The Kidnap of Umaru Dikko: The Full Story (part 1)

...Read the full article.

[aguabata]

Nice one,we are waiting for more, Did Abacha remember his coup speech and how miffed he was about corruption? I beleve when you get into power in Nigeria and you are incharge of weak institutions you dont even know when you become corrupt and unfair .but please bring more facts on Dikko's corrupt dealings.

[akuluouno]

This is Nigerian history according to Max Siollun or at best a verse on the raping of Nigeria by Umaru Dikko. We wait for the next chapters. EFCC over to you since the maincharater is still alive and corruption in law has no cloture

[Palamedes]

What? Umaru Dikko, an embezzler, thief and corrupt politician? Not so, says former President Shehu Shagari: In one interview Shehu Shagari gave, he claimed that Umaru is a pauper and here is a portion of the interview:

“President Shagari:...Umaru is very harmless. Umaru, for those who were in my government know that there are many things which happened during that period that Umaru had no idea about... But he is the type of person who likes to talk all the time and defend the government even when it is not necessary. So it is the manner he speaks or acts that some people don't like but he is a very good man. All the rubbish they wrote about him that he stole billions of Naira people can now see were false. Umaru is not a person like that, go and find out about him, he is more or less a pauper because money did not mean anything to him "

At an advanced age, elder statesman status and very religious, one would expect former President Shehu Shagari to have come clean on Dikko, but what does he do? He continues to defend his brother in law. It seems that in Shehu Shagari's world, family comes before country.

[gwobezentashi]

Originally Posted by akuluouno

This is Nigerian history according to Max Siollun or at best a verse on the raping of Nigeria by Umaru Dikko. We wait for the next chapters. EFCC over to you since the maincharater is still alive and corruption in law has no cloture

After you have finished shedding crocodile tears for Maurice Iwu, the original fraudster and magician ko?

G

[akuluouno]

Dear GZT,

Shagari was indeed right in saying that UD was not corrupt especially when regimes after his displayed superlative sagacity in terms of the quantum of loot in the corruption game. Let me oncemore repeat that I am not a fan of Iwu. If the man was found corrupt let him face the EFCC.
I am also against the zoning of corruption as displayed by the half naked ladies in Kaduna recently. I have also advocated that the fight go beyond economic and financial crimes to nepotism, zonalism, rigging of elections etc etc. Non fiscal corruption like nepotism, zonalism and electoral rigging do much more lasting damage to the fabric of society than a one off light fingering of say one billion dollars from our commonwealth. Like the peace of a false god, the evils of non-fiscal corruption endures forever. Also like the wisdom of same god, it defies all understanding

[Onari]

How I wish Abacha, Babaginga and co were caged during the Buhari regime and Nigeria by now could have turned the corner!

[Palamedes]

@akuluouno

Shagari was indeed right in saying that UD was not corrupt especially when regimes after his displayed superlative sagacity in terms of the quantum of loot in the corruption game. Let me oncemore repeat that I am not a fan of Iwu. If the man was found corrupt let him face the EFCC.

Madam, (I hope you are seated) I have followed your commentaries on NVS for some time now, and I have detected in your commentaries (past and present) a pattern, used all too often, as the highlight in the above quote shows. With great respect, I have noticed your penchant and frequency of citing “other cases” to belittle the impact of any serious level of corruption being discussed. And yet, if one were a lawyer, in a court of law, one who dare not plead one's case on account of other cases that have not being brought to the notice of the courts yet.

It doesn't make sense (at least, to me) to read argument that says a man who had stolen over $7bn (1999 estimates) is not corrupt because there are people more corrupt than he is or (another of your line of argument) that other people more corrupt be brought to justice before we trouble the man.

Madam, if one might borrow your line of argument, one might argue and even demand that all Nigerian prisons be emptied of prisoners because there are far more dangerous and corrupt people outside the prisons that have not being brought to justice yet.

Just to let you know, madam, that I can't take it (your argument) any more; consequently, I had to forced myself to say something about it.

[Son of the Delta]

Nigeria is a very strange entity! The same Umaru Dikko was preaching accountability to the N-Delta.

Wonders will never end!

[aguabata]

Dear Onari

if Babangida, abacha and co were caged, there are at least 100,000 nigerians willing to take their place in our political history and they could have possibly been worse.

[Palamedes]

@aguabata

if Babangida, abacha and co were caged, there are at least 100,000 nigerians willing to take their place in our political history and they could have possibly been worse.

What is the point you are making?

[Onari]

Originally Posted by aguabata

Dear Onari

if Babangida, abacha and co were caged, there are at least 100,000 nigerians willing to take their place in our political history and they could have possibly been worse.

