Before We Nail The Coffin Of State Creation

 

By Chukwudi OHIRI  

(Send your comments to 08060321965 or chuksohiri@yahoo.com or on the comment box of this post)

When parochial sentiments, ethnicity, selfishness, greed and other socio-political vices take the place of national interest in the pursuit of national goals, sound arguments are usually sacrificed in the altar of frivolities. This seems to be the direction the recent clamour for the creation of additional states in the federation is heading to.

Many agitators seem to have sheathed their swords. Others find themselves divided over the issue while some are still hell bent on seeing their demands met whether by hook or crook. Among the later, are those who joined the wagon just to make names for themselves probably as progenitors of the states. Others simply want to create empires for themselves where they will become lords and king makers, deciding how to share the collective patrimony that will accrue therefrom. All in all, both the ‘ayes’ and the ‘nays’ had seemingly good reasons for their astute positions.

Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the man always in the eye of the storm for his frankness and candour in his submission questioned the rational for creating new states when most of the already existing ones are far from being viable. According to him, remove the federal allocations, some states would go into extinction. Economically, they contribute nothing to the national coffers. As usual, those hard hit by this crystal clear truth called for his head. Obi Nwakanma  of one of the national dailies once said: “He is no withdrawing man, nor does he think he should keep his light under the bushel…It is just that he gets into trouble for candour, and some also think much of his candour comes from bloated self-regard. He’s gained something of a reputation for abrasive loquacity in the Nigerian public imagination.

In summing up the arguments of those vehemently opposed to creation of more States, Nwakanma captured Sanusi’s position thus: “Nigeria does not need the current number of states.  Thirty-six states is a burden on the resources of Nigeria in many ways. It expands the epicenters of public governance in ways that are unnecessary. The current number of states, some of them in conditions of abjection and stupor cannot be called states because they lack the organizing capacity to produce and manage resources for the highest number. Many thoughtful Nigerians have advocated seriously for a collapse of the current states into a six- regional structure with more critical devolution of power… All that the creation of the 36 states did was to bloat government without creating organic and efficient systems of the delivery of public service. Let us abolish the states and start afresh. Let us return to the constitution of the Republic and reconstitute this federal republic on the principles contained therein, with the single advance of creating a six regional federation to be agreed upon by referendum”. For me, Sanusi’s submission is full-proof, but there is another angle to it.

Yes, I wish the present configuration of the federal structure could be shrunk as advocated by those opposed to the creation of new states, but one ingredient is an apt necessity. Shrunk or bloated, without the principle of equity, balance and fairness, the polity may never attain true nation-building where parochial, ethno-religious and primordial sentiments will give way to mutual respect, triumph of sound arguments and the promotion of national interest. I will explain.

The nation Nigeria was built on a tripod which was later ‘sextupled’. As in a tripod, where any of the stands appears longer/heavier or lighter/shorter than the other, the result is usually an unhealthy tilt which in the long run is inimical to the overall well being of the body masse. This has unarguably been the bane of our country since the departure from three regional structure of our federalist state.

The present constitution of both the Senate and the House of Representatives reflects the unhealthy tilt I am referring to in this piece and as long as it remains so, whether in inflated or deflated form, the decisions and actions of both Houses will continue to reflect bias, ethnic chauvinism and cancerous growth.

Imagine a National Assembly where the 109 senators will be drawn from the six geopolitical zones in equal proportion of 18 from the North-West, 18 from North-Central, 18from North-East, 18 from South-South, 18 from South-West and 18 from South-East. Assuming the House of Representatives is drawn from the six geopolis in the same equal ratio of 60:60:60:60:60:60 respectively, every group would come to the House with mutual respect for one another knowing that to have your way, on any topical issue, you will need as a matter of prerequisite, the vote of the other person. The era whereby a certain geopolitical zone will come, hand in pocket and with shoulders high wearing some air of supremacy over others will be a thing of the past.

