PDP shenanigans

Article

The People's Democratic Party, the dominant party in the Fourth Republic, is showing apparent signs of maturation. A faction has established itself at the PDP Reform Form, calling for all party "stakeholders to recognize the need to separate the party from the government and return to participatory democracy." Apparently, the PDP-machine is in a PRI-esque relationship with the government and party leaders handpick candidates in true pre-bendalistic fashion.

Yar Adua Dies

In a turn of events that seems all too much like it could be the potential for a Hollywood film- Umaru Yar'Adua finally took the big sleep May 5th 2010 . After an extended medical leave in Saudi Arabia that started in late November 2009 and lasted just over four months due to kidney and heart problems, Yar'Adua returned to the chaotic country in still declining health.
His sick leave was plagued by superstition and rumors of conspiracy, for the undefined measures to be taken in the case of an absent president left the Nigerian legislature confused and unsure of what to do. Some felt that it was a secretive arrangement set up before the election to continue previous leader Obasanjo's reign with his god-son and Yar'Adua's vice president Goodluck Jonathan. Continued suspicion arose when Yar'Adua's wife shielded the sick president from view once he returned to the country in late February. However; all was worked out. Fears of an unstable country rocking apart by the absence of president were resolved when Goodluck Jonathan was sworn in as acting president February 9th, 2010. The country has remained no less stable since.
Although Yar'Adua's presidency was cut short, the 59 year old Katsina native accomplished much throughout his time in Nigerian politics. In 1999 he was elected governor of Katsina state and just 8 short years later he was nominated as the presidential candidate for the Nigerian People's Democratic Party. As president Yar'Adua was the first president handed the position by a civilian incumbent rather than a military one. He continued liberal economic policies, harsher tactics to relieve the country of corruption, and most notably gave his support to the groups pushing for the emancipation of the niger delta.

CPC

In a move that shouldn't surprise anybody, a US advisory commission on international religious violence has recommended that Obama dub Nigeria a "Country of Particular Concern" with regards to its out of control religious violence. Apparently, 12000 people have been killed in the last decade in only a dozen incidents. I would normally assume that this is the sort of thing Nigeria would get huffy about, but the article claimed that the top brass in Nigeria welcomed the prying committee when it went to see Nigeria's dismal religious community relations for itself, and looked forward to working with the US to eradicate the problem. The article was fairly silent on how the country should actually go about finding a solution, it only gave this pithy line, "more violence should be expected in Nigeria except there is a change."
Come to think of it, I don't know of one single country that has successfully resolved deep religious schisms. The United Kingdom is probably the closest, but even there people still kill each other over religion. In India, Hindus and Buddhists seem to get along (hindus and muslims definitely do not though), but I am not aware of any insuperable doctrinal schism between the two. Actually the relationship between Hinduism and Buddhism is similar to that between Christianity and Islam, in each case both religions are similar in their roots and teachings.

Vanguard article

Taste of Africa! Unbelievable Rates! Visit Nigeria's Poorest Slum!!

Article

Nigerian officials are facing an interesting predicament. Slums are usually viewed as demolition targets to make way for useless" infrastructure projects or projects that benefit only the rich. But apparently many people think "poverty in Nigeria is good business." The article claims that this call for exploitation of the business potential of slums is not a call for "anti-modernization". At first it seems a disturbing comment on the unequal state of affairs in this world that Nigerians wish to prostitute themselves to the curiosity of "affluent tourists from the Western economies who yearn to catch a glimpse of what it is like to live in poverty." But then again, it might be pure pragmatism. I feel that I cannot comment on Nigerian behavior because my opinions are influenced by my western upbringing. Africa, or at least West Africa should rally around a set of principles, in a manner similar to the founding of the United States on our political and moral foundation. I don't know which principles they would choose, or what would be best for them, but I do know that they need some sort of ideological unity on which they can launch their fledgling democracies.

