Buhari
And Democratic Struggle: Challenging The Obsanjo/Atiku Campaign Organisation
By Muhammad Jameel Yusha'U
(GAMJI)
Nigerians cannot be fooled by an administration whose surname is nothing but failure. For nearly four years, electricity is now the standby as NEPA effectively supply us with darkness, clean and portable drinking water is seen only by the poor when the kitchen cabinet is holding the Federal executive council meeting and imported packaged water is displayed before them (that’s if one is lucky to have a television)...Details
Professor Omoruyi, Ndiigbo and the rest of us
By
Mike Chinedu Anekwe
[Lagos, Nigeria]
(GAMJI)
Many well-meaning sons of Ndigbo, at home and in Diaspora, have condemned in no unmistakable terms Omoruyi's one-sided analysis of the presidential candidates in the forthcoming April 19 elections (he dismissed those of Igbo extraction as charlatans)...Details
The
result of April 2003 in Nigeria
By Tai Balofin- US AFRICAN EYE
(GAMJI)
The next elections in Nigeria would be fiercely contested, being the giant of Africa and commercial nerve center that has become prominent in global affairs, especially in the realm of politics, which itself, is a major determinant in other spheres of the system...Details
MID-WEEK ESSAY: THIS SICKENING WAR – AND IF I WERE SADDAM
Forwarded B y
Mobolaji E. Aluko Ph.D.
(GAMJI
WRITER)
Now, George and Saddam are very proud people, and Dubya’s reputation is at stake. Saddam has no reputation to maintain. So Dubya will finish the job his Daddy began in 1991 of removing Saddam from office once and for all, by hook or by crook, dead or alive....Details
Iraq War – Who is Howard Jeter Kidding?
By Banjo Odutola
[LONDON, ENGLAND]
(GAMJI)
I just cannot see the sense in the position taken by this Ambassador. He may possibly consider that he lives in a country in which the people are backward – so do Americans like to think of Africa; let him know that in Nigeria, we are educated enough to know the truth of an aggression when we see one.
By Ibrahim Dan-Halilu
(GAMJI)
By the time the government of ‘Yar Adua achieved this laudable goal, our hospitals would not only have adequate number of doctors and other health personnel but also support other states with same. This is an ever growing and expanding investment that should have restored the good name of the late Musa ‘Yar Adua family as pioneers in educational development in the old Katsina province...Details
Advancing Democracy in Africa (ADA)- THE WINNING OF THE APRIL 2003 PESIDENTIAL ELECTION IS A FUNCTION OF “GEOGRAPHICAL SPREAD” AND ONLY OBASANJO AND BUHARI MEET IT..
By Omo Omoruyi, mni
(GAMJI)
I do not have to make any apology to some Igbo commentators, who accuse me that I usually interject myself into the discussion. May I advise my young friend and alumni of a University where I was the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Okezie Chukwumerije) and the distinguished son of my good friend, Uche, that confessing to one’s role in the Nigerian politics does not necessarily make the analysis of Nigerian politics inelegant...Details
Age, Wisdom and Experience- Agbalagba wetin you use them do?
By
Ebruba ‘Tives,
[ St. Petersburg Russia].
(GAMJI)
The principles and priorities of our elders, for our nation Nigeria and Africa as a whole seem to be in the wrong order. A lot will agree with me and those who do not, probably, will soon enough. The elders have steered the country and continent like they have no plans and no aims. They stick to archaic beliefs and pass on those beliefs in tit-bits to the youth, making the youths half-cooked....Details
By Bala Yahaya
(GAMJI)
The major problem with this country is clearly that of lack of purposeful leadership that could adequately utilise the nation’s potentialities and launch it to its rightful position in the comity of nations. This belief stems from the fact that the selfless leadership styles exhibited by Nigeria’s early post-independence leaders saw to the putting up of viable structures such as higher educational institutions, parastatals, hospitals among many others...Details
Federal Nigerian Army Blunders of the Nigerian Civil War (1)
By
(GAMJI WRITER)
Although assisted by heavy rains, poor federal logistics and coordination along with overextended lines of communications, Madiebo’s plan for the encirclement of Owerri was by no means a lightning strike. Because of the relatively limited combat resources available to him, it was designed to be a slow process – aided no doubt by federal ineptitude...Details
By
Olisa Adigwe
[Massachusetts, U.S.A.]
(GAMJI)
Since Obasanjo’s victory in 1999, the Yoruba have appropriated that victory and felt triumphant. Credits were erroneously given to their political sophistication and astuteness. But actually is that the correct interpretation? Contrary the Igbo were roundly condemned as loser, having no vision or not having done the necessary planning and networking in order to clinch the number one job. ..Details
A Response to Paul adujie's Bashing The Yorubas: The Fallacious Tribalism Charge!
By Empire Emeka
[Senegal]
(GAMJI)
You said that the Yoruba did not vote Obasanjo in 1999 even though he is a Yoruba man. You yourself know the answer. Had it been that falae was non Yoruba , Obasanjo would have won landslide victory in Yorubaland in 1999,that is Yoruba man for you....Details
Bashing The Yorubas: The Fallacious Tribalism Charge!
