.Forcing The President’s Hand

Forcing The Pre...Read the full article.

[DaBishop]

Sometimes the handlers of the masquerade implore it, cajole it, nay force it to stay away from the market-square.

Some defy the warning at their peril.
Make we

[DoubleWahala]

In essence, this piece represents a lengthy apology. It couldn't have come at a more auspiscious moment.

It is precisely because of the fact that "24 hours is a long time in politics", that supposedly articulate and enlightened persons, like yourself, should refrain from purportedly reading the tea-leaves too early, in such a fawning manner. Especially when the object of your 'predictions', in so many ways, represents all that is negative and uninspiring about Nigerian politics.

However, I disagree with you, when you subtly seek to rationalise the travails of Peter Obi, when you write:

In those days it was never the case that those with means who should rather be concerned with protecting their wealth ever dreamt of coming out in the open to contest elections, and thereby sharing in the limelight with the professional politicians, an error in judgement by the likes of Peter Obi.

Ironically, if one is to go by your assertion above, it then means that the likes of Andy Uba, (whom you were so earnestly sure of his victory) also, have no business contesting elections, because, it is an open secret that Uba is wealthy beyond imagination.

Uche, I must observe that it is hard to categorize your political stance. Is it ideologically driven, or is it just a case of 'situational ethics'? One second, you're saying one thing, and the next moment, you make a complete volte face.

You will agree with me that if this attitude persists, it may be hard for discerning minds to take you seriously. And that would be such a shame, because, I sincerely believe that you are a great communicator. This is a God-given talent that should never be taken lightly, nor seemingly sacrificed on the alter of expediency.

Uche, Nwanem madu (Uche, pesin broda), nno (welcome)

DoubleWahala

[Picasso]

Uche:

Okay o. We've heard you. And I'm assuming, with this article, that you're distancing yourself from that criminal called Andy Uba. However, note that you contradict yourself when you wrote:

How very convenient for his opponents and enemies to have released information about the American affair to the media in the same week that he resigned from his top job as Obasanjo’s right hand man.

Are you implying that Uba resigned before the money laundering charges were made public? That his 'enemies & opponents' only released the information to the media (ala saharareporters et-al) AFTER he had resigned?

Listen, Uche, peddling such little 'white' lies doesn't help the theme of your article which I believe is an apology or clarification of your stance to your readers regarding your preceding piece. You can sneak such false statement as quoted above by a lot of people but know that there are quite a sizeable number of discerning folks here who can read between the lines.

Welcome back, bruv!

[DoubleWahala]

Originally Posted by Onos

Uche:

Are you implying that Uba resigned before the money laundering charges were made public? That his 'enemies & opponents' only released the information to the media (ala saharareporters et-al) AFTER he had resigned?

Listen, Uche, peddling such little 'white' lies doesn't help the theme of your article which I believe is an apology or clarification of your stance to your readers regarding your preceding piece. You can sneak such false statement as quoted above by a lot of people but know that there are quite a sizeable number of discerning folks here who can read between the lines.

Welcome back, bruv!

Wow!! Onos, I missed this one completely, in Uche's write-up. Hehehehe

I give up. I take back all my reconciliatory words. Uba's "enemies and opponents", indeed.
Meanwhile, he only offers an apparent wistfulness as to the impact this "information" may have on his candidacy. He says nothing, whatsoever about the moral intergrity of the man, rather he blames Uba, for getting caught (which he characterizes as "stupid" - nothing more), and wonders aloud (the prospect of the money/position, which the writer may have been dreaming of, vaporizing in a puff of smoke, must be very disconcerting, indeed), if OBJ will still keep faith with him:

Now that Andy Uba has inadvertently exposed Aso Rock and President Obasanjo to international scrutiny and ridicule by his stupid decision to ferry dollars aboard the presidential jet, would Obasanjo still keep faith with him?

Onos, Uche's lies are not "white" lies. They are carefully constructed distortions of facts, served on a platter of make-believe political commentary.

E be like say the chap don chop obokun fish, and the bone(s) don dey chook am for throat. That's why he is compelled to continue on this perditious path.

