"ANYTHING NOW GOES"

"ANYTHING NOW GOES"

Nigeria is such a wonderful country that has lost herself in time and her people are almost oblivious of her glorious past. The images and videos of those days before and after independence clearly showcases a nation laden with potential and hope.  I debated with a few colleagues today about the source of the black man's trouble;  the presence or absence of a genetic etiology. 

One of us asked if it was due to the fact that the colonial masters left too soon and I was of the opinion that that was not the reason why we had fared poorly as a nation thus far.

The white man left institutions for us. A good proportion of the steel brought in to lay our rail tracks pre-independence remain in-situ. The wooden panels and concrete utilised to construct buildings within the premises of the University of Ibadan for example from the 1940s-1960s remain solid and in better condition than the buildings currently under construction.

Photographs taken in the past when compared to those of exact spots today clearly reveal how this once potentially great nation has paled and worn out by greed, corruption and indiscipline. We should naturally weep when we see such but the tragedy is that most Nigerians would not even recognize that those old images are in fact Nigeria. 

I watched part of the news yesterday night and could not help but be astonished at some of the reports.  In one story, a good number of aggrieved youths protested in Abuja with placards that spelt out the reason for their gathering.  These ones were promised Nigerian immigration jobs after miraculously surviving the immigration exercise stampede last year.  Some displayed their medical records and investigation request forms which had what appeared to be covering notes written on them by the immigration service in the immediate aftermath of the disaster. 

Goodluck Jonathan had graciously lavished immigration jobs on 3 members each of all confirmed deceased applicants but these promised ones were left out in the Pankshin cold displaying cardboard papers with "shot" change written upon.  One major thing they accused the ministry of interior of was releasing lists of mysterious people who were not affected directly or indirectly by the stampede. Jonathan did a lot of transient things solely for the elections which have unfortunately vaporised following his failure.  Electricity distribution in large parts of Lagos have now become non existent one wonders what happened to the previous rationing formula prior to the elections. Many federal workers got paid their March wages way before the end of the month and this was inclusive of those centres where it is customary to receive wages between the "35th- 40th" day of the month. Great gesture to impress voters one would say but it failed woefully. 

Another story was about the delayed handover from the erstwhile chased out inspector general of police to the acting IGP and local Interpol boss.  It was quite informative reading between the lines of the comments made by the sacked IGP when he eventually showed up in his safari suit to surrender his throne. The "uniform" chaos of the police still baffles me till tomorrow.  The new guy Arase was shown walking into a building with other junior cops and there were those in blue shirts, greenish "MOBILE police" colors and of course those in the old black and the new camouflage blue-black.  

New IG. Google images

I still wonder why the police need to wear camouflage just like I wonder why the immigration service and customs also do.  It is only the Civil defence crew I have not seen in camouflage.  They will need red and blue outfits to balance up. I saw a mobile police officer today wearing what looked like army issue "desert storm" boots.  The green khaki and light brown footwear did not blend at all but I'm sure the dandy cop wasn't in the least bothered because that is just what was supplied to the police. Is it too much to demand some consistency within the ranks of the police? 

The minister of information addressed a press conference to clarify previous comments about the hand over date being the 28th of May instead of the day after.  She talked a bit trying desperately hard to convince her audience that the 28th was only going to be about a dinner and that she was misunderstood during her earlier announcement.  I watched on nonchalantly until a point when she addressed the president elect as just "Buhari" without any reference to protocol or am I just overreacting? 

The final story that I remember upset me was that the Nigerian football federation had announced a new kit deal with sports giant Nike.  Who signs such deals without any elaborate launching program and contract details? It only happens in Nigeria I guess;  they assured Nigerians that the 3 year deal was worth it financially while they held the details to their chest and away from intrusion. Why did the NFF suddenly return to Nike which they dropped in 2003? The executive then opted for Adidas over hummels because of the brand name even though the Danish company had a far better offer on the table than the very deep green pyjamas like and bland jerseys used by the super eagles during the 2004 nations cup in Tunisia. 

Osaze's breakthrough tourney. Shocking jersey.
Google images

The story about the numerous "vote for APGA and die" coffins used to decorate Abia roads was just for "tragic-comic" relief.

Lagoon submarine? Google images. 

24042015

NO ROOM

NO ROOM

I grew up with my marginally older cousin Tolu as my closest ally.  He was bigger and stronger; always avaliable to rescue me whenever I was faced with trouble from peers.  

When my elder sister left for secondary school in 1989,  we became the joint heads of our pack ensuring the safe movement of as much as 8 children to and from school. Life was generally fair to us during the late 1980s. There are memories of visits to the beach,  UTC, birthday parties and my dad or uncles regularly dropped us off or picked us from our school on Johnson street. Those were the days when we were put in a cab unaccompanied with little fear of getting abducted;  it only took about 2 naira to get us all from one end of Bode-Thomas street to the other. 

My father subsequently got deployed from his bank's Ebuta-meta branch to Agbara close to Badagry and my mum contemplated quitting a frustrating nursing career for fashion designing after all a good number of her colleagues had already quit to run businesses or relocate abroad. Life was no longer good for we had to trek for nearly 30 minutes to school almost every day. It was really a struggle not to arrive late especially when my youngest sister commenced kindergarten. 

