It has now become fashionable for associates of persons suspected of corruption to accuse government of “witch-hunting”. The latest was the booing of the chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Waziri by some members of the National Assembly. This is most shameful and should be condemned by all patriotic Nigerians. It will be safe for one to argue that there is really nothing wrong in hunting “witches”- corrupt persons. This is so because corruption has destroyed the foundation of good governance in the country.
There is no doubt about the fact that the widely reported story of the booing of the EFCC boss by some members of the National Assembly is very disturbing. The nation’s legislators should not squander the patience of the Nigerian masses. The masses have not yet recovered from the revelation by the CBN governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido that a whooping 25% of the nation’s total budget was used to service the welfare of members of the National Assembly alone. Indirectly supporting corruption will therefore push the poor suffering masses to tow the path of self help which is too extreme and dangerous for our democracy.
Rather than accusing the anti-graft agency of witch-hunting opponents of government, the legislators should condemn whatever form of corrupt practices by their colleagues and go ahead to make public the names of those being shielded from prosecution. The time has past when associates of persons accused of corruption fueled narrow sentiments or simply hide behind the banner opposition to buy the sympathy of Nigerians. This is a new Nigeria.
Those who live in glass houses are not supposed to throw stones- misappropriate or steal public funds. This is one reality most public office holders have failed to accept. The long arm of the law will always be there to flog them despite any amount of booing.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Thursday, June 9, 2011
The high cost of law making in Nigeria
The primary aim of law is to underline the principle of equality of men. This noble principle is the foundation of justice and fair play. Without justice and fair play, society will be threatened by the problems of insecurity, crime, chaos, and underdevelopment. Owing to this valid fact, most democratic societies have tended to accord great honour to legislators. In these countries, the legislative arm of government is seen as a ladder leading to national unity, peace, and development.
As important as the business of law making is to the stability and growth of every democracy, some societies simply see and treat legislators like other citizens. It is patriotic zeal that most drive their passion. But in a very sharp contrast, legislators in Nigeria's three tiers of government shamelessly blindfold the citizenry and arrogated so much power to themselves. They are mostly insensitive to the plight of the common man. Sadly, Nigerians are beginning to see Nigerian legislators to be representing their individual pockets- not the nation. This could be the only reason why Nigeria's law makers earn outrageous salaries while over 70% of public servants are unable to rely on their income to service the feeding, housing, transport, health, education, and social needs of their families. It is also believed that Nigerian law makers are the highest paid in the world. This is ridiculous when married to the fact that as the world's ninth largest exporter of crude oil, Nigeria is still ranked as "underdeveloped" in the real sense of it.
An average Nigerian senator earns about N240m annually while their counterparts in the House of Representatives go home with about N204m. This development is very sad for a country that lacks basic social amenities such as roads, hospitals, schools, water, and electricity.
On recently, the Nigerian nation was shocked when the CBN governor, Mallam Lamido Sanusi disclosed that a whooping 25% of the nation's entire budget was used to service members of the National Assembly alone. The legislative arm of government do not deserve this excessive "padding" culture. There are no visible improvements in the lives of ordinary Nigerians for legislators to merit the outrageous salaries and allowances they take home.
We do not need Prophet T.B. Joshua to prophesy that Nigerians are tired and angry. The leadership of the National Assembly should as a matter of urgency do a soul searching and voluntarily downsize their wages before the masses march on Abuja to make a physical demand for justice and fairness in the utilisation of the nation's wealth.
On the other hand, the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Committee (RMFAC) should commence actions to flog the National Assembly in line with reason, justice and fair play. This is the only way the confidence of the masses will be strengthened.
As important as the business of law making is to the stability and growth of every democracy, some societies simply see and treat legislators like other citizens. It is patriotic zeal that most drive their passion. But in a very sharp contrast, legislators in Nigeria's three tiers of government shamelessly blindfold the citizenry and arrogated so much power to themselves. They are mostly insensitive to the plight of the common man. Sadly, Nigerians are beginning to see Nigerian legislators to be representing their individual pockets- not the nation. This could be the only reason why Nigeria's law makers earn outrageous salaries while over 70% of public servants are unable to rely on their income to service the feeding, housing, transport, health, education, and social needs of their families. It is also believed that Nigerian law makers are the highest paid in the world. This is ridiculous when married to the fact that as the world's ninth largest exporter of crude oil, Nigeria is still ranked as "underdeveloped" in the real sense of it.
