Political Oo.

The Cause Of Nigeria's 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 30^th 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 1^st 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. 

Posted by Oo Nwoye 

Abuja Bomb Blast: When Will Enough Be Enough?

For how long shall we allow politics to halt our brain cells? I do not mind being accused of seeing nothing good in Jonathan but do you guys realise the HQ of the Nigerian Police Force is supposed to be one of the safest places in the country?

Everyone from Governors to diplomats visit the force head quarters so this should be kind of a final straw.

I cannot count the number of bombings that have occurred since October 1st; but I am sure it is more that all the bombings since the Biafran war put together.

More amazing that the same service chiefs have been in office since the the bombings began. How about that for incompetence?!

I have never been a fan of Jo boys ability to keep my country safe but I was willing to give him a chance; then we have this! When does it get enough, after they strike Lagos?!

So if the Inspector General of the Nigerian police is not safe, who am I?

Jonathan said he knew the people behind the the October 1st bombings. Mr President where are they?

Please do not mention Henry Okah; he has been locked up since about 10 bombings ago.

The way forward? Heads should roll! People have to be sacked! People have to be sent to jail. Nothing short of the death penalty for those that get convicted. Mr President has to grow some balls and take action. No citizen(s) should be greater than this nation or hold it to ransom.

The cowardly 'amnesty strategy' is clueless and not sustainable and seems to have come full circle. It shows weakness which has no place in any nation.

Without security, there can be no nation.

Jo boy fan boys, go ahead and attack me. Just know that when these fuckers strike, they cannot differentiate between yourselves and I, your friends, families and mine

Posted by Oo Nwoye 

Election Thoughts Part 1

My absence was caused by the combination of being busy, having no light to blog in the morning, my preferred writing time.(I moved house and did not have light for almost 2 weeks straight), temporary disillusion with the electoral process etc etc.

These posts are obviously late, but it is better to document thoughts late than never.

My 'Election Thoughts' series will cover MY VIEWS on Buhari's candidature (spoiler alert: I am still proud to have supported him); that of Ribadu and of course the declared winner President Jonathan.

I hope to also cover my thoughts of the Nigerian Youth in this electoral process; The Christian South Vs The Muslim North; The election violence up North that Killed quite a number of people (God bless their souls); My Political Future (I dey form Awolowo) and my thoughts of the Nigeria's political future.

These topics should be covers in about 4 short posts in no particular order.

Of course I did not forget about the Ndi Igbo political leaders. How can I forget those clowns.

Posted by Oo Nwoye 

In Search of a Scapegoat

I am still trying to get the logic of people who are desperate to blame Buhari for all the violence currently enveloping the North and trying so hard to absolve Jonathan THE CURRENT president and chief security officer (CSO) of Nigeria. The irresponsible 'bigotic' article by Reuben Abati is the epitome of it all. This is not a rejoinder. Someone has done that already. This is a call for reasoning and logic.

One of the fears I had about Jonathan being president was his ability to be the CSO of Nigeria. His inability in this regard came to the fore when two bomb blasts occurred ON INDEPENDENCE DAY in Abuja. I was in Abuja on that day and heard the blasts live. The blast claimed the lives of a number of people including my classmate Tahir.

Since Jonathan assumed office, thousands of people have been killed. From the massacres in Jos to bomb blasts in Bayelsa, Borono (where a governorship candidate and brother of the sitting Governor was killed), to the blasts in Abacha barracks in Abuja, to the blast in Suleja, etc.

NOT ONE PERSON has been brought to book (whatever that means).

This latest killings in Kaduna is however different; for the first time, there is a public political opponent that 'people' are desperately trying hard to make a scapegoat. Than person is Buhari.

I am asking that before you join into the boat that plunge Nigeria into a vicious cycle that can destroy us all, let us hold fire and reason a bit.

Was Buhari/CPC involved in the continuous Jos killings?
Was Buhari/CPC involved in the Bomb blasts that rocked Abuja on Independence day? And Abacha barracks some months later?
Was Buhari/CPC involved in the Suleja bomb blasts?

Is Buhari responsible for the ethnic and religious crises that have plagued Nigeria for decades?

What is the role of government in securing our lives and property?

Now let us assume that CPC is directly involved in this current crises and killing in the North, what is the government supposed to do? Do we let a group of people hold the country to ransom?

Hating Buhari, is one thing; try desperately to hinge security failure of the government (because of his ethnic and religious extraction) is another.

