With its "Red Alert" Weekend tentatively concluded, Nigeria's ruling People's Democratic Party is starting its "Crunch" Fortnight Monday, 11 December 2006. Reports from around the country now indicate a mixed bag and very mixed fortunes for both candidates and party in the governorship primaries. All incumbent first-term governors, including the usurper in Oyo State, won. Just as the so-called "anointed" or "imposed" candidates scaled through, the aggrieved and disenfranchised either boycotted or are protesting loudly. Several states had either postponed or cancelled or rescheduled the primaries. The fallouts will unfold this week. So, we wait.
Presidential aspirants will be screened from Monday. This, as there are rumours that the party hierarchs are scheming for either a consensus candidate or to impose a favourite of the top man. Rumours! But you know how these things come or go.
Why "Crunch" Fortnight? Because this is the top prize. And many will do any and everything to clinch it.
Why "Crunch" Fortnight? Because the party still thinks that it controls the political scene and thus holds the key to President Obasanjo's successor. So, its leaders swing and stagger with a touch of arrogance and a hint of invincibility. Understandably.
Why "Crunch" Fortnight? Because several erstwhile opposition leaders (some say these were always moles/spoilsports!) have returned or defected to the ruling party, in quest for the post or some collateral consolation. And these include some really big names, legislators, and a sitting governor!
Why "Crunch" Fortnight? Because the party chieftains are determined to bar Nigeria's vice president from contesting...at all costs, it seems. He is one of the founding pillars and has a chunk of devoted followers in the PDP! Of course we all know about the raging battle between him and his boss...over some alleged corrupt practices. The VP has already formally declared for the race. Battle Royale is ahead.
Why "Crunch" Fortnight? Because everything be not up for grabs, yet nothing is sure.
If this process gets murky or marred (we pray not), then, the fallout will meld with that of the "Red Alert" Weekend to compound the party's simmering problems. The combination could combust its electoral prospects and political fortunes. Watch out.
Worrisome is the fact that, despite the party's spirited denials and continuous assurances, its members are spinning rumours like hell, some swearing that there is a hidden agenda! Many many times in the past, we have found that "there was no smoke without a fire". So, there.
PDP leaders should keep their word, and their honour: Be free, fair and transparent in both the screening and the primary election for the presidential slot. No more, no less!
Monday, December 11, 2006
Sunday, December 10, 2006
2007 for Constitution Review
The violence and frauds in political terrains are not limited to Nigeria or the third world. We have them everywhere. The beauty of democracy is all about choice: the freedom to choose. If and when all citizens can vote and be voted for, and we make every vote to count and be counted, oh, we be on our way...to true democracy! Level-playing field for ALL.
Nigerians know that the 1999 Constitution is flawed. No kidding. The reason it didn't get the long-awaited makeover was because of the dishonesty and unpatriotic zeal of the ruling party to do so for SELFISH purposes. That was the kernel of the tenure elongation or third term fiasco. They offered Nigerians a poisoned chalice, and, precious, we smashed the bait! Rightly so.
These folks had EIGHT years to amend and update the document but were deviously toying with the nation's destiny, squandering huge resources in the process. Now, part of the flaws are haunting them, and us...in the ongoing party primaries! People are taking things on a "do or die" basis, as if there be no tomorrow!! If only...
Yes, if only we had Independent Candidacy, more robust federalist provisions, lean government and social security. If only we had State Law Enforcement (police, coast guards, etc). If only we had a thoroughly decentralized utility and infrastructure regime. If only our revenue-sharing formula will give states/local governments higher portions, including at least 50% derivation credits. If only we had limited government ministries, agencies and departments to just a few. If only....
Now to action. The first task before a new government in 2007 is to tidy up the constitution review mess. Make it a SIX-Month project, and get it over with. We must pass it with a 75% YES vote in a national referendum...so that Nigerians can own it once and for all.
This must be a national non-partisan endeavour. It is a task that must be done...Fast! Very fast.
Nigerians know that the 1999 Constitution is flawed. No kidding. The reason it didn't get the long-awaited makeover was because of the dishonesty and unpatriotic zeal of the ruling party to do so for SELFISH purposes. That was the kernel of the tenure elongation or third term fiasco. They offered Nigerians a poisoned chalice, and, precious, we smashed the bait! Rightly so.
These folks had EIGHT years to amend and update the document but were deviously toying with the nation's destiny, squandering huge resources in the process. Now, part of the flaws are haunting them, and us...in the ongoing party primaries! People are taking things on a "do or die" basis, as if there be no tomorrow!! If only...
Yes, if only we had Independent Candidacy, more robust federalist provisions, lean government and social security. If only we had State Law Enforcement (police, coast guards, etc). If only we had a thoroughly decentralized utility and infrastructure regime. If only our revenue-sharing formula will give states/local governments higher portions, including at least 50% derivation credits. If only we had limited government ministries, agencies and departments to just a few. If only....
