USA Africa Dialogue Series - ON TARGET‹Re: June 12 Quest

Oh Ayo, 

You do so well. 

You keep us on target. 

The power of correction is there in the various contributions to this debate. There was of course no such debate in the 1950s and 1960s. All was within the rubric of Brit/ America and what today has been shown worldwide to be their not quite so wonderful "Deemocracy". There were shrill voices from outside this Tsunami from the West; The brilliant Chike Obi/ Claude Ake/ Nduka Eze/ Unife's Segun Osoba; and more moderate voices, Okoi Arikpo/ JIG Onyia/ Imoudu, and a great many more; but the Western Tsunami swept all.

And today? The numbers engaged? Huge. Instead of a few informed and thinking folk/ our intelligentsia has extended to millions. And it takes in not just our Nigeria backyard, but the themes/ currents/ realities and much of the root-thinking of Africa and the World Beyond. The blinkers have been largely removed—even if the rhetoric lingers on.  

Internet and cyber-info have of course been accelerators. Hence the penetration/ acuity/ the variety of targeted requirements set clearly and repeatedly before us. In these we have commonsense structural options of the emerging future. 

Here's a titbit from an item stimulated by Richard Joseph that I added to Ayo Olukotun's Punch debate in 2014. Not an earthshaking observation. But perhaps simple confirmation of where we are now and where we are going. The course is clear; the pace steady—though this is anything but obvious from the usual frenetic melange put forward for public consumption. Nor in this context does the Internet/ Social Media often do more than add to this freneticism. 

" …—Final Observation? —Nigeria remains a land of many nations. 
Each has its own laws and customs. Each got on with its own life 
in the way the ancestors set down and later generations 
over the centuries, sometimes, millennia, evolved. 

—Modern encounters with these clever Colonialists, and now their 
Predatory successor multi-nationals have done much to remove 
Sacredness as well as structure from Africa life. 

—it is a source of anger, shame, bitter distress, that the ordinary 98er, a fair and upright person, as with his counterparts throughout the world, finds that his Africa rulers—in this case Nigerians—are the principal local instruments of this shame; indeed as Joseph rightly puts it, ‘anguish.’ 

—Signals of Hope? —Many clever, industrious Africans who are NOT clients of their oligarchs, are busy at works of cultural and historical retrieval and re-fabrication. The project moves quietly on. Increasing numbers Africa-wide, are engaged. Through all the Sturm und Drang of BH/ Schoolgirls/ ever more blatant and bizarre instances of daylight theft by ‘oligarch trustees,’ and much more; these Scholar-Activists are refreshing memory, restoring value, helping folk understand where the REAL meeting place of settled legitimate folk and their sacrosanct customs and land, meet with and participate in the future that today is opening at accelerated rate. 

—And with these Scholar-Activists?—We have Africa-wide a hugely growing educated/  cybernetically-engaged youth. These are the ‘Engines of the Future.’ 

—And whether this will be within their ‘Natural Homelands’—something which the rapid and transfiguring effect of the Internet and Social Media will bring increasingly within range—or within modern ‘Networked Federations of Interest/ Issues/ Affinity’ is something, which though we can easily enough see the concepts and outlines of it coming, the final and emergent products may lie still some way in the future. ...Man is not known for his swift adaptation to change. Check our history. ...

 

Still, the range and penetration enabled by our modern cybernetic systems, may prove such conservative assessments as my own, to be unrealistic. ...Things may move very much more quickly. 

Quite enough Ayo. And my grateful thanks to Richard Joseph for the stimulus/ prod. Very timely."

