Buhari Factor in Katsina Politics. By  Abdullahi Abubakar

(GAMJI)

Katsina State was created on the 23rd September, 1987 by the erstwhile President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, IBB, from the defunct Kaduna State. From inception to date the state had 8 Chief Executives. 6 of these were military while 2 were civilians. It is on record that apart from Col. John Yahaya Madaki none has performed excellently well like the incumbent Governor Umar Musa Yar’adua. Details

 

Rimi's Politics: A Response to Mallam Ado Kurawa's Write-Up. By Dr. Mohammed Wailare

(GAMJI)

Before I proceed, I find it pertinent to clear the wrong impressions which Mallam Ado's write-up might have implanted in the minds of some gullible readers about the history of Kano radicalism which according to him is to be traced to Kano ruler's resistance to the over bearing of the Sokoto caliphate. Far from that, Kano radicalism started as a result of oppression of the Talakawas (masses) by the then fascistic ruling class. Details

 

JANUARY 15, 1966

In Remembrance of a Legend, Alhaji, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto

By Magaji Galadima

(GAMJI)

I think, in the present world, full of hatred, bitterness, cruelty, racial discrimination, communal tensions, inequities, human degradation and erosion of values, The first and only premier of Northern Nigeria Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sakkwato (Gamji henceforth) is more relevant today than at any other time. In the context of the present situation, I strongly feel that there is an imperative need to recapture the spirit of the life and times of Gamji, who was assassinated 37 years ago by a young Ibo soldier Major  Chukuma Kaduna Nzeogu, thus setting the stage for military rule in our dear country Nigeria and sowing the seed of ethnic hatred, political bitterness and tribalism which to this day are taking immeasurable toll on the nation. Details

 

Politics of Nigerian People--PNP 101. By Zulfikar Aliyu Adamu

[Saudi Arabia]

(GAMJI)

If President Obasanjo should make the 'mistake' of retaining power against the political hurricane mounting against him; and contrary to the unwritten rules of that swinging pendulum of power shift, we can be rest assured that he has consigned the political fate of the Yoruba's to at least 24 years in solitary confinement. This is not soothsaying, cynicism or pessimism; but a simple course outline of PNP 101. Details

 

Facism in Translation. By Dalhatu Yola

(GAMJI)

Nothing could justify the decision to field Obasanjo. His choice and the wholesale endorsement of all the serving governors show that the politicians in PDP lack empathy. The party doesn’t seem to appreciate that addressing the concerns of ordinary people is the key reason for their type of business. Governors, Councillors, Legislators, Presidents, indeed all-elective officers, are nothing but mere service providers. Whenever either of them fails to deliver the goods, nobody needs to instruct a political party about the correct thing to do. Details

 

AD: Alliance for Democracy's Silence. By Michael O. Folorunso

(GAMJI)

I read with great disappointment the statement credited to AD National Chairman as saying that the Alliance for Democracy Governors along with him have resolved not field a Presidential candidate in the year 2003 election.  I know that while these governors may have weighed the likelihood of an AD candidate running against OBJ in the South West as a futile effort. It is no less important that AD is a distinct Political Party and it is not an extension of PDP and AD must and should field a candidate. Details

 

Dele Giwa: The Lingering Echoes Of A  Murder. By Ugochukwu D. Ejinkeonye

(GAMJI)

“They got me!” That was Giwa’s last words at First Foundation Hospital, Ikeja where Dr. Tosin Ajayi and his other doctors battled to see how they could save Giwa’s life. Earlier, on their way to Hospital, Giwa was saying to his wife in Yoruba, “Nwon ti pa mi”, meaning: “They have killed me.” Who are these “they” that were so heartless, so senseless, so fiendish and irremediably inhuman? How can a human being elect to do such a horrifying damage to another person? Giwa’s flesh was shattered, with some pieces  (some of which were discovered many days later) scattered about the study. Details

 

Lessons from the ANPP Convention. By Ibrahim Dan Halilu

(GAMJI)

Admirers of ANPP and its foundation members will appreciate the bitter truth that realism has dictated the choice of Muhammad Buhari as party’s presidential flag bearer, because among the motley of aspirants only him has what it takes to trounce PDP at the polls.  He has a solid campaign structure that could pursue his presidential aspiration to the end – The Buhari Organization.  He has mass appeal among teeming ANPP supporters and northern electorate.  He comes from the stronghold of the ANPP – North West zone, which is an important factor in winning an election. Details

 

Justice M.D. Saleh--Not Guilty as Charged. By Ibrahim Hassan

(GAMJI)

Finally, then one may be tempted to ask the question pertaining to Judges, retired or serving with a persistent reputation for corruption, could the seven years tenure of Justice Kayode Esho as the Chairman of governing council of the University of Benin be free from corrupt practices? Those that live in glass houses should not indulge themselves in a game throwing stones. A word is a enough for the wise. Details

 

Peoples' Democratic Party Convention: The Beginning of an End. By Dr. Abubakar A. Muhammad

