Igbo Presidency is not the answer to Equality and Liberty in a 21st century Nigeria

"Policy advocacy provides an essential means of changing the world- sometimes more influential than political office"-Matthew Elliott. Photo: Google Images

Do we need further evidence before demanding restructuring?  It's very sad that in the golden age some people get carried away by 'conspiracy theories'- wrong facts and world view that is upside down'. This should be a huge cause for concern. We must learn in the words of Matthew d'Ancona to ''ignore the political noise and do what is morally and strategically right"- demand the restructuring of the current political structure to ensure liberty and equitable representation. This should be the focus, not preserving the status-quo. There is urgent need for constitutional settlement that will have the will of the whole society. This fraudlent slogan- Igbo President is 'spin and dirty tricks' by demagogues to continue the cynical manipulation of ignorant people to consolidate their grips on power employing useful idiots- those who have sold their soul to profit to push the agenda of their pay masters. Their mission is to persuade ignorant electorates to support or endorse demagoguery for their personal gains-money, political appointments, etc. According to Professor A.C. Grayling; "there have always been demagogues playing on the hopes and fears, the prejudices and desires, the anger or the nationalist sentiment of a populace", a political practice that must be rejected. The current political structure gives undue advantage to a particular region and aid the executive to influence policies. Constitutional change is about fairness, equality, greater devolution of responsibility and resources to states/regions to create more opportunities for ordinary people, everyone is protected from ''excessive interference and oppression'' by the centre, prevent the rule by the strongest-whichever tribe or interest group that is the most powerful. We should have a constitution that gives each region a fair chance- proportional representation. In this regard, Igbo Presidency becomes real without unnecessary politicisation. We must beware of demagogues using fake stories to manipulate ignorant electorates to continue business as usual. They have nothing to offer other than gangsterism, lies, propaganda, blood stains in our streets, endless manipulation of opinion and sentiment. Thanks to technology, we can now debunk their fake stories with ease. Remember to vote against any political party and leadership that rejects Restructuring, they are the real enemies of the society, so we must beware. Restructuring is about freedom from threats to liberty, sound government, stability, safety and security. There is urgent need to officially negotiate the very constitutional settlement that will guarantee Igbo President, 'lofty appeals are not enough'.

 Read More: "We are no longer comfortable being part of Nigeria"-Ohaneze: http://www.theleadprojectfoundation.com/2018/03/nigerias-democracy-and-its-crisis_13.html?spref=fb

Uche Okeke is the Founder of The LEAD Project Foundation

Democracy And Its Crisis In Nigeria, Deliberate, Avoidable. What Can Be Done About It-Uche Okeke

Rule by the few: 'Conspiracy.Corruption. Business As Usual'-Andrew Marr. Photo: Uche Okeke.

The only solution to the dilemma of democracy in Nigeria is Education- Educated Electorate, all the philosophers say so: Civic Education, Citizen Engagement Education. This needs collaboration-Government, Business, Civil Society. It is possible to have a fair and just society, thinking needs to change.

 According to  Rebekah Mercer: "Society's problems will never be solved by expensive, ineffective, and inflexible federal programs". In her words: "As a federalist, I believe that power be decentralised, with those weilding it closely accountable to the people they serve. I support a framework within which citizens from small political entities-states, counties, cities, towns and so on can determine the majority of the laws that will govern them"-[Robert Mercer is the most powerful influencer you've never heard of, ploughing his millions into Cambridge Analytica, the firm linked to Brexit-The arch puppeteer of populism, Evening Standard 4 April 2018].

Today we've got the opportunity to have the discussion about the future of Nigeria. Everyone knows that constitutional change-reform/restructuring is the answer to 21st century Nigeria with huge population explosion, and the challenges of globalisation. We now have the answer, no need to go to the moon to hire consultants to help us find answers to our collective challenge.

We have simply got selfish and crude politicians in our country ''hiding behind the will of the people to do damage to them. That seems to me the ultimate betrayer of the people''-Eloise Todd, Best for Britain CEO.

APC manifesto promised us restructuring. We are still waiting for the committee report they claimed will pave a way for the restructuring of the current political structure. Nigerians should reject any political party that denies them restructuring of the current political structure because they don't mean well for the country. Restructuring the current structure is a true test case for a government that wants to drive change. I wonder what they will tell the electorates during the next election if they have any more integrity left.

Read More: http://www.theleadprojectfoundation.com/2018/03/nigerias-democracy-and-its-crisis_27.html

Uche Okeke is a Social Entrepreneur, the Founder of the LEAD Project Foundation-The Voice of the Poor[Truth And Freedom]

Nigeria's looter's list; Cynical manipulation to achieve the next level

Everybody knows that corruption in Nigeria is not new. It involved everyone, political parties, etc.

I read Mattew Page's report on corruption in Nigeria. Click on this link to read more: https://www.cfr.org/report/improving-us-anticorruption-policy-nigeria

We have seen high profile cases in this current government, so why such 'sudden eruption of primitive impulses', especially without recourse to the due process- rule of law. 

This is another sad story of Nigeria's Electoral Democracy-Election every four years.; the cynical manipulation by politicians who have failed to show moral leadership, and wants to remain power at all costs.

 According to Professor  A.C Grayling; "Demagogues thrive on simple slogans, where serious politics requires examination of detail".

 The truth is that the focus should be on 'Constitutional Change'. We have argued that this is the root of the corruption. A  military constitution written by selected delegates of their choice does not foster development rather confusion. 

No doubt Constitutional change will help bring freedom from demagoguery and encourage most outstanding people to public office. This is the first step towards solving corruption issues in Nigeria. Constitutional settlement is one sure remedy to the dilemma we are currently having. 

We must remain vigilant this time as our democracy is under threat. Double standards to cover -up monumental failure makes little or no sense to ordinary people who need jobs, better public services, education and new skills, healthcare, improved infrastructure-electricity, internet broadband, etc to participate in a 21st century economy. 
Read More: http://www.theleadprojectfoundation.com/2017/11/guard-your-voter-card-voters-want.html

We must seek for educated people with 21st century skills-intellectuals who will guarantee civil liberties instead of those hiding under 'populism and demagoguery' to achieve a hidden agenda. What we vote is what we get,-'Impotent Government', so be properly informed.

Uche Okeke is a Social Entrepreneur. He's the Founder of The LEAD Project Foundation- The Voice of the Poor[Truth And Freedom].

Democracy And Its Crisis in Nigeria Deliberate, Avoidable. What Can Be Done About It: Educated Electorate

Ordinary people need education to make better informed choices and to demand accountability from the government they elected. Studies have shown that better informed voters make better 'political preferences'.

 Democracy needs competent leadership- people of 'expertise and experience' to deliver good dividends not demagouges seeking to exploit useful idiots to achieve a hidden agenda. Attempts at rational arguement only spurs the 'animal spirits' in them, what a society!.

In Nigeria ignorance, fear, poverty, self-interest, irrationality, misinformation and short-termism results in their making poor choices which result to 'impotent' government at all levels. This is the sad reality of Nigeria's electoral democracy.

This is of great concern. It needs the Alignment of the Government, Business and Civil Society to help empower ordinary people with the new knowledge and skills to participate actively in democracy.

There is urgent need for Civic Education- Morals, Citizen Engagement Education.  This is the mission of The LEAD Project Foundation, as we believe that education remains the only solution to the dilemma of democracy. Information is power.  Voters need to have full information about the system, why its failing, the solution and the alternative.

Read More: http://www.theleadprojectfoundation.com/2018/03/nigerias-democracy-and-its-crisis_27.html

Uche Okeke is the Founder of the LEAD Project Foundation.