The Nation Newspaper

Category: Commentaries

  • Opeyemi Bamidele’s selective amnesia

    Opeyemi Bamidele’s selective amnesia

    In a democratic dispensation, anyone has a right to aspire to any political office so far he is constitutionally qualified for that post. I have watched for a while now the political developments in Ekiti State, especially within the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) where a member of the House of Representatives, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, seems to be lurked in a battle for the governorship seat with the incumbent governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

    Without being unnecessarily critical of Opeyemi’s ambition, the constitution allows him to realize his ambition and this is despite entreaties from his party leadership to forgo it so that the party can consolidate on the achievements of Fayemi which many daily applaud. The party leadership has also acted within its rights by endorsing the incumbent for a second term for two reasons, I guess: (1) it is always dangerous and politically unethical to rock the boat from within, as it could ruin the party. So by stepping in, the party leadership is only trying to keep its house in order and not lose what it presently has; (2) allowing an incumbent to go into primaries could greatly polarize a party and leave aftertaste of unamenable differences. This is why in the United States of America, an incumbent has a right to a second term in office unless he wishes otherwise.

    As much as I do not begrudge Bamidele the right to contest as Ekiti Governor, I am not however comfortable with most of the statistics he has been bandying about in his bid to sway public opinion in his favour.

    Opeyemi, in an interview, stated the following: “The Ekiti State that I see is an Ekiti of 494, 000 buildings and out of this we still have a situation where only 64, 000 houses have water closets. And over 219, 000 houses still rely on the use of pit latrines and over 34, 000 still rely on nearby bushes to defecate. That is the Ekiti that I see. Again it is not about Dr. Kayode Fayemi but we must face the kind of situation that we know. The Ekiti that I see is that one that out of the 494,000 houses only 90,000 houses have pipe borne water; over 214,000 houses still rely on well and fetching water from nearby streams and rivers. The Ekiti that I see is where only 23,000 houses use gas and electric cookers and 207,000 houses still rely on the use of firewood to cook their meals. The Ekiti that I see is one where only 18,000 houses can boast of electricity while over 289,000 houses lit their lanterns with kerosene. That is the Ekiti that I see. People should then understand if I am not on the street celebrating like some other people are doing. But I feel that the least I can do is to continue to encourage those who are there to put in their best rather than us trying to mislead them. The Ekiti that I see is one that still grapples with the problem of over 25,000 people who are blind, over 7,000 people with hearing defect and over 9,000 people, according to the population census, with speaking defects. The Ekiti that I see is one with over 6,000 disabled people in the area of mobility and one with 1,700 mentally ill persons in the various rehabilitation homes and on streets in the state. That is the Ekiti that I see.”

    Listening to Opeyemi reel out these statistics, the unintelligent may applaud him for being brilliant with numbers, but the truth is that these statistics are based on 2006 census and Opeyemi must be saying there has been no development in Ekiti since 2006 to still be going about with the outdated figures. Worse, the outdated statistics-garnished statement of Opeyemi is now being selectively posted on several sites on the internet and one cannot but wonder what correlation these 2006 statistics have with the present realities in Ekiti and why Bamidele is trying to be clever by half with such statistics. For instance, in 2006, 539, 825 were never married. Will this statistic still be relevant in 2013? Are there not people who got married in Ekiti since then?

    The reality is that over 400, 000 people have so far benefitted from the free health mission of the Fayemi administration while over N125 million has been doled out to financially handicapped persons to take care of surgical and chronic ailments within and outside the country between October 2010 and April 2013. When Fayemi took over in 2010, the maternal mortality rate was 420 per 100, 000 live births as against the current figure of 135 per 100, 000 live births. The value of drugs dispensed in the state has increased from N11, 038, 007.77k to N25, 926, 398.93k due to increase in demand and utilization. In 2010, only 45% percent of women in Ekiti had more than 4 ante-natal care visits from pregnancy to delivery, but as at July 2012, 10, 787 women had registered for ante-natal care under the Fayemi administration free health programme. This is just a fraction of the 112, 395 people who had registered for the programmes by July 2012. Of this figure, the aged account for 51.15%. Besides all these improvements in the health sector, the state’s Unified Drug Revolving Fund has been adjudged the best in the country, as attested to by NAFDAC boss Paul Orhi when he paid a visit to the state.

