The Nation Newspaper

Category: Saturday

  • Preconditions for meaningful reforms

    Preconditions for meaningful reforms

    In spite of her honest admission that the process of reforms still has a long way to go in Nigeria, there is still the prevalent optimism that runs through the new book by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, that considerable progress was made towards ‘Reforming’ a hitherto ‘Unreformable’ Nigeria during the Obasanjo presidency. This column disagreed with this view last week contending that the country remains as ‘unreformable’ as ever today despite Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s best efforts between 2003 and 2007. Of course, the economic team under her leadership made valiant efforts to launch reforms in several sectors –the budgetary process, public procurement, fiscal transparency, re-invention of the customs and ports, revitalisation of the civil service, privatisation of unprofitable state enterprises and tackling the country’s debilitating debt crisis among others. But today, the country is again heavily indebted. The civil service remains as lethargic and unproductive as ever. The budgetary process is still grossly inefficient and lacking in efficacy. Nigeria remains a cesspit of abominable corruption. Privatisation has become another profitable mechanism for criminal enrichment. The oil sector remains as opaque as ever while an abundantly blessed country remains unfathomably under the spell of oil dependency.

    As I argued last week, the fundamental problem was that the reform process between 2003 and 2007 was undertaken as an essentially technocratic and elitist enterprise. As Dr. Okonjo-Iweala writes on page 124 of her book, “It was clear to me from the outset of the reform process and the formation of the Economic Team that President Obasanjo saw the team as technocratic and wanted to keep it that way. He also had political advisers, and he was politically adroit himself. He wished for this team to focus on economic issues. Initially, we also clearly saw ourselves in this light. We would keep away from politics since in any case most of the politicians left a lot to be desired”. This gulf between politicians and the reform technocrats is well documented in the book. Nowhere, for instance, does Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala makes any reference to the manifesto of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP). In fact, she mentions the PDP only once in a book that runs into nearly 200 pages. What this tells us is that the PDP was and remains essentially an election winning machine. It is not guided by any grand policy goals or vision. Since the PDP was philosophically, programmatically and ideologically famished, it had to surrender policy direction and leadership to a group of technocrats who held the party in utter disdain and saw their loyalty as being first and last to the President personally.

    The Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala-led technocrats therefore crafted the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS) entirely on their own and later vigorously marketed the programme to the political class! But the politicians were supposed to have won elections based on a social contract with the electorate as regards a policy platform to be implemented. However, there was hardly any nexus between NEEDS and the PDP manifesto with the result that many leading members of the ruling partywere not only lukewarm but openly subversive of the reform agenda. Reforms in a democracy cannot be ends in themselves. Efficient budgetary processes, transparency in public procurement or a more effective civil service are means to the qualitative delivery of specific promises to the electorate by a political party. A political party can only be meaningfully judged by the electorate on the basis of its success in fulfilling its pre-election promises. The PDP can confidently assert that it will win future elections emphatically partly because, despite the dismal state of the country under its watch, it is difficult to pin the party down to any specific policy platform. The party has no doubt been a huge success in holding down the Nigerian cow for the various factions of its ravenous elite to continue milking the dying animal to their heart’s content.

    In the second republic, the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), despite its nebulous ‘One Nation, One Destiny’ mantra, concretely committed itself to reviving agriculture (Green Revolution) and the mass provision of shelter. On its part the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) had its four cardinal programmes: Free education, free health care, full employment and rural integration. Alhaji Aminu Kano’s People’s Redemption Party (PRP) had far reaching radical policies to liberate the talakawas of the North from the chains of feudal tyranny. The nearest we have to these policy-oriented parties in this dispensation is the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) with its emphasis on the provision of affordable education, health care, massive job creation and radical modernisation and expansion of infrastructure. Meaningful reforms are thus possible only when a disciplined, visionary, focussed and purposeful political party is at the vanguard of the process.

    A second precondition for meaningful reforms is a visionary, committed, decisive yet restrained presidency. Under our current constitution, the presidency is the centre of gravity of the governance process. The wellbeing of the polity depends largely on the energy and dynamism of the presidency.

    The Nigerian presidency, I have said before, is perhaps the most powerful political office in the world. It has been deliberately granted such enormous powers to be able to hold the country together and be a positive force for development. But the fierce contest by contending social groups for this plum position has had fractious implications for the polity. Moreover, only a saint would have the enormous powers of the Nigerian presidency and not misuse it. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely is an unalterable law of politics from which the Nigerian presidency cannot be exempt. Since the commencement of this dispensation in 1999, we have seen the capacity of the president to castrate his own party, destabilise the opposition, ignore the National Assembly, muzzle the judiciary and utilize his vast powers of patronage for purposes subversive of democracy and development. As Sam Omatseye graphically put it, the presidency is an albatross on the neck of the nation. Taming its excessive powers is a necessary condition for meaningful reforms and modernisation. And this is also true of the expansive powers of the executive at the lower levels of government at state and local government levels.

    The third precondition for meaningful reforms and transformation is the radical decentralisation of powers, resources and responsibilities from an overbearing and unproductive centre to the lower levels as I argued last week. The current so-called federal structure is abnormal and deformed. Unfortunately, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala appears to believe that the current system is not even centralised enough. In her words on page 125 of her book “Another problem was that in Nigeria’s very decentralised governance set-up the governors of states controlled almost half of the country’s revenues and, according to the constitution, enjoyed considerable autonomy in the use of those resources. They also enjoyed immunity from prosecution, courtesy of the same constitution, and they had very little accountability to anyone”. In reality, the Federal Government controls more resources than all the states combined. Yes, there is monumental corruption at the state and local government levels, but this pales into insignificance compared with the rampant criminality at the centre. The solution to the problem is not more centralisation as Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s analysis indirectly suggests, it is to enhance the institutional autonomy of the police, judiciary and anti-corruption agencies to deal decisively with corrupt elements at all levels. Right now, corruption cases are prosecuted at the behest of the presidency and mainly against its perceived adversaries. That is surely no path to the much desired reforms and transformation. I enjoin opposition leaders and their strategists to read Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s book. There are useful lessons there to guide future action.

  • Nigeria a giant by 2050?

    Nigeria a giant by 2050?

    Forecasters are at it again. A projection has gone out that Nigeria may, by the year 2050, become one of the world’s leading economies, enjoying a handsome 13th position among 20 nations of the world. The forecast, published last week, came from PricewaterhouseCoopers, an accounting firm. It sounds good, doesn’t it? In fact, the report suggests that even lowly Vietnam could also join Nigeria in outpacing such developed economies as Australia in a mere 37 years. The reason for this, PwC economists believe, is that developed economies are still struggling to recover from the recession of 2008 and 2009, while emerging ones like Nigeria and Vietnam have been “relatively insulated despite the slowdown of 2011 and 2012.”

    According to the projection, the area Nigeria may out-muscle other economies is in purchasing power parity or PPP. Economists say PPP is a theory which states that “exchange rates between currencies are in equilibrium when their purchasing power is the same in each of the two countries.” They explain that this simply means “the exchange rate between two countries should equal the ratio of the two countries’ price level of a fixed basket of goods and services.”

    Non-economists, like this columnist, understand this to mean that by 2050, the naira could be strong enough to fetch Nigerians goods and services of appreciable value, not minding the geographical location. By this lay perspective, the miserable, flip-flop tale of our national currency would have since been forgotten, replaced by a respectable profile of power and value. By this same unsophisticated appreciation of the PPP forecast, I should hit the roof for the good times are not so far off.

    But I won’t, for this piece of projection hangs on nothing else but a mighty, big IF. Nigeria can become an economic giant in the world IF…Nigeria can be a giant in the world IF it can put a few things in place. Nigeria can overtake the leading economies, all things being equal.

    That is the language of economists; it is their stock-in-trade.

    The accounting firm’s forecast makes little sense to me, for obvious reasons. It reminds me of the 2020 mantra much trumpeted by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua administration. It was projected that by 2020, which is now only seven years away, Nigeria will be among 20 industrialised nations of the world.