Baba m

From: Prof Ayo OLUKOTUN <ayo_olukotun@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: Prof Ayo OLUKOTUN <ayo_olukotun@yahoo.com>
Date: Sunday, 19 June 2016 20:32
To: Prof Richard JOSEPH <r-joseph@northwestern.edu>, Femi FALANA <falanalagos@yahoo.com>, Prof Toyin FALOLA <toyinfalola@austin.utexas.edu>, USA-AFRICA dialogue <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com>, Tade Aina <tadeakinaina@yahoo.com>, "taleomole@yahoo.com" <taleomole@yahoo.com>, Tiwa <tiwaolugbade@yahoo.com>, "tolaopa2003@gmail.com" <tolaopa2003@gmail.com>, "Dr O.A. DOSUMU" <toksx@yahoo.com>, Attahiru Jega <attahirujega@yahoo.com>, Raufu Mustapha <raufu.mustapha@qeh.ox.ac.uk>, Pa Uoma <pauoma@gmail.com>, Paddy <paddykay20o2@yahoo.com>, "paiobanya@gmail.com" <paiobanya@gmail.com>, Prof Pius ADESANMI <piusadesanmi@gmail.com>, "ayobasalami@yahoo.com" <ayobasalami@yahoo.com>, "messages-noreply@linkedin.com" <messages-noreply@linkedin.com>, Prof Bayo ADEKANYE <profbayo_adekanye@yahoo.com>, Prof Ebenezer OBADARE <obadare@ku.edu>, Obadiah Mailafia <obmailafia@gmail.com>, Odia OFEIMUN <odia55@yahoo.com>, Ladipo ADAMOLEKUN <dipo7k@yahoo.com>, "olatoye_ojo@yahoo.com" <olatoye_ojo@yahoo.com>, Dr Olajumoke YACOB-HALISO <jumoyin@yahoo.co.uk>, "Haastrup, Deji Olaolu" <deji@chevron.com>, "habiblifeagain@gmail.com" <habiblifeagain@gmail.com>, Hafsat Abiola <hafsatabiola@hotmail.com>, "abigaily2k@yahoo.com" <abigaily2k@yahoo.com>, Akinlawon Mabogunje <mabogunje1931@yahoo.com>, Akinjide OSUNTOKUN <josuntokun@yahoo.com>, akin osuntokun <akinosuntokun@yahoo.com>, Dr Banji OYEYINKA <boyeyinka@hotmail.com>, Adebayo <adebayow@hotmail.com>, Adebayo Olukoshi <olukoshi@gmail.com>, Adigun Agbaje <adigunagbaje@yahoo.com>, Alaba OGUNSANWO <alabaogunsanwo@gmail.com>, alade rotimi-john <rotimijohnandcompany@gmail.com>, Bolaji Akinyemi <rotaben@gmail.com>, Chibuzo NWOKE <chibuzonwoke@yahoo.com>, Christian Ogbondah <chris.ogbondah@uni.edu>, "Chukwuma, Innocent" <innocent.chukwuma@fordfoundation.org>, cyril obi <cyrilobi@hotmail.com>, Daniel Bach <d.bach@sciencespobordeaux.fr>, <dapogundipe@yahoo.co.uk>, Oluwayomi D ATTE <david_atte@yahoo.com>, Dele Layiwola <delelayiwola@yahoo.com>, Dewale Yagboyaju <aswaj2003@yahoo.com>, Emmanuel Remi Aiyede <eaiyede@yahoo.com>, Emevwo Biakolo <ebiakolo@smc.edu.ng>, <fademolaadeoye@gmail.com>, <fadesola@oauife.edu.ng>, Femi Osofisan <okinbalaunko@yahoo.com>, Francis Egbokhare <foegbokhare@yahoo.com>, Fola Arthur-Worrey <folaaw@yahoo.com>, Gabriel Ogunmola <gbogunmola@yahoo.com>, Gbenga Akeni <olugbengaakeni@gmail.com>, <gbenjaiye@hotmail.com>, Grace Omoshaba <gmso2002@yahoo.com>, Hassan Saliu <hassansaliu2003@gmail.com>, <sanyaoni@hotmail.com>, Prof I Olawole ALBERT <ioalbert2004@yahoo.com>, <isumona@yahoo.com>, <jgsanda@gmail.com>, Jide Oluwajuyitan <joluwajuyitan@gmail.com>, Kayode Soremekun <paddykay2002@yahoo.com>, Kehinde Emoruwa <emoruwaok@yahoo.com>, Kwame Karikari <afumkarikari@gmail.com>, Lai Olurode <olurode@yahoo.com>, Mamora <senatormamora@yahoo.com>, Michael VICKERS <mvickers@mvickers.plus.com>, Nduka Otiono <Nduka.Otiono@carleton.ca>, Ngozi <mediaworldintl@yahoo.com>, Niyi Osundare <oosunda1@uno.edu>, <nkechien@yahoo.com>, Noel Ihebuzor <noel.ihebuzor@gmail.com>, "Dr.Remi SONAIYA" <remisonaiya@yahoo.com>, <rsuberu@bennington.edu>, Ronke Ako-nai <riakonai@yahoo.com>, Sam Ohuabunwa <sam@samohuabunwa.com>, SEGUN GBADEGESIN <gbadeg2002@yahoo.com>, Segun Awonusi <segunawo@yahoo.com>, sat obiyan <satobiyan@yahoo.com>, Shehu Dikko <shehuspen@gmail.com>, <shirleygreta@yahoo.com>, Sharon Omotoso <sharonomotoso@gmail.com>, "Ugbabe, Padma" <P.Ugbabe@fordfoundation.org>, "Nwulu, Paul" <p.nwulu@fordfoundation.org>, Wale Adebanwi <waleadebanwi@gmail.com>, William Fawole <fawolew@yahoo.com>, Abiodun Salawu <Abiodun.Salawu@nwu.ac.za>, Prof Alli <alliwo@yahoo.co.uk>
Subject: Re: Fw: June 12 Quest

Well said Richard and thanks. Need I add that characteristically the elegance of language match the elevated and elevating nature of the ideas. Talking about inviting and regaling language in the context of profound messages, I take this opportunity though belated somewhat to wish our revered senior colleague and genre bending writer Professor Femi Osofisan happy 70th birthday celebrations. Emi ase pupo e sir Amin. Cheers. Ayo

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld from Glo Mobile.

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From: Richard A Joseph <r-joseph@northwestern.edu>