(GAMJI)

Some people will say unequivocally, the beginning of the end of this corrupt and incompetent administration under the leadership of Aremu Olusegun Obasanjo began sometime last year when members of the National Assembly raised the hammer of impeachment, and looked determined to strike. Things though went awfully wrong. The Yoruba tribal cabal voiced its dissent; the Christian Association of Nigeria joined the campaign of calumny to defend its member; the Aso Rock political spinners went on the soap box; while the agents of doom and gloom, the Afenifere- OPC duo, warned us of the hanging cloud of calamity about to descend on us. Details

 

Is An Igbo President Still Feasible? By Emmanuel Uzo Obi

(GAMJI)

Ike Omar Sanda Nwachukwu retired Major-General, has the best chances out of the other Igbo candidates. He served as Provost-Marshall of the Nigerian Army and his political appointments include Governor, Minister of Labor, External Affairs Minister and presently a Senator. He has the military factor on his side, and if the Igbos are serious in the Presidency, they will give him 100 percent support. Details

 

Anti-North Insults: A response to Debo Awosika-Olumo’s –The Onshore/Offshore Debacle: What’s Wrong With Nigeria? By Abubakar Adamu, MSc, MILT.

(GAMJI)

If the northern people are not as ‘educated’ as the southerners are, as you claimed, how is it they are able to manipulate the ‘educated’ South: the hypothesis does not add up. I thought if you are more educated than someone your World-view should be broader and is you who can control and manipulate the less educated one. Details

 

Weep Not, Nigerian Child. By Ugochukwu D. Ejinkeonye

(GAMJI)

The truth is that the Nigerian child can hardly boast of more than just a handful of models to emulate. What, for instance, can the Nigerian youth learn from today’s politicians if not violence, lack of principles, tribalism, immorality, unscrupulousness and implacable rapacious drives? Honesty and morality are fast being wiped away from our polity. Even parents these days overtly encourage their children to tread their unholy paths and adopt their pernicious paradigms. Details

 

Random Thoughts of Honest Nigerians on Buhari's Presidential Candidature. By Maiwada Zubairu

(GAMJI)

They are in their early or late forties, graduated more than twenty years ago and have been working in either private or public sector. During the working years they have taken time to do their masters degree while some have obtained their Doctorates during those twenty some years of working life. They choose from the on-set to follow the path of dignity and honesty of purpose in their official and personal conducts. In a typical Nigerian environment they hardly get noticed since they are not cut off from the ruling and/or  the powerful elites. Details

 

Chuba Okadigbo: Our man Friday. By Michael O. Foloruns

(GAMJI)

Dr. Okadigbo's nomination as Buhari's running mate is an insult to all N'digbos and should be viewed with great suspicion. One thing is sure though both Buhari and Okadigbo have parallel agendas. Like those who came before them who harbored the same level of ignorance, hatred and animosity, they too will fail woefully. Details

 

USA: A Mighty Eagle Without A Conscience? By Banjo Odutola

(GAMJI)

[Banjo Odutola   is a solicitor of the Supreme Court, England and Wales]

I love the USA. I adopted the country as a second home even though I cannot reside in it on a permanent basis. As a lost cat finds comfort in a home that provides it comfort; once, as a foreigner, I considered the US as a symbol of freedom and the rule of Law; but no more...Since the tragedy of 9/11, I have followed the analyses provided by both experts and quacks. The tragedy that humiliated the American eagle has precipitated an incomprehensible and equally tragic response from the US administration. Does the present American government understand that it is destroying the world? Details

 

Obasanjo, PDP and Nigerians. By Ibrahim Dan Halilu

(GAMJI)

As of now, the PDP has not succeeded in presenting to Nigerians its best candidate, because President Olusegun Obasanjo has been tested, and the results were disastrous if his performance is anything to go by.  Forget about the charade of continuity and National Unity as propagated by most of the delegates to the convention.  I was surprised at the defense of the Obasanjo presidency by some ministers to the effect that it is correcting the damages of over twenty years!   Haba!  What corrections did President Obasanjo make to the damages of the IBBs, the Abachas and the Abdul Salamis? Details

 

Buhari: An Epitome of Discipline and Candour. By Mohammed Bala

(GAMJI)

The duo of Buhari and the late Idiagbon were so serious about the condition of Nigeria and Nigerians that they introduced the War Against Indiscipline (WAI) in order that the near immoral, and the unruly nature of some of our citizens will be changed and corrected. The unilateral pricing of foodstuff and essential commodities by greedy hawkers was triumphantly checked as prices tumbled down, and with all items available in markets. There was also the prudent management of resources to the effect that workers' salaries were paid promptly at the end of the month. Really Nigeria then was steadily and surely being moved into the right way. Buhari any day or time remains an enigma for that. Details

 

Why Obasanjo Would Win a Second Term. By Taofiq Abiola

(GAMJI)

