IN THE SERVICE OF THE NATION

On Friday, May 7 2010, I wrote an article, Another One Down, Who’s Next?, you may want to look at it

ANOTHER ONE DOWN... WHO'S NEXT?

Today, 11 months and 19 days after I published the story of Miss Grace Adie Ushang, who was gruesomely murdered in Borno state, I am being forced to write along the same line because we have once again suffered the price of lawlessness, disorderliness and disregard for human lives.
This is also coming after the November 28, 2008 approximately 2 years 5months short 2 days, brutal killing of 3 youth corp members in Plateau state. Leke Akande, 23; Tola Odusola, 20; and Ibukun Oluwatosin Akinjogbin, 23 were slaughtered right in front of family members. I don’t intend to bring back sad memories but it has become necessary to emphasise the extent to which our fragile unity has been threatened.

The post elections crisis recorded around the Northern part of this country has been met with so many condemnations and assertions. You obviously would have expected that; this is how it has always worked in Nigeria. Irrespective of what has being said, the bitter truths is somewhere, parents have lost their children, someone has lost a friend, and a lot of relationship severed depending on what who was murdered is to whoever is counting the loss.
For me, a nation’s pride has been dragged in the mud and the sun forcibly forced to set for young minds that have undergone the rigours of getting educated within the Nigerian terrain hoping to start a meaningful lives. Sadly, this is not to be; no thanks to the blood thirsty vampires let loose from hell.

My approach to this incident may be radically different from what has been recorded in the last one week following the gruesome murders of youth corpers in the north. This is because, I have come to realise that while mourning, it is always important to take out time critically understand the causes of such killings and join voices in finding a last solution to the problems. Hard as it may not to join the seemingly popular call for restructuring of the NYSC scheme or total abolishment, I sincerely share the pains of the crusaders of this opinions and cannot but salute the resoluteness with which these calls have been made.
I however have these to ask, is this the first time such calls have been made? To what extent do we actually classify human life? Besides lip service paid by the government, has there been any notable effort made to really address this situation.

I will go ahead to take these questions one at a time hoping to help charter a holistic demand towards finding a lasting solution to this killings. I sincerely appeal for a careful appraisal of my position considering the nature of item of discourse.

Nigerians have made calls that NYSC be scrapped having had the founding essence betrayed. I wish to soberly submit standing by the side of reality that while people’s dream have been abruptly dashed in the line of service, some have made a meaningful life out of this scheme. Weighed on a scale, the pain of losing a dear one may just represent the joy of seeing a loved one excel inside out. That might sound wrong depending on what angle it is viewed from but it is a fact that can’t be disputed that while some count blessings, some would count gains within the same scheme. That this scheme’s essence had been defeated is in no doubt but asking for total scrapping seems to me trying to kill a fly with a C4.

To what extent do we classify human lives as a nation? Is the life of a pauper worth less that of a rich man? What is the worth of the life of a police man? Or to make a general case, who really does not deserve a life, whether basic or rosy?

We all seem to have narrowed our cries to the death of youth corp members which somehow presupposes that their lives are worth more than those of others that were also killed. It is true that man is likely to push an argument from an angle he is most affected and that also is understandable but can we really afford to be disunited in pushing for a better and secured society? I would argue in the negative.

Every Nigerian, irrespective of education background, religion, ethnic group and socio-political status deserves to enjoy the right to life. Nothing short of this should be our demand from the government whose it is the responsibility to make this happen.

What has been the role of the government is securing the lives and properties of Nigerian citizens? We can’t truly make a correct judgement if we miss the details of how and where these heinous crimes were committed. One of the youth corp members last called to inform that they were being surrounded in a police station where they have gone to seek refuge. That was the last heard of him!

Now we can begin to probe into some other eye opening faults the government has tried to package as something simple. Were there no officers in the station, not even one? If none, where did they all go to? If there were, at least one, where is he now? Was he also murdered? What role did the officer(s) play? Are we so sure they also did not partake in the killing or ran for their lives leaving harmless and innocent civilians in the hands of murderers? Whichever picture you choose to paint, one thing is obvious; our police force is so weak, understaffed and incapacitated. This is just one of the very many implications. We have heard countless cases of policemen joining forces with armed robbers or giving arms to them.