    Industrialised nations are giants. As such, they have power and voice. As giants, they are reckoned with. When their leaders speak, no one pretends not to hear. That was the league our country was projected to join by the year 2020. But as everyone knows, no nation climbs to that platform merely by imagining it just because motivational speakers say whatever your mind can conceive you can achieve. Everyone knows that no nation attains giant status without stable electricity, good infrastructure and, crucially, a credible anti-corruption stance.

    PricewaterhouseCoopers even reckons, though, that nothing is easy. “Nigeria,” it said in that projection, “could be the fastest growing country in our sample due to its youthful and growing working population, but this does rely on using its oil wealth to develop a broader based economy with better infrastructure and institutions as regards rule of law and political governance and hence support long term productivity growth –the potential is there, but it remains to be realised in practice.”

    Now, that’s where the frustration of these forecasts lies. We all, including non-economists, know what the forecasters know. They know, like we do, that our oil should make us wealthy. The economists, like all of us, know that we have a young, schooled, skilled and energetic population, willing to work and turn their country around. We know that we have all it takes to join the big league.

    But just as all that is clear, so is it also beyond question that we are our own biggest enemies. It is paradoxical. Nigeria’s potentials have so far failed to enrich it. Its oil has not lubricated its engines. Rather it has remained a source of perpetual worry, eliciting a pile of questions. Why, for instance, have otherwise lowly nations, without oil, even in Africa, outpaced us in development? PricewaterhouseCoopers believes Nigeria’s oil can support “a broader-based economy” but why has that economy continued to elude us? We know that nothing can be impossible for us and that we can do all things with the riches God has lavishly given us. What we don’t know is why even the simplest of things seem too difficult to accomplish.

    Forecasters seem to wonder why our infrastructure is woeful. They worry about rule of law. They are concerned about governance, about accountability. They know that these things matter.

    Truth is, so do we. We have always known what they know. So, what use are their projections?

  • Obama inspires brother to run for office in Kenya elections

    Obama inspires brother to run for office in Kenya elections

    KOGELO, Kenya – U.S. President Barack Obama’s message of hope and change has inspired his half-brother Malik to launch a political career of his own, with his eye on elections in Kenya in March.

    “If my brother is doing great things for people in the United States, why can’t I do great things for Kenyans here?” Malik Obama said in an interview in the village of Kogelo, President Obama’s ancestral homeland.

    Malik, 54, is running for governorship of the rural Siaya county as an independent candidate.

    His sibling’s message resonates with a Kenyan electorate angry over a political class widely regarded as greedy and corrupt.

    However, the odds are stacked against lone candidates in a country where ideology is trumped by tribe or clan ties. This is the first time independents have been permitted to run in an election after a constitutional change in 2010.

    For Obama, the inspiration comes from elsewhere.

    “He is an inspiration to me and I feel that he is an embodiment of my father’s dream,” he said of the U.S. leader.

    “All he told me is ‘brother, it is not an easy thing to get into public office. Just have a thick skin because people will be targeting you. The media will be saying this and that. There will be people who love you and people who won’t love you’.”

    He said his younger brother has flourished by following the footsteps of their father, Barack Obama Snr – the first African to attend the University of Hawaii before returning home to work in the senior echelons of the Kenyan civil service.

    “The old and tested way has not really worked for us. Right now we need a bold, radical and fresh approach,” he said.

    To capture the governorship, Obama will face a bruising battle from the likes of Oburu Odinga, brother to Prime Minister Raila Odinga, and a new and popular entrant to the political scene, William Oduol.

    Oburu Odinga is a long-serving member of parliament in the area, while Oduol, 35, has won favor with the youth.

    “As much as the brother has done well in the U.S., the truth of the matter is that he (Malik) is not very close to the people here on the ground,” Amos Owino, a 29-year old clinician, said.

    Malik Obama, a resident of the United States, has lived in Washington DC since 1985 where he worked with various firms before becoming an independent financial consultant.

    In his office are framed photographs of himself with President Obama in the Oval office and another at the president’s wedding, where he was the best man.

    He lives partly in the United States where he takes up work contracts from time to time and Kenya.

    “We are very proud of him (Malik), but Oduol has better policies especially on education improvement and roads construction,” said Irene Sindih, a 24-year old businesswoman.

    Obama said he is running as an independent to avoid being beholden to party grandees whom he blames for what he says is the failed leadership in the country of 40 million.

    Obama said the U.S. president also urged him to be honest with the electorate and to be true to himself.

    His campaign slogan is “Just as it is in United States, I want it here”, he said in his office in a recreation centre he set up with the Barack H. Foundation, a charitable organization he founded to build houses for women and orphans.

    With a population of 832,000 people, the main economic activities in Siaya county are subsistence farming and small trading. Many residents live in mud huts with thatched roofs.

    Obama wants to help build new roads, water and electricity supply, hospitals and small-scale industries once he is elected governor. After conquering this, he has eyes for an even bigger prize, the Kenyan presidency at the next elections in 2017.

     

    …begins second term with 51 per cent approval rating

    President Barack Obama embarks on his second term in office on Monday with half the nation giving him a good performance review, according to a New York Times/CBS News poll released yesterday.

    Fifty-one percent of Americans surveyed Jan. 11-15 approve of how Obama is handling his job, the poll said. Forty-one percent disapprove.

    The Times’ Marjorie Connelly notes in her analysis that Obama’s approval rating is similar to the one held by former President George W. Bush at the start of his second term, but far below ratings garnered by former President Bill Clinton (60 percent) and former President Ronald Reagan (62 per cent) at the beginning of their second terms.

    The “fiscal cliff” negotiations didn’t alter public opinion of the president’s ability to handle the economy, the poll said.

    Forty-six percent of adults surveyed said they approve of the president’s ability to handle the economy and 49 per cent disapprove. The poll’s margin of error was plus or minus 3 per centage points.

     

  • Foreign Intervention, Diplomacy and Stability

    Foreign Intervention, Diplomacy and Stability

    The  decision by French President Francois Hollande  to send French troops to Mali to fight rebels who have seized  the northern part of that nation was predicated  on the need to save a friendly nation’s sovereignty and preserve regional stability according to French diplomatic sources.

    However, foreign intervention generally has always been condemned in diplomatic circles because it violates the territorial integrity  and sovereignty of  the victim nation  as more often than not such incursion or intervention  is  military and without the invitation or the approbation of such a nation. Indeed foreign intervention is an option of the last resort in the comity of nations nowadays  as the  Syrian   fighters trying ardently to remove the blood thirsty regime of Bashar Assad  in Syria have found to  their cost  as they have asked for the intervention of the international community  to help overthrow  the tyrant in Damascus to no avail.

    Yet  many Africans  undoubtedly breathed a sigh of relief when the news broke early this week that France the former colonial power  in Mali has sent troops to that country to drive out the rebels that have seized the northern part of the country  for some time now. While one could scoff that France,  like the proverbial dog has returned to its vomit,  which nominally is a repugnant act, there is no denying  that this intervention has boosted the prestige of France   as a decisive and humane member of the international community and the reasons are not far fetched.

    Firstly, procrastination, it  has been stressed   many times,  is  the thief of time but it has  unfortunately  also been the   unnamed Mali Policy of ECOWAS,  the sub regional group that was given approval by the UN Security Council to secure Mali and drive  out  the invaders of that nation.

    ECOWAS had announced it was raising an army of 6000 troops with Nigeria expected to contribute  600  but till the French landed in Bamako  this week  there was no ECOWAS troops on ground in Mali. Indeed it was when the internet showed pictures of French tanks said to be about 50 moving into the interior  of Mali  that Nigeria announced that it was sending 200 troops and Chad also said it would send 2000.

    The French had sent 800 men initially and expect that to be beefed up to 2,500 eventually. It is apparent that France is more concerned and committed to the salvation and sovereignty  of its former colony, Mali, than its neighbors and fellow members in ECOWAS with which it shares propinquity and contiguity. Which throws up the inevitable question as to which is more important in diplomacy  in African nations  – the umbilical cord  of colonialism  or the regional bond of diplomacy and international relations. Given the way the Malians cheered the French Army on the streets of Mali as they moved north to oust the invaders of Mali, there is no doubt that colonial ties have ousted the weak kneed, dithering  diplomacy of ECOWAS nations as the savior of Mali,s  soverengty and  integrity  in its hour of need. This is not to say that the French by merely landing have routed the invaders and  accomplished their mission in Mali. We  are just saying that France’s decisiveness has given hope not only to Malians but also other West Africans who can see the danger of not containing the invasion of Mali and the consequences of that for the ECOWAS sub region.

