Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - On this Matter of Party Defections in Nigeria's National and State Assemblies {Re: [Naijaintellects] Chaos at National Assembly: Tambuwal Stopped, David Mark Orders shutdown
Ikhide
Professor Aluko,Many thanks for sharing the relevant portions of the law and proving conclusively that it is open to interpretation. He is no longer speaker of the house. If he is not happy with this action, he should go to court. How difficult is that? Why are our lawbreakers like this?- IkhideSent via smoke signals!-------- Original message --------From: Mobolaji AlukoDate:11/22/2014 10:39 AM (GMT-05:00)To: USAAfrica Dialogue , NaijaPolitics e-Group , naijaintellects , OmoOdua , ekiti ekitigroups , NiDAN , Ra'ayi , Yan Arewa , "niger...@yahoogroups.com" , Ayo Obe , ogunl...@hotmail.comSubject: USA Africa Dialogue Series - On this Matter of Party Defections in Nigeria's National and State Assemblies {Re: [Naijaintellects] Chaos at National Assembly: Tambuwal Stopped, David Mark Orders shutdown--Dear Ayo Obe, Salimonu Kadiri and All:We should all hold our horses and read the relevant sections of the Constitution very well well. They are Sections 68 and 109 of the 1999 Constitution, viz-----------QUOTE68. (1) A member of the Senate or of the House of Representatives shall vacate his seat in the House of which he is a member if -(a) he becomes a member of another legislative house.(b) any other circumstances arise that, if he were not a member of the Senate or the House of Representatives, would cause him to be disqualified for election as a member;(c) he ceases to be a citizen of Nigeria;(d) he becomes President, Vice-President, Governor, Deputy Governor or a Minister of the Government of the Federation or a Commissioner of the Government of a State or a Special Adviser.(e) save as otherwise prescribed by this Constitution, he becomes a member of a commission or other body established by this Constitution or by any other law.(f) without just cause he is absent from meetings of the House of which he is a member for a period amounting in the aggregate to more than one-third of the total number of days during which the House meets in any one year;(g) being a person whose election to the House was sponsored by a political party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which that House was elected;Provided that his membership of the latter political party is not as a result of a division in the political party of which he was previously a member or of a merger of two or more political parties or factions by one of which he was previously sponsored; or(h) the President of the Senate or, as the case may be, the Speaker of the House of Representatives receives a certificate under the hand of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission stating that the provisions of section 69 of this Constitution have been complied with in respect of the recall of that member.(2) The President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as the case may be, shall give effect to the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, so however that the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of Representatives or a member shall first present evidence satisfactory to the House concerned that any of the provisions of that subsection has become applicable in respect of that member.(3) A member of the Senate or of the House of Representatives shall be deemed to be absent without just cause from a meeting of the House of which he is a member, unless the person presiding certifies in writing that he is satisfied that the absence of the member from the meeting was for a just cause.----------------109. (1) A member of a House of Assembly shall vacate his seat in the House if -(a) he becomes a member of another legislative house;(b) any other circumstances arise that, if he were not a member of that House, would cause him to be disqualified for election as such a member;(c) he ceases to be a citizen of Nigeria;(d) he becomes President, Vice-President, Governor, Deputy Governor or a Minister of the Government of the Federation or a Commissioner of the Government of a State or a Special Adviser;(e) save as otherwise prescribed by this Constitution, he becomes a member of a commission or other body established by this Constitution or by any other law;(f) without just cause he is absent from meetings of the House of Assembly for a period amounting in the aggregate to more than one-third of the total number of days during which the House meets in any one year;(g) being a person whose election to the House of Assembly was sponsored by a political party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which that House was elected:Provided that his membership of the latter political party is not as a result of a division in the political party of which he was previously a member or of a merger of two or more political parties or factions by one of which he was previously sponsored; or(h) the Speaker of the House of Assembly receives a certificate under the hand of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission stating that the provisions of section 110 of this Constitution have been complied with in respect of the recall of the member.(2) The Speaker of the House of Assembly shall give effect to subsection (1) of this section, so however that the Speaker or a member shall first present evidence satisfactory to the House that any of the provisions of that subsection has become applicable in respect of the member.(3) A member of a House of Assembly shall be deemed to be absent without just cause from a meeting of the House of Assembly unless the person presiding certifies in writing that he is satisfied that the absence of the member from the meeting was for a just cause.UNQUOTENotice the sections highlighted in red.Point #1: We must notice that upon defection, even where certain qualifications for loss of position of membership of the relevant House has been satisfied, the loss is NOT AUTOMATIC: either the Senate President, or the Speaker of the House, or a member of relevant body SHALL FIRST PRESENT SATISFACTORY EVIDENCE about the infraction.So it is NOT the duty of the Inspector-General, or the Presidency, or ANYBODY outside the relevant House to point this infraction out. [INEC initiates action ONLY on the issue of RECALLS, but even then, the House has to act on it..]Pesumably after that, there must be a vote in the House about being SATISFIED with said evidence.Point #2 is more serious: how to PROVE the defection SATISFACTORILY?For starters, one presumes that(1) you must have a PARTY MEMBERSHIP CARD to be a member of a Party; (2) you have PAID RELEVANT DUES, AND(3) you have ATTENDED party meetings to be a member.(4) hence you were ORIGINALLY sponsored by that party.Clearly, merely SAYING SO ON TV or RADIO or in the NEWSPAPERS that you are a member of Party A does not count for membership. Even VOTING on issues with PARTY A in the House does not make you a member of PARTY A; you may merely be a rebel member of Party B.On the contrary, therefore, to QUIT a party and DEFECT to another, one presumes that(1) you have TURNED IN the membership card of the old party and(2) taken that of the new one;(3) you have STOPPED attending the meetings of the old one, and(4) have started to attend those of the new one.Are you with me?Now, if a person whose party expects him VOLUNTARY to resign does not do so, or there are some circumstances in the House which do not permit the errant Member to be kicked out, the party can be sufficiently UPSET to arrange a RECALL, upon which if successful, INEC is REQUIRED to issue a Certificate to that effect.My point is that we should learn to do things in an orderly fashion in this our democracy, and not resort to jankara "self-help". As it is, the Constitution is ENFORCEABLE, but ONLY by members of the relevant House, and NOT by any one else.The Constitution anticipates that the Senate President or the Speaker may defect, hence a member can bring up the issue, and present evidence to sack either of them from the relevant House for defection. The Constitution even allows recall.So my point is that according to the Constitution that we currently operate, Tambuwal, despite his odious defection to many, remains first a Member of the House, and secondly Speaker, until someone brings up a point of order which must be heard, and evidence is entered and positively voted for.Elementary, my dear compatriots.And there you have it, as I rest my case.Bolaji AlukoEsquare, SAMPS1: This also applies to Ekiti State House of Assembly....for the defections there.PS2: If the House votes to kick you out without sufficient evidence adduced, the Courts are there to RESTORE your position.On Sat, Nov 22, 2014 at 2:32 PM, Salimonu Kadiri <ogunl...@hotmail.com> wrote:Thank you for your Constitutional reference of which I am already aware. I am certain that you also know that the Speaker of the National Assembly, Tambuwal, is not the first person to defect from the political party on which platform he was elected. Mark you, the Constitution refers to *A LEGISLATURE THAT CHANGES PARTY* and not LEGISLATORS CHANGING PARTY. As we have seen more than 40 PDP legislators have crossed over to APC. In that wise, what more evidence does one need to establish that there is division in the PDP. When Mimiko changed to PDP, the majority of the State's House of Assembly followed him to join the PDP without forfeiting their seats. At moment cases of carpet crossing, including that of Tambuwal, are pending in the Courts for decision and it has never happened that the police mounted a siege at each Assembly to prevent carpet crossers from gaining entrance. Rather, in Ekiti, the Police protected six carpet crossers from the APC who joined the only PDP to make seven out of twenty-six members of the State's Assembly. Furthermore, the police prevented the nineteen members of the APC from entering Ekiti State's House of Assembly, where the seven PDP now usurp the right of the majority to make laws and approve Bills.
What the Constitution says about a legislator that changes party is not in dispute but who should declare the seat of the carpet crosser vacant. Is it the COURTS, the POLICE, the PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, the SPEAKER, or majority MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL or STATE'S ASSEMBLY? If the Police has the Power to decide that Tambuwal is no longer the Speaker of the House or its member, why did the Police not arrest and arraign him before a court of law for impersonation and false acquisition of Power of authority?
Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Re: [Naijaintellects] Chaos at National Assembly: Tambuwal Stopped, David Mark Orders shutdown
From: ayo.m...@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2014 21:58:58 +0000
To: usaafric...@googlegroups.comUnder the Constitution (section 68(1)(g) in the case of the National Assembly and 109(1)(g) in th case of State Houses of Assembly), it is only when a legislator changes party that he or she loses their seat (unless the change is the result of a division in or merger of the party on whose platform he or she was originally elected). There are no similar provisions in respect of elected executive officers, i.e. President, Vice, Governor and Deputy.
AyoI invite you to follow me on Twitter @naijamaA while ago the Governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko, deflected from the Labour Party to the Peoples' Decocratic Party (PDP) and carried with him his Governorship attire. The Nigerian Police did not withdraw his police protection. When the Speaker of the House of Representatives deflected from PDP to APC, the Police immediately withdrew Aminu Tambuwal's security details. Thus, we do not have NIGERIAN POLICE but POLITICALLY DIRECTED POLICE - another dangerous PDP.
