KOGI ELECTION AND THE QUESTION OF LEGALITY

The death of a leading or emerging winner of a gubernatorial election and the mode of its possible replacement is silent in the Nigeria constitution; the drafters didn’t envisage this reality, hence the lacuna in the law. Lawyers and political Pundits have since been let out of the cage and have flood the space with diverse opinions, though, everyone canvass their opinions with various section of the constitution which presupposes that the law is not clearly stated for this case. While it is okay for every stakeholder in this election to canvas for their interest it is also important that a valid and logical solution is arrived at to proffer solution to this quagmire. It shall be distasteful to have a decision that is anti-people and out rightly violate the rule of good conscience and negate democratic values. Because, when a bad precedent subsist it forever become a bane of social justice and a clog in the wheel of growth in a developing country like ours.

While the PDP have argued that the demise of Late Abubakar Audu may his soul rest in peace automatically means that the APC is out of the race and has asked INEC to declare their candidate the winner of the election being the runner up for the result so far declared. INEC has maintained that there  will be a supplementary election to conclude the poll and has asked the APC to provide another candidate through a new primary, a decision that many have argued as unlawful and has offered a word of caution to the APC. Mr. Abiodun Faleke, the running mate to late prince Audu has on the other hand argued and asked INEC to declare him the winner of the election owing to the fact that he ran on a joint ticket with his late principal, but his call seems to have met deaf ears as INEC insist on the supplementary election and some group have call for his rejection as he is from a minority in the state and that he cannot rule the Igala dominated state.

Undoubtedly, democracy is a government of the people ruled by a candidate with the majority and this is why some groups systematically adopt the concept of power rotation among diverse interest to forestall undue marginalization of certain interest. When an uncertain circumstance prevail in a democratic setting that wasn’t envisaged by the rules, necessity becomes the mother of invention and this must be carried out in line with existing precedent relating to similar case and shouldn’t be unjust and biased in any form.

The argument that Mr Abiodun Faleke should not be declared winner and Governor of the state because he is not from the region with majority is very illogical to good conscience and good reasoning. Mr Abiodun Faleke and late Prince Audu may his soul rest in peace ran on a joint ticket and as a deputy he is expected to fill the shoes of his principal whenever and where he is call to duty and he is absent; this is what the role of a deputy governor refers. If by virtue of circumstance the principal passed on untimely, the next thing to reality that should happen is to allow Faleke to step into the shoes of his boss as anything short of this is illogical, bias and unjust.

It is still very fresh in our mind how ex-president Goodluck Jonathan was almost denied the opportunity of becoming the president after his principal passed on. Thankfully enough, men and women of good conscience prevailed and the doctrine of necessity was introduced to save the situation. This is exactly what we should be doing in this case and not the many efforts being played out to undermine logic and good will.

As a people, we must know that a majority in any place is a minority somewhere and we should be guided by fairness, justice and equity anytime. The concept of democratic majority is not for dominant tribe to enslave the minority or deny them sense of belonging. Hence, the many causes for self-agitation. If a Kenyan can rule America, Mr. Abiodun Faleke can rule Kogi.

I wish to urge all stakeholders to embrace peace, fight for a united Kogi and do what is considered best for the state at this time. The APC shouldn’t shout change to echo the force alone but must be seen to be acting it out in its best interest. There is however no doubt that litigation shall flood the court regardless of what decision is taken but where illegality was sustained, the courts shall right the wrongs on the long run.

A Letter to the President Elect, General Muhammadu Buhari

Dear President Elect, General Muhammadu Buhari,

DO NOT BREAK AWAY FROM THE CHAINS OF MIRACLES IN YOUR LIFE

The unfolding events that have led to you becoming an elected president of Nigeria today are the very recent wonders of our great country. 2015 has been enmeshed with thunderous of prophesies; while some brought succor others carried the biggest horror ever imagined. The year was proclaimed the year of disintegration for Nigeria but we did not only integrate as Nigerians, we are carrying a burden of hope that finally things will soon be better.

When the APC merger was formed, a number of persons castes aspersion on its viability and ability to succeed as a political party, they predicted it not to stand the test of time; yet, it did not only survived the antics of detractors but the soon to be governing political party in Nigeria. Another milestone in the annals of this country.

