Still
on Presidential Nomadism and National Priorities. By
[SAUDI ARABIA]
(GAMJI)
Instead of Obasanjo’s government to figure out ways of livening
things up at our ports so that international car dealers will dock their ships
on our coast, the president preferred late last year, to cancel the
importation of used cars, as if he was going to subsidize the cost Peugeot
from PAN in
Amina Lawal and the National Question. By Mike Ikhariale
(GAMJI)
As long as the Sharia applies only to faithful Moslems, people would ordinarily not be bothered if stone throwing faithfuls decide to stone to death every Moslem woman, who runs foul of the Sharia law, since non-members would be spared the horrors of the process. Unfortunately, the reports that we have is that it has also been applied directly and indirectly against non-Moslems in many ways, thereby raising the matter beyond the protected parameters of personal beliefs to that of the open arena of national discourse. Details
How Valid is the Case for Igbo Presidency? By Okenwa R. Nwosu, M.D.
(GAMJI)
But
even if Ndiigbo were to come to an agreement soon to rally behind a
unifying candidate for the 2003 presidential bid, the eventual outcome
of this whole endeavor will surely hinge on how other interest groups in
O
(GAMJI)
The ongoing crisis in Nigeria should be seen as part of or the by-product of the lingering political crises afflicting the country since 1993. The lingering political issues would have been the only issues that President Obasanjo would have been dealing with since May 1999. Why he failed to do this since 1999 has to do with the mode of his emergence. Those who originated his emergence certainly wanted President Obasanjo’s period of one term to serve as a “bridge” within which the lingering political problems of the country would have been addressed. It was unthinkable that “Self-succession” was anticipated.
(GAMJI WRITER)
The final direct response to Mohammed is on his argument that we have had good dictatorships and bad ones and that we could therefore not divine the likely direction Nigeria would take had Buharism been pursued to its logical conclusion. This argument is dangerous and it suggests that the article on Buharism had supported despotism for its own sake, rather than acknowledge it as a negative, if sometimes necessary corollary to certain policies in specific contexts. Details
Executive Jokes for Plebeians. By Kòmbò Mason Braide, Ph.D.
(GAMJI)
Within OPEC, Nigeria has the highest population density, the lowest GDP per capita, the lowest electric power consumption per capita, among the group of countries with the lowest crude oil reserves, the lowest life expectancy, the lowest adult literacy rate, and the lowest human development index rank. Details
(GAMJI)
Jerry Gana ran around with his blindfold strategy, as usual, saying ‘it is not true that Nigeria has suspended servicing its foreign debts this year’. Our president is blaming plunging oil revenues, looted money and failed privatisation plans. What do you expect, when the man had counted, distributed and consumed his chickens even before the mother hen laid her eggs. Details
Kano Science Secondary Schools at 25: Is this End of the Beginning? By Baba El-Yakubu Jibril
(GAMJI)
It is true that there were pockets of outstanding results by some students, but that is nothing compared to the resources invested. There must be deliberate and sustained efforts to reengineer the schools. Otherwise, their future is bleak. I hope, borrowing from the famous words of Winston Churchill, that “this is not the end, it is not even the beginning of the end, but the end of the beginning” for Kano science secondary schools. Details
Kebbi 2003: Between Aleiro and Sambawa. By Tanimu Jibrin Isah
(GAMJI)
Take Governor Adamu Aleiro of Kebbi State as an example. Within the last one year of the three on the saddle, his deficiency as a leader of the people has shone like the Northern star. He has alienated so many hitherto known to back his every action in the governance of the state. Details
Impeachment Saga Or Trash? By Ahmed Tafida Jalingo
[KADUNA]
(GAMJI)
Are these not the same legislators that on arrival at the assembly, elected with an overwhelming majority Mallam Salisu Buhari, a 29 years old artful forger and a multi millionaire with no business record to be there first speaker? Are these not the members that collected enough as to even have excess for display on the mace and till today no inquiry in the saga? Are they not the beneficiaries of the initial invasion of the national treasury that awarded to themselves stupendous allowances, palatial furniture allowances and a retinue of ghost and fake personal aids? Details
Those
Yorubas Again III
