It is clear now that the political class would do anything to hold on to their undue advantages gained from the much-maligned 1999 Constitution, which, let's never forget, they helped the military to install.
It is also clear that the ruling People's Democratic Party is not a garrison after the likeness of its now-embattled hierarchs. Much to their utter chargrin and unmitigated humiliation, the good forces within the party helped to kill the Third Term monster. So, if you like, there are good and there are bad people in all the political parties in the land.
How the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill can still be languishing in the Senate, after being passed by the House of Representatives, is surprising. We must now assume that the Senate Leadership, having found its manhood in its defeat of the tenure elongation evil, will proceed to pass the bill forthwith. If not, then we hand the case over to the 2007 Movement - that patriotic group which sowed the seed of our current victory over the dark forces of Third Term Agenda.
If I were the Nigerian Media, however, I would take absolutely no chances. The media should go out on a now-or-never campaign for the success of the bill. Wait no minute!
Just one week of listing all members of the National Assembly, starting with the Senators, on how they voted or now stand on the matter. Every single member should be asked the simple question, and given the space to post their quoted/quotable response. The broadcast media should host live FOI Programmes for the same purpose. Just ONE week, folks....ONE week.
Need I say more!
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Thursday, May 25, 2006
If I Were PDP Leaders
These are tough times indeed for the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria's ruling party. It has just lost its over-invested gambit to change the country's constitution so that the president and all its governors may continue in office, after their official two-term tenure expires in 2007.
The senate, which they dominate, killed the bill Tuesday 16 May. It was a deadly blow to both the president and the party.
Officially, they have both conceded defeat and accepted the verdict. They indeed proclaim it as a victory for democracy. Thanks, guys!
Now, unofficially, the signals from the party are worrisome. There is undisguised bitterness and residual hubris in the utterances of their spokespersons. How they expect the senate to cherry-pick the ill-conceived bill is unclear. Built around the tenure-elongation agenda, the bill was full of guises and disguises. It was deliberately booby-trapped to ensure that any attempt to pass a variant of its more noble and valuable provisions, without the "third term" intention, would fail. Clever! Yes, by half. For example, both the Niger Delta question and South East's state-creation request can be settled under extant constitutional provisions. And they will now be done.
That the bill was dead on arrival was so clear. Nigerians were against it. It was immoral and unjust. It was opposed worldwide as a bad example for other African countries. Nigeria is a regional leader, not a banana republic! And, to be fair, the party knows the truth. Just that the bruised ego of its leaders stands in the way of purgatory and penitence, for now. A good tap, however, is the president's idea or directive for intra-party reconciliation after this ugly fiasco. Better.
As part of this rebirth, if I were the leaders of PDP, I would dissolve the executives and call for fresh congresses nationwide. The last re-registration exercise alienated too many loyalists. And the current saga oozed from the leaders' actions. It is time to start afresh. There is price to pay. Real leaders take responsibility. Including biting the bullet. No buck-passing. No cowardice.
If I were the key officers, we would resign to save the party utter demolition at the 2007 polls. The death of the Third Term agenda was a vote of no confidence. Why pretend?
The senate, which they dominate, killed the bill Tuesday 16 May. It was a deadly blow to both the president and the party.
Officially, they have both conceded defeat and accepted the verdict. They indeed proclaim it as a victory for democracy. Thanks, guys!
Now, unofficially, the signals from the party are worrisome. There is undisguised bitterness and residual hubris in the utterances of their spokespersons. How they expect the senate to cherry-pick the ill-conceived bill is unclear. Built around the tenure-elongation agenda, the bill was full of guises and disguises. It was deliberately booby-trapped to ensure that any attempt to pass a variant of its more noble and valuable provisions, without the "third term" intention, would fail. Clever! Yes, by half. For example, both the Niger Delta question and South East's state-creation request can be settled under extant constitutional provisions. And they will now be done.
That the bill was dead on arrival was so clear. Nigerians were against it. It was immoral and unjust. It was opposed worldwide as a bad example for other African countries. Nigeria is a regional leader, not a banana republic! And, to be fair, the party knows the truth. Just that the bruised ego of its leaders stands in the way of purgatory and penitence, for now. A good tap, however, is the president's idea or directive for intra-party reconciliation after this ugly fiasco. Better.