Education Abroad Soon to Be History

In a country where sectarian violence causes daily riots and mobs, the GDP per capita is $2100, slums are prevalent, the AIDS virus is rampant, and the government is confused about who actually runs the country it's no surprise that education in Nigeria isn't exactly doing so hot. In 2009, Nigerian Universities were shut down for 5 months, affecting an estimated 10 million students. It was no surprise then, that 2009 saw some of the worst exam results for Nigerian students. Only 25% of Nigerian students passed the Senior Schools Certificate Examination (SSCE) and a stunning 98% of Nigerian students failed the NECO. As a result over N295 billion is spent in the education of Nigerian students abroad in the UK and Canada. This in turn worsens conditions of schools in Nigeria. Thus, a bill has been proposed to outlaw the education of Nigerian Public Officials' children in other countries. The bill passed its first reading in the House and awaits a second reading. If formally made into law, it would require public officials to educate their children at Nigeria's primary and undergraduate institutions. In order to educate their children abroad, all public holders would have to obtain a waiver from the Minister of Education. The issuance of a waiver would be guided by the following -

1. the "nature of the proposed course of study for an undergraduate applicant"
2. the "medical condition [of the undergraduate applicant]"
3. the "general national interest"

Any qualifying children already studying abroad before the bill becomes law, will automatically qualify for a waiver.

"YarÁdua, A Victim Of Spousal Abuse- Soyinka"

Efforts to see President Yar’Adua are being hindered by a cabal led by his wife, which constitutes spousal abuse, according to Professor Wole Soyinka. Soyinka has made this claim multiple times. Apparently, Yar’Adua has granted the BBC rights to an interview, and Soyinka thinks that he should also address the nation.
Soyinka is calling the people of Nigeria to action to take more control over their own country. He wants to remind them of their duty to themselves and their country to demand accountability from the government, because the government and the governed have a shared responsibility. In one of his talks, he said that “every Nigerian had the responsibility to protect his or her vote” and urged Nigerians to support the Save Nigeria Group along with other civil society groups. His main point is that “The system is geared towards large scale corruption. It is not beneficial to the country and it needs to be overturned”. Quite intense.
For more information, click here.

candidate search

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/news/article02/070410?pdate=070410&ptitle=Presidency:%20Search%20begins%20for%20best%20from%20the%20North

The New

Quashing any doubts that he would merely serve as a figure, acting Jonathan recently approved the changes to the cabinet. The government is now his, and will remain his until President Yar'Adua returns or voters bring in a new leader next year. In his most recent speech, Jonathan spoke of how his country must hit the ground running - a portent of Jonathan's plans to try and get things done with his remaining year in office. Whether or not he will make good on that promise remains to be seen. For more information click here

Nigeria: Truly Backwards or Oddly Progressive?

The North of Nigeria is generally characterized as a harsh area dominated by draconian Shar'ia Law and heavily conservative views. Shar'ia is a law system dictated by the fundamentalist readings of the Qua'ran. For instance the beating of adulterous persons is fully justified; "The woman and the man guilty of adultery or fornication—flog each of them with hundred stripes: Let no compassion move you in their case, in a matter prescribed by God, if ye believe in God and the last day.”, as is the execution of an apostate. Women are barred from ruling.
Except in the case of the Kingdom of Kumbwada, Nigeria in which only a female may occupy the throne thanks to an ancient curse that prohibits the crowning of males.
Queen Hajiya Haidzatu Ahmed is making strides in the generally oppressive air of Northern Nigeria. She lends an ear to women who come to her unhappy in arranged marriage or complaining of domestic violence in a region that typically disregards such grievances.
The one thing Queen Ahmed does not like but grants in necessary circumstances is divorce. She generally likes to engage in a sort of couples-counseling. "But if that's not possible, if there's no way she can have any compassion for him or love, it's not her fault or his fault. It's just natural." She says.
The queen hopes to see a female president of Nigeria one day,
"It's my most ardent wish. I think the problems in Nigeria have become intractable. Let's try a woman. Men have failed."

Link : LA Times

The Nigerian Senate is voting on multiple constitutional amendments today most of which will attempt to reform the electoral system. A list of some of the amendments:

-political candidates must have a tertiary education certificate i.e. they are raising the already marginal educational requirement for office holders

-eliminating the constitutional clause that bars people have been indicted by a panel of inquiry from running for office


http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/03/24/senate-votes-on-electoral-reforms-govs-tenure-today/

The New Ones

Acting President Jonathan has submitted the new ministerial list, and a few of the names have raised eyebrows. Aganga and Daggash made the list, being nominated alongside 16 other names. From the old 42-man council, only 7 have remained. One person in particular, Alhaji Yar'Adua, was a notable addition. Alhaji is the nephew of the current president, his late father having been the General Shehu Yar'Adua.