I have had arguments with those that believe the man is senile, I on the other hand do not believe that, I think he is just a typical Yoruba man. And his people have shown us the true colour of their skin. What percentage of the Yoruba race voted for this man? A very small number. His presidency was based on the foundation of votes from the North and the South East. But now the people with the loudest voices condemning the impeachment proceedings are those that did not vote for him and in some cases some from a different party. A sectional party that has always insisted that he stole the presidency in the first place. So why the change of heart? Well the Yoruba are afraid that if they relinquish power now they may never have another opportunity to taste it. Details
Impeaching the President: Pre-election Bad Politics. By Obi Akwani
(GAMJI)
Though most Nigerians would agree that the president’s performance has been less than stellar, few people want him impeached. If anything, Nigerians are as disappointed with their elected political representatives as they are with the president. Public feelings have been expressed on the matter through individual writings, the pronouncements of representative bodies as the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), all of which have either called for a stop to the impeachment process or urged restraint. Details
Let's Reclaim Our Imagination: The Half-A-Billion Naira Story. By Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo
(GAMJI)
Isn't that what Obasanjo is to the Yorubas? Isn't that what Mohammed Abacha is to northern youths? It is time we reclaim our imagination and do away with the demons still haunting us. It is time to drop the dimwits that feed us with cock and bull stories. It is time to think before we write and think after we have written so that posterity will give us the judgement of people who worked for the betterment of our society and not the perpetuation of bigotry. Details
Executive Versus Legislature: A Call to Reason. By National Interest Group
(GAMJI)
We
note with great concern the widening gulf between the Executive and Legislative
arms of government. What began as a
routine disagreement between both institutions of government few weeks ago is
now snowballing into major crisis, the outcome of which appears too scary yet to
even contemplate....As concerned professionals, both within and outside the
country, we are calling on both the executive and the legislative arms of
government to please resolve this impasse in a mutual way for the benefit of
this great nation and in the best interest of our dear motherland.
Aren't the Fulanis Pushing Us: A Reply to Femi Awoniyi. By Mohammed Bala
(GAMJI)
The inscription on the Naira in Arabic dates back to when our country was using the pound. The Arabic inscription only announces the value of the currency in Hausa language. This was done to mostly assist the local and illiterate people of northern extraction to read in the local writing of Arabic letters in Hausa. Details
(GAMJI)
Quite unknown to the Ndi Igbo and the south-south, the debate in 1998 in Yoruba land after the death of Chief Abiola was not whether a Yoruba person should assume the political leadership of Nigeria but on which kind of Yoruba person. Because of this agreement on Vision or Agenda in Yoruba land, there seems to be an agreement on Vision bothering on convergence in Yoruba land that was hinted by the late Chief Bola Ige in 2000. I am referring to what he told the Nigerian people that President Obasanjo was implementing the Afenifere or AD program or manifesto. Did the President forcefully deny this? He did not. Details
(GAMJI)
What is Obasanjo’s reason for this unlawful arm-twisting exercise on Mohammed Abacha? By continuing to detain Mohammed after the apex court ruled that he should not stand trial for his alleged complicity in the murder of late Chief (Mrs.) Abiola, the federal government has shown itself as being the same as a Bakassi or OPC outfit. Self-help criminal process is not the domain of a legitimate government. Details
Obasanjo’s schizophrenia. By Mohammed Haruna
A schizophrenic president who heads the 10th most populous country in the world which also happens to be the most populous black nation, a president who has the key to one of the biggest treasuries in Africa, a president who is the commander-in-chief of one of the largest armies in Africa, certainly the largest in West Africa, and so on and so forth, such a schizophrenic president, without doubt, would be a grave danger to his country, to his continent and to his race. Details
The Rantings of Irredentist. By Wada Nas
(GAMJI WRITER)
We want to note that going by media reports, Obasanjo is said to have mobilized some people to engage in insulting other Nigerians. If this is how he hopes to secure a second term, let he be told that it is a wrong approach. History has proved that with or without irredentist votes a Nigerian leader could emerge. Has Obasanjo forgotten this all of a sudden? One day he will remember. Come 2003. Details
Beware of an Imperial President. By Dipo F. Akinsiku
(GAMJI)