    The danger lies in the fact that the north of W Africa which is called the Sahel has become a danger to ECOWAS members and what happened in Mali could happen in any of them. Nigeria already has a foretaste in the menace of Boko Haram which wants to introduce Sharia law and has been bombing Churches in the  north for some time. In Mali’s case there are three types of insurgents  in the north namely the Malian Tuaregs who want to secede , a  branch   of Al Qada in the Magreb  and a body that aims to unite jihadists in West Africa. These are the groups that have invaded the northern part of Mali after driving the Malian army sent to contain them out of the north and back to Bamako, Mali’s capital .Obviously the French president has seen the danger that ECOWAS leaders are shortsighted about and France has moved to nip in the bud a contagion that it can not afford to   allow   to destroy its prized assets and connections  not only in Francophone Africa   but  in the entire W/Africa sub region.

    Again,  one can accuse the French of being led  to  act by business I and commercial interests or  scold  their president   for  using a  foreign adventure to divert attention away from growing disaffection over his economic policies at home in France especially the 75% tax  on 1m euros that is driving   young and bright entrepreneurs away from France.

    Yet  one must admit that France has always had a soft spot for  its colonial subjects for whom it formulated a policy  of Assimilation  aimed at turning them into black Frenchme. Whether that has made the subjects incapable of ruling themselves after independence and without France is another matter.

    This is because the French  have  had to intervene earlier in Ivory Coast to drive out Lawrent Gbagbo and install Alasane Ouattara, the present president of Ivory Coast and Chairman of ECOWAS after a bitterly contested presidential election result

    Indeed, in the recent past,  after the  independence of African nations  especially the Francophone ones in the  fifties and sixties,  the French always provided troops to keep the status quo and prevent coups in Francophone states. It was the advent and popularity of elective democracy  later that  made  France to withdraw into its shell and look the other way while military coups toppled its favorite allies  in some Francophone   African states.

    Now France is back with aplomb to rescue  a former colony and  you want to wander whether Mali’s independence  on June 20  1960 so many years ago was worth the celebrations and   gaiety that accompanied it; given the fact  that France in  2013  is literally   still   helping Mali to wipe its bloodied nose arising from the blatant   and   easy assault  on its territorial integrity  and sovereignty by roaming desert warriors.

    Lastly, one cannot comment on this French invasion of Mali without making some observations on the attack on the BP oil facility in Algeria and the holding of many hostages from European nations. It  has been widely reported   that the  attackers have asked  that part of the conditions for their release is that France should stop its invasion of Mali.

    It  was  however  nice to know that the Algerian authorities   have not only  vowed not to negotiate   with the terrorists but the Algerian  military  have surrounded the facility, which from its picture on internet is an isolated desert facility  whose  location  should tell a story of its own.

    This is because Northern Mali is  in a similar location   or environment  to the BP facility in Algeria. It  follows therefore that ECOWAS  should send troops prepared and trained for desert warfare  or train them for such, before sending them to Mali. We  have read that the French troops in Mali are from an elite brigade well versed in desert warfare  and are on familiar grounds in Mali as such.

    As  events unfold however   is difficult to resist the temptation to give a name to this French intervention in  Mali and its Algerian connection. Since the first  Gulf War   over the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq was called Desert Storm  one needs a more imaginative and different name.

    I call the French intervention in Mali  the  ‘Sahel Assault ‘as  a mark  of respect for the foresight and precocity of the French President Francois Hollande, in showing decisively that a stitch in time saves nine in terms of regional security; and that in diplomacy, intervention can be justified pragmatically on the grounds  of regional stability  and   the protection of territorial integrity.

     

  • Party palava; volume I

    Yo folks, it’s that time when I chime out in rhyme.

    To chronicle the thyme and the chaos sublime, Abound in our nation of organised crime.

    As I witness Nigeria go back in her climb,My pen and my paper will mimic my mime.

    The line of this fine rhyme has to do with the grime, Of our political parties; their lemons and lime.

    With two years before our election’s in prime, The spinning and plotting have started their slime.

    I’ll speak of the parties in volume this time.

    In a two week edition of ‘Party Palava’ Prime.

    This week the laundry hung on this clothing line, Will be that of Africa’s biggest party of time.

    Next week, the opposition will be given their dime!

    This screed starts with PDP; the party of greed.

    Where members behave just like zombies who feed.

    For 14 bad years, they force feed us their creed.

    By mislead and misdeed, they misread us indeed.

    At every election, they exceed what’s agreed, And proceed to stampede on the rights of the freed.

    Those decreed with the deed to lead our breed, Succeed only in their own self-serving need.

    Our plights supersede a Balm of Gilead.

    We’re treated like vermin and rattlesnake weed.

    Nigerians recede, live a life where we bleed; An existence where heartache with speed’s guaranteed.

    In this race to accede on that Aso Rock Stead, Already we read that some might just secede.

    Now in my small position, I’ll give a rendition, Of the war of attrition in the PDP mission.

    The competition for admission in the 2015 edition, Was the ignition for the demolition of their old coalition.

    You see, for Johnny’s acquisition, he needs ammunition, So in the party’s transition, he brought an old politician.

    The imposition of Bamanga Tukur amidst no real audition, Created suspicion and opposition partition.

    The composition of the governors in their juxtaposition, Saw ‘this near-sedition’ as their own decommission.

    For it’s just not tradition, in the governor’s supposition, For their views to be in omission in the power transmission.

    Since ‘that’ imposition and Johnny’s decision, The party’s disposition looks more like nuclear fission!

    Now it’s just so insane that this causes such strain. I’ll try to explain this, ‘their hunger to reign’.

    You see, for one to maintain ‘that’ power domain, Their campaign must be lain at the start of the chain.

    It’s plain that our Johnny was using his brain, To retain his best ‘hommie’ as the parties One Main.

    His reasons were plain, his facts were germane.

    In his party’s terrain, he could feel the disdain.

    The bane of resistance, the rain of complain, Are from those who want to attain his leadership crane.

    It’s the governors, who drain their second term grain, That are out to detain John’s jugular vein.

    For, after their gain in the full governor’s lane, Their wish (to be plain) is ‘that’ presidential train!

    Now, in my opine, that’s the bottom line!

    A fight for ‘that’ shrine that powers define.

    At least quarter the governors; around about nine, Have align to fight Johnny in a design most devine.

    To consign his decline, they must as one combine,

    To entwine every swine Johnny forced down their spine.

    The sign for this drama is clearly in shine;

    ‘Infighting Treatens the Giant’; “Oh Golly, Oh mine!”

    Every reason benign, every rant, every whine,

    Will be used by both sides to supine and malign.

    But the one potent vine they will use in refine, Will be about tribe; The North will be asked to realign.

    ‘It’s the turn of the North to recline and to dine’.

    “That’s the tagline that, I’m telling you, we must now decline!”

    If I’m right in my guess and that’s what will transgress.

    Those who possess their full senses must remain convalesce.

    For, how can people who suppress our success,

    Address us like Yoyos just for their own progress?

    In the 2011 mess, our Johnny they did bless.

    At the time of that press, their second terms they’d caress.

    Now they want to address the North’s dispossess,

    When the repress of the region comes from their own excess.

    Unless they transgress their own selfish obsess, The dress of the North will never impress.

    Nevertheless, I must confess, it’s just my assess, I don’t want to digress from our political chess.

    I’m just trying to express my countries depress; Through the voice I possess, through my freedom of press!

    The update does not abate at the governor’s gate.

    To reinstate their weight, they went to Tukur’s state.

    In a move to deflate the Chairman’s dictate, The Adamawa Exco slate was dissolved outright, straight!

    With members of the great NWC joint plotting his fate,

    At this rate, Johnny aint no ‘Alexander the Great!’

    He’s looking more like a knackered ‘Junior Lightweight!

    In attempt to communicate with all those who’ve shown hate, Johnny did conjugate a meeting to reinstate his estate.