Perhaps the most significant event of the forthcoming 2003 elections is that fact that a retired general and former Head- of-State, Muhammed Buhari, will be contesting on the platform of the ANPP against another retired general and incumbent President, Olusegun Obasanjo.  For some, it is a cry of euphoria, perhaps, a sign of change or the changes to come, others view it as a challenge to their very political existence, Buharis, afterall, stepped on many toes while in office. Others are quick to point out that by choosing Chuba Okadigbo as his running mate, Buhari has embraced the old guard. Details

 

Are These the Candidates? Heaven Help Nigeria! By Ike Naijaman

(GAMJI)

And so we are left with Obasanjo/Atiku against Buhari/Okadigbo. Never has a Presidential election frightened me as much as this one does.  The ethnic and religious character of this contest could literally split the country.  It is just TOO EASY for these people to play us against one another like pawns.  We do not even make it hard for them.  We just follow like sheep. Details

 

A Trivial Pursuit. By Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo

(GAMJI)

I once said before that Buhari cannot get the ANPP started. At the time he had rigmaroled on his aspiration to lead the nation from the party's platform. Now the truth is out. Through discussions with many political pundits I discovered that an Igbo candidate with Buhari as running-mate could upset the applecart of an incumbent like Obasanjo if the ANPP had considered it, but instead the party decided on Buhari with an Igbo running-mate. Whatever their reason, it is clear that the pair of Buhari and Okadigbo did not emerge through a fair contest and that portends danger for our political landscape. Details

 

Between Atiku Abubakar and Collective Responsibility. By Qasim Akinreti

(GAMJI)

In 1993, Atiku Abubakar must have felt disillusioned that he could not save the SDP. Twenty years later, he has demonstrated to the Nigerian political class he understands the dynamics of political calculus when the chips are down. When men of political integrity and loyalty are been counted, definitely Atiku Abubakar will stand out as the man who certainly build bridges among the political divide in Nigeria. Details

 

The Engr. Khalil Challenge in Katsina. By Ibrahim Dan Halilu

(GAMJI)

As a final note, Engr. Khalil and those behind his victory at the primaries must manage this success to conclusion otherwise the people of Katsina State will put them on the wrong side of history if they squander the opportunity to give the electorate the best governor democracy can produce for Katsina. Details

 

Jika is Gone. By Suleyman bin Muhammad Odapu

(GAMJI)

Jika is a gem we respect in the Department. When we flip through the pages of newspapers or browse the gamji website, we read Jika. When we tune to the radio, particularly the Voice of America, we hear Jika's voice. When we go to the library for research, we read Jika's academic contributions in books he authored or co-authored. Jika was an all- rounder in mass communications--an academic and practitioner per excellence. Details

 

Political Scenarios After the Nigerian Primaries. By Chudi Okoye

(GAMJI)

As in 1993, the ANPP’s joint Buhari/Okadigbo ticket is intended to prevent the consolidation of this emergent power bloc headed by the south-western and north-eastern elite factions.  The question now though is what will happen if the opposing ANPP coalition does not succeed in this enterprise.  In other words, what will happen if the PDP wins the presidential election on April 19?  After all, the odds are stacked in its favour, what with the resources of incumbency fully at its disposal. Details

 

Cabotage in Nigeria and the Waiver Clauses: A Critical Appraisal of Control Options. By Andrew Obinna Onyearu

(GAMJI)

In the Maritime Media, the development of Cabotage in the form of the Cabotage Bill recently enacted by the House of Representatives has continued to make, understandably, waves of attention that its potential consequences rightly deserve.  For completeness, Cabotage law refers to the sets of rules and regulations that govern coastal shipping in any country.  Essentially, it refers to the practice of encouraging a country’s coastal trade by confining it to National Shipping with national crew, as a matter of strategy.Details

 

Countdown 2003: Just before the D-Day.C an Obasanjo be Defeated ? By Emmanuel Uzo Obi

(GAMJI)

Buhari is well known for the Buhari/Idiagbon era that instilled discipline and tried to rid Nigeria of corruption. His anti- corruption stance then is a strong credential and this is what Nigeria needs today. He will get the strong support of the northern political power base but his military support will be divided. It seems he has some vendetta or scores to settle with Babangida and the group that overthrew him. With Buhari as President, the interest of a section of the military power base will be in jeopardy. Details

 

The Benefits of Nigerian Unity and The Perils of Disintegration. By Paul I. Adujie

(GAMJI)

Nigeria and Nigerians united and prosperous and greater, is all that fills my heart and this belief in one Nigeria remains my motivation in all I write about Nigeria.  It is too common these days for some Nigerians to want to impose their views about the so- called sovereign national conference and other sundry matters on everyone else and insist on why disintegration of Nigeria is the only choice that Nigeria and Nigerians have and any disagreements with their ideas or concept is an invitation to be labeled anti East West South North. Details

 

2002 Year of Sovereign National Conference – End of Year Report. By Abbd Israel

(GAMJI)

