You can feel it in the air: Jega was right, his detractors were wrong! He knows himself, his INEC and his nation. His critics doubt all three. Fair enough.
With the high marks he's garnered from all and sundry over the just concluded national assembly elections, let his sights be set even higher.
May the cynics remain but stay grounded. This is not the country of free-sailing for reformers. Yet it is one that always wins over naysayers. This time, the gains will be permanent!
Kudos to Jega & Co. More grit to your elbows!
Showing posts with label 2011 Elections. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2011 Elections. Show all posts
Monday, April 11, 2011
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
The APRIL of our LIFE!
I am an April Boy! Had my birthday on the 5th, after we couldn't vote on the 2nd. It gave me the chance to do much thinking. If at 57 I can't boast of this country, I wondered how Pa Anthony Enahoro felt on his way to the Land of Elders! This, after and despite his heroic roles in securing Nigeria's independence and procuring true democracy in our land. Will things change before I head same way? Absolutely, I resolved.
Why and how? The rescheduled election will hold, and succeed, and be a plus for the nation; and a justification for our struggles. I see the signs, you'll have the evidence in abundance on the 10th - the morning after.
This April 2011 is the April of our Life! We must make it the beginning of all good things electoral, all great things democratic. I see the seeds, we'll reap the fruits in abundance from 29 May this 2011 - the month after.
So, I celebrate my day to elevate my country to its just status, its manifest destiny. This April.
Why and how? The rescheduled election will hold, and succeed, and be a plus for the nation; and a justification for our struggles. I see the signs, you'll have the evidence in abundance on the 10th - the morning after.
This April 2011 is the April of our Life! We must make it the beginning of all good things electoral, all great things democratic. I see the seeds, we'll reap the fruits in abundance from 29 May this 2011 - the month after.
So, I celebrate my day to elevate my country to its just status, its manifest destiny. This April.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
PRESIDENTIAL and GUBERNATORIAL DEBATES next time
The 2011 Elections in Nigeria is a special case of nation-building. We did everything in a hurry. And we are harrying everybody in the polity! This hurry-hurry character must stop o, na wetin sef?
Once we refused to shift the official handing-over date from May 29 to October 1 as canvassed by many well-meaning Nigerians and some Friends of Nigeria, we had set up ourselves for the “unpredictable”! That was why we all “understood” and “bore” with INEC during the voter registration hiccups. Rightly so. There will be more challenges to come. And we trust that Nigerians will stand by Jega’s INEC.
That brings us to the question of election debates. Our people are complex but not complicated. With simple layouts and analyses you can convince and command (lead) them. Which is why the ruling class has gotten away with all their shenanigans all these years! They turned the virtues upside-down. Debates are central to democracy. Opinion polls are central to elections. Both are central to governance & development in modern society - be it in cabinet, parliament or the soapbox.
For us in Nigeria, I suggest that a simple format be designed for election debates. The organizers must act upfront. Conduct credible research on the areas of critical need, prepare a strategic plan, propose a timeline and do the indicative resource /funding requirements. Circulate this package to all political parties at the start of the election year, so that all aspirants know the score. And be ready to respond to the score. Period.
If we do so for every tier of government (presidential, gubernatorial, chairmanship) we will help the political parties weed out and winnow the fields! At the final debates before elections, we will have candidates compare apples with apples, have experts take them on, and give the electorates usable inputs for their final decisions.
With such a simple and comprehensive format jokers, pretenders, CV-boosters, pimps and charlatans will go elsewhere! It’s about time.
So 2015, here we come!
Once we refused to shift the official handing-over date from May 29 to October 1 as canvassed by many well-meaning Nigerians and some Friends of Nigeria, we had set up ourselves for the “unpredictable”! That was why we all “understood” and “bore” with INEC during the voter registration hiccups. Rightly so. There will be more challenges to come. And we trust that Nigerians will stand by Jega’s INEC.