    But the negate from the irate does seem to translate, Into a restate where they just want a new Head of State.

    Only time can equate which side will win the debate.

    Whether Johnny’s ambition will at the end procreate, Or if the governors who berate can desecrate on his freight!

    The drama is on another degree in this party grand prix.

    Now, who will be the draftee for the Board of Trustee?

    First they called Anenih, Mr Fix-It, Mr Gutsy, As the ‘Gee’ with the decree to head their family tree.

    Obasanjo did not agree and with the jerk of his knee, Named his fellow retiree, Ahmadu Ali.

    “That just will not be!” said the PDP bourgeoisie.

    They did foresee Baba’s choice as the worst nominee.

    Baba must feel like a ‘Pea’ smack in the Aegean Sea, Coz he created this debris with his skeleton key!

    In this battle of spree between Obasanjo and Johnny, Who will win to guarantee their draftee as top honouree?

    If you ask me, Ekwueme is the best by a million degree.

    But I’ve no say in this Potpourri…, “Hey, I’m just the Emcee!”

    Now I’ll wind down this volume; the first part of two, But already we can see the bamboo breaking through.

    So Oyinlola went askew, when they told him adieu, As the internal kung-fu rages on fresh as new.

    As the governors renew their internal party coup, To subdue and outdo Ebele Jonathan’s view.

    But they must not misconstrue, that only ‘One’ can debut,

    The ‘Cordon Bleu’ that they ALL vehemently seem to pursue!

    Nigerians generally construe, that PDPs time is overdue.

    But only time will review whether the party can make it through, To undo their murky, adverse and unfavourable hue.

    This ‘Party Palava’ in lieu, is a drama that’s starting to brew.

    Gonna take off my shoe and find some popcorn to chew.

    “Gonna watch me some drama folks; God Bless and Thankyou!”

    As I close down this volume of my first critique, My daughter is telling me that I have a cheek!

    I don’t mean to be rude in the words that I speak, I’m just stating the obvious with a different technique.

    When I speak out on politics, my passion’s not meek.

    ‘With our future so bleak’, I bespeak and I shriek.

    A sneak peak at Nigeria gives one such mystique.

    It’s a nation, on paper, that’s blessed and unique; A nation where leaders have led us oblique.

    But we have a chance to seek out our peak, And tweak the main leak where our havoc is wreak.

    It starts with what we allow government to seek!

    I’ll examine the physique of the oppositions’ batik, In ‘Party Palava, Volume II’, which I will write for next week. Let’s make it a date so you can all take a sneak!

  • As unreformable as ever

    As unreformable as ever

    It was shortly after she had assumed office as Nigeria’s Finance Minister after resigning her prestigious position as Vice-President and Corporate Secretary of the World Bank. She was attending a retreat convened by the President along with other members of the Economic Management Team. At one of the sessions, the President abruptly announced that the Budget Office along with its Director had been transferred from the Ministry of Finance to the Presidency. Shocked that such a crucial decision affecting her ministry could be taken without her knowledge, the new appointee promptly packed her papers and left the venue of the retreat. After consultations with family and friends, she tendered her resignation letter to the President the following day. The President flung the letter at the bewildered former international civil servant saying she was free to go. She later learnt that was the ex- soldier turned farmer’s exceedingly polite way of turning down her resignation. The President later rescinded his position on the relocation of the Budget Office and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was fully welcome aboard the post-colonial national economic jungle known as Nigeria.

    These and other interesting insights are provided in the book titled ‘Reforming the Unreformable: Lessons from Nigeria’, published last year by Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. This highly readable book gives an account of Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala’s stewardship as Nigeria’s Finance Minister between 2003 and 2007. In lucid prose devoid of arcane and obscurantist academic jargon, the author paints a graphic picture of her diagnosis of the country’s economic challenges on resumption of office, the steps taken by the economic team under her leadership to find solutions and the immense challenges they confronted in the process.

    Of course, there is much to disagree with in this book. Given her over two- decade career at the World Bank, for instance, it is not surprising that Mrs Okonjo-Iweala adopts rather uncritically the neo-liberal philosophical and ideological underpinnings of western International Financial Institutions. Thus, state intervention in the economy is inherently bad. Privatisation, liberalisation and deregulation are inevitable, redemptive panaceas for national transformation. She gives no inkling that greedy and reckless international creditors were as culpable for Nigeria’s huge debt overhang as corrupt, unpatriotic and visionless Nigerian leaders. On the appointment of Charles Soludo as Economic Adviser to President Obasanjo, she writes, “we needed a sound macroeconomist – something Nigeria had not had in many years…” This is very untrue and insulting. On the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS), Okonjo-Iweala avers that “…we could truly say that NEEDS was a home-grown Nigerian strategy and action plan to reduce poverty and create wealth- a plan put together by Nigerians for Nigeria”. This is an exaggeration. Most Nigerians were absolutely unaware of what NEEDS was about. In any case, NEEDS died with the Obasanjo administration. Not even Mrs Okonjo-Iweala has mentioned the acronym once in her second incarnation. Transformation agenda is the new mantra.

    In spite of these observations, however, the book as I said is extremely well written. The author’s mental clarity is not in doubt. Her analysis of the country’s economy is pungent and penetrating, which is not surprising given her intellectual and professional antecedents. But then, why the rather condescending title ‘Reforming the Unreformable’? Is it a reflection of her frustration at the impediment of her many ambitious reforms by the forces of graft, stagnation and retrogression? On reading through the book, I discovered that this is not the case. Rather, Mrs Okonjo-Iweala is convinced that the Economic Team under her leadership in the period under consideration indeed made considerable progress in reforming institutions and processes hitherto considered unreformable.

    Thus, in the first paragraph of her concluding chapter she enthuses “The implementation of reforms in the second Obasanjo Administration (2003-2007) broke a cycle of despair and cynicism among Nigerians about the prospects and future of their country. It showed that it is possible to bring about change, that there are Nigerians selfless enough to do this without sinking into corruption or personal gain, and that indeed it is possible to reform this hitherto unreformable country”. Of course, very few Nigerians will agree with this assertion. Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala is more realistic in the very next paragraph when she writes “But did the reforms launch Nigeria on a path of sustainable growth and development? The jury is still out. Nigeria has certainly been growing at a respectable 7 percent average annual rate since the reforms, but it is clear that the Nigerian economy has not yet fundamentally transformed, is not yet creating the number of jobs needed to absorb the youth, and faces a large unfinished reform agenda”.

    Make no mistake about it. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala and other members of her economic team – Nasir El Rufai, Nuhu Ribadu, Oby Ezekwesili, Charles Soludo etc. – did a yeoman’s job in the most difficult of circumstances and amidst intense opposition as detailed in the book. An annual Fiscal Strategy Paper was introduced to map and monitor expenditure to enhance fiscal discipline. They initiated the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Medium Term Sector Strategies (MTSS) as three year rolling budget frameworks to ensure continuity in execution of long-term projects, most of which were usually abandoned. The Due Process mechanism was instituted to enhance transparency in the procurement process while a Cash Management Committee was put in place to regularly reconcile accounts between the Budget Office and the Office of the Accountant General to ensure timely quarterly release of budgetary allocations. Mrs Okonjo-Iweala even made sure budgetary allocations to all tiers of government were published in the media for public awareness. The War Against Corruption was intensified through the EFCC and the initiation of the Fiscal Responsibility Bill. But all Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-‘Wahala’s’ efforts hardly made a dent on an unreformable structure.

    Attempts to enhance transparency in the management of public funds only made corruption more efficient by ensuring adherence to due process in the looting of the public treasury. The privatisation process was often perverted by graft and cronyism. Even the publication of budgetary allocations to the different tiers of government did not arouse the public to demand greater accountability from public officers. More people only clamoured for their own share of such an abundant national bounty! Mrs Okonjo-Iweala was elated that Nigeria paid $12 billion in 2005 to get a debt cancellation of $18 billion and exit the Paris Club of debtors. Not only have the promised benefits of debt forgiveness not materialised, today, Nigeria is smiling all the way back to debt peonage. She was happy that during her first coming, fuel subsidies of at least $1 billion were eliminated. Today, the economy groans under a far heavier weight of the contentious fuel subsidy. We take one step forward and ten steps backwards. The more things appear to change, the more they remain the same. What then is really wrong?

