“Where you have injustice, you will have rebellion”(Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, former Chairman EFCC, 29th May 2009.)
My sympathies go to the relations, families, friends and well wishers of those who have lost their lives in the Niger Delta crisis. These include both the solders and the indigenes of the Niger Delta area. The writer has once lost someone close to this crisis. My heart is bleeding as am writing this article. My heart bleeds because of the senseless killing of Nigerians by fellow Nigerians over an issue that can be settled using an honest approach and dialogue. War has never solved any problem in the world. Dialogue is the only solution.
I totally disagree with the backing given by the House of Representatives for continuation of military operation in the Niger Delta. Besides the president needs the approval of the National Assembly before deploying solders. The House of Representatives should draw lessons from what happened in Odi and Zaki Ibiam where the Nigerian military reduced the entire community to mere rubble. About 2000 people died. Many more were displaced. Thousands are yet to recover from the military attacks. “War never leaves a nation where it found it, the same goes for the individual” Edmund Burke. The Niger Delta crisis is equivalent to a war. Like in all wars, you only know how the crisis will start but definitely not the course it will assume or how it would end. Therefore there should be immediate ceasefire on both sides and let genuine dialogue begin.
I want to join voices with other Nigerians who have called for an end to hostilities. As a way forward towards making peace. I want the federal government to immediately set up a truth and reconciliation commission for the Niger Delta crisis. The purpose will be for the federal government, Niger Delta state governments, Local government councils, communities, traditional rulers, village heads, all the youth groups in the Niger Delta, and various stake holders in the oil industry to come out and tell Nigerians how much they have committed towards improving the development of these regions. Nigerians deserve to know what has really happened in terms of previous government development plans in the region. Nigerians deserve to know who is to be blamed. Am sure this crisis is not far from the environmental degradation suffered by this region which various stake holders claim to be addressing. Therefore the world wants to know the truth.
Nigeria has lost so much from this crisis. Many Nigerians are directly and indirectly affected by this crisis. This is a threat to our national security. This crisis has an impact on the international oil market prices. Whenever there is a crisis in the region, the price of crude oil goes up. Nigerians will then pay higher for their petroleum products since the federal government imports its refined petroleum products from abroad. The entire world is watching how Nigeria will solve this problem. So setting up a truth and reconciliation commission might be the answer. This is in addition to the amnesty which the federal government claims she has offered.
The terms of reference of the proposed truth and reconciliation commission should be to investigate the Niger Delta crisis, to find what happened to various royalties paid by the oil companies, to find out the causes of oil company-community conflicts, to find out the role of the oil companies in the crisis, to find out what happened to federal government agencies like the Oil Mineral Producing Area Development Commission (OMPADEC), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), to find out means of achieving lasting peace, to find out what the Niger Delta ministry will do, to find out the militarization of the region and the emergence of small arms etc.
Am sure the Niger Delta crisis claims about 1000 fatalities/casualties yearly. If this crisis continues, there might be total break down in our oil production. Nigeria depends on this oil as her major source of foreign exchange. A total break down will almost be like a disaster to Nigeria. A truth and reconciliation commission should be able to reveal the truth about the whole crisis. As would be expected there has been the criminal elements in this crisis. The criminal elements of this crisis are also because the government has not addressed the crisis properly. But an honesty approach by the federal government to address the issues of the Niger Delta will tackle the criminal elements.
The financial costs of this crisis to both the federal government and Nigerians should run into billions of dollars. Nigerians and the Nigeria government can no longer afford to continue loosing this kind of money. This is made worst was by the present global financial meltdown. Already Nigerian oil production has fallen from a capacity of more than 2.7 million barrels per day to about 1.6 million(less than Angola)
This truth and reconciliation commission should revisit the issue of resource control. Am aware that this conflict cannot be resolved without revisiting the resource control issue. The Oputa panel was very useful to Nigerians. It helped to reveal what transpired in Nigeria. In South Africa truth and reconciliation was used to reveal the human rights abuses that happened during the apartheid era. It was also a means of healing the wounds of the past with a view to reconciling every one for future developments. In Northern Ireland, truth and reconciliation was used to know the truths in order to heal their violent past. In Chile, truth and reconciliation commission has also been used to establish the human right abuses with a view to reconciling Chileans.
A truth and reconciliation commission solely designed for Niger Delta crisis will be a necessary exercise to enable the people of Niger Delta, Nigerians and entire world to come to terms with the causes and solution to this crisis. It will form a morally accepted basis to advance the cause of reconciliation. It’s also needed at this point in time especially because a court in New York has decided to hear a case against Shell. Shell Oil Company has been accused of collaborating with Nigerian authorities to execute Ken Saro Wiwa and eight other Ogoni people. The case has started in New York. Truth and reconciliation is needed to make peace in the Niger Delta.
Finally, if the federal government hesitates or declines to constitute this commission, the civil society groups, non governmental organizations (NGO’s), human right groups, etc should set up this commission and invite various stake holders. This is in consonance with the views of Professor Wole Soyinka when he outlined the powers of the civil society groups, and individuals at a public symposium in London on the state of the Nigerian Nation. This symposium was held on 29th May 2009, at the London Metropolitan University. We need peace and reconciliation. May God bless Nigeria.
Chinedu Vincent Akuta
An activist and leader of “Support Option A4 Group” Leicester-UK
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/
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Sunday, May 31, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Our Democracy: Our Gains and Our Pains after 10 Years.
