Nigeria Is Not Working – Time To Call A Vote Of No Confidence

[Robot]

This is likely to be my shortest article ever because I am at a loss for words. As the Igbo people say, proverbs are the palm oil with which we eat yam, but no proverbs will suffice to describe the situation in Nigeria today whilst the yam (issues) are bountiful. I will not attempt to rehash the shenanigans of democracy that has brought us to this point; neither will I attempt to catalogue the odious amount of perfidy and corruption wafting across the land. Shamelessly, I have also chosen to ignore putting names to those I think are guilty of bringing us to the brink of the abyss. Rather, I will focus on the effects of what we had, have and will continue to have, until we call a spade what it truly is; a metal and wooden implement designed for digging or removing soil called spade. In short, I will adumbrate reasons why I think the country, Nigeria, is not working and why we have to call of vote of no confidence now; on the rulers; not the country! Hu...Read the full article.

[Danmeka]

Brother Kay you are right and thank for this piece.The Yar'Adua Government or rascals in power shows the damage done to the psyche of a nation in every facet of life.The Niger Delta trend is becoming very obvious and a national problem.President Yar'Adua statement that the over N200 billion owed the Niger Delta Development, NDDC, be forgotten and written off as bad debt is in bad faith. Haba! For a President who cherishes the rule of law, such statement is utterly indefensible, morally grotesque and politically abominable.

The leaders and so called South South leaders(E K Clark et al) have failed the people. Instead of coming together to fight the ruling Elite Buccaneers they are busy jostling for position to enrich their pockets, this situation was created and sponsored by fabrications by the politicians and the military.More so those who sat on billions of dollars without delivering expected democracy dividends are roaming the streets unmolested.

[valteena]

But I would like to believe that there is just one decent human being in the legislature who would move the motion of no confidence in the government at the centre in the face of these glaring unwillingness, inability and ineptitude. However, in the absence of any decent man or woman in the legislature to call a halt to these needless drift of the state of affairs, the opposition parties should make the clarion call for the government to call for new elections or force an impeachment motion. In the event that these men and women are unwilling and or unable to do this, then I make bold to state that the Nigerian public should take to the streets now demanding an end to the carnage in the Niger Delta area as well as an end to this visionless, morally corrupt and bankrupt government.

Enough is enough, Yar ‘Adua, we no longer have confidence in your (in)ability to lead this country. Please resign now before you fail us any further and shed further innocent blood

Kay did I hear you say a legislator should move a motion of no confidence on the government? or that Yar'Adua should resign? You're kidding right?. If you're not then all I can say is dream on lol.

As for the public taking to the street, such action are most often not by happenstance you know. There has to be someone or group of people to mobilise the public to such action or the citizens pushed to a point of no return. And I don't think we've gotten there yet(I mean the point of no return). I don't know if enough is enough for us in Naija yet. I think if we have, no one will prod us to act.

[ifeolooni]

can the editor make this site more user friendly pls,just 9 comments and you divert people to the forum,pls let the page atleast take more comments.it can be done, and then a link to further comment should be provided on the same page
thanks

[Akpu-Nku]

This is likely to be my shortest article ever because I am at a loss for words. As the Igbo people say, proverbs are the palm oil with which we eat yam, but no proverbs will suffice to describe the situation in Nigeria today whilst the yam (issues) are boun - Kay

Kay

You have written a very good article thank you. Which is why I wish to welcome you as a tittled man by completing your Igbo proverb by saying; proverb as the Igbo would say is the palm oil with which words are eaten. You have spoken well. Ise.

[Igboamaeze]

Kay did I hear you say a legislator should move a motion of no confidence on the government? or that Yar'Adua should resign? You're kidding right?. If you're not then all I can say is dream on lol.

As for the public taking to the street, such action are most often not by happenstance you know. There has to be someone or group of people to mobilise the public to such action or the citizens pushed to a point of no return. And I don't think we've gotten there yet(I mean the point of no return). I don't know if enough is enough for us in Naija yet. I think if we have, no one will prod us to act.

---------------------------------------------

I doubt if some people would consider this a compliment but methinks that Mr. Kayode Soyemi, Esq. is a rare Nigerian. What with his many patriotic, even if radical and idealistic views of Nigeria.