    I think the answer partly lies on page 19 of Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s book. The Economic Team she writes decided that “…if we were to make any headway in improving economic and social performance of the country, we had to begin with macroeconomic and budgetary reforms”. Wrong. Any meaningful social and economic transformation agenda must begin with fundamental political reforms. Of course, this is beyond the brief of any economic team. It requires determined, principled and visionary political leadership that will push through a fundamental restructuring of our deformed federal polity; radical decentralisation of powers, responsibilities and resources; greater institutional autonomy for the police, judiciary, electoral and anti-corruption agencies among other measures. In the continued absence of such a selfless and purposeful leadership, Nigeria will remain as unreformable as ever no matter Okonjo-Iweala’s exertions.

    Just think of it. Right now, a President who is supposed to give Okonjo-Iweala and her team the full backing of his office for the realization of the transformation agenda is deeply embroiled in the raging civil war within his party with 2015 firmly in focus. As he dodges scud missiles from the direction of Ota, launches bazookas of his own, keeps an eye on suicide bombers from the northern sector and seeks to contain possible snipers among governors and legislators of his party, will he have any time for any transformation agenda? I pity the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and her team. They are severely on their own. After her current tour of duty, I hope Dr. Okonjo-Iweala will not have to write another book titled: ‘Abandoning The Unredeemable’.

  • Fly Eagles, fly

    Fly Eagles, fly

    The battle line is drawn. The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations begins today with pomp and ceremony. At stake is the prestigious trophy for the best country on the continent. There is also a new vista for home-grown lads who will be competing for honours with the established stars.

    The talk among pundits is that Nigeria’s Super Eagles will be in South Africa to make up the numbers and not to wrest the trophy from the surprise winners in 2012, the Chipolopolo of Zambia. They are tipping Cote d’ Ivoire to lift the trophy as consolation for last year’s nail-biting penalty shoot-out loss to the Zambians in the final game.

    The cynics among these pundits mock the Eagles with the sobriquet Super Chicken and are beating their chests that the team, at their best, may shed the toga and emerge as the best entertainers when the curtains fall on the fiesta on February 10 in Johannesburg.

    Will anyone blame these cynics? Could they have made such unsavoury comments in 1996 when the Super Eagles were the toast of the world’s football community?

    Certainly not. Not with what the Super Eagles showcased at the USA’ 94 World Cup and the Dream Team 1’s flawless display of football artistry that fetched Nigeria the gold medal at the Atlanta’96 Olympic Games.

    Seventeen years ago when the last Africa Cup of Nations was held in South Africa, the Super Eagles were matchless in the quality and capacity of talents to deliver scintillating soccer – compared with any other African country.

    In fact, in 1996, the world waited with bated breath to see the mincemeat that the Super Eagles would make of their African foes. There was an armada of stars, such as the late Rashidi Yekini, Peter Rufai, Stephen Keshi, Emmanuel Amuneke, Nwankwo Kanu, Daniel Amokachi, George Finidi, Uche Okechukwu, Ben Iroha, Taribo West, Victor Ikpeba, Tijani Babangida, Chidi Nwanu, the late Uche Okafor et al.

    Pundits placed their last bets on the Eagles strolling to South Africa to lift the trophy. The Eagles were going to the 1996 edition as defending champions, having beaten a Zambian side that lost all the members of the senior side, the Chipolopolo, in a plane crash in Gabon.

    No one dared bet against the Eagles lifting the trophy in South Africa. But Nigeria’s head of state then, the late Gen. Sani Abacha, had other ideas. Abacha, for political reasons, prevented the Eagles from defending their title, despite appeals from the global body’s chieftains and leaders of thought in the world.

    South Africa’s Bafana Bafana won the trophy and not a few pundits felt that the Eagles would have swept other options away, if Abacha had listened to good advice.

    But on Monday, the Eagles have a date with history against the Stallions of Burkina Faso and we are back to our old ways of asking Nigerians to pray for the team’s victory as if the Burkinabes don’t worship God too. Our players must play to their potentials. Only the cup is what Nigerians want and they cannot be asking for too much.

    The truth is that the Eagles ought to be the default winners of any African football competition. The talk ought to be about likely opponents of the Nigerian side in the finals and not otherwise, if we had sustained the tempo of performance after the 1994 and 1996 feats.

    The Eagles attained the heights that the current Spanish senior side enjoys, such that many would easily tip the Spaniards to qualify for the finals of the 2014 World Cup, if they continue with their steady rise in the world’s ranking.

    Nigerians want to see against the Burkinabes, boys who are hungry to fight for the balls and beat the opposition at dusk. We want to see committed players who won’t disappoint us. Nigerians are tired of excuses. They want to sleep fulfilled, waiting for the next game against the Zambians on January 25.

    Nigerians want to return to their offices on Tuesday to savour some of the exciting moments of the defeat of the Burkinabes. They want to sit in their homes to analyse trends in the game and make projections.

    Whenever the Eagles are doing well, everything comes to a halt. We forget our ethnic differences and see ourselves as a united nation.

    The talk about the Super Eagles not getting funds early is cheap. The Eagles owe Nigerians a credible outing to atone for the pain and shame of previous heart-wrenching displays.

    The present bunch of Super Eagles must utilise the platform the Africa Cup of Nations offers to return the team to where it was before they came. The Eagles were world beaters. They played in some of the best leagues in the world. Nigerians were proud every time foreigners recognised them as Jay Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu¸ Daniel Amokachi et al.

    They cherished such moments when foreigners asked after our sports ambassadors and talked about their exploits with glee. It made us proud. Soccer was our brand identity and the domestic game benefited from it as European scouts made our league centres their second home to get cheap talents for export.

    The European scouts’ invasion emboldened the domestic league players to give out their best. It changed the mindset of the local stars, who hitherto, relied on shylock middlemen to take their trade to Europe in search of the proverbial Golden Fleece.

    Nigeria’s Eldorado years in football witnessed our players making Belgium their home whilst other European countries were hustling to have some of our best in their country. The ripple effect of the star-trek to Europe gave the domestic game the impetus for growth that has now been corrupted by the failure of leadership at the Nigeria Premier League since its inception.

    The new dawn should start with the Eagles lifting the trophy. Anything short of that is a misadventure and absolutely unacceptable. So, can the Eagles fly in South Africa?

    Is Ejide jinxed?

    In the year 2000, Shuaibu Amodu informed this writer that Austin Ejide was the best goalkeeper he had seen in the domestic league. Amodu moved five steps; punched the air and prayed that Ejide should stay out of injury.

    Ejide was then a goalkeeper at Gabros International. Amodu was convinced that he would be Nigeria’s greatest. In fact, Amodu confirmed Ejide as a specialist in catching penalties – a trait many Nigerian goalkeepers do not have.

    Months later, I saw Amodu wear a forlorn look. He said: “Old boy, that Ejide has problems o! He sustains injuries, especially when you need him most. Anyway, I will help him. He has this recurring shoulder injury. I have contacted doctors who can help him.”

    Ejide’s story has been that of injury today; fit tomorrow. But when he is fit, he is best – a fact former German legend and Super Eagles coach Berti Vogts attested to by picking him ahead of fans’ favourite, Vincent Eneyam, at the Ghana’2008 Africa Cup of Nations.

    Is Ejide too fragile? Or is he jinxed? I don’t think so; not with his big physique that is his greatest asset. He needs to be very careful. He also should charge out of his goalpost like a lion. He should also expect those crunchy tackles and learn how to dodge them.

    Indeed, not many people know that Ejide was at the 2002 Korea/Japan World Cup as the team’s third goalkeeper behind Ike Shorunmu and Enyeama.

    One only hopes that Ejide gets well for the South Africa 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

    Missing Super Eagles

    Stephen Keshi has picked his 23-man squad. We need to support him. Yet watching the European leagues last week, I was restless whilst watching Victor Anichebe play for Everton against Swansea at the Goodison Park Stadium.

    Anichebe troubled Swansea’s defence for the 83 minutes he played. The game ended on a barren note, yet you could see delighted Swansea players hugging the Nigerian.

