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Does Buhari have an IBB/Shagari Problem in the North?
If we have been waiting for the North to unite behind Buhari, the signals from IBB and his cousin, Adusalami Abubakar, is that there will be no such unity. The duo have all but accepted the fraudulent election results. “We’ve Broken the Election Jinx” they proclaim.
There is no love lost between Buhari and IBB. Behind all the pre-election show of unity by Buhari and IBB was always suspicion, at least on the part of IBB, that Buhari, if he won the presidency, would wreak vendetta on IBB for the overthrow of Buhari in the coup that brought IBB to power. I doubt that Obasanjo would have rigged the vote successfully in Niger State if IBB, the Minna overlord, did not approve.
Earlier, Shehu Shagari, the old weasel that he is, couched his own implicit endorsement of Obasanjo’s rig-selection in the form of a call “[to end] personal condemnation of one another instead of highlighting on issues confronting the survival of the country’s nascent democracy.” Oh yeh! Since when was it uncommon for BiafraNigerian politicians to engage in "personal condemnation of one another?" Besides, has it not become a given that whenever a BiafraNigerian speaks about the need to save “our nascent democracy,” you know s/he is about to endorse fraud and high crime? Shehu Shagari was the victim of the Buhari-Idiagbo coup that ended BiafraNigeria’s second republic. Thus, there is no love lost between Buhari and Shagari either.
The question now is: from whence does Buhari draw the army that will fight the Obasanjo fraud? There is no doubt that Buhari has the mandate of the Hausa-Fulani North. But, is the Sharia almajiri enough for the battle ahead? If Buhari tells them go and IBB/Shagari says sit, whose orders will they follow? How about the Hausa-Fulani officers in the Nigerian army? Are they loyal to IBB or to Buhari/Shagari? There are signs that Obtusanjo may not be the only problem that Buhari has as he fights the electoral fraud, especially with a vow by Anenih that the presidency will return to the North in 2007.
[ May 04, 2003, 07:45 PM: Message edited by: Seun ]
___________________ You ain't seen nothing yet Posts: 150 | Registered: Mar 2001
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It is out of character to expect Hausa/Yoruba to provide the rallying-point leadership for positive change in BiafraNigeria, especially when the basic Yoruba instinct is tribalism, the corruption of the system with stolen public money, which is used to buy complicity of the elite in what is often branded as "shofisticated" political strategy by the Yoruba intellectual class. Today, these people have ascribed a higher intelligence than a baboon to obasanjo for fraudulently manipulating the institutions of state, in an unintelligent, undisguised, in-your-face fraud to rig himself into power.
The supremacist nations have already hailed this fraud; not surprising however, considering that obasanjo has given them a hands-off access to crude oil in Biafra, which is in line with the tradition of the Yoruba leadership as a sabotaur class and master strategists too willing to sell out politically to the foreiger for crumbs, Afonja-style. But I must remind the Yoruba that the fat lady is yet to sing; although Buhari is not trusted to provide leadership to reverse this fraud, the yoruba will not laugh last. olusegun obasanjo's miscalculation and fraud will NOT stand.
[ May 05, 2003, 05:26 AM: Message edited by: Amadi O. ]
___________________ achieve Biafra and show the difference Posts: 642 | From: Los Angeles, CA | Registered: Nov 2002
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"...ANPP won the last general election and would definitely form the government of the country soon..." - Buhari
As the BiafraNigerian crisis deepens, a nigerian like Buhari is not expected to provide the leadership to sack this fraud. But the fraud itself will not Stand.
___________________ achieve Biafra and show the difference Posts: 642 | From: Los Angeles, CA | Registered: Nov 2002
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I realize this article is rather too long, but I think the author has attempted to capture and demistify the pitiful curiousities of the Yoruba culture, the seige mentality that keeps Yoruba leaders confined to tribal cacoons in Yorubaland for fear of loosing out in a fair political and economic competition with other nations. But I think he's too generous with olusegun obasanjo - a truely incompetent fellow; a loud-mouth tribal warlord, and a true son of Yorubaland. Read on:
Between Yoruba Press and voice of criticism
By Chike Ofili, May 02, 2003
For the Yorubas, whatever they cannot get, they oppose.
