The Nation Newspaper

Tag: politics

  • Politics of rice

    Politics of rice

    •Federal Govt should ignore this and rather stay focused in its drive for self-sufficiency

    RICE importation into Nigeria must rank only second to petroleum products as the chief gulper of foreign exchange. For over three decades or so, Nigeria had imported about 3-6 million metric tonnes of rice annually, costing her about N1 billion naira daily. Those were the years of petrodollars and oil boom. Those days may have gone for good now and just as well.

    Today, Nigeria is poised to grow her own rice. She cannot afford foreign long grain specie anymore anyway. The oil boom is over so she is forced to look inwards and diversify. And rice, being Nigeria’s number one staple, she is faced with the option to either grow rice or forgo it.

    The efforts to rekindle the huge but latent rice industry actually gained ample fillip in the last couple of years. Huge investments have been made across every link of the rice chain – improved seedlings, funding, planting, harvesting, paddy management and processing. Large, glistening modern rice mills have been planted in many parts of the country. And the last (wet) planting season may well signal the expected fruitful culmination of these concerted efforts – a harvest of about three million tonnes is expected.

    However, a recent report suggests that some rice exporting countries may quietly be mounting opposition to Nigeria’s sufficiency in rice production. That reaction from Nigeria’s former suppliers of rice is to be expected considering that she is the second largest importer of the commodity in the world.

    Major rice industries in countries like India, Brazil, Thailand and even USA are sustained by Nigeria’s imports; many of these will lose huge revenues or pack up entirely if sufficiency is achieved and sustained here. There is, therefore, no doubt that the Federal Government must remain resolute and stay focused in its laudable drive to reclaim Nigeria’s lost glory in rice production.

    And it is not enough for government to focus on the need for local production alone but it must also watch every move of the erstwhile suppliers, the smuggling barons and their network of operators, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and all the neighbouring countries that have made a lucrative business of shipping rice into their countries for the sole purpose of smuggling same into Nigeria through her porous borders.

    For instance, a report late last week indicates that about one million tonnes of rice is stacked in warehouses across Nigeria’s borders waiting for the peak consumption period. This alarm was raised by the Rice Processors Association of Nigeria (RIPAN). According to its chairman, Abubakar Mohammed: “Information at our disposal shows massive smuggling of finished rice into Nigeria. Our investigation showed that these products are berthed and warehoused in Republic of Benin, Niger and Cameroun at very little import duties and pushed into Nigeria where the perpetrators make unconscionable profits having paid zero duties at our borders.”

    Mohammed corroborated his assertion by stating that shipping records show consignments in question were parboiled rice and only Nigeria is reputed to consume such rice on the West Coast of Africa.

    While we commend the efforts of the federal and state governments so far in Nigeria’s rice production resurgence, we aver that the greatest opposition to Nigeria achieving self-sufficiency in that major staple commodity is Nigeria herself. Government must continue to whip the NCS into place to make it deliver on this crucial and strategic duty to the nation.

    There is urgent need to begin to invest in border security infrastructure because the NCS can only do so much manning a vast stretch of porous borders. It must be understood that becoming self- sufficient in such all-important commodity as rice production is not a sprint. It requires years of focused, painstaking efforts in efficient management of every link in the rice value chain.

    This requires a lot of discipline, hard work and sufficient presence of mind. It is a tough task reversing about four decades of malaise but that is the only option left.

     

  • FANATICISM LIMITED BY POLITICS

    UNTIL religious organisations lose membership by half over failed prophecies or inept leadership of their leaders would political fanaticism wane. However, recent events have proved that social fanaticism which endears revelers especially to entertainers has no much space in politics.

    Wikipedia describes a fan, a fanatic, an aficionado or supporter, as a person who is enthusiastically devoted to something or somebody, usually to a band, a sports team, a genre, a book, a movie or an entertainer.

    The Muhammadu Buhari’s and Donald Trump’s elections are pointers to the fact that if there was any crazy logic attached to celebrity fan base, it is foiled by politics, because it seems that when it comes to choosing their leaders, the choice of their cherished celebrity makes little or no difference.

    If the number of celebrity endorsements of a political candidate in Nigeria was anything to go by, former President Goodluck Jonathan could have won the 2015 election that returned President Muhammadu Buhari to power. Indeed, never had the entertainment industry been so divided with majority rooting for the former president. But the electorate separated a fantastic entertainer from who a good role model was. They went for the incumbent president despite the fact that he did not hide his disdain for corruption coupled with his ‘toughness’ as a former military leader.

    Americans did the same last Tuesday by shunning the numerous celebrity endorsements of Hillary Clinton and went all hog for Donald Trump despite his controversial, radical and undiplomatic nature.

    Never had America witness the kind of aggressive support for a candidate who could have made history as their first female president in a contest that brought her close contender so much hate, over campaign promises that were perceived to be capable of hindering freedom.

    The most prominent of the Clinton campaigners was Katy Perry, who went naked on social media in a sort of sex appeal that is known to suffice as marketing tool.

    Katy has been stumping for Hillary since the primaries, trending with hashtags like #ImWithHer ball gown. And just after Trump’s “nasty woman” comment, she was one of the first celebs to order a shirt which she wore while campaigning for Hillary on a college campus.

    Katy even used Halloween as an excuse to make headlines for Hillary, undergoing a total transformation, with the help of professional makeup artists and prosthetics, just as she let Clinton use her hit song, Roar in a final wave of powerful campaign adverts.

    Others celebrities who showed so much commitment to the Clinton cause include Taylor Swift, Chloë Grace Moretz, Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian, Miley Cyrus and Beyonce.

    Perhaps the most unprecedented support for Hillary was the one from Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican and former California Governor who, in October made headlines when he publicly announced that he would not vote for Donald Trump.

    He said: “For the first time since I became a citizen in 1983, I will not vote for the Republican candidate for president. Like many Americans, I’ve been conflicted this election….But as proud as I am to label myself a Republican, there is one label I hold above all else — American. So I want to take a moment to remind my fellow Republicans that it is not only acceptable to choose your country over your party—it is your duty.”