Kay, barring a completely unexpected "miraculous miracle", the legistlators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, this Federal Republic of Nigeria that you and I know WILL NEVER EVER dare pass a vote of no confidence on a President from NORTHERN Nigeria. It shall NEVER happen, not even if the President is a known almajiri, so long as he/she is from the North, forget it, Kay.

Kay, Abacha (I hope you still remember him? The dark goggled, reticent ***** that you and I never imagined would ever present himself as president) ruled this country for about five years. How many northerners known to you opposed him? Till today Abacha is a hero in the North. His posters adorn public and private buildings and vehicles.

Kay, the trouble lies in our faulty structure. The North has 20 (+Abuja) States. The South has only 17. In the south, you can distinctly separate the Igbos (South East), the Yorubas (South West) and each ethnic nationality that make up the South-South. As you can see from this board, we southerners are on each other's throat because we know that we are different from one another.

Tell me Kay, what's the difference in tribal terms between North West and North East? Yes, there may be pockets of small ethnic groups in between but they all speak HAUSA. The North Central is slightly different, yet it has a large Hausa/Fulani population. Besides, when it comes to National politics, the North is one.

Kay, the result is that, in the Senate for instance you have 39 Senators from the core Northern (Hausa/Fulani) Zones of North East and West plus 19 other Senators from North Central and FCT. That comes to 58. Down south, you have 18 Yoruba Senators, 15 Igbo Senators and another 18 Senators of the rainbow nation called South-South.

Kay take a look at the "maths", it is an impossible task to expect the Senate, as it is, to even consider passing a vote of no confidence against a northern president. Kay, recall how many times Obasanjo was threatened (and rightly so, in my humble view) with impeachment. Have you ever heard anyone mention impeachment at the centre since May, 29 2007?

Kay, do not get me wrong. I understand your pains. Personally, I have nothing against Mr. President nor with any section. Come to think of it, what was our alternative in 2007? Buhari? Atiku? Who? (Pat Utomi stood no chance under the present arrangement).

Kay, this is why those of you who are mistaking that Nuhu Ribadu was/would be different are not facing reality. Kay, I have close friends from accross this nation. Good, close friends. A northerner told me that no one can ever think of impeaching Yar'dua. Kay, he was right. Kay Ribadu and everyone in his extended household are part and parcel of this government. Kay, Ribadu's family members and very, very close friends are in highly placed positions in juicy/choice agencies of this government where they enjoy all the good things of life at our expense. Kay, neither Ribadu nor his friends and family in or out of government can join you in bringing disequilibrum to this their empire. Kay, forget. It cannot happen.

Kay (and Valteena), that is why there can NEVER be a mass protest or action in the real sense of it in this country; even though enough is more than enough. Kay, the Hausa/Fulani will NEVER join a Yoruba or Igbo man to protest against a government led by an Hausa/Fulani. Yes, the Yorubas critised Obasanjo then, just like a few Hausa/Fulani/Northern people are critising Yar'dua now. But truth is that a vast majority of Yorubas would never support an anti-Obasanjo protest that was likely to unseat him. Ditto, and even more so, for the North and Yar'dua.

Kay, all the corruption, bad leadership, election rigging, injustices, name them; are there because the system is so corruptly structured that you cannot change it without first destroying it.

Kay, even you will not like to go that far...

Note:
***I did not read the article. Based my views on the comments.

[Solid]

Vote of no confidence is long overdue. The same reason leads them to rig elections. If competent candidates are allowed to head the country, people such as Yar 'Dua will not come anywhere close to heading a nation, and if they do, much greater training and inculturation would've taken place before taking office.

Thanks,

SOLID

[PAPIG]

GOODLUCK JONATHAN: NOT REPRESENTATIVE OF NIGER DELTA

Let it be said for the record that Dr Goodluck Jonathan has NEVER BEEN and WILL NEVER BE a representative of the good people of NIGER DELTA. He remains a stooge of a thieving cabal otherwise called the PDP.
He never got any mandate from the Niger Delta people just like his boss Yar'Adua got no mandate of the Nigerian people.