Our return journeys home were usually uneventful until one fateful day.  My younger brother had run ahead of Tolu and myself,  led away by Jide who was a close friend. We beckoned on them to slow down and rejoin the pack but our words got stuck in the wind. We usually crossed roads together as a group but on this day;  Jide sped across Bode-Thomas without looking right or left and my heart practically skipped two beats when I watched on as my only brother followed. 

What we witnessed next was screeching tires and the small frame of a young boy rolling past a car. The sound of wailing sent shivers down my spine and numbed my senses. 

The pack was now scattered and the two leaders kept walking on seemingly ignorant of what had just happened.  My cousin and I were scared to death because we did not know what the true situation was and we quickly resolved to tell my mother that we did not know where my brother was.  It was at this point that witnesses called us to ask if we were together with the projectile young boy.  Looking back now,  what we did at that moment was like the apostle Peter denying Christ three times.  We were prepared to deny and abandon our brother but the shame forced us to turn around and it became apparent that the boy was in fact intact save for a tiny bruise on the heel of his left foot and a few tear drops streaming down his face. 

We reclaimed our brother as many eyes remained fixed on us;  it was really embarrassing.  The occupants of the car that narrowly missed my brother were out and comforting him and they volunteered to drive us home and perhaps explain the event to our parents.  "Drive us home kè?" We begged them not to make matters worse for us and allow us to continue on our journey without them.  When our crew regrouped, it was agreed that no one was to speak a word of what happened to the hearing of my mother even though it appeared my brother was walking gingerly and still somewhat dazed. 

We made it home and the no audio game began even though we were frightened.  Lunch was almost served when we heard a knock on the door. My mother opened and welcomed two strangers;  the two men who we had pleaded with to go their way.  They had apparently trailed us and they narrated their own version of events as well as asking about the victim. It was clear that the heads of the pack were "dead".

My mother thanked them for their concern and showed them out.  Oh the two heads received their due wages. We were in charge and ought to have done all within our means to ensure we stayed together.  It may appear as child abuse or neglect but that was what it was then and our parents did their very best.  Perhaps our wages could have been lighter if we did not attempt to abandon my mother's son and stay silent.

What did I learn?  There is no room for abandoning or transferring inherited or acquired responsibility; there is no room for not trying again and again to ensure orderliness.  There is surely no room to hide behind falsehood and fear of the unknown. 

Don't stand idle and allow things degenerate when you have creative abilities to volunteer.

23042015

HIS FLAWED CONVICTION

HIS FLAWED CONVICTION

In an attempt to reverse the significance and  implication of his initial campaign rhetoric prior to the presidential poll  that Lagos state needed to be "aligned with the centre"; Mr JK Agbaje took to his Facebook page to publish an epistle which contained reasons why he thought that Lagos under his reign and in opposition could still experience massive development especially in 4 years. 

Mr Agbaje went on to liken his potential reign to pre-independence Lagos,  Lagos of 1979-1983 and even Lagos of 1999-present day. Mr Agbaje practically acknowledged that Lagos state has been highly successful since 1999 yet he wants to interrupt that because he has now suddenly repented of his firm belief that aligning Lagos with the centre was our only option. 

As I went through his lambtale, I couldn't help but notice some flaws in what am individual gunning for the Lagos office included to strengthen his case.  He stated that when Awo was premier (up to 62), the Action Group led Lagos and the NCNC led the FG. What kind of statement is this?  Is he that oblivious of history or did some infant write the piece for him?  The AG was dominant in the Western region alright but Lagos was the nation's capital and was run administered via a combination of federal and regional resources.  It may not be safe to say the AG led in Lagos because the truth is that the NCNC though a party with very strong Eastern support at the time was also strong in Lagos if not stronger than the AG. The NCNC was led before Zik by Herbert Macaulay and so retained huge popularity in Lagos. It is on record and common knowledge that following the 1959 parliamentary elections; the Northern people's congress with most seats won formed a coalition with the NCNC to rule the country while the AG became the opposition. How JK inferred that the NCNC led the centre in those days remains baffling for someone who is hailed for his speaking proficiency. 

Mr JK went further to mention that Michael Otedola of the NRC was governor in Lagos while the SDP led the central Federal government prior to the annulment of the June 12 elections.  I truly don't understand how the SDP led the FG in 1992/1993. Was Babaginda a member of the SDP before he stepped aside in late August of 1993 or was MKO Abiola able to be president despite being undeclared as winner of that election?  

I really don't think Mr JK should emerge as governor of Lagos tomorrow because he seems to be prone to distorting history and  utilising ethnic sentiments to his advantage without any sense of responsibility. He has asked Igbo traders to use their PVCs to figuratively drive the APC into the lagoon perhaps to avenge the statements made by the Oba of Lagos yet he continues to somehow forget that it was not the APC or any of their members who made those unfortunate statements.  I am yet to see or read anywhere JK has condemned the oba of Lagos for his harsh words but he wants APC in the lagoon. 

