Voters Guide.

Please find below some criteria to guide our voting pattern.

(A) Vote Personalities:

Since many political parties/politicians in Nigeria are not ideologically based, it makes sense to vote personalities. Quite a good number of them have migrated thru many parties, examples are; Muhammadu Buhari the presidential candidate of CPC moved from ANPP to CPC, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, moved from PDP to AC and back to PDP, ex Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzo Kalu moved from PDP to PPA, present Governor of Abia, Theodore Kalu moved from PPA to APGA, before moving back to PDP, Governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim moved from PPA to PDP, former Governor of Imo State, Achike Udenwa, moved from PDP to ACN. The list(s) is endless, and the migration tends to be continuous. Here I suggest we vote personalities.

Please vote persons/personalities that will be firm, principled and visionary. Part of the way(s) to know the quality of a person is to look at his friends, groups, colleagues, and party members. Tell me your friends/party members, and I will tell you who you are.

(B) Vote Against god fathers/god mothers:
Experience is the best teacher. Our past experiences have shown us how evil god fathers/god mothers can be. “god fathers/god mothers” are the real enemies of the state. They are anti progress. Never again should Nigerians permit any candidate(s) with god fathers/god mothers to win election, be it councillorship, local government chairmanships, state governors etc.

(C) Vote Candidates That Can Fight Corruption:
In Nigeria, corruption has grown into a monster. If you fight corruption, corruption fights you back. It needs a man/woman made of steel to fight corruption. Remember corruption remains one of our greatest problems. “The World Bank estimates the country’s generals and gangster politicians stole $300 billion in the three decades to 2006”(Time Magazine, May 3rd 2010 Edition, Page 42). There are no figures for 2006 to 2010. I leave you to estimate how much would have been looted. Corruption remains the greatest obstacle to our socio/economic development. Evidences are several abandoned government projects, high costs of government businesses etc. Therefore, vote candidates that can fight corruption.

(D) Vote For Change:
Changes are overdue in Nigeria. Vote whomever that will challenge/change the status quo. Nigerians need to be reminded that the power to change our country lies in their hand(s). “god fathers, god mothers”, politicians or parties have little or nothing they can do. Power belongs to the Nigerian people. Lets draw example from, the Velvet revolution in Czechoslovakia in November-December 1989, the great Baltic Chain (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) demonstration of August 1989, the 1986 peoples revolution in Philippines led by Corazon Aquino, the Rose revolution in Georgia in November 2003, the Orange revolution in Ukraine in 2004, Tunisia, Egypt, etc. These were all changes occasioned by people’s power. Let us use our votes to effect changes. Above all, lets vote who will move Nigeria forward.

Way Forward:
The key is networking and passing around messages of change to one another. Here Internet, sms, mobile phones becomes a useful instrument. I need not remind all the enormous power of the Internet.

Presidential Election Poll (2):
With the announcements of Vice Presidential candidates, we ask whom/which combination will you vote in the presidential election? Kindly visit the enclosed web link and vote http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/515301 please note that the identity of each respondent will be anonymous. 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/

Support For Egyptians.

Al Jazeera English Services,
PO Box 23127,
Doha - Qatar.
press.int@aljazeera.net

Dear Sir/Ma,

Support For Egyptians.

Permit me to use your medium to express my support and solidarity and that of our group (Support Option A4 Group, Leicester-UK) to the people of Egypt on their demand for freedom and democracy, and an end to autocracy. Power belongs to the people, and the people of Egypt have spoken. Therefore the present regime in Egypt (Hosni Mubarak’s government) does not have any choice but to respect the wishes of her people.

Autocracy anywhere is a threat to democracy everywhere. The world is a global village. Events (be it tsunami, earthquake, landslide, flood, people’s revolution, war, swine flu etc), either in Egypt, Tunisia, Sudan, Cote d Voire, Brazil, Australia, USA, Thailand, etc will surely have a ripple over effects on other parts of the world. Therefore, I call upon Nigerians and other citizens of the world to support Egyptians on their demand for freedom and democracy.

Chinedu Vincent Akuta.
An activist and leader of “Support Option A4 Group” Leicester-UK
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/

New Job Roles For Atiku Abubakar.

“There are a lot of ways Atiku can serve Nigeria other than being the president. Except he has other motives for aspiring to be the president of Nigeria. Former Vice President of America Al gore, who served under Bill Clinton for two terms, contested the American presidential elections in 2000 with George Bush. He lost and told Americans than he will never contest elections again. Al gore took up a project towards finding solutions to the threats of global warming. He has won several awards since taking up this project. This project will touch more lives in America and all over the globe. Till date Al gore remains relevant in the world. Atiku can do similar thing in Nigeria and beyond, this can make him a better statesman.