That brings us to the question of election debates. Our people are complex but not complicated. With simple layouts and analyses you can convince and command (lead) them. Which is why the ruling class has gotten away with all their shenanigans all these years! They turned the virtues upside-down. Debates are central to democracy. Opinion polls are central to elections. Both are central to governance & development in modern society - be it in cabinet, parliament or the soapbox.
For us in Nigeria, I suggest that a simple format be designed for election debates. The organizers must act upfront. Conduct credible research on the areas of critical need, prepare a strategic plan, propose a timeline and do the indicative resource /funding requirements. Circulate this package to all political parties at the start of the election year, so that all aspirants know the score. And be ready to respond to the score. Period.
If we do so for every tier of government (presidential, gubernatorial, chairmanship) we will help the political parties weed out and winnow the fields! At the final debates before elections, we will have candidates compare apples with apples, have experts take them on, and give the electorates usable inputs for their final decisions.
With such a simple and comprehensive format jokers, pretenders, CV-boosters, pimps and charlatans will go elsewhere! It’s about time.
So 2015, here we come!
Monday, March 28, 2011
WATER and SANITATION
You won’t see or fully appreciate the excruciating pain and paralysis Rural-Nigeria goes through in search of WATER unless, and until, you go live with them. I have been and I feel so sad, so sorry and so powerless in the face of their agony that I must sadly APOLOGIZE on behalf of us all to them all. Dear Nigerians (I mean those of us with our conscience in place, plus those of the ruling class still left with any conscience at all!), please join in in this perplexing apology. Even if you are waterless like most of us, or live in Rural-Nigeria like most of our folks, let’s just APOLOGIZE.
Commonsense dictates that without water, talk not SANITATION. Nigeria’s government says only 35% of Nigerians have access to safe water (read potable water) - after 50 years of independence, and being in the tropics, surrounded by numerous water bodies! Then there is the small matter of 37 MDAs with regular and irregular annual budgets in the WATER sector. Repeat that in the HEALTH sector, in the AGRIC & RURAL DEV sector, in the MDGs Portfolio, in the DEBT-RELIEF Portfolio, and in several DEV-ASSIST cum DONOR-SUPPORT Programmes. It is simply unconscionable! And, yes, we must APOLOGIZE.
In all conscience, we must now resolve this issue once and for all. Any governor or local government chairman that cannot or will not provide safe drinking water to their citizens MUST be recalled or impeached by the people! Note I did not include the president? Yes, because I see little business of the federal government in water supply - except of course in mega dam projects and selected regional schemes. Yes, because I say we must review the revenue allocation formula to give more resources to states and local governments for sustainable development. Yes, because right now the federal government is collecting obscene sums and simply squandering same!
We speak of Water & Sanitation today because the world just celebrated World Water Day. Nigeria observed its rituals but not its rigours!
To do it right, we must use Election 2011 to clear the deck. Vote right, folks, vote the right people this time!
Commonsense dictates that without water, talk not SANITATION. Nigeria’s government says only 35% of Nigerians have access to safe water (read potable water) - after 50 years of independence, and being in the tropics, surrounded by numerous water bodies! Then there is the small matter of 37 MDAs with regular and irregular annual budgets in the WATER sector. Repeat that in the HEALTH sector, in the AGRIC & RURAL DEV sector, in the MDGs Portfolio, in the DEBT-RELIEF Portfolio, and in several DEV-ASSIST cum DONOR-SUPPORT Programmes. It is simply unconscionable! And, yes, we must APOLOGIZE.
In all conscience, we must now resolve this issue once and for all. Any governor or local government chairman that cannot or will not provide safe drinking water to their citizens MUST be recalled or impeached by the people! Note I did not include the president? Yes, because I see little business of the federal government in water supply - except of course in mega dam projects and selected regional schemes. Yes, because I say we must review the revenue allocation formula to give more resources to states and local governments for sustainable development. Yes, because right now the federal government is collecting obscene sums and simply squandering same!
We speak of Water & Sanitation today because the world just celebrated World Water Day. Nigeria observed its rituals but not its rigours!
