I just had, most humbly, the misfortune, of reading the 27 paragraph national broadcast by President Muhammadu Buhari. I had guffawed when many Nigerians awaited the speech with great expectations and bated animation, believing erroneously, that, like I had humbly advised president Buhari yesterday, he would roll out drums of empathy for our slain innocent youths and their grieving families. I told them not to expect any calming or balming speech of reconciliation and empathy. Buhari did not disappoint me. His national address was devoid of sympathy, empathy, fatherly feelings, or even the mere milk of human kindness for a nation on the dangerous precipice and cliff. His speech was unfortunately insensate and insensitivity.
It epitomised a sorry and pathetic disconnect between the government and the people Mr President governs, or pretends to govern. The speech was more of a military dicta, a ferocious barracks riot Act, read to some unruly riotous mutineers and insurrectionists, to bring them to book. He simply talked down on Nigerians, not with Nigerians. I felt quite depressed and saddened. He lost a rare golden, momentous and historic opportunity to unify a profusely hemorrhaging and badly fractured nation. He spoke more like an Emperor addressing cringing servants, nay, slaves in bondage. Buhari reeled out what he considered to be his government’s presumed economic innovations to tackle the travails of a decaying nation. He found time to “pay tribute to officers of the Nigeria Police Force who have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty”; but found no single word, phrase or sentence , to console or condole with the mourning families of the youths that were mauled down in cold blood by the same trigger – happy officers. He never found a word of empathy, or even sympathy, for the innocent Nigerian flags – waving peaceful protesters who were hacked down in their hundreds across the nation. Who did this to us as a country?
He threatened that “under no circumstances” will anything that “amounts to undermining national security and the law and order situation… be tolerated”.
Mr President was not yet done. He blamed the “spreading of deliberate falsehood and misinformation through the social media in particular” as amounting to a “ploy to mislead the unwary within and outside Nigeria into unfair judgement and disruptive behaviour “. Mr President sir, we all live in Nigeria here, a big prison yard. We do not need social media to educate us about our grinding poverty, mass unemployment, lack of basic social amenities and non-availability of light, educational, medical, water and security environment. Nigerians do require the social media to tell them about Police brutality, extra- judicial killings, increased corruption, a parlous economy, an inequitable social justice system, non-observance of the rule of law, human rights, obedience to court orders and the general environment of despondency, haplessness and hopelessness.
Mr President agonised over disruption of travel plans, destruction of public and private properties and invasion of the international airport. Yes sir, I agree that these acts are condemnable, and I hereby also firmly condemn them in their entirety. But, Mr President sir, was it so difficult, like rocket science, to at least, acknowledge the lost lives of harmless youths who were unarmed, but brutally cut down in their prime? Just a word sir? Was it necessary that the very second paragraph of a presidential speech to a nation under tumult, rather than bandaging raw wounds, was threatening fire and brimstone, such as to “warn those who have hijacked and misdirected the initial, genuine and well – intended protest of some of our youths in parts of the country…”?
Who did the hijacking sir? Who were the shadowy persons who prompted fully armed security personnel to open hot lead on flag- waving and unarmed Nigerian youths at the Lekki toll gate? Mr President as the Commander- In – Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, didn’t wonder, like the international community has been doing, how and why fully armed military operatives were involved in a non – violent civilian protest. Who deployed them? I didn’t read anywhere Mr President indicated that such errant officers will be brought to book, or tried in appropriate military quarters, or before courts of law, so that the ends of justice shall be served. I searched in vain to see any mention about those hoodlums that unleashed mayhem on innocent and peacefully protesting Nigerian youths, or how the entire security apparachick of Nigeria will be accorded a total overhaul and rejuvenation. No. I never read anywhere Mr President talked about compensation, restitution for, or apology, to the families of youths plucked down in their prime, in cold blood, and those still battling for survival in various hospitals across Nigerians. Not only did the entire speech fail to inspire Nigerians, or rekindle whatever remains of their dwindling hopes and disappearing faith in Nigeria as a nation, it was rather imperious, provocative and condescending. Nothing new was said about how to pacify the righteously angry Nigerian youths (whom he once described as “lazy Nigerian youths”), with fresh educational, job and capacity-building opportunities. Was it too much for Mr President, for once, to climb down from his high galloping horse, to cuddle (even if pretentiously), the Nigerian youths, with a warm fatherly embrace? Haba!!!