Fellow Nigerians, let it be said at the end of the year 2003 that this was the year when the host of awakened Nigerians put all their faith in the power that the knowledge of truth gives to all those who seek sincerely and search faithfully for the truth of existence. Once again, let us leave the politicians alone to their electioneering, to their religious and political games of mammon worship, and to their blood-shedding activities in the name of power. Details

 

A Statement from the Independent League of Fulani Refugees. Possible Outbreak of Cow and Related Diseases in Nigeria Due to Deliberate and Persistent Denial of Adequate Veterinary Services: A Consequence of the Lingering Sectarian Antagonism on the Plateau, Nigeria. Forwarded by Musa Adam

(GAMJI)

Various forms of Ethno - religious antagonism, aggression and aggravation (in the guise of covert, overt, actual, constructive, direct and oblique actions and inactions) have occurred and continued unabated in plateau state, Nigeria, since September 2001 to date. However, we are specifically concerned here with the antagonistic stance of the management of the veterinary institute at Vom, plateau state of Nigeria towards the Fulani tribe. The antagonism under contemplation is in the form of a deliberate and sustained DENIAL of adequate veterinary services to the Fulani herdsmen in relation to their cattle and other categories of livestock. Details

 

The Onshore/Offshore Debacle: What's Wrong With Nigeria? By Debo Awosika-Olumo MD., MS., MPH

(GAMJI)

The relationship is so thus describe as “parasitic” in which “feudatory north” is the parasite like “malaria bug” and south the host (human blood), the feudatory north only wants to be drawing from the south like a leech without any sense of fairness and giving in return except their lip service comments of “national unity” and diversity. Details

 

People's Democratic Party and the Future of Democracy in Nigeria. By Kennedy Emetulu

(GAMJI)

Buhari's declaration for the ANPP was unexpected; but once it was done Aso Rock and Minna put in place plans to frustrate him. They became more convinced about this mission when in apparent alliance with the Abacha crowd, Buhari started flexing his electoral muscles in the North. Those who watched Obasanjo, Atiku pelted with stones in Kano and Babangida being shouted down at the same function understand how much trouble that could be. Details

 

Elections 2003:  Thirty Ways To Stay In The Same Place. By  Ike Naijaman

(GAMJI)

Do you know what works best in fixing a pot-hole in the road?  Coal tar and/or cement.  You do not need an SNC to figure that out.  Do you know what helps unemployed people get employment?  Economic growth, not SNC.  Do you know how the Eagles could have done well at last year's World Cup?  Proper organization, proper coaching, proper player selection, etc, etc.  There is no "SNC" anywhere in that. Details

 

NIGERIAN ELECTIONS 2003:   Update 002:  Obasanjo 2642, The Rest   837. By Mobolaji E. Aluko, Ph.D.

(GAMJI WRITER)

The usual English term for this is “crushing” victory, or defeat depending on who is being referred to.What the heck happened? Even this “prophet” was not enough “seer” to predict this margin.  The coming days will let us know why this was so. Details

 

Everything is Possible Without Obasanjo. By Abdulsalam Olatubosun Ajetunmobi

(GAMJI)

Therefore, since there remain 29 other political parties apart from the ruling party,  there is no doubt they must have within their memberships some credible people whose determination, drive and passion are worthy of commendation. As an illustration individuals such as  Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Alhaji Balarabe Musa and Mr. Olisa Agbakoba who lead Nigerian Conscience Party (NCP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and Green Party of Nigeria (GPN) respectively are worthy of mentioning. Details

 

Nigeria Is Too Young To Die ! By Ugochukwu D. Ejinkeonye

(GAMJI)

After only forty-two years into nationhood, this young, beautiful and enchanting gentle widow called Nigeria, born with a silver spoon in her mouth and once admired, wooed and even worshipped by eminent men of the globe, is ripe for anything but death.  She does not even deserve to be hungry, wrinkled, dry, sick or emaciated, let alone experience a retarded growth. Details

 

I  Agree with Dr. Usman Bugaje. By Muhammad Mamman

(GAMJI)

Dr Bugaje made the pertinent observation, in the article under reference, that ‘Our problems started when we refused to recognise them as such. We compound the problems by pretending that despite these differences in history, culture and world-view, we must be uniform in almost every respect in order to be deemed united. We confuse unity with uniformity….’ Details

 

The Politics of Virtue. By Victor E. Dike

(GAMJI)

And political leaders who have nothing positive to offer the nation cause the Shariah crises that have alienated and divided Muslims and Christians in the society. With visionless leadership the youths are currently vacillating between hope and anxiety regarding opportunities and challenges posed by modernization, because they lack the means to deal with modernity. Details

 

The Politics of Religion and Lex Talionis (Part I). By D. S. Dauda, M.D.

(GAMJI)

Largely due to the efforts of the media, if one was to ask the common man in the street for a definition of ‘jihad’, the most probable answer would be that of a “holy war”. This misconception can be traced to early-day orientalists and the theory has been brought forward for their misconstruction of this concept as a reflection of the Christian use of the term "Holy War" to refer to the Crusades of Christendom, a series of military campaigns which began in 1095 and ended in the late 13th century. The term ‘crusade’ was originally applied solely to European efforts to retake from the Muslims the city of Jerusalem. Details

 

With All Due Considerations, Igbo Presidency is More Feasible in 2007. By Odindu Odunze Ph.D.

