Nigeria 2015: A Big Lesson For The Igbo, By Chukwuemerie Uduchukwu

Saturday 28th March 2015 remains a great day in the history of Nigeria. Nigerians on that day trooped out en masse to elect a new leadership for the country. Members of the incoming national assembly were also elected same day.

March 28 presidential election will ever remain historic because that was the first time that an incumbent president was voted out of office in an election that was described as widely free and fair by both local and international observers, as well as the international community. Another interesting part of the election was that the incumbent president Goodluck Jonathan who sought reelection conceded defeat and congratulated his main challenger, Muhammadu Buhari even before the final result was announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

INEC announced Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of the presidential poll. Buhari won majority of the votes cast and a minimum of 25% of votes from over 24 states of the federation and Abuja, as required by the law. However, the retired General failed woefully in the five states of the South-East geopolitical zone of the country, comprising Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States. President Jonathan won massively in the South-East, with his People’s Democratic Party (PDP) securing overwhelming victory in all the national assembly seats of the region.

Prior to the elections, majority of the Igbo supported the candidacy of president Jonathan despite the fact that his administration has not done anything significant in the South-East and his 2011 electoral promises to the Igbos remain unattended to. In 2011, president Jonathan promised to construct the 2nd Niger Bridge, revitalise Nkalagu Cement factory, construct the Onitsha inland waterways, as well as rehabilitate the federal roads in the region. It is sad, however, that in 2015 none of those promises has been fulfilled.

Also, the Igbo, through much of the tenure of this administration, failed to accept the fact that the government has been widely seen as a failure, forcing other geopolitical zones to call for change. The ethnic and religious orientation of many Igbo denied them the ability to predict the failure of their ‘adopted’ candidate at the poll. This was unlike the North and South-West geopolitical zones that understood on time that the masses were not ready to re-elect a failed government and therefore supported the APC massively, the Igbo allowed sentiments to swallow their wisdom.

The Igbo supported the president with no reasonable fact. Many maintained that the Ijaw man is their brother and a Christian, and this led to a religious and ethnicity based campaign for the president in the South-East, which is mainly occupied by Christians. Many church and religious leaders in the region deceived their members into believing that the president’s main rival, Muhammadu Buhari and his party, APC, are religious extremists and that they would islamise the country if voted into power. Some of them also deceived their members into believing that the APC is a party of insurgents. Some even shamelessly made it as prayer points in their Sunday services that a moslem would never rule Nigeria, and many false prophesies trended as some proclaimed to their members that they were directed by God to announce the victory of Jonathan in the election. These misled the ignorant and innocent members to support the president, as they believed that those greedy church leaders are God’s representatives without knowing that those greedy men championing unnecessary political campaigns in the church had been influenced by politicians and were acting the scripts written by those greedy politicians. What a shame and betrayal of the church!

The shocking part of the whole support of the South-East for the candidacy of President Jonathan is that over 50% of the people refused to vote as the released results suggested that up to 50% of registered voters in the region were not accredited, unlike in 2011 when the South-East gave the president up to seven million magic votes. The fact remains that the majority of South-Easterners seldom vote and the introduction of the card reader by INEC in the 2015 voting accreditation revealed the political apathy of the zone. The less than 3 million votes from the five states of the region were not enough to swing victory for their ‘adopted’ candidate, Dr. Jonathan.

The woeful impact of Nigeria’s 2015 presidential and national assembly elections on the South-East is that it has denied the zone the opportunity of securing either the office of the Senate President or the Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives. It is important to note that since the president-elect is from the North and the vice president-elect is from the South-West, the South-East would have secured either the office of the Senate president or that of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, if the region avoided the politics of ethnicity and religion and voted for the APC candidates in the election. Even incumbent Senator Chris Ngige who could have emerged the president of the incoming Senate was not re-elected as he was defeated by Hon. Uche Ekwunife of the PDP. Also, no APC candidate from the region won any House of Representatives seat in the Election which would have afforded the region the opportunity of gaining the office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The only option for the region is for the incumbent re-elected Senator Andy Uba, representing Anambra South senatorial district to decamp to the APC in order to be able to contest for the Senate presidency since the election results show that the APC constitutes the majority in both chambers of the incoming National Assembly. However, it is doubtful if the APC will be comfortable with such option. If Senator Andy Uba fails to decamp to the APC or if APC members in the senate refuse to elect him as their president if he decamps, then the South-East will, like the South-West in the current administration, be in a political desert, as none of the key four positions of government (President, Vice President, Senate President and House of Representatives Speaker) will be theirs.

