We have a new “Acting President”, after almost eighty days of delayed tactics, confusion, misinformation and misinterpretation, political chicanery, outright lies and criminal deception, forgery, self interests over national interests, all culminating in a grand farce, such as has never happened in the history of Nigerian politics, and which, based on the repercussions and what we went through, Nigerians would wish and pray never happens again.
Everybody, every Nigerian, seem to heave a sigh of relief, when on Tuesday, 9th February, 2010, the Senate and the House of Representatives in Abuja seemed to have come to recognise the importance of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and now passed a motion recognising Vice President Goodluck Jonathan as the Acting President of Nigeria. The politicians thought they have managed to overcome and resolve an increasingly thorny and embarrassing issue. Everybody will live ever happily after. They thought they have satisfied the cries and demands of the Nigeria people. They said that “expediency and pragmatism” had informed their decision.
But No! What they had done was still illegal, presumptive and they have managed, once again, to hoodwink and cheat the Nigerian people. “Oh yes, we have given the people what they want, and let them rejoice”.
The fact is, the evil, corrupt, barely educated political elite, especially those in the ruling party, PDP, had played a sleight of hand to subvert the rule of law and doing away with the provisions of the constitution. They thought they had fooled us, but because of their own shortcomings as true democrats, unversed in constitutional matters, they failed to reckon, to their peril, the brains of the Nigerian people. What happened on Tuesday was not a resolution; it was more of a reactionary thing.
The state of the nation was in dire straits; the people are restive; protests home and abroad, and even, the conduct of governance was severely affected. The Governors would fail to get their allocations and hence no treasury to loot for the month, while Yar ‘Adua’s aides and so-called kitchen cabinet were insisting that the man was well enough to rule, and according to our Chief Law Officer, Michael Aondoakaa, Yar’Adua could rule from anywhere in the world. (I would like him to give me an example of this in the history of the modern world)
So the inept and corrupt National Assembly based their spurious resolution on the word “transmit” and quickly and cleverly latched on to the fake BBC interview of President Yar ‘Adua. They said the interview “transmitted” to them the incapability of the President to continue ruling the country from his sick bed in Saudi Arabia. See, my people? The BBC is running the country now.
And is that enough? Their resolution was not based even partly on the Constitution, which should have been their guiding manual for the past 80 days. What the Constitution said is that such resolutions must be based on a letter, or any form thereof, sent by the ailing President to the National Assembly, asking for a leave of absence to take care of his health. Yar’Adua obviously did not do this, and this confirms his incapacitation further, thereby a major breach of the constitution has occurred. The next lawful thing to do would have been for the National Assembly to inform the Federal Executive Council to obey Section 144 of the Constitution or perhaps for the National Assembly to impeach him. However, the National Assembly, even given that such situation had never occurred in the history of Nigeria, had chosen to ignore the constitution, or interpreted it to suit its own purpose. Hence, the Constitution has again been subverted.
And please do not forget that the National Assembly only acted when the 36 State Governors decided to walk in on them (mindful of their monthly Allocations); there was a crack in the solidarity of the Federal Ministers who had hitherto been passing legality on the President’s absence; and more importantly, after many civil protests in Abuja, London, New York and even in the Ukraine.
Nigeria is greater that any individual, but unfortunately, our leaders and politicians have never seen it that way. They thing they are greater than the country.
So who the culprits in this matter? Michael Aondoakaa is number one. The man is simply a liar, a forger and a master in disinformation. He is either deliberately deceptive or basically an ignoramus, a charlatan of the learned profession. At best, he is a mediocre. And this is not just by judging him from what happened this time with the absence of the president, but by his past records in his almost 3 years as the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Federation (Please see Paul T Adujie’s article – Michael Aondoakaa, Former AGF Should Be Investigated and Tried - http://www.nigeriansinamerica.com/articles/3971/1/Michael-Aondoakaa-Former-AGF-Should-Be-Investigated-and-Tried/Page1.html)
The man is an embarrassment to Nigeria and the law profession. And see the way he was crudely trying to blackmail his fellow Minister, Dora Akunyinli? The man lacks goodness; he lacks decorum and it was a good thing he was removed immediately as AGF. Better still, he should be sacked, investigated and tried for his role in this Yar ‘Adua farce.
And Mrs Turai Yar ‘Adua? Though she is not elected, the role she’s has played was if she was the President of this country,; she was the head of the kitchen cabinet. How can a wife like that, seeing her husband so sick, still insist on her husband carrying on? I know there are more to it than this. But there she is.
If I were to advice Mr Jonathan, and if the Constitution allows it, I would suggest to him to get rid of all the Ministers, Special Adviser and Assistants that he has inherited from Yar ‘Adua. These are people who insisted that he could not become the Acting president and tried to prolong the inevitable to suit their own nefarious agenda and selfish interests. They will stab him in the back. (This is assuming that President Yar ‘Adua will not be coming back to his throne, and I honestly think he should not come back,; let Jonathan continue the rest of his tenure and if Jonathan decides to run on his own ticket in 2011, by all means, let him try his luck, afterall he is aptly named)
Other people, who in a normal democratic society, should fall on their swords, or should not even see the light of day in politics, are the Senate President, David Mark and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole. They were very partisan, ignorant of the Constitutional procedure, or chose to be, and even out rightly and actively encouraged the impasse. They must not seek second terms.