The announcement on Tuesday that the Nigerian Senate has decided to explore ways to cooperate with the House on the Standing Motion to impeach President Obasanjo is A welcome news. Since 1979 when the military handed over power to an elected civilian government there has been a tendency to treat the President of Nigeria like a thirteenth century Monarch. During this period, the typical Monarch was generally above the law and had absolute control over every sphere of his kingdom. Details
Practice and Malpractice of Stoning. By Faruk Sarkinfada
(GAMJI)
In my view, the reason behind the 'Kano Intifadah, to borrow Tilde's term, is less of politics. I base my own interpretation on the root cause of some individual's enmity to Atiku's in Kano and other places in northern Nigeria where similar episodes happened. Atiku had been tainted by his seemingly 'anti-Sharia' utterances and attitudes right from inception as well as his being a party to Obasanjo's apparent failure at present. When the clamor for Sharia in Northern Nigeria was high (2000/2001), it was recognized as the influence of their belief in the system as a solution to the socio- political and economic problems in the Muslim community. Details
Mohammed Abacha and Breach of Trust. By Abdulsalam Olatubosun Ajetunmobi
(GAMJI)
Finally, unless our compatriots in the north want to conjoin us, through their unguarded utterances and actions, to believe that the Shariah project being implemented in some part of the northern states is designed to reward "looters, the dubiously wealthy and social climbers" but punish unfortunate ones at the lower rung of the ladder, they must now face up to the task of resolving the unfathomable paradoxes being perceived by many in their efforts at rejuvenating Shariah in their areas. Details
Nigeria:
The
Second Most Corrupt Nation on Earth –“A Good Performance”.
(GAMJI)
Our
elected public officers have been alleged and accused of all forms of
misconduct, abuse of office, mismanagement, constitutional breaches, forgery and
civil wrong, but how did they respond,
they told us
that in the interest of this young “democrazy” let us reward them with
re-election to complete the looting.
Stoning Modernity: The Challenge of Fundamentalist Islam. By Okezie Chukwumerije
(GAMJI)
Like those who shouted “Allahu Akbar” when Amina Lawal’s death sentence for committing adultery was affirmed, inhabitants of my village must also have celebrated when twins were put to death. Happily, for my twin aunts and for those of us who have had the joy and the privilege of knowing them, the civilizing conscience of modern society had swept away before their birth the odious practice of killing twins. Unhappily for Amina Lawal, and for those who consider her amorous activities a private matter between her and her God, the fundamentalist strand of the Nigerian Moslem population continues to reject the modernizing effect of liberalism and the distinction between private and public morality. Details
The north is losing power, popularity and direction. It is in search of a leadership that understands the meaning of moral clarity and the suffering of its masses. The situation is worsened by its almost lack of presence in the media. The north seems not to appreciate the power media has in shaping what people think. This power reaches every Nigerian home and molds the mind of nearly every citizen, poor or rich, young and old, simple or sophisticated. Virtually everything we know, or think we know, about events outside our neighborhood comes to us via the media – daily newspaper, magazine, radio, television, and now the internet websites like www.gamji.com . Details
Arrest OPC Leaders Now! By M.L. Maikudi
(GAMJI)
The Weekly Trust newspaper of August 30- September 5, 2002, on page 19 reported that the US government has declared that Odua People Congress, OPC, as a terrorist organisation and that it allies should arrest any member of the group that set foot on its soil. OPC, according to the report, is one of ten terrorist organizations with worldwide network, as reported by a US agency saddled with the responsibility of investigating the roots of terrorist organisation in the world. Already the Secretary of OPC, Mr. Kayode Oshinowo was arrested by German authorities and has been arraigned in court. Details
(GAMJI)
We often hear that "the mind is a terrible thing to waste." I must add that the mind is a terrible thing to pollute. The minds of so many African children and that of the general public have been grossly polluted and destroyed by a powerful force largely unseen by naked eyes. That powerful force is inferiority complex (also called "mental slavery"). Details
Environment and The Law of Balance. By Stephen Lampe
(GAMJI)
At the dawn of the third millennium of the Christian Era, we are confronted with a strong pointer to the fact that human civilization has not developed in the right direction. One indicator is the horrible state of the global environment with consequent catastrophic weather events. The environmental crisis and the widespread chaos and confusion in the socioeconomic and political order attest to the fact that most of us human beings remain spiritual midgets even though significant segments of humanity have become technological and intellectual giants. Details
