Natasha Delays Senate Return, Cites Legal Advice

Benue Killings: Full Scale Genocidal Invasion, Land Grabbing Campaign - ...

Exclusive Interview: Peter Obi On 2027 Race, Coalition, Issues With Tinu...

HE Peter Obi remains the Coalition’s only Saving Grace if given the opportunity to lead

Atiku, Peter Obi. El-Rufai and Rotimi Amaechi. Photo: Google Images

 A failing government needs a replacement. People are attracted to change if it would improve their lives, however, people will resist change if it would create more misery and chaos. The truth is, the real purpose of the coalition will be defeated if its leaders are unable to rise above personal ambitions and embrace the most credible and competent leader to lead the change people genuinely believe in. Everyone knows that the leaders of the so called coalition have absolutely nothing to offer other than power grabs because they have been around for decades and uninterested in the idea of True Federalism nor flourishing democracy that will check the numerous ills of the monstrous Unitary System of government in Nigeria and guarantee sense of belonging and citizens wellbeing. HE Peter Obi represents the new future people want and deserves the opportunity to lead the country especially now that it’s the turn of the Southern part of the country. His popularity in the last presidential election demonstrates widespread support and acceptance. No doubt, people should be very vigilant about power sharks who will create more havoc than good given their past dirty politics using the coalition as a cloak for their political agenda. The Presidency has described the coalition as “a desperate alliance lacking in ideology and driven solely by personal ambition” , this should be a constant reminder and opportunity to prove itself  as a better political idea seeking service of the country rather than power at all costs and an attempt to disrupt the North/South rotation mechanism in Nigeria aimed at addressing sectional domination and fostering national unity which has become part of the country’s political culture over the past 23- years of the fragile democracy. The coalition leaders should be able to make essential sacrifices if they are truly committed to the unity and development of the country. “Anyone going against rotational presidency between the North and the South must understand there would be devastating consequences”-Clem Aguiyi. HE Peter Obi has all it takes to lead a new Nigeria for growth and stability and the people wouldn’t want to see him play second fiddle to anyone’. Uche Okeke, My View. 

Senator Natasha’s Attack Behaviour won’t change Nigeria’s dominant male power structure overnight

 “Our position is clear, the judgement of the honourable court did not contain any express order setting aside or nullifying the six-month suspension”- Paul Dauda, Senate Legal Counsel., challenging claims by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan suggesting that a federal high court order has directed her recall from suspension from legislative functions. I think understanding the different forms and motivations behind attacks on the political power structure is crucial for analysing political dynamics, preventing violence and promoting democratic stability.  Senator Natasha Akpoti- Uduaghan needs to revisit her power lessons to learn when to stop if she doesn’t want to put her political career on the line. Admiring antagonistic and aggressive politics won’t hasten a return to work and will only add to the unease. Unnecessary media obsession to entertain cheering crowd , profiteering groups and political commentary hasn’t helped her. The female Senator should simply comply with the recent high court ruling and seek genuine reconciliation with the Senate and its leadership to ensure a smooth return to work. Seeking to attack the power structure is never a winning strategy. Oby Ndukwe , a human rights advocate said Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan manipulated Nigerians to believe her lies and ignorantly join her sinister plot to bring down the Senate President, this may not be fair from the truth, having failed to back up her claims with evidence. As it stands, there’s no sexual harassment charges in any court against the Senate President, so one wonders what the embattled Senator really wants. No doubt, this is no longer about political representation. Attacks on the political power structure can destabilise governments, leading to civil unrest or regime change, so the state is not expected to treat such actors who challenge their beliefs and authority with kids gloves. “ Political leaders play outsized roles in shaping public opinion, their words and actions can condone or stoke aggression and violence among their supporters, just as easily as they can quell them…, When leaders cross the line into anti-democratic or violent behaviour, they must be held accountable”- Journal of Democracy. Ultimately, this may be the most important lesson Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan will learn in this dreary struggle against the male power structure in Nigeria. Justice Binta-Nyako described her suspension as “excessive” but observed that the constitution failed to specify the maximum period that a lawmaker could be suspended from office. She recognised that the Senate has the power to punish any of its members who erred and this has emboldened the Senate to re-tighten its disciplinary measures against erring members. We will recall that the Senate said, the female Senator was suspended for gross misconduct , unruly behaviour and violation of Senate Standing Rules, basically her persistent attack behaviour has simply vindicated the Senate and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has learned nothing. Uche Okeke, My View. Follow this blog for Free Thinking Opinion and Insights to Inspire Change.