Date: Sun, 19 Jun 2016 15:26:28 +0000

To: ayo_olukotun@yahoo.com<ayo_olukotun@yahoo.com>; Femi Falana<falanalagos@yahoo.com>; Toyin Falola<toyinfalola@austin.utexas.edu>; Usa dialogue<usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com>; Tade Aina<tadeakinaina@yahoo.com>; taleomole@yahoo.com<taleomole@yahoo.com>; Tiwa<tiwaolugbade@yahoo.com>; tolaopa2003@gmail.com<tolaopa2003@gmail.com>; Dr. Awolowo Dosunmu<toksx@yahoo.com>; Attahiru Jega<attahirujega@yahoo.com>; Raufu Mustapha<raufu.mustapha@qeh.ox.ac.uk>; Pa Uoma<pauoma@gmail.com>; Paddy<paddykay20o2@yahoo.com>; paiobanya@gmail.com<paiobanya@gmail.com>; piusadesanmi@gmail.com<piusadesanmi@gmail.com>; ayobasalami@yahoo.com<ayobasalami@yahoo.com>; messages-noreply@linkedin.com<messages-noreply@linkedin.com>; Prof Bayo Adekanye<profbayo_adekanye@yahoo.com>; Obadare Ebenezer Babatunde<obadare@ku.edu>; Obadiah Mailafia<obmailafia@gmail.com>; odia55@yahoo.com<odia55@yahoo.com>; Oladipupo Adamolekun<dipo7k@yahoo.com>; olatoye_ojo@yahoo.com<olatoye_ojo@yahoo.com>; Olajumoke Yacob-Haliso<jumoyin@yahoo.co.uk>; Haastrup, Deji Olaolu<deji@chevron.com>; habiblifeagain@gmail.com<habiblifeagain@gmail.com>; Hafsat Abiola<hafsatabiola@hotmail.com>; abigaily2k@yahoo.com<abigaily2k@yahoo.com>; Akinlawon Mabogunje<mabogunje1931@yahoo.com>; josuntokun@yahoo.com<josuntokun@yahoo.com>; akin osuntokun<akinosuntokun@yahoo.com>; Banji Oyeyinka<boyeyinka@hotmail.com>; bankole omotoso<ajibabi@outlook.com>; bayookunade@gmail.com<bayookunade@gmail.com>; Bolaji Akinyemi<rotaben@gmail.com>; chibuzo nwoke<chibuzonwoke@yahoo.com>; Christian Ogbondah<chris.ogbondah@uni.edu>; Chukwuma, Innocent<innocent.chukwuma@fordfoundation.org>; Daniel Bach<d.bach@sciencespobordeaux.fr>; david atte<david_atte@yahoo.com>; Dele Layiwola<delelayiwola@yahoo.com>; Deji Olaolu Haastrup<DejiHaastrup@chevron.com>; Dewale Yagboyaju<aswaj2003@yahoo.com>; Emmanuel Remi Aiyede<eaiyede@yahoo.com>; Ephraim Aor<rainbowtumise@gmail.com>; fadesola@oauife.edu.ng<fadesola@oauife.edu.ng>; Femi Osofisan<okinbalaunko@yahoo.com>; Francis Egbokhare<foegbokhare@yahoo.com>; Gabriel Ogunmola<gbogunmola@yahoo.com>; Gbenga Akeni<olugbengaakeni@gmail.com>; Glory Ukwenga<gloryukwenga@gmail.com>; Hassan Saliu<hassansaliu2003@gmail.com>; gbenjaiye@hotmail.com<gbenjaiye@hotmail.com>; Ibini Olaide<ibini_olaide@yahoo.com>; Isaac Albert<ioalbert2004@yahoo.com>; isumona@yahoo.com<isumona@yahoo.com>; jgsanda@gmail.com<jgsanda@gmail.com>; Kayode Soremekun<paddykay2002@yahoo.com>; Kehinde Emoruwa<emoruwaok@yahoo.com>; Kwame Karikari<afumkarikari@gmail.com>; olukotun bob-kunle<bobkunle@yahoo.com>; Prof Dipo Kolawole<profkolawole@yahoo.com>; Mamora<senatormamora@yahoo.com>; Michael Vickers<mvickers@mvickers.plus.com>; Meda<medaton@yahoo.com>; Niyi Osundare<oosunda1@uno.edu>; Ngozi<mediaworldintl@yahoo.com>; nkechien@yahoo.com<nkechien@yahoo.com>; Remi Sonaiya<remisonaiya@yahoo.com>; Ronke Ako-nai<riakonai@yahoo.com>; rsuberu@bennington.edu<rsuberu@bennington.edu>; alade rotimi-john<rotimijohnandcompany@gmail.com>; Sam Ohuabunwa<sam@samohuabunwa.com>; sanyaoni@yahoo.co.uk<sanyaoni@yahoo.co.uk>; sat obiyan<satobiyan@yahoo.com>; SEGUN GBADEGESIN<gbadeg2002@yahoo.com>; segunawo<segunawo@yahoo.com>; Shehu Dikko<shehuspen@gmail.com>; Sola Akinrinade<solakin@msn.com>; Solomon Uwaifo<so_uwaifo@yahoo.co.uk>; Ugbabe, Padma<P.Ugbabe@fordfoundation.org>; Wale Adebanwi<waleadebanwi@gmail.com>; Fola Arthur-Worrey<folaaw@yahoo.com>; William Fawole<fawolew@yahoo.com>; Adigun Agbaje<adigunagbaje@yahoo.com>; Adebayo<adebayow@hotmail.com>; Adebayo Olukoshi<olukoshi@gmail.com>; Ayandiji Aina<dijiaina@icloud.com>

Subject: Re: Fw: June 12 Quest

Dear Colleagues:

It is a pleasure to read Femi Falana's thoughtful and informative comments.

Before seeing Prof. Olukotun's recent column, I had the opportunity to review Professor Biodun Jeyifo's scintillating collection of his "Talakawa Liberation Courier" published in The Guardian. It crossed my mind that this volume, when published, should be followed by more than the usual launching event. An exercise should be conducted to distill its many ideas and contentions. I have felt the same way regarding several other Nigerian books published in recent years.