As part of this rebirth, if I were the leaders of PDP, I would dissolve the executives and call for fresh congresses nationwide. The last re-registration exercise alienated too many loyalists. And the current saga oozed from the leaders' actions. It is time to start afresh. There is price to pay. Real leaders take responsibility. Including biting the bullet. No buck-passing. No cowardice.
If I were the key officers, we would resign to save the party utter demolition at the 2007 polls. The death of the Third Term agenda was a vote of no confidence. Why pretend?
Monday, May 22, 2006
If I Were Nuhu Ribadu (Nigeria's Financial Crimes Czar)
Now that the "Tenure Elongation or Third Term" gambit of President Obasanjo and his ruling party's constitution amendment misadventure have failed, it is imperative to redeem our nation's image. Too much murk had been splashed and spread. We must clean up.
Luckily the president has "disowned" the whole scheme, claiming not to have any hand in it. The sheer scope and depth of the bribery rumours and other alleged infringements are scandalous! And the anti-corruption agencies must step up to the plate.
Considering the wide-spread insinuations and doubts about the impartiality of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which he heads, if I were Nuhu Ribadu, I will deploy EVERYTHING at our disposal to tackle and unravel the Third Term "money-for-votes" saga. Is it true or false? The world needs to know. And pretty fast, too.
There is no hiding place!
Luckily the president has "disowned" the whole scheme, claiming not to have any hand in it. The sheer scope and depth of the bribery rumours and other alleged infringements are scandalous! And the anti-corruption agencies must step up to the plate.
Considering the wide-spread insinuations and doubts about the impartiality of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which he heads, if I were Nuhu Ribadu, I will deploy EVERYTHING at our disposal to tackle and unravel the Third Term "money-for-votes" saga. Is it true or false? The world needs to know. And pretty fast, too.
There is no hiding place!
Thursday, May 11, 2006
If I Were Nigeria's Ruling Party (PDP)
Yes, this be the season of political scandals and stench around the world. From the White House to Downing Street, from France to Brazil, from South Africa to Nigeria, there is something for all bashers to latch-on to. No matter.
But have no illusion that heads or careers won't roll and sink in this season, and in their wake. Oh, it is already happening! More to come. Dirtier, nastier and stenchier. The tumbling will be messy. Including some high-profile impeachment(s). Wait.
In the current business of reviewing the Nigerian Constitution, the debate is wholy detrimental to the establishment. It is particularly unedifying to the executive branch, both president and governors. The live coverage is inevitable, and expectedly pervasive, despite its queer boycott by all government-owned media! Surely they owe Nigerians an explanation, someday, for this blackout. This has pitched them against the citizens and the nation. Do the media organs belong to the STATE or to one arm of government, i.e. the administration (executive branch)? Why do they (TV and Radio) have studios at the National Assembly? At taxpayers' costs? Someday.
Since the People's Democratic Party (PDP) is the chief sponsor of the exercise, and is reported to stake all its being on achieving "Tenure Elongation or Extension or Third Term", the fallout ought to trouble its leaders. We are hearing things that demean and demonize the political class. The president and state governors are being robed, unrobed, enrobed and disrobed, in the most audacious manner. Tones and tempers are oscillating between angst and anger, and amidst boos and banging. Some of the details are truly stupefying. Now, everyone is enmeshed, and certainly entrenched. A truly ugly spectacle.
There are accusations and counter-accusations of inducements, bribery, intimidation, blackmail, threats, etc. God! The world must be aghast and amused. It is eye-opening.
Nigeria is being ridicled. Nigerians are no doubt grateful that the in-fighting is largely within the PDP, which controls the parliament. This shows many flaws in the party. It also reflects the key concern of Nigerians that the PDP is a mere platform of convenience for the grabbing of political power, rather than an organisation for the pursuit of good governance. A "political expression". Pity. And it has ruled for seven years? Oh!
If I were the Party Leadership, I would withdraw the Third Term proposition TODAY. This will bring down the political temperature in the parliament, and douse the palpable tension in the land. It will save the executive further demystification. And obviously save the party the full smear of a certain and ultimate humiliation.
Save the PRESIDENT, today.
But have no illusion that heads or careers won't roll and sink in this season, and in their wake. Oh, it is already happening! More to come. Dirtier, nastier and stenchier. The tumbling will be messy. Including some high-profile impeachment(s). Wait.
