Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Goodluck Jonathan... The law breaker


I am truly at a loss for words with respect to this response - “Asset Declaration is voluntary, I don’t give a damn what any one feel about it" Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan. The asset declaration is a policy tool adopted by the Nigerian people to ensure that public corruption doesn't occur. Apparently, President Goodluck Jonathan doesn't give a damn about protecting, defending and most importantly following the constitutionality of the Nigerian government.

                                Nigeria President Goodluck Jonathan being sworn into office

What is wrong with him? A law is a law is a law. If he doesn't like the law then work to change it. It is not okay to simply ignore a law or worse yet openly defy it. What type of role model are you Goodluck Jonathan? You have lost all credibility (not sure how much you still had left). You might as well have opened the gates to greed, crime and corruption in Nigeria. If you choose not to follow the laws...how do you expect anyone else to? Oh that's right you operate under the premise of "Do as I say not as I do." A true leader with outstanding credibility.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

So Enamored with Himself



This is a political manifesto if I have ever seen one from Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state, Nigeria: Hear Governor Okorocha:
 "wondered why some children still hawk during school hours despite the state free education programme and construction of 305 model schools in the 305 political wards in Imo". http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=89214:imo-drops-six-commissioners-recalls-sacked-teachers&catid=1:national&Itemid=559
While there are many problems with this statement, the biggest one is that it is a blatant lie. See disclaimer from well informed Ndi Imo thereafter:
"I wish to state here that THERE is NO model school built or renovated in my ward, Assa Town in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government as claimed by the governor. Except such is built this morning. If such is the case, it means the governor is economical with the truth. Has LIES become an act of governance?" - Joel Nwokeoma  https://www.facebook.com/#!/joel.nwokeoma/posts/10150952561780750
What I am most disturbed by is the fact that Governor Okorocha would think that he could get by with this lie. Does he not think that this can be proven false? Does he truly believe that his constituents are so enamored with him that they would never check his statements? I am truly worried about someone who is so arrogant and feels that it is okay to lie about this. If he is comfortable lying about a matter that is so matter of fact, what else is he lying about?
Let's send a message to Governor Rochas Okorocha that Ndi Imo elected a governor and not a messiah, and wouldn't tolerate a lying governor.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Hush Money

Ref: http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/anti-graft-lawmaker-accused-taking-bribe#.T9SAuHFLUiE.twitter


                                         Congressman Farouk Lawan (Left) & Femi Otedola

Today I write to you with a new development yet it oddly seems to be the same story...just a different day. We all recall the debacle regarding the oil subsidy, the national uprising, the strikes, etc. Well amid all of this uproar what was Congressman Rep. Farouk Lawan doing? One could reasonably expect that during this time he was working to bring about a peaceful, workable solution to ensure the subsidy be put back into place to bring about resolve for the citizens of Nigeria. Unfortunately...no! He was too busy lining his own pockets rather than advocating for the citizens he represents.  He was approached by the oil executives and decided that it was the right thing for him to extort this problem for personal gain. Rather than exposing the oil executives for who they are, he decided to "take the money and run." He cashed in on $600, 000 USD (about N96 million Nigeria naira)  of hush money to protect the oil company from being exposed. An obvious, yet extremely simplistic question that pops into my mind regarding this is..."What the hell is wrong with you?" or "Who does that?"

At least a redeeming quality here is that his conscious got the best of him and he quickly turned the money back over and reported the situation to his fellow congressmen. Actually, no! The way this was discovered is that an oil executive by name Femi Otedola  testify in the Nigeria senate alleging the bribery and naming names to let them know what happened. The plan for the money was that Congressmen Rep. Farouk Lawan was supposed to use the money to bribe his governmental cronies to cover up the results of the oil company investigation. Congressmen Rep. Farouk Lawan, instead became greedy and pocketed all the money.

Well...at least he admitted to it right away. Once again...no! He lied until he received enough pressure and the evidence was too much against him. Not until he was faced with this reality did he come forward. This story is despicable at best. Where is the justice for our governmental officials? Hold him accountable. He is not above the law!

As in America there are a few names that come to mind. Blagojevich, Madoff, Libby, Hecker. These names are among an "elite" list of corrupt individuals. While the American justice system is not always a beacon of excellence, all of these individuals faced justice. They are now all serving time for the corrupt acts they committed. Two of these individuals were government officials. It doesn't matter, the American justice system took the right action against them regardless of their status. It is essential that the Nigerian government make an example out of this individuals. Make them pay for their actions. This is the only way to curb the corruption that exists in Nigeria.