An average Nigerian senator earns about N240m annually while their counterparts in the House of Representatives go home with about N204m. This development is very sad for a country that lacks basic social amenities such as roads, hospitals, schools, water, and electricity.
On recently, the Nigerian nation was shocked when the CBN governor, Mallam Lamido Sanusi disclosed that a whooping 25% of the nation's entire budget was used to service members of the National Assembly alone. The legislative arm of government do not deserve this excessive "padding" culture. There are no visible improvements in the lives of ordinary Nigerians for legislators to merit the outrageous salaries and allowances they take home.
We do not need Prophet T.B. Joshua to prophesy that Nigerians are tired and angry. The leadership of the National Assembly should as a matter of urgency do a soul searching and voluntarily downsize their wages before the masses march on Abuja to make a physical demand for justice and fairness in the utilisation of the nation's wealth.
On the other hand, the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Committee (RMFAC) should commence actions to flog the National Assembly in line with reason, justice and fair play. This is the only way the confidence of the masses will be strengthened.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Bankole: The potrait of political arrogance
The decision of the immediate past speaker of Nigeria's House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole to dictate when to respond to official invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)was most regrettable and should be condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians. By his actions, Bankole attempted to rubbish the collective efforts by government and the citizenry to sanitise the nation's economic, social, and political landscape that is bedeviled by pandemic corruption. With this shameful act, it will take more efforts and time to convince the international community that the much talked about war against graft in Nigeria is genuine. Let us not forget the fact that as a nation, Nigeria cannot make much headway if the global business community does not have confidence in the ability of government to isolate corruption from private and public businesses in the country. It is the economic sector that sustains the socio-political framework of every nation.
With the Bankole saga very fresh in mind, this writer is compelled to suggest that the National assembly quickly create a law that will punish whoever that refuses to honour the invitation of any of the anti-graft agencies in the country. With such law, Bankole and his likes will not make the mistake of ignoring the invitation of either EFCC or ICPC in future.
Many had thought that Bankole will hurriedly use the opportunity of his invitation by EFCC to clear his name of all charges and insinuations. By his actions, he has indirectly given credence to the opinion of the EFCC and thereby raising even more suspicion. With the quality of the nation's justice system, there was no need for him to attempt to hide from the long arm of the law.
Thank God that despite all the pride and arrogance he displayed, the arm of the law was long and strong enough to catch him. At least, the whole world will know the truth. More than that, the international community will be convinced that we are serious about the war against graft. Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones. Did Bankole throw stones? Let the courts answer this question.
With the Bankole saga very fresh in mind, this writer is compelled to suggest that the National assembly quickly create a law that will punish whoever that refuses to honour the invitation of any of the anti-graft agencies in the country. With such law, Bankole and his likes will not make the mistake of ignoring the invitation of either EFCC or ICPC in future.
Many had thought that Bankole will hurriedly use the opportunity of his invitation by EFCC to clear his name of all charges and insinuations. By his actions, he has indirectly given credence to the opinion of the EFCC and thereby raising even more suspicion. With the quality of the nation's justice system, there was no need for him to attempt to hide from the long arm of the law.
Thank God that despite all the pride and arrogance he displayed, the arm of the law was long and strong enough to catch him. At least, the whole world will know the truth. More than that, the international community will be convinced that we are serious about the war against graft. Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones. Did Bankole throw stones? Let the courts answer this question.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Did Adeboye Betray Bakare?
On the 2nd of May 2011, I wrote on my blog: http://kalig-gwegwe.blogspot a piece titled, “Bakare: A clergy that will not wait to hear from God.” After I posted this piece on my facebook platform, some responded with dismay. Their arguments were hinged on the fact that Pastor Tunde Bakare was a Man of God and should therefore not be questioned. But if I may ask: Who is a Man of God? Is it the one who consults men rather than God? Clearly, Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Later Rain Assembly rather than seek God’s opinion, ran to fellow human beings for advice.
