The Nation Newspaper

Category: Hardball

  • PDP’s self-damnation

    At the height of its infamy, Hardball remembers calling his readers to re-do the PDP acronym. Of course, PDP is nothing else but, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). But we had asked readers to re-interpret the acronym based on their understanding of what PDP really stood for. A few interesting entries had come in.

    You all must know the common one made popular by a former president and leader under the party, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. His rendition was, PDP: Papa Deceiving Pikin. Not bad at all you must agree except that he could have been the star of his lampoon i.e. Papa. But give Baba his due; he has the acute wiliness of a cowboy. And it has served him marvellously well in this jungle environment.

    Then you have heard some of the more common ones like, PDP: People Damaging People; Peter Dey Pay; Punish De People; Passionately Damaging the Polity and Poison Dey Palmwine, etc. But last week, PDP’s spokesman, Chief Olisa Metuh, told Nigerians in a most remorseless manner that PDP does not have funds to complete its 12-storey head office.

    What immediately came to mind upon reading this was, PDP: Pirate Damaging and Pillaging! And mind you, the exclamation mark is deliberate because what struck one upon reading that piece of news was: how damning! How could a man who cannot build his own house pretend to be building for others?

    Recall that during the heat of electioneering, PDP had garnered over N21 billion in one fund-raising event. All sorts of carpet-baggers and Ministries, Departments and Agencies of state had openly shovelled funds to PDP. When Nigerians had wailed at the impunity and naked obscenity of it all, they had quibbled that some of the money would be designated to completing the still-born party headquarters in Abuja’s Central Business District.

    How could a ruling party sitting over the commonwealth for 16 years, ravaging the treasury, fail to tidy up even its own headquarter building? The way that building, which has become an eyesore of the federal capital is, is the same manner PDP managed the country for so long and eventually abandoned it in utter dereliction.

    Ah, the greatest party in Africa destined to rule for 60 years has damned itself in the final analysis. Hear Metuh: “During our sales of forms, we had planned to use substantial part of the money (realised) to complete the secretariat.”

    “We also had a fund-raising dinner where money was raised and we were told that about N21 billion was raised and that some of it would be given to us for the completion of the secretariat, but we didn’t see the money.”

    Where are they now, how do they feel now? All the people who stage this huge bazaar for 16 years, what are they thinking now having left the country in the lurch? What a damned and a damning era? For instance, Prof. Jerry Gana was the chairman of that obnoxious fund-raising during which N21 billion was taken from Nigeria’s treasury in broad daylight. Where is he now? Where are the Pirates that Despoiled and Damaged our land?

  • A little tin god

    When a three-month suspension lasts just a day or two before its curious cancellation, it should prompt questions about Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose and his governance style. Fayose announced the suspension of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Modupe Alade, on December 3, claiming that the top official was incompetent.  He ordered that the Head of Service, Dr. Gbenga Faseluka, should take up the role.

    The allegation of incompetence against the SSG suggests something about Fayose’s competence because he appointed the official in the first place. Also, Fayose’s reversal after just a day or two says something about his “inner life”.

    No less a figure than the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, intervened in the matter. The traditional ruler took advantage of Fayose’s presence at the celebration of his 25th coronation anniversary on December 5 to plead for a termination of the suspension. Oba Adejugbe asked Fayose to pardon the SSG.

    Fayose was probably quick to see a publicity opportunity in the situation. By yielding publicly to the king’s request, Fayose again sought to project himself as a man of the people.  His response to the king’s appeal:  ”What you asked took me by surprise; this is what I will term an ex-parte order. You have tied my hands and you did not give me any leeway. I defer to you and I defer to our fathers who are here. I have no option than to pardon her. She can resume office on Monday.”

    What about her alleged incompetence? Although Fayose didn’t give details, his allegation was a discredit to his administration. Was the SSG expected to acquire competence while on suspension? Now that her suspension has been stopped, does it mean accommodation of incompetence?