It is still very much fresh in our memory how you wept and broke down in tears when you were addressing a world press conference in 2011, these were your words "I have never cried in all the positions I occupied but I was moved and I wept because of the present pitiable condition of Nigeria, particularly that of the poor ones who are struggling to survive. Here is a country that is rich and blessed, and there is no sound leadership that will do justice to the country. We have been struggling for liberation; I ran in 2003, same in 2007 and now in 2011, and I said this is the last time that I will run, and the thought that some people because of abject poverty will sell their votes also made me emotional and I wept for our country’’. Sir, in this dispensation you did not only win the presidential ticket of your party that took the world to a standstill as the drama of the election unfolds in our TV, you are now the president elect of Nigeria.

This election was the most competitive election in the history of this country, in terms of size and might your party was less viable compared to your opponents. You had no authority over the arm forces and other agencies of government neither were you able to rain Dollars to the very many power brokers in several blocs. Even though you were able to muscle some strength from your supporters, nevertheless, you were less fortified compared to your opponents, today we celebrate your victory, today, you are the very first to have defeated an incumbent president in a presidential election and even got congratulated by the outgoing president. Victory becomes remarkable when it is obtained from the verdict of majority; the people have chosen you for a mission.

I need not remind you that almost everyone sees their lives changing for the better in you. This you have rightly expressed countless of times. Some have also argued that they don’t envy you taken over the mantle of leadership at this critical and hard time in the life of Nigeria and Nigerians. But, I dare to say I envy you, this is truly the kind of shoes messiahs like to wear. A country where standards and values have been debased for many decades is one that when any significant change takes place it is easily noticed. Indeed you have that rare privilege of joining the league of the likes of Nelson Mandela, Lee Kuan Yew, Martin Luther King Jnr, Mahatma Gandhi and others. Truly, you will have to perform miracles to be in this league except you were never what we thought you are.

Nigerians know that governance is not rocket science, we know that when the right decisions are taken and pursued vigorously the right results will surely emerged. I also know that we are not expecting you to turn water to wine nor walk on the sea but we want you to turn business to profit, labor to wages, sickness to health, poverty to wealth, illiteracy to literacy, crime to punishment and good values to reward.  We do know that you don’t have a magic wand because our expectation is not for you perform magic; Abracadabra does not stand the test of time but we believe you have the piousness to turn things around to the part that will earn us pride as Nigerians. For this we need not ask for empirical evidence.

To be candid, we prayed for change and here is change. This means we will not continue in the old order. Several things must be seen to have changed or are changing, this is the miracle we want.

Yours sincerely in the waiting for miracles,               

                                                                   

Salami Musa.

XENOPHOBIC AFRICANS FROM THE SOUTH

While the atrocities are growing in their numbers, the blame game is being exchanged from different quarters; other African leaders have refused to develop their countries, the foreigners have taken up the jobs of the locals, the foreigners are the ones committing crimes, the South African government is doing its best to curtail the violence, yet, the violence still escalates and the very persons who instigated this attack have not been prevailed upon to call the people to order.

To have a civil state in a state of reckless abandon leaves a lot to be desired. While everyone look up to the government to take a decisive action, to halt the chaos and disorder that has engulf South Africa the killing just went on in a more gruesome manner that truly unravel the brutality of South Africans.

Not even little kids were spared, what crime did these ones commit?  With these heinous atrocities, is there any legitimacy in their agitations? One will only struggle between insanity and madness in an attempt to justify this callousness. What happened to peaceful protest? What happened to crying out to the government to make legitimate decisions? This is truly madness.

In the view of late Fela Kuti, he compares Racism to be a serious crimes and that it becomes more worrisome when a black man becomes a persecutor of a fellow black man.’’ Owing to our similar struggles, we are expected to be in one accord and share solidarity with one another.  Again, with what is happening in South Africa one will want to question the sanity of the motivators of these violent attacks. Most importantly because black South Africans are the very recent beneficiary of the world’s sympathy especially from their fellow Africans most recently one of their own who was known for bravery, fairness and justice was laid to eternal rest and his burial took the world to a standstill as almost every leader in the world was in attendance.

