Grandiose Parlor

This is my homage to the youth at the home country for up stepping up to the plate yesterday…’Gongo Aso’ (for real!), courtesy of 9ice.

Abolare Akande a.k.a 9ice. Take a listen:

I caught wind of the Enough-is-Enough youth march in Abuja late. From what I’ve read and seen online so far, the match did happen as planned, the group made their way into the National assembly grounds, but could not get anyone of relevance to address them. Nice and encouraging try, it was.

A video clip

Overall, I appreciate the energy and commitment of planners of the event. They are the ones in the trenches and up against the brutality of the security forces. Putting their bodies at risk and investing their time to make a case for the general well being of Nigerians is a noble task, and I doff my hat!

However, I wish the demands made could have been more potent and better conceived Continue reading…

It is now clear that the violence-igniting problem in JOS is far from solved. Not after more than 500 were killed again over the weekend in what appeared a sequel to an equally bloody incident in January.

The common denominator in the Jos crisis — as in most sectarian crises in Nigeria — is traceable to the deep inequalities in the society. The elements of religion and geography are just mere facilitators in the conflict. Continue reading…

Several newspapers carried the story of the gory killings along the notoriously dangerous Nigeria Lagos-Benin Expressway. The summary: At gun-point a driver of a passenger bus was commanded by armed bandits to run over passengers who had no money on them. No fewer than 16 innocent people dead horribly.

To the strong-hearted here is the aftermath in photo. CAUTION: GRAPHIC IMAGE!

Despite the several police checkpoints along the route, the robbers left their sorrowful marks on the asphalt and hearts of several families.

In return, the Nigerian Senate ranted and vocalized some mumbo-jumbo as usual, observed a few minutes of silence in honor of the dead, and promised to do what they do best — set up an inquiry.

And the police? The “whole report about the incident is vague and that the police could not ascertain that the incident actually occurred”, quoting a statement credited to a police high-ranking public relations officer.

Speechless!

There is more than enough documentation of what is not right with Nigeria, particularly the inefficiencies of the Nigerian police force. When is the will to fix the problem going to start manifesting?

Why is it that Nigerian elected officials develop inertia when it’s needed most? This is a question that has become even more relevant given the Yar’Adua’s impasse.

The man is clearly incapacitated and not able to perform his duties are required under the law. In fact, it now appears the man is not even in the right state — physically and mentally, to make his situation known to the people who gave him his mandate! This is what the recent events strongly suggest since his return from Saudi Arabia about a week ago.

So why has it remained a Herculean task to the representatives of the Nigerian people to do the right thing and relieve the man of his burden?

Why is the conscience of our elected officials so dead to the expectations of the people whom they represent?

I doff my hat to the Nigerian information minister, Dora Akunyili, for her new-found courage and consciousness to the moral contract she has with the people. Her unilateral stance against the deceit and rascality of the Yar’Adua cabal is a refreshing breeze instead of the foul staleness of the Abuja obstructionists and status quo keepers.
Continue reading…

An excerpt of a statement credited to Prof. Rufai Ahmed Alkali, the National Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian ruling party, PDP, reads:

“The safe arrival of Mr. President from his sojourn in Saudi Arabia is a testimony to the fact that the prayers of all Nigerians for his quick recovery have been answered. We therefore rejoice with our fellow citizens for this unique favour done to us by the Almighty God…

Now that the President has returned, we call on all Nigerians irrespective of political leanings to cooperate with him to realise the lofty programmes he has outlined for our dear country.”

what an arrant nonsense!

First, the prayer is not for the president to just return, but be able to function fully as the president. His presence in Nigeria is of no use if he can’t act and fulfill the responsibilities of his office.

The concluding statement gives the impression that all is now well with the president and ready to function. This is so far from the truth! Not the way the president was smuggled into the country in the dead of the night guarded by soldiers!

What irks me deeply is that utterances as this shows how much respect the PDP /Yar’Adua’s inner caucus / Presidency have for the Nigerian people: Zero!

Nigerians have been insulted and lied to enough over the Yar’Adua matter. Everything seen and heard so far strongly indicates the man is no longer able to function. So, in reverence to the national motto of Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress, all relevant forces must converge and be brought to bear on those obstructionists to yield and move out of the way.

As for me, Umaru Yar’Adua is an ill man, and no longer the president of the Nigerian federation. And nobody, not his wife Turai, or security aides and members of his inner circle have the right to direct the affairs of the nation.

This is the time the national assembly must act to not only save Nigerians from a prolonged international embarrassment but reverse this sprint toward destruction.

Word has it that the ailing Nigerian president is back in town; bundled-up and flown quietly to Abuja by his wife, according to report.

The next few weeks are bound to be quite interesting in Nigeria…