I wish the attention of the world will be drawn to another wonder of the world – Nigeria- a naturally constructed political phenomenon marred with dramatic political wonders that followers of events would marvel at the style of our democratic practices. I have been wondering.
I’m just wondering at the orchestration of a political game by the leadership of the All Progressives Grand Alliance against the disqualified immediate past Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof. Charles Soludo in preparation for the November 16th gubernatorial election in Anambra State.
Whilst stunning revelations have it that the presidency will not be comfortable with the choice of a Soludo as APGA’s candidate, the screening committee has labored to make people believe that the given unsubstantial reasons for his disqualification are genuine. If you reason with me, what should be expected from a party where the governor has of recent become a major campaign instrument to declare the Igbo people’s support for the president come 2015? Are you wondering?
I’m just wondering that some years back in this country, the civil rights organizations mobilized Nigerians against a particular cabal that hijacked presidential power for selfish satisfaction. During those periods, the then president, Umaru Musa Yar’adua was in a critical medical condition. The condition was kept secret with supported lies of recovery with the instrument of government subjected to ridicule.
The lies, secrets and power play became history when the president eventually died. The similar scenario is continuously unfolding in Taraba State with Danbaba Suntai’s stage managed arrival in Nigeria. Despite facts emerging that he is brain damaged, there are calculated design to make him remain in office at all cost. He suffered serious head injuries in October 2012 after the aircraft he was flying crashed. For ten months, he has been to several hospitals and was said to be suffering memory loss. His return was so dramatic that a governor declared to have been medically fit could not alight from the aircraft unless supported by aides and Jerry Gana found the fool in a country to declare that it was as a result of the long journey.
In this case, the Jalingo cabals have designed the strategy to make sure the brain damaged governor continues in office. If the claims that he has recovered is true, the state in particular and the nation in general deserve a press conference from the governor to assure Nigerians that he is fit to effectively run the office. If the rumored application for leave is eventually submitted as speculated, then the wonder of a political terrain continues. With an incapacitated governor, is it not expected that the constitutional provision be invoked for the deputy governor to be sworn in? Are you wondering?
I’m just wondering when about two weeks ago, our powerful Dame organized a spectacular rally in Abuja. Abuja witnessed what the inhabitants of Lagos and Port-Harcourt experienced when the first lady visited the respective states on various occasions of “Thank You Visit” and “Mobilization for Women”.
The rally did not just build a grid lock, the resident of the city groaned as the rally purportedly designed to celebrate women took centre stage. Some of the arranged women were clad in several attires adorning inscription of support for Mr. President who is often referred to as the women’s president. Anyway, Nigerians are used to several campaign accolades by political leaders. It is understandable when women from the PDP are transported from their various states with the largess of the first lady to sing praises for the president. The cash gifts are enough to “ginger their swagger”.
What became a wonder was the participation of the Nigerian Armed forces in the whole exercise. Did the first lady rallied women for the usual noise of women empowerment or for a political campaign? Are you wondering?
I’m wondering what actually justified the suspension and subsequent refusal of President Jonathan to act on the NJC’s reinstatement of Justice Isa Ayo Salami. The crisis that rocked the judiciary some years back led to the suspension of the jurist. Now, after about two years of intrigues against his recall and due to his expected retirement from active service in October, he tendered his compulsory retirement letter to the NJC with gracious acceptance. One wonders why the reinstatement of the jurist by the NJC was not endorsed by the president.
Recalling that several committees were set up to investigate the PCA and a clean bill of health passed, it is popular that the suspension of the jurist was immediately endorsed by the president without subjecting the decision to consultation. His subsequent reinstatement however became subject of consultation and study. Is it not easy to perceive that the consultation and study of committee resolution reinstating the PCA by the president was deliberately designed to waste time for him to reach the retirement age?
Who is laughing? The PDP leaders angered by the judgments under the leadership of the PCA which voided the purported election of Segun Oni to declare Kayode Fayemi in Ekiti state and Oyinlola Olagunsoye to declare Rauf Aregbesola in Osun state. The election in those states like many other states in Nigeria was marred by massive rigging and fraud. In the whole unfortunate incident in the judiciary, there were more questions asked than answers provided. Are you wondering?
I’m still wondering at the Nigeria Governors’ forum’s continued crisis. The forum by design is supposed to be a policy think tank and coalition of elected governors from the 36 states of the federation. Their mission is designed to provide a common platform on matters of public policy; promote good governance, sharing of good practice and enhance cooperation at the state level and with other arms of government and society. Now, don’t bother to wonder why they are living the opposite.
Things have fallen apart and an individual interest is now more deserving. We have been told that 16 is bigger than 19. The crisis rocking the forum has degenerated to splits within the PDP and life threatening attack in Rivers state. Our Dame has come out to accuse the governor and the governor refused to keep lips sealed. Are you wondering?
In a bid to realize the 2015 electoral ambitions, friends will become foes. At least we are told that in political games permanent friendship or enmity doesn’t exist, what is obtainable is permanent interest. Maybe we do not need to wonder when five governors and the eleven governors on the platform of the APC are sympathetic to the course of Rotimi Amaechi.
Several other wonders exist in our political landscape. I cannot but mention the political pardon granted to the former criminal, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha by President good luck Jonathan. I hope the movement James Ibori is through serving his sentence as a prisoner in the United Kingdom, a presidential pardon will be given to him for his meritorious service to his fatherland. Are you wondering?
Femi Kuti talked about wondering till you turn to a wanderer. Our system of democracy is so funny that excuses are given for elite’s corrupt nature why the poor suffer the consequences of misdeeds. We have a practiced system that negates our constitutional provisions.
I will not be subjected to wonder if it is revealed that the Occupy Nigeria platform was a sponsored platform to realize an individual’s ambition. Has the platform gone to bed in the face of some of the undemocratic practices that we witness daily in our political life? I’m just wondering because Nigeria is full of wonders.
Chris Hedges said “We now live in a nation where doctors destroy health, lawyers destroy justice, Universities destroy knowledge, governments destroy freedom, the press destroys information, religion destroys morals and our banks destroy economy”.
Don’t laugh at me because I’m just wondering.
Odusote Oluwakayode
ff on twitter: @Actionkay
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