HOW PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI IGNORED MY PATRIOTIC AND WELL- INFORMED ADVICE IN 2015 AND NIGERIANS ARE PAYING DEARLY FOR IT TODAY
(PART 1)
INTRODUCTION
There are critics and there are critics. Some Critics criticise for the fun of it. Others do so to be noticed. Yet, some others do so for altruistic reasons. Yours sincerely falls into this last category. As a Social Critic, Human Rights Activist and pro-democracy Campaigner (leave out the lawyer and writer in me), I criticise and critique governments and their actions, with a view to making our country and society better. I use available and unassailable data, backed with hard cold facts, law, logic and common sense. I do this from a non – blurred set of analytical binoculars; akin to Galileo’s telescope, which totally changed mankind’s view about the entire universe. That is why I always proffer solutions after raising the problems and challenges. I always ask the questions about our challenges. I then answer the questions. Occasionally, I also question the answers. As a Pan – Nigerian, non – partisan and non – card – carrying member of any of the existing Nigerian political parties, I discuss and analyse events and issues most dispassionately, with uncommon candour. I then proceed ahead to proffer the panacea. Most humbly, that is the difference between me and other social Critics.
You can always disagree with me. It is your Constitutional right to so do. You may even dislike, loathe, insult or abuse me for my strong views. That is also your right. I cannot force anyone to like me. In any event, I am not in any popularity contest. But, one thing you may not be able to do is to fault my hard, cold facts and data. As Uthman Dan Fodio once put it, “conscience is an open would; only the truth can heal it”. This position signposts my today’s discourse which takes us back to 2015, where my views and suggestions, wholly ignored by this government, have today resonated from their cold graves and are today hunting us, like a phoenix from its ashes. The following two pieces which I wrote, respectively, on 21ST OF APRIL, 2015, and 3RD OF MAY, 2015 (ever before Muhammadu Buhari was sworn in as Nigerian PRESIDENT), will demonstrate how I tackled the then President Goodluck Jonathan and the then president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari. These views and suggestions were contained in my series, titled, “THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: THE WINNERS AND LOSERS”, published in my weekly Sunday Telegraph column, “THE NIGERIAN PROJECT”. Had President Buhari hearkened to my patriotic pieces of advice and humble intervention, Nigerians would not today literally be on fire. And President Buhari would not today be holed up in Aso Villa, contending with nearly two weeks of “#ENDSARS” protests. By the way, #ENDSARS, in its full nakedness, is nothing but an euphemism for Nigerians’ deep – seated anger, exasperation, despondency, provocation and disappointment, about Buhari’s clueless, lack – lustre, but dictatorial iron – fist rule. Read both articles carefully and judge for yourselves, those who are the genuine patriots, and those who are the corridors – of – power – hypocrites, bootlickers, fawners and emergency contractors. Now, read this first part. Part 2 follows immediately. I humbly urge you to also read and digest it carefully.
THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION:
THE WINNERS AND LOSERS (PART 3)
SUNDAY TELEGRAPH OF 21st APRIL, 2015.
“This week, we shall conclude our analysis of the pattern of voting in the last presidential election that denied GMB a Pan-Nigerian mandate, and thereafter, set an agenda of action and success for him.
NORTH WEST
GMB’s strongest base as expected was the North West, where he hails from. A predominantly Muslim, Hausa-Fulani region, these geopolitical zones clearly underlined the politics of religion and ethnicity that bedeviled the last election, in the same measure that South- South and South-East exemplified these in favour of GEJ. GMB walked away with victory in all six states of the zone, leaving Jonathan to pick 25% in only one, Kaduna. GMB made his largest haul of votes here, which firmly put a seal to the coffin of GEJ’s ambition to retain his seat.
Let’s do some mathematics: Jigawa – GMB (85.3%), GEJ (13.7%); Kaduna – GMB (64.5%), GEJ (27.7%); Katsina – GMB (92.8%), GEJ (6.8%); Kebbi – GMB (83.8%), GEJ (14.9%); Sokoto – GMB (80.5%), GEJ (18.2%); Zamfara – GMB (80.4%), GEJ (19%).
In the 2011 election, GMB had hauled 6,453,437, a figure he upped in 2015 to 7,115,199. This figure is about half his total votes across the entire country! From only one out of six geopolitical zones! GEJ, on the other hand garnered 3,395,724 in 2011, a figure which abysmally depleted to 1,333,709 in 2015.
From the above results, GEJ, more than in any other geopolitical zone, actually lost the election in GMB’s South West home turf, a clear indication that religion and ethnicity played a major role in the election. But, can GMB afford to be president of North West and parts of North East geopolitical zones alone? I think not. He dares not.
With all these results added, we are faced with the grim picture of a gravely fractured country, wearing the hideous visage of a sorry country yearning for nationhood. It means that absolutely more than half of Nigerian voters rejected GMB in the just concluded election. The margin of 2,571,759 votes with which GMB defeated GEJ, pales into infinitesimal insignificance when compared with the humungous 10,280,334 votes with which Jonathan beat Buhari in 2011.