    Everyone conversant with the present-day realities in Ekiti is aware of the increasing number of households and that houses in the state must have surpassed the 2006 census figure of 494,000 houses. Bamidele’s house in Iyin-Ekiti was at least built after 2006. One also knows that the minimum wage in 2006 was N7,500 as against N19,300 (an increment of 1,500%) currently enjoyed in the state. With this, the living conditions of many have improved, so is the number of houses with water closets, thus bringing about a reduction in the number of people who defecate in the bush. Those bushes are even fast disappearing, especially in major towns, with the increasing number of houses. How then did our governorship-fixated representative come about the 219, 000 who still rely on pit latrine and 34,00 who defecate in the bush?

    Anyone who is familiar with happenings in the Land of Honour will in good conscience know that more aged people who had hitherto been going to bed hungry are now living well because they are given N5, 000 monthly stipend by the state government. The number of needless deaths, especially maternal mortality and infant mortality, has also reduced owing to the free health policy of government for the aged, pregnant women and children under the age of five. Crime rate is also reducing because the youth are gainfully employed in schemes such as the Ekiti Volunteer Corps, Ekiti State Traffic Management Agency, the Fire Services and many more. Many of these youth who could have been drawn into crime are gainfully engaged by the state government. Presently, more of these youths are being absorbed into the teaching service.

    Roads are being constructed and rehabilitated. New structures are springing up. Ikogosi Warm Spring and Ire Burnt Bricks Industry, which have been abandoned for years have been revived, renovated and remodelled, thus providing employment for more people and drawing tourists into the state.

    These are what we see. These are what other states see and are emulating. The Ekiti State social welfare scheme for the aged, first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa, has been implemented in states like Osun and Bayelsa.

    These are the current statistics in Ekiti State, not the 2006 census statistics Opeyemi Bamidele is maliciously spreading.

    • Olufemi writes from Igede-Ekiti, Ekiti State

  • Tribute to Madam Eunice Fajuyi

    SIR: It was in 2009 while on my way from the funeral ceremony of the late Major-General James Oluleye (rtd) in Efon-Alaaye that out of curiosity, I chose to visit the home of the late Col. Adekunle Fajuyi. I had met the legendary retired Major-General Oluleye in the twilight of his life in Lagos in the course of academic research. The old man received me warmly and after an hour of chit-chat, he gave me a copy of his autobiography Architecturing A Destiny. It was my wish to honour him in death that propelled my journey to Efon-Alaaye in Ekiti State.

    I left Efon for Ado-Ekiti immediately Oluleye was committed to mother-earth. An Okada man was kind enough to drop me in front of the residence of the late Fajuyi.

    Unfortunately I did not know his widow, Madam Eunice Fajuyi in person, but I faintly recollected having seen pictures of her in newspapers. I met her in the compound and she promptly took me into her modest sitting room.

    She offered me drink, and was anxious about where I would pass the night. My discussion with her centred on how she had managed to carry on with her children, and I told her that my visit was just to know how she was doing. She prayed for me and was full of advice on the journey of life. As I made to leave, I saluted her courage for remaining single since the demise of her husband at the age of 38, particularly for keeping faith in the face of the daunting challenges of training her children. And I thanked her for receiving a complete stranger and for her hospitality.

    On my way home, I ruminated on the visit. She was the wife of a former military governor, and indeed that house used to be the home of a former governor of a region which has now been split into five states. The woman was so simple and accommodating. The house was as modest as any one built in the suburbs. Her life reflected simplicity and lack of ostentation, contrary to the lifestyle of many of today’s first ladies. This is an enduring lesson for the ruling elites.

    I was still hoping to be part of her 84th birthday in Ado-Ekiti when I heard of her sudden demise. I had made a promise to visit her again whenever I had cause to be in Ekiti State. May her soul rest in peace.

    •Adedeji Badejo

    Lagos, Nigeria

  • IGP should investigate Charity Uzoechina’s abduction

    SIR: The story as told by Pastor Raymond Uzoechina of an alleged abduction and unlawful detention of his daughter, Charity Uzoechina by the Etsu Nupe Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, which became public through a publication on May 15 refers. The allegation borders on abuse of human right, abuse of traditional office, and disregard/neglect to the rule of law.

    It should not be seen as a personal business of the Uzoechinas, but a revelation of what the less-privileged go through in the hands of our traditional rulers and leaders.

    Our daughters’ security are being threatened. Some time ago, female corps member was raped and killed in a state in the North. Also, a young Corper was insulted and raped by a Yoruba monarch, which even got to court. Now, young Charity, a student of Bida Polytechnic has been allegedly kidnapped and forced into marriage by the Etsu Nupe in his palace against her will.