Moreover, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) now has every reason to regret not teaming up with it’s Imo State faction to merge with the All Progressives Congress (APC), which if achieved, the South-East would not have cause to worry. Recall that APGA refused aligning for a merger with it’s Imo State faction to during the formation of the APC, in the hope that the PDP would protect the party’s interest in future elections, but with the results of the March 28 National Assembly Elections, the party is now in a state of coma, as it has failed to secure a single seat in both the Senate and House of Representatives Elections in the region. All it’s candidates lost to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The results of the just concluded presidential and national assembly elections have thought Ndi’Igbo to avoid the politics of ethnicity and religion, and to always take Nigeria first before any other interests. The Igbos have also learnt that their voting population is too small to champion selfish interests. They have learnt that they cannot contribute their quota to the nation without the support of other tribes and geopolitical zones.

Ndi’Igbo should therefore join hands together with the incoming administration and never allow themselves to be deceived again by greedy politicians and Judases in the Lord’s Vineyards who parade themselves as Church and religious leaders.

Long Live Ndi Igbo!

Long Live The Federal Republic of Nigeria!

The writer Chukwuemerie Uduchukwu is can be contacted with @emerieuduchukwu on Twitter.

Nigeria 2015: Between A Failed President And A Former Dictator, By Chukwuemerie Uduchukwu

On March 28, about 70 million Nigerians are expected to troop out to exercise their franchise as the next president of the nation is expected to be elected on that day.  Out of all the presidential candidates, Incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) appeared to be the top contestants and that is why this write-up focused on them.

President Goodluck Jonathan, a former lecturer in the University of Portharcourt was once a Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State.  Luck later catch up with him after the impeachment of then Bayelsa State Governor Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha which led to his swearing in as the state governor. Throughout his regime as governor, Jonathan was unpopular until former President Olusegun Obasanjo spearheaded the event that led to his nomination as a running mate of Late Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’adua in the 2007 Presidential election which they later won under the platform of the PDP. Shortly after the inauguration of Yaradua-Jonathan presidency, Yaradua became critically ill and at that period, many speculations started surfacing about his capacity to continue running the office of the president. It went to an extent that at a time, it was speculated that then Vice President Jonathan was deliberately denied access to his boss Yaradua. The tension was high and Nigerians began raising concerns over the events within the Aso Rock Villa. Constitutional crises emerged due to confusion on who was really in charge of the nation’s seat of power. The Save Nigeria Group (SNG) started protests that catalyzed the adoption of a doctrine of necessity by the National Assembly. The doctrine of necessity empowered then Vice President Goodluck Jonathan to assume office as the acting president of the country. However, the then ill president Yaradua later died on 5th May 2010 and barely twelve hours after his death, was Goodluck Jonathan sworn in to complete the remaining part of Yaradua’s tenure that ended on the 29th Day of May 2011.

Before his election in 2011, Goodluck Jonathan enjoyed massive support from Nigerians especially due to the speculated negligence that he suffered from the ‘Cabals’ during the later days of Yaradua’s tenure. Jonathan also campaigned efficiently then through which he made various promises to Nigerians and Nigerians gave him their trust which metamorphosed into his election in 2011. Some of the promises of Jonathan include fixing the power sector before the end of 2012, fighting corruption efficiently, construction of second Niger Bridge, Rehabilitation of Nkalagu Cement factory, Ensuring security of lives and properties, rehabilitation of many kilometers of roads, revitalization of the education sector, construction of Onitsha inland water ways, generating employment opportunities and reducing poverty. President Goodluck Jonathan further told Nigerians that if he failed to achieve those things in four years, there is no need for him to contest again. He further maintained that he needed just one tenure though he recently denied promising such.

However, it is very sad that in 2015, the president has failed to live up to expectations. Though his current administration executed some policies like the establishment of nine new universities in order to ensure that each state has a federal university, allowed freedom of speech to a higher extent and revitalized rice production, he still failed to utilize those ideas, policies and visions properly.  It is improper for a president to establish new universities while the existing ones are either neglected by government or in ebola conditions. If those funds channeled to those new institutions as takeoff grants and allocations were channeled to the upgrading of existing ones, better news will be assured.

Also, though the current administration under President Jonathan allowed the freedom of speech and opinions to prevail to a larger extent, the in ability of him and his media aids to properly utilize criticisms of his government makes mockery of the freedom of speech and opinion. His aids instead of addressing issues raised by critics usually resort to verbal attacks and this caused the president’s image and goodwill a lot of damage.  Moreover, freedom of speech and opinion is a fundamental right of every citizen in any democratic setting and it’s tolerance by government cannot be taken as an achievement.