To do it right, we must use Election 2011 to clear the deck. Vote right, folks, vote the right people this time!
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
This MARCH, we're MARCHING to our ELECTORAL Freedom!
In 30 days, we start the real electoral rights of Nigeria's democracy. We go to the vote! This is not our first time, dammit, it is the one time we hinge our hopes so strongly, so expectantly, so assuredly, on the final rites of passage: One Man One Vote! 2011 General Elections.
My firm belief is that this be our MARCH to our very own ELECTORAL Freedom! This March. All this efforts and effusions of the voters' registration exercise will pay us huge dividends soon. Very soon.
Prepare people, prepare. Pray, the jinx is in trouble - no, in its final throes. With the modified open ballot system, all them blighters are in trouble - no hiding place anymore. You need to be ultra demonic, mega desperate and, shall we say, utterly degenerate to want to dare the voters' vigil.
As March 2011 proceeds, we MARCH towards our FREEDOM. The freedom of the VOTE.
Dear MARCH, what a F-R-E-E-D-O-M!
My firm belief is that this be our MARCH to our very own ELECTORAL Freedom! This March. All this efforts and effusions of the voters' registration exercise will pay us huge dividends soon. Very soon.
Prepare people, prepare. Pray, the jinx is in trouble - no, in its final throes. With the modified open ballot system, all them blighters are in trouble - no hiding place anymore. You need to be ultra demonic, mega desperate and, shall we say, utterly degenerate to want to dare the voters' vigil.
As March 2011 proceeds, we MARCH towards our FREEDOM. The freedom of the VOTE.
Dear MARCH, what a F-R-E-E-D-O-M!
Monday, February 14, 2011
KUDOS TO RADIO - Especially FRCN!
Recovering from a small accident that got arthritis attracted, I've been on a hybrid retreat. From my semi-rural and self-imposed outposts-domains, I chose radio as my main link to the world. The internet gave me the other part: news panorama.
Radio. I have always loved radio. But in recent years, like many Nigerians, the private media channels have caught my imagination, empathy and patronage. No less because the public media had become personalized by public officers! As the NBC admonished, and quite rightly constantly reiterated by the NUJ president and civil rights crusaders, government-owned media must be just and fair to ALL - especially the opposition. We still can’t say so of many public stations nationwide!
For months now I have been listening to FRCN National. I’m pleased. Very. The quality and variety of content and delivery make me proud. The 12 noon diet - Network Nigeria - brings me creativity and comic relief. Oh, and those news and programme anchors! Your kids would safely learn English from them. We certainly can’t say the same for many private (or even FRCN FM) stations nationwide!
Labaran Maku, expand the FRCN Training School, Ikeja. Ask Babatunde Fashola for a befitting land on Lekki Peninsula or Badagry Mega Highway, and upgrade it to a full University - like the NTA TV College, Jos. Bring back veterans to man the faculty with tenure and incentives. Before 29 May, 2011. It’s our local BBC!
BON should encourage, failing which compel, all broadcasters to go to FRCN for voice and phonetics training. Now, and periodically!
Radio. I have always loved radio. But in recent years, like many Nigerians, the private media channels have caught my imagination, empathy and patronage. No less because the public media had become personalized by public officers! As the NBC admonished, and quite rightly constantly reiterated by the NUJ president and civil rights crusaders, government-owned media must be just and fair to ALL - especially the opposition. We still can’t say so of many public stations nationwide!
For months now I have been listening to FRCN National. I’m pleased. Very. The quality and variety of content and delivery make me proud. The 12 noon diet - Network Nigeria - brings me creativity and comic relief. Oh, and those news and programme anchors! Your kids would safely learn English from them. We certainly can’t say the same for many private (or even FRCN FM) stations nationwide!