    This abuse of womanhood and continuous abuse of our womenfolk should be arrested by our law enforcement agents and fought by women organizations, human right bodies and the President.

    Crime Arrest Network calls on the Etsu Nupe to release Charity Uzoechina immediately without any sign of abnormality trace on her.

    Charity and her parents should be paid compensation by the Emir and the Emir sanctioned.  If a Judge of a high court in Nigeria could be sanctioned for wrong doing, we don’t see why the Emir should go unpunished as the law is no respecter of persons.

    If nothing is done within two weeks of the submission and publication of this letter by the Inspector General of Police and the federal government, Crime Arrest Network will mobilize human right groups to seek redress, release and compensation of Charity’s family in law court. Also the Sharia Judge who conspired with the Emir and gave ill-gotten judgment should be shown a way out.

    Comrade Tony C. Onye Esq.

    National Coordinator, Crime Arrest Network,

    Festac Town, Lagos.

  • Suntai and the conspiracy of silence

    SIR: As a concerned citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I chose to address this open letter of appeal to the United States government to reveal to the good people of Taraba State in particular and Nigeria as a whole the exact state of health of Governor James Danbaba Suntai, who has been a patient in John Hopkins University Hospital in Maryland USA since March.

    This open letter of appeal has become necessary because, the people of Taraba State have not seen or heard from their governor for over seven months without any credible information since he personally piloted a CESSNA 208-5N-BMJ which crashed near NNPC depot in Yola, Adamawa State on October 25, 2012.

    The abnormal tight-lip posture demonstrated by the governor for the past seven months has continued to generate reactions amongst politicians, interest groups and the general public in Nigeria. Like many others, I feel deeply touched by what the governor is passing through at this time of his life. This is one strong reason why he still enjoys some amount of sympathy from millions of people across the country. Nevertheless, Governor Suntai is like a tap-root in the political equation of his state and the country. However, his prolong absence from office due to ill-health, coupled with his continued silence has started manifesting negative result already. Three religious riots – one from Ibi, two from Wukari and another ethnic crisis have been recorded in Takum. So far the crises have claimed hundreds of lives and properties worth millions of naira were destroyed.

    Before the tragic air crash, Governor Suntai was a blessing to Taraba State and Nigeria. He changed the face of Jalingo the state capital through the provision of massive infrastructure; the establishment of Taraba State University and Jalingo Airport are legacies that are fresh in our memory. More than that, Governor Suntai opened up the rustic hinterland of Taraba with tarred roads, schools, health facilities as well as his ability to keep peace in the state which was moving on the slippery road to anarchy when he came to power in 2007.

    Governor Suntai is not a private patient but an elected governor in one of the 36 states of Nigeria; also he is an employee accountable to millions of people. Information about his physical and mental well being cannot be subjected to the usual medical confidentiality of ordinary citizen and should not be kept secret from the people he leads. Sadly I must admit that President Goodluck Jonathan, acting Governor Garba Umar, immediate family members and close aides to Governor Suntai have failed to be truthful and transparent about the extent of infirmity of the governor which resulted to cat and mouse, hide and seek game.

    In the eyes of many Nigerians, the US government has by default become part of the conspiracy of secrecy that threatens to destabilise our democracy. I therefore, implore the US authorities to as a matter of urgency, let all Nigerians know the true state of Governor Suntai’s health.

    • John Akevi,

    Bauchi

  • Proposed INEC reforms, trigger for anarchy

    SIR: For what can be appropriately termed as an attempt to trigger political anarchy, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is seeking wider powers including powers to disqualify candidates, which will make the current sectarian tensions engulfing the polity a child’s play. This is revealed in a fresh letter dated June 13, addressed to the National Assembly by INEC chairman, Attahiru Jega seeking amendments to the Electoral Act.

    The major blow to all-known democratic norms is the power being sought by INEC to disqualify candidates. This is as well as powers to be the sole authority to determine the names and logos on the ballot papers. The warped argument canvassed in this respect by INEC is that it is not only a management body but also a regulatory one and it should have powers in this respect just like such bodies as the NDIC (National Deposit Insurance Commission) or Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) or National Agency for Foods, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in revoking bank licenses or banning unregistered drugs.

    In short, INEC shows a shallow understanding of the socio-political ripples that this would create. Candidates democratically produced by their respective parties are not mere drugs or bank licenses that must be revoked, or properly put in this scenario, disqualified.

    To justify further its proposition, INEC is seeking powers to disqualify for 10 years anyone convicted for electoral offences by a court or tribunal. It is already settled law that a person convicted of a criminal offence cannot stand elections in Nigeria, why is INEC seeking extra-powers for disqualification in this respect?