    Something Fayose said gave an insight into what he meant by “incompetence” in this context: “I am firm on the fact that if the governor appoints you to a position, you must not go beyond your bounds and when I tell you not to cross the line, if you cross the line, I will discipline you. For all political office holders and civil servants, adherence to law, obedience and loyalty must go hand-in-hand.”

    Did Fayose suspend the SSG because of “obedience” and “loyalty” issues? Incompetence is clearly something else, and should not be used to mean disobedient and disloyal. Fayose behaved like a little tin god.

  • Dickson’s treason

    Governor Seriake Dickson played not the role of the chief executive of a state. He wore the robe of a militant. He dressed in the area boy’s garb. His diction lacked finesse. His vision lacked refinement. In a civilised society that respects law and order, he should have been asked to quickly jump out of the race for the governor of Bayelsa State.

    Only a reckless man would go on radio in the midst of an election and roar with treason. In the now controversial election for governor in the state, Governor Dickson went live on radio to incite the citizens of the state to protest. He said he was not happy with the trend of the election and asked the people of the state to resist.

    He set the time for the rally or protest at 2 pm on Sunday, a day when those who had already voted were supposed to have attended services and learned a thing or two about meekness or order or righteousness.

    Hear him: “There will be a rally to resist what is happening now. It is clear to me that security services have become an army of occupation.”

    What was happening, if one asked the governor of imperial bearing with the phony swagger of a walking stick? What was happening was that after apparently leading in six of the eight local governments, he suddenly realised that violence infested the process. He never called for protest when the Minister of State, Heineken Lokpobri, was ensconced in his home as hoodlums barrelled into his compound with gunshots and bombs until they were repulsed by a detachment of the Joint Task Force. Neither did he fulminate against the farce in Sagbama when reports indicated that real votes melted away in favour of artificial ones.

    But he decided to violate the electoral law by calling for protest on election day. He was afraid of the Southern Ijaw vote. He was afraid that the numbers were stacked up against him. While he led with an apparent 28,000 votes, Southern Ijaw was going to pull a California on him. In the United States, any presidential candidate’s lead means nothing until the avalanche of California votes swashes into the count.

    The Deputy Inspector of Police, HashimuArgungu, promptly cautioned the governor with a strong statement. He reminded the governor and Bayelsans that the law banned all forms of processions, rallies or demonstrations. Referring to the Dickson’s antics, The DIG said: “This form of conduct will jeopardise the ongoing electoral process.”

    If what Dickson was calling for ran against the peace, it casts Dickson as a subversive in government house. According to the law, if a candidate violates such a law of peace, he ought to be prosecuted for electoral crime. He committed this crime in public, in the defiance of decency and the Nigerian grundnorm, the constitution of the country.

    Dickson did not only act against the law, he incited the citizens of the state against the Federal Government. And some of his party faithful obeyed and gathered in black clothes at the collation centre.

    What Dickson did was irresponsible and not worthy of any democracy here on earth.

  • Wage war: Governors fight ‘common enemy’ –workers

    It is yet winter of our revenue crunch and many states are already unravelling before our eyes. The fall in oil prices, which started about a year ago, is already taking its toll. Hardball fears it may begin to claim casualties soon. Nigerians, in our lackadaisical style, must have thought all the hoopla about crude oil glut and shale technology was one of those Western world hypes to bamboozle us. This must explain why nearly one year down the line, neither the federal nor state governments have fashioned out and presented a concrete and realisable plan of action to surmount the petro-dollars squeeze.

    One would expect to be seeing now, immediate, medium and long-term plans to navigate this difficult period and indeed, steer the country away from perpetual dependence on crude oil revenues. But none of such has happened; instead, we have seen governors eagerly toeing the line of least resistance.

    While some have surreptitiously increased taxes, others are already fiddling with workers’ salaries, paying varied sums each month. And yet some are in default of  salaries for varying number of months.

    As if all these antics are not working (and of course they won’t work, says Hardball) governors have been bonding lately, holding a series of meetings with unusual frequency. Under the aegis of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), they are not meeting to strategise and think through Nigeria’s current fiscal challenge, but to fight a common enemy – the Nigerian worker, it seems.