I think it will be disastrous to allow the PDP recently conquered in the centre to have a lifeline to resuscitate their cancerous self even though brother Jimi continues to claim that his genetic makeup is totally different from his fallen comrades in the PDP. Jimi acknowledged that Lagos has thrived since 1999 despite immense resistance from the centre.  The AD-AC-ACN-APC achieved this by developing their own methods;  If they don't get returned,  I am of the belief that they would strategically relocate their think-tank to function at the federal level leaving JK to create his own protocols using his Bold ideas.  I'm afraid the potential leaches from the March annihilation may not allow any such BOLD ideas to thrive; they have lifestyles to sustain now. He is supremely confident that the incoming Buhari administration will not be vindictive if he wins. 

I'm not impressed by the character of the man Agbaje; I want to believe that the likes of Alao Akala may in fact be better and more consistent characters than the smooth talking 58 year old PDP aspirant. I chose to go along with the judgement of the outgoing governor Raji Fashola. If he thinks that Ambode can do the job well then I think most Lagosians should trust him.

jolee

10/04/15

published later.

CEASE FIRE

CEASE FIRE

I remember declaring the commencement of hostilities in "Cyberia" on the 19th of December 2014 after sensing that many in that realm were still either laid back or hypocritical about the dire situation our nation was in.  I naturally expected people I thought were cerebral to exhibit objectivity and patriotism but sadly they either shocked common sense or hid their timid frames behind rhetorical "pseudo-intellectualism" and floated upon an imaginary fence of "non-partisanship".

I think I must have "unfriended" one person due to chronic irritation prior to the declaration in December but I believe going on the offensive afterwards was more profitable.  Friends and family got the same edge of the sword just like unknown folks across various social media platforms.  It was like operating as a patrol cop looking for law offenders.  My main targets were those who distorted history,  fabricated lies and exalted the representative of incompetence and ineptitude. Some defied logic and resisted verifiable facts and figures.  Some insulted me and literally pulled their hair out in defence of their deceptive principal.  Many thought the issue at hand was akin to a friendly game between the two top Manchester sides. I am not sure if I got any deletions or blocks but I got assurances that my mission was doomed because a certain fellow had a tool called power of incumbency. How I wish I placed bets;  I would have bought Sao Tome by now. 

This isn't necessarily about the naysayers and pessimists.  I want to acknowledge those who in one way or the other made things to happen.  

My awaken occurred sometime in late 2009. I visited my man Uwa and we were talking about Nigeria and corruption.  His father overheard our conversation and his contribution about our past that day caused me to cease from analysing  Nigerian issues based on sentiments and cured me of bilateral hemianopia. His mum also weighed in big time with her contributions that day.  

Uwa Osadiaye and a good number of my fellow IJ peers like John Ugochukwu Udoh, Abidemi David Edmond, Titilope Akeredolu, Sola Adepoju, Nkechi Onyema, OC Ukeje, Wizy Frenzy, Chukamura Shingimo, Chiazor Chukwulobe, Aseks Baba, Yemi Akinde, Akinshola Daisi, Gbenga Ige, Tosin Jaiye, Muna Momoh, Boye Bada and many others have existed beyond ethnic sentiments to advocate for the true Nigeria.  The likes of Cpt Fameso Oladele Michael, Tayo Lawal, Timi Onibon, Funke Phillips, Ibraheem Abioye, Olaolu Lawal and many others have also not let IJ down. I will acknowledge Fagbenro Oluniyi A even though he preferred a revolution and converted later. John Babatope Oshodi is a legend in his own right especially for starting a thread sometime in December which generated enough discussion among peers to convince more than a few.

My comrades from medical school retained the spirit that moves under the Alexander brown hall reading room to speak up for what is right. Midday Awo is a legend,  the "wrecking ball" who will surface to help demolish any comical opinion.  Omotayo Medictoa Ajayi appeared to tire towards the end but he still forged ahead. Olámìdé M. Folorunso was outstanding just like Michael Oluwaseun Ajibola, Tiwalade Adeluwoye, Gbolahan Yusuf, Dotun Shittu, Oladayo Jaiyeoba, Ba'atunde Olubusi-Yusuf, Lawal Idris Yusuf, Henry Amuta, Akinkunmi Afolabi, Tayo Oluokun, Odebunmi Akintayo, Femi Ojagbule, Wale Ogunwoolu, Phemmy Aina, Olufemi Aina, Oboirien Isa Omokhudu, Labman Ema, Ogbezode Mathew, Oyewale Shiyanbola,  Olu Gbolahan, Tilewa Omotoso, OR Balogun, Femi Ayeni, Kayode Adejoro, Olalekan Akanbi and Taoreed Oladejo. Ajibola Ogunlade's faith never shook and  Ikenna Momah may still be waiting for the Oba's apology but I know where they stand.  Fisayo Oyekolemay have been ruthless from time to time and Oyatokun Olugbenga surely became relentless with time. Folabomi Omowo and Somi Omowo were constantly on the same wavelength and I won't fail to mention the role played by Abayo Ogunwale's constant writing for more than a few years now.  I remember getting educated on northern Nigerian history including migration by Ibrahim Mohammed Binali as we sat outside the building where we lived as house officers in Abuja.  That and my tours through Plateau,  Nassarawa, Benue, Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Niger, Kogi and Kwara have helped tutor me about Nigeria. Who says we all have to "believe" the same way to canvas for change in the country when Peter Adeosun Keyz and Ayinde Olatunde Olayinka are in your camp? We shouldn't forget the exploits of the legendary Wobo Bex who possesses a certain riverine political gene we can do nothing about but perhaps exploit later. 