Unfortunately, those officers who have a semblance of good training would have been dispatched to the houses and offices of rich men and politician, some as escorts to expatriates and the rest probably mounting illegal road blocks around looking for what to take home to support the meagre salary paid by the government. Do we blame an officer for absconding knowing that no insurance package covers his family in the event of his death while in service?

The problems are numerous; they keep pinching us from different angles overtime. The best we have received as a reaction from the government is lip service. Did we not get promises after the Suleja bomb blast where youth corp members were wounded and others killed? We got promises after the Jos mayhem, after the Abuja bombing, after the military market blast also in Abuja. We were assured we had seen the end of Boko Haram. Was there not a promise that there would be adequate security and that corp members should take part in the exercise? Who has been brought to book for the bombings, I am not talking about stage managed culprits, true arrest; what happened to the security promised?

The greatest impetus that has continuously aided this ugly trend to continue is the inability of the government to bring any of the perpetrators and their sponsors to book. Today, arsonists, murders, thieves, and drug pushers walk freely on our streets while petty criminals are victims of government ‘flash in the pan’ approach to dealing with crime. Those big men criminals who were managed to be made to face the wrath of the law were either celebrated as they returned from prison or allocated hospital beds in lieu of jail rooms.

I have written this not necessarily to represent an overall views of what the problems are or pose as the seer of a full packaged solution, no, I only intend to probe your inner thoughts and have us all talking about the problems. We can’t always afford to wait for events and then meet them with spontaneous reactions and demands.

It tells a tale of a country that has refused to stand up to her problems and face it squarely, a tale of a leadership that takes extra courage to do the right things ‘once in a while’, a tale of a nation where defaulters end up being heroes.

I sincerely mourn with the families of the deceased, corpers and non corpers, with the nation as a whole and pray that the spirits of these innocent people continue to haunt their killers until they are brought to book.

Where are the thinking caps? Let’s get back to the drawing board.

God Bless Nigeria.

MEND To Initiate World War 3: From my Archive...

I wrote this article on the 16th of September, 2008 at about 10:17 pm in response to a posting on Nairaland MEND To Initiate World War 3.
Toy may want to read the uncensored article following the link:
THE ORIGINAL POST ON NAIRALAND.
I feel the whole Niger Delta matter needs some sincere opinions. My definition of sincere here is contextual, every individual has a right to his or her own definition of sincerity.

While I would love to also share some views as far as Niger Delta crisis is concerned, I would not make the mistake of reducing my analysis to the activities of MEND.
They seem to be the most vocal (not necessarily most organised) of all the militant groups, it really does not make them reasonable and/or most respected.

I share the pains of our brothers and sisters from that side of the country and I feel it is just fair to jointly condemn the neglect they have suffered over time.
I have personally paid visits to some oil rich states and I must confess; if you are very vigilant, you would see poverty in person. Poverty is everywhere.
Not just poverty of amenities or money but also poverty of ideas. They feel so isolated that every other Nigerian may quickly irritate them on issues affecting their existence.

It is no gainsaying that the neglect suffered by this region has successfully separated it from the rest of the nation, so the question of whether Nigeria should divide may need no further answer, events would speak.
However, the first step to getting matters resolved is to see people from other regions condemning the neglect and ask for sincere attention for oil cities.

This crisis to a very large extent has also contributed to what I call ethnic chauvinism.

Having said this much, I have not, atleast within myself, been able to fathom out the sense in blowing up a place we are complaining is under developed. The multi-dimensional issues attached to this matter all would have various opinions visiting them.

First, on kidnapping, I condemn this act is strong terms and feel such should be discouraged. It is a reflection that the struggle for Niger Delta emancipation as far been commercialised if people kidnap only to release the victim after collecting certain amounts tagged ransom, I call it BRIBE.

I however have reasons to suspect that there is a kind of working understanding with most victims been kidnapped in recent times. The comfort and ease with which this kidnap is carried and the speed at which deals are brokered to facilitate release calls for more than meets the eyes. I feel the white man is also beginning to make faster money outside their blood-oil money.

