When I visited Lagos briefly this past December (2002), posters were all over places for religious crusades. The curiosity made me hired a taxi (drop) to take me round Idumagbo, Yaba, and Ikeja areas in the midst of the tropical weather in the vehicle with no air conditioner. I kept on drinking soda with about 12 different handkerchiefs purchased from the road hawkers. I spoke at length with the taxi driver about the peril of Nigerian Pastors with all these posters. They have spread all over the Southern States.

Ironically the Nigerian Pastors have gone to the point of rainy out curses on Church members that refuse to make donations to the Church Ministry. In November last year (2002), at the crusade ground of Victory Holy Ghost Mission, Isolo, Lagos, Evangelist Uma Ukpai, televangelist and founder of Uma Evangelistic Association, Uyo, quoting from Deuteronomy 28:12, that for those who sow seed-faith, the Lord had promised to prosper them. "The Lord shall open unto thee His good treasure, the heavens to give the rain unto thy land in this season and bless all thy work of their hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow". Ukpai followed up by stating "If you are not a giver today, you shall be a beggar tomorrow." The minister urged his congregation to challenge God by donating between N1, 000 to one million each. The people were given papers to write their pledges payable within 24 hours. What a man of God.

We have others like Ayo Oritsejafor, founder of the World of Life Bible Church, Warri, a protégé of late Benson Idahosa; George Adegboye, president and founder of Rhema Chapel International Churches, Ilorin, a one time lecturer at the Kwara State Polytechnic; Bishop Francis Wale Oke, founder of The Sword of the Spirit Ministries in Ibadan; my very own, my contemporary at the School of basic Studies, Ilorin, David Oyedepo, Bishop of Living Faith Outreach of Winners' Chapel, from Omu-Aran, Kwara State who established the Covenant University in Ota, Ogun State to promote tertiary education in Nigeria; Alexander Ezeugo Ekewuba, founder of Overcomers Christian Mission, in Owerri my 'home State'; Oyonnude Kure, general overseer of Evidence of the Gospel Church, Benin, Bishop Fred Addo, , Kaduna; Samuel Abiara, founder of Agbala Itura Worldwide, a faction of the Christ Apostolic Church; Enoch Adeboye, a former university don, general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God; Solomon Dickson, founder and senior pastor of the Christ Believers assembly, Port Harcourt; Ignatius Eboh, founder of Glorious Evangelical Church of God, Port Harcourt. I just wish those flamboyant and spirited men of God would jointly pray together without charging the public, for God to open the inner eyes of Nigerians so that they can select the best leaders for Nigeria come April 2003. I hope to see them tuning down on their "cash and carry" business and follow the teachings in the Bible to elevate the peoples' spirit and stop draining them, squeezing water out from the dry rags. God have mercy on Nigeria.

Personally, I have been on my kneels since the beginning of this year (2003) asking for a Divine intervention on Nigeria and liberate the country from these hungry wolves that bragged themselves as politicians so that our children would have a place to go in future. It is about time Nigerians all over the world and the lovers of the country to go to Synagogues, Churches, Mosques, and places of worship for God to send good leaders that would care for an average Nigeria. The time is now. Prescribing the medicine to the sick country and its termites that is sucking up the foundation of the house call Nigeria, before its lethal death will make Nigeria survive past 2003.

One amazing development since I have been on 'sabbatical leave' because my 'friends' at the National Assembly are crawling quietly like a rattle snake, waiting for their next prey, because of the on-coming election, is the menace of decampees and the recycled politicians. They have taking this game as a do or die diversion, in the name of service. Do they know what service is all about?

One of the problems facing Nigeria political process today is lack of commitment to a course or principle for the people. Nigeria politicians continue to struggle and compete to be the best desperado in the government or public service. The 300% of the politician annual salary that they would get as gratuities after 4-year service of defrauding the country is enough for the recycled politicians quest to die on the road to the honey comb house. What a package!

