NLC is taking a message round Nigeria and this cannot be ignored at this critical moment of our history. Nigeria is at a point when extreme hopelessness pervades the land. We live at a time when absolute dictators and heartless rulers occupy government houses across the country. We bear the problems that have arisen due to lack of accountability, lack of probity and the dominance of authoritarianism.

In Nigeria today the problems are so enormous that the masses are at their own mercy. More than 90m Nigerians live hopelessly, dejectedly, aimlessly and miserably. It doesn’t seem that there is any silver lining behind the dark cloud and from what we know today there is still darkness at the end of the tunnel as well. I mean real darkness.

NLC has continued to sensitive the nation on the need for good governance, on the need to alleviate/ eradicate poverty, on the need for transparency in politics and also on the need to empower the Nigerian worker among other demands. NLC has not failed to join in the call for the full implementation of the recommendation of the Electoral Committee.

One remarkable feature of the nationwide peaceful demonstration of the NLC is that each time they reached the government house in PDP controlled states, the governors are never on hand to receive the message. No one should be surprised because PDP have no regards for the people’s opinion. The PDP government at the federal and state levels are agents of destructions and for as long as they can use the power of incumbent at the federal level (and because they are in control of INEC) they think that every election for the next 60 years will be rigging business as usual.

The burden is on NLC to use this machinery of people power to drive home some sane points. What the NLC is doing now is taking the march/protest from one state to another. Excellent! As we approach 2011 all pro-democracy and pressure groups in Nigeria have the responsibilities to ensure that the machinery that will conduct and supervise the next elections are made transparent and that they are genuine.

That the 2011 elections have been sealed and delivered is a dilemma that must be crushed and dismantled. Those who have been guaranteed victory when we don’t even have voters’ registration in place must be told that they are joking. This is a strong message and no one should take this lightly. For example before 2011 political prostitutes who kept shifting from one party to another must be taught two lessons using the appropriate media/means.

First is that after dumping the party with which they rode to power (legitimately or illegitimately) they ought to relinquish the mandates so that it remains with the parties that won them whichever way. Secondly is that fact that it behoves on the people of the affected states to read the handwriting on the wall that men who would display consistency with flirting and cross carpeting have their own selfish interests as paramount and the interest of the masses, if any, as secondary,. Individuals who criss-cross every now and then have no place in nation building and the message must be taken across all states where mis-governance and looting of treasury are the order of the day.

In the absence of democratic structures that will show readiness for the conduct of peaceful, fair and transparent elections in 2011 it behoves on the civil society to resist the conduct of another sham selection that will retain the corrupt practices and shameful acts perpetrated by Iwu, Obasanjo, retired pot-bellied generals and the PDP machinery in 1999, 2003 and 2007. This time around we must resist any do-or-die process.

Every major party to the next election in Nigeria must be able to express satisfaction with the level of preparedness of the (awaiting-to-be-formed) Independent Electoral Commission of Nigeria (IECN). No Nigerian political party should accept the presence of Maurice Iwu or any other person of shady character in such an independent body. For this moment, Iwu should be ignored and anything that he says should be discarded. Iwu should be ignored into oblivion if his PDP mentors do not understand the simple message that Iwu cannot be in the picture come 2011.

Mr. Maurice Iwu is a man of dubious character and we need no reminder that his supervision of the conduct of the 2007 elections remains an everlasting negative stigma is the annals of human history. He will go down in record as the worst political umpire the world has seen before and after Christ. He must be ignored and remove and “his” INEC disbanded and thrown into the dustbin. Even recent elections in western Nigerian depicted that Mr. Iwu is extremely incompetent.

NLC has a moral obligation to continue with his nationwide peaceful protests. But as the time approach other organisations and individuals must not allow NLC to remain alone in the wilderness of the struggle for the emancipation of Nigeria and Nigerians. The reign of evil must stop and it requires all the good men and women that it can garner along the way. This struggle is not for NLC alone. It is our fight for freedom, for justice and for the good of all.

As the time approach NLC must be able to organise the demonstrations simultaneously in all the states of the federation including Abuja. The process must be sustained and it must be consistent. This process of mass revolt when it becomes necessary must transform to the people power that this country lack since independence or that have been crushed by wicked military and civilian governments in the past. The brutal killings in the aftermath of the 1993 elections come to mind. We have reached a time in our history when the voice of the people must the overriding factor in how we move this country forward if we really want to.

I see tanks being rolled out and I see the police/military using force and brutality though these agents of the states are major sufferers and perpetrators of the injustices in this failed country called Nigeria. Their absence on the streets when NLC demonstrated in Ibadan is probably a good indicator. They are probably tired and sick of the failed government. This struggle is a collective one and it can lead to the emancipation and eventual uprightness of all.

Regardless of the instruments of force that the dictators in Nigeria are ready to use to continue to keep us as slaves, I don’t see how they will succeed if the mass revolt is transformed to a national revolution with the ultimate goals of ushering the long awaited goals-true democracy, respect for human rights, common good, spread of prosperity and good governance.