The virtues and the ideals that Nelson Mandela lives for, where all exalted to the affirmation of every one and even re-echoing the already known truth that never again will there be any semblance of apartheid.

Today, South Africans who are the very recent victims of hate and oppression, who knew what it means to be oppressed have now becomes xenophobic. At will they killed, loot and destroyed the properties of those who they were supposed to play host to.

It is particularly worrisome that in every section of the world there is a rising trend of terror, dehumanization and total neglect to the value of lives. The quest for dominance and relevance has made man to be enemy of men. Whose benefit it is really for this conquest quest?

To my fellow Africans who share the region of South Africa be reminded that the space is not for you alone as the very success you claim today was built by the collective efforts of others. And if what is good for the goose is also good for the gander, you must remember that your nationals are also in other countries.  I am sure you will not wish this befall your brothers and sisters resident in other countries. In my country there are South Africans even when we think they over step their bound with unwholesome exploitation through their businesses and neglect to our concern we never raised our hands. Take the part of caution and live responsible as fast as you can. The growing temper and seeming patience does have limits and to the leaders who sworn to protect and act for the interest of all your actions are under scrutiny. 

African leaders need to do away with selfish interest and stop being mediocre to their contemporary in other continents. Take bold steps to transform your nations and prevent this self exile by Africans in the bid to gain economic survival that exposes them to all sort of inhuman treatment all over the world.

We are all Africans STOP THE HATE.

 

Before Nigeria Decides

Indeed no one knows where the pendulum will stop at this crucial moment as Nigerians decide. This election is arguably the most keenly contested election in the annals of Nigeria. Political pundits are not relenting in their analysis and victory speculations on who becomes the next president of Nigeria. The fact remains that the two major political parties are competing neck to neck, as the ruling party is thriving on the strength of incumbency viz-a-viz the unprecedented momentum the opposition is gathering.

The window created from the postponement of the election has also created an opportunity for both parties to canvass for more votes from grounds not yet covered; In many quarters, it has been adjudged that the postponement has helped to calm down nerves, douse the tension that pervade the whole political arena and also offer Nigerians the opportunity to collect their PVC’s and to critically analyze the potentials, deliverable and strength of individual candidate among the two leading political parties.

It is the wish of many Nigerians, especially the common man that there should be a non-violent, free and fair election that is capable of producing the will of the majority. This has necessitated the various peace accord signed by all the political parties. Even though this peace accords have witnessed the attendance of almost all the participating political parties, the happenings of event leading to the election still leaves many to worry. While some attempt to divide electorate along ethnic and religious lines, some preach hate and questions the capacity of INEC to conduct the election particularly with the use of Card Readers. 

The question that throb the mind of many Nigerians is who is best among the contestant and possess the capacity to rescue Nigeria to its desired pride of place. If Nigerians must be expected to proffer a leadership solution to its nation, they must all have faith in INEC and allow it to discharge its constitutional responsibilities without interference.

In accessing the viability of candidates, it is inherent on the incumbent to prove beyond reasonable doubt to the citizens that it has performed creditably well that warrant another opportunity for it to consolidate on the gains already achieved and not necessarily making new promises while old promises are still being evaluated. The score card of the incumbent must be clear to further motivate the populace to rally round the government. On the other hand, the opposition party seeking an opportunity to trounce the ruling party is required to promise with achievable and realistic facts that could persuade the vote of citizens.

This dimension has obviously influenced the mantra of the leading political parties. While the ruling party emphasizes transformation and continuity on the basis of the gains already achieved and why more time is needed for consolidation and to further engender new opportunities. The opposition in its own mantra emphasizes change, this assertion is assumed to means that everything or almost everything has gone from bad to worse and continuation of the current dispensation only spells doom.

Be that as it may, Nigerians have now been awakening from any form of slumber. They have come to know by their history that they have suffered years of misrule, abuse, denials and deception during elections with bags of rice, salt and cash. This era is clearly not the old ways, even though the politicians have made frantic efforts with divisive utterances and attempts to influence votes through monetary and material inducement.

In all these, one thing is clear; the common man wants a better life and a safe country and they have therefore resolved to have their votes count. This is regardless of who is going to be at the helms of affair, all they want is a better Nigeria. 

