The Single-Term Distraction
August 2, 2011
As has become customary, the Nigerian polity is again heated with matters far removed from the acute developmental challenges facing the country. NVS Standpoint unequivocally rejects President Jonathan's ill-timed and ill-thought attempt to impose a constitutional amendment of tenureship on the country.
Without trying to pontificate, NVS Standpoint questions why President Jonathan believes this to be the most appropriate time to push for a single six-year term for the president. All of the energy being expended in denials and counter denials of his motive would have been better spent strategizing on how to tackle the dismal security situation in which the country is trapped. All of the time, invested in meetings, drafting speeches, issuing press releases and convincing "stakeholders" would have been used to develop a blueprint for moving the national economy from its stagnant position.
The National Assembly has more serious legislative concerns facing it at this time than to be pre-occupied with a matter as weighty as a divisive and irrelevant constitutional amendments. The Nigerian people are suffering heavily under the burden of uncaring leadership; President Goodluck was seen by some as a breath of fresh air, but from emerging indications, the Jonathan Years may simply be business as usual. In our view, that would be a historic tragedy that must be avoided.Â
We therefore call on President Jonathan to focus on the immediate challenge before him: how to lift the masses of our people from poverty, insecurity and cynicism. Unlike a constitutional amendment, this challenge cannot wait.
|
Comments Page: 1 2  posted on 08-02-2011, 06:47:49 AM Denker Re: The Single-Term Distraction..dis is hogwash..you chaps neva heard of parallel operation....notding wrong operating on simultaneous projects...wat counts is weighing the priorities and focusing more on relevancies.... anywaz, as long as we no dey talk how to convene SNC, anyding JEG wanna do with his government is ok with me...au revoir!  posted on 08-02-2011, 06:57:38 AM Mikky jagaRe: The Single-Term DistractionPrecisely what GEJ wants, DISTRACTION!!! It is better to spend time arguing over tenure elongation than the potentially divisive Islamic banking and the Boko Haram menace! Bombs are still booming in Borno State, but that is no longer the headline news. And that gives the security people opportunity to seek for solution without the distraction of threats to the unity of their Nation. posted on 08-02-2011, 08:10:38 AM PatchoRe: The Single-Term DistractionWhere is "The Standpoint" view of Islamic Banking. its constitutionality and timeliness?
I read above that its "hogwash" to opine that multi-faeted programs shouldn't go on same time. I agree. posted on 08-02-2011, 08:38:05 AM IzonereRe: The Single-Term DistractionI don't understand if people are scared of debating the merits and demerits of this issue instead of trying to just wish it away. Government does not work on only one thing at a time. I'm not convinced that the reasons given for wanting a single term are enough for such a drastic solution but discussing it should be seen as our collective commitment to electoral reform. If at the end, the people agree that no oh, this thing will not work, then we move on. That's what mature countries do. posted on 08-02-2011, 09:32:20 AM DenkerRe: The Single-Term DistractionQUOTE:
lady, wats push ya think say ya be mature lady?...tell us..i dey wait...lol! posted on 08-02-2011, 09:52:43 AM AriteniRe: The Single-Term DistractionNVS goofed! My highly enlightened Bros/Sisters, Mikky Jaga, Denker, Patcho, Izonere etc have said it all. I gratefully concur and have nothing to add save to advice NVS to take legal advice from Constitutional Lawyers before jumping into the fray next time. For emphasis, the President is right, the presentation is timely and if passed the amendment would enure to the greater good of Nigerians.
For greater emphasis and because some nigerians distrust and preach distrust of any other Nigerian in power: Dr Jonathan's Presidency is terminal and this is just one of the sticks he is putting into the fire simultaneously. Poor job by the Presidential spokesmen! posted on 08-02-2011, 10:01:07 AM WindRe: The Single-Term DistractionI don't know when you guys think is the best time to discuss single tenure. When is the best time? towards the end of his tenure or middle? Then he would really be accused of harboring a third term agenda. There is no better time than at the beginning of his term which is now, to propose that. As per being distracted? I don't think so. One should be able to walk and chew gum at the same time (ask obama he said it). posted on 08-02-2011, 10:06:05 AM DenkerRe: The Single-Term DistractionQUOTE:
posted on 08-02-2011, 11:16:44 AM Chudiokeke2001Re: The Single-Term DistractionLets assume that Jonathan is sincere about not running in 2015.And that "God" wont tell him to run.
