I have been following with keen interest the decision by the former military ruler, General Ibrahim Babangida to contest the 2011 Presidential election. Personally, I don’t think he (Babangida) will go far. A good example was when ex head of state (Gen Gowon) tried to contest the presidential election in 1992/93. He (Gowon) failed in his primary constituency. In the case of Gowon’s attempt, Option A4 Electoral System was in place. Though that we have a different electoral law in place now, he (Babangida) will be shocked the way he will loose election. I also think, he might be seeking undue attention because events have relegated him to an obscure background.
History has indeed consigned him to garbage heap of forgotten tyrants. People should not loose sleep about his plans. Its just that one still wonders how people like him think, otherwise there are other things he should have engaged himself with, other than seeking to come back to power. I had in some of my articles advised him (Babangida) to use his influences to work for the re-introduction of Option A4 Electoral System back to our legal books. He should also use his contacts to lobby the present government to posthumously announce the official winner of June 12th 1993 presidential elections and for government to pay compensation to the families of Abiola.
Quoting Thewill (an online news publication; http://thewillnigeria.com/politics/4209-Nigerian-Youths-Are-Not-Capable-Leading-Nigeria-IBB.html), Babangida said that Nigerian youths are not capable of ruling Nigeria. I strongly disagree with him. Rather his statement is an acceptance by him, that he lacked leadership skills when he ruled Nigeria as a youth.
I am also sure that some of his (Babangida) colleagues, associates and friends (birds of the same feather) might want to contest other elections (Senatorial, gubernatorial, etc). Now that he has declared his intensions to run for the highest office of the land, patriotic Nigerians should also declared their own intentions to mass mobilize Nigerians to vote the rightful candidates. Action should be equal to reaction. I had in my previous articles suggested to Nigerians on the need to start political evangelism using various kinds of media outlets. For the sake of good governance in Nigeria, let all patriots become political evangelists. In addition, this will be an ideal time for Nigerians to constitute a shadow judicial process and retry all cases like Dele Giwa’s death etc.
Amongst the most potent means of political evangelism will be to prepare messages on DVDs, CDs, Videos, etc on local languages. Nothing can compare with picture effects. Using home videos and televised religious evangelism as case studies, one will agree that many people have been changed through those means. In the same manner people can be mobilized after viewing political messages. Another reason for this method (political messages on DVDs, CDs Videos, etc) is because government and some private television stations might not like to air such programs. Therefore DVDs/Video recordings will suffice.
Times International Magazine of April 19th 2010, pages 18-19 showed where people of Southern Sudan gathered to watch an educational film on fair elections. A well prepared political/electoral documentary on DVDs can have serious impacts on voting patterns. In case of any documentary in line with the above suggestions, I will recommend the following to be included (a) clips/films of how people of Eastern Europe resisted and dismantled communism (b) clips/films of how Thai people (Red Shirts) exercises peoples power (c) clips/films of how South African resisted Apartheid (d) clips/films of motivational speeches by Martin Luther King Jnr, (e) clips of speeches by our own Tunde (Pastor) Bakare etc.
Political evangelism methods have the potentials of increasing political awareness amongst our folks. We can also choose the direct marketing strategy, whereby we meet people one on one and advise who not to vote. Firstly we can start with our immediate and extended families then proceed to the community levels. I know that many people might be vulnerable to following the money bags, that’s why patriotic Nigerians will have to increase their political evangelism so as to win more souls to see reasons to vote rightfully.
Finally, please remember 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/
Sunday, 18 April 2010
Sunday, 4 April 2010
Sunday, 28 March 2010
Thailand: Protest(s) Capital of Third World Countries.
It will be very appropriate if the Save Nigeria Groups, various opposition groups/parties in Nigeria could undertake a study of masses mobilization method used by the Thai’s opposition groups (the red shirts). I am not saying that pro Nigerian groups/ Save Nigeria Groups have not tried. They have done very well. But the prolong protest methods of Thai people usually send strong messages both to the international community and their national government. This is a tool the ordinary people of Thailand uses very well. This approach (prolong protest method), and the techniques of mobilizing about 100,000 people and keeping them together for days deserves a proper study.
