Thursday, September 20, 2007

If I Were Opposition Parties...on Local Elections

Let's face it: winning is sweet! In all cases. Okay, in most cases - for, sometimes, there is "hollow victory"! And, on somethings, pray, it's better to let go. Like all them family feuds and all them nasty work-place wars!

In this country, I counsel that you should work to win: fairly and honourably. Then, please work with the mandate, the mantle. That...is sweet victory! Yes, whether business or politics.

The masquerades behind the April Elections' saga have not been legally and finally unmasked. It may yet take a while. No matter. But their space is being squeezed, their pace being punctured, and their face being fattened for the ultimate slammer - da court of justice, and da people's boo!
All matter.

What then were the principal lessons of the rigger's heist from April? Very simple, folks, very very simple:

A) The power of incumbency was used, abused and misused. Opposition parties must weigh their chances. If da ruling party or dominant forces in the state are not serving the people well, the it should be easy to form a winning alliance...to take power.

B) If the ruling party be too strong to be successfully dislodged, wise opposition parties should explore its underbelly for deals: put up superstars with threatening local appeal, and negotiate some working collaboration or "unity government" agreement - without merger or acquisition!

In other words, let's maintain the beauty and benefits of democratic pluralism.

There is no better place and time to display your party's appeal and electoral prospects than at the grassroots polls. If your party be worth anything, show us in the local government elections. Here, costs are lower, seats are many and diverse, and voters are freer and more daring!

Finally, if you truly wish for your party to grow and spread over time, you must start grabbing, holding and growing council seats for grassroots representation. It is a winning formula for all.

So, if I were Nigeria's opposition parties, THIS will be my chance to put up quality candidates and put everything behind them...to win. This is also the chance to prove that opposition politics is not just about personal interests and primitive contestation. Let the best candidates win!

This is THE time...

Monday, September 17, 2007

If I Were Nigeria's Media...on FOI and other Matters

The Nigerian Press cannot be the friends of Nigerian Politicians. Never...if the political class does not mend its ways!

It is therefore only in the constitution that the press can find and anchor its security, its sanity, its sustenance and ...its salvation. Not with the politician!

I have more robust and ambitious, if provocative, propositions for the future of this Fourth Estate of the Realm. It's for another day...soon. Right now, there is a short agenda the media must pursue - in all our interest, and in the light of the goings-on in the land.

If I were the Nigerian Press, the fearless Nigerian Media, I will send a high-level, high-powered, delegation to President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, The Senate & House Leaderships, and the Chief Justice of Nigeria (as the Three Arms of Government) on the under-listed urgent matters:

a) The immediate passing of the Freedom of Information Bill into law
b) The immediate removal of ALL impediments to ICT propagation, Book Development and Printing/Publishing Sector survival, and transportation infrastructure - through fiscal and legislative interventions (starting with zero-taxation)
c) Immediate establishment of a first class "Cluster-Matrix National Library and Archives"
d) Establishment of National Ombudsman Service with States' Counterparts negotiated

These are concise self-evident lapses that need to be redressed/addressed asap.

As a servant-leader, I can see every reason why the president will join forces with the media to actualise this urgent agenda without any qualms or misgiving. With the judiciary, no problem. It is of the legislature that we must be wary and wily! Why? C'mon, I shall not be tempted!

So, if I were the Nigerian Media, I will drop darkly hints - sweet but unnerving - with all the humility in da world, as our delegation departs them legislative chambers!

Since we may not, do not, cannot, and must not trade our integrity, a word shall be enough for the wise. And, pray silence, aren't they WISE in them places!!!

Sunday, September 16, 2007

If I Were President Robert Mugabe

The situation in Zimbabwe has gone beyond a crisis. It is now a catastrophe! The news are so horrifying that we must all be truly shaken and sorry.

It cannot be right to keep blaming the West for the plight of the Mugabe regime, nor can anyone justify the scandalous pains of the citizens on outside forces. The pictures coming out of this sister nation should turn our stomachs in Africa - if we are truly our brothers' keeper!

If our leaders won't act, we, The PEOPLE, must rise in one voice and shout them into ACTION.
Enough should be enough!

Now, to Papa Mugabe. If I were him, there will be no more delays or dribbles. I will make peace possible by announcing my immediate RETIREMENT from politics...in the interest of justice, Zimbabwe and Zimbabweans. That is not weakness. It is statesmanship.

I do not need anyone to tell or cajole or coax or compel me to save my country!

Dear Papa, as a patriot, time is running out...