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On May 16th 2006 the...Read the full article.

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Sir Paul Adujie,
115 Constitutional amendments at a go? Holy ****! Well then, may we should dump the constitution and write another one. After all these years, I am not sure I have ever heard of 115 amendments at a sitting.

But make you tell me this my broda: even sef, why did it take OBJ this long to ask for amendments. If he had started, say in 2000, and asked for 2-10 amendments per years, he probably would have made some progress.

You see, most of those Parliamentarians are illiterates, but with most of them in Atiku and IBBs payroll, chei…they were bound to see the TT magomago he was going to add on…

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It is too bad that you could not talk about the 115 amendments without talking about one item meant to derail 114 items. If the well-being of Nigeria is as important to you and your master, I wonder why your beloved master did not bribe lawmakers for the other 114 amendments.

Explain to us why our own money was used to bribe lawmakers for only 1 out of 114 amendments. Like it is said somewhere, you and your immoral/callous cohort are still in control for now; sooner than later, you people must explain everything to us, whether in the courts of law or in some dudgeon prepared especially for you.

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Hi, Mr. Paul Adujie (Esq. /IT professional)!

You are quite right: Come to think about it, what is democracy after all, if 130 million Nigerians know in their mind of minds that the very elections that recycled OBJ into Aso Rock Villa, (I am talking about the presidential election of April 19 2003 (alias 4-19)), lack credibility in the first place?

I agree with you (in toto) that His Imperial Highness, General Aremu Okikiolakan Olusegun Mathew Obasanjo, ought to be encouraging Nigerians to trust and participate in all aspects of the democratic process, instead of aggravating matters, injecting massive doses of impunity into the Nigerian polity, by engaging die-hard sycophants, arsehole lickers, and official praise-singers (like you) to keep nagging endlessly, and boring us to death about the timely and patriotic defeat of General Obasanjo’s private agenda of perfidy, alias “Third Term Agenda” (TTA).

Finally, Mr. Paul Adujie (Esq.) it appears like you are beginning to infringe on our pact that restricts your unduly obsequious utterances, as clearly spelt out in our memorandum of understanding (MOU) and terms of your voluntary self-exile, post-Bahamas 2006. Kindly restrict your comments on this forum to a maximum of one article per month, and, as much as possible, avoid displaying any Obasanjophilic exuberances when you express any opinion in the Square, hereafter.

Thank you very much. Muchas gracias.


Posted by Abraxas| 31.05.2006 01:40

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THE National Assembly shortchanged Nigeria and shortchanged themselves. They rejected amendments that included power rotation clause. Those who think they got President Obasanjo are in for a rude shock. What is the achievement of National Assembly in the 7 years? It couldn't even amend the Constitution! A failed legislature equals a failed democracy.
As an estate of the realm, this Assembly has been a disaster. Constitutional Amendment could have salvaged it! Its been 7 wasted legislative years but some of them are already asking for third term. They've shot themselves in the foot. Cut Nigeria's nose to spite Obasanjo's face. Played into the hands of "wasters" "dissipators" enemies.

Their current chorus members will soon realise the implications of failure to amend the Constitution and change the "praises" to curses. The real culprit Abdusalam Abubakar would be having a good laugh. Northern power seekers and Igbo Presidency advocates will see how third term enhances or otherwise affects their causes.

Zik pleaded with us Nigerians to accept Diarchy in 1976 we said "NO". We asked for utopia. What did we get? Awo asked us (UPN Members) to accept automatic non-elective Primaries in 1982. We of the UPN said "NO". What happened? Ohaneze and Northern leaders asked their people to accept third term, they said "NO". They even voted to reject creation of additional Igbo State! What is right is not always popular and what is popular is not always right. Now the entire issues are in the cooler until another legislative term.
We are stucked with a strong center and a dysfunctional constitution for God knows how long.

As for President Obasanjo, he did not ask for Presidency in 1999. We brought him to assure stability. He has done his part. We have given him the Nigerian recognition and respects in return. But God is in control. His tenure ends when He says so but not until he completes our "NEHEMIAH TASK". History will vindicate him. One short year from now it will dawn on us all that a great national price will be paid for throwing out the baby with the birth water. Individuals like Atiku will be sorry and kalu will do his usual Aso Rock "nocturals" in public. We did not even read the "cartoon" before we killed the amendment! Now, some are beginning to ask the relevant question: What next?

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Don Carlos Santana Abraxas..... I am exasperated at your bullying tendencies!!!!!. I find your response to Mr Adujie's comments very distasteful and reprehensible. You are in the habit of abusing and making derogatory comments about anyone who disagrees with you. In your cock-eyed universe, I expect you think everyone should have same opinion as you . You really are a deeply disagreeable fellow. An- off -the peg vulgarian,with no style and originality.

