.A Bolekaja Presidency (6)

A Bolekaja Presidency (6)
By Reuben Abati
I...Read the full article.

Tunde meee · Dec 31, 2006 , 09:03 PM

Hi Reuben,

I implore you to mind not those who spent their time saying bad things about you on the internet. Take solace in knowing that only little minds discuss person, great mind discuss issues. You are definitely one of the best and if you are not the first you are definitely not the last among them. You are the only reason I made friday and sunday Guardian a must read and I am sure I am not the only one. More adiagbon to your elbow and I wish you a better 2007 and subsequent years.

emj · Jan 1, 2007 , 01:51 AM

If anyone thought that Obasanjo was anti-North, he used the PDP convention to make it clear that he is actually in support of the idea of power returning to the North in 2007. But he has also given the North, not a candidate chosen by the North, but by Obasanjo. And if anyone was in any doubt about the outcome of the 2007 Presidential elections, the President immediately began to describe Yar'Adua as "his worthy successor." He also started using him to spite Atiku. Ahead of the 2007 elections, the President is already imposing a choice on Nigerians. It is terrible that Nigerians are being presented with a Presidential candidate who is no more than a tool in the hands of a power-monger! It is worse that President Obasanjo is packaging the result of the 2007 Presidential election as a fait accompli. This is most undemocratic and a clear case of gross misconduct.

Oga Reuben..........a nice read to end the year.........abi na .one for the road>>>.to Damascus

Happy new year and New Yarns ojare........sepe u dey mind all the bad-belle feople wey bin dey yab u for internet

>>>>>>>.come 2007, dem keyboard no go gree cooperate with dem>>........see u at the other side of the River ojare

lumidii · Jan 1, 2007 , 03:41 AM

Another nice one from Mr Abati.

Clearly, there would be no winner in this battle, Only shameless losers. Obj might seem to have the upper hand, but his all-knowing attitude would inevitably make him self-destruct at the end of the day. It may take a few months, or several months even, but Obj will certainly self-destruct.

He's done it before, and would surely do so again.

Dr Abati, long may the ink flow! Your writings are greatly admired by some of us, and i still remember vividly how your lectures were so stimulating and lively! Pini Jason was the reason my folks bought The Vanguard in those days, you are the reason i read The Guardian(albeit online) today. I have my own little collection of your articles from as far back as 1999.

Long may the ink flow!!!

aroigbo · Jan 1, 2007 , 12:27 PM

Happy and properous new year to someone who has taken Nigrian social and polical commentary to almost surreal level.
The simplicity and clarity of your writting , the depth of your argument,and the so many questions posed ......all come together to make this
piece another great work from a 'good man'.
Do I have an opinion in this ? M/s Abati raised some questions , came up with some suggestions, let's sit back and watch the great movie that has all the ingredient of an Oscar
written on it, albiet, a late entrant.

St.Iyke · Jan 1, 2007 , 02:10 PM

Based on the article, Baba Iyabo appears petty in his agenda to humiliate his erstwhile buddy Atiku. It is also a reminder of the fact that in Politics there are are no permanent Friends or enemies. In the near future, i wont be surprised if both parties make up with some sweet deals to cement their friendship once again.
IMHO, the greatest losers in this imbroglio are the teeming numbers of unemployed Nigerians who are too poor to make ends meet. I am not surprised why we continue to have so many "Andrews" willing to check out. The Politicians have failed to actualise the hopes and dreams of the common man.

gwobezentashi · Jan 1, 2007 , 02:45 PM

May Allah save us from brown envelope flip flopping journalists in this new year too!

Many leaders before Obasanjo also thought they had the upper hand until they succumbed to the upper cut of history. Ask IBB and Oga Sani.

Abati, if you cannot stand the heat in the internet kitchen, you know what you have to do. Happy new year to you too. Your postings here would have greater impetus if you returned now and again with a rejoinder to answer some of your objective critics. Then again, maybe its too much to ask that the iroko tree bend to the wind.

Aluta!

Gwobezentashi

pukpabi · Jan 1, 2007 , 02:46 PM

Oga Reuben,

You wrote about those who diaparage you on the "net", and how you wish us Merry Xmas and a Happy new year. Good for you, and for us, too. But what does that change?