Nigerian authorities (the government and the Nigerian Security Services) also need to learn lessons from Thailand which has merited the title of; Protest Capital of The Third World Countries. In the just concluded Thai protest, their police never fired a single bullet, even though they had to contend with about 100,000 demonstrators in the capital city Bangkok. On our part, I have to commend the Nigerian Police for their orderly manner during the various Save Nigeria Group(s) protest marches. We know what the Nigerian Police used to be like in the past. As a matter of fact, the (Nigerian Police Force) complicity in a public protest, led to the death of former Senate President (Dr Chuba Okadigbo). But can the Nigerian Police Force behave in an orderly manner if about 100,000 Nigerians come out to protest and make serious noise?
Thai politics and especially their opposition protest(s) marches (the opposition groups known as the red shirts, due to the red colour of the shirts worn by them) attracts global attention each time the protesters go to the streets. Some journalist(s) have nicknamed the red shirts as the red army. Politics in Thailand is represented by colours or its colour coded. The opposition groups who support their former Prime Minister (Thaksin Shinawatra) usually wear red shirts, whereas the supporters of the current Prime Minister (Abhisit Vejjajiva) wear yellow shirts. Protest marches by both the yellow shirts and the red shirts can both be very interesting. I have no single doubt, that political awareness among Thai people is very high. Most of Thai people have truly realized that power belongs to them.
Starting from March 12th 2009, when the last protest march was being held by the red shirts (opposition groups), about 100,000 people gathered in Bangkok from various parts of Thailand. The protesters came by buses, trucks, tractors, boats, motorcycles etc to the capital (Bangkok). The red shirts wanted to force the government to hold elections. Greater majority of the red shirts that came for the protest march were poor people and farmers who desired change. The protesters went beyond the protest march to shed their own blood. Thousands lined up at medical tents where nurses collected their blood which they spilled on the gates of the Thai government house, official residence and office complex of their Prime Minister.
What amazes me is the fact that Thai is a third world country like ours but very active when it comes to protests. Their various protest marches is like a volcano. In 2008, the yellow shirts (pro government protesters) protested and occupied their government house for months and Bangkok’s airports for a week.
In April 2009, the red shirts (opposition groups) disrupted the ASEAN summit. Demonstrators prevented the leaders of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) from attending their meetings. They blocked the entrance to hotel/venue of the summit. ASEAN leaders were airlifted to safety while the Thai government was humiliated and heavily embarrassed. 8,000 police personnel’s were deployed to control the protesters but they could not stop the people. Interestingly, the police did not fire any single bullet to any protester.
My concern here is how we can use the Thai example to increase the political consciousness of our people. I am of the opinion that governance will be much easier when the people are politically aware of what their leaders are doing. As the general election in Nigeria approaches, what are we going to do to increase the political awareness of our people? Are we ready to vote and be voted for? Are we also ready to guide our votes? How ready are we to become electoral activists? What are our plans to educate the illiterate members of our community? What about political evangelism which I have suggested in my previous articles?
In Thailand, farmers and other poor people left the rural areas to come and demonstrate in Bangkok. Meaning that, they are aware that whatever their government does will affect them directly or indirectly. The challenge is now for us to replicate or surpass the Thailand’s experience. On this note, I will suggest mass education using the following methods; rallies, mobile text messages, continuous distribution of political leaflets, books, journals, translation of political messages to our various native languages, organizing town hall meetings, political seminars, symposiums, lectures etc at village, community, town and local government levels.
Non Governmental Organizations (NGO’s), Community Based Organizations (CBO’s) Faith Organizations, Youth’s organizations, etc should consider mobilizing its members for volunteer work on political enlightenment(s). Several villages/community meetings especially people from the South Eastern part of Nigeria (of which am one of them), should consider political education/political evangelism as part(s) of meeting agenda(s). Market leaders, motor park leaders, leaders of various road transport unions should also find ways of political enlightenment amongst its members. On the individual level, we should find a way to enlighten one another.