    He will surely be missed by Keshi and the Eagles. He missed out due to recurring injuries. We expect him back for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.

    Another lad the Eagles would miss is Inter Milan’s Joel Obi, who returned to full fitness last week. If he had returned two weeks earlier, Keshi would have picked him. He held Eagles’ midfield in matches where others tottered.

    Joel Obi was Keshi’s pick-of-the-pack in most matches. He too will be missed. The good news though is that Obi is available for Nigeria’s 2014 World Cup qualifiers.

  • The road to Igbo presidency

    The road to Igbo presidency

    Southeast should prepare for the future

    A few things stand in the way of the Igbo man or woman on the road to the presidency. One of them is the taste of power. Its sweetness excites the taste buds, courses through to the brain and flows down the rest of the body. It blinds and deafens and blocks all rationality. From Nigeria’s birth in 1960 to its 53rd anniversary, the Hausa have had the best taste of power at the top, whatever the system of governance. From Tafawa Balewa to Gowon to Murtala to Shagari to Buhari down to all the generals that came after, the North has savoured the taste of federal power more than any other region in the country. But this fact, however, has not dissuaded politicians and power brokers in the region from agitating for another shot at the top in the immediate, even in 2015. There is no shortfall of arguments for the Northern quest, none of which I need go into here. Ndigbo must come to grips with this fact. Put differently, an Igbo man’s ascent to Aso Rock will not come without profound opposition.

    Coming a miserable second in the power scheme of things are the Yoruba, one of whom, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, made it to the top first as an army general and then a civilian, giving him pride of place in power longevity. Still, the Obasanjo story does not seem to edify majority of readers from the region, largely because on both occasions of his ride to power, his kinsmen scarcely played any crucial part. The region will be happy to help send another of their own to Abuja in 2015. Ndigbo will do well, too, to note that.

    In the tripartite equation of the country, the Southeast brought up the rear. Since the dawn of the nation, they have had no candidate of their own at the top except the ceremonial presidency of Azikiwe. It hurts. So the Igbo quest for Aso Rock, even in 2015, is legitimate.

    Yet, Ndigbo are not the only ones with an eye on power at the centre. The so-called minorities desire the presidency as much as anyone. The Edo, for instance, will not turn down the opportunity if it presents itself. Nor will the Idoma.

    The quest for federal power is strong across the board, though it must be admitted that it is stronger in some parts than in others. But that is not the biggest hurdle in the way of Ndigbo. Their most telling challenge is internal, not external. It is not that other people want to snatch what they are reaching for. It is lame to continue to claim that certain people do not want the Igbo to govern; if any group of people can determine’ the fate of a nation till eternity without any challenge, they will do it. For as some have pointed out, no one relinquishes power easily or willingly. It is too sweet.

    The Igbo challenge is incoherence, a malady that is in no way domesticated in the Southeast, but which has continued to harm its people and their legitimate ambitions. There has always been a superabundance of national leadership material in the region, but at some point you begin to wonder if that is not in itself a problem. There is always the concern that where only one Igbo man is needed, with others backing him up, 10 or more may show up, each with scant support, and none getting the job. In this circumstance, there is no melody; only cacophony. In national politics, the best they get in this unflattering atmosphere is vice-president.

    To go beyond this point, Ndigbo must foster unity among themselves and put their best foot forward. While it is impossible for the entire Southeast to vote for one man (in fact it is even naive to hope for that) it is imperative for their candidate to garner overwhelming support from the region. But it does not end there, for all the votes in Igbo land and none from the other regions cannot take a Southeasterner to Aso Rock. The Igbo presidential aspirant needs appreciable ballots from other regions. To do that, he must reach out to them and quit posting the miserable, marginalised figure Nigerians are used to. The Igbo man must find his voice, his rhythm, his confidence. He must be bold again.

    The Igbo aspirant must have a vision for the country he wants to lead and present a well-thought-out plan for its growth. If others before him failed, he must not. His presidency must count, and not just make the statistics.

    The quest for federal power must start now but should target beyond 2015.

  • Re: A president’s holy hypocrisy

    Last week I inexplicably wrote that the Nigerian civil war occurred between 1969 and 1971 rather than 1967 to 1970. I tender my sincere apologies and thank the numerous readers that drew my attention to the error.

    Today I publish some of the reactions to my piece of Saturday, 22nd December, 2012. Kindly read and ruminate.

    Segun, for sure you will never see anything good in Mr President. I think the man is wallowing in the disjointed system he inherited, so don’t blame him much and moreover tribalism, religious and political affiliation that has been a snag in this country, are not helping matters. So he needs prayers. We all need prayers including you.

    God bless Nigeria,

    Don Ezeala, 08064843000

     I read your column on ‘A President’s Holy Hypocrisy’. I appreciate your concern but sir, I humbly wish that you please note the following: the altar that President Jonathan knelt belongs to God not Pastor Adeboye. God’s door and worship places are in this period of grace open to ALL MEN. The owner of this vineyard will separate the vine at His chosen time.

    God bless and keep you sir, Makanjuola, 08152243411

     Did Salami pay you? Will your paymasters do better than Jonathan? How many other ordinary Nigerians have suffered more injustice? Show more respect when writing about the president,

    08139010472

     Holy hypocrisy – Did I hear you say that people don’t know their votes for GEJ will foist clueless leadership on them? Where have the voters been since 1999? You mean they don’t know what the party he comes from represented? Oh, I remember they voted for GEJ not PDP. Thoughtless people who never learn. You all voted along sentimental lines all because a guy once had no shoes. Truth is the country is getting what they deserve for lack of wisdom at the polls. Come 2015, the mistake will be repeated for Nigerians never learn from mistakes, 08064286736

     Jonathan pitted what he termed the 40% Yoruba against the 60% other tribes (read Ijaw) in Lagos during the 2011 elections. He did not mind the consequences of his utterances so long as he became President. With 2015 in mind, he kneels before a Yoruba pastor for redemption. What a geek! Jonathan is not only a hypocrite; he is a snake as depicted by Sam Omatseye, Foster Adeleke, 07059540595

    Marijata or what do you call yourself? How much were you paid to run down Mr President? Maybe he should have gone to babalawo to prostrate so that we can hail him. You have written virtually everything about this man. I am waiting for the day you will write about how Jonathan makes love to his wife. I am sure you are seeking for attention but nobody will grant you that hence you cannot rule your tiny village in Kogi State, stupid man, 07063121321

     I think you got it wrong on Saturday. What is bad in kneeling down for prayers? He swore to uphold the country’s constitution. Does that mean he shouldn’t practice his religion? Abaa! Even the bible says leaders should be prayed for,

    Sola Awe, Osogbo, 08022467206

    Sir, the President thinks that kneeling can solve the problem, not knowing it takes heroism, entrepreneurial culture, power and political drama, risk taking, courage, hardihood and vision not sympathy. Mr Segun, please tell him we cannot be fooled again, AdemolaNajim, 08068069798

     If people like you are not employed to do dirty work by running down the President because he is from the minority, what is wrong for leader kneeling down to before a man of God? Can you tell us which of the former Presidents of Islamic faith attended a Christian ceremony? Enough of this rubbish,

    Sam, Port Harcourt, 08037986593

     Segun, ‘A President’s Holy Hypocrisy’ is really a masterpiece in the way we Christians display our Christian life and ‘bornagainism’. The President’s hypocritical posture got to its apogee when he could not take care of his brother who died of malaria and his haggard-looking children; let alone other Nigerians or infrastructure like East-West road. As a crafty man, he chose to pretend on serious issues ravaging the country like failed security, elevated corrupt practices, total decay in infrastructure and appointment of failed politicians into juicy posts like Nigeria Ports Authority in order to help him in 2015. But Nigerians will never be tricked by those shoeless, Christian, Ph. D and regional sentiments. We need a prepared, purposeful and fearless leader who will not surround himself with praise singers and charlatans. We cannot be tricked for the second time. We are tired of him,

    Chike, 08033078336

     Compliments of the season, Sege. Read your Saturday stuff but I am beginning to have problems with the definition of ‘free and fair election’. Is it an election where the number of armed security men are more than registered voters or the one in which people are disenfranchised by a concocted voters register? Jonathan is President if we like it or not so Baba Adeboye cannot be blamed for allowing him to talk. What we have to live with for now is that Nigeria is on auto pilot. So, on our knees!, Regards,

