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Nigerian Curiosity details
Listing ID: 924
Title: Nigerian Curiosity
Description: Blog from a Nigerian concerned about his people both at home and abroad.
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listed on: June 08, 2008 06:33:16 PM
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| RELIGIOUS&POLITICAL VIOLENCE IN JOS - Sun, 30 Nov 2008 17:55:00 -0600 | ||||
Nigeria is home to over 250 tribes and 140 million people of various religious leanings. Over the years, sectarian violence has broken out between Muslims and Christians, especially in the northern part of the country. The last few years have been relatively free of significant violence but all that changed on Thursday, November 27th.
“[b]asically here in Nigeria, I think the large number of Muslims, the large number of Christians, I think basically remain very harmoniously, this is wonderful, please keep this type of harmonious relationship.”Fighting was initially sparked by supporters of two political parties, the ANPP and PDP, as they awaited local government election results. The chaos soon took a religious tinge resulting in the death of at least300 citizens. REACTIONS The Arewa Consultative Forum, a northern interest group,appealedto citizens to stop the violence. "Differences in ethnicity, of faiths and in party platforms or ideology are facts of this nation's reality. What is required of every law-abiding citizen is for him/her to accept the reality of one united Nigeria in diversity: love it and make the most of the diversity's possible good,"At the Vatican,Pope Benedictprayed about the situation on Sunday and urged the world to express "horror and disapproval" at the senseless violence. A spokesperson for President Yar'Aduasaidthat the President was "on top of the situation having been fully briefed on the phone by the governor." He has sincesummonedthe governor of Plateau State MY THOUGHTS It continues to be mind boggling how politics can be used as a trigger for the violent destruction of lives and property. To imagine that this latest sectarian violence was triggered by amere local government electionillustrates the tense nature of Nigerian politics and the means by which it can become a trigger for tribal conflict. While it is wonderful to see that Yar'Adua responded quickly and is apparently taking steps to remedy the situation,I wonder whether the political parties and the politicians on whose behalf so much destruction was wrought will take the appropriate steps to strike a note of peace, encourage the forgiveness that will be necessary for Jos to heal and take moral responsibility for the chaos. As the world mourns with the residents and victims of the recent Mumbai terror attack, it is disheartening that in Jos, Nigerians are turning against each other instead of working together. In Mumbai, Indians demand accountability and answers from their government over the failure to prevent the carnage. I, in turn, must ask how we let this situation get out of hand so quickly. This is not the first time that such violence has been sparked by politics and in fact, it is well known that some politicians will use young men to bully citizens into voting for them or staying away form the polls all together.How is it that those who use young men to mete out violence and destruction for their personal political objectives, walk the streets without any fear of consequences?What were the political candidates, for whom blood was eventually shed, doing while the city of Jos became a center of sectarian violence? Additionally, what steps are in place to prevent a repeat of this in Jos and any other part of the country? As calm returns to Jos and as it is now clear that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won all 17 local government elections, it must take the first step in dousing the flames that this election started. That, plus a conscious effort by all to limit and discourage political and religious tensions will be necessary for Jos, and indeed the entire nation, to prevent a repeat of such carnage. ADDED: When the election violence broke out in Kenya, earlier thsi year, the following was mymessage/warning to Nigeria's politica elite. I think it is worth repeating given the recent events in Jos. "I hope that Yardy and the other Big Boys are paying attention to how quickly corruption andmago-mago democracy (false democracy)can cause a ticking time bomb to explode.There are many reasons why Kenya is in chaos, but let us not forget that the intersection of dashed dreams, poverty, corruption, and a shoddy democratic system can cause an eruption in many a country. If that, God forbid, were to happen in Nigeria, then we would all suffer regardless of class, tribe or religion. We cannot afford that to happen. Nigeria's 'leaders' must keep this in mind and Nigerians must do all they can to prevent that possibility." If the recent violence in Jos is not a warning to be heeded particularly for future local and national elections, don't know what is. Please read Oz's take on the Jos violencehere. Related Articles of Interest: -On Ticking Timebombs: Kenya, Nigeria et. al. -Continuing Violence.... -Is Nigeria A Breeding Ground For Terrorism? -'Yawa Don Gas'- Potential Election Violence  | ||||
| RIBADU - NO GOOD DEED GOES UNPUNISHED - Thu, 27 Nov 2008 10:53:00 -0600 | ||||
Far too often, those who stand up and do the right thing end up being severely punished. So many have been destroyed for stepping outside the status quo, even though doing so is the honorable and proper thing to do. While such is not germane to Nigeria, it does appear thatpunishment for a job well doneis increasingly becoming a Nigerian trademark. One need look no further than the rise and incredible fall of Nuhu Ribadu to confirm that in Nigeria, when it comes to doing the right thing for the country - no good deed goes unpunished.  