Iwu has gone mad
By Dr. Phil Tam-Al Alalibo

June 28, 2007

It appears INEC Chairman, the professor of Pharmacy, Maurice Iwu, has fallen off the deep end with seemingly no respite in sight for this unrepentant Chairman who presided over the worst elections the world has seen. Effectively, he must have gone mad, stricken by the same debilitating ailment that has since consumed many in the polity, including his former boss, Obasanjo

In a recent interview in Owerri, the Imo State capital, reported in The Sun online publication of June 28, 2007, the aggrieved Chairman lampooned the international observers for reporting flawed polls to the world and then proceeded to call them "conspirators and traitors, anti-democratic elements" who did not wish Nigeria well. He noted that these parties are disappointed because their dooms-day prediction for Nigeria did not come to pass; therefore, they have resorted to other tactics to smear the good image of the country and upstage the fine work of INEC in the last election. 

All these utterly contemptible pronouncements were made against the backdrop of the recent announcement by the United States government that it is suspending electoral aid to the country in light of the findings of the international observers. Iwu, in his vexed disposition generously downloaded his raging venom on the said observers – his words once again, "they are conspirators, they do not mean well for us". Fuming, still, he further noted, "I also would not comment yet on the so-called foreign observers. When the truth is told, you will then know that they are foreign conspirators and we will be able to say what happened."

But Iwu has failed to understand that the truth has already been told and indeed, has since gone into the annals of electoral history. Where was he when the world was witnessing the truth? Was he busy rigging the elections that he did not notice when the truth was being told? What truth then was he referring to that we have not heard; the truth that he rigged the elections to usher in PDP candidates? The truth that, in fact, no election took place in the country on April 14 and 21, respectively? The truth that he disqualified able candidates to pave the way for his chosen candidates to prevail in the sheer rubbish he called an election as evidenced in Anambra? What truth was Iwu referring to that would be told at the appropriate time?

And if we may be so bold to ask, what time could be more appropriate to tell that "truth" than now with the ire and condemnation of the international community still simmering? It ought to be clear to all and sundry that the true conspirators and traitors are not the foreign observers, but Iwu and his gang of hoodlums whose incredulous actions have made the country to become the laughing stock of the world. Effectively, Iwu, rather than being the conduit of good fortunes, has instead occasioned an inordinate amount of opprobrium on a country that is ever reeling in the corridors of contumely with the likes of Iwu in positions of authority.

What shall Iwu say about the recent Supreme Court decision that humiliated Mr. Andy Uba, the declared “winner” by INEC in the Anambra governorship election? What implications for his integrity as the chief election officer? Here was a situation where Iwu, for good measure, allotted more votes to Uba than were actually cast on April 14. The mathematicians in our midst would agree that this is not theoretically possible, but Iwu, in his rush to consummate his illegality without regards to the facts betrayed his sinful and dubious intentions.  

Nigerians continue to wonder why the likes of Iwu are still walking free when they should have been soundly arrested to answer charges of criminality and gross negligence of duty owing to the last election. Here is a perfect example that education, in Nigeria , at least, means nothing when it comes to national development. The so-called educated class appears to be the guiltiest in the realms of crimes and corruption and Iwu, the Bradford University Ph.D. holder presents a good example.

Entrusted with the enormous responsibility of ensuring a credible election that would cast Nigeria, the world's fifth largest democracy, as a bastion of democracy and hope, entrusted with a unique challenge of remaking Nigeria and giving hope of a truly new beginning, saddled with a great opportunity to repackage the country anew and enhance his own stock as a true statesman, Iwu, rather than standing tall, claiming the high ground and imprinting his name in the history books, decided instead to dine with the devil and walk the inglorious path of corruption, greed and avarice, of distortion, lies and deceit.

Indeed, Iwu does not have the moral authority or capital to mount the pulpit of admonition when he has orchestrated irreparable damage on the country. With a failed image around the world, a professor of his high standing, at least as claimed, did not have the commonsense to capitalize on the golden opportunity to rescue the country; he did not have the commonsense to resist corruption and financial inducement to steer the country aright. At last, we come to realize that Iwu is just as corrupt and dubious as they come, professorship, Ph.D. and all the accolades, irrespective. The evidence could not be far-fetched.

Even as he basks shamelessly in a cesspool of defiance, spitting invective with vituperation as his cherished anthem, serious doubts remain about his educational qualifications that have recently come under the searching light of a pair of investigators alleging that he gained admission into Bradford University in the UK with his brother's first degree from Cameroon. While Iwu has denied that he schooled in Cameroon , Bradford University , with nothing to gain or lose in this matter, has since corroborated the account of the two courageous reporters that first broke the news.