For more information, click here

http://allafrica.com/stories/201003180280.html

INEC geared up for 2011 Elections

Vanguard Online

Party primaries for the 2011 election are set to take place and the INEC is ready to take down any parties that refuse to abide by their guidelines. INEC is currently planning to clean up the voter's registry before the elections as well. One member issued this “based on the time-table that we have before us, it would be expected that the political parties would commence preparations for their primaries with a view to electing their candidates for next year’s election. With the proposed time-table, it is expected that the parties would commence in earnest their primaries, at least by May, this year, so that whatever litigations that may arise from the process would be dealt with before the actual elections”.

“This time”, Sunday Vanguard was told by the INEC top shot, , “we are ready to ensure that the register is rid of fictitious names and photographs that do not have any place in the document”.

Cultural Commentary

"I don talk my own finish" is a Nigerian saying which means "I'm done speaking my part". Some commenter said it in their post and I had no idea what it meant, but it is cool. This leads to another topic. Nigerian writing. Reading all these articles written by Nigerians has given me an interesting insight into the ways of the Nigerian people, or at least those that write on the Interwebs. If you just read the comments on all these news articles you can see that Nigerians communicate very differently than Americans. It seems as if the comments are written "loudly".

for example:

"WITH THE COUNTRY BEING RUN LIKE A BANANA REPUBLIC, THERE CAN NEVER BE ANY PROGRESS ESPECIALLY IN THE SOUTH. SOUTHERNERS HAVE TO REALIZE THAT THEY HAVE TO PULL THEMSELVES OUT OF THE MESS NOW OR RISK BEING RECOLONIZED AND ENSLAVED AGAIN. THE YOUTH FROM THE SOUTH SHOULD ACT NOW FOR THEY HAVE LOST A LOT SINCE INDEPENDENCE AND STAND TO LOSE THEIR FREEDOM TOTALLY!"

and

"hmmm...na wa. The amendment took to long to happen. What were they really waiting for? Nigeria is too small to be having these kinds of conspiracies. I'm quite bored now. If he's terminally ill then he should say it. How can there be no public image of the president for 3 months?! In this day & age where camera phones dey yanfu-yanfu; nobody could snap our guy & share on the internet? E don tire me!"




more on this later...

The Madness Surrounding the Mysterious Yar'Adua

Yar'Adua's return is stirring up a hornet's nest of political intrigue. The constitution isn't really providing any direction because for Yar'Adua to be constitutionally determined unfit for office, a team of doctors has to assess his health and submit their report to the National Assembly for debate. However, Yar'Adua's compound is being closely guarded and no one has been able to see him. Party leaders, much of his staff, and even Goodluck Jonathan have been kept out. This could be considered unconstitutional behavior and grounds for impeachment but the pundits are saying that Jonathan would not pursue this path because it would look bad in the eyes of the Nigerian people, who would see an impeachment as a power hungry president going after Yar'Adua while he is down. But even if the medical team is let in, they could declare that he is only temporarily incapacitated and then we would just have to wait until he gets better, leaving the Nigerian government "incomplete" because there is no one behind Jonathan in the succession hierarchy. But my favorite scenario is what politicians call the "Ariel Sharon". It sounds like a football play, like the "Hail Mary" or something. An "Ariel Sharon" play would mean just dropping the whole case and letting Jonathan rule for now while leaving Yar'Adua to do what he likes, and just waiting until the elections come around. Then Yar'Adua would be taken care of. I don talk my own finish.



original article

Pregnancy Kills: “144 Pregnant Women Die in Nigeria Every Day”

Communication for Social Change, a nongovernmental organization recently released statistics stating that 144 pregnant women die during childbirth in Nigeria every day, 6 women per hour. Nigeria’s maternity rate is just behind India’s which currently has the worst rate in the world. These deaths are even more unfortunate because the majority of them could be avoided. Says Sandra Mbanefo-Obiago, the Executive Director of Communication for Change, “These women die due to avoidable problems such as inadequate healthcare services in communities, unskilled birth attendants, lack of education, cultural stereotypes and barriers and because we have these stoic culture of silence in the face of pain”. The CFC has developed three short videos depicting the vulnerability of women and young girls to pregnancy complications. These films discuss the influence of “peer pressure on our youths, family power dynamics, inadequate access to information, and the disastrous effects of not educating and empowering women”. PREGGERS. For more information, please click here.