Like I said in a comment on Facebook, this incident has allowed people to comfortably expose the latent bigot in them. At this moment, I would not want to be a Northern Nigerian.

We have successfully allowed what was supposed to be a political issue to become a religious and ethnic one. It is just a shame!

This is a crucial moment in the Nigerian state. It will either make us or break us finally.

We have to confront the demons from the past. We should ask questions and not trade blames. (if you blame my guy, I will blame yours and it will be a  merry go round)

It is a shame that we have blended so well[into the western press sereotype "Nothern Muslims and Southern Christians.

I am actually tired of it all. I just ask that we Nigerians to not help make the famous US prediction that Nigeria will break up by 2015.

It would be tragic. We'll all lose.

#OneNigeria?

PS: Please pardon the incoherrent nature of this post. It is my stream of thoughts. It is a combination of the sadness in my heart and the constant generator noise in my head.

I have no comment on the burning of Bakare's house yesterday.

I will be taking a break from posting here  (baring something extraordinary happening) to do some reading. About the coups, the Biafran war, colonization, etc. It is good to understand how we ended up here.

May God grant eternal rest to those that lost their lives in this crisis and give their friends and families the fortitude to bear the loss.

May EVERYONE involved in the ALL the crises that have ever plagued Nigeria NEVER know peace. AMEN!

Posted by Oo Nwoye 

Quick thoughts on the Election Violence

First of all, I totally condemn all forms of violence currently taking place around the country. It is unfortunate that things are turning out this way.

It is more unfortunate that people have started putting the blame at the door step of Buhari and asking him to call 'his supporters' to order.

It will do you well to quickly read Simon Kolawole's piece of yesterday

The first thing that should happen is that ALL top four candidates should address a press conference and call all of their supporters to order .

After 'Jonathan the candidate' speaks at the joint press conference, 'Jonathan the President' should show why he is commander in Chief of the Nigerian Armed forces and prove that he can secure the nation.

ANYONE who is behind this should be brought to order. ANYBODY.

For anyone following the elections, we all know the recent North-South tension started (again) during the PDP presidential primaries and these elections have ignited a n already tense situation that has been in existence for a number of decades. Of course is issue is much more than that.

What is more scary now (As Kolawole said some weeks ago) is that Northerners are fighting Northerners. It is different from what used to happen  (Igbo vs Hausa; Christian Vs Muslim)

So I will as you Nigerians that can read this to refrain from blaming anyone. It is inflammatory, helps no one and only makes a very bad situation worse. When the blame game starts, common sense is thrown out of the window.

Without peace, ALL OF US lose.

#OneNigeria

Posted by Oo Nwoye 

Thoughts on the Elections and the failed CPC-ACN alliance.

This is coming quite late as I wanted to see a tabulated format of the election results. Since the journalists have failed in their responsibilities, I cannot make deeper analysis on the results.

Summary

With the exception of ANPP all the parties (PDP, CPC and ACN) did quite well.  I am impressed by the labour party too.

The shocker of the election to me was the PDP sweeping Kano and Jigawa states. I was and I am still really surprised.

As a CPC supporter and an Anti PDP person, it is a bit disappointing for me but I think there are certain things that have made this happen.

The number one reason I this PDP did well and CPC could not capture enough seats is ANPP. With a sitting two term governor contesting for president, it is only expected that they make a showing.

Now it can be argued that PDP contested under the same circumstance but I would counter that by pointing out CPC and ANPP share the same base (Buhari was ANPP’s presidential candidate for the two previous elections)

I am still proud of what my General has been able to achieve within a year of single handedly forming a political party

On the failed alliance

There was a tentative agreement before the parliamentary elections which assumed that the CPC and the ACN combined would have a majority in the elections.  Under that assumption CPC would have lead the Presidency and the ACN would have led the parliament.

Unfortunately, the results in Jigawa and Kano state changed that agreement.

In simple terms, ACN delivered, CPC did not.

This situation is what Tinubu is trying to take advantage of no negotiate the best deal for himself and ACN.  Baring sentiments or the guarantee of the VP slot, there is nothing the CPC has to offer the ACN.

unfortunately, ACN does not have much of a choice of weather or whom to ally with; because if they do not support CPC, they get nothing. If they support PDP, they will lose quite a lot (I am not bothered by the speculated romance between Tinibu and Jo boy). If they support CPC there is the probability the combo will win and they get the VP slot.