Those who said they took the 400-page Appropriation Bill to Saudi Arabia for the President to sign and brought it back to Nigeria within hours must be arrested and charged with forgery and criminal deception.
The President himself must be brought to the book as soon as he gets well enough and come back to Nigeria. He must be impeached for heating up the polity, abandonment of responsibilities and duty, not following the Constitution and for allowing other inept, corrupt and deceptive people to perpetuate deception and grand larceny on the people of Nigeria. He owes us big time, for allowing the country to free-fall during his absence which could easily have been avoided.
The undertones of tribal sentiments is there, and those who believe that only a certain section of Nigeria must rule Nigeria should be cautioned very seriously that Nigeria belongs to 140 million people and not just a section of it.
So what about the new “Acting President” himself? I hate to bring this up, but there remains a “small” matter “of a corruption scandal involving Jonathan's wife, Patience Jonathan who was investigated for her involvement in the illegal movement of $13.5 million. As Jonathan now wields executive power, he has the means to tacitly or bluntly ensure that nothing ever comes of the corruption scandal involving his wife. Considering that Jonathan had to be pressured to reveal his assets, unlike Yar'Adua who willingly did so, there is a cloud of suspicion on the now-acting President with regard to corruption, a problem that has plagued Nigeria for far too long. Plus, considering the outcome of the James Ibori case which resulted in accusations that the nation's anti-corruption body 'bungled the case on purpose', and many who have been fingered (at home and abroad) as corrupt are yet to face justice, it is not a stretch to worry that a scandal tied to Jonathan will simply disappear”. (Solomon Sydelle - http://www.nigeriancuriosity.com/2010/02/jonathan-is-nigerias-acting-president.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:+nigeriancuriosity/fpFU+(NIGERIAN+CURIOSITY))
There are extra unknowns, such as when will the President return, if at all? And, if he does, will he gain back control of the government and how will he do this? What does the Constitution say on this, assuming those ignorant, corrupt and charlatan legislators will not misinterpret it again) Or, will Jonathan act as President until the next Presidential election in 2011 and will he run for President? I would rather support Mr Jonathan to carry on with the business of government for the next 18 months, unencumbered with all these political intrigues. “The political vacuum experienced by Nigeria over the last few months must come to an end to instil confidence in a people already weary and sick of all these political chicaneries”, as Solomon Sydelle, that greatest of blogger stated.
Nevertheless, constitutionally or not, Nigerians are surely hoping that this seemingly quiet man, whose very name rhymes with LUCK will bring in a new hope for the country and will address their problems.
But the crises and problems are far from over. In fact they are just beginning. Constitutional crisis, corruption scandals, unabated treasury looting; miscarriage of justice; electoral reform; tribalism; nepotism; religious riots; police brutality and extra-judicial killings; MEND and the Niger Delta; shortage of petrol; lack of good roads, basic and good healthcare for all; quality education; political assassinations; lack of security, just mention it. Will Jonathan be able to leave his imprint positively on Nigeria, or will he, like many others before him, fritter away the chance to be a true statesman?
We can only hope for some good luck!
Friday, 19 February 2010
Sunday, 14 February 2010
Key Points For Our Acting President.
The making of Goodluck Jonathan the Acting President is a true evidence of how Nigerians can exercise their powers. Power belongs to the people. This tempo (massive pressure on the Executive Council of The Federation and National Assembly) should be sustained and if possible, should be exceeded. Let me use this medium to appeal to all Nigerians, particularly the Save Nigeria Group, the elder statesmen, former Nigerian leaders, all protesters in London, New York, Lagos, Abuja, all pro Nigerian groups in Diaspora, etc to join hands together to increase pressure on our leaders to fix Nigeria. Now the actual struggle to fix Nigeria has just started. I did recommend a platform (Shadow Government) to coordinate massive opposition towards checking excesses of the government in power. We could also start shadow sovereign national conference to discuss Nigeria’s fundamental issues.
For our Acting President (Goodluck Jonathan), this is an opportunity for you to write your name in gold. The choice is yours now to either be on the good side of history or be among the garbage heap of forgotten leaders. I have the following agenda for you. First, you must decamp from your party PDP (Peoples Destruction Party). Nigerians have seen the best PDP government can offer. Your party (PDP) helped to derail Obasanjo (former President) in as much as he (Obasanjo) helped derail PDP. To a larger extent, your boss (Yar’Adua) has been derailed by PDP. The Holy Bible in Matthew chapter 7 verses 17-18 said, “Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit”. PDP is a bad tree that cannot bear good fruit.
This advice is incase your boss never make it back. Assuming your boss (Yar’Adua) never make it back and you still remain in PDP, you will loose focus, because your party will not spare you. They will eventually misguide and misdirect you. But it all depends if you actually want to move Nigeria forward or backward. Remember you will not be the first top government official to decamp from Peoples Destruction Party (PDP). Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar (while still in power) decamped from PDP to Action Congress (AC) when the frustration was too much from PDP.
