tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21710394036160523402024-03-13T08:53:20.207+01:00jossypoliticsBlog is purely on political issues. Personal political opinions are published from time to time. Political news may also be considered depending on the contentEfoghor Joseph Eziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521736877728716172noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171039403616052340.post-34307439975105178892012-11-07T12:03:00.001+01:002012-11-07T12:03:14.212+01:00Barack Obama Re-elected US President<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsIOuEYqn3pmZCMAAAQuPNWHy7LuisNBI8qG0xOOXl99i7p_fG1lRdzXnGrSeqFuVWcKMeRZ_A6v-dzAiADdndYA8TKuTd3-d6tON4gvNeT7qfgdhAMghx0b8XaJJsed4-wl9bJe0hwo/s1600/President+Barack+Obama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="president barack obama image" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsIOuEYqn3pmZCMAAAQuPNWHy7LuisNBI8qG0xOOXl99i7p_fG1lRdzXnGrSeqFuVWcKMeRZ_A6v-dzAiADdndYA8TKuTd3-d6tON4gvNeT7qfgdhAMghx0b8XaJJsed4-wl9bJe0hwo/s400/President+Barack+Obama.jpg" title="Barack Obama Re-elected US president" width="362" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">President Barack Obama</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">President
Barack Obama of the United States of America has won the 2012 elections to
pilot the affairs of the country for a second tenure. Obama defeated his
opponent Mitt Romney by 303 to 206 electoral votes in the keenly contested
nationwide elections. The incumbent president needed only 270 out of 538 votes
to win. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Obama also
defeated his opponent by 58,003,868 to 56,040,621 popular votes, winning out
rightly in at least 26 of 50 states. The democrats won 51 seats in the Senate
while the republicans won 45. However, the Republicans won the majority seats
in the House with 231 seats as against democrats’ 186. 218 of 435 seats are
needed to win the majority. The Democrats got 17 Governorship positions while
The Republicans got 30.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">President Barrack Obama’s Post
Election Speech</span></b></div>
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</div>
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“Thank you so much.</div>
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</div>
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Tonight, more than 200 years after a former colony won the right to
determine its own destiny, the task of perfecting our union moves forward.</div>
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</div>
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It moves forward because of you. It moves forward because you reaffirmed the
spirit that has triumphed over war and depression, the spirit that has lifted
this country from the depths of despair to the great heights of hope, the
belief that while each of us will pursue our own individual dreams, we are an
American family and we rise or fall together as one nation and as one people.</div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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Tonight, in this election, you, the American people, reminded us that while
our road has been hard, while our journey has been long, we have picked
ourselves up, we have fought our way back, and we know in our hearts that for
the United States of America the best is yet to come.</div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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I want to thank every American who participated in this election, whether
you voted for the very first time or waited in line for a very long time. By
the way, we have to fix that. Whether you pounded the pavement or picked up the
phone, whether you held an Obama sign or a Romney sign, you made your voice
heard and you made a difference.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I just spoke with Gov. Romney and I congratulated him and Paul Ryan on a
hard-fought campaign. We may have battled fiercely, but it's only because we
love this country deeply and we care so strongly about its future. From George
to Lenore to their son Mitt, the Romney family has chosen to give back to
America through public service and that is the legacy that we honor and applaud
tonight. In the weeks ahead, I also look forward to sitting down with Gov.
Romney to talk about where we can work together to move this country forward.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijn7bHSaGqQM61FO7M2ZfGpFlM6YbWPzF1p39ItYagvsP-vfWGe1Dtk3WwDTaFTNXPyLaQwnZeZAWgv-yuYB-JS5sqzHOARTcl2jx8iARhSppP2ZVAuYzPpFqd6gbBgFWy2bIieUwERrI/s1600/Mitt+Romney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mitt Romney image" border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijn7bHSaGqQM61FO7M2ZfGpFlM6YbWPzF1p39ItYagvsP-vfWGe1Dtk3WwDTaFTNXPyLaQwnZeZAWgv-yuYB-JS5sqzHOARTcl2jx8iARhSppP2ZVAuYzPpFqd6gbBgFWy2bIieUwERrI/s400/Mitt+Romney.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mitt Romney</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I want to thank my friend and partner of the last four years, America's
happy warrior, the best vice president anybody could ever hope for, Joe Biden.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And I wouldn't be the man I am today without the woman who agreed to marry me
20 years ago. Let me say this publicly: Michelle, I have never loved you more.
I have never been prouder to watch the rest of America fall in love with you,
too, as our nation's first lady. Sasha and Malia, before our very eyes you're
growing up to become two strong, smart beautiful young women, just like your
mom. And I'm so proud of you guys. But I will say that for now one dog's
probably enough.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
To the best campaign team and volunteers in the history of politics. The
best. The best ever. Some of you were new this time around, and some of you
have been at my side since the very beginning. But all of you are family. No
matter what you do or where you go from here, you will carry the memory of the
history we made together and you will have the lifelong appreciation of a
grateful president. Thank you for believing all the way, through every hill,
through every valley. You lifted me up the whole way and I will always be
grateful for everything that you've done and all the incredible work that you
put in.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I know that political campaigns can sometimes seem small, even silly. And
that provides plenty of fodder for the cynics that tell us that politics is
nothing more than a contest of egos or the domain of special interests. But if
you ever get the chance to talk to folks who turned out at our rallies and
crowded along a rope line in a high school gym, or saw folks working late in a
campaign office in some tiny county far away from home, you'll discover
something else.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You'll hear the determination in the voice of a young field organizer who's
working his way through college and wants to make sure every child has that
same opportunity. You'll hear the pride in the voice of a volunteer who's going
door to door because her brother was finally hired when the local auto plant
added another shift. You'll hear the deep patriotism in the voice of a military
spouse who's working the phones late at night to make sure that no one who
fights for this country ever has to fight for a job or a roof over their head
when they come home.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5ZfgL8Rz5PQ646lPh-ZqPOXg0y5MUO6bulBSo6YqTOCiGMKtmGcC0AC4cEr7E5MUis0xScuRgYhPJ4P82CdGzR_ajfbK1a7blmU4eELon6qrCvJ5IBrEmMEum1mph2j9clozEd1fF0s/s1600/Obama+and+Michelle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Obama and michelle image" border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5ZfgL8Rz5PQ646lPh-ZqPOXg0y5MUO6bulBSo6YqTOCiGMKtmGcC0AC4cEr7E5MUis0xScuRgYhPJ4P82CdGzR_ajfbK1a7blmU4eELon6qrCvJ5IBrEmMEum1mph2j9clozEd1fF0s/s400/Obama+and+Michelle.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">President Obama and Michelle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
That's why we do this. That's what politics can be. That's why elections
matter. It's not small, it's big. It's important. Democracy in a nation of 300
million can be noisy and messy and complicated. We have our own opinions. Each
of us has deeply held beliefs. And when we go through tough times, when we make
big decisions as a country, it necessarily stirs passions, stirs up
controversy.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
That won't change after tonight, and it shouldn't. These arguments we have
are a mark of our liberty. We can never forget that as we speak people in
distant nations are risking their lives right now just for a chance to argue
about the issues that matter, the chance to cast their ballots like we did
today.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But despite all our differences, most of us share certain hopes for
America's future. We want our kids to grow up in a country where they have
access to the best schools and the best teachers. A country that lives up to
its legacy as the global leader in technology and discovery and innovation,
with all the good jobs and new businesses that follow.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We want our children to live in an America that isn't burdened by debt, that
isn't weakened by inequality, that isn't threatened by the destructive power of
a warming planet. We want to pass on a country that's safe and respected and
admired around the world, a nation that is defended by the strongest military
on earth and the best troops this – this world has ever known. But also a
country that moves with confidence beyond this time of war, to shape a peace
that is built on the promise of freedom and dignity for every human being.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We believe in a generous America, in a compassionate America, in a tolerant
America, open to the dreams of an immigrant's daughter who studies in our schools
and pledges to our flag. To the young boy on the south side of Chicago who sees
a life beyond the nearest street corner. To the furniture worker's child in
North Carolina who wants to become a doctor or a scientist, an engineer or an
entrepreneur, a diplomat or even a president – that's the future we hope for.
That's the vision we share. That's where we need to go – forward. That's where
we need to go.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now, we will disagree, sometimes fiercely, about how to get there. As it has
for more than two centuries, progress will come in fits and starts. It's not
always a straight line. It's not always a smooth path. By itself, the
recognition that we have common hopes and dreams won't end all the gridlock or
solve all our problems or substitute for the painstaking work of building
consensus and making the difficult compromises needed to move this country
forward. But that common bond is where we must begin.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Our economy is recovering. A decade of war is ending. A long campaign is now
over. And whether I earned your vote or not, I have listened to you, I have
learned from you, and you've made me a better president. And with your stories
and your struggles, I return to the White House more determined and more
inspired than ever about the work there is to do and the future that lies
ahead.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72wXBsJUemOsCArrNMwuk5jPpceS5K09kDzvHcC09pyNRAh9WsdAj99C0OlMjr-iZnbzXoXP9RYDICx0SDjsigIYO0rLiglQxGvIbYSWE0hASwra57oLGQGUfmaO0Ru-ZbvFa-7ZMRCY/s1600/President+Obama+and+family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72wXBsJUemOsCArrNMwuk5jPpceS5K09kDzvHcC09pyNRAh9WsdAj99C0OlMjr-iZnbzXoXP9RYDICx0SDjsigIYO0rLiglQxGvIbYSWE0hASwra57oLGQGUfmaO0Ru-ZbvFa-7ZMRCY/s400/President+Obama+and+family.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">President Obama and family</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Tonight you voted for action, not politics as usual. You elected us to focus
on your jobs, not ours. And in the coming weeks and months, I am looking
forward to reaching out and working with leaders of both parties to meet the
challenges we can only solve together. Reducing our deficit. Reforming our tax
code. Fixing our immigration system. Freeing ourselves from foreign oil. We've
got more work to do.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But that doesn't mean your work is done. The role of citizen in our
democracy does not end with your vote. America's never been about what can be
done for us. It's about what can be done by us together through the hard and
frustrating, but necessary work of self-government. That's the principle we
were founded on.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This country has more wealth than any nation, but that's not what makes us
rich. We have the most powerful military in history, but that's not what makes
us strong. Our university, our culture are all the envy of the world, but
that's not what keeps the world coming to our shores.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
What makes America exceptional are the bonds that hold together the most
diverse nation on earth. The belief that our destiny is shared; that this
country only works when we accept certain obligations to one another and to
future generations. The freedom which so many Americans have fought for and
died for come with responsibilities as well as rights. And among those are love
and charity and duty and patriotism. That's what makes America great.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I am hopeful tonight because I've seen the spirit at work in America. I've
seen it in the family business whose owners would rather cut their own pay than
lay off their neighbors, and in the workers who would rather cut back their
hours than see a friend lose a job. I've seen it in the soldiers who reenlist
after losing a limb and in those SEALs who charged up the stairs into darkness
and danger because they knew there was a buddy behind them watching their back.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've seen it on the shores of New Jersey and New York, where leaders from
every party and level of government have swept aside their differences to help
a community rebuild from the wreckage of a terrible storm. And I saw just the
other day, in Mentor, Ohio, where a father told the story of his 8-year-old
daughter, whose long battle with leukemia nearly cost their family everything
had it not been for health care reform passing just a few months before the
insurance company was about to stop paying for her care.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I had an opportunity to not just talk to the father, but meet this
incredible daughter of his. And when he spoke to the crowd listening to that
father's story, every parent in that room had tears in their eyes, because we
knew that little girl could be our own. And I know that every American wants
her future to be just as bright. That's who we are. That's the country I'm so
proud to lead as your president.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And tonight, despite all the hardship we've been through, despite all the
frustrations of Washington, I've never been more hopeful about our future. I
have never been more hopeful about America. And I ask you to sustain that hope.