    The nation’s minimum wage of N18,000 is too much, they seem to agree; it must be the cause of our current distress, they say. It must be slashed, they insist. They will not be placated and reason may have taken flight.

    For instance, this minimum wage law was passed four years ago and is actually due for a review. Again, it is only worth about $80 a month translating to about $2 a day. This is worse than a slave wage, isn’t it? Would the governors cut it to 50 cents a day? That would be sub-poverty level.

    Although few governors have repudiated the position of the NGF, but the point is that most governors have not proved to be truly accountable. You have to be a spirit to fathom what they take as first charge every month as security vote. Second, hardly any of them is faithful to his budget; they hardly return to the document after the formality of presenting to the legislature. Third, hardly any governor has displayed such frugality that ought to attend this fiscally-trying period.

    The other day, a state listed about 29 commissioners; to be followed by uncountable number of special and non-special assistants and advisers. We have not seen that clinical downsizing of government which will free up cash for work. Most states have been so ravaged over the years by brigand governors they are bereft of nary a revenue-yielding shop.

    Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister, Chief Audu Ogbe, has said Nigeria expends N1.3 trillion on food importation annually. This consists of rice, wheat, poultry products, tomato puree, etc.

    Which governor has taken a position here against the next agric production cycle? Hardly any, one dares say.

  • The agbegi lo do metaphor

    Hardball cannot help but feel like an agbegi lodo or even think like one. For convenience, let’s say agbegi lodo is an old wagon used in the hinterland for ferrying stuff. It is a wagon that has lost its identity and indeed its chasis. Even its manufacturers would never recognise it anymore. Agbegi lodo is like a wizened, weather-beaten old man but who is strong, up and about. He is a man Friday; he hefts things and plods the difficult rustic terrains… mere sinews and wiry, he never says die.

    Agbegi lodo the wagon has been so badly tinkered with over long decades that it has become a rugged, soulless contraption. All its mechanism had long become conjectured or in fact, non-existent. The kick, the electricals, the engine block and braking system have all become non-system. None else can operate agbegi lodo apart from its weary operators. Only their calloused palms can connect with and crank an agbegi lodo to life each time it conks out. And that is almost always.

    You must have noticed those nondescript, oft-broken down wagons on our highways ever laden with logs or foodstuffs from the hinterland? Those are agbegi lodos. And how do they end up? One day, they just stall for good, never to respond to the ‘entreaties’ of their owners anymore. These days, Hardball cannot help being tormented by this sinking feeling that Nigeria, our dear fatherland, is akin to an agbegi lodo. The current energy crisis exemplifies the point.

    Nigeria, an oil-rich country, has in the last two decades or so been synonymous with such odium as ‘fuel scarcity’, ‘fuel subsidy’ ‘fuel strikes’ and oil theft. Hardly any good news is told about the black gold, Nigeria’s rich natural resource. We know all these and we have almost grown used to the curse and malevolence that have attended our good fortune.

    But this time, like an agbegi lodo, it’s different. Petrol has been scarce across the country for a little over a month now. It started slowly late October after a brief spell of respite. We thought the new government of President Muhammadu Buhari has brought us new wagons. Thank goodness we had not hurriedly burnt our agbegi lodo. We thought the era of petrol curse and shame was over. But we were mistaken; we are still mired in agbegi lodo conundrum.

    It can be said that we never had scarcity lasting so long and with no concrete solution in sight or coherent response. We are beginning to get used to sleeping in fuel stations and we seem to live happily with the grueling traffic, which spill over from rowdy fuel stations. More galling is that the president, who is also the oil minister, does not seem to feel our pain; he would rather be abroad. And the junior minister seems to be at sea, not knowing what to do. He tells us everyday that there is enough fuel; that we shouldn’t panic-buy, yet we wish we could even find to panic-buy. It gets worse and hazy as if brought on by the on-coming Christmas wind.

    The marketers had warned that it would linger till Christmas. Where is my agbegi lodo?