Sincerely speaking, the only gain we have got in the past 10 years of democracy in Nigeria is simply that we have had a civilian regime. Besides it has not been truly civilian in the true sense of it. 8 years out of the last 10 years (Obasanjo’s administration) was a quasi military government because Obasanjo ruled Nigeria like a military head of state. The true civilian rule started since Yar’Adua took over as the president of Nigeria. Whatever positive changes that have taken place since 1999 like improvement in communications, banking reforms, NAFDAC war against fake drugs etc are worthy to be commended. However, I don’t like praising any administration past or present for any positive policy. This is because governance is all about improving people’s welfare. Therefore when government do their work I don’t praise them.
However the mistakes, maladministration and corruption of government officials have always overshadowed whatever good policy they introduce. This has always provoked massive public outcry. The first casualty in the last 10 years has been democracy itself. That is the will of the people has suffered most. Whenever the people speak the government do not listen, rather they impose their will on the people. From 1999 till date, the government has never respected the will of the people. Examples are many. Starting from Anambra state, where Ngige was imposed on the people by his god father with active connivance of the powers that be in Abuja. We all knew what happened. Similar incidents repeated itself in Ondo, Ekiti, Edo, Kogi etc.
The Obasanjo’s government conducted the worse elections in the history of Nigeria. Even the president (Yar’Adua) was a product of that election and he has come out publicly to acknowledge the anomalies associated with the elections. The voter turnout has deteriorated since 1999. In 1999 the turn out was over 70% registered voters. In 2003 it reduced to about 35% and by 2007 it went down further.
President Yar’Adua has promised electoral reforms. But events in and around him is suggesting otherwise. First is the attempt to doctor some of the recommendations of the electoral reform committee. Secondly the conduct of Ekiti re-run elections spoke volumes about the electoral reforms the president has promised Nigerians. The Ekiti crisis gave Nigerians an idea of what future elections might look like. Ex vice president Atiku Abubakar, former head of state Muhamadu Buhari and many other Nigerians have expressed their concerns about the inability of the present PDP leadership to introduce electoral reforms. The latest revelation came from former president Obasanjo who is also the chairman of PDP board of trustees. He said that he was not aware of any electoral reforms being carried out by the Yar’Adua administration. This explains it all.
The last 10 years of democracy in Nigeria has recorded the highest number of high profile politically motivated murders. Starting with the late Bola Ige (former Attorney General and Minister of Justice), Harry Marshall (former National Vice Chairman of ANPP South South), Funsho Williams (former Lagos state gubernatorial candidate), Chief Anamosokari Albert Dikibo, Sunday Ugwu, elder brother of Nwabueze Ugwu a former legislator that represented Nkanu East LGA in Enugu state, Alhaji Ahmed Pategi, (Kwara State former PDP Chairman), Victor Nwankwo, younger brother of Arthur Nwankwo, founder Eastern Mandate Union, Odunayo Olagbaju (former member Osun State House of Assembly), Barnabas Igwe, former chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Onitsha Branch, and his wife Abigail Igwe, Chimere Ikoku (former Vice Chancellor of UNN), Chief Ogbonnaya Uche (former ANPP senatorial candidate from Imo State) etc. The list is endless and the police are yet to catch the killers.
The last 10 years of our democracy witnessed human rights abuses in large scale. The Odi and Zaki Ibiam massacre, the state using her apparatus killed more than 3000 of its citizens. Cases of this nature deserve probing. In both cases the solders reduced the town to mere rubbles. Yet the country was supposedly under democratic dispensation. At a point the federal government under Obasanjo’s administration withheld the Lagos State local government share of the federal allocation. There were several cases where the previous government never obeyed any court orders/judgements. Yar’Adua’s government has been respecting court judgements. The judiciary under Yar’Adua has performed credibly well. Without them our democracy would have been threatened. The Nigerian press has done very well, the deserve praises.
Law making in the last 10 years have not been fantastic. The National Assembly has not lived to our expectations. Passing the yearly budgets has not been easy over the years. Some bills have spent so much time at the national assembly that one starts to wonder what our law makers are doing. An example is the freedom of information bill. One would have thought that this bill will have express passage but the reverse has been the case. The Senate has requested from the presidency the original version of the electoral committee recommendations. The presidency has granted them their request. Nigerians are watching and waiting what will be the outcome.
The economy has not fared better over the last 10 years. Unemployment is still very high. Government has not done any thing meaningful to reduce unemployment. The power sector which would have helped to boost economic growth was mismanaged by our corrupt leaders. High level official corruption has risen. Crime rates have risen tremendously. Kidnappings are on the rise daily. The Niger/Delta crisis still persists with no solution in sight. There is an on going military operation in the Niger Delta by the Nigerian military as I am writing this article. There is too much tension in the Niger Delta region.
The mood of the nation is low about the Yar’Adua government. People have made several negative comments about his administration. The former chairman of Nigerian Bar Association, Chief Thompson Okpoko desribed Nigeria as a sick nation. Lamenting that the nation’s present leaders have lost focus on how to cure the myriads of diseases plaguing the country. His comment was reported by Daily Sun newspapers of Wednesday, December 3 2008, page 10. Campaign for Democracy took stock of 2008 and concluded that “No serious governance actually took place” then it warned that a situation where the country is virtually on auto pilot without serious governance is not healthy” (Daily Independent, Wednesday December 31, 2008 page 1).