    With Lady Gaga protesting outside Trump Tower after the election and Katy Perry speaking ‘revolution’, respondents think they are taking their emotions too far.

    “The problem with the so called celeb,” according to one of them, “is that 14 year old school girls who are the only people who are impressed by the likes of Lady Gaga and Katy Perry can’t vote. But Hillary Clinton couldn’t work that one out.”

    “Hopefully, this’ll end the rush for celebrity endorsement. Tiresome and detrimental,” another said who added: “All the celebrities in Hilary’s camp are only mortified because they feel their celeb status was very ineffective to the cause and are feeling worthless this morning as their egos are deflated.”

  • Gbenga Elegbeye forsakes politics?

    Politics, many people agree, is a dirty game. It takes great strength of character and a rock-solid grasp of the tenets of moral rectitude for someone to venture into the murky waters of politics and emerge with honour untainted. The few honourable folks in the game would rather face resignation than engage in political bartering which would end up staining their spotless robes in the long run. Thus it was that Hon. Gbenga Elegbeye strove to win his party’s ticket for the upcoming Ondo governorship election but finding his path blocked, chose to resign from the party, possibly turning his back on politics in the process.

    Prior to this bold move, Elegbeye was bestowed with the exalted title of the Otunba of Ikareland, showing the confidence his people repose in him. It is not one of those trivial honours carved out by some royal fathers in exchange for patronage but a highly coveted title which can only be given to a prominent son who has done much to lift the fortunes of the ancient kingdom of Ikare. He is just the second beneficiary of the revered title after the late Otunba Muhammed Jobi Fele.

    However, with Hon Gbenga’s failure to capture the PDP’s governorship ticket and his subsequent resignation, political and social event watchers are wondering whether the amiable man will ever again enliven the political space with his presence. If indeed he is gone for good, it would be a terrible loss for the people of his state as he has over time demonstrated that he is one man who knows what it takes to serve the people.

  • Kano’s scarlet politics

    Red is generally believed to signify danger. It also symbolises life, bravery and courage, but its grim, scarlet elements often overshadow this great colour of blood. Over the ages red has come to be associated with revolution – the Red Brigade, the Red Army, the Red Revolution, the Red Devils, etc. have all been accepted as something ominously radical, is not sinister and anarchical.

    People over climes and times have deployed red to suit all sorts of fancies. But perish the thought, Hardball is not about joining any red army, declaring a red-letter day or becoming Softball. No such thing. Hardball interrogates the brewing (red) schism in Nigeria’s own red group – the Kwankwasiyya movement in kano, that ancient northern city of Nigeria.

    For some context: Kwankwasiyya is the brain child of the immediate past governor of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. He must be among few such men in Nigeria who returned after an interregnum to serve a second term of four years as a governor.

    It was during his second term in office as governor of the large rambling state of Kano that Kwankwaso put in the performance of his life and conceived Kwankwasiyya. Its major outward symbol is the red cap.

    In his heyday as the ruler of the land, you would fail to put  on a shade of red cap at your peril. And you wouldn’t dare not to wear a red cap if you were in his cabinet or party. On such days like Friday, one was wont to see a sea of red ‘heads’ in certain quarters of Kano metropolis.

    Like religion, a ‘good’ movement is equally some sort of opium for the hoi polloi who would do crazy things when worked up. Such was it that some took the red thing to the rooftops. And that is not metaphorically speaking – not a few roofs were painted red with Kwankwasiyya emblazoned on them. Could this fervid fanaticism and unalloyed loyalty perchance be hunger-induced or is it born out of true fervour for the principles and philosophy of Kwankwasiyya and its founder?

    Since Kwankwaso left office last year, his protégé, the current Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, has not stopped donning his own shade of red cap in solidarity with the spirit of Kwankwasiyya. But it seems like Ganduje may be stripped of that singular privilege of adorning his guber head with a red cap.

    Of course it is an open secret that the grounds have shifted between Ganduje and his former boss, Kwankwaso. As our elders opined, two deities don’t cohabit in one grove. Last week Kwankwasiyya hardliners gave Gov. Ganduje  a 48-hour ultimatum to quit donning red caps or face litigation.

    Not to be out-done or brow-beaten, Gov. Ganduje has also threatened to constitute a commission of enquiry to probe the administration of former Gov. Kwankwaso.

    Loading… the grim, red cap politics of an ancient city. Updates to follow.

  • Leaders, politics and personality clashes

    When   in   2001, after   the 9/11 bombing of  the Twin Towers  of  New  York,  former  American President, George Bush, Jr  launched  his war on terrorism and  pursued  Al  Qada  and its  leaders   to  Afghanistan,  some  critics  called  the war,  A Clash  of  Civilisations. 15  years  after,  one can  still  see    that the war  on  terrorism is still  on,    even  though  Bin Laden the Al  Qada  leader  had  been  captured in  Pakistan   and  buried at  sea  somewhere  in the  oceans surrounding Pakistan  by  the  Americans  led  by  President  Barak  Obama, who  regards this and the issue  of  gay rights,  as the outstanding  achievements  of  his administration.

    Surprisingly,  however, a new  and unexpected  war   and    clash has  surfaced  over  the 2016 US  presidential  election  to elect  the  successor  to  President  Barak  Obama   who  is now a lame duck  president but  has clearly handpicked Hillary Clinton his  Secretary  of  State at  the time of  the capture  of  Bin  Laden  as  his preferred   candidate  to  support him. That  choice  perhaps  and the personality  of the candidate  of  the  other  party billionaire  Donald  Trump  of  the  Republican  Party  has  created the most  explosive  and  acrimonious  presidential  campaigns    ever   in  US  politics  and  elections   to  date. The   disagreements  and   divergent  world views  of the two  presidential  candidates  have reached a  depth  of  mutual  contempt  such that  they cannot  stick  each  other’s guts and  that  is the  vintage  clash  of personalities  never  seen  before in modern US  politics  and  campaign.