I'm not talking about blind optimism, the kind of hope that just ignores the
enormity of the tasks ahead or the roadblocks that stand in our path. I'm not
talking about the wishful idealism that allows us to just sit on the sidelines
or shirk from a fight.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have always believed that hope is that stubborn thing inside us that
insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits
us so long as we have the courage to keep reaching, to keep working, to keep
fighting.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
America, I believe we can build on the progress we've made and continue to
fight for new jobs and new opportunity and new security for the middle class. I
believe we can keep the promise of our founders, the idea that if you're
willing to work hard, it doesn't matter who you are or where you come from or
what you look like or where you love. It doesn't matter whether you're black or
white or Hispanic or Asian or Native American or young or old or rich or poor,
able, disabled, gay or straight, you can make it here in America if you're
willing to try.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I believe we can seize this future together because we are not as divided as
our politics suggests. We're not as cynical as the pundits believe. We are
greater than the sum of our individual ambitions, and we remain more than a
collection of red states and blue states. We are and forever will be the United
States of America.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And together with your help and God's grace we will continue our journey
forward and remind the world just why it is that we live in the greatest nation
on Earth.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Thank you, America. God bless you. God bless these United States.”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.politico.com/2012-election/map/#/Measures/2012/">For more results analysis</a></div>
Efoghor Joseph Eziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521736877728716172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171039403616052340.post-23031185337426947502012-10-18T10:17:00.001+01:002012-10-18T11:44:33.827+01:00Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan Returns To Nigeria<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90189cFPFmuYLSxlkvIZxInIFmrA8-WMaWi65IS6-QvOyYJBDH33z-hgGpgqeA2B74-q-E0k3eCdFQhllezoscAP7rC7xdKAr30t-2C3ro34w15ZA-unPw8ZMoiyJm7IfgQNhKgNlRmg/s1600/Patience+Goodluck+Jonathan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Patience Goodluck Jonathan image" border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90189cFPFmuYLSxlkvIZxInIFmrA8-WMaWi65IS6-QvOyYJBDH33z-hgGpgqeA2B74-q-E0k3eCdFQhllezoscAP7rC7xdKAr30t-2C3ro34w15ZA-unPw8ZMoiyJm7IfgQNhKgNlRmg/s400/Patience+Goodluck+Jonathan.jpg" title="Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan Returns To Nigeria" width="400"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Nigerian first
lady Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan finally returned home on Wednesday 17<sup>th</sup>
October 2012 after being away from the country for close to two months to
receive medical treatment at the Horst Schmidt Klinik in Wiesbaden, Germany. The
First Lady arrived at the country at about 3.50PM and was received by
well-wishers who were all in cheering moods, (including the Bayelsan women,
ministers, governors’ wives, NGOs and President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan) who
had thronged to the presidential wing of theNnamdi Azikiwe International
airport Abuja.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Weeks back
when she left the country unannounced, several media ran different versions of
what she was suffering from. While some said she had a ruptured appendix,
others said she had food poisoning, Parkinson’s disease, uterine cancer, etc. Some
even said she was in Germany for a liposuction. The Presidency did not help
matters as they remained mute in the midst of the controversy surrounding her
health.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Nigerians were
eager to know what had befallen their First lady; but they were all kept in the
dark. The people therefore resorted to their usual rumours as the people would
always thrive on rumours where there is no free flow of information. While everyone
remained curious, the Special Assistant on Media to the first lady, Mr. Ayo
Osinlu told State House Correspondents that she was only “Resting abroad” after
hectic schedules.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<a href="http://politicalfield.blogspot.com/2012/10/patience-jonathan-returns.html#more">Read more »</a>Efoghor Joseph Eziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521736877728716172noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171039403616052340.post-23473893529239200642012-07-15T19:53:00.000+01:002012-10-18T10:21:12.643+01:00Adams Oshiomhole Wins Second Tenure as PDP Counts Losses<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_UArpT0I00GfVNFWT-aqhjaKMyqh6ThpB4frjb5n-iUHVdXKyChw8itGMtflxAoZQrZ5wC_tOvBCeylR7aVgUcGAfyjOzf-LKWL_2WVr-oA0S4a704W2Wfr9NbetmZDCg8MK8M6Zmo8/s1600/Comrade+Adams+Oshiomhole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Adams Oshiomhole image" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_UArpT0I00GfVNFWT-aqhjaKMyqh6ThpB4frjb5n-iUHVdXKyChw8itGMtflxAoZQrZ5wC_tOvBCeylR7aVgUcGAfyjOzf-LKWL_2WVr-oA0S4a704W2Wfr9NbetmZDCg8MK8M6Zmo8/s320/Comrade+Adams+Oshiomhole.jpg" title="Adams Oshiomhole Wins Second Tenure as PDP Counts Losses" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Governor Adams Oshiomhole</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially declared <b>Comrade Adams Oshiomhole</b>, the incumbent governor of Edo state as the overall winner of Saturday’s gubernatorial election. Oshiomhole had an overwhelming victory over his closest rival, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (Rtd) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP. The comrade governor polled a total of 477,478 votes (73.72%) of 647,698 total votes cast, winning convincingly in all 18 Local Government Areas of the state.<br>
<br>
Charles Airhiavbere of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled a total of 144,235 votes (22.27 %) 647,698 votes, to emerge second. Solomon Edebiri of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) got 3,642 votes to place third while Izevbuwa Roland of the Congress for Political Change (CPC) polled a total of 2,792 votes (0.43%) of the total votes to emerge fourth.<br>
<br>
Frank Ukonga of the Social Democratic Mega party (SDMP) got 807 votes (0.56 %) of total votes to place fifth. Andrew Igwemoh of the Labour Party (LP) got 604 (0.09 %) to place sixth and Paul Orumwense of the National Conscience Party (NCP) got 504 votes (0.08%) and occupied the last position.<br>
<a href="http://politicalfield.blogspot.com/2012/07/adams-oshiomhole-wins-second-tenure-as.html#more">Read more »</a>Efoghor Joseph Eziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521736877728716172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171039403616052340.post-54790003180498378962012-04-09T14:45:00.000+01:002012-08-20T09:49:28.496+01:00Alhaji Kabir Sokoto's Escape: Is the Police Innocent?Article first published as Alhaji Kabir Sokoto's Escape: Are the Police Innocent? on Technorati.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The Nigerian state was Monday taken by surprise following the escape of a Boko Haran kingpin Alhaji Kabir Sokoto from police custody few hours after he was arrested at the Bornu Governor’s Lodge, Abuja.<br />
<br />
According to <a href="http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/01/escape-of-suspected-bomber-igp-queried-faces-sack-minister" rel="nofollow">The Vanguard Newspaper</a>, Alhaji Kabir Sokoto who was the mastermind of the Christmas day bombing of the St. Theresa Catholic church in Madalla was arrested in his hide-out following a tip-off. After his arrest, he was said to have been handed over to Police Commissioner Zakari Biu for further investigation.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdqJqHVDa3Rz3SNa1-wRMxFypgTHZae_vU5QlieTHHpS0PPM3DcoqDMFMlT_xwtKxsW3oLnx6R_TEUhiNuDQHnMnQJW4OQM3y9Vnbvg0cMoaCUOQhzJX0LcSv2MCJhM2pCKQnYkXyvBc/s1600/Hafiz+Ringim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdqJqHVDa3Rz3SNa1-wRMxFypgTHZae_vU5QlieTHHpS0PPM3DcoqDMFMlT_xwtKxsW3oLnx6R_TEUhiNuDQHnMnQJW4OQM3y9Vnbvg0cMoaCUOQhzJX0LcSv2MCJhM2pCKQnYkXyvBc/s320/Hafiz+Ringim.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
However, the suspect was said to have escaped after a group suspected to be Boko Haran members laid an ambush for the unsuspecting police team that was conveying the suspect to his operation base at Abaji for further investigation, and effected his release. While the nation was celebrating his arrest as a major milestone in solving the Boko Haran debacle, the news of his escape came as a rude shock, as it further portrayed the police as an incompetent security arm and also lent credence to the rumour making the rounds that the religious sect has infiltrated the Nigerian security outfits.<br />
<br />
President Goodluck Jonathan has queried the Inspector General of Police (IG) Mr. Hafiz Ringim and has also ordered full scale investigation into circumstances that led to the escape of<a href="http://politicalfield.blogspot.com/2012/01/nigeria-police-re-arrest-boko-haran-man.html"> the Boko Haran kingpin</a>. The IG has also been ordered to produce the suspect within 24 hours or face further sanction. The police commissioner, Zakari Biu, has since been placed on house arrest on the orders of the IG.<br />
<br />
Now the questions that need to be answered include:<br />
1. Was Alhaji Kabir Sokoto under Bornu state government protection? If not, why was he found and arrested at the Bornu state governor’s lodge?<br />
2. Is the police truly infiltrated by Boko Haran? How did the members know that Kabir Sokoto was to be transferred to Abaji? And how did they know the exact time of his transfer?<br />
3. Why did the police allow only four policemen to escort such a dangerous man?<br />
4. While was no policeman hurt in the ambush since Boko Haran is known to be heartless in their attacks?<br />
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The way and manner the religious sect had coordinated attacks across the northern states of the country have actually given Nigerians cause to believe that the jobs were done by highly intelligent personnel. Besides, the inability of the security arms of government to prevent the dastardly acts or gather useful <a href="http://politicalfield.blogspot.com/">intelligence reports,</a> or even arrest the key players have also made Nigerians to believe that both the police and the military may have been actually infiltrated by elements who were giving information to the hoodlums to carry out their criminal acts without being detected. This may have also been the reason investigations were not yielding any tangible fruits.<br />
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The police had remained helpless in the wake of the spate of bombing of churches, police posts, banks, UNO headquarters, etc. If the police has become so incompetent and cannot assure Nigerians of their safety then there is no need paying Hafiz Ringim fat salaries for doing nothing. He was there when even the car park of the Police headquarters Abuja was bombed; and several police posts have been destroyed in the northern part of the country and all he could do is to keep promising us that something would be done and that the culprits would be brought to book. There is no better time to reorganize the Nigerian security apparatuses than now.<br />
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The recent happenings in the country support the claim by Boko Haran that they were out to Islamize the country. The southerners never took them serious; but now their agenda is gradually being unveiled. Book Haran is no longer a sectarian issue but a tacit ploy by the North to Islamize the country. That they declared war on the Christians in the north and asked them to quit their region within 72 hours has invariably pitched the sect against the God of heaven, who would never keep quiet to see his children murdered in cold blood in the name of religious fanaticism.<br />
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The fact that Alhaji Kabir Sokoto was arrested at the Bornu governor’s Lodge also shows that there is more to it than meets the eyes. It is now a case of “Dog eats Dog”. The same government that has been pretending to be helpless and has been watching its citizenry murdered in their scores has also been hiding the mastermind of the massacres taking place under their nose. The truth is that mostly Christians have been victims of the attacks taking place in the north hence the financiers and sponsors of this barbaric sect have remained mute.<br />
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What is actually the offense of the southern Christians? The only offense they have committed is that they are Christians among overzealous, parochial, blood-thirsty people who have always advanced their religious course through blood shed and religious wars. The second offense they have committed is that the incumbent President is from their zone. The north has always believed that political power is their birth right and should never be ceded. Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians and everybody has the right to aspire to any political position without fear of intimidation.<br />
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Will the police ever be able to clean up its own mess? Will they ever earn the trust of Nigerians again? Should the current IG be allowed to stay in office or he should be retired? Should the presidency keep watching helplessly or there should be as a matter of urgency, a reshuffling and reorganization of the security apparatuses in the country?Efoghor Joseph Eziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521736877728716172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171039403616052340.post-51799336178312822322012-04-01T15:55:00.000+01:002012-04-09T14:44:10.541+01:00Why Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Must lead The World Bank<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5N48NcylbbbSExGmj73_QZc17BumJuNuy6Ziuaa2Sr7OKKQy8BlVjpjaffxBtvP7WAybxMBcUuxNsJFrtIjFgo5f-mC-I-geH8vNLDg00zS2F6KgHFerTZkBzN3HMWBJznz6qEXqKtk/s1600/Ngozi+Okojo+Iweala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="103" width="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5N48NcylbbbSExGmj73_QZc17BumJuNuy6Ziuaa2Sr7OKKQy8BlVjpjaffxBtvP7WAybxMBcUuxNsJFrtIjFgo5f-mC-I-geH8vNLDg00zS2F6KgHFerTZkBzN3HMWBJznz6qEXqKtk/s400/Ngozi+Okojo+Iweala.jpg" /></a></div>
There is no better time for Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria to ascend the throne of the President of the World Bank than now when there is a new awakening in world politics and the clamour for gender equality is very loud. Change is the only thing that is constant; and the wind of change must blow in favour of the developing economies this time around.<p>
The two world financial institutions – The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had been managed all along by America and Europe, making every other continent to play the second fiddle. The status quo has been that while Europe takes care of the IMF, America manages the World Bank; then others sit and watch.<p>
