Section 55 of the 1999 Constitution recognizes the tribes in Nigeria as Hausa, Ibo and Yoruba.  This contentious provision might have been amended if it was listed for amendment and if the whole process had been sincere.  Just as Nigeria is endowed with abundant Human and natural resources, so she is also populated with many ethnic nationalities. 

The survival of a society or a Nation rests on the stakeholders agreeing to remain bound by the existing social contract.  Where a section of the society calls for the revocation of such contract resulting from its breach, then there is a problem.  This situation can be likened to what is happening in Nigeria today whereby some sections assume they have the monopoly of dictating who gets what when and how.  It’s striking to note that those that assume Napoleon in the animal farm called Nigeria are bankrupt of leadership qualities. 

The leadership problem we have in Nigeria is borne out of political insincerity and insensitivity.  We are a peculiar people and as such only an acceptable political and economic theory premised on our peculiar cultural composition and geo political pulse will salvage Nigeria.  To those that say the south-south and south-east has acquiesced their right to aspire to the presidency because of the voting pattern of the third term, I want to remind them that even Obasanjo the major beneficiary of June 12 brouhaha once said Abiola was not the political messiah and he is from the south west. 

I am also using this medium to ‘pooh-pooh’ the prattle that south-south and south-east has no serious personalities capable of becoming the President of Nigeria in 2007 and beyond by presenting 88 undisputable citizens from the zones who can pilot the affairs of Nigeria.  This list includes seasoned administrators, academians, technocrats, religious leaders, retired military personnels, industrialists, political power brokers etc.

1.                 Professor Charles Soludo

2.                 Dr. Edmund Dakouru

3.                 Chief Emeka Anyaoku

4.                 Chief Rochas Okorocha

5.                 Professor Fidelis Oditah QC, SAN

6.                 Dr Okonjo Iweala

7.                 Chief Julius Ihonvbrere

8.                 Mr. Gaius Obaseki

9.                 Mr. Basil Omiyi

10.            Dr. Peter Odili

11.            Oby Ezekwesili

12.            Chief Philip Asiodu

13.            Obong Victor Attah

14.            Professor Pat Utomi

15.            Governor Donald Duke

16.            Phillip Emeagwali

17.            Jim Ovia

18.            Pascal Dozie

19.            Professor B.I.C Ijeoma

20.            Chief Mathew Mbu

21.            Udoma Udo Udoma

22.            Chief John Odigie Oyegun

23.            Dr Nosike Ikpo

24.            Deacon Gamaliel Onosode

25.            Olorogun Felix Ibru

26.            Professor Kimse Okoko

27.            Gabriel Oyibo

28.            Professor Sam Amuka

29.            Dr Orji Uzor Kalu

30.            Olorogun Otega Emeror

31.            Nduka Obaigbena

32.            Governor Sam Egwu

33.            Dr Abiye Sekibo

34.            Chief Don Etete

35.            Prince Secondus Uche

36.            Chief Albert Okumagba

37.            Temi Harriman

38.            Chief Raymond Dokpesi

39.            Comrade Adams Oshiomole

40.            Chief Sonny Odogwu

41.            Admiral Mike Okhai Ahkigbe rtd

42.            Major General Paul Ufouma Omu rtd

43.            Air Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe rtd

44.            Major David Ejoor (rtd)

45.            Air Vice Marshall Dan Preston Omatshola

46.            General Phillip Effiong rtd

47.            Col Dominic Oneya

48.            Dr Chris Ngige

49.            Professor Sam Oyovwaire

50.            Senator Albert Legogie

51.            Professor Tam David West

52.            Dr Edet Amana

53.            Alabo Graham Douglas

54.            Chief Pius Sinebe

55.            Chief Emmanuel Aguariavwodo

56.            Chief Rita Lori

57.            Professor Sam Amuka

58.            Chief Ufot Ekaette

59.            Chief Hope Uzodinma

60.            Aig Imoukhuede

61.            Dr Ogbonnaya Onu

62.            Ledum Mitee

63.            Dr Clement Toby

64.            Professor Itse Sagay

65.            Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyawu

66.            Rev Chris Okotie

67.            Prince Tony Momoh

68.            Cecilia Ibru

69.            Chief Fred Brume

70.            Pascal Adigwe

71.            Godswill Obielum

72.            Dr Orewa

73.            Chief Tom Ikimi

74.            Dr Kema Chikwe

75.            Senator Ifeanyi Araraume

76.            Senator David Brigidi

77.            Ambssador Ray Inijie

78.            Oronto Douglas

79.            Dr E A Akpofure

80.            Chief G G Darah

81.            Solomon Edevwie

82.            Chief Fafaa Dan Princewill

83.            Chukwuemeka Ezeife

84.            Chief C. C. Onoh

85.            Chief Sam Nwoko

86.            Professor Ben Nwabueze

87.            Chief Alfred Diete Spiff

88.            Senator Ken Nnamani  

A word is enough for the wise.