Reading the press release of the ACN chairman, it is clear the CPC and ACN really wanted to have an alliance unfortunately the assumptions under which the draft agreement was made was shattered and there was simply not time to coble a new one together.

This post is now to long so I will write a new post about my assumption of the forthcoming presidential elections

#OneNigeria

PS: Kudos to Jega and INEC for now. I will refrain from praising INEC until the presidential elections are over.

Posted by Oo Nwoye 

Assessing Jonathan's Luck.

One Jo boy's supposed strong points bandied by his supporters is that he has Goodluck and his being President will bring luck to Nigeria... blah blah balderdash!

Let us ask ourselves this question:

Does Jonathan have Goodluck or does he give Badluck?

What kind of luck is it that requires the destruction of another to be manifested?
Jo boy’s rise to political power has been from the misfortune of his superiors. Is that the kind of luck you really want?

Is wishing the son of successful business man luck not for him to find his own success; rather than for his father to die so he will inherit all?

The popular definition of luck is “when opportunity meets preparation”
Jonathan’s own is “When your oga die or enter serious yawah!”

Now that Jonathan is an incumbent President and a Presidential candidate we are now seeing his “Goodluck” in action.

INEC is now stumbling and fumbling. Very soon if the handover date will have to be pushed forward you Goodluck apologists will say he has Goodluck because he will maybe have to stay on temporarily as president.

God and man will not allow that to happen!

So to anybody that keeps mentioning Jo Boy’s ‘Goodluck’ as a reason for him to be elected, I wish ALL YOUR SUBORDINATES Jonathans Goodluck.

Did I hear you say Amen? :)

Now go ahead and retweet and 'like' this post. We need to get the word out there!

Posted by Oo Nwoye 

6 Reasons I am Switching Support to Jonathan Ebele Goodluck Aizikiwe (JEGA)

You are not reading wrong,  After sleeping over it last night, I decided that I am switching my support to Jonathan and here are the 6 top reasons why.

1.      I know he will already win: What use does it make to compete if you know who will win? Convictions should not matter. When you believe someone would win, even if you disagree entirely with the person, you are supposed to still support them

2.      Jonathan had no shoes:  After all great men of history had similar backgrounds. Abraham Lincoln was born in cabin; Jesus, in a manger. This man is just destined.

3.      I want Goodluck for Nigeria: Who in his right mind does not know that countries become great based on luck? America, Malaysia, China, Japan are just lucky; I want Nigeria to be lucky too.

4.      Jonathan has not been in power before. It is his turn: It is blatantly wrong to include the 12 years GEJ has been in executive office. After all, he has never run on his ticket.  As president now, he is Yaradua. Don’t get confused, it is just like the trinity. Your years of service should not count if you did not get there with your ticket. Whatever that means.

5.      Jonathan will fight corruption:  we can see that Jonathan is serious in fighting corruption. See all those he has around him. In primary school, the biggest noise maker was made to writ the list of noise makers, why should the most corrupt not be asked to fight corruption?

6.      Dbanj told me to vote him: It is simply common sense to follow DBanj’s lead in matters of national importance. Even if it is obvious he does not know why he is taking his position. He Dbanj and endowed, so it just makes sense.  If you do not do as Dbanj tells you, then you are on a looooong thing!

After pondering these reasons, it became clear I have been a fool opposing him in the first place. Happy April fool’s day :)

Posted by Oo Nwoye 

Buhari’s PTF

Posted by Oo Nwoye 

Why Have We Abandoned Our National Prayer?

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O God of creation,

Direct our noble cause;

Guide our Leaders right:

Help our Youth the truth to know,

In love and honesty to grow,

And living just and true,

Great lofty heights attain,

To build a nation where peace and justice reigns.

I attended a Buhari-Bakare strategy meeting yesterday and for the second time in as many weeks; we sang this stanza (only) of our National anthem (which I call prayer). The first was at Bar Camp Nigeria.

Read the words line by line and you will wonder why we abandoned our prayer to God. I hope this trend of singing the second stanza catches on. EVERY event by Nigerians should be opened by that prayer.

Shamefully, I and most probably you, is yet to know every word by heart. I will sort that out by the end of today. Will you? If you can memomise everyline of 'Oleku' I doubt this is too much of a task.

Our country needs every word in that prayer.

#OneNigera

Update:

I decided not to piublish this until I had sorted myself out. I can proudly say i know our National prayer by heart. 

Do you?

Posted by Oo Nwoye