(GAMJI)

I therefore suggest that Ohanaeze steers clear of this muddle because any endorsement of any particular aspirant at this time will be seen by many as nepotism, and may even further Igbo division. Consequently, we may go to the 2003 elections bitterly divided and we may not recover from the aftermath in time enough for 2007. Knowing what I know about Igbo post civil war political mannerisms, our failure in 2003 will further political individuation; I mean the inclination for our leaders to panhandle for self-fortune in the pretext of fighting against marginalization. Details

 

The Continuity Pandemic. By Dalhatu Sani Yola

(GAMJI)

The conglomerate nature of Nigeria that should ideally compliment the shortcomings of the disparate polities notwithstanding, the whole country became enmeshed in serious quandary. In varying degrees though. The plight of the Hausa/Fulani stock under contemporary arrangements is abysmally pathetic on no account but the lackluster and bankrupt nature of its governing elite, which since coming into pre-eminence has been more concerned with wealth accumulation, gentrification and the selective distribution of opportunities, income and skills. Details

 

Concerning Dr. Tilde’s Predictions and “Congratulations, Mr. President”. By Dele Olasiji, Ph.D.

(GAMJI)

Having said all this, I must add that it is disturbing that Dr. Tilde was able to reveal his own bias or double standard while analyzing the chances of Dr. Alex Kewanee vis a vis General Buhari’s.  First, it is unfair and insulting to the former vice president to suggest that his candidature was not only “a grand design to preserve Obasanjo’s candidature” but was stage-managed. That is further from the obvious truth that the elder statesman entered the race with a sense of seriousness to win. Of course Dr. Ekwueme will not be in the illusion that he will win if he can’t win. Details

 

Reflections On Count Down To 2003 Election In Nigeria. By Professor Tony Ogiamien

(GAMJI)

From all accounts, OBJ is determined to remain in Aso Rock for another term in violation of the political arrangement that ushered him in to power in 1999. He has forgotten that he was taken out of prison to midwife the transition to civil rule. It was reckoned that one term administration was sufficient for the midwifery and nothing more. Nigerians are now more than ever interested in a purely civilian arrangement. Details

 

Buhari on Democracy. By Musa Yusuf Owoyemi

(GAMJI)

The utterances of Buhari have betrayed him as a true sectional and ethnically biased man and not as a true nationalist as he had been portraying himself. His utterances have shown that perhaps, we should be thanking Allah for his early exit from power , the only pity and regret being that it was a set of crooks and thugs in uniform that removed him from power, otherwise what he would have done with Nigeria would have been worst than what IBB and his retinue of thugs did. Details

 

Towards a Better Security for Nigeria. By Ibrahim Dan Halilu

(GAMJI)

Many citizens are concerned that the rate of armed robbery on the highways is still high despite the heavy security mounted at the PDS to the effect that some suspect that some policemen double as informants for the armed bandits because most of the armed robbery operations take place when the police are not on spot.  Those who hold this view argued that the policemen are doing this to reinforce the impression that their presence at the highways is necessary. Details

 

The Nobel "Lord" And Afro-Literary Activists: The Case Of Chinua Achebe. By Ugochukwu D. Ejinkeonye

(GAMJI)

Achebe said something I would have wished he hadn’t said: “There are grammarians who now sit over the Igbo language the way Dennis did in 1906 and dictate it into Standard Igbo. I think it is a terrible tragedy. I think dialects should be left alone. People should    write in whatever dialect they feel they want to write. In the fullness of time, these dialects will sort themselves out…when I write in the Igbo language, I write my own dialect.” When will this fullness of time arrive? I have read Achebe’s Igbo poems, and I sincerely believe that his rejection of the Standard Igbo goes beyond dialectal chauvinism. Details

 

Rimi's Politics: Transformation from Radicalism to Opportunism. By Mallam Ado Kurawa

(GAMJI)

Rimi could be said to be materially indigent with his only three sets of clothes when Mallam Aminu Kano elevated him and got him elected as the governor of Kano. But what is Rimi doing today? Instead of him to look for the best candidate to support based on a higher principle what did he do? He went for the one who has more money. This is more detestable because the source of wealth is questionable. What moral lesson is Rimi teaching? How, could the so-called Khalifa of Mallam Aminu (because he is still pretending to that title) support such immorality? What then are his principles? How could such a person claim to be a statesman? Such a person is certainly not representing the true spirit of Kano radicalism that stands for justice and higher moral principles. Details

 

That FRSC Seat Belt Order. By Ibrahim Dan Halilu

(GAMJI)