    It is also seeking that the proviso of Section 31(1) List of Candidates be made subject to Section 87 of the Electoral Act in order to have powers to disqualify a person who has qualified as a candidate. It recommended as an alternative that political parties should submit the name of a candidate who won a primary election along with the name of the candidate who scored the second highest number of votes at the primaries as the substitute candidate. In short, INEC is seeking to override the internal democracy of the political parties. This would only lead to outright socio-political anarchy and disaster.

    Equally, it is bidding to have the power to determine the political parties that would have their names and logos on the ballot papers. This would be a further attack on multi-party democracy in Nigeria. Presently, Section 78(7) of the Electoral Act 2010(2011 as amended) empowers INEC unconstitutionally to deregister parties that do not have political office holders at National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly. INEC’s fresh proposals would only open the way to chaos.

    The Supreme Court decision in INEC vs. MUSA (2003) 3 NWLR has laid down through the doctrine of “covering the field” that INEC’s exercise of its powers in the Electoral Act is subject to the supremacy of the 1999 Constitution(as amended). INEC’s voyage to acquire wider and unconstitutional powers is a journey to hell paved with “good intentions”. What is needed to be done by the National Assembly is to entrench genuine multi-party democracy by removing or deleting Section 78(7) of the Electoral Act 2010(2011 as amended) as it is undemocratic. Any attempt by the National Assembly to allow the proposed amendments of INEC is a big invitation to disaster.

    • Ayo Ademiluyi,

    Director, Social Justice Institute, Lagos

  • Kwankwaso’s example in discipline

    Much unlike the wedding ceremonies of the high and mighty, the wedding Fatiha of the son of Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Mustapha RM Kwankwaso, went almost unnoticed. There was no display of ostentation or flamboyance. To most residents of Kano and scores of government officials, the wedding could have been a rumour due to total absence of media hype and the low-key manner of event.

    This event is a lesson to our party-loving leaders who do not only squander public funds on jamborees at home but go an inch further to junket abroad and organise wedding bash. The new dismaying craze is junketing to Dubai, UK or America to tilt the till in the name of marriage ceremony. Ideally, ceremonies are private matters that should be handled privately, but in Nigeria it is elevated well above state matters. While other governors use the opportunity of ceremonies to flaunt both their affluence and influence by inviting innumerable notable personalities to add glamour to the event, Gov. Kwankwaso thinks otherwise as only a handful of political associates and close relatives and allies attended the low-key event.

    However, it is not only on the occasion of his son’s wedding that Kwankwaso displayed sense of simplicity and frugal management of public funds; he is one person whose sense of discipline always manifests in every facet of his life. Kano’s financial discipline under Kwankwaso is second to none. He would rather give you a million from his pocket than to unjustifiably give you N20,000 from the treasury.

    The governor’s moral discipline is also very strict. You cannot see his son or other members of his family jumping from one office to another in order to secure contract, interfere with the official duties of government officials or curry favour. Kwankwaso is one person who does not brook indiscipline at home or in office. Towards safeguarding the image of his family and abiding by the dictate of the constitution, the general public may note that there is no ‘Office of the First Lady’ in Kano. Also, there is no any special allocation or vote in whatever guise that is channeled to his wife as obtained elsewhere.

    What interests me most in the penultimate Saturday’s wedding Fatiha of the governor’s son was that Kano roads were not blocked, the airwaves were not inundated with jingles, the television stations never got a simulcast of the event from government, the pages of newspapers were not adorned with bride and groom’s photos, no billboard was erected to show the beaming faces of the celebrants, no procession of motorcade of dignitaries. This is Kwankwaso’s Kano, a state where public funds bear their name — public funds. What is meant for the people will certainly go to the people as justified by the executed and on-going projects taking place in Kano today.

    As a member of the organizing committee of the wedding, we initially planned big, thinking that the governor would accede to our demand for a grand event. But the term of reference given to us left us rolling our eyes out: That government will not use a kobo from the treasury to finance the event, that invitation should only be sent to those residing in Kano, that the wedding Fatiha should only hold at the weekend in order not to bring inconveniences to the public, that no single announcement of the wedding should be placed on radio, TV or in newspaper, that vehicular movements must not be hampered around the city, that no contractor or public office holder should be consulted for ‘contribution’, that musicians (however low-profile) must not be invited… The list of the ‘dos and don’ts’ reeled out by the governor is just endless.