Dear Aguabata,

If you remember Ghana in the 80's and now you will understand that Nigeria could have been a better place today. I know in this forum many will never agree with me, but the truth is that the Government headed by Buhari were no jokers, the follow through everything the told Nigerians with conviction...no matter how bad the laws and degrees were then, they were not afraid to follow it to the letter.

The compromises made by all manner of leaders in Nigeria is the cumulative result of failures we have today as a nation, the regime of Buhari never compromised, they did not mince words or tell lies to Nigerians on what they expect from them. From day one they told Nigerians that business as usual is gone forever and was followed through.

Can I trace back those that were jailed....from Tunde Thompson to Owolabi(one of the three drug peddlers) to Fela for having more than 500 pounds on a trip back from abroad...in as much I do not advocate or support death penalty but that was the law then. The laws were straight forward and unambiguous. The implementation were impartial and touches both the poor and the rich(the rich most affected). The right people to me were in jail then than is obtained today.

Then IBB and co sponsored by MKO, came with their deceitful act and over throw them. The noose was closing on IBB for illegalities and his coup was a personal agenda to protect his a**. Of course MKO's business under Buhari was in trouble, so he co sponsored the coup to protect his wealth. Unfortunately, the people who he connived with to milk Nigeria dry are the same people who put him in arms way and eventually he died on their watch....may his Soul rest in Peace! The missteps of IBB produced Abacha, Shonekan, Abubakar, OBJ and now UMYA...


The politicians were not spared either...those that were supposed to serve a life time were released by IBB and today many of them are back to the field as elders and God fathers of political leaders. So if Nigerians are surprised by the quality of their political leadership we have today, then we should retrace back to the politicians of the 70's and 80's...

The only person that was not found wanting among the governors then was Chief Jakende and Nigerians understand why.

I know some Nigerians will bring up 53 suit cases...Buhari answered that question by saying that Nigerians should ask Atiku because he was the Director of Customs then at the Lagos airport. My take here is that I will prefer an honest man who will tell Nigerians the truth and follow through than leaders who say one thing and do another thing.

Agreed Buhari Government made mistakes, but those mistakes were honest mistakes to salvage the country. To me the standard set in Buhari's government is the minimum standard for Nigeria to make it through as a Nation.

What Buhari talked about , fought for and practiced with conviction 23 years ago - indiscipline, tribalism, nepotism and corruption remain the albatross stunting our progress as a country today.

[Metternich]

Originally Posted by Onari

Dear Aguabata,

Agreed Buhari Government made mistakes, but those mistakes were honest mistakes to salvage the country. To me the standard set in Buhari's government is the minimum standard for Nigeria to make it through as a Nation.
What Buhari talked about , fought for and practiced with conviction 23 years ago - indiscipline, tribalism, nepotism and corruption remain the albatross stunting our progress as a country today.

Excellent !!! I always always regarded the removel of that regime as one of the lowest points of our nation.

[VOR]

You are all living witnesses to the great economic predicament and uncertainty, which an inept and corrupt leadership has imposed on our beloved nation for the past four years. I am referring to the harsh, intolerable conditions under which we are now living. Our economy has been hopelessly mismanaged. We have become a debtor and beggar nation. There is inadequacy of food at reasonable prices for our people who are now fed up with endless announcements of importation of foodstuffs. Health services are in shambles as our hospitals are reduced to mere consulting clinics without drugs, water and equipment. Our educational system is deteriorating at an alarming rate. Unemployment figures including the undergraduates have reached embarrassing and unacceptable proportions. In some states, workers are being owed salary arrears of eight to twelve months and in others there are threats of salary cuts. Yet our leaders revel in squandermania, corruption and indiscipline, and continue to proliferate public appointments in complete disregard of our stark economic realities.

And much has really changed hasn't it. The duo of Abacha and IBB with their respective administrations made the above seem like a sunday picnic for Nigerians. If only they had left Nigeria alone!!!! we probably would have gotten somewhere with our democracy or developed our own form.

I remember some Nigerians cheering then, if only they knew!!!

[maxsiollun]

I argued the virtues of Buhari's regime in a previous article: http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/...-for-ni-3.html

For all his supposed "high handedness", was fighting corruption such an evil thing for him to do?

Originally Posted by Onari

Dear Aguabata,

If you remember Ghana in the 80's and now you will understand that Nigeria could have been a better place today. I know in this forum many will never agree with me, but the truth is that the Government headed by Buhari were no jokers, the follow through everything the told Nigerians with conviction...no matter how bad the laws and degrees were then, they were not afraid to follow it to the letter.

The compromises made by all manner of leaders in Nigeria is the cumulative result of failures we have today as a nation, the regime of Buhari never compromised, they did not mince words or tell lies to Nigerians on what they expect from them. From day one they told Nigerians that business as usual is gone forever and was followed through.