Eugene Uzum Esq

Nigerian Reformers Academy.  Leeds UK

Nigdel55@yahoo.com 

Robot  # 1 | 26.05.2006 20:47

{mosimage}Section 55 of the 1999 Constitution recognizes the tribes in Nigeria as Hausa, Ibo and ...Read the full article.

Tsohon Soja  # 2 | 26.05.2006 21:19

Mallam Eugene, You have done well by providing us with a list of your best 88 (warts and all - you should be ashamed of some of those names, my brother). I am one who doesn't believe that the quality of the leader of Nigeria should be reduced to the sentiment of geography and ethnicity. We should be better forward looking by now. With good/responsible leadership and transparent governance, confidence will be built around the nation, no matter who is on the seat. It is just our ' booty mentality' as a philosophy of nationhood that is fanning all these 'rotation, circulation,, revolution etc of tenure' thing. But for now, if that's the 'nonsense' that will bring confidence amongst us all, so be it. I am picking a bone with you for being mischievous. As a lawyer (I saw 'Esquire' to your name), if you cannot read the constitution in its simple form and intellectualize upon it, then I dread the quality of your law degree and your professional ethic. Or are you one of those who is hell bent on destroying what has remained of our Nigeria, while you are refuged in sweet foreign climes - where you will always be called an 'Immigrant'? This is section 55 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999)(I copied and just pasted it, as is): '55. The business of the National Assembly shall be conducted in English, and in Hausa, Ibo and Yoruba when adequate arrangements have been made therefor.' There is nothing there to or shows recognition of the 3 indigenous languages as the recognised nation's 'tribes' as you asserted. Instead they are the languages, along with English (the nation's official language) that 'could' be used on the floor of the National Assembly. Note the caveat '...when adequate arrangements are made'. Please do not skew facts, because you want to prove a point. You must be more responsible, especially with your professional calling. Its worse where you even decided to show-off your face (photo).

ikegwuohac  # 3 | 27.05.2006 02:27

Hmm Eugene agu! A very good piece, I must say that you really did what Alhaji Kure could not do, you named names. However, I think you should have added an 89th name and that is Eugene Uzum, a student leader at his university, a judge of the student court, a lawyer and barrister with eight years experience, a masters holder from the university of Leeds in England, a noted commentator on Nigerian affairs and the operator of a successful business. I know you personally, and I can attest that you are eminently more capable than Alhaji Kure or that gap toothed evil genius masquerade who pulls his puppet strings. If Yakubu Gowon could be president by force at 32, I believe you have the ability to be president by virtue of your firm grip on the problems which face us as evidenced by your consistent write ups. Your friend who inspired you to start writing, who used to sing and dance.

oluye  # 4 | 27.05.2006 02:34

So these are the people you think can rule Nigeria! Maybe we should give number 48 a chance so that he can replay what he did at the state level. God help us all! Please we are not talking of ruling a hamlet.

OMO AGBOLUAJE  # 5 | 27.05.2006 03:07

I Could Note That No28 And No57 Are The Same Person. Is Sam Amuka Cloned Or It Is The Printer's Devil At Work? Anyway Bro, You Keep Us Thinking About Names Of Some Individuals Listed.

Nnodi  # 6 | 27.05.2006 06:31

Oluye, oya name ya own presidential hopefuls make we see.

ikegwuohac  # 7 | 27.05.2006 11:12

=oluye>So these are the people you think can rule Nigeria! Maybe we should give number 48 a chance so that he can replay what he did at the state level. God help us all! Please we are not talking of ruling a hamlet. . Oluye, would you rather have Kure's IBB, so that he will come and repeat what he did from '85 to'93 viz institutionalise corruption, Northernise all the service chiefs and the senior cadre of the armed forces, deplete the foreign reserves, letter bomb dissenting journalist, Islamize the country further ( a la OIC), give his wife's hair dressers oil lifting contracts, take foreign loans and not service them, and make us the laughing stock of the world when we talk of anti-corruption? Which of the people on this list has squandered over $12 billion dollars because 'when you run a government you dont keep money in the bank"? Which of the people on this list has spent $ 3 billion on a transition programme when he/she knew right from the beginning that he/she was not willing to hand over? which of the people on this list has spent $180,000 to bring U.S. R'nB crooner, Joe to do a solo concert for his son's wife when the people of his locality suffer in abject nay biting poverty? But most importantly, none of the list including the 89th is a self confessed genius with only proclivity for evil? Oluye, pls build, dont destroy. If you have nothing to say, respectfully hold your peace.