By Paul I. Adujie
[New York, United States]
(GAMJI)
The revisionists of Nigerian history will have fools believe that Yorubas are tribalists and ethno-centrists, The truth is that, the Yorubas are not! If the Yorubas are however judged to be so, then of course all Nigerians must be guilty of the same offence or charge....Details
Reincarnation of our evil past
By
(GAMJI)
By Mazi K. O. Ani
(GAMJI)
Omoruyi’s essays are very prescriptive. To write and believe these things, Omoruyi must have four pre-requisites - he must be stupid, he must be ignorant and he must be amoral and racist. For example, Omoruyi admits that Ndiigbo are unjustly treated in Nigeria, but he washes his hands off the whole affair by proclaiming that the fight for justice must be left for Igbo leaders...Details
Musings of a Young Nigerian in Malaysia
By H A Lihat
[Malaysia]
(GAMJI)
I do know an election where half of a country is deprived of presenting its candidate, is far from democratic. So in my mind the coming elections will be the first democratic elections. With all the political assassinations going on, I sometimes wonder if all the candidates will make it to April 19 or if the Nigerian public will even care?...Details
Nigeria:
Ravaged By A Different Kind Of 'War'
By Abba Gana Shettima
[Maiduguri-Nigeria]
(GAMJI)
As I write this essay, Nigeria has not fought any major war on its soil or against any other nation for the past 33 years. Yet, nothing is working in the country. We are experiencing 23.99 hours of darkness in a day. And this in spite of $2 billion spent on the electricity sector by the present administration alone. ...Details
Mr. Omo Omoruyi And His Obasanjo's Endorsement
By Chidi Peter Eze.
(GAMJI)
Mr Omo Omoruyi's choice of a presidential candidate from the field of many presidential contenders is his very legitimate and constitutional right. Let no one begrudge him for that. But that right emulsifies when he employs his childish and selfish reasoning to conjure the civilized people of Edo in particular and Nigeria in general to follow his abnormal state of mind attributable to an excess of black bile and characterized by his irascibility.... Details
By Sameer Yeshwanth
(GAMJI)
Your excellency sir, after your death we fought a very bitter civil war and one of your sons managed to keep us one. He made us proud of his ‘NO VICTOR NO VANQUISHED’ outlook, but still he used the oil money to build up the city at the edge of the ocean, while the land of the two rivers remained way back. Too much money was spent too wrongly...Details
Conversation With Mr. President
By
Mohammed Shehu
[New York]
(GAMJI)
Mr. Vice President, isn’t it true that the president has traveled out of the country over 300 times and has spent over a year outside Nigeria, sometimes even while the country was experiencing serious crisis like the bomb blast at Ikeja and the violent clash at Kano?...Details
By
(GAMJI)
Here lay the greatest dilemma facing Africa. If those who are occupying leadership positions all over Africa are the incompetents, the undesirables, the nincompoops and the morally corrupt; and if experts have agreed that societies can only make progress at the behest of good and capable leaders, what then is going to be the eventual fate of Africa?... Details
Political Violence: The Way Out
By Ibrahim Dan-Halilu
(GAMJI)
The other point not highlighted by the panelists was the failure of governments at all levels to prepare for violence-free elections. Contrary to the known adage: “If you want peace, you must prepare for war,” the incumbents at all levels should have prepared for peace if they really wanted peace... Details
ASUU
Strike And The Blackmail Bandwagon!
By Paul I. Adujie
[New
York, United States]
(GAMJI)
Suddenly!
It is about twenty-five days to the general elections in Nigeria, and maneuvers
and manipulations are all appearing from everywhere and the woodworks! What
exactly is going on?
The Unfairness Of Blaming Obasanjo And Atiku For All Of Nigeria's Challenges: A rejoinder By Sonny Onyegbula
[South Africa]
(GAMJI)
There is no doubt that Nigeria has been ruled for many years by inept and corrupt leaders mostly from the military class. These class of leaders institutionalised corruption and stole the country blind. They allowed our infrastructure to decay and social indiscipline has remained the order of the day...Details
I Endorse Chief Olusegun Obasanjo
By
(GAMJI)
I have nothing for or against candidates because of where they come from. My classification of the presidential candidates is meant to sensitize Nigerians not to waste their votes on those who either want to have their names recorded in the record book as former presidential candidates or on those who simply want to orchestrate a stalemate in 2003 on the anti-Obasanjo platform...Details
By Emanuel Ozah, Ph.D.
(GAMJI)
Common sense dictates that for a nation to prosper and achieve greatness, a good leader must govern it. Conventionally, to be a good leader, one must possess the attributes of good leadership. Having studied the pattern of leadership of all our presidential candidates and their deputies in the coming general election, I find something very interesting in the Buhari/Okadigbo- mix of leadership. ...Details
SHOULD OBASANJO BE GIVEN A SECOND TERM/CHANCE
By
Yahaya Musa
[Bauchi, Nigeria]
(GAMJI)
When we look at the economic
performance of the present administration, we can see that the regime is a mere
disappointment to all Nigerians. Apart from excessive devaluation of our
currency which is now about N130 to $1. there is also a tremendous increase in
the rate of unemployment that led many Nigerians to live in abject poverty...Details
The Prediction of the Present Predicaments of Muslims
By
Balarabe Yushau
[Dhahran, Saudi Arabia]
(GAMJI)
Although Muslims have witnessed many calamities in their history, may be worse than what they have been witnessing these days. Many a times, the attempt has been to cast out the Religion, Islam, entirely from the globe.... Details
(GAMJI)
It should be noted that after the Civil War, the Igboland and people were promised the three RS (rehabilitation, reconstruction and reconciliation) by the Federal Government. Unfortunately the Igbo leaders took Gowons 3 RS as a substitute for an internal debate among the Igbo on the issue of an Igbo Permanent Interest in Nigeria that some call Vision...Details
The
Unfairness Of Blaming Obasanjo And Atiku For All Of Nigeria’s Challenges
By Paul I. Adujie
(GAMJI)
It is public knowledge that Nigeria Airways owned about 30 aircrafts in 1979, It is also public knowledge that the Nigerian National Shipping Line or NNSL had as many ocean going vessels; But both agencies now have no air or sea crafts. Details
Obasanjo's
campaign team deplores Buhari's absence from debate By
Sonny Onyegbula
[Republic of South Africa]
(GAMJI)
First I must say that I am not holding brief for the Buhari team but I feel persuaded to write with respect to the statement credited to Obasanjo-Atiku Campaign Organisation (Publicity Committee) in the Guardian of 25 March 2003 to the effect that the absence of General Buhari at the presidential debate organized by the Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria (BON).. Details
SUNDAY
MUSINGS: AND WHO SHALL I VOTE FOR
COME APRIL 2003?