With the election of Barak Obama as the first Black President of the United States and the election of Christine Lagarde as the first female President of IMF, it would be nice to balance the equation by also giving other continents a chance because the world really needs that change now more than ever.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupok513JM8oDgZ8HMged_eYYijJACe0eS0Ipf1XH0GMETD_Twf5Ib7KtlpSFmtVAmIc463TsEnOtUl1pO3yu9CQzYQLgfBdAKUrfewvGMfPonKx4ELm3RVxAH_ogXGD5IHqlv0bJs6Zw/s1600/Ngozi+Okojo+Iweala+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="114" width="102" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupok513JM8oDgZ8HMged_eYYijJACe0eS0Ipf1XH0GMETD_Twf5Ib7KtlpSFmtVAmIc463TsEnOtUl1pO3yu9CQzYQLgfBdAKUrfewvGMfPonKx4ELm3RVxAH_ogXGD5IHqlv0bJs6Zw/s400/Ngozi+Okojo+Iweala+2.jpg" /></a></div><p>
Speaking on <a href="http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/okonjo-iweala-how-i-joined-world-bank-presidency-race/112746/">Thisday Live</a>, the Nigeria Minister of Finance highlighted reasons why she is qualified to be the next President of the Apex institution. Apart from working in the institution for over 25 years, she has also held the position of the Vice President. If experience counts, then she is the most qualified of the three candidates contesting for the post.<p>
America’s candidate, Jim Yong Kim, does not really qualify to manage the World Bank, considering the fact that his professional experience as a medical doctor is not enough to steer a financial institution of such magnitude. Though the odds favour Kim as America, Europe and Japan have over 50% of the voting power. The fact Kim is a Korean-American may make Asia to sympathetically vote for him.<p>
Jose Anthonio Ocampo of Columbia does not pose any threat because apart from being a South American, he does not also possess the necessary credentials to give Iweala sleepless nights. South America therefore needs to do the right thing by ensuring that they ask all their supporters to vote en masse for Okonjo-Iweala and hope to be reciprocated when the time comes for them to vie for other important positions in the future.<p>
Iweala already enjoys overwhelming support here in Africa with the Presidents of South Africa, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Cote d’ivoire, and the AU and ECOWAS endorsing her for the job. The Economist and the Financial Times newspapers of London have already endorsed her ahead of Jim Yong Kim and Jose Anthonio Ocampo because of the credentials she parades. She has the requisite experience to take the financial institution to the next level.<p>
It does not mean that the developed nations have monopoly of knowledge and experience. If the world does not want to endorse mediocrity, then it has to give support to the right and best candidate, putting politics aside.<p>
If all important positions go to the developed countries then the emerging economies and the under-developed economies would live in fears and do business with the developed economies under mutual suspicion. If a French woman in the person of Christine Lagarde is qualified to lead the IMF, then an African woman with much more professional and practical experiences should be allowed to lead the World Bank.</p>Efoghor Joseph Eziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521736877728716172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171039403616052340.post-57706279394979193152012-01-31T15:35:00.000+01:002012-04-09T14:43:08.041+01:00Major Hamza Al-Mustapha and Lateef Shofolahan to Die by HangingArticle first published as <a href='http://technorati.com/politics/article/major-hamza-al-mustapha-and-lateef/'>Major Hamza Al-Mustapha and Lateef Shofolahan to Die by Hanging</a> on Technorati.<br />
The long trial of Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer to the Late Nigerian Military Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha and Lateef Shofolahan finally came to an end yesterday at a Lagos High Court sitting at Igbosere where they were both sentenced to death by hanging, over the assassination of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, the wife of Late M.K.O Abiola the acclaimed winner of the 1993 Nigerian Presidential election.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOQW4EqA9vwoD8tmMBQV4AWruftapKCK8JEHMWGkv9yXd4HzB9qLpvdU-P3LNZyIFC0gJHuw9rKcHw308bJv86sDalNSwHkeO-d5elH7fTizTXpiKT9HuXFnCAxymiJFGfnAgVjoQdcQ/s1600/Hamza+Al-Mustapha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="111" width="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOQW4EqA9vwoD8tmMBQV4AWruftapKCK8JEHMWGkv9yXd4HzB9qLpvdU-P3LNZyIFC0gJHuw9rKcHw308bJv86sDalNSwHkeO-d5elH7fTizTXpiKT9HuXFnCAxymiJFGfnAgVjoQdcQ/s320/Hamza+Al-Mustapha.jpg" /></a></div><br />
The trial Judge, Justice Mojisola Dada found the duo guilty of three-count charge of conspiracy and murder and ordered that they should die ‘by hanging until pronounced dead.’ It took 13 years for Al-Mustapha to be convicted in what is arguably the longest trial case in the nation’s history. <br />
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According to <a href="http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/01/braithwaite-musa-adebanjo-osoba-sagay-williams-others-react/">The Vanguard</a>, In a nine-hour judgment, Justice Dada chronicled the genesis of the case, analyzing it with evidence produced before the court by both prosecution and defense before arriving at the conclusion that evidence against the defense ‘is too strong.’<br />
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The Judge also stated further that gunmen sent by Major Al Mustapha killed Kudirat on the street of Lagos on June 4, 1996, while he was the CSO to Abacha.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsZndOjqE464sodJGaMBFm8X-J3xHud1Fxejg-b_4QGSE25GQQZtoc81Xd6JgbB2M6FQI2tmfXyksXpErr8Dh8q-EZc4g0Ua8bfov96b-W-NcpItlfax2yuHZ7ePEX7MMf3HwzJT_euM/s1600/Kudirat+Abiola.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="124" width="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsZndOjqE464sodJGaMBFm8X-J3xHud1Fxejg-b_4QGSE25GQQZtoc81Xd6JgbB2M6FQI2tmfXyksXpErr8Dh8q-EZc4g0Ua8bfov96b-W-NcpItlfax2yuHZ7ePEX7MMf3HwzJT_euM/s320/Kudirat+Abiola.jpg" /></a></div><br />
On the part of Shofolahan, the judge held that overwhelming evidence against him also proved that he provided surveillance assistance to the killer squad as they trailed the outspoken wife of Abiola until she was murdered. <br />
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The court further held that Shofolahan connived and gave vital information concerning the itinerary of late Kudirat Abiola to the hitman Sergeant Barnabas Jabila, popularly known as Sergeant Rogers, leading to the death of Kudirat in June 1996. <br />
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Lateef Shofolahan was also said to have conspired with the other accused persons by giving a magazine, which had the picture of the late Mrs. Abiola to Rogers who then traced the car of the deceased to Lagos-Ibadan Expressway where she was killed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpwcWOSWkW9gcbUOG1Bf3UDhhPnxX_xGanUMz2crtkUxXmcs-nP2kr0ZJK3hCiF-QG8atKK-_P50yg2sbkm8g9ChP24mIJrJQ8M5vZxk7DmpSFNXU31qUb6cOb2559cI8Nc2l0cD9XhNE/s1600/Lateef+Shofolahan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="98" width="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpwcWOSWkW9gcbUOG1Bf3UDhhPnxX_xGanUMz2crtkUxXmcs-nP2kr0ZJK3hCiF-QG8atKK-_P50yg2sbkm8g9ChP24mIJrJQ8M5vZxk7DmpSFNXU31qUb6cOb2559cI8Nc2l0cD9XhNE/s320/Lateef+Shofolahan.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Major Hamza Al-Mustapha was instrumental to the 5 years of tyrannical rule unleashed on Nigerians by Late general Sani Abacha. He was in charge of the Abacha ‘Strike Squad’ which ensured that all oppositions to the then military despot were perpetually silenced.<br />
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Several oppositions were sent to their early graves; notable among those silenced by the regime included Elder Alfred Rewane, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, etc. Others who miraculously survived their assassination attempts included Isaac Porbeni, Late Alex Ibru and Late Pa Abraham Adesanya the then leader of NADECO (National Democratic Coalition).<br />
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While al-Mustapha held sway and helped to consolidate the wicked Military leader in office, he forgot that there would be a day of judgment either here on earth or hereafter. Yesterday was the Day of Judgment which he never anticipated. The judgment delivered by the court elicited reactions from numerous Nigerians. Nigerians believed that though the trial took too long a time, at least the judgment was welcome and seen as a plus for the judiciary.<br />
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The lawyer to the convicts, Mr. Olalekan Ojo stated emphatically before the court that the defense team would to file an appeal against the judgment of the court the following day, praying that copies of the judgment be made ready to commence the appeal immediately. <br />
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This judgment should serve as a reminder to those in position of authority that evil will never rule for ever. Power is transient; after vacating from the seat of power one would always be faced with the day of accountability.Efoghor Joseph Eziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521736877728716172noreply@blogger.com0Bonny Island, Nigeria4.4239297 7.243710500000024.3440062000000008 7.14534850000002 4.5038532 7.34207250000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171039403616052340.post-68201700513456146072012-01-20T15:07:00.000+01:002012-08-20T09:54:53.656+01:00Nigeria Police Re-arrest Boko Haran Man With VoodooArticle first published as Nigeria Police Re-arrest Boko Haran Man With Voodoo on Technorati.<br />
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The fleeing mastermind of the Christmas Day bombing of the St. Theresa Catholic Church, Madalla, Alhaji Kabir Sokoto has been rearrested by the police at the Nigeria-Chad border. Kabir Sokoto was said to have escaped while being conveyed to Abaji by the Police for further investigations on Monday.<br />
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According to Pointblank News Alhaji Kabir Sokoto was rearrested with the help of a voodoo man, Alhaji Ali Quran, who according to the news, is an expert in apprehending criminals. Weird as this unconfirmed news may sound, I do not believe the Police would further soil its reputation by telling Nigerians that they relied on voodoo to apprehend a criminal suspect.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEN43h9Uw2zdblKeMlbDNmhyclpGmY2VTjZlMOayZHMVVNTBbbsZOmR65Pgg1WjQKRXJS523D9Q6EbZwYNqGb3TXAHoM5SNAdMZjFYVpXo46j43eTLpLUvSnDNPUEL_HvL40bAfAWe15U/s1600/Kabir+Sokoto2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEN43h9Uw2zdblKeMlbDNmhyclpGmY2VTjZlMOayZHMVVNTBbbsZOmR65Pgg1WjQKRXJS523D9Q6EbZwYNqGb3TXAHoM5SNAdMZjFYVpXo46j43eTLpLUvSnDNPUEL_HvL40bAfAWe15U/s320/Kabir+Sokoto2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Police cannot make this public except they want us to believe that this source has been there all the while yet criminals go undetected for several years after committing crimes in the country. If the police ever told us that, it also means they now have a breakthrough in arresting criminal elements in the country and that they are assuring Nigerians that each time a serious crime is committed in the country, it would no longer take the police several years to look for the perpetrators since they now have a sure shortcut to getting those involved apprehended.<br />
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But why is this kind of solution coming on the heels of the 24 hours ultimatum given to the IG (Hafiz Ringim) to get the fleeing criminal or lose his job? Why is it that each time a policeman in killed by criminals it takes few days for them to apprehend the culprits but takes several years to do so when civilians are involved? Nigerians now know better. The police have never been trusted because of the shoddy ways they have always handled crimes in this country. <br />
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Is the<a href="http://politicalfield.blogspot.com/2012/04/alhaji-kabir-sokotos-escape-is-police.html"> inefficiency of the Nigerian police</a> due to the fact they are ill-equipped or it’s simply because they do not want to work? Could it also be that the criminals pay their dues and get police cover and get away untouched because they are never truly investigated? Why are they able to act effectively when a senior police office gets hurt or when there is an ultimatum issued to them? Your guess is as good as mine.<br />
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Until something radical is done the Nigeria Police would continue to take the masses for granted. For years the police have been deeply involved in corruption – collecting of #20 from drivers at checkpoints under coercion, giving backup to political thugs, demanding illegal bail money, framing up innocent citizens, false witnessing in courts, etc. and now it is a case of giving protection to members of Boko Haran and aiding their escape from custody.<br />
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Now that the image of the force is badly battered, the best thing to do is for President Goodluck Jonathan to get a man who can be trusted to clean up the entire system. He should at least boycott the normal protocol of appointing an IG by rank since almost all the senior ranking officers are already corrupt. He should get someone who would be willing to die for his fatherland to do the internal cleansing. Until this is done Nigerians may never have faith in the police anymore.Efoghor Joseph Eziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521736877728716172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171039403616052340.post-54196810785689274562012-01-20T08:24:00.000+01:002012-04-09T14:45:21.732+01:00Alhaji Kabir Sokoto's Escape: Is the Police Innocent?Article first published as Alhaji Kabir Sokoto's Escape: Are the Police Innocent? on Technorati.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
The Nigerian state was Monday taken by surprise following the escape of a Boko Haran kingpin Alhaji Kabir Sokoto from police custody few hours after he was arrested at the Bornu Governor’s Lodge, Abuja.<br />
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According to <a href="http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/01/escape-of-suspected-bomber-igp-queried-faces-sack-minister/">The Vanguard Newspaper</a>, Alhaji Kabir Sokoto who was the mastermind of the Christmas day bombing of the St. Theresa Catholic church in Madalla was arrested in his hide-out following a tip-off. After his arrest, he was said to have been handed over to Police Commissioner Zakari Biu for further investigation.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdqJqHVDa3Rz3SNa1-wRMxFypgTHZae_vU5QlieTHHpS0PPM3DcoqDMFMlT_xwtKxsW3oLnx6R_TEUhiNuDQHnMnQJW4OQM3y9Vnbvg0cMoaCUOQhzJX0LcSv2MCJhM2pCKQnYkXyvBc/s1600/Hafiz+Ringim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="262" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdqJqHVDa3Rz3SNa1-wRMxFypgTHZae_vU5QlieTHHpS0PPM3DcoqDMFMlT_xwtKxsW3oLnx6R_TEUhiNuDQHnMnQJW4OQM3y9Vnbvg0cMoaCUOQhzJX0LcSv2MCJhM2pCKQnYkXyvBc/s320/Hafiz+Ringim.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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However, the suspect was said to have escaped after a group suspected to be Boko Haran members laid an ambush for the unsuspecting police team that was conveying the suspect to his operation base at Abaji for further investigation, and effected his release. While the nation was celebrating his arrest as a major milestone in solving the Boko Haran debacle, the news of his escape came as a rude shock, as it further portrayed the police as an incompetent security arm and also lent credence to the rumour making the rounds that the religious sect has infiltrated the Nigerian security outfits.<br />
