We must be vigilant against a return to the spirit of the by-gone Age in Nigeria

"This barbarian tyranny stinks in all nostrils''. Democracy by choice not force. Photo: Uche Okeke

When we described the invitation of the strongman- election of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 as a 'Mistake of Destiny', some people were asking for evidence, now we're vindicated. The evidence is everywhere. The truth is Democracy is by choice not by force. From a recent Governorship election in Ekiti State, to the silly seige on the Senate President's house, Dr Bukola Saraki and the invasion of the house of his Deputy, Professor Ike Ekweremadu, illegal impeachment attempt on the Benue State Governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom, exclusion of political opponents made worst by the new chairman of the ruling APC party with extreme politics ideology,  inability of the government to arrest and prosecute killer herdsmen , etc, the whole place is in flames. This can be avoided as history teaches us to elect only good men to power- committed democrats, people with good education, experience and expertise. Men who believe in freedom, fairness, equity and social justice. Men who believe in a fair and just society not 'might is right' or divine rights. The present government in Nigeria lacks democracy ideals, subverts democracy and is only interested in dangerous grips on power at all costs using cruelty and violence. The Southern and Middle Belt leaders said the President should be blamed for breakdown of law and order in Benue State,  the Senate President said the government should be blamed if the next elections are not free and fair, the US Government has condemned the endless killings in Nigeria and demands the prosecution of those responsible. Meanwhile , the Pan Niger-Delta Forum (PANDEF)  has questioned the reason for building another refinery in Kastina State in addition to the one in Kaduna State. The group has  threatened to disrupt the country's economy if the President did not meet their 16-point demand for development. The Igbo Apex organisation; Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo says they are no longer confortable being part of Nigeria due to the use of conquering techniques against their citizens. They Igbo leaders said they're not interested in producing the President of Igbo extraction in 2023 but wants the restructuring of the country to guarantee 'equity and justice'. According to their leader; Professor Ben Nwabueze: "What mattered to the people was the restructuring of the country for the enthronement of good governance, stressing that the rancour over leadership would be subdued when an effective system is put in place"-Ndigbo Not Keen On 2023 Presidency, Says Leaders-[The Guardian 29 July 2018]. This should be a huge concern to all. The government has refused to adopt global best practices including the restructuring of the current political structure widely seen as the reason for stagnation and instability, instead they are rolling out controversial policies that plunge the country into endless cycle of ruins. Everything the other side is bad except its in favour of the government. We have witnessed a recent clampdown on Ray Power TV's Political platform accusing the programme of "provocative and divisive comments". We are no longer talking about several clampdown on dissent voices and refusal to release political opponents from detention despite several court orders. Till date the anti-graft agency-EFCC simply intimidate political opponents of the government to weaken their electoral chances. The recent wave of mass defection should be enough  warning to the government to thread carefully but the President said he's not bothered by the defections. Violence and conflict leads to unforseen consequences so we must not wait until its too late. Violent attack on the political space  is the surest route to anarchy. Avoidance of disaster is great wisdom, those with sympathy for tyranny need to think twice. Ordinary people are the real victims of political crisis which does not bring International legitimacy and Investment rather conflict and more hardships. This is the time for the political elite to demonstrate patrotism and genuine love for the country.

Click on this links to read more:

- 'The Mistake of Destiny': http://www.theleadprojectfoundation.com/2018/02/today-nigeria-is-not-democratic-country_26.html

- 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

-Igbo Presidency Is Not The Answer To Equality And Liberty in a 21st Century Nigeria: http://www.theleadprojectfoundation.com/2018/04/igbo-presidency-is-not-answer-to.html

 Uche Okeke is a Social Entrepreneur and the Founder of The LEAD Project Foundation; The Voice of the Poor- Truth And Freedom.

  (To be completed soon)

Seeking to exclude political opponents endangers democracy, in Nigeria- Uche Okeke

                 "What's the point of election if its to serve the status-quo"- Uche Okeke

As expected all our predictions about the 'Mistake of Destiny'-the invitation of the strong man have come true. The truth is that Nigeria faces a big political crisis given this singular mistake- Election of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015. It's extremely difficult for democracy to succeed wherever you have democracy sceptics in-charge. people whose 'politics, views and ideas' resent modernity- Reform and inclusiveness. In less than four years, the main opposition PDP threatens to pull out of 2019 General elections in Nigeria. This is not a good signal. Boycotting the election  would send a message to the world that there is no legitimate government in Nigeria. This will definitely affect direct foreign investment and wholesome isolation- more misery to ordinary people.  We have written a lot about the mistake of destiny. The facts are there for anyone with a good eye to see. Click on this link to read more: The Mistake of Destiny:

 http://www.theleadprojectfoundation.com/2018/02/today-nigeria-is-not-democratic-country_26.html