Alternatively Atiku can use his influences at the national assembly to influence policies that will better the Nigerian masses. He can be the leader of opposition parties in Nigeria, which we desperately need at this point in our polity. Atiku should remember that people are looking up to him. Whether he likes it or not, he is a role model to many Nigerians. Therefore he should try inspiring Nigerians in a positive manner. Dearest Atiku, kindly use all your political know how to support the clamour for transparency in our electoral system. Use all your political strategies to make sure transparency is established in our electoral process”. (http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/2009/04/atiku-abubakar-and-his-nigerian.html).

The excerpts above were part of an article I wrote in 2009, suggesting to Atiku, to reconsider contesting future presidential elections. This is because, there are more he can do for the country. Now that Atiku has lost the Peoples Democratic Party presidential primary nomination, he should devote his time and energy to better the course of democracy in Nigeria.

First, I will suggest he join the campaign or lead the clamour for the abolition of zoning formula. Call it zoning, quota system or federal character should be abolished in all its ramifications. President Goodluck Jonathan cum the PDP has set a precedent towards the abolition of zoning. If our president (a signatory to zoning) can violate the zoning arrangement/agreement, then there is no better time to bury this concept than now. Therefore I call on the Turaki Adamawa (Atiku Abubakar) to lead this crusade. He and many more Nigerians are victims. If we fail to stop zoning, zoning will not fail to stop us.

Atiku has criticized some of President Jonathan’s policies in the past. Now can be a better time and opportunity for him to increase his criticisms of bad government policies. Atiku can criticize whoever wins the next presidential election. Here I will suggest constructive criticisms. When he does, he should also provide better alternative solutions. He can be the leader of opposition to checkmate government excesses, for the benefit(s) of Nigerian masses. This he should do if he truly loves Nigeria like he claimed. Above all, strong opposition is vital for the survival of any democracy.

Atiku can also devout his time to finding lasting peace to some trouble spots in the country, such as Jos etc. Former President Obasanjo was appointed a special United Nations envoy to Congo Democratic Republic to find peace (Though he was not the best person for that job). Obasanjo was also spotted in Cote d’Ivoire trying to mediate between Alassane Ouattara and Gbagbo. Atiku can establish a peace institute in Nigeria. But before finding peace in Nigeria, Atiku can champion the setting up of a sovereign national conference to discuss the future of the country. 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/

State of Emergency.

Fellow citizens, the insecurity level has deteriorated beyond the critical level. Desperate times require desperate measures. Therefore, this is the time for citizens to declare a state of emergency on both leaders and the country. The reasons are thus:
Warri Bomb Blast(s): In March 2010, there was a bomb blast in the city of Warri, Delta State. The bomb exploded near the government house annex where post amnesty dialogue was going on. About 8 people died, with so many injured persons.
Abuja Bomb Blast(s) of October 1st 2010. There were bomb blasts at the capital city Abuja. Two bombs exploded outside the ministry of justice, while another exploded few meters away from the eagle square where the 50th independence celebration was going on. About 8 people died and many others injured.
Jos Bomb Blasts: On Christmas Eve (24/12/10) bombs exploded in the city of Jos (Plateau State). About 80 people died and estimated 120 people injured and hospitalized. Yenegoa Bomb Blasts: On Wednesday 29/12/10 bombs exploded in Yenegoa (Bayelsa State Capital) during a Peoples Democratic Party rally. Luckily there were no casualties.
Abuja Bomb Blasts of 31st December 2010: Two bombs exploded at Mogadishu military cantonment Abuja killing about 30 people and injuring many. In all these bomb blasts, properties worth millions of naira were destroyed.

Political Assassinations: In the last 10 years, Nigeria has witnessed over 160 high profile politically motivated killings/assassinations. The most recent being; (a) the killing on Wednesday 29/12/10 of Comrade Chidi Nwosu (Aba based Human Rights Activist and Social Crusader), (b) killing on Thursday 30/12/10 in Ibadan of Alhaji Lateef Salako (a.k.a Eleweomo), A factional leader of the proscribed National Union of Road Transport Workers, Oyo State. (C) Two supporters of Senator Teslim Folarin (Senate Leader) killed on 30/12/10.

