Hon. Abike Dabiri- Erewa a member of the House of Representatives
has lent her voice to the present situation of the country. It’s a long read
tho, but I think you should take your time to read it. Every time spent reading
it is worth it.
has lent her voice to the present situation of the country. It’s a long read
tho, but I think you should take your time to read it. Every time spent reading
it is worth it.
”Thursday, November 20th, 2014 marked a new high in the
disdain for law and order in our society. The events on this day at the
National Assembly were extremely sad.
disdain for law and order in our society. The events on this day at the
National Assembly were extremely sad.
A situation where the police designed to protect the
security of citizens and uphold the law is employed to implement the selfish
interests of a few by inflicting havoc and pain on extremely baseless
accusations of clearly false intelligence is highly depressing. Continue below…
security of citizens and uphold the law is employed to implement the selfish
interests of a few by inflicting havoc and pain on extremely baseless
accusations of clearly false intelligence is highly depressing. Continue below…
Lawmakers were
forcibly prevented from performing the duties for which they were elected
including use of force to ensure refusal of entry into the chambers even going
as far as releasing tear gas on The Representatives?!!!
forcibly prevented from performing the duties for which they were elected
including use of force to ensure refusal of entry into the chambers even going
as far as releasing tear gas on The Representatives?!!!
This is a total disgrace to our democracy and act that must
be checked immediately if this democracy is to be preserved.
be checked immediately if this democracy is to be preserved.
The entire incident brought back memories of the dark days
of military rule and really raises questions about the hope of our country
under this present dispensation. If lawmakers elected to uphold the law could
be so shabbily treated upon instructions from one source, then what exactly is
the hope of our nation?
of military rule and really raises questions about the hope of our country
under this present dispensation. If lawmakers elected to uphold the law could
be so shabbily treated upon instructions from one source, then what exactly is
the hope of our nation?
character of our present Federal Government as high handed, authoritarian,
vindictive and an intimidating government that cares nothing about its people
but
Under the watch of our sitting President, Goodluck Ebele
Jonathan, Nigeria’s democratic processes and respect for the law have been
flagrantly abused over and over again to the point where one begins to wonder
whether our leadership understands the concept and importance of efficient
structures and systems in ensuring a sustainable democracy.
Jonathan, Nigeria’s democratic processes and respect for the law have been
flagrantly abused over and over again to the point where one begins to wonder
whether our leadership understands the concept and importance of efficient
structures and systems in ensuring a sustainable democracy.
upholding same is what birthed the Presidency of His Excellency Goodluck Ebele
Jonathan.
Nigerians protested in averse conditions – under the
scorching sun and even defying the deadly resistance of the security forces –
to ensure our then Vice President was installed the Acting President of the
nation. All this seems to have been forgotten so quickly and our nation appears
to be decelerating at the speed of light into a state of anarchy if unchecked.
scorching sun and even defying the deadly resistance of the security forces –
to ensure our then Vice President was installed the Acting President of the
nation. All this seems to have been forgotten so quickly and our nation appears
to be decelerating at the speed of light into a state of anarchy if unchecked.
Boko Haram continues to fill all our hearts with fear and
trepidation. Over 127,000 souls have been lost to the violence unleashed by
this blood-sucking sect and there appears to be no end in sight. 48 traders
were killed just a few days ago. It is absolutely mind boggling that the
supposed giant of Africa has been crippled to her knees by a few thousand
insurgents and made to appear like a helpless chicken that runs for cover at
the sight of a barking dog.
trepidation. Over 127,000 souls have been lost to the violence unleashed by
this blood-sucking sect and there appears to be no end in sight. 48 traders
were killed just a few days ago. It is absolutely mind boggling that the
supposed giant of Africa has been crippled to her knees by a few thousand
insurgents and made to appear like a helpless chicken that runs for cover at
the sight of a barking dog.