The Crew

Goodluck Jonathan has recently created a 26 man advisory counsil to help his new rule, as well as reconstituted the Niger Delta Development Commission monitering team. The Advisory Counsil is designed to help increase Jonathan's credibility as the president, as well as increase the speed with which he can access expertise. It is already known that Jonathan is a very consultative leader, relying on others to provide him with the information he needs to properly run office.

The counsil will assist with the running of utilities and with social programs throughout the nation, and will hopefully increase the faith citizens have in Goodluck Jonathan's administration. Without word from Yar'Adua, Jonathan could be running the show for awhile.

For more information, click here

Yar'Adua still Veiled

It has been less than a week since Yar'Adua's been back and the country has not in any way returned to normal. For one, no one has actually seen Yar'Adua, causing concern that the president is incapacitated. It is this lack of information that prevents the National Assembly from actually doing anything in present days, settling the Nigerian government into somewhat of an impasse. There is general unrest in the country as not only government officials but also the Nigerian people become anxious in their wait to see the president and find out his true condition. Speaking on the matter, the Action Congress leader in the House, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, argued that the National Assembly should start to investigate Yar’Adua’s state of health by invoking Section 88 of the 1999 Constitution. Section 88 allows the National Assembly to conduct investigations into national affairs.

More Info

Nigeria Defends Oil Reforms After Industry Backlash

Last Wednesday, Nigeria announced reforms that are going to be made on their oil and gas sector. These reforms have been under fire from various oil companies such as Royal Dutch Shell since then, and now government representatives are addressing the concerns raised, such as the slowing of the development of deep water reserves. It has also been stated that these reforms could cause Angola to surpass Nigeria as Africa’s top oil producer by 2020. The government representatives have argued against these claims, stating multiple times in response to accusations that "nothing could be further from the truth". This legislation (the Petroleum Industry Bill) is supported by both President Yar’Adua and Vice President Goodluck Jonathan. It is still being worked on in Parliament and there is time for revisions on it to be made. For more information, click here.

Jubilation in Katsina over Yar’adua’s return

The country rejoiced this morning as Yar'Adua made his return to Nigeria landing in Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja. Yar'Adua's return was a tightly kept secret. To be continued...

Whispers

Information has been released regarding the acting president's approach to governing the nation. With reform of the cabinet and the seemingly extensive reforms Jonathan has been pushing for, this insight may prove valuable to the stability of Nigeria.

Jonathan has been described as "highly consultative," alluding to a certain respect for specialists and experienced politicians. He makes these consults in the name of his three-point plan, which was derived from sick president Yar'Adua's original seven-point plan. Goodluck Jonathan has reported he wishes to stay loyal to Yar'Adua, despite the fact that many in his kitchen cabinet want him to go renegade.

This information is particularly disturbing, as Jonathan has also acknowledged that the political deadlock his country just passed through may have been nurtured by such antagonistic kitchen cabinet members.

Also interesting is that Goodluck Jonathan has announced he will not resist the upcoming Presidential elections - good news for stabilization of a regular electoral schedule.

For more information, click here

Militant Rehab

original article

The Presidential Committee on Amnesty is spending $450m USD on a "rehabilitation and re-integration" program for ex-militants from the Nigerian Delta. This is %0.2 of Nigeria's 2008 GDP and 20,193 militants are going to go through the proposed program.

The United States spends about $47b on corrections programs with 9 out of every 10 dollars going to fund the prison system. So the money we spend on "rehabilitation and re-integration", as of 2008 is around $4.7b or a mere %0.03 of US GDP. Apparently there are 5.1 million people on probation or parole. So Nigeria is spending a relative 7 times the money on a population segment that is relatively 1/126 of the segment of the US population on parole or probation.

