The Nation Newspaper

Category: Commentaries

  • Suntai as pawn in Taraba politics

    SIR: When Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State and his aides set out on a journey to Adamawa on October, 25 2012 in his Cessna 208 -5N-BNG private jet, little did he know that even as an executive governor with enormous power at his beck and call, one day he will become a pawn in the political chessboard of selfish politicians. It is an unfortunate scenario of the healthy at the moment hiding under the malaise of the man in power and authority to fester their political nets. In these one can fathom “religion” in the political arithmetic of who becomes what in 2015 general elections. The common good of Taraba people is shoved aside for primordial sentiment, personal and selfish aggrandisement of some politicians.

    They should have a rethink and ask for God’s mercy those scrambling for power at the expense of the health condition of Suntai.

    This kind of drama was once enacted by a certain unelected cabal trying to hold political power by proxy and at all cost for former President Umaru Yar’Adua. The nation was nearly pushed to the precipice. What is the mind of the law in this case? Specifically, Sections 189 (1, 2, 3 and 4) and 190 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended provides the undeniable legal lead and solution to this imbroglio but the situation in Taraba demands more of common sense than the application of law. Call it another doctrine of necessity.

    Sentiments apart, Governor Suntai might not be fit to govern Taraba again but the fact remains that the only requirement of the law was for him to send a letter of his readiness to carry on with his duties to the House of Assembly. There was no place in the 1999 Constitution where it was stipulated that an ailing governor should or must physically appear and address the State House of Assembly to ascertain his capability to govern. The Taraba House of Assembly should not feign ignorant of the law.

    It must be restated that the 1999 Constitution created the lacuna upon which this in-fighting festers. Whatever position the contending groups must have taken, was anchored on this vacuum of the law because, the law itself is an ass which looked the other way or rather was blind to the case under review. The constitution makes it extremely tedious to remove a governor. Can you imagine a sick governor writing a letter to the House of Assembly declaring himself incapacitated? Which commissioner will cast a vote of incapacitation against a governor who picked him from the dust bin of obscurity and set him on the path of fame?

    The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in this circumstance is in itself incapacitated and should be declared so. This is an auspicious moment for us as a nation to insert some clauses that will correct these anomalies. This is the second time we have treaded this path to nowhere; we should get our acts right.

    • Sunday Onyemaechi Eze

    Zaria, Kaduna State

  • ‘Do or Die’ politics of PDP in Offa

    SIR: To steal is criminal, how much more to steal a peoples’ mandate. In a civilized society, when the people have spoken, their voice should be heard. This is the essence of democracy; giving power to the people. It is the government chosen by the majority of qualified people in an area. When votes are being manipulated or fraud is being perpetrated to install unpopular candidate by a powerful minority, this is no more democracy. It is stealing and it is more heinous than theft.

    In the Offa local government run-off election held on Saturday, August 31, the results of the wards clearly favoured All Progressive Congress (APC) with all wards but one in favour of APC candidate. Constitutionally, the result of the election is supposed to be announced by the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC) Returning Officer of the local government. Instead, the Returning Officer disappeared and an unknown man found his way to the state radio station to announce a contrary result.

    A returning officer is required to be fearless, upright and bold; he or she is expected to consider national cause over and above selfish interest. He is like a soldier who goes to war to protect the integrity of his country. Anybody who fears human beings more than God cannot serve as a returning officer. Anybody who cherishes bribe or fear human threat more than due diligence cannot serve as returning officer and ought to reject the post.

    For how long shall we continue to be in this wilderness? For how long shall we be patient before we get to the promise land? Now, the efforts of those that voted for their candidates have been reduced to nothing so much that it will be difficult to convince some of them in future elections.

    According to Winston Churchill, “the greatest lesson in life is to know that even fools are right sometimes”. So if the majority of people in an area are fools and they have foolishly but constitutionally chosen their representative against the wish of the wise minority, the wise minority should see it as one of the weaknesses of democracy and allow the wish of the majority fools to rule. There is no sense in ruling by force and it helps nobody to be in government against the wishes of the majority. Nigeria is not moving forward despite its great potentials because the right people are not in the right places.

