Political Oo. http://political.com.ng because by nature, man is a political animal posterous.com Thu, 10 May 2012 01:39:00 -0700 A Political Experiment: I'm Out! http://political.com.ng/a-political-experiment-im-out http://political.com.ng/a-political-experiment-im-out

Last night, as with most nights of recent, I went to bed sad. For no just reason, I would just become really sad. 

Then it struck me. Spending the day assimilating bad news is really not the best way to live life. The bad news? Nigeria. Nigeria is bad news. At least EVERYTHING that has to do with politics. You can almost never hear a political story about Nigeria that is not bad. I do not know of others but anytime I remember how a sitting president was 'dashed' 200 million shares with no repercussions, or that EFCC is 'after' the latest criminal Governor knowing ABSOLUTELY nothing will happen to them or another hundreds of billions would be used to subsidise fuel AGAIN (probably more than last year when the pump price was lower), or that the achievement of a sitting President for one year is appearing in a Time magazine poll alongside Pipa Middleton, or.. I can go on. Anytime I assimilate these things, I get visibly and emotionally angry. It is personal. it is not just a story. I know how great Nigeria is supposed to be. 

But nothing boils my blood quicker than when I hear a Nigerian "yoot" say tweet, "we will not allow it" to the latest government decision,  It reminds me of how helpless our case is. Of course I am not vindicated in any way.

So I have decided to experiment. For the next 6 months, I will remove my mind from EVERY political news in/from Nigeria. Gradually, I will weed myself from all the 'bad news' sources. Yeah, once I see any political discourse on my Twitter feed, i'm sorry mate, you have to go. Nothing personal, I just want to be a happier person. Let me be the last to hear that Jo Boy has done something stupid again, or Deziani's latest scandal.  I am sure knowing if Saraki is being detained by EFCC is of no actionable importance to me. “Did I hear what Onyuike Okereke said?” Nope! and idontwannaknow.  “What about Ribadu’s report?” istilldontwannoknow

Of course the implication of this is that when the Nigerian Twitter rebels are able to liberate Nigeria before my 6 month review date comes up, I would not be counted as one of the liberators. That makes me sad :(. Gentlemen and ladies, enjoy the glory without me.

 

*Applies to international Politics too.

** I sincerely applaud the micro-minority that are trying hard to improve Nigeria.

*** After 6 months, I will review my position. (Not that it affects anything really.)

**** I'll be focusing of trying to get my startup off the ground and trying hard to positively impact the Nigerian technology space.

***** If you have 5 mins, read this post

 

#OneNigeria

 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/618760/Oo.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PzaJPUcTu1 Oo Nwoye OoTheNigerian Oo Nwoye Thu, 22 Mar 2012 01:43:00 -0700 Mali soldiers loot presidential palace after coup http://political.com.ng/mali-soldiers-loot-presidential-palace-after-59275 http://political.com.ng/mali-soldiers-loot-presidential-palace-after-59275
The soldiers said they had led Wednesday's mutiny because the government had not giving them enough arms to tackle a rebellion by ethnic Tuareg in the north of Mali.
via bbc.co.uk

Thanks to the US and her allies (France, Italy, NATO, Qatar) their destabilization and destruction of Libya has claimed its first country. Of course, CNN and co are looking the other way.

Of course the incompetent AU 'leaders' will start talking rubbish. It is all very disgusting.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/618760/Oo.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PzaJPUcTu1 Oo Nwoye OoTheNigerian Oo Nwoye Thu, 22 Mar 2012 01:43:00 -0700 Mali soldiers loot presidential palace after coup http://political.com.ng/mali-soldiers-loot-presidential-palace-after http://political.com.ng/mali-soldiers-loot-presidential-palace-after
The soldiers said they had led Wednesday's mutiny because the government had not giving them enough arms to tackle a rebellion by ethnic Tuareg in the north of Mali.
via bbc.co.uk

Thanks to the US and her allies (France, Italy, NATO, Qatar) their destabilization and destruction of Libya has claimed its first country. Of course, CNN and co are looking the other way.