They have chosen to declare WAR ON THE PEOPLE OF NIGER DELTA and BROADEN THE THEATRE OF WAR. They have obviously taken cue from the ongoing annihilation of the TAMILS by a not dissimilar, heavily corrupt and militarised, government of SRI LANKA. They are backed by an International Community whose only interest is access to cheap OIL. The people are considered expendable in this bid. Obama is a good man but America COMES FIRST FOR HIM, and rightly so.

Every disappointment, it is said, may be a blessing in disguise. This is an opportunity of the good people of the NIGER DELTA TO UNITE AND DEFEND THEMSELVES. It must begin by understanding that the International Community will never be allies of the people just like they did to the liberation fighters in APARTHEID SOUTH AFRICA. Remember the ANC was considered a TERRORIST ORGANISATION until it became inevitable that freedom would triumph.

The good people of the NIGER DELTA must rid themselves of thieving politicians and criminal militants. The Niger deltans who desecrate the JUST CAUSE OF THE PEOPLE, like GOODLUCK JONATHAN and THIEVING MILITANTS are worse than the OPPRESSORS. These people must be NEUTRALISED TO FACILITATE A REAL UNITY OF THE OPPRESSED PEOPLE.

The people MUST ENSURE THEY ARE NOT DRIVEN TO THE ATLANTIC AND WIPED OUT as seen in the case of the TAMILS. They MUST PURSUE ALL OPTIONS TO GET TO THEIR DESTINATION AND SIMULTANEOUSLY TOO.

The international community NEVER LET THE IRA, ETA etc to be WIPED OUT BUT THEY TAKE A DIFFERENT STAND WHEN IT INVOLVES PALESTINIANS, TAMILS OR THE NIGER DELTANS OF NIGERIA.

IF THE OIL CANNOT BENEFIT THE INDIGENOUS POPULATION, IT IS NO BRAINER TO THINK IT SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO BENEFIT OTHERS.

THE NIGER DELTANS CANNOT AFFORD NOT TO BE SMART. THE SPIRIT OF ADAKA BORO IS ALIVE AND KICKING! VICTORY FOR THE PEOPLE IS A SURE CERTAINTY INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY OR NOT!!

[i-go-better]

Why is Nigeria CURSED in terms of LEADERSHIP?

Just take a good look at these characters:

1.Shehu Shagari

2.Sani Abacha

3.O. Obasanjo

4.Shehu Yaradua

I have deliberately left out I.B. Babangida because, no matter his criminal records, he has the presidential carriage, the presidential smile, the presidential aura, presidential compassion and the presidential charisma that is completely absent in all the four above.

Compare the four above with the four that did not last; T. Balewa, J.T.U. Aguiyi-Ironsi, Murtala Mohammed, M. Buhari. You can look at any of these four and proudly say, this is my President/Head of State. Even those a step away from being our Prime Minister; O. Awolowo, N. Azikiwi, Saduana of Sokoto and D. Osadebe, you can easily see quality presidential profile in everyone of them.

When Obasanjo left I thought that was goodbye to listening to mentally torturing guttural speech making; then enter Yaradua!

When you listen to other world leaders talking (most recently J. Zuma of South Africa) and then turn the Channel to listen to your own President, you can't help but ask, "why is Nigeria CURSED with poor quality leadership?"

And to think that he is going to "hang in there" for a minimum of 8yrs, whether anybody likes it or not, means that this generation may not be able to finish writing the WILL to hand over to the next generation before the END!

[M. Akosa]

Thank you Kay for this heart touching article.

The plight of the onslaught, heavy bombardment on our innocent brothers and sisters in the Niger Delta is so deplorable and sickening. I would not have imagined that the government of Nigeria will ever again, after the scenarios of the Biafra - Nigeria war, commit genocide again on her own citizens.
Now it is happening all over again, and no one in the International community seems to have a good grasp of what Nigeria is unleashing on her own people.

Yes, I very much agree with what Oga Igboamaeze has written. Nigerians have no alternatives at this present time, for bad leadership and governance.
Is it Atiku or Buhari? Of course Utomi has no chance in hell. Do not expect any good leadership from the Northen Nigeria, they have proven time and time again that they are not capable or competent in managing Nigeria.
The Nigerian masses are so daft and dumb to even understand and hold their leaders to accountability, or to expect their leaders to be responsible. Nigerians up till now are ever ready to be bribed, and offered cups of rice and milk in exchange for their votes.