The House was re-convened on the request of the Speaker to debate and take decision on the request of President Jonathan to extend the state of emergency rule in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa State for further three months. It would appear from what has happened now that the request for the extension of emergency rule was just a pretext to lure the deflected Speaker to convene the House meeting so that he could be arm-twisted into resigning as the Speaker. I have read in other Nigerian on-line news media that the Police has explained that their invasion of the National Assembly was based on security information that hoodlums and thugs were to invade the Assembly. Evidently, the prevention of hoodlums and thugs to invade the National Assembly by the Police includes stopping Tambuwal and other members of the House of entering the Assembly. The Police just wanted to replicate what it has done in Ekiti where 19 APC members of the State's House of Assembly were prevented from entering the House in favour of 7 PDP members. If the Police under the command of Jonathan can tear-gass National Assembly's members, he should not need the approval of the National Assembly to deploy armed forces to any part of the federation.
I have always regarded Fredrick Lugard as a damned racist since I read his 643 pages book, published in 1922, and titled, THE DUAL MANDATE. Unfortunately, Jonathan has confirmed to be true what I consider to be racial prejudice against Black Africa by Lugard. Hear him, "The African Negro is not naturally cruel, though his own insensibility to pain and his disregard for life - whether his own or another's - cause him to appear callous to suffering. ...He (the African Negro) lacks Power of organisation, and is conspicuously deficient in the management and control alike of men or of business. He loves the display of Power, but fails to realise its responsibility. ... He has the courage of the fighting animal - an instinct rather than a moral virtue. In brief, the virtues and the defects of this race-type (African) are those of attractive children... Perhaps the two traits which have impressed me as those most characteristic of the African native are his lack of apprehension and inability to visualise the future." As if Lugard knew that Jonathan would be dancing *AZONTO* the following day 300 school Girls were abducted by Boko Haram and allmost, and foresight, natural hundred lives were smashed to Death at Nyanya, a surburb to Abuja, he wrote, "In character and temperament the typical African of this race-type is a happy, thriftless, excitable person, lacking in self-control, discipline, and foresight,... full of personal Vanity, with Little sense of veracity, fond of Music and loving weapons as an oriental loves jewelry. His thoughts are concentrated on the events and feelings of the moment, and he suffers Little from apprehension for the future, or grief for the past. His mind is far nearer to the animal World, and he exhibits something of the animal's placidity and want of desire to rise beyond the state he has reached." Ironically, Jonathan is said to be a Phd holder in ZOOLOGY!
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2014 13:31:35 +0100
Subject: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Re: [Naijaintellects] Chaos at National Assembly: Tambuwal Stopped, David Mark Orders shutdown
From: alu...@gmail.com
To: naijain...@googlegroups.com
CC: ekiti...@yahoogroups.com; Omo...@yahoogroups.com; YanA...@yahoogroups.com; niger...@yahoogroups.com; USAAfric...@googlegroups.com; Raay...@yahoogroups.com; NaijaP...@yahoogroups.comMy People:This is more than serious.....why must everything from federal to state be so much brigandage?Lord have mercy!Bolaji AlukoShaking his head2014-11-20 11:57:44Bedlam broke out this morning at the National Assembly complex as the police barricaded the House of Representatives preventing Speaker Aminu Tambuwal from entering the complex. Latest reports reaching Elombah.com says the Senate President, David Mark, has ordered that the National Assembly complex be shut down till next week Tuesday, 25th November, 2014.
The Reps had been summoned by the Speaker to discuss President Goodluck Jonathan’s request for a further three-month extension of the emergency rule in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.
But Security operatives, Thursday, stopped the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal from entering the National Assembly Complex.
Lawmakers who accompanied the speaker had to climb the second entry point gate as some who could not climb sustained injuries while trying to scale over.
At about 10.54am after much entreaties the speaker was allowed entry but other lawmakers were denied entry.
The speaker’s official car was detained but after his entry into the outer space of the complex, Security men barricaded him and shot tear gas carnisters into the air to scare him but the speaker stood his ground. .
The speaker who got to NASS at about 10.38am was accompanied by a long convoy of cars and was allowed to pass through the outer gate entry point.
The Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha arrived earlier at about 10.35am and was given a presidential passage into the complex.
Reports from Abuja say the police responded with a hail of tear gas as APC lawmakers resorted to scaling the fence to enter the premises.
Tambuwal was later allowed to enter the chambers and was reported to be meeting with APC lawmakers as at the time of filing this report. The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is insisting that Tambuwal steps down as Speaker following his recent defection from the party. The police has since withdrawn Tambuwal’s security.
Senate President David Mark hurriedly announced the suspension of sitting as the tear gas fired by the police took its toll.
On Thu, Nov 20, 2014 at 1:02 PM, Elombah Elsdan <elombahpe...@gmail.com> wrote:
Chaos at National Assembly: Tambuwal Stopped, David Mark Orders shutdown Bedlam broke out this morning at the National Assembly complex as�the police barricaded the House of Representatives pre...--Every Nigerian that has something important to say, says it on www.elombah.comFollow us on twitter @Elombah; 'Like' us on Facebook: "elombah.com" & "For A Corruption Free Nigeria"
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Mobolaji Aluko
Segun Ogungbemi
Segun Ogungbemi Ph.D
Ikhide:I am CERTAIN that you can read, even the Law.
The sections below indicate that the loss of seat is NOT AUTOMATIC; even after  a defection, the Speaker or a House member must TRIGGER the initiation ofÂ
investigation of action, subject to verification.Consequently, Tambuwal is still member of the House; is still Speaker until such a prescribed action is taken.Why is it so difficult to follow the Constitution?Inquiring minds want to know.Bolaji Aluko
On Sat, Nov 22, 2014 at 6:57 PM, Ikhide <xok...@yahoo.com> wrote:
Professor Aluko,Â
Many thanks for sharing the relevant portions of the law and proving conclusively that it is open to interpretation. He is no longer speaker of the house. If he is not happy with this action, he should go to court. How difficult is that? Why are our lawbreakers like this?- IkhideSent via smoke signals!-------- Original message --------From: Mobolaji AlukoDate:11/22/2014 10:39 AM (GMT-05:00)To: USAAfrica Dialogue , NaijaPolitics e-Group , naijaintellects , OmoOdua , ekiti ekitigroups , NiDAN , Ra'ayi , Yan Arewa , "niger...@yahoogroups.com" , Ayo Obe , ogunl...@hotmail.comSubject: USA Africa Dialogue Series - On this Matter of Party Defections in Nigeria's National and State Assemblies {Re: [Naijaintellects] Chaos at National Assembly: Tambuwal Stopped, David Mark Orders shutdown
Dear Ayo Obe, Salimonu Kadiri and All:
We should all hold our horses and read the relevant sections of the Constitution very well well. They are Sections 68 and 109 of the 1999 Constitution, viz
Point #1:  We must notice that upon defection, even where certain qualifications for loss of position of membership of the relevant House has been satisfied, the loss is NOT AUTOMATIC:  either the Senate President, or the Speaker of the House, or a member of  relevant body SHALL FIRST PRESENT SATISFACTORY EVIDENCE about the infraction.So it is NOT the duty of the Inspector-General, or the Presidency, or ANYBODY outside the relevant House to point this infraction out.  [INEC initiates action ONLY on the issue of RECALLS, but even then, the House has to act on it..]
Pesumably after that, there must be a vote in the House about being SATISFIED with said evidence.
Point #2 is more serious:  how to PROVE the defection SATISFACTORILY?For starters, one presumes that (1)  you must have a PARTY MEMBERSHIP CARD to be a member of a Party;   (2) you have PAID RELEVANT DUES, AND (3) you have ATTENDED party meetings to be a member. (4)  hence you were ORIGINALLY sponsored by that party.Clearly, merely SAYING SO ON TV or RADIO or in the NEWSPAPERS that you are a member of Party A does not count for membership. Even VOTING on issues with PARTY A in the House does not make you a member of PARTY A;  you may merely be a rebel member of Party B.On the contrary, therefore, to QUIT a party and DEFECT to another, one presumes that (1)  you have TURNED IN the membership card of the old party and (2) taken that of the new one; (3) you have STOPPED attending the meetings of the old one, and (4) have started to attend those of the new one.
Are you with me?Now, if a person whose party expects him VOLUNTARY to resign does not do so, or there are some circumstances in the House which do not permit the errant Member to be kicked out, the party can be sufficiently UPSET to arrange a RECALL, upon which if successful, INEC is REQUIRED to issue a Certificate to that effect.
My point is that we should learn to do things in an orderly fashion in this our democracy, and not resort to jankara "self-help". As it is, the Constitution is ENFORCEABLE, but ONLY by members of the relevant House, and NOT by any one else.The Constitution anticipates that the Senate President or the Speaker may defect, hence a member can bring up the issue, and present evidence to sack either of them from the relevant House for defection. The Constitution even allows recall. So my point is that according to the Constitution that we currently operate, Tambuwal, despite his odious defection to many, remains first a Member of the House, and secondly Speaker, until someone brings up a point of order which must be heard, and evidence is entered and positively voted for.
Elementary, my dear compatriots.And there you have it, as I rest my case.Bolaji AlukoEsquare, SAM
PS1: Â This also applies to Ekiti State House of Assembly....for the defections there.PS2: Â If the House votes to kick you out without sufficient evidence adduced, the Courts are there to RESTORE your position.
