By PETER AGBA KALU
Special Adviser (Political) to the President, Senator Benjamin Obi, has asked his Igbo kith and kin to step down their ambition if President Goodluck Jonathan runs for reelection in 2015.
In this interview, he said that Jonathan is entitled to a second term, going by constitutional provision, and therefore, can contest in 2015 if he so wishes. He would want Igbo to vie for the Presidency after the President would have completed his second term.
Recently there was an issue over the making and operations of political parties. Why do we have so many of them?
The law says that they are necessary and we are law-abiding people; we believe in what the law says. Now, if they are really a political party, in the true sense, it is entirely a different matter. But there again, it is not my duty to define what is a true political party. My duty is to interact with them as much as possible. It is also my duty to recognise such political parties without an opinion.
Some people are of the opinion that we should collapse the political parties and just have two political parties, like the SDP and NRC, until such a time our political system stabilises. What do you think?
Everybody has his or her own opinion on issues. I also have my own opinion. But you see, now that I have the responsibility of interacting or interfacing with political parties, as mandated by Mr. President, I am forced to keep my personal opinion to myself as far as the matter is concerned. I have made comments on this in the past. If you check your records, you will see my position, but for now let me restrict myself to the mandate of my functions.
You were in PDP and later joined the opposition. How do you cope in this assignment?
Before Mr. President appointed me, he did mention to me that he was giving me this enormous task because he was quite convinced of the fact that I have been a member of the opposition and over the years have been in the opposition. I have interacted with many of them, if not all of them at various levels. The interesting thing is that even when he ran for the presidency, I was also the director-general of the campaign of his opponent. So Mr. President felt that while there are many other capable persons within the rank and file of his support group that he needed somebody from the other side who can deliver for him.
Yes, I am a member of PDP. But my friends in the opposition know that my word is my bond and I try always to also say this to Mr. President. Fortunately, I must say, I enjoy the confidence of Mr. President with particular reference to my schedule of duty, and beyond. I try to go beyond my mandate when I tell him something he understands. He goes along with you once you can provide a superior argument. Be rest assured that Mr. President will go along with you if your direction is right. That is what happens since I knew him and since I joined office one year ago.
What defines your political philosophy? I ask this question because of how you changed political parties in the past.
When I started politics, I started from the camp of the Nigeria Advanced Party (NAP). You may need to visit the manifesto of the Nigerian Advanced Party; when you go through it, you will confirm that it was the only revolutionary political organisations that have ever been formed in this country. That was in the Second Republic. While I was in the National Advanced Party, I was also concerned about the welfare of the Nigerian people.
Therefore, to an extent, I believe in the welferish philosophy. My motive of going into politics is to better the lot of the poor, improve on the welfare of the people. If by today or tomorrow, a miracle occurs and I find out that the welfare of the Nigerian people have improved to the level mandated by our constitution, I will bid goodbye to politics and go and take care of my family and my extended family members. I am in politics to help and uplift the poor people of my country. If I find out that I do not have any need for politics because things have improved and have stabilised, I will take a bow and give myself a deserved rest. So to answer your question, the politics I played then and still plays is more of a welferist.
If I approach Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, do you think he will still share the same opinion you are holding about yourself?
I am in constant touch with Dr. Braithwaite. We speak on phone at least three times in a week. Recently, you will recall that Mr. President launched his book and congratulated him on his 79th birthday. My philosophy has not changed; it is just that political parties were founded in a hurry or in a hush manner. Political parties today are not founded in any ideological ground. I mean all of them; there is no question about it; it is all a mixture of strange bedfellows.
That is the fact. I have been involved in the formation of three political parties, namely NAP; CNC and APP. In each of them I played a key role. I was the National Secretary of CNC and latter APP National Secretary. I was the National Publicity Secretary of NAP and after that its National Secretary. Therefore, when you talk about party management, I think I am one of those who can talk with authority about party management. So I know where I am coming from.
Looking at the boiling political environment, do you think that 2015 election will be feasible?