In this era, before Nigerians will decide who to vote for there must be clear indication that the candidate has a firm response and capacity to deliver the following to Nigerians; Steady power supply, Near zero tolerance on corruption, Employment generation, Diversified economy, Quality health care, Education, Infrastructures, Security of life and properties, Social welfare, Care for the elderly, and a host of others. 

The decision to cast a vote will therefore mean a consideration to either vote for the current ruling party through the conviction that it has performed creditably well and has been able to offer leadership with the available resources in its disposition and also require additional tenure to build on the gains already achieved to prevent any possible diversion from the way forward already earned by any opposition.

A vote for the opposition either stems from the fact that the ruling party has not being able to offer leadership to the desired taste of Nigerians or that it has the capacity to deliver on the factors enumerated above and even do more to better the life of Nigerians. Nigerians should not be cowed to decide on the basis of the propaganda on the media and hearsay but must be willing to conduct an unbiased assessment to the conviction that you vote your conscience.  Sentiment does not grow a nation; neither religion nor ethnicity. Our action must therefore be devoid of this divisive elements and march for a better Nigeria.  

Be a Nigerian for a better Nigeria and vote wisely.

WHOSE SIDE IS GOD IN NEGRIA’S 2015 ELECTION?

This question may be subject to an elaborate analysis by pundits especially our spiritual leaders. It may not be that difficult if you ask my honest opinion, however, why it seems the position of God cannot be clearly identified in this 2015 election leaves us to ponder and reflect on who God will favor at the end of the day. We are a people of diversity, rich cultural differences, religiously influential, housing a bundle of talents and technocrats from every region of the country and blessed with several natural resources. 

Then, you will ask again why our people are so poor and backward?  Does our love for God have anything to do with our state of the nation? Have we naturally relinquished our capacity to think and embraced docility without having to probe our situations and belief system? I guess you may be seeking answers to these questions just as I am reflecting on them.

Our nation will rank among the most religious country in the world and by this implication we are supposed to be among the most prosperous nation in the world. Surprisingly, only a few knows what it means to be prosperous in a country with over 170 million populations.  What then is our story that we are among the most poor, corrupt, backward and developing irrespective of our affluence; human and natural resources. It is very worrisome that some of us have totally lost our sense of basic reasoning and direction and left everything for God to resolve; down to fixing our breakfast and dinner. 

My knowledge of the scriptures is admittedly very limited, none of the two most referred holy books can I confidently quote but one thing I know for a fact is that the grace of God has been sufficiently provided from time immemorial and man is expected to tap from this sufficient grace for daily exploit. Today the world can boast of several advancement both technologically and otherwise, these growth and development I bet was not a product of wishful thinking, neither was it one of those miracles that God was expected to perform. Rather, it is a product of profound determined people, system and government.

The current state of our dear country Nigeria has left many with a sorry taste. What one is quick to hear today in many sections is that God will help us, let’s pray harder; take it to God in prayer, God knows best, God will do it in his own time or these are the signs of end time. My question again, is God biased? Does it truly mean that we haven’t pray enough or God dislike black people or partial towards them? Other parts of the world especially those whose regions were our religion was imported are doing marvelously well even though they are not without challenges but one cannot likened their problems to be the basics needs of life; like;  health, justice, security, shelter and food. Does this have any thing to do with the color of our skin, the continent we are in or was it just God’s design? But it is baffling that when our people travel abroad they do so well.

However, the time to be waiting on God in my opinion has passed, we suffered the colonial era, we waited on God he set us free, we fought the civil war he made us free, we went through military reign he took us through the burden and delivered us to a democratic government that has existed for 16 years now, yet, we are not any better. Now, I am compelled to reflect on the word ‘THE APPOINTED TIME’. May be this is the time (2015 election) we are set to earn from our long-suffering and regain our sense of nationhood, brotherliness and be the giant of Africa we used to be known if we make effort to change, or better still stick to the present government and continue to hope that the best will come out of it or preferably, take it to God in prayers.