I have encouraged Professor Olukotun to conduct a similar exercise based on his Punch column. Perhaps he is at work on it. Olatunji Dare did so in "Diary of a Debacle", drawn, like Jeyifo's, from his Guardian columns. During the 5th anniversary celebration of the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD), I urged eminent advocate and human rights campaigner, Beko Ransome-Kuti, to do likewise. Alas, I do not believe he undertook this task before he was taken from us.

What is the point? Constitutions are made in grand assemblies as well as in technical commissions. But there is a broader and deeper process involving ideas arrived at by "ordinary people" in their interactions, media commentators, and legal and political experts in their professional journals. Such a process was alluded to by the eminent philosopher, Charles Taylor, when he wrote of "the constitutive tensions at the heart of contemporary democratic societies."

Democracy, as we know, is confronted today by great challenges. This is especially the case in complex, multi-ethnic, and multi-religious nations like Nigeria. Over the coming months, I will redouble efforts to produce a distillation of my own commentaries on this constitutive process since 1977. I will also explore with colleagues how a scholarly and policy forum can be conducted alongside any formal sequel to the 2014 national conference.

Nigeria, to paraphrase the veteran scholar, Richard Sklar, has been a great "workshop of democracy" in thought and practice. Before its citizens are summoned to cast their votes in the 2019 national elections, and celebrate its 60th independence 18 months later, perhaps the current "constitutive tensions" can be reduced through critical debate, accommodation, and institutional innovations for which Nigeria is renowned?.

We shouldn't lose heart over this interative process. Democracies are self-renewing. Just think of the major adjustments - over slavery, civil war, voting rights, gender rights, social security, etc. - that the United States has made, and continues to make, via legal and constitutional reforms. The tortuous Nigerian odyssey is of a similar, and globally significant, nature.

Regards,

Richard

 

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From: ayo_olukotun@yahoo.com <ayo_olukotun@yahoo.com>
Sent: Sunday, June 19, 2016 4:38 AM
To: Femi Falana; Toyin Falola; Usa dialogue; Tade Aina; taleomole@yahoo.com; Tiwa; tolaopa2003@gmail.com; Dr. Awolowo Dosunmu; Attahiru Jega; Raufu Mustapha; Richard A Joseph; Pa Uoma; Paddy; paiobanya@gmail.com; piusadesanmi@gmail.com; ayobasalami@yahoo.com; messages-noreply@linkedin.com; Prof Bayo Adekanye; Obadare Ebenezer Babatunde; Obadiah Mailafia; odia55@yahoo.com; Oladipupo Adamolekun; olatoye_ojo@yahoo.com; Olajumoke Yacob-Haliso; Haastrup, Deji Olaolu; habiblifeagain@gmail.com; Hafsat Abiola; abigaily2k@yahoo.com; Akinlawon Mabogunje; josuntokun@yahoo.com; akin osuntokun; Banji Oyeyinka; bankole omotoso; bayookunade@gmail.com; Bolaji Akinyemi; chibuzo nwoke; Christian Ogbondah; Chukwuma, Innocent; Daniel Bach; david atte; Dele Layiwola; Deji Olaolu Haastrup; Dewale Yagboyaju; Emmanuel Remi Aiyede; Ephraim Aor; fadesola@oauife.edu.ng; Femi Osofisan; Francis Egbokhare; Gabriel Ogunmola; Gbenga Akeni; Glory Ukwenga; Hassan Saliu; gbenjaiye@hotmail.com; Ibini Olaide; Isaac Albert; isumona@yahoo.com; jgsanda@gmail.com; Kayode Soremekun; Kehinde Emoruwa; Kwame Karikari; olukotun bob-kunle; Prof Dipo Kolawole; Mamora; Michael Vickers; Meda; Niyi Osundare; Ngozi; nkechien@yahoo.com; Remi Sonaiya; Ronke Ako-nai; rsuberu@bennington.edu; alade rotimi-john; Sam Ohuabunwa; sanyaoni@yahoo.co.uk; sat obiyan; SEGUN GBADEGESIN; segunawo; Shehu Dikko; Sola Akinrinade; Solomon Uwaifo; Ugbabe, Padma; Wale Adebanwi; Fola Arthur-Worrey; William Fawole; Adigun Agbaje; Adebayo; Adebayo Olukoshi; Ayandiji Aina; Ayo Olukotun
Subject: Re: Fw: June 12 Quest

 

My brother Femi SAN. Thanks for your valuable intervention on this topical and vexed subject. Please note that my essay is indicative and did not deal with concrete proposals and options for restructuring what Professor Adamolekun in his compelling essay in Publius calls our bastardised federalism. The concerns about restructuring clearly predate as Professor Joseph makes clear Chief Atiku's recent possibly opportunistic demand for it . Indeed. Chief Anyaoku's trenchant call for a return to regionalism at the February Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy conference reverbrated well beyond the inaugural outing of the School. The scrapping of JAMB cannot as you well know occur outside a revision of the law that set it up or as I anticipated as part of the devolution consequent upon a restructured Nigeria. I believe that several of the ideas you canvass will benefit and benefit from the scholarly and policy dialogues suggested by Joseph. This should be undertaken while there is still time to intellect and parley in the hope that President Buhari can be brought around to see the need to draw on aspects of the 2014 Conference to reimagine and salvage this tottering nation. Cheers. Ayo

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld from Glo Mobile.