    Even the wordings in invitation card were also made to appear so simple and devoid of pride as the governor struck out titles of the family patriarch, a respected traditional title holder in Kano. It is the most artless wedding event I have ever seen!

    As American motivational speaker and author, Jim Rohn, says “We must all suffer one of two things: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret or disappointment.” The first American president George Washington capped it all as he observed that “Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem to all.”

    No doubt Kwankwaso’s discipline in the discharge of his official duties, coupled with his selfless service to the people, is what makes that small number of his team “formidable” and as George Washington would say, “procures success to the weak, and esteem to all.”

    Because of the governor’s financial discipline, he saved about N3.2 billion on the cost of the Jakara river channelization project, which was hitherto estimated to cost N8.7 billion. When the project specification and estimates were submitted to the government, the governor ordered for a painstaking re-assessment of the project proposal, as a result of which the cost was reduced and the design was modified for good. According to the governor, the amount saved was channelled to payment of scholarships for students from the state studying in various local and international institutions.

    It is also the fruits of discipline that make Kano save N500 million monthly. This was due to the pruning down of the over-bloated overhead costs and other recurrent expenditures of the ministries and MDAs. The governor once explained that he could build a flyover (similar to the one currently under construction) every year with just the money he saved from overhead costs, which were hitherto embezzled by the previous administration.

    With 2013 budget allocating 75 percent for capital projects and 25 percent for recurrent expenditure, it is trite that Kano’s helmsman is deeply concerned about welfare of his people. Kano is the only state where there is no infamous security vote. Whatever is spent, however little, is appropriated and justified.

    • Sani wrote from Nassarawa GRA Kano.

  • What do we in the South-west want?

    We, the masses of the people of the South-west are living in poverty – in a degree of poverty that we have never known in our history. For us, independent Nigeria has meant poverty and more poverty. We are not used to living in poverty. We know confidently that we can beat this poverty – our history proves that unambiguously. We are confident that the boys we vote for to govern our states can lead us to victory in the fight. All we want is a chance to fight unhampered. We are not asking for favours.

    The agency that hampers struggle and success in all parts of Nigeria today is the Federal Government. It was not so in the 1950s. From the time when our country became a federation in 1952, and until 1962, the federating units of our federation (the then regions) had enough autonomy, and enough of control over their own life and resources, to make progress in all directions. The Federal Government was not an obstacle then, as it is today. And the Federal Government was not weak at all. There was a careful and sensible balance between the powers given to the Federal Government and the powers given to the regional governments. The regions were made the centres of detailed development, while the Federal Government was made to stand above all, protect the regions, defend our country, and speak for our country in the world. That was the kind of sane and sensible arrangement that our leaders (our Awolowo, Azikiwe, and Ahmadu Bello) agreed upon. Each region had its own Coat of Arms, its own flag, even its own representative in London to see to its affairs abroad. It was not perfect, but it was good enough – and it worked very well.

    It was under this sensible arrangement that the genius of our Awolowo could blossom in our Western Region. He was a thinker, planner and achiever above all others. Our region was free to breathe and live and thrive. Under this atmosphere of freedom, our Awolowo and his team of capable colleagues were able to make miracles happen. That is how our region became “First in Africa” in a whole lot of development achievements. But the other regions were proudly achieving too. Gradually, in the Eastern Region, a culture of small industrial businesses raised its head. The Northern Region was starting far behind the Western and Eastern Regions in education, but, under its great leader, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Northern Region embarked upon a very admirable development progress in many directions too. In the midst of all this excitement, we celebrated Independence in 1960. Our Nigeria was growing and prospering and heading for the highest in the world. And we young Nigerians proudly bragged to our friends in the countries where we were studying abroad that our Nigeria would soon become the Blackman’s World Power of modern times.

    Then came 1962 – yes, 1962, the year that we Nigerians must forever remember with sadness, no matter what the future may hold for our country. In that year, the people in power in the Federal Government thought to themselves that this region called the Western Region was just too successful on its own strength, too confident, too proud. Therefore, they decided that the Western Region needed to be humbled, cut down and subdued. Most of our young people of today do not know this horrible story. I was young then. I had just graduated from university. The day I finished my last BA degree examination at Ibadan, the car sent by my employers to bring me to my new job was waiting for me in front of the examination hall. By evening, I was somewhere in my new job. That was the way that we citizens of the Western Region lived in those days. After graduating, it was time for us to start supporting the parents who had supported us in the long years of higher education; and it was time to start helping our younger brothers and sisters to get higher education too. Our life was orderly and sure. We walked the earth with assurance and pride. Then suddenly, the federal plot to destabilize our region went to work. Our regional government started to crumble all around us. It was awful! It was very awful!