Only yesterday (16th May), the Nigerian Compass published a distasteful news article with the caption, “Pastor Adeboye told me to run with Buhari.” From all intent and purpose, Tunde Bakare was simply blackmailing Pastor Enoch Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. The message he wanted the world to believe was that Pastor Adeboye betrayed him by asking him to run with Buhari only for he (Adeboye) to turn around to bless President Goodluck Jonathan some few weeks later.
To make matter worse, Pastor Bakare was reported to have threatened to expose the presidential flag bearer of the ACN, Nuhu Ribadu alleging that his anti-corruption credentials were doubtful. The questions begging for answers are: Why did he cover the sins of Ribadu while he revealed those of other candidates? Did he think the supposed merger talks between ACN and CPC will benefit him personally? Rather than keep quiet forever, he decided to spill the beans because his political ambition has crashed at least for now. This is not the character of a presidential material.
It’s necessary to note that Pastor Adeboye is very matured. That was why he didn’t ask Bakare to drop his political ambition. Adeboye had seen desperation written boldly on the face of Pastor Bakare. Advising him against his presidential ambition would have attracted Adeboye insults from the fiery preacher of the Later Rain Assembly. The best thing Adeboye did was to allow him drown in his own arrogance. Despite the enormous powers on his shoulders, Christ was humble and logical whenever he had reasons to pursue a different opinion from that of others.
I have the feeling that Adeboye was shocked when Bakare sought his opinion concerning the vice presidential offer from Buhari. In the first place, Adeboye knows that he is not God. Fundamentally, he must have expected Bakare to seek the mind of God- not him. But knowing how fiery Bakare could be, Adeboye played safe by asking him to go ahead. It was wisdom.
Let no one, including Pastor Tunde Bakare blame Pastor Enoch Adeboye. He only applied wisdom to send a strong message across to all true Men of God: Rely on God only. Men of God should not give their calling a bad name. Rather than blackmail Pastor Adeboye, Bakare should go down on his knees and beg God for forgiveness. He should also apologise to his numerous followers and admirers. Let him bury his ego and do this fast. There is no pride in God’s kingdom.
Only yesterday (16th May), the Nigerian Compass published a distasteful news article with the caption, “Pastor Adeboye told me to run with Buhari.” From all intent and purpose, Tunde Bakare was simply blackmailing Pastor Enoch Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. The message he wanted the world to believe was that Pastor Adeboye betrayed him by asking him to run with Buhari only for he (Adeboye) to turn around to bless President Goodluck Jonathan some few weeks later.
To make matter worse, Pastor Bakare was reported to have threatened to expose the presidential flag bearer of the ACN, Nuhu Ribadu alleging that his anti-corruption credentials were doubtful. The questions begging for answers are: Why did he cover the sins of Ribadu while he revealed those of other candidates? Did he think the supposed merger talks between ACN and CPC will benefit him personally? Rather than keep quiet forever, he decided to spill the beans because his political ambition has crashed at least for now. This is not the character of a presidential material.
It’s necessary to note that Pastor Adeboye is very matured. That was why he didn’t ask Bakare to drop his political ambition. Adeboye had seen desperation written boldly on the face of Pastor Bakare. Advising him against his presidential ambition would have attracted Adeboye insults from the fiery preacher of the Later Rain Assembly. The best thing Adeboye did was to allow him drown in his own arrogance. Despite the enormous powers on his shoulders, Christ was humble and logical whenever he had reasons to pursue a different opinion from that of others.
I have the feeling that Adeboye was shocked when Bakare sought his opinion concerning the vice presidential offer from Buhari. In the first place, Adeboye knows that he is not God. Fundamentally, he must have expected Bakare to seek the mind of God- not him. But knowing how fiery Bakare could be, Adeboye played safe by asking him to go ahead. It was wisdom.