    There  have been  three  presidential  debates  so  far  characterized  by  personal  abuses  and insults  on  both  sides.  Hillary  said  Trump  is  unfit  to  be president  and  Trump  promised  or swore  literally to jail  Hillary if he becomes  president. Worse  still   Russia’s  alleged  interference in the elections,  a claim  by  the US security  apparatus and supported  by  Hillary  and the US  president,  became  a hotly  contested issue in  the  debate  with  Donald  Trump claiming  he  had  never  met the Russian  president  Vladmir  Putin  before.   He  however  insisted  that both  Hillary  and  her  boss   the  US  President  have  earned  the  disrespect  of  the  Russian  president  by their  poor  leadership  on  global  diplomacy  and his  presidency  will  restore  such  respect  if  he wins  the US  presidential  election on  November  8.

    Clearly  the  US presidential  debates  of 2016  have  shown  a remarkable   and  unprecedented  clash  of  personalities of  the  two  contestants and  their   language   and  bitter  utterances  have  done  little  to cover  up  that  fact. That  sordid  development  and its  import  on  global  politics  and  diplomacy  form  the kernel  of  our  discussion  today.  It  is  a discussion  that  will  take us  back  and  forth  in  terms  of its evolution  and  discovery  and how such   personality  clashes can  make or  mar  social  and political  institutions   in  terms   of  their  integrity  and   the just  pursuit  of    set  societal   developmental  goals  and  objectives. In  this regard  one  can  say  that  such  personality clashes  amongst  world  leaders  is not  a monopoly  of  the American  political   system.

    Let  me state  clearly    then  that  I   even   see  a personality  clash in  the way  that  Nigeria’s  political  system  has evolved so  far  in  the  Buhari   Administration  given   the way our   constitutional  separation  of  powers   is   being  practiced nowadays.  To  me  this development  started  in  the Senate , skyrocketed into the House  of  Reps   and  has landed  like  the  Eagle  in  the  judiciary with  the arrest  of  judges including those  of  the Supreme   Court  by  the  DSS recently. It  is a  development that  has crystalised   into  a dog  does  not  eat  dog  mentality  in  which legislators  have closed  ranks against  the government  and the rest  of  us.  Similarly, the  judiciary,  cheered on  by  lawyers , SANs   and the NJC,  has  developed, with  alacrity, a new  found  espirit    de corps against  the government  of  the day in  the  name  of  the rule  of  law   which  seem  to  have  a different  meaning when  judges  are arrested   allegedly    with  loads of currencies  in  their  residences.

    Under  such litigious  political  conditions it is difficult  for  the dividends  of  democracy   to  thrive as the three  centres  of  power  go their  separate ways  in  protecting  self  interests   that polarize  society, threaten  social  cohesion  and overheat  the political  system  unnecessarily. Surprisingly  though  there  was   a silver  lining  albeit  in the domestic  front of  Nigeria’s  first  family. The first  lady  showed  her  mettle  on  the  home front  and raised alarm  that  some  people  had  hijacked  political  control from  her husband, the  president  of  the republic. It  was  a revealing information and timely   too. It was  no  false  alarm  and even  though the president  doused  the domestic personality  clash  in the executive arm  of power  as  no  more  than  a kitchen or bedroom  issue, the First Lady has shown  her  personality and  pedigree.   She    has   shown  that  given  the opportunity,   she   can   play   effortlessly,  in  Nigerian  politics,  the role  of  a Margret Thatcher  or even  that  of  her  husband’s  hostess in Germany this week, German  Chancellor  Angela Merkel. I  really  mean  that  and salute  the first  lady  for  her timely  candour and unexpected  outburst. It  is good  for  our sick  political  system  and  lukewarm democracy.

    Going  back  to  the  US  ongoing  presidential  campaigns, it  is necessary  to  look at  the consequences  of this bitter  personality  clash between  the two  presidential  candidates on  the US political  system  now  and in  the future. The  fact  that   Donald  Trump  has alleged  that  the election  is rigged  has  already  raised  issues on  the  integrity of the electoral  system  in the US  which  is  the leading promoter  and practitioner  of  democracy  in the world.  Secondly  the fact  that Trump  has  not agreed  to acknowledge  and  accept  the results  of  the elections has  put  the  political  stability  and pedigree  of  US democracy and  politics in  jeopardy. Thirdly  and  a  far  greater  danger  was  the statement  on  the internet  that  said –  thanks to the electronic voting system  in  the US thousands  of  Russian  hackers  can  now have  opportunities  to influence  or  sabotage the democratic  electoral  system  of  the US. That  is definitely  alarming  and  the US  security  apparatus  should  be on  their  toes. This  is because  there  is  no smoke  without  fire.

     Indeed,  the origin  of  the Hillary- Trump  personality  clash  was the personality  clash  between  Obama and  Putin  and this goes  back  to the days when  the US put  sanctions in place against  Russian  officials  close  to Putin,   over  the invasion  of  Crimea  in Ukraine  sometime ago. The  bank  accounts  of such  officials  overseas  were  frozen  and Putin  accused  the US government  of  trying  to  topple  his government  then. This US presidential  election  can  be viewed  as Putin’s   notion  of  pay back  time  for  the Americans. Which,  anyway,   is  not  a funny  proposition  for  the stability  or  peace  of  mind  of  the US  or  its well  nurtured  political  and   democratic  system  of  government.

    The  white  tie  dinner in  New  York  this week   at  which  the two  candidates spoke  and were  expected  to  poke  fun  at  each  other  even  saw  the two  at  their belligerent  best even  in  terms of  humor.  The only edifying thing was the loud   laughter  they  had at each other’s  expense.  At  least  they  showed they  could  laugh at each  other’s  foibles and  eccentricities in  public. Hillary  showed she has such  a beautiful  smile  even   when  the   joke   was  on  her and  Trump  showed  he  could  look  like  a mischievous school  boy  when  joking. Which  is so  different  from the image of  the grouchy  all  American bear  and  bully  that     he  has    unwittingly  created  for  himself in this 2016 presidential  elections. Anyway  the ball is in the court of the US  electorate  although  the dinner  showed  the human side of  the two candidates  more than  the three debates and  that   too matters  in how  Americans  will  cast  their  votes  on November 8. Once  again  long  live the Federal  Republic  of  Nigeria.

