Welcome, dear Nigerian reader, to a new season; a season of jubilee as the nation celebrates her 50th year as an independent country.
How time flies! It seemed. Only like yesterday that I, as a starry-eyed primary six pupil of St Luke's Demonstration School in Ibadan joined thousands of other to celebrate "ominira" as it was known among the Yoruba people. I remember that off-white coloured plastic cup and miniature flag that we were all given as souvenirs. And yes, there was also the jollof rice meal!
I remember the general air of festivity, the well-lit, festooned streets and my own personal conviction that the world was now at my feet. I remember the happy faces of many of my mates, as we prepared to head for one secondary school or the other, preparatory to taking on the world in the service of the fatherland.
Hope was abroad. Such was the inspirational leadership of the man at the helm in that part of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, known as Western Region. Chief Obafemi Awolowo. He had built the first television station in Africa, an ultra modern stadium, a free education policy was in place as a major component of a wider welfarist system. The goal of that leadership came straight from the Bible, straight from the mouth of the Lord Jesus himself: LIFE MORE ABUNDANT. And it loomed large, a distinct possibilty!
Then the dream died... And today 50 years later, we are all asking ourselves what went wrong. The situation is such that we don't even agree on whether we have anything to celebrate or not.
No less a person than Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, for instance, does not think it's drum and dance time. There are many patriotic Nigerians who agree him. Of course, there are many others, no less patriotic, who think we have enough reasons to celebrate. In any case the drums are out and the dance has begun.
But, even if all debates on the appropriateness or otherwise of celebrating has become academic, the jury is still out about who or what was got us here. And this is important because, as one saying goes, if you don't know where you are coming from, you might not know where you are headed.
This is where Chief Olusegun Obasanjo comes into the picture. The former military ruler who ruled as civilian President from 1999 to 2007, last Wednesday had something to say about the subject. He took potshot at the nation's founding fathers. He fingered them as responsible for the nation's underdevelopment which, according to him, is the result of the "regional politics" they played.
Speaking as guest lecturer at the second convocation lecture of the Redeemer’s University, on the topic,, “Nigeria @ 50: What Celebrations?”, 0basanjo was reported to have blamed Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, leaders of the nation’s regions in the first republic for Nigeria's inability to get it right so far. He said if they had made proper efforts at nation building, the country would not have been where it is today
His words: “For a newly independent country, our weak political fabric, diverse and highly differentiated socio-cultural milieu, required a leadership with effective national mobilising capacity, ability to weave together the different ethnic groups, inspire them and provide a broad-minded leadership.
“Unfortunately, Nigeria did not enjoy such leadership at independence and that leadership deficit and weakness of structure militated against Nigeria on independence.”
Continuing, one of the newspaper reports wrote: "He painted the picture of how a more nationalistic group would have improved the nation’s fortunes as he compared Nigeria with nations such as South Korea, Indonesia and Malaysia which all had their independence at about the same time with Nigeria but have so far done quite well in comparison.
"Mr Obasanjo did not leave out the military in his retrospective, stating that the 'most retrogressive era for Nigeria was from 1983 to 1999,' when different military leaders steered the nation’s ship recklessly. He alleged that the military leaders did not, during this period, invest a penny in the critical power sector."
It's vintage OBJ - controversial, irreverent and probably self-serving. I have always wondered if Fela Anikulapo-Kuti had his Egba brother in mind when he wrote and performed one of his evergreens, "Opposite People."
To accuse the nationalists who fought for and won independence for Nigeria is clear revisionism. To blame those who worked with such fervency at a feverish pace to develop the part, in other to build the whole is to be at best mischevious. To situate our national underdevelopment in 'regional politics' is to display amnesia about how Nigeria was cobbled together and how we arrived at federalism as the system that could stabilise the flegling entity.
The wrong-headed centralist approach of the military power usurpers, rather than 'regional politics' got us where we are, along of course, with corruption.
How anyone can reasonably describe the emerging ideological politics of that era where Action Group with roots in the West had allies in United Middle Belt Congress beats the imagination. That a political system that saw quantum leaps in education, infrastructure and so on, relative to available resources, can be found guilty of underdeveloping the nation does violence to the truth. And it does injustice to the legacies of those giants whose shoes Obasanjo is hardly qualified to lace.
Frankly, if Nigeria is to experience true jubilee, we must work hard at removing whatever influences this man and those like him have in shaping the direction of our politics and policies. The place to start is expose the lies they seek to pass off as analysis and protect the young ones by being more careful in our choice of speakers to the youth. Our future depends on it.
Happy golden jubilee anniversary, all.
Sunday, 3 October 2010
Sunday, 26 September 2010
ON THE MARCH (TO THE BRINK) AGAIN?
Adamu Ciroma is a man of great national stature for whom I personally have great respect. Many regard his years at the New Nigerian as the golden era of that newspaper, then mouthpiece of the North. An editorial in the New Nigerian of those days invariably represented the irreversible position of that region on any national issue.
And although, Ciroma went on to succeed in several other assignments, including that of Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria and as head of some federal ministries, it is his New Nigerian days that came to my mind as I read the letter he signed along with five other northern leaders, on the vexed issue of Dr Goodluck Jonathan's candidacy in the forthcoming primary of their party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In logic and tone, the letter written for and on behalf of "Concerned Members" and addressed to party chairman, Dr Nwodo, it's a powerful reminder of the robust intellectual rigour of newspaper editorializing of those days.
I haven't always agreed with him, because even the most intellectual of us can sometimes resort to sophistry when we have interests to protect. And I'll cite just one painful instance when this giant developed clay foot. I am doing so also because it is relevant here.
Shortly after the June 12, 1993 was annulled by the Ibrahim Babangida regime, Ciroma was the lone "establishment" voice who had the courage to declare that M. K. O. Abiola "won the elections fair and square." But, citing ethnicisation of the crisis that followed the illegality, he subsequently drifted from opposition to the annulment to supporting it. I'll return to this presently.
Let's take excerpts from the letter under reference. According to the "concerned members," PDP put in place the "zoning policy," in Article7, section 7.2(c) of our Party’s constitution "in pursuant of the principles of equity, justice and fairness," and made it mandatory that it "be enforced by the appropriate executive committee at all levels."
They also pointed out that the policy was " enunciated and in fact reinforced by Preamble 2(c) of same constitution, which states in part that, ‘to create socio-political conditions conducive to national peace and unity by ensuring fair and equitable distribution of resources and opportunities, to conform with the principles of power shift and power sharing by rotating key political offices among the diverse peoples of our country... in the spirit of Federalism."
They recalled that the South benefited from this provision through the Obasanjo/Atiku presidency for eight years noting that: "At all times during the Obasanjo/Atiku ticket, the record reflects that it was Obasanjo from the SOUTH that our Party nominated as its Presidential
Indeed, at the end of Obasanjo/Atiku two term ticket, the Party rotated its Presidential and Vice Presidential tickets and zoned it to the NORTH and SOUTH respectively for the same two terms... the Party nominated Alhaji Umaru Yar’adua from the NORTH as it’s Presidential
candidate and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan from the SOUTH chosen by Yar’adua, as the Vice Presidential candidate. This tenure began in 2007 as the Yar’adua/Goodluck ticket. It was to end in 2015. Unfortunately, this two term tenure of NORTHERN Presidency was punctuated by the untimely death of President Yar’adua... mid way to the completion of the first term tenure. In strict obedience to the dictates of the Constitution of our country, Goodluck Jonathan was sworn in as President to complete the remaining years of the first term tenure".