Of course the incompetent AU 'leaders' will start talking rubbish. It is all very disgusting.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/618760/Oo.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PzaJPUcTu1 Oo Nwoye OoTheNigerian Oo Nwoye Wed, 14 Mar 2012 04:00:00 -0700 Libyan human rights abuses 'deeply concerns' Ban Ki-moon http://political.com.ng/libyan-human-rights-abuses-deeply-concerns-ba http://political.com.ng/libyan-human-rights-abuses-deeply-concerns-ba

Illegal arrests, revenge attacks and deaths following torture in secret prisons are continuing in Libya by armed militias with the new government failing to establish an effective judicial system, according to the Secretary General of the United Nations.

In a report due to be delivered to the Security Council, obtained by The Independent, Ban Ki-moon expresses his “ deep concern” at the systematic abuse continuing seven months after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime.

via independent.co.uk

So these people actually have no shame. Ki Moon, I am talking to you and your people (NATO, US, France, Qatar) that destroyed Libya. As Hillary said, they came, they saw and they destroyed. History will judge.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/618760/Oo.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PzaJPUcTu1 Oo Nwoye OoTheNigerian Oo Nwoye Tue, 13 Mar 2012 03:48:00 -0700 On the trail of Boko Haram http://political.com.ng/on-the-trail-of-boko-haram http://political.com.ng/on-the-trail-of-boko-haram
You could say Boko Haram is everywhere, or you could say it’s nowhere: both would be correct.
via independent.co.uk

Take your time and read this VERY intelligent, simple and through analysis of the Boko Haram issue by Andrew Stroehlein . Link is here http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/on-the-trail-of-boko-haram-756...

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/618760/Oo.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PzaJPUcTu1 Oo Nwoye OoTheNigerian Oo Nwoye Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:15:35 -0800 Why I Detest OBJ. And My Prayer For Him. http://political.com.ng/why-i-detest-obj-and-my-prayer-for-him http://political.com.ng/why-i-detest-obj-and-my-prayer-for-him I would have used hate. But that requires emotional commitment. OBJ is not worth it. I detest the fucker like I detest cancer. My man Abdulmalik Mahdi summed it up in a single tweet

Never has a man had the power to change the destiny of his people like OBJ and failed woefully... twice.

And the failure was deliberate. Unlike the hapless Jo Boy, OBJ was in charge, and downwards he positioned our great country. I heard today is his birthday. I have a single prayer for him. 

Dear Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo, may your worst days be ahead of you. I spit on your name.

Regards,

Oo

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/618760/Oo.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PzaJPUcTu1 Oo Nwoye OoTheNigerian Oo Nwoye Thu, 01 Mar 2012 02:37:00 -0800 My Problem With ElRufai http://political.com.ng/my-problem-with-elrufai-tag-elrufai http://political.com.ng/my-problem-with-elrufai-tag-elrufai

If you read Mallam El Rufai’s Thisday Column on Fridays (syndicated with his blog), it is clear that he not only has a good grasp of the problems with the Nigerian state, but also knows the concrete steps that are necessary to fix things.


However, my (and quite a number of other people) only problem with Mallam is his failure or refusal to acknowledge the mistakes he made/was part of in the past. He was a very core part of the OBJ group that imposed a sick man Yar’adua and his non-able bodied deputy on the Nigerian state. Why? I have absolutely no idea. It is because of this terrible move by Obasanjo, El Rufai and their gang that Nigeria is in this present state.

OBJ is of the past (<- ogun and ayelala, do your job na). For El Rufai to be really credible for the future, he has to acknowledge and apologise for his role in getting us where we are today.

Why is this important?

Like I said in a previous post of mine, knowing what to do to fix Nigeria has never been the problem of Nigeria. The problem has always been finding the person with the willpower to do the right thing while in power.
 
If Mallam wants another chance (I know he does and I do too) at sorting Nigeria out, acknowledgement of and apology for the past needs to be made. Recognizing past mistakes shows he might not repeat them again. It will demobilize 90% of the argument his detractors have and turn maybe 50% of them to his supporters. My people are too forgiving. They’ll say “Abeg free El rufai, the guy don apologize. Make im killl imself join?”

The only saving grace El Rufai has to be taken as a serious person for the future, is his awesome performance as Minister of the FCT. His performance was excellent. Without it, he would have just been another version of the sad Segun Adeniyi.

