PDP shenanigans

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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.