    Olu, 07036646361

     Your December 22 article on the President’s hypocrisy was superb. Ride on, 08063812854

     What I understand of the Holy Ghost is it inspires us to passionately seek and adhere to the right things and hate evil, so if by now the President is not ruthlessly dealing with the challenges that are confronting the nation, it simply means the Holy Ghost he seeks continues to elude him. If I were him, I will be thinking of vacating the seat for a naturally ruthless person like Adams Oshiomhole or MuhammaduBuhari and continue to seek the Kingdom of God off the seat. If not, on it, God will always demand of him his stewardship and that may cost him dearly,

    Charles Iortyom, Makurdi, 07030437547

     It is like you are not mentally stable. It is not your fault, 08034225504

     Look Mr Segun or what you call yourself, what is it that Mr President did to you that you cannot forgive and pray for his repentance? Me thinks you are not a Christian because if you are go to Mathew 7:1. You are under God’s judgement for judging your fellow man. You are not a Christian and with an unforgiving spirit. First remove the spoke in your eyes before trying to help others. You unrepentant, selfish, pretending, unworthy servant,

    EzemaOzalla, 08179790654

     Hypocrisy is the middle name of the political class in Nigeria. Just imagine some years back, Agagu went to the Redemption Camp to thank the Lord for his victory at the polls, not too long after Mimiko also gave a testimony on his victory. The list of opportunists who mount the altar from the Obasanjo era is endless, from the opposition to the ruling party. People who perform rituals, make their godson to swear oath and rig elections now go to camp for prayers. What a shame!,

    Kola Alao, Lagos, 07069010873

     Sege, quite an interesting piece; really illuminating. Many Nigerians now know President GEJ as a deceit and a big mistake,

    Adey, Oshodi, Lagos, 07057631041

     Your article on this subject I admit was spot on. However, your question as to why would the G.O. allow his venerated altar to be cynically manipulated for political ends should find answers in the working relationship that exists between political leaders and religious leaders to perpetually keep the citizenry focussed on heavenly quest and God’s kingdom so as not to make demands on political leadership. The deliberate teachings of religious leaders on prosperity, God’s kingdom and the fact that this world is theirs take the pressure off political leaders. Keep illuminating, Williams Nuatin Genesis, Badagry, 0807776755

    “Is his treatment of Salami the action of A God-fearing man?” That indeed is the question! “Daddy G.O.” prayed for the President (perhaps on request) concerning his ‘onerous job’. At post-prayer session, he should have gone the whole hog and admonished him to ‘act right’ in Salami’s matter in fulfilment of God’s injunction in Ecclesiastics 12: 13-14; Strange that since the Holy Ghost Congress and open prayers, the President has simply gone back to ‘high stake’ politics and befuddled the nation with his decision to reappoint Chief Annenih as NPA Chairman!, 08034726625

    Segun, if you were a Christian I would have referred you to many places in the bible for you to know how God works. Jesus said he came for sinners not for the righteous and as many as receive him he gives the power to be children of God. God said he uplifts those who humble themselves but debases the haughty. Another thing I will let you know is that kings and rulers are made by God be they good or bad. They are installed for a purpose. God said in the bible that He raised Pharaoh of Egypt up for the sole purpose to show his might, so however it may be, leave Jonathan alone. There is a hand that kept him there and His purpose is best known to him. Nobody can undo what he has done except God permits it, 0806121‘0106

    Segun, you said it all. Jonathan hasdefinitely lost focus. The most painful is that of Justice Salami. They are with the swash-buckling Justice Minister, Adoke, playing away with time till when Justice Salami’s retirement comes. Jonathan never thinks or acts like someone who has a doctorate . He’s only there for history, 08136665522

    Segun, I’ve been your regular reader with high interest but your President’s holy hypocrisy has exposed your lack of real knowledge. Has Buhari, IBB, Abubakar or late YarÁdua ever entered a church? Are you saying GEJ should compromise his faith to please the devils?,Akpegi U.A, Abuja, 08138048180

    Uncle Segun, I was telling a young man in my office recently that some people that gave testimony in a thanksgiving service would have been struck dead if it were the time of holiness. Most of our altars are polluted. I am not surprised at the President’s hypocrisy but I think they should fear their creator, 08020645743

    My dear brother Segun, I just read your illuminating piece of a deceitful President. May the good Lord deliver us from this wicked soul, 08081862575

    There is no better way to express my appreciation over your article today. More grease to your elbows,

    Chris Itodo, Makurdi, 07030156730

    Mr Ayobolu, even though there are many things wrong with our country but there is nothing wrong in the President going to the RCCG event; there is also nothing wrong if he is recognised there; even the bible says Honour the King (Proverbs 24:21). I think you are mixing your dislike for the President with his faith, his freedom to express himself in a religious manner fit for him. Earlier this year when the Vice President was shown in Saudi Arabia performing his religious rites, why didn’t you echo a similar sentiment? I can feel so much bitterness and harsh judgements issuing from your column; I know if you were the Holy Ghost, you would have rained down liquid fire on the President at the altar but God does not have the heart of a man. You made some good points though, Cyril Musa, 07054002641

    You are not a disinterested commentator; you are an aggrieved partisan. I am certain that the Holy Ghost will not be embarrassed that a sinful President knelt or came before the throne of grace, Teyo, 08159500393

    Good day sir. I read The Nation newspaper almost daily. I like their stuff. I learn from your write ups too but the one thing I don’t understand is how you don’t usually see any good thing done by Mr President. More annoying, you won’t even proffer alternative solution to whatever you are talking about. Worst, you hit it hard either on that Christian pastor, CAN leadership etc. I may be wrong but it is not fair. Hit the Muslims a day or two, let’s see if the world would remain the same again,

    Kingsley, 08037395242

    This is my second time of responding to your write up on political issues. I am amazed that you are criticising the President for his humility in kneeling before a man whom you accept as a man of impeccable integrity and undeniable credibility. What is shameful or embarrassing in that act? The greater hypocrisy is from people like you who are always attacking people like Jonathan and Oritsejafor and turning a blind eye to the real people wrecking our society in the name of making this nation ungovernable. Why don’t you turn your attention on those sponsoring killings in the North? They have succeeded in destroying what was once a great region such that people are now running away from the North including even Northerners themselves. Please note that God will judge you people when you abuse the privilege you have in influencing public opinion by reason of where you work, 08069690340

    God is not a man so he never sees the way men see. The President may have gone to seek the prayer of pastor Adeboye with the mind of “Lord have mercy on me a sinner”. Hence he would return home justified by God than those who criticised him over that move. What can only he do in the midst of many frustrating his effort for their selfish and corrupt interest? Nigeria’s poor general condition is just the continuation of what Jonathan inherited and not easy to solve than calling on God as other reasonable Nigerians,

    08067549105

    Mr Segun, I wonder why you didn’t win any award at the just concluded NMMA. Your write up of today to me spoke the minds of millions of intellectually upright people. I think people like you, Mr.Osuji, Mr.Omatseye and a lot of you who have the audacity to always say the truth in this our religion infested society deserve great commendation. Keep the fire burning. This write up is of A+ rating,

    08035502412

    May God bless you and increase you in wisdom for that beautiful write up in today’s paper. You raised several fundamental issues. Keep it up bro, Bode Thomas, Akure, 08034978855

    Mr Ayobolu, why are you always castigating the President even when he went to church to pray? When has it become an offence as a Christian to kneel down in front of a clergyman in a church for God’s sake? Enough is enough for you these agents of evil who are bent on bringing this country down, Prince AdeniyiAdedoyin, 08132940725

    Dear SegunAyobolu, your article today makes a must contribution from me for the simple reason of saving you and some of your ignorant readers. Please for you and your family’s sake, do not write on anything about God. A man saw the Ark of the Lord falling and went to help to stop it only for God to strike him dead immediately for he is not supposed to touch the Ark. This is exactly what you have done. My prayer is that God will forgive you this time. But if you are in doubt, try and see if my God will not do what he said he will do. Adeboye will allow and bless anybody kneeling before him according to the direction of the spirit and not according to your law. He is seeing the spiritual Jonathan and not the physical Jonathan you are seeing, Andrew Udeze, Abuja, 08133790744

    Your article shows how timid and partial Nigerian journalists are. Jonathan is a politician. Why should Pastor Adeboye always surrender his pulpit to the high and mighty whenever they come calling at his Congress? Does Pastor Adeboyeafford lowly placed Nigerians such privilege? Would Christ have discriminated on the basis of a person’s social status? How often have you had the courage to criticise Pastor Adeboye for buying a private jet in the midst of abject poverty in a country where over 70% live below $1 a day? Would Christ have done that? Be courageous in speaking the truth and I assure you that the heavens will not fall,

    08033856295

    Segun, your piece is thought provoking. It is time Jonathan’s media handlers advise him to stop insulting our sensibilities. He should read Galatians 6:7 “God is not mocked. Whatsoever, a man sows that he shall reap”, AgabaOkpe, 08037031507

  • Where is Mikel Obi?