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From: Service Center <falanalagos@yahoo.com>

Date: Sun, 19 Jun 2016 07:56:47 +0100

To: <ayo_olukotun@yahoo.com>; <ayo_olukotun@yahoo.com>; <toyinfalola@austin.utexas.edu>; <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com>; <tadeakinaina@yahoo.com>; <taleomole@yahoo.com>; <tiwaolugbade@yahoo.com>; <tolaopa2003@gmail.com>; <toksx@yahoo.com>; <attahirujega@yahoo.com>; <raufu.mustapha@qeh.ox.ac.uk>; <r-joseph@northwestern.edu>; <pauoma@gmail.com>; <paddykay20o2@yahoo.com>; <paiobanya@gmail.com>; <piusadesanmi@gmail.com>; <ayobasalami@yahoo.com>; <messages-noreply@linkedin.com>; <profbayo_adekanye@yahoo.com>; <obadare@ku.edu>; <obmailafia@gmail.com>; <odia55@yahoo.com>; <dipo7k@yahoo.com>; <olatoye_ojo@yahoo.com>; <jumoyin@yahoo.co.uk>; <deji@chevron.com>; <habiblifeagain@gmail.com>; <hafsatabiola@hotmail.com>; <abigaily2k@yahoo.com>; <mabogunje1931@yahoo.com>; <josuntokun@yahoo.com>; <akinosuntokun@yahoo.com>; <boyeyinka@hotmail.com>; <bayookunade@gmail.com>; <bisifalola@gmail.com>; <bunmimakinwa@hotmail.com>; <rotaben@gmail.com>; <chibuzonwoke@yahoo.com>; <innocent.chukwuma@fordfoundation.org>; <chris.ogbondah@uni.edu>; <p.nwulu@fordfoundation.org>; <olurode@yahoo.com>; <jgsanda@gmail.com>; <jibo72@yahoo.com>; <osaghaeeghosa@yahoo.co.uk>; <adigunagbaje@yahoo.com>; <adebayow@hotmail.com>; <olukoshi@gmail.com>; <lajinadu@yahoo.com>; <adeyanjuben@yahoo.com>; <fademolaadeoye@gmail.com>; <okinbalaunko@yahoo.com>; <fesadedayo@yahoo.com>; <ndifreke_ette@yahoo.com>; <Nduka.Otiono@carleton.ca>; <oosunda1@uno.edu>; <mediaworldintl@yahoo.com>; <noel.ihebuzor@gmail.com>; <nuhuoyaqub@gmail.com>; <hassansaliu2003@gmail.com>; <senatormamora@yahoo.com>; <mdayansola@gmail.com>; <mvickers@mvickers.plus.com>; <mayortk@yahoo.com>; <gbadeg2002@yahoo.com>; <segunawo@yahoo.com>; <satobiyan@yahoo.com>; <sanyaoni@hotmail.com>; <shirleygreta@yahoo.com>; <solakin@msn.com>; <tsombe98@yahoo.com>; <P.Ugbabe@fordfoundation.org>; <so_uwaifo@yahoo.co.uk>; <waleadebanwi@gmail.com>; <fawolew@yahoo.com>