Furthermore, though his government tried in encouraging rice production, the government’s inability to promote the production of other agricultural commodities is a great setback to the revitalization of the agricultural sector because Nigerians can’t depend on only rice every day. Total revitalization of the Agric sector would have been better.

Also, the failure of his government to generate employments led to increase in poverty rate.

It is important to note that the security of lives and properties is the prime function of every government and any government that failed to achieve that is simply a failed government. Many Nigerians died due to the attack of the north-east region by the boko haram sect. Also, many properties were destroyed by the activities of the insurgents, and many territories within the north eastern part of the country were captured by the insurgents though the security agencies with the help of some neighboring forces have secured back those territories. Though his administration later embarked on a massive fight against the terrorists after the postponement of the 2015 elections from February 14 to March 28, the inability of his government to curb the menace over the years led to loss of many lives and properties and the victims of boko haram attacks might be tempted to believe that the awakening of the security agencies to wipe off the terrorists on election period may be campaign tricks.

Aside his failure to secure lives and properties over the years, the current administration of president Jonathan also failed to fulfill his 2011 election promises like rehabilitations of many kilometers of roads, construction of second Niger bridge, fixing the power sector, construction of Onitsha inland water ways, revitalization of the Nkalagu cement factory, as well as revitalization of the education sector are no where closer to fulfillment despite his humble background and trusts Nigerians had on him in 2011 when they elected him. Also his current administration is widely seen by both Nigerians and international community as highly corrupt especially after his government fired the former governor of Nigeria’s central bank Sanusi Lamido Sanusi after he raised alarm about missing $20 billion. Many Nigerians and the international community expected his government to launch sincere and immediate investigation of the claims of Mr Sanusi instead of engineering his sack. The sack of former CBN boss forced many especially the international community to believe that his government does not have the will to fight corruption which is widely seen as a major setback to the country’s development. Also, the decision of his government to grant presidential pardon to a convicted criminal Depriye Alamieyeseigha casts more doubts on the sincerity of his government to curb corruption. His frequent statements on live national television that stealing is not corruption fuelled more fears that his administration is never willing to fight corruption.

These failures of Goodluck Jonathan’s administration forced many to call for change.

The political party that has been championing the change principle is the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) that was a product of a merger between the defunct Action Congress (AC), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigerian Peoples party (ANPP) and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). The major aim of the merger that gave birth to APC is to form a strong opposition that will wrestle power from the ruling PDP. Many has predicted that the APC will be a past tense during it’s presidential primaries over predicted confusion that will befall the party while electing the bearer of it’s presidential flag. The party however surprised many by not only peacefully conducting it’s presidential primaries but by the transparent way in which the primary was conducted. After the APC‘s primary, a former dictator Muhammadu Buhari that was widely seen as a violator of human rights and corruption fighter emerged the party’s presidential flag bearer.

Buhari emerged as a military head of state after the December 31, 1983 military coup. His regime was widely believed to be too disciplined and rigid. His introduction of War against indiscipline gave birth to the adaptation to queues by Nigerians, monthly sanitation among others. His government had a strong stand against corruption which led to the jailing of various top ranking politicians who were believed to have indulged in corrupt practices. His administration was however, criticized for it’s disrespect for human rights and press freedom.  The enactment of decree no 4 that prohibited free press was heavily condemned.  His military regime though short, made a great stand against corruption and indiscipline. He was overthrown through another military coup on August 27 1985.

After his office as a military head of state, the General was appointed to head the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) by the Abacha’s military regime. One significant thing about the offices headed by Buhari is that they are widely believed to possess high level of discipline though he appeared to be too rigid then. Many have been arguing that the former dictator owe Nigerians apology over the high handedness possessed by his military government while many also argued that the General does not owe anyone any apology since his actions took place under the eye of Military regime that is widely known for such. Buhari however, recently said that his actions were based on the principles of Military administration that were guided by decrees and since we are now in a democracy, he will be guided by the constitution. He further said that he cannot change the past but can change the present and the future.

On March 28 2015, Nigerians will decide on whether to choose a failed president or a former dictator that is widely believed to possess the urge and will to sincerely fight corruption which if achieved, will go a long way in promoting Nigeria’s democracy.

The choice is yours! Secure Your PVC! Vote Wisely!

The Writer Chukwuemerie Uduchukwu can be contacted with @emerieuduchukwu on Twitter.

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Customs destroys N11.5m smuggled frozen turkey

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Regulatory Agencies should make Database a compulsory requirement for accreditation and registration of institutions under them

The world we know is now a global village because of the invent of Information Communication technology (ICT). One of the benefits of ICT especially to institutions is that it enable them to store and manage their data or information in a warehouse known as Database.