Remember election is next year (2011) and soon campaign will start for various elective positions in the country including your present office. Your party (PDP) has already zoned the presidency to the North and that means you will not get a ticket/nomination under your party. The best alternative will be for you to move to a better focused and ideological party. Except you’re not interested in contesting election next year. I advise various political parties in Nigeria to make passes to you concerning what I have said above. I will not be surprised if your party (PDP) gives President Yar’Adua automatic ticket to contest election next year (that is if he comes back and still wishes to be president).
Your next agenda should be to dissolve the cabinet without further delays. This is non negotiable because most of your present ministers have outlived there usefulness. They are now liabilities to your government and the people of Nigeria. Some of them deserve to be redeployed to other ministries; an example is your present information minister (Dora Akunyili) should be sent back to NAFDAC or made health minister. Aondoakaa has no business being your Special Duties Minister. He (Aondoakaa) caused a lot of embarrassment to our nation. He will do same in the Special Duties Ministry; therefore he should be relieved of that position.
Rilwanu Lukman should also go because he openly disobeyed you last December when you asked the petroleum minister(s) not to travel for Christmas holiday because of the fuel scarcity. Rilwanu Lukman disobeyed your order and traveled out of the country. This is the time for government officials to take responsibilities, blames, punishments or praises for their actions and inactions. Education, Commerce, Foreign, Power Ministers etc deserves to go. They are no longer fit for purpose.
You (Goodluck Jonathan) promised to strengthen the capacity of anti corruption agencies and give them free hand to prosecute the anti corruption war. The first thing you need to do on this direction should be to pressure the National Assembly to pass the freedom of information bill. You cannot do this lobbying or pressure the National Assembly alone. On this note I will repeat my appeal to all Nigerians to exert more pressure on the National Assembly to pass this bill. We can repeat the same protest marches on the streets of Nigeria and overseas till this is done. No meaningful war can be waged against corruption without passing this bill into law. The freedom of information bill, if passed into law could help to prevent official corruption. Prevention is better that cure.
The Acting President should also make a statement about the corruption case that Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had against his wife. Charity begins at home. The Holy Bible said in Luke chapter 6 verses 42 that, “How can you say to your brother, Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye, when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye”. (This quote was taken from New International Version of the Holy Bible).
Dearest Acting President, except you want to move Nigeria backwards, otherwise the only choice you have is complete electoral reforms before 2011 general election. My stand on this has been and will also remain the re-introduction of Option A4 System. I want to be proven wrong, Justice Uwais Electoral Reform Recommendations (if passed into law) will not be as good as Option A4 System. However, our law makers are not even keen on passing the Justice Uwais Electoral Reform bill. I will advice the Acting President to mobilize Nigerians towards pressurizing the National Assembly to pass this bill and other relevant laws.
The Acting President should try and brief the nation on the state of health of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. Nigerians still deserve to know what is happening to him. I also hope the issue of post Niger Delta amnesty deal will be addressed adequately. My opinion for permanent solution of Niger Delta crisis will be to give them 50% share of oil proceeds, but their leaders must give account of every kobo spent. Mr. Acting President, we are watching how far you will go.
Please remember to plant a tree or sponsor one to plant on your behalf. Turn off your electrical appliances/lights when not in use. Government and companies should send less paper work and do more email, telephone, and sms. May God bless Nigeria.
Chinedu Vincent Akuta.
An activist and leader of “Support Option A4 Group” Leicester-UK
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/
For our Acting President (Goodluck Jonathan), this is an opportunity for you to write your name in gold. The choice is yours now to either be on the good side of history or be among the garbage heap of forgotten leaders. I have the following agenda for you. First, you must decamp from your party PDP (Peoples Destruction Party). Nigerians have seen the best PDP government can offer. Your party (PDP) helped to derail Obasanjo (former President) in as much as he (Obasanjo) helped derail PDP. To a larger extent, your boss (Yar’Adua) has been derailed by PDP. The Holy Bible in Matthew chapter 7 verses 17-18 said, “Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit”. PDP is a bad tree that cannot bear good fruit.
This advice is incase your boss never make it back. Assuming your boss (Yar’Adua) never make it back and you still remain in PDP, you will loose focus, because your party will not spare you. They will eventually misguide and misdirect you. But it all depends if you actually want to move Nigeria forward or backward. Remember you will not be the first top government official to decamp from Peoples Destruction Party (PDP). Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar (while still in power) decamped from PDP to Action Congress (AC) when the frustration was too much from PDP.
Remember election is next year (2011) and soon campaign will start for various elective positions in the country including your present office. Your party (PDP) has already zoned the presidency to the North and that means you will not get a ticket/nomination under your party. The best alternative will be for you to move to a better focused and ideological party. Except you’re not interested in contesting election next year. I advise various political parties in Nigeria to make passes to you concerning what I have said above. I will not be surprised if your party (PDP) gives President Yar’Adua automatic ticket to contest election next year (that is if he comes back and still wishes to be president).