     

  • Put your money where your mouth is

    This year’s World AIDS Day on December 1 was a time to tell the country’s three tiers of government a few home truths. At an event to mark the occasion in Abuja, the National Agency for AIDS Control (NACA) accused the political authorities of abandoning the treatment and intervention programmes on HIV/AIDS.  The United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAID) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), which are international agencies, also lent their voices to what may be described as a campaign to make the country’s political leaders demonstrate greater sensitivity to HIV/ AIDS.

    The grim picture is that three million people are living with HIV in Nigeria and only 800,000 are on treatment. NACA Director of Policy and Strategy, Alex Ogundipe, was quoted as saying: “Nigeria has left HIV treatment and interventions in the hand of donors. It is not right and that is why we are unable to provide the response to everybody that should be on treatment right now. Local governments should see people that are positive as those who can still contribute to this country’s development and provide them the best health care services.”

    UNAID Country Director Dr. Bilali Camara’s comments were more pointed: “It is not that donor partners are abandoning HIV response in Nigeria, but they are tired and want to see the Nigerian government do more on their own in response to HIV. Somebody who is coming to help you with your own issue, you need to demonstrate to that person that you are also concerned and you are putting resources in it.”

    Against this backdrop, the HIV elimination target might just be a fantasy. “Getting to Zero: Ending HIV/AIDS by 2030” is easier said than done, given the circumstances described by representatives of NACA, UNAID and WHO.

    For the avoidance of doubt, Dr. Camara was clear enough about the path to follow. He said: “This means investing in the issue and we are calling on the Nigerian government to do more and see how it can match the international resources coming into this country with local response. This will trigger an impactful response which can end the HIV epidemic by 2030.”

    It is curious that, to go by the information, the country is behaving as if foreigners should carry the HIV burden of its citizens at home. Of course, that is unrealistic. It goes without saying that the onus is on the country’s leaders to fill the identified major gaps in the response to HIV/AIDS.  This is a case where lip service will not work. What will work is: Put your money where your mouth is.

     

     

  • Cancer centres and cancer machines

    It was good news. A November 26 report said: “There is hope for cancer patients at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba, as its Linear Accelerator (LINAC) machine will soon be repaired.”

    This information followed: “The machine broke down in the first week of July because of adulterated diesel. Also damaged were two generators in the cancer department and the one at K Block.”  This means the LINAC has been of no use in the last four months.

    The report quoted a source who said: “Our worry here at LUTH is that nothing has been done to the supplier of the diesel either by the management or the Federal Government. The Federal Government should unmask him before further damage is done.”

    If “adulterated diesel” is responsible for the disruption, it should be possible to find out who supplied the contaminated product, shouldn’t it?

    So, who did?  Is it true that “nothing has been done to the supplier”? The relevant authorities need to clear the air.

    The Managing Director of JNCI, which is handling the repair, Mrs. Clare Omatseye, was quoted as saying: “Our priority now is to get the LINAC working straight away because we use it for a minimum of 82 to 100 patients daily. The Federal Government and LUTH community are concerned about the damaged machine.”  It is worth noting the number of patients said to benefit from the LINAC daily, under normal circumstances. In reverse, it could be said that the same number of patients have not benefited from the LINAC in the last four months, given the abnormal circumstances.

    The report said: “Of the eight cancer machines in the country, only the ones in Abuja and Sokoto are functional. A source at LUTH said many cancer patients have died because they could not go to Abuja or Sokoto.”

    This lamentable picture reflects official neglect.  It is condemnable. It suggests that the country’s public health system is in poor health. The report quoted Head of Department Prof. Remi Ajekigbe:  “We have recommended to the government that no cancer centre should have less than two cancer machines.” In that case, Hardball may ask: what is the government waiting for?

  • Between godfather and godson: Contrition

    Godfather, the dashing and unfazed symbol of bad faith and godson, the very epitome of the simpleton — it would be long yet before Nigeria produces another dysfunctional pair!

    Hardball, of course, talks of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, and their latest hilarious news to hit the wire.