  • Lagos and politics of envy and revenge

    Lagos, because of her allure is the beautiful bride of Nigerian fortune-seekers and political adventurers. For the Portuguese and the British fortune-seekers and the repatriates who needed a place under the sun, Lagos was a dream fulfilled. As an endowed city where people effortlessly build up financial fortunes, she was in the service of foreign immigrants like the Greeks who started by hawking wrist-watches on Marina Street later joined by other immigrants like the Oros of Kwara and Igbos of the East who engage in similar activities. And as a symbol of our ethnic diversity, it is city politicians who want to build political empire love and hate with equal passion. The problem however is that everyone wants to take the advantage of the opportunities Lagos offers without responsibility. Even the Ijaws tolerated by Lagos with their illegal structures and pollution of Lagos’ once beautiful shorelines is now holding Lagos to ransom by substituting fishing for ‘kidnapping for ransom’. To borrow Chinua Achebe’s famous line, ‘when calamity befalls the land, Lagos fortune-seekers run away, leaving the territory to the owners of the land who know how to appease their own gods”.

    That precisely explains why senators, many of whom first raised fortunes in Lagos with which they fought elections in their constituencies threw out Senator’s Oluremi Tinubu’s bill seeking “an Act to make provisions for federal grants to Lagos State in recognition of its (the state) strategic socio-economic significance and other connected purposes.” She had anchored her argument on self-evident truth that Lagos, “is home to the major ports that account for over 90 per cent of all maritime exports; that the city accounts for 86.2 per cent of companies income taxes in Nigeria and 56.7 per cent of Value Added Tax. She also reminded her colleagues that ‘the state bears the burden for the wear and tear of the federal revenue generating activities’.

    But Senator Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto North, and Hope Uzodimma (Imo West) opposed the bill. The Lagos bill also reminded Senator Bassey that Calabar was once the capital of Nigeria. For him, if Calabar is not given a federal grant, Lagos cannot ask for one. Not even Senator Olusola Adeyeye (Osun Central), the Chief whip’s reference to the injustice in a system that grants Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers 13% of our resources as oil producing states but denies Lagos 13% of VAT she generated made any impression on his fellow senators who claim ‘rich Lagos will become richer’ forgetting that the well-being of Lagos is the  well-being of many of their state indigenes who make a living in Lagos either as white-collar workers, hawkers, truck pushers and okada riders.

    But politics of envy and revenge predates the current senators. It can be traced to 1861 when British fortune-seekers obtained a treaty of the cession of Lagos from King Dosunmu under duress only to drive away Kosoko his successor in order to take possession of Lagos land in a typical act of banditry. ‘By 1871, William Macgregor and Walter Egerton had consolidated this British act of banditry by sharing Lagos’ choice plots among themselves and their protégés – the repatriated slaves’.

    Then Zik came in 1934 and soon emerged the spokesman for urban dwelling Igbos. When his attempt to represent Lagos at the legislative council failed as a result of Dr Olorunnibe’s refusal to step down for him, he and his supporters started agitating for turning of Lagos into a federal territory. Ahmadu Bello, Emirs of Katsina and Gwandu and other northern leaders had their own private reasons for embarking on politics of envy and revenge against Lagos. Following the leakage of governors and ministers’ position on Enahoro’s motion for independence in 1953 by Bode Thomas and Samuel Akintola to the press, these northern leaders were humiliated at Iddo train station by Lagos mobs who called them British stooges. Ahmadu Bello, according to Trevor Clark, Tafawa Balewa’s biographer was so irritated that ‘in a mixture of petulance and pomposity said the mistake of 1914 has come to light…next time I come. I have sword in my hand”.

    Not even the sponsorship of Kano youths riot by northern leaders led by Inuwa Wada against Akintola’s proposed political rally in Kano which resulted in the killing by castration of 40 southerners by Kano mobs was considered sufficient revenge for the humiliation of the northern leaders. They threatened to go into a federation with French speaking Niger if Lagos was not excised from the West. ‘The future of Nigeria will be imperilled by anything but a loose federation, if the north must be tied to Nigeria; the central power must be minimal and regional power must be internally unfettered while Lagos must be reduced to some form of non-political common services agency’, the north insisted.

    But Obafemi Awolowo, at the 1954 Lyttleton constitutional conference in London in reaction to politics of envy and revenge of his compatriots against Lagos and the Western Region insisted on fiscal federalism arguing that ‘railway, harbour, civil aviation, banks, shipping, electricity and broadcasting must be taken off the exclusive list. He also insisted Lagos must remain part of the west while conceding ‘an Ottawa but not extra territoriality’. And when Awo, regarded as ‘the smartest thinker on his feet’, the leader of AG and NCNC southern axis with whom Zik exchanged endless notes during the proceeding made a tactical error of staging a walkout with AG over their demand, Ahmadu Bello said the conference should go on since the representative of 25 million other Nigerians were still present. Zik caved in on the issue of boundary adjustment and with Ahmadu Bello jointly decided the mode of election to the centre and appointment of the council of ministers. A whole municipal area was also carved out of the Western Region as the federal capital following the  reassurance of Chief Kola Balogun that there would be no outbreak of violence as threatened by Awo and AG. Zik later “paid public tribute to NPC and praised the north for participating in true federation” and boasted “it was the work of statesmen to bring peace, harmony and unity to Nigeria”.

    But Awo, regarded as the ‘greatest African patriot’ by Cecil King, Head of the London Daily Mirror group and managers of the Nigerian Daily Times but regarded as ‘stubborn rude and proud’ by the departing colonial masters, has been vindicated over his principled stand on fiscal federalism and status of Lagos. Two days after our Abuja senators threw out Senator Tinubu’s bill designed to bring relief to Lagosians, the Nigeria Ports Authority announced with fanfare that it raked in revenue of N25b in one month. Yet Oshodi-Tin-Can Island Ports road remains impassable and motorists and commuters face daily traffic gridlock while proceeds from the area are used to build bridges over land in Abuja.