On Sat, Nov 22, 2014 at 2:32 PM, Salimonu Kadiri <ogunl...@hotmail.com> wrote:
Thank you for your Constitutional reference of which I am already aware. I am certain that you also know that the Speaker of the National Assembly, Tambuwal, is not the first person to defect from the political party on which platform he was elected. Mark you, the Constitution refers to *A LEGISLATURE THAT CHANGES PARTY* and not LEGISLATORS CHANGING PARTY. As we have seen more than 40 PDP legislators have crossed over to APC. In that wise, what more evidence does one need to establish that there is division in the PDP. When Mimiko changed to PDP, the majority of the State's House of Assembly followed him to join the PDP without  forfeiting their seats. At moment cases of carpet crossing, including that of Tambuwal, are pending in the Courts for decision and it has never happened that the police mounted a siege at each Assembly to prevent carpet crossers from gaining entrance. Rather, in Ekiti, the Police protected six carpet crossers from the APC who joined the only PDP to make seven out of twenty-six members of the State's Assembly. Furthermore, the police prevented the nineteen members of the APC from entering Ekiti State's House of Assembly, where the seven PDP now usurp the right of the majority to make laws and approve Bills.
Â
What the Constitution says about a legislator that changes party is not in dispute but who should declare the seat of the carpet crosser vacant. Is it the COURTS, the POLICE, the PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, the SPEAKER, or majority MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL or STATE'S ASSEMBLY? If the Police has the Power to decide that Tambuwal is no longer the Speaker of the House or its member, why did the Police not arrest and arraign him before a court of law for impersonation and false acquisition of Power of authority?Â
Â
Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Re: [Naijaintellects] Chaos at National Assembly: Tambuwal Stopped, David Mark Orders shutdown
From: ayo.m...@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2014 21:58:58 +0000
To: usaafric...@googlegroups.com
Under the Constitution (section 68(1)(g) in the case of the National Assembly and 109(1)(g) in th case of State Houses of Assembly), it is only when a legislator changes party that he or she loses their seat (unless the change is the result of a division in or merger of the party on whose platform he or she was originally elected). There are no similar provisions in respect of elected executive officers, i.e. President, Vice, Governor and Deputy.
AyoI invite you to follow me on Twitter @naijama
A while ago the Governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko, deflected from the Labour Party to the Peoples' Decocratic Party (PDP) and carried with him his Governorship attire. The Nigerian Police did not withdraw hisÂrnor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko, deflected from the Labour Party to the Peoples' Decocratic Party (PDP) and carried with him his Governorship attire. The Nigerian Police did not withdraw his police protection. When the Speaker of the House of Representatives deflected from PDP to APC, the Police immediately withdrew Aminu Tambuwal's security details. Thus, we do not have NIGERIAN POLICE but POLITICALLY DIRECTED POLICE - another dangerous PDP.Â
Â
The House was re-convened on the request of the Speaker to debate and take decision on the request of President Jonathan to extend the state of emergency rule in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa State for further three months. It would appear from what has happened now that the request for the extension of emergency rule was just a pretext to lure the deflected Speaker to convene the House meeting so that he could be arm-twisted into resigning as the Speaker. I have read in other Nigerian on-line news media that the Police has explained that their invasion of the National Assembly was based on security information that hoodlums and thugs were to invade the Assembly. Evidently, the prevention of hoodlums and thugs to invade the National Assembly by the Police includes stopping Tambuwal and other members of the House of entering the Assembly. The Police just wanted to replicate what it has done in Ekiti where 19 APC members of the State's House of Assembly were prevented from entering the House in favour of 7 PDP members. If the Police under the command of Jonathan can tear-gass National Assembly's members, he should not need the approval of the National Assembly to deploy armed forces to any part of the federation.
Â
I have always regarded Fredrick Lugard as a damned racist since I read his 643 pages book, published in 1922, and titled, THE DUAL MANDATE. Unfortunately, Jonathan has confirmed to be true what I consider to be racial prejudice against Black Africa by Lugard. Hear him, "The African Negro is not naturally cruel, though his own insensibility to pain and his disregard for life - whether his own or another's - cause him to appear callous to suffering. ...He (the African Negro) lacks Power of organisation, and is conspicuously deficient in the management and control alike of men or of business. He loves the display of Power, but fails to realise its responsibility. ... He has the courage of the fighting animal - an instinct rather than a moral virtue. In brief, the virtues and the defects of this race-type (African) are those of attractive children... Perhaps the two traits which have impressed me as those most characteristic of the African native are his lack of apprehension and inability to visualise the future." As if Lugard knew that Jonathan would be dancing *AZONTO* the following day 300 school Girls were abducted by Boko Haram and allmost, and foresight, natural hundred lives were smashed to Death at Nyanya, a surburb to Abuja, he wrote, "In character and temperament the typical African of this race-type is a happy, thriftless, excitable person, lacking in self-control, discipline, and foresight,... full of personal Vanity, with Little sense of veracity, fond of Music and loving weapons as an oriental loves jewelry. His thoughts are concentrated on the events and feelings of the moment, and he suffers Little from apprehension for the future, or grief for the past. His mind is far nearer to the animal World, and he exhibits something of the animal's placidity and want of desire to rise beyond the state he has reached." Ironically, Jonathan is said to be a Phd holder in ZOOLOGY!
Â
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2014 13:31:35 +0100
Subject: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Re: [Naijaintellects] Chaos at National Assembly: Tambuwal Stopped, David Mark Orders shutdown
From: alu...@gmail.com
To: naijain...@googlegroups.com
CC: ekiti...@yahoogroups.com; Omo...@yahoogroups.com; YanA...@yahoogroups.com; niger...@yahoogroups.com; USAAfric...@googlegroups.com; Raay...@yahoogroups.com; NaijaP...@yahoogroups.com
My People:This is more than serious.....why must everything from federal to state be so much brigandage?Lord have mercy!Bolaji AlukoShaking his head
 2014-11-20 11:57:44Bedlam broke out this morning at the National Assembly complex as the police barricaded the House of Representatives preventing Speaker Aminu Tambuwal  from entering the complex. Latest reports reaching Elombah.com says the Senate President, David Mark, has ordered that the National Assembly complex be shut down till next week Tuesday, 25th November, 2014.Â
The Reps had been summoned by the Speaker to discuss President Goodluck Jonathan’s request for a further three-month extension of the emergency rule in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.
But Security operatives, Thursday, stopped the Speaker of the House of  Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal from entering the National Assembly Complex.
Lawmakers who accompanied the speaker had to climb the second entry point gate as some who could not climb sustained injuries while trying to scale over.
At about 10.54am after  much entreaties the speaker was allowed entry but other lawmakers were denied entry.
The speaker’s official car was detained but after his entry into the outer space of the complex, Security  men barricaded him and shot tear gas carnisters into the air to scare him but the speaker stood his ground. .
The speaker who got to NASS at about 10.38am was accompanied by a long convoy of cars and was allowed to pass through the outer gate entry point.
The Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha arrived earlier at about 10.35am and was given a presidential passage into the complex.
Reports from Abuja say the police responded with a hail of tear gas as APC lawmakers resorted to scaling the fence to enter the premises.
Tambuwal was later allowed to enter the chambers and was reported to be meeting with APC lawmakers as at the time of filing this report. The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is insisting that Tambuwal steps down as Speaker following his recent defection from the party. The police has since withdrawn Tambuwal’s security.
Senate President David Mark hurriedly announced the suspension of sitting as the tear gas fired by the police took its toll.
On Thu, Nov 20, 2014 at 1:02 PM, Elombah Elsdan <elombahpe...@gmail.com> wrote:
/>
ZALANGA SAMUEL
Sir, you are too generous. I am not sure that what they did served their "enlightened self-interest." This kind of self interest that they pursue is very crude.
Samuel
Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - On this Matter of Party Defections in Nigeria's National and State Assemblies {Re: [Naijaintellects] Chaos at National Assembly: Tambuwal Stopped, David Mark Orders shutdown
From: segun...@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 22 Nov 2014 20:25:29 +0100
To: usaafric...@googlegroups.com
Mobolaji Aluko
Salimonu Kadiri
Date: Sat, 22 Nov 2014 13:22:45 -0500
Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - On this Matter of Party Defections in Nigeria's National and State Assemblies {Re: [Naijaintellects] Chaos at National Assembly: Tambuwal Stopped, David Mark Orders shutdown
Assensoh, Akwasi B.
VC Aluko:
Your postings have been so lucid and helpful that anyone pretending not to hear you needs three human ears to correct any hearing defect the person has! For example, I was glad to learn from your posting about the sad" party defections" that, indeed, the Nigerian constitution has something serious and admirable: thus, if one is elected to parliament on the ticket of political party "A", if one wants to defect to party "B", one must vacate the seat when doing so. This, then, means one can go back to the voters to seek re-election on the ticket of the new party he or she has defected to. It will then be the prerogative of the voters to re-elect the person on the ticket of party "B" that one has defected to. Is that not the case, VC Aluko? If it is so, then that is very great, as it provides checks and balances right there!
If that is also, then it means that Nigeria has some admirable stipulations from the national constitution.
And there, we have it!
A.B. Assensoh.
Sent: Saturday, November 22, 2014 5:56 PM
To: Ikhide
Cc: USAAfrica Dialogue
Ikhide
- Ikhide
Anunoby, Ogugua
“68. (1) A member of the Senate or of the House of Representatives shall vacate his seat in the House of which he is a member if -
“(g) being a person whose election to the House was sponsored by a political party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which that House was elected;
“Provided that his membership of the latter political party is not as a result of a division in the political party of which he was previously a member or of a merger of two or more political parties or factions by one of which he was previously sponsored; or…”
It seems to me that the above is the on point section on this matter.
Tambuwal’s election was sponsored by the PDP. He quit the PDP and joined the APC. There should be no trouble with that under the law. He and other elected members of the National Assembly are always free to come and go as they please. The question it seems to me is did Tambuwal quit the PDP because of “ a division… member” or “ a merger… parties” or “factions… sponsored”.