I will also repeat my recommendation for political evangelism whereby political messages are produced in DVD’s, CD’s, Cassette players, ipods, Mp3 players etc and distributed to the people. Picture effect can do the magic. We can also take advantages of the new media (facebook, twitter, youtube, blogs, etc) to reach the needed audience. Hopefully, through mass mobilization and political awareness of our people, we might begin to achieve the “pax Nigeriana” we all are looking for.
Finally, I wish also to continue appealing 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/
Nigerian authorities (the government and the Nigerian Security Services) also need to learn lessons from Thailand which has merited the title of; Protest Capital of The Third World Countries. In the just concluded Thai protest, their police never fired a single bullet, even though they had to contend with about 100,000 demonstrators in the capital city Bangkok. On our part, I have to commend the Nigerian Police for their orderly manner during the various Save Nigeria Group(s) protest marches. We know what the Nigerian Police used to be like in the past. As a matter of fact, the (Nigerian Police Force) complicity in a public protest, led to the death of former Senate President (Dr Chuba Okadigbo). But can the Nigerian Police Force behave in an orderly manner if about 100,000 Nigerians come out to protest and make serious noise?
Thai politics and especially their opposition protest(s) marches (the opposition groups known as the red shirts, due to the red colour of the shirts worn by them) attracts global attention each time the protesters go to the streets. Some journalist(s) have nicknamed the red shirts as the red army. Politics in Thailand is represented by colours or its colour coded. The opposition groups who support their former Prime Minister (Thaksin Shinawatra) usually wear red shirts, whereas the supporters of the current Prime Minister (Abhisit Vejjajiva) wear yellow shirts. Protest marches by both the yellow shirts and the red shirts can both be very interesting. I have no single doubt, that political awareness among Thai people is very high. Most of Thai people have truly realized that power belongs to them.
Starting from March 12th 2009, when the last protest march was being held by the red shirts (opposition groups), about 100,000 people gathered in Bangkok from various parts of Thailand. The protesters came by buses, trucks, tractors, boats, motorcycles etc to the capital (Bangkok). The red shirts wanted to force the government to hold elections. Greater majority of the red shirts that came for the protest march were poor people and farmers who desired change. The protesters went beyond the protest march to shed their own blood. Thousands lined up at medical tents where nurses collected their blood which they spilled on the gates of the Thai government house, official residence and office complex of their Prime Minister.
What amazes me is the fact that Thai is a third world country like ours but very active when it comes to protests. Their various protest marches is like a volcano. In 2008, the yellow shirts (pro government protesters) protested and occupied their government house for months and Bangkok’s airports for a week.
In April 2009, the red shirts (opposition groups) disrupted the ASEAN summit. Demonstrators prevented the leaders of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) from attending their meetings. They blocked the entrance to hotel/venue of the summit. ASEAN leaders were airlifted to safety while the Thai government was humiliated and heavily embarrassed. 8,000 police personnel’s were deployed to control the protesters but they could not stop the people. Interestingly, the police did not fire any single bullet to any protester.
My concern here is how we can use the Thai example to increase the political consciousness of our people. I am of the opinion that governance will be much easier when the people are politically aware of what their leaders are doing. As the general election in Nigeria approaches, what are we going to do to increase the political awareness of our people? Are we ready to vote and be voted for? Are we also ready to guide our votes? How ready are we to become electoral activists? What are our plans to educate the illiterate members of our community? What about political evangelism which I have suggested in my previous articles?
In Thailand, farmers and other poor people left the rural areas to come and demonstrate in Bangkok. Meaning that, they are aware that whatever their government does will affect them directly or indirectly. The challenge is now for us to replicate or surpass the Thailand’s experience. On this note, I will suggest mass education using the following methods; rallies, mobile text messages, continuous distribution of political leaflets, books, journals, translation of political messages to our various native languages, organizing town hall meetings, political seminars, symposiums, lectures etc at village, community, town and local government levels.
