Finally April 9th of 2011 is here! We will file out to choose our national assembly members in about 86% of the contestable seats nationwide. Others will follow on the 26th. What a wait!
This year, we have the best chance ever to turn things around, to make a clean break from the ignoble past, to join the civilized world, by making democracy work. We will do it. We owe it to us, we owe it to Africa and the world. With this INEC, we are upbeat. We must do it.
Here is a plea to all the Forces of Good: Stop all them forces of evil! Make us proud tomorrow. Place the banner of patriotism on the hills of pantheon. Hoist the flag of fortitude on the mount of fortune. Make the electorate - one man, one vote - the master of the electoral universe. Let our founding fathers finally rest in peace!
What can Nigeria and Nigerians not do? Let's do it right for one and all, from tomorrow.
Yes, TOMORROW.
Showing posts with label Nigeria's 2011 Elections. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nigeria's 2011 Elections. Show all posts
Friday, April 08, 2011
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
My Vote for INEC
Isn't it ironic? Very few Nigerians doubt INEC! Most international commentators trust this INEC! So we have the building blocks of a progressively sound and potentially great electoral edifice from the 2011 elections! And this, despite all the challenges, hiccups and shaky starts of both the voter-registration exercise and last week's botched polls! What a badge of honour to Jega & Company!! We watch and we know, don't we?
Set against the past, this can only be heartwarming. So, kudos to the appointer, kudos to the appointees.
My vote for INEC stems from the courage and honesty of its new leadership. Telling it as it is - despite the obvious and heavy costs. Levelling with Nigerians and the world, accepting full responsibility, and - most importantly - APOLOGIZING! Against the past players, this is comparing apples with coconuts!!
On this note, I vote for INEC.
Set against the past, this can only be heartwarming. So, kudos to the appointer, kudos to the appointees.
My vote for INEC stems from the courage and honesty of its new leadership. Telling it as it is - despite the obvious and heavy costs. Levelling with Nigerians and the world, accepting full responsibility, and - most importantly - APOLOGIZING! Against the past players, this is comparing apples with coconuts!!
On this note, I vote for INEC.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Voter Education
We must praise and celebrate Nigerian leaders at both individual and institutional levels for the open and total commitment to a credible 2011 elections. This was so palpable and unstoppable during the voter registration exercise. All over the country it was magical - sheer beauty. Oh, it soothes...
And Nigerians responded!
See what a proud people can achieve with right attitude and up-front leadership? A credible voters register. Soon, a credible election. Then self-pride and world prestige. Yes.
What can NIGERIA not achieve!
And Nigerians responded!
See what a proud people can achieve with right attitude and up-front leadership? A credible voters register. Soon, a credible election. Then self-pride and world prestige. Yes.
What can NIGERIA not achieve!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
This 2011 Campaign
Just when we thought the fight will be super, the opposition parties are playing it cool, acting as if they have it all wrapped up! Amazing.
The PDP is stomping and pumping, showing what it takes to be the ruling party. The presidential campaign is looking like a one-team affair: Jonathan/Sambo! Amazing.
And the words? Everyone says their own party must win (must?) if every vote counts! Yeah. But you MUST truly and really canvass the votes, non? To win us over, you need to come see us in 36 States plus the FCT, non?
So let things rev up, abeg. This is 2011 General Elections. Where are the HOT issues? Where are the figures? Where are the verifiable ROAD-MAPS?
The PDP is stomping and pumping, showing what it takes to be the ruling party. The presidential campaign is looking like a one-team affair: Jonathan/Sambo! Amazing.
And the words? Everyone says their own party must win (must?) if every vote counts! Yeah. But you MUST truly and really canvass the votes, non? To win us over, you need to come see us in 36 States plus the FCT, non?
So let things rev up, abeg. This is 2011 General Elections. Where are the HOT issues? Where are the figures? Where are the verifiable ROAD-MAPS?
Monday, January 17, 2011
Voters' Register Take-Off and Hiccups
We must add our voice to the calming call for patience in the ongoing voter registration exercise. INEC has huge responsibilities and humonguous challenges, not least the question of TIME!
Too many things led to this pass and we , as a nation, know the truth - the whole truth.
Never again should we play deaf & dumb to clarion calls to save our country in future: whether from dictators masquerading as democrats or from cabals posing as patriots.
Let's stand by INEC now, and through the 2011 General Elections.