By Mobolaji E. Aluko.
(GAMJI WRITER)
And
who shall I vote for on April 19, 2003, in the Nigerian presidential election,
between Aremu Obasanjo (PDP), Muhammadu Buhari (ANPP) and Gani Fawehinmi (NCP)?
That is, if the elections still hold?
WEEKEND MUSINGS WITH DR. NOWA OMOIGUI
(GAMJI WRITER)
NIGERIAN
CIVIL WAR FILE
Following the fall of Port Harcourt to federal troops of the 3MCDO on May 19th, there was an urgent need for the Biafran separatist government to establish another airport through which weapons could be flown in. Thus, on the main road from Owerri to Ihiala, the long straight stretch between Mgbidi and Uli was widened to 25 meters and modified into a 2,600-meter long runway, along with a parallel taxi-way. Details
Forwarded By Magda Wendorff-Kowalczuk
(GAMJI)
Amnesty International urges the African Union ministerial meeting, convening in
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 24 to 28 March, to agree on a protocol to strengthen
the human rights framework for the protection and promotion of women's rights in
Africa. Details
Yes, What Really Does Gen Obasanjo Want?
BY
(GAMJI)
Ugochukwu Ejinkeonye’s very articulate essay entitled, “Indeed, What Does Gen. Obasanjo Want?”, published on this medium recently made a very interesting and illuminating reading. I must commend him for that very wonderful and beneficial contribution to our continued daily dialogue with a most callous and unrelenting army of occupation who have not only conquered Nigeria and Nigerians, but are determined to impoverish it to death, and supervise its extinction. This infernal army ably led by General Olusegun Obasanjo is cheered on daily by an increasing mob of unconscionable and murky-minded court jesters whose daily thoughts about Nigeria do not go beyond how to bleed her to death...Details
The mistake ASUU must never commit
By Peter Akintunde
(GAMJI)
There is no doubt ASUU is fighting a just course, it has so far made the world to see the lip services Obasanjo's government is paying to education. It is unfortunate that Nigeria is in the hands of criminals parading themselves as leaders, most of whom by virtual connection to those people in uniform found their ways to positions of power... Details
Advancing Democracy In Africa By Professor Omo Omoruyi: A Rejoinder
By Chidi Peter EZE.
[Houston, Texas. ]
(GAMJI)
Mr Omo Omoruyi's quodlibetic political analysis depicts a man waning in political relevance, bereft of modern idealism and diminishing in intra-personal philosophy.His personal socio-political philosophy is senile.Perhaps that explains his recent intellectual summersault.Here him,"...Details
STAR
ESSAY: Akbar Ahmed's "Islam on a collision course?" Commentary
(GAMJI WRITER)
Akbar Ahmed is an academic and a world-renowned "ambassador" for Islam. But he has angered many of his fellow Muslims by asking them to examine why it is that the interpretation of Islam seems to be the source of the clash of civilisations. Details
Advancing Democracy in Africa (ADA). By Omo Omoruyi, mni
(GAMJI)
Since I got involved in politics, I have always sympathized with the Igbo and their plight in Nigerian politics. Here was a majority ethnic nationality and one vital leg in the traditional tripod before 1966 that is today since 1970 reduced to the status of a minority by the other two legs in the tripod. Omo Omoruyi or his ethnic nationality did not contribute to the loss of status or political impotence of the Igbo in Nigerian politics. The solution lies in the Igbo leadership and not on others. Details
Leadership Crisis and the Reproblematisation of the Nigerian State since May 29, 1999. By Mala Mustapha
[BRADFORD, ENGLAND]
(GAMJI)
Historically, empirical evidences have shown that good governance in some circumstances has nothing to do with democracy. Some authoritarian regimes of the right and left have prospered in many countries around the world because of patriotic and nationalistic prowess of their leadership. We are equally witnessing in numerous cases where democracy becomes the worst form of government. Details
Political Killings--So, Who Is Next? By Banjo Odutola
[LONDON, ENGLAND]
(GAMJI)
Now that the year is upon us and we are set to elect new leaders for another term; the last three and a half years have proven that our politics is a matter of life and death. This political dispensation is full of a chimera of mendacious recherché politicians that are not better than the military who once governed us. Details
MID-WEEK MUSINGS: THIS SO-CALLED WAR. By Mobolaji E. Aluko, Ph.D.
[MARYLAND, U.S.A.]
(GAMJI WRITER)
I do not like this so-called War, this unilateral war, that my adopted country America is fighting, but now that it has started, there is nothing that I can do about it. A war is no war if one is so strong, and the other so weak. It is like me getting into a fight with Mike Tyson, and calling that an HBO fight. Details
Professor Omo Omoruyi's Game. By Olisa Adigwe
[MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A.]
