Dennis O. Balogu, Ph.D., M.P.A.

According to Reuben Abati, one of Nigeria’s prolific writers, the word “Bolekaja” is a Yoruba word which means "come down and let us fight" or “riotous conduct”. So, Administration Panel’s report and recommendations and the EFCC investigations that indicted Vice President Abubakar on serious charges of abuse of office,  are being presented to the Nigeria population as the same old in-fighting between  President Obasanjo and Vice President Atiku. There are other news articles that are alleging that the Vice President did not attend some meetings because he was complying to  restrictions to his movement as ‘ordered’ the President.  And some Nigerians are already buying into it and blaming the Nigerian President.

It is it very disturbing that even well learned Nigerians can believe any innuendo designed and printed in the media. If the Vice President can obey such orders as the restriction of his movement to attend a political meeting, when Atiku knows that he enjoys immunity and could not be arrested, then there would have been no problems at all in the first place between President Obasanjo and Vice President Atiku. In that circumstance, Vice President Atiku would have obeyed President Obasanjo and tendered his resignation as "ordered" by the President. So, obedience or the lack of it is NOT the issue here. What we are dealing with here is the work of an army of spin doctors trying to make mild cases of 419, wantom and crimal abuse of office by Vice President Atiku. This Vice President is alleged to have delayed projects that would have benefitted the ordinary and poor Nigerian people so that he would pay Nigerian people's money to the banks, so that his friends would 'borrow' the same money and use it to purchase a Globacom. Later, the Vice President and his friends tried to pay back the money to the Nigerian people (without interest) with the monies they have earned from the Globacom Company, apparently, using inflated pricing system. It means that they paid nothing to own the company.

Would this type of behavior be acceptable if His Excellency, Abubakar Atiku had been an ordinary and poor Nigerian? If not, then should it be condoned because he is the Vice President of Nigeria? Of course not. So, Nigerians should be grateful that for the first time in our history, we a have a President Obasanjo’s administration that is standing up to the huge and corrupt mafia and is working to free Nigeria from corruption and economic abuses that have undermined structural, educational, technological and economic development of Nigeria.

Prof. Dennis O. Balogu

Robot  # 1 | 09.09.2006 17:52

According to Reuben Abati, one of Nigeria’s prolific writers, the word “Bolekaja” is a Yoruba wor...Read the full article.

kvin33  # 2 | 09.09.2006 18:40

Well said Professor. Ruben Abati's article in the Guardian was a disappointment. He missed a real opportunity to break down the legalese and offer the public a clear understanding of what Atiku is being accused of. Considering the historic nature of this report it is unfortunate he chose to minimize the significance. Meanwhile, the VP is running around making very incriminating statements forgetting that he is the only one under indictment here. Bad blood with OBJ or not. I don't think Nigeria has a version of the miranda rights, but if I were one of Atikus' advisors, I'll tell him: Mr Vice President, YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT! These your interviews admitting "yes I did make money but OBJ made more", "yes I took the money but the FG did not loose a kobo" are not helping your case! ANYTHING YOU SAY CAN AND WILL BE USED AGAINST YOU IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, THE PRESS, AND IN COURT.....

katampe  # 3 | 09.09.2006 19:11

Professor , you deserve your title. I felt Ruben Abati authored an irresponsible article, and many readers that have commented thus showed fitful understanding of the issues at stake.Now in Abati's understanding or logic , corruption,breach of public trust and fraudulent acquisition of a public company is now a moving wooden bus, called bolekaja.Heck, what a gusty fellow!! I have always felt Abati and his bunch of rabid columnists deserve some time off, probably a 2 years sabbatical to learn the practice of journalism in a liberal democracy.What we are witnessing from his newspaper is pure and naked show of "pepper soup " journalism. I haven't seen any serious issues treated by this fellow in recent times that would make one ponder or have reflections.If Ikebe Super was still in circulation, it would have made a better read. I hope he makes some effort to put his intellect to good use, instead of churning out filth meant for the refuse dump.And if they decide they want to turn Guardian into an Agbero paper, the Ibrus can continue to employ the fellow.