Kidnappings and Armed Robberies: These crimes have become so rampant that most Nigerians do no longer report to the police. It’s almost like daily occurrences. The fear of kidnappers and armed robbers has become the beginning of wisdom. No one is sure if the authorities have accurate figures/statistics of these crimes in the last 10 years. Permit me to assume a conservative estimate of four thousand cases, (Apologies if its over). South East part of the country has almost become no go area. People are no longer sleeping with their two eyes closed. Life has become unbearable.

Religious Crises: In the last three years, 2008, 2009, 2010, Jos city (Plateau State) alone has witnessed about 3 deadly religious crises. Between 2001 to 2006 there were about four crises in Jos. The most recent being the Christmas Eve crisis (see details of casualties above). Bauchi crisis (Kala Kato) of 2009, about 200 people were killed. Boko Haram crises in 2009 that took place in Maidugiri and Bauchi, over 700 people were killed. Extending the scope to the last 10 years, then the deaths figures from religious crises will be more than 3000. (Apologies if this figure is over).

Corruption: “The World Bank estimates the country’s generals and gangster politicians stole $300 billion in the three decades to 2006”(Time Magazine, May 3rd 2010 Edition, Page 42). There are no figures for 2006 to 2010. I leave you to estimate how much would have been looted.

Government and Security Failures: In 2009, the Director General of the State Security Services (SSS), Afakriya Gadazama, revealed publicly that information about numerous religious crises (Boko Haram, Jos crises etc) and other crimes such as kidnappings in Niger Delta, armed robberies in South East was passed to the appropriate quarters. However, actions were never taken to prevent these crises. This statements appear relevant today, otherwise how can you explain the insecurity level. Alternatively, one wonders if the security services need the permission of the government/politicians before carrying out their constitutional duties. It’s also possible that securities services might not have the intelligence needed to avoid crises before it happens. Prevention is better than cure. In both cases both the government and security services have failed Nigerians. To make matters worst, the perpetrators of these crises are never prosecuted or given severe punishments to deter others. Concerned Nigerians are scared that no nation(s) can develop or make progress the way we are going.

Recommendations: For the reasons above and many others, Nigerians have to become security conscious wherever they may be. I suggest citizen’s surveillance, covert operations and spying. I have made these suggestions in the past. We have no choice but to spy people, government etc. Whatever information you get, post it online, or to media houses. There are hundreds of Nigerian online forums/media. Imagine what Wikileaks has done with the information at their disposal. Let us do to our country, what Wikileaks has done to the world. Information can put a government/group on their feet.

Citizen/group led Sovereign National Conference: This is non negotiable. There is no need to wait for the government to convoke this conference. Evidences have shown that the government is not ready to convoke any conference that will restructure Nigeria. Not too long ago, President Jonathan dismissed the idea of sovereign national conference. Till date, no presidential aspirant has spoken in favor of sovereign national conference. Therefore, the citizens are left with no choice but to start talking on their own. Pressure groups, community/village leaders, opinion leaders, religious leaders, professional bodies, labour unions, etc, should commence citizens led sovereign national conference. If Sudan can talk and even plan a referendum for the future of their country, then we have no choice.

As a starting point, kindly follow the enclosed web link http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/512452 and vote yes or no to sovereign national conference. Please note that the identity of each respondent will be anonymous. The result of your votes will form the basis for, recommendations to Nigerians as well as to the authorities.

Finally, this year (2011) affords us an opportunity to effect some political changes. All eligible Nigerians should take part in voter(s) registration and elections. Both exercises should be observed and monitored. This is to enable us vote in credible leaders that will help restructure the country. 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/

Chidi Nwosu : A Tribute

It was with shock, surprise and suspense that I received the news of your death. Comrade Chidi Nwosu (Aba based Human Rights Activist and Social Crusader), was assassinated on 29th December 2010, at Abia State. May those who murdered you never have peace. I had the singular opportunity of exchanging mails with Chidi. Your activisms in Abia in the face of odds were inspiring to many.



Your death and the deaths of other fallen social crusaders will never be in vain. Those living shall continue with the struggle. Aluta continua. May your soul and souls of other departed Nigerians rest in peace. One thing is certain; your killers will surely die one day.



Please find enclosed the web link of an interview Chidi Nwosu granted Sahara Reporters. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4626495580989541001#



Chinedu Vincent Akuta.
An activist and leader of “Support Option A4 Group” Leicester-UK
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/

Voters Register.