Your next agenda should be to dissolve the cabinet without further delays. This is non negotiable because most of your present ministers have outlived there usefulness. They are now liabilities to your government and the people of Nigeria. Some of them deserve to be redeployed to other ministries; an example is your present information minister (Dora Akunyili) should be sent back to NAFDAC or made health minister. Aondoakaa has no business being your Special Duties Minister. He (Aondoakaa) caused a lot of embarrassment to our nation. He will do same in the Special Duties Ministry; therefore he should be relieved of that position.
Rilwanu Lukman should also go because he openly disobeyed you last December when you asked the petroleum minister(s) not to travel for Christmas holiday because of the fuel scarcity. Rilwanu Lukman disobeyed your order and traveled out of the country. This is the time for government officials to take responsibilities, blames, punishments or praises for their actions and inactions. Education, Commerce, Foreign, Power Ministers etc deserves to go. They are no longer fit for purpose.
You (Goodluck Jonathan) promised to strengthen the capacity of anti corruption agencies and give them free hand to prosecute the anti corruption war. The first thing you need to do on this direction should be to pressure the National Assembly to pass the freedom of information bill. You cannot do this lobbying or pressure the National Assembly alone. On this note I will repeat my appeal to all Nigerians to exert more pressure on the National Assembly to pass this bill. We can repeat the same protest marches on the streets of Nigeria and overseas till this is done. No meaningful war can be waged against corruption without passing this bill into law. The freedom of information bill, if passed into law could help to prevent official corruption. Prevention is better that cure.
The Acting President should also make a statement about the corruption case that Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had against his wife. Charity begins at home. The Holy Bible said in Luke chapter 6 verses 42 that, “How can you say to your brother, Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye, when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye”. (This quote was taken from New International Version of the Holy Bible).
Dearest Acting President, except you want to move Nigeria backwards, otherwise the only choice you have is complete electoral reforms before 2011 general election. My stand on this has been and will also remain the re-introduction of Option A4 System. I want to be proven wrong, Justice Uwais Electoral Reform Recommendations (if passed into law) will not be as good as Option A4 System. However, our law makers are not even keen on passing the Justice Uwais Electoral Reform bill. I will advice the Acting President to mobilize Nigerians towards pressurizing the National Assembly to pass this bill and other relevant laws.
The Acting President should try and brief the nation on the state of health of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. Nigerians still deserve to know what is happening to him. I also hope the issue of post Niger Delta amnesty deal will be addressed adequately. My opinion for permanent solution of Niger Delta crisis will be to give them 50% share of oil proceeds, but their leaders must give account of every kobo spent. Mr. Acting President, we are watching how far you will go.
Please remember to plant a tree or sponsor one to plant on your behalf. Turn off your electrical appliances/lights when not in use. Government and companies should send less paper work and do more email, telephone, and sms. May God bless Nigeria.
Chinedu Vincent Akuta.
An activist and leader of “Support Option A4 Group” Leicester-UK
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/
Sunday, 7 February 2010
Shadow Government.
Damn our “leaders” if they like it, damn them if they don’t, the people have spoken. Enough of power vacuum, near constitutional crisis, and over heating of the polity all due to the fact that the ruling party (PDP) does not trust the Vice President (Jonathan Goodluck) to formally act as President until President Yar’Adua recovers from his illness. There is no choice other than to respect the wishes of the Nigerian people, power belongs to the people. Cracks have clearly emerged with the Executive Council of the Federation and the National Assembly due to the pressure from the people. Shadow government will be such that should coordinate massive public pressure (people’s power) to counter bad governance.
This was an idea I recommended in my Christmas message to Nigerians. It simply means forming a government in waiting by the opposition parties. But in the Nigerian case, the shadow government should be formed by opposition parties and representatives from the following; Political Groups, Non Governmental Organization, Civil Groups, Community Groups, Faith Organizations (churches, mosques, etc), Retired Civil Servants, Opinion Leaders, Academic Staff Union of Universities, Labour Unions/Leaders, Students Union Leaders, Non Academic Staff Union of Universities, National Association of Academic Technologists, Nigerian Medical Association, Bankers, Nigerian Bar Association, Members of the Nigerian Press, Nigerian Union of Journalists, Cultural Groups and any other groups, corporate groups or individuals that might wish to join.
Shadow government/cabinet is in operation in the United Kingdom where opposition parties have shadow cabinet members in all the existing ministries, For example Secretary of Defense (Minister of Defense) by the ruling party (Labour Party) has a shadow Secretary of Defense by the opposition parties (Conservative Party, Liberal Democrats etc). The British opposition parties are alive and strong, they provide tough checks and balances on the ruling party (Labour Party).
There will be nothing wrong to domesticate this method (shadow government) and apply it to the presidential system of government that we are practicing in Nigeria. It can be our own home grown democratic system. I have heard past Nigerian leaders talk about home grown democracy. This can be one of it. However, political theories of previous centuries (presidential system, unitary system, federal system, feudal system, theocratic system etc) can be adjusted, amended or combined together to fit in the Nigeria of 21st century, so long as it enhances good governance.