I recall vividly how in time past as a nation, we supported
our neighbours in Liberia, Sierra Leone and many other African countries with
peace missions by lending our expertise in their defence to ensure peace
reigns in the lands across Africa. We were indeed our brothers keepers. It is
hard to imagine what could have gone wrong so quick. Over three trillion Naira
has been spent on security in the last four years with absolutely nothing to
show for!
our neighbours in Liberia, Sierra Leone and many other African countries with
peace missions by lending our expertise in their defence to ensure peace
reigns in the lands across Africa. We were indeed our brothers keepers. It is
hard to imagine what could have gone wrong so quick. Over three trillion Naira
has been spent on security in the last four years with absolutely nothing to
show for!
This is in addition to the $1 billion His Excellency,
President Ebele Goodluck Jonathan recently requested for earlier in the year
to support the battle against terrorism in our land. It appears the more we
spend the worse the situation gets.
President Ebele Goodluck Jonathan recently requested for earlier in the year
to support the battle against terrorism in our land. It appears the more we
spend the worse the situation gets.
Who exactly is fighting who? What is worrying is not the
existence of the Boko Haram sect in itself because challenges are bound to
occur in the life of every nation but the fact that Nigerians have now been
reduced to embarrassingly helpless onlookers whose security has now become
their sole responsibility and not that of their government is extremely
shameful.
existence of the Boko Haram sect in itself because challenges are bound to
occur in the life of every nation but the fact that Nigerians have now been
reduced to embarrassingly helpless onlookers whose security has now become
their sole responsibility and not that of their government is extremely
shameful.
Nigerians deserve better! Nigeria appears to have left her
citizens to map out their own security strategy despite the gargantuan amounts
being spent. This situation is beyond comprehension and is certainly
questionable on all fronts. Or how does one explain that a Nation’s defence
chief announced that they know the whereabouts of our kidnapped Chibok girls
and did absolutely nothing about it?
citizens to map out their own security strategy despite the gargantuan amounts
being spent. This situation is beyond comprehension and is certainly
questionable on all fronts. Or how does one explain that a Nation’s defence
chief announced that they know the whereabouts of our kidnapped Chibok girls
and did absolutely nothing about it?
Today they know their whereabouts, tomorrow they are in
negotiation talks; yet five months after and still no Chibok girls. Each day we
are confounded by the utterances and actions that continue to leave one
exasperated with the manner of handling of our nation’s security by those who
should know better.
negotiation talks; yet five months after and still no Chibok girls. Each day we
are confounded by the utterances and actions that continue to leave one
exasperated with the manner of handling of our nation’s security by those who
should know better.
As insecurity continues to abound, a flagrant disregard for
the law continues to deepen its roots in our land. The Ekiti State PDP-led
government in a laughable move recently announced the impeachment of its
speaker and deputy. This impeachment however, was effected by only seven (7)
members of the House out of the existing twenty six (26). What have we turned
ourselves into? A situation where basic arithmetic is turned into complex
quadratic equations for the sole purpose of achieving selfish ambitions and
flouting the law does our nation no good. This is yet another example of the
incessant breakdown of law and order we continue to experience as a nation.
the law continues to deepen its roots in our land. The Ekiti State PDP-led
government in a laughable move recently announced the impeachment of its
speaker and deputy. This impeachment however, was effected by only seven (7)
members of the House out of the existing twenty six (26). What have we turned
ourselves into? A situation where basic arithmetic is turned into complex
quadratic equations for the sole purpose of achieving selfish ambitions and
flouting the law does our nation no good. This is yet another example of the
incessant breakdown of law and order we continue to experience as a nation.
