Dialogues: USA Africa Dialogue Series - RE: || the engine is steaming... SNG brokers deal for Buhari, ACN, Afenifere GOVERNOR DANIEL IS THE NEW CHAIRMAN OF GOVERNORS FORUM

Tony, Aminu, Idowu and Sylvester:

Let me appeal for a slight moderation of the adrenalic impulse Tony E is building up with this masterful stroke of journalistic myth creation response. My call for caution is not aimed at dampening your enthusiasm for the anticipated BIG NEWS or EXPOSE from TonyE! Rather, my cautionary note is to advise us to follow and work with the bare FACTS available and slow down on the imaginations, projections and make-believes that would only obey the laws of post-diction rather than true predictions or account of the causes and effects of events. Now the bare FACTS available:

1. SNG was pivotal in the Nigerian crusade to force the National Assembly to name GEJ Acting and subsequently de facto President when the continued absence of late Prez Yar'Adua was taking its toll on Nigerian governance (bills could not be signed; meetings could not be held; decisions could not be made; the health condition of the nation's President could not be ascertained et cetera);

2. Even if Tinubu was initially involved in the support of the activities of SNG, it is unlikely that Tinubu floated the platform from the onset to use it to enthrone Buhari because SNG and Buhari only found out that they have common interests; and since politics can make very strange bed-mates, the impetus to join forces can lead to expediencies that were previously unimagined but could be misstated as planned!

3. From the onset, it was well established that SNG is focusing on the Dream of Superior Governance for Nigeria. Thus, Pastor Bakare has reiterated the committed to mobilize Nigerians to take their nation back and work with Progressive individuals and groups to forge alliances and consensus on how to build a responsive leadership to take charge of governance in Nigeria. Everything he has done so far has followed that goal; so, to post-dictively latched pieces of incongruent although familiar events together and call them an orchestrated grand design of Tinubu is misleading and giving too much to Tinubu, instead of Pastor Bakare who has committed to this enterprise from time and has remained focused on it.

4. I am VERY FAMILIAR with some of the dynamics of SNG and its efforts to bring Progressive forces together to deliver better governance to Nigerians; also, I am familiar with some of the internal issues they have been dealing with; I have some people I admire and call TRUE friends there; however, one thing I will affirm here is that despite any apparent differences or occasional internal conflicts (which you would find even in Govt in power), Pastor Bakare is committed to the mission to bring everybody he regards as a Progressive to the table, so that people can iron out differences and chart a viable path to delivering superior governance in Nigeria. So watch out for possible re-alignments and reconciliations, and joining of forces, not because there were no differences; not because there was a clandestine Tinubu's power-grabbing Master-plan or other hanky-pankies that have evil motives; but SIMPLY BECAUSE a Fatherly Figure in Pastor Bakare has committed to a revered Mission "to mobilize Nigerians to take their nation back and work with Progressive individuals and groups to forge alliances and consensus on how to build a responsive leadership to deliver superior governance in Nigeria." I am not sure this motive can earn a bad review; it is MERITORIOUS!

Great Lion, my Brother TonyE, na so I see am Oooooooo! Take care. JUI

From: NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com [mailto:NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of peter opara
Sent: Monday, November 01, 2010 9:47 AM
To: NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com
Subject: ||NaijaObserver|| the engine is steaming... SNG brokers deal for Buhari, ACN, Afenifere GOVERNOR DANIEL IS THE NEW CHAIRMAN OF GOVERNORS FORUM

Soon, the train is gonn' roll on down.....get on board folks.....BUHARI IS THE ONE!