The essence of shadow government in Nigeria is to create a formidable opposition to the government in power. Opposition parties/groups are an important part of every democracy. In nearby Ghana, the opposition party (National Democratic Congress of Ghana) won the ruling party. In both Zimbabwe and Kenya, power is being shared between the opposition parties and the ruling parties. During the Babangida and Abacha era, National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) formed a credible opposition to the military. They fought gallantly till the country was returned to civil rule. Presently our opposition parties/groups need a shadow government/cabinet structure hence my suggestion.
My other reason for recommending so many groups to join the shadow government is because, I agree totally with what former French President Charles de Gaulle said, “Politics is too serious a business to be left for politicians alone”. Shadow government will be able to critically examine every government policy and come up a better alternative for the Nigerian people. Where money is to be spent on projects, the shadow government should be able highlight how and who can do such projects better and at a lesser cost to the Nigerian tax payers. Shadow government will provide a training ground for future leaders. The benefits will be enormous to the Nigerian public.
My suggestion of a shadow system of government is such that, we will have shadow president, shadow vice president, shadow cabinet members, comprising of shadow minister of education, shadow minister of health, shadow external affairs minister, shadow minister of agriculture, shadow minister of finance etc. The same method (shadow government/cabinet) should be created or formed in 36 states of the federation and the 774 local government areas in Nigeria. In the case of states, there should be shadow governors, shadow deputy governors, shadow commissioners. Whereas, in the case of local government councils, there should be shadow supervisory councilors in all departments.
Since we have a bi-cameral legislature (The Senate and House of Representatives) at the federal level, it will be in order, to have one shadow senator from each senatorial zone and a shadow House of Representative member from each federal constituency of the federation. Same should apply to the states and local government areas.
Appointment or Selection Processes: Appointments or selection methods should be strictly by merit and through transparent processes. There will be no issue of putting round pegs in square holes, like what the past and present governments have been doing. I will suggest Option A4 system for selection process. I will also suggest that professional groups should be allocated to relevant shadow ministries, for example if medical personnel’s decides to join the shadow government, they should be assigned to the shadow ministry of health under a shadow minister of health.
Shadow government can commence now and terminate by May 2011 when the tenure of this present government will end. However there should be a transition plan for the shadow government that will start from May 2011. Politicians and people interested in this project can start working out the remaining modalities. Campaigning for different positions should also start. Nigerians in Diaspora can participate actively in the appointment, selection, and the shadow government itself. They can take part from wherever they might be. I will also use this medium to urge the various pro Nigerian groups in Diaspora to come together irrespective of their organizational differences. There are a lot they can achieve by coming together. Joining or co-starting a shadow government will be a good starting point.
The shadow government can start online or partially base online. President Obama, Hillary Clinton, John McCain relied heavily in online strategies during their campaign. During the last French presidential election, the two top contenders (Nicolas Sarkozy and Segolene Royal) generated the highest level of net activism. In Australia, their Prime Minister (Kevin Rudd) has continued to use online presence to keep electorates aware of his government’s activities.
Finally, I wish also to appeal to Nigerians to participate and join the fight against global warming. Turn off your electrical appliances/lights when not in use. Plant a tree or sponsor one to plant on your behalf. Government and companies should send less paper work and do more email, telephone, and sms. May God bless Nigeria.
Chinedu Vincent Akuta.
An activist and leader of “Support Option A4 Group” Leicester-UK
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/
This was an idea I recommended in my Christmas message to Nigerians. It simply means forming a government in waiting by the opposition parties. But in the Nigerian case, the shadow government should be formed by opposition parties and representatives from the following; Political Groups, Non Governmental Organization, Civil Groups, Community Groups, Faith Organizations (churches, mosques, etc), Retired Civil Servants, Opinion Leaders, Academic Staff Union of Universities, Labour Unions/Leaders, Students Union Leaders, Non Academic Staff Union of Universities, National Association of Academic Technologists, Nigerian Medical Association, Bankers, Nigerian Bar Association, Members of the Nigerian Press, Nigerian Union of Journalists, Cultural Groups and any other groups, corporate groups or individuals that might wish to join.
Shadow government/cabinet is in operation in the United Kingdom where opposition parties have shadow cabinet members in all the existing ministries, For example Secretary of Defense (Minister of Defense) by the ruling party (Labour Party) has a shadow Secretary of Defense by the opposition parties (Conservative Party, Liberal Democrats etc). The British opposition parties are alive and strong, they provide tough checks and balances on the ruling party (Labour Party).
There will be nothing wrong to domesticate this method (shadow government) and apply it to the presidential system of government that we are practicing in Nigeria. It can be our own home grown democratic system. I have heard past Nigerian leaders talk about home grown democracy. This can be one of it. However, political theories of previous centuries (presidential system, unitary system, federal system, feudal system, theocratic system etc) can be adjusted, amended or combined together to fit in the Nigeria of 21st century, so long as it enhances good governance.