Finally there is hope for Nigeria. Nigerians do not have any choice but to make Nigeria rise again. Many Nigerians are tired of the present status quo and are determined to push for political changes. Change is possible in Nigeria. But more Nigerians need to get involved with the political process in Nigeria. With active participation of all Nigerians, political changes will be possible. Changes cannot happen except we work for it. There has to be sacrifices to make for Nigeria. No sacrifice will be too small. Nigerians will have to persevere, like Fidel Castro said, “Perseverance will give us victory” May God bless Nigeria.
Chinedu Vincent Akuta
An activist and leader of “Support Option A4 Group” Leicester-UK
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/
However the mistakes, maladministration and corruption of government officials have always overshadowed whatever good policy they introduce. This has always provoked massive public outcry. The first casualty in the last 10 years has been democracy itself. That is the will of the people has suffered most. Whenever the people speak the government do not listen, rather they impose their will on the people. From 1999 till date, the government has never respected the will of the people. Examples are many. Starting from Anambra state, where Ngige was imposed on the people by his god father with active connivance of the powers that be in Abuja. We all knew what happened. Similar incidents repeated itself in Ondo, Ekiti, Edo, Kogi etc.
The Obasanjo’s government conducted the worse elections in the history of Nigeria. Even the president (Yar’Adua) was a product of that election and he has come out publicly to acknowledge the anomalies associated with the elections. The voter turnout has deteriorated since 1999. In 1999 the turn out was over 70% registered voters. In 2003 it reduced to about 35% and by 2007 it went down further.
President Yar’Adua has promised electoral reforms. But events in and around him is suggesting otherwise. First is the attempt to doctor some of the recommendations of the electoral reform committee. Secondly the conduct of Ekiti re-run elections spoke volumes about the electoral reforms the president has promised Nigerians. The Ekiti crisis gave Nigerians an idea of what future elections might look like. Ex vice president Atiku Abubakar, former head of state Muhamadu Buhari and many other Nigerians have expressed their concerns about the inability of the present PDP leadership to introduce electoral reforms. The latest revelation came from former president Obasanjo who is also the chairman of PDP board of trustees. He said that he was not aware of any electoral reforms being carried out by the Yar’Adua administration. This explains it all.
The last 10 years of democracy in Nigeria has recorded the highest number of high profile politically motivated murders. Starting with the late Bola Ige (former Attorney General and Minister of Justice), Harry Marshall (former National Vice Chairman of ANPP South South), Funsho Williams (former Lagos state gubernatorial candidate), Chief Anamosokari Albert Dikibo, Sunday Ugwu, elder brother of Nwabueze Ugwu a former legislator that represented Nkanu East LGA in Enugu state, Alhaji Ahmed Pategi, (Kwara State former PDP Chairman), Victor Nwankwo, younger brother of Arthur Nwankwo, founder Eastern Mandate Union, Odunayo Olagbaju (former member Osun State House of Assembly), Barnabas Igwe, former chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Onitsha Branch, and his wife Abigail Igwe, Chimere Ikoku (former Vice Chancellor of UNN), Chief Ogbonnaya Uche (former ANPP senatorial candidate from Imo State) etc. The list is endless and the police are yet to catch the killers.
The last 10 years of our democracy witnessed human rights abuses in large scale. The Odi and Zaki Ibiam massacre, the state using her apparatus killed more than 3000 of its citizens. Cases of this nature deserve probing. In both cases the solders reduced the town to mere rubbles. Yet the country was supposedly under democratic dispensation. At a point the federal government under Obasanjo’s administration withheld the Lagos State local government share of the federal allocation. There were several cases where the previous government never obeyed any court orders/judgements. Yar’Adua’s government has been respecting court judgements. The judiciary under Yar’Adua has performed credibly well. Without them our democracy would have been threatened. The Nigerian press has done very well, the deserve praises.
Law making in the last 10 years have not been fantastic. The National Assembly has not lived to our expectations. Passing the yearly budgets has not been easy over the years. Some bills have spent so much time at the national assembly that one starts to wonder what our law makers are doing. An example is the freedom of information bill. One would have thought that this bill will have express passage but the reverse has been the case. The Senate has requested from the presidency the original version of the electoral committee recommendations. The presidency has granted them their request. Nigerians are watching and waiting what will be the outcome.
The economy has not fared better over the last 10 years. Unemployment is still very high. Government has not done any thing meaningful to reduce unemployment. The power sector which would have helped to boost economic growth was mismanaged by our corrupt leaders. High level official corruption has risen. Crime rates have risen tremendously. Kidnappings are on the rise daily. The Niger/Delta crisis still persists with no solution in sight. There is an on going military operation in the Niger Delta by the Nigerian military as I am writing this article. There is too much tension in the Niger Delta region.
The mood of the nation is low about the Yar’Adua government. People have made several negative comments about his administration. The former chairman of Nigerian Bar Association, Chief Thompson Okpoko desribed Nigeria as a sick nation. Lamenting that the nation’s present leaders have lost focus on how to cure the myriads of diseases plaguing the country. His comment was reported by Daily Sun newspapers of Wednesday, December 3 2008, page 10. Campaign for Democracy took stock of 2008 and concluded that “No serious governance actually took place” then it warned that a situation where the country is virtually on auto pilot without serious governance is not healthy” (Daily Independent, Wednesday December 31, 2008 page 1).