    Those who should have advised against the attack on our region, and who might have perhaps prevented the attack on our region, chose to support the attack. They calculated that our fall would benefit them somehow. Our pace-setter region was overrun and brutalized – until we the youths of the region rose up and struck back with a mighty revolt. Our revolt shook Nigeria to its foundations.

    And from that, there followed many disruptive developments, the central piece of which was a series of military coups and military dictatorships going on until 1999. The people holding federal power in 1962 had attacked our region because they wanted the Federal Government to become much stronger than it was – to control much more power over Nigeria. In essence, they wanted to destroy the federal arrangement. The military dictatorships that followed wanted the same. One of the major ways in which they went about achieving that unwise goal was to splinter the country into more and more states – until we finally reached 36 states. Their creating more and more states may look like a desire to give more and more local parts of Nigeria power over their own lives. But that was not their real intension. Local demands for states gave them the opportunity to splinter the country into small weak states that the Federal Government could easily dictate to. For instance, saying that the new small states were simply too small and too weak to hold the assets and development products of the former three regions, (highways, universities, control over export products, etc), they seized all for the Federal Government. To control the Local Governments in each state, they listed the Local Governments in the Nigerian Constitution and provided that they should deal directly with the Federal Government – so that the Federal Government maybe able to manipulate them against their state governments. A federal system disappeared, and Nigeria became essentially a country ruled under a unitary system of government.

    As things stand today, it is no longer clear what the state governments can freely do. There is hardly anything the Federal Government does not interfere in. We have seen the Federal Government stop states from building or improving roads, or claim to be the sole controller of all natural resources, or take over taxes paid by companies doing business in the states, or order the police into action in states or even march soldiers into states without any consultation with the state governments, or insist on determining the number of Local Governments in states, etc. The Federal Government presumes to have the right to sack the elected governors of states, and to dictate how much state and Local Governments will pay to their employees. The Federal Government is the mighty power behind the culture of corruption that has wrecked Nigeria’s name in the world. It is the enormous agency that promotes and guarantees poverty in Nigeria. The Federal Government stands in the way of state authorities ambitious and eager to fight poverty in their states. This is not a judgment on this or that president. It does not matter who the president may be. If we do not urgently curb the excessive powers and presumptions of the Federal Government of our country, and restore considerable development competence to the federating units of our federation, poverty will rise to such heights that Nigeria will not be able to contain the anger it generates.

    That is why we the citizens of the South-west, as one people, want the Nigerian federation to be restructured without delay. Together in our own region, we can beat poverty and return to a life of progress and prosperity. But this ambition is not a selfish one. All peoples of Nigeria will benefit. And Nigeria as an entity in the world will benefit.

    So, we say to all our politicians, our governors, our federal and state legislators, and members of our local governments: Pool your energies and influences in your parties, caucuses and alliances, to get the Nigerian federation restructured now. Recover the autonomy which our regions enjoyed in the Nigerian federation until 1962. All that has been concocted to replace the federation that we had at independence is an imposture which most Nigerians detest and reject. Liberate yourselves so as to be free to give us the kind of government we desire – the kind of government that can lead us quickly out of poverty. We elected you, and we will stand solidly behind you. In whatever you do in your politics, make sure that you include the restructuring and restoring of the Nigerian federation seriously on the front burner, and you can count on our unflinching support. We are watching.

  • Duress and peace in Delta

    As the news of the sad event swept through the Benin River Itsekiri communities in Warri North Local Government area of Delta State, it sent shock waves down the spines of people. That attack on over six Itsekiri communities and villages in that area by a group of Ijaw youths penultimate week still baffles a lot of people. Why would a group of disgruntled militants wake up one day and decide to go on a killing spree of their fellow citizens who did not do them any harm or provoke them by any means?

    It is already sad enough that the nation is facing many security issues that have been claiming so many lives and rendering a lot of people jobless and homeless. With this latest unwarranted attack by the Ijaw youths, one begins to wonder when the problem of ethnic hatred and hegemony will ever come to an end in Nigeria. If mere instincts for economic and social survival could push a group of people to have the mind to exterminate as many as 20 hapless people in one day, what is the real essence of that means of survival if the people eventually get it?