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I Have Always Maintained That Being A Good Writer Does Not Mean You Have Decorum And Sence Of Judgement , A Lot Of People Just Come On This Platform To Rap Rubish And Write A Lot Of Grammar, This Article Is A Reflection Of The Last Stupidity That We Might Pay For Later And Our Childrens Children Suffer It, And Some People Are Still Trying To Scold The Writer I Think People Should Think Before Coming To Write On This Platform.

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At times I don't know what to make out of this fellow called Paul Ajudie alias ILN.
Look at this:

It must be clear to many Nigerians by now, (assuming that it was at any time unclear), that those who led the campaign against third term, were self-interested opportunists, who merely exploited the term elongation brouhaha to further their personal and parochial political ambitions, which does not have Nigeria as its central or only focus. Those who truly care about Nigeria should have Nigeria's national interests as their sole focus.

Some persons fought against the third term because of their selfish ambitions, agreed. But who was he that started displaying a personal ambition to the detriment of the so called national interest?

1.President Olusegun Obasanjo never for once believed in the idea of a national conference, sovereign or whatever. He never minced words about his disdain for the noise makers clamouring for a kick-start of a national dialogue that would put the Nigerian question to rest once and for all. But the heat kept pilling and he saw an opportunity in the agitations
2...He finally decided to organise a ramshakle of a "national dialogue" (I can't even remember the name of that conference, it's not worth remembering). I have said it before and will still repeat it that Abacha's constitutional conference, though staged as a distraction to help him buy more time and isolate the June 12 acitivists, was far better than what Obasanjo put up. At least, Abacha allowed a grass root movement for people to choose who should go and represent them. Obasanjo's conference was laced with one agenda: to sow the seed of his third term personal, selfish, parochial, nonsensical agenda(if I attended good schools, I probably would have more adjectives/grammar, I guess I should try evening adult education :wink: ). Any way, Obasanjo, through his boys, Ojo Maduekwe and co, tried their best to smuggle in the third term stench into the recommendation of the "national dialogue" . But just like in 1995 when the delegates to Abacha's conference gave him a rude shocker by refusing to be teleguided by Abacha's evil machinery, the members of the "national dialogue" paid back Obasanjo in his own coins: his third term agenda was dealt a stunning blow.
3. Obasanjo, as a true soldier, retreated, marshalled out his troop, and approached the battle from a different dimension- the national assemby, where he found a willing tool in Mantu and bros. We know what transpired during the national assembly "joint" review of the 1999 constituion. At this stage it became very obvious that Obasanjo was all out to impose his personal parochial interest on everyone, and folks like Paul Ajudie were out defending and championing his cause.

Now they (Obasanjo and sons) are blaming self-interested opportunists for exploiting the third term brouhaha for their own interest, a brouhaha (whatever that means) which they created. When it became obvious that the third term wagon was irreversibly running out of steam, it was this same Paul, a certain Oluye and other third term foot soldiers that attempted to play the ethnic card in order to better the fortunes of the third term enterprise (please refer to Okey Ndibe's article on arguing with Nigerian money). Now Paul has the audacity to blame whoever displayed a personal selfish ambition in the entire debate. Mmiri amaa nsi (rain has fallen on a mound of excrement. You know how it looks like, except those who never experienced a typical village life)

And this is Paul greatest misfit of a statement:

Resource Control was another item in the proposed 115 amendments. What reasonably sane Nigerian is against a constitutional resolution of this age old resource control issue? What Nigeria is in favor of injustice and neglect of the chickens that lays golden eggs?

Wao! Bravo!! Paul Ajudie is now championing the cause of the Niger-deltans. I really found this amusing.

1. Any fellow who has followed events here on NVS can easily see a horrific contradiction in Paul's passion for Niger delta. He once said (actually borrowed the words of his boss Obasanjo/ the Northern delegates to the "national dialogue") that the oil producing states should first and foremost tell "us" what they have done with the one (% derivation) given to them, before asking for more. I wonder if all the Niger-deltan state governors have effectively served Paul and co ("us") with accounts of their utilization of the 13% oil money. Why this sudden change?
2. And by the bush, what was it in the so called ammendment that effectively addressed reource controll agitation? The 18% stuff that was the epitome of arrogance and insincerity towards addressing the Nigerian qustion? What was the position of most of the southern delegates to the national dialogue on % derivation?. Whose idea was 18%?