    Over eighty per cent of our youths are not engaged. We have over 17 million housing deficits which means that majority of Nigerians are either homeless or living in sub-standard houses. We have never enjoyed 24 hours uninterrupted power supply. Our universities’ gates are perpetually under locks and our children under-fed in a country with abundant arable soil. We have oil but it has been our undoing; we would be better off without it. Our people are stark illiterates though they have passed the four walls of a school.

    Do we say that the KWASIEC officer who has turned back the hand of the clock in Offa local government re-run election does not know the implications of his actions on democratic development of the nation? No. He knows. The government should be interested in this case and punish the culprit as a deterrent to others in his shoe. Whether his action is right or the people are right is a matter of time.

     

    • Olufemi A. Oyedele

    Osogbo, Osun State

  • No merit in Jonathan’s second term bid

    SIR: A second term for any president or governor is not a must or a compulsory thing. The people should ordinarily want to have you do a second term, not you imposing a second term on the people.

    I am from the South-south, and by the foregoing arguments I should support Jonathan for a second term bid, but I prefer to differ on this matter. My position is clear: Jonathan has not proven himself to be a man that can take Nigeria out of its present state of insecurity, poverty, deprivation, joblessness, corruption, to mention a few dilemmas bedevilling Nigeria.

    A president that can wake up on January 1, and increase the price of fuel is certainly not a man of wisdom. Jonathan has failed the South-south with his purposeless leadership and inability to fight corruption head-on. He is being swung round like the “barber’s chair” to make his government unpopular by the same northerners he has surrounded himself with.

    Believe it or not, Jonathan had laid a bad precedent for the south, and it will be extremely difficult for a southerner to get to that position again in the country. I will rest my arguments this way: It is either PDP dumps Jonathan and remain relevant in 2015, or retain Jonathan and go into extinction in 2015. The choice is theirs. Thank God for viable oppositions.

    • Engr Osaro Ogbewe

    Benin City

  • Abuja General Hospital and expired drugs

    SIR: One of my friends visited the General Hospital Maitama, Abuja after series of complaints about his health. After examination by the doctor, he was given a list of drugs to buy. He went to the hospital’s pharmacy and purchased the drugs as instructed by the doctor.

    He is to take those drugs for 30 days. This is where I don’t understand: he has taken these drugs for 14 days and the drugs are going to expire within nine days, that is, before the 30 days given to him to use the drugs. If he goes ahead to take the remaining ones after the expiry date, what is the guarantee that the drugs will still be effective?

    Sometime last year, I encountered a woman who visited General Hospital Nyanya, Abuja. She was given some drugs that had only two days before their expiry date and she was to take these drugs for 16 days. Was that right?

    I am not a medical doctor that is why I am asking all these questions. Let us be honest, if you are to choose between drugs that have even a month before the expiry date and the one that has a complete year before it expire, which one would you go for?

    I call on the Director General of National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Paul Orhii to be monitoring drugs in the government hospitals as well; he should not restrict monitoring activities to those hospitals, clinics and pharmacies owned by the private individuals.

     

    • Awunah Pius Terwase

    Mpape, Abuja.

     

  • Demolition of Mokola flyover barrier

    SIR: My heart bled recently when I heard the news of the demolishing of the barrier on the flyover constructed by the government of Oyo State in Ibadan. I worked in Ibadan as a federal civil servant for 35 years, retiring in 2010 and leaving the state for Ekiti State, my home state.

    The Oyo State that we knew between 2003 and 2011 was a state of fear and anguish, where you needed ‘intelligence report’ about the different areas of the state capital before you set out in the morning. Gangsters and violent people took over virtually everywhere, with governments said to be supporting some of the miscreants. The state capital was unusually dirty throughout this period and the state secretariat, built by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, was a shadow of itself.

    I was in Ibadan a few months ago and saw the wonders of transformation. I am not a politician but I think we should be man enough to commend whoever is transforming the environment. Not only is the state capital very clean and beautiful now, I was impressed by the infrastructural renewal going on. I could, for example, hardly recognize Magazine Road, Agbarigo Road, Eleyele Road and even the Challenge Interchange!