I think God has never failed to answer our prayers even during those Ramadan and the Lenten period supplications. It is only that we have failed to see the signs of God’s benevolence and redeem ourselves permanently from the strong hold of mental slavery. We all need to collectively rise up to the challenge and do what is expected of us and prove to God once and for all that we are grateful and that we haven’t taken his grace for granted. What do you expect of a father who has seen you through school, gave you the best you expect in life, shelter you and steadily provide for you to be the best but you just chose to be a burden without having to be productive and put your hard earn knowledge to use. I guess he may be frustrated and just allow you to wander till you meet your end. Haste we must find a sense of reasoning and stop bothering God with prayer request of already answers prayers.

2015 is here, the signs are clear and we are at liberty to make good use of our senses and for once be grateful to God that we have an opportunity to make a decision which comes to us once in four years. At this time I want to quote Mr. president to re-echo my point, and he said: ''the choice before Nigerians in the coming election is simple: A choice between going forward or going backward; between freedom and repression; between a record of visible achievements and beneficial reforms and desperate power-seekers with empty promises''.

Coincidentally, the two main aspirants for the 2015 presidential election have had the opportunity to govern this country at a particular point in time though with a much different duration and government type and now Nigerians have the opportunity to evaluate the two candidate on the following:

1.      Who among the two candidates do you think will take us forward or backward judging by their track records while in office?

2.      Among the two candidate who will guarantee freedom to Nigerians or repression to citizens?

3.      Among the two, who has impacted Nigeria the most looking at their records of visible achievements and beneficial reforms while in office, viz a viz the duration of their tenure?

4.      Who do you believe shoulder empty promises among the two?

5.      Is it wise to try a new hand or it is better to continue the way we are now?

6.      Finally, is any one desperate to seek power or desperate to retain power?

The answers to these questions are before us and we are at liberty to make those choices regardless of the amount of inducement that may come in the guise of stomach infrastructure. The choice is there for us to either take it God in prayers or go to God in thanksgiving for the abundant of grace and know how.

VOTE NOT FIGHT

                  

Despise me not my brother for we are bounded in one territorial border

Speak of me not as a foe or a stranger

I know you struggle to measure what drives my enthusiasm

It irritates you to hear me echo the mantra of change without cynicism

We both are a victim of the same system but surprisingly our motivation differ

That mine is driven by religion and yours by ethnicity will require the wisdom of a seer

I do know that you wish for continuity and desire to stay transformed

That you have chosen to be transformed while maintaining the same form may clearly not be my business

Though, I am very worried that I may have to maintain this form for another term if we fail to change

The momentum that my change mantra has gathered seems unstoppable

Maybe this is what drives your curiosity and apprehension that a new order is imminent

Before your very eyes CHANGE is a mantra melody to every common man on the street

While you have chosen to keep to the existing form I have chosen the part of change

New ways are expedient to survival

Do not be apprehensive because our goals are different yet, we both seek same prosperity and better life

Our bond of similarity may be broken by your quest to save the interest of a group of fat boys

While mine is a passionate desire to wipe away the tears of the man who has never had a voice

I seek for CHANGE not for greed but for the need to have a better nation

My brother, let our goals be driven by our purpose be it me CHANGE or you TRANSFORM after March 28 we are still brothers after all

Let it not divide our bond and borders for we are one Nigeria

It is an election after all and one choice will prevail

                   VOTE NOT FIGHT

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A LAGOSIAN

                                                              

The alarm start blaring and time check its 4 o’clock or 4:30am. Alarms are set according to the location you reside or proximity to the office. Though, even if you failed to set an alarm, those ambitious evangelists who wear that green banner on their body may probably be in the neighborhood by 5 am or the mosque down the street will switch on its amplifier by 5 am too for the first call to prayer. There is absolutely no need to snooze your alarm or ignore the sound from our religious fellow, because an attempt to do so either means you begins your day in a frustrating way or you will have your boss issuing you warning for coming late, your boss might may not necessary be very timely but he takes proximity sacrosanct as he lives very close to the office. After all he is a boss and can afford the cut throat rent. A lower cadre employee dares no such thing as he can’t even boast of a meager savings after a month expenses.