Continuing, they said: "the first term tenure of the two term Yar’Adua/Goodluck ticket will soon come to an end. It is now time for our Party to conduct it’s primary elections to nominate it’s
Presidential and Vice presidential candidates for the second tenure of the two term tenure of Yar’adua/Goodluck ticket, which is expected to begin in 2011 and end in 2015... If we follow our Party’s practice and constitution, which we must, the Party must nominate a NORTHERNER as
our Presidential candidate and a SOUTHERNER as our Vice Presidential candidate because the existing Yar’adua/Goodluck ticket zoned to the NORTH not the SOUTH. To do otherwise would amount to injustice and the violation of our Party’s grundnorm ...The rotation of power to the NORTHERN zone is not personal to Yar’adua. It is for the entire NORTH... To our shock and dismay, although there are some individuals from the NORTH aspiring to earn the nomination of our Party to complete the second term of the NORTHERN ticket, the intention of
President Goodluck Jonathan to wrongly use the power of incumbency, to arm twist Party members, usurp, misappropriate and confiscate this NORTHERN ticket has now been confirmed... The evidence suggests that the Party leadership may be encouraging this infringement..."
Every fair-minded person will agree with the premise and conclusion of this northern leaders. And I do. Beyond that, however, I urge everyone to take appropriate notice of the following portions of the letter:
"... this constitute great danger to peace, security and stability of our country. We fear that if President Jonathan’s plot succeeds, it will divide and dislocate our beloved Party. It will also cause irreparable damage to the peace and oneness of our country. It will constitute an assault on reason and gross injustice to the North ...Above all, we are extremely worried that our Party’s failure to deliver justice in this matter, may ignite a series of events, the scope and magnitude of which we can neither proximate nor contain. The peace, stability and unity of our country are superior to the personal ambition of one man..."
I feel tempted to tell Ciroma & Co that "regionalising" an issue as national as who our president is invalidates their case as much as so called "ethnicisation" was said to invalidate Abiola's election. The threat of violence, hardly subtle here, more so!
But, I think we should listen to them, not out of fear; but because, as one wise man said, "nothing is ever settled until it is settled a-right."
And although, Ciroma went on to succeed in several other assignments, including that of Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria and as head of some federal ministries, it is his New Nigerian days that came to my mind as I read the letter he signed along with five other northern leaders, on the vexed issue of Dr Goodluck Jonathan's candidacy in the forthcoming primary of their party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In logic and tone, the letter written for and on behalf of "Concerned Members" and addressed to party chairman, Dr Nwodo, it's a powerful reminder of the robust intellectual rigour of newspaper editorializing of those days.
I haven't always agreed with him, because even the most intellectual of us can sometimes resort to sophistry when we have interests to protect. And I'll cite just one painful instance when this giant developed clay foot. I am doing so also because it is relevant here.
Shortly after the June 12, 1993 was annulled by the Ibrahim Babangida regime, Ciroma was the lone "establishment" voice who had the courage to declare that M. K. O. Abiola "won the elections fair and square." But, citing ethnicisation of the crisis that followed the illegality, he subsequently drifted from opposition to the annulment to supporting it. I'll return to this presently.
Let's take excerpts from the letter under reference. According to the "concerned members," PDP put in place the "zoning policy," in Article7, section 7.2(c) of our Party’s constitution "in pursuant of the principles of equity, justice and fairness," and made it mandatory that it "be enforced by the appropriate executive committee at all levels."
They also pointed out that the policy was " enunciated and in fact reinforced by Preamble 2(c) of same constitution, which states in part that, ‘to create socio-political conditions conducive to national peace and unity by ensuring fair and equitable distribution of resources and opportunities, to conform with the principles of power shift and power sharing by rotating key political offices among the diverse peoples of our country... in the spirit of Federalism."
They recalled that the South benefited from this provision through the Obasanjo/Atiku presidency for eight years noting that: "At all times during the Obasanjo/Atiku ticket, the record reflects that it was Obasanjo from the SOUTH that our Party nominated as its Presidential
Indeed, at the end of Obasanjo/Atiku two term ticket, the Party rotated its Presidential and Vice Presidential tickets and zoned it to the NORTH and SOUTH respectively for the same two terms... the Party nominated Alhaji Umaru Yar’adua from the NORTH as it’s Presidential
candidate and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan from the SOUTH chosen by Yar’adua, as the Vice Presidential candidate. This tenure began in 2007 as the Yar’adua/Goodluck ticket. It was to end in 2015. Unfortunately, this two term tenure of NORTHERN Presidency was punctuated by the untimely death of President Yar’adua... mid way to the completion of the first term tenure. In strict obedience to the dictates of the Constitution of our country, Goodluck Jonathan was sworn in as President to complete the remaining years of the first term tenure".
Continuing, they said: "the first term tenure of the two term Yar’Adua/Goodluck ticket will soon come to an end. It is now time for our Party to conduct it’s primary elections to nominate it’s
Presidential and Vice presidential candidates for the second tenure of the two term tenure of Yar’adua/Goodluck ticket, which is expected to begin in 2011 and end in 2015... If we follow our Party’s practice and constitution, which we must, the Party must nominate a NORTHERNER as
our Presidential candidate and a SOUTHERNER as our Vice Presidential candidate because the existing Yar’adua/Goodluck ticket zoned to the NORTH not the SOUTH. To do otherwise would amount to injustice and the violation of our Party’s grundnorm ...The rotation of power to the NORTHERN zone is not personal to Yar’adua. It is for the entire NORTH... To our shock and dismay, although there are some individuals from the NORTH aspiring to earn the nomination of our Party to complete the second term of the NORTHERN ticket, the intention of
President Goodluck Jonathan to wrongly use the power of incumbency, to arm twist Party members, usurp, misappropriate and confiscate this NORTHERN ticket has now been confirmed... The evidence suggests that the Party leadership may be encouraging this infringement..."
Every fair-minded person will agree with the premise and conclusion of this northern leaders. And I do. Beyond that, however, I urge everyone to take appropriate notice of the following portions of the letter:
"... this constitute great danger to peace, security and stability of our country. We fear that if President Jonathan’s plot succeeds, it will divide and dislocate our beloved Party. It will also cause irreparable damage to the peace and oneness of our country. It will constitute an assault on reason and gross injustice to the North ...Above all, we are extremely worried that our Party’s failure to deliver justice in this matter, may ignite a series of events, the scope and magnitude of which we can neither proximate nor contain. The peace, stability and unity of our country are superior to the personal ambition of one man..."
I feel tempted to tell Ciroma & Co that "regionalising" an issue as national as who our president is invalidates their case as much as so called "ethnicisation" was said to invalidate Abiola's election. The threat of violence, hardly subtle here, more so!
But, I think we should listen to them, not out of fear; but because, as one wise man said, "nothing is ever settled until it is settled a-right."
Friday, 17 September 2010
HELP KEEP "SHEDRACK, MESCHACK & ABEDNEGO" ALIVE IN IRAN!