What needs to be determined by the courts and perhaps INEC without further delay is whether or not any or more of the following apply in this impasse:
i) Division
ii) Merger
iii) Faction
Tambuwal may not remain Speaker if he is no longer a lawful member of the House of Representatives. That issue must be determined without further delay by the courts. Any aggrieved party (including the PDP, Tambuwal’s election opponent(s), one or more citizens represented by Tambuwal in the House) in “locus-standi ” may bring the action and pray an appropriate court to declare Tambuwal’s seat vacant. INEC may make its determination on whether or not Tambuwal, having jumped ship, is still a duly elected member of the House of Representatives too. Only then should the matter of whether or not Tambuwal may lawfully remain Speaker arise and be addressed.
Tambuwal cannot be Speaker except he is lawfully, a member of the House. It is my opinion, that INEC should step in. INEC declared him duly elected. INEC may declare his seat vacant. Tambuwal, the APC, the PDP, and/or one or more members of the constituency that he represents, may choose to appeal unfavorable court or INEC decisions. Lawyers must be crying hosanna. Christmas has again, come early for them.
I do not know that the assignment of security details to specific elected officials is not more a matter of protocol/administrative action than a constitutional one. If the Executive arm of government does not recognize Tambuwal as Speaker, it may withdraw the security details. Tambuwal may challenge the withdrawal in court. Why has he not if he has not is a good question?
Many elected public officials pride themselves in being called “your excellency”, or “honorable”. It is increasing clear and sad that some of them do not seem to know what the appellations mean including the responsibilities that come with them. Do they not know not to choose to eat their cake and still expect to have it? Why are they not concerned about the dangers to the country of absurdity, impunity, and degenerating precedents? Why are they not concerned about doing things well- including implanting strong and true democratic practice and tradition? Are they not familiar with Nigeria’s (political) history including the 1950/60s misadventures in, the Western Region House of Assembly (carpet crossing, UPGA/NNA crises), the Eastern Region House of Assembly (Professor Itta), the creation of the Midwest Region (Osadebey/Omo Osagie), the Northern Region House of Assembly (NPC tyranny) among others, and the heavy price the country paid and continues to pay for them? Why they continually and needlessly overheat the polity for the mess of self-interest porridge is beyond the conjecture of many truly concerned, peace-loving, and progress-oriented Nigerians.
The present political imbroglio in the national government might have been avoided if Tambuwal switched parties (he was always free to), resigned as Speaker, and submitted himself to another Speaker election as a member of his new party. A majority of right-thinking Nigerians would agree, that was and still is the decent, easy, honorable, proper, and right thing to do. He would cut his name in the stone of Nigeria’s history if he did. Recall Obasanjo’ handover of power?
Tambuwal’s supporters in his party and outside the House, continue to claim that he is popular and remains the choice of a majority of members of the House for Speaker. Where is the evidence? Tambuwal should put himself up for re-election as Speaker as ultimate proof.
Nigeria’s democracy is a fledgling one. It is inconceivable that Nigeria’s politicians do not know this. The blame game should stop. There is too much drama already. Remember 1966? Nigeria’s politicians have been and remain the greatest threats to sound democratic governance and progress in the country. It is about time they are strengths instead.
Salimonu Kadiri
Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - On this Matter of Party Defections in Nigeria's National and State Assemblies {Re: [Naijaintellects] Chaos at National Assembly: Tambuwal Stopped, David Mark Orders shutdown
To: usaafric...@googlegroups.com
Ikhide
From: "Anunoby, Ogugua" <Anun...@lincolnu.edu>
To: "usaafric...@googlegroups.com" <usaafric...@googlegroups.com>
Cc: "alu...@gmail.com" <alu...@gmail.com>; "anthony...@yahoo.co.uk" <anthony...@yahoo.co.uk>
Sent: Sunday, November 23, 2014 1:45 PM
Salimonu Kadiri
From: Anun...@lincolnu.edu
To: usaafric...@googlegroups.com
CC: alu...@gmail.com; anthony...@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Sun, 23 Nov 2014 12:45:39 -0600
Anunoby, Ogugua
“We do not need to discuss whether Tambuwal is a legitimate Speaker or member of the House or not but, why the Police invaded the National Assembly.”
We do. If there is an effect, there is most likely a cause. To successfully deal with an effect, one must deal with the cause. Tambuwal helped to fermented the crises. He switched political parties and wanted things to remain the same. He chose to gamble. He must face the music.
We do not know for sure that the police did not have intelligence report on the invasion they claimed. The police are not obliged to share information with a Speaker or Senate President before taking necessary action depending on the nature and content of the intelligence report. What if the content pointed to the Speaker or Senate President being the architect of the thugs’ oncoming assault? They are also not obliged to share the details of the report with the general public until it is safe to do so.
Is it too much to expect the Speaker, as a principal lawmaker, to dignify his high office by respecting the police enough to follow police instructions even if the police were out of order? He should have on the day. There are always available remedies that he could seek successfully. His conduct was roughish when it need not and should not be. He chose to escalate the situation when as Speaker, he should deescalate the situation? What about restraint? That is what good leaders are expected to show in similar situations. Thank goodness no lives were lost in the mayhem.
oa
From: Anunoby, Ogugua
Sent: Sunday, November 23, 2014 3:50 PM
To: usaafric...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: USA Africa Dialogue Series - On this Matter of Party Defections in Nigeria's National and State Assemblies {Re: [Naijaintellects] Chaos at National Assembly: Tambuwal Stopped, David Mark Orders shutdown
“We do not need to discuss whether Tambuwal is a legitimate Speaker or member of the House or not but, why the Police invaded the National Assembly.”
We do. If there is an effect, there is most likely a cause. To successfully deal with an effect, one must deal with the cause. Tambuwal helped to fermented the crises. He switched political parties and wanted things to remain the same. He chose to gamble. He must face the music.
We do not know for sure that the police did not have intelligence report on the invasion they claimed. The police are not obliged to share information with a Speaker or Senate President before taking necessary action depending on the nature and content of the intelligence report. What if the content pointed to the Speaker or Senate President being the architect of the thugs’ oncoming assault? They are also not obliged to share the details of the report with the general public until it is safe to do so.
Is it too much to expect the Speaker, as a principal lawmaker, to dignify his high office by respecting the police enough to follow police instructions even if the police were out of order? He should have on the day. There are always available remedies that he could seek successfully. His conduct was roughish when it need not and should not be. He chose to escalate the situation when as Speaker, he should deescalate the situation? What about restraint? That is not what good leaders show in similar situations. Thank goodness no lives were lost in the mayhem.
oa
Anunoby, Ogugua
“We do not need to discuss whether Tambuwal is a legitimate Speaker or member of the House or not but, why the Police invaded the National Assembly.”
We do. If there is an effect, there is most likely a cause. To successfully deal with an effect, one must deal with the cause. Tambuwal helped to fermented the crises. He switched political parties and wanted things to remain the same. He chose to gamble. He must face the music.
We do not know for sure that the police did not have intelligence report on the invasion they claimed. The police are not obliged to share information with a Speaker or Senate President before taking necessary action depending on the nature and content of the intelligence report. What if the content pointed to the Speaker or Senate President being the architect of the thugs’ oncoming assault? They are also not obliged to share the details of the report with the general public until it is safe to do so.
Is it too much to expect the Speaker, as a principal lawmaker, to dignify his high office by respecting the police enough to follow police instructions even if the police were out of order? He should have on the day. There are always available remedies that he could seek successfully. His conduct was roughish when it need not and should not be. He chose to escalate the situation when as Speaker, he should deescalate the situation? What about restraint? That is not what good leaders show in similar situations. Thank goodness no lives were lost in the mayhem.
oa
From: usaafric...@googlegroups.com [mailto:usaafric...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Salimonu Kadiri
Sent: Sunday, November 23, 2014 2:37 PM
To: usaafric...@googlegroups.com
Mobolaji Aluko
Salimonu Kadiri
Mr. Anunoby would appear to be dancing far away from the centre of the music and naturally his dancing steps are in disaccord with the tune of the music being played. In the House of Representatives, there have been reciprocities of changing party garments between the PDP and APC members and the only remarkable thing with Tambuwal is that he is the Speaker of the House, which does not in anyway classify him as fomenter of crises. The Nigerian Police, just like most of the people around Jonathan have big muscles but small brains and they forget that wisdom is far more greater than raw force. The House of Representatives contain 360 members and to remove the Speaker from office, according to Section 50, 2c of the 1999 constitution, requires two-thirds votes which is 240 members. The PDP has 189 members while APC has 159 and others 12. Even if 12 others should vote along with the 189 PDP, they will score only 201 votes against the APC votes of 159, which is 39 votes below the 240 votes stipulated in the constitution for the removal of the Speaker. The PDP and its Politically Directed Police were aware that their political strength in the House was not enough to remove Tambuwal, which was why they resorted to self-help through brigandage and raw force. On Monday, 3 November 2014, Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court acceded to the request of Tambuwal to restrain the Federal Government, the PDP and their agents to reconvene the House until December 3, 2014. On Friday, November 7, 2014, the same Judge ordered that status quo ante bellum be maintained pending the determination of the suit filed by Tambuwal over the removal of his security details by the Inspector-General of the Police. The Court order followed the pledge given by the Federal Government through the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, and the Inspector General of the Police, Suleiman Abba, not to do anything that would undermine the office of the Speaker. The pledge given to the Court has now been broken by Executive Lawlessness and Culture of Impunity.
We do not know for sure that the police did not have intelligence report on the invasion they claimed - Anunoby Ogugua.