The recent Governorship Election in Ekiti State was a test case as observed by the leading opposition political parties in Nigeria, local and International observers  who rated the election below global standard. Seeking to exclude political opponents endangers democracy, a major cause of political instability in a society. We have the opportunity to avoid this tragedy, the choice is strictly ours. Democracy must be inclusive to deliver its universal goal-'Life, Liberty, the Pursuit of Happiness'. The idea of one party system promoted by this government would not work. Denying people access to public services unless they vote or belong to the ruling party is barbaric, undemocratic and must be rejected. We have listened to the hate speeches of the the National Chairman of the ruling political party in Nigeria threatning to get rid of the percieved political opponents from public positions, so this is winner takes all. What's democracy without the opposition? We must be very careful with this group pf political cabals- gutter politicians misleading ordinary people for their own selfish gains- their families, friends and associates. People who exploit crisis to achieve their selfish objective. Come to think of it we have Boko-Haram in the North-East, The Herdsmen in the Middle-Belt, now we are talking about boycotting election-more crisis. It simply means we are incapable of governing ourselves..., and some so called political leaders are happy?  Democracy must be inclusive, everyone matters in our own country. We must learn to work together, there must be compromises to accommodate others, that's the whole point. If we are to change the way things are, we can't exclude people who want to be part of that change process on account of their political ideology or belief. Political opponents cannot be shut out of the political conversations about their own country and its future. Those seeking to exclude others are not our friends but our enemies.

Read More:  2019 Elections in Nigeria And The Plague of Mistake of Desitny: http://www.theleadprojectfoundation.com/2018/05/2019-elections-in-nigeria-and-plague-of.html

Uche Okeke is a Social Entrepreneur, the Founder of The LEAD Project Foundation. We will continue to promote democracy in Nigeria and educate ordinary people about the dangers of  dictatorship so that people can be on the right side of history. It's never good to allow the dictatorship to remain in power forever.

'The Voice of Ruins'- Propaganda, Fake News Is Not Patrotism in Nigeria

"And I wish people were more embarrassed when they passed on something that turns out not to be true"-John Oliver(ES). Photo: Uche Okeke

When a country declares war on its on citizens it embarks on mass propaganda to keep their captives in perpetual chains. Disseminating false information to shape public opinion or counter perceieved enemy action(opposition) is an act of war. It's undemocratic and  a common authoritarian tool which portends great danger to the society.

It's very evident in today's government especially on controversial policies including Boko-Haram, The Herdsmen, Corruption, Restructuring, Safety And Security, etc. History can predict and it can also warn, its up to us to choose the future we want. Today we get the true information about our government from external sources despite the freedom of information act in Nigeria. This government is really making a 'mockery' out of our democracy.

The UN has just confirmed that the government paid 'large sums of money to free Dapchi school girls' kidnapped by Boko-Haram terrorists, yet the government is still manipulating the public to think otherwise. It has become very difficult to believe the government. A good government must tell the citizens the truth at anytime, for accountability and transparency.  Its a taboo to question the private life of the leadership. A whole lot has gone wrong.

We will continue to do our best to distort political lies. In a democracy ordinary people deserve the right to know the truth about their own government and how government policies affect their overall well-being, this is not the case in today's Nigeria, what a tragedy. Its worrisome when government media organisations and grassroot supporters are deployed on various platforms including social media to attack dissent voices, government critics and others who are in a position to offer credible information about better policy options.

 According to Facebook: ''Fake News is not our friend its a great source of revenue'', definitely for mischmakers, anti-establishment, demagougrey and tyrants using control of information and misinformation to tighten their iron grips on power. Authoritarian leaders are willing to spend the country's resources on public relations to attract recognition and support as genuine democracy, which they are not. This is not the future we want.

Uche Okeke is the Founder of The LEAD Project Foundation, the Author of 'Nigeria's Democracy And Its Crisis Deliberate, Avoidable-'Bribe & Bullet'. What Can Be Done About It.

 Read More: http://www.theleadprojectfoundation.com/2018/02/today-nigeria-is-not-democratic-country_26.html

Measuring the heartbeat of my country-Nigeria

"Autocracy has failed to generate conditions to growth and its return would hold no promise of improvement"-Professor Sir, Paul Collier, Oxford University. Photo: Uche Okeke

Its difficult to be on the sideline when your country threads on a slippery ground. What history has shown is that Authoritarian rule does not offer 'freedom, equality and prosperity'. Sadly the supporters of this chaotic government are simply held hostage by the barbaric and obsolete ideology of their captor who resent mordenity.