Beyond Pardon: The Sordid State of Nigeria. Victor E. Dike
(GAMJI)
The news coming out of Nigeria often makes one wonder if her present crops of political leaders are serious with their duties. For instance, the president does whatever satisfies his ego without ‘constitutional authority’ and without minding the opinion of the people and his party. The members of Congress and Governors have their personal agenda. Some of them are busy eliminating their political opponents through hired thugs, while armed robbery activities and poverty are rising beyond pardon. Details
OPC and the Scourge of Terrorism: Extending the Debate. By Abdullahi Bego
[IRAN]
(GAMJI)
After nearly a decade of causing mayhem in the quest for ethnic supremacy, the Odua People’s Congress (OPC) has now been added to the U.S. Government List of terrorist organizations. According to a BBC report, an organization, called the Federation of American Scientists, was instrumental to unmasking the physiognomy of the Yoruba ethnic militia before the U.S. law enforcement establishment. The report added that, as a result, the former secretary general of the OPC Kayode Ogundamisi was being detained in Germany (note that the fight against terrorism is global in character) and might possibly be deported. Details
Political
Shariah: Aren’t the Fulanis Pushing Us to the Abyss?
[GERMANY]
In
Nigeria, Islam is the excuse for Fulani privilege. And the Fulani elite continue
to ruthlessly abuse this religion of truth for their selfish ends. A Fulani emir
who secretly receives illegal allocation of crude oil, who sponsors businessmen
for dubious government contracts and shares in the booty parades himself
publicly as the Leader of the Muslim Faithful in his domain.
That
is how much Fulani leaders have rubbished Islam in Nigeria!
Nigeria Wins the "Corruption World Cup" for Keeps. By Mike Ikhariale
(GAMJI)
Transparency International, TI, the Berlin based international institution that meticulously assesses nations on their corruption rankings on what they call the ‘Corruption Perceptions Index’, consistently find that Nigeria has all it takes to lead the world in corruption, contract inflation, racketeering, 419, kickbacks and treasury looting. And without much challenge, we remain the world champion. And as rightly observed by the TI, corrupt leaders “are trapping whole nations in poverty and hampering sustainable development.” Details
Democrats on the Surface. By Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo
(GAMJI)
The South west group is obsessed with democracy, yet it does not believe that a democratic solution to a national calamity will lead us anywhere. As far as they are concerned, Obasanjos misadventure is a permissible calamity, just as pro-Abacha campaigners under an American football hooligan once thought that Nigeria without the tyrant would be dead on delivery. The latter group was proved wrong by providence as Nigeria continues to exist long after Abacha and the South west will also be proved wrong when Obasanjo is eventually impeached or sent packing next year, 2003. Details
This Wicked Generation of Leaders: The Agony of a Very Confused People. By Marcus A. Eze
(GAMJI)
In
several states of
Admiring the 'Izala' Approach. By Suleimaan Umar-Awalloo
(GAMJI)
Pre 1999, various Muslim groups have clamoured for establishment and practice of Shari'a in different ways. Some expressed mere wish, others even went ahead to stage public demonstration and to some extent went ahead to execute "jungle justice" on persons that were alleged to have committed blasphemy or exhibited actions in the like manner. The 'Shiite' appeared militant of all the groups. Sorry - they don't want to be called 'Shiite' - they are called "Brothers". The "Brothers" under their leader El-Zak-Zaky were in the vanguard for Islamic revolution in Nigeria and clamouring for Shari' a. Details
'Yoruba Nation' and the Future of Democracy in Nigeria. By Abdullahi Bego
[IRAN]
(GAMJI)
Maybe I am not getting it right. I know Nigeria is a great country and I make bold to repeat that but as for safety of life and property, there is a big question mark. I was home just this May and to me there seem to be not much difference, in terms of lack of safety from the period of the military. Maybe it has to do with the fact that out president is a former soldier trying harder to be a politician rather than a democrat. Details
Democracy Not Democrazy. By Anie Udoh
(GAMJI)
Maybe I am not getting it right. I know Nigeria is a great country and I make bold to repeat that but as for safety of life and property, there is a big question mark. I was home just this May and to me there seem to be not much difference, in terms of lack of safety from the period of the military. Maybe it has to do with the fact that out president is a former soldier trying harder to be a politician rather than a democrat. Details
FRIDAY DISCOURSE WITH DR. ALIYU TILDE
I am the Incumbent. Who Can Defeat Me?