In the face of this, one would expect Iwu (and in fact, any sensible individual) to apologize to Nigerians for his fraudulent indulgences, resign and pray for forgiveness. But Iwu, the master of the game, the ultimate rigger of the century, issued an assortment of denials and meaningless retorts. Let us ask- Would Bradford University misrepresent the facts? Would it state that he gained admission with a first degree from Cameroon if, indeed, he did not? Let us note well that Iwu has since gone silent on the matter in the face of overwhelming evidence and has missed countless opportunities to confront his accusers and set the record right. Such is the character of the man entrusted to ensure fairness and equity in the issuance of political mandate; deficient and inept as they come, calling others "conspirators and traitors". Indeed, my friends, Iwu has gone mad.

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Author can be reached at alalibo@gmail.com. Article also published on http://www.newnigerianpolitics.com

Robot  Villager

# 1 var sbtitle6379=encodeURIComponent(Iwu has gon...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 28.06.2007 23:02

gwobezentashi  Villager

# 2 Observers on 2007 elections Posted to the Web: Friday, June 29, 2007 Apart from the outcry by opposition party leaders, international and local observers and monitors made scathing remarks on the elections. Here are some of the observations. Transition Monitoring Group The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), with 50,000 Nigerian observers on the ground, called for the polls to be cancelled. TMG head, Innocent Chukwuma said the irregularities were so numerous and so far-reaching that “the election was a charade and did not meet the standards required for democratic elections.” “Our monitors throughout the country... documented numerous lapses, irregularities and electoral malpractice that characterised the election in many states,” he said. “We, therefore, reject it and call for its cancellation,” he said, calling for a re-run within three months. The electoral commission (INEC) “failed woefully in their responsibility to conduct free, fair and credible elections,” he said. “We call on the international community not to recognise these discredited elections and not to confer legitimacy on any government that emerges therefrom.” European Union The European Union, who had 150 observers monitoring Nigeria’s presidential and parliamentary elections, said the polls “have fallen far short of basic international and regional standards for democratic elections and... cannot be considered to have been credible.” In a statement, they also said there were credible reports indicating at least 200 were killed - including voters, police and candidates - in both the state and national elections. The head of the European Union monitoring team, Max van den Berg, told the BBC it was one of the worst elections that the EU had observed. “I can compare it of course with 2003, when I was the chief observer, and I had expected, really, after that very disappointing election, that we would see now something better. But we have not seen that, and the credibility is not there. “The whole thing was not at all living up to the hopes of the Nigerian people, chaotic, and I would say it left them behind, demoralised. “EU observers witnessed examples of ballot box stuffing, alteration of official result forms, stealing of sensitive polling materials, vote buying and underage voting,” he said. Commonwealth observer group The Commonwealth group of 17 observers talked of significant shortcomings but said they had been an improvement on the state polls a week before. “The deferred polling hours posed a challenge... in so far as the count was concerned. Darkness fell while counting was still in progress and no provision had been made to provide artificial lighting for such a contingency,” the statement continued. Team leader, Joseph Warioba said contestants generally enjoyed freedom of assembly, movement and expression. “We got reports that in several places, the delay was there. The polls were supposed to open at 10 o’clock but we got reports in certain places they opened at one, at three and some at five or later. “What we have received is not widespread. Stuffing was reported in one area, pre-marked papers in one area. So we cannot take that as general, but it is a shortcoming. I’m waiting until I have all the facts before I make an assessment.” International Republican Institute The US-based International Republican Institute with 59 observers said the entire electoral process had failed to meet international standards. “Nigeria’s election process, which we recognise is still continuing and thus far incomplete, falls below the standards which Nigeria itself has set in previous elections and also falls below international standards, witnessed by IRI and members of this delegation throughout the world, “ said the IRI. “Neither the spirit of Nigerians who went to the polls to cast their ballots nor the dedication of the thousands of poll workers struggling to execute their responsibilities in polling stations throughout the country were matched by their leaders.” It said it observed “underage voting, voter registration list errors, stuffed ballot boxes, group voting, party observers and police instructing individuals on who to vote for, lack of privacy for voting, lack of result sheets and other materials, falsified result sheets, and early closings.” Joint Action Forum The local Nigerian Joint Action Forum, comprising 50 civil society organisations, wants a re-run of the elections. “An appraisal of the electoral process reveals an INEC that is not only partisan in siding with the ruling PDP but is generally unprepared for the elections. “Worst of all is the presidential poll held yesterday that is marred by voters’ apathy as a result of INEC failing to hold as scheduled the Presidential and National Assembly elections in some parts of the country. States such as Anambra, Imo and Plateau dispatched election materials at about 6pm when voting ought to have been concluded an hour earlier.” Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) An ECOWAS observer described the polls as “fairly acceptable” rather than “free and fair.” “National Assembly elections didn’t hold in some constituencies in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Rivers and several other places because of lack of ballots while in Kano, presidential ballot was missing. “Despite all the failings by INEC at all stages of the electoral process, we commend the resilience and commitment of Nigerians to vote and ensure that their votes count.” National Democratic Institute (NDI) With 61 monitors deployed in 14 states, the National Democratic Institute says the “electoral process has failed the Nigerian people.” “In many places and in a number of ways, the electoral process failed the Nigerian people. The cumulative effect of the serious problems the delegation witnessed substantially compromised the integrity of the electoral process. As a result, at this stage, it is unclear whether the April 21 elections reflect the will of the Nigerian people. “A major problem that marred this stage of the electoral process was that polling stations in many states opened hours late, closed early or failed to open at all. This represented a fundamental barrier to popular political participation and most likely disenfranchised many prospective voters. “Regrettably, the 2007 polls represent a step backward in the conduct of elections in Nigeria. At the same time, there are positive trends in the country’s democratisation process that give rise to hope. “The serious flaws witnessed during this electoral process threaten to further erode citizens' confidence in the country’s democratic institutions.” http://www.vanguardngr.com/articles/2002/politics/june07/29062007/p329062007.html All these people conspiring against Iwu and Nigeria? Why don't we believe Iwu? Could it be because we all saw what happened and can see that Iwu is a LIAR? Aluta! Gwobezentashi Posted by gwobezentashi| 29.06.2007 03:07