Labaran Maku, expand the FRCN Training School, Ikeja. Ask Babatunde Fashola for a befitting land on Lekki Peninsula or Badagry Mega Highway, and upgrade it to a full University - like the NTA TV College, Jos. Bring back veterans to man the faculty with tenure and incentives. Before 29 May, 2011. It’s our local BBC!
BON should encourage, failing which compel, all broadcasters to go to FRCN for voice and phonetics training. Now, and periodically!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
VOTER-REGISTRATION Progress
I am not losing sleep over the ongoing voter-registration exercise. It will be ultra-successful.
We should be grateful that it didn’t take-off smoothly. The hitches and hiccups were a salutary baptism of fire for us all. And I love it!
Lessons: INEC now knows better. Take nothing on face value; take nothing for granted. Nigerians now know better. We have a role, crucial role to play, in this democracy. Register. Vote. Protect your franchise. Defend your vote.
Forecast: We will be proud, very proud, of the NYSC Members deployed for this momentous and monumental project. We will applaud and reward their service, and their patriotism.
Interim Laugh: I wonder how The “Great” Iwu feels right now!
Last Line: This INEC and Nigerians will succeed this 2011. No matter the odds.
We should be grateful that it didn’t take-off smoothly. The hitches and hiccups were a salutary baptism of fire for us all. And I love it!
Lessons: INEC now knows better. Take nothing on face value; take nothing for granted. Nigerians now know better. We have a role, crucial role to play, in this democracy. Register. Vote. Protect your franchise. Defend your vote.
Forecast: We will be proud, very proud, of the NYSC Members deployed for this momentous and monumental project. We will applaud and reward their service, and their patriotism.
Interim Laugh: I wonder how The “Great” Iwu feels right now!
Last Line: This INEC and Nigerians will succeed this 2011. No matter the odds.
EFCC, THIS BE YOUR CHANCE!
Following upon both its pledge and threat to STOP corrupt and all them corrupted politicians, Farida Waziri and her tough cops have their chance at last: 2011 General Elections!
Okay, let’s clarify: No one is guilty until so pronounced by the courts. And no frivolous charges or arrangee trials will do. Most citizens and our foreign friends like the EFCC and can heartily say, Carry-Go!
Since the law does not bar you from investigating anyone, including the president, please proceed to announce what you’ve found so far against our rulers. For those who enjoy immunity, charge their accomplices right away! If their principals are clean, they’ll stay out of your way - and, please God, may rapidly cooperate! Some leaders are simply surrounded by wolves, and EFCC must help save them.
With the support of the president and the chief justice of Nigeria as well as speakers of state assemblies, let the national assembly amend the constitution this February. Create special courts for economic crimes and electoral offences. While at it, they should simply delete the immunity clause and pass the freedom of information bill, the petroleum industry bill and the antiterrorism bill.
Message: If you want our votes and you are NOT squeaky clean, step thee aside. Or go clear yourself!
Last Word: Why would anyone worry about EFCC when they all say they are clean and in the clear! Four years on, and they are panicky! BOTH sides must now prove their worth, their WORD - Farida vs Fake-rulers.
May God justify the just, amen.
Okay, let’s clarify: No one is guilty until so pronounced by the courts. And no frivolous charges or arrangee trials will do. Most citizens and our foreign friends like the EFCC and can heartily say, Carry-Go!
Since the law does not bar you from investigating anyone, including the president, please proceed to announce what you’ve found so far against our rulers. For those who enjoy immunity, charge their accomplices right away! If their principals are clean, they’ll stay out of your way - and, please God, may rapidly cooperate! Some leaders are simply surrounded by wolves, and EFCC must help save them.
With the support of the president and the chief justice of Nigeria as well as speakers of state assemblies, let the national assembly amend the constitution this February. Create special courts for economic crimes and electoral offences. While at it, they should simply delete the immunity clause and pass the freedom of information bill, the petroleum industry bill and the antiterrorism bill.
Message: If you want our votes and you are NOT squeaky clean, step thee aside. Or go clear yourself!