(GAMJI)
Sometimes ago Professor Omo Omoruyi wrote an article where he stated that he would stop proffering political analysis on the media except he's paid to do so. Any political candidate or political party that wish to benefit from his vast political wisdom would have to pay for it. No sooner did he issue the edict than resumed to offer his unsolicited opinions. Details
The Crooks, The Gullible, And 419 Scams Or Wallowing In The Mud ? By Paul I. Adujie
[NEW YORK, U.S.A.]
(GAMJI)
Nobody seem interested in the fact that there are more than 26,000 Medical Doctors of Nigerian origin in the United States, nobody seem interested in the other uncountable professionals of Nigerian origin in Europe and America, Lawyers, Doctors, Economists, Information Technology Professionals, Nurses to name a few. We know it is said that, it is big news when a man bites a dog, but it is no news when a dog bites a man, but even so, why is it? Details
How Much is the Life of a Nigerian Worth? By Ethelbert E. Kari, Ph.D.
[TOKYO, JAPAN]
(GAMJI)
The recent news in the online edition of the Guardian of Thursday, 20 March 2003 that the federal government of Nigeria is yet to evacuate her citizens from embattled Iraq did not come to me as a surprise. In an article entitled 'Govt explains non-evacuation of Nigerians from Iraq', the country's Information Minister, Jerry Gana, was quoted as saying that evacuating Nigerian citizens would mean support for the U.S. military action against Iraq. Details
The Cat is Finally Out of the Bag. By Dozie Ikem Ezeife, Esq.
[CALIFORNIA, U.S.A.]
(GAMJI)
For some weeks there was speculation in the media and amongst pundits that the AD and the Southwest were scheming to throw their support behind their tribesman, President Obasanjo of the PDP in the April 2003 presidential election. Finally the AD says it is throwing its support behind President Olusegun Obasanjo because the AD has no credible candidate. Details
Dr. Titilola Banjoko's Optimism About Nigeria: Nigeria Is Full of promise! By Paul I. Adujie
(GAMJI)
I am not an advocate of cloning, but I feel so excited and good about the comments credited by Newswatch to Dr. Banjoko, to the extent that I wish she could be replicated into millions, imagine the prospect of ten million Nigerians thinking like her! Details
[WARNING, THIS IS A FRAUDULENT, IMPERSONATED 419 LETTER. DO NOT RESPOND OR ACCEPT OFFER]
I am Mohammed Abacha, son of the the late Gen Sanni Abacha, who was the former military head of states in Nigeria that died in 1998. Since my father`s death the family has been losing alot of money due to vindictive government officials who are bent on dealing with the family. Most of the family`s accounts, home and abroad has been seized and confiscated. You can find out more about this on http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/909972.stm. Based on this therefore, my family has asked me to seek for a foreign partner who can work with me as to move out the total sum of US$75,000,000.00 (seventy-five million United States dollars). presently in our possessions. This money was of course, acquired by my late father and is now kept secretly by the family. Details
Awo, Buhari and their Supporters. By Ibrahim Dan Halilu
(GAMJI)
[KADUNA]
It is very strange and revealing that Idang Alibi has been telling Nigerians what they don’t know about some prominent Yoruba politicians. The other day he told us in his controversial article “Obasanjo: The Devil You Know,” that Obasanjo was a devil. Last week Thursday March 13, in a very long and boring narrative he informed us why Awo could not become president of Nigeria despite his impeccable stature. Details
Conspiracy Theories of the Nigerian Kind. By Kòmbò Mason Braide, Ph.D.
[PORT HARCOURT]
(GAMJI)
Professor Jerry Gana’s theory that the usual “enemies of progress”, and “saboteurs” of Nigeria’s “nascent” democracy, who, incidentally, are also his boss’s competitors for the Nigerian political pie, have stockpiled large inventories of very dangerous weapons, in readiness for the coming elections, even when there is no evidence to suggest that they have done so, is a very good example of the conspiracy theorist’s mindset. Details
Emeka Ojukwu Trumps Them All. By Peter Opara
(GAMJI)
The election of Ojukwu as president will then mean the beginning of socio-political reform and reconstruction – bringing about a Nigeria that every Nigerian long for – a Nigeria where the leader serves and uses his position to account and to educate the majority ordinary Nigerians about their rights, privileges and responsibilities as citizens. Not steal from them, bully them and say to them “shut up” or “go to hell”. Details
Has Obasanjo Really Failed? By Adekunle Ajisebutu ACA, CMA
[WINNIPEG, CANADA]
(GAMJI)
But has Obj really failed? Those who believe Obj has failed did not grasp the purpose for which providence placed him on us. This article will elaborate on that purpose. Before I proceed, I have to digress into few of the areas in which Obj’s govt had received criticism without serving as the government mouthpiece. Details
Whither Issues? By Babayola Muhammadu Toungo
(GAMJI)
According to the Obasanjo/Atiku Campaign Publicity Committee, trial of coup plotters under the Obasanjo regime in 1976 was hailed as the most fair and open trial in modern Africa. We were not informed who passed this assessment. But we know Obasanjo is yet to make any satisfactory explanation on why the late Col. Abdu Wya had to die despite the fact that the then Supreme Military Council was divided right across the middle. Details
The New Deal: PDP/AD Alliance. By Chidi Peter Eze
[TEXAS, U.S.A.]
(GAMJI)
Perhaps the newly celebrated marriage between the PDP and AD is not just on allocation of 10 ministers, 30 ambassadors and board chairmanships to AD, there is more to it than these purported allocations. Mr. president, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Mr. Mbanuju Chinwoke is now AD governorship candidate for Anambra state. This is ridiculous. Details
The Nigerian Presidency. By Chidi Peter Eze
[TEXAS, U.S.A.]