insightful  # 8 | 27.05.2006 11:51

Philip Emeagwali does not merit being on that list please read http://chippla.blogspot.com/2005/12/philip-emeagwali-final-thoughts.html

Palades  # 9 | 27.05.2006 12:00

Ol boy, you don go put both chaff and beans for de same pot........ Haba, why will you even attempt to categorize these people together as hopefuls for 2007. You are based in Leeds and suggesting some known criminals from the South as presidential hopefuls for ‘07? Please do some little investigation on these people before you list them on this forum. Carry out a "no-corruption” test on their person and let’s see if 50% on your list will pass. Bull ****..... How can you even attempt to say that "chaff and beans" in the same pot, will cure hunger???

Tsohon Soja  # 10 | 27.05.2006 13:47

Mr Ikegwuhac, Thank God you are a JJC to the NVS. You still have a lot of the rope to learn. I hope you a septugenarian and at the verge of your exit from this life. Sorry that I am so hard on you, because if you are a youth and have more years to live with your sychopantic tendencies that I have noticed, then Nigeria is due for another Nzeribe, Anenih or Jerry Gana. It will be worse, since you wil most likely live longer than them. I have 3 children and a young wife for whom I hope for a future Nigeria where people are united and the streets flow with milk and are paved with gold. a Nigeria wher leaders do not leave in fortressess and drive around surrounded by gun-totting goons, in bullet-proof tinted Hummers. You have left the substance to chase sentiments simply because forward looking Nigerians have decided to see the misfortune of the political immaturity that politicians of the South-'whatever' have been exibiting all this time in the political history of Nigeria. If you want to understand Kure's sentiments (Note: I don't agree with him that there is no son of your part worthy of the highest seat), please see it in the context of the Third Term struggle, where the proponderance of your politicians simply decided to seat on the fence. Thanks to the Nigerian press and most especially AIT for telecasting the NASS proceedings on the constitution amandment debate live (My mention of AIT doesnt mean i endorse Dokpesi's appearance on the list O!). Nigerians have seen their betrayers koro-koro! Your polity has lost the chance to have an additional state to balance the equation of representation, simply because some individuals prefer their merchantile interest (they prefer to 'sell market') - Iweren ka, iwere ego! It is of your polity and lack of cohesion that we saw a wild turn-over of senate presidents ever in the history of any democracy. It was a case of 'dog eat dog'. Never has any issue in the history of Nigeria cristalized and moved your politicians forward. Even the civil war was circumstantial and MOSSOB a joke (Please forgive my reference to this - I had to do it). Your politicians (who aspire to be presidents) and those of you in the diaspora are the same begging the issues on the criminal and subversive implication of MOSSOB. you guys better find a clear head and - 'Shooze your Shoice' - NIGERIA or (b)iafra? On your Eugene, who you so worship, its a shame that such a person whose academic and juvenile-political credentials you so flaunt has a list of 88 Giants of your regional politics and industry to include outright felons, wimps, illiterates and even the dead (Check the names with your eyes open, you will be so disappointed). Not to even note the repetition of name(s), and probabaly other signs of academic fraud and laziness that characterise the article, by this 'learned/intellectual' of yours. Note my observation on his quotation from the Nigerian constitution, in an earlier reply - with a Masters degree, he doesnt know the difference between the words 'tribe' and 'language'.. You had the guts to nominate someone like Eugene to the presidency. Oh! I can imagine your pedigree. If you are his friend, it is your duty to always scrutinise and critisize him - Thats the hallmark of friendship. You were so hard on IBB. Please join hands with Mr Uzum and make another list to show how 99% of those on the list of 88 who were not made or maintained in their present state by the 'evil geniuse'. Tell me how many of them can walk the dark and murky road of Nigerian politics without IBB's anointting. I challenge you. If you are not careful, I will remind Nigerians of Christian Chukwu and Okocha and their hands in our failure to be at the World Cup this year. Just don't make me do it. If at your age your own personal character reference to a friend of your age is that - 'you sing and dance' to him, then we have a big problem. How can so wallow in self-pity and image reduction? When Eugene becomes president, I can hear you introducing yourself with relish and gleefully too - Thank you sir! I am the one whose wife your snatched, Sir! God save Nigeria!

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