Non Governmental Organizations (NGO’s), Community Based Organizations (CBO’s) Faith Organizations, Youth’s organizations, etc should consider mobilizing its members for volunteer work on political enlightenment(s). Several villages/community meetings especially people from the South Eastern part of Nigeria (of which am one of them), should consider political education/political evangelism as part(s) of meeting agenda(s). Market leaders, motor park leaders, leaders of various road transport unions should also find ways of political enlightenment amongst its members. On the individual level, we should find a way to enlighten one another.
I will also repeat my recommendation for political evangelism whereby political messages are produced in DVD’s, CD’s, Cassette players, ipods, Mp3 players etc and distributed to the people. Picture effect can do the magic. We can also take advantages of the new media (facebook, twitter, youtube, blogs, etc) to reach the needed audience. Hopefully, through mass mobilization and political awareness of our people, we might begin to achieve the “pax Nigeriana” we all are looking for.
Finally, I wish also to continue appealing 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/
Sunday, 14 March 2010
Hijacking Democracy: Charlatans At Play
If anybody is in doubt about the futility and failure of Nigeria’s democracy, that doubt should have been dispelled by the farcical and ignoble displays that have been happening, and is still happening since our erstwhile President, Umar Yar ‘Adua went missing in November 2009 and up till now, the majority of Nigerians are still no wiser about the true state of his health or his ability to rule the country.
This is amidst a deadly concoction of political high stakes and intrigues, arrogant and deliberate ignorance, misinterpretation and outright manipulation of the Constitution of Nigeria, criminal negligence, criminal deception and forgery, breach of trust, treachery, nepotism, tribalism, looting of the treasury because there was really nobody to supervise, and a host of other crimes. I will even add “smuggling” and “hostage taking” as the President was said to have been smuggled in under darkness into the country, and is practical a hostage in the hands of his wife and so-called “kitchen cabinet”.
In the meantime, the polity was not only heated up, but the uncertainty and political, economic and social near-breakdown that went with this was alarming, almost leading to a state of confusion and anarchy. This is not to mention the confusion for the economy and the “laughing stock” which Nigeria became in the international community. I saw a cartoon or two from some other African countries lampooning our confused state of the nation.
And all these were brought upon us by a lethal combination of greed, ignorance, corruption, self-interest above national interest, ambition and subterfuge in governance.
In March 2009, I wrote an article “Do Our Politicians Know The Constitution?” (http://www.championsfornigeria.org/cfn/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=311:do-our-politicians-know-the-constitution&catid=14:articles&Itemid=35) in which I observed that “since 1999, we see all our political leaders in the three arms of government thrashing wildly about in ignorance, or maybe deliberate abuse, of our constitution. Ex-President Obasanjo was very notorious for disregarding the Constitution in all aspects, forgetting that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is greater than anybody in Nigeria. The Senate and the House of Representative routinely disregard the Constitution; in fact they abuse it, fail to follow laid-down rules of the House and the Senate, and most times, resort to violence to sort problems out. The same applied, and still applies to the States’ chief executive officers, States Houses of Assembly, comprising mostly thuggish, crooked and unsavoury characters and the local government Chairmen and their mostly ill-educated, half-baked councillors. (Please, I have done my homework very well on the human constitution of our legislative houses, so I am sure of what I am talking about, and not just passing insults)”.
I have always suspected and held the belief that our politicians, all classes of them, appear to be charlatans, novices, greenhorns and pretenders. This is no longer surprising nor should be taken for granted. In our current nascent democracy, I suppose we should expect some kind of experimentation for a while until we finally get it right; however, unfortunately, since this form of governance has a very important impact on the lives of 140 million people, there really is no room for mistakes. People always think politics is a game, but I always beg to differ. It is no longer a game when politicians make political decisions which affect the lives of millions of people for which they are responsible; which determines their standard of living; their daily livelihood, their health and wellbeing, their security and in fact the very essence of their being alive.
So apart from the farcical displays of ignorance, deliberate manipulations, etc that went on, and is still going in the governance of Nigeria since the President’s disappearance and subsequent alleged appearance (?) after over ninety days, we are still back to that question of charlatans, ignoramus and incompetent idiots running the country – federal, state and local.