I am sad, but we still have a long long way to go. Starting with grass root mobilization, awareness and literacy education for all voting Nigerians on the meanings of good governace and leadership.

[PAPIG]

I second the motion that this man must be removed by office by every means possible EXCEPT THROUGH THE NIGERIAN MILITARY. The NIGERIAN MILITARY as constituted MUST BE DISBANDED. THEY ARE IRRELEVANT TO THE PROGRESS OF THE NIGERIAN PEOPLE.

I will quote a line in Eja's byline:

THE LESSER EVIL IS STILL EVIL.

[sagas]

Hello people.Why are we getting sentimental about this issue.Agreed we have problem of leadership in this country but why put the blame squarely on the doorsteps of Northeners.Northerners are not happy with YARADUAS Presidency apart from the embarassment,what has his so called norhern brothers benefitted from his presidency.I am talking of ordinary Northerners.Some northerners will rather have OBJ in position than Yaradua as the guy is so sick he has no time for Nigerians and all he is after is how to get well.Its only natural and thats why I support the call of that impeachment and a call for vote of no confidence.Everybody is tired of the go slow and the corruption is now unleashed completely.
Let us be brotehrs and stop disparaging fellow Nigerians on the basis of ethnic configurations.Have a nice day.
Organise a rally and see if norheners will not support it.

[kundu]

Post#6, Igboamaeze's, is a must read for the factors contributing to Nigeria's comatose situation.

The Nigerian federation which prospered shortly after independence from Britain based on the agreement for independence between its founding fathers was later unjustly restructured in a manner that those from the old Southeast of Nigeria who constitute a sizable proportion of the federation's population and its revenues are left to gnash their teeth.

When a good proportion of the population of its people are grudgingly contributing to nation building how do we expect Nigeria to move forward? The situatiion cannot change even if you bring king Solomon to lead the nation.

Those that milk the nation dry and those that are favoured by the present structure are about to let us believe that the 1999 Constitution is divine and cannot be altered to create a good federal Nigeria. For how long and how far are we expected to go this way? Critics of our ugly situation are still ruled out of favour inspite of the glaring evidence that nearly all is wrong with Nigeria as presently structured.

We need to restructure Nigeria in such a way justice is seen to have been done.
Talk of military take over or impeachment or Ghana's Jerry Rawlings solution may even make matters worse. And who can ever call out Nigerians in their ethnic enclaves to a mass protest? Wishfull thinking!



The time has come for those who have benefited for more than 40 years from the lopsided federal structure to realise that oil revenues are not forever, that a truely federal Nigeria where ptriotism and peace reigns is the panacea to the emergence of good quality leadership and development of every part of Nigeria.

[*Revolution*09]

Hope is here, but are you ready for it!!??
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gi...7084608&ref=ts

[Igboamaeze]

Hope is here, but are you ready for it!!??
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gi...7084608&ref=ts

-----------------
How many mallams have signed your page...?

[*Revolution*09]

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gi...7084608&ref=ts

[Kay Soyemi (Esq.)]

Kay did I hear you say a legislator should move a motion of no confidence on the government? or that Yar'Adua should resign? You're kidding right?. If you're not then all I can say is dream on lol.

As for the public taking to the street, such action are most often not by happenstance you know. There has to be someone or group of people to mobilise the public to such action or the citizens pushed to a point of no return. And I don't think we've gotten there yet(I mean the point of no return). I don't know if enough is enough for us in Naija yet. I think if we have, no one will prod us to act.

valteena,

You heard (or read as the case may be) right. I did ask for those and am not kidding, but I agree with you, these are the stuff of nightmares! Nigeria is one gigantic nightmare as it is and dreams offer but little succour.

Sadly, you are very right, we are not ready to take our destiny in our own hands, but those of us who can cry about it now should keep reminding those who are asleep.

I canonly hope my children would still be alive at that time when Nigerians wake up from this nightmare.

[Kay Soyemi (Esq.)]

---------------------------------------------

I doubt if some people would consider this a compliment but methinks that Mr. Kayode Soyemi, Esq. is a rare Nigerian. What with his many patriotic, even if radical and idealistic views of Nigeria.