You can see the efforts being put into all these by Mr. President. I was in Ondo State with a clear-cut mandate by Mr. President to do in the State what I did in Edo State. I organised a workshop for all the political parties running elections in Ondo State. At the time of the workshop, we all signed a communiqué, where all of them agreed to a free and fair election as was the case in Edo State. When the President went to Edo State and mounted the rostrum, he told everybody loud and clear, that it was one man one vote.
The Inspector General of Police, in the same vein, said the same thing. In Edo, the President said that nobody should kill in any election for his party; he also said that the blood of any Nigerian is not worth to be spilled because of the electoral ambitions of individuals. When Adam Oshiomhole won election in Edo State, the first congratulatory message came from Mr. President, who is the leader of PDP. The same in Ondo State. How else will you not anticipate that this administration is prepared that 2015 election will be devoid of any violence.
On the issue of Igbo Presidency, many people, particularly some Igbo, seem not to be happy with your stand, and support for President Jonathan re-election in 2015.
I have been in the forefront championing the Igbo cause. I have paid my dues. I am proud of my role as an Igbo man. My Igboness is not doubted in anyway. Those of them, who are criticising me, I wish them well. But I know that if and when we present ourselves to Igbo, we know those whose credentials the Igbo man can trust. But that is neither here nor there. To the issues that you have raised, I want to make it very clear that first and foremost, President Jonathan is entitled, by the constitution to a second term in office.
This means that if he wishes to run, he is free to do so. As an incumbent he probably will ran on the platform of PDP, which is the party he and some of us belong. It is the norm everywhere, even in the United States. So I expect and I still stand by my opinion that President Jonathan has a constitutional right to seek a second term. If he is to run, my candid advice to my own people is to allow him finish his term and we can then take a shot at the presidency. Those who can challenge him, or who can run on the ticket of PDP should allow President Jonathan to run. So I don’t see any contradiction in what I have said. I have said what I believe democracy should say in the circumstance. Many of those who are challenging him belong to a different political party.
Do you think that President Jonathan is managing the country, well, especially with regard to security?
The violence going on in the country today is being handled by the best of the security officers of this nation. There is no one of them that has not really been cracked. You can see that when the Boko Haram started, it was quite devastating. I have some knowledge in this respect. When the violence started, it was very strange to us as a people. But the President started to address the issue; each attack that took place the criminals involved were apprehended until we got to the present level where the incidents have been minimised.
Things are now improving daily. Our security agents are sent outside the country for the appropriate training; when I went to the Senate in 2005, one month after I was sworn in, I put in two bills; one for the establishment of antiterrorism agency and another for the elimination of terrorism. It went through the second reading. It got to a point my northern colleagues in the Senate said that I was too close to the Americans and consequently the Israelis. I then told them that terrorism does not know if you are blue, black, green or purple.
By then there was no Boko Haram?
Yes, there was no Boko Haram. So they set-up a committee. The committee was asked to go through the bills, to know where they were coming from. The committee was headed by Senator Aliyu, a retired DIG. I got Senator Jubril Aminu to second the motion on the bill because he was our ambassador in Washington when the attack in New York took place. But as my bill was being read on the floor of the Senate, President Obasanjo ordered his Attorney General, Bayo Ojo, to forward another bill on anti-terrorism to the Senate. Then I got the motion again on the floor of the Senate to tell the Senate to drop the Obasanjo bill. First of all, as a senator, I got the bill to the Senate before the executive brought a similar bill. That motion was debated on the floor of the house. Senator Udo Udoma, was the one who made the point that once a senator brought a bill first, no other person can bring that kind of bill.
They took my bill, duplicated it word for word and sent to the Senate. It was Udo Udoma’s argument that nailed the Obasanjo version of the bill and it was thrown back to them with lightning speed. That was the controversy that took place before we finally bowed out of the Senate. But thank God that the bill has been amended and passed into law and also signed by President Jonathan; so these are things that one foresaw.
Some people are of the opinion that the way President Jonathan is handling the challenges of Nigeria today has helped in preventing Nigeria from slipping into a civil war or having something like the Arab spring. Do you agree?