Last Wednesday, January 1, 2003 Nigeria’s Road Safety Corps, FRSC commenced the enforcement of the order on use of seat belts by motorists in compliance with the global safety standards.  Until now, it has been optional for Nigerian motorists to put on their seat belts while boarding a vehicle for both long distance and city drive...The major flaw in this policy is that an inference is being made that the failure of motorists to use seat belts is a major cause of death in automobile accidents on our roads, which can hardly be proved, as our antecedent will testify.  In fact, it is not even an issue in Nigeria’s traffic accidents because while majority of the vehicles may not have the seat belts those that have them cannot put them on for obvious reason. Details

 

Breaking the Self-Succession Box. By Murtala S. Sagagi

(GAMJI)

Won’t it be wonderful if people aspire for higher positions? Why must  Gali Na’abba be fighting tooth and nail to remain where he is? Why must Jery Gana, Adamu Chiroma, Tony Anenih, S. M. Afolabi  and host of others would not afford to give up political offices at Abuja and venture into something new? Why is it that   my state governor (Eng. Kwankwaso), for example, despite his credentials and achievements as popularized could not aspire for something else if at all he is confident that he has the support of his people? I feel comfortable to use his case as an example in view of his unique effort to reach out to people. Details

 

A Clarion Call to Alhaji Wada Nas and Abubakar Jika: Take a Stand on the Dichotomy Bill Issue. By Ademola Daramola

(GAMJI)

My day is not complete without a perusal of the news websites of Nigerian Dailies, and I have particularly fallen in love with the diversity of opinions daily expressed on the Gamji site by writers with varying degree of literary eloquence and critical passion, whether in the defense of the causes they believe in, or in the shooting down of those causes which fail to pass the writers' litmus test of personal appeal, regardless. Two writers however stand out in this category viz: Alhaji Wada Nas and Abubakar Jika (a lecturer at Bayero University). They are ever quick to roll out their printing press for commentaries on issues of national concern, albeit from an unpretentious Northern prism. I do not have a problem with this whatsoever. If anything at all, it gives me hope that we may be moving towards the era of robust intellectual appraisal of salient issues as opposed to the usual recourse to violence in order to drive home our points. Details

 

Kenya's 2002 Elections: Ten Lessons. By Chinua Akukwe

(GAMJI)

The people of Kenya have spoken and their choice heard around the world.  The resounding victory of the Opposition over the ruling party has multiple lessons for fledgling democracies around the world, especially in Africa. I briefly discuss ten such lessons. Details

 

Implications of Buhari's Candidacy. By Aliyu Suleiman Gachi

(GAMJI)

A story is told about a time when Buhari went to queue for fuel, back in the dark days of acute fuel scarcity. It wasn't long before the crowd noticed the man behind the wheel. As they lamented the turn of events and reminisced about the days gone by, they begged him to skip the queue and go to the front to get fuel for his car. The man refused, not wanting to break the discipline he had tried to inculcate in Nigerians. The crowd begged and cajoled but the man remained adamant. Undaunted, they gathered around the car and half dragged half carried it to the fuel pump. After his tank was filled a man in the crowd immediately volunteered to pay. But the station manager will have none of that, he wanted the priviledge of offering fuel to Buhari for free. Such is the love the northern masses have for this man. No one person has received so much love and respect from the masses in this country. Detail

 

A Year of Gloom. By Muhammad Awwal Bauchi

(GAMJI)

Yesterday, yet another year of the Christian Gregorian calendar comes to its end. Last night in the Western world, when the long hand of the clock moves past its slow and shorter counterpart at the numeral 12, the year 2003 will be ushered in with the usual gaiety and the ritual messages of peace from the Vatican and other religious and secular centers of Christendom. But after the fireworks fade and the wild un-Christian festivities end in the early hours of Wednesday, there would not be much to celebrate in either Europe or the Americas, and in fact the whole world. Details

 

Reflection on Local, State and Ethnic Sovereign Conferences. By  Sam Abbd Israel

(GAMJI)

Dear Fellow Nigerians, let the healing of wounds that began at the Family Sovereign Conference continue in earnest to the Ethnic Sovereign Conference. No pretences, no lies, no clever manipulation of kinsmen to secure political advantage; let us put all our cards on the table. We must recognise our shortcomings as human beings and we must continue to struggle with everything in our souls to overcome them. Details

 

Fostering Private Sector Led Economic Growth In The East. By Eluma Obibuaku

(GAMJI)

Self-sustaining development is most likely to occur where residents of a given geographical area have the skills, knowledge and abilities necessary to transform their physical environment. The advantages of the East, namely, high investments in human capital, proximity to important markets, access to remittances provides significant opportunities for knowledge intensive companies to prosper and ultimately extent their market reach beyond Nigeria. The time to explore and enhance those opportunities is now. Details

 

Mainstreaming the Gospel of Christ--A Rejoinder to Adebisi Obafemi’s Mainstreaming Paganism. By Omoba Oladele Osinuga

(GAMJI)