‘Dr Azikiwe…was the first consummate propagandist that Nigeria produced…In this connection, he is in the direct succession of Herbert Macaulay, whom Dr. Azikiwe has claimed to be his journalistic and political ‘father’. But like all sons who are worthy of their parentage, he is greater than his father’ in this particular respect.’ —Chief Obafemi Awolowo (Awo 1960)
Let them [the Yoruba Press] know that we consider them as the biggest problem in Nigeria and this is one period when their control of the press is not going to help them. Let them know that we chuckle at any article they write condemning Buhari because we know the strength of their shameless propaganda. — Mr. Ernest Obem (Vanguard 2003).
My mouth and pen are both still sharp until the Good Lord blunts them.—Maj. Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu.
IT is a distinguishing mark of intelligence to be able to put a finger on a cancerous danger and have the courage to voice it out, or pen it down. To do otherwise is to conspire with silence. Chief Obafemi Awolowo observed the press at work in his younger days and called it by what he observed; describing and calling them by their names. This is the line this piece will toe. Listening attentively to the voice of Awolowo reflecting the deeds of our press before 1960 in his autobiography Awo (1960) as quoted above side by side that of Mr. Ernest Oben a young cross-riverian’s reaction to the Yoruba press of this time, the common links are propagandist bad manners and the Yoruba heritage of always having a hand in this dirty pie. After 40 years interval, this their press acts are worsening. Leaving Obem no other choice but to almost prematurely terminate the column-writing career of a Yoruba columnist, Mr. Kayode Samuel with his most effective reply: "Kayode Samuel and the Nigerian factor" in Vanguard of March 28, 2003.
Awolowo had critically observed what he considered the evil use to which Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe an Igbo man had deployed his pen and his press. "Apart from failing to give publicity to the achievements of the Yoruba, and holding their public men to obloquy, The Pilot always made sure that all their misdoings received due publicity… received banner headlines in The Pilot. In contrast to this, care was taken to ensure that any misdoing of the Igbo was kept out of the newspapers" (1960:141).
Today, Ernest Obem, a non-Igbo rises in defence of an anti-Igbo press onslaught and did not call the source by its cowardly name: the "Lagos-Ibadan press;" "a section of the press" or even "The Ngbati Press". He called it pointedly by its name – "the Yoruba press". His reason? "I feel compelled to respond to Kayode’s article on Ndigbo because like several other non-Yoruba Nigerians, we are fed up with the antics of the Yoruba Press." He goes ahead to demand of Kayode Samuel an archetypal Yoruba columnist: "I want to see the article he has written condemning Obasanjo for reintroducing Onshore/ Offshore dichotomy…I want to see the article…I want to see his article…’
The question to be actually asked is: what is there in the Yoruba that does not make them see beauty in others? What is this narcissism that is peculiarly Yoruba? A similar kind of American narcissism which Azikiwe was himself inflicted with from studying in America, which found a natural habitat in meeting an admirable Yoruba man, Herbert Macaulay. One holds the view that if Africans had the opportunity of colonising some race somewhere, no tribe in Africa exhibits the potential for achieving a total policy of assimilation as the Yorubas. That miserable ability to suck in others without the slightest respect.That conscious or unconscious gangsterism manifesting itself like an army of occupation to subdue for its own sake and self. A kind of vice that is totally incapable of doing to others as they would want done to them.
Yoruba votes: Ernest Obem also jolted our memories with an unusual insight that the Yoruba remain the only ethnic group in Nigeria that has never voted for any other ethnic group. In other words, their prolonged oppositional stance means, whatever they cannot get, they oppose. In Nigeria of 2003, this nature of theirs seems to have gone over the bend in its political _expression of refusing to bring out their Yoruba party (AD) candidate just so that they can favour an incumbent tribes man in the person of President Olusegun Obasanjo. A candidate who neither believes in what they believe in and is even ready to flaunt it in their faces. Yet, they would rather stomach the shame than find beauty in another presidential candidate from another stock. They leave you wondering whether it is an oath taking practice to which they must comply.