Can I trace back those that were jailed....from Tunde Thompson to Owolabi(one of the three drug peddlers) to Fela for having more than 500 pounds on a trip back from abroad...in as much I do not advocate or support death penalty but that was the law then. The laws were straight forward and unambiguous. The implementation were impartial and touches both the poor and the rich(the rich most affected). The right people to me were in jail then than is obtained today.

Then IBB and co sponsored by MKO, came with their deceitful act and over throw them. The noose was closing on IBB for illegalities and his coup was a personal agenda to protect his a**. Of course MKO's business under Buhari was in trouble, so he co sponsored the coup to protect his wealth. Unfortunately, the people who he connived with to milk Nigeria dry are the same people who put him in arms way and eventually he died on their watch....may his Soul rest in Peace! The missteps of IBB produced Abacha, Shonekan, Abubakar, OBJ and now UMYA...


The politicians were not spared either...those that were supposed to serve a life time were released by IBB and today many of them are back to the field as elders and God fathers of political leaders. So if Nigerians are surprised by the quality of their political leadership we have today, then we should retrace back to the politicians of the 70's and 80's...

The only person that was not found wanting among the governors then was Chief Jakende and Nigerians understand why.

I know some Nigerians will bring up 53 suit cases...Buhari answered that question by saying that Nigerians should ask Atiku because he was the Director of Customs then at the Lagos airport. My take here is that I will prefer an honest man who will tell Nigerians the truth and follow through than leaders who say one thing and do another thing.

Agreed Buhari Government made mistakes, but those mistakes were honest mistakes to salvage the country. To me the standard set in Buhari's government is the minimum standard for Nigeria to make it through as a Nation.

What Buhari talked about , fought for and practiced with conviction 23 years ago - indiscipline, tribalism, nepotism and corruption remain the albatross stunting our progress as a country today.

[M. Akosa]

To Onari:

Thank you so much. You said it all. The parasites killing Nigeria, nepotism, corruption, zonalism, tribalism, ...... are the very things that Buhari / Idiagbon stood to eradicate and fight for in Nigeria, but unfortunately they had to be reminded that the "how is more important than the what"

The means they imposed and obtained control over Nigeria, worked against them. They were after all soilders, whose main job description is to fight and protect the nation, and not to govern or meddle with politics.
They had no right whatsoever, no matter the corruption, to impose themselves on Nigeria, by millitary coup, violence or no violence.
Bad luck their parents did not channel them to other suited careers, to better legitmately intervene in the political matters of our country.

[truthsayer33]

Buhari and Idiagbon locked up crooks and executed armed robbers and drug merchants.
Now looters and fraudsters run the country and armed robbers run the police force.

[jhydo]

Like a lot of us that have read and most probably lived in that country in that era (70's - 90's) of 'Madness' that some might be brave enough to ascribe "Nation Building", I applaud the effort. I solemnly await part two of this very informative writing. My hope is if there exists a messiah amongst us who reads from this watering-hole please arise and make yourself known. Nigeria needs deliverance.

[JAGA-JAGA]

An interesting history of some key coups that happened in Nigeria's yesteryears.

Indeed, I will say without any atom of contradiction that had Buhari/Idiagbon's regime lasted for four years , Nigeria would have been better than Gahna today. This did not happen as hoped because the gap toothed general(IBB) supported by the Nigerian mass media were out to ensure that the regime was discredited in all aspects of their adminstration.

That regime gave Nigerians hope and pride and it was the first time that expatriates working within the country showed some respect to Nigerians and our laws. This same government was the only government that has ruled Nigeria to date, that gave account of the amount of money paid monthly to pay and service our external debt incurred by the civilian administration. Infact every month, there is always a press/media presentation by late Tunde Idiagbon on how much the country was owing and how much has been paid on the external debt. You will be able to track the progress made by the counrty in all key aspects of the economy which requires public attention.

But the press says they were high-handed and the regime was villified, so they rejoiced when the gap toothed general came in with his freedom of the press and the rest as they say is now history. Yet the Nigeria press lost one of their very best during IBB's regime.

[Onari]

Originally Posted by M. Akosa

To Onari:

Thank you so much. You said it all. The parasites killing Nigeria, nepotism, corruption, zonalism, tribalism, ...... are the very things that Buhari / Idiagbon stood to eradicate and fight for in Nigeria, but unfortunately they had to be reminded that the "how is more important than the what"

The means they imposed and obtained control over Nigeria, worked against them. They were after all soilders, whose main job description is to fight and protect the nation, and not to govern or meddle with politics.
They had no right whatsoever, no matter the corruption, to impose themselves on Nigeria, by millitary coup, violence or no violence.
Bad luck their parents did not channel them to other suited careers, to better legitmately intervene in the political matters of our country.

Akosa,

Thanks. I will say here that the method in which they came into power to me is a different debate altogether and in due time hopefully all of us here in village will discuss it.


Anyway, members of the honorable village, man must wack now; Happy New Year!