Regrettably they have no vision on what they need to do for the people. We have the old recycled politicians, who never know when to quit. They resurface again to replenish their pockets that are drying up and want to be among the best world swindlers. The recycled politicians have bastardized public service in Nigeria. They continue to march on the same spot at a slower speed of course, like Professor Jibril Aminu picking up his Party's ticket for the Nigeria Senate from his constituency. We'll watch and see what is left in the man who is supposed to sit back and advise the younger folks. I'll take very ardent interest in his performances at the Senate. May the Lord have mercy on Nigeria National Assembly of 2003, so that we will have course to sing Hallelujah, Danshaki to our Lord. It could be that Professor Aminu is warming up for Nigeria President after Obasanjo, to knock horn against Atiku. I hope my Igbo friends are taking notes.

	Dr. Okadigbo ran away before his kismet day with the PDP to be the fascist running mate. Of all his education, just jostling around for opportunities. Despite the withdrawal of all other ANPP Presidential aspirants...it was only Oyi that decided to pick up spoils of his 'public service'.

The issue of recycled politicians is polluting the younger ones that are ready to serve the country. People across the Globe realize that when you recycled an item, it's value has been diminished and reduced to oblivion and you can make anything worthless out of it, something different from its original usage.

The military in politics is in this category as part of the recycling items. Is Obasanjo better of, the best of all the recycled materials? The military in politics is a pointer to the fact that political power is one of the reasons for the military coup detats. They took off their khaki and put on agbada to enable them hide more goodies from the public in their agbada.

Each time I read on the pages of the news media the rush for public office in Nigeria, it is like a do or die situation. You'll be wondering do they do this in the name of public service or personal gain. I begin to wonder also how loyal the gluttonous decampees are to the course of their respective Parties. Nothing is wrong for anyone to switch Party based on some obvious reasons but not fighting for positions. The rate at which Nigerian trailblazers switch Party is questionable, and of great concern to an average Nigerian.

After switching Party, the first order of business is the struggle to be number one in the new Party above those they found on the ground. Reasons given were not good enough to make them switch. A good politician would rather remain in his Party and fight whatever he thinks is wrong with the Party than running around like a prostitute looking for the highest bidder. It means that if they do not get whatever they want from the new Party, their journey continues, like the door that you swing back and forth but still remain on the same spot. How long will Nigerians continue to trust and believe these people?

We do have decampees such as Dipo Sarumi and Chibudon Nwuche from PDP to ANPP, Chief John Okpa, Deputy Governor, Cross River, Senator Kofoworora Bucknor-Akerele from AD to NDP, Prince Ademola Adeniji-Adele and Danusi Sango and Femi Falana from Ad to NCP. You might want to ask what are the ideological differences in all the Parties.

Unfortunately the highest number of decampees comes from the Igbo from the beginning of this nascent democracy. Senator Jim Nwobodo and about 15 PDP lawmakers in Anambra State, after what they called kangaroo PDP primary in Abuja, decamped for another Party. As it stands now I am afraid that the chances of an Igbo man becoming the President in Nigeria is becoming slimmer and slimmer by day as witnessed by the spongy situation within the Igbo political camp. I could had wished they unite forces together to support Obasanjo's second bid, then the Yoruba would not have no reason not to support the Igbo bid for the President come 2007.

As a matter of fact Igbo presented the highest number of Presidential aspirants than any other Ethnic group as of today, February 2003, with the greatest number of decampees since 1999. That is a sign of disarray within the Igbo. The Presidential aspirants are Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, Senator Jim Nwobodo, and Dr. Alex Ekwueme all from PDP with two decampees, among the three. Here are the top politicians in the Igbo land that could have made a dent in PDP if they all remained and stick together. In ANPP are Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke, Chief John Nwodo, Dr. Ogbonnaja Onu, Chief Rochas Okorocha, Chief Kalu Idika Kalu and then Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu who left ANPP for another Party.

This type of attitude does not show an average man of a serious people, seriously in search of the right to the country's highest office. If corrections are not made on time it would take ages before an Igbo man could smell Aso Rock, if the unity issue is not quickly addressed. It is never too late. Support Obasanjo for his second term. I would like my Igbo political players to realize that no one gives up power you have to take it. The North is not happy as the cheapest way they relinquished power to the South West. The North has started their game plan again. Trusting someone like IBB is the cloud of doom coming to the Igbo land on the Presidential bid. Regardless how many chieftaincy titles you give IBB it makes no difference. We are waiting and see what happens in 2007.