This particular sentence of yours is very confusing. It sounds as if you doubted if Police possessed the intelligence report on which they based their invasion of the National Assembly. You don't need to doubt anything because the Police Force Public Relation Officer, Emanuel Ojukwu, told the entire world on the 19th of November 2014, that the police had received intelligence report that hoodlums and thugs were to cause Mayhem at the Assembly on that day which was why the Police invaded the Assembly. I think it is against common sense not to inform the beneficiaries of police action at the National Assembly about the perceived invasion of their work place by hoodlums and thugs. And if as you insinuated the Speaker and the Senate President were incriminated in the suspected and intended thug's mayhem at the Assembly, then the activity of the police would have been limited to check the ID card which each Assembly man/woman normally hang around the neck in front of the chest at the entrance. The intention of the Politically Directed Police (PDP) was to replicate in Abuja the Ekiti Syndrome whereby 19 members were blocked out from the State's House of Assembly in favour of seven PDP renegades. You want Tambuwal to behave like a human being in the midst of wild beast, but that is contrary to the wisdom of our elders which counsels that if one happens to fall into the midst of animals, one should get something that looks like a tail to fix to the anus so as to look like them (Ti a ba de ibi ti eranko pejo si nse ni a nwa owun to jo iru ki afi ha idi). That is just a simple law of self-preservation.
Cornelius Hamelberg
Lord Anunoby,
I’m expecting a robust rejoinder from you Sir and not a mere à la Lakunle something about “misunderstood by you/ and your race of savages, I rise above taunts/ and remain unruffled”
In this savage day and age of terrorism in Nigeria it is a sad day to see whoever it is that’s in charge of protecting life and property, withdrawing the security detail that should be protecting the life of the Speaker of Nigeria’s National Assembly the Hon Aminu Tambuwal whilst he is still legally and constitutionally in office and acting as the Hon Speaker of Nigeria’s National House of Assembly, simply because he decided to no longer be a member of the President’s ruling party - so it's better if he is exposed to danger and unprotected...
Out of a polite sense of deference so as not to “insult” anybody, I do not use stronger language to condemn such callousness...
About the Police raid on the APC data centre in Lagos this is my lamentation:
That in some African countries, the State Police is seldom impartial when it comes to exclusively protecting the presidential hand that feeds them, that can promote or even retire/ dismiss (sack) them. That whereas some incumbent governments in Africa can and have used the police and military as their own personal tool in degrading their political rivals, even on some trumped up charges, planted evidence - he blows up his own garage and says the opposition did it...the following morning a cache of weapons and ammunition are "discovered" at the residence of the suspected member of the opposition and a warrant is issued for his arrest. The reverse is seldom the case – and I don’t know of any cases where the Police has raided the headquarters of president or the ruling party, ostensibly in search of incriminating evidence looking either for looted gold or for forged ballot papers, the manufacturing of counterfeit money or inflation / composing voter registers, tax evasion etc.
It would seem that the Police are not yet capable of acting that independently of Caesar’s wishes in our fledgling democracies.
Of course in some African countries it’s sometimes even worse than that, when the incumbent government is incapable of distinguishing between the national treasury and their election campaign war chest and often, likewise refuse to give adequate space on national television to the opposition.
I hope that you don’t think that I am being abstract or vague Sir, when there is evidence galore if you so desire, and since I don’t think that you so desire, I hope that you get my drift....
I think that you too should stand up and condemn such things.
“when something isn't right it's wrong” As you yourself have told us before, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
So, don’t be afraid, please speak up Sir!
Sincerely yours,
Cornelius
On Sunday, 23 November 2014 23:35:46 UTC+1, Anunoby, Ogugua wrote:
“We do not need to discuss whether Tambuwal is a legitimate Speaker or member of the House or not but, why the Police invaded the National Assembly.”
We do. If there is an effect, there is most likely a cause. To successfully deal with an effect, one must deal with the cause. Tambuwal helped to fermented the crises. He switched political parties and wanted things to remain the same. He chose to gamble. He must face the music.
We do not know for sure that the police did not have intelligence report on the invasion they claimed. The police are not obliged to share information with a Speaker or Senate President before taking necessary action depending on the nature and content of the intelligence report. What if the content pointed to the Speaker or Senate President being the architect of the thugs’ oncoming assault? They are also not obliged to share the details of the report with the general public until it is safe to do so.
Is it too much to expect the Speaker, as a principal lawmaker, to dignify his high office by respecting the police enough to follow police instructions even if the police were out of order? He should have on the day. There are always available remedies that he could seek successfully. His conduct was roughish when it need not and should not be. He chose to escalate the situation when as Speaker, he should deescalate the situation? What about restraint? That is what good leaders are expected to show in similar situations. Thank goodness no lives were lost in the mayhem.
oa
From: usaafric...@googlegroups.com
From: Anunoby, Ogugua
Sent: Sunday, November 23, 2014 3:50 PM
To: usaafric...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: USA Africa Dialogue Series - On this Matter of Party Defections in Nigeria's National and State Assemblies {Re: [Naijaintellects] Chaos at National Assembly: Tambuwal Stopped, David Mark Orders shutdown
“We do not need to discuss whether Tambuwal is a legitimate Speaker or member of the House or not but, why the Police invaded the National Assembly.”
We do. If there is an effect, there is most likely a cause. To successfully deal with an effect, one must deal with the cause. Tambuwal helped to fermented the crises. He switched political parties and wanted things to remain the same. He chose to gamble. He must face the music.
We do not know for sure that the police did not have intelligence report on the invasion they claimed. The police are not obliged to share information with a Speaker or Senate President before taking necessary action depending on the nature and content of the intelligence report. What if the content pointed to the Speaker or Senate President being the architect of the thugs’ oncoming assault? They are also not obliged to share the details of the report with the general public until it is safe to do so.
Is it too much to expect the Speaker, as a principal lawmaker, to dignify his high office by respecting the police enough to follow police instructions even if the police were out of order? He should have on the day. There are always available remedies that he could seek successfully. His conduct was roughish when it need not and should not be. He chose to escalate the situation when as Speaker, he should deescalate the situation? What about restraint? That is not what good leaders show in similar situations. Thank goodness no lives were lost in the mayhem.
oa
From: usaafric...@googlegroups.com [mailto:usaaf...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Assensoh, Akwasi B.
Sent: Sunday, November 23, 2014 4:33 AM
To: usaafric...@googlegroups.com
Cc: alu...@gmail.com; anthony...@yahoo.co.uk; Afoaku, Osita; deji...@yahoo.com; ovau...@bowdoin.edu
Subject: RE: USA Africa Dialogue Series - On this Matter of Party Defections in Nigeria's National and State Assemblies {Re: [Naijaintellects] Chaos at National Assembly: Tambuwal Stopped, David Mark Orders shutdown
VC Aluko:
Your postings have been so lucid and helpful that anyone pretending not to hear you needs three human ears to correct any hearing defect the person has! For example, I was glad to learn from your posting about the sad" party defections" that, indeed, the Nigerian constitution has something serious and admirable: thus, if one is elected to parliament on the ticket of political party "A", if one wants to defect to party "B", one must vacate the seat when doing so. This, then, means one can go back to the voters to seek re-election on the ticket of the new party he or she has defected to. It will then be the prerogative of the voters to re-elect the person on the ticket of party "B" that one has defected to. Is that not the case, VC Aluko? If it is so, then that is very great, as it provides checks and balances right there!
If that is also, then it means that Nigeria has some admirable stipulations from the national constitution.
And there, we have it!
A.B. Assensoh.From: usaafric...@googlegroups.com [usaafric...@googlegroups.com] on behalf of Mobolaji Aluko [alu...@gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, November 22, 2014 5:56 PM
To: Ikhide
Cc: USAAfrica Dialogue
Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - On this Matter of Party Defections in Nigeria's National and State Assemblies {Re: [Naijaintellects] Chaos at National Assembly: Tambuwal Stopped, David Mark Orders shutdown
Ikhide:
You still not do not seem to have read me or heard me right: the Law PRESCRIBES how a defecting member's removal should be done - and so far, outside of the
illegal and hasty removal of his security aides - Tambuwal is still regarded as the Speaker by his peers, and actually presided over the brief meeting the other day at
which Senate President David Mark met him on his seat, that is after being roughed up, or was it before sef?
So we have to learn to be patient with democracy - like Obama.
And there you have it.
Bolaji Aluko
On Sat, Nov 22, 2014 at 7:22 PM, Ikhide <xok...@yahoo.com> wrote:
...
Anunoby, Ogugua
ba,
Your propensity to judge others is becoming sickening. Why you are unable to express your opinion or disagree with others without pretension and passing judgment is beyond me and many others. My question is- who made you judge?
If not “affecting objectivity” to you is to propose that it was worthy of elected Nigerian legislators to scale over fences ostensibly to do their job, I have nothing to say to you. I hope that in the future, you will continue to support all legislators who, rather than uplift Nigeria’s democracy by resorting to legal remedies, like an unruly herd, choose to climb over fences to get to work.
If I remember correctly you once argued that patience is necessary in democratic practice. I agree. Do you? What did you mean then if I may ask? Is patience for some and not for others? Who should practice patience?
Anunoby, Ogugua
CH,
The practice in Nigeria is to assign a security detail to the speaker of the house of representatives so long as they are “legally and constitutionally” (your words) in the office of speaker. If a speaker’s legal standing as speaker is in dispute as Tambuwal’s seems to be presently, the security detail may be lawfully withdrawn. The withdrawal can be challenged in court of course.
It is not for you or I to claim or determine that a speaker’s standing as speaker remains lawful in the situation that Tambuwal willfully created knowing fully well that there may be adverse privilege consequences. I would not characterize the decision of the executive arm of government or her agency to withdraw Tambuwal’s security detail as an act of “callousness”. It is too emotive for me. I respect your right to pick, choose, and use words as you please .