Kay, barring a completely unexpected "miraculous miracle", the legistlators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, this Federal Republic of Nigeria that you and I know WILL NEVER EVER dare pass a vote of no confidence on a President from NORTHERN Nigeria. It shall NEVER happen, not even if the President is a known almajiri, so long as he/she is from the North, forget it, Kay.

Kay, Abacha (I hope you still remember him? The dark goggled, reticent ***** that you and I never imagined would ever present himself as president) ruled this country for about five years. How many northerners known to you opposed him? Till today Abacha is a hero in the North. His posters adorn public and private buildings and vehicles.

Kay, the trouble lies in our faulty structure. The North has 20 (+Abuja) States. The South has only 17. In the south, you can distinctly separate the Igbos (South East), the Yorubas (South West) and each ethnic nationality that make up the South-South. As you can see from this board, we southerners are on each other's throat because we know that we are different from one another.

Tell me Kay, what's the difference in tribal terms between North West and North East? Yes, there may be pockets of small ethnic groups in between but they all speak HAUSA. The North Central is slightly different, yet it has a large Hausa/Fulani population. Besides, when it comes to National politics, the North is one.

Kay, the result is that, in the Senate for instance you have 39 Senators from the core Northern (Hausa/Fulani) Zones of North East and West plus 19 other Senators from North Central and FCT. That comes to 58. Down south, you have 18 Yoruba Senators, 15 Igbo Senators and another 18 Senators of the rainbow nation called South-South.

Kay take a look at the "maths", it is an impossible task to expect the Senate, as it is, to even consider passing a vote of no confidence against a northern president. Kay, recall how many times Obasanjo was threatened (and rightly so, in my humble view) with impeachment. Have you ever heard anyone mention impeachment at the centre since May, 29 2007?

Kay, do not get me wrong. I understand your pains. Personally, I have nothing against Mr. President nor with any section. Come to think of it, what was our alternative in 2007? Buhari? Atiku? Who? (Pat Utomi stood no chance under the present arrangement).

Kay, this is why those of you who are mistaking that Nuhu Ribadu was/would be different are not facing reality. Kay, I have close friends from accross this nation. Good, close friends. A northerner told me that no one can ever think of impeaching Yar'dua. Kay, he was right. Kay Ribadu and everyone in his extended household are part and parcel of this government. Kay, Ribadu's family members and very, very close friends are in highly placed positions in juicy/choice agencies of this government where they enjoy all the good things of life at our expense. Kay, neither Ribadu nor his friends and family in or out of government can join you in bringing disequilibrum to this their empire. Kay, forget. It cannot happen.

Kay (and Valteena), that is why there can NEVER be a mass protest or action in the real sense of it in this country; even though enough is more than enough. Kay, the Hausa/Fulani will NEVER join a Yoruba or Igbo man to protest against a government led by an Hausa/Fulani. Yes, the Yorubas critised Obasanjo then, just like a few Hausa/Fulani/Northern people are critising Yar'dua now. But truth is that a vast majority of Yorubas would never support an anti-Obasanjo protest that was likely to unseat him. Ditto, and even more so, for the North and Yar'dua.

Kay, all the corruption, bad leadership, election rigging, injustices, name them; are there because the system is so corruptly structured that you cannot change it without first destroying it.

Kay, even you will not like to go that far...

Note:
***I did not read the article. Based my views on the comments.

Igboamaeze,

You have spoken very eloquently and very well, too.

Sadly, for Nigeria, much of what you said is also true "even 'I' will not go that far", but if "that far" means the system that has led us to this impasse, then I say let us be done with it.

I fervently believe that the diversity in Nigeria can be its greatest strenght and I daresay, it is the bond that glues the corrupt elite together. I am personally very comfortable with my life and position but feel pauperised in having to build another economy outside of my parents' birth place!

This takes away from my own feeling of self accomplishment and if destroying that system that holds the majority of Nigerians in bondage would change all of that, then I am for it.

NB - I thank you for the honour of being seen as a Nigerian - I am of course, assuming that you refer to the Nigeria of my dreams!

[Kay Soyemi (Esq.)]

Why is Nigeria CURSED in terms of LEADERSHIP?
And to think that he is going to "hang in there" for a minimum of 8yrs, whether anybody likes it or not, means that this generation may not be able to finish writing the WILL to hand over to the next generation before the END!

i-go-better,

God is not that wicked, at least I hope so!