How about the quality of decisions? The result will be awesome. Each group will earnestly strive to win the cooperation of the other genuinely and with sound arguments. Ethnicity would shrink for nationalism while each geopolitical group will genuinely need one another for accelerated national growth and development emanating from the bills and policy decisions reached thereof.

Driving home this point, for as long as the South-East remain the underdogs of the family with 5 States as against six from other geopolitical zones and 7 from one of the zones, it will continue to cry blue murder. Decisions and outcomes from the polity will continue to elicit suspicion and tilted and the end result will be ‘endless agitations and consternations’ which may remain injurious to the corporate unity of the nation.

Permit me to end this discuss with the position held by a prominent Igbo statesman who unequivocally is also opposed to the proliferation of states in Nigeria though with an exception to the rule. In his words bemoaning the inequity and injustice in the creation of states in Nigeria said: “But there is also one issue that is different, the issue is that there is only one region, the South-east that has five states. In this case, it is totally different from what we are talking as regards the issue of state creation. In 2005 National Political Conference, Nigerians endorsed one extra state for the South-East as exceptionally required for justice, fairness and equity. I was one of the forty two leaders who took that decision, and this is how we stood: one person abstained, two voted against, while thirty nine voted for; we have not had that kind of consensus before that particular one. Though, we Igbos blame Nigerians for our woes, but sometimes, Nigerians show concern.” quoting Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife.

Unfortunately, the cacophony of voices that sprang up at the commencement of the debate for this hydra-headed monster of state creation became so proliferated that even discerning minds now have difficulties in deciding who is genuinely aggrieved. The unavoidable truth is that unless the right and just thing is done to rest this recurring issue, there may never be an end to the clamour for creation of more States and other issues of marginalization. This may negatively affect our efforts towards nation-building.

Court Vacates Order Granting AMCON Power To Seize Capital Oil Assets

By Chukwudi OHIRI

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has vacated order granting AMCON power to seize capital oil assets.

Encouraged by a vacation order it secured at a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja which amended an earlier order granted to the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, over its assets and facilities, Capital Oil and Gas Industries Nigeria Limited and its embattled managing director, Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah, mounted an intense legal battle to have the court set aside the order granted to AMCON, which empowered it to take control of the company’s assets and facilities.

The court had on 13 November granted a temporary forfeiture order against Ubah and his company in favour of AMCON following an exparte application brought before the court by Amcon. The court granted the Corporation control of Uba’s assets and companies, including petroleum products at the company’s tank farms.

He however successfully secured a vacation of the order which allowed him access to 25 per cent of his personal and company’s funds in sixteen accounts domiciled at UBA to enable him attend to some personal issues and pay salaries of over 5000 staff working in his companies.

At the first hearing, Ubah, who was represented by Chief Wole Olanipekun, a senior advocate of Nigeria, challenged the order made against him by the court on the ground that a recovery action had already been commenced against him and his company, Capital Oil and Gas Industries Nigeria Limited, since on the 9th of November, before AMCON approached the court with an exparte motion on 13th November for an order to recover its funds. This, according to the embattled oil importer, is contrary to the provisions of section 49 sub-section 3 of the AMCON Act 2010.

He urged the court to discharge the order it granted earlier as it was obtained by AMCON through misrepresentation and non disclosure of material facts and circumstances touching on the status of the facilities immediately preceding the institution of the action.

He further stated that Capital Oil is the second largest importer and supplier of fuel across the country and that a forfeiture will have a negative impact on a large number of the society who depend on its products to run their lives and businesses.

AMCON’s lawyer, Mr. Femi Balogun, however opposed the application, and argued that section 49 sub-section 3 does not preclude AMCON from commencing a recovery action against the Ubah before applying to the court for an order to take possession of his company and properties. The court presided by Justice Abdul Kafarati subsequently adjourned till 11th December to rule on the application.

At the resumed hearing however, the court granted capital oil leave to have access to its assets pending the full determination of the case which has been adjourned till 15^th January 2013.