    Of all these wonders in the new Oyo State, the one that was the most magnificent to behold is the new Mokola Bridge. The bridge is an architectural masterpiece that has indeed transformed the state capital. When I now read in the newspapers that some miscreants were commissioned to demolish the barrier of the bridge, I was afraid that the enemies of progress who had been responsible for the comatose nature of the state are at work. If Oyo State returns to that era of filth and bloodshed, Yorubaland is done for, for Ibadan is the political capital of the Yoruba people.

    I call on President Goodluck Jonathan to summon security agencies to Oyo State and apprehend the culprits responsible for the demolition of the barrier. If care is not taken, one day, they will bring diggers and caterpillars to demolish what, for now, is the advertisement of the arrival of Oyo State on the development scene.

    • Ademola Kumapayi,

    Igosun Road, Ado-Ekiti.

     

  • From the cell phone

    For Segun Gbadegesin

     

    Re: “Not a task for the self-serving.” I am opposed to Sovereign National Conference and National Conference. With love, we could pass our amendable issues to our National Assembly. Mark could not have been autocratic to mates. He had the duty to listen, moderate and take decision on vital issues to amend. The lawmakers are self-serving since they approved pensions for their leaders and deputies. They also failed to accept local government autonomy. However, there is nothing wrong in amending the Constitution; what is wrong is the dishonest amendment that took vital things out of the existing piece. Next time, rather than giving such an assignment to the self-serving lawmakers, it could be handed over, to any political consultant to review. From Lanre Oseni

    “The return of Suntai”. Honestly, the man is unfit to govern the state going by what I saw on television and national dailies. From Azubuike Ekeh, Owerri

    You have been a consistent uplifter of our awareness of human rights. Please, continue to educate us on our liberal democracy and federalism rights. I have known you by proxy. From Col. Tony Nyiam (rtd)

    Dear Segun, your piece on Mark is light to our blind, cowardly and dishonest leaders. In Nigeria, it is a class war that is playing out. From A. T. Mozie, University of Nigeria, Nsukka

    With reference to your article in The Nation of August 30, 2013, I wish to point out that Senator Mark was an inner caucus member of the military elite who annuled the June 12, 1993 election. Either by fair or foul means, he is now a member of the political elite. He is suffering from the hangover of his military background. He is neither a lawyer nor an intellectual. He is only looking at issues from a very narrow angle. He is obviously enjoying privileges not available to 99.9 per cent of Nigerians. The patriots spoke wisely. We need a sovereign national conference. Anonymous

    Thanks for the logic of Mark! What must be done is to bring to the awareness of Nigerians the need for a referendum on “Should we have a new constitution?” This should solve the problem of getting the people covering the required sovereignty. I know this can have the desired impact on the people of Nigeria to rise and demand for it. God bless you. From Dr. Iwuagwu, Port Harcourt

    Much as the 1999 Constitution is dotted with defects and some irrelevant postulations and with calls for a new one that will reflect the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians across tribes, it is impotant to note that the attitudinal change of the operators or the state managers of the existing order is of utmost concern to Nigerians in the entire arangement. No written constitution, however, sacrosant, empirical knowledge comfirms, can work if the operators are anti-populist and corrupt; whereas an imperfect constitution can even make a headway in meeting the aspiration of the people with visionary and purposeful leaders as the operators. Either way, it is the attitude of those whom it would always fall on to operate the constitution, in a given period, that actually holds the key to our advancement in this country, no matter how functional, defective or sacrosant the constitution might be, and not the flawlessness of the constitution per se. From Emmanuel Egwu

     

    For Olatunji Dare

     

    It is particularly painful that our National Assembly is still confused on what to do with the spurious document called the 1999 Constitution. All the dishonest amendments on the document cannot stand the test of time. We all know that the American presidential system is admirable, but if Nigeria wants the American type of constitution and democracy, the thing to do is not to start deceiving ourselves all over again but to ‘import’ Americans to put us through. Our law makers should stop beating about the bush. From O. O. Adegoke, Ikhin, Edo State

    As our lawmakers are reviewing the military constitution, let the new constitution reflect the yearnings of Nigerians. We want people-oriented constitution that will move the nation forward. From Gordon Chika Nnorom, Umukabia, Abia state