Finally there is hope for Nigeria. Nigerians do not have any choice but to make Nigeria rise again. Many Nigerians are tired of the present status quo and are determined to push for political changes. Change is possible in Nigeria. But more Nigerians need to get involved with the political process in Nigeria. With active participation of all Nigerians, political changes will be possible. Changes cannot happen except we work for it. There has to be sacrifices to make for Nigeria. No sacrifice will be too small. Nigerians will have to persevere, like Fidel Castro said, “Perseverance will give us victory” May God bless Nigeria.
Chinedu Vincent Akuta
An activist and leader of “Support Option A4 Group” Leicester-UK
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Abolish Quota System or Quota System will Abolish Nigeria.
The Federal Character principle which gave rise to quota system in Nigeria was established to solve the problems of inequality and marginalization as expressed by certain parts of Nigeria. Among other reasons for introducing the quota system was because of differences in the socio-economic development of different parts of Nigeria. Secondly there were disparities in the levels of educational developments in different parts of the country. Some sections of the country (North) were alleged to be educationally disadvantaged, while some regions (South) of the country were acclaimed to be educationally advantaged. Therefore the past leadership of Nigeria thought it wise to introduce quota system so as to bridge the gap.
The federal character principle was adopted during the 1977 Constitutional Drafting Committee. It became part of 1979 constitution of Nigeria. From this point in our nation’s history, the questions of merit or competitiveness among Nigerians were set aside in place of quota system. This system has hindered development and it defiles all logic. How can a nation make progress when their best cannot occupy their due positions because we are practising quota? We cannot move forward as a nation by putting round pegs in square holes.
From the time of incorporating the quota system into the Nigerian law books till date, the federal government has used it as a policy instrument in recruiting people to all federal government establishments like the armed forces, police, ministries, federal government owned universities etc. Because it’s in our statute book, the various state governments and all local governments’ use the quota system in their various appointments etc. Merit, experience and hard work do not matter if quota system is in use especially when it comes to appointments. Its contrary to what Max Weber (1864-1920) said, that employees should be hired and promoted based on merit and expertise. We choose mediocre in place of merit. The use of quota system has brought about intense lobbying each time there is vacancy to be filled.
Thisday newspapers of 25th April 2009 online version reported that President Yar’Adua has become “sick and tired” of high level lobbying from all corners for the replacement of Inspector General of Police who is due for retirement soon. This is the result of quota system, were merit can be set aside in filling a vacant position.
Quota system means injustice as far as am concerned. Apologies to its beneficiaries. The mere existence of this charter in our law books means that the country has been established on the paths of injustice. This concept of quota system will certainly prevent the best from emerging in all circumstances. America was established on freedom, equality, human rights and democracy. They live by it and they also export it to the whole world. Quoting the former President of United States, late John F. Kennedy, “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and success of liberty”. Because America is a free a society, the emergence of Barack Obama as the United States President became possible.
In the United Kingdom, there is the equal opportunities act. Based on this act, United Kingdom employers makes appointment on merit by a fair and open process. Employers treat applicants equally regardless of your ethnic background, origin, religious belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability etc. Since Nigeria started the federal character/quota system the country has retrogressed.
I want to be proven wrong, but I believe that the spirit of federal character/quota system gave rise to the zoning formula adopted by most political parties, example PDP. This same zoning formula contributed immensely to the emergence of the former president Obasanjo. I will leave Nigerians to make their judgement on the administration of Obasanjo. My own assessment on them is that they performed very poor especially with conducting elections, power supply, road maintenance, health system, fighting corruption etc. The same zoning formula which is a brain child of federal character/quota system gave rise to the emergence of President Musa Yar'Adua.
It will be better for Nigeria to have credible leaders who will discharge their duties effectively from one section of the country, than what we are having today. Nigerians will benefit more if leaders who will deliver on dividends of democracy emerge from a particular state or region. Choosing leadership based on zoning is completely wrong. This concept of quota system has done more harm than good. Therefore this is the time to abolish quota system or quota system will abolish Nigeria.
Quota system laid down the quest for the scramble and looting of our nations resources. People, groups, politicians, contractors etc lobby for positions all because quota system has replaced merit. When people, politicians, regions or states do not get positions they start shouting of marginalization. When they succeed, they loot because they feel it’s their turn. Patriotism and national interest do no longer exits in Nigeria due to this policy. Quota system encourages tribalism and division. This twin evil makes peace and love to be difficult in a country like Nigeria
Just recently, it was on the headlines that Nigerian Senate was boiling over the distribution of 60 billion naira voted for constituency projects. Aggrieved Senators accused the Senate appropriation committee leadership of being discriminatory in the sharing of projects among the senatorial districts. This accusation of being discriminatory in sharing projects can also be attributed to quota system or federal character. This is despite the personal interest of our senators.
Quota system is like an evil which was left unchecked. This evil (quota) was tolerated and encouraged by the Nigerian leadership. Quoting Late Jawaharlal Nehru, first Prime Minister of India, “Evil unchecked grows; evil tolerated poisons the whole system”. Quota system has poisoned the entire Nigerian system.