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President Goodluck Jonathan has queried the Inspector General of Police (IG) Mr. Hafiz Ringim and has also ordered full scale investigation into circumstances that led to the escape of the Boko Haran kingpin. The IG has also been ordered to produce the suspect within 24 hours or face further sanction. The police commissioner, Zakari Biu, has since been placed on house arrest on the orders of the IG.<br />
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Now the questions that need to be answered include:<br />
1. Was Alhaji Kabir Sokoto under Bornu state government protection? If not, why was he found and arrested at the Bornu state governor’s lodge?<br />
2. Is the police truly infiltrated by Boko Haran? How did the members know that Kabir Sokoto was to be transferred to Abaji? And how did they know the exact time of his transfer?<br />
3. Why did the police allow only four policemen to escort such a dangerous man?<br />
4. While was no policeman hurt in the ambush since Boko Haran is known to be heartless in their attacks?<br />
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The way and manner the religious sect had coordinated attacks across the northern states of the country have actually given Nigerians cause to believe that the jobs were done by highly intelligent personnel. Besides, the inability of the security arms of government to prevent the dastardly acts or gather useful intelligence reports, or even arrest the key players have also made Nigerians to believe that both the police and the military may have been actually infiltrated by elements who were giving information to the hoodlums to carry out their criminal acts without being detected. This may have also been the reason investigations were not yielding any tangible fruits.<br />
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The police had remained helpless in the wake of the spate of bombing of churches, police posts, banks, UNO headquarters, etc. If the police has become so incompetent and cannot assure Nigerians of their safety then there is no need paying Hafiz Ringim fat salaries for doing nothing. He was there when even the car park of the Police headquarters Abuja was bombed; and several police posts have been destroyed in the northern part of the country and all he could do is to keep promising us that something would be done and that the culprits would be brought to book. There is no better time to reorganize the Nigerian security apparatuses than now.<br />
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The recent happenings in the country support the claim by Boko Haran that they were out to Islamize the country. The southerners never took them serious; but now their agenda is gradually being unveiled. Book Haran is no longer a sectarian issue but a tacit ploy by the North to Islamize the country. That they declared war on the Christians in the north and asked them to quit their region within 72 hours has invariably pitched the sect against the God of heaven, who would never keep quiet to see his children murdered in cold blood in the name of religious fanaticism.<br />
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The fact that Alhaji Kabir Sokoto was arrested at the Bornu governor’s Lodge also shows that there is more to it than meets the eyes. It is now a case of “Dog eats Dog”. The same government that has been pretending to be helpless and has been watching its citizenry murdered in their scores has also been hiding the mastermind of the massacres taking place under their nose. The truth is that mostly Christians have been victims of the attacks taking place in the north hence the financiers and sponsors of this barbaric sect have remained mute.<br />
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What is actually the offense of the southern Christians? The only offense they have committed is that they are Christians among overzealous, parochial, blood-thirsty people who have always advanced their religious course through blood shed and religious wars. The second offense they have committed is that the incumbent President is from their zone. The north has always believed that political power is their birth right and should never be ceded. Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians and everybody has the right to aspire to any political position without fear of intimidation.<br />
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Will the police ever be able to clean up its own mess? Will they ever earn the trust of Nigerians again? Should the current IG be allowed to stay in office or he should be retired? Should the presidency keep watching helplessly or there should be as a matter of urgency, a reshuffling and reorganization of the security apparatuses in the country?Efoghor Joseph Eziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521736877728716172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171039403616052340.post-63491274492716401682011-12-27T16:30:00.000+01:002012-04-09T14:48:11.796+01:00Is Nigeria a Failed State or A Failing State? (Part 3)While communicable and water-borne diseases remain a menace, there is hardly any urban or rural set up with potable water supply, thereby dashing the hope of eradication of these preventable diseases like diarrhea, enteric fever, dysentery, etc. People still drink from the same rivers and streams with cows and goats in some parts of the country when government could effortlessly provide them with pipe borne water.<br />
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Fake drugs litter the shelves of several pharmacy and patent medicine stores. The importation of fake and substandard drugs by some unscrupulous businessmen has put the lives of several Nigerians on the line. So many people have met their untimely deaths following the ingestion/injection of fake, injurious drugs. Some have even become paralyzed as a result. The high cost of living has made so many people depend on the sub-standard drugs imported from some Asian countries thereby jeopardizing their health.<br />
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Insecurity of lives and property is now the order of the day as Nigerians can hardly go to sleep with both eyes closed. The country’s just recovering from the era of militant assault when the Boko Haram insurgency started. Today, several people have been killed and many others maimed by this terrorist group operating in the name of religion. Churches are being burnt and bombed without provocation by these religious fanatics all in the name of Allah. The police, military, civil defense corps, etc. are obviously helpless in the midst of these spates of bombing and terrorism. The Boko Haram seems to expose the intelligence ineptitude of the security arms of government.<br />
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The judicial arm of government is also not helping matters as they are indirectly helping to frustrate the drive toward eradication of corruption in the country. Of the several cases arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), only an infinitesimal proportion has so far been convicted and punished in a manner satisfactory to the average masses. There has always been the excuse that there are no enough evidences to prosecute and convict the accused persons. The few ones convicted were made to pay fines reminiscent of being given a pat on the back for stealing. They pay meager fines and go back home to feed fat on their booties.<br />
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Sports (especially football) that has provided some consolation for the badly battered Nigerians in the midst of these colossal failures has recently become a source of disappointment and heartbreaks to so many sports lovers. Our football fortunes have nosedived to irredeemable level. For the first time in 27 years the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the Africa Nations’ Cup after they were eliminated by Guinea. The male U-21 team and the Super Falcons were both eliminated from the All Africa Games by the Ghanaian teams. The Super Falcons also got knocked out of the 2012 London Olympics by Cameroon. The last straw that broke the camel’s back came when our U-23 (Dream team 5) got eliminated from the 2012 London Olympics as well. The U-17 could also not qualify for the world cup in Mexico.<br />
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The question now is, is Nigeria a failed state or just a failing state? If it is yet to become a failed state, what should we do to redeem the fortunes of our darling state? Should we all watch helplessly while the country sinks into oblivion or should we do something to salvage the situation?<br />
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Your opinions are welcome. If you love this post, share it to your friends and make sure you subscribe to this blog to get our updates.Efoghor Joseph Eziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521736877728716172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171039403616052340.post-38413472529837363952011-12-26T14:13:00.000+01:002012-04-09T14:48:58.223+01:00Is Nigeria a Failed State or A Failing State? (Part 2)With all the oil wells and the abundant deposit of coal in the country Nigerians are still groping in darkness; power supply is erratic and epileptic. Many people die from fumes from the exhaust pipes of generating plants which are imported into the country in their millions, which has made her the highest importer of generating plants in the world. With over $20b sunk into the power sector, electricity still remains a mirage. While the world is running away from nuclear energy because of the associated dangers to health, it is now that Nigeria is considering building a nuclear energy plant to cater for the electricity needs of the masses. Our natural gas and coal are begging to be tapped.<br />
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The country has the 2nd highest deposit of Bitumen in the world (second only to Canada), yet her roads are death knells, infested with potholes, which has increased the incidence of road traffic accidents with thousands of innocent souls sent to their early graves daily. The annual budgets approved for the ministry of works and housing disappear into private pockets while the poor masses continue to be exposed to untimely death and have no where to rest their heads at the end of the day.<br />
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A country that is so blessed with vast arable lands imports rice, beans, peanuts, etc. to the tune of several billions of Naira instead of developing her agricultural sector to create jobs for her teeming graduates; she even imports sardine from Morocco and Tuna from Ghana despite the oceans and rivers that surround the country. The saddest part of it is that the country imports virtually everything from bicycle spokes to tooth picks, peanut burgers, cotton buds, sewing needles, biro, matches, photocopy papers, second hand cars, refrigerators, etc.<br />
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The abundant solid mineral resources that are evenly distributed across the 36 states of the federation are mined by a selected few and by those with political connection, with some of them already being depleted but officially this sector is yet to be tapped. For how long should the poor masses be deliberately fed with lies by those who govern them?<br />
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Hospitals merely exist by names but can hardly deliver quality health care because they are poorly equipped. Sadly, the country sends minor cases that should be handled here to Egypt, India, South Africa, Ghana, Israel, USA, etc. Today, the nation ranks amongst the countries with the highest maternal and infant morbity and mortality rates in the world. Nigeria recently became the second most HIV-infected country, only second to South Africa. Children die in their droves daily as a result of malaria, diarrhea and malnutrition while our politicians milk the national cow dry. What an irony!<br />
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Our colleges and universities churn out graduates who can hardly express themselves in simple Queen’s English let alone defend their degrees. ASUU hardly maintains a full academic section without the universities embarking on strikes. It now takes an average student an additional 2 to 3 years extra to graduate from the university due to incessant strike actions. Politicians deliberately crippled the educational sector to give their children unprecedented advantage over the children of the poor. Their children school abroad and come back home with bogus certificates and ‘Toronto’ degrees which eventually position them to become managers and directors of the few institutions and government establishments available. No wonder our institutions are failing by the day.Efoghor Joseph Eziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521736877728716172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171039403616052340.post-88883028303424706622011-12-24T08:22:00.000+01:002012-04-09T14:49:57.717+01:00Is Nigeria a Failed State or A Failing State? (Part 1)The unhealthy political atmosphere and decaying infrastructure coupled with the slow technological and industrial growth in the country have left so many people with the question as to whether Nigeria is a failed state. Why should Nigerians be so pessimistic or hopeless about a country so blessed by God? Why should people live in misery and abject poverty in a country that is arguably among the most naturally endowed in the world? Are the average Nigerian citizenry unpatriotic and non-supportive of their country? I think not.<br />
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In a situation where one sees so much natural resources – Crude oil, flowing in the creeks of the Niger Delta, limestone, gemstones, bitumen, gold, bauxite, tin, coal, clay, kaolin, etc. distributed around one and yet there is hunger everywhere, and only politicians are growing fatter and walking around ostentatiously in their flowing regalia, how do you think they should feel, happy?<br />
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The reason for the pervading air of despondency and indifference spans from the fact that the lingering state of backwardness, social insecurity, poverty, hunger, preventable diseases, academic decline, political enmity and treasury looting have given the masses no hope about the future. It is on record that 45% of the masses live below poverty line.<br />
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Nigeria has earned several billions of dollars (over a trillion dollars actually) from crude oil since oil was discovered in the country in1957. But as the 6th highest producer of crude oil in the world, after 54 years of oil exploration the political leaders are yet to publicly account for the revenue derived from this precious ‘black gold’ which is supposed to be a blessing to the country: the country heavily depends on oil revenue which accounts for over 90% of national GDP to finance its budget while other sectors like agriculture, solid minerals, etc. have been grossly neglected, leaving a lot of the youths and graduates unemployed and roaming the streets.<br />
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Each government that comes into power seems to be bereft of concrete ideas as to how to move the nation forward. Log term planning does not exist in their dictionaries. All that comes to their minds is how to increase the pump price of petroleum products since it is the easiest way to make money without sweating. A lot of the oil revenue eventually ends up in the pockets of the few avaricious politicians and their cronies who believe they are doing Nigerians a favour by ruling them. <br />