Subject: Re: Fw: June 12 Quest

Dear Prof, Since Alhaji Atiku Abubakar recently reopened the debate on federalism the media and our intellectuals have uncritically joined the debate without any conditionalities. Thus, we are asking that powers be decentralized in Abuja and vested in governors who are currently exercising absolute powers in the states. I found it particularly contradictory that you are asking that we should continue to conduct post jamb exams for all institutions of higher education in the country while making a case for true federalism. Where is the place of autonomy for each institutions of higher learning? More importantly, I was privileged to have partaken of a memorial lecture to mark the 23rd anniversary of June 12 organised by the Lagos state National Union of Journalists in Lagos on June 12, 2016. In response to the call by a faction of the ruling class for a return to true federalism I said inter alia: "We seem not to taken cognizance of the fact that restructuring is being carried out in the country to enrich a few people. Incidentally, it was VP Atiku Abubakar who presided over the restructuring of the nation's economy through privatization and liquidation of public assets. It is interesting to note that both Chief Obasanjo and Alhaji Abubakar had no disagreement whatsoever over the privatization of the commanding height of the economy. The policy led to the official looting of the commonwealth by imperialism and its local lackeys. All public enterprises and major assets including oil blocks were sold to the so called "core investors". A retired general once confessed that he didn't know what to do with the $2.5 billion realised by him from the sale of part of the oil block given to him. The political economy is the most important aspect of restructuring of any nation. Those who have cornered our commonwealth should not be allowed to talk of restructuring in vacuo. In other words, the campaign for restructuring should encompass the decentralization and democratization of political and economic powers which have been privatised by all factions of the ruling class. In particular, the struggle for federalism has to confront the control of the economy by imperialism and the comprador bourgeoisie. Even on the political front the governors have successfully used the law to fight for the devolution of some powers from Abuja. For instance, the Constitution recognizes a 3-tier system the governors have practically reduced them to 2. It is common knowledge that all the 36 governors, regardless of political affiliations, have reduced local governments to extension of state governments. Contrary to section 7 of the Constitution which prescribes that the system of local governments shall be by democratically elected councils, all chairmen and councillors of local governments are either appointed by governors or 'elected' through dubious elections conducted by state electoral bodies. Before then, the state governments had, through a judicial decision, blocked the statutory move to monitor local government funds by the federal government. The state governments have also defeated the federal government and won the legal battles to control physical planning, land use, collection of hotel and hospitality taxes etc without interference from Abuja. The development was once described by Prof Yemi Osinbajo (when he was the AG of Lagos state) as 'federalism through litigation.' Aside the legal victories the state governments have gone ahead to encroach on the exclusive legislative list without any serious challenge from the federal government. For instance, akwa ibom, delta and imo states are operating airports built by them. Many others are building theirs. Lagos state is constructing a rail line and has begun work on the 4th mainland bridge. Yet, airports, railways and waterways are federal matters! With dwindling revenue from the federation account the federal government is going to be forced to relinquish more powers to state governments. Already, due to lack of funding by the federal government the nigeria police force has become a state police as police commands are largely funded by state governments. For example, the federal government supplied the Lagos state police command with only 20 vehicles in the last 8 years whereas the state government donated 700 vehicles to the police command during the same period. Since he who pays the piper dictates the tune it has been established that the state commissioners of police are loyal to state governors. Because the federal police commands have been captured by state governments they are used to intimidate the political opponents of governors. Just a couple of weeks ago, the oyo state police command arrested the leaders of the Nigerian Union of Teachers for protesting the planned privatization of public schools by the state government. The arrest of the union leaders was instigated by the state governor. On account of such abuse of the powers of the federal police force by governors majority of Nigerians are opposed to the establishment of state police. Even the Inspector-general of police is compelled to swap and transfer commissioners of police from their areas of primary assignment to other states to prevent them from manipulating national elections in favour of governors. However, as far as state governments are concerned the only serious battle left to be waged is the control of 52 percent of the revenue of the federation by the federal government. Governors who go to Abuja at the end of every month to collect cheques from the sale of crude oil are not prepared to fight for fiscal federalism. By the way, do we need the fiat of Abuja to have regional or zonal economic integration in the face of the current economic crisis? What have the state governors done with the powers which have devolved to them from Abuja since 1999? They have been used to enrich governors, intimidate political opponents and oppress the people. Today, no candidate can contest election in any state without the endorsement of a governor. Unlike the President whose budgets are scrutinized by federal legislators budgets presented by state governors are passed by state legislators without debates. Similarly, the assembly members are afraid to screen the list of nominees sent to them for confirmation by state governors The legislators who are empowered to amend the Constitution are vehemently opposed to restructuring that will transfer powers from the centre to the people. In the ongoing move to alter the Constitution (through the 4th Amendment) the National Assembly members are proposing immunity for legislators, pension for life for the principal officers, financial autonomy for legislative houses to fix the emoluments of membets etc. That is the legislators' contribution to the debate on fiscal federalism. In the light of the foregoing, the campaign for true federalism is meaningless if it is not anchored on democratization, popular participation, accountability and transparency. Otherwise, powers are going to be transferred from Abuja to the emperors manning the state governments if the status quo remains. The debate should therefore be redirected to address the viability of the 36 states and 774 local governments structure, the expansion of the democratic space and popular control of political and economic powers by mass organizations in the country. Those who are genuinely interested in true federalism should support the efforts of the Buhari administration to recover the looted wealth of the nation. But other looters are likely to change tactics if the federal government continues to retain 52 percent of the revenue of the nation. Therefore, in fighting corruption the federal government should devolve political and economic powers to the state governments with clearly defined responsibities and adequate funding. As the federa Femi Falana. From: ayo_olukotun@yahoo.com ; To: Ayo Olukotun ; Toyin Falola ; Usa dialogue ; Tade Aina ; TaleOmole ; Tiwa ; Tunji Olaopa ; Dr. Awolowo Dosunmu ; Attahiru Jega ; Raufu Mustapha ; Richard Joseph ; Pa Uoma ; Paddy ; pai Obanya ; Pius Adesanmi ; Prof. Ayobami T. Salami ; Prof. E. Biakolo ; Prof Bayo Adekanye ; Obadare Ebenezer Babatunde ; Obadiah Mailafia ; Odia Ofeimun ; Oladipupo Adamolekun ; ; Olajumoke Yacob-Haliso ; Haastrup, Deji Olaolu ; Habib Aruna ; Hafsat Abiola ; Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika ; Akinlawon Mabogunje ; Akinjide OSUNTOKUN ; akin osuntokun ; Banji Oyeyinka ; ; Bisi Falola ; Bunmi Makinwa ; Bolaji Akinyemi ; chibuzo nwoke ; Chukwuma, Innocent ; Christian Ogbondah ; Nwulu, Paul ; Lai Olurode ; ; Jibo ; Osaghae Eghosa ; Adigun Agbaje ; Adebayo ; Adebayo Olukoshi ; adele jinadu ; Ben Adeyanju ; ; Femi Falana ; Femi Osofisan ; Festus Adedayo ; Ndifreke ette ; Nduka Otiono ; Niyi Osundare ; Ngozi ; Noel Ihebuzor ; Nuhu Yaqub ; Hassan Saliu ; Mamora ; Margaret Ayansola ; Michael Vickers ; Mayortk ; SEGUN GBADEGESIN ; segunawo ; sat obiyan ; ; ; Sola Akinrinade ; antonia simbine ; Ugbabe, Padma ; Solomon Uwaifo ; Wale Adebanwi ; William Fawole ; Subject: Fw: Fw: June 12 Quest Sent: Fri, Jun 17, 2016 7:21:47 PM Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld from Glo Mobile. From: david_atte Date: Fri, 17 Jun 2016 18:31:59 +0100 To: ayo_olukotun Subject: Re: Fw: June 12 Quest Ayo. Brilliant as usual. I sent a message to a friend in WhatsApp some five days ago. It may bear relevance to the subject at hand. Here it is: "I opened my mouth wide and it took too many minutes to close it after I read that the President said he did not support the Constitutional Conferences and that its report should rot on the shelves. It reminded me of a film titled "A Bridge Too Far", which captured a battle scenario in the 2ndWorld War. Field Marshal Montgomery, the Allied Commander of the northern theatre of the war in Europe devised an ingenious strategy to finish the war by rushing troops and amour into Central Germany. The only way it could work was to capture the strategic Arhnem Bridge which was far behind German lines. What did Montgomery do? He parachuted lightly armed troop deep behind enemy lines and asked them to capture and hold the strategic Arhnem bridge so that troops and armour could pour over it into Germany. They landed and reached the bridge successfully and began the battle to cross it. Unknown to Field Marshal Montgomery and the Allies, a strong German Panza Division had arrived to take station in the village opposite just the previous day. This was a routine German deployment as they did not know of the Allied plan to take the Bridge. The Allied fought courageously BUT they did not know that the powerful Panza tanks and howitzers were on the other side. The General who commanded the German Panza Division stood on a small hill and watched the lightly armed Allied troops storming the bridge with ferocious courage. He gently shook his head and said "OH, THE COURAGE OF FOOLS!". The rest is history. For the President of a country where   Book Haram, Boko  Fulani, Book Niger Delta, Book Biafra, Boko Odua,  Book Muslim Extremism, Boko Hunger, Boko NEPA, Boko Petrol, Boko Oil Price and other Bokos  are howling over her very existence, to so dismiss the conclusions of the last National Conference is like the Bridge Too Far war strategy. Nigeria needs urgent restructuring. Many people have heard me say this proverb: when you beat a drum too hard and for too long it will tear. A sense of Urgency, honesty, open mindedness, sincerity and extreme hard work is required to tackle the thick cloud of problems over Nigeria". Thanks my Brother David On 17 Jun 2016 15:30, ayo_olukotun@yahoo.com wrote: Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld from Glo Mobile. From: dapogundipe@yahoo.co.uk Date: Fri, 17 Jun 2016 15:02:53 +0100 To: Subject: June 12 Quest Sir, Your article on the backpage of The Punch today refers. I have had an insistent concern that the gains of the 1993 elections and subsequent annulment; and the struggle thereafter have been mismanaged. And this you captured most succinctly in your article. Further, and this baffles me more, is that the characters who presently exist on the stage of governance were the ones who hitherto harangued on the concept of true federalism. Their present whispers (if not silence) are deafening.  I started to become uncomfortable with their body language when in 2014 they insisted on not attending the Conference organised by the previous government. I thought it would have been an opportunity to lay out their concerns. Their supporters insisted they would hold a proper Conference on assumption of office. One year down the road, I see no such signs. It starts to seem they're equally birds of the same hue of political mismanagement.   Femi Kuti would say... I sorry for Nigeria... Dapo Ogundipe  Lagos, Nigeria Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.

