Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - WHY BUHARI WILL FAIL

Dear Samuel Zalanga,

We are speaking at cross purposes or we are not understanding each other. This is not about what you know which I admit is a great deal. It is about dedicated research and application of your great deal of knowledge for the betterment of society.

Crunch the election figures from 1999 to distil trends and forces at work. Write simple counsel from your wealth of experience and DHL it to Daura and publish them in the newspapers.

Writing prolix defensive self justification will not help anyone especially you. You are preaching to the choir. What we need is you pushing society forward with your prodigious knowledge.

Cheers.

IBK

On 3 Apr 2015 05:52, "Samuel Zalanga" <szalanga@bethel.edu> wrote:

Amazing and interesting. I sense there is a poverty of perception which is not uncommon these days. Professor Sir, frankly, I will not provide anyone that advice even when I was twenty years younger. Why? Because  sociologists try to understand how systems function or work in their contexts and not how someone feels about them in a capricious manner. What you said may sound nice but it has no bearing in the real manner and process through which the Nigerian system or even American system works.

 To be unable to appreciate and understand the question and process of political  access in a cultural context like Nigeria sounds to me unbelievable. There is a need to problematize and appreciate the relationship between formal organizational process and the informal. I just discussed that today with my "introduction to sociology" students honestly. 

The introductory texts makes  it clear that formal organizations function through informal processes. Even in the U.S. here, when you read William Domhoff's "Who Rules America" you know that the real process through which key decisions are made are often informal. You have to be a member of the club. Often the key decisions are made in gulf clubs.  The formal process is often a  mere and official ratification of what was decided informally. This is how societies really work sociologically Sir.  Indeed, if you follow the work of Robert Michels on "The Iron Law of Oligarchy" which is discussed in his book "Political Parties" you see clearly the difference between the formal claims of an institution and the actual process through which the institution operates. Michels argues that although socialist parties in the Europe of his time, especially Germany, claim to be committed to creating a just and egalitarian society, the concrete nature of the way they operate often negate their ability to do so. It was an empirical study.

And when you read a book like the one below, you understand how those at the bottom of a society get their voices heard. Unless there are people who are part of the establishment who take poor people's voices seriously and decide to embrace and articulate it on behalf the poor, the only way the poor could be heard is through some civil unrest or some disorderly behavior or conduct as was the keys with riots in American cities by Blacks in the 1960s who felt ignored by the system. The civil unrest or disorderly behavior and conduct is perceived as a threat to the stability of the system and so action is taken to pacify the masses.  We do not want things to reach that level in Nigeria. These two sources, apart from the numerous on African politics rooted in African culture just make me feel your suggestion is probably playful given your erudite stature and caliber. 

Let me give you an empirical example to illustrate the simplicity of your suggestion Sir. Last year I went for a conference at Sokoto State University in Sokoto.

 Professor Toying Falola was the keynote speaker. Because of him we got access to the Sultan of Sokoto. And when we went there, the Sultan gave the Professor a private audience. Do you think there are no ordinary citizens in Sokoto that would also want to see the Sultan to tell him something that they thought was important. And if the people can get access to the Sultan, do you think they will accept writing to the newspaper newspaper? 

 In an ideal world, what you said maybe true, but it is still too simplistic for anyone who understands the real manner societies function. The issue here is not what is said, but who said it?  In the real world, ordinary people's ideas are more likely to get traction when there are influential people in the system who cannot be ignored that decide to champion their concerns. 

The ordinary people may say something meaningful but often it will be ignored. But when people who are part of the establishment articulate the same concerns, they cannot be ignored. I would assume you know this Sir. Given this sociological understanding of how societies function, why would I consider your counsel as based deep wisdom of life experience? 

Here is the reference. It is a very insightful book: 

Poor People's Movements: Why They Succeed, How They Fail Paperback – December 12, 1978

by Frances Fox Piven  (Author), Richard Cloward 

Samuel

On Thu, Apr 2, 2015 at 3:38 PM, Ibukunolu A Babajide <ibk2005@gmail.com> wrote:

Samuel Zalanga,

Why do you always love to send people to run little errands that you can easily do yourself. First it was the result figures that you called others to analyse when you can easily do it yourself.

The President reads papers. It was the newspapers that helped him win. Write down your advice and guidance and a million newspapers will print them. Send them to the President elect in Daura by DHL and he will get it.

So what kind of lazy academic are you?

No wonder monuments are never built to honour of critics. It is far too easy to criticise hard working people who dare to engage.

Cheers.

IBK

On 1 Apr 2015 23:13, "Samuel Zalanga" <szalanga@bethel.edu> wrote:

I believe this is an excellent observation. There are high ranking and influential people on this forum. Can they put together some sound and wise counsels like this one and find a way to get it to the president-elect?

My hope and prayer is that every Nigerian supports the new government to initiate some changes that can start to put Nigeria on the fast track of genuine development.

We cannot afford to ignore the fact that either way, if Nigeria is going to move forward Nigerians have to work together. We cannot deny the difference in the country, but we should channel our energy to looking for common grounds. It maybe difficult but we cannot afford to ignore that.

What in many respects makes this easy, is the amazing grace that the outgoing president has demonstrated. No matter what anyone thought of him before, he deserves admiration and commendation.

Samuel

On Wed, Apr 1, 2015 at 2:06 PM, william bangura <william.bangura17@gmail.com> wrote:

President-elect Buhari's focus will be more on the central government in Abuja rather than in the State and local governments, and this will initiate his failures. If the Village Assemblies, Town Councils and State Legislatures are dysfunctional, the "efficiency" of the federal government will not affect the millions of Nigerians. Buhari's primary concentration should be on reinforcing the Judiciary, the Legislative and the press but also ensuring that the opposition remains very viable. I hope his administration is not similar to those of President Tafawa Balewa, Ahmadu Bello and co.

We are watching.

William Bangura

Pan-Africanist

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Samuel Zalanga
Department of Anthropology, Sociology & Reconciliation Studies
Bethel University, 3900 Bethel Drive #24
Saint Paul, MN 55112.
Office Phone: 651-638-6023

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Samuel Zalanga
Department of Anthropology, Sociology & Reconciliation Studies
Bethel University, 3900 Bethel Drive #24
Saint Paul, MN 55112.
Office Phone: 651-638-6023

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Listserv moderated by Toyin Falola, University of Texas at Austin
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