Amazingly, the very best of them seldom rise above this nature however educated or exposed. As in all occultic practice, whoever dares to do otherwise is collectively mobbed by the race. When professor Wole Soyinka rejected or refused to acknowledge the Awosit imposed supremacy of Chief Awolowo on the Yoruba race, he was given his share of resentment where outright rejection was impossible. When Prof. Femi Osofisan a notable fellow playwright as Soyinka rose to intellectually challenge the supremacy of Wole Soyinka on the Yoruba worldview, he was intellectually mobbed to submission. And when the dogged human right fighter Chief Gani Fawehinmi rose to complete the tribal tripod of our nation’s political shame of Alhaji Salisu Buhari, Chief Evans Ewerem and Bola Tinubu’s certificate forgeries, Gani was physically mobbed to give up the legal case till he had to flee to the Police station for safety. The beautiful thing however is that this helped us to understand as a nation, the way the Yoruba mind works – even that of their human right activists. Dr. Beko Kuti, hitherto a celebrated human right activist, in his defense of Governor Bola Tinubu a tribesman, went on a press war against Gani the nationalist. Beko has since gone under as a result. He was unmasked beyond recovery.
Yoruba journalism What then is Yoruba journalism and how does it work? To answer this, it would be titillating to first see how one of theirs explained the operations of another Nigerian tribe, the Hausas. Dr. Reuben Abati a foremost Nigerian columnist once wrote on how the Hausas use the mass media of the mosques and the BBC Hausa service to disseminate information whenever they are about to unleash their mayhem on the nation. I’ve always found this explanation instructive. But what it also attests to is that since the North has no share of voice in the Nigeria media the way that the Yorubas have always had, and have dominated for having the opportunity of being the first to inherit media practice from White missionaries and colonialists. Even Chief Awolowo in his memoir of 1960 attested to this imbalance whilst denouncing Dr. Azikiwe’s press manipulations:
‘The Igbos in particular were given inordinate publicity on the pages of the paper [Pilot]. Perhaps this was as it should be. The Ibo had never had a share in newspaper publicity on the pages of the paper [Pilot]. Perhaps this was as it should be. The Igbo had never had a share in newspaper publicity before the advent of the pilot." Zik therefore pursued what seemed to Awo an evil correction of the imbalance in a way that sought to turn the table on its head; some kind of Igbos must increase while the Yorubas must now decrease. This is where the Northern response to the Yoruba-Igbo-Southern domination of the press with their own mass mix media of mosque and BBC seems ingenious since they have not quite succeeded at running a thriving and lasting press.
Back to the question: what is Yoruba journalism? And how does it play out? The question will certainly either find an answer in the Yoruba culture, the historical influences of Iwe Irohin their first and Nigeria’s first indigenous newspaper of colonial origin, or a mix of Yoruba culture, inherited colonial journalistic practices, and most certainly, the combative journalism that became a response to colonial rule; a tradition championed more by Dr. Azikiwe’s anti-imperialist chain of newspapers with its large dose of typical American narcissism and gimmickry.
Abacha an Hausa, Babatope had by recommendation, and in rhythm with the steps of his mentor, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, made a remark on NTA without being totally aware of its many sides. Babatope said that Prof. Soyinka had once advised him that no matter what happened or how he responded to the situation, the Yoruba thing must be kept. Herein lies the crux of the Yoruba mode of operation with others. It is a ‘t’enwa t’enwa" – it is "our own is ours" predominated thinking habit and lifestyle; even where it requires a higher sense of magnanimity and generosity.
It is in keeping with the Yoruba thing that Soyinka found it difficult to condemn the violence of Odua peoples congress (OPC) and its leadership. To which his many admirers are yet to recover including me that worship him irreverently. Mr. Shaka Momodu’s disbelief found _expression in the way he entitled his article: WHY, SOYINKA, WHY? In This Day of April 2000. Another writer entitled his "NO, SOYINKA, NO" in a similar disappointing act in the New Nigeria of October 25, 1998. And Saleh Mari Maina a northerner utterly disappointed in Soyinka’s poliricks in New Nigeria of November 3, 1998 entitles his article: ‘Haba Prof. Soyinka"!