nigeria we hail thee!  Villager

# 3 Yes all those monitors both the foreign and Nigerian-based are traitors and conspirators. Even president Yar Adua that was honest enough to own up that the election was marred is also the worst traitor and conspirator. May be Iwu will tell us what he knew in his next world. Imo state is a classic example of the charade called an election. The first gubernatorial election was cancelled because according to Iwu and his cohorts, there was violence in some local government areas. Let's assume this was true, why cancel the gubernatorial election while allowing the state house of assembly election that was held the same place and time to be valid??? Do we need the supreme court to tell us that this was an anomaly? In Anambra state, in their haste to make their man governor, INEC threw caution to the wind and awarded 'Dr' Andy more vote than the registered electorate. I have no doubt that Yar Adua stood a chance of winning the last (s)election if not for his endorsement and association with the PDP. Again, why 'allocate' 70% of the vote to Yar Adua where he needed say 55% to be a winner. Why make it too glaring? That is why i like Oyibo people, even if they wan do something, them go arrange am well well so that you go fit find out unlike our own wey we go do am anyhow because nothing go happen. Na waa o o o! Posted by nigeria we hail thee!| 29.06.2007 04:35

Odinaka  Villager

# 4 Iwuwuruwuru is hallucinating. He is deeply troubled by his conscience and is deperately trying to fill an emptiness created by his actions which robbed 140 million people of their right. He is unsuccessfully trying to fill the self-inflicted void, a vacuum that will ever torment his soul until the day he owns up to his sin. He is afraid of the damning judgement that this generation and posterity have already passed on him. He is a pitiable, miserable and wretched fellow. Posted by Odinaka| 29.06.2007 05:16

planet1899  Villager

# 5 Iwu has truly gone mad and should be consigned to a mental institution. Posted by planet1899| 29.06.2007 07:23

igwe  Villager

# 6 A pathological liar like Iwu is sick precisely because s/he believes his/her own lies. IWU NEEDS PROFESSIONAL HELP TO CURE HIM OF HIS SICKNESS. Too bad that was the man OBJ and Uba foisted on Nigerians. But like the old saying goes, show me your friend... Posted by igwe| 29.06.2007 11:10

planet1899  Villager

# 7 Igwe, I like that, that is why you are the Igwe. Posted by planet1899| 29.06.2007 11:27

panalyst  Villager

# 8 I actually heard from reliable sources, IWU's brother has been made secretary to the imo state government. Please can soemone confirm if Iwu's brotherholds a post in IMO. i know the same brother was former deputy chairman Imo State PDP. Posted by panalyst| 29.06.2007 11:43

peterclaver2006  Villager

# 9 I wonder why some Nigerians are still taking an obvious fraudster like Iwu serious. Is anybody still falling to the antics of that shameless racketeer and dirty pig that can kill his mother for money? The wonder is why an 'honest' Yar'Adua is still retaining such serial dupes and still talking about integrity. Iwu is in chains and he has written his name in muds and this will live with him for the rest of his life, his attempt at half-clever pranks notwithstanding. Posted by peterclaver2006| 29.06.2007 13:34

gwappa  Villager

# 10 When One Person Thinks That Everybody Is Mad ,it Is Right Time To Take Him To Manicomio. Posted by gwappa| 29.06.2007 13:44

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