Let no one, including Pastor Tunde Bakare blame Pastor Enoch Adeboye. He only applied wisdom to send a strong message across to all true Men of God: Rely on God only. Men of God should not give their calling a bad name. Rather than blackmail Pastor Adeboye, Bakare should go down on his knees and beg God for forgiveness. He should also apologise to his numerous followers and admirers. Let him bury his ego and do this fast. There is no pride in God’s kingdom.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Bakare: A clergy that will not wait to hear from God
Not minding the fact that men have openly attempted to take over the position of selecting political leaders from God, the point still remains that power belongs to Him. God gives and takes away political power from whoever He wishes and at any time He so desire. This is responsible for the many unpredictable developments in the polity of nations all over the world. Even at this, many have failed to see the hand of God in the selection of political leaders. The fact that many political leaders have failed to live up to expectations does not in any way cancel God’s role.
It was the above reason that many were shocked when Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Latter Rain Assembly took a plunge into mainstream politics. While this writer is of the opinion that clergies are not forbidden from politics, events have shown that the fiery preacher did not hear from God before accepting the offer of a vice presidential slot from Gen Mohammadu Buhari. The result of the April 16th presidential polls has confirmed this.
To a very large extent, many have been tempted to rush to conclude that Pastor Bakare was deceived by the wide support he enjoyed from his Save Nigeria Group (SNG) campaign. As good as the intentions of the SNG were, many had expected him to stay on the touchline like coaches normally do during football matches. Perhaps, he was discouraged by Goodluck Jonathan’s declaration that he has “no enemies to fight.” There was therefore no reason for him to contemplate being on the sideline to coach the president. No doubt, Bakare has lost many of his admirers. He might lose some of his followers in the weeks, months, and years to come.
Even as a spirit, God is not secretive. We must appreciate the important fact that God does not do anything without first revealing same to those concerned through one or more of His messengers. I cannot recall any of God’s envoys talking about a clergy sitting on the Nigerian presidency in 2011.
More than that, the fact was quite obvious that Gen. Buhari and Pastor Bakare were millions of miles apart in ideology. It would then be easy for one to argue that their union was built purely on the faulty foundation of desperation. The duo was out to use any means possible to dislodge the PDP- not Jonathan from the presidency. As painted by the result of the presidential election, very many people in the opposition gladly isolated Jonathan from the ruling PDP. In politics, this is unexplainable and seems to have some divine attachment. On the other hand; even if the CPC had won the April 16th presidential polls, the presidency wouldn’t have lasted the first 12 months. Buhari and Bakare would have easily rubbished the Obasanjo-Atiku record of presidential acrimony.
For a nation with very deep religious sentiments, Nigeria needs only leaders with moderate spiritual convictions. This was a big minus for the CPC. Assuming that the CPC won the presidential election; there is this fertile fact that many of Bakare’s followers would have rebelled against him the moment he buries his fire-brand religious beliefs in the grave of politics. In the case of Buhari, countless citizens believe that a leopard cannot change its spots. Many Nigerian families, communities, and businesses have not recovered from the hurt that was caused then by the Buhari-led military regime in the early 80s.
Furthermore, the greatest charge against both Buhari and Bakare are their inability to appreciate the honour that is attached to the presidency. This was several displayed by their arrogance and high temperament. Gen. Buhari was alleged to have urged his supporters to lynch whoever that was believed to have rigged the election. The same thing goes for Pastor Bakare that fueled the theory of Wild-Wild-North. What do they make of the judiciary?
Good leaders are supposed to be humble and economical with hate-words and insults. Buhari and Bakare quickly forgot that a greater percentage of the Nigerian population have come of age. As insignificant as it had appeared; while Jonathan and Sambo were busy boasting about their antecedence with humility, the duet of Buhari and Bakare spent a greater amount of their campaign time pouring venom not just on PDP but on the person of Jonathan and Obasanjo. At the end, the CPC only succeeded in telling Nigerians that it will fight corruption, introduce effective security network, improve on power supply, raise the standard of education, provide improved health care services, and guarantee a robust road infrastructure. There was nothing different from what the PDP has been saying.
To many Nigerian voters, what actually separated PDP from the CPC was the composure- maturity of Goodluck Jonathan and Namadi Sambo. There was never a time they rubbished other political parties or abused the personalities of their political opponents even at the height of provocation. Take the case of Rev. Chris Okotie, founder of Household of God Church and presidential candidate on the platform of FRESH Democratic Party who posited that as a zoologist, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan was not grounded for political leadership. In rejecting the results of the presidential polls, Okotie even went on to call for the setting up of an interim government. This was clearly trillion of miles away from the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria. What manner of leaders does Nigerians really deserve? Use your tongue to count your teeth.