Depending on your apartment type, the bathroom may attend to you on a first come first serve basis if you reside in a FACE ME I FACE YOU apartment but if you are lucky enough to live in a self contain you quickly rush through your shower, get dressed and hit the road before it is past 5 o’clock. The buses popularly known as Danfo are never off the road. They are always at your service but you need to be smart at all time while commuting with these buses, their conductors are steady bullies, you must develop the bully tactics to be able to stand their antics and challenge them when necessary. They often talk like they own the heavens, but trust me they are often the laziest you probably would have imagine; the manner they change their tone and prostrate before you when they meet a superior power you can but appreciate their creativity in acting. Some Danfo are notorious for ONE CHANCE, the day you be a victim of one chance you will have eternal phobia joining Danfo. That is the easiest way to be robbed off your items. They come in the guise of commuters heading your destination as soon as they have you in their net only divine intervention can guarantee what your safety will become. Thank God for the selective banning of Okada from some major roads, if it was in the days of Okada you will always feel at risk stepping out of your house as early as 5 am; as there might be one bike chilling in a hideout waiting to snatch a bag from an unlucky lady passing by. The option of joining a Danfo is often because it’s the commuter that is easily available, though, you could be lucky to get private car taking passengers heading their direction just to augment their fuel expenses. Vigilance is always the word in Lagos, if you don’t thread with caution, you could be a victim of the ritualist or kidnappers who come in this guise. BRT-LAGBUS still remain the safest means of commuting; they convey you efficiently to your nearest bus stop and more comfortable, all that is changing now as those buses have become over aged in their looks, seeming like they lack maintenance and they are almost likened to the MOLUE as the people standing in every journey are more than those sitting.

The traffic are usually mild if you step out early enough and you are sure of having a choked free ride to your destination, if you are unlucky and you get trapped in the traffic it becomes the countless miracle you expect like every other problem you wish God brings a helper like every other Nigerian. The buses are usually over loaded as everyone is seated clustered with no space to even take your money out of your pocket when it is time to pay. A five minutes break down or disruption of the traffic flow can cause a perennial jam for the rest of that day unless you are fortunate to have sane LASTMA officials on that axis. In Lagos every one is in a hurry, no one is orderly; the commuters are steadily shunting from one lane to the other thereby causing more jam on the road. If you have become used to the system then it is less hassle getting to your destination on time as you will know the best means to do that. In Lagos, traffic is not an excuse of being late; if that is your excuse I am sure after repeated warning at the office you will have no choice than to get used to the system. It is very simple; wake up early before the cockcrows, set out and if you find a good space in the bus you get others to enjoy the rhythm of your snoring while the journey progress but some days you may not be very lucky when there is a sister that will be strategically seated to let out the word PRAISE THE LORD when the journey takes off. The sermon will always get to your attention as it either come in two fold; it either tells you how you haven’t tapped into the prosperity of God and dishes out to you the prophesy that will make you see yourself as a Dangote in the next hour or it steadily reminds you of the gory tale about hell fire. Trust me no one is righteous and everyone is wary about what becomes of them on the last day. At the office almost everyone has an early morning sleeping position, where they quickly have a nap before it is logging time.

Another interesting side of the journey is being in the company of a favourite radio station. Lagosians are radio lovers; whatever being your personality, there is a radio station for you.  Jimi Disu on classic FM is always there to remind you on the lopsidedness of our political system and steadily analysing of who is right and wrong, Manni and the Angels also doing their thing on Cool FM, Yoor is always at it for the pidgin lovers on Wazobia FM, Niger FM also does its thing, the football lovers have Brila FM telling you who will and lose in the next EPL match, inspiration FM with Dallas and Eyor doing their hilarious thing. The list is endless.

The time zone of Lagos is probably different from other part of Nigeria as other part seems faster than Lagos, just saying. By the time its 5 pm which is the official closing hour the roads have becomes jammed once more and the journey home is probably less interesting like the morning rush hour as almost everyone has totally become exhausted. The stretch of lights from the cars often seems endless and makes one wonder when they will get home.  Radio stations have totally up their marketing strategies as they have programs for every traffic situation.  This is the time when sharing life issues are humming from Inspiration FM and Rhythm FM.  By the time you finally get home and you decide to rest before taking your shower your consciousness will probably be regained when nature starts calling and you realize that you have been deeply asleep a realm where both the rich and the poor are in an egalitarian brotherhood. Before you can settle to have a real decent sleep the alarm will come calling again and you are on your way back to the shower.

Lagos na wa.