The first eight years of our democratic experiment of 1999-2007 was marked by Obasanjo, as the then President and commander-in- chief. Obasanjo had his own way of heading the country at that time. Everybody knows that Obasanjo is high handed and does not hide his style. So people were really worked-up and wanted a democratic president who will govern, by way of give and take, and serious consultation. We now have a president who consults. He gets people involved in governance. People are saying that it is now that we are experiencing democracy. Tension may be high, but it is dropping everyday, as a result of the administrative style of President Jonathan.
This man is working for Mr Jonathan. He is not in a position to advise the Igbos about what is best for them at this time. When he is done advising the president, Nd’Igbo may think about what he has to say. I will however, ask him to wisper to the president that he(president) made some promises to the southeast that he is yet to keep!
If Mr Jonathan can feel the pulse of the Nigerian people from the responses dished out daily, he will realize that majority of Nigerians who voted him to power already feel betrayed by his so many anti-people policies. So I wonder on what basis he will contest next election. Is it on the ground that it is his right, just to recontest OR on the basis that he has better deal to offer Nigerians? Mr Obama won Mr Romney because Americans believed Obama had & still has a better deal to offer them. The same cannot be said of Jonathan unless he delivers the surprises he promised Nigerians in 2013. Let me tell Mr Ben Obi that Nigerians no longer care where the president comes from as much as they care about a leadership that will pull Nigeria out of the deep hole it is right now. Good leadership has no tribe, race or language.
Ndigbo and the Politics of self distruction. Who promise this man that it will be the turn of Ndigbo after Jomathan, Could Jonathan win any election in 2016 if they the PDP and the North even allow him. Can this Igbo man look and genualy made a statement that Jonathan has perfom well. I promise this man will be the first to decamp when Jonathan meet his waterloo in 2016. I can’t wait to see the Yeye man send back to his Village in Otuke.
This man called Senator Benjamin Obi is polishing his pot of soup ,but he does not know that he is selling his kin men of Ndigbo ,selling his birth right ,mortgaging his mind and using his left hands to point to his father,s house .No body is against Jonathan from running several times for presidency ,but as an elderly Yoruba man I would want to see an Igbo president as a paradym change or shift from the usual chop I chop deal of a thing .The Igbo people should not be annoyed if there is a similar statement from any other Nigerian either from the Hausa / Fulani or Yoruba extraction ,because thy mouth has said it ,I wish the Igbos,Jonathan and Senator Benjamin Obi the very best of luck in their political games
Hopeless governor. imagine the type of leaders Igbos relied upon to excel in the Nigerian politics i dey laugh oooo
my friend go to school and obtain a qualification before commenting on internet. you wash your ignorance in the open market. there is difference between Ben obi and Peter Obi the governor.
Mr. Ben Obi i support you. You are damn right.
GJ will deliver. He has to do eight years….
BEN OBI YOU ARE RIGHT .THAT IT HAS TO BE IBOS TURN BUT THERE ARE TOO MANY STUPID IBO TRAITORS WHO CAN SELL THEIR MOTHER FOR POWER .OTHERWISE WHY HOULD IHEDIOHAR TEAM UP WITH THE HAUSA MAN AND GIVE HIM SPEAKER ?WE DEMAND A PROPER CONSTITUTION THAT WILL SPELL OUT HOW WE GOVERN OUR SELVES .THE WAY IT IS NO THERE IS NO ORDERLINESS.OTERWISE LET US PART WAYS . ONE TRIBE CAN NOT CONTINUE TO RULE US FOOLISHLY AFTER FILLING THE PLACE WITH PEOPLE OF NO VALUE .XTIANS WAKE UP AND DEMAND YOUR RIGHT
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As for me Jonathan has the right to contest in 2015 election. But is dicey for him to win. The problem is that, majority of Nigerians dont want PDP any more. No way for Jonathan. He should just leave or he would be disgraced out of Aso Rock. His luck is diminishing everday.
the man is not a governor, but a senator. the igbo youth congress will deal with this idiot senator. we are watching you obi, you collected bribe 4rm joe boy and now your trying to betray us d youth shall deal with all of you.
