"A tiny group of people cannot hold the country to ransom." Well said, my broda, unfortunately, to the contrary; this has been the trend of our checkered history in recent times: The late General Abacha had his "tiny group of people", including the dreaded killer-squared that held the whole country to ransom. Most of the con-men and women are now "emergency democrats", senators and "honorables" who paddle the affairs of this nation and unleash on her the horrors of poor governance, call it "demoncrazy".
The circumstances of the immediate past President, Yar'Adua are still fresh in our memory. He was ill for months, a faceless "tiny group of people" had emerged, again, held the whole nation to ransom; made it impossible for his Vice then, Dr Goodluck Jonathan to access his dying boss, the President.
It took the resilience and Promethean passion of patriots, even at the risk of lives, to reclaim the rights of the Vice-President, then. Needless to say that the Vice President literally rode on the bare backs of those he now vilifies, to become President.
I guess some Nigerians apparently have short memory, and hardly any regard for history, otherwise, Mr. President would not have come up with his own "tiny group of people" that now holds the whole nation to ransom! ... they include pockets of compromised senior security officials, including the military. The latest development, the Okrika bombings and shootings, the curious activities of "Madam Peace", the recklessness of the IGP and some AIGs, all point in one single direction, Anarchy!!!
Besides, if Mr President will sit down seriously at his desk and workout solutions to the nation's hydra-headed challenges instead of attending services in major churches across the nation in search of solution to self-inflicted woes, the country would have been better for it. This is crass fundamentalism! I am sure Mr President would not like to be labeled a Christian fundamentalist? Unfortunately, the sanctimonious appearances at major churches aren't sufficient proof of good Christian standing. "By their fruits we shall know them"! Had General Buhari chosen to also visit every major Mosques across the nation, what would the country have been turned into?
My prayer, may God the Almighty have mercy on us and save our dear country, Nigeria. May the Almighty God deal ruthlessly with those playing God with the destiny of Nigeria. Amen.
Ademola Dasylva
Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.
Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.
| From: Samuel Zalanga Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2015 11:03 To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com Reply To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com Cc: naijaobserver@yahoogroups.com; naijaintellects@googlegroups.com; naijanet@googlegroups.com; nigerianid@yahoogroups.com; talknigeria@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Jega tells Senators he can't guarantee elections will hold March 28 |
Viewed in context, Professor Jega is right, but it is a scary statement or observation when the affairs of a country become so unpredictable like that
On a personal note, sometimes I wonder whether President GEJ understands that just the way things are going on is not a good statement about his legacy irrespective of who wins the elections if it takes place at all. No matter what, there should be a sense of honor for himself and the nation.
Although Daniel Arap Moi ruled Kenya badly but the fact that he handed over power quietly makes him still remain respected. It is not fair to run the affairs of a nation the way things are going on now in NIgeria. It just makes me feel really embarrassed. Many of us who teach know that in the U.S. we cannot conduct the affairs of our classrooms like that. Respect in traditional African culture to the elderly means that the elderly have responsibility towards those who look up to them. Religious prejudice has increased in Nigeria recently.
I hope that the President is not allowing the people around him to cloud his judgement. A tiny group of people cannot hold the country to ransom. It will be very unfortunate if what is originally a normal functioning of government (i.e., regular elections) is allowed to not only polarize but also tear the country apart. I still maintain that ordinary Nigerians if not manipulated can live in peace with each other, notwithstanding normal criminal gangs. This is bringing shame not only to Nigeria but to Africa. We can do better than this.
On a personal note, sometimes I wonder whether President GEJ understands that just the way things are going on is not a good statement about his legacy irrespective of who wins the elections if it takes place at all. No matter what, there should be a sense of honor for himself and the nation.
Although Daniel Arap Moi ruled Kenya badly but the fact that he handed over power quietly makes him still remain respected. It is not fair to run the affairs of a nation the way things are going on now in NIgeria. It just makes me feel really embarrassed. Many of us who teach know that in the U.S. we cannot conduct the affairs of our classrooms like that. Respect in traditional African culture to the elderly means that the elderly have responsibility towards those who look up to them. Religious prejudice has increased in Nigeria recently.