--- On Mon, 11/1/10, Aminu Saad Beli <aminbeli2005@yahoo.com> wrote:

From: Aminu Saad Beli <aminbeli2005@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: ||NaijaObserver|| Re: [edo-nationality] RE: SNG brokers deal for Buhari, ACN, Afenifere GOVERNOR DANIEL IS THE NEW CHAIRMAN OF GOVERNORS FORUM
To: NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com
Date: Monday, November 1, 2010, 5:23 AM

It appeals to me too: i.e. if the SNG is capable of or able to pull through it. However, predictably by 2015 another culdesac would crop up on the way. Some will strategically or mischievously if not shamelessly bring up the zoning issue again, even as the SNG is at the moment not impressed with the arrangement which in fairness is a core tenet of PDP. This may not mean much or even anything to the SNG, but supporting a northerner [Buhari] by the SNG may be another path to a more serious dilemma. "The inevitable evil that one bears patiently seems unbearable as one conceives of the idea of reforming it. Every abuse that is then eliminated seems to highlight those that remain." PDP may be an inevitable evil but when that consideration is a mixture of utopia, sectionalism, vindictiveness and self-preservation, I fear the journey may not yield much. I have come to appreciate the role of intrigues and counterintrigues in politics (James Hardley Chase once said, the quickest way to upset a political machine is to find a scandal wthat would hit the headline), but when other millions of unsuspecting catalysts are likely to be at the receiving end, I call for and tread with caution. Even the role of SNG in making GEJ what he's today, is debatable because the credit should go to the underlying force of the fluidy and resilient nature of democracy which allows things to happen at the spur of moments. The same elements would have by now been far away in Europe and US as asylum seekers just as they did during military errors. Another factor was that, a northerner was in power and conveniently along with a crafty, cunning and ambitious second-in- -command from the south, who many believed was behind all the uproar being claimed by the SNG. I think our intelligentsia need to be more sincere, purposeful and visonary than this. People's welfare, security of life, property and livelihood as well as liberty should be the main thrust because they universal principle undersstood and appreciated by all regardless of sentimental and logical considerations. But, so far, if we are to be honest with ourselves, all the SNG's prime movers have little or nothing to show in their previous roles in the project of Nigeria in this context as governors, ministers, academics, heads of govt parastatals etc. The real elements who are both gifted and groomed by the harsh reality of the nitty-gritty of life are still dissenting voices whom the elitist SNG and its likes are either uncomfortable with or oblivious of their existence. My caveat to the SNG therefore, is that, to be constructive in working out something realistically acceptable to the nation in 2015? Would the principle of zoning apply so that South east is considered or the northern president would be for one term? I am not comfortable with loose ends in serious matters like this. Abi? Best of luck as we watch things play out.

--- On Mon, 11/1/10, idowu <insideout2010@yahoo.com> wrote:

From: idowu <insideout2010@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: ||NaijaObserver|| Re: [edo-nationality] RE: SNG brokers deal for Buhari, ACN, Afenifere GOVERNOR DANIEL IS THE NEW CHAIRMAN OF GOVERNORS FORUM
To: NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com
Date: Monday, November 1, 2010, 1:03 AM

Tony Eluminor, hnmmm, I enjoyed your little homily on the story around Tinubu, Buhari, T Bakare and SNG. You seem to know so much about the burgeoning political realities and the political force that is abuut emerging in Nigeria.

In case you require a synergy of efforts on how to break the untold stories in form of news, reach out to this line and let's get talking. Nigeria is a commonwealth to be protected,served and prompted.

Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN

From: slyehis@yahoo.com

Sender: NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com

Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2010 07:43:51 +0000

To: <NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com>

ReplyTo: NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Re: ||NaijaObserver|| Re: [edo-nationality] RE: SNG brokers deal for Buhari, ACN, Afenifere GOVERNOR DANIEL IS THE NEW CHAIRMAN OF GOVERNORS FORUM

Dear Big Bros Tony,
Pls contact me so that National Daily Newspaper will have the honour of working with you to unravel this mystery behind the SNG. I am pretty sure it'll make an interesting cover.