I
can do whatever I like. I cannot be asked. Only I can ask. I have constituted a
committee to investigate the accounts of the National Assembly and some
ministries. The same day, the House moved a motion to impeach me on grounds of
contravening constitutional provisions. They cannot question me. If they do,
they have committed treason. It is a coup. They should be expelled from the
party. They should be arrested. Questions are my exclusive prerogative.
(GAMJI)
The hype for democracy in Nigeria appears to have induced high hopes of grand ambitions. Typical of a casino phenomenon that many have come to equate democracy with a vending machine. They expect it to dispense the goodies of life once the people have cast their votes. Nigeria's nascent (this word again!) democracy that was activated on May 29, 1999 appears not to have delivered on its promise of the people's EL Dorado. Details
How Safe is Nigeria? By Tokunbo Awoshakin
(GAMJI)
Maybe I am not getting it right. I know Nigeria is a great country and I make bold to repeat that but as for safety of life and property, there is a big question mark. I was home just this May and to me there seem to be not much difference, in terms of lack of safety from the period of the military. Maybe it has to do with the fact that out president is a former soldier trying harder to be a politician rather than a democrat. Details
The Bad, The Worse and the Ugly: Talibanization of Nigeria. By Debo Awosika-Olumo
(GAMJI)
It is very disturbing and disgraceful that Nigeria, who has always been the pride of Africa and the black race as a whole, in the 21st century is degenerating into an uncivilized community. When looking for an example of evils, cruelty, pains and sorrows humans have added to aggravate the calamity of humanity, Nigeria is a perfect example. Details
Impeach
Olusegun Obasanjo-Let the Heavens Fall. By
(GAMJI)
The president has consistently used the funding meant for other branches of government and departments created by law as a strong-arm instrument. He funds only those who are willing to play by his rules and starve those he disagrees with. The President seems to miss the point that his is not a military dictatorship. Democracy is a system of rules. A leader who is unable and unwilling to play by the rules deserves to be removed. Details
Tora Bora of Our Democracy. By Abubakar Jika
(GAMJI WRITER)
have read Obasanjo's 17-page response. I am afraid he did not answer the charges...But the feeling most Nigerians and I have is that nothing will come out of all these circuit shows. The President may be humbled for a couple of days, but would soon relapse. He may soon jet out of the country if he hasn't done so already. Nobody expects him to change and nobody expect the House to impeach him. We also do not take the bogey of a military coup serious. I believe it is all part of the political blackmails and shows otherwise they should name the culprits. Details
Presidency: It’s Yoruba Turn in 2003 and 2007. By Banji Ayiloge
(GAMJI)
The
North as stated above continues to be a mystery. It continues to exhibit what is
known as cognitive dissonance. They wanted Obasanjo after their military leaders
persuaded them to support him, yet they still wonder if their lots would not
have been better served by supporting another candidate, preferably one of their
own. President Obasanjo was their candidate and they should learn to live with
it. Indeed, it can be said that General Obasanjo, with the North’s blessing is
occupying the Northern slot if there is anything like that.