HELP KEEP "SHEDRACK, MESCHACK & ABEDNEGO" ALIVE IN IRAN!
Remember the three Hebrew children in the Bible?
How can you ever forget! They capture the imagination easily.
They thrill us with their courage and the tenacity with which they held on to their faith.
They were given a choice between, as we say these days, bowing or burning.
It's what the Americans would call a "no brainer". In other words, you
don't need Self Preservation 101 to make the right choice!
But, Shedrack, Meschack and Abednego were "hare-brained" enough to make the "wrong" choice and
ended up in Nebchadnezzar's burning fiery furnace. But, of course, you know that wasn't the end of the story.
They were thrown in the fire alright, but as the book of Daniel recorded it in chapter three, they did not burn.
Now, if you thought that was just a Bible story, please allow me the pleasure and "pain" of presenting to you,
these three modern day equivalents. George Whitten of Worthy News reported their plight in a September 13 report as follows:
"Three Christians are being threatened with the death penalty if they do not renounce their Christian faith and revert to Islam, a well-informed Christian network reported Monday, September 13.
Farsi Christian News Network (FCNN), which has close ties with Christians in Iran, said the three Iranian Christians, residents of the city of Mashhad, were charged with apostasy and have been jailed since July 28 this year.
The Christians, who FCNN only identified as Reza, also known as Stephen, his wife Maria, and Ehsan Behrooz were reportedly ambushed and arrested while traveling from the city of Mashhad to Bojnoord to attend a Christian worship service.
FCNN said up to 15 other Christians arrested with them were released after one week when they posted bail and signed written promises to the government 'to refrain from and renounce' their Christian faith. However, Stephen, Maria, and Ehsan reportedly refused to sign the document.
FCNN quoted unidentified sources as saying that the families of the Christians were informed that 'after more than 50 days of re-conversion efforts back to Islam through means of torture and solitary confinement' they remained unwilling to renounce their faith in Jesus Christ.
Iranian government officials reportedly demand that the families, during court-approved visitations, must persuade their loved ones to renounce their Christian faith and embrace Islam once again.
The families were informed if their loved ones refuse to cooperate with the government, charges of apostasy will be upheld, and they will be tried on these charges in an upcoming court session, FCNN said.
Iranian officials have not commented. However, under Iran's strict Islamic law, the charge of "apostasy", or converting from Islam to another religion, attracts the penalty of death by hanging if found guilty by the Islamic court. In 1990, Reverend Soodmand was executed by the same district court.
In a recent ranking of countries in which Christians are most persecuted, Iran ranked second only to North Korea, according to advocacy group Open Doors."
Now, how about that?! Dear reader, do you think you can do something about this situation? As for me and my household, we are praying to God to extend to the Iran Three and many more like them accross the globe, the deliverance that He wrought for the Hebrew Trio. Will you please join your faith with ours? It is my birthday today (Friday, September 17); please make this your birthday gift to me. Together we can shame the devil again. Thank you - so very much.
Remember the three Hebrew children in the Bible?
How can you ever forget! They capture the imagination easily.
They thrill us with their courage and the tenacity with which they held on to their faith.
They were given a choice between, as we say these days, bowing or burning.
It's what the Americans would call a "no brainer". In other words, you
don't need Self Preservation 101 to make the right choice!
But, Shedrack, Meschack and Abednego were "hare-brained" enough to make the "wrong" choice and
ended up in Nebchadnezzar's burning fiery furnace. But, of course, you know that wasn't the end of the story.
They were thrown in the fire alright, but as the book of Daniel recorded it in chapter three, they did not burn.
Now, if you thought that was just a Bible story, please allow me the pleasure and "pain" of presenting to you,
these three modern day equivalents. George Whitten of Worthy News reported their plight in a September 13 report as follows:
"Three Christians are being threatened with the death penalty if they do not renounce their Christian faith and revert to Islam, a well-informed Christian network reported Monday, September 13.
Farsi Christian News Network (FCNN), which has close ties with Christians in Iran, said the three Iranian Christians, residents of the city of Mashhad, were charged with apostasy and have been jailed since July 28 this year.
The Christians, who FCNN only identified as Reza, also known as Stephen, his wife Maria, and Ehsan Behrooz were reportedly ambushed and arrested while traveling from the city of Mashhad to Bojnoord to attend a Christian worship service.
FCNN said up to 15 other Christians arrested with them were released after one week when they posted bail and signed written promises to the government 'to refrain from and renounce' their Christian faith. However, Stephen, Maria, and Ehsan reportedly refused to sign the document.
FCNN quoted unidentified sources as saying that the families of the Christians were informed that 'after more than 50 days of re-conversion efforts back to Islam through means of torture and solitary confinement' they remained unwilling to renounce their faith in Jesus Christ.
Iranian government officials reportedly demand that the families, during court-approved visitations, must persuade their loved ones to renounce their Christian faith and embrace Islam once again.
The families were informed if their loved ones refuse to cooperate with the government, charges of apostasy will be upheld, and they will be tried on these charges in an upcoming court session, FCNN said.
Iranian officials have not commented. However, under Iran's strict Islamic law, the charge of "apostasy", or converting from Islam to another religion, attracts the penalty of death by hanging if found guilty by the Islamic court. In 1990, Reverend Soodmand was executed by the same district court.
In a recent ranking of countries in which Christians are most persecuted, Iran ranked second only to North Korea, according to advocacy group Open Doors."
Now, how about that?! Dear reader, do you think you can do something about this situation? As for me and my household, we are praying to God to extend to the Iran Three and many more like them accross the globe, the deliverance that He wrought for the Hebrew Trio. Will you please join your faith with ours? It is my birthday today (Friday, September 17); please make this your birthday gift to me. Together we can shame the devil again. Thank you - so very much.
Sunday, 12 September 2010
CLIMAXING NOW AT ASO VILLA THEATRE...
As you read this, another of the theatres of the absurd which Aso Villa has had the unfortunate distinction of hosting, would be about climaxing in the public declaration of the presidential aspiration of its star actor.
The total lack of originality of Nigeria's political class makes the piece you are about to read so, so appropriate even though it was first published in April. All you have to do, dear reader, is change "Weeping Generals" to "Five Leprous Fingers" and "Presidential Prisoner" to the its current parody, "Run, Lucky Boy, Run!"
Story, story? Story!!! Not so far away and not so long ago, there was a king. His name was Sain Batcha. He loved dark glasses. Many say, he used the glasses to shield away an even darker heart, though all appearances tended to indicate otherwise. Behind those glasses, those who know said, was a handsome face with a boyish grin. He loved life, you know, the wine, women
and song variety. He was democratic in his own peculiar way. He, some analysts recall democratized corruption, in that he embraced what is known in his part of the world as “you chop I chop.” He also liberalized the use of violence, such that those who styled themselves as activists or refuse to do the will of the king and/or any of his courtiers risked being bumped off
at anytime, whether they be pretty a billionaire’s wife seeking to actualize their husband’s electoral mandate or a rich old man meddling in politics.