What is more, both President Jonathan and President-elect Buhari, had each scored the mandatory demand of 25% in at least 24 of Nigeria’s 36 states, to satisfy the constitutional requirement. Buhari was lucky to have had plurality or majority of votes. Significantly, GEJ, the loser, had 25% in 27 states, while GMB, the winner also had it in 27 states of the Federation, the same number as GEJ. This is a very dicey situation of the same six and half a dozen, the same Hamlet and the Prince of Denmark. More interesting is the truism that in the remaining states that both candidates lost, GMB, the winner, had over 10% in only one state (Imo) while GEJ, the loser, scored over 10% in seven states (Kano, Jigawa, Gombe, Zamfara, Kebbi, Kaduna and Sokoto states), showing clearly, more acceptance of GEJ in the North, than of Buhari in the South. Do you now see why he needs to work very hard in bridging this alarmingly yawning divide?
THE PROVERBIAL BANANA PEEL
Nigerians are very impatient people, having been short-changed again and again, by successive governments, whether civilian or military. Ask GEJ how he frittered away the overwhelmingly massive love, goodwill and support that Nigerians bestowed on him in the 2011 election, with just one stroke of an ill-advised action – removal of oil subsidy in January 2012, barely seven months after he was sworn in as president. He was never thereafter allowed any breathing space, or honeymoon period to romanticise his victory. Many Nigerians never forgave him. That same proverbial banana peel is still there, in Aso Villa, lurking around GMB. Can he avoid it? Only time and his actions will tell. Nigerians shout “hossana” today and “crucify” him tomorrow.
In Ikot Ofon Ikono, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State Nigeria, Peter Sunday Etim 38 years, defiles daughter since she was 1 year till now that she is 4, then he used scissors to cut up her Vagina for easy entry.
In a telephone interview with the girls mother, Emem Peter Etim, mother of 3, she admitted that her husband started fingering the daughter Ubokobong Peter Sunday since she was one year old, she had cautioned him to stop but he never did until last week when he used scissors to cut up her VAGINA for easy entry and she could take it anymore and had to report to the police.
On why she kept quiet from the first day, Emem said she hoped that he would change but cutting her VAGINA became the last straw for her.
On what medical treatment the baby has received, Emem said she has not received any because she can’t afford it but only uses boiled water and made her sit on it.
Femi Fani-Kayode, former Minister of Aviation, has tendered an unreserved apology to the Daily Trust reporter he lashed at during a press conference in Calabar, Cross River state on August 20.
The reporter, Eyo Charles, had inquired from him who was funding all his trips to the Southern states he is currently touring. The former Minister felt insulted by the question and tongue-lashed the reporter. Read here.
Speaking at a press conference in the Akwa Ibom state government house on Friday August 28, Fani-Kayode said he disappointed himself and everyone with his outburst and hopes the reporter finds it in his heart to forgive him.
“I’m deeply sorry for the manner I reacted to the said reporter. I was too hard on him. The question was mischievous, but I fell for it,” he said.
I should have been smarter than that. I am using this opportunity to reach out to him, and I hope he will be kind enough to forgive me. I disappointed myself, my family and friends, my colleagues and even my bosses, those who hold me in high esteem.
I have regrets, it was not my finest day. No leader or public figure should ever react like that. I disappointed myself. I deeply regret it and I believe it will never happen again.” he said
A 45-year-old married man, Chinedu Peter Ogwa, committed suicide at his home situated at Wokoma street in Mile 3 Diobu in Rivers state on Thursday night August 27.
The Nation reports that Chidinma Ogwa, wife of the deceased, said her husband started behaving strangely on Monday, August 24. She said he left behind a suicide note where he appealed to her and their children to forgive him. She said her late husband blamed his action on frustration, lack of business success, as well as inability to recover his debts among others.
In her words
“It all started on the afternoon of Monday, August, 25, 2020, when he called me from where he was then to ask me what we are going to eat that night, I told him not to worry, that I had already prepared soup. After a while he came back and met me washing clothes outside, he stood beside me and began to laugh.
I was like why are you laughing, he was still laughing, then he said to me ‘you did not know what I tried to do today’? I asked what did you tried to do and he said to me he was going to take rat poison so he could die and I shouted ‘rat poison, for what’? Then he told me that he was frustrated, people are owing him here and there, his business was not making any headway for 15 years he has been in business, nothing to show for it, yet on top of that, people are laying false accusation against him that he did this and did that.
“He continued and said, ‘today I had bought the poison and holding it in my hand to take I remembered you and my children, what people will say to you, how they will laugh at you and I and concluding that they have succeeded then I dropped it and walked away and rather decided to hand over everything to God’.
And I agreed with him he took the best of decisions and told him not to mind people and their mouths. This life is a battle, everybody has problems, it is not just us, please do not try that again’ and he promised never to do it again. Then he began to admire me and our children, and I laughed and we continued.”
She said her husband decided to take his life when she and the kids went to church for service
“On Wednesday again, the man after dinner laid down on the bed and began to make some declaration that “I plead the blood of Jesus into my foundation, I plead the blood of Jesus into my foundation’ repeatedly.