The Governors, under something cabal-ish called The Governors Forum have come up with a statement last week that while Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is Acting President, Alhaji Umaru Yar'Adua remains the substantive President. This is in itself is what everybody knows; hence the statement is very redundant and unnecessary. But who are they to say that? Are they the one controlling the country or the executive and legislative arms of the government?
It was their next set of statements that is now causing some worries to the knowing public, while at the same time confirming my long-held belief and conviction that these people are not only ignorant and tyrannical, but is largely undemocratic in their behaviour, governance and actions, and will not hesitate to hijack the democratic process to suit them. In fact they are no different from the Yar ‘Adua’s notorious so called kitchen cabinet.
The Governors stated that even with the grave concerns about his capacity to continue in office, especially since November 23, 2009, President Yar'Adua would neither resign from office, nor be removed by impeachment or consequential declaration by the Federal Executive Council, which would precipitate the appointment of a medical board of inquiry whose adverse report will eventually terminate Yar’Adua’s presidency. The Governors, therefore, said that Yar'Adua would not be replaced until a new President is elected next year.
In making the above declaration, they have actually gone in the face of the Constitution, ignoring it either deliberately or due to ignorance and also insinuating quite clearly that it is the Governors running the country, and NOT the Presidency or the legislative arms of government. They do not have any legal or constitutional basis to make their pronouncements. The governance structure in the 1999 Constitution is so unequivocal that state governors have no say in this matter upon which they hold forth and made a pronouncement. The president was elected on different platform from the governors. It is not their concern or business to ensure a president stays in power or not. It is not their place to ignore the provisions of the constitution and make themselves “kingmakers”.
The removal of the President on account of incapacitation due to ill health is normally and constitutionally a matter that lies between the Federal Executive Council and the National Assembly. As far as the Constitution is concerned, and as more knowledgeable people in the society knows, none of these bodies reports to, or is under the control of the state governors.
Thus, by their declarations, the state governors were intrusive with or arrogating unto themselves, functions and powers which rightly belong to another tier and another arm of government – the Executive and the Legislature. By their declarations, their intention is definitely to subvert the principle of separation of powers, a pillar of constitutional democracy.
Should we allow these arrogant, ignorant incompetents and impostors to run the country, then we shall be in further trouble more than we are now. They are part of, and perpetuate our problems and troubles in this country by their unbelievable greed, insensitivity and massive, naked corruption, and sitting back and allowing them hijack the functions of the Constitution, the Presidency, the National Assembly, means they will be effectively taking over control of the country, under the guise of the superfluous Governors’ Forum, not satisfied with the stolen wealth they are making from their respective states.
Serious nations learn from their mistakes and cultivate their democracy, always looking for ways to improve. In Nigeria, we have continuously refused to learn. The issue is the country's leadership creation process. What kind of people should occupy leadership positions? We surely need properly elected persons who understand the Constitution and carry out the provisions of the Constitution and also make effort to make the Constitution a dynamic tool and documentation.
With these Governors’ declarations, and even their surreptitious and dubiously unwelcome role in ending the impasse which eventually brought Ag. President Goodluck Jonathan to power, we may well be dealing not merely with ignorance but mischief. Perhaps we can tolerate and correct ignorance, but mischief borders on treason, unpatriotic, self-interest and corruption of the political process for self-gain.
This is what we have with the Governors. Their appearance and utterances on matters of national interest has always been predicated on their own self-interest and survival rather than for the good and benefit of the people who elected them (we may say they rigged themselves into power, anyway) and who they are supposed to serve. They have always been selfish, inconsiderate, greedy, and corrupt. These are arrogant leaders who mostly and always remain oblivious, insensitive and unresponsive to their peoples’ sufferings, poverty and needs.
But let us take another look at it, and you will see why their interest is self –serving: the President, Yar ‘Adua was a former Governor; his Vice President, and now, Acting President, Goodluck Jonathan, was a former Governor; the main backers of the Yar ‘Adua Presidency, James Ibori and Bukola Saraki (and the latter also has his eyes on the Presidency) were former governors. The ruling PDP, dubbed People Deceiving People) which does not wish to disturb the current power-rotation arrangement between the north and south of the country, has the majority in the Governors’ Forum. And most importantly, some of them already have their sights on becoming the President of Nigeria in next year's election.