But, one of the least remembered of his achievements was his highly successful foray into movie making! Till today, I cannot understand why the flick he scripted, directed and produced with a lot of help from his chief of security, failed to make it to Cannes or get nominated for an Oscar. Yet “Weeping Generals” also known as “Phantom Coup” was watched by the crème de
la crème of Nigerian society, crowned bedecked monarchs in oversized “babanriga” not exempted. And not one of them failed to testify how convincing the production was; how true to life; how the actors were geniuses in projecting the characters they acted and therefore how mercy must triumph over justice if the actors were not to be punished for their excellent interpretation of their roles! Perhaps it’s not yet too late to give the late great producer/director a post-humors award. And we better do quickly, before his legacy is dwarfed and forever forgotten.
If you are wondering what can possibly dwarf such a prodigious work of art, you probably haven’t heard about another production currently running at the same Aso Villa Theatre. It is of course slightly different. The medium is neither celluloid nor video, it is stage! And to make it the most convincing stage production since Professor Dapo Adelugba’s “Langbodo” wowed the world at FESTAC ’77, the play starring none other than President Yar’Adua as “Yar’I-do-or-die” (apologies to Professor Soyinka), the main scene is staged in one of the living rooms of the Presidential wing of the Villa.
Like “Weeping Generals”, “Presidential Prisoner” is showing to a select audience in a series of premieres. First to view the spectacular show is a group of mullahs, one of whom was generous enough to tell the story line to the international media. This, according to media reports ws followed by a team of Christian clerics, who, unlike the mullahs, have not been as generous in their reportage. I understand that leaders of the ruling party, The Peoples Democratic Party, led by chairman Ogbulafor have also taken their turn. As I write this, it wasn’t clear which group is next, but I understand that advance bookings for this special show are rolling in very
fast from across the nation and perhaps internationally. Of the groups, only Soyinka has gone public on behalf of traditional religionists. He might put in a booking for the Association of Seadogs, Nobel Laureates Group and many more. So, I might as well stand up for my own constituency too - the Council of Men’s Ministries of Nigeria. We promise to be as generous or not as we might be debriefed to do at the viewing!
If I know anything about this wonderful nation, peopled by the happiest people in the world, the clamour will reach a crescendo soon! The Association of Witches and Wizards, the Association of Prostitutes and Sex Workers, Ex-Prisoners Fraternity, Kidnappers’ Guild, Militants Forever Club (MFC) will all soon join the fray. God help those vetting the bookings, if they fail to ok those of the last two immediately!
I am laughing at all this theatre of the absurd playing out in this nation, so richly endowed, so fantastically blessed, but so famished of values, morality and good old fear of God!... I am laughing at the antics of people who, having tasted power, have decided that they’ll rather die than part with it! I am laughing at the stupidity of those who mouth godly rhetoric, pray several times daily and thereafter proceed to deny His existence by their every action and
omission.
And I am just following in the steps of my Father. For, He laughs and heartily too, says the Bible: *“In heaven the Lord laughs as he sits on his throne, making fun of the nations”** * (Psalm 2:4 CEV). But let’s get that verse in context and see how so very prophetic of the current scenario in our nation. The first six verses of Psalm 2 read: “*Why do the nations plot, and why do their people make useless plans? The kings of this earth have all joined together to turn against the Lord and his chosen one. They say, "Let's cut the ropes and set ourselves free!" In heaven the Lord laughs as he sits on his throne, making fun of the nations. The Lord becomes furious and threatens them. His anger terrifies them as he says, "I've put my king on Zion, my sacred hill*."
They gather, they make useless plans, plans they are incapable of actualising, they do not seek the will of God and where they do, they ignore it unless it tallies with their own plans! God laughs first and then acts. When He does, I wonder who of this motley crowd of power-mongers would be standing. Until then, let the nightly drama continue! Can I have my group’s ticket please? Thank you.
The total lack of originality of Nigeria's political class makes the piece you are about to read so, so appropriate even though it was first published in April. All you have to do, dear reader, is change "Weeping Generals" to "Five Leprous Fingers" and "Presidential Prisoner" to the its current parody, "Run, Lucky Boy, Run!"
Story, story? Story!!! Not so far away and not so long ago, there was a king. His name was Sain Batcha. He loved dark glasses. Many say, he used the glasses to shield away an even darker heart, though all appearances tended to indicate otherwise. Behind those glasses, those who know said, was a handsome face with a boyish grin. He loved life, you know, the wine, women
and song variety. He was democratic in his own peculiar way. He, some analysts recall democratized corruption, in that he embraced what is known in his part of the world as “you chop I chop.” He also liberalized the use of violence, such that those who styled themselves as activists or refuse to do the will of the king and/or any of his courtiers risked being bumped off
at anytime, whether they be pretty a billionaire’s wife seeking to actualize their husband’s electoral mandate or a rich old man meddling in politics.
But, one of the least remembered of his achievements was his highly successful foray into movie making! Till today, I cannot understand why the flick he scripted, directed and produced with a lot of help from his chief of security, failed to make it to Cannes or get nominated for an Oscar. Yet “Weeping Generals” also known as “Phantom Coup” was watched by the crème de
la crème of Nigerian society, crowned bedecked monarchs in oversized “babanriga” not exempted. And not one of them failed to testify how convincing the production was; how true to life; how the actors were geniuses in projecting the characters they acted and therefore how mercy must triumph over justice if the actors were not to be punished for their excellent interpretation of their roles! Perhaps it’s not yet too late to give the late great producer/director a post-humors award. And we better do quickly, before his legacy is dwarfed and forever forgotten.
If you are wondering what can possibly dwarf such a prodigious work of art, you probably haven’t heard about another production currently running at the same Aso Villa Theatre. It is of course slightly different. The medium is neither celluloid nor video, it is stage! And to make it the most convincing stage production since Professor Dapo Adelugba’s “Langbodo” wowed the world at FESTAC ’77, the play starring none other than President Yar’Adua as “Yar’I-do-or-die” (apologies to Professor Soyinka), the main scene is staged in one of the living rooms of the Presidential wing of the Villa.
Like “Weeping Generals”, “Presidential Prisoner” is showing to a select audience in a series of premieres. First to view the spectacular show is a group of mullahs, one of whom was generous enough to tell the story line to the international media. This, according to media reports ws followed by a team of Christian clerics, who, unlike the mullahs, have not been as generous in their reportage. I understand that leaders of the ruling party, The Peoples Democratic Party, led by chairman Ogbulafor have also taken their turn. As I write this, it wasn’t clear which group is next, but I understand that advance bookings for this special show are rolling in very
fast from across the nation and perhaps internationally. Of the groups, only Soyinka has gone public on behalf of traditional religionists. He might put in a booking for the Association of Seadogs, Nobel Laureates Group and many more. So, I might as well stand up for my own constituency too - the Council of Men’s Ministries of Nigeria. We promise to be as generous or not as we might be debriefed to do at the viewing!
If I know anything about this wonderful nation, peopled by the happiest people in the world, the clamour will reach a crescendo soon! The Association of Witches and Wizards, the Association of Prostitutes and Sex Workers, Ex-Prisoners Fraternity, Kidnappers’ Guild, Militants Forever Club (MFC) will all soon join the fray. God help those vetting the bookings, if they fail to ok those of the last two immediately!