Second, the free display and use of arms and ammunitions raises a lot of questions as regards security. My concern is centered round the fact that we seem not to be asking where these ammunitions come from, definitely not Nigeria then what the mode of transporting it is. By the time we try to ponder over this, we are not likely to spare some big boys cum politicians in this arms deal! So also are the white men. What happens to all the tankers seized, I am sure they don't spill all.
How many of their own are in school as a result of scholarship funded by these militants? All we see is young jobless men cruising around the streets in state of the art cars, spending money lavishly and building castles. Then the question is, get what you can using what you have:

With the caveat, EVERY OTHER PERSON CAN GO TO HELL!!! The whole third world war threat is a reflection of how shallow the militants' understanding of this crisis is, THERE IS MORE TO WAR BEYOND BLINDLY PRESSING DOWN YOUR TRIGGER KILLING YOUR OWN VERY BROTHERS!!!

Finally is the government recklessness and petty approach to resolving the matter. The govt has made this crisis so lucrative that nobody currently feeding fat on this impasse would like to get is resolved anytime soon.

Imagine the creation of a NIGER/DELTA MINISTRY with the office in Abuja while the crisis is in the war torn areas. So how do we reconcile the mindset of a government who has deployed most of our military might to a place and at the same time enticing them with a ministry?

Stick and carrot approach, I’d say. A government that has built more bridges in Abuja where there are no waters than a completely riverine Niger Delta.

In conclusion, I do not fancy the government approach and there is nothing to hide here, at that however, I also condemn in strong terms the manner with which this militants groups have fashioned to redesign their destiny and that of the people of Niger Delta.

I for one do not see them as freedom fighters; I’d rather see them from the angle of anarchists who have privatised the business of anarchism for their own commercial benefits.

I like to see some sense of purpose in the agitation for a better Niger Delta, a constructive and critical review of ways forward and high display of maturity. Beyond this, let us all add our voices to calling for a BETTER NIGER DELTA.

I would sincerely appreciate your views as well.

(Please pardon my mistakes)

Cheers.