Too many things led to this pass and we , as a nation, know the truth - the whole truth.
Never again should we play deaf & dumb to clarion calls to save our country in future: whether from dictators masquerading as democrats or from cabals posing as patriots.
Let's stand by INEC now, and through the 2011 General Elections.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Performing GOVERNORS
In this comedy of errors called governance here, how can a performing public official not shine, and not be noticed? Yes, they do. One low-hanging-fruit area is in road infrastructure, followed by healthcare, then schools, and finally housing. Serious governors show their mark within 12 MONTHS!
So, let's think aloud. And we stay with first-term governors, ranging from 2-3 years in office. Unlike in the not-too-distant past, we are witnessing some real performers, with concrete projects. We are also seeing some real cost-cutters! These are governors who are doing "more with less". The president has publicly praised the 7-year governor of Gombe State, Danjuma Goje, for both the quantity, quality and cost of developmental projects, especially critical infrastructure. We can't say same of some of the other out-going governors across the nation.
With constant and - this time! - credible media coverage, governors are showing off their performance to the world. If your governor has not bought media space to do same, worry. If he does so with doctored footage, double worry. If he proceeds to bore us with more words (of cronies and hirelings) than actual projects, triple worry!
Real performers will show you clips of the past and video coverage of the present. They will bring you the voices of the real people who will vouch for the concrete change that has happened. Take two states the president has visited, for example - Rivers and Akwa Ibom. They stunned us all, didn't they? Take Anambra State, for instance, where the February Election gave us the chance to evaluate: Governor Peter Obi of APGA wowed us all, didn't he? And Anambrarians stayed solidly with him. We've also seen some heart-warming videos from Adamawa, Benue, Enugu, Jigawa, Plateau and Zamfara States recently - though their political opponents are disputing and casting doubts. Let evidence emerge, and EFCC assert!
Now, in two very clear cases, morning is showing the day. While some prominent politicians are scrambling for rehabilitation cum accommodation by defecting or redefecting to the PDP, local leaders and elected officials are trooping to the opposition parties (AC in Edo; Labour in Ondo), because of their visibly performing governors! Of course, the same feat is happening in Anambra. What does this portend for 2011? Simple: Power is with the PEOPLE! Perform, and you have them! The "Adams they can't damn" Oshiomhole, and Olusegun "the Iroko they can't fell" Mimiko, are performing wonders; and the PEOPLE love that!!
As for Lagos, please, wait. Just wait.
So, let's think aloud. And we stay with first-term governors, ranging from 2-3 years in office. Unlike in the not-too-distant past, we are witnessing some real performers, with concrete projects. We are also seeing some real cost-cutters! These are governors who are doing "more with less". The president has publicly praised the 7-year governor of Gombe State, Danjuma Goje, for both the quantity, quality and cost of developmental projects, especially critical infrastructure. We can't say same of some of the other out-going governors across the nation.
With constant and - this time! - credible media coverage, governors are showing off their performance to the world. If your governor has not bought media space to do same, worry. If he does so with doctored footage, double worry. If he proceeds to bore us with more words (of cronies and hirelings) than actual projects, triple worry!
Real performers will show you clips of the past and video coverage of the present. They will bring you the voices of the real people who will vouch for the concrete change that has happened. Take two states the president has visited, for example - Rivers and Akwa Ibom. They stunned us all, didn't they? Take Anambra State, for instance, where the February Election gave us the chance to evaluate: Governor Peter Obi of APGA wowed us all, didn't he? And Anambrarians stayed solidly with him. We've also seen some heart-warming videos from Adamawa, Benue, Enugu, Jigawa, Plateau and Zamfara States recently - though their political opponents are disputing and casting doubts. Let evidence emerge, and EFCC assert!
Now, in two very clear cases, morning is showing the day. While some prominent politicians are scrambling for rehabilitation cum accommodation by defecting or redefecting to the PDP, local leaders and elected officials are trooping to the opposition parties (AC in Edo; Labour in Ondo), because of their visibly performing governors! Of course, the same feat is happening in Anambra. What does this portend for 2011? Simple: Power is with the PEOPLE! Perform, and you have them! The "Adams they can't damn" Oshiomhole, and Olusegun "the Iroko they can't fell" Mimiko, are performing wonders; and the PEOPLE love that!!
As for Lagos, please, wait. Just wait.
