FEATURE ARTICLE

Temple Chima UbochiMonday, September 28, 2015
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Bonn, Germany

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TOO MUCH NOISE AND NO ACTION:
NOT THE BEST WAY TO FIGHT CORRUPTTION (4)

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Continued from Part 3

In a state where corruption abounds, laws must be very numerous (Tacitus)

Money and corruption are ruining the land, crooked politicians betray the working man, pocketing the profits and treating us like sheep, and we're tired of hearing promises that we know they'll never keep (Ray Davies)

Democracy must be built through open societies that share information. When there is information, there is enlightenment. When there is debate, there are solutions. When there is no sharing of power, no rule of law, no accountability, there is abuse, corruption, subjugation and indignation (Atifete Jahjaga)

pfront, let me reiterate it that some of us have pointed out, so many times, that sabotage, by some northern leaders, was one of the reasons President Goodluck's government was unable to defeat the Boko Haram sect. I've also noted that the north used the insurgency as a ploy to make Nigeria ungovernable for President Jonathan, and to claim that he was not upto his job, just giving a dog a bad name to hang it. One day, Nigerians will remember Goodluck Jonathan for what he did and how he withstood grand plots against his government. His only sin was his place of birth. Buhari made the defeat of the Boko Haram sect, within three months of taking office, the fulcrum of his campaign, and some Nigerians were hoodwinked. Now, the Nigerian Army accuses Borno leaders of plotting to prolong Boko Haram insurgency. It's better for one to read it direct. Kayode only added: "I've said countless times before that some of the Boko Haram sponsors reside in Borno State, while some of them reside outside the state. Like I said, one of them housed Shekau in a mansion in Maiduguri before he fled to the forest. They are highly placed Nigerians. They are part of the people that give Boko Haram money, weapons and information about the activities of the Counter-Insurgency and Counter-Terrorism unit and the government. As such the Boko Haram group is three steps ahead of the government. Like I said before, unless and until these people are uncovered, prosecuted and sentenced to death by firing squad, Nigeria will continue to fight an everlasting war against Boko Haram".

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/190603-nigerian-army-accuses-borno-leaders-of-plotting-to-prolong-boko-haram-insurgency.html

Because Buhari has been making only noise rather than action, some ministers who served under former President Goodluck Jonathan have warned him to give their former principal his "due respect". You know that attack is the best form of defense; it might as well be that some of these ministers were corrupt, but, the fact that Buhari has been loquacious about corruption without much action, must have tipped off the corrupt ones among the former ministers, and they are now trying to sound a note of warning that they will not allow anybody to get them roped in easily. While noting that no administration is only good or bad, the former ministers bemoaned watching "with increasing alarm and concern the concerted effort by the Buhari administration and members of the APC to condemn, ridicule and undermine the efforts of that administration, in addition to impugning the integrity of its individual members". The former ministers conceded that every administration has the right to chart its own path as it deems fit, but, nevertheless consider the vilification of the Jonathan administration, to be ill-intentioned, unduly partisan, and in bad faith. They rightly noted that the improvements that have been noticed today in the power sector, in national security and in social services and other sectors did not occur overnight, but, were products of solid foundations laid by the same Jonathan administration. The former ministers listed Jonathan's administration achievements which included electoral reforms and noted that Buhari, as a beneficiary of the reforms, should be grateful to Jonathan rather than malign him. In their words: "It should also not be forgotten that the Jonathan administration strengthened electoral institutions and created a peaceful environment for democracy to thrive. On this score, it is sad and ironic that the chief beneficiaries of that same legacy are the most vociferous today in condemning President Jonathan and his team". The former ministers went on the offensive, and asked President Buhari to duly acknowledge (Jonathan's achievements); to build on those Jonathan's achievements; to continue with the probes, to press on with the anti-corruption fight, but in a fair and non-partisan manner, in line with due process, and not as a political witch-hunt, but, in strict accordance with his oath of office to treat all Nigerians equally and with the fear of God. The former ministers weren't through yet, as they warned that they have reserved their comment until now, in the fervent hope that once the euphoria that may have inspired the various attacks on the past administration wears off, reason will prevail. But that they are constrained to speak up in defence of the legacy of the Jonathan administration, and shall do so again, for as long as those who are determined to rubbish that legacy, are unrelenting in their usual deployment of blackmail, persecution, and similar tactics.

Lest I forget: The former ministers also warned that "the various lies and fabrications being peddled by some self-appointed spokespersons of the administration may entertain the unwary, but such sensationalism may achieve the unintended effect of de-marketing our country within the international community. All such persons playing to the gallery for whatever gains should be called to order. The name-calling of members of the Jonathan administration and the trial by news media should also stop". Here, they were referring to Adam Oshimole, the Governor of Edo State, who gained a lot from Jonathan's magnanimity; he praised Jonathan, as a president, to high heavens, but is now singing a different tune, because, he is gaining from Buhari (having it both ways). Governor Oshiomole of Edo State has been spewing out lies against Goodluck Jonathan's administration. Just an instance: The Coalition of Civil Societies for the Emancipation of Edo State, CCSE, has called on him to take the path of honour and apologise to Nigerians for misleading and misinforming them over his alleged statement that N140 billion had been expended on consultancy services for the 2nd Niger Bridge project and that $700 million was surreptitiously moved from the Sovereign Wealth Fund, SWF, for the same bridge. According to The Vanguard, this is coming on the heels of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, NSIA's, declaration, that it had only spent about N14 billion on the project and that the money include N10 billion as part of the N18.3 billion so far released by the Federal Government for the project, which had been disbursed for early construction work on the bridge. NSIA also said that about $2.2 million only had been spent as consultancy on the project, including feasibility studies, legal due diligence, environmental impact assessment, traffic studies, and engineering design. Lampooning Oshiomhole over his antics and unverified statements, Coordinator CCSE, Mr. Okharedia Ihimekpen, said Oshiomhole must tender apology to Nigerians, and put a stop to his inflammatory statements. Instead of Oshimole, a former NLC boss, to pay Edo State workers their salary arrears of many months, he goes about making noise. Comrade Adams Oshiomhole deceived many of us, when he was the Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, as he is not who we thought he was. The worst is that my friend and brother, Comrade Chima Ubani (May his soul continue to rest in peace), died his death for him. Even his Party colleague, the former Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, has told the world that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the Edo State Governor, who was made the chairman of the Election Committee that conducted the just cancelled Bayelsa State governorship primary of the APC, is a liar and a mischief maker. Sylva said that the former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress only pretends to be incorruptible.

https://www.post-nigeria.com/when-did-oshiomhole-become-minister-of-attack/

To be continued!

TIT BITS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnqJeGJVIUU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_dTOPEWt9U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTLLQU1jnXs&list=RDtTLLQU1jnXs#t=8

THE THANX IS ALL YOURS!!!

Continued from Part 3

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