Shaka Momodu however recovered from Soyinka’s tribal manifestation of voice silencing to write: "Shockingly, this master of our time has refused to speak in condemnation of these butchers [OPC]. He is even speaking in tacit defense of their act of lawlessness." Shaka also noted that "Soyinka’s voice is today giving us doubt and fear." Though Shaka Momodu could not understand it, truth is, it is the double edged mannerism of the Yoruba which had long hidden under the southern fight against the north now known for what it hides, now that power has changed hands. But it must never be mistaken for a slip of the tongue.
Yet Soyinka would always get away with it the way no other non-Yoruba would without a stigma. Dim Emeka Ojukwu is till stigmatised a rebel and Biafran warlord without any media redress of a historical wrong; making Ojukwu unsellable to Nigerians with all his brilliance and abilities. Yet nobody calls Soyinka an occultist for his more lasting legacy of derailing education on our campuses; for pirating learning from our higher institutions with his cultic confraternity. Today the new stigma is sharia woven around a well known disciplinarian, Mohammodu Buhari just to make him unsellable at the polls against the Yoruba incumbent, Obasanjo. One thing is sure, Hausas would shake it off. They would shake it off more because they have grown used to receiving Yoruba attacks to which they have over the years developed a pain killer. Besides, that anesthetics is only for the elite portion of their population. Not their teeming mass literates in Arabic and not Kayode Samuel’s English, who in Samuel’s miss world piece cannot read nor know how to stand a newspaper let alone know that Mohammed was insulted.
The Hausa-Fulani north would also shake it off because they have an organic political organizational skill and some kind of sheepish following that their leadersoften exploit but which the north was beginning to resist which crack, the Yorubas have now cemented with their Sharia attack on Buhari.
What then is the implication of these Yoruba acts of its men and its press? Listening in on non-Yoruba public men and politicians over the years would give us a clue. In the present political dispensation listen closely to the presidential aspirants, you will hear their muffled crises of unfair play. If you say the north deserves those attacks for clinging on to power insensitively and unproductively, listen to Igbo public men. Listen to the whispering outcry of Dr. Alex Ekwueme; the damning reactions of Dr. Chuba Okadigbo and of course, the unsaging reactions of Dim Ojukwu. At the 2003 presidential debate, Rev Chris Okotie a non-Igbo talked about not listening to the press he called "people of peripheral intelligence." Listen to the outburst of Regina Askia, ex-beauty queen and actress and other non-Igbo victims who have the damming courage to speak against the Yoruba press.
If the Yorubas still listen to the voice of wisdom that will often emanate from Pa Awolowo, as their present acts negate, let them know that they are investing heavily in the present and future hatred of Yorubas by all the other ethnic groups. A negative feeling and repulsion capable of leading to their future denials. Though one was not born during the documented years Awo recorded in his memoir against Zik and by implication the Igbos, because of Zik’s use of his pen and press, one gets this feeling that apart from the civil war, the press power, coupled with the privilege of being at the forefront of virtually all aspect of Nigerian life, is partly responsible for why the Igbos suffer deep resentment from almost all sections of the Nigeria society including even some of their own kith and kin.
The Yorubas are therefore well advised to know that those who sow wind shall reap whirlwind. And those who recommend this Yoruba narrowness of mind (which Chief Segun Osoba gladdening himself called ‘self-help’) instead of the more nationalistic generosity of the Igbos; however politically unprofitable for now, should stop it because when social justice or retributive justice shall take place, the Igbos would be better compensated. This should console Igbos, particularly, Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu. It is also at such impure times that one continues to appreciate the pure criticism of great UnYoruba Yoruba sons like Chief Gani Fawehinmi and the nostalgic voice of our cosmopolitan pan-Africanist singer-crusader, late Fela Anikulapo Kuti of perfumed memories!. The Yoruba should learn to love others just as they love themselves.
CULTURALLY, the Yorubas are highly celebrative if not an indulgent people. Their pride in their own is so well rooted that it was not a surprise and still not a surprise, that they have shown more cultural resistance to colonialism, Westernisation and Americanism than most Nigerian tribes. Similarly, this sense of self and self-celebration have taken on such an indulgent proportion that they get so insensitive about their invasion of other peoples’ spaces. In the case of journalism, they have made themselves the news, the newsmaker and the news gatherer; all three rolled into one.