There is time between now and 2011 to let the message get through or sink in. The ruling government and other parties have the moral and civil obligations to let the institutions of democracy begin to function independently and putting them on solid foundations before 2011. Any attempt to force ready-made election results on the Nigerian people like what we saw in 2007 will result to violence of unimaginable magnitude.

According to reports emanating from Nigeria, the violence and chaos reported from Somalia, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Congo will be child’s play if the lazy government in Nigeria continue to toy with the future and sovereignty of Nigeria. The time is now to begin to allow politics to play itself out without bitterness. The PDP-led government has not been able to successfully prosecute any group or individuals for all the political assassinations of the last decade. The implication is that the PDP became known as the nest of killers and all the guilt rest in that party.

I do not think that Nigerians will tolerate any further killing of such nature that we saw under Abacha and then Obasanjo. I see a situation where one more state-sponsored killing might trigger the necessary agents of change more rapidly than the sensitization of the NLC can offer. Nigeria is on a precipice and further attempts to infuriate the people might result to unexpected outcomes.

Words are never going to be strong enough to qualify the volatility of the pulse of the Nigerian nation. A failed state in total blackout occupied by frustrated and angry people cannot be expected to remain resilient forever. History teaches us otherwise. This message is clear: there is a need to sustain pro-democratic struggles that will lead to the fall of dictatorship, bad governance and the tendency towards one-party state in Nigeria.

In the days ahead the NLC must ensure that it uses its strategic position as the main rallying point of the people to inculcate other pro-democracy groups (and where necessary the opposition) to sustain its demonstrations, to possibly initiate a mass revolt and probably to start the much awaited (Nigerian People Power) Revolution that will do nothing but bring positive CHANGES to Nigeria.

This type of people power must not succumb to the witchcraft, juju and sorcery that are common practices of Nigerian politics. The sustenance of the ongoing demonstrations that may metamorphose to a national revolt represent a viable option to rescue Nigeria which is already classified as a failed country and one that might disintegrate violently by 2015. The future of Nigeria is in the hands of Nigerians and whatever we decide to do or not do.

Thy Glory O’ Nigeria…!

aderounmu@gmail.com

Robot  # 1 | 17.08.2009 18:50

A failed state in total blackout occupied by extremely frustratedand angry people cannot be expected to remain resilient forever. History teaches us otherwise. The sustenance of the ongoing demonstrations that may metamorphose to a national revolt represent a viable option to rescue Nigeria which is already classified as a failed country and one that might disintegrate violently by 2015. ...Read the full article.

Nacha  # 2 | 18.08.2009 07:30

Mr.Tortoise was going to the market and his neighbour asked him when he'll return.He replied:I wont come back until I'm disgraced!Nigerian politicians for you.We've begged,pleaded & even cried but they wont change.They are selfish,stone-hearted and greedy.The NLC should continue with their peaceful protest and all other pro-democracy bodies should pls join them.But I'm afraid those bad pple wont change because they've dined with the devil! They are like flies that taste palmwine or stout and still continue to drink,get drunk,falls inside the gourd or cup and eventually die. They are only after their pockets.They never had the intention of serving in the first place.Do you think its because of the love of the Niger Delter people they talking about amnesty?NO. Its because that is their pot of soup and the militants are putting "sand in dia garri".Shikena! They've abandoned ASUU because no money is coming from there.Education is not a priority. I'm afraid the only language they understand is FORCE and they'll soon get it.