 

Database helps in retrieving various information stored at any time irrespective of the number of years it has been stored. This makes an institution to overcome the fear of loss when any disaster occur because all its information will be easily retrieved from its database.

 

In Nigeria most of our intitutions don't have functional website talkless of Database. This serves as a catalyst to forgery because somebody can easily manipulate a document to serve his need in the name of an institution especially when there is a case of fire outbreak or any other form of disaster in the records unit of such institution and since the institution won't be able to retrieve lost documents, they can easily be manipulated.

 

For example, most of our tertiary institutions don't have a fuctional database and you can imagine what will happen if there is fire outbreak in their records unit. On Monday 24th September 2012, it was reported that there was fire outbreak at the Exams and Records unit of Anambra State University Uli and the building, files, materials, transcripts and results stored inside the unit were all destroyed by fire and there is no evidence that showed that the institution has a functional database. This is so painful because it will negatively affect the current and even the old students of the institution. 

 

Regulatory agencies like the National Universities Commission and the coporate affairs commision should make database a compusory requirement for the accreditation and registration of institutions under their care because any institution without a database is just like an empty drum.

 

We should be moving forward and not backwards.

 

Thanks.

Chukwuemerie can be contacted via http://facebook.com/chukwuemerie.uduchukwu

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26 police recruits charged for forging certificates

Twenty six police recruits undergoing training at the Police College, Kaduna, have been arraigned at a Chief Magistrates' Court for forgery. The recruits allegedly forged theircertificates.
The recruits, arrested during screening, are Habila Ayuba, Shuaibu Simon, Salisu Haruna, Augustine Akwe, Nura Iro, Yusuf Ezekiel and Daniel Yakubu.Others are Ibrahim Bello, Saratu Oguba, Idris Muhammed, Isah Ibrahim,Sabo Abubakar, John Emmanuel, Tanimu Danwawo, Musbahu Garba, Musa Sani, Isyaku Ayuba and Yakubu Sani.
The rest are Kata Ibrahim, Alfa Gabriel, Ubangida Adamu, Abdulkareem Bala, Amah Yarima, Muktar Ado and Ibrahim Salihu.
The police prosecutor, Usman Simeon, told the court that they were accused of criminal conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.
He said the Inspector General of Police had onFebruary 13, set up a Special Task force led byMaji Michael to screen the recruits.
“The task force discovered that the affected recruits used forged certificates as well as impersonated other persons' results as theirs,” Mr. Simeon said.
The prosecutor said it was also discovered that the accused forged primary school leaving certificates, SSCE/NECO and NCE, while others used other persons’ credentials to jointhe Nigeria Police.
The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges when read to them.
Chief Magistrate, Nasiru Idris, granted them bail in the sum of N50,000 each, with one reliable surety residing in Kaduna.
He adjourned the case to July 12 for further hearing. ~PremiumTimes

What a painful day

Usman Albishir, a former Senator, who was also a governorship candidate in Yobe State during the last General Elections has died in a car accident along Kano-Zaria road. A source close to the family said Mr. Albishir died on Monday morning as a result of serious injuries sustained in the accident. His police orderly was also said to be seriously injured and in a critical condition. Mr. Albishir was elected Senator for the Yobe North constituency at the start of the fourth republic in 1999, running under the platform of the All People's Party (APP). He was re-elected in 2003 under the platform of the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP). At the Senate in 1999, Mr. Albishir was appointed to committees on Selection, Banking & Currency, Defense, Transport and Privatization. After his re-election in 2003 he was appointed Senate Minority Leader, but resigned this position under pressure in December 2004. Mr. Albishir was a contender to be ANPP candidate for the 2007 Yobe State governorship race, supported by the incumbent Governor Bukar Abba Ibrahim. He won 382 votes against Senator Mamman Ali's88 votes in the primary election. However, due to legal issues, the party named Mr. Ali as candidate and he was subsequently elected. Mr. Albishir appealed this decision, and the case dragged through the courts until in February 2010 when the Supreme Court finally dismissed his last appeal. Mr. Albishir then moved over to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in hopes of winning the 2011 governorship election on the platform of the party. On January 11, 2011, at the PDP primaries held at the August 27th Stadium in Damaturu,Yobe State, Mr. Albishir defeated the former minister of Police Affairs, Adamu Maina Waziri, and Garba Umar to clinch the party's governorship ticket for the general election inApril 2011. He eventually lost the general elections held in April, 2011 to Ibrahim Geidam, candidate of the ANPP. Source: Premium Times