I am laughing at all this theatre of the absurd playing out in this nation, so richly endowed, so fantastically blessed, but so famished of values, morality and good old fear of God!... I am laughing at the antics of people who, having tasted power, have decided that they’ll rather die than part with it! I am laughing at the stupidity of those who mouth godly rhetoric, pray several times daily and thereafter proceed to deny His existence by their every action and
omission.
And I am just following in the steps of my Father. For, He laughs and heartily too, says the Bible: *“In heaven the Lord laughs as he sits on his throne, making fun of the nations”** * (Psalm 2:4 CEV). But let’s get that verse in context and see how so very prophetic of the current scenario in our nation. The first six verses of Psalm 2 read: “*Why do the nations plot, and why do their people make useless plans? The kings of this earth have all joined together to turn against the Lord and his chosen one. They say, "Let's cut the ropes and set ourselves free!" In heaven the Lord laughs as he sits on his throne, making fun of the nations. The Lord becomes furious and threatens them. His anger terrifies them as he says, "I've put my king on Zion, my sacred hill*."
They gather, they make useless plans, plans they are incapable of actualising, they do not seek the will of God and where they do, they ignore it unless it tallies with their own plans! God laughs first and then acts. When He does, I wonder who of this motley crowd of power-mongers would be standing. Until then, let the nightly drama continue! Can I have my group’s ticket please? Thank you.
Sunday, 5 September 2010
BENNY HINN’S TRAVAIL AND THE REST OF US
As you read this, my wife and I are prayerfully marking the 29th anniversary of our marriage. We have indeed come a long way! I wish I could tell you that I have contributed a lot to the success of the marriage. But, no! I haven’t always been faithful or responsible or romantic. All the glory must go to God and substantial credit to Olufunmilayo Yinyinola - “Treasure,” to me and; “The Mummy,” to our children.
Yes, in the decade-plus since God has led me into ministry to men, He has tenderly revealed my weaknesses to me and enabled me to access his grace to get better as husband and father. And I can tell you how much content, depth and bliss that has added to our marriage and family life. But I am still very much work-in-progress. That’s why I take my assignment as a minister to men seriously; the objective being to encourage men not to lose as much time as I did before experiencing the bliss that God embedded into marriage and true kingdom family life at creation.
I am sure there are some among those reading me today, who have chalked up more milestones than I have; some less; some without the mercifully now disappeared pockmarks of unfaithfulness in mine; some with a bit more. No matter where you are in the journey, please note that it can be better.
This is, however, not a crash course on “How to Achieve Marital Bliss”. It is a warning to those who, as the Bible puts it, “think they stand to take heed lest they fall” (1Corinthians 10:12). And this is so crucial when you go beyond the scandal-mongering aspect of recent media reports on the marriage of world-renowned minister of the gospel, Benny Hinn.
Thanks to the voracious appetite of the media for that kind of news, it is no longer a secret that Evangelist Benedictus Hinn’s wife, Suzanne, filled for a divorce in February. They would have been married for 31 years on August 4. When the news broke, the esteemed, widely travelled man of God expressed shock that his wife took that exceptional step, because, according to him, they both still loved each other, though they no longer lived together. He also emphasised that in spite of everything there had been no case of infidelity on either side.
As has also become common knowledge, one of North America’s well-known tabloids, National Enquirer, in July published a photograph of the evangelist holding hands on one of the streets of Rome with Paula White, senior pastor of Tampa, Florida-based Without Walls International Church on July 13. In classic scandal sheet-style, the paper added salt and pepper to the story, published in its July 23 edition, with inset pictures of a bed and the interior of a typical suite in the hotel they were supposed to have stayed the night.
Both servants of God promptly denied any suggestion of unbiblical conduct. A statement on Benny Hinn Ministries website addressed to his partners said he” forcefully, categorically and absolutely renounce(s) the lies that have been spread about me and want to set the record straight with you. There is nothing inappropriate or morally improper about my friendship with Paula White. There has been no immorality whatsoever!"
In her own statement, Paula White said in part: “I publicly profess and forcefully renounce assertions that the recent trip to Italy to meet with Vatican officials suggests that the friendship is in any way improper or morally impure…I value my friendship with Pastor Benny and remain supportive with a deep respect of him, his family and his ministry. My relationship with Pastor Benny is genuine and pure and should not be taken out of context”
But Pastor Benny didn’t stop at the website statement. He opened up on his family life and hurts at a crusade in Oakland , California on July 30 and subsequently had clips aired on television networks such as Trinity Broadcast Network and Christian Broadcasting Network. And some of what he had to say should serve as eye-openers or at least reminders to all in pursuit of the abundant life that God promised to all his children. It is especially important to men, whether in ministry or some other calling.
Speaking straight from the heart, this man who has been used of God to heal many, physically, emotionally and spiritually, admitted to not having been as successful in his marriage as he is generally accepted to have been in ministry.
He told his audience: "We had troubles for a long time…we could no longer exist in the same house…And I would ask her often... 'Would you ever divorce me?’ and she would say, never because I fear God too much. She said, 'My covenant is with God, not you.' And I guess she could no longer handle it. One day she did it to my shock…We've had to be very quiet to protect the ministry, the work of the Lord…But sadly when you are a public person, everything you do becomes public."
Back-grounding the challenges, Hinn said in an emotion-laden voice: “I was so busy in the ministry, I was so caught up with the ministry, I forgot about my family…That's probably what broke the whole thing up…I often preached that ministry comes first, but I knew that teaching hurt my children…You know what? It's wrong…I'm here to admit I was wrong because the call of God first should touch the family. If you have no family, you can't go on anyways…I don't care how strong you are…I don't care if the anointing of God is mighty on you. Nobody wants to be alone. I don't care who you are…"
As Pastor Hinn spoke, I remembered the late Oral Roberts. At his home-going event, his daughter, Roberta said of their father: "He left his family behind, knowing they would be hurt. He chose to go where God's light is dim, then he chose to build that university that God called him to build. ... There may be some of you whose fathers or grandfathers made a similar choice. It hurts…” Mercifully Oral’s marriage thrived, but one his sons reportedly committed suicide as a result of morphine addiction.
Are there lessons for us in these? I certainly think so and I plan to learn them. Please join me.
Yes, in the decade-plus since God has led me into ministry to men, He has tenderly revealed my weaknesses to me and enabled me to access his grace to get better as husband and father. And I can tell you how much content, depth and bliss that has added to our marriage and family life. But I am still very much work-in-progress. That’s why I take my assignment as a minister to men seriously; the objective being to encourage men not to lose as much time as I did before experiencing the bliss that God embedded into marriage and true kingdom family life at creation.
I am sure there are some among those reading me today, who have chalked up more milestones than I have; some less; some without the mercifully now disappeared pockmarks of unfaithfulness in mine; some with a bit more. No matter where you are in the journey, please note that it can be better.
This is, however, not a crash course on “How to Achieve Marital Bliss”. It is a warning to those who, as the Bible puts it, “think they stand to take heed lest they fall” (1Corinthians 10:12). And this is so crucial when you go beyond the scandal-mongering aspect of recent media reports on the marriage of world-renowned minister of the gospel, Benny Hinn.