Now to action. The first task before a new government in 2007 is to tidy up the constitution review mess. Make it a SIX-Month project, and get it over with. We must pass it with a 75% YES vote in a national referendum...so that Nigerians can own it once and for all.
This must be a national non-partisan endeavour. It is a task that must be done...Fast! Very fast.
Saturday, December 09, 2006
The Supreme Say
When the battles rage
it is obscene
When their lordships sit
it is serene
Jungle, the one
Justice, the other
You may rage, fight
or kite
No matter
I may cage, slight
or spike
No matter
Jungle, the all
Justice at odds
All rise!
Once in court
it's courtesy and cut
All matter
C-o-u-r-t!
A judge be a judge
and the judge
Big matter
Jungle no more
Justice da more
In the journey thus on
no stops
much hops
bounce ye all the way
Jungle way down
Justice ya way
Tough matter
As you seek, if you seek
mind how you go
As you grope, all in groan
find thee da way
Grave matter
Stay, come sun
Pray, come rain
The temple so sought
is home and tomb
Clean matter
As ya journey winds
and twists
there be a final gate of faith
holding da fate
of all gates:
The inner sanctum
and saner spectrum
of all...
The Supreme Court
Pray silence
Shrine of Shrines
Grove of Groves
Stay silent
High Temple so ample
Justice alas, Justice at last
All rise!
Be stay risen...in awe
By its word be all call
For its sword be so tall
All rise!
Be stay risen...in awe
By its way may we play
In its say be the stay
C-O-U-R-T!
Our democracy will lift and leap in leaps and bounds when we play by the rules, embrace due process, respect the rule of law, and obey the courts. Our political class, led by the executive branch of government, have not behaved well in this regard. It was the reason why the Nigerian Bar Association went on a Warning Strike not long ago. In that unprecedented act, Nigeria was so badly portrayed as a nation with lawless leaders! Big shame.
Kudos to the president for proclaiming that the federal government will promptly enforce the latest Supreme Court judgment....on the despicable Ladoja Impeachment saga.
Knocks on the pro-impeachment merchants in PDP Oyo State for so blatantly challenging the Supreme Court ruling, and declaring their determination NOT to obey and comply.
Curiosity worldwide as to how our nation can be this degenerate that our courts have become so disrespected within the ruling class, even as we rush around the globe seeking direct foreign investments! Who will go to a lawless country???
Dear President, your image and integrity are at stake......please, redeem both! Fast.
Do so in Oyo, in Ekiti, in Plateau, in Lagos, and in Anambra.
May God guide you, amen.
it is obscene
When their lordships sit
it is serene
Jungle, the one
Justice, the other
You may rage, fight
or kite
No matter
I may cage, slight
or spike
No matter
Jungle, the all
Justice at odds
All rise!
Once in court
it's courtesy and cut
All matter
C-o-u-r-t!
A judge be a judge
and the judge
Big matter
Jungle no more
Justice da more
In the journey thus on
no stops
much hops
bounce ye all the way
Jungle way down
Justice ya way
Tough matter
As you seek, if you seek
mind how you go
As you grope, all in groan
find thee da way
Grave matter
Stay, come sun
Pray, come rain
The temple so sought
is home and tomb
Clean matter
As ya journey winds
and twists
there be a final gate of faith
holding da fate
of all gates:
The inner sanctum
and saner spectrum
of all...
The Supreme Court
Pray silence
Shrine of Shrines
Grove of Groves
Stay silent
High Temple so ample
Justice alas, Justice at last
All rise!
Be stay risen...in awe
By its word be all call
For its sword be so tall
All rise!
Be stay risen...in awe
By its way may we play
In its say be the stay
C-O-U-R-T!
Our democracy will lift and leap in leaps and bounds when we play by the rules, embrace due process, respect the rule of law, and obey the courts. Our political class, led by the executive branch of government, have not behaved well in this regard. It was the reason why the Nigerian Bar Association went on a Warning Strike not long ago. In that unprecedented act, Nigeria was so badly portrayed as a nation with lawless leaders! Big shame.
Kudos to the president for proclaiming that the federal government will promptly enforce the latest Supreme Court judgment....on the despicable Ladoja Impeachment saga.
Knocks on the pro-impeachment merchants in PDP Oyo State for so blatantly challenging the Supreme Court ruling, and declaring their determination NOT to obey and comply.
Curiosity worldwide as to how our nation can be this degenerate that our courts have become so disrespected within the ruling class, even as we rush around the globe seeking direct foreign investments! Who will go to a lawless country???
Dear President, your image and integrity are at stake......please, redeem both! Fast.
Do so in Oyo, in Ekiti, in Plateau, in Lagos, and in Anambra.