To Mr. Tunji Oseni: "Often at Enormous Personal Inconvenience to the President". By Habu Dauda Fika
(GAMJI)
If the president is concerned about what the outside world has to say about Nigeria, here is a sample. Eric Sottas, director of the World Organization Against Torture, said the international community had been less critical of Nigeria because the country is trying to transform itself from a military regime. “But the grace period is over and we need to make people accountable for what has happened in the past three years,' Details
Obasanjo and the U.S. Travel Warning. By Tokunbo Awoshakin
(GAMJI)
The recent U.S State departments travel advice to American citizens not to go to Nigeria brought the matter to the fore again. Almost everybody, and by this I mean well educated and seasoned international journalists at the foreign press center agreed that Nigeria is a huge bureaucracy bogged down by political infighting, ethnic violence and corruption. Not a few of them also argued that President Obasanjo, has proved to be either ill prepared or unsuitable for the job he took on. Details
Time to Return to Issues. By Abdullahi Bego
[IRAN]
(GAMJI)
It was also an open secret that during the palaver that were local government administrations before they were dissolved recently, local government headquarters were scenes of ‘cake-sharing’ at the end of every month. With salaries, then, that would make a university lecturer agape with envy; ‘officials’ in these local government areas fell over themselves to be counted as riding the best cars or wearing the best coat or Tazarce dress. With many of them being sundry businessmen, the main preoccupation then was therefore when to get what amount of money to open what shop in the next available marketplace. Details
Is Obasanjo The Real Problem? By Akin Falegan
(GAMJI)
Frankly speaking, I suspect that President Obasanjo is not perturbed by the happenings around or about him. This man does not really care whether he wins or loses the election. Be rest assured he will fight the impeachment process and succeed at humiliating the house, because nothing is really honorable about the house members. President Obasanjo is in a win-win situation. It does not really matter whichever way it flips Obasanjo will still come out a winner. Why? The man has made up his mind that wining the election is not a do or die situation with him, if he should lose the election he will end up been the first civilian ruler of Nigeria that loses election and hand over power to his successor without any itch. Details
Yes Democracy Supports Good Leadership in the Interest of Nigeria (Part II). By Mallam Sani A. Aliyu
(GAMJI)
Awake Nigerians! Slumber not else our struggles till date will be in vain. Of what meaning is life in Nigeria without the east, the west, the south or the north, what else would have become Nigeria? Aha! Beauty is said to be in the eyes of the beholder, how long would it take to register in our minds that we all depend on one another? For, the question of origin (TRIBALISM) has so bedeviled our sense of nationality, regardless of our intimidating status in Africa. How strong a nation we would have become? Details
Rejoinder: Soyinka Calls for Sanctions on Shariah States. By Tukur M. Lawal
[FUNTUA, NIGERIA]
(GAMJI)
The Professor was a founder of a cultist organisation in our universities, was actively involved in NEDECO's violent campaigns, and appeared to be apparently contented with the multiple killings and mutilating of the corpses of innocent citizens by members of the terrorist ethnic militia Odua Peoples Congress. It was strange for him to fault the rulings on amputation of limps of thieves or stoning of adulterers, as ordained by the Almighty Allah (SWT), even when such crimes have been established by a due judicial process.Details
(GAMJI)
It’s a pity that a mere simple matrix of Nigeria as a nation always gives you two dominant groups: “the foolish elite” and “the illiterate electorates”. Who are the foolish elites? beginning with my learned fellow Mr. Okoye, and the like; they are basically those elites who have chosen to abandon and abuse our “intellectual value system” for the sake of selfish interest. Their mission is simply to get power by all means, and at all cost, they stop at nothing to get wealth through manifest greed, avarice and self- centredness. Their ritual is tripled, which are: ethnicity, religion and resource control. Details
(GAMJI)
We are all suffering, and yet we continue with the charade of scapegoating entire groups of fellow sufferers. In our cities and villages, ordinary citizens kill each other, goaded on by the political elite. Our history is marked by a 30-month orgy of death, in which ordinary Nigerians fought and died on both sides of a Civil War. Today, our country is being deliberately distracted by a variety of things that have no impact in terms of improving the lives of Nigerians. Details