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The current government is even considering total removal of petroleum subsidy at all cost. But nobody has told us what has always happened to the moneys derived from the increase in pump price by successive government. A few individuals are growing fat on the so called subsidy. They buy petrol at a much cheaper rate (subsidized rate) and divert them to neighbouring countries to make more gains why queues at filling stations continue to linger.<br />
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The country remains the only oil producing state in the world that imports refined petroleum despite the fact that it has 3 standard refineries that are supposed to take care of the local demand. The resurgent queues for fuel at filling stations remain an incurable malady. The billions of dollars purportedly spent on providing subsidy are enough to make our refineries functional and stop importation of refined products. But the will power to do that is just not there.<br />
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Apart from being blessed with crude oil, our natural gas reserve is enough to take care of the financial needs of some countries that do not has these endowments. But today what do we see? Our gases are flared with impunity by multi-national oil companies, with the dwellers in the Niger Delta suffering from one form of respiratory ailment or the other. Rain water is undrinkable because of its acidic nature due to uncontrolled gas flaring. Our creeks have been so polluted by oil spillages that the aquatic life is fast disappearing. Some of the fishes have actually undergone mutation and other aquatic organisms are mercury-laden, making them harmful for human consumption.Efoghor Joseph Eziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521736877728716172noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171039403616052340.post-23672336657999212212011-12-06T10:16:00.000+01:002012-04-09T14:52:38.720+01:00David Cameron and Same-Sex Marriage in Nigeria<h2>David Cameron And Same-Sex Marriage in Nigeria</h2><br />
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It was really surprising to hear the British Prime Minister David Cameron threatening that Britain would withdraw its aids to Nigeria should they go ahead to pass into law a bill forbidding same-sex marriage in the country.<br />
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What is not so clear here is why Britain is being so keen on ensuring that Gay marriage becomes a part of the African, nay, Nigerian tradition. One may also want to know why financial aids to the country should be withheld simply because the country is trying to maintain her cultural and religious values.<br />
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Does it mean that the financial aids provided to African continent are an indirect way of destroying the little that is left of her cultural heritage that has been tactically and systematically destroyed by the west? Or is it that Britain still believes in this 21st century that Africa cannot govern herself and should continue to depend on the west (especially Britain) to keep moving her around like a puppet or robot?<br />
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Do these people really realize the fact that Nigeria is a sovereign nation capable of taking care of herself? What actually is the standard for the world to follow, Britain, America, France, Russia or God? Should we become too tied to a country and her financial assistance as to forget and neglect God’s moral standards? Should we become Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:4-11) because we are hungry?<br />
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Why do the advanced countries want to impose their own values on others (the emerging and underdeveloped countries) with all impunity without recourse to the fear of God? Is the British Prime Minister still living in the era of slave trade where his country came and destroyed our cultural values, carted away our artifacts and antiquities in order to enshrine their forceful and exploitative leadership? <br />
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We are tired of gifts that are provided to us by countries with ulterior motives. We are tired of behaving like Esau who sold his birth right for a plate of pottage. Whatever we know is good for us we shall follow it; we will not follow Britain like zombies. <br />
We know what is best for us and no other country should make us go against God because they want to provide us with aids that have no eternal values. They should keep their aids for their citizens – they need them more than we do.<br />
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Our leaders should not lose sleep as a result of this threat. This might just be God’s time to liberate us from total dependence on the west for everything. If they don’t cut off their supplies we may never see the need to be truly independent and think of ways to develop ourselves further. God has provided us all we need to grow; all we need do is harness them and get the positive result that would put us on the road to technological and industrial development.<br />
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The Nigerian National Assembly has taken the right step in the right direction by outlawing same-sex marriage: they have also made it clear that the law is irrevocable. Anyone caught in the act risks 14 years imprisonment. It is the collective decision of our people. That’s what we believe in. Britain and the rest should also maintain what they believe in and stop pushing everyone around.Efoghor Joseph Eziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521736877728716172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171039403616052340.post-38909316510038050682011-08-22T14:37:00.000+01:002012-04-09T14:53:37.558+01:00Muammar Gaddafi's Regime Comes To An End?Article first published as <a href='http://technorati.com/politics/article/muammar-gaddafis-regime-comes-to-an/'>Muammar Gaddafi's Regime Comes To An End?</a> on Technorati.<br />
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Recent developments in Libya show that the 42-year regime of Col. Muammar Gaddafi may soon come to a tragic end in a matter of weeks or few months from now. This is because the rebels have taken over Tripoli the national capital without much resistance from the troops loyal to the incumbent president.<br />
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<a href=http://www.presstv.ir/195176.html>Iranian Press TV</a> reported that the military unit in charge of protecting Gaddafi has defected to the opposition after the latter took over the entire city, leaving only Gaddafi’s stronghold. The TV station also reported on Monday morning that the whereabouts of the Col. was unknown.<br />
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The rebels have announced that three of Muammar Gaddafi’s sons – Saif Al-Islam, Saadi and Mohammed have been captured. They also said that they now controlled most of Tripoli. The rebels were earlier reported to have been advancing toward Tripoli on multiple fronts.<br />
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The CNN also aired pictures of Libyans rejoicing at the Green Square about the imminent fall of the strongman of Libya. The opposition was also seen celebrating with gunfire in Martyrs’ Square.<br />
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Moussa Ibrahim said that there would be massacre in Tripoli following its capture by the rebels. He noted that 1,300 people were killed on Sunday alone, adding that the death toll would rise tremendously. The Libyan Government’s spokesman is asking NATO to suspend attacks on strategic areas of the city.<a href=”http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/22/us-libya-idUSTRE77A2Y920110822/”>Reuters</a> also reported that the President was ready to ask the rebels for negotiation.<br />
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All attempts to persuade Col Muammar Gaddafi to cede power and leave Libya fell on deaf ears as he remained adamant and even boasted he would rather be a martyr than leave his country. President Jacob Zuma of South Africa even visited him earlier with the intention to persuade him to allow peace to reign in his country but he was shunned.<br />
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When NATO began to launch air strikes in the country, the Colonel boasted he would fight back and launch guerrilla warfare against the West and against America, forgetting that Saddam Hussein boasted the same way but never lived to carry out his threat. Now his military strength has been crippled and lately the quality of audio messages sent to his supporters has reduced following the disruption in his communication network.<br />
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It is now obvious that that the henchman is losing grips of the country and now is considering negotiation as a last resort. But the opposition had made it clear from the outset that they would never negotiate with him except he stepped down from power. Having rejected all options presented to him earlier – the possibility of ceding power and enjoying freedom in Libya, etc, there are now doubts if he would escape prosecution especially after he had sent scores of Libyans to their early graves in his quest to hold on tenaciously to power.<br />
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Now that Gaddafi’s security unit has deserted him and his three sons are in the hands of the rebels, coupled with the fact that most of Tripoli is controlled by the opposition, the days of the strongman may just be numbered. How much longer he stays in power is yet to be seen. He should remember that the warrant of arrest from the International Criminal Court is still hanging over his head.<br />
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He had called on his supporters from time to time to rally and save Tripoli from imminent fall. He even called on them when he seemed to be in charge, asking them to drag the “Rats and Cockroaches from their holes and kill them all”. Today, however, the story has changed as thousands of his supporters now seem to read the hand writing on the wall and understand that they cannot save him from the hands of justice. If he is found wanting, he should brace himself to face justice. Or what do you think?<br />
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<br />Efoghor Joseph Eziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521736877728716172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171039403616052340.post-14540535487410226722011-04-18T18:37:00.000+01:002012-10-18T10:23:27.926+01:00Goodluck Jonathan Finally Emerges as Nigerian PresidentArticle first published as <a href="http://technorati.com/politics/article/goodluck-jonathan-finally-emerges-as-nigerian/">Goodluck Jonathan Finally Emerges as Nigerian President</a> on Technorati.<br />
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Dr. Goodluck Azikiwe Ebele Jonathan has finally polled over 25% in more than 24 states of the federation to emerge as the duly elected president of Nigeria in the April 16th 2011 Presidential elections (under the platform of the Peoples Democratic party) as required by the constitution. He was able to win in 22 states and also got the required 25% in 8 additional states to beat his closest rival Gen. Muhammadu Buhari of the Congress for Progressive Change.<br />
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Dr. Goodluck Jonathangot a total of 2.5M votes while Muhammadu Buhari got 12.2M. Former EFCC chairman Nuhu Ribadu and former Kano state governor Ibrahim Shekarau got 2.79M and 917,012 respectively. The result therefore implies there would be no run-off election since the winner was able to get the required 25% in more than 24 states.<br />
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Nigerians have voted overwhelmingly for the candidate of their choice irrespective of party affiliation. The voting pattern of the people has also shown that Nigerians are no longer interested in political parties but rather they are voting for people based on individual performances. The voting pattern shows that the areas won by some parties during the NASS were reclaimed by the PDP in the presidential polls.<br />
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Now that Nigerians have given their mandate to Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, it’s time for him to settle down and go to work after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the final result. The people are eager to see him perform this time, having been disappointed in time past by the ruling PDP.<br />
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During his campaigns he promised to focus on some important areas like Power, education, economy, etc when elected. He has now been given a golden opportunity to live up to his word. If he must achieve his dreams, he needs to shun party loyalty and appoint the best hands in the country to help in the nation building. There are so many technocrats in the country that are willing to assist him in making Nigeria great.<br />
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He should be willing to appoint the best hands into his government irrespective of the geopolitical zone, religion or political party. The mandate given him was not given only by his party. All Nigerians voted him, so he should be able to reach out to all and get them to help him achieve the best result.<br />
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He must also be aware that the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) which Muhammadu Buhari represents did not do too badly in the presidential polls and that Nigerians may decide to give their votes to CPC in 2015 elections if PDP fails to live up to their expectation now.<br />
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There should also not be segregation of those states or areas where he lost out. Everybody should be carried along in the spirit of good sportsmanship. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should demonstrate they are mature enough to rule this country. They must embrace both their friends and their imaginary enemies and forge ahead in the interest of the country.<br />
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Everyone is optimistic a new Nigeria is possible. The people conducted themselves peacefully during the elections to show to the world they want a successful transition. They must not be disappointed by the ruling party or by the President.<br />
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Nigeria has by this conduct of a credible election demonstrated they could still be trusted by other African countries to lead the way and usher in a new Africa where leaders must merit the mandate of the people and not get into offices through stolen votes. Thanks to Professor Attahiru Jega who made this possible by living up to his reputation and has shown that massive rigging could be avoided in Nigerian elections.<br />
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We must also not fail to give credit to politicians who decided to drop their win-at-all-cost attitude to ensure a hitch-free election. Nigeria is really coming of age and in no distant time we will get to where we hope to be.Efoghor Joseph Eziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521736877728716172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171039403616052340.post-66705058463273424552011-04-09T21:20:00.000+01:002012-04-09T14:57:17.430+01:00Bomb Kills 25 at INEC Office In Suleija - Where Do We Go From Here?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmuQy_-y-BMo9C8SdYdFy5KKYmRF8JGbCx4WbZ7MNcdUYriK3YSmx3X_ly7b0FFLFwDMFmI6UQGNMkY-2iU1sCvMj63ozfNMGoz_Rw_heGbbvoNR7_JrfbMygAesj5qo2kl1PmbmS93tE/s1600/Prof.+Attahiru+Jega.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="64" width="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmuQy_-y-BMo9C8SdYdFy5KKYmRF8JGbCx4WbZ7MNcdUYriK3YSmx3X_ly7b0FFLFwDMFmI6UQGNMkY-2iU1sCvMj63ozfNMGoz_Rw_heGbbvoNR7_JrfbMygAesj5qo2kl1PmbmS93tE/s320/Prof.+Attahiru+Jega.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Article first published as <a href='http://technorati.com/politics/article/bomb-kills-25-at-inec-office/'>Bomb Kills 25 at INEC Office in Suleija – Where Do We Go from Here?</a> on Technorati.<br />