    Why was this fact that the National Assembly lacked the power to review the constitution not canvassed at the inception of the execise or why are the civil organisations not taking action to stop it? What is the way forward now that we have seen that these people are serving themselves? From Akparawa S. Innoh, Calabar

    The president of the Senate said they were tricked into voting in favour of child marriage, that sounds funny; may be their attention was divided because there was no money involved. Some senators might be sleeping during the session because a sleeping mind will endorse anything, either good or bad, since there is nothing to share on the table. I urge David Mark to urgenly make provision for the next sitting so that all the senators will vote according to their pocket. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa, Lagos

    Without doubt, I affirm your opinion that Nigeria needs a new constitution to address the shortcomings in the rag-tag document forced on us by the military, to give our beloved nation a sense of porpuse, direction and a future. For that remains the only way we, as a people, can compete among the comity of nations. And not the haphazard window dressing method the National Assembly is using in the name of constitution amendment. From James Anjor-ikom

    Sir, David Mark must be joking by saying the Senate was “tricked” on account of Section 29. Who tricked them? Obviously, it is not Yerima that tricked them. From Martins, Asaba

     

    For Olakunle Abimbola

     

    Your write-up “Again, Sege talks the talk” is a very good one and you are right. If Nigeria is to be great and attain it’s manifest destiny in the comity of nations, the present generation of leaders must shun Obasanjo, all what he stands for and his empty rhetorics. With this, they and the Nigerian State will be free, then Obasanjo would embrace his fate in history. Hopefully, very soon the best in our nation will be ruling us. Thanks! From S. R. Omotayo, Shomolu Lagos

    Abimbola, the Ijaws have shown us that no matter how bad your person is, he should always be above board. That is why, to them, Goodluck Jonathan is as infallible as the Pope even though he is so far the worst occupier of Aso Rock Villa. Obasanjo’s most acerbic critics are the Yoruba. I know that your level of education will not allow you to celebrate mediocrity like the Ijaws, but that is the trend now. Let, therefore, OBJ be. From Kwaghfan, Makurdi

    For Gbenga Omotoso

     

    It is very unfortunate that Suntai’s wife prefers power and money to her husband’s health and peace of mind. He should resign and write his name in golde. From Joe Agah, Makurdi

    If the man was able to physically address the people of the state last night, why so concerned about his condition of health? If he says he is ready to return to work, why not wait and see if he is insincere? Afterall, is there any governor in Nigeria today who is 100 per cent healthy? Anonymous

    I am afraid that the acclaimed, good for nothing people are playing with the intelligent people of Taraba State. From Ken, Owerri

    This is another way of exhibiting our insincerity. Let Suntai subject himself to the Medical Board to prove his fitness and health. Anonymous

    Those people trying to block Danbaba Suntai from taking office are disappointed that he survived the accident. They should remember that it can happen to anybody, including them. They should stop creating unnecessary tension in Taraba State for their selfish interest. From Kassem, Jos

    The return of Suntai like in the era of the cabal that held the country by the jugular during the times of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua are at it again. Since it is a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) state, he will continue to enjoy the cover-up to the detriment of the people, by the interest group which is bent on benefiting from his health situation. Allowing him to recuperate outside power will be better than the ill-advised motive to cling to power. God save him! Anonymous

    We, in the military and paramilitary, believe in loyalty. If Suntai’s deputy is loyal, he should assist him to run the government not to take over through backdoor. How are we sure there is no sabotage in the crash going by recent desperation? From Esan, Osogbo

    We all know Suntai is not yet capable. He may not even be aware of the gravity of what he is doing as he may be acting out a written script. We all could see that he read from a paper. To Mrs. Suntai, do not tell us your husband who could not wave well at the airport and was supported down the jet is now the one drafting and dissolving his cabinet.