That is also why only their own are more employed and would always have to be the ones occupying positions and taking over every succession plans. It is also why only the Yoruba voices and faces that must illustrate all news and opinions on our so-called national newspapers and magazines such that people now say that what we actually have are ‘view papers’ and ‘view magazines.’
Criticism: But why don’t the Yorubas share space? Why don’t they extend to others what they enjoy? This is the part of Yoruba press I wonder about. Why are these narcissists incapable of nationalistic practices? People say you have to first learn to love yourself before you are able to love others. The Yorubas and their press are narcissists but where is their love for others? Why have they never as a group voted for any other tribe in Nigeria? Why don’t they see beauty in others? And why is it that the only voice they spare is the voice of criticism against others? Why, for instance, has Prof. Wole Soyinka’s vocal voice gone on exile since 1999-2003 that marked their ascendancy to Nigerian leadership through President Olusegun Obasanjo? Why did their vocal press lose its vocal cord
Ernest Obem demanded of Kayode Samuel, the archetypal Yoruba man and columnist: where is your article on this and that. I ask Wole Soyinka: where is your voice on PDP primaries, Obasanjos serial massacres of civilians, Niger Delta oily agonies, Obasanjo’s practised denial of contracts entered into, etc. Why would Soyinka's voice only return from exile just because General Muhammadu Buhari, another coupist like his brother Obasanjo from another tribe, wants to be president? Suddenly, Soyinka has found his voice: Buhari is unfit to rule. Is your tribesman, Obasanjo, fit?
The Yoruba mob mentality of others is fully manifest in the criticism of my dear Gani Fawehinmi, which now largely stands against his well-deserving presidential bid. I, however, found the answer to the Yoruba mode of operation in the voice of Soyinka echoed through Mr. Ebenezer Babatope on television. In those June 12 years, when Babatope’s Awoism was on trial for associating with the military government of General Sani Abacha, an Hausa, Babatope had by recommendation, and in rhythm with the steps of his mentor, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, made a remark on NTA without being totally aware of its many sides. Babatope said that Prof. Soyinka had once advised him that no matter what happened or how he responded to the situation, the Yoruba thing must be kept. Herein lies the crux of the Yoruba mode of operation with others. It is a tinwa tinwa – "our own is ours" predominated thinking habit and lifestyle; even where it requires a higher sense of magnanimity and generosity.
[ May 07, 2003, 12:20 AM: Message edited by: Amadi O. ]
___________________ achieve Biafra and show the difference Posts: 642 | From: Los Angeles, CA | Registered: Nov 2002
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I am suspicious when two hausa people or two yoruba people appear to quarrel with each other. Therefore, I don't know if Buhari has an IBB/Shagari problem or not. It doesn't matter. Both men are Biafran problem.
However, I know that IBB is stupid if he thinks that all that it takes to "break the jinx" is to rig the election and proclaim oneself re-elected president of BiafraNigeria. It shows that Babangida does not understand nor does he even remember recent BiafraNigerian history.
In 1983, Shagari rigged the election. He proclaimed himself re-elected president of BiafraNigeria. He even had himself sworn in as re-elected president. Two months later, Buhari-Idiagbon struck. Shagari escaped with his life. If rigging the election and getting sworn in is all that it takes to break the jinx, Shagari broke that jinx twenty-years ago. So, there, Obasanjo is twenty-years a late comer.
I am sure that the people that will overthrow Obasanjo know that it would be idiotic to let him escape alive. They certainly would not want him to come out of jail to assume a fourth term as despot. If for no other reason, they should eliminate him to spare us the eye-sore that is Obasanjo.
MORE congratulatory messages yesterday poured in for President Olusegun Obasanjo over his re-election at the April 19 presidential polls. Among the dignitaries were former President Shehu Shagari and Chief Ernest Shonekan who was head of the 1993 interim government. And from the International scene, Russian President Vladimir Putin Cameroun's Paul Biya, President Hu Jinato of China also came warm greetings for the President.
Shagari, in his message, told Obasanjo that his victory is a testimony of devotion service to the people and the fatherland."
He said, "like all good things, democracy demands peace, justice and fair play to prosper. It has to be nurtured with courage and patience of the leaders and the led in order to flourish.