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The office of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC in Suleija Niger state was said to have been rocked by a bomb Friday evening, with just few hours to the National Assemblies’ elections.<br />
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According to Saturday Tribune, no fewer than 25 persons were killed with about 30 injured in the blast. 17 members of the National Youth Service Corps were said to have been killed in the incidence.<br />
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President Goodluck Jonathan has already condemned this heinous act and has also called on the country’s security apparatus to beef up security to enable people come out massively to exercise their franchise.<br />
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It is not understandable why any sane person should focus his/her anger towards poor youth corpers who are serving their fatherland and terminate their lives, making their parents not to enjoy the fruit of their labours.<br />
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There are always civilized ways of expressing one’s grievances; but the use of anger or terrorism is not one of them. Killing innocent souls who have got much to contribute to the future growth of the nation does not in any way make sense.<br />
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Nigeria’s democratic process is still emerging and requires everyone’s understanding and co-operation to make it get to the desired destination. Everyone should contribute his/her quota positively to make the nation an enviable one <br />
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Politicians must desist from the act of trying to secure a public position at all cost. Everybody must learn to be a good loser; you cannot kill people in order to get into an office. Anyone who kills in order to succeed should remember that death would be waiting at the door of his success.<br />
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Though it is not wise to make any definite statement while investigations are ongoing; it is wise to say that anyone linked to this barbaric act should learn to adopt the modern approach to conflict resolution and stop taking this country ages backward.<br />
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Every Nigerian has the right to move about freely without fear of victimization or intimidation. It has come to the point in our national history when we must understand that Nigeria is our collective responsibility which must be protected and respected.<br />
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People must learn to put the nation first before individuals’ personal selfish interests. It is only when we have come to realize we have no other country than Nigeria that everyone would treat his neighbour with love and seek to protect his/her interest before self.<br />
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Nevertheless, those in power should understand the need to have in place a workable mechanism for resolving conflicts within the country and never to treat important issues with levity. Security apparatuses in the country must wake up to their responsibility and provide adequate protection for the citizenry who cannot afford to hire private security to take care of them.<br />
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The average Nigerian must be security conscious and report any suspicious movement around their neghbourhood to ensure their lives and properties are not unduly exposed to danger. When security threats are reported, there should be prompt response by the security agencies to avert these kinds of national embarrassments.Efoghor Joseph Eziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521736877728716172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171039403616052340.post-72723950465147122142011-04-06T16:30:00.000+01:002012-04-09T14:57:57.270+01:00Laurent Gbagbo Surrenders – Victory for African Masses<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDeC6mO-B5XPicooeZvWcY5eVLeZC_Yi7FA6TYu3qYGvjqWzlx8W9CbE-XXAGBpjBACJY446foItSJvLdnFTVamggQk5Da80yFPx9lxJlg8G0OstpgHA7Qg7bkP_CJbYEajtAveW5yO0/s1600/Laurent+Gbagbo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="205" width="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDeC6mO-B5XPicooeZvWcY5eVLeZC_Yi7FA6TYu3qYGvjqWzlx8W9CbE-XXAGBpjBACJY446foItSJvLdnFTVamggQk5Da80yFPx9lxJlg8G0OstpgHA7Qg7bkP_CJbYEajtAveW5yO0/s320/Laurent+Gbagbo.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Article first published as <a href='http://technorati.com/politics/article/laurent-gbagbo-surrenders-victory-for-african/'>Laurent Gbagbo Surrenders – Victory for African Masses</a> on Technorati.<br />
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The embattled Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo has finally surrendered power to the acclaimed winner of last year’s presidential elections Mr Alasane Ouattara.<br />
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According to Radio New Zealand, the erstwhile president is already trying to negotiate with the UN to guarantee his protection.<br />
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Forces loyal to Alasane Ouattara have already taken over the key positions in the national capital Abidjan, including the president’s residence. The incumbent is now negotiating for a deal because his defense has now been overwhelmed.<br />
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The UN, AU and ECOWAS have all been calling on Gbagbo to cede power since it was clear he lost the election but all pleas fell on deaf ears. He is now considering that option when a lot of innocent souls have been sent to their early graves.<br />
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This still brings to question the kind of leadership Africans have had to grapple with for centuries. No one wants to accept defeat and no one wants to peacefully vacate his position. Some even see the seat of governance as their birthright and so would do anything humanly possible to cling to the reins of power.<br />
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Surprisingly, all through this period of political upheaval in Cote D’ivoire, ECOWAS and The African Union watched helplessly and failed to do anything tangible to curb the rate of violence and bloodshed that erupted after the elections. They kept buying to negotiate Gbagbo’s exit.<br />
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Even when at a time it seemed that Laurent Gbagbo’s loyalists would override the opposition, the ECOMOG troop stationed in the country waited endlessly to receive order from the powers that be in order to use military force to flush out the incumbent who refused to be a good loser. <br />
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It however took the intervention of the French troops to box Gbagbo into surrender. When would these regional powers learn to handle situations or intervene at the nick of time to avert the killing of unarmed innocent civilians? <br />
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The triumph of Outtara’s men over Lauraent Gbagbo and his loyalists is victory for the masses in Africa and indeed victory for democracy. It should send a warning signal to other leaders that there would always be people who are ready to defend democracy with the last drop of their blood.<br />
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Gbagbo has now understood that those who live in a glass house should not be the first to cast a stone. He started by carrying arms: he should understand that “he who lives by the sword dies by the sword”. Now that he has wasted so many innocent lives, he should not be thinking of how to preserve his. Those lives he wasted were as important as his.Efoghor Joseph Eziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521736877728716172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171039403616052340.post-44230095460918571182011-03-27T06:36:00.000+01:002012-04-09T14:59:22.327+01:00The Islamic Revolution – How to Ensure Peace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQye3i_gk4f3NsshG1pjO7gBGmPNopQyK6Dvu88qG2zG1HsANDEopFUczrf8l5ALzYrn_HPeU1sKxGwoljC0bWb3XCjLrz5UqVGZ3Q5FDFcPXg7IG3lpVqZSZa8-MJ7gUNto7649XgfM/s1600/Gaddafi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="94" width="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQye3i_gk4f3NsshG1pjO7gBGmPNopQyK6Dvu88qG2zG1HsANDEopFUczrf8l5ALzYrn_HPeU1sKxGwoljC0bWb3XCjLrz5UqVGZ3Q5FDFcPXg7IG3lpVqZSZa8-MJ7gUNto7649XgfM/s320/Gaddafi.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<a href='http://technorati.com/politics/article/the-islamic-revolution-how-to-ensure/'>The Islamic Revolution - How to Ensure Peace</a> on Technorati.<br />
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The revolution that started in Tunisia and has been spreading to other Islamic states is threatening the peace of Islam as well as that of neighbouring states. Something urgent and constructive has to be done to bring about immediate peace in North Africa and the Middle East. <br />
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What started as a Tunisian uprising has now spread like wildfire to Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Yemen, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, etc. The fact that all countries involved are Islamic countries shows that there is a problem with the kind of leadership provided by these Islamic Heads of State.<br />
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Recently Saudi Arabia sent hundreds of armoured vehicles and personnel to help suppress the protesters in Bahrain, a move which has since attracted international condemnation. As the center of Islamic worship it was expected that they should think of a way of solving the problem rather than oppressing the people with the power of the guns.<br />
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However, there are several ways to handle the current revolution and prevent future occurrences. Some of the options that could be exploited include:<br />
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Dialogue: This remains the best option to stop the current crises. The people must sit together and discuss the causes of the problem and how to solve them. The use of force should be avoided.<br />
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Avoid taking sides: Saudi Arabia must as a matter of urgency withdraw their soldiers from Bahrain and seek peaceful resolution of the crises.<br />
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Change of leadership styles: All the countries involved must change their leadership style to carry the people along in the scheme of things and make them have a sense of belonging.<br />
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Constitutional reformation: The constitutions of the countries involved must be amended to make leaders accountable to the electorate. Besides, the tenure of each elected or appointed leader must be spelt out and respected.<br />
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Avoid deceit: The leaders must also avoid the temptation to deceive the led. The people have the right to know how their incomes are generated, saved or spent.<br />
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Regional responsibility: There should be regional co-operation between the various presidents of the states that make up the regions. The leaders should ensure no elected president or head of State stays beyond his/her tenure. They should also have a mechanism for forcing out a leader who deliberately decides to plunge the regions into crisis.<br />
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Religious influence:. Since these states are purely controlled by the application of Islamic laws, the Arab league must be able to influence the leaders to live according to the expectation of Allah and work within the confines of the Qur’an.<br />
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World Influence: The United Nations must not exist in principle alone; it must be able to step into major crises to avert blood shed and genocide. Sanctions imposed on erring nations must be able to achieve the purpose for imposing them.<br />
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Implementing these options would help bring some relative peace to the Arab/Islamic nations and also ensure regional calm.Efoghor Joseph Eziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521736877728716172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171039403616052340.post-16391455294847923322011-03-23T03:05:00.000+01:002012-04-09T15:00:56.368+01:00Muammar gaddafi Counts Losses - His Son Dies in Air Strikes<a href='http://technorati.com/politics/article/muammar-gaddafi-counts-losses-his-son/'>Muammar Gaddafi Counts Losses - His Son Dies in Air Strikes</a> on Technorati.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6yNM4e8I6-oRZ4nTqTYd8Y7h_9S-EwDjrc72XLFDZpQ87t0xtHPmoVlpXrWknTu01AdAGbqo7dc3TUUk4efC5vJ3goQXMo5xO2P_4aEXGUp0MpfqsulICAxoClSWhk__faL0tQ0PWbqA/s1600/Khamis+Gaddafi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6yNM4e8I6-oRZ4nTqTYd8Y7h_9S-EwDjrc72XLFDZpQ87t0xtHPmoVlpXrWknTu01AdAGbqo7dc3TUUk4efC5vJ3goQXMo5xO2P_4aEXGUp0MpfqsulICAxoClSWhk__faL0tQ0PWbqA/s320/Khamis+Gaddafi.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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The Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has started to count his losses following the intervention of the United Nation’s Allied Forces to save Libyans from his hands. Epakistannews reported Sunday evening that Khamis Gaddafi who was in charge of the notorious Khamis Brigade was killed in an air strike.<br />
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The Website also reported that the administrative building in Gaddafi’s Tripoli house was hit by a bomb same day. The supporters of the embattled leader have lost several armoured vehicles and machine guns to the superior air strikes of the French and American soldiers who are doing everything possible to make the stubborn leader abide by the United Nation’s resolution.<br />
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Gaddafi’s army was advancing towards Benghazi after collecting some of the cities controlled by the rebels before the Allied forces began to implement the No-fly-zone in the country.<br />
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The Libyan leader may be forced out of power in no distant time since his military machine is already being crippled by the allied forces. The recent bombardment of the country by the United Nation’s forces is already being condemned by countries like Russia, Iran and even the Arab League.<br />
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The world had watched quietly to see what the Arab League would do to alleviate the plight of the Libyan people or at least to get Muammar Gaddafi to stop his mad massacre of the innocent civilians. But they remained helpless and only kept condemning the plan by the western world to intervene in the crisis before it would assume the dimension of genocide.<br />