[Kay Soyemi (Esq.)]

Post#6, Igboamaeze's, is a must read for the factors contributing to Nigeria's comatose situation.

The Nigerian federation which prospered shortly after independence from Britain based on the agreement for independence between its founding fathers was later unjustly restructured in a manner that those from the old Southeast of Nigeria who constitute a sizable proportion of the federation's population and its revenues are left to gnash their teeth.

When a good proportion of the population of its people are grudgingly contributing to nation building how do we expect Nigeria to move forward? The situatiion cannot change even if you bring king Solomon to lead the nation.

Those that milk the nation dry and those that are favoured by the present structure are about to let us believe that the 1999 Constitution is divine and cannot be altered to create a good federal Nigeria. For how long and how far are we expected to go this way? Critics of our ugly situation are still ruled out of favour inspite of the glaring evidence that nearly all is wrong with Nigeria as presently structured.

We need to restructure Nigeria in such a way justice is seen to have been done.
Talk of military take over or impeachment or Ghana's Jerry Rawlings solution may even make matters worse. And who can ever call out Nigerians in their ethnic enclaves to a mass protest? Wishfull thinking!



The time has come for those who have benefited for more than 40 years from the lopsided federal structure to realise that oil revenues are not forever, that a truely federal Nigeria where ptriotism and peace reigns is the panacea to the emergence of good quality leadership and development of every part of Nigeria.

Kundu,

You are very much welcome to the Village Square!:shake:

The problems of Nigeria should be seen for wht it truly is - a class war of attrition between the haves and the havenots. Presently, the haves hold all the aces while the havenots look onin stupified silence, irrespective of the ethnic bandings. It may be the turn of the ND today, but it is an evil tide that bears no (Nigerian) one any well.

[PAPIG]

NIGER DELTANS, KNOW THY KILLERS AND MURDERERS

1. UMARU MUSA YAR'ADUA

2. DIMEJI BANKOLE

3. OLUSEGUN OBASANJO, BABANGIDA, DANJUMA

4. IBORI, ODILI, ALAMI, GOODLUCK JONATHAN and other thieving serving or
retired governors in the Niger Delta.

5. ALL OFFICERS AND MEN OF JTF

6. Chieftains of the Nigerian Military and Police

7. Thieving Chieftains of PDP from local government to national officers

8. Professor Gambari

9. All criminals including THIEVING MILITANTS NOT FIGHTING THE CAUSE OF
NIGER DELTANS.

10. All COMMENTARIATS FROM HOME AND ABROAD, who suggest, propagate, support or insinuate that the people of Niger Delta including innocent children and women deserve the ongoing massacre by the murderous and kleptocratic Nigerian government.

P/S

WHAT IS THIS ABOUT?

A group of hoodlums walk into your sitting room, rape your children, sisters and wife before slaughtering their throats with daggers and cartering away all your earthly possessions, do you invite them for coffee?

Over to the brave people of Niger Delta HOME AND ABROAD

[Solid]

NIGER DELTANS, KNOW THY KILLERS AND MURDERERS

1. UMARU MUSA YAR'ADUA

2. DIMEJI BANKOLE

3. OLUSEGUN OBASANJO, BABANGIDA, DANJUMA

4. IBORI, ODILI, ALAMI, GOODLUCK JONATHAN and other thieving serving or
retired governors in the Niger Delta.

5. ALL OFFICERS AND MEN OF JTF

6. Chieftains of the Nigerian Military and Police

7. Thieving Chieftains of PDP from local government to national officers

8. Professor Gambari

9. All criminals including THIEVING MILITANTS NOT FIGHTING THE CAUSE OF
NIGER DELTANS.

10. All COMMENTARIATS FROM HOME AND ABROAD, who suggest, propagate, support or insinuate that the people of Niger Delta including innocent children and women deserve the ongoing massacre by the murderous and kleptocratic Nigerian government.

P/S

WHAT IS THIS ABOUT?

A group of hoodlums walk into your sitting room, rape your children, sisters and wife before slaughtering their throats with daggers and cartering away all your earthly possessions, do you invite them for coffee?

Over to the brave people of Niger Delta HOME AND ABROAD

------------------

Are you a Nigerian? Is part of you touched by the Niger Delta problem?

Nice Try,

SOLID