I was privileged to sit on the same panel with Mr. Mike Igini (Independent National Electoral Commission’s Resident Electoral Commissioner for Cross River State) and other patriotic Nigerians including a foreign friend of Nigeria (Peter Cunliffe-Jones). The event (Project 2011: Towards A New Nigeria) was organized by the Save Nigeria Group Global (UK), on 6th November 2010. Mr. Mike Igini spoke and answered questions very well, regarding the proposed use of direct data capture machines, for the upcoming voters register in Nigeria.

I am not under any illusion; that things might still go wrong with this direct data capture methods. But with proper arrangements by INEC, and the full support of Nigerians, this method could bring about, the beginning of the end of electoral irregularities in Nigeria. Other benefits will also accrue with the effective introduction and implementation of this method of voters’ registration. First, let me propose to our lawmakers, authorities, political parties/groups, NGO’s, CSO’s etc to consider initiating a bill (if none existed) to make voters registration, compulsory for every Nigerian adult of 18 years and above. Also INEC should make this voter registration an ongoing exercise. That is, there should be provisions to register any Nigerian that turns 18 years after 2011.

The reasons for asking for a law to make voter registration compulsory are as follows; (A) For Nigerians to take the issue of their civic responsibility (voting) very serious. Voting should be a very serious civic responsibility. I recommend it to be in the same category of National Youth Service for fresh graduates. (B) There will never be a better voter education/awareness programme than a compulsory registration of voters (18 years and above). (C) Using this method (Direct Data Capture Machines), the National Population Commission could easily capture the true population of Nigerians who are above 18 years old, being that our DNA (fingerprints) will be taken. So far, our population figures have been mere estimates. We need a true idea of how many we are. A law backing a compulsory voter registration could mean killing two birds with one stone. (D). Voters register/card to be used as a form of identification process, this is in addition to the use of international passport and driving license. Therefore, every business(es) that is into identification verification (banks, finance houses, etc) should support this Direct Data Capture voter’s registration.

In Leicester, United Kingdom where I reside, someone can be denied credit and other facilities if he/she’s name(s) are not on the electoral register. I will also suggest to Independent National Electoral Commission to share their database (DNA/fingerprints of registered voters) with all security services in Nigeria. It will boost crime fighting. I made a similar recommendation last year (2009), in an article I wrote, titled; Reforming Police and Policing Reforms. Permit me to quote a paragraph from the article, “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 fingerprints. So what the government needs to do is to transfer the national database to the police or the police can share this database 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”. (http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/2009/05/reforming-police-and-policing-reforms.html).

From the few points above, it becomes clearer that despite the actual voting exercise, Nigerians stand to benefit a lot from the Direct Data Capture voters registration. Therefore, it becomes the responsibility of all Nigerians to make it work. Be that as it may, I will propose the following; (A) All religious organizations (churches, mosques, temples, etc) should mobilize all their members to register, encourage others (friends, families etc) to register. They also should act as watchdogs. My reason for saying this is because, religious organizations are very close to the people, and their influences are enormous. United States President Barack Obama acknowledged this and said, “Change comes not from the top down, but from the ground up, and few are closer to the people than our churches, synagogues, temples and mosques”
(B) Nigerian Banks, Finance houses, other businesses (those that are into identity verification) etc should consider to deploy some staffs and resources to make this work. Employers should consider asking employees to provide proof of voter registration or better still; INEC can provide this information to employers. I will recommend to Independent National Election Commission to designate a department to furnish people with information (registered voters) or display it permanently on their websites for easy accessibilities.
(C). All communities, villages, towns etc should mobilize their people to register and also ensure smooth registration. Labour unions, professional bodies, political parties/groups, etc should also get involved. The National Population Commission, should play a vital role, because the will also benefit from whatever figures INEC arrive at.
(D). All security services should deploy sufficient personnel to ensure smooth registration. Any offender should be arrested and prosecuted. We have no choice but to make this exercise work. Our inactions might be disastrous. This is because, “Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted, the indifference of those who should have known better, the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most, that has made it possible for evil to triumph." - Haile Selassie.
(E). I will also agree with Kayode Ogundamisi, converner of the Nigerian Liberty Forum UK, when he suggested that Nigerians in Diaspora should send money back home, on the condition that the beneficiaries (family, folks, friends, etc) must register and vote during elections.

Finally let me use this medium to extend my seasonal greetings to all Nigerians. For the Moslems, please accept a belated Barkar De Salah. To those Nigerians who are pagans, may the almighty God bless you people this season. To Nigerians of other faith(s) and religion, may God bless you people as well. To the Nigerian Christians, of which am one of them, I wish you all a happy Christmas season. 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/

Burnt Market(s).