What a waste. Another 'wouldacouldashoulda' of a dude, bites the dust

DoubleWahala

[No Smoking]

Abegi make una no forget say wannabe-governor Uba go need advisers and commissioners.. Trusted paddymen don begin hustle O....

[katampe]

Hi Uche:

I am shocked you have rejected your earlier statement.But, why?

I found this statement very confusing the ... ‘uncaring’ and unconcerned of patriots to want to cast a second look at the water bowls of the oracles.

Why are the folks patriots then if they are unconcerned, or "uncaring'? Someone says you are great communicator,maybe somebody or yourself can help me here.

I think your last article makes sense irrespective of what the opinion shapers on this forum seem to suggest.Can't you allow all of them go to blazes ? Do you care , especially if you were speaking with your conscience? It is either you have no moral anchor from which you do your analysis.I earlier noted that I wished you were doing this for the right reasons.I know Paul Adijie sticks to his guns irrespective of what naysayers say, I think that is the price you pay for being a public commentator.

I have always known this generation certainly has problems, with women becoming feminists and bra burning advocates, and the men increasingly fixated on lucre of high office or token appointments and rap artistes.You made an analysis and instead of you to avail us the reinforced premises under which you made the analysis you have chickened out.I hope Pat Utomi relieves you off the post you currently have on his campaign team - you are a fair weather kind of guy and you have become the butt of jokes at the village square for having an opinion.

In a civilized world it should be the herd of uncivilized folks rampaging on the internet that should be moved enmass into a dungeon of the discredited for assault on free speech or saying things as you see it, but of course you said it not because you believed.I have always suspected your authenticity all along , and you confirmed it.

[Djister]

All this talk about Uba, dis one dat one..you notice that these characters are written about without any reference to the people who they will presumably rule. Nigerian politics is about imposition.

The people of Anambra had no choice over Ngige, when they got their coice Obi he got booted out and they will have no choice over Uba & Uba Ndigbo Limited!

When writers focus on the personalities, i can only think they are out to make hay while the money is flying around.

Long Live Shahara Reporters o jare!

[BiafranPrincess]

Uche! Uche! Uche!
Sorry but your pitiful attempt at an apology is just NOT accepted. I knew you would finally reveal your TRUE self by your own words and u are doing it marvelously. Peter obi represents all that is decent and upright in terms of leadership that Anambra needs while the UBAs represent all that is reprehensible and ugly about 'rulership' in our land. The former is for values,ideas and intergrity, philosophy and dignity, restarting from the foundation to rebuild. The latter is for money-politics, devoid of morality and populism. The moment you started attacking Peter Obi and almost tripping over urself in predicting Uba's governorship, I knew you had pretended all these while to be someone with a sound philosophy and principles. You are at worst the poster boy for all the so called 'elites' who are deep down just angling for a chance to make their own quick buck.
And now u're trying to do a quick withdrawal on Uba and pretend to be a progressive again. Haba! what do you take us for? I often wonder how IBB was able to get seemingly brilliant people with intergrity to work for and even defend him, and by simply deconstructing ur likes Uche, I can understand how.
Uche, Please stick with ur stories on everyday funny events in life and forget about this posing as a whatever it is u're pretending to be. I have no problem with people being sycophants but own up to it, don't pull a wool over our eye with wuru wuru intellectual play on words.

I repeat again: Your man Uba will NEVER be governor of Anambra state! Amen and Amen!

[Abraxas]

Hi, folks!

Originally Posted by katampe

Hi Uche:

I am shocked you have rejected your earlier statement.But, why?

I found this statement very confusing the ... ‘uncaring’ and unconcerned of patriots to want to cast a second look at the water bowls of the oracles.

Why are the folks patriots then if they are unconcerned or "uncaring'? Someone says you are great communicator,maybe somebody or yourself can help me here.