    From Richard Ebuka Umezurike, Ado-Ekiti

    I love your sense of being your brother’s keeper but why not leave Suntai alone. It is always said among the Yoruba that a dog that is destined to get lost will never hear the hunters’ whistle. If he wants to die let him do please. From F. T. Odugbemi, State Of Osun

    Daniel’s attitude and recent behaviour justify the level of neglect of our children due to parents’ carefree attitude to their children. The films Daniel watched and put into practice were provided at home. He then felt it was wise to practise them than to study because he was on holiday. He deserves to be remanded in a reformatory home until he is 20. This will teach others like him a lesson. His teacher should be invited. I presume Daniel does not stay in the classroom to learn. Let the parents provide his report sheet. He may be a stubborn child. Anonymous

    I really enjoyed reading your piece, “Daniel goes to Lagos”. While I agree with you that Daniel should be allowed to return to his parents to continue “dreaming”, I also feel that such a boy deserves to be treated as a special talent with huge potential. I have a hunch that he is no ordinary kid and should therefore be specially monitored to ensure that he does not end up a waste like others with great talents and potential. We all know that Nigeria has a great track record for wasting talents. From Bola Olugbade, Saapade-Remo, Ogun State

     

    For Tunji Adegboyega

    Re: ‘The comic tragedy in Taraba’ (The Nation on Sunday, September 1). What I could not understand is why Suntai has been hell-bent on ruling. A three-year-old child knows that the governor remains unfit to continue to govern as his being unwell is too pronounced. Coming back home is not sufficient proof that he can now govern. To worsen matters, he sacked his SSG and Chief of Staff. Are they responsible for his plight? His arrival was just to meet our constitutional requirement of saving his job and not necessarily to govern. The legislators are right. From Lanre Oseni

    Tunji, you are becoming a “notorious” satirist. Maybe you should be writing for the depressed and hypertensive patients to relieve them of their situation. Anyway, I admire you. From Yemi Ilori, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

    I like reading your Sunday articles in The Nation because we reason alike most of the time. Your piece on Taraba State governor is so funny that I laughed and laughed. I had to read it over again. It was a wonderful piece and I enjoyed your angle to the matter. Though funny, I never missed the message you are passing across. From Femi, Ijebu-Ode.

    Cabals in the news again! How could a governor who doesn’t speak well rule? Let us call a spade a spade; the man is not yet fit! Let the truth be told; with what Nigerians saw when he was coming down from the aircraft, Suntai is not okay. He should resign honourably on health grounds to take care of himself. We should not allow the international community to laugh at us with the drama in Taraba. It is very embarrassing and uncalled – for for the cabal to seek to restore him for their selfish interests. We pray and wish the governor quick recovery. From Gordon Chika Nnorom, Umukabia, Abia State.

    Great piece! Your apt title, ‘The comic tragedy in Taraba’ says it all. Yar’Adua was a tragi-comedy because it ended happily. But I wager my insurance certificate this one (starting on a comic note) will not, not in the PDP diarchy. From Chux Omessah.

    Tunji, I have always had cause to warn you not to write satire. Undiscerning readers will not know the difference. But the article is very funny. From Tony Esho.

    Thanks for your realistic “Nigerians as Praying Mantis” on August 25. From Ben.

    Tunji, a time is fast approaching in this country when man will start praying to God to help them by giving them direction on how best to loot more of the country’s money and how to spend it. We continue to mock ourselves … but God is watching! Thanks for the write-up. From Simon Oladapo, Ogbomoso.

    Re: “Nigerians as Praying Mantis”. Long before now, once issues cropped up, be they religious, political, social or economic, it was always recourse to prayers. That was to dissuade us from resolving the problems fundamentally. Prayers work in countries that are devoid of injustice, corruption, embezzlement, indiscipline and other vices. Here, stubborn sore requires toughened medication … When shall we make vehicles with prayers?

     

  • Rains and the upsurge in malaria cases

    SIR: One of the many disadvantages of the rainy season is the upsurge in Malaria cases. It is like a time of the year when dead mosquitoes arise to take revenge on the humans that killed them.

    Malaria in Nigeria, according to the Nigerian Ministry of Health (MoH), is responsible for 60 percent of out-patient visits to health facilities; 30 percent of childhood deaths; 25 percent of deaths in children under one year; and 11 percent of maternal deaths. The disease is directly contributing to poverty, low productivity, and reduced school attendance in Nigeria.

    For a country with a population of about 120 million, results show that Nigeria loses about N880,801 million per annum representing about 12 percent of our Gross Domestic Product. Hence, malaria burden in Nigeria is enormous and has a devastating impact on economic growth.