The program that the militants are going to be sent through will be held at the "Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre" in the River Delta state. Apparently it is modeled after the Outward Bound program and attempts to instill "core values" through "Character Development, Adventure and Challenge, Compassion and Service, and Social and Environmental Responsibility." The Nigerian government is sending militants who were just recently destroying Nigeria's infrastructure and fomenting general chaos to a program that, if its claims are to be taken seriously, shows the potential to greatly benefit a group of young Nigerians and turn them into productive citizens. This seems like a civilized and intelligent way to handle the militant situation in Nigeria. However, the government must also create policies that will allow the reformed militants to contribute to their own communities. In other words, many of the MEND's grievances must be met, including the demand for "true federalism" as Jomo Gbomo, because under the current system, the oil riches of the Delta are relied on and exploited by the rest of the country, causing the majority of politicians to shy away from any sort of policy that would curtail oil revenue in the process of improving the lot of Nigerian Delta citizens.

Rehab Camp home page
US crime statistics source

“Free Trade Cripples Food Production in Africa”

Market reforms were made in the 1980’s that focused on privatization of government functions and a focus on free trade that were supposed to aid economic growth, but have ended up backfiring. These reforms were seen as a way to save failing education and hospital systems, among others, but they have only made more problems, especially for the poorer countries. Food production has declined, and poverty and hunger levels have increased for millions of Africans.

It is thought that these strategies work well in developed economies, but can be devastating in less-developed economies like many of the ones in Africa, a draw-back that apparently wasn’t thoroughly considered.

There are no easy solutions, and the road to recovery is going to be long and tough.
For more information, click here.

Jonathan rearranges Yar'Adua's Cabinet

Aondoakaa

Feb 9, Acting President Goodluck Jonathan truly took hold of Yar'Adua's government in the swapping around of members of his cabinet. In the weekly Federal Executive Council's meeting Jonathan took the Minister of Special Duties and moved him to the position of Minister of Labour and Productivity. The Minister of Labour and Productivity was moved to become the new Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice; a shady move on Jonathan's part ousting the original Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Michael Aondoakaa, hours before he was going to call a closed door meeting with his department to dissuade judicial workers from striking.
In media comments Aondoakaa and all others in government positions are publicly supportive of this switch. Things are less calm beneath the surface though. Immediately following the meeting, workers in the Ministry of Justice met in small groups to discuss in hushed tones the switch. Says one worker "I know Oga, he will surely resign from this appointment because I don’t think he will like to act as the Minister of Special Duties after holding sway in Nigerian politics for such a long time. What will he be doing there? This is like being relegated to obscurity."
During the meeting armed guards were sent to the Ministry of Justice to fence it off and subject everything removed to intense scrutiny.

Jonathan removes Aondoakaa

The Red and the Black

It has become apparent that last week's sudden push for appointing Goodluck Jonathan was the result of one under announced factor: fear of a coup. Security reports showed unrest in soldiers, spawning fears of yet another military coup and subsequent installation of a dictator. To avoid such bloodshed, governors pushed for the end of the political deadlock, and the stabilization of politics in Nigeria. It should be noted, however, that disturbing information from high ranking military shows that certain politicians were actually inciting the military, pushing for the end of peace so perhaps they might climb to the top.

The fears became public four weeks ago, during the sectarian incident in Jos. When the riots calmed, blood was still boiling, and the religious conflict creates an ideal broth for military action. Without a president able to lead, revolution could have been imminent. Hopefully the legislation's action in raising Jonathan, however, will quash the violent ambitions of both the military and the politicians who incited them.

For more information, click here

Saisie à Gauche

Opinions are mixed as yesterday's Nigerian senate announced that Goodluck Jonathan would be taking the reigns of the country until the ailing president Yar'Adua was able to return. The decision has moved the government forward in the way our own 25th amendment would have resolved the situation, but comes among murmurs because of the extenuating circumstances. Yar'Adua was known as a muslim, while Jonathan is Christian. As mentioned in previous blogs, there is also suspicion that the ex-President Obasanjo, who gave his blessing to Yar'Adua during the campaign, may have suspected and even counted on the man's health to take him out of office, and placing Obasanjo's godson, Jonathan, in it.