The aim of introducing quota system should have been achieved by now which is well over 30 years. Therefore I strongly advocate for its abolition. I use this medium to call on the President to start the process of abolishing this system. It has done more harm than good. Since we are clamoring for constitutional review, let’s remind ourselves on the need to remove this from the books. Greater part of our problems can be traced to this system. Hoping that the Nigerian authorities have taken note. May God bless Nigeria.
Chinedu Vincent Akuta
An activist and leader of “Support Option A4 Group” Leicester-UK
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/
The federal character principle was adopted during the 1977 Constitutional Drafting Committee. It became part of 1979 constitution of Nigeria. From this point in our nation’s history, the questions of merit or competitiveness among Nigerians were set aside in place of quota system. This system has hindered development and it defiles all logic. How can a nation make progress when their best cannot occupy their due positions because we are practising quota? We cannot move forward as a nation by putting round pegs in square holes.
From the time of incorporating the quota system into the Nigerian law books till date, the federal government has used it as a policy instrument in recruiting people to all federal government establishments like the armed forces, police, ministries, federal government owned universities etc. Because it’s in our statute book, the various state governments and all local governments’ use the quota system in their various appointments etc. Merit, experience and hard work do not matter if quota system is in use especially when it comes to appointments. Its contrary to what Max Weber (1864-1920) said, that employees should be hired and promoted based on merit and expertise. We choose mediocre in place of merit. The use of quota system has brought about intense lobbying each time there is vacancy to be filled.
Thisday newspapers of 25th April 2009 online version reported that President Yar’Adua has become “sick and tired” of high level lobbying from all corners for the replacement of Inspector General of Police who is due for retirement soon. This is the result of quota system, were merit can be set aside in filling a vacant position.
Quota system means injustice as far as am concerned. Apologies to its beneficiaries. The mere existence of this charter in our law books means that the country has been established on the paths of injustice. This concept of quota system will certainly prevent the best from emerging in all circumstances. America was established on freedom, equality, human rights and democracy. They live by it and they also export it to the whole world. Quoting the former President of United States, late John F. Kennedy, “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and success of liberty”. Because America is a free a society, the emergence of Barack Obama as the United States President became possible.
In the United Kingdom, there is the equal opportunities act. Based on this act, United Kingdom employers makes appointment on merit by a fair and open process. Employers treat applicants equally regardless of your ethnic background, origin, religious belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability etc. Since Nigeria started the federal character/quota system the country has retrogressed.
I want to be proven wrong, but I believe that the spirit of federal character/quota system gave rise to the zoning formula adopted by most political parties, example PDP. This same zoning formula contributed immensely to the emergence of the former president Obasanjo. I will leave Nigerians to make their judgement on the administration of Obasanjo. My own assessment on them is that they performed very poor especially with conducting elections, power supply, road maintenance, health system, fighting corruption etc. The same zoning formula which is a brain child of federal character/quota system gave rise to the emergence of President Musa Yar'Adua.
It will be better for Nigeria to have credible leaders who will discharge their duties effectively from one section of the country, than what we are having today. Nigerians will benefit more if leaders who will deliver on dividends of democracy emerge from a particular state or region. Choosing leadership based on zoning is completely wrong. This concept of quota system has done more harm than good. Therefore this is the time to abolish quota system or quota system will abolish Nigeria.
Quota system laid down the quest for the scramble and looting of our nations resources. People, groups, politicians, contractors etc lobby for positions all because quota system has replaced merit. When people, politicians, regions or states do not get positions they start shouting of marginalization. When they succeed, they loot because they feel it’s their turn. Patriotism and national interest do no longer exits in Nigeria due to this policy. Quota system encourages tribalism and division. This twin evil makes peace and love to be difficult in a country like Nigeria
Just recently, it was on the headlines that Nigerian Senate was boiling over the distribution of 60 billion naira voted for constituency projects. Aggrieved Senators accused the Senate appropriation committee leadership of being discriminatory in the sharing of projects among the senatorial districts. This accusation of being discriminatory in sharing projects can also be attributed to quota system or federal character. This is despite the personal interest of our senators.
Quota system is like an evil which was left unchecked. This evil (quota) was tolerated and encouraged by the Nigerian leadership. Quoting Late Jawaharlal Nehru, first Prime Minister of India, “Evil unchecked grows; evil tolerated poisons the whole system”. Quota system has poisoned the entire Nigerian system.
The aim of introducing quota system should have been achieved by now which is well over 30 years. Therefore I strongly advocate for its abolition. I use this medium to call on the President to start the process of abolishing this system. It has done more harm than good. Since we are clamoring for constitutional review, let’s remind ourselves on the need to remove this from the books. Greater part of our problems can be traced to this system. Hoping that the Nigerian authorities have taken note. May God bless Nigeria.
Chinedu Vincent Akuta
An activist and leader of “Support Option A4 Group” Leicester-UK
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Reforming Police and Policing Reforms.
I have watched and heard a lot about the recommendations of the police reform committee chaired by M D Yusuf. I also watched a programme on AIT (Focus Nigeria) on the 21st April 2009 were the chairman of the police service commission (Parry Osayande) was featured. I agree with most of the recommendations of the police reform committee since it is aimed at improving the security situation in the country. Security is paramount for any venture including the sustenance of our democracy.