    It was not also an accident that Ribadu and Yar’Adua were the only people qualified to be ministers of Lagos.; that federal ministers of work  such as Mamman Kontagora, Barbabas Gemade, Abdulkarim Adisa bulldozed areas they called slums displacing the poor to pave way for the privileged elite; that  Babangida and  Clement Akpamgbo, his Attorney General and Minister of Justice, came up with  Decree 52 of 1993 backdated to January 1, 1975 to confiscate 150 choice plots at the reclaimed Osborne road as parting gifts to his ministers.

    The final evidence to show Lagos is a victim of envy and revenge is the fact that Abuja federal capital territory, sustained by taxes not from Abuja or the north, has continued to be administered only by northerners without recourse to the principle that ceded leadership of Lagos as capital of Nigeria to the north in 1954.

     

  • Politics of restructuring

    Politics of restructuring

    The clamour for the restructuring of the country has gained momentum in recent times, following the drastic reduction in the nation’s earnings due to the slump in the price of crude oil and the return of militancy in the Niger Delta. Fifty-six years after independence, Nigeria has not resolved what critics have described as the national question, writes MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE.

    FIFTY-six years after independence, calls for the restructuring of the country have dominated national discourse. It has generated a lot of interest and passion.

    Stakeholders are laying emphasis on the entrenchment of fiscal federalism, resource control, state police, equity, justice and fairness. The issue became topical, following the drastic reduction in the nation’s earnings, with the slump of the price of crude oil and the return of militancy to the Niger Delta, the growing menace of Fulani herdsmen and the bid to review the constitution.

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar stirred the hornet’s nest at the launch of a book written by a writer and political analyst, Chido Onumah, titled: We are all Biafrans. Atiku’s remark at the occasion ignited a fresh debate on the issue. The six geo-political zones are at the centre of the debate, which pitched the north against the south.

    In view of the divergent views over restructuring, the argument is likely to linger. Experts say the refusal to restructure has compounded the cost of governance and that this is the time to nip the problem in the bud.

    Atiku said whether Nigeria liked it or not, restructuring has become inevitable. He explained that, as long as the Federal Government continued to lord it over states in all matters of national interest, there would continue to be agitation for restructuring.

    He said: “I suggest we resolve today to support calls for the restructuring of the Nigeria’s federalism to strengthen its unity and stabilise its democracy.

    “I believe that restructuring will eventually happen whether we like it or not. The question is whether it happens around the conference table, in a direction influenced by us and whether we will be equal partners in the process.”

    The former Vice President explained that he was not trying to be a messenger of doom, but only trying to draw attention to the seriousness of the issue. He maintained that there is serious need to diversify the economy, to make it less dependent on oil.

    Stakeholders agree that avoiding restructuring will do more damage than it intends to solve. Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka threw his weight behind the proponents of restructuring, when he said Nigeria’s sovereignty is negotiable. He added that it was wrong for previous administrations to insist that the country does not require restructuring.

    Soyinka stressed that he was on the side of those who say the country must do everything possible to avoid disintegration by addressing the specific needs of those crying of injustice and marginalisation.

    He said: “I am on the side of those who say we must do everything to avoid disintegration. That language I understand. I don’t understand ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s language. I don’t understand President Muhammadu Buhari’s language and all the predecessors, saying the sovereignty of this nation is non-negotiable.

    “It’s bloody well negotiable and we had better negotiate it. We better negotiate it; not even at meetings, not at conference, but every day in our conduct towards one another.”

    Soyinka said the call is not an idle cry. He said the Pro-National Conference Organisation (PRONACO) was the rallying point for restructuring after the return to civilian rule in 1999. He faulted Obasanjo’s opposition to the issue, when said it was an act of treason for people to come out together to fashion a new constitution.

    Soyinka said: “I remember the policeman who said if we met, that would amount to treason; I was not a member of PRONACO at the time. That is why I joined PRONACO. If you are saying to me, I am a second class citizen, I cannot sit down and discuss the articles, breaking the protocols of staying together and you are trying to bully me, I won’t accept it.”

    The playwright said the centralisation of government led to the proliferation of states during the military era, adding that it was time the country established state police, in view of the positive impact on the polity.

    He added: “I know that people get nervous about the expression. If you go to a place like England, you sometimes see two, three or four police officers, just walking casually unarmed, but they are observing everything.”

    Many observers say the way the country is being run would stifle development. For instance, they maintain that each state ought to maintain some measure of autonomy to be able to perform. They allude to the glorious days of the First Republic, when there was healthy rivalry and competition among the regions. Under the current dispensation, states simply go to Abuja monthly to collect handouts and spend it without recourse to the fact that they need to invest on their economies.

    Prof. Itse Sagay said Nigeria has deviated from fiscal federalism because of over centralisation of power. He said: “It is wrong to centralise institution such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigeria Police, Nigeria Port Authority (NPA) and others. Chief Obafemi Awolowo was right to have said Nigeria is not a nation, but a mere geographical expression.”

    Faulting the warped federal structure, rights activist Mr. Femi Falana observed that the local government has been bastardised. He denounced a system which makes the state to muscle the local governments by the controlling its accounts. Falana said most local governments have not been able to grow because of the grip the states have over them. He said the constitution of Nigeria specifies the roles of the tiers of government, but that of the council were tied to the apron strings of the states.

    He said: “We need political and economic restructuring to make all the entity to exist in ambient environment. Nigeria’s economy is in few people’s hands. If the oil blocks were given to states or councils they will be able to pay salaries.”

    Experts say the call for restructuring is a sign that the country’s resources have not been well managed and that it has become expedient to rise up to the challenges.

    But, the Executive Director of African Leadership Initiative, Prof. Iyorwuese Hagher, disagreed, saying those calling for restricting are playing politics. According to him, many are frustrated by the Nigerian project and feel that the country needs to break up before they can realise their personal or collective ambition.

    He said: “Others are just mischievous and insincere by the calls. The cry for restructuring is a strategy for power sharing. But, incidentally we have been restructuring since independence.