While the decision does not permanently decree Jonathan to be the new president, his power, and thus the power of the Christians, have been increased due to his new status.

Current politics aside, this decision is all momentous in Nigeria's regulatory history. This decision will doubtlessly be used a precedent if this case or a similar case arises in the future. Though it is, as of now, unique to this case, legislation putting the ideas supported here will hopefully come soon, putting more stability into Nigeria's current law book.

For more information, click here.

Yar’adua: Senate Mulls Impeachment

President Umaru Musa Yar’adua’s deteriorating health has been causing concern throughout the Nigerian government for some time now, and after being out of the country for 78 days, it seems to have finally gotten to a point where the rest of the government is finally starting to try to push other options, with impeachment at the top of their thoughts.
Section 143 of Nigeria’s constitution demands that the President should transmit a medical vacation letter to the National Assembly to enable Vice President Goodluck Jonathan act as president in his absence” within a reasonable amount of time, and the state governors feel that that time frame has passed. State governors want the Senate to pass a resolution declaring Vice President Goodluck Jonathan to be Acting President, though this kind of act is not mentioned in the Constitution at all. Due to the President’s failure to comply with the Senate’s resolution, they will be sitting again in the near future to decide on what further action to take.
There were plans of swearing the Vice President in today (2/9/10), but the constitution does not provide for this power, and even if the motion to have him sworn in is passed, it will not make it a law and will therefore be unconstitutional. Goodluck Jonathan cannot become Acting President through a motion. The Senate will have to continue to meet and try to think of different, viable solutions to the President’s continued absence.
For more information, click here.

Unity

The 14th African Summit has decided to establish the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA) as a replacement for the NEPAD secretariat. The NPCA was originally meant to facilitate the implementation and coordination of continental and regional programs and projects, as well as help mobilize Africa's resources.

The change will promote the integration of the new NEPAD into structures already in place in Africa, and will hopefully help improve the continent's situation.

Hopefully the improvement of NEPAD will bleed down into promoting stability in Nigeria. One of the major issues Africa has always faced is division, but the African Summits have been good for helping unity. If the continent manages to come together, then the political situations should at least make motions toward lasting stability. Of course the micro here will ultimately be key, but the macro of Africa as a whole cannot be ignored.

For more information, click here

Militants Angered over Absence of Yar'Adua

Yar'Adua's absence and refusal to transfer power to Goodluck Jonathan continue to leave the country in turgid waters. Aside from the obvious aspects the absence is having on the fragile governmental leadership of Nigeria, it has sprung a new leak in the incitement of over 50 militant groups to threats against the government. These militant groups are all operating in the Network of Freedom Fighters in the Niger Delta. The NFF put forth this comment "We warn that if the government fails to abide by the provision of the constitution we will join forces and direct our strategic units to commence hostilities which will lead to a black day for the country. We also call on the international community to suspend forthwith all bilateral relations and dealings with Nigeria pending the swearing in of Vice President Goodluck Jonathan as the Acting President while waiting for the quick recovery of Yar'Adua; else we will not guarantee the safety of foreign citizens working in the Niger Delta." Government officials are pleading with militant groups to exercise patience, not quickly jump to violence, with the hopes of upholding the tentative peace that has been achieved in the region.

All Africa : Militants Angered

Privatisation of Telecoms

Reuters Africa: Nigeria to open bids for Nitel

The Nigerian Bureau of Public Enterprise has opened up bidding on the state Telecoms firm Nitel. The privatization of the Teleceom industry is just a small step in Nigeria's extensive privatization and commercialization goals laid out by the government and implemented by the BPE. Interestingly, of the many companies slated for varying degrees of privatization, a large proportion are only partially going on the market while maintaining government majority ownership.

On the BPE's website they claim that the Nigerian public can take part in the IPOs. Also, some companies are only being offered to the employees. Interesting blend of socialism and capitalism.