Yours,
Sylvester Ebhodaghe
Publisher
Slyehis@yahoo.com

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone from Zain Nigeria

From: Tony Eluemunor <teluemunor@yahoo.com>

Sender: NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com

Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2010 00:27:42 -0700 (PDT)

To: <NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com>; <NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com>; Agbejoro Yemo<yagbejoro@yahoo.com>; <naijapolitics@yahoogroups.com>; <naijaobserver@yahoogroups.com>; <afenmai@yahoogroups.com>; <edo-nationality@yahoogroups.com>; <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com>; <isadus@googlegroups.com>

ReplyTo: NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com

Cc: <nigerianworldforum@yahoogroups.com>; <omoodua@yahoogroups.com>; <econews45@yahoo.com>; <nigerianid@yahoogroups.com>; <eddyogubor@yahoo.com>

Subject: ||NaijaObserver|| Re: [edo-nationality] RE: SNG brokers deal for Buhari, ACN, Afenifere GOVERNOR DANIEL IS THE NEW CHAIRMAN OF GOVERNORS FORUM

Joe,

Does this surprise anyone? Gosh, this has been obvious to many of us here a long time ago.

Once, just because of this, I asked one of the moving spirits of SNG to say who pays his bill. He refused to answer that question and instead chose to call me names.

The respected Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was behind all the grand design all along. Just watch who will be Vice Presidential candidate to Buhari. And if a court ruling swings just one more Yoruba state to Bola Tinubu's party, the man would have changed the calculations in PDP, and Tinubu would have come face to face in contest with Obasanjo – who recently got his own version of the South-West to declare for President Jonathan.

And sincerely, I admire the man. He has at least shown that brain power has a role to play in Nigerian politics. Yes, he has taught us that there is still a place for strategy in the business of politics, even if it involves deception.

Pastor Tunde Bakare is said to be a man of God. He is a fiery preacher, beyond that I know nothing about him. But I KNOW he is not acting alone. He too has left some lessons for future Nigerians; that things are not always what they seem as President Goodluck Jonathan and millions of his supporters may be realising now.

Sincerely, the game is getting interesting - especially when one is only watching it from the sidelines.

But hey, Joe, things are not always what they seem - and that touches on how you should read the actions of SNG. Always factor in something about the Asiwaju of Nigerian opposition. And Joe, I actually did not want to say as much as I have said; I just replied to the mail because I saw your name there. Yes, there is a story waiting to be told; the story of SNG – who founded it, funds it, directed it, why it appeared when it did, its meetings, the internal crisis it survived recently, and the charge from a section of the group that CERTAIN members were engaged in POLITICAL discussions with some politicians without recourse to the main body of the SNG. So, far no Nigerian journalist has told that story.

One day, that story will be told.

Bye.

Thanks.

Tony Eluemunor.

--- On Sun, 10/31/10, Igietseme, Joseph (CDC/OID/NCPDCID) <jbi8@cdc.gov> wrote:

From: Igietseme, Joseph (CDC/OID/NCPDCID) <jbi8@cdc.gov>
Subject: [edo-nationality] RE: SNG brokers deal for Buhari, ACN, Afenifere GOVERNOR DANIEL IS THE NEW CHAIRMAN OF GOVERNORS FORUM
To: NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com, NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com, NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com, "Agbejoro Yemo" <yagbejoro@yahoo.com>, naijapolitics@yahoogroups.com, naijaobserver@yahoogroups.com, afenmai@yahoogroups.com, edo-nationality@yahoogroups.com, usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com, isadus@googlegroups.com
Cc: nigerianworldforum@yahoogroups.com, omoodua@yahoogroups.com, econews45@yahoo.com, nigerianid@yahoogroups.com, eddyogubor@yahoo.com
Date: Sunday, October 31, 2010, 7:05 PM

""""The development seems to have caused a minor disagreement in the ACN leadership as three of the former governors and party leadership are said to favour Buhari, while the younger elements are routing for the former anti-graft czar, Nuhu RIbadu, who they claim has no excessive political baggage unlike Buhari who critics accuse of religious fundamentalism.