I hope that the President is not allowing the people around him to cloud his judgement. A tiny group of people cannot hold the country to ransom. It will be very unfortunate if what is originally a normal functioning of government (i.e., regular elections) is allowed to not only polarize but also tear the country apart. I still maintain that ordinary Nigerians if not manipulated can live in peace with each other, notwithstanding normal criminal gangs. This is bringing shame not only to Nigeria but to Africa. We can do better than this.
I wish I can say let us pray, but to expect prayer to perform miracle while humans continue to engage in their evil ways is a mockery of God in strict theological sense. If poeple want prayer to work, they should be sincere in allowing prayer to transform them and on that basis change their ways.
Samuel
Samuel
On Wed, Feb 18, 2015 at 10:51 AM, Kola Fabiyi <fabiyi@live.com> wrote:
Jega tells Senators he can't guarantee elections will hold March 28
February 18, 2015
Adebayo Hassan and Chinenye Ugonna
Premium Times
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Attahiru Jega, has told Nigerian federal lawmakers he could not guarantee the 2015 general elections will hold on rescheduled dates in March and April.
At a meeting with Senators Wednesday, Mr. Jega said he could not commit himself to the "sanctity" of March 28 and April 11 – dates for the rescheduled Nigeria's general elections.
He said the electoral commission could not guarantee aspects of the poll that are beyond its control.
Mr. Jega met with the lawmakers to review the decision to postpone the polls from February.
Under the Nigerian law, a further six-week extension of the elections is possible, a prospect opposed by many Nigerians, the main opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, and the international community.
INEC had said the postponement were necessary for security reasons, as military chiefs had warned against going on with the vote to allow it focus on fighting the terror group, Boko Haram.
But the APC said the delay was instigated by President Goodluck Jonathan, to save him and ruling party from losing the elections to the APC candidate, Muhammadu Buhari.
Since announcing the new dates nearly two weeks ago, the commission has declined to clearly confirm that there will be no further delay beyond March 28 and April 11, for presidential, National Assembly, governorship and state assembly polls.
Responding to a question by George Akume, Senate Minority Leader, on the sanctity of the new dates, on Wednesday, Mr. Jega said it was difficult for him to respond, saying he could only give assurances over aspects within the control of INEC.
"That's a very difficult question to answer. I have said not everything that has to do with the conduct of successful election is within the control of INEC," Mr. Jega said.
Use of card readers
Mr. Jega also said the commission will go forward with its plan to deploy card readers for the elections.
There have been some concerns, mainly from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, about the plan as Nigerian law prohibits electronic voting.
On Wednesday, while PDP Senators opposed the plan, their APC counterparts welcomed it.
Heineken Lokpobri, a PDP Senator from Bayelsa State and Odion Ugbesa, from Edo State, argued against the use of card readers for the elections, saying it would be illegal.
In his response, Mr. Jega said card readers would only be used for accreditation not actual voting.
He said there was no law forbidding the use of electronic devices for accreditation.
"Card reader is used for accreditation not voting. Voting his defined as dropping of ballot paper into ballot box. Accreditation is essential for integrity of the election," he said.
"Nothing in the constitution says we should not use electronic device in the process of accreditation. Anybody that is not satisfied can go to court. We have solid ground on that," he said.
He added that the card readers would curb electoral malpractices, as cloned cards would be detected.
Mr. Jega said INEC will perform a mock test on the card readers.
He said some tests had already been taken in the United States, and will now be tested in the six geopolitical zones.
"The card reader has passed in all the 13 test categories conducted in terms of its durability and versatility," he said.
Mr. Jega said the postponement of the general elections will enable INEC to have a flawless, near-perfect elections.
INEC National Commissioners are to visit state offices to conduct evaluation and comprehensively determine the level of preparation in the election.
He said after the visit, the commission will meet with the heads of departments and directorates of units to conduct a comprehensive assessment, to figure out additional things to be done before March 28.
Mr Jega said a meeting with the inter-agency committee on security will hold a meeting to discuss security on the Election Day.
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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
Department of Anthropology, Sociology & Reconciliation Studies
Bethel University, 3900 Bethel Drive #24
Saint Paul, MN 55112.
Office Phone: 651-638-6023
Listserv moderated by Toyin Falola, University of Texas at Austin
To post to this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com
To subscribe to this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue+subscribe@googlegroups.com
Current archives at http://groups.google.com/group/USAAfricaDialogue
Early archives at http://www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa/ads/index.html
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