    Godson Jonathan had dutifully written Godfather Obasanjo, intimating him of a certain Goodluck Jonathan Foundation; and seeking his blessing before he proceeds, in his new found fervour to “help humanity”.  Not a bad idea; indeed perfectly African, where reverence for elders is high culture.

    But what did the godfather do?  He gratuitously replied, on the imperative of contriteness: “I have to commend you and your foundation, Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, for the faith you continue to have in Nigeria,” lectured the self-appointed father of modern Nigeria.  “Maybe seeking how to be better and more serviceable to the nation and humanity is also a form of penitence and soul-searching to give conscience a relief and to show remorse.”

    But remorse for what?  Sure, Jonathan may well have a lot to atone for.  His electioneering tactics of setting Christians against Muslims and ethnic baiting for contemptuous vote, for one.  The residual bitterness and mischief would appear to be driving the current Biafra miasma.

    Then, his utter failure to seize the moment, from a rare opportunity, and reshape Nigeria on the lines of structural sanity; preferring rather a fond opportunism at minority empire-building and regional irredentism, in a very fractious country, despite his  controversial presidential emergence, which brazenly breached the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) zoning formula.

    But even at his worst, Jonathan needs less contriteness than the Ebora Owu who, as usual, gratuitously tell others what he should be telling himself.  To start with, Jonathan lost an election and conceded — whichever forces triggered his concession, he did.  History will chalk him up right there, as perhaps the only good thing he did throughout that bitter and divisive election.

    Obasanjo, at his best, would appear simply incapable of that, no thanks to his proudly proclaimed do-or-die political philosophy.  In 2003, Obasanjo held a controversial election to keep him in power.  In 2007, he staged the most brazen electoral heist in Nigerian history to impose both the late Umaru Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan in that year’s PDP ticket.  So bad was that election that Yar’Adua admitted his so-called election stank to high heavens and started processes to make amends.

    Then, for the mischief of bringing on the peculiar pair of Yar’Adua and Jonathan (the one terminally ill; the other a near-vacuum) to satisfy Obasanjo’s grand delusion of ruling by remote control. Shouldn’t Baba Iyabo be apologising far more than anyone living or dead — with the possible exception of the Evil Genius at the hilltop of Minna?

    And now, comparing apples with apples: why should Jonathan show contrition for wanting to launch a foundation after office?  No matter Obasanjo’s annoying condescension, it is still, by miles, far more honourable than an Obasanjo, as sitting president, peddling illicit influence to build a so-called presidential library.

    Instead of showing remorse as he is calling of Jonathan, the Aremu of Ota is busy flaunting the illicit proceeds from that enterprise.  Jonathan is, therefore, the more honest guy here.  At least whatever he wants to do, it is after office, without unfairly corralling anyone to some “donation”

    Still, Jonathan and only Jonathan has himself to blame for the avoidable insults.  He should have known Baba’s bad grace is second nature.

    A person that you sent delegates to prostrate for during electioneering; and one who celebrated your electoral ouster with an unrestrained and frenetic dance in public, is unlikely not to pour ice-cold water on your post-presidential aspirations!

  • Obiano vs. Obi: The limit of bad faith

    Caveat: Hardball had determined not to return to this matter again after last Monday’s intervention. But fresh information has generated fresh insights that must be revealed in the public court. Besides, this matter is a classic case of utmost bad faith and subterfuge in a matter between successor and predecessor. The lesson Hardball presses here for all to learn is: NEVER GUN AFTER YOUR SUCCESSOR WHO HAS DONE YOU NO WRONG.

    To digress a little, “never kill a man who has said nothing” is the wisdom in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart and the parallel here is: never stab a man in the back who has been good to you. Back to the story, the incumbent Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, made waves a few days ago when he said that N75 billion claimed to have been left in the kitty by his predecessor, Mr. Peter Obi, is almost non-existent.

    Speaking through his aides, Obiano declared that it was a phantom N75billion. They noted that after Obi’s handover note has been thoroughly scrutinised, “what Obi actually left behind is N9 billion.” But why is Obiano just finding out this ‘fact’ and speaking up nearly two years after, many have asked?