    Roll back the tape to 2005. The World Youth Championship held in Netherlands. Nigeria’s U-20 side lost to their Argentine counterparts. Two young boys – John Mikel Obi of Nigeria and Lionel Messi of Argentina – thrilled the world with the sublime skills and incredible talents.

    The final game between Nigeria and Argentina offered the platform to pick who between Mikel and Messi was the best player of the tournament. It was a close call. Many rooted for Mikel because he shone like a million stars. Messi was remarkable, the pivot of his Argentine side. Then, when he was voted the best player, not a few Nigerians sneered at the decision.

    Indeed, the year-long transfer controversy between Chelsea and Manchester United fuelled the fact among many football pundits that Mikel was truly the best of the twosome. This school’s argument held sway because of the pedigree of the two English clubs in global football.

    Another school bemoaned Mikel’s move to Chelsea, attributing his seeming eclipse in the game to what could be described as a misadventure. They argued that Mikel would have attained Messi’s Golan height, if he had gone to Manchester United. Good talk, but the flipside is that Mikel couldn’t have benched Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes in the midfield. This view holds sway, considering the fact that Giggs and Scholes still feature in Sir Alex Ferguson’s line-up till date. Giggs and Scholes were incredible midfield gems to be shoved aside by Mikel, whose football foundation as a kid wasn’t as refined as what the twosome had.

    Even with the Giggs and Scholes’ ages, can we say that Mikel is a better player now in comparative terms? I don’t think so. This argument underlines the reason why Mikel would have wasted time at Manchester United.

    Messi has blossomed to heights where Mikel won’t attain. The reason simply rests on their ages. We should tell ourselves the truth that Mikel is older than Messi by many years, even though they are age mates.

    What Messi has going for him is his age. He gets better with every year. Mikel diminishes in form every season. He would need to be at his best at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, if he hopes to wear Nigeria’s colours at the 2014 World Cup competition in Brazil.

    Whereas we will need weeks of fasting for Mikel to break his goals jinx for club and country, Messi is scoring goals with aplomb. Messi has broken all football records, with many fans asking who will break all Messi’s records?

    Messi is an embodiment of all that is good- discipline, humility, and patriotism – and plays the game for club and country as if his life depends on it.

    He has repeatedly chosen Argentina ahead of Barcelona, in spite of criticisms from some of his countrymen that he plays better for Barcelona. This view must have changed in recent times, with the way Messi has been scoring goals for the Argentines, although many would argue that this new resolve is occasioned by the fact that he is now the team’s captain.

    Where do we start in assessing Mikel? It has taken God’s grace for Mikel to make the Eagles’ list to South Africa 2013 Cup of Nations. Mikel and Keshi had to shift grounds to work together. This fragile peace would be tested during the competition. God forbid it cracks.

    Mikel is Nigeria’s biggest player in Europe. He plays for one of the biggest teams. His presence in any country’ soccer team should inspire his colleagues. Stars like Mikel carry their country’s fate on their shoulders. Need I waste space to name such soccer stars.

    Mikel’s contribution to the Eagles’ performance against Cape Verde was disappointing. He shot once at the goalkeeper; otherwise, he was anonymous. He couldn’t inspire his mates during the game. He ran aimlessly and watched in awe as the more composed Cape Verdeans ridiculed Eagles’ defenders with their sublime skills.

    One hindsight, this writer could excuse Mikel because this is his real competitive game playing for the Eagles under Stephen Keshi’s reign outside the country. He should know that global football pundits expect him to lead the Eagles to glory. Having been a member of Chelsea’s UEFA Champions League diadem Mikel rates among the big stars that should dazzle fans with his silky skills culminating into breathtaking goals.

    Mikel should inform Keshi where he thinks he can best help the team. Keshi should also know that giving Mikel a free role in the midfield like we saw in the Wednesday night international friendly game against Cape Verde shows that he doesn’t watch Chelsea’s matches. Mikel is a defensive midfielder. He has been playing that role in the last five years and knows what to do to stabilise any defence.

    If Keshi wants the Eagles to play to their potentials in South Africa, he must field Mikel in the defensive midfield position. He should give the free role in the midfield to Moses, who is fast, strong and dribbles the ball well and can crack good shots that end up inside the opponent’s net.

    Eagles’ display against Cape Verde was appalling. They were not good in any department of the game, in spite of the changes made at the interval. What should strike our players’ bloated ego is that playing against African teams is a different kettle of fish from the European turf where they are coming from.

    It is about time Keshi accepted that the Eagles must at all times have four midfielders serving as the link between the attack and the defence. This archaic style of asking the wingers to fall into the midfield to help is problematic.

    These wingers ply their trade in Europe and would find it extremely difficult to cope with the high altitude in South Africa.

    If Keshi wants to succeed in South Africa, he needs to get Mikel to play at his best by picking gifted players in our team and also providing the right formation for the team to excel. A tree, the saying goes, cannot make a forest.

    Eagles’ conduct on the pitch

    I was disgusted with the attitude of Super Eagles midfielder Nosa Igiebor when Nigeria played against Venezuela.

    Igiebor was injured and the referee whistled for the game to be stopped. The doctor was invited. Having been attended to, Igiebor walked across the pitch and pushed down a Venezuelean who was walking beside him. The Venezuelan fell.

    That was an ungentlemanly conduct, but Igiebor escaped the referee’s red card, perhaps because it was a friendly. I waited patiently for Eagles’ coaches to rebuke Igiebor. That didn’t happen. I confronted one NFF official, who said that Igiebor was angry. I told the NFF man that I was utterly disappointed with his comment.

    I was, therefore, not surprised with the manner in which Victor Moses reacted to one Cape Verde player. The Cape Verde’s guy’s tackle was rough. But it was the referee’s duty to caution him, not Moses’. The referee showed Moses the yellow for retaliation.

    The referee’s slap on the wrist was because it was a friendly game. In major competitions, Keshi would have to play many games with fewer men on the pitch because of our players’ attitude.

    Our boys feel very important and they always take the law into their own hands, despite their exposure in the European leagues. Keshi needs to warn them to change, if he wants to lift the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations diadem. Thank God Keshi scolded Moses at half time and dropped him from the game. Moses didn’t play in the second half.

    Keshi must remind our players that the Zambians were not a fantastic team. What nobody could take away from the Zambians was that they were disciplined, determined, dedicated, focused and played the game with their hearts last year when they lifted the diadem.

    Without these ingredients (discipline, determination, dedication and focus), no team excels. Sani Kiata’s poor conduct cost Nigeria the chance to shock the world when he was sent off for the needless retaliatory kick on the opponent in our first game in South Africa 2010 World Cup.

    Keshi’s Nike cap; Nigeria’s Addidas kit

    Could somebody please beg Super Eagles chief coach Stephen Keshi to remove his Nike cap during Nigeria’s matches?

    Keshi wore a Nike cap whilst wearing Nigeria’s official kit, Addidas, during the barren draw game between Nigeria and Cape Verde. This is a misnomer.

    Brands must not clash on such sensitive platforms, irrespective of whatever deal players and coaches have. This offensive deep blue cap runs riot with Nigeria’s green and white colours. We must learn to respect contractual agreement.