Sounding foolish and talking nonesense
bc we voted for joe boy in 2011 the result was killing of igbos in north joe boy / senator ben obi couldn’t deliver igbo poor masses living in the north after election wot joe boy said was i promise southeast another additional state and second niger bridge which of dese is fulfilled, after we sacrifice our blood for joe boy to be in power he payed us back with dumping 500 biafran activist in prison and charged with treason, jamming radio biafra which we sponsored with our money. joe boy ur a failure to us u will fell in southeast come 2015.
Senator Ben Obi is only but a useless and foolish man.
Why don’t we shift this Jonathan debate to the Ijaws and indeed Bayelsans, or even Niger Delta. Over the years, each time the issue of presidential election comes up in Nigeria, Igboland becomes the centre stage and in fact Ananmbra politicians will carry the matter on their heads. Even at that, we do not command any meaningful impact after the election. The highest benefit that will accrue to the igbos will be the appointment of the individuals who successfuly silenced igboland into “juicy positions” such as, Friend of the President; Peter Obi, Political Adviser to the President Ben Obi, Deputy Senate President, Deputy Speaker etc. thus we erode the capacity of the Igboman to occupy his rightful palce of leadership in Nigeria.
Hear this mercenary called 0bi; I can see you’re equally confused about your job: please remind him that he is Jona’s political adviser and not Ndigbo’s adviser on politics.
Infact if any igbo man votes for GEJ in 2015, that Igbo man will be a fool forever…
Emma, I will vote for GEJ and I will continue to be wise. Those who can reason will know those who are trying to make GEJ fail. The sin he has committed is his refusal to influence the dropping of charges against the ”Big thieves”. When will people of this country wake up?
the problem igbos have is anambara people they think that buying and saling is politics
one thing about igbo is that they are so selfish. It is due to, Mr.obi is in good position , he do’t want to lose his position. I personally,urge all igbo patriots to team up and fight anti igbo crusaders. Jonathan has failed us completely he failed to construct second Niger bridge in due time in view to use it for political campaign in 2o15. I will also advice Jonathan not to contest in other to retain some atom of indignity in his life.
Political, keep your advise until 2014!
Point of correction, Ben obi is not a governor but a political appointee in the administration of GJ, He is entitle to his own opinion for the time he was relevant politically has gone. Self serving individuals.
2011 IS NOT 2015 IF UR AGAINST IGBO AGENDA U EMBRACE DEATH OBI BE CAREFUL
This is all the red herrings. The Igbos will line up behind Jonathan any day, except if he declines to contest the 2015 presidency..
Can someone tell me single thing GEJ done to south east. Second niger bridge GEJ said NO, additional state to south east GEJ said NO, Construting of any single road in south east GEJ said NO. Building alamajiri school all over the north GEJ said YES, killing of igbo by boko haram GEJ said YES. He did every thing to please the northerner letter he will come to south east to ask for vote by bribing few stupid politician like sen. Ben obi and sen. Ike ekweremadu. But i m sure south east were not fools they know what to do come 2015.
Are you a moron, not to know that this is not a military government? GEJ cannot create any state on its own without going through NASS. Creation of another state is a bill. It had to be proposed by NASS, and even there is any to be created, it won’t be one alone. If SE has additional state, be rest assure that other zone will request additional state. And you know what, if SE is granted, others will be granted. Then, it is deja vu all over again!
Obi! Obi! Obi! Leave the Ibos alone Ooooooo. Speak for yourself. We are watching you and few ideots speaking ill of our ambition. Jonathan is the president we agree but 2015 is an election year.
ambition, what ambition, you must be dreaming.
sen ben obi only said what he thinks igbos should do come 2015, he never said you must do it, its just an advise, all you will do is to make use of your brain, but for meoooo, i think he makes sense in his opinion, dont abuse meoooo, this is democracy every man is entitled to his own opinion
PDP is a failure, because your stealing money under Jonathan administration, ur telling the Ibos should not contest. PDP will not win come 2015 cos the party is for criminals,Armed robbers both in the Senate and House of rep. We need change we need a leader who will be in power to deal with all of you, and wiill not depend on Godfathers instruction. Okoacha…!