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The Arab League and some countries seemed to be more concerned about the Libyan oil than the citizens of the country as they kept insinuating that the reason the Western world was intervening was to steal the Libyan oil. In as much as no one would want a repeat of the protracted wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to be repeated in Libya, the world expected these so called countries and the Arab League to at least prevail on Gaddafi to stop the blood shed.<br />
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It is important that the United Nations should do something positive to show to the world that tyranny and corrupt leadership is no longer fashionable. The intervention of the forces should send a warning signal to other sit-tight leaders that the world is watching. This is also a way of giving hope to the citizens of those countries where their leaders have been ruling with iron fists.<br />
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The wisest thing for Muammar Gaddafi to do right now is to humbly vacate his position and save his country from utter destruction, though it is late for him to step down now because he would have to face the International Criminal Court. Nevertheless, he should be manly enough to preserve the lives of the people he has ruled for 42 years and toss selfishness to the dust bin for the sake of posterity.Efoghor Joseph Eziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521736877728716172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171039403616052340.post-58911547037216326222011-03-13T21:51:00.000+01:002012-04-09T15:01:52.104+01:00Muammar Gaddafi – The Face of A TyrantThe true nature of Muammar Gaddafi the Libyan Head of State has been unveiled following the unrest in his country and the demand by the people that he should vacate his position as the leader. Gaddafi who has been in power since 1969 suddenly lost his cool and decided to destroy his country, the wealth and the people of Libya instead of ceding power to anyone else.<br />
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He has told the world that he has the moral obligation to rule Libya. Is this moral obligation self-imposed or does he have any divine instructions from Allah to do so? That Gaddafi is power-drunk is no longer news; but what marvels everyone is the level to which he has taken his desperate resolve to remain in power.<br />
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The old tyrant is determined to hold tenaciously to the reins of power and is prepared to sacrifice the lives of his innocent people – Men, women and children; he is ready to destroy the oil wealth of his country by bombing the refineries and oil wells instead of leaving them behind for someone else to use them to develop the country.<br />
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One of the reasons he clamoured for the formation of African Union was to enable him become stronger if allowed to be the president of the regional body for a long time. He had been living in deceit, pretending to mean well for his country and for Africa as a whole.<br />
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Now that his people say they don’t need him anymore, the beast in him is let loose. The man who claims to love Libya so much has suddenly gathered the Armoured tanks, Jet fighters, AK47s, Bombs, etc against the people he has ruled for 42 years. What an irony! The same people he professed to love are the ones he now refers to as “Rats and Cockroaches”. <br />
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Has the tyrannical, egoistic, sadistic leader been in power for this long because he had governed so well? The answer is simply an emphatic “NO”. He only saw power as a way of building his personal empire or dynasty. This he has so far done by making his children powerful ministers under his regime: and also by crippling his country’s military thereby making the deadly paramilitary brigades under his sons to hold sway and operate unchecked.<br />
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He has so far been able to corner a huge chunk of his country’s oil revenue into his family coffers, making him and his children billionaires. The country’s wealth is controlled by the Gaddafi’s family; a large proportion of the oil money is stashed in foreign bank accounts while some are also in Arab countries, out of the reach of his own people.<br />
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Power belongs to God; it is He who chooses a leader and who also dethrones a leader. The masses have the power as well to choose who to lead them. They have spoken: Gaddafi should stop pretending that he’s not aware the people are calling for his resignation. He must stop living in self-denial. He should not blame al-Qaeda, Egypt, Afghanistan and Palestine for his trouble when in deed his own people have decided to carry out a revolution against his oppressive regime.<br />
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The Arab League and The African Union are saying that America and the West should not intervene because they want to preserve Libyan oil. But the question we should be asking is ‘What is the Arab League doing to protect the Libyan unarmed masses? What is the African Union doing to preserve the right of the people and keep them from being destroyed by the blood tasty tyrant? Something has to be done.<br />
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The world had hitherto regarded Africa as the domain of bad, autocratic, tyrannical, totalitarian leaders, but what is happening now in the Arab world – Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Bahrain, Yemen, Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, etc may force the world to have a rethink as to where the actual bad leaders are.<br />
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Muslims have always painted themselves as the righteous and moralistic people who are providing the example of decent, moral way of behaviour to the world, condemning other religions as being unbelievers and infidels. Why is there turmour everywhere in the Islamic world today? What has made so many of their leaders to rule their people deceptively for so long a time? Why is everyone calling for political and constitutional reforms?<br />
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The fact is that most of the Islamic leaders are not telling their followers the truth. They are deceiving them and creating enmity between them and other religions, making them to see their leaders as next to Allah; when in the real sense, it is these leaders that are destroying their countries, hauling oppositions into jail, applying Sharia laws to intimidate the poor masses and box them into submitting to the tyrants, and framing up those who they see as threat to their political ambition.<br />
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It is time everyone realized who to believe and differentiate between truths and lies. Lies cannot continue for ever: one day truth would be revealed. This is the time everyone must know the truth. “And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” John 8:32.Efoghor Joseph Eziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521736877728716172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171039403616052340.post-10627802866756745172011-02-15T12:59:00.000+01:002012-04-09T15:01:20.723+01:00Now That Mubarak is Gone What Happens to Egypt?Hosni Mubarak had told the world that one of the reasons he didn’t want to vacate office was because Egypt would be in chaos; he had said that the country would be in confusion without him. Now he is gone; what happens to the country without him?<br />
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I think Hosni Mubarak had suffered the same delusion that several African leaders have suffered from and still keep suffering from. He believed so much in himself and his family than he believed in over 60 million Egyptians.<br />
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What informed his feeling that the country would grind to a halt without him? If he died would the country cease to exist or would the country also die with him? There are several other people in Egypt that would pilot the affairs of the country successfully – the people only need to put the right persons there and the nation would move ahead without the tyrant.<br />
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He ruled his country for 30 years; made himself, his wife and children billionaires while the average Egyptians were impoverished. He had assets and money stashed away in several foreign nations. Is that the hallmark of a man who loved his country so much?<br />
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He succeeded in deceiving the people for as long as they allowed him to: the moment the people got tired of his deceits they asked for his resignation. He should have hearkened to them in the first few days instead of resorting to the use of force and rolling out armoured tanks against the same people he claimed to love so much.<br />
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If he had hearkened to the yearnings of the masses and honourably stepped down within the first few days of their protests he would have gone with his integrity intact. However, he tried to cajole them to give up their agitation by sending over 300 of them to their early graves.<br />
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The people made up their minds and as such would not be deterred by the military presence; they were no longer afraid to die because they had lived in fears for 30 years. It was time to break free from fears and timidity. It was time to hold their destiny in their hands. They all came out to demand their rights to freedom: they got what they wanted after 18 days of perseverance.<br />
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Now that Mubarak has vacated office, the military should hasten up the process to giving the people democracy that they are clamouring for. They must not think of perpetuating themselves in office: military administration is no longer in vogue. Africans don’t need military anymore, and other parts of the world do not also need them.<br />
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Countries whose leaders have been in power for ages should take a cue from Tunisia and Egypt and know that the days of those leaders are numbered. Some African countries like Libya, Zimbabwe, Sudan, Algeria, etc. should realize that the citizenry are beginning to know their rights and are ready to demand for it at any time.<br />
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People should be allowed to decide who governs them; and when they are tired with their leaders, such leaders must be ready to take a bow out of office in the interest of peace and as way of showing the world that they are men of probity.<br />
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What do you really think? Is Egypt going to break up or be in chaos without Hosni Mubarak? Or would the country be better without him?Efoghor Joseph Eziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521736877728716172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171039403616052340.post-91376452026770591372011-01-30T16:42:00.001+01:002012-04-09T15:04:03.285+01:00The Tunisian Revolution - What Lessons For African Leaders?The Tunisian problem started as mere protest and then graduated to an uprising and eventually to a revolution which led to the eventual step down of the former Head of state Ben Ali. Now that Ben Ali has finally vacated power and gone into self-imposed exile, what lessons are other African leaders learning from the North African state?<br />
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It is now clear that tyranny cannot stand for ever; and that a time would come when the ruled would not fear death anymore. The people may live in fear for several years and be intimidated by state powers and machine guns or artillery fires. But one day everyone would cast off the fear of death and confront the power of oligarchy and totalitarianism for personal freedom.<br />
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Freedom has never come too cheaply for any people. Those who are hungry for liberty and self determination would rise up to challenge the power of oppression and take what rightfully belongs to them – power.<br />
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The Tunisian revolution has once again proved the fact that power belongs to the people. Despotism would only reign as long as the people remain silent. No man can ever be greater than his country: it is the masses that make a leader what he is.<br />
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A lot of African countries have lived under absolute, tyrannical, despotic and repressive leadership. The leaders who believe that power is permanent refuse to recognize the fact that power is actually transient and that one day it would change hands.<br />
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Ben Ali ruled Tunisia with iron fists for 23 years, without being accountable to anyone. Corruption thrived under his regime; oppositions were emasculated and victimized. The people groaned under the yoke of his intimidating powers. But all that is now history because the same man who believed he could rule forever is now in exile in Saudi Arabia.<br />
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Egyptians are now taking to the streets demanding for the resignation of their president who has been in power for decades. Their eyes have been opened by the fearlessness of the Tunisian people who had lived under the same kind of leadership until few days back. <br />
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The reason there has been civil wars, guerilla wars, militancy and pockets of internal insurrection in several African countries has been largely due to the kind of oppressive leadership the people had had in centuries. However, things seem to be taking a dramatic change for the better. True democracy, freedom of speech, accountability and credible elections seem to be visible in the horizon.<br />
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Hosni Mubarak should as a matter of urgency quit his post as the Head of state and allow the people determine who should govern them. He should not impose his cronies on the people. He should know that no amount of intimidation, killing and victimization would stop the people from getting what they want.<br />
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Other Heads of state like Muammar Gaddafi, Robert Mugabe, Omar Al-Bashir, etc should also take note of the new awakening in Africa. They should understand the yearnings of the people and quietly vacate office before they’re humiliated out. Africa needs leaders who can help manage her resources and develop the continent so they could try and catch up with other continents that have gone ahead of them in terms of infrastructural and human resources development.Efoghor Joseph Eziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521736877728716172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171039403616052340.post-67764671244914649082011-01-14T11:37:00.003+01:002012-04-09T15:04:26.839+01:00Dr. GoodLuck Jonathan Picks PDP Presidential TicketPresident Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan Friday morning emerged the flag bearer for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2011 presidential election in a landslide victory over former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Sarah Jubril at the party’s primaries conducted at the Eagle’s Square Abuja.<br />
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He polled 2,736 out of the 3,507 votes (with 61 voided), while Atiku Abubakar came a distant second with 805 votes. The third candidate and the only female contestant Sarah Jubril had only a vote.<br />