Several times, this same attitude has been displayed in the
now public feud between the Rivers State Governor, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi and our
President, Goodluck Jonathan. In several instances, the Rivers governor was
denied access to the Rivers State Government House – this same act once again
implemented by our police force – not only was he denied access to the
government house, his right to movement was also restricted on his way to Ekiti
State for the final campaign of the then governor; Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
now public feud between the Rivers State Governor, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi and our
President, Goodluck Jonathan. In several instances, the Rivers governor was
denied access to the Rivers State Government House – this same act once again
implemented by our police force – not only was he denied access to the
government house, his right to movement was also restricted on his way to Ekiti
State for the final campaign of the then governor; Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
These acts clearly represent an infringement of basic
human rights! Yet, we all trod on as if nothing happened and another crack is
inflicted in the wall of our democracy.
human rights! Yet, we all trod on as if nothing happened and another crack is
inflicted in the wall of our democracy.
The recent abduction and severe torture of journalists in
the Niger Delta by the seemingly untouchable Ekpemupolo alias ‘Tompolo’ is yet
another example of how we continue to damage our fledgling democracy.
Kidnapping is clearly a punishable act under the law, and in this case there
is a clear suspect; yet we have chosen to take no action!
the Niger Delta by the seemingly untouchable Ekpemupolo alias ‘Tompolo’ is yet
another example of how we continue to damage our fledgling democracy.
Kidnapping is clearly a punishable act under the law, and in this case there
is a clear suspect; yet we have chosen to take no action!
Why?
November 21st , the DSS raided the APC office in Ikeja,
Lagos, carting away several amounts of data in a brazenly irresponsible act of
impunity; another condemnable act and gross abuse of power clearly initiated
by the sitting government. For how long will we continue to endure this before
we experience a crack? Newton’s law of motion readily comes to mind here; ‘for
every action there is an equal and opposite reaction’. Nigerian’s are being
provoked on a daily basis and it is only a matter of time before a reaction
occurs. I indeed hope that for all our sakes it is not a violent one.
Lagos, carting away several amounts of data in a brazenly irresponsible act of
impunity; another condemnable act and gross abuse of power clearly initiated
by the sitting government. For how long will we continue to endure this before
we experience a crack? Newton’s law of motion readily comes to mind here; ‘for
every action there is an equal and opposite reaction’. Nigerian’s are being
provoked on a daily basis and it is only a matter of time before a reaction
occurs. I indeed hope that for all our sakes it is not a violent one.
As these events continue to unfold, our economy continues to
take a bashing. Our foreign reserves are at an all-time low and debt profile
continues to rise with absolutely nothing to show for it except the chaos being
experienced across the nation. Let us not even attempt to review the
implementation of the Subsidy Reinvestment Program (SURE-P) which has
generally benefited no one but the originators of this ostensibly life
changing program.
take a bashing. Our foreign reserves are at an all-time low and debt profile
continues to rise with absolutely nothing to show for it except the chaos being
experienced across the nation. Let us not even attempt to review the
implementation of the Subsidy Reinvestment Program (SURE-P) which has
generally benefited no one but the originators of this ostensibly life
changing program.
Nigerian youths are languishing in several jails abroad, a
lot of them leaving the shores of Nigeria, trying to escape from a totally
hopeless situation. Desperate for survival, Nigerian youths are murdered
abroad daily. For instance, Toba Falode, was murdered in Dubai by an accused
person who is not anonymous. Yet, the Federal Government has not considered
it worthy to demand justice for Toba and several others. What is the life of a
Nigerian citizen worth?
lot of them leaving the shores of Nigeria, trying to escape from a totally
hopeless situation. Desperate for survival, Nigerian youths are murdered
abroad daily. For instance, Toba Falode, was murdered in Dubai by an accused
person who is not anonymous. Yet, the Federal Government has not considered
it worthy to demand justice for Toba and several others. What is the life of a
Nigerian citizen worth?