It was the above reason that many were shocked when Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Latter Rain Assembly took a plunge into mainstream politics. While this writer is of the opinion that clergies are not forbidden from politics, events have shown that the fiery preacher did not hear from God before accepting the offer of a vice presidential slot from Gen Mohammadu Buhari. The result of the April 16th presidential polls has confirmed this.
To a very large extent, many have been tempted to rush to conclude that Pastor Bakare was deceived by the wide support he enjoyed from his Save Nigeria Group (SNG) campaign. As good as the intentions of the SNG were, many had expected him to stay on the touchline like coaches normally do during football matches. Perhaps, he was discouraged by Goodluck Jonathan’s declaration that he has “no enemies to fight.” There was therefore no reason for him to contemplate being on the sideline to coach the president. No doubt, Bakare has lost many of his admirers. He might lose some of his followers in the weeks, months, and years to come.
Even as a spirit, God is not secretive. We must appreciate the important fact that God does not do anything without first revealing same to those concerned through one or more of His messengers. I cannot recall any of God’s envoys talking about a clergy sitting on the Nigerian presidency in 2011.
More than that, the fact was quite obvious that Gen. Buhari and Pastor Bakare were millions of miles apart in ideology. It would then be easy for one to argue that their union was built purely on the faulty foundation of desperation. The duo was out to use any means possible to dislodge the PDP- not Jonathan from the presidency. As painted by the result of the presidential election, very many people in the opposition gladly isolated Jonathan from the ruling PDP. In politics, this is unexplainable and seems to have some divine attachment. On the other hand; even if the CPC had won the April 16th presidential polls, the presidency wouldn’t have lasted the first 12 months. Buhari and Bakare would have easily rubbished the Obasanjo-Atiku record of presidential acrimony.
For a nation with very deep religious sentiments, Nigeria needs only leaders with moderate spiritual convictions. This was a big minus for the CPC. Assuming that the CPC won the presidential election; there is this fertile fact that many of Bakare’s followers would have rebelled against him the moment he buries his fire-brand religious beliefs in the grave of politics. In the case of Buhari, countless citizens believe that a leopard cannot change its spots. Many Nigerian families, communities, and businesses have not recovered from the hurt that was caused then by the Buhari-led military regime in the early 80s.
Furthermore, the greatest charge against both Buhari and Bakare are their inability to appreciate the honour that is attached to the presidency. This was several displayed by their arrogance and high temperament. Gen. Buhari was alleged to have urged his supporters to lynch whoever that was believed to have rigged the election. The same thing goes for Pastor Bakare that fueled the theory of Wild-Wild-North. What do they make of the judiciary?
Good leaders are supposed to be humble and economical with hate-words and insults. Buhari and Bakare quickly forgot that a greater percentage of the Nigerian population have come of age. As insignificant as it had appeared; while Jonathan and Sambo were busy boasting about their antecedence with humility, the duet of Buhari and Bakare spent a greater amount of their campaign time pouring venom not just on PDP but on the person of Jonathan and Obasanjo. At the end, the CPC only succeeded in telling Nigerians that it will fight corruption, introduce effective security network, improve on power supply, raise the standard of education, provide improved health care services, and guarantee a robust road infrastructure. There was nothing different from what the PDP has been saying.
To many Nigerian voters, what actually separated PDP from the CPC was the composure- maturity of Goodluck Jonathan and Namadi Sambo. There was never a time they rubbished other political parties or abused the personalities of their political opponents even at the height of provocation. Take the case of Rev. Chris Okotie, founder of Household of God Church and presidential candidate on the platform of FRESH Democratic Party who posited that as a zoologist, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan was not grounded for political leadership. In rejecting the results of the presidential polls, Okotie even went on to call for the setting up of an interim government. This was clearly trillion of miles away from the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria. What manner of leaders does Nigerians really deserve? Use your tongue to count your teeth.
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