What guarantees do we have that future governments wouldn't want to go back to the two 4-year terms. It doesn't do any good to our polity if we are to keep changing these laws back and forth as they can easily put our political stability in jeopardy. I think government should find ways to cut the trillions they spend in political conventions posted on 08-02-2011, 12:42:29 PM PapadonkeeRe: The Single-Term DistractionNVS Editors are a collection of populist, spineless, cowards! Where were you when Sanusi was "heating up the polity"? That wasn't inflammatory or divisive enough, abi? Or religion is taboo? When Sanusi was turning the CBN into his private Mecca, una no see the threat to our continued existence; not even when the Supreme Islamic Sharia Council threatened war?
Jokers, the lot of you! Intact, remain small I for call una yellow-bastards. PDP!!! At least have the decency to form an opinion. For or against, I don't care. And if there an NVS editors minority report, please 'leak' it to the Village. For your own honour and integrity. Someone should grow a pair. posted on 08-02-2011, 12:47:16 PM AgenshekuRe: The Single-Term DistractionQUOTE:
That he creates deliberate diversion does not mean that GEJ has found solutions to the multi-faceted problems challenging his managerial competence. As time goes on,he would see that a farmer who because he wished to catch a fat rat sets his barn a-fire only has himself to blame. Since we pretend to be practising the American Presidential system,how would Americans have treated Obama if for fear of Alqaeeda,the turbulent economy,etc he introduces a bill for tenure elongation? posted on 08-02-2011, 12:55:27 PM PapadonkeeRe: The Single-Term DistractionFYI, I support the proposal, as long as GEJ doesn't benefit from it. See how easy it is to take a position? PDP!!! And if you think washing your hands off an issue is the best thing to do when you are faced with a difficult decision (re: Islamic banking), I would advise you to look at how history has treated Pontius Pilot and his own hand-washing saga. And the man has said he doesn't want to serve beyond 2015. Why do you guys keep going on about tenure elongation?!? Sheeeeeez!!! posted on 08-02-2011, 14:35:29 PM NezieRe: The Single-Term DistractionNVS editorial board is standing on an earthquake-prone land here. At the begining, it rejected President Jonathan's ill-timed and ill-thought attempt to impose a constitutional amendment of tenureship on the country.
At the end, it was of the view that constitution ammendment can take a back seat to enable the government lift the masses of our people from poverty, insecurity and cynicism. Whoever told this editorial board that government can provide abundance, security and optimism for the masses in the midst of nagging flaws, inequity and injustice inherent in the 1999 constitution as amended by the last NASS? posted on 08-02-2011, 15:25:49 PM Justan234Re: The Single-Term Distraction@Wind QUOTE:
what's interesting is according to this link the quote is wrong and the original...talk and chew gum.....meant take on more than one can deal with. So maybe Jonathan is trying to talk and chew gum, heh? At least that's the sense in which some are seeing it. posted on 08-02-2011, 19:55:29 PM Uncle SamRe: The Single-Term DistractionIf we get a good president for one time and maybe another good president another time, what happerns when we get a brutally bad president? That will be too costly.