Senator Ben Obi…….when commenting/advising about IGBO’S, Remember what killed your brother Sony Obi….It’s all greed…Try to be wise bcos Vanity upon Vanity, all is Vanity….Igirigi could not enjoy his wealth again because of Betrayal….A word is enough for the wise…..
Come 2015 the Igbos will once again vote en masse for GEJ. He is a friend of the Igbo and so far he has done well for the South East. It is the PDP governors of the SE who have failed and let us down for the past 13 years,a case in point is Abia state.
I agree that GEJ has done well for Igbos. After all, see that the juicy position in his cabinet are occupied by Igbos.
We need more dan south east vote 2 win election,,igbo candidate must b some1 d̶̲̥̅̊@t̶̲̥̅̊. Can get vote 4rm oda, zones so obi knw ƜЂA̶̲̥̅†̥? He Ȋ̝̊̅§ sayin gudluck shld nt contest atal 2 anable us 2 win d election
OBI HOW MUCH DID YOU COLLECT ??? HEY MY PEOPLE OH MY PEOPLE. SO IT IS TRUE THAT ONCE AN IGBO MAN SEE IS MONEY OR IN A PARTICULAR POSITION, HE CAN SELL OTHERS AT GIVE AWAY PRIZE. OBI YOU HAVE LOST MY RESPECT FOR YOU. POLITICAL ASHAWO.
I am a typical Igboman and i sincerely support senator Ben Obi on his stand on 2015. His stand and comments are in tandem with my position as well. Igbo should wait in 2019 but before giving maximum support to Jonathan they must extract come commitment from him otherwise his show will backfire and therefore give the North an edge over him.
If and only if President Jonathan decides to run, the Igbos are there to support him. To hell with all the crocodile teary eyes that hang around opportunism; a new Nigera is born.
This is one reason why the Igbos cant be president. They sell themselves too cheaply. To be fair, is it proper for the president to come from the south after Jonathan? My answer is no. I may not like the attitute of some of the notherners but we must be fair to all. Igbos will find it difficult because they have too many judas among thems
MY PEOPLE NZE IS HERE TO ADVICE EVERY IGBO SON AND DAUGHTERS TO SUPPORT GEJ NOT BECAUSE OF ISSUE OF TAKING BRIBE OR NOT.IF HE DECIDE TO GO FOR SECOND TERM WHICH EVRY PRESIDENT IS ENTITTLE FOR WE SHOULD GIVE HIM THE SUPPORT.BECAUSE WITOUT SOUTH SOUTH AND OTHERS CAN WE SURVIVE? I BELIEVE WITH OUR SUPPORT SOUTHNERS WILL NOT BETRAY US,THEY WILL EQUALLY PAY US BACK OUR SUPPORT. PLEASE WE SHOULD NOT ALLOW NORTHNERS MUSLEMS TO DIVIDE US BECAUSE IF ANY THING LIKE THAT HAPPEN THEY WILL USE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE POWER BACK. WE SHOULD USE OUR NUMBER SIX,THANKS.
Jonathan made a promise that he would run for a single term. Does he want to renege on that promise?
President Jonathan has his constitutional right whether to run or not, l believe that his legacy will speak for him come 2015 when the die will be cast & Nigerians would have to decide if he can deliver their great expectations which will be judged by his performance rating before the end of this dispensation. l do not expect his SA political Senator Ben Obi to bite the fingers that feeds him unless you want him to be bundled out of office where his bread is been buttered. As for the Igbos 2015 presidential shot, they have a lot of work to do in keeping their house in order before coming out to fight for a common goal because the override of personal interest by general interest constitutes a monumental disgrace to the present generation of Igbo leaders and this could make the spirits of our HEROES past of whom are all of blessed memories turn in their graves. Comr Sam Nd Anyanwu is an Activist & an Owerri based newspaper columnist – 08030611815
Ben Obi is making sense, if GJ is contesting it will be wasteful and stupid for any igboman to context. igbos should plan ahead and wait for the perfect time. those shouting igbo president are 419ners, they only want to realign themselves and take advantage of the igbos.