Take for instance what Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, whom I tag as 'the Roaring Lion of Kano politics of Talakawa', did. He fought against the PDP zoning system and he won, bringing Gemade with him in the fight. Even though he lost at the PDP primary, he was allowed to contest. That is what I mean by staying within your party and fights the obstacles. Rimi had earlier vowed to fight the Party with his blood. We thank God that he did not spill blood to get his Party's nod to contest at the PDP primary. He fought the Party's wrong principle of zoning. We all know how much Rimi hate Obasanjo's gut, but he did not play the game of political prostitute. I reserve my comment on Rimi for another day, in my next segment.

Dr. Okadigbo ran away before his kismet day with the PDP to be the fascist running mate. Of all his education, just jostling around for opportunities. Despite the withdrawal of all other ANPP Presidential aspirants, Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi, Alhaji Lema Jibrila, Alhaji Yusuf Ali, Mr. John Nnia, Chief Rochas Okorocha, Chief Pere Ajunwa, Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoku and Chief Harry Akande, it was only Oyi that decided to pick up spoils of his 'public service'. How that ticket would work remain to be seen. We have to agree, to some extent, especially in this scenario, that human memory is very short. Okadigbo forgot so soon how his colleague in the House of Representatives had promised to be by his side during the impeachment days. The rest is history. Honorable Na'Abba is still standing, while Okadigbo is still looking for the best bidder. My people always say that if you don't stand for something you will definitely fall for anything. Dr. Okadigbo in his quest to continue picking up the political spoils, harvesting where he does not labor, he lost N8 million to swindlers, in December of 2002, who posed as auctioneers, waiting to make gains from vehicles to be auctioneered at the Apapa Wharf, Lagos, by the Nigeria Customs Service. I pray he never recovers that money, because the reward of cheaters is just like that.

Another shocking aspect of the whole exercise is Dr. Alex Ekwueme's bid for PDP ticket for the President. The gentleman, whom God safe his life twice, from the plane crash and Armed bandits, the man I have very resonance respect for, was brought out from his clandestine life, possibly by the northern oligarchy of IBB's call for him to challenge Obasanjo, with all the promise to back him up at the election. The modest man was humiliated at the PDP primaries, which make me sick to my stomach. How could the Igbo had opened their korokoro eyes and allowed one of the highly respected Igbo caliber of Dr. Ekwueme to have been "dusted off and finally dumped in the mud" that way. A serious re-thinking is urgently needed within the Igbo group. The Northern consensus candidate of Buhari whose qualification is not as good as those other candidates that withdrew equally humiliated those Igbos that went to ANPP.

There were complaints about the PDP primary of which Chief Orji Kalu assessed to be fair. Even though I agree with Chief Jim Nwobodo, who led the large group of decampees from PDP, stated, "you saw the entrée charade and the conspiracy woven round such a respectable man. They went and brought him out, dusted him up, only to dump him into the mud. Even the Katsina State Governor, who was his campaign coordinator in the north dumped him at the eleventh hour…" I hate to be saying that I told you so. You have to unite behind Obasanjo for his second term, so that we can go it together for 2007. Remember the 'Roaring Lion of Kano politics' Alhaji Abubakar Rimi is waiting.

Dr. Ekwueme humiliation is not just for him as a person, it is against the Ndigbo. Dr. Okadigbo has no business with Buhari. You can fight the fight within the Party not by decamping to another Party. If you remain within PDP no one can challenge your right for the highest office come 2007. But now you have undermined yourselves and left your focus into disarray. Chief Nwobodo and others were at the primaries and they agreed to the modalities, the secret ballot, and the election venue among others, before the election. If Ekwueme had won, would there be any complain about PDP primary.

I do expect Chief Ekwueme to borrow a leaf from Rimi and Gemade. They picked up pieces from their loss and accepted the Party's mandate. What they did was laudable. Gemade congratulated Obasanjo for wining the ticket and revealed that he has a serious stake for the success of the Party in April. Rimi remarked that the development was cheerful for democracy. He advised the Party to resolve issues at States as quickly as possible for the Party's success in April. That's the sportsmanship in the game.