May God guide you, amen.
Friday, December 08, 2006
PDP "Red Alert" Weekend!
December 9
Governorship Primaries
Peace or Pieces
Red Alert Weekend
Let the people speak
and....choose
December 9
Gubernatorial Hurdles
Soar or Sink
Red Alert Weekend
Let the masses make
or....break
December 9
People's Democratic Party
Gory or Glory
Red Alert Weekend
Oh, we goodly wish
and....pray
Whoever loves Nigeria must pray that this weekend helps the ruling party and the nation to do things right. The primaries for governorship slots hold tomorrow, 9 December, and PDP being the largest party/beneficiary from the 2003 Elections will have a blast and flurries. Why not!
The party controls 27 of the 36 states of our federation, as well as the presidency and the federal parliament. Most of the gubernatorial slots are vacant and up for grabs in 2007. Many aspirants willy nilly believe that winning the primaries is almost a guarantee that they would clinch the post in the elections! Very tempting indeed.
And because the field is unusually crowded this time around, there is so much at stake. For this reason, the EFCC warns that the money-politics trend it has spotted so far be stopped or else!
The security agencies have also cautioned against violence and other forms of criminality in the campaigns/contests. The atmosphere is charged! Not unexpected.
So, why Red Alert? Simple: Our politicians are bad losers and selfish/greedy winners!
Why Red Alert? History: The PDP has huge problems of indiscipline, internal contradictions and incessant bickering. It is a house of unlikely bedfellows!
Why Red Alert? Oh, because there are many other political parties waiting in the wings, hoping to gain from dissent and disaffection from the conduct/outcomes of the PDP Primaries!
Pray, this weekend will thus make or unmake the careers of many a political gladiator, even as it will drain or fill the political capital of both the PDP and its competitors.
Still Red Alert? No question.
Governorship Primaries
Peace or Pieces
Red Alert Weekend
Let the people speak
and....choose
December 9
Gubernatorial Hurdles
Soar or Sink
Red Alert Weekend
Let the masses make
or....break
December 9
People's Democratic Party
Gory or Glory
Red Alert Weekend
Oh, we goodly wish
and....pray
Whoever loves Nigeria must pray that this weekend helps the ruling party and the nation to do things right. The primaries for governorship slots hold tomorrow, 9 December, and PDP being the largest party/beneficiary from the 2003 Elections will have a blast and flurries. Why not!
The party controls 27 of the 36 states of our federation, as well as the presidency and the federal parliament. Most of the gubernatorial slots are vacant and up for grabs in 2007. Many aspirants willy nilly believe that winning the primaries is almost a guarantee that they would clinch the post in the elections! Very tempting indeed.
And because the field is unusually crowded this time around, there is so much at stake. For this reason, the EFCC warns that the money-politics trend it has spotted so far be stopped or else!
The security agencies have also cautioned against violence and other forms of criminality in the campaigns/contests. The atmosphere is charged! Not unexpected.
So, why Red Alert? Simple: Our politicians are bad losers and selfish/greedy winners!
Why Red Alert? History: The PDP has huge problems of indiscipline, internal contradictions and incessant bickering. It is a house of unlikely bedfellows!
Why Red Alert? Oh, because there are many other political parties waiting in the wings, hoping to gain from dissent and disaffection from the conduct/outcomes of the PDP Primaries!
Pray, this weekend will thus make or unmake the careers of many a political gladiator, even as it will drain or fill the political capital of both the PDP and its competitors.
Still Red Alert? No question.
Friday, December 01, 2006
If I Were Nigerian Leaders (World AIDS Day) - Herbal & Nature CARE
On this occasion of World AIDS Day, I have only very few words for our leaders at all levels - political, traditional, spiritual, temporal, civil society and the business community. It hurts to see anyone die. But, in particular, how HIV/AIDS victims die is a horror undeserved and a mirror on our CARE, our caring or the lack of both. It hurts! It hurts more when you know that we can and should DO more!! And, by God, this country - NIGERIA - can.
What am I talking about? You know! But in the spirit of public service, and to spread our "dirty" linen in the sun (if we must), a few thoughts may be the elixir we all need now. Isn't this the season of ideas? After all we head for 2007 Elections with great expectations! So, this note really is clearly more appropriate to the incoming political leadership, and others "TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN".
Who does not know that but for herbal medicine and nature cure our peoples in Africa, the Americas and most of Asia Pacific will be all dead or mostly crippled by now???
Who does not know that surveys upon surveys, polls after polls, have consistently and constantly shown, and reaffirmed, that over 70% of citizens in the developed world, especially the WEST, patronize herbal/nature care??? Despite all their "advances"!
Who does not know that organic foods, drinks, drugs, and derivatives as well as cool "green products" are now returning to consumers' top-lists with a vengeance???