Thanks to the voracious appetite of the media for that kind of news, it is no longer a secret that Evangelist Benedictus Hinn’s wife, Suzanne, filled for a divorce in February. They would have been married for 31 years on August 4. When the news broke, the esteemed, widely travelled man of God expressed shock that his wife took that exceptional step, because, according to him, they both still loved each other, though they no longer lived together. He also emphasised that in spite of everything there had been no case of infidelity on either side.
As has also become common knowledge, one of North America’s well-known tabloids, National Enquirer, in July published a photograph of the evangelist holding hands on one of the streets of Rome with Paula White, senior pastor of Tampa, Florida-based Without Walls International Church on July 13. In classic scandal sheet-style, the paper added salt and pepper to the story, published in its July 23 edition, with inset pictures of a bed and the interior of a typical suite in the hotel they were supposed to have stayed the night.
Both servants of God promptly denied any suggestion of unbiblical conduct. A statement on Benny Hinn Ministries website addressed to his partners said he” forcefully, categorically and absolutely renounce(s) the lies that have been spread about me and want to set the record straight with you. There is nothing inappropriate or morally improper about my friendship with Paula White. There has been no immorality whatsoever!"
In her own statement, Paula White said in part: “I publicly profess and forcefully renounce assertions that the recent trip to Italy to meet with Vatican officials suggests that the friendship is in any way improper or morally impure…I value my friendship with Pastor Benny and remain supportive with a deep respect of him, his family and his ministry. My relationship with Pastor Benny is genuine and pure and should not be taken out of context”
But Pastor Benny didn’t stop at the website statement. He opened up on his family life and hurts at a crusade in Oakland , California on July 30 and subsequently had clips aired on television networks such as Trinity Broadcast Network and Christian Broadcasting Network. And some of what he had to say should serve as eye-openers or at least reminders to all in pursuit of the abundant life that God promised to all his children. It is especially important to men, whether in ministry or some other calling.
Speaking straight from the heart, this man who has been used of God to heal many, physically, emotionally and spiritually, admitted to not having been as successful in his marriage as he is generally accepted to have been in ministry.
He told his audience: "We had troubles for a long time…we could no longer exist in the same house…And I would ask her often... 'Would you ever divorce me?’ and she would say, never because I fear God too much. She said, 'My covenant is with God, not you.' And I guess she could no longer handle it. One day she did it to my shock…We've had to be very quiet to protect the ministry, the work of the Lord…But sadly when you are a public person, everything you do becomes public."
Back-grounding the challenges, Hinn said in an emotion-laden voice: “I was so busy in the ministry, I was so caught up with the ministry, I forgot about my family…That's probably what broke the whole thing up…I often preached that ministry comes first, but I knew that teaching hurt my children…You know what? It's wrong…I'm here to admit I was wrong because the call of God first should touch the family. If you have no family, you can't go on anyways…I don't care how strong you are…I don't care if the anointing of God is mighty on you. Nobody wants to be alone. I don't care who you are…"
As Pastor Hinn spoke, I remembered the late Oral Roberts. At his home-going event, his daughter, Roberta said of their father: "He left his family behind, knowing they would be hurt. He chose to go where God's light is dim, then he chose to build that university that God called him to build. ... There may be some of you whose fathers or grandfathers made a similar choice. It hurts…” Mercifully Oral’s marriage thrived, but one his sons reportedly committed suicide as a result of morphine addiction.
Are there lessons for us in these? I certainly think so and I plan to learn them. Please join me.
Sunday, 29 August 2010
TO “CANDIDATE JONATHAN” AND THE CHURCH
Curiouser and curiouser. For the second time in about two years, I find myself muttering Alice’s famous exclamation in the book, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll (real names- Charles Lutwidge Dodgson). And I have developments in the race for Nigeria’s presidency in 2011, and the place of incumbent, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in it, to thank for this resort to “Literary Nonsense.”
Frankly, I thought I had said my bit on the subject and can now move on to other issues. This is because, having written at least three times trying to show why I think, the “lucky” man of Nigerian politics should not try his “luck” this time, my job was done. As I have learnt over the years, the place of the journalist/commentator is to have his say without necessarily having his way.
But how can one fail to wonder aloud about the melodrama we are being treated to? Every day that dawns you get to read one statement or the other from one group or another calling on the President to run, or endorsing his as yet undeclared candidacy. Some women say they won’t have sex with their husbands, and have enjoined others not to, unless GEJ runs. Members of a so-called civil society group say they’ll go on hunger strike by a certain date, if he denies Nigeria his “good luck charm.” It’s a sickening reminder of the days of million-man marches; youths earnestly asking for Abacha, and the then political parties, dubbed five fingers of a leprous hand by the late Bola Ige, warming up to adopt the then maximum ruler as their presidential candidate.
Of the various statements, one of the least ridiculous, yet “curiouser and curiouser-inducing” is that by Jonathan’s National Assembly liaison men, Senator Muhammed Abba-Aji and Dr Cairo Ojuigo. Speaking at the launch of yet another Jonathan-must-run special purpose vehicle, they assured Nigerians that their principal will run; that he will announce his intention to do so soon after completing his on-going fast in solidarity with his Muslim compatriots, and that he will, if elected, stay in office for only one term of four years.
While I really do not want to go into any further discussion of the merits or demerits of the president’s decision to run or not to run, it is pertinent, to my take today, to note the seeming desperation setting in, in these matters. What are we supposed to make of the president’s Ramadan solidarity fast – piety or politics? Why does he want only one term in office? To complete the Yar’Adua/Jonathan ticket which belongs to the North? What does that mean for the game of roulette, sorry, rotation within his Peoples Democratic Party? Will “power” return to the South in 2015? Or would having an Ijaw man head more than half of the North’s eight-year turn mean that the South has had its turn and “power” should therefore return to the North? Where is the Igbo interest in all of this?
All of this brings me to the theme of today’s piece, which is once again about the Church; but this time specifically about the place of its leaders in the affairs of the nation. It was triggered by a report “Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State has declared the Church in Nigeria a failure in its duty of checking the excesses of the country’s political class. He handed down this damning verdict in a lecture on ‘The Role of the Church in National Development,’ on Saturday (August 14) marking the 34th anniversary of the Egba Diocese of the Anglican Church.
“Obi, a devout Catholic, told the audience in Abeokuta, Ogun state, that instead of reprimanding, and publicly shunning well-known corrupt politicians and businessmen, some church leaders offer them front seats in their churches. He was of the opinion that unless the church changes its attitude in this critical area, it would be impossible for the nation to achieve her collective goals.
“He stated that the church has a greater role to play to correct the ills of the country, because church leaders have effective platforms in their pulpits from which they can criticise the ills plaguing the country. It behoves the church, which has moral authority, he said ‘to question the source of sudden wealth of individuals. But, unfortunately, the church is becoming part of the problem.’
“Differing from the general opinion that corruption was the nation’s major problem, he said greed was the problem, because that is what gives birth to corrupt practices. He wondered why church leaders are not just keeping quiet about, but are also honouring, corrupt persons including politicians they are aware have several houses abroad, which they cannot justify from their legitimate income. In Nigeria today, he said, ‘people who have no means of livelihood but are stupendously rich are respected, honoured and entertained by the church.’
“Recalling his experience during his three-year legal battle to regain his governorship mandate, which was denied him through vote rigging, Obi said all the church leaders he approached counselled him to accept the robbery as an act of God. That’s how God wanted it, he was told. But, according to him, when against their advice, he pursued his rights and won, the same church leaders turned around to say, ‘we have been praying for you since.’