Last Word: Why would anyone worry about EFCC when they all say they are clean and in the clear! Four years on, and they are panicky! BOTH sides must now prove their worth, their WORD - Farida vs Fake-rulers.
May God justify the just, amen.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Don't Worry....Nigeria is SAFE
There are all sorts of scenario-building games going on about Nigeria. From friends to foes of our country to those neutral observers reading events here. Then, of course, our very own citizens home and abroad - very concerned citizens - who are worried and weary! Truth be told, there is enough worry to go round.
But wait a minute, haven't we confounded ourselves before? We always dance around the precipice, and very promptly retreat - returning to sanity. Okay, but must we constantly flirt with disaster, with disunity, with snares & flares - even disintegration? That's what more and more people are asking. My answer is NO! Our collective response must be NO!
If you don't mind, I propose that no motion for separation can pass in this land. It just will not happen. We are so interwoven and intrinsically united at the peoples-level than our so-called leaders recognize or admit. Let me also suggest that the reason most regimes have failed is their failure to imbibe this reality, rather than their divide-and-rule agenda. It is the same reason West Africans stay together despite the abysmal performance (or is it non-performance?) of ECOWAS - a fact its Authority has now acknowledged by launching an "ECOWAS of People not ECOWAS of States" initiative.
Nigeria is SAFE! She is agitated but stable at core.
Nigerians are together! We are depressed but optimistic for our country.
All the worrying and wearying shall pass. We will not crumble or disappear. And we will soon show it -as early as the 2011 General Elections!
Stand by us if you really care.
But wait a minute, haven't we confounded ourselves before? We always dance around the precipice, and very promptly retreat - returning to sanity. Okay, but must we constantly flirt with disaster, with disunity, with snares & flares - even disintegration? That's what more and more people are asking. My answer is NO! Our collective response must be NO!
If you don't mind, I propose that no motion for separation can pass in this land. It just will not happen. We are so interwoven and intrinsically united at the peoples-level than our so-called leaders recognize or admit. Let me also suggest that the reason most regimes have failed is their failure to imbibe this reality, rather than their divide-and-rule agenda. It is the same reason West Africans stay together despite the abysmal performance (or is it non-performance?) of ECOWAS - a fact its Authority has now acknowledged by launching an "ECOWAS of People not ECOWAS of States" initiative.
Nigeria is SAFE! She is agitated but stable at core.
Nigerians are together! We are depressed but optimistic for our country.
All the worrying and wearying shall pass. We will not crumble or disappear. And we will soon show it -as early as the 2011 General Elections!
Stand by us if you really care.
Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill
We must ask the Nigerian parliament to pass the FOI Bill into law soonest - as it has done with the electoral act and constitution amendment. We must regret that civil society, Labour, the Bar Association and Nigerian students have not taken on the politicians to stop their blatant disrespect for, and total insensitivity to, our collective call for the law in the last 12 years! Now, they must.
We ask the Save Nigeria Group to place this case on the front burner. This National Assembly must not expire without passing the bill into law, and President Jonathan needs to announce his eagerness to assent today!
Though this is not a media-only law, we must call on the Nigerian Press to rise to its full height and bring this matter to either an early resolution or an early confrontation. We cannot fight for democracy and its biggest beneficiaries treat the nation with such contempt. Not allowed.
FOI is now an election issue: Vote for it and you may return; vote against and you are gone! This is the message every medium, all media, must make a banner clip each and every day - as we countdown to Election Day 2011.
We ask the Save Nigeria Group to place this case on the front burner. This National Assembly must not expire without passing the bill into law, and President Jonathan needs to announce his eagerness to assent today!
Though this is not a media-only law, we must call on the Nigerian Press to rise to its full height and bring this matter to either an early resolution or an early confrontation. We cannot fight for democracy and its biggest beneficiaries treat the nation with such contempt. Not allowed.
FOI is now an election issue: Vote for it and you may return; vote against and you are gone! This is the message every medium, all media, must make a banner clip each and every day - as we countdown to Election Day 2011.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)