(GAMJI)
Lately the Ndigbo have been the punching bag for the Nigerian men and women. All because they wanted what other Nigerians want-the presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. To the Yorubas, Ndigbo do not deserve to be president of Nigeria because they fought a defensive war some 33 years ago, rather they should concentrate in buying and selling according to Mrs. Modupe Adelaja. Details
Should His Excellency President Olusegun Obasanjo be Reelected? By Max Gbanite
[NEW JERSEY, U.S.A.]
(GAMJI)
The question Nigerians both in Nigeria and abroad should be asking then is: given the true performance of President Obasanjo, his Ministers, and Governors, do they deserve a return to office just for the sake of euphemistic continuity; or, should other presidential candidates and their parties be given a chance? I have always said, and I will continue to say it, that the only person capable of defeating the Obasanjo/Atiku ticket and the PDP-led no-performance government is His Excellency General Ibrahim Babangida. Details
[NORTH CAROLINA, U.S.A.]
(GAMJI)
Without gainsaying, Nigeria as a country is immensely endowed, both in natural and human resources. The pool of resources from one end to the other is un-quantifiable to such extent that, given a dynamic and prescient leadership, economic prosperity would have long been achieved. It would be unfair when analyzing the country’s numerous woes to attribute her stagnation or retardation to the unwillingness of the citizens to move the nation out of the woods. Details
Hypocrisy of the Clergy, Cultists and Tribalists in Nigeria. By Dr. Sani Aminu
(GAMJI)
The massacres and genocides are compounded by grinding poverty, insecurity and decay of social services for the living. Yet despite all the above problems the masses continued their life with patience and perseverance. The registration of more political parties and appearance of credible candidates has given masses the leverage to exercise their democratic rights and it made people happier. Details
(GAMJI)
Why Blame Obasanjo? Have we forgotten how neglected, abandoned and decayed Nigeria was for a very long time before Mr. Obasanjo took over as president? Were we all expecting miracles and magic? Are these strident critics of Mr. President only interested in giving a dog a bad name, in order to hang it?! Why are those posturing for power seeking to alter history and facts and the truth? Details
Sycophants in the Harem of Power. By Abba Gana Shettima
[MAIDUGURI, NIGERIA]
(GAMJI)
“I prefer a company of friends or acquaintances where we can really discuss and joke rather than to go to a place where I have to smile when I don’t want to smile, when I know that what the person is saying is stupid” (Olusegun Obasanjo, Newswatch, May 15, 1989 p7). That was President Olusegun Obasanjo expressing his disdain for sycophancy, ten years away from his reluctant first lap of power (1976-1979) and ten years to the time he tasted the ‘forbidden fruit’ the second time (1999-2003). Details
The Federal Road Safety Corps: A Case for Autonomy and Repositioning. By Son kai-Gyoh
(GAMJI)
The decline of FRSC eventually led to its merger with the very sick and overweight Nigeria Police force that needs surgical 'decentralisation' itself. That merger has today further diminished the capacity and ability of the FRSC to perform the basic functions upon which it was founded. Details
Rethinking:
The Politics of Resource Control and the Future of Democracy in Nigeria.
By
[BRADFORD, UNITED KINGDOM]
(GAMJI)
As the leader of the Ogoni course for justice Saro-Wiwa introduced an Ogoni flag and national anthem that triggered more agitation against the state and the oil multinational companies. The Nigerian government under Sani Abacha responded by imposing the reign of terror. Details
(GAMJI)
I said it before and I will say it again that Rimi is the best Governor Kano state ever had till date and I gave my reasons in my previous article, reasons which Ado Kurawa and his emissary could not invalidate. They could only complain that I gave my reasons in only one paragraph and went on to argue that Kwankwaso is the best Governor but surprisingly they could only mention Kwankwaso's achievements in only two sentences. Details
The Presidential Candidate of the Peoples' Democratic Party is Not Elect able in a Free and Fair Election in Nigeria. By Dr. Ambulacra A. Muhammad
(GAMJI)
Because OBJ has zero percent success and one hundred percent failure to show to the Nigerian electorate, the president’s bus stop for his so called re-election bid was his Yoruba hideout, where if you remember in 1999 he was reduced to being a Hausa-Fulani. Who was accused of passing the president’s insignia to another Hausa-Fulani in 1979, thereby denying the same to the founding father of the cultural organization called the Action Group? Details
Dr. Marshall Harry's Assassination: Blame me not! By Olisa Adigwe
[MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A.]