“Turning attention to the approaching elections, the governor, now in his second four-year term said: ‘Elections are coming and politicians are busy planning how to rig and manipulate the polls. And after they have rigged their way into office, the church will not only keep quiet about it, it will allow such politicians to come for thanksgiving. Not only that, the church leaders will pray for such politicians for God to bless and protect them…this has to change.’”
Now, save for Primate Elijah Ayodele, whose prophesy was quoted here last time, it is not clear where church leaders stand on the on-going “Jonathan, Run or we Die” charade. While I admit that it is possible that some may have offered private counsel to the President, it is more in character that the reluctance or unwillingness to speak truth to power, is once again at play. Like Governor Obi said above, the Church must never again fail to speak the truth and stand courageously by it.
In concluding, I appropriate these words of General Obasanjo to Mrs Margaret Thatcher, many years ago: “dear church leaders, if you fail to speak up now…Dr Jonathan, if you waste this defining moment...and Nigeria comes to any grief, “my heart would be broken, but my hands would be clean.”
Frankly, I thought I had said my bit on the subject and can now move on to other issues. This is because, having written at least three times trying to show why I think, the “lucky” man of Nigerian politics should not try his “luck” this time, my job was done. As I have learnt over the years, the place of the journalist/commentator is to have his say without necessarily having his way.
But how can one fail to wonder aloud about the melodrama we are being treated to? Every day that dawns you get to read one statement or the other from one group or another calling on the President to run, or endorsing his as yet undeclared candidacy. Some women say they won’t have sex with their husbands, and have enjoined others not to, unless GEJ runs. Members of a so-called civil society group say they’ll go on hunger strike by a certain date, if he denies Nigeria his “good luck charm.” It’s a sickening reminder of the days of million-man marches; youths earnestly asking for Abacha, and the then political parties, dubbed five fingers of a leprous hand by the late Bola Ige, warming up to adopt the then maximum ruler as their presidential candidate.
Of the various statements, one of the least ridiculous, yet “curiouser and curiouser-inducing” is that by Jonathan’s National Assembly liaison men, Senator Muhammed Abba-Aji and Dr Cairo Ojuigo. Speaking at the launch of yet another Jonathan-must-run special purpose vehicle, they assured Nigerians that their principal will run; that he will announce his intention to do so soon after completing his on-going fast in solidarity with his Muslim compatriots, and that he will, if elected, stay in office for only one term of four years.
While I really do not want to go into any further discussion of the merits or demerits of the president’s decision to run or not to run, it is pertinent, to my take today, to note the seeming desperation setting in, in these matters. What are we supposed to make of the president’s Ramadan solidarity fast – piety or politics? Why does he want only one term in office? To complete the Yar’Adua/Jonathan ticket which belongs to the North? What does that mean for the game of roulette, sorry, rotation within his Peoples Democratic Party? Will “power” return to the South in 2015? Or would having an Ijaw man head more than half of the North’s eight-year turn mean that the South has had its turn and “power” should therefore return to the North? Where is the Igbo interest in all of this?
All of this brings me to the theme of today’s piece, which is once again about the Church; but this time specifically about the place of its leaders in the affairs of the nation. It was triggered by a report “Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State has declared the Church in Nigeria a failure in its duty of checking the excesses of the country’s political class. He handed down this damning verdict in a lecture on ‘The Role of the Church in National Development,’ on Saturday (August 14) marking the 34th anniversary of the Egba Diocese of the Anglican Church.
“Obi, a devout Catholic, told the audience in Abeokuta, Ogun state, that instead of reprimanding, and publicly shunning well-known corrupt politicians and businessmen, some church leaders offer them front seats in their churches. He was of the opinion that unless the church changes its attitude in this critical area, it would be impossible for the nation to achieve her collective goals.
“He stated that the church has a greater role to play to correct the ills of the country, because church leaders have effective platforms in their pulpits from which they can criticise the ills plaguing the country. It behoves the church, which has moral authority, he said ‘to question the source of sudden wealth of individuals. But, unfortunately, the church is becoming part of the problem.’
“Differing from the general opinion that corruption was the nation’s major problem, he said greed was the problem, because that is what gives birth to corrupt practices. He wondered why church leaders are not just keeping quiet about, but are also honouring, corrupt persons including politicians they are aware have several houses abroad, which they cannot justify from their legitimate income. In Nigeria today, he said, ‘people who have no means of livelihood but are stupendously rich are respected, honoured and entertained by the church.’
“Recalling his experience during his three-year legal battle to regain his governorship mandate, which was denied him through vote rigging, Obi said all the church leaders he approached counselled him to accept the robbery as an act of God. That’s how God wanted it, he was told. But, according to him, when against their advice, he pursued his rights and won, the same church leaders turned around to say, ‘we have been praying for you since.’
“Turning attention to the approaching elections, the governor, now in his second four-year term said: ‘Elections are coming and politicians are busy planning how to rig and manipulate the polls. And after they have rigged their way into office, the church will not only keep quiet about it, it will allow such politicians to come for thanksgiving. Not only that, the church leaders will pray for such politicians for God to bless and protect them…this has to change.’”
Now, save for Primate Elijah Ayodele, whose prophesy was quoted here last time, it is not clear where church leaders stand on the on-going “Jonathan, Run or we Die” charade. While I admit that it is possible that some may have offered private counsel to the President, it is more in character that the reluctance or unwillingness to speak truth to power, is once again at play. Like Governor Obi said above, the Church must never again fail to speak the truth and stand courageously by it.
In concluding, I appropriate these words of General Obasanjo to Mrs Margaret Thatcher, many years ago: “dear church leaders, if you fail to speak up now…Dr Jonathan, if you waste this defining moment...and Nigeria comes to any grief, “my heart would be broken, but my hands would be clean.”
Sunday, 22 August 2010
MR PRESIDENT, WHAT IF THIS PROPHET IS NOT LYING?
I am normally sceptical of seers, particularly when they make a habit of producing booklets and writing letters to persons they have prophesised negatively about asking for audience. That sums up my attitude to Primate Elijah Babatude Ayodele of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Lagos, over the years. But when that seer consistently gets it right on several very public issues from year to year, even the most sceptical of us have to stand up and listen.
A random recall of some of his prophecies would include his prediction of a Bellview Airline crash of October 2005 and of Sosoliso Airline crash of December 2005, both of which he forsaw and foretold. He told Nigerians in December 2007 that Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, then Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) would be removed in the New Year. He was.
More recently, he alerted this football loving nation that the senior National team, the Super Eagles perform woefully at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. They proved him right.
With this antecedent, I find it irresistible to take a close look at what he had to say about the political situation in Nigeria and in particular the place of President Goodluck Jonathan in it. I shall paraphrase the relevant parts of his recent comments to two Lagos-based newspapers.