The Chilling North Wind

Disturbing news is emerging from Nigeria as the local Al Qaeda has approached the country's muslims offering weapons, training and defense. The offer comes after the recent riots in Jos, which increased Christian-Muslim tension in the area, and the speech was riddled with the usual religious rhetoric.

"You are not alone in this test. The hearts of Mujahideen are in pain over your troubles and desire to help you as much as possible, in the Islamic Maghreb, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, Chechnya," said the local emir (Al Qaeda leader) Abu Mus'ab Abdel-Wadoud.

While the offer is stated as being a way of helping defend the Muslims in the area, Al Qaeda's gaining of another stronghold in Africa would definitely come as a boon to extremists who specialize in melting into the chaos of underdeveloped countries. The grandmasters of the current global conflict: the West and Al Qaeda, are making moves reminiscent of the cold war. At the time, the Soviet Union and the United States had made motions to gain footholds everywhere they could, essentially wielding the third world countries as puppets.

If Al Qaeda gained a strong loyal base in Nigeria, they would have made a significant movement south from the Middle East. With their generally diffuse location, they would doubtlessly appreciate a solid hold in Africa.

Let the games begin...

For more information, click here.

Air Ambulance Secured for Yar'Adua

Vanguard News Online : Yar’Adua: Saudi king grants use of air ambulance

Saudi Arabian Monarch, Sheik Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, has finally granted permission for the ailing Nigerian president Yar'Adua to use his air ambulance back to Nigeria, sources say. Saudi Arabian sources have not specified a date yet (will this saving grace ever come for Nigeria?) But they say the main thing to do is prepare the indisposed Yar'Adua for his return trip home.
Unfortunately, an uncomplicated trip back from Saudi Arabia is not the only thing that Nigeria is waiting on. On Wednesday, Senators passed a resolution asking Yar'Adua for a letter of a Medical Leave of Absence, something they will wait two weeks on before taking further action. Impeachment, something senators used to say was not in this equation at all, may be on the horizon if Yar'Adua and his minders continue to shroud his medical stay.

MEND is back

Yesterday MEND issued a warning that they are taking up arms again because the Nigerian government has not delivered on the promises they made in the cease-fire agreement last October. Today Royal Dutch Shell has shut down three oil flow stations after a pipeline began leaking into an area river, probably due to sabotage, though no group has taken responsibility. Apparently, when MEND agreed to a cease-fire, they thought the government would restore control of the resources back to the people, and share a greater amount of the oil profits with the local people, because it is on the grounds that these demands are not being met that they are resuming their war against the imperialist invaders. Jomo Gbomo issued a statement saying that MEND was not directly responsible for this most recent sabotage incident, but that it was probably a response from a freelance group to MEND's new call to arms. It is interesting to note that there are "free-lance" militant groups, suggesting that MEND doesn't have as much control over their message or implementation as any wisp of legitimacy would warrant. Also, the sabotage to the oil pipeline causing it to leak into a creek, resulting in environmental damage. Why they would choose to attack their oppressors in ways that result in such damage to their own society is beyond me.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201002020649.html

In God We Trust

The plot thickens as ex-president Obasanjo has called for President Yar'Adua resignation if his health is, indeed, failing. This comes across as deeply suspicious, as Yar'Adua's ailing health would not have been hard for Obasanjo to discover during the campaign, when the leaving president endorsed Yar'Adua as the best candidate. If Yar'Adua resigns, Vice President Jonathan, Obasanjo's godson and, unlike the current incumbent, a Christian, will take office.

Meanwhile, among the political backdealing, the First Lady has been doing her best to bring her husband back to his feet. She has been in contact with many spiritualists looking for guidance and healing. Whether her prayers will be answered or not remains to be seen.

• For more information click here.

North, A Problem to Nigeria

On Wednesday, the Arewa Consultative Forum (a regional forum designed to let locals voice their opinions) declared that the North has become Nigeria's problem area due to high levels of violence and an overall deterioration of the average state of life for residents. The AFC calls for the areas leaders to take action to fight the problems that the North is facing. The North is having quite a few issues at the moment; the Jos crisis (a religious clash between the Muslims and Christians in Plateau State in which the death toll is at 460) followed two similar crises. Unemployment rates are up and the education system is deteriorating, two facts stressed by the ACF as important factors in the areas current state. Hopefully the Northern leaders will be able to find solutions to the areas problems before the overall damage worsens and affects the welfare of the entire country. For more information, click here.