I have said it some time ago that the primary purpose of every government is welfare and security. All other duties of governance are secondary. Nigerians are hoping that these recommendations will not be like the two previous police reform recommendations which the past administrations allowed to die a natural death. Very few government projects see the light of the day in Nigeria even when it’s very vital to the society. Otherwise how can you explain why the past governments failed to act on previous police reforms? No society can afford to compromise its security.
The insecurity level in Nigeria demands that the federal government should accord the police reforms its number one priority. No price will be too much for the Nigerian government to pay for the security and safety of its citizens. Insecurity is not an option, therefore security in non negotiable. Insecurity drives local and foreign investor away from investing in Nigeria. It has a multiplier effects. Government should also look into the causes of insecurity in the country. Perhaps solving this problem might go along way in ensuring that people abstain from crime. Government should create job opportunities, or enabling environment for jobs to be created.
I want to suggest to the Nigerian police authorities to present a bill to the National Assembly which will make it a law for the police to take the finger prints of every suspected criminal. This can be extended to other crimes. This is the practice in the developed countries. The Nigerian police should start taking DNA fingerprints. As a matter of urgency, they should build a central database where DNA’s can be stored. This project is possible. Its not rocket science. Nigerian police can do it. I will also use this medium to challenge the Nigerian security experts, IT experts, and other stake holders to come up with a Nigeria made system for taking and storing DNA database. This technology can be copied since its available every where.
DNA fingerprinting will be a valuable tool in the fight against crimes in Nigeria. It will help in investigating cases. Similar technology has been deployed before by the Nigerian government during the registration of ID card scheme. The current e-passport system in Nigeria takes our finger prints. So what the government needs to do is to transfer the national database to the police or the police can share this data base with all relevant government departments. So as soon as a suspect is caught, the DNA fingerprinting should be taken and stored or checked with the ones already in the system.
The Police reform will not be complete if the federal government fails to establish an independent body to investigate the Police officers, including the rank and file. In the United Kingdom, this body is known and called Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). The function of this body should be to investigate police brutality, abuse of their powers, discipline police personnel and punish were necessary. This will be a kind of checks and balances on the Nigerian Police Force. The membership of this body should be people of proven character. I suggest retired judges and retired top civil servants etc. It will make the Nigerian Police to be efficient in the discharge of their duties. This body should have offices in all states of the federation.
The government should look into the Police cells in Nigeria. It’s nothing to write home about. The present system is totally unacceptable. It’s an abuse on the rights of suspects by clamping them in an inhuman condition. No person deserves this inhuman treatment. Not even convicted criminals. Am not expecting immediate changes to the system, but am hoping that the government should extend these reforms to this important sector. It’s not enough to reform the police without touching all this vital sectors.
I will suggest to the federal government to make a law that will link up the Nigerian Police with the Nigerian media. The purpose will be for the Nigerian media to break the news of any crime as its being reported to the police. Such information will help the public a lot. For example a situation were there is a road accident and the Nigerian media reports it to the public as the police is getting the news, will go along way in preventing traffic congestion in that area. This will save the motorist time and money, which will indirectly save the nation some money as well. This is the practise in most countries.
The general public also has a duty to police whatever reforms the Nigerian Police undertakes. That is the Nigeria public should watch and report any breach of the reforms. This is to ensure total compliance on the part of Police personnel. Finally Nigerians should always report suspected members of the public to the police. But the Police have to guarantee not to reveal the identity of the informant no matter the circumstances. If the police go contrary, then the body I recommended above will do its duty of punishing the police officer. May God bless Nigeria.
Chinedu Vincent Akuta
An activist and leader of “Support Option A4 Group” Leicester-UK
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/
I have said it some time ago that the primary purpose of every government is welfare and security. All other duties of governance are secondary. Nigerians are hoping that these recommendations will not be like the two previous police reform recommendations which the past administrations allowed to die a natural death. Very few government projects see the light of the day in Nigeria even when it’s very vital to the society. Otherwise how can you explain why the past governments failed to act on previous police reforms? No society can afford to compromise its security.
The insecurity level in Nigeria demands that the federal government should accord the police reforms its number one priority. No price will be too much for the Nigerian government to pay for the security and safety of its citizens. Insecurity is not an option, therefore security in non negotiable. Insecurity drives local and foreign investor away from investing in Nigeria. It has a multiplier effects. Government should also look into the causes of insecurity in the country. Perhaps solving this problem might go along way in ensuring that people abstain from crime. Government should create job opportunities, or enabling environment for jobs to be created.
I want to suggest to the Nigerian police authorities to present a bill to the National Assembly which will make it a law for the police to take the finger prints of every suspected criminal. This can be extended to other crimes. This is the practice in the developed countries. The Nigerian police should start taking DNA fingerprints. As a matter of urgency, they should build a central database where DNA’s can be stored. This project is possible. Its not rocket science. Nigerian police can do it. I will also use this medium to challenge the Nigerian security experts, IT experts, and other stake holders to come up with a Nigeria made system for taking and storing DNA database. This technology can be copied since its available every where.
DNA fingerprinting will be a valuable tool in the fight against crimes in Nigeria. It will help in investigating cases. Similar technology has been deployed before by the Nigerian government during the registration of ID card scheme. The current e-passport system in Nigeria takes our finger prints. So what the government needs to do is to transfer the national database to the police or the police can share this data base with all relevant government departments. So as soon as a suspect is caught, the DNA fingerprinting should be taken and stored or checked with the ones already in the system.