Why do I care?
When El Rufai decides to run for president, (he will), he most certainly will be on my shortlist of 3 from which I will decide on who to actively work for. I do not want any unnecessary baggage/distraction while on the quest to save the sinking ship called Nigeria. The earlier it is sorted, the better for us all.

PS:

 


Dear Mallam,

If you think an apology will make you feel you are taking too much responsibility for the actions of a government where you were a subordinate, at least you can do like the Americans and ”express regret”.   I guess that should do. At least for me it will.

Oo Nwoye

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/618760/Oo.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PzaJPUcTu1 Oo Nwoye OoTheNigerian Oo Nwoye Mon, 27 Feb 2012 03:29:02 -0800 How Can Jonathan Succeed? Here's A Brilliant, Radical Idea. http://political.com.ng/how-can-jonathan-succeed-heres-a-brilliant-ra http://political.com.ng/how-can-jonathan-succeed-heres-a-brilliant-ra Let's take over the government. No, not a coup. Now read.

In my previous post, I argued that it is a waste of time fighting Jo boy because he is simply not in charge and more importantly, were he in change, he does not have what is required of him: good, strong and purposeful leadership.

His limitations in themselves are not that bad, however,

1. Jo Boy randomly listens to advice from random people.
2. Most of those he listens to certainly do not have the interest of the country at heart.  While most of others are grossly incompetent (I exempt people like Sanusi, Nnaji, Jega and like three others from this)

So how do we make good of this very bad situation? i.e a puppet presido with the wrong string holders. Get the right people around Goodluck 'not a lion' Jonathan

Here is my theory:

It is easier to get rid of those traitors (Hi Mr Abati!) and incompetent ploitical jobbers right now, that to wait for 3-6 more years (7 year term??) and say "I told you so" and hope the non-existent opposition (most of which are sour grapes primary election loosers) would take over and do good.

Yes, you read me right. We (forward thinking citizens) all should just join PDP. It is going to be much easier to take over the evil PDP than to win them in a general election. It is just the painful simple truth.

If we succeed, then the random people Jo boy will be taking advice from would be 'our people' so while it would be PDP flesh, it would be a renewed soul.

Take a second and imagine this:
  • Ribadu as Chief of Police
  • Bakare as Attorney General
  • *El Rufai as head of the national policy think tank.
  • Fashola as the head of Governors forum
  • Oby Ezekwesili in Education
  • Colonel Umar in Security
  • OBJ as a prison inmate
  • etc etc.
You get the idea.

In theory and name, it would be a PDP government. In reality the soul would have changed.

Pros:
  • Well, we can act now. not until the next election which PDP will still win (there is no opposition)
  • It is cheaper, easier and more feasible.
Cons:
  • While 'taking over PDP', PDP might take over you.
  • It will kill the opposition (which does not exist)
  • We end up discovering we are all the same.
Taking over PDP will be like hacking into that monstrous evil gigantic robot , formatting and reinstalling your own software. No need to go through the task of building another robot which you hope can defeat the evil bastard.

So what do you think of this 'unthinkable' idea?

*I will talk about El Rufai in a subsequent post.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/618760/Oo.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PzaJPUcTu1 Oo Nwoye OoTheNigerian Oo Nwoye Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:31:00 -0800 Why I Will Not Criticize President Jonathan Again. http://political.com.ng/why-i-will-not-criticize-president-jonathan-a http://political.com.ng/why-i-will-not-criticize-president-jonathan-a


Before you make any assumptions, nothing 'don hit my account.' My reason for not criticizing Jo boy is simple.

The 'man' Goodluck Jonathan is not in charge of himself. Focusing on criticizing him is the same as doing so for that unruly 2 year old baby. For the baby, you hold his/her minder responsible.In most cases it would be the parents.  In the case of Jo Boy, his minders change at random. For the baby, the minders most probably have the baby's interest at heart. In Jo boy's case, they certainly do not.

Jonathan's gaffes are monstrously amusing. We cannot claim we did not seeing it coming. Last year, he was told to ban the Super Chickens for not doing well in a tourney they did not prepare for. Ban he did! Hell broke loose, unban he did. In a twist of reverse fever, he unbanned the importation of furniture and other rightfully import-prohibited goods. Hell broke lose, reban he did.