I am quite convinced that you mean well on the felicitations, but I, and the rest of the long suffering Igbo in Nigeria look at you as an "enemy." Why, you may ask? The Bible says, "by their fruits, we shall know them." By your writings, we know you do not mean well for the Igbo in Nigeria. You will rather have another "Shagari", like Yar'adua or an "uneducated" and rabid shariarist like Buhari to lead you, than have a "Clinton" of Igbo extraction to be at the helm of affairs in Nigeria. According to you, the fear of Biafra is the beginning of wisdom in Nigeria.

By your writings, we can tell you wish for the Igbo to be the "hewers of wood, and the fetchers of water" in Nigeria. You and your likes tried it in 1970 (remember your twenty pounds for each of us). You failed. Guess which zone has the lowest poverty level in Nigeria?

Is there hope for Nigeria? I almost lost hope, until Dr. Pat Utomi wrote "me", thereby rekindling in me the fire of hope; after all, that is what this seasons calls for. As a Catholic Christian, I have faith that God knows the heart of each and everyone of us. I also derive hope in one of the writings of Kingsley Osadolor, a columnist (former?) of the Guardian Newspapers in which he said inter alia, and I qoute ".. one day, Nigeria will have to look to the East for salvation."

Happy new year.

Paschal Ukpabi, J.D.
Michigan, USA

gwobezentashi · Jan 1, 2007 , 02:52 PM

@ Pukpabi

You will rather have another "Shagari", like Yar'adua or an "uneducated" and rabid shariarist like Buhari to lead you, than have a "Clinton" of Igbo extraction to be at the helm of affairs in Nigeria. According to you, the fear of Biafra is the beginning of wisdom in Nigeria.

Here we go again! What are you doing about the intended coronation of "Dr" Emmanuel Nnamdi (Andy) Uba? Ewu irredentist.

G

Abraxas · Jan 1, 2007 , 04:20 PM

Hi, folks!

NVS QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

“But we may well be consoled by a simple religious observation: those who rule us, those big men whose wives are called First Ladies, and Their Excellencies, they are very unhappy and insecure persons in spite of their status and wealth. It is a pity that there are too many unhappy people ruling Nigeria!"
- Dr. Reuben ABATI (Monday, 1 January 2007)

Muchas gracias, mis amigos, and a funky new year to y'all!

POST SCRIPT:

Hi, Mr. Pukpabi! (a.k.a. Paschal Ukpabi, (JD) of Michigan, USA)

Kindly cut the crap, quick-quick!

And please, help us make our experience in the Village enjoyable for both Villagers and visitors, by not presenting off-topic gist, or participating in gratuitous rudeness, and/or ad-hominem insults, or/and covert or overt ethnocentric slurs and/or racial chauvinism, or/and pro-Aso Rock Villa sycophancy, and/or pro-establishment praise-singing, or/and executive arsehole hair licking, and/or ego massaging. Consequently, I implore you to always consciously endeavour to partake in civilized creative and progressive exchange of thoughts, whenever you happen to be in the Square.

Muchas gracias, mi amigo.

Don Juan Carlos ABRAXAS (III)

pukpabi · Jan 1, 2007 , 04:23 PM

Hi Gwobe,

Oh! man of little understanding; stop comparing apples and oranges. What has Andy Uba got to do with leadership of Nigeria as things stand now. By the way, who is coronating Andy Uba? Is it not Obasanjo?

Why do you ask me to go to Anambra and stop the coronation of Andy Uba? You must be seeing me as a super human being.

First, I am not from Anambra State, at least politically. Yes, I am Igbo by blood, socially, culturally, and by agenda ( I support the Igbo agenda for a new Nigeria). Again, I am an international citizen. I live in the United States, and have connections in Europe, Asia, North America, South America. I was born in Port-Harcourt, South Eastern Nigeria. By this, I am supposed to be from Rivers State, abi? But Nigeria says, "no Paschal, you are from Imo State because your parents were born in the Nigerian political expression called Imo State. Now, Gwobe, don't you see our problem?