Enebeli Enebuwa Dies In India

By Chukwudi OHIRI

 
Report reaching us some hours ago has it that Nollywood veteran actor “Andrew Wan Check Out” Enebeli Enebuwa has died. He died in an Indian hospital where he was receiving treatment for an ailment.

 He was diagnosed with the illness some months back and was moved to an Indian hospital in Karu Abuja by some Nollywood actresses led by Stella Damasus. After sometime, he was referred to India where he was flown to at the expense of his home state governor, Gov Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State. 

Few weeks back he spoke to Mrs. Lara Owoeye Wise on AIT where he told Nigerians that he will soon be back. His condition worsened some days back and all efforts to revive him were futile.

The former President of Actors Guild of Nigeria, Segun Arinze was quoted by our source to have confirmed the story saying it was a great loss to the industry. According to him, Enebuwa was one of the shining stars of the industry and will be greatly missed.

Arrangement is being made to bring his body back to Nigeria. 

(Source: CKN Nigeria)

Spain To Vote In Support Of Palestinian Bid For Statehood

Indications are rife that Spain will back the Palestinians’ bid to win recognition as a state at the United Nations, Foreign Minister Jose-Manuel Garcia-Margallo told the national parliament in Madrid on Wednesday, 28th November, 2012 reports Bloomberg.
Delegates are set to vote tomorrow on a resolution circulated Nov. 8 by the Palestinian Authority that would put the Palestine Liberation Organization on par with the Holy See as a non-member state at the UN.
France and Russia have already said they will support the proposal. No country has veto power in the General Assembly, so the U.S., which opposes the initiative, can’t block it.
U.K. Foreign Secretary William Hague will make a statement to Parliament today on whether Britain will support giving the Palestinians statehood. Hague is willing to back the motion if the Palestinians can shift their position in three areas to provide reassurances to Israel and the U.S., an official familiar with the foreign secretary’s thinking said, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with U.K. government practice.
(Curled from Bloomberg)

Jonathan Fires BPE DG--Mrs Bolanle Onagoruwa

President Goodluck Jonathan has directed the Director General of the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) Mrs. Bolanle Onogoruwa to vacate office.
Accordingly, he ordered her to handover to Mr. Benjamin Ezra Dikki who is the most senior Director in the Bureau. Dikki is to hold for to the position of DG of the BPE in acting capacity until further notice.
Although reasons for Onogoruwa sack was not given as at the time of handling this report, LEADERSHIP gathered that the change of baton effected with immediate effect yesterday was not unconnected with the shabby handling of the on-going privatisation process in the power sector.
A terse statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Vice President Namadi Sambo, Alhaji Umar Sani to this effect noted: "The Director General of the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) Mrs. Bolanle Onogoruwa has been relieved of her appointment with immediate effect.  She is to hand over to the most Senior Director in the Bureau, Mr. Benjamin Ezra Dikki who is to hold the position in an acting capacity.
"Mr. President extends his sincere appreciation to Mrs. Bolanle Onogoruwa for her services to the nation and wishes her the best in her future endeavours".
The Vice President is the Chairman of the National Council on Privatisation (NPC), while Onogoruwa, the erstwhile BPE DG and business man, Atedo Peterside are at the helm of affairs. They had always briefed the press at the end of the council's monthly meeting.

I Pity Mr. President

By Chukwudi OHIRI

Sometimes, I sit in my little closet pondering on the demands of leadership, having been in that position myself at a lower level for decades by dint of sheer providence just like our dear President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. I shrug at myself and at many ‘selfless leaders’ especially when I realize that it is hardly possible to please everybody and yet, a good leader must do what he must do not minding the vituperations that must come from the opposition.

President Jonathan is one of such people I pity most when I discover that any of his actions or inactions elicit reactions that are mostly negative from the critics. Even when they are tempted to give him some accolades, it is usually shrouded in such dialectics that tend to rather credit some external factors instead. An analogy of a homily delivered by Rev. Fr. Francis Ike on one fateful Holy Thursday Mass aptly captures the picture I intend to paint of Mr. President’s dilemma.