He randomly pulled out a 7 year tenure out of his hat. Back into his hat he will soon put it. Same for fuel subsidy. Increases, decreases, puts soldiers on the streets, removes them, reads speech, commissions bus, YouWin then you dont win.etc. Absolutely no method to the madness.

Of course he approves every proposal that hits his desk without asking the most basic of questions. The ID card and plate number scams come to mind. 

At the moment, he is not so sure about being SURE.

Jo boy randomly babbles about how he will tackle Boko Haram, Power etc (depending on who whispers in his ears that minute). Unfortunately, random whispers are worse than leaving the man alone.

Having a zombie baby puppet as President is not always a bad thing. With a tight-knit team of great minders and controllers, he will work wonders. Nobody will care about the race, sex, religion of those truly in control because the president would be who they see. However, when you have resident-mode incompetent randoms pulling the strings, you have the Jo boy administration.

Henceforth, President Jo boy gets a pass. He who is not in charge, shall not be focused on. It is simply a waste of time. We cannot keep fighting a man for not giving what he does not have. "e no dey, e no dey".

Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.- Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love, 1963

How then do we move forward? I think I have an idea. My next post will answer the question.

 

PS: I've just been told gbagaun too plenty in this post. Let us deal with this once and for all. I cannot spell. And I just don't see typos. E no dey. 

 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/618760/Oo.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PzaJPUcTu1 Oo Nwoye OoTheNigerian Oo Nwoye Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:20:53 -0800 Can We Please Stop Inciting More Violence http://political.com.ng/can-we-please-stop-inciting-more-violence http://political.com.ng/can-we-please-stop-inciting-more-violence After seeing the picture from Benin City, I am temporarily coming out of hibernation to plead for caution as we circulate pictures and sensationalize stories. All it does is brings us closer to war. The sad thing about war is that all participants of war lose. (except gun runners) The luckiest of us will end up being refugees in other lands. 

Please stop spreading pictures of dead bodies and heating up the system (Linda Ikeji and BB broadcasters). Especially when it does nothing to bring the perpetrators of the violence to justice.

We can and should try to discuss and resolve issues in a calm manner no matter how difficult it may seem. No need for the insults, religious and tribal laced shots.

I have nothing to new to add to my position on fuel subsidy, Jonathan's capacity as president (the boy is simply not and has never been in charge), the escalating violence and even his acclaimed 'luck' . My view on Boko Haram remains the same: People are trying to turn a political issue into a religious and tribal one. Let us not allow them succeed.

Hopefully, Jonathan discovers his balls in a drawer somewhere and takes charge of the multi-pronged crises escalating by the day.
 
#OneNigeria.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/618760/Oo.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PzaJPUcTu1 Oo Nwoye OoTheNigerian Oo Nwoye Wed, 02 Nov 2011 03:26:34 -0700 The 10 Errors Gaddafi Made. http://political.com.ng/the-10-errors-gaddafi-made http://political.com.ng/the-10-errors-gaddafi-made Since Gaddafi lost out and was killed, it is obvious he made several errors. I would like to point out the 10 of them that I can identify. This is in no particular order.
  1. He stayed too long in power and believed he was invisible so did not make plans for non-invisibility.
  2. He should have been a bit more humble. He mistook Acquiescence for loyalty from the 'African Leaders'. They hated/envied him quietly.
  3. He should have had a transition plan in case of emergency. He did not prepare for the Arab Spring Libyan edition.
  4. He should not have given the speech vowing to crush the insurgency. He should have just done it.
  5. He should have joined Twitter and communicated with the world directly. it would have gone a long way to dilute the western propaganda.
  6. He had too few powerful friends. Should have allied with the Russians and/or the Chinese. Not Italy!
  7. He shook hands with the West and did not look back. How could he not have learnt from Sadam???!!! DO NOT DESTROY YOUR WEAPONS! EVER!!!
  8. He should have asked Saif to play good cop and not publicly jump to his defense.
  9. He should have dispatched Saif Al Islam to prevent the UN resolution.
  10. He should have gone on exile? I do not know. I do know he kept his word fought to the bitter end and died on Libyan soil. #BraveGeneral. #ShunSir

So after Gaddafi, Mugabe remains the last African leader who puts Africa first. The so called Presidents of the other African nations are glorified District Officers representing the interests of their colonial masters.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/618760/Oo.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PzaJPUcTu1 Oo Nwoye OoTheNigerian Oo Nwoye Mon, 24 Oct 2011 21:22:00 -0700 Omojuwa Interview: Buhari on Fuel Subsidy. http://political.com.ng/omojuwa-interview-buhari-on-fuel-subsidy http://political.com.ng/omojuwa-interview-buhari-on-fuel-subsidy
via youtube.com

How can you say you are subsidizing Nigerian oil for Nigerians?

