Both the PDP and the incumbent President have shown beyond any doubt
that they will brook no opposition nor concede any quarter to the Opposition in
the titanic 2015 battle. As far as they are concerned, nothing is sacrosanct;
not individuals, not the very existence of Nigeria as a united country.
Therefore, as you read this, a sitting Governor has no Aide de Camp, no Chief
Security Officer. Yet the Nigeria
Police can look askance, like the Governor’s Security is no longer a concern of
theirs...
FEMI OREBE
(The Nation on Sunday of October 6,
2013)
The FIFA U-17
World Cup victory euphoria is still in the air. It was indeed a well-deserved
victory. As much as was humanly possible, everything, including the officiating,
was fair and square. After all, the Match Officials were neither Nigerians nor
Mexicans. FIFA and the entire footballing world would not have allowed such,
anyway.
But, look at
this! Do you know that since the 1959 General Election, Nigerians have silently
watched the ruling Parties over the years appoint or install all the Electoral
umpires – from ‘A’ to ‘Z’.? Of course, it is common knowledge that the
Inspectors-General of Police and the State Security bosses have always been in
the pockets of the Nigerian Heads of State, right from time. Let us forget
about the military, for now. After all, their presence on the electoral scene
is both illegal and unconstitutional. More about that later!
Let me say
it, possibly for the umpteenth time! In the sense that I will never ask for
anybody’s vote, I am not a politician. I do not carry a Party Card. Rather, I
am a Political Historian (by vocation). To an extent too, I am a Military
Historian. Since History is full of wars, both are inter-related. I am also a democrat. Some people wrongly believe
that one must be a politician before he or she can become a democrat, or vice -
versa.
Now, if you
really care to know, I acquired my democratic norms, tenets, and general
credentials as a young, perceptive and impressionable student of a USAID Secondary School in Port Harcourt,
Eastern Nigeria. That was in the Sixties. In
all humility, let me say that I have more ‘democracy’ at my fingertips than
many Governors, Lawmakers, Special Advisers, Ministers, Party bosses, Speakers
and Members of the State Houses of Assembly, etc, have in their entire heads. I
guess the pompous ones amongst them would not like this bit. However, it is
true. I recommend that they go and read Chapter 13 of my book, POST-WAR
NIGERIA,
RECONCILIATION & UNITY… (Ark Publishers, P.O. Box 1044, Owerri
Nigeria,
2009). Those 20 pages, specifically, as well as the 20-Chapter, 450-page book,
generally, should convince you.
* Mr. President, God
wants to use you!
In six
previous mail print-outs in the past one year or so, I had told President
Jonathan exactly the same thing. God wants to use him to achieve Nigeria’s healing, progress, unity, security and greatness. Lest I forget,
whenever I mention ‘God’ in any of my write-ups, I mean the ‘God of Christ.’ For
your information also, Christianity is not a religion. Rather, it is faith in Jesus, the only begotten Son of the Most High God who,
incidentally, is also the only Mediator between God and Man. However, Churchianity is a religion – like
Hinduism, Bhuddism, Pintoism, Mohammedanism, etc.
The first
time I conveyed this vital message to President Jonathan was in a mail printout
captioned ‘PEOPLES’ REVOLUTION, JONATHAN & HISTORY’
(and dated 3rd October, 2012). It was to commemorate Nigeria’s 52nd
Independence Anniversary. I also enclosed a Complimentary (and autographed)
copy of my book – for Mr. President’s library.
To make assurance doubly sure, I had sent the package through the Nipost SPEEDPOST and it was clearly
addressed to Dr. Reuben Abati (the Presidential Spokesman). Nipost did positively confirm delivery
after one week. The person who collected the parcel also signed a signature at
the appropriate place. I have my own copy of the ‘Evidence of Delivery.’ Up
till today however, nobody has bothered to acknowledge receipt. Nevertheless,
let me brief the President, for the seventh and last time, in the interest of Nigeria…
It is estimated that about 100
million Nigerians live just barely above the poverty level. God is not pleased
with the suffering, poverty, hunger, crime, disease, corruption, general lawlessness, unemployment, immorality,
ignorance and insecurity in our country. He is particularly angry because He
gave us sufficient resources to
ensure that everybody enjoys three meals each day -and has access to basic Housing,
Healthcare etc. Due to terrible hardship, directly and indirectly created by
our rulers and leaders, many Nigerians have opted for blatant devil-worship.
Because of this, the devil and his agents appear to be gaining the upper hand
in the affairs of Nigeria.
Even poor and smaller countries in Africa are
mocking us. Our Youths are becoming bitter, restive - and angry. Everybody
knows what this portends, right? When (and if) they blow up, 5 Divisions of soldiers - and 500,000 MOPOL will not contain them.
God wants Mr.
