One Nik Ogbulie, a self-proclaimed “Lagos-based journalist”, has a rejoinder published in Guardian Newspapers online to the failed Okereke-Onyiuke-led Africans for Obama initiative. Excerpt:
Taking into consideration the fact that Nigerians are a very sensitive lot, given the various intervening variables that condition their reactions, the Obama issue should be seen as a mere pedestrian discourse that fits into the game plan of a segment of the disgruntled elites who see Okereke-Onyiuke’s records with awe and envy…
After reading the Nik’s essay, I was left to wonder how fat the envelope he received was, for him to stick out his neck for a supposedly learned lady that made a clearly catastrophic blunder.
The envelope must be well padded!
Hello,
I have one question.
Would it have been legal for the lady to do a Nigerians for Yar’Adua fund-raiser like Africans for Obama to sensitise Nigerians in Nigeria to vote for Yar’Adua in a multi-party state where she holds the position she has?
Regards,
Akin
August 28, 2008 at 2:59 am
I have two, no three questions:
1. What was the motivating factor for the Obama ticket scandal (actual)? to make a name? to rake in money in the normal do-or-die-get-rich-quick Niaja fashion? or to actually donate money to Obama campaign?
2. what homework did Mrs Professor (who should be used to feasibility studies) do on raising funds for the Obama Campaign? Before you answer, why did Obama group reject and denounce Ndidi’s fundraiser?
3. What sense is there in Nigeria (or those representing her) becoming so openly subjective to the point of proclaiming to support Obama against McCain (just because Obama is black and a brother)?
August 28, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Excerpt from Nik Ogbuile write up
“The thesis of her comments was that Africans for Obama 2008 is not a Fund Raising Organization for Senator Barack Obama. The United States Electoral Law does not allow foreign nationals to donate money to an American candidate for the purpose of election. She explained that the aim of Africans for Obama 2008 was to sensitie and mobilise Africans of voting age in Diaspora and other Americans to exercise their voting right. She never urged them to vote for Obama but simply said, “Go out to Register and vote”.
IF THIS IS TRUE SO WHERE DOES ALL THE MONEY RAISED FROM THE MILLION NAIRA TICKETS GO? TELL IT TO THE MARINES.
August 28, 2008 at 3:34 pm
@ Akin: That is what is so disappointing. If she was so moved by the prospect of Obama’s candidacy, why not motivate Nigerians to participate in our own democratic process? The fact is that had Ndidi tried that, she would be on some training course like Ribadu, but it would be located in the Delta. Just my two cents.
@ Imnakoya: Padded envelopes? How gauche. It would take a bullion van filled with dollars, not Naira, to write that nonsense. But that would be me. I have high standards.
August 28, 2008 at 10:42 pm
@ omotaylor: Technically, there is nothing wrong with private individuals spending their money to mobilize others to vote for someone they believe in. Emphasis on the word ‘technically’. If rich people wnat to spend millions on ‘tables’, so be it, shebi?
The problem is the issue you raise – where would the money go? I always understood that the money would help to get people to vote, but that raises additional questions that were left unanswered. Who are these ‘Africans in the Diaspora’ the group speaks of so fondly? How exactly will they be ‘motivated’ to vote? Would such ‘motivation’ prove illegal under US law?
I still believe that Ndidi had no business leading this group. She is not a private citizen. I also strongly hold that “Considering that Nigeria and most African peoples hardly have any lobbying groups at home or abroad working for their interests, it is nice to see a group try to change that.” Nice concept, improperly executed and not transparent enough.
Anyway, I still am waiting to find out where the money raised is right now and where it is going to be tomorrow. Can’t wait to hear about that.
August 28, 2008 at 10:54 pm
@ imnakoya: oops, did I say dollars? Slip of the tongue, I absolutely meant Pound Sterling. Its worth a whole lot more.
August 28, 2008 at 10:55 pm
@Solomosydelle; the problem i have with the technicallity of the issue raised is that Ndidi as you rightly have mentioned is not that private a person for she holds a position that makes her a representative of Nigeria in whatever she does, even in her private life. And yes, still will like to know what happened to the money raised? One thing we know for sure is that it was not sent to then Obama campaigne for the money/support was rejected just as Judas blood money was rejected by those he took it from, when he tried to return it. This was followed by Judas suicide!
August 29, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Well some answers to some questions:
“EFCC retrieves N74m Africa for Obama Campaign funds
Rules out trial of Okereke-Onyuike
From Alifa Daniel and Florence Oretade, Abuja
FUNDS contributed by some Nigerians in support of the United States (U.S.) Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, Barack Obama, are now in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
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The commission said yesterday that once the donors have been fully ascertained, the money would be returned to them. The commission said the N74.1 million was raised for the project by Africa for Obama Campaign led by the Director-General of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Prof. Ndidi Okereke-Onyuike…”
Read on following this link:
http://odili.net/news/source/2008/sep/1/6.html
The good thing is that attention was paid to this matter and will serve as a detterent to wanna bee illicit fund raisers.
September 1, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Thanks for the comments folks. Ndidi has no business in NSE after her Obama’s blunder. It is that simple. But who will make that call? I’m in Nigeria at the moment, there is no president in office, and no one knows where he is, either dead or alive. Nigeria is a mess right now.
September 5, 2008 at 7:22 am
Hello Imnakoya
Hope you are enjoying your stay in Nigeria (even if this be an illusion). Yes we all heard the news about Mr President here in the Diaspora and more so about First Lady Yaradua not wanting to donate her Kidney to Mr President. So one thing is sure, Mr President is not just on the lesser Hajj, he is sick and as Nigeria has needed for the past 20 odd years, Mr President needs our serious prayers.
Am just curious to know how and why you say Nigeria is in a mess right now for I may wish to visit sooner or later soon. please elaborate.
Stay safe and peace
September 5, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Still on Yaradua’s health, this should make interesting reading:
http://odili.net/news/source/2008/sep/5/601.html
September 6, 2008 at 8:44 am