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/618760/Oo.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PzaJPUcTu1 Oo Nwoye OoTheNigerian Oo Nwoye Mon, 24 Oct 2011 08:10:59 -0700 One Picture That Describes The Lagos L.G.A Elections http://political.com.ng/one-picture-that-describes-the-lagos-lga-elec http://political.com.ng/one-picture-that-describes-the-lagos-lga-elec
Imag0081

What you see above is the sum total of the votes cast at my polling unit.  Over 1000 people registered here.

I could not vote because I could not find my voters paper.

It is a shame. Really.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/618760/Oo.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PzaJPUcTu1 Oo Nwoye OoTheNigerian Oo Nwoye Thu, 20 Oct 2011 06:29:10 -0700 The End Of Gaddafi. Africa's Last General. http://political.com.ng/the-end-of-gaddafi-africas-last-general http://political.com.ng/the-end-of-gaddafi-africas-last-general
Connelgad

It is being reported that Colonel Gaddafi has been killed. He was killed by NATO.

You may accuse Gaddafi of being anything but a coward. He had the balls to stand for what he believed in.. to his death. He promised to die on Libyan soil and he did.

Take a look at all the heads of states in Africa and imagine one that would almost come close to his bravery. Hello Jo'boy!

"Strike the Shepard and the sheep will scatter"

In my opinion, the absolute worst turn has taken place with the killing of Gaddafi by NATO assisted with the 'rebels' on the ground. Now that there is not central command, we will see real chaos from the Gaddafi camp. Ask Iraqi's what happened when Saddam was taken out.

We all know that this war was totally unnecessary. If the west wanted, there would have been a peaceful resolution of the crisis and the destruction of Libya would have been prevented.

The wounds created by this 'war' will take generations to heal. Libya, oh Libya!

While this was just another movie for the west, the destabilization of Africa has just begun. We would start seeing the impact and implications of this unnecessary war.

The Libyans will rue the day they allowed foreigners take over their land. They are in a far worse situation.

Just to point out, Gaddafi was far from being an angel. He was eccentric and certainly committed many evils. Just like most leaders and governments of the world. But no foreign entity has the right to go and destabilize another nation for its selfish benefit. Had this been an internal coup, I would have had no problem with it.

But for foreign countries to decide topple a government and kill her citizens indiscriminately with the media cheering them on?

Ok Syria, you are next. 

I predicted this decade will see or very nearly see a third world war. I stand by that prediction.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/618760/Oo.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PzaJPUcTu1 Oo Nwoye OoTheNigerian Oo Nwoye Thu, 13 Oct 2011 09:41:00 -0700 How To Remove Fuel Subsidy Without Problems For Dummies (Nigerian Edition) http://political.com.ng/how-to-remove-fuel-subsidy-without-problems-f http://political.com.ng/how-to-remove-fuel-subsidy-without-problems-f
  1. Give a comprehensive speech to the nation informing them that the government plans to 'raise' $20billion over the next 2 years.
  2. Explain what SPECIFIC capital expenses the government intends to make in the next few years e.g. "We will build 3 refineries in Nigeria". "We will Construct 2400 km of 6 lane roads. 400 in each geo-political zone". "We will complete power projects that will provide additional 2000MW of electricity."
  3. Explain with proof that you have raised  30% of the money required by reducing recurrent expenditure of the government by 60%.
  4. State with proof that salaries of political office have been pegged with the civil service. Raising $2 billion in the process.
  5. Remind the populace that the capital expenditure will create economic activity in the country.
  6. State that some sacrifices have to be made by everyone.
  7. State government subsidy from fuel will be removed to raise the other 70% of the finances. And the pains will only be short term.
Anything short of that Mr. Jo' boy, will be the beginning of the end of your government.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/618760/Oo.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PzaJPUcTu1 Oo Nwoye OoTheNigerian Oo Nwoye Tue, 11 Oct 2011 06:06:00 -0700 Join Me In Taking This Yale Course On Political Philosophy. http://political.com.ng/join-me-in-taking-this-yale-course-on-politic http://political.com.ng/join-me-in-taking-this-yale-course-on-politic

Watch it on Academic Earth

via academicearth.org

One of the major negative effects of a long military rule in Nigeria is political immaturity. Parties and politicians have absolutely NO ideology, and do not want to.