    “The difference constitutions brought in new structures. We were a parliamentarian democracy before we became unitary republic without federating units under the late General Thomas  Aguiyi-Ironsi. Nigeria will never stop restructuring.

    “Even in the world’s most celebrated democracy, the United States of America, the federating units get jolted from time to time. Several states signed petitions to pull out of the US federation, when Barack Obama was elected president eight years ago.

    “The Federal Government must create space for free expression by all Nigerians. A culture of peaceful demonstration must be tolerated and enhanced, so that democracy can grow.”

    Defending government position in the new call for restructure, Minister for Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, assured Nigerians that Buhari will look at the political restructuring of the country at the appropriate time. He explained that the President has already started the restructuring of the country through its economic blueprint.

    He said: “Nigerians have positively changed their ways of doing things for the country to be better and have become more prudent and judicious in their spending pattern. It is one after the other; government will look at the issues. After economic restructuring to reposition the country, the Buhari administration will embark political restructuring and will set the modalities for the exercise.”

    The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mai Mala Buni, said Buhari is focused in his bid to restore Nigeria’s economic growth.

    The scribe said: “In spite of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) orchestrated and feeble attempt to blackmail the current administration, the reality remains that the prevailing socio-economic hardship being faced by Nigerian is a direct consequence of the mismanagement of the economy and unprecedented looting of the treasury under the PDP.

    “Restructuring would be achieved through well-thought out economic policies, fiscal discipline and socio-political reforms. To this end, President Buhari is aggressively formulating and implementing policies aimed at delivering Nigeria from the grip of mono-economy, by boosting agriculture, mining and manufacturing.”

    Those against the call for restructuring opined that it is diversionary and capable of heating the polity. They expressed misgivings that the new call is not popular, claiming that the agitators were prophets of doom. Senator Ali Ndume said the call is unnecessary and misplaced. He said what the country needs now is good governance, good leadership and not restructuring.

    He maintained that it would be wrong for a few individuals to use the media to champion their individual views in the guise of public opinions. “The calling for restructuring at this critical stage of our nationhood and enormous challenges, ranging from economy to security is the missing point,” he added.

    Despite the views expressed from different quarters, former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, said he has been calling for the resolution of the same issue since 2005. He canvassed for the return to regional government, arguing that the six geo-political zones should form the federating units.

    Anyaoku explained that the current 36 states-structure is very expensive. He said: “The present governance arrangement we have with 36 non viable states, most of which cannot pay the salaries of their teachers and civil servants, is not the best. We should return to an arrangement, where the six regions will form six federating units.”

    Elder statesman and former Political Adviser to former President Shehu Shagari, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, said restructuring the country would not solve the nation’s problems, if certain issues were not adequately tackled.

    He said: “I think the call did not start with Atiku; it has been going on for many years, dating back to the time when the late Chief Anthony Enahoro formed his National Reformation Council under the administration of Obasanjo.

    “His argument was that Nigeria should be made six republics, not regions and not states. The six republics will contribute to the central authority on equal basis. They are to contribute the same number of soldiers to the national army.”

    Former House of Representatives member Dr. Junaid Mohammed said that justice and security should be the basis for restructure. He noted that the restructuring which ensures that citizens are given access to quality education, healthcare, good roads, and regular pension for retiree is what Nigerians are longing for. “If they are calling for a return to the regional government, which we had in the past, let them come out and say so,” he said.

    The call has not abated and stakeholders believe it will not stop, even when the restructuring is carried out. They insist that the only restructuring that Nigeria actually needs is for the people to be patriotic, love one another and shun economic sabotage like blowing up of pipelines, kidnapping and act of terrorism.

  • Rivers politics and glorification of gangsterism

    There is a tragi-comedy going on in the country, especially among the political class.

    A villain is always playing the part of the victim, shouting himself hoarse of a plot, from imaginary enemies, to undermine his or her office.

    Pitiably, this malaise is now rearing its ugly head in our dear state, Rivers.

    Not that Riverians thought the administration of Governor Nyesom Wike would do anything to alleviate their suffering but they didn’t know the situation would be so bad as we have it today.

    There is a popular saying that some people will leave leprosy unattended to and be looking for ringworm medicine.

    This saying is apt to the maladministration going on in the state.

    Recently, an article by a paid writer took on the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the April 2015 election, Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside.

    Among others, the writer accused Peterside of meddling in the affairs of the state government.

    He also advised Peterside, the Director-General (D-G) of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), to wait till 2019 before challenging Wike.

    Honestly, there is nothing sane Nigerians will not see or read in this country.

    If the truth must be told, it is not Wike’s megaphone that will tell Peterside if he is interested in the 2019 governorship race or not.

    The writer also criticised Peterside’s statement at the Rivers APC East Zonal mega rally held in Okehi, Etche, ahead of the rescheduled Rivers rerun poll that Riverians are tired of the Wike administration.

    But Peterside was only saying the obvious because people are really tired of Wike and his administration. With due respect, the governor is behaving like ‘a dictator’, sacking and suspending commissioners at will, dissolving councils when he feels like.

    And describing Peterside as a bad loser was the height of insensitivity about political and economic happenings in our state.

    Of course, everybody knows what happened during the governorship election in Rivers last year.

    The question to ask Wike is: Must you rule by force?

    Today, the ‘gangsterism’ in Rivers State is unprecedented.

    The number of those killed for political reasons, the latest being the popular Port Harcourt lawyer and activist, Ken Atsuete, is unprecendented in the annals of the state.

    It is not an exaggeration to declare that Rivers is already a theatre of war.

    Election that should have been conducted has to be postponed by INEC again because of insecurity.

    This is a governor that openly boasted that electoral officers should write their Wills if they are coming to the state to conduct election.

    By saying that Peterside’s statement ‘is capable of overheating the Rivers State polity’, the writer must be told that it is not Peterside that is overheating the state. Wike has already done that.

    Rivers is now known in the country as ‘one week, one trouble’.

    That is why Peterside, a Christian, must follow what is in the biblical book of Isaiah 58:1 which says: ‘Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgressions’

    Nobody is safe again and they want Peterside to keep quiet and not tell Riverians and Nigerians when Wike errs? Arrant nonsense.