The Police reform will not be complete if the federal government fails to establish an independent body to investigate the Police officers, including the rank and file. In the United Kingdom, this body is known and called Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). The function of this body should be to investigate police brutality, abuse of their powers, discipline police personnel and punish were necessary. This will be a kind of checks and balances on the Nigerian Police Force. The membership of this body should be people of proven character. I suggest retired judges and retired top civil servants etc. It will make the Nigerian Police to be efficient in the discharge of their duties. This body should have offices in all states of the federation.
The government should look into the Police cells in Nigeria. It’s nothing to write home about. The present system is totally unacceptable. It’s an abuse on the rights of suspects by clamping them in an inhuman condition. No person deserves this inhuman treatment. Not even convicted criminals. Am not expecting immediate changes to the system, but am hoping that the government should extend these reforms to this important sector. It’s not enough to reform the police without touching all this vital sectors.
I will suggest to the federal government to make a law that will link up the Nigerian Police with the Nigerian media. The purpose will be for the Nigerian media to break the news of any crime as its being reported to the police. Such information will help the public a lot. For example a situation were there is a road accident and the Nigerian media reports it to the public as the police is getting the news, will go along way in preventing traffic congestion in that area. This will save the motorist time and money, which will indirectly save the nation some money as well. This is the practise in most countries.
The general public also has a duty to police whatever reforms the Nigerian Police undertakes. That is the Nigeria public should watch and report any breach of the reforms. This is to ensure total compliance on the part of Police personnel. Finally Nigerians should always report suspected members of the public to the police. But the Police have to guarantee not to reveal the identity of the informant no matter the circumstances. If the police go contrary, then the body I recommended above will do its duty of punishing the police officer. May God bless Nigeria.
Chinedu Vincent Akuta
An activist and leader of “Support Option A4 Group” Leicester-UK
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Ekiti Crisis: An Insight to 2011 Elections.
My concern on the Ekiti re-run election was the large scale violence recorded during the exercise. Guardian newspaper of Sunday 26th April 2009 online version reported that; a Senator was attacked with machete and hospitalised, thugs harassed journalists, poll observers arrested, 25 people arrested by the police, and all night shooting by suspected thugs. Guardian newspapers of Tuesday 28th April 2009 online version also reported that four people who were shot have had their arms and legs amputated. Three policemen were shot at and they are being hospitalised. These events happened despite the reported deployment of about 10,000 police personnel by the police high command Abuja.
Prior to this time tension was really high and could be felt from far and near. I knew there will be serious violence the moment I watched Segun Oni and Ayo Fayose together on an AIT TV programme (Focus Nigeria). The tone of their debate could tell there is danger waiting to happen. The degree of the violence led to the postponement of election in Oye-Ekiti area of the state. Another reason was the pressure of the exercise on the INEC officials and the reported illness of Mrs Adebayo (The Resident Electoral commissioner). Therefore INEC had no choice but to postpone the re-run election in Oye-Ekiti.
My simple question is, if 10,000 police personnel drafted to Ekiti State could not prevent or even stop the violence recorded so far, then what will happen in other re-run elections to be conducted and 2011 general elections? Ekiti crisis is simply an insight to what will happen in 2011 elections. However, applying the principle of collective responsibility the President of the country becomes responsible for whatever happened in Ekiti State.
Another dangerous twist to the drama in Ekiti re-run election came when Mrs Adebayo (The Resident Electoral commissioner) disappeared. The next we heard was that she resigned her position in her letter dated 28th April 2009. Police declared her wanted. The next day, she reappeared and said that she was still a member of INEC. However her reason for initial resignation was that Ekiti governorship re-run election did not run on the right course. This is simply the truth. Let it be known to all Nigerians that the government is not sincere about conducting a credible election in the country. The failure of INEC in Ekiti is the failure of INEC through out the country. The purported electoral reform will be a sham.
Ex President Obasanjo who is still the chairman PDP board of trustees said that he is not aware of any electoral reform being undertaken by the Yar’Adua government. This comment was reported by Thisday newspapers of Saturday 2nd May 2009 online version. For an ex president to make this comment confirms the fears of Nigerians that Yar’Adua is not sincere. Ekiti crisis is a second example.
The present system in Nigeria is a recipe for disaster. The desperation and do or die approach to election in Nigeria is encouraged by our system. Political aspirants involved in these acts are obviously not the servants of the people. They are not leaders but looters. Desperation in our politicians shows their greed and the winner takes all mentality
When Ghana did all their elections and several re-run elections, there was no violence. South Africa had a violent free presidential election on the 22nd April 2009. The only problem with the South African election was that former President Olusegun Obasanjo was among the African Union election observers that monitored the election. I wondered what he was observing when his government was credited with conducting the worst elections in Nigeria.
Each time I see or hear about electoral violence in Nigeria, my mind bleeds. How many more violence or troubles do we need before we can change our electoral system to Option A4. I have preached the message of Option A4 on different occasions. I have also written a lot about it. On a particular occasion I wrote to the British Prime Minister (Gordon Brown) about supporting the re-introduction of Option A4 back in Nigeria.
For Gods sake, we do not need Angels to tell us that the solution to our electoral problems is the re-introduction of Option A4. This is a tasted and trusted method. Nigerian government tend not to learn from the past otherwise I see no reason why they should not go the way of Option A4. As the philosopher Soren Kierkegaard observed, “Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards”. There is nothing wrong to look back to the benefits of this Option A4 system.