Young people looking to fix NIgeria have no one to learn form therefore we have no cohesive plan and method of moving forward.

I for instance believe that democracy as practiced in the West and America (which is a land of immigrants) cannot work in a place like Nigeria and Africa at large where we have tribes dating to hundreds of years.

I am hoping by understanding the fundamentals of politics and the philosophy behind it, some of us can know how we might be able to move forward. i.e Africans creating our own version of governance.

Another good thing about having and knowing your philosophy is knowing whom to ally with. it makes things much easier.

Over one year ago I found this course on Academic earth which I hoped to read. Due to broadband restrains and other time consuming activities I did not.

Now I have a bit of good broadband (sup Mobitel?!!), I thought I would give it a go and let you know about the course too.

Please try to share it. This video above is just one of 24.

Thank you Academic Earth for making it possible to attend a Yale political course from Igboefon.

Check out other courses too thought by world class faculties.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/618760/Oo.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PzaJPUcTu1 Oo Nwoye OoTheNigerian Oo Nwoye Sat, 08 Oct 2011 04:31:00 -0700 Nigerians, When Did Insecurity Become Normal? http://political.com.ng/nigerians-when-did-insecurity-become-normal http://political.com.ng/nigerians-when-did-insecurity-become-normal

Gun_mopol

The picture above was taken by Chxta on a normal Thursday morning.

When did it become normal for policemen carrying AK47s to litter the country? When did it become normal to have checkpoints all around the nation?

On my street and probably yours, 90% of the houses have a dedicated security man.
When did it become normal for EVERY house, both small and big to have independent security arrangements?

My dad spent years building a house but cannot move in. The father of my friend Jermaine, built a house, moved in; but is moving out back to campus after being kidnapped.
People build houses and wonder if they should paint it; before buying a car, you factor in the 'attractiveness' of the car... to thieves.
When did it become normal not to enjoy the fruits of your labour?

Foreign visitors are brought from the airport in a convoy of armed wielding policemen and sometimes soldiers.
When did it become normal to showcase our insecurity?

So when and how did things get this bad?*

*PS: Jo boy gets a pass here. Insecurity was normal before him.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/618760/Oo.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PzaJPUcTu1 Oo Nwoye OoTheNigerian Oo Nwoye Thu, 06 Oct 2011 08:13:55 -0700 "The Trouble With Nigeria". Who Wants To Read Next? http://political.com.ng/the-trouble-with-nigeria-who-wants-to-read-ne http://political.com.ng/the-trouble-with-nigeria-who-wants-to-read-ne
Imag0074

Thanks to Gbenga Sesan, I will digest this book by this weekend. This book should be required reading for EVERY Nigerian.

There is even a chapter titled "The Igbo Problem". I am already salivating.

Who wants to be next after I am done? Lagos based people only.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/618760/Oo.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PzaJPUcTu1 Oo Nwoye OoTheNigerian Oo Nwoye Sat, 01 Oct 2011 15:33:00 -0700 The Cause Of Nigeria's Problems. http://political.com.ng/the-core-cause-of-nigerias-problems http://political.com.ng/the-core-cause-of-nigerias-problems

I think today being the anniversary of Nigeria's Independence would be the best day to answer the question I have been thinking of for the better part of the last one year.

What is at the core of Nigeria's problems?

The core problem of Nigeria is citizenship. The ratio of Nigerian residents to citizens is unhealthy for any nation that intends to be great.

Unlike popular belief and Achebe, I do not think corruption or bad leadership is the core of our problem. Those are just symptoms.

I will try to explain my view below.

Citizens unlike residents believe and behave like their future and that of their descendants is in the country of their citizenship and will always act based on her interests. Residents on the other hand are in a country for what they can benefit and are ready to move when the going gets tough.