I got afraid because of the intensity of the declaration. I asked him what the matter was, he asked me not to worry and that it was a prayer point they prayed in the church he went to.
I was not comfortable with that, I sat beside the bed and suggested to him the needs for him to go for deliverance. It was then he told me that he has already done that.
I then encouraged him to come to our own church for our normal end of the month programme (we attend Watchman Charismatic Church) and he agreed that he would be in church the next day, being Thursday when the programme would begin.
On that Thursday, while leaving the house, he asked me to leave the key for him that he would come back home before coming to church and I did. But he did not come to church. It was when we got home we discovered the door still locked but his phone touch was on. There was no power supply, we knocked and knocked to no avail.
I went to switch on the generator and asked my 12 -year -old daughter to turn round and go and turn off the refrigerator before turning the changeover switch on.
It was when she turned on the light that she saw her father laying cold on the floor of the house with whitish substance mixed in foam in his mouth, she shouted calling out to me as I rushed inside.” she said
Hollywood star, Chadwick Boseman, best known for his star role in the movie, Black Panther, has died aged 43 after a 4 years battle with colon cancer.
He passed away on Friday at his Los Angeles home with his wife, Taylor Simone, and other family members by his side.
His family confirmed his death on Twitter and revealed he had first been diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in 2016 two years before the release of Black panther.
His family also revealed that he has been shooting movies the last four years while undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
“A true fighter, Chadwick preserved through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much.” his family wrote in a statement.
“From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wildson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and several more, all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy,” the statement said of the star’s private health struggle.
“It was the honor of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther.
“He died in his home, with his wife and family by his side.”
Chadwick’s Marvel co-star Mark Ruffalo – who plays The Hulk – reacted to the devastating news on Twitter.
“All I have to say is the tragedies amassing this year have only been made more profound by the loss of #ChadwickBoseman.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed all tertiary institutions in the state to resume new academic sessions on September 14.
The Governor has also directed that primary and secondary schools will resume September 21, adding however that the date is tentative and subject to review.
Mr Sanwo Olu disclosed this at a briefing on Saturday.
The Governor’s media aide, Wale Ajetunmobi, also shared the information on his social media accounts.
Tertiary institutions as well as primary and secondary schools have been shut since March after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
‘Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, this afternoon, directed all Lagos Tertiary Institutions to re-open on September 14. Primary & secondary schools to remain shut till further notice,’ the statement reads.
‘Primary and secondary schools are also tentatively scheduled to re-open from September 21.
‘This decision is not cast in stone and is subject to review of our ongoing modelling and what procedure comes out from the Ministry of Health,’ Governor Sanwo-Olu said.
Some lawyers have asked the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to withdraw its invitation to Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna state, to speak at the association’s annual general conference.
According to news report by TheCable, A petition to Koyinsola Ajayi, chairman of the technical committee on the NBA conference planning, the lawyers under the aegis of Open Bar Initiative described the invitation as a “reward for misrule.”
In the petition, Silas Onu, convener of the group, said the governor “represents the very anti-thesis of what we profess to defend.”
The group also said that in addition to governing a state that has been described as “the most dangerous state in Nigeria in 2020, el-Rufai has on several occasions abused the rights of Nigerians”.
It added that “a major focus of the intolerance of Mallam el-Rufai has been lawyers and the legal profession,” recalling when, in 2016, the governor allegedly threatened to abduct Gloria Ballason, a lawyer, “because she had criticised him in a news article.”
The lawyers further said while speaking at the conference may be argued as an opportunity for el-Rufai to be examined by the participants, lawyers who have criticised him “have suffered untold persecution” from the governor.
“As Governor, Mallam el-Rufai has shown no regard for the rule of law, for human rights or for human beings,” the petition read.
“He has been reckless in his utterances, hubristic in his outlook and irresponsible with power. Offering him the platform of the NBA Annual General Conference 2020 is reward for misrule.”
A truck driver, Jamilu Ahmed, has reportedly crushed a lawyer and commercial motorcyclist to death in Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
Witnesses said Barrister Chiadikoli Ezike was on the motorcycle when the driver crushed him and the rider.
Both of them were confirmed dead upon being rushed to the hospital.
Police Public Relations Officer, in the state, ASP, Ramhan Nansel confirmed the incident to The Nation.
He said: “Police in Nasarawa State have apprehended a truck driver, Jamilu Ahmed for reckless driving at Unguwan Lambu, along Keffi -Akwanga road.
The accident happened at noon on Saturday when a DAF Truck driven recklessly by one Jamilu Ahmed, who knocked down a motorcyclist and his passenger.
“The victims sustained various degrees of injuries and the police rushed them to the Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, where a doctor confirmed their death.
“The suspect is in police custody and investigation is ongoing.”
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