(GAMJI)
It is disheartening to think that of all the problems that we are having as a country we should now add political violence to the list. Once it was Bola Ige and we all railed and the government promised to track down the killers as soon as possible. Today no individual has been successfully prosecuted for that crime. Yet, all we've heard from government is platitudes and more promises. Setting up one committee upon another is not a substitute for protecting lives and property. Details
A Rejoinder to Remi Oyeyemi’s “Northern Population Majority: A Fallacy and a Fraud.” By Ibrahim Dan Halilu
(GAMJI)
Tunde should rather understand that despite these religious clashes in the North people from other sections of the country are still trouping in to carry out their legitimate business. Even in the wake of the recent Kaduna religious mayhem, people were still making frantic efforts to come up North because they believe the people there are accommodating and friendly. Details
In this context, seeking the implementation of the UN resolution 1441 regarding the disarming of Iraq is not only in the interest of Iraq, but also in the interest of the Middle East, in the interest of Africa, and indeed in the interest of the whole world. Iraq must indeed disarm transparently and totally to the satisfaction of the UN. The UN should be the authority to ascertain through appropriate agencies, and to certify compliance with resolution 1441. We understand and appreciate the spirit with which the United States of America has approached the problem of disarming Iraq. Details
The greatest difficulty in the control of the proliferation of small arms is the fact of its easy accessibility to non-State actors. This was an issue that dogged the outcome of the General Assembly debate on small arms and light weapons in 2001. My delegation, therefore, believes that for an adequate and effective control of the proliferation of this class of weapons, efforts must be made to legally control the sale of these weapons to non-State actors. Details
Nigerian Democracy and Kleptocracy. By Tokunbo Awoshakin
(GAMJI)
The
drama over the anti-graft law appears to be not just another tussle between
the Nigerian lawmakers and the presidency. More importantly, it is an struggle
by both the executive and the legislative arms of government to use the
judiciary to put some protection in place, just in case they later have to
face the music for their individual and collective acts of kleptocracy.
(GAMJI)
And
the elections and their outcome have often been neither free nor fair,
characterized by short-changing or violations of the process (both inadvertent
and willful), corrupt conduct by officials, rigging of results and so on. Again,
reports indicate that incidences of these were pervasive during the party
primaries, and that some candidates are busily scheming to ensure a favorable
outcome for themselves, “by hook or by crook”, in the on-coming elections.
The Politics of Incumbency (Tazarcemania) Fiscal Indiscipline and Instability in Nigeria. By Mala Mustapha
[BRADFORD, ENGLAND]
(GAMJI)
Today, to the ordinary Nigerian politician, power is a means to an end, thus politics through the ballot of the box is a zero sum game, where winners take all and losers lose all. That is why our politicians are always scrambling to align themselves with the winning party without strong opposition that will change the status quo. Details
Issues From the Recent Overseas General Posting By Foreign Affairs Ministry in Abuja. By Udu Casper
(GAMJI)
The scheming to purchase in Dollars, prepaid tickets in Nigeria for officers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs serving abroad and who are earmarked to return home smacks of corruptive tendencies. There is no other Foreign Service in the world that does that for its diplomats. Now why purchase tickets in Nigeria for the more than six hundred families scattered all over the world as if the officers are unworthy of the trust of government that sent them out in the first place ? Details
(GAMJI)
In Owerri, the story was not much different. The president had no scorecard to show. But he promised the entire Southeast zone that their bad roads would be reconstructed when he was returned as president with their massive votes. As usual, the campaign digressed to its familiar turf, Buhari-bashing. Details
Journey of Faith. By Ibrahim Usman
(GAMJI)
Like
every year, Muslims responded to the above call in the Holy Qur’an to
perform this year’s Hajj at the Sacred Land of Saudi Arabia on every
available means of transportation.
This writer was among the over 200 journalists opportune to perform
this annual ritual as a media guest of the Saudi Ministry of Information.
Terror and Trail of Tears. By Victor E. Dike
(GAMJI)
When the physical elimination of political opponents started with the brutal killing of Odunayo Olagbaju and Uncle Bola Ige, many thought that such a thing would only happen in the southwest, given the ‘Wild-Wild-West’ episodes of the 1960s. But, they were wrong; political assassination is now a national phenomenon. And the trend, which is daily assuming a dangerous proportion, is ‘killing us softly.’ Details
Shariah: Reflecting on Its Implementation. Aliyu Y. Mohammed
(GAMJI)
When I was in Nigeria recently, I was opportune to have visited many of these Shariah States and have a chat with many fellows leaving there from different background and different status. Their reply to my question about the gains of Shariah include: Details
Tears of the Sun and Nigeria: A Film Without Context. By Tokunbo Ojo
(GAMJI)
These
problematic characterization and images resonate in the recently
released
What is the Mission of the Committee for Democracy? By Ibrahim Dan Halilu
(GAMJI)
I will begin by answering the last question. General Buhari may be guilty of human rights abuses as a military head of state between 1993-95 just like Obasanjo in 1976-79, IBB in 1985-93; Abacha in 1993-98. In fact, even Abdul Salami Abubakar who ruled for a brief period cannot be free from this cankerworm because it is a major feature of all military regimes. Details
The Guardian! Guarding Nigeria's National Interests! By Paul Adujie
(GAMJI)
The Guardian Editorial carried with it, a remarkable clarity of the facts and issues at stake, and I relished every word and every line of it! It was with such great pleasure to have a newspaper of your stature defend Nigeria with such vigorous language and clear message to the British and the entire world, especially those who are too quick to denigrate Nigeria. Details
The Curse of Incumbency. By Babayola Muhammadu Toungo
The advert in the Daily Trust seem funny to me – my reason being that it is captioned thus: “Baba Versus Corruption” I couldn’t believe my eyes. My first thought was now, now, Obasanjo’s opponents have started. But way down, I saw this flier – “Don’t forget Obasanjo and Atiku’s noble crusade against the monster called corruption. To totally eliminate corruption in Nigeria, we need Obasanjo and Atiku to continue this crusade.” This advert was also placed by the same Volunteers Group. Boy, are they serious? Details
Assassinations, Police Gimmick and Obasanjo' Grudge Against Nigeria. By Chukwunweike Tony Nwosu, D.Sc.
[MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA]
(GAMJI)
Nigeria has never had it so bad since the post civil war era, with a record number of politically motivated assassinations under the Obasanjo regime. The high point of this bloodshed is the assassination of the nation’s Chief Law Officer, Chief Bola Ige. Following the shooting death of Bola Ige, President Obasanjo declared that those who murdered Ige were not fit to live and then ordered the Police to round up the suspects. It is over a year today since that murder and no one has been convicted. Details
Mineral Wealth, Venezuela and the Honda Civic-Lessons for Nigeria. By Zakari Tata Askira, MD, FRCS
[MICHIGAN, U.S.A.]
(GAMJI)
Petroleum today, is Nigeria's main source of income and provides 95% of our foreign exchange earnings. We are still in the process of developing a diverse economy that is independent of petroleum. We have moved from a net exporter of food to a major importer. This situation is not unique to Nigeria. It seems to apply to all the mineral dependent countries in the developing world that rely on petroleum or other natural mineral as major source of income. Details
ICPC 2000 Repeal: A Peculiar Senate? By Banjo Odutola
[LONDON, ENGLAND]
(GAMJI)
How many contractors have been paid for supplies that were never delivered or roads that were never built? How many civil servants have retired to such opulence that is glaringly a dividend of corruption? How many civil servants have tendered for contracts in their ministries where they are employed? Look around in Nigeria and it is alarming that most, if not all of our so-called wealthy class have had the patronage of government, at one point or the other. Details
King Obasanjo: Shooting the Messenger. By Olisa Adigwe
[MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A.]
(GAMJI)
If there's one thing this Obasanjo administration has been consistent since its inception is its apparent aversion to the truth. Each time it is told the truth the administration shows its ugly face. Instead of appreciation to the information and steps taken to rectify the situation, the administration would scold, threaten, cajole, insult, intimidate, manipulate, and fire employees in its queer attempt to suppress what they consider uncomplimentary to the messianic administration of the former Otta farmer in a democratic Nigeria. Details
Nigeria and Politics of Violence. By Bekeh Utietiang
[MARYLAND, U.S.A.]
(GAMJI)
The death of Harry Marshal has once more called to question the credibility of Nigerian politicians. On the day he was assassinated, an American sent this email to me and I quote, “Hi, I read in a paper that an opposition party official was shot & killed in Nigeria today; they overpowered his body guards & shot him dead in his own house, he is in our prayers now & also for his family & the country too.” This is a man who neither knows Harry Marshal nor has been to Nigeria before, but he is very much interested in what happens in the country. Details
Igbo and Yoruba: The Unhealthy Rivalry 1. By Tunde Adenodi
[NEW JERSEY, U.S.A.]
(GAMJI)
Had Zik and Awo been alive in 1992, there would have been re-alignment of political forces that would have made SDP's victory absolutely impossible. NRC would have won. IBB would still have annulled the election. Tofa would have accepted it as an act of God. The north would have continued their rampage without challenge whatsoever. And Nigeria's history would probably have been different! Details
NIGERIA SAYS AFRICA WILL BEAR BRUNT OF WAR WITH IRAQ, CALLS FOR PEACEFUL RESOLUTION
Military confrontation in Iraq on the basis of unilateral decision of any member state will have serious implications for world peace as well as a potential to destabilise the entire Middle East region and beyond. We should, therefore, avoid actions that will have damaging consequences on the legitimacy of the Security Council. It is important that the hope for resolution of global problems through peaceful means is not forever destroyed. Details
Jerry Gana and the Crumbling of a Propaganda Machinery. By Auta Umaru, Ph.D.
(GAMJI)
Gana still operates on the notion that deceit and clownery, not accountability and good governance, form the essential ingredients that will keep him and his mentor in Office. His lack of record of political astuteness always betrays him these days. He should have known that he needed to do much more personally, and for the regime, if both are to retain their positions. Nothing tells Nigerians what a liability both Jerry and his government are for the citizens of our nation than his recent public utterances. Details
Shariah, Common Law and the Control of State Power. By Abdulsalam O. Ajetunmobi
(GAMJI)
In a plural society such as Nigeria, the state generally faces demands from various tribal, religious and gender groups for social justice. And in years past, some states in the North decided to introduce an 'enhanced' form of Shariah, perhaps to compensate for the inadequacies of the Common Law legal system applicable throughout the country or, as a power struggle with the current civilian administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo, the critics would say. Details
A Season of ‘Born Again’: But What Will Change? By Ali Muhammad Garba
(GAMJI)
In a recent Weekly Trust interview, my Hero, General Ibrahim B Babangida claimed to be a ‘Born Again’ on the issue of ‘Sovereign National Conference’. Some four years ago, his boss General Olusegun A Obasanjo made a similar declaration upon his release from prison and ascension to power. Although he did not say it, General Muhammadu Buhari, became ‘Born Again’ when he joined politics last year, something he said (before then, that) he would never do. Details
Bullets, Bullets Everywhere...By Babayola Muhammadu Toungo
(GAMJI)
Chief Harry Marshall is dead. He was brutally murdered right in front of his daughter by men suspected to be hired assassins. He is the latest victim of what is turning out to be a well articulated plan to snuff the life out of the ANPP by killing some targeted members of the party. Physical annihilation of ANPP members is fast replacing the verbal character assassination that has been the hallmark of the current campaign for votes in the forthcoming April polls. Details
Obasanjo and Legacies. By Auta Umaru, Ph.D.