Poverty has never been so pervasive. Corruption is now an
official state policy. The transformation agenda is a labyrinth leading to a
cul-de-sac. The only people clapping are those who designed it. Transformation
Ambassadors of Nigeria( TAN) irritatingly bombards us with delusional rhetoric
of achievements of this administration. Not to worry, Nigerians are discerning
enough to separate rhetoric from reality.
official state policy. The transformation agenda is a labyrinth leading to a
cul-de-sac. The only people clapping are those who designed it. Transformation
Ambassadors of Nigeria( TAN) irritatingly bombards us with delusional rhetoric
of achievements of this administration. Not to worry, Nigerians are discerning
enough to separate rhetoric from reality.
Suffice it to say, it is clear from several experiences that
our PDP-led government has lost all emotional intelligence and ability to
empathize with the present situation in our land. How else do you explain
pushing ahead with a re-election campaign barely 24hours after a major bomb
blast claimed the lives of our children – the supposed leaders of tomorrow
whose destinies have been unduly cut short? We have now become a laughing stock
as we continue to operate in the realm of misplaced priorities and there seems
to be no end in sight for the negative attention we continue to attract.
our PDP-led government has lost all emotional intelligence and ability to
empathize with the present situation in our land. How else do you explain
pushing ahead with a re-election campaign barely 24hours after a major bomb
blast claimed the lives of our children – the supposed leaders of tomorrow
whose destinies have been unduly cut short? We have now become a laughing stock
as we continue to operate in the realm of misplaced priorities and there seems
to be no end in sight for the negative attention we continue to attract.
Yes, I can lay claim, and proudly so, to being one of the
“founding mothers” of APC but I express my concerns, irrespective of my
political party. Recent events, if not checked and resisted, portend grave
danger that could destroy the very fabrics of our existence as a nation.
“founding mothers” of APC but I express my concerns, irrespective of my
political party. Recent events, if not checked and resisted, portend grave
danger that could destroy the very fabrics of our existence as a nation.
Our Nigeria today is certainly not the dream of our
forefathers and definitely not one we should hand over to our children. We need
to ensure that we set right the foundational principles of democracy. The
Executive, Legislature and Judiciary must operate independently and
harmoniously for us to achieve great results. Posterity holds it upon us to
ensure that we uphold the sanity of our nation. Our legacy as a people is
built upon the good that we do and not the evil that we perpetuate.
forefathers and definitely not one we should hand over to our children. We need
to ensure that we set right the foundational principles of democracy. The
Executive, Legislature and Judiciary must operate independently and
harmoniously for us to achieve great results. Posterity holds it upon us to
ensure that we uphold the sanity of our nation. Our legacy as a people is
built upon the good that we do and not the evil that we perpetuate.
I would thus like to plead and admonish all our serving
leaders particularly our President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to consider how
posterity will judge him and the legacy that he will leave behind when he
leaves office.
leaders particularly our President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to consider how
posterity will judge him and the legacy that he will leave behind when he
leaves office.
The rule of the law should be sacrosanct and upholding the
law should be a job for ALL OF US. It is detrimental to the existence of any
political office holder to flout the law; it is said that ‘he who lives by the
gun dies by the gun’. If the law is ra*ed today for your selfish ambition it is
worth remembering it could be ra*ed tomorrow for your destruction. As John F.
Kennedy once said; “Our goal here is not the victory of might but the
vindication of right – not peace at the expense of freedom but both peace and
freedom”. I indeed hope that as a nation we shall achieve this goal. A word is
enough for the wise. And in the words of Pa Benedict Odiase, who composed the
national anthem “May the labours of our heroes past not be in vain”.
law should be a job for ALL OF US. It is detrimental to the existence of any
political office holder to flout the law; it is said that ‘he who lives by the
gun dies by the gun’. If the law is ra*ed today for your selfish ambition it is
worth remembering it could be ra*ed tomorrow for your destruction. As John F.
Kennedy once said; “Our goal here is not the victory of might but the
vindication of right – not peace at the expense of freedom but both peace and
freedom”. I indeed hope that as a nation we shall achieve this goal. A word is
enough for the wise. And in the words of Pa Benedict Odiase, who composed the
national anthem “May the labours of our heroes past not be in vain”.
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