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.