Nigeria is the only country I know where sending your children to live away from the country of their ancestors is a badge of honour. The longer the time away, the more prestigious the badge. When the people charged with controlling the future of us and our country are asked about their children , they respond “they are not around” with so much pride in their hearts.

How on earth do you expect our leaders to give their best to our country when they have the option of an alternative future for themselves and their children?

It is not only our 'leaders' who are guilty of this resident mentality. We the pseudo-citizens are guilty too. 90% of us would not need a second to decide if we are given the opportunity to “leave this country” (I and many Nigerians who have willingly returned home have had to assure friends and family of our good mental state when we made the decision to return).

With 'citizens like ours who are always in the survival mode until we can “get out of this place”, resident 'leaders' have a field day.

Treasonable Corruption.

The number one symptom of resident Nigerian leaders is what I call treasonable corruption. Treasonable corruption is corruption that weakens the state and its citizens. This story below will show the difference between corruption and treasonable corruption.

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There were two politician friends. The one from Nigeria called OJBee and the Italian called Belunisco.

OJBee went to visit Belunisco in Italy who showed him his great wealth. Belunisco showed him his flashy cars, his lush houses and his latest private jet. “This year alone, 30 million dollars” Belunisco said smiling. OJBee asked, “Ahhh! How you do it?” Belunisco smiled and said, “I will show you”

Belunisco then took OJBee to the 30th floor penthouse of his latest luxury apartment and pointed far away and said “You see that bridge over there?” OJBee responded “Yes, Yes, Yes”. Belunisco replied, “15%”.

OJBee thanked Belunisco and invited him to visit Nigeria in 18months. “I will retaliate” were OJBee's parting words.

In 18 months, Belunisco visited Nigeria and retaliate OJBee did!

OJBee showed him his latest Estates “Do not mind these useless bad roads” as they galloped in OJBees latest jeep. “I have 7 more jeeps in case this one spoils. I spent $1 million on big generators and I have diesel supply for the next ten years. “I made $100million in 18 months.” OJBee said smiling.

“How did you make all this money?” Belunisco asked. “I learnt from you o” OJBee replied. “Come let me show you”

They took a helicopter ride to Onitsha.

“You see that second Niger bridge?” OJBee asked. Belunisco replied, “No”.

OJBee said, “100%”.

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That my friend is treasonable corruption. While Belunisco is corrupt, OJBee is treasonably corrupt. Corruption is everywhere in the world and does not lead to underdevelopment. Treasonable corruption does.

Corrupt citizens do not practice treasonable corruption. Corrupt residents do.

Bad Leadership

Like I stated in my previous post, knowing the right thing to do has never been a problem for Nigeria's 'leaders'.

Does it not surprise you that people who run their businesses excellently run their states into the ground? Mr Gbenga Daniel is a 1st class graduate of Civil Engineering and had a successful engineering company before being Governor. Go and look at the roads he left in Ogun State after 8 YEARS!

When people can create alternative environments (outside Nigeria) for themselves and their families or at least think they can, they do not need to give their very best.

That is a problem.

 

Worse Followership

When I asked my very passive friends if they would allow a stranger to come into their house and take their property. They replied “How can?” Stating they are willing to risk their lives to defend their property.

When it comes to that of Nigeria, they cower. because it does not concern them. *resident mode*

What about Religion and Tribe?

While I concede that we to believe in the entity Nigeria to believe in her, I do not think our tribal differences is responsible for such backwardness in a country with so much potential. I would be glad if our leaders were loyal and biased towards their tribes and religions. The South West would have benefited from the 8 years of OBJ. The congregations would have benefited from their Imams and Pastors.

Conclusion

Every great country has citizen minded and resident minded people and the citizens are overwhelmingly in the majority. Here in Nigeria, the reverse is the case. And worse of all, residents are the ones in leadership positions.

The good news though is that a vast majority Nigerians do not behave like residents deliberately. Just look at the way we come together when we play football or when we are attacked. But return to 'resident mode' when what we have come to accept as normalcy returns. As my people say “na condition make crayfish bend”.

It easiest way to sort this mess Nigeria is in would be to get citizens to leadership position and inspire the populace to act as citizens. But how?