Really old peers like Onuh Adole and Dayo Bakenne were also vocal. Bukky Adebayo voted on both days; University friends like Onayemi Tosin, Oyindamola Tutumor, Odukoya Rebecca Morenikeji and Folarin Olabisi did not keep "Kwayet". My Bali brothers Ismaeel Maishanu and David Otuada remained Nigerian and my church brothers Yoma Asorho, Olufemi Oke, Mayowa Ogunmoroti, Seth Ogungbe and 'Bowale Ikotun didn't hide behind fear. An evening spent with Adegoke Akanbi and his older brother in London sharing about Nigeria and the deep seated rot has left am indelible mark in my mind. 

One major positive from all the cyber conflict is encountering many great Nigerians whom I have never or may never meet physically. I will acknowledge the likes of Dr Uche Orji, Fejoku Bliss Patrick, Chidi Ogbuanu, Osahon Coco Omoruyi, Folábí Ògúnléye, Joseph Monye and a top man Kay Lord. My really big brother Sesan Isaac Oloniboko was very active and he does deserve some applause. Peter-Ben Oluwafemi Anifalaje and 'Toba Ayokunle Olakunle were not mute even though far away while those at home like Mr Oluwakuyide Olaniyi Adewumi finally got to shave his Soyinka-esque beard following victory.  

It will be a great dishonor to ignore my Lagos colleagues like the dynamic Lawal Kola Bakare, Banjo-erinle Oluwasesan, Olamide Familusi Somoye and Sholaide Oluwafunmilayo Makinde. My brother Pison Ajobo Olumide only agreed on a change at the centre but that suffices, my cousin Fafure Ademola Oluwaseyi belted loud and clear from hostile territory and my sister Isoken Osadiaye was an amazon in this struggle. 

I would be lying if I said I never wish to gain anything tangible from all that I did.  Nothing physically rewarding came out of it for me and may never come; however I am more than grateful that the struggle eventually bore fruit and we were not put to shame. The thought that Nigeria is potentially poised for greatness excites me, the actualisation of that will be my ultimate reward as a patriotic Nigerian beyond any personal benefit. 

What we set out to fight for has been achieved even beyond our wildest imagination.  The real work starts now to reconcile Nigeria and build her up to exceed the expectation of all within and without. 

I hereby declare a cease fire. Manchester City got "lagooned" today and that appeases me.

WHY I DON'T FANCY JK.

Should you trust a man who uses false information in his campaign posters just to score cheap points? He made a poster contrasting a big hotel on the island to 2 young ones sleeping like destitute people in an abandoned building in a location he conveniently tagged Amuwo-Odofin for obvious sentimental reasons. The same man had a dinner a few days back at the Eko Atlantic hotel;  he should have organised that dinner at the trade fair centre on the Badagry express road to prove his allegiance to the poor and down trodden instead of dinning with the princes and moguls in Victoria island.  Did he get the hall there for free?

Then the bold ideas crooner outdid himself by bringing another poster contrasting a futuristic depiction of the ongoing Eko Atlantic City with a collapsed building in a place he conveniently tagged as Mushin Idi-Oro.

I know many will say he couldn't have known about what those contracted to make these ads actually did to get their job done but I don't think he can feign ignorance for approving any ad meant to boost his profile. 

Why would anyone take an image from the synagogue building collapse to describe Mushin if not to provoke and manipulate the locals resident there? I have already spent time revealing the wicked activities by this man since Sunday geared to prepare ground for an ethnic backlash by Ibos and other non-indigenous ethnic groups against his opponent in the APC. He suggested that the APC were out to intimidate and threaten Ibos with violence more than 24 hours before evidence of the unfortunate utterances of the Oba of Lagos surfaced.  He continued with 2 other posts and has not for one second condemned the statements of the oba who is his relative but has heaped it all on the APC.

This man is a manipulator in chief,  an extremely desperate character that doesn't correlate with the image he has convinced some people he has. I'd rather have a person who doesn't hide behind a veil but shows himself for who he really is.  The most "hated" man in Lagos right now is Tinubu  and he has not revealed himself to be a saint,  that is fine by me. 

Here's the link to the site where the picture was taken. http://www.ekekeee.com/synagogue-building-collapse-t-b-joshua-bags-n25000-fine-wasting-courts-time-taxpayers-money/

Isn't it contradictory that the fellow who is called "Omoluabi Eko" covertly uses that phrase to mock the alleged Ondo state origin of Ambode yet he now deems it morally right to use the "Misyarning" of an overzealous Oba to attack the APC as having an anti - Igbo agenda? 

It's no secret that the PDP in Lagos have gone against the candidacy of Ambode because of claims he is originally from Ondo state just as Tinubu is also not originally from Lagos. They must really loathe that the likes of Osinbajo, Aregbesola, Bamidele and even Akabueze held vital executive roles in Lagos state. Just to name a few cases of how the AD-AC-ACN-APC have been intolerant to non-indigenes.

It's remarkable how Jideofor Kenechukwu Agbaje has suddenly risen to be the defender of the Lagos Igbo race without having the gonads to look the errant Oba in the pupils to condemn a word of what he said.