Gwobe, there is something called "development mentality." Development itself, is about people. The North has neglected her people, and they have sufferred for too long. I hate the sight of anyone begging for alms for daily living. It is unGodly, and anti-people. It appears that the North need to develop this mentality before it aspires to lead. See where we are now with years of Northern rulership. Now, we are being offerred Yar'adua, and Buhari. Chei! Chineke God, have mercy.

I have a problem with Obasanjo only in one frontier; his inability to restructure Nigeria's flawed political arrangement. Otherwise, he has done well. I can walk through the streets of world capitals, and say I am a Nigeria. Professionals have a chance to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria's development. But before I knew it, Obasanjo is handing over to Yar'adua. Who is Yar'dua?

Thank God, we have Utomi to work for, and with. Gwobe, if you are thinking of a Nigeria that will compete for a space in the comity of nations, think of Utomi as President.

Happy new year.

Paschal Ukpabi, J.D.
Michigan, USA

Auspicious · Jan 1, 2007 , 06:54 PM

Happy New Year to you, Paschal Upkabi! May your new year bring you, amongst other good things you want, the ability to broaden your mind so you can quit your fixation on Reuben Abati's "hatred" for the Igbos. May you find the grace to look inwards and search within yourself before you look out for hatred in others.

Go back and read Reuben Abati's article and compare it to the comment in your latter response; if you are honest enough, you will find that your comments reek of hatred far more pungent than Abati's. I beseech ye therefore, Mr. Pupkabi, to move on to something more worthwhile than the regurgitation of ethnicist sentiments around our Village Square. Give it a break, it's only Janurary 1 for goodness sake!

Learn to stay with the topic of discussion. And if you have nothing to say on a particular thread of discussion, move to the next topic of interest to you. Better that than injecting ethnicity into our discussions here in the Village Square everytime you opine. If you were as angry as you claim to be in the first place, you will be in Nigeria liberating your people instead of boasting of you and your peoples abilities from all the way in Michigan.

They tell you to cure yourself of the Andy Ubas in your midst, you blurt out that even though you are Igbo, you are not from Anambra. Meanwhile, when Peter Obi was about to be impeached, your friends (of Tiv, Nupe, Ijaw, Yoruba, Hausa etc. extraction), from their various locations across the world united to make phonecalls to the HOA reps in Anambra, calling on them not to allow themselves to be used by outside forces brought-in by your fellow Igboman Uba, to destablize that state. Yet you blame others for your problems? And you bloviate around the Square like a liberator?

I wish I had a Patrick Utomi for President!!! Alas, I am afraid, that kinsmen of Utomi, who talk and act like Paschal Ukpabi, are the biggest impediments to the realization of such dreams! And that may be the reason why I am supporting the person he called a "rabid Shariarist" - a disciplined, honest, tenacious, man with integrity and considerable clout like Muhammadu Buhari - in the next presidential elections. It's my choice, so let those who don't like it go hug a tree! May our various Dieties save us all from the likes of Pupkabi present in our various ethnic communities in Nigeria!!!!!

Auspicious.

BiafranPrincess · Jan 1, 2007 , 07:05 PM

Originally Posted by pukpabi

Hi Gwobe,

Oh! man of little understanding; stop comparing apples and oranges. What has Andy Uba got to do with leadership of Nigeria as things stand now. By the way, who is coronating Andy Uba? Is it not Obasanjo?

Why do you ask me to go to Anambra and stop the coronation of Andy Uba? You must be seeing me as a super human being.

First, I am not from Anambra State, at least politically. Yes, I am Igbo by blood, socially, culturally, and by agenda ( I support the Igbo agenda for a new Nigeria). Again, I am an international citizen. I live in the United States, and have connections in Europe, Asia, North America, South America. I was born in Port-Harcourt, South Eastern Nigeria. By this, I am supposed to be from Rivers State, abi? But Nigeria says, "no Paschal, you are from Imo State because your parents were born in the Nigerian political expression called Imo State. Now, Gwobe, don't you see our problem?

Gwobe, there is something called "development mentality." Development itself, is about people. The North has neglected her people, and they have sufferred for too long. I hate the sight of anyone begging for alms for daily living. It is unGodly, and anti-people. It appears that the North need to develop this mentality before it aspires to lead. See where we are now with years of Northern rulership. Now, we are being offerred Yar'adua, and Buhari. Chei! Chineke God, have mercy.