In conclusion, this article is an evidence of the frustration and dismay ravaging the third term camp. God bless their soul (if they still have any)

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The author referred to the opponents of the third term as "self-interested opportunists." I wonder if this does not also apply to the proponents of the third term. Were they not "opportunists" who attempted to injure the constitution? He argues that the 115 clauses contained positive elements for the country, but he forgot or conveniently disregarded some key questions. Why 116 clauses in a constitutional amendment? How democratic and transparent was the process leading to the tabling of the Bill in the National Assembly? If the process is flawed, how can we trust the content? Whose interests were being served by the 116 clauses? How many of the clauses addressed the issue of building a genuine federal system in Nigeria? Why did the clauses entrench the unitary system of governance that most objective analysts condemn in the 1999 Constitution? These are some of the questions that the author ought to have addressed in his piece, instead of castigating the opponents of the ill defined amendment bill who were exercisng their democratic rights in representing the wishes of the general population.

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OBASANJO'S ''DEMISE'': CELEBRATING A PYRRHIC VICTORY

As I listened to President Obasanjo's first public comments on the outcome of the Constitution amendment Bill, I could not but feel immense pity for the discernible pain in his voice. He tried what a good commander, nay, a good leader would do. That is, re-gird his loins, marshal his forces, and re-commit his men to more battles in spite of debilitating wounds and catastrophic deaths.
Hear him:
"Many derogatory statements and unfounded allegations have been made about me and my position concerning the so-called third term in the National Assembly and in the media which are false, incorrect and uncalled for. Of course, that is part of burden of leadership in our own type of society…"
That burden, Obasanjo has borne quite impressively. In a different society; in a society where people's sense of history is not so warped; where heroes are recognized and adulated, where the generality of the populace is not led by the nose on fleeting celebrations, Obasanjo should be riding the high tide of appreciation for the sacrifices he has made for Nigeria.

Where is the celebration of the life of Nnamdi Azikiwe today? Where is the celebration of Obafemi Awolowo's sacrifices today? Where is the celebration of Anthony Enahoro's courage today? Who still remembers Joseph Tarka? Did not Moshood Abiola give his life for this country? Who still remembers him beyond the perfunctory markings of "June 12" in Lagos State? And whatever you think of him, did not Emeka Ojukwu play an important role in the history of Nigeria? Who is giving him any credit today?

I have written in other fora about our collective amnesia and I am not ashamed to repeat same here. Just reading commentaries on the 3rd Term issue in the various media outlets always makes me want to puke. Our so-called erudite commentators put Obasanjo on an ignoble pedestal, painted onto his forehead the bull's eye of 3rd Term plot and proceeded to fire shots at him. If you were as gullible and malleable as all of them, you would have believed that the president actually sent the Bill to the Senate requesting the amendments to the Constitution, where in actual fact, the amendment Bill originated in the Senate.

Lost in the cacophony of sanctimonious balderdash that emanated from the dirty orifices of these later-day pro-democracy protagonists was a very simple fact: neither Obasanjo nor any of his paid spokespersons (not even the sometimes garrulous and loquacious Fani-Kayode) ever remotely hinted that the president was interested in extending his own tenure.

I know that with our history of brutalization in the hands of previous governments, our political psyche has been too damaged to understand due process. We have been conditioned to suspect our leaders, no matter what their intentions are.

I was around when Yakubu Gowon made his infamous comment that handing over government to civilians in 1976 as he had promised earlier was no longer "realistic." It was this same Obasanjo and the late Murtala Muhammed that led a bloodless coup which ousted Gowon in 1975. Although Muhammed was assassinated in 1976, Obasanjo fulfilled the pledge of his regime by handing over government to civilians in 1979. Irascible Obasanjo critics would tell you that he did nothing special. He only carried on the wishes of Muhammed. They know, but choose to ignore the fact that having tasted power, he could have been consumed by its allure and held on for much longer.

I was also around when, in spite of his dismal first term when Nigerians queued up for staples like rice, milk and sugar for the first time in the Nations history, Shehu Shagari and his NPN, rather than lose the 1983 elections in a landslide, miraculously "routed" the UPN, PRP, GNPP and NPP from their strongholds, further consolidating himself in power. It took the intervention of Muhamadu Buhari and Tunde Idiagbon to dislodge Shagari.

I know that I probably sound like a broken record by now, but I was also around when Ibrahim Babangida, having misruled Nigeria for 8 years refused to leave peacefully. When the entire world literally piled enough pressure on him, he reluctantly "stepped aside," but not before annulling the freest and fairest elections ever conducted in Nigeria. And not before laying the foundation for the ascension of the more despotic Sani Abacha.

So, when the 3rd Term project hit the streets, it was understandable that Nigerians would vociferously oppose it, for they do not want to have a perpetual ruler, no matter how benevolent. To be clear, I too opposed the extension of terms if it would benefit the current occupiers of the offices of President and Governor. But I do not oppose either an amendment to increase terms to three, or reduce terms to just one, as long as it is the wish of Nigerians as reflected in the votes of their elected Representatives. It is common knowledge that the British Prime Minister is not limited to two terms.