The essence of shadow government in Nigeria is to create a formidable opposition to the government in power. Opposition parties/groups are an important part of every democracy. In nearby Ghana, the opposition party (National Democratic Congress of Ghana) won the ruling party. In both Zimbabwe and Kenya, power is being shared between the opposition parties and the ruling parties. During the Babangida and Abacha era, National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) formed a credible opposition to the military. They fought gallantly till the country was returned to civil rule. Presently our opposition parties/groups need a shadow government/cabinet structure hence my suggestion.
My other reason for recommending so many groups to join the shadow government is because, I agree totally with what former French President Charles de Gaulle said, “Politics is too serious a business to be left for politicians alone”. Shadow government will be able to critically examine every government policy and come up a better alternative for the Nigerian people. Where money is to be spent on projects, the shadow government should be able highlight how and who can do such projects better and at a lesser cost to the Nigerian tax payers. Shadow government will provide a training ground for future leaders. The benefits will be enormous to the Nigerian public.
My suggestion of a shadow system of government is such that, we will have shadow president, shadow vice president, shadow cabinet members, comprising of shadow minister of education, shadow minister of health, shadow external affairs minister, shadow minister of agriculture, shadow minister of finance etc. The same method (shadow government/cabinet) should be created or formed in 36 states of the federation and the 774 local government areas in Nigeria. In the case of states, there should be shadow governors, shadow deputy governors, shadow commissioners. Whereas, in the case of local government councils, there should be shadow supervisory councilors in all departments.
Since we have a bi-cameral legislature (The Senate and House of Representatives) at the federal level, it will be in order, to have one shadow senator from each senatorial zone and a shadow House of Representative member from each federal constituency of the federation. Same should apply to the states and local government areas.
Appointment or Selection Processes: Appointments or selection methods should be strictly by merit and through transparent processes. There will be no issue of putting round pegs in square holes, like what the past and present governments have been doing. I will suggest Option A4 system for selection process. I will also suggest that professional groups should be allocated to relevant shadow ministries, for example if medical personnel’s decides to join the shadow government, they should be assigned to the shadow ministry of health under a shadow minister of health.
Shadow government can commence now and terminate by May 2011 when the tenure of this present government will end. However there should be a transition plan for the shadow government that will start from May 2011. Politicians and people interested in this project can start working out the remaining modalities. Campaigning for different positions should also start. Nigerians in Diaspora can participate actively in the appointment, selection, and the shadow government itself. They can take part from wherever they might be. I will also use this medium to urge the various pro Nigerian groups in Diaspora to come together irrespective of their organizational differences. There are a lot they can achieve by coming together. Joining or co-starting a shadow government will be a good starting point.
The shadow government can start online or partially base online. President Obama, Hillary Clinton, John McCain relied heavily in online strategies during their campaign. During the last French presidential election, the two top contenders (Nicolas Sarkozy and Segolene Royal) generated the highest level of net activism. In Australia, their Prime Minister (Kevin Rudd) has continued to use online presence to keep electorates aware of his government’s activities.
Finally, I wish also to appeal to Nigerians to participate and join the fight against global warming. Turn off your electrical appliances/lights when not in use. Plant a tree or sponsor one to plant on your behalf. Government and companies should send less paper work and do more email, telephone, and sms. May God bless Nigeria.
Chinedu Vincent Akuta.
An activist and leader of “Support Option A4 Group” Leicester-UK
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/
Saturday, 30 January 2010
War Against Electoral Fraud In Anambra And Nigeria.
I condemn the recent Jos crisis and the assassination of Dipo Dina (former Action Congress governorship candidate of Ogun State in the 2007 election). I wish to commiserate with the families of innocent Nigerians that died in the Jos crisis and also with the families of Dipo Dina. Both incidents will run counter productive for attempts to launder Nigeria’s image abroad. Nigerians at home and abroad are deeply worried about the level of insecurity. Our fear of political assassinations, electoral frauds, electoral flaws, etc have increased as the Anambra election (February 2010) and 2011 general election draws closer.
The entire Nigerians will closely watch what will happen in Anambra election on February 6. Whatever happens in Anambra will further confirm what Nigerians will face in 2011 general election. But before then, let’s look briefly at past governorship elections in Anambra State, which is almost a case of total electoral frauds, flaws, and failures. Understandings of these electoral failures should form the basis to declare war against electoral fraud in Anambra State and Nigeria.
1983 General Election.
The old Anambra State witnessed bitter rivalry between the then governor (Chief Jim Nwobodo) and late Chief C.C.Onoh. Both men (Chief Jim Nwobodo and late Chief C.C.Onoh), had thugs who unleashed violence and intimidation to their opponents. There were serious electoral frauds leading to the “victory” of Chief Jim Nwobodo, but it was later quashed at the Supreme Court. Thus late Chief C.C.Onoh became the governor but his administration was short lived due to army takeover.
1999 General Election.
This election produced Mbadinujo as the governor and his “god father” Emeka Offor. The duo emerged by virtue of electoral fraud. The setback to Anambra State as a result of problems between the governor and his “godfather” cannot be quantified in monetary terms.