The argument that a 6yr single term president makes it cheaper to organize election is not cheap after all. Cheaper for who? posted on 08-02-2011, 19:59:35 PM SkenRe: The Single-Term DistractionReno as the name is called; you must not disembowel yourself about national issue that Joh. has nothing to gain. If he has nothing to gain according to you but only Nigerians have something to gain, Is he no longer part of us {Nigerians}? There is a lot of pressing issues that affect the common citizens of this country that you could present to him rather than forcing this renamed brand “single term” item into our enduring throat. Educate him more about the importance of light, pipe-borne water, education, healthcare system, infrastructures etc. Then, you can come back to give us plausible account about his achievement. Preposition is no achievement, just another method of diverting our attention from the real issue of national development. Ajaokuta Iron and steel is there for him to develop so that our economy situation can improve but the whole country is only sucking one breast of the economy alone by silently killing the second one. posted on 08-02-2011, 21:44:08 PM FalconerRe: The Single-Term DistractionJEG and his cohort of politicans do not get it! It is really sad that JEG has chosen to waste his political capital on a non-existent problem in the face of monumental sufferings of his fellow countrymen, from his village to ASO Rock. Is it that our elected leaders are all daft? The average Nigerian can not afford 3 square meals per day; Umpteen number of able bodied Nigerians are jobless,they roam the streets in hopelessness; never ending epileptic power supply; no running safe potable water supply anywhere in the country; hardly any motorable roads; lawlness and insecurity of life and property abound in the country;YET the most pressing, urgent problem need solving for JEG is how long politicians can stay in office to plunder and devour the national treasury? This is an act of treason! There should be a provision in Nigeria constitution for recall of elected officials including the Presidency. posted on 08-02-2011, 23:52:35 PM MaskRe: The Single-Term DistractionGEJ shot himself on the foot-from now on any executive bill he sends to the National Assembly will be viewed with suspicion by the Nigerian public. posted on 08-03-2011, 04:29:07 AM WindRe: The Single-Term DistractionQUOTE:
So what makes you think a bad president would ever be voted out of power? Any president in nigeria would always win reelection if they want to. Abacha was adopted by all the existing political parties. Having a single term is the best thing that can ever happen to a third world democracy. 1. It eliminates the distraction of preparing for reelection. which in turn, stops the president from pandering to certain shady characters. We all know how OBJ was at the mercy of Adedibu even though he was a certified criminal, all because he needed to win Oyo.....etc and the examples abound. 2. The reverse of the above is also true and helpful in that people kiss less ass and grow more balls in challenging the president on ideas and morals, since they know the president MUST leave after a definite period. The judiciary and congress are less likely to kiss the presido's ass not unless they are made up of those who "love nigeria" which means they are genitically predisposed towards asslicking. The advantages are just too much to mention, that I wonder why you guys are even remotely against it. I would have thought our argument would have been how many years. I think 5 years is more than enough for any *****. posted on 08-03-2011, 04:39:01 AM DaBishopRe: The Single-Term DistractionIf Jonathan was serious to get to the root of Naija problems; 1. Fix the law enforcement/justice problem 2. Enforce anti-corruption laws 3. Propose a law banning the EXPORT of raw cash from Naija to all other countries by politicians. 4. Stop sabbatical/medical leave abroad; on state monies. 5. Since Nigeria is a secular nation, stop sponsorship of pilgrimages to other lands from the federal coffers. These are conceptual steps we expect a PhD to be thoughtfully considering. You wanna distract us or get us to debate, think on those and let us have a meaningful discussion on the propriety of CBN governor promoting his religion as well. posted on 08-03-2011, 05:03:09 AM PapadonkeeRe: The Single-Term DistractionWhere is the NVS Standpoint on Islamic Banking? Where is it? Nonsense. You people think we are fools. PDP!!! I say where is it o!!!!!! posted on 08-03-2011, 07:27:12 AM OtitoThank you NVS for your viewsThank you NVS for your views, it is president Jonathan’s prerogative if he basks himself in the destructive praise jamboree of the "ala tenu je; arije n'di madaru" who surround him or realise that it is only his name that his children will have to carry for generations that will be before the world when the party is over. posted on 08-03-2011, 09:21:42 AM EnyiRe: The Single-Term DistractionTenure is not a major problem facing the nation now. Is there an urgent need to review the Constitutional? My answer is yes. Two fundamental questions must be answered before tenure is discussed.
1). Do we need a federal or unitary government? As far as I know, unitary government does not suit a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural nation like Nigeria. More power should be given to regions to set their priorities and develop at their own pace. 2). Do we need the current American type Presidential system? My answer is an unequivocal NO. Under the present system too much power is concentrated on the presidency. I believe this is the major cause of political and ethnic tensions. A federation with parliamentary system of government will reduce political and ethnic tensions. Tenure can be discussed only after these two have been sorted out. I appeal to the proponents of 6-year tenure, under the current system, to imagine what will happen to the nation or a state if bad presidents and governors are allowed to be in office for 6 years. posted on 08-03-2011, 10:43:31 AM HellofadudeRe: The Single-Term DistractionThe level of hypocrisy displayed by this nonsense NVS standpoint is enough to make Pastor Tunde Bakare envious!