Chief Nwodo, the man that stole my heart when he addressed us at the Igbo Convention in Atlanta late 2002, suffered another humiliation with the ANPP primaries when no delegate was allowed to vote, because Buhari is the 'consensus' candidate. Nwodo has the credential to lead Nigeria to the Promised Land as of today. Unfortunately some deadwoods in the group would not allow his light shine to the people of Nigeria. His testimony after he walked out from the ANPP's convention revealed his bitterness about the whole exercise. He said, "In all humility, my brother and sisters, I do not lend my name to this charade. I cannot stand this ballot to disgrace the democratic process." My people always say that whatever your eyes look for, 'nain u go get'. Follow your principles, your conviction in life for people; do not run away from a good fight. I do respect Rimi, if I may go back to him, even though he made some dangerous statements that could incite trouble in the community. The man stands by his principles at least so far. (Read my next segment: "The Roaring Lion of Kano Politics")

The type of wrong fight that I am talking about happened this past weekend, Friday night February 7, 2003, when Dr. Alex Ekwueme and Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, boycotted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders parley even as the party resolved to review its manifesto to an implementable size. Such a meeting is where they were supposed to be. You do not stay away from a meeting because you disagree with them. Whatever decision they arrived at would be binding on you. Why don't you attend and make your case and stand by it. It was a good venue to actualize your disagreement especially when you have the presence of President Olusegun Obasanjo, Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Ghali Umar Na'Abba, Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu, Deputy Speaker, Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Ebonyi Governor, Sam Egwu, D. S. P. Alamieyeseigha of Bayelsa and Rivers Peter Odili, Chibudom Nwuchie as well as members of the Chief Audu Ogbeh-led National Working Committee (NWC), among others. The meeting was an opportunity for Dr. Ekwueme's manifestos being incorporated into the Party's.

Kwara State is not left out of this equation of decampees. The kingmaker of Kwara State, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki, Turaki of Ilorin, because his mentor disagreed with him, on principles, he decamped from ANPP to PDP. Good principled politicians would remain within the Party and fought on those Principles he believed in, not on mere personal disagreement. I had wished these politicians remain in their parties and fight the wrongs within the party for a better party to come.

To add salt to the already painful sore, he imposed his son Dr. Busola Saraki as the PDP flag bearer. Reading about the presentation of his son to him, Thursday, February 6, 2003, it was like a drama to me, when Busola remarked that he is going to kick Lawal out from the Government House. Dr. Saraki's daughter is going to the Senate, his son to the Government House, why couldn't we call Kwara, Saraki State. Luckily those who picked Kwara are no longer relevant in the State any more.

Mirroring the development between Dr. Olusola Saraki and Rear Admiral Alabi Adebayo Lawal, the son of Aladerin, who is not shaking in 2003, we can conclude that Kwara is already doomed regardless who won in April 2003 between Saraki and Lawal. The killing still happened this past week (February 6, 2003) in Ilorin.

Lawal would go down in history as the man who bends the backbone of Dr. Saraki's legacy in Kwara State and for changing the course of history of Kwara Traditional Rulers. I commend him for that. I was glad I was able to tell him recently when I spoke with him this past week (week of February 2 2003). He sound resolved that we leave everything in the hands of God. That is the only thing that he has to say. History is on his side.

	Here is a challenge to Nigerians in Diaspora. Go to your villages, hamlets, cities, churches, synagogues, Mosques, and your communities to educate your people of what they have to do to get the respect of the politicians. Like Governor Odili said recently to his people to stop begging government to give them some projects.

Lawal made efforts to resolve the issue with Saraki, they went to the Emir's palace, met with Imams to pray for them, went to his Kogi State counterpart to resolve the issue, where he told Saraki face to face all that he said publicly about him, and honestly apologized. The only thing that would come out from Saraki, at his hotel in Abuja after the meeting in Lokoja, was to ask Lawal if he has started parking his luggage from the Government House. What else does he want him to do? Lawal might have made mistakes, which he admitted, however, we should have the spirit of forgiveness.