I have a problem with Obasanjo only in one frontier; his inability to restructure Nigeria's flawed political arrangement. Otherwise, he has done well. I can walk through the streets of world capitals, and say I am a Nigeria. Professionals have a chance to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria's development. But before I knew it, Obasanjo is handing over to Yar'adua. Who is Yar'dua?

Thank God, we have Utomi to work for, and with. Gwobe, if you are thinking of a Nigeria that will compete for a space in the comity of nations, think of Utomi as President.

Happy new year.

Paschal Ukpabi, J.D.
Michigan, USA

I hear u my brother. Pat Utomi will have a sure shot at the presidency in 2015 if he pairs up with Buhari now as vp and display the brilliance he's known for in that office in 8 yrs.
Before u start attacking my POV re a VP slot with Buhari, pls note that I am a realistic optimist where Naija politics is concerned. Even if a free and fair elections were to hold now, Utomi still wouldn't win. Nigeria is made up of North and South. The Northern votes would still go to Yar Adua or Buhari in a free and fair election not necessarily becos they're better but because they are perceived as honest men who identify with the talakawas and the last time I checked the talakawas constitute the bigger population when compared to the Northern elite (some like Umar and co may vote for Utomi cos of their progressive thinking but how many Northerners are?). In all, it is great thing that Utomi is conjtesting now cos I can now hope that one day, we'd have the likes of only Duke, Utomi etc as candidates for both gubernatorial and presidential offices.
However, to get to that point we do NEED someone like Buhari to jail our perennial looters-past and present, and create an atmosphere of accountability, intergrity, fiscal discipline.....so that we'd then have resources and the will to educate our citizens, stabilise the economy(macro and micro), provide good health and infrastructure and finally kill this disease plaguing most Nigerians (especially our leaders)-POVERTY of the MIND.
Happy New year and may Nigeria be better this year!

Auspicious · Jan 1, 2007 , 07:11 PM

Spoken like a de-tribalized realist, Biafran Princess!

Thank You!

Auspicious.

MrOneNaija · Jan 1, 2007 , 07:12 PM

Abati writes, inter alia:

If anyone thought that Obasanjo was anti-North, he used the PDP convention to make it clear that he is actually in support of the idea of power returning to the North in 2007. But he has also given the North, not a candidate chosen by the North, but by Obasanjo. And if anyone was in any doubt about the outcome of the 2007 Presidential elections, the President immediately began to describe Yar'Adua as "his worthy successor

It is amazing that Abati conitues to rehash the stale and misleading rhetoric implying that the Yar'adua imposition (on the part of Obasanjo) is tantamount to an expression of what the chairman of the Guardian's editorial board described in an earlier article as submission to the "veto power" of the North. As noted in my forthcoming commentary entitled "The Deal that Screwed the South, the North and Nigeria's so-called Minorities", by needlessly spining a dated, stereotypical discourse around what is essentially a cynical, private arrangement between a puppeteer and his sidekick the objective of which is obvious, Abati and other voices in the Nigerian media invariably seek to rationalize, unconsciously perhaps, the perpetuation of a scandal-plagued outfit and its owners post-May 29, 2007. This must be seen as an unpalatable proposition to most Nigerians.

And as the Nobel laureat, Wole Soyinka has admonished, Nigerians should be working toward the dismantling of Obasanjo's evil empire - the source of much of the nastiness in the country today - and not giving the impression that Obasanjo and his rogue regime are anything but the pestilence that they are today.

Happy New Year to all!

gwobezentashi · Jan 1, 2007 , 07:27 PM

@ pukpabi

The North has neglected her people, and they have sufferred for too long. I hate the sight of anyone begging for alms for daily living. It is unGodly, and anti-people. It appears that the North need to develop this mentality before it aspires to lead. See where we are now with years of Northern rulership.

My dear irredentist villager, two more similes for you that I can think of - pot and kettle, speck and log.