"I have no doubt that you are bold enough to accept criticisms, however hard and to be magnanimous in victory."
He urged Obasanjo to strive harder in the next term to prove the transparency of his government as well as his party and to be calm and firm.
"May the Almighty assist you in the onerous task of leading this nation," he prayed.
Shonekan, in his message, described Obasanjo's re-election as "a recognition of sterling leadership qualities during his first term". He said that Obasanjo "represents, on our collective behalf, a brighter and more stable future for Nigeria".
Shonekan said there was no doubt that Obasanjo would endeavour to distinguish himself during his second term and mark his name as "a nation builder for prosperity".
Chinese President Hu Jintao and Vice-President Zeng Oinghong in their message to President Obasanjo and Vice-President Atiku Abubakar noted the Nigerian leadership's commitment to national unity, social stability and economic development.
They acknowledged Nigeria's positive contributions to peace and development in Africa and the world at large.
"The Chinese people and the Nigerian people have enjoyed profound traditional friendship and our bilateral relations have developed in a sound and steady manner," they observed, adding that China was ready to work with Nigeria for continuing friendly relations and co-operation.
In his own message, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the choice of President Obasanjo by the will of the people of Nigeria "distinctly reflects the devotion of the Nigerian people" to democracy.
He expressed confidence that the traditional friendship and co-operation between Russia and Nigeria will continue to be strengthened "for the benefit of our peoples and in the interest of peace and stability".
On behalf of Pakistan, Prime Minister, Zafarullah Nhan Jamal, extended "warm facilitations on President Obasanjo's re-election, adding: "your resounding victory is a manifestation of the trust of the people of Nigeria in your qualities as a leader and statesman".
"I am confident that under your able leadership, Nigeria would make further impressive gains towards development and prosperity," the Prime Minister stated.
Meanwhile, three more African leaders have sent congratulatory messages to President Obasanjo.
President John Agyekum Kufuour of Ghana expressed "heartfelt congratulations" for President Obasanjo's resounding victory".
"Your re-election is, without doubt, an acknowledgement of your commitment to the promotion of democracy and good governance, as well as poverty alleviation in Nigeria," he stated, noting that Nigerians "have indeed done well in choosing wisely".
Kufuour said he was personally happy that President Obasanjo would still be around to contribute to the joint effort of ECOWAS leaders to restore peace and stability in West Africa.
"I am particularly pleased that I can continue to count on your support and wise counsel as I steer the affairs of our sub-region in the capacity of current chairman of ECOWAS," he stated.
The Ghanaian President expressed confidence that President Obasanjo's second term would witness a further deepening of the friendly and fraternal relations "so happily existing between Ghana and Nigeria, and an intensification of co-operation at sub-regional, regional and international levels."
President Paul Biya of Cameroun said he was "truly delighted " to extend his hearty and fraternal congratulations on "this fine recognition of your efforts and achievements these past four years at the helm of state".
He noted that the people of Nigeria had clearly demonstrated their support for Obasanjo's policies and for his resolve to work for the building of a united and democratic Nigeria.
"I know I can count on you in pursing the task of normalising and harmonising our relations on mutual understanding, good neighbourliness and co-operation between Cameroun and Nigeria," Biya stated.
Shagari had been bought a long time ago through the appointment of his son as a minister by Aremu. You know, the same way Adesanya's loose thighed daughter Dupe Adelaja was made deputy defense minister (I remember then Adesanya came out and boldly warned he will disown her,only to go and help Aremu bind and deliver AD for self destruction, just like he recently vowed he would disown his wife, lets wait and see the outcome of that one)
The only difference is that Shagari is not the only respectable Northern leader nor does he wield that much clout if not for the ceremonial integrity he projects which Aremu/Anenih has seen fit to exploit to keep the Northern domain divided, confused and prone for ravage.
What seems to be unfolding is the legitimization gold rush by the rapacious Communist block leftovers whose only goal is not to be seen to be outdone again by the West in yet another potential area of economic exploitation after the recent debacle of their misjudgement in Iraq.
___________________ YA CAIN'T KEEP A GOOD MAN DOWN :) Posts: 1182 | From: TEXAS | Registered: Oct 2001
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