2003 General Election.
Serious rigging, electoral flaws and fraud were features of 2003 general elections. Anambra State gubernatorial election was a good example of 2003 electoral fraud. Dr Ngige was imposed on the state as the governor by perpetrators of this electoral fraud. When he (Dr Ngige) had misunderstandings with those that imposed him on the state, (his god fathers) he was kidnapped. Therefore, electoral fraud produced the first case of kidnapping of a sitting governor in Nigeria. Till date no one was prosecuted for that offence. Peter Obi later got his mandate through the court to become the truly elected governor of the state.
2007 General Election.
The 2007 general election witnessed the worst electoral fraud in the history of elections in Nigeria. President Yar’Adua acknowledged these irregularities. Again Anambra State was not left out. Andy Uba was declared the winner and lasted only 14 days in office. The court again restored Peter Obi as the governor. From the above analyses, Anambra State and her people have been victims of electoral fraud.
The Umpire
The same umpire (Independent National Electoral Commission) conducted both 2003 and 2007 general elections with catastrophic results. Why will the same umpire keep conducting further elections in Nigeria especially in Anambra? Why not disband them. If the military government disbanded National Electoral Commission (NEC), that conducted the freest and fairest election in Nigeria, why can’t the civilian administration dissolve INEC for gross misconduct of elections in Nigeria?
Realities of Electoral Fraud.
(a) Violence, destruction of properties, intimidation, killings, kidnappings, etc. Recently, the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ogbonna Onovo disclosed that intelligence reports gathered by the police in Anambra State ahead of Feb 6 2010 election showed that majority of the politicians contesting the elections have recruited armed robbers, militias, kidnappers etc to cause mayhem.
(b) Post Electoral litigations. Using Anambra State as an example, the present Governor Peter Obi has been to court much more than any governor in Nigeria past or present, all in a bid to reclaim his mandate. Atiku Abubakar (former Vice President) and Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu went to court against President Yar’Adua. This list(s) of post electoral cases are too numerous. Nigerians should wonder how much we are loosing by virtue of all these court cases.
(c) Military Interventions. Politicians usually ask for the military intervention each time there is electoral fraud. 1964/65 and 1983 elections are examples were the military intervened partly because of electoral fraud and corruption. At present (2010) some people have been asking the military to intervene due to the absence of our president. However, the military has proven to be worst than the civilians in corruption and maladministration.
(d) Lack of development, security, welfare, progress and prosperity. The primary purpose of every government is security and welfare of her citizens. Electoral fraud denies the citizens of these benefits.
Counter Electoral Fraud Measures.
The Ideal situation and the way forward should be to put to an end to electoral fraud, otherwise electoral fraud will put an end to us. It will not be an easy task. We should realize that “The history of liberty is a history of resistance” (Thomas Woodrow, 1812). Liberty from electoral fraud will require total resistance to it. Be that as it may, I have the following suggestions.
(1) Electoral Activism. We should all become electoral activist(s). Vote during elections and make sure our votes are counted. Follow your vote till results are announced. Keep your own records and be prepared to defend your votes in courts if need be.
(2) Election Monitoring. Every one should come out and monitor elections in his/her locality. Using your camera or telephone with cameras to record every proceeding in and around your voting centers. These video records could be too useful to counter electoral frauds. Please see further details on; http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/2009/08/digital-cameras-and-mobile-phones-with.html
(3) Surveillance and spying. We should all keep high level vigilance and surveillance of our neighborhoods to spot any suspicious movements. Spying should be used, before, during and after elections. I have details of company that could supply high level surveillance cameras for these purposes.
(4) Every community/community leaders/village head(s), should organize the youths, elders, and women to participate in election monitoring of their locality.
(5) Faith or Religious Organizations (churches, mosques, etc) should get involved and designate groups within their fold that will help to monitor elections. Faith Organizations should draw inspiration from Pastor Tunde Bakare (Save Nigeria Project). I recommend they read an appeal I made to leaders of faith organizations in Nigeria on http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/2009/06/appeal-to-leaders-of-faith.html
(6) Electoral Evangelism. There should be mass production of anti electoral fraud messages in DVD’s, CDs, and Cassettes/audio tapes to be distributed to people, because the media houses owned by government etc might not permit such messages.
(7) Re-introduction of Option A4 Electoral System. This method produced the freest and fairest election in Nigeria. Therefore it’s a preferred system. The weaknesses of Option A4 System are much better than the strengths of the present electoral act.
Long live Anambra State and May God bless Nigeria.
Chinedu Vincent Akuta.
An activist and leader of “Support Option A4 Group” Leicester-UK
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/
The entire Nigerians will closely watch what will happen in Anambra election on February 6. Whatever happens in Anambra will further confirm what Nigerians will face in 2011 general election. But before then, let’s look briefly at past governorship elections in Anambra State, which is almost a case of total electoral frauds, flaws, and failures. Understandings of these electoral failures should form the basis to declare war against electoral fraud in Anambra State and Nigeria.