IT’S ALREADY THREE DECADE

I am not very sure this would pass for an autobiography but it tells a little about my sojourn on this planet in the last 30 years.
In fairness, I can’t recall what the first four year were like beyond the fact that I was a mummy’s boy and had a relatively comfortable family background.
Events after then especially my early teens have taught me great lessons, so great are these lessons that I have come to realise that understudying the life of a single man is worth more than a university degree. This may be argued but for me, the lessons of life are better taught by living them and not read on pages.
Show me a book on the most equipped shelf that teaches experience, I’d buy with all of my life savings. Even those that try to teach men how to live a good life limit the teachings only to getting you prepared to live your own life.
I have lived mine so far relying on parental guidance, societal influence, spiritual guidance, peer influence and above all self will.
By any standard, I can’t claim to have had the best of life neither the worst; I have been opportune to see life from the perspective of a rich kid and that of a poverty stricken young mind. I have had reasons to take decisions influenced only by my living condition without considerations for whether or not it agreed with the norms of the society and commands of the Almighty.
Within this little while, I have come to realise that man can only claim to be consistence to the extent of which of his trait is convenient for him, that probably explains why we get disappointed at times and impressed some other times. Why in the first instance would I be impressed when you do things I know you are capable of or disappointed when you come out in your known colours? These two feelings are in my opinion elements of surprise.
Growing up has been so revealing and interesting. The best of our actions in the past years, we look back and see they are the most foolish of present years; it is not as if we weren’t corrected then but, tell me a man that can do better than the limits of his thinking. We were just at the best of our folly for those years. These were years when the community would be willing to forgive us owing to our age limitations. I look back at the arrogance with which most of those acts especially mine were defended and I can only thank God for giving me a second chance and people around especially the elders for understanding.
Today, I am looking back with almost all pictures of the past flashing my mind with some nostalgic feelings. I sure miss the past but the question is whether I can have it back. The scriptures all preach about it but man’s wisdom can’t comprehend the depth of spiritual teachings.
I remember almost everything. The songs that were sang when, the movies, the breaks and holidays. The gathering of friends and outings; the memories of the dead family members, friends and colleagues. All have played a role in designing my kind of man, the man that I have always wanted to be.
These years have taught me yet another irony of life. To what extent can we control the events that mould our lives? How then can we stand confident to say we are now the dream person we wanted to be? Is it more convenient to say we are the captain of our own destinies or better say we are the best of what nature has made of us? Whichever way we choose to go, I think it is all about contentment and the will to get better.
Life for me hasn’t been a bed of roses nor thorns; it has come with phases of ups and downs, good and bad times, I have laughed very much and cried very hard, I have achieved feats and failed woefully at tasks, I have taught lessons and have been taught multiple times, I have drank to my satisfaction and fought thirst bitterly, I have fed fat and gone slim out of hunger, I have celebrated the birth of new ones and wept at the demise of loved ones, I have won and lost, I have given and taken, I have seen life through others and expectedly some have seen it through me. I have impressed some and disappointed some. I have seen that life is in itself a scale that measures the two possibilities of human life and endeavours.
Now, I am thirty years old, I am so aware the priviledges of youthful exuberance are gone and responsibilities of adulthood beckon. To what extent I am set for the challenges others have taken on well before now is a question of time? I hope I can one day read this piece and say with a big smile, SO FAR SO GOOD.
It has been a very adventurous life, one that if given the opportunity, I would lead again but with moderations. I can’t get any luckier than what I have become because of the people I have met thus far and their respective roles and influence in my live.
Alhaja Elegbede, my mother, my goddess. If permitted by Allah, she would be about the only person I’d bow to. My rock of gibraltar. Abiamo lojo isoro. Today, I cannot but say thank you even when I know these letters can’t express how much your efforts, prayers, sleepless nights and your tears have impacted in my life. Of what use would laurels be to me, if your blessings are off my head. Thanks for being so wonderful, thanks for being so caring; thanks Mama for the sacrifice. All I can say is you haven’t seen my best. May Allah preserve you to enjoy the fruits of your sweat.
Dad thanks. You have always called me a man. Now I am growing into one; your resounding lessons and quiet messages are my fortress. You have calmly mentioned the errors and advised the way to go. You have stood to correct me and lowered yourself to be corrected. You have taught me leadership and made yourself available as a follower. You are the man, thanks for your ways and positions in times of confusion. Funny as it may sound, thanks for marrying Mum.
To my siblings, THANK YOU. I am more than sure that you all know what it means when I say that. You all have been my first contact with life and today, I probably wouldn’t have had a life but for your understanding and love. I feel most privileged to be a part of you.
Friends and colleagues, would there have been a better time to know any of you? No! Thanks for coming into my life at this time. You have added colour to my life and made it very interesting.
This is my story, the story of a life that has continuously reminded me that for every situation there’s a choice to make and a path to thread.
Alhamdullilahi Robil Al-Amin, it’s already three decades...

CONGRATULATORY LETTER TO MR. PRESIDENT ELECT; DR. GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN

Dear Sir,

CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE

I am writing today to congratulate you on your re-election as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed forces of the Federal republic of Nigeria, not because I am your fan neither do I fall into the category of early well wishers for the sake of recognition. This message is informed by the need to call your attention to the fact that beyond the victory at the poll, the major victory lies in being able to deliver your promises on one hand and your ability to meet the Nigeria people at the point of their needs on the other hand.

Elections, which in all honestly stands out compared to what we have had between 1999 and now but not necessarily the best we can have, have come and gone but the Nigerian problems have deepened calling for immediate attention hence, leaving no time to champagne or parties.

The wish of every voter is to see the coming government perform; you need not be told that beyond the promises you made during your campaigns most of which in my opinion do not represent the ideal solution to the Nigerian crises, the need to get to work almost immediately cannot be emphasised enough.

You have promised to ensure construction of airports across the country if voted in. Such promise makes me wonder what the job of the various financial advisers and Minister of Finance is. How this is achievable in the space of four years is also an issue to carefully consider except the plan for a tenure extension or a 7 year single term plan is launched; you may want to argue government is a continuous process but the golden question is, how much do we need these airports and what do we suffer if we don’t have them?