I think your last article makes sense irrespective of what the opinion shapers on this forum seem to suggest.Can't you allow all of them go to blazes ? Do you care , especially of you were speaking with your conscience? It is either you have no moral anchor from which you do your analysis.I earlier noted that I wished you were doing this for the right reasons.I know Paul Adijie sticks to his guns irrespective of what naysayers say, I think that is the price you pay for being a public commentator.

I have always known this generation certainly has problems, with women becoming feminists and bra burning advocates, and the men increasingly fixated on lucre of high office or token appointments and rap artistes.You made an analysis and instead of your to avail us the reinforced premises under which you made the analysis you have chicken out. I hope Pat Utomi relieves you off the post you currently have in his campaign team - you are a fair weather kind of guy and you have become the butt of jokes at the village square for having an opinion.

In a civilized world it should be the herd of uncivilized folks rampaging on the internet that should be moved enmass into a dungeon of the discredited for assault on free speech or saying things as you see it, but of course you said not because you believed.I have always suspected your authenticity all along , and you confirmed it.

DECONSTRUCTOR, DECONSTRUCT THYSELF!!

Nwanna, biko ji s'ike, (i nugo?) Anu kporo'nkwu ad'ee j'onu.

Muchas gracias, mi amigo.

Don Juan Carlos ABRAXAS (III)

[Omovudu]

Uche,

Interesting piece and a fair attempt at a rebuttal. But by now you would have realised that the path of a political columnist is mirred with mines. The safest (and perhaps only way) is to stick to your principles irrespective of whatever shade a specific circumstance paints it. Then you may be spared the implosions of contradiction which is worse than castigation for an avowed position.

Unfortunately you are now caught in a web that you would find hard to extricate from. My suggestion to you if you don't want to totally pull the plug off political commentary is this

- Put a piece up stating your principles. Like someone said, even if we don't always agree with them, we know the principled stands of people Paul Adujie, Taslim Anibaba and even Gwobezentashi (who has not been on for a while and hope say OBJ never catch am for Abuja).

- Thereafter speak only in the vein of your priniciples irrespective of whatever direction it's interpretation gives.

You however have a choice of continuing on this precarious route in the hope that it could land you a job like PA to Uba or someone like him if he gets to power, but please be awared that more often than not the wiley get entrapped in their own webs (as we are begining to see of Andy Uba). And then you should also leave the likes of Pat Utomi ad the ideas based campaign alone (so as not to soil the image). The choice is yours amigo

Cheers

[DoubleWahala]

@ Katampe:

Yes, I agree with you, to the effect that consistency is (or should be) the hallmark of a public commentator, regardless of the position(s) being canvassed.

I would have let sleeping dogs continue to lie, if he was being consistent, no matter what. After all, every one is entitled to express themselves.

However, it is the deviousness, the triple and quadruple somersaults, that rankle. It paints a sorry picture of one who's position is not grounded in personal conviction. Rather, like Pavlov's dogs, he drools three quarts full, when the 'bell' is sounded, at the prospects of a lovely 'meal'.

You have no idea of how disappointed I am with this particular chap. I sincerely believed that he was one of the very few, who represented a faint light at the end of the rather long, dark and stinking tunnel.

DoubleWahala

[Auspicious]

Mr. Nworah,

How much?

Auspicious.

[Picasso]

DW, my people:

I take Oghene, Osanobua, Chukwu, Olodumare, Abasi, Allah, and almighty God take beg una. Abeg, make una take am easy with the verbal koboko on Uche. At least until he outrightly tells us (without mincing words) what side of the fence he definitely wants to be identified with.

Right now, he comes across as someone standing at the edge of the gutter and contemplating on taking the plunge. Our people say make we take one hand beat pickin and take the other hand draw am near bodi. I doubt if there's anyone here who doesn't like Uche hence all these expressions of disappointment over his recent articles. But we should keep something in mind; if we continue to lash and berate him as we currently are, we will only end up pushing him into making the plunge into that gutter. Then we would have lost another venerable individual and I really wouldn't want that to happen.

I move for the motion to show him some love. Especially during this trying, tempting phase he is seemingly going through.

You've got an offer of a hand shake and embracement here from me, Uche. Much love, bruv!