That is the question!

 

I pledge to Nigeria my country 

To be faithful, loyal and honest 

To serve Nigeria with all my strength 

To defend her unity and uphold her honor and glory 

So help me God. 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/618760/Oo.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PzaJPUcTu1 Oo Nwoye OoTheNigerian Oo Nwoye Thu, 29 Sep 2011 02:30:16 -0700 Why I Don't Give Suggestions To The Nigerian Government. http://political.com.ng/why-i-dont-give-suggestions-to-the-nigerian-g http://political.com.ng/why-i-dont-give-suggestions-to-the-nigerian-g One of the biggest criticisms I and many government critics receive is this. "Why are you always complaining, why don't you give suggestions to the government?"

I will try and use this post to explain my position.

Those who know me know I am VERY opinionated. I have a suggestion for almost anything. If you read my tech blog, almost all my tech posts have suggestions and recommendations.

However, in the case of the Nigerian government, I have decided not to bother because, as structured, the government (powered by PDP) is deliberately not interested in my stupid smart ideas.

My goal for political blogging is simple, ensure my "anger against evil" is always burning until I can do something about it.

On suggestions

One of my biggest critics on my "lack of suggestions" is a smart young man that goes by the name Mark Essien. He loves giving suggestions. His latest is a simple and brilliant suggestion on how the government can save 30 billion naira on the "National ID Card Project". He rightly points out mining existing data got from the Electoral register, Passport office and the SIM registration can get proper information on about 60 million Nigerians. Then the rest can be done gradually. (PS: He even forgets that we already have National ID cards which only need to be updated with our latest picture and biometric data).

My good friend Mark, bad governments are not interested in your stupid smart ideas. Neither your's nor mine. 

Hear this.

Lucky Igbinedion ruled Edo State for 8 years. It may interest you to know that at the end of his tenure, even the road that passes the front of HIS MOTHER's house was flooded and in a terrible state with several pot holes. 

Edo State has had a Minister or a Minister of State for Works for at least 7 of the past 12 years. I do not need to tell you the state of the federal government roads in that state. The chap called Ogiemwoyi actually stopped construction on a federal rad in Edo State for political reasons.

As a friend of mine put it, "if a man cannot love himself, how can he love you?

Nigeria's problem has, and will never be knowing the right thing to do. All our governors have houses outside the country. They know what good roads look like. Knowing what to do has never been the problem for them. 

Nigeria has documents to restructure almost all the sectors in the economy. They just do not want to do what is right. Simple.

My Stupid Suggestions

After all my rambling, I could be accurately accused of still not giving suggestions so here are a few. I start with a basic overall philosophy

"Run Nigeria the way you will run your home or business"

I do not need to tell the government the following
  • Fix Benin-Lagos road. Just give out the contract and ensure it is done.
  • Complete whatever the abandoned project at Muritala International Airport is.
  • When fertilizer is imported at a subsidy, ensure it gets to the farmers who it was imported for and not sold in the black market.
  • Do not give "militant" Niger Deltans money for doing nothing. It is a VERY dangerous precident. Put them in the Navy, Police or to work. Let people work before they are given money.
  • Do not bribe judges or electoral officers. 
  • Create a salary scale for ALL politicians and tie it to the national wage scale. More money for National Assembly, then more for teachers and drivers and vice- versa.
  • Ensure only professionals build roads and construct buildings
  • Stop the Nigerian police from being a glorified personal security outfit for politicians and the rich.
  • If people steal or commit crimes, they should go to jail.
  • Do not play politics with TINAPA. Pass the necessary laws that would allow it become a free trade zone.
I could go on forever. If you notice, I did not mention any slightly complicated thing such as trade alliances, foreign policy, fighting terrorism, Nuclear plan etc. A 10 year old knows what should be done to make Nigeria a fairly decent place to live. You and I do. The people running ruining this country do.

But you see, there is a HUGE difference between knowing what to do and doing it. Those in power today are not interested in doing what is right. It is just that simple.

So until I have the capacity to get things changed either personally or through the right people, I will keep my obvious suggestions to my self and focus on keeping the fire burning. 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/618760/Oo.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PzaJPUcTu1 Oo Nwoye OoTheNigerian Oo Nwoye