 I'm surprise that today's Nigeria society will allow itself to go through this dishonest experimentation. Its happening right in-front of everyone and most people simply think all is in order. We've talked a lot about what I call mistake of destiny. Read More: http://www.theleadprojectfoundation.com/2018/02/today-nigeria-is-not-democratic-country_26.html
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What happened today in Ekiti  and other places has vindicated some of us who are leading voices on the need to restructure the country. Despite gross human rights abuse, the maltreatment of the sitting State Governor by federal authorities demonstrates the fear of many a sad signal to anyone who opposes the 'Grand Agenda', This is regrettable.

The challenge is now how to get rid of this chaotic government-'fraud and failure', tyrannical,  to build a new society that is inclusive. Its on this note that we welcome the new coalition of committed democrats which we hope will rescue the country from the present day barbarism. The merger is a 'positive step forward' to solve the urgent issue at hand.

This government has demonstrated gross ignorance of the challenges facing the country instead pursing rejected 19th century ideology of conquest. It has rejected Restructuring, the primary condition for development and transformation. This exposes it as a danger to the future, incapable and renders it an obstacle to future peace, prosperity and stability of the country.

Ordinary people need to understand that this is not how real democracy works. We must reject silly narratives they promote which is aimed at keeping people in chains forever. Real democracy promotes 'freedom, equality and prosperity', we should not expect this to happen with a ruthless Dictator incharge. This is the whole point. The population of the country is projected to outgrow resources and this government doesn't have the expertise for innovative ideas that will drive the necessary transformation having rejected restructuring.

Uche Okeke is a Social Entrepreneur. He's the Author of Nigeria's Democracy And Its Crisis Deliberate, Avoidable. What Can Be Done About It.

 Read More: http://www.theleadprojectfoundation.com/2018/06/land-grabbing-raiding-depopulating.html

Land Grabbing- 'Raiding, Depopulating, Appropriating Neighbouring Lands' a lesson in Cattle Colony in Nigeria

"The subtle attacks which began over a decade ago have seen native communities in Plateau State taken over by invading herders. The natives mostly Berom by tribe watched helplessly as their homes were occupied, their people killed, and farmlands taken over and in some cases, the original names of the villages changed. They wandered if their children will ever return to their ancestral land"-Marie-Therese Nanlong ; Plateau Shocker:[ Herdsmen Rename Communities Grabbed From Indigines; Vanguard Newspaper June 30 2018]. Photo: Google Images

History is full of lessons in  Conquest and 'Totalitarian Barbarism'. Some of these sad lessons of history are evident in today's Nigeria- "Land Grabbing, Invasion, Violent Repression of civil liberties, Genocide, Colonisation, Economic Exploitation, Institutional Racism, Discrimination, Division, Nepotism, and Moral Decadence",etc. We have just seen the Amnesty International Report on terrorism- indicting the government on leadership failure to secure its own citizens.
 The government is pursuing controversial policies often using conquering tactis on ethnic minorities. Despite widespread resistance, the Federal Government of Nigeria is unreluctant in implementing a controversial cattle colony policy, using various tags even with abundant evidence of the bloody borders of the herdsmen. The government's inability to implement the Restructuring of the current political structure widely accepted as the only solution to addressing 'poverty, unemployment and insecurity' in the country puts it in bad light and tends to confirm the fears of many-'obsolete politics of domination' .This should be a cause for concern, especially in today's new world of  'individual rights, and liberty'. The 'bending of language' for political purposes can be devastating. In the words of Charles Krauthammer: "leading a country requires not just honesty but clarity. If you keep lying to the people they may seriously question whether anything you say is another self-serving lie".[Things That Matter]. Today the people are well equipped with good awareness of the the nature of evil they faced and are very willing to resist the so called cattle colony policy no matter the name given to it and other incentives. We are in  for abnormal times. Democracy in Nigeria faces a major threat from 'totalitarianism', given abundant evidence. The time has come for Committed Democrats to be in charge to drive a new society with a culture of liberty, human dignity and sovereignty. The era of ''muderous quest for dominion over all others is over''. Restructuring is the primary condition for peaceful co-existence, growth and stability. There is  urgent need for a new leadership that places premium on equity and social justice and ensures democracy for the long-run. In the 21st century country's do more with little to lift their citizens out of poverty,  not pursuing ideologies that deny their own citizens 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness'. Today's technology provides the opportunity to do things differently, i wonder why the government is not exploiting it. Again, it's technology that drives the future not cows, even oil wells would one day dry-up.

Uche Okeke is a Social Entrepreneur, the Founder of The LEAD Project Foundation. He lives in London.