Is it not interesting that you do not consider what happens in Anambra as an Igbo issue, yet you rightly see the leadership of the country as concerning the Igbo? Begging for favours is a national pastime. Ask any minister, governor, legislator, councillor or other government functionary - is it only Northerners that beg? If truth must be told, no be only kuturu be begger and no be only north get useless jagbajantis, nonsense and ingredient leaders among them. Where do you think Odili, James Ibori, Achike Udenwa, Ebeano Nnamani, Ayo Fayose, Alao Akala, Adedibu, Alamiesegha, Orji Kalu, Attah, Speaker Amaechi, Goodluck Jonathan, Lucky Igbenedion, Bode George, Gbenga Daniels etc etc come from? Mars?

Please let us critically review eligibility on the basis of an individual's leadership competencies, experience and performance rather than as members of any ethnic or religious group. This remains the major flaw in your commentaries.

Engaging with you on this board in the past year has been tiresome and unstimulating. Please reflect very seriously on your flawed positions and resolve to change your ways in this new year.

First, I am not from Anambra State, at least politically. Yes, I am Igbo by blood, socially, culturally, and by agenda ( I support the Igbo agenda for a new Nigeria). Again, I am an international citizen. I live in the United States, and have connections in Europe, Asia, North America, South America. I was born in Port-Harcourt, South Eastern Nigeria. By this, I am supposed to be from Rivers State, abi? But Nigeria says, "no Paschal, you are from Imo State because your parents were born in the Nigerian political expression called Imo State. Now, Gwobe, don't you see our problem?

No sir, I don't see your problem or point to the rambling biography.

I have a problem with Obasanjo only in one frontier; his inability to restructure Nigeria's flawed political arrangement.

The majority of Nigerians have problems with Obasanjo on several fontiers especially the reckless undermining of the constitution and the institutions of state, abuse of power and the suborning of high crimes and misdemeanours. Your problem with him is tame by all accounts which probably makes you a closet Obasanjophiliac.

Thank God, we have Utomi to work for, and with. Gwobe, if you are thinking of a Nigeria that will compete for a space in the comity of nations, think of Utomi as President.

Clearly, the little understanding and lack of realism is yours. Utomi is a political neophyte and does not stand a chance in hell in a free and fair contest. It is however a free world and you are entitled to market your candidate, warts and all.

HNY 2U2!

Aluta!

Gwobezentashi

Ps:

@ MrOneNaija

As noted in my forthcoming commentary entitled "The Deal that Screwed the South, the North and Nigeria's so-called Minorities",

The hype for this commentary is now reaching fever pitch. Enough of the previews please. Let us see the paper kwik kwik.

G

Auspicious · Jan 1, 2007 , 07:39 PM

Straight to the point, Gwobezentashi! You delievered your response with incredible precision and superb efficiency! Nice one! I am sure Pukpabi got the message, even if he publicly claims otherwise.

Auspicious.

nero africanus · Jan 1, 2007 , 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by gwobezentashi

Clearly, the little understanding and lack of realism is yours. Utomi is a political neophyte and does not stand a chance in hell in a free and fair contest. It is however a free world and you are entitled to market your candidate, warts and all.

gwobe,

please can you explain how what you mean by that, what has neophism got to do with competence , can you show me one politician who with all his experience is competent and can be trusted with our mandate.

which politician in nigeria has experience that is not a thief , just one .......

THE ONLY EXPERIENCE THEY HAVE IS HOW TO STEAL AND HOW TO BE INCOMPETENT THAT IS NOT WHAT WE NEED ............

MrOneNaija · Jan 1, 2007 , 07:56 PM

Gwobezentashi writes:

@ MrOneNaija

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

As noted in my forthcoming commentary entitled "The Deal that Screwed the South, the North and Nigeria's so-called Minorities",

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

The hype for this commentary is now reaching fever pitch. Enough of the previews please. Let us see the paper kwik kwik.

I have already submitted the piece for publication on the Nigerian Village Square.

gwobezentashi · Jan 1, 2007 , 08:00 PM

@ MrOneNaija
Shikena. I wait with baited breath.

@ nero africanus
Where were you when we debated this candidate on the board? You want another repeat performance or what? I beg leff mata. Anyhow, getting into power and staying in power require different skills and exigencies. It is difficult to engage with generalisations when you say things like, "name one politicain that is not a thief". Does Pat Utomi's pursuit of political office not make him a politician?

G