    What they don’t know is that Peterside is not waging war. He knows that Rivers is strategic to the economic well being of the country and when the governor is doing everything to undermine the economic potential and security of the country, he must be called to order.

    Since Wike took over on May 29, 2015, it has been one crisis after the other in our dear state.

    From the sublime to the ridiculous, Wike has done everything possible to undermine democratic institutions in our oil-bearing state.

    Despite the fact that tenures of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) and Rivers State Judicial Commission (RSJC) are guaranteed by law, the first thing he did was to announce their dissolution. And, pitiably, a few hack writers defended this action, telling some gullible Nigerians that as governor, he has the power to dissolve any constitutional body.

    To the governor, anything goes as long as he has his ways.

    To summarise, Wike has not fulfilled his electoral promises. He has not solved social problems. Investors are running from the state because of the level of insecurity.

    At the Okehi, Etche rally, Peterside raised some posers to the governor entitled ’10 important questions Wike must provide answers to Rivers people’.

    Today, Rivers has become the number one kidnapping state in Nigeria. Rivers people cannot be deceived by lies and propaganda, no matter how well-crafted.

    An end to this malfeasance is near. Under Wike, Rivers is not working. And Peterside will not stop talking.

    • Brown sent this piece from Port Harcourt
  • ‘At 87, I still play politics’

    ‘At 87, I still play politics’

    Pa Emmanuel Oluremilekun Osunwo Williams is a politician. He is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos. At 87, when many of his mates can no longer move around, he tells Joseph Eshanokpe, in this interview, he still plays politics.

    When were you born?

    I was born on April 6, 1929. I was a miracle child with little or no hope of survival. As a result, I was left with my grandmother at Imofa in Ikosi District of Lagos. The reason was that I was very small and many people thought I was not a normal human being. I am grateful to my grandmother. If not for her, I would have been thrown into the river or killed. I could not attend a normal school. So, I was under the tutelage of my grandmother. At 15, I joined Agbowa Methodist School to complete my primary education.  I lived with my sister Mrs Adekemi Johnson Agiri in Ibadan and another sister Mrs Olubanke Awosika in Lagos.

     

    Higher education

    After I passed the Qualifying Test in English, I forgot about my deformity.  I attended Rapid Results Correspondence College and the Lagos Centre for Higher Studies where Prof Onipede took special interest in me. Within two years, I passed five subjects at the General Certificate of Education and Cambridge examinations.  I made British Constitution and Economics at the Advanced level.  I also made the Inter LLB and the Grays Inn of Court where I was called to the Bar. I registered as an external candidate at Halborn College of Law and Master of Arts in International Law (Major), and International Relations and Strategy (Minor) at Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Missouri, United States. My identification number was 16357.

     

    Let’s talk about your trip to London

    I left Apapa Port without knowing who would accommodate me in London. But I made friends during the trip on the M.V Oriel.  One interesting thing happened in London. As an Associate Professor of Jurisprudence at Halborn College of Law, my former Headmaster at Agbowa Methodist School became my student in Roman Law. I also taught at Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada  before I returned home in 1972. I picked a job at the University of Ibadan, but left the following year to join politics.

     

    Why did you quit such a promising job?

    As a social scientist, I believe that we should combine theory with practice; that the masses should get their rights. Following a recommendation by the former Governor of Lagos State, Brigadier-General Mobolaji Johnson, I was appointed a director of the Federal Agric and Livestock Board as Lagos representative.  I later became a director of the Lagos State Livestock Board that built the Hatchery at Ikorodu and Epe and a Feedmill at Agege during the Lateef Jakande administration.

     

    When did you join politics?

    It was in the ‘50s. I was in the Youth Vanguard of the Action Group (AG). The late Chief Abraham Adesanya was our leader. I remained with him till he died. We supported the policies of our national leader and Premier of the then Western Region the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

    I was a foundation member of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and one of the coordinators of the Nine Progresive Governors with Hon. Kola Oseni, the late Hon Muse Ariyo and E. B. Ige. I was also a member of Afenifere Justice Group, and G. 12 under His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Today, I am active member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ajegunle.

     

    You did not study agric, yet you were in the sector. How were you able to navigate?

    You don’t need to study agric unless you want to take it as a career. By virtue of your training and experience, you will perform.

     

    Are you then in support of professionals in politics?

    Yes. They can do well because of their training and experience. Look at former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). Did he not do well as a governor?

     

    Compare how politics was played then and how it is played today?

    Politicians are not as active as we were. They can’t be. Now they have money to throw around. Then we didn’t get money from politicians. Interest was paramount. Today, people do things because of money. National interest takes second place. It shouldn’t be.

    Advice to politicians

    Politics should not be a do-or-die affair. It should be seen as a game. If you are not given an appointment, be patient. Don’t fight or grumble. One day, your time will come. Be loyal to your party and the leaders.

  • ‘I’m in politics to change things’

    ‘I’m in politics to change things’

    Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu is the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in this week’s election in Edo State. He explains why he got involved in politics and what he plans to do differently if he gets elected as governor. Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia was there. Excerpts

    As an ordained pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God, some people say you should limit yourself to the pulpit rather than getting involving in dirty politics. What do have to say about this?

    The truth is that for a long time, there have been quite some wrong teachings among us Christians. In the past, there was this wrong teaching about poverty, that rich men cannot make heaven; only poor people will.  So a lot of Christians will shun good jobs and say no, if I take that job, I will not make heaven. But later, they realised that there was no scriptural basis at all for such belief. When Jesus talked about how hard it will be for a rich man to make heaven, he was just referring to those who carry riches above the things of God, not that rich men cannot make heaven. Rich men can make heaven if they use their wealth in a manner that will please God. So, that was one wrong teaching then. It is the same thing with politics. You say, ah, no, Christians should not be involved in politics but it is through politics that leaders emerge. Are you saying Christians should not be leaders and yet politics and the actions of the leaders affect our daily lives; then what are we talking about? It is true that in Nigeria, politics is seen to be very  dirty. It is so because we have allowed the wrong people to be in it. When you have bad people in politics, the system will be bad. So basically, because good and decent people do not participate in politics, that is why we are facing what we are facing. It is time that we take the bull by the horn and be active in politics to reverse the system. As the Bible puts it when the righteous rule, the people are happy.