Obasanjo probably would also have not opposed a recommendation to amend the Constitution to reduce terms to one, or increase terms to four. He probably would have remained silent, believing that the discourse was healthy, and the decision was in the purview of the Legislature. Had he publicly taken a position one way or the other, he would still have been vilified and pilloried by those who have paid only tangential attention to the national issues.

Obasanjo reminded his forgetful audience:

"Throughout the period, I resisted the invitation to be drawn on either side and I maintained studied silence. I was maligned, insulted and wrongly accused but I remained where I am and what I am and I remained focused..."
But keeping mum on the issue of 3rd Term hurt Obasanjo's credibility. He failed to understand that our people are not yet that politically sophisticated. Silence is not always golden. Now, Obasanjo has run the risk of having his legacy defined by the 3rd Term issue. An adroit statesman that he is, he chose to not play politics on the matter, leaving it to posterity to judge him as trying to keep the Executive out of meddling in the affairs of the Legislature. But on the issue of 3rd Term, the country needed leadership, and he failed to provide it.

In our culture of forgetfulness, and single-mindedness, no one would remember how ALL our debts to International creditors got paid. In fact, many who now form the core of Obasanjo bashers are those who lost their traditional conduit pipes for pilfering from the Nation. In 7 years, Obasanjo plugged most of the loopholes that were used to cart away the nation's resources. He unleashed the wrath of the EFCC on those who still managed to steal. For the first time in the history of Nigeria, politicians actually stole with a little more compunction and trepidation. Governors ran helter-skelter in bids to hide their loots. An Inspector-General of Police coughed up his loot and went to jail. Thousands of millions of dollars stolen and stashed in coded Swiss bank accounts (previously off limits to investigators) were decoded and repatriated to the country. Federal ministers, like Mobolaji Osomo, and other functionaries that misappropriated were sacked. Those, like Ribadu, Okonjo-Iweala and el Rufai that are the epitome of performance and incorruptibility are rewarded. Federal appointments to plum positions which hitherto had been the exclusive prerogative of one particular ethnic group were restructured to reflect the Federal Character. Roads and airports, especially in the East, that have become death traps and health hazards due to years of neglect started to see some facelift. And Nigeria, previously on the verge of becoming a pariah nation to the rest of the world was repositioned to re-gain its lost glory and respect.

But the newt-brained elite commentators in our midst, who should know, have chosen to conveniently forget. They would rather throw the baby away with the dirty bath water. I remember… I remember having been through this street before. Not too long ago, Buhari and Idiagbon saved the nation's rudderless ship from Shagari and strove to instill a sense of orderliness and discipline in us, with the hope that once we had imbibed the basic sense of order and mutual respect for each other, they could move on to governing Nigeria. Idiagbon's non-smiling face soon became the face of that administration and Nigerians (including myself), ignorantly reduced that administration's laudable goals to the ephemeral and intangible issue of smiling, or lack thereof. We hoped and prayed loudly that the regime was overthrown.

Ibrahim Babangida answered our prayers by sacking that government. With his toothy smiles and wily character, he led us deeper into the fangs of the IMF. Under his maladministration, more university students were rusticated and more universities were closed more often than all administrations before him, put together. Pro-democracy activists went into self-imposed exile, and the media, after the letter bomb assassination of Dele Giwa, went into self-censorship. Babangida's bestiality reached its apogee with the brazen annulment of M.K.O Abiola's election, a singular act that sent Nigeria into a dangerous tailspin from which, again, Obasanjo rescued us.

Our elite politicians have forgotten all that. And sadly, our media, too, have forgotten all that. Rather than insult Obasanjo, rather than dance the macabre dance of a pyrrhic victory on account the death of the 3rd Term issue, we should borrow a leaf from Thabo Mbeki from whom we seem to have borrowed a whole forest recently.

Mbeki told Obasanjo: "I am truly inspired that you, a tried and tested leader of the peoples of Nigeria and Africa, spoke to all of us in unequivocal terms to reaffirm our sacred task to entrench democracy throughout our continent.

"With no reservations whatsoever, I would like to thank and salute you for these comments as you responded to the decisions of the Nigerian National Assembly.

"The comments communicate an outstanding act of statesmanship that I am convinced must and will inspire all Nigerians, our own people, and our brothers and sisters in the rest of our continent, as we all strive to empower the masses of our peoples democratically to participate in their own systems of governance."

Obasanjo should rise above the pettiness of the gloating going on right now. He should do his best, in consultation with the real powers that be, to ensure that he does not hand over power to another Shehu Shagari, who will govern so poorly that the military will return and keep Nigeria in a vicious circle of political and economic instability. This is the only way the gains of the past 7 years, his legacy, can be preserved.