Read More: Technology Transforms The World Not Cows : http://www.theleadprojectfoundation.com/2018/01/technology-transforms-world-not-cows.html?spref=fb

'Diaspora Vote' Is Very Important In A Modern Nigeria

"Nigeria's disapora remitted $22billion to Nigeria in 2017. That is almost Kenya's entire budget for 2018. Our diaspora is the single largest source of  Foreign Direct Investment-FDI into Nigeria. Help me lobby your Senator as I push for a Constitutional ammendment to enable them vote in future elections"- Senator Ben Murray-Bruce. Photo: Uche Okeke

Another election is round the corner, the Nigeria government is yet to let the diaspora have a say in how the country is run.  No doubt the diaspora community is a huge force for development, its very imperative that they take part in elections in their home countries since they actively contribute to the GDP and local economic development.

Today's technology has made it possible for diaspora to participate actively in the electoral process as they are better informed to make right choices that can effect 'sound government'. We have just read a new report by Southern and Middle Belt leaders accusing INEC of registering foreigners from Niger Republic to vote in 2019 elections. This shows that inability to allow Nigeria diaspora to vote could be a deliberate policy to continue business as usual.

The need for diaspora vote also supports our arguement about restructuring- reform to improve the current dysfunctional political system designed to serve the interest of the few. We cannot address the issues of inclusion without urgent constitutional settlement to accomodate the challenges of today. Diaspora vote will definitely make a huge difference.

The Minister for Science and technology Dr Ogbonnaya Onu has recently asked Nigeria diaspora to return home, and help build the country, but all is not well at home, a lot has gone wrong-widespread insecurity, poor infrastructural development including electricity, internet/broadband, poor public services including education and healthcare services, poor intellectual property laws, and ease of doing business, unnecessary bureaucracy, lack of financial support, dictatorship, favouritism, identity politics, political bias, massive corruption, and prolonged uncertainties; this may not be what the diaspora needs.

Uche Okeke.

Commercialisation of Nomination Forms in Nigeria; 'a game for wealthy people'

"The conditions for contesting elections from local government to the House of Assembly , Governorship, House of Representative, Senate, and Presidential levels are all in the constitution. There are decisions of the court to the effect that the Independent National Electoral Commission and State Electoral Commissions cannot collect fees from candidates who are contesting elections"-[Falana; 'I May Sue Political Parties Over Nomination Fees'; Punch, June 17, 2018]. Photo: Google

Commercialisation of nomination forms by political parties only help the election of 'anointed kings'; excludes poor people from the electoral process and promotes 'god fatherism'. Prohibitive rules simply restrict the participation in the contest of an election to money bags and mocks the recent  publicised 'Not Too Young To Run Bill'. We have seen the nomination prices for the two dominant political parties in Nigeria. APC Presidential nomination form is N55million naira and PDP is N12million naira, whereas the national minimum wage is N18000.00 naira. The young people would never have a fair chance of participating in the process, the whole idea is limiting their participation to voting and thuggery for anointed kings in their own country. They prefer to bribe them with recharge cards to unleash attack on dissent voices and professionals working very hard to free them from modern day slavery/colonisation in their own country. The entire system simply works for the few, a master plan for oppression and control instead of human freedom. It's very hard to imagine what more evidence is needed when we describe democracy crisis in Nigeria as deliberate, avoidable, ''ill-thought out manouevres'' aimed at disenfranchising a greater part of the population that represents its future. Now is the time for change as this dysfunctional system has failed to provide the answer to our collective future. Democracy is best served if it's inclusive, but this doesn't seem to be the case in Nigeria. In the words of late Kofi Annan, "any society that does not succeed in tapping the creativity and energy of its youths will be left out". In the 21st century, it's the young people who possess new ideas, skills and innovation to drive the society not out of touch politicians who are yet to give up the crude old trade of politics. It's very obvious that politics in Nigeria lack application of reason, still driven by short-termism , ruthless pursuit of self-interests and  unwilling to let individuals have freedom, without which human life would continue in its miseries. The current system is immoral, and deprives its population the right to participation which is very essential to the future. This is a real divide to protect the few who have held the country hostage for a long time. In Nigeria only wealthy candidates prevail in politics. This should a great cause for concern. In the golden age, this is no longer acceptable. The trend now is empowering people not discrimination or exclusion. In the words of Alec Ross; "there's great shame for society and its leaders when a life is made less what it could be because of lack of opportunities".

Uche Okeke is a Social Entrepreneur, the Founder of The LEAD Project Foundation. He's the author of  'Bribe &Bullet:  Nigeria's Democracy And Its Crisis Deliberate, Avoidable. What Can Be Done About It.