On that fateful Holy Thursday evening, the church was filled to the brim as usual for the day’s celebration to mark the beginning of the Easter Tridum. Holy Thursday is a very significant day among Catholics all over the world. Apart from marking the anniversary of the institution of the Holy Eucharist, Holy Thursday is a day set aside to remember the Roman Catholic priesthood and so the homily of that day is usually phased, one tilting towards the functions and character of a typical priest.

                The Parish was Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church Aguda and ministering on that day were about four priests including Rev. Fr. Jude Anyaehie, the Parish priest of the church, his Assistant then, Rev. Fr. Philip Sosu Mobee and two other priests including Rev. Fr. Francis Ike, a visiting, though indigenous priest of the Parish. The homily of Fr. Ike was one of the most touching homilies I had heard to the point that the entire church could not but release a tumultuous applause as he dropped the microphone (a practice that is not ideally customary with Catholicism).

                Of a Catholic priest, Fr. Ike said, if he starts the mass a few minutes after the scheduled time, the parishioners will complain that he does not keep to time. He is too fond of starting the mass late and so he must be a lazy priest. He has neither wife nor children so what excuse does he have to give for starting the mass late? When he starts the mass a little before the scheduled time, they will complain that he lacks sense of keeping appointments. “Is the mass not scheduled for 9:00am, why must he start before 9,” the parishioners will complain. If he starts the mass at exactly the scheduled time, the late comers would still complain that he is too officious and high handed. He should have given a few minutes grace knowing full well about the traffic situation in Lagos.

                When the priest takes much time in his homily, the parishioners would complain that he wastes so much time and talks a lot. Does he think that long sermons will make people to repent? Doesn’t he know of the saying that ‘a word is enough for the wise? But when the homily is very short, they still complain that the priest does not know what to say anymore. He needs to prepare his homilies well in advance so that he can know what to tell the people.

                If the priest is the very social type who mingles with the parishioners very freely and playfully, people would complain that he is a worldly or canal priest who does not respect his position as an oracle of God. When he is the reclusive type, some people will complain that he is too proud and so full of himself. “He must be a pretender that thinks himself holier than thou,” they say.

                If the priest gives any lady a ‘lift’, then he must be a womanizer. Why must it be a woman? If it were a man, he wouldn’t stop. But when the priest refuses to stop for somebody on the way, then they tag him a selfish person who does not want to help anybody.

If the priest is the type that quotes extensively from the bible during his sermons, some will complain that he is turning the Catholic Church into Pentecostal but when he never makes reference to any scriptural passage, some others will still complain that he does not know the word of God. He must be lazy in studying the word. Rev. Fr. Ike gave much more examples that at the end, he called on the people of God to always pray for their priests because the task and challenges of priesthood is quite enormous. The plight of President Jonathan is no different from the above scenario. A few instances of this will suffice to buttress this point even as I do not in any way intend to hold brief for Mr. President nor do I claim in this piece that he is faultless.

On December 13, 2011, President Jonathan presented the draft budget for the 2012 fiscal year to the National Assembly. Before then, tongues were already wagging. Many complained that the budget was getting to the National Assembly rather very late and will apparently affect its early passage. In the heat of the whole argument, President Jonathan pledged to avoid that kind of delay subsequently. This he fulfilled and by September 2012, the 2013 budget was ready for presentation. Again, the House complained that it was rather too early as they needed time to appraise the performance of the 2012 budget first and the yet to be adopted 2013-2015 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy (MTEFF) paper forwarded earlier by the president. The same people that complained of delayed presentation last year now double speaking so to say.

At the beginning of the year 2012, Mr. President rolled up his sleeves in readiness to battle the oil cabals. First, he took the bull by the horns by announcing the total removal of fuel subsidy, an act that required so much courage to embark upon considering the caliber of people involved in the perennial scam. The cabals were systematically taken aback, but this move was grossly criticized. Nigerians in their numbers went to the streets to protest against the policy. Today, reports that emanated from the probe that followed shortly after revealed monumental fraud. Every Nigerian is clamouring now for a showdown with the cabal blaming the president for ineptitude.