    It is no longer contestable that what propelled this attack on the part of the Ijaw youths was the quest to grab their own largesse of the oil rig. When this group of boys who are also dislocated militants discovered that they have been edged out of the Federal government amnesty which has guaranteed oil rig to other Ijaw militants, they opted to make their presence known and felt by the Nigerian populace. But why attack hapless and innocent Itsekiri people in order to register their grouse and anger?

    It is well known throughout the nation that the Ijaws are the greatest beneficiaries of the amnesty programme. And so it follows that at this grave moment in the nation’s internal crises, the youths should understand and so do well to encourage that peace reigns supreme in the land. But the boys resorted to sporadic attacks on their neighbours just to curry for attention and probably arm-twist the government of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan to give them their own booty. That was however, a very wrong calculation and approach to an issue that has absolutely nothing to do with the state government of Delta, nay the Itsekiri people themselves.

    When the Ijaw youths first attacked their own communities and there was no hue and cry, they decided to move over to their Itsekiri neighbours. This was to draw the anger and response of the people and bring the state to pay attention to their nefarious demands. But how can that be, when Governor Uduaghan has given the state its most glorious and peaceful years since he became the number one citizen of the state? Who doesn’t love peace? Why would people want to puncture the normal flow of things in the state now?

    As it is, it does not do anyone any good to begin to foment trouble now. That the Ijaws were asking that the Chairmanship of Warri North Local government area at Koko be given to an Ijaw man, to many right-thinking Nigerians, was a mere smoke screen. They know that democratic governance is done through the ballot boxes. So, why would the people just wake up and push an Ijaw man into the position of the Chairmanship of the local government?

    Even the trouble-makers who went all out killing and maiming for that purpose know it is not possible. It is not possible simply because it was the people who voted their chairman into office. An election time is the appropriate moment to make the desired change in the status quo and that is exactly what the grumbling youths should wait and do in the next election in the local government.

    When the Itsekiri Legacy Rebirths met last week over the issue, they made a lot of observations that are meant to help douse the temper in the region. It is instructive that the Itsekiri youths have been prevailed upon not to retaliate. This is a good sign, showing the maturity of civilized people. It is also good that government should on its part fish out the perpetrators of this barbaric act to serve as a deterrant to others. Appropriate punishment should be meted out to them so that peace in Delta State can continue unobtrusively.

    It is interesting to note that the resilience and wisdom of Governor Uduaghan, an Itsekiri man, shows a leader with a big heart, a leader who knows how to accommodate others for the sake of peace. But that should not be taken for granted. Those who have been displaced should be provided for. And the Federal government whose amnesty gestures take care of militant groups in the area should act first to prevent a reoccurrence. It doesn’t make any sense when another person is made to suffer due to the neglect done by the other. Amnesty is solely a federal government concern which no group of people for whatever reason should try to localize or trivialize for their selfish end.

    Characteristically, the Delta State government has been showing deep sense of political savvy in its dealings with different groups in the state. Therefore, everybody ought to come together to encourage this peaceful coexistence so that both economic and political El-dorado will continue to be the lot of everyone.

    By embarking on the rebuilding of these communities and compensating the families that lost their loved ones, that sense of love and peace will equally permeate the inner-recesses of the people. There has to be a sense of reassurance both in the people and in the communities if the proper apparatuses of security are put in place to checkmate the excesses of criminals in the region.

    If at the point of laying down their arms for amnesty in 2009, a lot of Ijaw youths still possess some, it is a clear indication that there is no sincerity in the exercise in the first place. This is one of the issues the Amnesty committee has to look into so as to allow Deltans to continue to savour their peace. We cannot isolate peace from the progress of the state. The youths themselves should be busy doing legitimate businesses to help for a better society for all.

    • Mene writes from Sapele

  • A Garrisoned country

    War comes in different forms and guises – even in the dimmer recesses of homesteads, wars of sort go on daily. But the wars of tanks and mortars; combat gears and long guns have become the signature tunes and indeed, pastime of the modern world. Thus when there is no war, we create one, when we are incapable of creating one we just call out the men all the same. In fact one rascal Hardball cannot readily remember now once said that: the world is perpetually at war – from day one! Please don’t ask whence was day one? That is not the issue of the day. The matter at hand is that unknown to all of us Nigerians, the country has been garrisoned. The army has encircled us as if we are in another civil war (as if we are not!).

    The National Security Adviser, (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki, drove the point home recently at a security gathering in Abuja when he made it known that soldiers are currently deployed in 28 states. What this means is that only eight states are devoid of active military presence in Nigeria today. How we have inexorably run back into the arms of the men in starched uniform only 14 years after we shooed them back to their barracks. After seizing political power and running our affairs for over three decades, Nigerians managed to subordinate them under civil rule by reclaiming the mantle of power in 1999.