    Well, it is said that facts endure if they are truly facts. But in this case, it is obvious that the reasons for speaking up now are tenuous, if not dubious. The incumbent actually drew down a N10 billion loan last week. The story goes that Gov. Obiano had been itching to join the loan bazaar for long, but was restrained by Obi’s N75 billion legacy. He was reportedly advised to shoot down his successor’s N75 billion ‘tale’ because Anambra people will not hear of any loan so soon after Obi.

    The real story thus is that Obiano had to pull down his predecessor so that he can take N10 billion loan. Another N50 billion bond is already in the works for early next year and goodness knows how much more is planned.

    It must be noted that just because Obi did not take a dime of loan in eight years does not make loans evil; it’s Obiano’s prerogative to run his government as he wishes, but he needs not damage his predecessor to reach his goal.

    Finally, Obiano’s aides have said that “Peter Obi’s handover note is full of dead bodies” but apart from the N9 billion, they also acknowledge that Obi invested $156 million (N26.6) in Eurobonds and other foreign denominated securities held through Access, Fidelity and Diamond banks. This is a verifiable fact with bank names, coupon rates, yields and maturity dates.

    $156m kept in save foreign instruments cannot be classified as “dead body” by any chance. This saving which is akin to the Nigeria’s Sovereign Wealth Fund is known as Anambra State Future Generation Fund (FGF). By today’s rates, it is worth about N36 billion!

    Again, what Obi did requires an especial wisdom and grace; it is indeed very rare in this part. All of these could have been a pile of debts and salary arrears as we see all over country. Obi deserves commendation not vilification.

  • PMB’s prison ration (couched in parenthesis)

    Disambiguation: after typing the above title, Hardball had stared at the near-blank screen for a long while trying to soak up its overall import. Unknown to a many writers, titles often turn out to be grim albatrosses. For the first reason that most readers only read or scan headlines and titles and move on to other things. Readers have their own businesses too, don’t forget. What this means is that most times, your headline represents your story, all the words you have conjured up and all the arguments, logic and illogic you have trolled in a piece often end up in the graveyard of your title or headline.

    Woebetide you therefore if your title, which is your billboard, is hanging upside down (your error) or is read upside down (the readers’ error). Whosoever is at error the writer is doomed because it all comes back crashing upon him. Since most readers walk away with just the title and since every reader would interpret a title according to his wits, every writer must sweat a little to ensure that his title is as unambiguous as clean water. This is the reason for this long, parenthetic adventure over the above title.

    Imagine a reader glancing at “PMB’s prison ration…” without reading the piece, he would have formed about half a dozen impressions about Hardball; about The Nation or even a deep ‘conjecturing’ about some emerging political dynamics and the power matrix between the APC and the presidency. The conjectures and configurations could be stretched far and wide in any direction that suits the reader (some people have their imagination for breakfast). By the time such a reader is through, the damage would have been done not only in his mind but by a certain contagion on anyone who comes in contact with this ‘expert’.

    Consider for a moment that this particular reader has some education; consider for a moment that he is an unemployed graduate of long-standing who holds court and leads thought at a popular newsstand in a densely populated neighbourhood!

    Hardball hereby confirms to you that there is no deadlier ‘terrorist’ than an unemployed ‘political analyst’ at a newsstand.

    Therefore, the above title, Hardball dares say, is not suggestive of anything other than its simple primary meaning. It is not about any prospect of President Buhari ever going to do ration in prison or anywhere for that matter.)

    Now that we believe you have read the explanation of the above title, please here is the story behind the title. Hardball is simply talking about a recent report that the association of Nigeria Prisons Service Ration and Gas Contractors (NPSRGC) would stop supplying ration and gas to prisons across the country by end of November should the federal government fail to redeem N6.6 billion owed it.

    Gee! This is serious in rather precipitous and calamitous proportions if you can see it. It is a ration fit for a president, isn’t it? Having noted that, Hardball would simply request the presidency to act fast; prison ration is bad enough. Unless we seek to exterminate them by starvation. Save the inmates please!