The Truth About The Bakassi Boys. By Obi Akwani
(GAMJI)
When they first came into being, commentary about the Bakassi in the Nigerian media was mostly positive and they received broad public approval. The little international attention they received came from among the Nigerian diaspora, where as usual they had their supporters and detractors. Among the latter is this author who made the common mistake of equating the Bakassi Boys to other decidedly political extrajudicial outfits like the western (Yoruba) Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) or the northern (Hausa-Fulani) Arewa Peoples Congress (APC). Details
The Nigerian Condition. By Wada Nas
(GAMJI WRITER)
Never was President Obasanjo so furious with his good American friends. He has good reasons. Inspite of his loyal collaboration with them, doing, for them, most of the time, as it pleases them, allowing free access to our military fields by their military and intelligence personnel, and doing such other things, to put him in their good books, they have constantly been betraying him. Details
[TEHRAN]
(GAMJI)
In today’s Nigeria, in my view, the accurate problematisation of the country’s numerous socio-economic and political dilemmas should be grounded in the government’s inability to put to practice sound economic policies, to fight corruption as truly as it made public its intention to do when it was sworn to office over three years ago and to embrace the political philosophy that accommodates opposing viewpoints. The solution to these quagmires should be the concern of all Nigerians who have the love of the country at heart. Details
FRIDAY DISCOURSE WITH DR. ALIYU TILDE
Impeachment,
the Only Option for PDP
(GAMJI)
The
troubles in the PDP are many but two are particularly disturbing. The first
problem is Obasanjo. His government is a total failure, a fact that has been
chronicled by many writers. All what the government is good at is quoting
figures, but the work cannot be substantiated. The reports of gross corruption
in the federal government including those given by international organizations
have reached alarming levels. The levels of insecurity, ethnic conflicts,
poverty, etc. have never been so high. All these are common knowledge among
Nigerians today.
The Islamic Perspective of Immunisation. By Mallam Muhammed Bin Uthman
(GAMJI)
immunisation,
prevention, vaccination
Great Summits, Modest Agreements, and Insignificant Actions. By Stephen Lampe
(GAMJI)
The Earth Summit in Rio resulted in two conventions: one on climate change and another on biodiversity. It also agreed on a program called Agenda 21 designed to alleviate environmental problems, reduce poverty and foster development. The outcome of the Johannesburg summit is likely to be a political declaration reaffirming the principles of the Rio Declaration, and a draft plan for implementation, which will be more action-oriented. Details
(GAMJI WRITER)
Sex
and pregnancy are linked both to Muslim family law and to Muslim
criminal law and the failure to recognize this is the root of the
ridiculous verdicts on Safiya Hussein and Amina Lawal. Muslim jurists
have made extensive comments on the gestation of pregnancy in family law
because its determination is critical to establishing
Obasanjo: The Wounded Presidency. By Chika Onyeani
(GAMJI)
Obasanjo has announced he would be running for a second term of four years, but with the present two major groups in Nigeria distancing themselves from him, it is doubtful he will succeed if matched with a relatively decent candidate and if a free and fair election is held. But money plays a major role in Nigerian politics, and utilizing his incumbency and financial war chest, it is possible he may win a second term. Details
Impeachment Proceeding: Constitutional Legality Versus Emotions. By Shehu Abdullahi Zuru
(GAMJI)
For the past three weeks or thereabout, I have watched, listened to various commentaries about the impending threat of impeachment proceedings against president Obasanjo. Unfortunately, what is disappointing is not the threat of impeachment but sadly, the fluid, ethnocentric, self-assuming, and self -opinionated reactions of the traditional clique of harbingers of Nigeria's democracy.Details
(GAMJI)
The
impending political battle for 2003 is promising to be an interesting one in
Kebbi State. From all indications, the re-election bid of the incumbent Governor
is in serious difficulties. His opponents, both within and without his party,
are ever determined to unseat him, and this situation is worsened by the recent'
limousine-gate ' scandal; an unnecessary action whose essence tends to question
the benefactor's motives and judgment, and whose timing tends to expose the gift
as an embarrassing gratification, even to the esteem beneficiaries. Exposing the
royal fathers to such public show of inappropriate and insensitive waste indeed
smells colonialism! Whether they will reciprocate or retaliate remains to be
seen.