Where is NVS standpoint on Islamic Banking????!!! This is complete piffle!! posted on 08-03-2011, 11:10:59 AM MrOneNaijaRe: The Single-Term Distraction AN EMPTY BARREL AND HIS HAREBRAINED SCHEMES An apt editorial by NVS! The tenure elongation gimmickry being proposed by Aso Rock is yet another eloquent statement that the Nigerian presidency has since 1999 been invaded and occupied by empty barrels who routinely dish out a nauseating and insipid diet of inanities as a form of compensation for their vacuity. It is sickening that Reuben Abati is now openly playing the role of mouthpiece for the PDP's tribe of spineless hedonists and usurpers whose idea of governance is an obsession with sadistic and harebrained skulduggery for purely selfish and parochial objectives. Like his godfather and mentor, the hideous nitwit who goes by the name of Obasanjo, the clown calling himself president today has nothing to offer the nation by way of efficient leadership, hence his resort to 'sound and fury'. Like his mentor's reckless tenure elongation gambit that was soundly and deservedly defeated, Jona's irresponsible term extension ploy is doomed. In the manner of the small-minded PDP scoundrels, it is conceivable that the real aim is for the impostor of Aso Rock to turn around and declare that he'll run for another 4-year mandate after the current term-elongation 'prank' will have been rejected. In either case, Jonathan and his confederates must be forcefully confronted in their new folly by the Nigerian people. Each time we are faced as a country with the crude and cruel 'banalities' of an abdicating mafia whose stock-in-trade is election rigging and the wanton stealing of national resources, we are invariably requested to look at ourselves in the mirror. As the compromised and crooked elite classes of the S-E, those of the S-S, a substantial segment of the duplicitous and hypocritical elite class in the S-W and a marauding and profligate Northern clique composed chiefly of soi-disant governors all defer to election banditry as represented by Jonathan and Obasanjo, we as a people keep demonstrating that we lack both the seriousness and the will to help develop the nation. The buffoon known as Jonathan is possible today in our national spaces mainly on account of the fact that those who should know better have reneged on their moral responsibility to do what is right and necessary by saying 'no' to impunity and mediocrity. In a critical sense therefore, we all are guilty of having made Nigeria the terrible tragedy that it has become today. Quel dommage! posted on 08-03-2011, 12:19:14 PM AgenshekuRe: The Single-Term DistractionQUOTE:
In addition to the above list,any minister or director who sends his/her son to a higher institution off-shore should be fired because their take home cannot sustain such expense and its a vote of no confidence in the government such person is serving to promote good education locally. Lastly,any sitting President who starts a private university either directly or via a proxy MUST BE IMPEACHED.How do you loot our resources to create a model university to compete with government s own?Isnt that pure divided interest and bare-faced cheating plus gross abuse of office? posted on 08-03-2011, 12:42:13 PM AriteniRe: The Single-Term Distraction"It is sickening that Reuben Abati is now openly playing the role of mouthpiece for the PDP's tribe of spineless hedonists and usurpers whose idea of governance is an obsession with sadistic and harebrained skulduggery for purely selfish and parochial objectives."
I dey laafu ooooooo!!! Will village square lawyers explain something to this man before ...? posted on 08-03-2011, 12:43:52 PM AriteniRe: The Single-Term DistractionMrOneNaija: "It is sickening that Reuben Abati is now openly playing the role of mouthpiece for the PDP's tribe of spineless hedonists and usurpers whose idea of governance is an obsession with sadistic and harebrained skulduggery for purely selfish and parochial objectives."
I dey laafuoooo!!! Will Villagesquare lawyers explain something to this man before ......? posted on 08-03-2011, 19:30:46 PM YettyRe: The Single-Term DistractionQUOTE:
Your argument makes no sense and is far detached from the Nigerian reality. The fact of the matter is a Nigerian president that knows he's got just one term would be least bothered by all the hooplas about ideas and morals and would be more concerned about cleaning out eight years treasury in six. You said it yourself that Nigerian presidents, as bad as they all are, are almost always re-elected for a second term. Has it occurred to you that GEJ is positioning himself to serve a total of 10 years in office if this harebrained proposal were to be signed into law? posted on 08-03-2011, 19:41:01 PM CenturyRe: The Single-Term DistractionStandPoint says:"'The Nigerian people are suffering heavily under the burden of uncaring leadership; President Goodluck was seen by some as a breath of fresh air, but from emerging indications, the Jonathan Years may simply be business as usual. In our view, that would be a historic tragedy that must be avoided."
This historic tragedy or the business-as-usual presidency of Jonathan has come to stay, at least, for the next four years. This cannot be avoided. Regrettably! Comments Page: 1 2 |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