1983 General Election.
The old Anambra State witnessed bitter rivalry between the then governor (Chief Jim Nwobodo) and late Chief C.C.Onoh. Both men (Chief Jim Nwobodo and late Chief C.C.Onoh), had thugs who unleashed violence and intimidation to their opponents. There were serious electoral frauds leading to the “victory” of Chief Jim Nwobodo, but it was later quashed at the Supreme Court. Thus late Chief C.C.Onoh became the governor but his administration was short lived due to army takeover.
1999 General Election.
This election produced Mbadinujo as the governor and his “god father” Emeka Offor. The duo emerged by virtue of electoral fraud. The setback to Anambra State as a result of problems between the governor and his “godfather” cannot be quantified in monetary terms.
2003 General Election.
Serious rigging, electoral flaws and fraud were features of 2003 general elections. Anambra State gubernatorial election was a good example of 2003 electoral fraud. Dr Ngige was imposed on the state as the governor by perpetrators of this electoral fraud. When he (Dr Ngige) had misunderstandings with those that imposed him on the state, (his god fathers) he was kidnapped. Therefore, electoral fraud produced the first case of kidnapping of a sitting governor in Nigeria. Till date no one was prosecuted for that offence. Peter Obi later got his mandate through the court to become the truly elected governor of the state.
2007 General Election.
The 2007 general election witnessed the worst electoral fraud in the history of elections in Nigeria. President Yar’Adua acknowledged these irregularities. Again Anambra State was not left out. Andy Uba was declared the winner and lasted only 14 days in office. The court again restored Peter Obi as the governor. From the above analyses, Anambra State and her people have been victims of electoral fraud.
The Umpire
The same umpire (Independent National Electoral Commission) conducted both 2003 and 2007 general elections with catastrophic results. Why will the same umpire keep conducting further elections in Nigeria especially in Anambra? Why not disband them. If the military government disbanded National Electoral Commission (NEC), that conducted the freest and fairest election in Nigeria, why can’t the civilian administration dissolve INEC for gross misconduct of elections in Nigeria?
Realities of Electoral Fraud.
(a) Violence, destruction of properties, intimidation, killings, kidnappings, etc. Recently, the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ogbonna Onovo disclosed that intelligence reports gathered by the police in Anambra State ahead of Feb 6 2010 election showed that majority of the politicians contesting the elections have recruited armed robbers, militias, kidnappers etc to cause mayhem.
(b) Post Electoral litigations. Using Anambra State as an example, the present Governor Peter Obi has been to court much more than any governor in Nigeria past or present, all in a bid to reclaim his mandate. Atiku Abubakar (former Vice President) and Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu went to court against President Yar’Adua. This list(s) of post electoral cases are too numerous. Nigerians should wonder how much we are loosing by virtue of all these court cases.
(c) Military Interventions. Politicians usually ask for the military intervention each time there is electoral fraud. 1964/65 and 1983 elections are examples were the military intervened partly because of electoral fraud and corruption. At present (2010) some people have been asking the military to intervene due to the absence of our president. However, the military has proven to be worst than the civilians in corruption and maladministration.
(d) Lack of development, security, welfare, progress and prosperity. The primary purpose of every government is security and welfare of her citizens. Electoral fraud denies the citizens of these benefits.
Counter Electoral Fraud Measures.
The Ideal situation and the way forward should be to put to an end to electoral fraud, otherwise electoral fraud will put an end to us. It will not be an easy task. We should realize that “The history of liberty is a history of resistance” (Thomas Woodrow, 1812). Liberty from electoral fraud will require total resistance to it. Be that as it may, I have the following suggestions.
(1) Electoral Activism. We should all become electoral activist(s). Vote during elections and make sure our votes are counted. Follow your vote till results are announced. Keep your own records and be prepared to defend your votes in courts if need be.
(2) Election Monitoring. Every one should come out and monitor elections in his/her locality. Using your camera or telephone with cameras to record every proceeding in and around your voting centers. These video records could be too useful to counter electoral frauds. Please see further details on; http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/2009/08/digital-cameras-and-mobile-phones-with.html
(3) Surveillance and spying. We should all keep high level vigilance and surveillance of our neighborhoods to spot any suspicious movements. Spying should be used, before, during and after elections. I have details of company that could supply high level surveillance cameras for these purposes.
(4) Every community/community leaders/village head(s), should organize the youths, elders, and women to participate in election monitoring of their locality.
(5) Faith or Religious Organizations (churches, mosques, etc) should get involved and designate groups within their fold that will help to monitor elections. Faith Organizations should draw inspiration from Pastor Tunde Bakare (Save Nigeria Project). I recommend they read an appeal I made to leaders of faith organizations in Nigeria on http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/2009/06/appeal-to-leaders-of-faith.html
(6) Electoral Evangelism. There should be mass production of anti electoral fraud messages in DVD’s, CDs, and Cassettes/audio tapes to be distributed to people, because the media houses owned by government etc might not permit such messages.
(7) Re-introduction of Option A4 Electoral System. This method produced the freest and fairest election in Nigeria. Therefore it’s a preferred system. The weaknesses of Option A4 System are much better than the strengths of the present electoral act.
Long live Anambra State and May God bless Nigeria.
Chinedu Vincent Akuta.
An activist and leader of “Support Option A4 Group” Leicester-UK
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/
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