An Igboman In Aso Rock: A Rejoinder. By Obugi Ahamadu
(GAMJI)
Like you, I am Igbo. I love the Igbo people with all my heart, but I must also say that just like any other ethnic group- German, English, Hausa, Yoruba, Zulu- we have our devils living among us. So I must take particular exception to your characterization of Dr. Alex Ekwueme as the solution to the leadership crisis in Nigeria. Details
Obasanjo's Emergence As the PDP Flagbearer in 2003 is Still a Giant Question Mark. By Dozie Ikem Ezeife, Esq.
(GAMJI)
With his apparent political dominance and huge incumbent factor, President Olusegun Obasanjo seemed a shoe-in for the PDP presidential slot in 2003. There was not even any muting of a possible challenge as PDP flag bearer. It was taken for granted that the PDP top spot was his for the asking. It was not a question of whether he will run but when he will announce that he is running. To heighten the drama he hid under the ridiculous claim that he was waiting for God to tell him what to do. Details
(GAMJI)
Postponing its national convention has now become the most familiar character of the All Nigeria Peoples Party. If my recollection is correct, this is the fifth time the party is deferring its convention giving itself a very undeserving image. The one last held between 26th to 28th of July was particularly regrettable and painful and very indicative. Details
Buharism: Economic theory and political economy. By Sanusi Lamido Sanusi
I have followed with more than a little interest the many contributions of commentators on the surprising decision of General Muhammadu Buhari to jump into the murky waters of Nigerian politics. Most of the regular writers in the Trust stable have had something to say on this. The political adviser to a late general has transferred his services to a living one. My dear friend and prolific veterinary doctor, who like me is allegedly an ideologue of Fulani supremacy, has taken a leading emir to the cleaners based on information of suspect authenticity. Details
Stoning, Impeachment: Obasanjo, Ironsi and Fulani Agitation. By Femi Awoniyi
The
latest impeachment scare might end up teaching our president a good lesson, if
his aides would let him learn from it. For the impeachment is only the latest in
the unceasing attempts to frustrate this government. Political shariah,
political assassinations, terror attacks, riots, etc. This government, or better
said, this country has been under siege for the past three years.
What Will it Take to Rectify Nigeria? Igboman in Aso Rock. By Michael Okoye
[WARRI, NIGERIA]
(GAMJI)
Nigeria’s greatest problem from independence to date has a lot to do with the inability of the fledging illiterate electorates to elect a credible, educated, honest and focused candidate to manage the affairs of the nation. With the exception of the Right Honorable Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe (who incidentally was only a ceremonial President), all other Presidents, and Heads of State of Nigeria to date were / are simply non-graduates.” Details
13 years after: Special tribute to SAMUEL SOCHUKWUMA OKWARAJI. By Tokunbo Ojo
(GAMJI)
About 15 minutes to the end of the game, the center referee sent one of his dangerous Angolan markers off. With all whole stadium watching the red-carded Angolan arguing with the center referee, fate handled Okwaraji a red card. He slumped on the left side of the field very close to Bala Ali and another Angolan player in shirt number 4. "Before the maddened crowd could return their gaze to the fallen hero, he had disappeared like a meteor," Momodu reminisced. " He was gone, forever!" Forever was gone, Okwaraji who astonished Nigerian fans with his amazing skill in his debutant for Eagles on January 30, 1988 at Nnamdi Azikwe stadium, Enugu. Eternally he left after he diligently serviced his fatherland with his money, skills and talents. Details
Federal Allocation Formula: Let's Have a Chat. By Egbuna Onyeagwa
(GAMJI)
I like to see my country developed just like the US or Great Britain. This Nigeria Federal Government must do its job and develop the country. What's there for me? I am just an ordinary citizen. I need money to feed my family and I will get that money by whatever means possible including stealing. And so I like to ask why you need a Federal Allocation Formula Details
(GAMJI)
For those who are apprehensive about the 2003, this is your opportunity to push for a redefinition of the election as the entire process, to agitate for friends for the entire process and to push for a level playing field. This is the opportunity for the aspirants in all the political parties and for the political parties in all the races in 2003. Details