---

From: ayo_olukotun@yahoo.com <ayo_olukotun@yahoo.com>;
To: Ayo Olukotun <ayo_olukotun@yahoo.com>; Toyin Falola <toyinfalola@austin.utexas.edu>; Usa dialogue <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com>; Tade Aina <tadeakinaina@yahoo.com>; TaleOmole <taleomole@yahoo.com>; Tiwa <tiwaolugbade@yahoo.com>; Tunji Olaopa <tolaopa2003@gmail.com>; Dr. Awolowo Dosunmu <toksx@yahoo.com>; Attahiru Jega <attahirujega@yahoo.com>; Raufu Mustapha <raufu.mustapha@qeh.ox.ac.uk>; Richard Joseph <r-joseph@northwestern.edu>; Pa Uoma <pauoma@gmail.com>; Paddy <paddykay20o2@yahoo.com>; pai Obanya <paiobanya@gmail.com>; Pius Adesanmi <piusadesanmi@gmail.com>; Prof. Ayobami T. Salami <ayobasalami@yahoo.com>; Prof. E. Biakolo <messages-noreply@linkedin.com>; Prof Bayo Adekanye <profbayo_adekanye@yahoo.com>; Obadare Ebenezer Babatunde <obadare@ku.edu>; Obadiah Mailafia <obmailafia@gmail.com>; Odia Ofeimun <odia55@yahoo.com>; Oladipupo Adamolekun <dipo7k@yahoo.com>; <olatoye_ojo@yahoo.com>; Olajumoke Yacob-Haliso <jumoyin@yahoo.co.uk>; Haastrup, Deji Olaolu <deji@chevron.com>; Habib Aruna <habiblifeagain@gmail.com>; Hafsat Abiola <hafsatabiola@hotmail.com>; Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika <abigaily2k@yahoo.com>; Akinlawon Mabogunje <mabogunje1931@yahoo.com>; Akinjide OSUNTOKUN <josuntokun@yahoo.com>; akin osuntokun <akinosuntokun@yahoo.com>; Banji Oyeyinka <boyeyinka@hotmail.com>; <bayookunade@gmail.com>; Bisi Falola <bisifalola@gmail.com>; Bunmi Makinwa <bunmimakinwa@hotmail.com>; Bolaji Akinyemi <rotaben@gmail.com>; chibuzo nwoke <chibuzonwoke@yahoo.com>; Chukwuma, Innocent <innocent.chukwuma@fordfoundation.org>; Christian Ogbondah <chris.ogbondah@uni.edu>; Nwulu, Paul <p.nwulu@fordfoundation.org>; Lai Olurode <olurode@yahoo.com>; <jgsanda@gmail.com>; Jibo <jibo72@yahoo.com>; Osaghae Eghosa <osaghaeeghosa@yahoo.co.uk>; Adigun Agbaje <adigunagbaje@yahoo.com>; Adebayo <adebayow@hotmail.com>; Adebayo Olukoshi <olukoshi@gmail.com>; adele jinadu <lajinadu@yahoo.com>; Ben Adeyanju <adeyanjuben@yahoo.com>; <fademolaadeoye@gmail.com>; Femi Falana <falanalagos@yahoo.com>; Femi Osofisan <okinbalaunko@yahoo.com>; Festus Adedayo <fesadedayo@yahoo.com>; Ndifreke ette <ndifreke_ette@yahoo.com>; Nduka Otiono <Nduka.Otiono@carleton.ca>; Niyi Osundare <oosunda1@uno.edu>; Ngozi <mediaworldintl@yahoo.com>; Noel Ihebuzor <noel.ihebuzor@gmail.com>; Nuhu Yaqub <nuhuoyaqub@gmail.com>; Hassan Saliu <hassansaliu2003@gmail.com>; Mamora <senatormamora@yahoo.com>; Margaret Ayansola <mdayansola@gmail.com>; Michael Vickers <mvickers@mvickers.plus.com>; Mayortk <mayortk@yahoo.com>; SEGUN GBADEGESIN <gbadeg2002@yahoo.com>; segunawo <segunawo@yahoo.com>; sat obiyan <satobiyan@yahoo.com>; <sanyaoni@hotmail.com>; <shirleygreta@yahoo.com>; Sola Akinrinade <solakin@msn.com>; antonia simbine <tsombe98@yahoo.com>; Ugbabe, Padma <P.Ugbabe@fordfoundation.org>; Solomon Uwaifo <so_uwaifo@yahoo.co.uk>; Wale Adebanwi <waleadebanwi@gmail.com>; William Fawole <fawolew@yahoo.com>;
Subject: Fw: Fw: June 12 Quest
Sent: Fri, Jun 17, 2016 7:21:47 PM