olootu  # 4 | 09.09.2006 19:22

I think we should all learn not to play into the hands of this 'roforofo' people called politicians. If we all judge Atiku to be guilty, Obasanjo is twice as guilty of the charges as well. WHY DID HE APPROVE THE TRANSFER? Why did he keep quiet all these years if he believed the rules were not followed? Have you also read that the body (PTDF) that Atiku chairmans, is empowered by the law to invest its money in a profitable venture? Have you read that the money generated over N1b? My stand is this: as long as the law permits Atiku to re-invest that money, as long as the rules and regulations were followed during the transactions, as long as the treasury was able to get back its money when it needed it, it does not matter at which bank the money was deposited. I will prefer a money deposited at Adenuga's bank and reinvested in Nigeria to provide employment for our jobless graduates than one deposited or siphoned into foreign banks for no-one gains. Talking about abuse of office, Obasanjo would have been removed long ago in a civilised society for his fund-raising for the OBJ Presidential Library. There is nothing more corrupt / abusive of power (in disguised) than that. Obasanjo chooses who and who not to victimise. Is it not from the 'stolen' money that Adenuga donated N250m to Obasanjo's library? Yoruba proverb says " eni gbepo laja ki so le bi ki se eni gba lowo e." We should all search our concience and call a spade a spade. Obasanjo is not purer than any Nigerian. Obasanjo has indeed turned the presidency into a 'bolekaja' one and fighting a 'roforofo' fight. He is fighting like a child who always want to have the last hit.

sniper  # 5 | 09.09.2006 19:45

Olootu Or Whatever Is Your Name Na 155mm Howitzer Artillery Gun Go Blow You To Pieces Enemy Of Nigeria Are You Saying Athiefku Should Not Be Investigated Or He Is Above The Law. Nigerians Pls 'open Your Eyes Well Well ' This Are The Handymen Of People Like Athiefku (omo Ole). Here Is A Man Confessing That He Stole But Obj Stole More, Well We Will Deal With His Case First And Deal With Obj's Later If There His Any Evidence Which I Doubt He Should Let Us See It And Move To The Next Stage. Olootu For Your Information Athiefku Will Go To Jail And His Cronies, Because We Need These Stolen Funds To Enlighten More Youths In All The Four Corners Of Nigeria Through Education, So Nigeria Will Be Liberated From These Menaces To Our Society.

SBI  # 6 | 09.09.2006 19:59

Dear Prof: This Vice President is alleged to have delayed projects that would have benefitted the ordinary and poor Nigerian people so that he would pay Nigerian people's money to the banks, so that his friends would 'borrow' the same money and use it to purchase a Globacom. Later, the Vice President and his friends tried to pay back the money to the Nigerian people (without interest) with the monies they have earned from the Globacom Company, apparently, using inflated pricing system. It means that they paid nothing to own the company. I dont know what you have your Ph.D for, but if you concluded a dissertation on the 'Bolekaja Report' with the above quote I would recommend an indefinite rustication from the institution for you. Whilst we are disputing how to accomodate the olympian long jump that the EFCC/Administrative Panel report made to land at its conclusions and recommendations, you are introducing a triple jump. Study the facts before you blare. SBI

olootu  # 7 | 09.09.2006 20:03

Mr Snipper, we can only make meaningful discussion if we avoid the use of vague languages. Bullets will kill neither me or you and I am no Atiku's man. But what was your Obasanjo doing for over 2 years if he believed Atiku was in the wrong. Did he not approve the transfer? Is it not the same Obasanjo that fired his education minister for bribing the senate for confirmation? Why didn't he query Atiku all this long. Anyone one found guilty of corruption should be prosecuted but I hate witch-hunting and hypes. What I am saying is ; if Atiku is guilty, Obasanjo is as much an accomplice. We can not leave Obasanjo alone now and deal with Atiku as you suggested. Both men should bear responsibility on this case and Obasanjo should stop playing the smart one.