Nigeria needs a radical change from Unitary Government to True Federalism - Uche Okeke

The monstrous unitary system is not working and can’t fix itself. The evidence of failure is laid bare for all to see. Everything is crumbling, including the institutions . The politicians have lost touch , only interested in profiting from the dysfunction. Political revolution is not imminent due to successful political divisions along ethnic lines , religion, etc. There is killings everywhere, all we hear is ‘ we must learn to live together or perish together’ according to Shettima , the Vice President of Nigeria.  “The constitution does not confer any powers on the units. It is the Central Government that delegates certain powers to the units on its own accord. The units are therefore, subordinate agents of the centre.  The powers enjoyed by them are the gifts of the centre and as such these can be taken back at any moment. The units are thus not autonomous and independent in any way. The concept of freedom of speech and expression always remains at a low priority, that’s why most of the principles of unitary government are much similar to that of dictatorship system of government”- Shivaji College. “ A unitary state is the opposite of a federation, where governmental powers and responsibilities are divided and guaranteed by the constitution. In a unitary state, the political subdivisions must carry out the directives of the central government but have no power to act on their own”-Robert Longley. The unitary system ignores local needs, slow to develop resources needed to respond to development and arising situations. Unitary governments tend to focus on foreign affairs while keeping domestic needs on the back burner. The Unitary system encourages abuse of power as evidenced in Nigeria. In unitary states a single person or legislative body holds most, if not all governmental power. , History has shown that power when placed in too few hands is easily abused. In Nigeria, the unitary system of government encourages ethnic domination and threatens coexistence. In the current government , the heads of all top key eight agencies in Nigeria are filled by President Tinubu’s kinsmen; including Central Bank, NNPC, Police, Army, Customs Service, Intelligence Agency, EFCC- Anti-Corruption, Revenue Service and other key ministries, just as former President Mohammad Bihari’s administration. Furthermore, the unitary system of government in Nigeria seeks to endanger indigenous population and states rights. The persistent killings of indigenous peoples in Nigeria by foreign land grabbers in their own land is an affront to dignity and justice. According to the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, “We have come to a point in Nigeria, where every community must defend itself. I will not, however, support lawlessness, but we can’t afford to go to sleep”. The Unitary government retains the power to restrict or withdraw the powers of the states at anytime as we have just witnessed in oil rich Rivers State where elected governor was suspended without provocation and replaced with unelected  Military Sole Administrator. The Unitary System of Government in Nigeria institutionalised corruption and enabled corruption. Everyone knows that corruption is the greatest threat to development and  “it is a key cause of declining democracy, instability and human rights violations”

Nigeria must adopt True Federalism to address its peculiar circumstances and needs. In the words of Former Governor Achike Udenwa of Imo State, “You can’t govern this country from a unitary system, it can’t work. We talk about Federal Republic of Nigeria, there is nothing federal about what we have been practicing since the army took over in 1966. What we have been running is unitary system and it has not worked, it is the root of our problems. A centralised system, call it, the security system, call it the economic system, call it anything. If you go to the report of the 2014 Confab, you will see the items on the Executive list have been reduced, and sent down to the Concurrent list. The only thing a country will leave on the Exclusive lists are Defence, Foreign Affairs, Currency and just few things that should be there, all other things go to the Concurrent list so that States can look after themselves, and we can even judge somebody’s performance because he has all the latitudes and people can see what the person at the helm of affairs is able to do, with all the powers around him. Our present system is very contradictory, it is not a federal system at all, we are just answering Federal Republic of Nigeria in name” . Nigeria’s Unitary System of Government does not hold any further promise of progress. Whether Political leaders listen or not, Nigeria needs True Federalism to kickstart growth and sustain its diversity. The monstrous unitary system of government can’t fix the country- only a radical change offers a way forward.  Uche Okeke, is the Founder of The LEAD Project Foundation, he lives in London, United Kingdom. Read this blog often for Free-thinking opinion on Socio-Economic and Political Issues in Nigeria and the World, Insights and Inspiring advice to help drive change.

Benue killings: Full Scale Genocidal, Land Grabbing Campaign- Tor Tiv

The killings in Benue State and other states in Nigeria is simply expansionist agenda of a particular tribe enabled by the monstrous unitary system of government, despite its coloration. Only a radical change to True Federalism offers a way forward. According to the Traditional Ruler, of Benue, “We’re facing calculated genocidal invasion by Herder Terrorists. We do have grave concerns about the misinformation and misrepresentation of the security crisis in Benue State. Your Excellency, it’s not herders-farmers clashes, it’s not communal clashes, it’s not reprisal attacks or skirmishes. It is this misinformation that has led to suggestions such as’remain tolerant, negotiate for peace, learn to live with your neighbours. What we are dealing with here is a calculated, well planned, full-scale genocidal invasion and land grabbing campaign by header terrorists and bandits, which has been going on for decades and is worsening every year. Wrong diagnosis will always lead to wrong treatment, so, we are dealing with something far more sinister than we think about. It’s not learning to live with your neighbours, it is dealing with war”. Laolu Akande, a Political Analyst; said, what shocks everyone is “No arrest or Persecution carried out”, In his words; “there is a reign of impunity”. Professor Joy Ezeilo a human rights lawyer and former United Nations envoy described the killings as “horrific and inhumane” and called on the government to prioritise the protection of citizens, She condemned the recent attack in Benue State that left more than 100 people dead and said “ Enough is enough”, demanding a thorough investigation, swift justice, and humanitarian support for displaced persons . She concluded that “nowhere is safe for Nigerian Citizens”. Find out more about the killings in Benue state Nigeria. Benue Killings