Sadly, the burnt Owerri market (Eke Ukwu Owerri, Nworie Lane) was on NTA network news on the night of Monday, 25th October 2010. Firstly let me commiserate with the traders over the loss of their goods, services, money, efforts, etc. Your plights will directly and indirectly affect the rest of the society. The multiplier effects will surely take its toll on the local economy (Imo State and beyond). Times are really tough. Just as I was still thinking about the Owerri market inferno, I read another news on 26th October 2010 that some stalls at the new Benin market went up in flames destroying goods worth millions of naira. I pray this should be the last.

Incidences of fire on our markets (either by accident or by design), are becoming a threat to the nations economic growth/development. Physical markets in Nigeria are perhaps the largest employers of labour in the private sector. The economic activities associated with physical markets are equal to none. It’s a national treasure. No doubt, Nigeria has large markets, which has, and will continue to attract foreigners (Chinese, Indians etc). Nigerians also export to other African countries from our markets. Which means that our markets are also a major source(s) of foreign exchange. Therefore, every effort must be made to prevent future fire outbreaks.

Remember that if we don’t prevent fire outbreaks, fire will prevent those of us (traders, manufacturers, distributors, middle men, lenders, etc) from achieving our goals. Both the micro and macro society will loose in the long run. As a preventive measure, I will propose the following to market leaders, traders, and the government.

Switch off all lights at the end of each market day(s). All the market leaders in Nigeria should consider switching off all lights at the end of each market day, and switching on at the beginning of each market day(s). Efforts should be made to have general control switches. Markets leaders should consider initiating legislation from the government to back this up. I am not under any illusion that power is unstable, but despite that, it will be a very good idea to have a control switch for all markets. Those using generators should also comply with switching their generators off and on at the end of each market days.

Accredited electricians should only do wiring in the markets. Every market should maintain a list of qualified, tasted and trusted electricians from which traders can hire. No unaccredited electrician should be allowed to do any work in the market. Here I will recommend each market having as many electricians as possible. In event of any electrical related fault/fire, the electrician that did the job should be held accountable. It is high time we learn to take responsibilities for our actions and inactions.

Those using gas to cook in various markets should be regulated. It should also apply to those, using other means to cook, like firewood, kerosene stoves etc. People should be made to sigh an undertaking not to be careless with gas, kerosene, firewood etc when cooking. Any one or any group that violates the rule should take whatever responsibilities that may arise from such actions.

Every stall in the market should have a fire extinguisher. This should be compulsory. Market leaders should make it a point of duty to carry out routine checks of this item. Traders should undertake trainings on how to use the various types (spray form, dry powder, water etc) of extinguishers. The appropriate extinguishers should be recommended. I will also suggest fire drills/exercises for all traders in any particular market. I have been privileged to witness when traders are doing cleanup exercises and praying times. At such occasions, high team spirits are exhibited. Same attitude can be applied to fire drills. In the United Kingdom, it’s a rule that all establishments must have fire drills and fire exits. There is no reason why Nigerians cannot adopt this method, being that fire is a big threat to our markets and other establishments.

Next strategy should be long-term plans to decongest most crowded markets. Most markets are over crowded. This might make fire rescue efforts very difficult in emergency times. I will suggest a long term, but gradual process of relocating most congested markets to more modern markets. In building any new marker henceforth, fire preventive strategies must be incorporated in the building/market plans. I will suggest relocating markets to outskirts of cities.

Aside from markets, we have also witnessed fire destroying other establishments and homes. A recent case being when fire burnt down, the African Independent Television studios in Lagos. Perhaps there might not be an accurate number(s) of people’s residential homes/houses destroyed by fire. I doubt if the Fire Services in Nigeria will have such records. Be that as it may, some of my recommendations above will be useful in preventing fire at homes also. I will add that private estate developers should onwards design Nigerian houses with fire prevention in minds. Fire doors (special doors that could stop fire from entering a room for at least 30 minutes or more) are highly recommended.

Let me appeal to the government (even though most appeals/recommendations fell into deaf ears) to equip our fire service departments. Refurbish their equipments. Get new vehicles for them. Increase their remunerations and welfare packages. Insure them incase of accidental deaths in service. On the part of our fire service, I suggest to them to design a volunteer scheme, whereby some Nigerians can volunteer their time and energy to help in fire rescue exercises. 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/