Why should I trust the judgement of a man who while not under duress advised Nigerians to vote for Jonathan because of the possibility of MEND and their cohort crippling the economy above the worst case of violence the North could offer.  He said we should allow for a turn by turn presidency to justify a second term for Jonathan yet he calls himself a progressive and not "one of them". Is he funding his campaign with just proceeds from his personal business? 

THE KING'S CURSE

THE KING'S CURSE

It seems to have become a common trend in Nigeria to put forward an appetiser before serving the main course of scandalous information in one's possession.  It happened with Ekitigate and now the latest issue is centred around the Oba of Lagos. 

Oba Akiolu was reported in the newspapers this morning that he said the Ibo people in Lagos would perish in the lagoon if they failed to vote for his and the APC's candidate Akinwunmi Ambode in the Lagos gubernatorial election scheduled for Saturday April 11.

The report was carried by a few newspapers including the Thisday newspaper and the source quoted was a certain Freedom online news outlet and they had graphic quotes attributed to the Oba. The first time I became aware of this story was while listening in to a newspapers review on Smooth FM and one of their popular reviews known as Chxta Bee was making his contribution via a phone call and he seemed unusually agitated about the inappropriateness of what the Oba said and it took the intervention of the main presenters to curtail his attempt to get really personal with the Oba.

I was pretty much not convinced about headline and I wondered how anyone in his right senses could make such unfortunate statements about an entire ethnic group.  Social media was dominated by contributions for and against the Oba and it only served to exposed the residual and surplus animosity that still rules the hearts and minds of Nigerians. It was not really the comments attributed to the Oba that really bothered me;  what was of greater concern to me was what people especially the main politicians who stood to benefit the most were making out of it all. 

I read at least 3 posts on the Facebook profile page of Jimi Agbaje the PDP candidate and could not help but notice his blatant attempt to whip up ethnic sentiments to tip the Lagos elections to his favor.  He was all about how the APC's brand of "change" only served to intimidate the Ibo tribe with violence.  Long before any audio recording of the Oba's statements were made public;  Agbaje had heaped practically everything on the APC and nowhere on his posts did he condemn the Oba for his unfortunate words.  Is the Oba of Lagos a spokesman of the APC? Is he their godfather? 

The audio recording eventually surface and it seemed to have Chxta as the source. There were actually 2 separate audio recordings which I listened to.  The first was about 1.52 mins and had the Oba addressing the Ezes who had come to meet with him.  Oba Rilwan sounded to me as an arrogant man who tries to feign humility from time to time.  He berated his guests for apparently voting for Jonathan last Saturday perhaps against his wish.  He spoke to them like he was their commanding officer, reminding them that he was in charge of Lagos and his subjects all had no choice but to fall in line.  He said Tinubu and Fashola did his bidding and Jonathan was his son who he spoke to everyday.  It seemed like he mentioned the name Andy Ubah somewhere along the line when he engaged the head of the visiting delegation.  He said the fellow was with him till 12 midnight the previous night. 

I am of the belief that the comment which has been transposed to include all Ibos in Lagos was directed at the more than 1 score Ezes who had come to visit him.  He practically cursed them that they would die in 7 days and perish in the lagoon if they went back on whatever understanding he had struck with them.  I believe he was only leveraging on their superstitious side to drive home the importance of his demand.  I really do not know what amount of influence the Oba of Lagos assumes the Ezes have over their people to warrant the exchange he had with them.  It is common knowledge that the majority of Ibos especially in Ibo dominated residential areas voted with a main agenda of earning victory for Jonathan and the PDP in the 28th of March but I doubt if this was due to instructions given by the Ezes. The Oba must have feared that such a voting pattern threatened his "authority" over Lagos and possibly his source of livelihood. 

The second recording was mainly about the spokesman of the Ezes who seemed at ease with all the Oba had said;  he laughed loudly from time to time before getting into his address.  He obviously eulogised the Oba and sounded to me like he was apologetic about the events of 28th of March after which he reassured the Oba that the Ezes had his back with all of them shouting out the name "Ambode" rather cheerfully once.  He talked about the breaking of the kolanut they had at the meeting and promised that they would all be back to party with the Oba after the elections. I am not sure if I heard the Oba sounding it out to him to come along with his young daughter. 

The atmosphere in that room sounded cheerful to me and apart from the boastful utterances and curses made by the Oba; nothing sounded out of place. 

Jimi Agbaje  has spent this obvious gaffe to label the APC as ethicist and intolerant.  He has called them violent but has forgotten that armed youths go around in his campaign vehicles while the OPC at one time went about intimidating Lagosians with weapons and smashing campaign boards of his opponent.  The roads one can term as federal roads in Lagos are largely dominated by his own billboard with large stretches of the Ikorodu Road,  airport road and the third mainland bridge dominated by his "taking education more seriously" campaign ads amongst many others. He has the federal roads while Ambode has the state roads which pretty much sounds fair but intolerant. 