President, as a first step, to forget about 2015. A tall order? Not when it
comes from God! This might be a sacrifice but He has done much more for the man
and his family. In just about a dozen years, he was lifted from relative
obscurity to international limelight. God has a purpose. It is now payback time. It is His Will to wipe
away the tears from the eyes of millions of Nigerians – both young and old.
Jonathan really holds the key. He did not need to go all the way to Israel to ‘pray’ for Nigeria or talk to God.
Right now, God is talking to the man, through me.
Mr. President
must forget about 2015 because his neutrality
is the only thing that would guarantee a sincere
and effective Anti-Corruption War in Nigeria. For example, can you
imagine the man doing anything meaningful, tangible or reasonable about bringing
the fuel subsidy scammers and thieves to book – if he is bent on re-election?
Mind you, we are talking about trillions
of naira. Nobody ever fought the powerful and fierce corruption ‘monster’ with
his hands tied behind his back.
There can truly be no genuine
‘transformation’ amidst corruption. Drastically reducing the scourge
(corruption can never be completely
wiped out anywhere in the world) would ensure that we get much better leaders
than we have today. For about 53 years, Nigeria has been looking for a
“messiah.” In the reckoning of God, President Jonathan fits the bill.
Unfortunately, the man apparently prefers to sink deeper and deeper into the PDP
political quagmire. He is also gradually
losing the opportunity to have his children possess the gates of their enemies
(Gen. 22:17). Is this not infinitely better than leaving them money, buildings,
etc? How so very tragic!
* PDP: Prosecutor,
Judge and Jury.
Nigeria defeated Mexico to lift the Junior World
Cup. It was well-deserved. Many of those who now hail the Eaglets
hypocritically overlook the fact that here in Nigeria, the Referees, Linesmen,
Match Commissioners and Match Security bosses in every ‘Cup Final’ since the
Federal Election of 1959 had been appointed by the ruling Parties. So, why
should they not “win?” Right at the
moment, the INEC is a PDP ‘Parastatal.’ The
INEC Chairman and National Commissioners are said to routinely visit Mr. President.
What do you think would have happened if the Nigeria – Mexico Cup Finals
referee and Linesmen had been seen to visit the Nigerian Ambassador in the
United Arab Emirate? I mean just once! Answer the question for yourself!
The Organised
Civil Society, Opposition Political Parties, Labour and Student Unions, etc,
must quickly wake up from slumber. The PDP should not be allowed to appoint our
electoral umpires. That is akin to Fascism, pure and simple. The Senate
confirmation bit is a deceit. After all,
the ruling Party has over 2/3 of the Senators in its kitty. As for Governors
appointing the State Resident Electoral Commissioners, such is also
reprehensible and undemocratic. The fact that they get posted outside their
States of origin makes no difference whatsoever. Every Electoral umpire must be
appointed by Organised Civil Society members. The modus operandi is in Chapter 20 of my book – specifically on pages
418 – 420. For a start, there should not be more then five Parties in our
polity. Part of the criteria for sifting the 54 or so present “Parties” is that
the five must each field a Presidential Candidate. If the APC does not insist on getting this anomaly rectified, before 2015,
the PDP shall “win”, all over again. I mean especially at the Presidential
level!
At this
point, let me do a bit of political prediction.
It is my democratic right, anyway. Whether you believe it or not, Igbos have a
large population – and the best spread
in this country. For the APC to make
any real headway in the South-East, the Party must field a South-Easterner as
running mate. Every sensible Igbo person would prefer the No. 2 slot to PDP’s
yet-to-be-made offer of No. 3. Of course, that is natural. In my democratic
opinion, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu fits the
bill. I have nothing against President Goodluck. However, those who have been
assuring him that Igbos will sheepishly vote for him in 2015 (assuming the man
chooses to disobey God and goes ahead to seek for re-election) are in for a big
shock. In my opinion, it is really an insult to so predict the voting pattern
of millions of intelligent Igbos.
Dr. Ogbonnaya
Onu was the ANPP Chairman before the merger that gave birth to the APC. Much earlier, he was Abia State’s
first civilian Governor. At that time, I was still in the Civil Service. I
retired voluntarily on 1/1/95 as Deputy Director, World Bank Urban Housing
Project Implementation Unit, Umuahia. Dr. Onu came across as painstaking,
persevering and courageous. Of course, Dr. Onu had his faults but then who does
not?
I reckon
President Jonathan might want another running mate. Just maybe! Vice-President Namadi
Sambo is decent and loyal, quite alright. However, as a Political Historian, I
can decipher what others might be unable to grasp, until it probably becomes
too late. Jonathan’s best bet is Gov. Shehu Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State.
I have never met the man but I have read quite a lot about him-and between the
lines too. He is hardworking, intelligent and compassionate. Any leader who has no love for the people he purports
to lead is working for the devil, pure and simple.
* APC, what do you
have to offer?