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Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s landslide victory has finally proved that the issue of zoning that has threatened to tear Africa’s largest political party apart is after all not fully supported by the people. Atiku was only able to get an overwhelming victory in 5 out of 36 states. All the people/states that openly supported the zoning arrangement may have after all decided to practice true democracy which is a reflection of the voice of the people.<br />
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Unfortunately, the former VP lost to Jonathan in his own state – Adamawa state. Nigerians have once again shunned the politics of ethnic divide, tribal bigotry, geopolitical differences and religious sentiments to pick the candidate they felt is best suited to be president come May 29, 2011.<br />
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Only during the June 12, 1993 election that saw the emergence of late Chief M.K.O. Abiola as the acclaimed winner of the election under the umbrella of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) did Nigerians overwhelmingly vote for a candidate irrespective of his geopolitical zone, religion or ethnic background.<br />
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Come to think of it, if the issue of zoning had taken its course then the best candidate for the party would not have had the chance of emerging as the flag bearer. What this means therefore, is that zoning was never the mind of the majority of the people: it was smuggled into the party’s constitution by a selected few who did so for selfish reasons.<br />
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The people have spoken their minds by the way they defiled the zoning arrangement to vote massively for the best candidate who clearly was not supposed to be qualified if that kangaroo arrangement had been respected. The policies and constitutions of political parties and every organization should be formulated to reflect the true yearnings of the people and not that of a few privileged.<br />
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Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has presented Namadi Sambo as his running mate for the April 2011 elections; and if what we saw during the PDP convention is anything to go by, then the pair is sure of massive votes from Nigerians irrespective of their political parties, ethnic groups, cultural backgrounds or religion. A lot of people believe in the Goodluck-Sambo pair to deliver the dividends of democracy to them. They have already started to carry out major reforms in the economy, power sector, education, transportation, etc to the delight of the citizenry.<br />
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We hope that come May 29, 2011, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan would be sworn in as the duly elected president of Nigeria, so he could complete the nice works he has started. We say congratulations Goodluck, for emerging as the presidential flag bearer of the People’s Democratic Party.Efoghor Joseph Eziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521736877728716172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171039403616052340.post-38522609575350136772010-12-17T08:45:00.001+01:002012-04-09T15:05:38.546+01:00James Ibori As A case StudyThe British police have finally secured a victory in their quest to extradite the former governor of Delta state, Chief James Onanefe Ibori to Britain to answer to charges bordering on corruption. The police were given the nod by the Dubai appeal court which ruled in their favour that the former governor has a case to answer in Britain and could be extradited. <br />
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This development has brought an end to the drama that has been unfolding since the former Delta state number one citizen was first charged to court in Nigeria on grounds of corruption. The case was manipulated to the consternation of the average Nigerian citizen who watched as the case was politically influenced and eventually the governor was let off the hook since there were no conclusive evidences to nail him.<br />
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The new case of corruption against him came up after he finished his tenure as the governor of the state. He was declared wanted by the EFCC and the police to come and answer to charges of corruption levelled against him. He escaped through the back door as he was said to have used to services of some militants to prevent the EFCC from arresting him. He eventually escaped to Dubai where he has been taking solace.<br />
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He was said to have stolen several Billions of naira as the first citizen of Delta state; he was also alleged to have converted several millions of shares the state owned in Oceanic bank to his personal use. His wife Nkoyo Ibori was also alleged to have acted as a medium for him to use the stolen money to buy houses outside the shores of Nigeria. She has already been sentenced to a 5-year jail term by the British court.<br />
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When Ibori’s case first came up in Nigeria, Nigerians expected him to be easily nailed by the anti-graft agency; but as the days went by it became clear that he had used his political influence to his advantage. First a man surfaced from nowhere to declare that he was James Onanefe Ibori and that he was the person who committed the crime for which Ibori was being tried. The coincidence of names was too much for any right thinking person to accept – same first, middle and last name.<br />
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Secondly, his files could not be properly traced; his name was either entered into the log book of the court but missing from the judgment book or present in the log book but missing from the judgment book in the various courts he was formerly tried.<br />
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Besides, all the people who handled his case were said to have died and so there was no way to put the records straight. He thought he had played a smart one Nigerian who believed that one day justice would come from God.<br />
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The world is watching again to see if his files would be mysteriously missing this time around or if the principal witnesses would be all dead by the time his trial in the British court comes up after he might have been extradited. Bob Marley once said that “You can fool some people some of the times, but you can’t fool all the people all the time”.<br />
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Ibori’s case should serve as a warning to those in power who are feeding fat on public funds that they will give an account to the people one day. This should also make politicians realize that they can’t enjoy parliamentary immunity for ever.<br />
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Kudos to the British government for taking the bulls by the horns to help curb the excesses of Nigerian politicians who feel they could loot public treasuries without being questioned. Since the Nigerian government has refused to make elected leaders answerable to the electorates, the foreign countries are beginning to teach them how to do so.<br />
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Nigeria is blessed with crude oil and several solid mineral resources; but after over 50 years of oil exploration the country still ranks among the poorest in the world in terms of infrastructural development. The leaders have plundered the wealth of the country, leaving the majority of the people struggling to take care of their three square meals daily.Efoghor Joseph Eziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521736877728716172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171039403616052340.post-76941358760876522262010-12-16T09:07:00.001+01:002012-04-09T15:06:57.387+01:00Adieu Pa Anthony EnahoroNigeria has lost one of her foremost nationalists, Pa Anthony Enahoro (C.F.R, D.Sc Hon), who passed on at the ripe age of 87. He believed so much in Nigeria and was ready to keep the country from oppressive and repressive leadership.<br />
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Chief Anthony Enahoro would ever be remembered for his great achievements for his father land. He was the one who moved the Crisis Motion in Federal Parliament for Nigeria’s Self-government in 1953 at the age of 30.<br />
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The “Adolor of Uromi” was born on 22nd July, 1923 at Uromi, in present Edo state of Nigeria. He had his primary and secondary education in Nigeria before furthering his course abroad – Great Britain, Ireland, U.S.A, etc. where he had various degrees and certificates in different spheres.<br />
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He became the youngest Nigerian Newspaper editor ever at the age of 21 as the editor of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe’s newspaper, ‘The Southern Defender’ in 1944. Apart from being a publisher, he was also a Politician, Activist and Company director.<br />
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He was fearless as an activist; he challenged authoritarian government and was jailed trice for daring to speak against the government of the day. As the editor of the Daily Comet newspaper, he was jailed for nine months in 1946 for sedition; for daring to speak against the British Colonial government.<br />
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Few months after he regained his freedom, he was again jailed for 8 months in 1947 for condemning Police violence. He got another jail term in 1949 for chairing a lecture for the Zikist Movement. In the face of intimidation and victimization he never looked back: he refused to be cowed by the powers that be. He remained a dogged, determined and irrepressible voice.<br />
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He was once again jailed alongside others in 1964 after the subversion of the Western Regional Government. He remained fearless; he continued to defend the defenseless and timid masses. He continued to demand for the restoration of the inalienable rights of the citizenry of the country. <br />
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Anthony Enahoro held several Local, State and Federal positions before his death. He was former Information and Home affairs Minister of the Western Regional government led by the Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo; a founding member of the University of Ife (Now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife); Former Minister of Information, and Leader Nigerian Delegation to the United nations General Assembly.<br />
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Several honours were bestowed on him as well – D.Sc (Honoris Causa), Political Science, University of Benin, 1973; Grand Officer of the Order of Merit, Central African Republic 1973; Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (C.F.R) 1982; Grand Star of the Nation, Senegal; First Class Officer of the Order of the Two Niles, Sudan, and several others too numerous to mention.<br />
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The Elder statesman once again rose to the challenges of the tyrannical government of the Late General Sani Abacha, who emasculated several human right activists and proscribed several newspapers in an attempt to hold on tenaciously to the reins of power. He organized the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) that continually challenged the excesses of the military junta.<br />
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However, when the spate of sporadic assassination of opposition became too much, the Esan Chief was forced into self-exile in 1996. He returned back to Nigeria after the death of General Sani Abacha.<br />
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With the demise of Enahoro, Nigeria is now left with only a few pockets of human right activist that can truly stand their ground in the face of intimidation. The other activists like Chief Gani Fawehimi, Beko Ransome Kuti, Ken Saro-Wiwa, etc have all gone the way of all mortals.<br />
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Chief Anthony Enahoro was truly a voice for the helpless masses; a defender of the rights of the down-trodden and a patriot to the core. Adieu Pa Anthony Enahoro.Efoghor Joseph Eziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521736877728716172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171039403616052340.post-73910051307153013332010-12-07T18:40:00.000+01:002012-04-09T15:07:19.959+01:00Julian Assange - What Lessons Does His Arrest Teach?Wikileaks founder, Julian Paul Assange was finally nabbed by the metropolitan police in London today after being declared wanted by the Interpol several days ago for alleged sex offence committed in Sweden.<br />
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He has been wanted by the police in connection with the said sex offence as well as for reasons of publishing highly sensitive documents best regarded as security risk. His website has been publishing documents related to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. He has also published documentaries on extra-judicial killings in Kenya amongst other issues.<br />
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If tried by the law court and found guilty what happens next? Is he going to be jailed, pardoned or what actually happens? Maybe the opinion of the world would be sought or the law of Sweden would be applied.<br />
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The 39 year old Assange is an Australian national, journalist, internet activist, publisher, Mathematician and computer programmer. He is Amnesty International Media Award winner 2009 and Sam Adams award winner 2010. Now the question is if Julian Assange holds all these credentials why would he stoop low to commit a sex offence?<br />
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Was the offence real or cooked up? Who is actually guilty or would eventually be guilty, America, Sweden or Julian? He is a man shrouded in controversy at the moment; and God would tell us the truth.<br />
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If it is true that he was involved in sex crime, the law should be allowed to take its course. Women’s rights must be protected to reduce their vulnerability. Julian Assange is alleged to have had sex with his partner with a punctured condom which he failed to disclose to her.<br />
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What if she has been infected with a deadly STD (that is if he has one anyway)? What if it turns out to be the incurable HIV, how much would be used to compensate her? Men owe themselves the duty to be faithful/honest to women at least for their reputation.<br />
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The world is watching as the drama unfolds. Those who preach against injustice, human rights violation and oppression should never indulge in it otherwise their preaching would become hypocritical.<br />
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Assange has not been tried; but since his case has become so controversial, it would be wise to try him under public glare so that no other controversy would arise from it. The world should be convinced he is guilty of the said offence otherwise the world powers would be portrayed in bad light.<br />
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What do you think about Assange's case? Air your opinion.Efoghor Joseph Eziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521736877728716172noreply@blogger.com0