Once a shining, and arguably, untouchable star, Ribadu is now fighting for the preservation of his legacy and the accomplishments he made from being flushed down the drain. There were signs that his position in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was in jeopardynot too long after Yar'Adua came into office, what with the constant comments and even acts ofdeliberate interferenceby the Attorney General of the Federation,Michael Aondoakaa. The whittling away of Ribadu's 'shine' happened over a period of time but kicked into high gear when he wasremovedfrom his position as chair of the EFCC and sent for 'required training' to the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS). During that 'training', Ribadu wasdemotedfrom Assistant Inspector General to Deputy Commissioner of Police, an act for which he latersued the Police Service Commission (PSC). The case was eventually thrown out of court. Just last week, he was prevented from graduating from the 'training' course by armed SSS officers whoforcibly removed and arrestedRibadu at the NIPSS ceremony. As of today, his graduation certificate is yet to be given to him, prompting President Yar'Adua, who typically avoids interfering in various domestic issues, to publicly deny that Ribadu's arrest and other woes were prompted by his office. The President went on to 'order' NIPSS to confer upon him his certificate and institute a 'probe' into the graduation incident. Despite that, the list of problems Ribadu faces only continue to grow. Now, the PSC is set to 'query' Ribadu for improper dressing and misconduct for recently showing up with other NIPSS 'students' to meet with Yar'Adua in civilian clothing. PUNISHMENT FOR A JOB WELL DONE In the quest to investigate the theft of Nigeria's money by some unscrupulous citizens, Ribadu, undoubtedly, made enemies. His meteoric rise to the second highest position in the Police Force, AIG, must have been hard for many of his peers to swallow. However, considering his accomplishments as head of the EFCC, such as the incredibleretrieval of $600 billionin stolen public funds, and the investigation and trial of many previously deemed untouchable individuals, his promotions, though atypical, should not be shocking. What should be shocking is the unfortunate suffering at the hands of the PSC and indeed the Federal Government (via Yar'Adua's silence) that Ribadu and his family are forced to endure simply because he did his job. I hope Ribadu does not regret rejecting the$15 million bribe, surely one of many, that he was offered to not investigate a certain individual. I hope he does not regret doing exactly what he had been greatly criticized for - finally investigating former President Obasanjo and his friends/family/allies because once he took the EFCC down that road - announcing that it willlook into OBJ's activities(which Yar'Adua and the new EFCC have nowsquashed), investigatingIbori, and OBJ's daughterObasanjo-Bello- his troubles really began. THE UNFORTUNATE PRECEDENT But what is more disconcerting, is the precedent that Ribadu - as a man, as a concept - sets for Nigeria's present and Nigeria's future. By allowing Ribadu to be subjected to such treatment, Nigeria - its government and its people - have failed to protect those that have worked for the betterment of the country. Clearly, in the performance of his job at the EFCC, Ribadu was not perfect, but for serving the people's interests, he should be allowed to exist in relative peace without the fear of constant attack and evenphysical harmas he himself has asserted to. Given Ribadu's situation, why would any Nigerian volunteer to assist the government in its proclaimed battle to limit corruption? In fact, why would any Nigerian assist the nation in doing anything good, if it will ruffle feathers and potentially put one and their family at risk? How can we not protect those charged with going to battle for the people? The failure to understand the importance of protecting those, like Ribadu, when things get rough is a failure that we all are guilty of. Instead, we all watch, seemingly powerless, but hoping that something good will come out of all this. But we cannot escape the unfortunate precedent set by these series of events, nor can we ignore the reality that for his service to the Republic, Ribadu will be punished. The only question that remains is how will it all end. For Ribadu's sake, the sake of his family and indeed the future of Nigeria, I hope that in due time, focus will turn away from Ribadu and he will be allowed to live in Nigeria (if he so chooses) in peace. If not, if Ribadu is forced to leave the country or something sinister happens to him or his family, it will be one more shortcoming Nigeria will eventually have to account for. Related Articles of Interest: -Ribadu's Removal -Ribadu Demoted; Likely To Be Arrested -Sabotage: Aondoakaa vs. Ribadu Et. Al. -Political Soap Operas: Nigerian Style | ||||
| YARDY TO GET A THIRD TERM? - Mon, 24 Nov 2008 08:30:00 -0600 | ||||
| Those that follow Nigerian politics know that former President Obasanjo apparentlysought to amendthe Nigerian Constitution to grant him a third term. However, that attempt sparkedoutragein the National Assembly and general public, in general. Despite that, many like retired General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma allege that Obasanjo handpicked Yar'Adua tofulfill his third term ambitionsand maintain control over the nation. However, in the currentundemocratic atmospherein Nigeria wherebloggers are being detained,independent news channels and political programming is being shut downandjournalists are being thrown in jail, the Joint Committee on Constitution Review (JCCR) is set toconsider a proposal seeking a third term amendment to the Nigerian Constitution.  Nigeria's National Assembly has taken great strides what with theprobethat exposed the deep rot in Nigeria's power sector. However, the National Assemblyincreased its pay by over 100%earlier this year in a country where over 90% of the people live on less than $2 a day. This same National Assembly also gave President Yar'Adua apay hikeearlier this year, gave380 carsto the members of the House of Representatives and despite their 'objections' were powerless to prevent Nigeria from taking a risky$3 BN loanfrom the World Bank. It is, therefore, difficult for me to see how the National Assembly can objectively decide for Nigerians that Yardy should get a third term as President. This is simply a matter of credibility based on the facts. So, unless there is an outcry similar to what occurred during Obasanjo's 'Third Term Agenda', it is quite possible that the 'Rule of Law' democracy that is Nigeria could end up with Yar'Adua as President until 2019. I would recommend a national vote on the issue but considering the fact that the Independent National Election Committee's leader, Maurice Mmaduakolam Iwu,criticizedAmerica's recent historic elections by saying amongst other incredible things that, "They should learn to keep a voters' register and they should learn to hold elections in one day,"I, unfortunately, have absolutely no faith that such an act would produce a verifiable mandate upon which the JCCR could proceed. The challenge remains whether Nigerians will succumb toPPPand allow the democratic dream to completely give way to democratic delusion. Thanks to N.I.M.M.O. for the Iwu name correction. | ||||