    A soldier’s place is on the war front or in the barracks, he is neither to be heard nor seen except he is on exeat. They are trained to defend the territorial integrity of their sovereign countries; for external aggression. So how come soldiers are all over the place in Nigeria today controlling traffic, settling matrimonial quarrels, guarding bloody civilians and ballot boxes; pursuing armed robbers, hunting down kidnappers and engaging terrorists in gun duels?

    Is this a new kind of Nigeria or a new kind of army? Where on earth are the police? Why have we harvested a flowering of nearly a dozen quasi-uniformed people ostensibly keeping the peace? There is the civil defence, traffic police, road safety corps, WAI Brigade, Peace Corps, the ICPC marshals, the EFCC marshals, drug law agents, customs, militant marine guards, just to name a few. Must we mention the more conventional air force, navy, state security service, national intelligence corps, military intelligence, etc. Our world is full of peace keepers yet we are so troubled. We are besieged by uniformed people and trained security professionals yet we have never been more anxious and vulnerable than now.

    Nigeria has been garrisoned by a cavalcade of regular police, fraud police, uniformed, plain cloth and armed state personnel yet armed robbers still hold sway, pen robbers are having a field day, militants dare the government, kidnappers operate at will and terrorist are not intimidated. Just yesterday Finance Minster, Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala tearfully announced to the nation that we are losing 400,000 barrels of crude oil daily. Since all else have failed, Hardball recommends that the entire population be mobilised to mass around the oil installations and ward off the oil thieves. Oh, how we have been garrisoned by mis-governance.

    In closing, the monstrous incongruity of a country encircling itself with its army seems lost on us all especially the ruling ‘elite’ that has morphed into a snoring Rip Van Winkle. A peace time country under the siege of the military may well be working hard to fulfill its own prophesy

  • Rivers crisis and political expediency

    SIR: The political atmosphere in Nigeria has always been dramatic and full of intrigues. It beats one’s imagination that a blessed nation like Nigeria can throw up some clowns who call themselves legislators and whose behaviour only but bring untold embarrassment to the image of Nigeria.

    The nation and the world got a rude shocker on Tuesday July 9, when the crisis in the Rivers State’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP) precipitated a commotion at the House of Assembly chambers. The video clips of the fracas which we saw on TV and online were not only disturbing to an average mind, but showed how desperate some people could go in order to vent their anger. Members of the state House of were seen openly attacking each other with dangerous objects which left some of them injured in the process and later hospitalised.

    Five legislators opposed to Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi had purportedly impeached the Speaker Hon Otelemabala Amachree and therefore presented Hon Evans Bipi as new Speaker. For the impeachment of any elected official to be constitutional and valid, there must be a two-thirds majority vote of the members of such House. Specifically, by virtue of Section 92 Subsection (2)(c) of the 1999 Constitution, a Speaker of a state House of Assembly can only be removed from office by a resolution of not less than two-third majority of the members of the House. In the case of the Rivers House, this mandatory constitutional provision was breached and therefore a valid impeachment cannot be said to have taken place.

    It is worrisome that many politicians in Nigeria still believe in and practise the culture of impunity. Why would a legislator who is supposed to be a shining example to the upcoming generation of youths be seen on national television exchanging blows with a fellow lawmaker? Are these people really law makers or law breakers? In saner climes, these clowns should have been put behind bars or recalled from office for such national embarrassment. Are there not better ways to resolve whatever impasse there are or grudges they have against each other?

    The role played by the police is not clear since despite their presence, the crisis persisted and it is uncertain if they came to douse the crisis or to add to an already aggravated situation. We are all aware of the political issues in Rivers state for some time now and even the Governor himself had raised an alarm on security issues and safety but what have the security agencies done to forestall any breakdown of law and order? The role played by the police on that day is not only questionable but leaves much to be desired and this should be investigated by the Senate and any police officer found culpable should be made to face the law. The members of the House who took part in such show of shame by assaulting their colleagues should likewise be investigated and properly sanctioned.

    The culture of impunity must stop in Nigeria and people who break the law must be made to face the law and be punished for their offences if found culpable. This is very vital if Nigeria must move forward. We cannot continue dancing round the same circle all the time without learning from our history. The only way to stop impunity is to punish offenders without minding whose ox is gored and it will be impossible to do this without the cooperation of everyone concerned.

    • Tayo Demola

    Lagos