Obviously,
the PDP does not have much to offer us. We are tired of their propaganda. Fourteen
years is sufficient time to prove their mettle in the areas of sustained Food
Production, Railway and Inland Waterways Transport, erection of Refineries,
Solid Minerals exploitation, regular Power Supply, Qualitative Education, Security,
sound Healthcare, Housing, etc. They have not really done much. A few years
ago, did they not promise the Youths “four million jobs?” Where are the jobs? I
can go on and on but what is the need?
The APC
apparently is more interested in pushing the PDP out of Aso Rock Villa than tell us what to expect. Nigerians want action.
There is very little time left, or do you think there is? Among other things,
let us hear what they have to say about my NATIONAL YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT WELFARE
SCHEME (NYUWS). It is the only thing that can prevent a blow-up, in the short
run (see Chapter 14 of the book). Is anybody listening with both ears? Can the
SCHEME be funded? Very easily, I tell you! Again, why must Nigeria spend trillions of Naira each year to import
rice, wheat, sugar, fish, vegetable oil, textiles, vehicles, drugs, premium
motor spirit (or petrol), diesel, kerosene, etc? How can our Youths get jobs?
Why should there not be crime, insecurity and prostitution all over the place? Nigeria can
only reap what she sows.
* The Security Forces
and elections.
In July 1959,
before the General Election, the Federal Police was used to stop Chief
Awolowo’s Action Group Party from campaigning in Kano. Not only that! On trumped-up charges,
several of the Yorubas amongst them were locked up-till after the polls. This
had further increased the enmity between Chief Awolowo and the leaders of the
Northern People’s Congress. Also, the Yoruba nation was very bitter. Gradually,
the seed for the remote causes of the Nigerian Civil War was being sown… Later,
“Ojukwu and the Ibos” got blamed for every single thing…
In 2003 and
2007, the undemocratic Yoruba Emperor
had used Tafa Balogun, Sunday Ehindero as well as soldiers to blatantly subvert
the General Elections. Why must our elections look like battles? The more the
“election security,” the less the credibility, peacefulness and fairness of our
polls. During a re-run in Ekiti
State a few years ago
encompassing 10 Local Government Councils, about 10,000 policemen were on
ground. For 21 Local Government Councils in Anambra State, about 28,000 cops
are said to be “battle-ready.” All these do not help much. So, what is actually
wrong as regards our elections. The ‘SECURITY CHAPTER’ of my book (Chapter 17) has exposed the rotten
underbelly of Nigeria’s Security
Forces, possibly the least proactive in West Africa.
Undoubtedly, some of them are hardworking, humane and patriotic. However, the
bad eggs in their midst appear to be on the increase.
In actual fact, the ‘419’ 1999
CONSTITUTION does not provide for the use of the Nigerian military to “secure” elections. Only the Police and the State
Security Service have been legally assigned that role. It might even interest
you to know that Fascist dictator,
Benito Musollini of Italy
never used the military to supervise his one and only “election” (in April,
1924). Nazi madman, Adolf Hitler, never tried it during his 1932 “election.”
Rather, he had used his Party Police (which was also an illegality anyway). So,
why should the ruling Party blatantly flout all the rules of the game?
Why should Mr. President encourage
insubordination by letting a Commissioner of Police try to lock horns with a
State Governor. What is so difficult about sending another Police Commissioner
to Rivers State? Whether Jonathan likes or
dislikes that particular Governor is not the issue. I am talking about democracy
and constitutionality. Why harass the ‘rebels’ in the PDP with the Police? Do
we now prefer Fascism to democracy? What is the National Assembly saying
about it all? Are the Governors not affronted by the fact that one of their own
is being insulted? Do they know it could be
any of them tomorrow? What a tragedy!
My last
write-up was on the imperative for a democratic referendum or plebiscite after the forthcoming NATIONAL CONFERENCE.
If it eventually holds, lots of things certainly would be streamlined by the
people. One of them is that a ‘Regional
Police’ should replace the present Federal Police which is now being abused
by the Presidency. Let us forget about State Police. After all, the six Regions
shall soon become the Federating Units.
To ensure that the Inspector-General of Police owes allegiance to the State
(rather than to the Head of State), he or she is to be jointly appointed (or sacked) by the following, having equal votes:- Mr. President, the Six
Regional Governors, the President of the Unicameral FEDERAL LEGISLATURE as well
as the Chief Justice of Nigeria. More details are in Chapter 20 of the
“revolutionary” book.
* * *
Finally, if
you desire to purchase my book, a copy goes for N2,500.00 (two thousand, five hundred naira only). This includes
postage within Nigeria.
Any State Governor who so desires can order for as many copies as he likes for
his Commissioners, S.S.G; Aides, Head of Service and House of Assembly. Pay your
money into Union Bank Acct. No. 0031545494 (N. IBELEGBU)
and send your teller No. (plus correct
Postal Address) to me, via sms. Your copy or copies shall get to you
immediately.
Thank you.
N.F.J. IBELEGBU
(Author)
08052400349 (sms only)
18th November, 2013.
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