From all indications, the next President of Nigeria will probably come again from the ranks of these greedy, corrupt and incompetent thieves. (Sorry, they are competent thieves, I mean incompetent in governance).
So what do you expect from this gang? Self interest; of course, in the long term. When shall we be saved from this cabal of ignorant leaders? Are we deserving of them? Yes and No. this depends on the side of the fence you are.
Let the truth be said always.
This is amidst a deadly concoction of political high stakes and intrigues, arrogant and deliberate ignorance, misinterpretation and outright manipulation of the Constitution of Nigeria, criminal negligence, criminal deception and forgery, breach of trust, treachery, nepotism, tribalism, looting of the treasury because there was really nobody to supervise, and a host of other crimes. I will even add “smuggling” and “hostage taking” as the President was said to have been smuggled in under darkness into the country, and is practical a hostage in the hands of his wife and so-called “kitchen cabinet”.
In the meantime, the polity was not only heated up, but the uncertainty and political, economic and social near-breakdown that went with this was alarming, almost leading to a state of confusion and anarchy. This is not to mention the confusion for the economy and the “laughing stock” which Nigeria became in the international community. I saw a cartoon or two from some other African countries lampooning our confused state of the nation.
And all these were brought upon us by a lethal combination of greed, ignorance, corruption, self-interest above national interest, ambition and subterfuge in governance.
In March 2009, I wrote an article “Do Our Politicians Know The Constitution?” (http://www.championsfornigeria.org/cfn/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=311:do-our-politicians-know-the-constitution&catid=14:articles&Itemid=35) in which I observed that “since 1999, we see all our political leaders in the three arms of government thrashing wildly about in ignorance, or maybe deliberate abuse, of our constitution. Ex-President Obasanjo was very notorious for disregarding the Constitution in all aspects, forgetting that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is greater than anybody in Nigeria. The Senate and the House of Representative routinely disregard the Constitution; in fact they abuse it, fail to follow laid-down rules of the House and the Senate, and most times, resort to violence to sort problems out. The same applied, and still applies to the States’ chief executive officers, States Houses of Assembly, comprising mostly thuggish, crooked and unsavoury characters and the local government Chairmen and their mostly ill-educated, half-baked councillors. (Please, I have done my homework very well on the human constitution of our legislative houses, so I am sure of what I am talking about, and not just passing insults)”.
I have always suspected and held the belief that our politicians, all classes of them, appear to be charlatans, novices, greenhorns and pretenders. This is no longer surprising nor should be taken for granted. In our current nascent democracy, I suppose we should expect some kind of experimentation for a while until we finally get it right; however, unfortunately, since this form of governance has a very important impact on the lives of 140 million people, there really is no room for mistakes. People always think politics is a game, but I always beg to differ. It is no longer a game when politicians make political decisions which affect the lives of millions of people for which they are responsible; which determines their standard of living; their daily livelihood, their health and wellbeing, their security and in fact the very essence of their being alive.
So apart from the farcical displays of ignorance, deliberate manipulations, etc that went on, and is still going in the governance of Nigeria since the President’s disappearance and subsequent alleged appearance (?) after over ninety days, we are still back to that question of charlatans, ignoramus and incompetent idiots running the country – federal, state and local.
The Governors, under something cabal-ish called The Governors Forum have come up with a statement last week that while Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is Acting President, Alhaji Umaru Yar'Adua remains the substantive President. This is in itself is what everybody knows; hence the statement is very redundant and unnecessary. But who are they to say that? Are they the one controlling the country or the executive and legislative arms of the government?
It was their next set of statements that is now causing some worries to the knowing public, while at the same time confirming my long-held belief and conviction that these people are not only ignorant and tyrannical, but is largely undemocratic in their behaviour, governance and actions, and will not hesitate to hijack the democratic process to suit them. In fact they are no different from the Yar ‘Adua’s notorious so called kitchen cabinet.