Those in support of Buhari believe his new attitude as a democrat and having reached out to and got the support of Christian religious leaders countrywide now stand him in good plank for the job, beside his messianic appeal as about the cleanest of the Northern aspirants for the top job. """Unquote News report

This will be interesting if Bakare, Buhari, Ribadu, and other key figures among these groups can concretize this arrangement. We keep our FINGERS CROSSED! Bakare is a legitimate consensus builder! JUI

From: NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com on behalf of peter opara
Sent: Sun 31-Oct-10 9:16 PM
To: NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com; NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com; Agbejoro Yemo; naijapolitics@yahoogroups.com; naijaobserver@yahoogroups.com; afenmai@yahoogroups.com; edo-nationality@yahoogroups.com; usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com; isadus@googlegroups.com
Cc: nigerianworldforum@yahoogroups.com; omoodua@yahoogroups.com; econews45@yahoo.com; nigerianid@yahoogroups.com; eddyogubor@yahoo.com
Subject: [NIgerianWorldForum] SNG brokers deal for Buhari, ACN, Afenifere GOVERNOR DANIEL IS THE NEW CHAIRMAN OF GOVERNORS FORUM

SNG brokers deal for Buhari, ACN, Afenifere
•Begins nationwide consultation
By Tunde Abatan, Deputy Sunday Editor

Save Nigeria Group (SNG) is queuing behind an agenda to rally the opposition and the progressives behind Muhammadu Buhari who, many think, has the integrity and the clout to lead an electoral revolt against the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) next year.

SNG's support for Buhari carries serious political implications for the PDP, given the messianic role the platform played in forcing the National Assembly to confirm the then Vice President Goodluck Jonathan the Acting President after a protracted medical sojourn of the late President Umaru Yar'Adua, despite stiff opposition from PDP hawks and the Aso Rock mafia.

The move by the SNG comes less than a month after the convener, the Latter Rain Assembly firebrand Pastor, Tunde Bakare, openly endorsed Buhari for the presidential ballot in what pundits say, may redefine the contest for Aso Rock, particularly with the deepening internal schisms within the PDP over the propriety of President Jonathan's ambition.

Bakare had spoken of building a consensus or a political movement, strong enough to dislodge the ruling PDP next year, and the need for Nigerians to queue behind the best of the North and the best of the South next year to protect the nation's treasury.

The SNG was said to have reasoned at some of the various meetings already held by the group that in order to ensure wide support and acceptance of Buhari,

SNG was said to have told various consultative meetings it held with other stakeholders that there is need to harmonise all the political tendencies across the progressive fold to support a joint candidature of Buhari, taking into consideration his credentials as a disciplined and incorruptible leader who can address the rots in the polity, qualities they believe others in the race lack.

Sources said the SNG now has the nod of some elements in the opposition ACN, particularly some former governors in the South West who are said to be sympathetic to the Buhari candidature.

The development seems to have caused a minor disagreement in the ACN leadership as three of the former governors and party leadership are said to favour Buhari, while the younger elements are routing for the former anti-graft czar, Nuhu RIbadu, who they claim has no excessive political baggage unlike Buhari who critics accuse of religious fundamentalism.

Those in support of Buhari believe his new attitude as a democrat and having reached out to and got the support of Christian religious leaders countrywide now stand him in good plank for the job, beside his messianic appeal as about the cleanest of the Northern aspirants for the top job.

However, the SNG and other Buhari loyalists are still working to get the backing of former Lagos Governor, Bola Tinubu, whose group is said to have some reservations for the retired general.

"I can tell you that Tinubu and his group are not particularly against Buhari but they only wanted some concessions which I think would be worked out by all to have a united front before the convention of the party," said a source who sought anonymity.

The SNG leadership is also said to have secured the backing of the leaders in Afenifere, Yoruba's socio-political organisation, with whom SNG has held series of meetings on how to mobilise supporters in a bid to secure a bloc vote for Buhari during the general election.

Afenifere leaders have in the past three years been involved in moves to have a working relationship with Buhari and his supporters, culminating in routine meetings between the general and former presidential candidate of the defunct All Peoples Party (APP), Olu Falae.

SNG leadership had a crucial meeting in Abuja last Thursday during which the modalities to get the support of other influential political groups were discussed, sources said.

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