I believe JK is playing a really dangerous game exploiting ethnic divides and the residue of Jonathan support left in Lagos. I was of the opinion that the failure to return Jonathan would deflate his supporters enough to disregard the gubernatorial polls but Agbaje is desperate to arouse them. There is a publication attributed to the Agbaje camp detailing to Ibos how the APC plans to rout their economic activities amongst a few other issues.  Assuming he wins and installs fair taxes; will he miraculously revamp Ladipo and Alaba markets to world class facilities or would he tell these traders who he is banking on now that "nothing for them"? Would Agbaje populate his cabinet and the Lagos state civil service with non-Yorubas to compensate for their support? Will he govern Lagos and obliterate all classes of monarchs in Lagos?  

The Oba of Lagos made inappropriate statements to his guests and considering the context of that meeting;  I don't think it is a hate speech or a call for genocide which some people are making it out to be.  The Ezes to what I understand do not dictate to their kin in Lagos and they only know what they received from the Oba and have to account for. The Oba although he claimed to have picked Ambode is not the spokesman or the mascot of the APC. His statements were unfortunate and largely overzealous in an attempt to ensure his favored candidate wins.  It is not news that he is partisan,  he has not hidden his preference so this disclosure really should not affect how people decide who they vote as governor of Lagos. 

Some people have based their choice of Agbaje on the premise that he looks the part and speaks well unlike Ambode who many see as a stooge.  Agbaje has tried to distance himself from his party but I insist that one cannot really be separated like that;  if he was running his campaign solely on the sale of diazepam and anti - malarial tablets from his shop I could have agreed. 

A story was told to me by a colleague about a couple of Ibo extraction who took their very ill child to a general hospital in Lagos for emergency care.  That child was taken in and treated till she got better.  After a few days while the child was being prepped to be discharged;  the mother asked the doctor what their bill was fearing that herself and her husband would not be able to afford whatever was mentioned.  They were then informed that everything done for the child was free since that was Lagos state policy. They were overjoyed and as they made to leave,  someone asked them if they would vote the APC in this election.  I was shocked when i learnt that the response of the couple was No!! This is what it is like for many in Lagos and Nigeria;  there is really nothing that would change their mindset and Jimi Agbaje is unfortunately banking on that. 

LAGOS: Round 2 Buildup

LAGOS: Round 2 Buildup

The PDP permitted the emergence of the fine boy no-pimple, clean shaven and well spoken Jimi Agbaje from their chaotic primaries which was neck-deep in controversy. It had to do with inconsistencies regarding number of accredited delegates and number of votes cast at the end of the day.

To cut the lengthy story short, figures no balance but the power brokers succeded in shutting down the ambition of the ever controversial Musiliu Obanikoro, sacrificing him for the easy going and seemingly spotless JK Agbaje perhaps to woo Lagos voters who may be dissatisfied with the long reign of the Jagaban over Lagos politics.

JK rode on the storms generated from Musiliu ranting and raving until the Lagos Island non-tea party associate cooled down and suddenly turned around to transfer all his political capital and estate to JK. This was all before the Ekiti election manipulation recording surfaced which himself and a few of the other cast members initially tried to shrugg off like it was just a gambling session.

Koro eventually got a ridiculous sounding ministerial portfolio while JK continued to bombard the airways and road divides with a variety of jingles and campaign boards respectively. He has been on social media testing his popularity and attempting to distance himself from the genetic make-up of the soon to be extinct ruling party. 

Mr JK has claimed that he trounced the APC candidate in the debate between them hosted by Olisah Adibuah but all I recollect from that debate was a better speaking man who talked a lot about the untapped marine economy in Lagos and how Lagos stood to benefit immensely from aligning with the centre in Abuja.

He has talked about fair taxes and I really wonder what that means. He wants to take education more seriously and wants to ensure private sector partnerships yet he is not at peace with the Lekki toll gates.

Mr JK had the 28th of March to test his popularity but I must say that he seems to have failed to deliver for his principal despite the latter practically lodging and working out of Marina for the few weeks leading up to the elections. They even had to enjoy watching Gordons and co mock their opponents, he must have laughed his head off at the jokes told that day all because of his ambition.

Lagos experienced a form of ethnic based voting and it almost worked out to their advantage. Since that has failed, would the principal still be interested in a last minute push to capture Lagos when it does not really matter to him anymore? Is this asset called JK still worth anything to the PDP? Are Lagos willing to have bruised chieftains of the PDP take over Lagos in an attempt to rebuild their party for a counter attack in 2019 or would JK win and tell his financiers that he wants to decamp to allign with the new centre?

I will continue to berate him for suggesting Nigeria should surrender to blackmail and the fear of the Niger delta militants destroying oil installations. I don't think he is actually all that some people paint him to be. I have no problem with him joining PDP but what I find amusing is that he jeopardized his campaign by allowing the president tag along and basically dictate his campaign. How could he have allowed Patience Jonathan touch the microphone at his rally to say JK would do in Lagos what her husband did in Nigeria?

Mr JK could not help GEJ; he lost his immediate locality but is now depending on the sectarian votes which came close to claiming Lagos last week. I don't think he's as popular as he thinks even if social media rates him high. I do not think he would win but even if he does; it is most likely going to be a hell of a ride governing. Can't wait to remix all his catchy tunes.

All the best to Lagos.

WHAT IF BUHARI DIDN'T WIN?

WHAT IF BUHARI DIDN'T WIN? 