The cost implication of such investment would only shift attention from pressing items that would immediately reflect changes in the lives of Nigerians and give hope for a better future. Take some time to think about it. Yes, you have made these pronouncements but by dictates of objective reality, more airports are not urgent need of Nigerians.

Mr. President, you have also promised establishment of more universities, that is yet another disturbing promise which makes me think Nigerians have voted not necessarily because of the promises made but for reasons attached to personal views. You probably should mandate your minister of education, whoever that is going to be, to move round tertiary institutions in Nigeria and report back to you the extent of decay. Adding more universities would amount not only to waste of scarce resources but also imply disorderliness in our priorities as a nation.

Have you thought about investing these resources in existing universities to bring them to world standards? What about the take home of our lecturers and teachers? What about involving private companies in funding projects and increasing their quota for scholarship for indigent students? These are about some of the meaningful steps to be taken to save the ivory towers from the decay recorded over time.

The problem of insecurity stares at you and I am sure you know this much. You are in the know that no matter how much change you intend to effect, if people cannot go about their normal lives without the fear of kidnap or bomb blasts which have being on the increase in the recent time, then you have achieved nothing.

An approach would be for you to be more detailed and firmer in your approach to curbing this menace. What comes to my mind are the sad occurrences of explosions and innocent lives lost across the country and also your statement that a particular organisation wasn’t responsible for the bomb blast. I hope you would be mindful of your assertions on other issues as I don’t pray for such occurrences again.

Mr. President, you have promised to bring culprits to book, we have heard nothing so far and nobody is being arraigned for these offences, is that suggesting culprits can walk freely while families go to sleep everyday hoping for justice that may never come? It sure would if you don’t make it a priority. Nigeria needs to be safe.

All security outfits must be well funded and adequately empowered and remunerated. Joining the Nigerian security outfits as a result of lack of job must be discouraged; passion and merit must be allowed to govern enrolment. The welfare package of men of the respective forces should be given serious attention, without these, we are likely to dance round this matter over and over again.

Sir, your promises to invest in local contents and revive the manufacturing capability of Nigeria would amount to nothing if the borders are carelessly flung open. For a very long time, our country has remained a dumping ground so much so that foreign companies feel more comfortable with making gains than local institutions. I make bold to say that Nigerians, given the right and enabling environment can come up with products that meet world standards.

The policies on commerce are so poor and tax system is so moribund that people have resolved to cutting corners and under-delivering standards to make up for other sundry expenses that the government can readily help with.

Your Excellency now is the time to act on power and oil. So much lip service has been paid to these key issues that one begins to ask when exactly the action plans would be rolled out.
Brilliant ideas have been suggested at different forums and events to resurrect the sector in question but as it stands, we are getting almost nothing as a people. May I challenge you Mr. President that until you take decisive steps on how best to deal with these situations especially individuals who are selfishly feeding fat on the rot in our power sector, we still would get nothing from it?

If there is a best time to kick start implementation, it was twelve years ago, a better time is now Sir.

Sir, you may also want to take time to check with the Minister of Health, whether the current one or whoever is coming in, how many of the child death recorded so far can be avoided, same for other related deaths and breakout of diseases. The health sector is also begging for immediate attention. Sir, have you asked how many governors, ministers or members of the respective houses go to the General hospitals? You may want to argue it is a question of taste and availability of resources but I would argue that such tastes are funded by the monies belonging to the public. If they have done a good job with the health sector, why fly abroad to treat common ailments? Do you feel anything when you read about the exodus of professionals all in the pursuit of better working conditions? These are challenges Mr. President. You can’t have this much on your table and have spare time for wild jubilations.

Sir, this is a country whose future lies in the youth, the need to show good examples is very important. Celebrating the likes of Bode George is far from the kind of lessons future leaders should be taught, I would advise you distance yourself from such gatherings and pay more attention to your promises as amended. This is to the extent that presidential pardon must be carefully and well thought of before being granted. Let me also quickly add that the urgency demanded by the Nigeria crises does not leave room for compensating friends, associates and party members with ministerial appointments, no! Let the round pegs stay in the round holes and encourage people to return to trade; politics after all is not supposed to be an occupation.