quietswami  # 3 | 18.08.2009 15:38

Dear Villagers, In the spirit of all the good things and change that we aspire to as a collective, I move for the ostracisation of this writer until he acquits himself worthy of deserving our attention. My reason for this extraordinary action is captured in the extract below written as a message to the writer as an opportunity to redress an oversight and prove himself as a consciencious writer genuinely intent on change! The writer stands accused of bringing the village into disrepute by exploiting the good graces of the village for his own personal agenda without any real regard for the ideals of this collective, for his accused, nor for himself! If we wish to demonize our public officials, the least expected of us is exemplary conduct that demonstrates the ideals we aspire to! A more pertinent point when our accused rise to the challenge and address our concerns or accusations. Otherwise, how would we discern between those public official who meet our expectations and those who do not?! It is unacceptable to condemn all our public officials without the option to acquit themselves. Action required from all villagers is to ignore all future postings by Adeola Aderounmu by not providing feedback until he explicitly responds and reacts to the challenge he has been set! Review the feedback from NEMA, and respond - a simple and courteous request! AA is a prolific writer no doubt, therefore, an easy enough challenge to rise to - ironically, the writer intoned revolution, this is what revolution looks like!!! A revolution against village writers who take villagers for granted! He will remain an outcast until the situation is redressed! Thank you to all villager your co-operation is appreciated! Re: http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/forum/articles-comments/33507-before-70-000-nigerians-perish-overnight.html http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/forum/articles-comments/35975-mitigating-lake-nyos-flood-threat-nema-s-rejoinder-nvs-writers.html =quietswami;381243>@ @ Adeola Aderounmu - AA 1 Reason Why Adeola Aderounmu Should Stop Writing! – An intended tongue-in-cheek rejoinder! This feedback is only intended as an attention-grabbing exercise for AA's attentions and writers or his ilk! No doubt this particular write-up would be brilliant, and would have some useful pointers to latch unto. Unfortunately, I have recently developed a certain mental block when I come across AA's name on any write-ups in recent times. This revulsion has been brought on by a particular article penned by AA which highlighted a potential disaster regarding Lake Nyos - http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/forum/articles-comments/33507-before-70-000-nigerians-perish-overnight.html It was a particularly illuminating piece bringing attention to a catastrophic potential loss of lives an environmental disaster of possibly untold consequence. The piece focussed on Nigeria’ Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) raising various pertinent questions regarding capability and preparedness to deal with such disaster given the scale. At the time, I was particularly impressed and appreciative of the concern shown by the writer by both highlighting the issue and challenge the agency on actions being taken. Typically, there were the usual cynical responses about the incompetence of governmental agencies, and intonation that the disaster was inevitable by villagers! NEMA, however, have proven to be the exception to the norm, rather than ignore or avoid the allegations made, they have risen to the challenge by engaging and interacting with the village by providing feedback and specifically addressing some of the issues raised in the original write-up as well as further queries raised by villagers. I single out villager Yashau Shuaib (YS) head of PR for NEMA and his Director General, Mohammed Audu-Bida (MAB), for taking the time out to provide rejoinders, and have been quite forthcoming in their responses. http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/forum/articles-comments/35975-mitigating-lake-nyos-flood-threat-nema-s-rejoinder-nvs-writers.html Whilst the issue is by no means concluded, and not all queries have been satisfactorily dispensed with, it is nonetheless commendable that some of our public officials do rise to the challenge as posed. My disappointment ironically was not with NEMA but with the villager Adeola Aderounmu! Despite the copious and ongoing responses being provided by YS and MAB, AA’s lack of follow-up was particularly unsettling and disturbing! Going AWOL in the heat of the moment is a particular trait that was discussed in recent times regarding the responsibilities of writers! I have often questioned the intentions of writers on the village, and this instance highlights my concern. AA carried out a laudable duty by raising a concern, however, with NEMA acquitting themselves by responding and demonstrating the willingness to engage, to inform, to interact, would that be the right time to derelict duties by ignoring any further follow-ups on the subject matter? Turns out the lives at stake are not 70 thousand but possibly 40 million! Information advised by NEMA! I ask the questions – what is the role of writers on the village? What responsibilities should they own up to? Is writing on the village a hit and run affair with no expectation of commitment to any particular cause? As a villager, I hereby duly indict Adeola Aderounmu, and village writers of such motivations, for dereliction of duty. I hereby implore him - as he has done with NEMA - to rise to the challenge – take the honourable and courteous actions of - reviewing the feedback provided by NEMA to date; acknowledge their diligence and commitment – as other villagers have done; – and provide update on whether allegations made have now been met. AA has to redeem himself in this context, and in this instance he is being given the opportunity to do so! I would much rather be assuaged by the fact that the village is able to achieve this one thing than focus on Clinton’s visits or a hundred reasons why the president should resign which seem to preoccupy AA rather than the worthy cause to save 40 million Nigerian lives! Village writers need to get their priorities in order!!! By way of disclosure – I am in no shape or form affiliated to NEMA! Like many concerned, and progressive-minded citizens and villagers, the village is and can be more than a talk-shop or playground for writers – it can and should be used as an agent of change. Causes don’t come any worthier than helping or contributing to the prevention of the loss of lives.

Boko-Haram  # 4 | 18.08.2009 16:06

Noisy Swami, AA has a name, what is your own name? You go around here stalking people like a pest. please go and sit down and stop wasting time and space on NVS. If the govt cannot protect life and property, what do u want a writer to do about it? Jump in the well? Please...stop being irritating

quietswami  # 5 | 18.08.2009 16:16

@ BH =Boko-Haram;381976>Noisy Swami, please go and sit down and stop wasting time and space on NVS. AA has a name, what is your own name? Do me the courtesy of reading up on the indictment, you may be able to appreciate my stance better. A quick synopsis for your benefit - it involves 40 million Nigerian lives being at stake - if this is not a worthy enough cause, then I am mistaken, and would gladly extend my apologies to all villagers. However, you may want to reconsider your impetous exuberance after becoming familiar with the situation. You have been given the opportunity to redeem yourself! However, if I can irritate you to the point of providing reasoned and courteous feedbacks on future postings - I may have just done the village some worthy service! My apologies if this does not satisfy your puerile amusement. For your sake, I do hope that you do not fall victim to a situation that some "writer" seizes upon as a gratuitous opportunity, leaving you hanging in the lurch! The only action required here is due follow-up, however please do avail yourself of the background! You may be arguing the wrong case here! Regards

Omobola  # 6 | 19.08.2009 07:36

Good write up. The NLC should keep up with the good work.