I have mentioned before that my passion for Nigeria was initially planted and watered by my father.  He never stopped talking about the nation and what he thought were the solutions to her problems. I guess I got interested in reading about Nigerian history pretty early and the opportunity to attend secondary school with many great minds of diverse origins helped to mould me into whatever I am now. 

Interacting with my mates back in secondary school taught me respect and how to reason beyond every default setting; it taught me to recognize and accept competence in others ahead of self interest. That foundation remained throughout university and the desire to always learn anew or relearn has not diminished.

I was never impressed by the peoples democratic party PDP and most especially by their first president who is meant to be from the same tribe as myself.  I felt his manipulation of the 2003 electoral process must have been achieved by obtaining potions from Merlin. He succeeded in convincing the likes of the late Abraham Adesanya and most of the Alliance for democracy governors then to queue dangerously behind a Yoruba agenda to win a second term whilst effectively crippling a major part of the opposition in the process.  The only survivor of that deception was the then governor of Lagos state,  Bola Tinubu.

I subsequently hoped for a situation that would be run by an idealistic ideology and practically supported anyone who I deemed sophisticated and uncorrupted by the status quo.  The elections which brought in the Yar’adua administration ought to have been annulled because of several obvious irregularities.  The ruling PDP had succeeded in establishing a well controlled electoral process that would have guaranteed victory for their candidates at the centre just like a rigged coin that would land on a fixed side irrespective of the number of times it was tossed or loaded dice. That system ensured that Yar'adua who was actively campaigned for by General Obasanjo due to his absence as a result of ill heath ended up defeating his closest challenger Muhammadu Buhari by nearly 18 million votes. 

That contraption unfortunately made room for a seemingly unambitious man like Jonathan who could not show any initiative to wrest Nigeria from the hands of the "cabal" which decreed from Riyadh. At that time,  I was convinced that Nigerians had already seen enough of the man to know he was "bad market". I will say that I was more that convinced that Buhari could oust him or at worst force a rerun. A 10 million popular votes difference was too disappointing to handle and I wondered how an obviously inept candidate could have earned 22 million votes winning 4 out of 6 regions and gaining the requisite 25% of cast votes in 32 states. 

I was bewildered but not paranoid to go about hunting down and insulting those who I knew campaigned for Jonathan.  My level of disappointment increased when I got to learn from some friends and colleagues that they in fact cast their votes for the "learned" one instead of my choice for president. It was extremely shocking to read "Christians" lead the onslaught against the candidacy of the running mate of the Congress for Progressive Change, Pastor Tunde Bakare.  For some it was about his being overly critical of the Nigerian church especially if their beloved "Daddies" had at one time or the other been on his radar while for others it was simply being narrow minded about the role of the clergy in nation building. 

I went out of my way ever since then to unravel the real reasons why Nigerians remained stuck in stereotypes and controlled by primitive sentiments.  It became lucid to me that the ruling class had the greater share of the blame for allowing Nigeria wade in the streams of corruption and abject clueless leadership. It was the duty of those who claim to be learned and cerebral to arouse the people from their sedated state to fight to regain the soul of their nation from the bandits who were posing as leaders.

Another important point that became apparent was the utilisation of supposedly well educated and respected individuals by the rulers to use their vantage position to invent and propagate propaganda; a venture which blossomed when it was clear that general Buhari was going to run for a fourth time.  I braced myself to wage battles especially in "Cyberia" to contest and disprove every fallacy and lie from the pit of hell with facts,  figures and common sense. 

I was convinced in late 2014 after a series of articles I researched and wrote that president Jonathan would be defeated by Buhari.  I was certain that professor Osinbajo was the perfect choice as running mate and I deployed every ounce of strength and drop of cerebrospinal fluid to solicit support for Buhari. 

While discussing with a few colleagues last week,  I mentioned to them that this year's election was the last chance I was giving Nigeria and Nigerians to get it right otherwise the country would be stunted and desolate for ever.  I made this statement without wavering that Nigerians would triumph this time around but peradventure Buhari failed again;  I was prepared to sign the death certificate of the nation as cause of death: "Chronic and irreversible stupidity". 

Thankfully Nigerians won but the withdrawal symptoms amongst Jonathan lovers are a source of great concern. 

POST-ELECTORAL GEJITIS

Many Jonathan supporters have found solace in joining the recent clamor for international recognition for the president's heroism. A few have done what I would have done i.e. go into hibernation for intensive introspection. Sadly,  more sinister developments such as failure to revert to truth settings have been manifested but more unfortunate is the overt strategy to assault the senses of any perceived enemy and inhibitor in the pathway of the ill fated reelection bid of their principal. It is just like translating what elder Godswill Orubebe did in the physical unto social media platforms. 

I stumbled on such an anger management (more like reactivation) group this afternoon and the barrage of insults and cursing directed by a male figure on a female personality beggars belief. The fellow was soon joined by his friends to further rain insults on the lady, accusing her of vices they could not realise they were exhibiting full blown and they continued to rage citing an article she had written marking the defeat of Jonathan as well as speculating the reasons for same.  Part of this condition is hallucination and inability to comprehend even the simplest of matters.  

This is the unfortunate situation we have found ourselves especially amongst young people who ought to be building bridges our parents and elders either demolished or failed to reconstruct.  