Constitution Review: Save AYE's, Re-present NAY's
The whole nation was involved but voted through their official reps. The returns are not necessarily what the people said or want. This was why many analysts had canvassed for a sovereign national conference, at best, or a referendum, at worst. It is for example not likely that Nigerians will approve immoral carpet-crossing or deny their state parliaments the autonomy that is inherent in a democracy. Nigerians want independent candidacy; where did those state assemblies which voted against it get their mandate from? So, dear compatriots, this be unfinished business.
As we see from other climes, the unpassed amendments are not necessarily dead. Since it is a state by state process, let's save all the AYEs and counting. We proceed to challenge or lobby the nay-sayers and win them over. This is what has been done in the EU's constitutional processes. In our case, we are on solid grounds: once a majority of 60% passes any amendment, it qualifies for the "bank", while we work hard to bring others on board. Any amendment earning below 60% dies. There is no time limit - only vote-accretion. However, after THREE attempts a nay-saying state stays NAY for that cycle.
Our grounds for this position are solid: All constitutional review reports have some common denominators. The standard-bearer is the Uwais Committee Report. If the legislators for selfish or partisan reasons vote down an amendment, they must not be allowed to get away with it. The voters must have the last say. We should get them to change their NAY or we recall them instantly or vote them out of office eventually. This is a task for pro-democracy groups and civil society leaders in all states of the federation.
As we see from other climes, the unpassed amendments are not necessarily dead. Since it is a state by state process, let's save all the AYEs and counting. We proceed to challenge or lobby the nay-sayers and win them over. This is what has been done in the EU's constitutional processes. In our case, we are on solid grounds: once a majority of 60% passes any amendment, it qualifies for the "bank", while we work hard to bring others on board. Any amendment earning below 60% dies. There is no time limit - only vote-accretion. However, after THREE attempts a nay-saying state stays NAY for that cycle.
Our grounds for this position are solid: All constitutional review reports have some common denominators. The standard-bearer is the Uwais Committee Report. If the legislators for selfish or partisan reasons vote down an amendment, they must not be allowed to get away with it. The voters must have the last say. We should get them to change their NAY or we recall them instantly or vote them out of office eventually. This is a task for pro-democracy groups and civil society leaders in all states of the federation.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Where Are The Women?
As the political tempo picks up, we are seeing less women shaking our elections forest! Never mind Patience Jonathan's change movement, and the tough-talking gender campaigners! Real work is yet to set.
Let's not discount what Nigerian Women can do, but let each aspirant beware: you must personally measure up, and rise up to the challenge. Nothing replaces quality and hardwork. We must worry about the declining political fortunes of our women these days - just when real variety is such an urgent imperative for national development.
Is this fair? No. Can we make amends? Absolutely, yes. How? Credible candidates!
May the recruitment and headhunt begin. But first, honest self-assessment. Then, the Beijing '95 spirit must come alive, again.
Let's not discount what Nigerian Women can do, but let each aspirant beware: you must personally measure up, and rise up to the challenge. Nothing replaces quality and hardwork. We must worry about the declining political fortunes of our women these days - just when real variety is such an urgent imperative for national development.
Is this fair? No. Can we make amends? Absolutely, yes. How? Credible candidates!
May the recruitment and headhunt begin. But first, honest self-assessment. Then, the Beijing '95 spirit must come alive, again.
Monday, October 11, 2010
These Politicians!
2011. We are in for the naija drama. It won't be my country if we were not! Make no mistake about it: the green, the grab and the grey will strot and scream. Then, they will fizzle out - most of them. But before then, there will be one heck and hell of a time. Cage your kids.
Who comes please come. In your own interest, health and all, caveat emptor! Take not the crowd to heart - we may discount them without pain. In your further interest, mind your purse or damn your pulse - most of these acting-gladiators are playing the pseudo game. If you tarry, and pray tarry, you will laugh last, laugh loud!
It is why you must not take sides - for now.
Let the party primaries be your filter. Then INEC's final lists (for more will still drop-out) shall point you home. Anything else na show - just naija drama, fa!
Who comes please come. In your own interest, health and all, caveat emptor! Take not the crowd to heart - we may discount them without pain. In your further interest, mind your purse or damn your pulse - most of these acting-gladiators are playing the pseudo game. If you tarry, and pray tarry, you will laugh last, laugh loud!
It is why you must not take sides - for now.
Let the party primaries be your filter. Then INEC's final lists (for more will still drop-out) shall point you home. Anything else na show - just naija drama, fa!
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