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld from Glo Mobile. From: david_atte <david_atte@yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 17 Jun 2016 18:31:59 +0100 To: ayo_olukotun<ayo_olukotun@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: Fw: June 12 Quest Ayo. Brilliant as usual. I sent a message to a friend in WhatsApp some five days ago. It may bear relevance to the subject at hand. Here it is: "I opened my mouth wide and it took too many minutes to close it after I read that the President said he did not support the Constitutional Conferences and that its report should rot on the shelves. It reminded me of a film titled "A Bridge Too Far", which captured a battle scenario in the 2ndWorld War. Field Marshal Montgomery, the Allied Commander of the northern theatre of the war in Europe devised an ingenious strategy to finish the war by rushing troops and amour into Central Germany. The only way it could work was to capture the strategic Arhnem Bridge which was far behind German lines. What did Montgomery do? He parachuted lightly armed troop deep behind enemy lines and asked them to capture and hold the strategic Arhnem bridge so that troops and armour could pour over it into Germany. They landed and reached the bridge successfully and began the battle to cross it. Unknown to Field Marshal Montgomery and the Allies, a strong German Panza Division had arrived to take station in the village opposite just the previous day. This was a routine German deployment as they did not know of the Allied plan to take the Bridge. The Allied fought courageously BUT they did not know that the powerful Panza tanks and howitzers were on the other side. The General who commanded the German Panza Division stood on a small hill and watched the lightly armed Allied troops storming the bridge with ferocious courage. He gently shook his head and said "OH, THE COURAGE OF FOOLS!". The rest is history. For the President of a country where   Book Haram, Boko  Fulani, Book Niger Delta, Book Biafra, Boko Odua,  Book Muslim Extremism, Boko Hunger, Boko NEPA, Boko Petrol, Boko Oil Price and other Bokos  are howling over her very existence, to so dismiss the conclusions of the last National Conference is like the Bridge Too Far war strategy. Nigeria needs urgent restructuring. Many people have heard me say this proverb: when you beat a drum too hard and for too long it will tear. A sense of Urgency, honesty, open mindedness, sincerity and extreme hard work is required to tackle the thick cloud of problems over Nigeria". Thanks my Brother David On 17 Jun 2016 15:30, ayo_olukotun@yahoo.com wrote: Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld from Glo Mobile. From: dapogundipe@yahoo.co.uk Date: Fri, 17 Jun 2016 15:02:53 +0100 To: <ayo_olukotun@yahoo.com> Subject: June 12 Quest Sir, Your article on the backpage of The Punch today refers. I have had an insistent concern that the gains of the 1993 elections and subsequent annulment; and the struggle thereafter have been mismanaged. And this you captured most succinctly in your article. Further, and this baffles me more, is that the characters who presently exist on the stage of governance were the ones who hitherto harangued on the concept of true federalism. Their present whispers (if not silence) are deafening.  I started to become uncomfortable with their body language when in 2014 they insisted on not attending the Conference organised by the previous government. I thought it would have been an opportunity to lay out their concerns. Their supporters insisted they would hold a proper Conference on assumption of office. One year down the road, I see no such signs. It starts to seem they're equally birds of the same hue of political mismanagement.   Femi Kuti would say... I sorry for Nigeria... Dapo Ogundipe  Lagos, Nigeria Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.