If Buhari did not win,  I would have moved on to find my Eutopia and resigned Nigeria to the choices of those glad that vandals and bandits were going to be in charge.  Goodluck Jonathan has lost unfortunately;  I will remain loyal to the integrity of Nigeria just like those who have lost this election should and desist from irrational utterances and behavior unbecoming of the custodians of Nigeria's present and future. Those who share their sentiments should understand that they are as guilty if not more guilty if they watch on in silence or subtle indulgence as ethnicity,  nepotism,  tribalism with religious fundamentalism and  supremacy gets expressed from their vantage positions.

General Buhari is not perfect neither is he a magician. Some have already started mocking him even before he lifts a finger. If he falls short,  we are not going to mince words when we call for and effect his return back to Daura.

The cure for PEG is a large dose of intra-cerebral reality and truth. Let us help spread it. 

We shall overcome! !!!!!!

APRIL'S FOOLED

APRIL'S FOOLED 

It is truly amazing that many have rushed to reflexly shower worship and glory upon the head of the outgoing accidental president Goodluck Jonathan because he dodged a moving train. Some have highlighted to me the fact that the president elect Buhari himself described Jonathan as a great Nigerian during the remarks he made after receiving his certificate of return.  Did they expect Buhari to get in front of cameras and start calling Jonathan names so that bigots can unsheath their blades all over again?  Anyway,  one can be great for good and bad reasons;  bad reasons such as stealing,  lying and incompetence. 

Mr Jonathan has suddenly been described most especially by his cronies and sections of the media and cyberspace as the hero of this electioneering period because he conceded before Borno results sealed the grave of this ill fated government.  How Jega "the White" can be usurped because some people want to salvage and rehabilitate the outgoing president is beyond me.  I have spoken to a few people that this issue of conceding and emerging as a hero is like watching a movie where a hostage taker is encouraged to free his hostages when he realises the SWAT team outside his position has him boxed in and with many red dots focused on him.  Unlike the normal movies where such a character would be taken away in handcuffs,  this character would be hailed by onlookers and the media with a helicopter provided to take him to any location of his choice. 

So what if he chose to grandstand and Orubebe succeeded in sparking a "Royal Rumble" on the collation stage of the International Conference Centre Abuja?  What if the regional militias that he has liberated with a 4 billion naira pipeline security contract decided to initiate armed conflicts?  Would he have just dissociated himself because he is the symbol of humility? Was it not common sense to have brought out a calculator to know way before hand if he still had a chance and concede if he did not have?  Certain combat sports such as the mixed martial arts have submissions as a method of earning victory.  When a combatant is held in a submission hold which he or she is not able to break out of;  it does not require any gram of heroism to tap out. How Jonathan was planning to win the election with victory in only 2 out of 6 regions defied logic; the scoreline flattered him and conceding was a no brainer. 

Assuming Jonathan is set free to walk,  what will he actually do with his life after May 29? Go back to teach? Publish his memoirs? Start a ministry?  Regroup with the PDP to form a more formidable opposition with the likes of KOWA, ADC, APA etc? Plan for another shot at the presidency in 2019? None of these options seem befitting for a former president of the largest black nation on earth.  Abdusalami Abubakar must have suggested to him that a pseudo-Elder statesman role made more sense.  That way,  Mr Jonathan could get call ups to broker peace between North and South Sudan or be the chief electoral monitor during Madagascar's next election.  Madam Patience  would be able to travel around with him then. I however doubt if he would be getting any high profile interview requests or speaking jobs; I am not sure he is highly thought of inside and outside these shores.

The husband of a woman who called a grown man brain dead and who asked for a stoning drive has now suddenly acquired "hero" status. Are we expected to acutely forget all the front page insults and fabricated stories to damage the image of the general because of a few tonsillar congratulations? Should we suddenly forget the manner of Lamido Sanusi's coup d'etat  and the notable times soldiers were scrambled unto the roads in several cities to either intimidate or suppress protesters?  

The very many elitist imaginary fence sitters and non-partisan observers are now identifying with the movement for change they could not risk joining because of the heavy fetters of ethnoreligious supremacy and bigotry.  Many of those paid to hourly fabricate lies to destroy the person of General Buhari are now preaching one Nigeria like they had not spent the last few months nuking the delicate fault lines which loosely adhere the component parts of our country.  There is a need to call these lot out now so that they can see clearly their folly and in order to prevent a relapse peradventure a new piper payer accidentally bursts on the scene again. 

What exactly would Patience Jonathan have to do after May 29? Definitely not sun bathing on the beach with Michelle Obama and Angela Merkel. Will Wike still call her mummy or will Bipi still look unto her for salvation? 

Agreed Mr Jonathan did the sensible thing to concede in injury time;  a sensible football team knows better to slow down their aggression and do damage limitation if they are getting walloped by another rampaging opponent. This thing is not rocket science or Messi scoring a hattrick against Elche. If Jonathan should be hailed as a legend or hero with respect to this election,  then  Asari Dokubo is Hercules while Gani Adams is Zeus for exhibiting incredible restraint keeping in view their unsigned 4 billion naira contract which I believe is sutured tightly to Jonathan getting reelected.

I chose not to be fooled this day by this anointing for statesmanship like it will restore the missing monies, territories and girls.

Just my opinion.