    Methods used to prevent malaria include medications, mosquito elimination and the prevention of bites.

    Here’s where mosquito nets come to play. Mosquito nets create a protective barrier against malaria-carrying mosquitoes that bite at night, they help keep mosquitoes away from people and significantly reduce infection rates and transmission of malaria. Nets are often treated with an insecticide designed to kill the mosquito before it has time to find a way past the net. Insecticide-treated nets are estimated to be twice as effective as untreated nets and offer greater than 70% protection compared with no net but when purchasing a mosquito net, you should still ask for the treated one as some are not treated.

    Anti-malaria drugs have been known to work effectively in malaria prevention, so go to the doctor for medications even if you are well and feeling healthy, complete your dosage so as not to give malaria a chance. When temporarily visiting malaria-endemic areas, it is adviced to begin taking anti-malaria medication prescribed by your doctor one to two weeks before arriving.

    Before you to go to sleep, apply insecticides in your home, do not be in the room when the insecticide is still strong and close your doors and windows early in the evening to prevent mosquitoes from coming in. Remember to fumigate your house at least once in a year. In the home, cover areas of stagnant, still water, such as water tanks that are ideal breeding grounds for the parasite and mosquito.

    Every pregnant woman should take the prevention of malaria seriously as it is the major cause of stillbirths so when feeling any sign of malaria, go to the doctor immediately for treatment and avoid areas where malaria and mosquitoes are present if you are at higher risk; and remember, flu and malaria have almost the same symptoms so don’t confuse the symptoms with the flu and neglect the doctor’s visitation.

    The prevention of diseases should be a major focus of any country seeking development. A friend in the United Kingdom was diagnosed with malaria and had to be quarantined for a week, she was in a confined space and visitors had to wear masks before coming in to see her, which goes to highlight how important the disease is been treated in the UK.

    The rainy season is good but we all have to work around the disadvantages it brings with it like malaria.

     

    • Adetola Ojo

    National Emergency Management Agency, Abuja.

     

  • 2015 Presidency: Fading hope of Ndigbo

    Very often we say it is unimportant where the next president comes from, what should be paramount is his ability and capacity to deliver democracy dividends. But we are compelled to tag along with the whims and caprices of self-appointed godfathers, men of means and ways, who have turned power houses by virtue of straying into corridors of power.

    Take it or leave it, issues like rotational presidency or zoning in the interest of equity and fairness, will continue to be a big part of Nigeria’s politics and election process for a long time to come.The famous Ndigbo axiom of urinating together so that the much needed foam will form has become implausible as distinguished persons of Igbo extraction have so far, failed to work together.

    Make no mistake about it, the Igbos are respected for their entrepreneurial skills but all too often derided for perceived lack of unity and inability to articulate their position in matters of collective interest. This perception is now aimed at subtly disparaging and marginalising them.

    In the light of this, news making the round that a presidential largesse have torn the Ohaneze apart, tearing the zone’s ambition to shred becomes credible. It is a cinch that the Igbo presidency has been auctioned. The cacophony of voices mouthing the ambition of the geo-political zone from the rooftop every four years is now hackneyed. It usually starts with the pronouncement that it is the turn of the Ndigbo’s by some eminent Igbo politicians , then resonated by Ohaneze and amplified with subtle threats by MASSOB – bluffing to unleash fire and brimstone if it does not come to fruition. They harp their agitation for the presidency from the rooftop but
    when it matters most they fail to do the needful – coalesce.

    The best chance the Igbos had to occupy the highest seat of democratic power was first in 1999 and four years later in 2003, when a founding member of PDP, Dr Alex Ekwueme, contested the party’s primaries with Olusegun Obasanjo. South-East governors and their delegates voted instead for the Ota farmer. It was a shame that governors from the zone could not rally behind their own.

    Only Mbadinuju (governor of Anambra state at the time) and his delegates,polled for Dr Ekwueme in 2003. Orji Uzor Kalu, protem coordinator of Njiko Igbo (a group working for the actualisation of an Igbo presidency) did not support an Igbo when he had the opportunity. Isn’t this the height of hypocrisy? On two occasions, Kalu saw Ekwueme’s name on the ballot but voted Obasanjo. Many Ndigbos still believe the Igbo presidency project died with the defeat of Dr Alex Ekwueme at the PDP national convention
    because if he had won any of the primaries, he would have gone on to win the general elections and become President!