Taking a Break From All Your Worries

Calm Returns to Torn Nigerian City; Toll Unclear

After a breakout of violence in Jos between Muslim and Christian gangs, peace has finally returned to the city. Current estimates by the Human Rights Watch place the death toll at above 200, however the Plateau state commissioner, Gregory Anyating, maintains the deaths resulting from fighting numbered only 23. There is no public explanation accounting for this difference.

Meanwhile, leading Muslim official Mohammed Ishaq, secretary of the Ulama Council, said he counted 70 bodies at a mosque alone. Although tensions have diminished, possibly due to the increased military and police presence in the city, the sectarian rift has by no means disappeared.

Nigerian Movie "2 rats" part 1/10

6:00 Nigerian song about sending the white men away during Nigerian Independence in 1960

7:42 A quasi-judicial proceeding conducted by family elders

Nigerian Delta Situation is Not "On the Mend"

According to Jomo Gbomo, the spokesman for the Movement for the Emancipation of the Nigerian Delta (MEND), the group will be announcing "on or before January 30, 2010" their position regarding the tenuous ceasefire they signed last October. This came just days after an attack on a delta oil refinery which did not involve MEND fighters. However, MEND condoned the attack and is becoming increasingly upset with the Nigerian government whom they claim has began the "repair of pipelines, exploitation of oil and gas as well as the deployment and re-tooling of troops" and has "been disseminating propaganda aimed at foreign investors claiming that the situation in the Niger Delta is under control... offering bribes to a number of militants who surrendered their birth rights under its amnesty program in the form of contracts." Basically, they are still getting screwed by everyone, and are not happy about it.

most recent article: http://allafrica.com/stories/201001120174.html
article detailing their dissatisfaction with events after the ceasefire: http://allafrica.com/stories/200912190039.html

Riots in Jos : Indigenes Evacuated

Vanguard Nigeria

Truant presidents and absent governance are not the only things currently plaguing Nigeria. Starting in early 2010, sectarian riots between Muslims and Christians broke out in Jos the capital of Plateau State. Since then there have been at least 200 deaths. The next phase of government interference is the evacuation of the indigenous groups of neighboring states from Jos. Perhaps this is exactly what the provokers of the Jos riots wanted, which will cause positive feedback loops for an already tumultous Nigeria; riot to get what one faction or another wants. Looks like Nigeria started the year of on shifty footing- hopefully things get better with the upcoming local elections...

The Man Behind the Curtain

So basically everyone in the campaign knew the Pres was sick when he took power, so that's making me wonder why anyone would actually let him on. John McCain, after all, was haunted by voter fears that he would keel over and die while in office. I'm guessing that the endorsements by the old president gave Umaru the edge he needed to take the win. But now things are looking a little sketchy. With Vice President Jonathon next in line for office (shifting power back to the Christians), there's some level of suspicion going on about ex-President Obasanjo's endorsement. Could the man have been sly enough to help get someone who he knew would expire in power, so that the batton would be passed right back into the hands of the Christians? Sounds like politics to me.

And if Obasanjo is capable of that manipulation, who's to say he hasn't got more of the Jonathon-admin-to-be wrapped around his finger? For more information, click here.

Absent President

http://www.economist.com/world/middleeast-africa/displayStory.cfm?story_id=15270968

So this is Nigeria's fearless leader.

He is from the Muslim North, and his vice president, Goodluck Jonathan, is from the Christian South. The previous president was a Christian, so northerners are grumbling over attempts to hand over power to the vp, in a fashion similar to the protocol laid out by our 25th amendment. Which brings up an interesting corollary: federal judges are guiding this power transition process, hinting at some sort of "judicial review"-like power. They ruled that Goodluck Jonathan can perform all the presidential duties, but needs a "formal transfer of power to become the official head of state."

Also, the economist comments on the nature of Nigerian government/people:
"In a country that loves bureaucratic procedure, the constitution requires the tireless president to chair ceremonies, sign off documents and swear in officials, if anything is to progress."