In the current business of reviewing the Nigerian Constitution, the debate is wholy detrimental to the establishment. It is particularly unedifying to the executive branch, both president and governors. The live coverage is inevitable, and expectedly pervasive, despite its queer boycott by all government-owned media! Surely they owe Nigerians an explanation, someday, for this blackout. This has pitched them against the citizens and the nation. Do the media organs belong to the STATE or to one arm of government, i.e. the administration (executive branch)? Why do they (TV and Radio) have studios at the National Assembly? At taxpayers' costs? Someday.
Since the People's Democratic Party (PDP) is the chief sponsor of the exercise, and is reported to stake all its being on achieving "Tenure Elongation or Extension or Third Term", the fallout ought to trouble its leaders. We are hearing things that demean and demonize the political class. The president and state governors are being robed, unrobed, enrobed and disrobed, in the most audacious manner. Tones and tempers are oscillating between angst and anger, and amidst boos and banging. Some of the details are truly stupefying. Now, everyone is enmeshed, and certainly entrenched. A truly ugly spectacle.
There are accusations and counter-accusations of inducements, bribery, intimidation, blackmail, threats, etc. God! The world must be aghast and amused. It is eye-opening.
Nigeria is being ridicled. Nigerians are no doubt grateful that the in-fighting is largely within the PDP, which controls the parliament. This shows many flaws in the party. It also reflects the key concern of Nigerians that the PDP is a mere platform of convenience for the grabbing of political power, rather than an organisation for the pursuit of good governance. A "political expression". Pity. And it has ruled for seven years? Oh!
If I were the Party Leadership, I would withdraw the Third Term proposition TODAY. This will bring down the political temperature in the parliament, and douse the palpable tension in the land. It will save the executive further demystification. And obviously save the party the full smear of a certain and ultimate humiliation.
Save the PRESIDENT, today.
Monday, May 01, 2006
If I Were President Obasanjo (3)
Do I wish to be in Olusegun Obasanjo's shoes? Well, no! Okay, let's define things. As a man, a truly endowed and privileged person, I think many people wish they were so blessed. I do. As the president of Nigeria, this same nation of 150 million souls, I also wish I were Olusegun Obasanjo. Now, let's define that bit. As president in 1999? Sure. 2003? With these kinds of elections? Well, by the ultimate grace of the final court clearance, maybe. Status quo? Yes. In 2006? This moment? Hell, NO!!!
So, if I were President Obasanjo, I will stop that Chief Campaigner for Third Term, Col Ahmadu Ali, this moment. Yes, the Chairman of the People's Democratic Party. Oh, you note the irony? So do I. Indeed!
Chief Reason? The Nigerian Labour Congress has finally spoken. On MAY DAY.
Verdict? NO, capital NO, to constitutional or electoral FRAUD.
Call it Third Term, name it Tenure Elongation, tag it Of General Application. Whatever.
If you came in 1999, you leave by 2007. Period.
If I were Olusegun Obasanjo, I will not build any castle-in-the-air. An anti-corruption crusader cannot be, must not be, associated with double-speak, clever crooks, dagger-cloaks, dragon-spit, and God-in-vain schemes. An African elder knows the rites, upholds all rights, and would rather die than not act right! Elder statesmen, especially world figures, earn their rare rights by damning all wrongs...in their strides. Known stripes.
If I were the president, I will act RIGHT.
So, if I were President Obasanjo, I will stop that Chief Campaigner for Third Term, Col Ahmadu Ali, this moment. Yes, the Chairman of the People's Democratic Party. Oh, you note the irony? So do I. Indeed!
Chief Reason? The Nigerian Labour Congress has finally spoken. On MAY DAY.
Verdict? NO, capital NO, to constitutional or electoral FRAUD.
Call it Third Term, name it Tenure Elongation, tag it Of General Application. Whatever.
If you came in 1999, you leave by 2007. Period.
If I were Olusegun Obasanjo, I will not build any castle-in-the-air. An anti-corruption crusader cannot be, must not be, associated with double-speak, clever crooks, dagger-cloaks, dragon-spit, and God-in-vain schemes. An African elder knows the rites, upholds all rights, and would rather die than not act right! Elder statesmen, especially world figures, earn their rare rights by damning all wrongs...in their strides. Known stripes.
If I were the president, I will act RIGHT.
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