Not that it matters, but Tambuwal has been a Nigerian politician for many years. He should have seen what might come to him before choosing to act as he did. Some state governors have had their security details withdrawn. Governor Amaechi’s was. It was okay then. Tambuwal as speaker, was vociferously silent. He was not legally obliged to take a position but it would have been well that he did. Had he done then, he would be standing on firmer and high moral ground today, as he protests his loss of a speaker’s security detail.
It is doubtful that Tambuwal is a principled politician. Given his choices and actions regarding his party affiliation at different times, might it be that Tambuwal is an adventurous, ambitious politician ruled by convenience, expediency, and opportunism? He has contested election as a member of different political parties. It is not clear that he stands for anything other than his personal gain. He seems completely inadvertent to the real consequences of his choices and actions on his country. All the above I might add, are no reason for him to lose his security detail as speaker if he should not. All must wait however for his legitimacy as speaker to be determined by an appropriate court. The law is usually not a matter of right and wrong. The law is a matter of the law.
oa
--
Mobolaji Aluko
Salimonu Kadiri
Subject: RE: FW: USA Africa Dialogue Series - On this Matter of Party Defections in Nigeria's National and State Assemblies {Re: [Naijaintellects] Chaos at National Assembly: Tambuwal Stopped, David Mark Orders shutdown
Salimonu Kadiri
We all know that the National Assembly, of which Tambuwal is a member, and the Presidency, are a cess pool of political harlots and we should not be selective while judging the political rulers in Nigeria. Therefore, whatever may be the wish of any intellectual prostitute, Tambuwal remains the Speaker of the House until he is removed by a majority votes of 240 members of the House of Representatives of 360 members or by a court of law. The mammals led by IGP Suleiman Abba may wish to apply jungle law, but they will get their tails clipped by fence scaling legislators.
Subject: RE: FW: USA Africa Dialogue Series - On this Matter of Party Defections in Nigeria's National and State Assemblies {Re: [Naijaintellects] Chaos at National Assembly: Tambuwal Stopped, David Mark Orders shutdown
Cornelius Hamelberg
Stockholm, 18.20…
Lord Chief Justice Anunoby,
You are extremely judgemental especially when it comes to passing sentence on Hon. Muhammadu Buhari and Hon Aminu Tambuwal but you are brimful to overflowing with praises, love, forgive-ness and tolerance for your good man Goodluck Jonathan and some of the Lootocrats!
Please bear with me (indulge me a wee bit)
(“My heart
is in the coffin there with Caesar,
And I must pause till it come back to me.”)
I guess that perspective is a matter of background and in this case, I can’t help thinking of the assassination of Olof Palme in the heart of Stockholm and of Anna Lindh in NK the Stockholm equivalent of London’s Harrods, both of them walking unprotected and without any security detail whatsoever, walking in what was and largely still is our Open Society. Nowadays, as far as I know, most politicians and indeed Ambassadors such as Israel’s Ambassador always have at least one bodyguard - even on the way to the synagogue.
That your last line, “The law is usually not a matter of right and wrong. The law is a matter of the law. “, transports me back to a discussion I had with my daughter (a Gold Medalist in Law -University of London) in which she told me, “ I love the law!”.
Well, she’s not the only one who loves the law, King David sang in Psalm One:
“The praises of a man are that he did not follow the counsel of the wicked, neither did he stand in the way of sinners nor sit in the company of scorn
But his desire is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.”
Consider also, Psalm 119:24 and Psalm 119:92
In my mind (it’s merely an act of imagination – what Keats called “negative capability”) and invoking this “negative capability” I’m now imaginatively addressing you as the Lord Chief Justice of Lord Lugard’s Nigeria, not the post colonial Naija:
Let’s call a spade by its real name Sir: What you are in fact supporting is vindictive politics and the withdrawal of security for both Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi ( because he fell out with President Goodluck Jonathan - even though he continues as a governor of the president’s home state ) and the withdrawal of the Speaker of Nigeria’s National Assembly, the Hon. Aminu Tambuwal ( because he legally resigned from being a member of President Goodluck Jonathan’s party ) – in both cases what we are seeing is nothing less than punitive measures being carried out by a very vindictive government which apparently has no regard for the sanctity of the life of these two top Nigerian servants...
Callousness you say is too emotive a word for you to describe the circumstances which you think merit state-funded security/ life guards for the Hon. Aminu Tambuwal being withdrawn. Since you give me poetic license maybe I should be talking about “You blocks, you stones, and you worse than senseless things”? In my humble opinion, it is nothing less than another instance of man’s inhumanity to his fellow man (as we all witnessed the initial lethargy that characterized Goodluck Jonathan’s reaction to the kidnapping of the Chibok girls) it’s nothing less than contempt for the value of human life, valuable human life and in this case, we both know that the role of speaker is a very important one in the democratic structure called representative government.
Here in Sweden, Urban Ahlin, the man who was shadow minister of foreign affairs has now been elected speaker of the Swedish Parliament after the Social Democrats won the last elections, and in Sierra Leone, Sir Henry Lightfoot Boston the then Speaker of the Sierra Leone Parliament (also a lawyer like Hon. Aminu Tambuwal) was appointed Governor-General of the country, shortly after Independence. That’s how elevated the position of speaker can be...
You say that “If a speaker’s legal standing as speaker is in dispute as Tambuwal’s seems to be presently, the security detail may be lawfully withdrawn” Have a heart Lord Anunoby! Have a heart for the letter and the spirit of the law! Let us assume that the matter of whether or not Hon. Aminu Tambuwal is still currently speaker is not yet settled (legally and constitutionally) – since you say it is in dispute. Then Hon- Aminu Tambuwal is in some sort of limbo so to speak, as his position /status has not yet been determined – for which reason you think it’s perfectly OK to expose this valuable human servant of the state to danger by withdrawing all protection for his vulnerable person?
What kind of person could think like that?
I’m sure that when on pilgrimage abroad Goodluck Jonathan and his entourage praying on the banks of the River Jordan or in the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, are fully concentrated on their prayers, confident of full security being provided for himself and his Nigerian pilgrims. Then how much more so must he not be concerned about security for those who serve parliamentary democracy in his motherland Nigeria? Otherwise, you have no choice but must agree with Fela that when it comes to democracy in Nigeria, it’s mostly a matter of “demo-crazy” and “Crazy demo”
Lastly, and this is what puzzles me most greatly: At this late stage of the game, doesn’t Goodluck Jonathan want to win the North? Or does he only hope to do so by smashing the opposition? I would have thought that the best way of winning would be by winning people’s hearts not by withdrawing or neglecting their protection and heartlessly leaving them to fend for themselves. Just listen to what the Emir of Kano His Eminence Muhammadu Sanusi II and Hon. Atiku AbuBakr have been saying recently, that the people must protect themselves since the government is failing to provide protection. At this stage it looks like a national malady.
Last night I listened to part 12 of this series
And John Armstrong on Civilisation
Hoping that we will soon be supporting the same president...
In Owerri or Dallas,
Sincerely yours,
Cornelius
Moses Ebe Ochonu
---Mohandas Gandhi
Salimonu Kadiri
The Presidential election of 1979, is another case of corruptly infusing *the spirit and intention* into the electoral laws. The President shall be elected by 2/3 majority of the votes cast in all the 19 states, as at that time. Mathematically, or do we say arithmetically, 2/3 of 19 is approximately (12. 6666 or 12.7) 13, but when the *spirit and the intention* was infused into the electoral law, we were told that 2/3 of 19 was 12 and the entire world was laughing at over-educated Nigerians.
Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2014 19:40:40 -0600
Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - On this Matter of Party Defections in Nigeria's National and State Assemblies {Re: [Naijaintellects] Chaos at National Assembly: Tambuwal Stopped, David Mark Orders shutdown
Moses Ebe Ochonu
Ikhide
- Ikhide
Salimonu Kadiri
So far the law was taking its full course until the President wrote to the National Assembly requesting for an approval to extend emergency rule in the North East of the Country. Thus, Tambuwal reconvened the meeting of the House of Representatives purposely to debate and take decision on the request of the President. Instead of allowing the House of Representative to meet, the President ordered the Police and SSS to lay siege on the National Assembly and to selectively exclude Tambuwal and APC members from entering the Assembly. It showed that Jonathan had no interest in extending the emergency rule in the North East, but he had used it as a ploy to lure Tambuwal into reconvening the meeting of the House in order to remove him through selective members of PDP that were to be allowed to deliberate in the House of Representatives with the support of armed police and security men. If Jonathan and his Gestapo Police are law abiding, they would have allowed the House to meet and instruct their members to move a motion to remove Tambuwal as the Speaker of the House. No, they believe in jungle laws and might is right.
The most honourable thing for a civilised person who feels his rights are being trampled upon is to seek redress in a court of law. In that regard Tambuwal is a honourable man. Since most laws are based on moral and ethics, seeking redress in a court of law as Tambuwal has done, is not a special quality of an amoral person. Tambuwal suddenly found himself at the prayer meeting infested by pick-pockets and he decided to pray without closing his eyes. It would amount to grave injustice and intellectual sophistry to accuse him of disrespect to God for not closing his eyes while praying even though by his action he prevented pick-pockets from stealing his wallet! I rest my case.
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2014 08:48:24 -0600
Anunoby, Ogugua
ch,
Buhari has not shown demonstrably that he regrets any of his many unconstitutional and brutal acts as military dictator. He still can. Tambuwal very well knows that if he must remain speaker after switching political parties, he must be re-elected speaker. Why does he not let that process happen? The office of speaker is a high office of state. Does Tambuwal not know this? He should have more respect for the office. Why mindlessly ferment a crises?