(GAMJI)
When one looks at the current situation in Nigeria in the context of the American political values it becomes clear that OBJ has prioritized spin rather than the wisdom of Abraham Lincoln as a way out in his quest for a legacy to bequeath to Nigerians. And for all practical purposes spin is an art of desperation that could take different forms with different users. The Nigerian government, it seems, has chosen the most outrageous of the forms a spin can take. Details
Boni, Mu'azu and Their Campaigns, Adamawa Masses Beware! By Ihas Idriess
(GAMJI)
As the clock to the Election Day ticks away, I urge every one of us in the state to unite and know that both candidates are not worth fighting for or risking our precious lives for… I might be wrong, but I believe all the people you fight or gearing to attack in the name of Boni or Mu’azu are all our comrades in WAHALA! Details
Buharism and Sanusi's Catalogue of Expectations. By Shehu Dikko
(GAMJI)
I think that in not concentrating on what is today on offer from Buhari the candidate, and in not keeping faith with his initial analysis of the historical conditions which led to the first flowering of Buharism and to the question of whether it can be willed again, Sanusi has made, rather uncharacteristically, the slip of yesterday's Obasanjo campaigners, the presumption that history has stood still and that Buhari can just carry on from where he left off in 1985. Details
RE VOA FM: Airwaves War on North. By Ihas Idriess
(GAMJI)
It is indeed disheartening to read that some alien broadcasting houses has invaded our air waves with their signals and bombarding us with American propaganda, considering the fact that NBC the National regulatory body under the leadership of Malam Nasir Danladi has denied a lot of broadcasters the license to operate or I can say establish Radio/TV stations across the country. But looking at it from another angle it may not be surprising that today our air waves has been surrendered to the American’s I wonder how much did America bid for the license and when was it approved. Details
Tochukwu Ezukanma on Ojukwu. By Peter O'Para
(GAMJI)
Your assertion that Ojukwu was in your word "apotheosized" is blatantly false. I cannot here begin to harsh out for you the line of Biafra's propaganda per Radio Biafra and especially the man Okoko Ndem. Ojukwu was simply what individual Biafrans made of him in their respective minds. In fact, if there was a deification of the name Ojukwu, it stemmed from his family aura, a family led by Sir Louis, Emeka's father, who was far and away ahead of all Nigerians in wealth and sundry success. Details
Wada Nas, Haba! A Rejoinder to Wada Nas Article Titled "Open Letter to Nwodo and Others". By Yinka Ogundiran
(GAMJI)
Since all these days that Wada Nas had been reprimanding our government and leaders, who are not from the North, had there ever been any time that he prescribed any policy that could enhance and promote our peace of co-existence and economy advancement? Does he have rectitude? I so much doubt it if he does. A bandit's (Abacha) stalwart that tries to accuse others of been putrescent. Details
Oh, My Sister Is A Kanuri. By Ugochukwu D. Ejinkeonye
(GAMJI)
Even as I sit in front of my computer now punching out these lines, I am still filled with bewilderment. So, my sister is a Kanuri? Before I left the school and Maiduguri, I observed that I was always running into this girl. But each time, she would shoot a quick and happy "Good Morning, Sir" at me and off she dashed. I do not know how the story suddenly circulated, but I did notice several times that her mates would always point their little fingers at me and say to her "see your brother!" Her brother? Indeed? Yes, her own brother! Details
Nigeria: OPC a Continuing Threat to Security.
By Wanna Alaigbo
(GAMJI)
The Obasanjo-Atiku Road Show. By Babayola Muhammadu Toungo
(GAMJI)
My advice to the duo and the PDP is to shut up if they don’t have anything tangible to show and pray for the best. Their resort to calling people names will only alienate the voters the more from their cause. We are wiser now – you give us your money, we collect and vote you out of office. It is ours to begin with. Details
Revisiting the Issue of Abacha’s Loot. By Bello Umar-Farouk Jega
(GAMJI)
It is sad to observe how the common man in Nigeria such as M.M. Abdul blindly rallies behind looters like Mohammed Abacha who increase his impoverishment by embezzling public wealth. Instead of advising Mohammed Abacha on how to use his ill-gotten wealth, I would have expected Nigerians to first ask him what he legitimately did to “earn” such massive wealth. Details
Us-Iraq Crisis: The Future Outlook of Nigeria’s Petrodollars. By Murtala S. Sagagi
(GAMJI)
Ordinarily, one would think Nigeria would benefit substantially from the eventual oil windfall due to the crisis. But the question is for how long will the windfalls last? And what effect will the post-war period have on Nigeria’s future revenue? Hence, it is essential to examine the implication of the resultant change in Iraqi regime (due to US offensive) on the Nigeria’s abused strategic resources (oil). Details
Don’t Blame it on Sabotage, Professor Gana! By Ibrahim Dan Halilu
(GAMJI)
Perhaps, the professor is finding it difficult to modify his strategy of dealing with government critics. He still perceives such critics, as anti-government even as democratic culture demands that elected representatives be held accountable to the people. In the IBB and Abacha regime, Professor Gana had attributed every failure or problem encountered by the governments he served to sabotage. He is back again with the same ludicrous theory. Details
Brain Drain: Revisiting the United States Immigration Policies. By Murtala Bala Habu, III
(GAMJI)
The underlying of brain drain in developing countries is lack of economic opportunities in their countries. Africa is losing 20,000 skilled professionals every year, and this will increase unless nations in the region act quickly to reverse the trend. Joseph Ngu of the UN Economic Commission told a special conference in Addis Ababa that, Africa must turn the net loss of skilled professionals into a net gain if we are not to be even further marginalized. Details
Mr. Vice-President Sir, Your Backyard is on Fire. By Babayola Muhammadu Toungo
(GAMJI)
I just came back from Yola. The whole town is full of disenchantment and frustrations which are so thick you can feel them in the air. People are complaining that you and Boni have succeeded in destroying the goodwill and believe they had in you as a politician and a leader. Details