what was Zimmerman’s reason for accosting Trayvon? Truth is being black, in the instant case, made Trayvon a suspicious activity/object. Same reason that Zimmerman defied standing order as he was trained to do. In the mind of Zimmerman, killing an unarmed black teenager is no big deal. 

Zimmerman was trained to be the "eyes and ears" of the Police and to "report any suspicious activities" accordingly. Confronting Trayvon he didn't remember all that. He accosted him and shot him in cold blood, even when the 911 Operator told him not to follow Trayvon. It is the same reason that Juror B37 could not find grace in her soul to empathize with the departing soul of Trayvon and his family. 

Race was why Juror B37 and her colleagues found no scruple concluding that Trayvon threw the first punch and deserve to die. 

Trayvon told his friend on the phone about someone trailing him and he cannot evade him. That someone is Zimmerman, who eventually came down from his car and confronted the helpless black teen, in spite of a standing order not to do so. 

It was all about hatred and malice. But the jurors pretended that the circumstances of the case did not present malice. In their so-called color-blind reasoning, Zimmerman was simply doing his job the wrong way - just living his passion for hatred of people like Trayvon Martin. Punks who always getaway. 

Trayvon was where he had all the rights in the world to be - walking home, minding his own business. And he died in cold blood from the fatal and unkind bullet fired by a heartless vigilante who told Sean Hannity of Fox News Network that God wants it that way. 

No. God did not want it that way, Zimmerman. God did intervene to save Trayvon and set him free, when the 911 Operator told you not to follow the teenager. 

You confronted Trayvon and initiated a fight knowing full well that you had a loaded semi-automatic weapon to accomplish your goal. What were you trying to do when you parked your car and confronted Trayvon? You're not a Police Officer trying to make an arrest of a suspect running from a crime scene.

Was Trayvon committing any crime? Did you see him running away from a crime scene? Did Trayvon pull you out from inside of your moving vehicle to start "banging your head at the sidewalk?" 

Would you have confronted him if you were not carrying a loaded weapon? Trayvon was never in a position to "bang your head at the sidewalk" - if that was actually the case - but for the fact that you came down from your vehicle and initiated a fight. 

What exactly were you trying to accomplish when you parked your vehicle and walked up to him? To arrest him or to throw him out of the complex? At what point did the first punch land? Was it when you were interrogating him or when you were trying to force him out of the Apartment Complex?

Jury B37 cooked up a bogus and unsubstantiated theory to set Zimmerman free - Trayvon threw the first punch. So he must die. 

From the onset, her goal was to set Zimmerman free and write a bestseller. At the end, she prevailed on other jurors to abandon facts for fiction in hope of securing a bestseller deal, with a view to profiting financially from the gruesome killing of an unarmed Trayvon. The whole world said no to her calculated mischief. You cannot profit from the blood of a helpless soul, killed for doing nothing wrong. 

Stand-Your-Ground-Law, good or bad, was meant to protect those who are in the precarious situation that Trayvon found himself; not a Zimmerman who was fishing for chances to unload his loaded weapon on any moving black object. Zimmerman's conduct was calculated - a deliberative malicious act, without question. 

Now, only Zimmerman can say exactly what went wrong and why he discharged his weapon on an innocent Trayvon. Juror B37 and her unwilling colleagues did not take into account how Zimmerman instigated the confrontation. It came up to be about the first punch. 

This juncture, what is not contentious is the fact that Zimmerman does murder sleep and he shall sleep no more. The blood and the bleeding heart of Trayvon are on his head. The smile that was on his face the very moment the jury announced that he, Zimmerman, did not commit any crime is going to be his last public smile. Those who live by the sword shall die by the sword. 

We cannot stop being black. We are created black and we are proud of our blackness. At this moment we have every right to defend ourselves by any means necessary and to stop the like of Zimmerman who think and believe that being black is a suspicious activity. Enough is enough. 

To be continued -