    Some people say Edo is blessed as solid minerals and oil producing state; what do you plan to do with these assets as governor?

    Edo State is rich in mineral and agricultural resources. Edo North for example is one of the richest senatorial districts in terms of mineral deposits in the country with 18 known deposits, including Gold, Marble, Limestone, Phosphate, etc. Edo State ought to be a land of plenty but we have in the last eight years had a government without vision. That is why I am appealing to every eligible voter in Edo State that they have the power to change the rules of the game on September 10th 2016. It is the power to change the change. Under the APC government, what we have had is a daily cycle in which we struggle to make a living. Cost of living has gone up. The prices of fuel, kerosene, rice, tomatoes have gone up. Our people are wondering what went wrong. I say now is their time to take the future. They must vote to change the direction in which APC is leading us as Nigerians.  This is our chance. We must seize the moment. The future is now!

    How would you rate the outgoing government in Edo State?

    For the last eight years in this state, the government has never asked the people any question. They believe they know what you want. I believe that we must give the government back to the people. Giving the people the government will be in fulfillment of the dream by Abraham Lincoln when he declared at Gettysburg in the heat of the American Civil war, as brother killed brotherthat we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain  that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom  and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

    As far away as we may be from the United States of America; As far back as 1863 when Abraham Lincoln spoke those words; he was speaking to a day, when a little boy born in Benin City; who went to primary school in Benin City; who went to secondary school in Benin City; who went to university in Benin City; who worked in Benin Citywould grow up to aspire to lead his people with hope, with courage, with vision and with a plan. That is me. There is hunger in the land. There is chronic unemployment in the land. There is poverty in the land. When there is poverty in the land, our women bear the brunt. We must reverse this situation.

    What are your plans if you get elected as governor?

    My plan is simple. It is called the S I M P L E agenda. ‘S’ is for Social Welfare and Security. We cannot expect to build a safe and secure state when we have not taken steps to create jobs for our young men and women. In the past eight years, all the industries that used to provide jobs for our young men and women have been shut down by an insensitive government. Where is Edo Line? Where is Bendel Breweries? Where is Bendel Insurance? Where is Urhonigbe Rubber Factory? Where is Uromi Fertilizer Plant? Where is Ehor Fruit Juice Factory?

    I believe and strongly so, that government must first take care of its responsibility toward the people before it can have the moral right to ask the people to take care of their responsibility toward the government.

    To this end, I hereby declare that we will review the excessive multiple taxation burden in this state and in consultation with the people, evolve a simple tax structure.

    I am prepared from day one to work assiduously toward increasing your opportunities to be skilled, to be equipped and to be empowered with a small business loan in your community to give you the power, ready to prosper doing an honest day’s work. All 192 wards in the state will have a Social Welfare Officer whose job it will be, to be the first point of contact on issues of maternal mortality, infant mortality and balanced child nutrition up till age 5. They will visit you in your homes to ask you how the government can help you. ‘I’ is for infrastructure. First, we must resolve to build the infrastructure of the mind and soul where brother cares for brother and sister cares for sister and we all care for our senior citizens. We cannot allow our senior citizens retire into penury.

    On education infrastructure, first, we must train our teachers to be the best that they can be and then we must change the way we reward them so that they can change the way they teach. We must equip every school with a computer laboratory to enable our children function and compete with their counterparts across the world. Every Edo student in tertiary institutions will be entitled to bursary award.

    On road construction, we plan to evolve a system that makes our six dry months work for us like 12 months by introducing double shifts in road construction contracts.

    On health infrastructure, we plan to build a healthcare system that is second to none in Nigeria. A statistic of 17% maternal and infant mortality is unacceptable and must be reversed. We will build well equipped primary health care centers in every local government across the state to bring healthcare to the doorsteps of our beautiful mothers, wives and daughters. It is estimated that two out of every 25 women will die of breast cancer disease every year in Edo State. Awareness is the key and catching it early makes it possible to get a cure. We must build cancer screening centers in every market across the state for early detection. We must protect our women.

    ‘M’ is for manpower development and training. We will equip the Edo youth to be the most productive youth in Nigeria. A society that trains its youth is a society that plans to succeed. Changes will be made to our educational curriculum such that every child would pick four different skills to learn from JSS1-JSS3. They would then be required to specialise in one skill from SS1 to SS3. When that child is ready to graduate from secondary school, they will have a WAEC certificate in one hand and a Trade Diploma in the other hand.

    For adult men and women who are unemployed and poor, we would provide them a way out of poverty. Every local government will operate a skills acquisition programme on one hand and a food programme to go along with it. It is cheaper to train people and guide them out of poverty than to buy guns and build prisons. When people see a pathway out of poverty, they are not likely to resort to crime.

    ‘P’ is for Public Private Partnerships (PPP). To the business community, I say, you do not have a better friend. I plan to engage the private sector in the revitalisation of all neglected industries in Edo State and in the establishment of new ones. We intend to build industrial clusters in each of the three senatorial zones with ready to go Certificate of Occupancy and a five year tax holiday. Let the word go forth therefore to the four winds of Nigeria, North, South, East and West and beyond the shores of our great country-that Edo State is open and ready for business.

    ‘L’ is for leadership by example. We plan to lead from the front. We will first do before we ask you to do.

    ‘E’ is for employment creation and empowerment scheme. There is no better, faster way to create employment than through agriculture. We plan to build agricultural settlements in all three senatorial zones and bring back Commodity Marketing Boards to buy produce from farmers. We plan to put 500,000 hectares under cultivation in the first four years which will be allocated to 100,000 young farmers who will employ up to 10 people per hectare to address the scourge of unemployment, hunger and poverty in the land.

    In addition, we would establish microfinance companies in every local government to help empower small and medium scale business people.