Not only its Option A4 system free, fair, and violent free. It’s also very economical. Can the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) or Prof Maurice Iwu tell Nigerians how much the federal government has spent conducting the yet to end 2007 elections. This Ekiti re-run election is part of the 2007 elections and many more like it. Had the option A4 been used, the nation would have saved a lot of money, time, energy, etc. The Option A4 electoral system provides a good taste of popularity. You cannot win if you’re not popular. Experiences form 1992/93 elections is a good example. It’s hard to believe that our leaders do not learn from the past.
The Ekiti experiences should be an eye opener to Nigerians of what will await them in the future elections. Except there is Option A4 electoral system, I doubt if some thing meaningful will come out of 2011 elections. There is fire on the mountain. The shady performance of INEC in Ekiti re-run election including the violence recorded so far will surely destroy the voters’ confidence in the electoral process.
Finally Nigerians will hold this government responsible for any breakdown of law and order in Ekiti State. May God Bless Nigeria.
Chinedu Vincent Akuta
An activist and leader of “Support Option A4 Group” Leicester-UK
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/
Prior to this time tension was really high and could be felt from far and near. I knew there will be serious violence the moment I watched Segun Oni and Ayo Fayose together on an AIT TV programme (Focus Nigeria). The tone of their debate could tell there is danger waiting to happen. The degree of the violence led to the postponement of election in Oye-Ekiti area of the state. Another reason was the pressure of the exercise on the INEC officials and the reported illness of Mrs Adebayo (The Resident Electoral commissioner). Therefore INEC had no choice but to postpone the re-run election in Oye-Ekiti.
My simple question is, if 10,000 police personnel drafted to Ekiti State could not prevent or even stop the violence recorded so far, then what will happen in other re-run elections to be conducted and 2011 general elections? Ekiti crisis is simply an insight to what will happen in 2011 elections. However, applying the principle of collective responsibility the President of the country becomes responsible for whatever happened in Ekiti State.
Another dangerous twist to the drama in Ekiti re-run election came when Mrs Adebayo (The Resident Electoral commissioner) disappeared. The next we heard was that she resigned her position in her letter dated 28th April 2009. Police declared her wanted. The next day, she reappeared and said that she was still a member of INEC. However her reason for initial resignation was that Ekiti governorship re-run election did not run on the right course. This is simply the truth. Let it be known to all Nigerians that the government is not sincere about conducting a credible election in the country. The failure of INEC in Ekiti is the failure of INEC through out the country. The purported electoral reform will be a sham.
Ex President Obasanjo who is still the chairman PDP board of trustees said that he is not aware of any electoral reform being undertaken by the Yar’Adua government. This comment was reported by Thisday newspapers of Saturday 2nd May 2009 online version. For an ex president to make this comment confirms the fears of Nigerians that Yar’Adua is not sincere. Ekiti crisis is a second example.
The present system in Nigeria is a recipe for disaster. The desperation and do or die approach to election in Nigeria is encouraged by our system. Political aspirants involved in these acts are obviously not the servants of the people. They are not leaders but looters. Desperation in our politicians shows their greed and the winner takes all mentality
When Ghana did all their elections and several re-run elections, there was no violence. South Africa had a violent free presidential election on the 22nd April 2009. The only problem with the South African election was that former President Olusegun Obasanjo was among the African Union election observers that monitored the election. I wondered what he was observing when his government was credited with conducting the worst elections in Nigeria.
Each time I see or hear about electoral violence in Nigeria, my mind bleeds. How many more violence or troubles do we need before we can change our electoral system to Option A4. I have preached the message of Option A4 on different occasions. I have also written a lot about it. On a particular occasion I wrote to the British Prime Minister (Gordon Brown) about supporting the re-introduction of Option A4 back in Nigeria.
For Gods sake, we do not need Angels to tell us that the solution to our electoral problems is the re-introduction of Option A4. This is a tasted and trusted method. Nigerian government tend not to learn from the past otherwise I see no reason why they should not go the way of Option A4. As the philosopher Soren Kierkegaard observed, “Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards”. There is nothing wrong to look back to the benefits of this Option A4 system.
Not only its Option A4 system free, fair, and violent free. It’s also very economical. Can the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) or Prof Maurice Iwu tell Nigerians how much the federal government has spent conducting the yet to end 2007 elections. This Ekiti re-run election is part of the 2007 elections and many more like it. Had the option A4 been used, the nation would have saved a lot of money, time, energy, etc. The Option A4 electoral system provides a good taste of popularity. You cannot win if you’re not popular. Experiences form 1992/93 elections is a good example. It’s hard to believe that our leaders do not learn from the past.
The Ekiti experiences should be an eye opener to Nigerians of what will await them in the future elections. Except there is Option A4 electoral system, I doubt if some thing meaningful will come out of 2011 elections. There is fire on the mountain. The shady performance of INEC in Ekiti re-run election including the violence recorded so far will surely destroy the voters’ confidence in the electoral process.
Finally Nigerians will hold this government responsible for any breakdown of law and order in Ekiti State. May God Bless Nigeria.
Chinedu Vincent Akuta
An activist and leader of “Support Option A4 Group” Leicester-UK
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/
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