His words: “I have told you and I repeat it that this democracy will break this country. Apart from democracy breaking this country, the issue of zoning will bring no good to the country. The solution is that Jonathan must not contest the election if you want peace. He should honour the gentleman agreement in the PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) so that the country can move forward. If Jonathan contests, he will win by force but it will cause a lot of problems for the country, and this country may break up as a result of it. …People may see this as a bad prediction, but for those that have ears let them listen to the warning of God. People may criticize it but it is a warning from God. For those that God loves, He reveals himself. People are pushing Jonathan to run for presidency in 2011 but he should not listen to them. …. I know President Jonathan may not like what I’m saying, but he should not listen to sycophants… If Jonathan wants this country to be one indivisible entity, he should not contest next year’s presidential election. I am not against Jonathan, but that is what God says. We are saying it the way God revealed it to us. This is not a matter of calculation; it is what God said.”
Now, I am not a prophet and do not pretend to be one, but I had advised Goodluck Jonathan against running for office in 2011 in three different pieces published here in April and May. I gave a number of reasons for my position, some of which I hereby recall here.
“I have said, and I know that most Nigerians agree, that one of Nigeria’s most critical challenges is the conduct free, fair and credible elections. This, we situate in the total lack of neutrality of those who have the constitutional duty of supervising this all-important pillar of democracy. Not even the military had succeeded in exorcising the lie of the demon that’s been sold to us over time – that every government must be interested in its successor, euphemism for imposition of its successors. It is a position rooted in the tendency of office holder to do things that they would need a friendly successor to cover up. It stands to reason, doesn’t it, that to solve this critical problem , Nigeria needs an interim leader, disinterested in succeeding himself , who not do anything that he would need covered up after his tenure; and who is courageous enough to resist pressures from family, friends, ethnic group, political party and sundry other interest groups to lend his official weight to their cause.
Now, let’s face it; such a person would be hard to find. But that is precisely the kind of person that Dr Jonathan has to be in the very short time it has pleased God to put him in office. I have no doubt in my mind that unless he yields to God, to be that man, he’s likely to be outside the will of God. That’s a big assertion that, but it is the hard cold truth….
“Today, Jonathan is President of the Federal Republic by virtue of an arrangement that zones the top post to the north of Nigeria for two terms totalling eight years. The North should therefore have another term. I do not subscribe to the arrangement and so, were I in government, it won’t be binding on me. And indeed, if I have my way, it should never have been put in place at all. But it is in place in spite of ex-President Obasanjo’s latter day less-than-honest assertion to the contrary. And Jonathan subscribed to it. He came to office by it, and he is not on record, to my knowledge, as having ever disagreed with the arrangement. So, he is bound by it. He is a Christian and the Bible says that true Christians swear to their own hurt and do not renege! (See Psalm 15:4). .
Flowing from this, and most important of all, is this truth: there are simply no righteous ways by which Dr Jonathan can pick up his party’s ticket to run in 2011! To run, he has to play “realpolitik”, which is politics devoid of moral and ethical considerations; politics without conscience. He has to pull down the party structure, hound his opponents, tear the rule books and generally be ruthless. Recent events are already pointing in this direction… “
Since those words were written, Vincent Ogbulafor has been removed as Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party; Okwesilieze Nwodo has stepped in and his hurry to bury the party’s zoning formula has left nobody in doubt he was playing out a script; the party is in disarray in spite of all pretences to the contrary; the order of elections reportedly was negotiated to neutralise certain forces etc.
Now, Mr President, even if I am wrong; what if the prophet is right?
A random recall of some of his prophecies would include his prediction of a Bellview Airline crash of October 2005 and of Sosoliso Airline crash of December 2005, both of which he forsaw and foretold. He told Nigerians in December 2007 that Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, then Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) would be removed in the New Year. He was.
More recently, he alerted this football loving nation that the senior National team, the Super Eagles perform woefully at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. They proved him right.
With this antecedent, I find it irresistible to take a close look at what he had to say about the political situation in Nigeria and in particular the place of President Goodluck Jonathan in it. I shall paraphrase the relevant parts of his recent comments to two Lagos-based newspapers.
His words: “I have told you and I repeat it that this democracy will break this country. Apart from democracy breaking this country, the issue of zoning will bring no good to the country. The solution is that Jonathan must not contest the election if you want peace. He should honour the gentleman agreement in the PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) so that the country can move forward. If Jonathan contests, he will win by force but it will cause a lot of problems for the country, and this country may break up as a result of it. …People may see this as a bad prediction, but for those that have ears let them listen to the warning of God. People may criticize it but it is a warning from God. For those that God loves, He reveals himself. People are pushing Jonathan to run for presidency in 2011 but he should not listen to them. …. I know President Jonathan may not like what I’m saying, but he should not listen to sycophants… If Jonathan wants this country to be one indivisible entity, he should not contest next year’s presidential election. I am not against Jonathan, but that is what God says. We are saying it the way God revealed it to us. This is not a matter of calculation; it is what God said.”
Now, I am not a prophet and do not pretend to be one, but I had advised Goodluck Jonathan against running for office in 2011 in three different pieces published here in April and May. I gave a number of reasons for my position, some of which I hereby recall here.
“I have said, and I know that most Nigerians agree, that one of Nigeria’s most critical challenges is the conduct free, fair and credible elections. This, we situate in the total lack of neutrality of those who have the constitutional duty of supervising this all-important pillar of democracy. Not even the military had succeeded in exorcising the lie of the demon that’s been sold to us over time – that every government must be interested in its successor, euphemism for imposition of its successors. It is a position rooted in the tendency of office holder to do things that they would need a friendly successor to cover up. It stands to reason, doesn’t it, that to solve this critical problem , Nigeria needs an interim leader, disinterested in succeeding himself , who not do anything that he would need covered up after his tenure; and who is courageous enough to resist pressures from family, friends, ethnic group, political party and sundry other interest groups to lend his official weight to their cause.
Now, let’s face it; such a person would be hard to find. But that is precisely the kind of person that Dr Jonathan has to be in the very short time it has pleased God to put him in office. I have no doubt in my mind that unless he yields to God, to be that man, he’s likely to be outside the will of God. That’s a big assertion that, but it is the hard cold truth….
“Today, Jonathan is President of the Federal Republic by virtue of an arrangement that zones the top post to the north of Nigeria for two terms totalling eight years. The North should therefore have another term. I do not subscribe to the arrangement and so, were I in government, it won’t be binding on me. And indeed, if I have my way, it should never have been put in place at all. But it is in place in spite of ex-President Obasanjo’s latter day less-than-honest assertion to the contrary. And Jonathan subscribed to it. He came to office by it, and he is not on record, to my knowledge, as having ever disagreed with the arrangement. So, he is bound by it. He is a Christian and the Bible says that true Christians swear to their own hurt and do not renege! (See Psalm 15:4). .
Flowing from this, and most important of all, is this truth: there are simply no righteous ways by which Dr Jonathan can pick up his party’s ticket to run in 2011! To run, he has to play “realpolitik”, which is politics devoid of moral and ethical considerations; politics without conscience. He has to pull down the party structure, hound his opponents, tear the rule books and generally be ruthless. Recent events are already pointing in this direction… “
Since those words were written, Vincent Ogbulafor has been removed as Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party; Okwesilieze Nwodo has stepped in and his hurry to bury the party’s zoning formula has left nobody in doubt he was playing out a script; the party is in disarray in spite of all pretences to the contrary; the order of elections reportedly was negotiated to neutralise certain forces etc.
Now, Mr President, even if I am wrong; what if the prophet is right?
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