[emj]

hmmmmm.............uche, pele pele,odikwa risky.........hmmmmmmm. What exactly is gwan....obu gini......a beg somebodi correct my grammar(he be like say we go do night figil 4 dis matter o). Your header...'Forcing the hand of the President' insinuates and even seems to confirm to some of us your mindset. Then the main piece of your article................... You started off by almost apologising, but then did a dangerous Bungy-jump..........kai.

[kvin33]

Piling-on on Uche Nworah is unnecessary, and a distraction. Uche has one vote and is entitled to change his mind anytime after all support for an aspirant is not marriage to the aspirant, it is not till death do us part! Andy Ubah winning the election will not happen because Uche says so, Government House Awka is much more heavily defended! More than that, Andy's problems have just begun. Look, the political landscape will look very different in 60 days so no matter what happens at the PDP primaries, Andy Ubah will have some mountain to climb yet.

That brings me to the main story of the day, IBB. General Babangida has once again demonstrated that if nothing else, at least no one can call him a complete coward. The now widely held view that OBJ was against IBB's candidature was dented today. Nigerians must know by now that the number one obstructionist in Nigeria today is OBJ. Although he has found it difficult to impose his desires without some push back, there is no doubt that If he wants to, he is able to stop anything, anyone, anytime. Now that's the country, but the President has completely seized the PDP, he has even stopped certain politicians from registering talk less of picking up presidential candidacy forms. Clearly, IBB is being "allowed" to proceed and may be seen as a backup by the president's men in the event that his "chosen" candidate is torpedoed next month (a very possible event).

That tells you what IBB's men will be working on for the next few weeks. Yes! This man is daring Nigerians, we won't back away from this brazen challenge. Do not believe OBJ when he says IBB and his like "will not be allowed to lead Nigeria again" remember his promises to Peter Obi. The EFCC will be used when the time comes to "clear" this man, we all must be prepared to reject it! Arresting Mohammad Babangida is not equal to Arresting Ibrahim Babangida. Declaring Abacha the Record Looter is not equal to exposing IBB. There is a sick game being played here, they think Nigerians will be satisfied with a few statements here and there. IBB has been strategically left uncompromised to allow him as a backup. IBB has no alternative to PDP and he knows it. Although OBJ will prefer another successor, he will tolerate IBB. This fight to stop IBB must not be left to OBJ and the PDP. All well meaning Nigerians, it is time to thwart this guy. If he emerges victorious from the primaries, he will be unstoppable! 4 and a half Weeks! It is ON!

[fulani]

Uche,

Earlier I derided you about your first article on Andy Uba because of what appeared to be veiled political motives. A lot Villagers apparently picked up on that.

You've got to remember that I lot of insightful, thoughful folks read this stuff. They have all pilled on to dismiss your follow up article. The apparent FLIP FLOP in this instance was very glaring.

My unsolicited advice to you is to stick with your convictions, your principles and let the chips fall were they may. If you support a cause so be it, stand by your conviction.

Fulani.

[Auspicious]

Originally Posted by kvin33

Clearly, IBB is being "allowed" to proceed and may be seen as a backup by the president's men in the event that his "chosen" candidate is torpedoed next month (a very possible event).

Kvin33:

If I may ask, who might that "chosen" candidate be?

Auspicious.

[Ani]

Brodas & Sisters,

I still never see wetin Uche do wrong with him piece on Uba.

Over the last couple of months, politicians,thier aides and the media have started taking diasporian websites like NVS, elundureports,saharareporters etc seriously. if Uche comes here and starts selling Uba or Utomi, this politicians would definately notice him and perhaps reserve an office for him when they eventually get into power.

i have a strong feeling that come 2007, Uche is really interested in relocating back to naija and putting in his 2 cents in developing the country. whichever way he goes about doing it..is all good. The end justifies the means.

asides from political commentaries, i always enjoy his write-ups.

[ELAWALO]

Uche Oma,
It is much appreciated that you have maintaned your dignityand responded with good character. For the discerning minds this how it is DONE !!

Regards