There is nothing fundamentally wrong in being a follower of Christ and being a member of Masonic lodges, Worshipful societies (common in the City of London), Reformed Ogboni Fraternity, Universities and Colleges Fraternities (particularly in the United States), Age groups (prevalent in most Yoruba culture), Rotary/Inner Wheel Clubs, or Lion/Lioness Clubs to mention but a few groups whose membership ceremony involve a form of initiation or induction rites. In most cases these groups teachings and philosophy sometimes involve some form of Christian worship and in instances where this is not the case their ideas and creed do not conflict with the basic tenets of the Christianity. Details

 

Still on the Police Trust Fund. By Ibrahim Dan Halilu

(GAMJI)

Much as I subscribe to a well-catered- for police force for Nigeria in so far as that will ensure efficiency and proper discharge of responsibility by the police personnel, I fault the source of the Trust Fund.  Why should the already impoverished Nigerian workers be further taxed to fund the force?  If the Nigerian lawmakers are so concerned with the security of the country, why don’t they sacrifice half of their present income and allow government to review downward their remunerations so that less would be spent on running government and more on providing services to the citizens? Details

 

Kenya: Why it is Not  Yet Uhuru. By Mike Ikhariale

(GAMJI)

Perhaps the most import lesson for us here is that African opposition should learn to work together, subjecting their narrow ideological, ethnic and sectarian interests to the larger national goal, as the inexplicable failure to team up among themselves against the failing regimes only help to keep discredited leaders in power longer than necessary. Details

 

A Funny Sort of Democracy in Nigeria. By Emanuel Ozah, Ph.D.

(GAMJI)

Please Nigerians; stop using such words such as "democratic dividends."  How can you have a dividend from a crop that has not even grown or a dividend from money that you have not invested.  This kind of words is very, very annoying and makes me what to throw-up when I hear them. Details

 

Countdown 2003: Ekwueme or Nwachukwu the Choice Before Igbos. A Rejoinder. By Uzo Chris Umegei

(GAMJI)

If the political power blocks- The North and the Military spear-headed by His Excellency IBB have now chosen Ekwueme as they did Obasanjo in 1998, then let him go ahead and Nigerians will vote him into power with or without the Yoruba vote. Ditto for Ike Nwachukwu. Both are eminently qualified to give this country the much desired true and progressive leadership with the active support of the power blocks and majority of Nigerians. Details

 

The Fractured Family: Suffer the Women and Children. By Abba Gana Shettima

(GAMJI)

It is estimated that in Italy alone, 10,000 Nigerians mainly from southern Nigeria work as prostitutes- many of them willing or gullible victims of human traffickers.   A similar (but less documented) sacrilegious trafficking in women and professional ‘disabled’ beggars has also been going on for a very long time from Nigeria to the holy-land of Saudi Arabia. Details

 

Shari'ah Law and Western Reactions. By Carlos Martinez

(GAMJI)

Most of the Western World believes that they have a moral obligation to stop Amina Lawal’s stoning to death sentence. It is, nevertheless, far more complex. The worldviews of the two societies are different. The West has discarded God as the pivot of its philosophy and chose Man. All prohibitions of God, therefore, were legalized except for those that disturb man’s pleasure. Hence “sex by consenting adults is not a crime in Western societies but in Muslim societies all these are illegal because the Muslims still uphold Devine prohibitions,” said Kurawa. For the Shari’ah, adultery is a very serious crime just as child molesting is for the West World. Details

 

INEC Finally Passes Some Constitutional Tests. By Mobolaji E. Aluko, Ph.D.

(GAMJI WRITER)

Stubbornly, I still believe that the upcoming 2003 elections should be staggered,  with some elections taking place in 2003, and others postponed till 2004 and 2005, to ensure that we don’t do all of these elections – from local government to presidential - in the one same  year, within a two month period, again and again and again.  My suggestion would require extensions for some of the offices as I have detailed in an article entitled. Details

 

Dividends Of Political Tribalism. By Kòmbò Mason Braide, Ph.D.

(GAMJI)

These days, as he routinely expresses glaringly undemocratic views, General Olusegun Obasanjo (GCFR) effortlessly betrays a curious desire to induce very dangerous perturbations into Nigeria’s fragile peace, with his brazen resort to rudimentary “divide-and-rule” tactics, and naked propaganda. General Olusegun Obasanjo (GCFR) is diverting the attention of Nigerians, while searching rather desperately for new allies to form a coalition in support of his self-perpetuation gambit, through a phoney, and sterile diatribe, so-called “offshore-onshore dichotomy”. Details

 

Challenges Facing Education in the North:  Some Suggested Solutions. By Ibrahim Khaleel, Ph.D.