It amazed me that you always labelled me a Jonathan supporter. I have finally figured out why. You belong to the George W. Bush “if you are not with us, you are against us” school. You believe I am a Buhari hater which is not true I might add. I must therefore be a Jonathan lover which is also not true. You are now, even surer that I am because I propose that Tambuwal take the path of dignity and honor- keep his House seat, resign as speaker, and seek re-election as speaker which he can do. If he did, he would have contributed measurably to concretizing sound democratic practice in Nigeria.
You may wish to know that my great concern is not personalities but the brigandage that many criminal politicians actively practice in the name of politics in Nigeria. I am concerned about the absurdity, damage and shame that these so-called leaders and their supporters continue to inflicted on Nigeria and their fellow citizens.
There are legitimate questions about Buhari as president, given his past role as military Head of State. He should answer them. Tambuwal should keep his seat in the House. He should seek re-election as speaker if he ceases to be a member of the PDP on whose platform he was elected. I do not mind him as speaker so long as he does not cheat his way to remaining speaker. Tambuwal always knew what was going to happen to him if he switched political parties and did not resign as speaker. He has himself to blame for letting himself be a pawn in the PDP/APC struggle. He made himself a lightning rod. He has himself to blame for the possible fate that will befall him and what he has become- a poster boy for chaos.
oa
From: usaafric...@googlegroups.com [mailto:usaafric...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Cornelius Hamelberg
Sent: Wednesday, November 26, 2014 10:40 AM
To: usaafric...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: FW: USA Africa Dialogue Series - On this Matter of Party Defections in Nigeria's National and State Assemblies {Re: [Naijaintellects] Chaos at National Assembly: Tambuwal Stopped, David Mark Orders shutdown
Lord Chief Justice Anunoby,
You are extremely judgemental especially when it comes to passing sentence on Hon. Muhammadu Buhari and Hon Aminu Tambuwal but you are brimful to overflowing with praises, love, forgive-ness and tolerance for your good man Goodluck Jonathan and some of the Lootocrats!
Please bear with me (indulge me a wee bit)
(“My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar,
And I must pause till it come back to me.”)
I guess that perspective is a matter of background and in this case, I can’t help thinking of the assassination of Olof Palme in the heart of Stockholm and of Anna Lindh in NK the Stockholm equivalent of London’s Harrods, both of them walking unprotected and without any security detail whatsoever, walking in what was and largely still is our Open Society. Nowadays - as far as I know, most politicians and indeed Ambassadors such as Israel’s Ambassador always have at least one bodyguard - even on the way to the synagogue.
That your last line, “The law is usually not a matter of right and wrong. The law is a matter of the law. “, transports me back to a discussion I had with my daughter (a Gold Medalist in Law -University of London) in which she told me, “ I love the law!”.
Well, she’s not the only one who loves the law, King David sang in Psalm One:
“The praises of a man are that he did not follow the counsel of the wicked, neither did he stand in the way of sinners nor sit in the company of scorn
But his desire is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.”
Consider also, Psalm 119:24 and Psalm 119:92
In my mind ( it’s merely an act of imagination – what Keats called “ negative capability” ) and invoking this “negative capability” I’m now imaginatively addressing you as the Lord Chief Justice of Lord Lugard’s Nigeria, not the post colonial Naija:
Let’s call a spade by its real name Sir: What you are in fact supporting is vindictive politics and the withdrawal of security for both Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi ( because he fell out with President Goodluck Jonathan - even though he continues as a governor of the president’s home state ) and the withdrawal of the Speakers of Nigeria’s National Assembly, the Hon. Aminu Tambuwal ( because he legally resigned from being a member of President Goodluck Jonathan’s party ) – in both cases what we are seeing is nothing less than punitive measures being carried out by a very vindictive government which apparently has no regard for the sanctity of the life of these two top Nigerian servants...
Callousness you say is too emotive a word for you to describe the circumstances which you think merit state-funded security/ life guards for the Hon. Aminu Tambuwal being withdrawn. Since you give me poetic license maybe I should be talking about “You blocks, you stones, and you worse than senseless things”? In my humble opinion, it is nothing less than another instance of man’s inhumanity to his fellow man (as we all saw with the initial lethargy that characterized Goodluck Jonathan’s reaction to the kidnapping of the Chibok girls) it’s nothing less than contempt for the value of human life, valuable human life and we both know that the role of speaker is a very important one in the democratic structure called representative government.
Here in Sweden, Urban Ahlin, the man who was shadow minister of foreign affairs has now been elected speaker of the Swedish Parliament after the Social Democrats won the last elections, and in Sierra Leone, Sir Henry Lightfoot Boston the then Speaker of the Sierra Leone Parliament (also a lawyer like Hon. Aminu Tambuwal) was appointed Governor-General of the country, shortly after Independence. That’s how elevated the position of speaker can be...
You say that “If a speaker’s legal standing as speaker is in dispute as Tambuwal’s seems to be presently, the security detail may be lawfully withdrawn” Have a heart Lord Anunoby! Have a heart for the letter and the spirit of the law! Let us assume that the matter of whether or not Hon. Aminu Tambuwal is still currently speaker is not yet settled (legally and constitutionally) – since you say it is in dispute. Then Hon- Aminu Tambuwal is in some sort of limbo so to speak, as his position has not yet been determined – for which reason you think it’s perfectly OK to expose this valuable human servant of the state to danger by withdrawing all protection for his person?
What kind of person could think like that?
I’m sure that when on pilgrimage abroad Goodluck Jonathan and his entourage praying on the banks of the River Jordan or in the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, are fully concentrated on their prayers, confident of full security being provided for himself and his Nigerian pilgrims. Then how much more so must he not be concerned about security for those who serve parliamentary democracy in his motherland Nigeria? Otherwise, you have no choice but must agree with Fela that when it comes to democracy in Nigeria, that it’s mostly a matter of “demo-crazy” and “Crazy demo”
Lastly, and this is what puzzles me most greatly: At this late stage of the game, doesn’t Goodluck Jonathan want to win the North? Or does he only hope to do so by smashing the opposition? I would have thought that the best way of winning would be by winning people’s hearts not by withdrawing or neglecting their protection and heartlessly leaving them to fend for themselves. Just listen to what the Emir of Kano His Eminence Muhammadu Sanusi II and Hon. Atiku AbuBakr have been saying recently, that the people must protect themselves since the government is failing to provide protection. At this stage it looks like a national malady.
Last night I listened to part 12 of this series
And John Armstrong on Civilisation
Hoping that we will soon be supporting the same president...
In Owerri or Dallas,
Sincerely yours,
Cornelius
On Tuesday, 25 November 2014 19:31:03 UTC+1, Anunoby, Ogugua wrote:
Cornelius Hamelberg
Lord Agugua Anunoby,
Your points are always well taken, Sir. At all times, I cannot fail but to be impressed by the sense of justice that animates your serious concerns about our Nigeria. My other favourite lordly Nigerian is Chief Emeka Anyaoku , the former Secretary-General of the Common Wealth. Sadly, we do not hear him sounding off on what's happening in Nigeria during these later years of Book Haram's reign of terror, a terror so terrible that President Goodluck Jonathan can fly regularly to Israel and back ( to the annoyance of some of Nigeria's Muslims) but has conspicuously kept himself away from visiting various areas of sovereign holy Nigerian territory to commiserate with those who almost daily, suffer loss of life, limb and property at the hands of the murderers in the Boko Haram
I'm sorry if I've mistakenly associated you too closely with membership of the fan club headed by Dr. Chika Oyeani who organised the celebration of The Goodluck Jonathan Appreciation Day, over there where you reside, in the United States of America. I cannot remember ever hearing you criticize Goodluck Jonathan. Understandably, this is partly because, somehow, just looking at the distribution of portfolios in Goodluck Jonathan's administration, it would seem that Igbos occupy very significant position ( no doubt by dint of the entrepreneurship spirit and that extra special quality of enterprise which has earned Igbos the nickname “ the Jews of Africa” ) and occupying such significant positions it's said that they can't possibly complain that their section of the Nigerian polity is under-represented, to the extent that some of Jonathan's closest friends are said to be joking that his real name is his middle name Ebele Azikiwe and that the prefix Goodluck at the beginning and the surname Jonathan at the end are mere peripheries to his true centre of gravity which to all intents and purposes is Azikiwe
(You know how Nigerians like to particularise about the main ingredients in the national ethnic stew...n.b. : at least once a year the Jews recite this verse Devarim 28:13
“And the Lord will set you at the head, and not at the tail, and you will be only at the top, and you will not be at the bottom, if you obey the commandments of the Lord, your God, which I am commanding you this day, to observe to fulfill [them].”
As a result of which you get guys like these
About the distinction of being Igbo I read some beautiful words on Obododimma Oha's facebook timeline , a guideline for the uncouth, a code of conduct/ loving ethical behaviour for us all...including the understanding of Ferguson...
About my Man Muhammadu Buhari. You've said it all before: that he should apologise to the people of Nigeria for what he did before, that we don't know that he won't do much worse if he comes back even through the ballot box, your ominous words “He has himself to blame for the possible fate that will befall him” and I notice that this time you have omitted to ask where does he get all that money with which to conduct this his fourth campaign to be president of Naija?