sniper  # 8 | 09.09.2006 20:43

OLOOTU, THANKS FOR YOUR RESPONCE, I FEEL WE MUST NOT TAKE THE ACCOUNT OF A LIAR SERIOUS BECAUSE IT WILL ONLY DIVERT OUR ATTTENTION FROM THE REAL ISSUE (ATHIEFKU), HE IS THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS INDICTED OBJ SO LET HIM COME UP WITH A DETAILED REPORT ON OBJ, MY BROTHER DONT LET OUR BRAINED BE TOYED WITH BY THESE MEDIOCRES. ON THE TWO YEARS ISSUE PLEASE I HAVE ALWAYS TOLD PEOPLE WHO WANT NIGERIA TO TURN AROUND IN FEW YEARS, THAT THEY ARE ARE JOKERS AND I LIKEN THEM TO DRUG PUSHERS WHO WANT OVERNIGHT SUCCESS, SO INVESTIGATING ATHIEFKU FOR 2 YEARS IS NOT TOO LONG A TIME, AS LONG AS IT IS BASED ON FACTS AND NOT 'FISH PEPPER SOUP ' RUMOURS ON OBJ THAT ATHIEFKU IS MAKING US BELIEVE. FINALLY YOU'VE NOT RULED A COUNTRY LIKE NIGERIA SO LET US SUPPORT THE MAN THAT IS SHAPING OUR FUTURE AND I STAND TO BE CORRECTED BY VISIONLESS PEOPLE WHO WANT A CHANGE IN 8YRS, SO DO NOT LET US BE FOOLED BY THOSE WORDS LIKE WHICHT HUNT OE SELECTIVE JUSTICE AS THESE A PHRASES COINED BY THESE THEIVES WHEN THEY HAVE BEEN CAUGHT. AS EFCC EVER VISITED YOU? NO BECAUSE YOU HAVE NOT SQUANDERED THE LIVES OF POOR NIGERIANS WHO PUT THEIR TRUST IN THESE THEIVES, PLEASE E MAIL ME @ DENABRAM@YAHOO.COM SO WE CAN TALK BETTER I LIVE IN THE UK NORTHWEST LONDON. SNIPER

emj  # 9 | 09.09.2006 21:27

Would this type of behavior be acceptable if His Excellency, Abubakar Atiku had been an ordinary and poor Nigerian? If not, then should it be condoned because he is the Vice President of Nigeria? Of course not. So, Nigerians should be grateful that for the first time in our history, we a have a President Obasanjo’s administration that is standing up to the huge and corrupt mafia and is working to free Nigeria from corruption and economic abuses that have undermined structural, educational, technological and economic development of Nigeria. Professor Dennis----for several years, since OBJOKE has been in power---how many of his cronies has he really allowed to be investigated and prosecuted?a thief and the supporter of a thief, is also a thief......ko ba haka ba' Agreed that the allegations against his VP are grave---why wait till now, before turning in these report? Why has other issues of corruption and grafts been swept under the carpet? It is indeed refreshing that things have gotten to the level of roforofo fight----now we will get to know part of what has been cooking, or what they cooked that set off the smoke alarm--------aka alarm-Blow:cool:

omoba  # 10 | 10.09.2006 00:04

This Professor and his co-travellers (sniper & co), need to have their brains examined. Mr sniper you are asking for evidence against OBJ. Where were you when he launched his library project and Adenuga donated 250million in the open?.... Have you ever heard of Transcorp? (Maybe not since Nuhu Ribadu is yet to be ORDERED to probe the shareholding of that corporation). What is abuse of office? What is wrong with you people, cant you use your head? Until very recently, it is a well known fact that if you need any favor from OBJoke, your best bet is to go through Otunba Fasawe. This so called Otunba was not an official in the administration of Obasanjo yet he had an office in Aso Villa and people could not understand the love between him and the president. To hear Obasanjo calling Fasawe Atiku's friend is the most ridiculous statement i have heard lately.Ditto for Adenuga. He is closer to OBJ than he is to Atiku. Since you have refused to see the danger in the unfolding drama let me educate you a little. In a free and fair election in Nigeria today, none of those thiefs (IBB, Atiku, Odili and the rest of the thiefs and murderers in PDP), none of them can win. OBJ knows that. By arrogating to himself the power to accuse, convict and condemn, he hope to manipulate the system and throw up his crony in 2007. He need to be told that Nigerians are no fools. We know what we want and we are capable of choosing our leaders. We dont need him and his bull-dog (Ribadu), screaming at the top of their lungs about those who they cannot allow to rule us. Objoke simply lack the credibility to do that. His hands are not not clean. Nigerians know those who are should not be allowed to rule us again and he should allow us decide. Afterall we are still practising democracy, (abi the khaki boys don take over wey i no know?).....

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