The National Judicial Council (NJC) had on August 18, 2011 recommended the compulsory retirement of Hon. Justice Isa Ayo Salami, OFR, over allegations of purported ‘misconduct’. In a matter of days after the recommendation, Justice Salami was fired by the President and hell was let lose. People questioned the president for acting so fast on the matter and till date, tongues are still wagging. Only recently, the National Assembly recommended the sack of the Director General of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms. Arunma Oteh. As at press time, this recommendation is yet to be carried out and again, tongues are wagging over the ‘delay’ or outright rejection of the recommendation. They have even gone ahead to threaten the president with impeachment for ignoring the ‘advice’ of the National Assembly.

When in 2010, the President proposed what was described by critics then as a ‘lavish’ independence anniversary celebration, the press was agog with criticism. Many condemned the proposed celebration with pomp and pageantry, though for various reasons. The condemnation was indeed widespread. The critics argued that there was nothing to celebrate at 50. In 2012, the independence anniversary was celebrated just at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa at a very low key. Again, critics went hay wire. They accuse Mr. President of bowing to Boko Haram threat, “an ominous sign of weakness,” they claim.

If there is a situation and Mr. President allows due process to take precedence, then he is a weakling and ‘lily-livered’. People will complain that he is a coward lacking a sense of direction. If he reacts promptly, then he is interfering with due process, irrational and clueless.

At the wake of Boko Haram insurgency for instance, he relaxed and allowed the security chiefs to do their job. Even when there was pressure on him to declare state of emergency in some of the affected states, he kept his cool. This was termed by critics as weakness, incompetence and naivety. At some point, he ordered the Joint Task Force into the streets of Maidugiri to arrest the situation, many critics started accusing him of killing an ant with a sledge hammer. Some northern elders even went as far as accusing him of a calculated attempt to render the town “desolate and the people refugees in their own town.”

Last week during the media chat with Mr. President, the issue of poor handling of the Lagos Ibadan road project by the concessionaires—Ms Bi-Courtney was openly raised and people clamoured for an immediate action against the contractor. Within 48hrs, the president revoked the contract, re-awarding it to Julius Berger and RCC. Rather than applaud the swift action of the president, the debate in the media now is about how right or wrong the action was and how due process was not followed.  

Little wonder why Mr. President once cried out that he was the most criticized president in the world and I quite agree with him. Could it be that he is actually making some progress? This reminds me of an inscription I saw at the office of the Deputy Registrar of Abia State University when I went to collect my degree certificate. It read: ‘If you are not stepping on anyone’s feet, it means you are not making any move’ (can’t remember the exact words). This applies more in leadership. No matter how hard a leader tries, critics will always throw arrows that are very capable of derailing a leader that is not well focused and John C. Maxwell once said: “A good leader is a person who takes a little more than his share of the blame and a little less than his share of the credit”. Maybe Mr. President must begin to learn this aspect.

The roads that were bad decades before his assumption of office are today blamed on him. The comatose power sector which had gulped billions of dollars long before Goodluck Jonathan came near the corridors of power are today blamed on his ineptitude. The endemic corruption that past leaders purportedly fought and made no head way with are today blamed on only one man, even when those pointing one accusing finger at him have three other fingers pointing at them. When flood submerges communities across the states, the people cry ‘Jonathan!!!’, as if he sent the flood. The decay and rot that have bedeviled this country over 52 years now are now termed ‘the making’ of Mr. President—Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan. Rather concentrate on the import of his speeches, his critics pay greater attention to his grammar, his eloquence or the lack of it and his application of tenses.

These very few instances which are not even the most classic as there are many other more congruent cases are the reasons why I pity Mr. President with all the passion in me while not trying to be defensive of his actions and inactions.