    The Igbos can learn a lesson in unity from other zones who have ruled the country. In 2011, within the PDP, we witnessed how five northern presidential candidates surrendered their personal ambition to scrutiny by the panel set up by the Arewa Consultative Forum to decide who represents the North. Who would have thought a political heavy weight like Ibrahim Babangida would bow out for the consensus candidate of the ACF? It is wishful thinking to imagine this scenario among Igbo aspirants. However, it
    is not asking for the impossible for same from them.

    The perceived lack of ambition of governors of the South-East has not helped the cause of the region. The fear of the EFCC or the Rivers-Amaechi treatment, for them, is the beginning of wisdom. They have chosen to file behind the self acclaimed “chairman” of the NGF, Gov. Jonah Jang in absolute loyalty to President Jonathan. Compare them with their colleagues from the North – all of them thinking they have a realistic chance at the presidency. For the Igbos, what we hear is the discordant tune of the PDP governors singing President Jonathan’s ambition, forming all sort of alliance with South-South governors. Leaders of the zone, for selfish and pecuniary
    reasons, are preoccupied with canvassing and building support base for Jonathan. It is indeed, sad, that they have auctioned the collective ambition of the Ndigbos.

    The death of Odimegwu Ojukwu, the former Biafra warlord, to a large extent has hushed the voice of the Ohaneze, the foremost Ndigbo socio-political forum and direct opposite of the boisterous ACF of the north. In recent time, the agitations of the Igbos have been distant and unconvincing. The Ohaneze seem to have given up on their dreams, choosing to grope and gloat in the back and forth of the northern groups with Ijaw leaders.

    But then, some argue that there is a dearth of Igbo leaders who are sellable on a national platform. A visit to some of states in the east will convince you why none of the state governors is being muted as a potential presidential aspirant. Underperformance and mediocrity has been taken to a whole new level. Physical infrastructure is decrepit and social amenities are frebile. Only Enugu and Imo bear a semblance of states with governors.

    Juxtapose them with their colleagues in the South-West where you have the likes of Governor Fashola who has transformed Lagos. Even the SouthSouth can boast of an Oshiomhole who is making giant strides after 10 years of comatose PDP leadership in the state. Some governors in the north have turned the economy of their states around in spite of the meagre allocation
    from the federal government.

    Furthermore, South-East governors do not share the same vision on the 2015 Igbo presidency project like the northerners do. Gov Peter Obi is more interested in who controls the APGA machinery. He is at loggerheads with
    Rochas Okorocha. The latter leads a faction into the opposition coalition, APC, believing the Igbos can mount a serious bid for the presidency, or at least a VP ticket. Sullivan Chime has never shown any kind of support for the Igbo presidency project. Same with Abia state governor, Theodore Orji, apart from his occasional rhetorics about an Igbo president, has shown little commitment.

    For a region that has not benefited from the largesse the government doles out to quell violence from youths in other parts of the country, they truly deserve the highest office in the land. Anytime MASSOB speak in hash tone, they are quickly hushed with threats of treason by security agents.

    Terrorists in the north have crippled the economy of some states, yet government is begging them and other dreaded sect in the north to accept amnesty. Militants in the Niger Delta plundered the economy of the nation with sustained attacks on oil installation until they were granted amnesty.

    Till date, same region is safe haven for oil bunkering, like never before in the country’s history.  If for nothing at all, the Ndigbo must be commended for the manner their youths have conducted themselves over the years.

    MASSOB and other groups have remained law abiding even in the face of provocation that would have triggered reprisals like the recent killing of Igbo traders in the north by suspected members of Boko Haram. All of the restiveness in the Niger-Delta and northern Nigeria have not resonated in the East. That the region have not produced the president of the country is enough reason to resort to violence, afterall, the orgy of blood shed that morphed into terrorism sprang up after the 2011 elections, when some politicians of northern extraction threatened to unleash mayhem if the results of the elections did not go their way. Same northerners who have
    produced the leaders of this country for over 30 years since independence!