Sir, Nigerians are dying daily across the globe all because our foreign policies are porous. We must not encourage crime or make cases for disgruntled Nigerians who soil the name of this nation but, there is a need to ensure justice has been done. There is a need to redefine our relationship with the outside world and show to them that Nigerian citizens are human beings and must be treated as such.

Also, the Judiciary must be allowed to function to its capacity. It should leave up to its role as the hope for the common man. This country has witnessed many cases of compromised justice, a situation that has in turn encouraged jungle justice and crime rate. You must lead the way and have everybody learn that no one is above the sacrosanct law guiding our existence as a people.
Mr. President, this list is long and the truth is whether or not they are written, they stare right into your face and you know they exist.

Now you have in your hands the book of history and pen of posterity, write for yourself that which you would like to be read to generations yet unborn.
These are my words for you, bitter as they may sound, that is the way I feel. Wherever you feel spited, check again and you are likely to agree within yourself that it is an item you need to act upon.

Once again, you have being favoured by democracy, a sheer game of numbers. A phenomenon that has over time proven that while majority determines the outcome, majority at times can be very wrong in their judgement. Take this advantage to prove that the majority made the right decision by doing the right thing and serving the interest of the people.

Finally, you are assured of commendations when you get it right and truly this is what I like many true Nigerians which for; when you get it wrong however, expect the truth to be told and recommendations made. You don’t have to know it all so get people of deep knowledge and intelligence to work with you without interfering.

Be humble in victory and always remember there is no time for vendetta.

I wish you all the best.

Goodluck to you, President Goodluck.

God bless Nigeria.

THE APRIL CONSPIRACY

... Those who make peaceful revolution impossible, make violent revolution inevitable. -John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

I have thought of handing out this article well before now but for other engagements and my decision to allow the process go without making comments, it is just happening now.
Clearly, in the history of our democracy spanning the last twelve years, the enthusiasm shown this year can only match what we recorded during the June 12, 1993 elections. Many organisations have rolled out different degrees of platform to monitor elections, give voice to the electorates and also admonish the masses on the need to vote. The involvement of the international community in terms of human resources deployed and financial support cannot but further confirm the readiness of the good people of Nigeria to see the process through and ensure the freeness and fairness we have been promised.

On Thursday, March 31st, 2011, apart from the fact that the INEC chairman continuously assured Nigerians how set the commission was for the election, materials were set to have also arrived on the same day by noon. This same assurance was broadcasted on Friday, heightening the hope of the masses.

On Saturday, April 2nd, 2011 mid way into the process of accreditation and voting in some other places, rumours started flying that elections have been postponed in some areas, Plateau and Gombe were the first names to go round. While there were no given reasons as to why this was so, a twitter message by INEC, inecnigeria, read “NO CANCELLATION OF IN NIGER, GOMBE, BENIN OR ANY STATE AT ALL. PLEASE IGNORE THE RUMORS.” at about 11am. Another one read, “There will be an official statement made by the chairman of INEC PLEASE BE PATIENT.” at about some minutes to 12 noon.

Lo and behold, the INEC Chairman came on air to announce the cancellation and postponement of the National Assembly Elections by 48 hours.

To set the facts straight, Prof. Jega displayed a rare level of decency to have admitted the faults were that of the INEC and appealed to Nigerians, and that was enough for a lot of people to give him a pat on the back and hopefully wait for a better turnout on Monday.

While that must be noted, I strongly feel such event tells too many tales to be overlooked as a result of admittance of fault. By dictates of common sense, what the Prof did is what he should have done; if for the reasons that we have a system where morals walk on its head with the legs up, Prof. Jega should be pardoned, then anyone can as well carry out his evil deeds and then take responsibility.

Certain questions need to be asked and answers provided. What stopped this broadcast from coming on the night of Friday, April 1st, 2011? It probably in the Prof’s wisdom would have passed for an april fool’s joke. If election materials did not arrive the country as at Friday night, I have reasons to feel the hesitation of the INEC chairman to have made the pronouncement there and then waters down the moral noise his admittance was expected to generate.