Saraki-Lawal feud notwithstanding, it is absolutely imperative for Kwara to move from its childhood underdevelopment level. If the two cannot settle their differences, Kwara State should not be used as the fishing bait. They could take their fight somewhere else. Kwara needs to move on without the two of them (Lawal and Saraki). For peace to return to the State, as Lawal is parking out from the State House, Saraki should reverse to the inner part of his room. I hope Kwara voters would be well informed enough to make a peaceful change in the State. There is an alternative to the two monsters.

This is a big test to all the Kwara political players and the Kwara voters, if their brain is still intact. The feud between Lawal and Saraki has gone beyond the normal principled individuals, it has turned personal, but not at the expense of the people of Kwara State. Kwara voters should neutralize the feud by getting someone that would bring peace to the State. Whomsoever wins between Saraki and Lawal will make no difference to the State.

Joining Saraki is the Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Mala Kachallah, from ANPP to another Party so as to clinch to the Governorship ticket. He cannot face the challenge of Senator Ali Madu Sheriff. Chief Enyinaya. Deputy Governor of Abia State is tired of fighting the young vibrant Governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu to join ANPP. These Parties are yeye Parties picking up left over from other Parties.

Either in Igboland, Kwara State, or anywhere else, Nigerian voters need to be adequately informed, extensively and qualitatively educated. Nigerians are the main problems of these politicians. I wish they would understand that the politicians are servants of the people. Nigerians are not to worship them, but give them their respect if they deserve it. Allow them to do their work. Stop begging them for money all the time so that Nigeria could be better off. Nigerian sold out their pride, their dignity with hat in hand begging the politicians for money and the politicians capitalize on the poverty they created for the people. Massive education is needed in Nigeria before things could get better.

Imagine multitude of people converging into the politician homes as early as 6:00 am waiting to see the Honorable or his Excellency, at the same time some are waiting at the office. What such Nigerians are telling the politicians is for them to steal from the government treasury and give them the money, instead of using that money for the community development. If you do not give them, you are a bad guy. If you say something contrary to the Governor's plan or projects, as a legislator, you are a bad guy who does not want a 'good' project in your constituency.

Nigerians are those that encourage the politicians to be corrupt, and the politicians in turn made themselves Kings. Some Nigerians make a living out of the politicians going from office to office begging for money. They prevent some serious politicians from doing their job. Some politicians spend their personal money to help their constituencies.

Here is a challenge to Nigerians in Diaspora. Go to your villages, hamlets, cities, churches, synagogues, Mosques, and your communities to educate your people of what they have to do to get the respect of the politicians. Like Governor Odili said recently to his people to stop begging government to give them some projects. It is the responsibility of the Government to provide them such services. Well thank God that we have a Governor telling our people such. At least we are still better off with the civilian than the military. Keep the military away from the corridors of power forever.

Nigerians in Diaspora might be Nigeria last hope, even though some of us are not better off than the ordinary Nigerian voters in our narrow mindset. We need to form some pressure groups for mass education so as to get the politicians on their feet. We can help with legislations, seminars, trainings, networking, and share our wealth of experience with Nigerians at home. No one will fight this good course for us; we have to do it if we are what we say we are. Let us retire the decampees and the recycled politicians to the village market with their cloth loined across their body and drink palm wine, buruku, kainkain, and nunu.

Nigeria needs massive education to challenge the politicians to give us good roads, medical services, good water supply, regular power supply, and prevent further exploitation of Nigerians by the religious groups. Is it not time for the dogwood politicians to step aside for those that really have the genuineness to serve the country? Most of the current politicians have been over-recycled and of no use to the public anymore. They are just marking time. The legislators and the Police need help to bring peace and respect back to the country for the sake of our children.

I am appealing to my readers not to forget that the crusade on the 419ers is not yet over. It will not be over until it is over. The bad eggs are being 'transferred' to Nigeria in seconds today by the US authorities. If you know them, and they don't stop their underworld activities, let the authority know. They are now branded security risk, no longer white crime, according to my friend, Adisa Usman Olorunlambe "Adunbarin". As we send the 419ers to their caves, so also we shall send all the deadwoods, old recycled politicians into the corners of their 'rooms.'

God bless you.

Can Nigeria Civil servants be members of political parties?