(GAMJI)

A 21-year-old person who continues to blame his/her parents for all their problems (true and valid as it might be) exhibits lack of maturity, self esteem and ability to take his/her life and shape it.  What more of a region that is 42 years old after independence!   My opinion is that the “blame game” should be used for historical purposes as well as a yardstick, a measuring instrument of sort, to understand and evaluate our efforts to educate and develop us. Details

 

Options for Nigeria. By Emeka Njoku

(GAMJI)

It is the height of hypocrisy, wickedness, madness and criminality to pretend that one loves a patient (Nigeria) suffering from terminal diseases (Sharia, ethnicity, injustice, military coups, corruption, etc) but refuses to even discuss and get treatment (sovereign national conference, resource control, etc.) for the patient while looting the patient's house (public funds, resources) to enrich himself. This is exactly what the so-called Nigerian "leaders"/power elite and "one Nigerians" are doing. Details

 

Countdown 2003: Ekwueme or Nwachukwu – the Choice before Igbos. By Emmanuel Uzo Obi

(GAMJI)

Nigeria would have a future in a Nwachukwu Presidency as there is a great probability of a national conference. But will the Igbos choose Nwachukwu? This writer doubts that the Igbos will ask Chief (Dr) the Hon, Arc, Barrister Alex Ekwueme to step aside for Senator Ike Nwachukwu. This writer suspects that the Igbos will ask Nwachukwu on which side he fought during the war. It will be a shame if it gets that far for the Igbos would have pissed away a golden opportunity to become President and forever create distrust in the minds of other Nigerians who dread the possibility of a hidden Igbo agenda. Details

 

FRIDAY DISCOURSE WITH DR. ALIYU TILDE

Predicting the Primaries

(GAMJI WRITER)

The AD will wait until after the primaries of the PDP. If Obasanjo wins the ticket of the PDP, AD will not field a candidate. They will rather align with PDP, or to put it more precisely, choose to work for their incumbent tribesman, than come out with another who will reduce his chance of winning the presidential election. If – and this ‘if’ is very unlikely as we have seen – Obasanjo loses the primaries, then, as one of the fallouts of that loss, AD will overnight punish the PDP by presenting a candidate who will deny it the block votes of the Southwest. That will be in addition to the punishment that Obasanjo will mete on the party – denying it incumbency. Details

 

Amnesty International is Wrong on Odi and Benue Massacres. By Kayode Yusuf

(GAMJI)

In the press release published on cnn.com and gamji.com, Amnesty International heaps the entire blame of the two massacres in Odi Bayelsa and Benue States on the Nigerian Military. The report showed that President Obasanjo was innocent except that he failed to fish out the perpetrators and bring them to justice. This view of Amnesty International against the Nigerian Military is most unfair. It was either due to incorrect information available to them, or it was deliberate for a particular purpose,... Details

 

Is Politics a Science or Just a Talking Shop? By Abubakar Adamu, MSc, MILT

(GAMJI)

How often do you read this headlines “Ekwueme escapes robbery attack” (www.gamji.com of 25/12/02)?. This was a story of robbery attempt on a former Vice-President of Nigeria, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, and a Man who had served the Nation at the highest level. What chance has an ordinary citizen with no status? My Ibo people say, “The Pikin wey say em Mama no go sleep for night, em too no go sleep” Details

 

Nigeria Police Could Be Effective Without a State Police. By Emmanuel Uzo Obi

(GAMJI)

Recent developments in Anambra and Enugu States have clearly amplified the possible dangers in decentralizing law enforcement to enable state participation. In the words of a retired IGP Sunday Adewusi, Nigeria is simply not yet matured to have the kind of structure that allows for State Police. Details

 

MID-WEEK ESSAY BY PROFESSOR MOBOLAJI E. ALUKO

Religious (In)Tolerance and the National Question

[DEPT. OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, HOWARD UNIVERSITY]

(GAMJI WRITER)

So what the heck are we talking about when the Sultan of Sokoto, sitting atop the Muslim association Jamaatu Nasril Islam (JNI), announces on November 28, that he has annulled Shinkafi’s Fatwa against Isioma Daniels, or when the Federal government MEEKLY announces that the irresponsible Shinkafi should be ignored?  Is that all?   Are we to be grateful to them for such “reasoned” band-aid, feel-good pronouncements?   Should Shinkafi NOT BE ARRESTED, TRIED and JAILED/FINED to teach Nigerians a lesson that INCITEMENT TO MURDER is not acceptable in our society?  What finer opportunity could we have than to use the loud and public violations of the constitution by a Deputy Governor to teach unacceptable behavior?   Details

 

Islam, Politics, and the Aborted Beauty Contest in Nigeria. By Professor Sulayman S. Nyang

[DEPT. OF AFRICAN STUDIES, HOWARD UNIVERSITY]

(GAMJI)

In our attempt to shed light on the crisis triggered by the beauty contest originally scheduled for Abuja, Nigeria's capital city, and moved to London in the United Kingdom, one must look into the political motivations of the contending forces in Nigerian society. The presidential elections scheduled for next year also feature prominently in this contest of wills between the federal government headed by Olusegun Obasanjo and the governors of the northern states that have embraced Sharia as their battle cry. Because the most formidable challengers to President Obasanjo are likely to come from the north, it is therefore not surprising to see why issues such as the Amina Lawal's case and the beauty contest affair would enter the picture. These two issues now serve as political metaphors for Nigerian advocates of democratic governance based on human as opposed to Divine Laws. Details