The Governors stated that even with the grave concerns about his capacity to continue in office, especially since November 23, 2009, President Yar'Adua would neither resign from office, nor be removed by impeachment or consequential declaration by the Federal Executive Council, which would precipitate the appointment of a medical board of inquiry whose adverse report will eventually terminate Yar’Adua’s presidency. The Governors, therefore, said that Yar'Adua would not be replaced until a new President is elected next year.
In making the above declaration, they have actually gone in the face of the Constitution, ignoring it either deliberately or due to ignorance and also insinuating quite clearly that it is the Governors running the country, and NOT the Presidency or the legislative arms of government. They do not have any legal or constitutional basis to make their pronouncements. The governance structure in the 1999 Constitution is so unequivocal that state governors have no say in this matter upon which they hold forth and made a pronouncement. The president was elected on different platform from the governors. It is not their concern or business to ensure a president stays in power or not. It is not their place to ignore the provisions of the constitution and make themselves “kingmakers”.
The removal of the President on account of incapacitation due to ill health is normally and constitutionally a matter that lies between the Federal Executive Council and the National Assembly. As far as the Constitution is concerned, and as more knowledgeable people in the society knows, none of these bodies reports to, or is under the control of the state governors.
Thus, by their declarations, the state governors were intrusive with or arrogating unto themselves, functions and powers which rightly belong to another tier and another arm of government – the Executive and the Legislature. By their declarations, their intention is definitely to subvert the principle of separation of powers, a pillar of constitutional democracy.
Should we allow these arrogant, ignorant incompetents and impostors to run the country, then we shall be in further trouble more than we are now. They are part of, and perpetuate our problems and troubles in this country by their unbelievable greed, insensitivity and massive, naked corruption, and sitting back and allowing them hijack the functions of the Constitution, the Presidency, the National Assembly, means they will be effectively taking over control of the country, under the guise of the superfluous Governors’ Forum, not satisfied with the stolen wealth they are making from their respective states.
Serious nations learn from their mistakes and cultivate their democracy, always looking for ways to improve. In Nigeria, we have continuously refused to learn. The issue is the country's leadership creation process. What kind of people should occupy leadership positions? We surely need properly elected persons who understand the Constitution and carry out the provisions of the Constitution and also make effort to make the Constitution a dynamic tool and documentation.
With these Governors’ declarations, and even their surreptitious and dubiously unwelcome role in ending the impasse which eventually brought Ag. President Goodluck Jonathan to power, we may well be dealing not merely with ignorance but mischief. Perhaps we can tolerate and correct ignorance, but mischief borders on treason, unpatriotic, self-interest and corruption of the political process for self-gain.
This is what we have with the Governors. Their appearance and utterances on matters of national interest has always been predicated on their own self-interest and survival rather than for the good and benefit of the people who elected them (we may say they rigged themselves into power, anyway) and who they are supposed to serve. They have always been selfish, inconsiderate, greedy, and corrupt. These are arrogant leaders who mostly and always remain oblivious, insensitive and unresponsive to their peoples’ sufferings, poverty and needs.
But let us take another look at it, and you will see why their interest is self –serving: the President, Yar ‘Adua was a former Governor; his Vice President, and now, Acting President, Goodluck Jonathan, was a former Governor; the main backers of the Yar ‘Adua Presidency, James Ibori and Bukola Saraki (and the latter also has his eyes on the Presidency) were former governors. The ruling PDP, dubbed People Deceiving People) which does not wish to disturb the current power-rotation arrangement between the north and south of the country, has the majority in the Governors’ Forum. And most importantly, some of them already have their sights on becoming the President of Nigeria in next year's election.
From all indications, the next President of Nigeria will probably come again from the ranks of these greedy, corrupt and incompetent thieves. (Sorry, they are competent thieves, I mean incompetent in governance).
So what do you expect from this gang? Self interest; of course, in the long term. When shall we be saved from this cabal of ignorant leaders? Are we deserving of them? Yes and No. this depends on the side of the fence you are.
Let the truth be said always.
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