But Lord Anunoby, let's leave Muhammadu Buhari alone, let's also leave Nigeria's chief police constable about whom it's said, “The IGP has shown he is a political officer and he has already taken sides with a party against the other. How can we trust him to be neutral in the 2015 general elections?” Him too, let him rest in peace for the time being and the problem of PIRACY that's taking a back seat with Boko Haram at the forefront, more chaos and just for now, let's take a look at the other types of leadership in Nigeria, religious leadership :
1. The Sultan of Sokoto : the spiritual head of Nigerian Muslims:
Amirul Mu'minin Sultan Muhammadu Sa'adu Abubakar III who advocate the release of Boko Haram prisoners for peace.
I can't understand Goodluck Jonathan's reasoning. If Barabbas could be released instead of Jesus how much more urgent isn't the release of Boko Haram prisoners to bring an end to the on going and never-ending Boko Haram carnage?
...
Anunoby, Ogugua
“I cannot remember ever hearing you criticize Goodluck Jonathan. Understandably, this is partly because, somehow, just looking at the distribution of portfolios in Goodluck Jonathan's administration, it would seem that Igbos occupy very significant position ( no doubt by dint of the entrepreneurship spirit and that extra special quality of enterprise which has earned Igbos the nickname “ the Jews of Africa” ) and occupying such significant positions it's said that they can't possibly complain that their section of the Nigerian polity is under-represented,…”
ch
“I cannot remember ever hearing you criticize Goodluck Jonathan” does not mean that I have not and do not. You go on to determine the a reason why you have not heard me criticize Jonathan. Why be this presumptuous when you can always ask me why I do not and have not? What see things only through the ethnicity prism?
You may need to know that I try my best and hardest to be broad and open minded in my search for the truth. That is why I prefer to work with facts even when my base instinct and imagination are running riot. I have learned that people make history and they make good history when they are more constructive than destructive. I prefer builders to destroyers. A slow builder for me should be preferable to a slow destroyer. I am all for creating/adding value especially in politics which at the end of the day is the “sport” that shapes democratic societies and lives more than any other.
I am not overtly enthused about a possible Buhari presidency. Tell/show me why he should be entrusted with powers that he grossly abused the last time he had them. How many rejection at the polls are enough to blunt his ambition? There has been no indication that he is contrite and has learned as he should have by now, to deserve another chance. My sense is that he regrets his lack of attention to developments and events in his administration that got him out of office. He routinely blames other people for his failures in office. You do not want a person who would not accept responsibility for failures as a leader if you know what leadership means and how consequential it can be. One time Buhari was asked about the 52 suitcases scandal at the MM airport in Lagos during his administration. His answer was “Ask Atiku” who he claimed was the Customs officer on duty at the airport on the day. It did not matter to Buhari that his direct military assistant, Major Jokolo, was at the airport too and that Jokolo’s intervention precipitated the release of the suitcases.
As politicians, Buhari and Obasanjo have similar antecedents- a shared leadership/management culture and training. They are both cut from the same dirty cloth. If Obasanjo presidency is any guide, Nigerians should be very worried about another soldier of the Obasanjo/Buhari generation as president. Many Nigerians believe that Obasanjo was worse the second time he was Nigeria’s Head of State. A majority of Nigerians vested their hopes and dreams in him. They expected him to be much, much better than he turned out to be. The country continues to pay a heavy price for the imprint of his presidency on Nigeria’s democratic practice.
The Tambuwal drama in my mind was completely avoidable. That charlatan politicians have switched political parties and remained in office is no reason for Tambuwal to not sit above the fray. Wrong is not right because it was condoned in the past. Well and beyond the law, there is rightness and propriety. Best practice should be encouraged to develop and improve tradition. The march of development should be forward not backward. Tambuwal affronted the Jonathan administration and challenged it to call his bluff and it did. Tambuwal chose to join the company of opportunistic politician “carpet crosses”- a league of shame and retrograde in Nigeria’s politics. I wish that as speaker, he gave more thought to the consequences of his decision and action on the Nigeria’s political development.
The better things are done, the sooner desired outcomes are likely to happen.
oa
From: usaafric...@googlegroups.com [mailto:usaafric...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Cornelius Hamelberg
Sent: Monday, December 01, 2014 2:40 AM
To: usaafric...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: FW: USA Africa Dialogue Series - On this Matter of Party Defections in Nigeria's National and State Assemblies {Re: [Naijaintellects] Chaos at National Assembly: Tambuwal Stopped, David Mark Orders shutdown
Lord Agugua Anunoby,
Your points are always well taken, Sir. At all times, I cannot fail but to be impressed by the sense of justice that animates your serious concerns about our Nigeria. My other favourite lordly Nigerian is Chief Emeka Anyaoku , the former Secretary-General of the Common Wealth. Sadly, we do not hear him sounding off on what's happening in Nigeria during these later years of Book Haram's reign of terror, a terror so terrible that President Goodluck Jonathan can fly regularly to Israel and back ( to the annoyance of some of Nigeria's Muslims) but has conspicuously kept himself away from visiting various areas of sovereign holy Nigerian territory to commiserate with those who almost daily, suffer loss of life, limb and property at the hands of the murderers in the Boko Haram
I'm sorry if I've mistakenly associated you too closely with membership of the fan club headed by Dr. Chika Oyeani who organised the celebration of The Goodluck Jonathan Appreciation Day, over there where you reside, in the United States of America. I cannot remember ever hearing you criticize Goodluck Jonathan. Understandably, this is partly because, somehow, just looking at the distribution of portfolios in Goodluck Jonathan's administration, it would seem that Igbos occupy very significant position ( no doubt by dint of the entrepreneurship spirit and that extra special quality of enterprise which has earned Igbos the nickname “ the Jews of Africa” ) and occupying such significant positions it's said that they can't possibly complain that their section of the Nigerian polity is under-represented, to the extent that some of Jonathan's closest friends are said to be joking that his real name is his middle name Ebele Azikiwe and that the prefix Goodluck at the beginning and the surname Jonathan at the end are mere peripheries to his true centre of gravity which to all intents and purposes is Azikiwe
(You know how Nigerians like to particularise about the main ingredients in the national ethnic stew...n.b. : at least once a year the Jews recite this verse Devarim 28:13
“And the Lord will set you at the head, and not at the tail, and you will be only at the top, and you will not be at the bottom, if you obey the commandments of the Lord, your God, which I am commanding you this day, to observe to fulfill [them].”
As a result of which you get guys like these
About the distinction of being Igbo I read some beautiful words on Obododimma Oha's facebook timeline , a guideline for the uncouth, a code of conduct/ loving ethical behaviour for us all...including the understanding of Ferguson...
About my Man Muhammadu Buhari. You've said it all before: that he should apologise to the people of Nigeria for what he did before, that we don't know that he won't do much worse if he comes back even through the ballot box, your ominous words “He has himself to blame for the possible fate that will befall him” and I notice that this time you have omitted to ask where does he get all that money with which to conduct this his fourth campaign to be president of Naija?
But Lord Anunoby, let's leave Muhammadu Buhari alone, let's also leave Nigeria's chief police constable about whom it's said, “The IGP has shown he is a political officer and he has already taken sides with a party against the other. How can we trust him to be neutral in the 2015 general elections?” Him too, let him rest in peace for the time being and the problem of PIRACY that's taking a back seat with Boko Haram at the forefront, more chaos and just for now, let's take a look at the other types of leadership in Nigeria, religious leadership :
1. The Sultan of Sokoto : the spiritual head of Nigerian Muslims:
Amirul Mu'minin Sultan Muhammadu Sa'adu Abubakar III who advocate the release of Boko Haram prisoners for peace.
I can't understand Goodluck Jonathan's reasoning. If Barabbas could be released instead of Jesus how much more urgent isn't the release of Boko Haram prisoners to bring an end to the on going and never-ending Boko Haram carnage?
2. The Emir of Kano
3. There was a time when Cardinal Francis Arinze was close to being Pope - and the impact of such a coronation on Africa would have been immense and even in his present position he could impact what's happening in Nigeria.What are your thoughts on the role religious leadership in addressing Nigeria's current problems mi Lord?
And a good day to you Sir!
Cornelius
1.
2. We Sweden
--
Cornelius Hamelberg
Yes O, Lord Oga Ogugua Anunoby,
As the Sheikh used to say, “Good greetings!”
I’m happy to know that you know me as no one else knows me, not even my mentor, Ogbeni Kadiri; that you know me for who I truly am, a bona fide Yoruba chauvinist and a tribalist and that I “see things only through the ethnicity prism”.
Cheers!
If only I were the president of Naija I would get Doyin Okupe to press charges against you for insulting me, although I know that in real life, you are likely to be the last Nigerian to ever commit such a crime.
If you think that I’ll get the best answer from you if I ask you more directly, “Why don’t you criticize Goodluck Jonathan?” - then I’m afraid that you will have to keep on waiting. After reading miles of your verbiage in print, in this forum, I have yet to come over a single instance in which Goodluck Jonathan falls short of perfection in your eyes, whereas when it comes to my man Muhammad Buhari, you can neither forgive nor forget as you go on pounding him without any letup for what you say are his sins of the past.
I know that it’s not islamophobia either.
For the umpteenth time you’ve told us that you are not overly enthused about the prospect of a Buhari presidency. I know that you will be saying that and even having nightmares about him even after Christmas and well into the New Year.
We notice that you now include General Obasanjo as being of the same military ilk and gene and that he is guilty of a similar vicious mode of conduct...
About Hon. Tambuwal I’ll say only this, that his life may be in danger. Does this not concern you at all? In my opinion it’s as serious as Yehuda Glick’s security detail being withdrawn – and (God forbid) but if anything untoward should happen to either of these men, who would you blame?
Do you still believe that “All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.”?
I too understand that about Goodluck Jonathan, corruption, the mass murder in the North of Nigeria and oil piracy in South, you have the right to remain silent...
Yours Sincerely,
CH
...