I would have expected him to meet with party leaders and representatives to discuss the situation and have them all seat at the press briefing rather than plunge the country into such a huge embarrassment.

Second, does it occur to the INEC and indeed Mr. President who termed this as one of the sacrifices we have to make to ensure a free process, how much this country is losing for the wasted days? How much the international community have lost? How much the Nigerian traders have lost? It probably doesn’t matter to them; afterall, the budget of the INEC in the first instance seems to have emerged from the heavens always in round figures.

I also have to ask how Mr. Chairman arrived at the date he communicated to us. What does he intend to change or effect within 48hrs? Can we by now anticipate delay on Monday as I really haven’t come to understand how INEC intends to get materials across the country in a short time? Did the chairman take time to consider the effect of logistics on parties participating in the process? Do all these add up to an issue to waive aside because Prof. Jega did the logical thing? I would argue in the negative.

Have we quickly forgotten Mrs. Ayoka, the godly staff and the Resident Commissioner at the Ekiti State election rerun who later turned her back at her own very words? There is always a way to appeal to public sympathy as a premise to perpetuate a bigger fraud.

In my little experience dealing with people, I have come to realise that the best way to kill the morals of people is to push it to its height and then betray expectations; this is exactly what the INEC is doing and I am forced by this reasoning to see the INEC Chairman as part of a bigger picture of electoral fraud.

It would be my joy that I am proved wrong and that would be for the good of the nation. The implication of such cancellation would either be that people would not bother turning out on Monday, April 4th hence, making the process of rigging a little convenient or if the brains behind this scheme would be unlucky, people would push harder and come out in their numbers to make sure they actually vote and see this process through. Whichever way it goes, we need to then be mindful of the antics of these who also would have various plans for any outcome.

The people have shown great interest in this process and it would take a very high level of ingenuity to rig, this cancellation has a semblance of such genius. Whet the appetite of the people with promises of a free process and flaunt your credentials, raise their hopes, betray it and then take responsibility.

The chain is quite simple but the psychological implication of it is far reaching. The leadership of INEC would have to work wonders to convince Nigerians it is not an electoral arm of the ruling party. The ease with which Mr. President tagged the cancellation as a sacrifice leaves yet another mark of mendaciousness; he even asserted that he had to rush back, so funny!
It should be on record that if things keep going this way, we are simply headed for a crisis situation which clearly, our current crop of leaders don’t appear to be capable of handling. We are yet to receive any report on the various bombings and other crises across the country. All these too prepare a good ground for the leadership of this country to call off the whole elections on the grounds of security.

This is where we are but we all can make a decision as to where we want to get to. It is unarguably frustrating but then we need to keep pushing to make our impact felt. We need to go out en masse as demonstrated today to get accredited and cast our votes to make rigging very impossible for these elements. If we don’t, for whatever reason we want to give, we can as well kiss the next eight years good bye and look farther beyond.

We don’t have to wait for people to march out on the street before we start taking actions, the deeds of this government is likely to throw us into rounds of civil war if it is not confronted head on.

Prof. Jega for all I care has not disappointed me; he has on the contrary made me appreciate the fact that human beings like every other creation of the most Supreme are unstable and prone to change whether for the good or otherwise. Past credentials might be enough to make people invest little respect but the true respect is that which we live to earn everyday; that is what explains who we truly are.

I might be wrong as I have earlier stated but I seem to be comfortable coming from behind to get to see the good side of things than having my hope raised like the Prof just did. This man is yet another agent of the April Conspiracy.

STOP PRESS:

This article was about going to press when Prof Attahiru Jega again announced that elections previously slated for tomorrow have been postponed again for another few days and would now hold on the 9th of April, this should have been the right step after the last embarrassment.

I would save that for another day. From my blackberry, someone asked if it would be safe to make Prof. Jega your wedding planner; I for one would not. He is likely to postpone it when I am about to answer Yes, I do!!!

God Bless Nigeria.