    The usual reframe that has left the Ndigbo where they are today has been, the South-East should support other zones, this time the South-South for Jonathan, and in another four years time, it will be their turn.

    Regardless of whether Ndigbo present a consensus candidate for the general elections barely two years away, Nigerians hold the ace, as they are to decide, through the ballot, who becomes the next president.

    The writer can be reached via; theophilus@ilevbare.com

  • Oyo-Ogbomoso road deserves attention

    SIR: Incessant loss of lives at the Oyo-Ogbomoso section of the Old Ibadan- Ilorin highway with no end insight necessitated this outcry to the government to rescue innocent Nigerians from brutal death. The gory sight of mangled bodies of 18 passengers whose vehicle was involved in an auto accident at Agric Area, towards Ogbomoso in the night of Thursday, August 15, showed how brutish Nigerians lives are.

    It has come to a situation when passengers plying this road have to pray fervently before embarking on their journey. Over speeding and lackadaisical attitude of drivers of articulated lorries popularly called trailers to the plights of other vehicles on that road is a cause of the incessant carnage on this busy road. Another cause of accident on this road is the rate at which these articulated lorries break down on the road due to their age and over-loading. Once these trailers develop fault, they are usually abandoned on the road thereby causing accident because most of the oncoming vehicles would not know that abandoned vehicles are on the road until they get to that spot and collide with such abandoned vehicle. That was what caused August 15, accident mentioned above. Men of the Federal Road Safety Commission could not be blamed because they are trying their best but lack of towing vehicles is hindering their effectiveness in this wise.

    Obviously, the hope that the new expressway from Oyo to Ogbomoso may bring succour to the travellers when completed is becoming forlorn. This is because the contractors handling the road have abandoned it due to lack of fund. The way out of this situation in my own opinion is that Oyo State government under the able leadership of Senator Abiola Ajimobi has to come to the aid of the travellers on this road.

    As a matter of fact, Ajimobi is on rescue mission in Oyo State. This is what his intervention policies thus far show. Therefore, his intervention is needed in this wise. I think if he can provide towing vehicles on this road, the carnage would reduce and that would be credited to him. As a matter of fact, it would be an innovation and government could generate fund, and provide employment for some people through that exercise.

     

    • Adewuyi Adegbite

    Apake, Ogbomoso.

     

  • Confront issues, not Odimegwu

    SIR: The increasing vituperative reactions emanating mostly from northern leaders against the person of Festus Odimegwu, chairman of National Population Commission, over the statement credited to him to the effect that all the census exercises held in Nigeria so far were basically riddled with irregularities of immense proportion that ultimately undermined their credibility, appear to be not only misdirected but apparently risible. This is considering the sheer emptiness of some of these criticisms that clearly underscore the sole intent of those behind them to be merely spiteful and nothing more.

    One had thought that by the prevailing circumstance of Odimegwu’s revelation and his well registered unwillingness to embrace the typically Nigerian administrative culture of window dressing inherent in our public service life (which the likes of Rabiu Kwankwaso would have preferred and in fact had confessed their predilection for), these cavilers would have done well in picking holes on the actual issues raised by Odimegwu rather than going personal about the whole thing. They would have done well to find solace in plucking the streaks of grey in Odimegwu’s bristle rather than going the whole hog of recommending his head for the guillotine.

    Surely the truth is bitter, but we all must not allow ourselves to be amenable to amnesia as it concerns the actual comment made in respect of past census in Nigeria. To be specific, I strongly believe, Odimegwu’s statement was not only meant for the consumption of all Nigerians but aimed at unearthing for our collective reflection, the fundamental malaise associated with demographics in Nigeria from the colonial era to 2006, when the last census exercise was conducted. It therefore boggles one’s mind why our compatriots from the far North are yelling out as if they were the only people that heard and/or understood the statement credited Odimegwu.

    It is high time we – Nigerians – learnt to confront issues and not individuals. Indeed the chairman of the National Population Commission, has passed his message, willy-nilly, and the onus is now on those who disagree with him to rebut his message by dint of issue-based arguments and cogent reasons and not by attacking his person.

    • Onyiorah Chiduluemije

    Abuja