Who thinks the rise and rise of "green" Political Parties and NGOs/CSOs is a fluke or a mere fad??? Who thinks The "Kyoto Agreement" will fade away??? Ask George Bush!
Who does not know that AFRICA and SOUTH AMERICA remain the world's "greenest zones", and the bastion therefore of "all things organic"??? Add them to the "unspoiled" areas of Asia Pacific, and humanity can hum in health, good health.
If these were so, why have Nigerian leaders collectively and individually betrayed our people, our nation? Why have they not emulated both their Chinese and Indian counter-parts in using what-you-have to get-what-you-need/want? Why have they not emulated all their WESTERN counter-parts by putting-our-country-first?
Why are we importing foods, drinks and medicines, including (shamelessly!) herbal and nature care products which our lands have in abundance? Why create jobs or export existing jobs by blocking/undermining local production?
Why do we go in demeaning search (cap and bowl-in-hand!) for grants, loans and aid on these matters? Ignoring time-honed lessons, abandoning our home-resources, damning all our local experts/geniuses like Dr's Ojeih, Abalaka, Abdullahi, and their many pharmacy colleagues...all because of cheap foreign hand-outs! Where is our pride, where is our competitive/comparative advantage?
These local stars are shining abroad, patronized by governments and citizens as well as eminent research bodies, while our bureaucrats are busy denouncing them at home! Just imagine how much they can do for World Health if better supported, and the level of foreign exchange we can earn when widely patronized!
Why didn't the government ask for or commit 50% of all the foreign grants to local initiatives, including further R&D, improved processes, mass production and quality documentation by our OWN people? How can we rely on foreigners to "dominate" our own response to diseases they don't suffer or hardly have...in their own land???
I close by asking why it has just dawned on the government that dogonyaro (neem) is an effective anti-malarial, when our people (including the parents of our leaders!) and communities have been utilising same from time immemorial???
Let our resolve be "WORK THE LAND" to serve our people...and the world. This way, we can consign World AIDS Day to history...within a decade!
What am I talking about? You know! But in the spirit of public service, and to spread our "dirty" linen in the sun (if we must), a few thoughts may be the elixir we all need now. Isn't this the season of ideas? After all we head for 2007 Elections with great expectations! So, this note really is clearly more appropriate to the incoming political leadership, and others "TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN".
Who does not know that but for herbal medicine and nature cure our peoples in Africa, the Americas and most of Asia Pacific will be all dead or mostly crippled by now???
Who does not know that surveys upon surveys, polls after polls, have consistently and constantly shown, and reaffirmed, that over 70% of citizens in the developed world, especially the WEST, patronize herbal/nature care??? Despite all their "advances"!
Who does not know that organic foods, drinks, drugs, and derivatives as well as cool "green products" are now returning to consumers' top-lists with a vengeance???
Who thinks the rise and rise of "green" Political Parties and NGOs/CSOs is a fluke or a mere fad??? Who thinks The "Kyoto Agreement" will fade away??? Ask George Bush!
Who does not know that AFRICA and SOUTH AMERICA remain the world's "greenest zones", and the bastion therefore of "all things organic"??? Add them to the "unspoiled" areas of Asia Pacific, and humanity can hum in health, good health.
If these were so, why have Nigerian leaders collectively and individually betrayed our people, our nation? Why have they not emulated both their Chinese and Indian counter-parts in using what-you-have to get-what-you-need/want? Why have they not emulated all their WESTERN counter-parts by putting-our-country-first?
Why are we importing foods, drinks and medicines, including (shamelessly!) herbal and nature care products which our lands have in abundance? Why create jobs or export existing jobs by blocking/undermining local production?
Why do we go in demeaning search (cap and bowl-in-hand!) for grants, loans and aid on these matters? Ignoring time-honed lessons, abandoning our home-resources, damning all our local experts/geniuses like Dr's Ojeih, Abalaka, Abdullahi, and their many pharmacy colleagues...all because of cheap foreign hand-outs! Where is our pride, where is our competitive/comparative advantage?
These local stars are shining abroad, patronized by governments and citizens as well as eminent research bodies, while our bureaucrats are busy denouncing them at home! Just imagine how much they can do for World Health if better supported, and the level of foreign exchange we can earn when widely patronized!
Why didn't the government ask for or commit 50% of all the foreign grants to local initiatives, including further R&D, improved processes, mass production and quality documentation by our OWN people? How can we rely on foreigners to "dominate" our own response to diseases they don't suffer or hardly have...in their own land???
I close by asking why it has just dawned on the government that dogonyaro (neem) is an effective anti-malarial, when our people (including the parents of our leaders!) and communities have been utilising same from time immemorial???
Let our resolve be "WORK THE LAND" to serve our people...and the world. This way, we can consign World AIDS Day to history...within a decade!
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