Ben Obi is only trying to guarantee his job or better one for some time to come. Other tribes will continue to use people like him to further their political agenda, at the expense of the Ibos.
Sen.Ben Obi You lack moral right & Privilege to offer your baseless & useless advice to Ndi Igbo ,You re now in support of Jonathan led Government ,Why have you forgetten so soon how you joined the North to fight him during the electioneering period. I blame you not because in now belong to Aso rock Class.Amadioha will kill if you there offer that your stupid & baseless advice to Ndi Igbo.We re aware you have sale your conscience & you deserve to keep you mouth shot in any National matter of things that have to do with Igbo people.God Punish , what have Ndi Igbo benefited from th ecurrent Government led by GEJ ?
Sen.Obi, u are one of the black sheep in the fold.this man is Judas Iscariot.Come home Igbo youths are waiting for u.u will surely rot in hell.Because of political appointment,u are betraying ur own people remember nothing is permanent.WOE UNTO U…U will surely end up like Eze Herod in d bible…
this is not senator obi i know, what is the matter another, IDIOTIC for igboman to be a president?
Ben obi is a fail expertation to ndi igbo
I am very surprise by d position of some of this so call igbo people condeming obi for saying that shul d president contest 2015 it wl b wise d igbos support him, if I may ask? Wen did an igbo bcom chief of army staff in nig last? Wen did an igbo man bcame NYSC commander last? Wen did an Igbo man eva became d commandant of NDA? Wen did an igbo man eva command warri barracks in history? Does dis pple kw wht is d important of dis post in empowering d igbos in d Army? D band on important of many things was lifted 2 who’s favour? D constistution amendment is in progress y nt wait and see if he wl create more state, does dis pple kw dt GEJ cn nt create state alone? If dre re killing ur pple in d north 2much y nt ask ur son? I so much luv d igbos especialy d anambarians bcs dre re d most hardworking Nigerians bt I hate it wen d igbos refuse 2 b reasonable in politics. To mk it clear dis country is divided into six nt 2 and south wl finish dia turn and gve it 2 east weather d north likes it or nt,it nw depend on u d igbos 2 b united and stop fighting a war u wl b a looser wtout ur brothers d south-south.
SOME PPLE KNOW NO DIFF BTW PETER OBI AND BEN OBI NA WOOO! READ AND UNDERSTAND FIRST. BIA, BEN OBI, KEDU IHE BU UR PROBLEM SELF? O GI KA AKWASI NDI IGBO IHE HA GA EME? IBU ESUA KA OBU NWANNE YA KA IBU. NDI IGBO, BIKO DON’T SELL UR BIRTHRIGHT, PLS.
Why can’t u wait till the president decides to run for a second term then we will take stock and see whether to support him or not. For now, nothing has been done.
Ben obi,is nt ur fault,is actaully d wrk of money.bt u shld go ahead nd advise Mr president badluck nt gudluck anymore 2 resign b4 2015 if he dnt wnt 2 be disgrace out of dat office.
Na ihm now – the typical Igbo syndrome “money for hand, back for ground”! There is nothing called Ndi-igbo, but mere collectivities of crash individualists – each struggling for his own survival and all collective in trouble! As long as Nigeria politics favours this type of primordial sentiments of nation, ethnicities and religion, the igbos could as well- forget their ambitions.
All Nigerian politicians are selfish,self centered and greedy.only after their personal interest.if obi is termed as been selfish fine,what about Tinubu who because of common title given to his mother said Nigerians north and south can manage their differences.he said Nigeria will never break up.actually the breakup of Nigeria will do any tribe no good,but why not rebuke those that kill for power or politics at any given provocation.the only diference we outside Nigeria see between the south and north is that the north has monopoly of violence and death while the south has monopoly of glutony for power.if Tinubu has causioned his northern collaborators to stop ther youth from mass killing of south honestly I would have considered him to be sincere.and as long as no southern politician rise up to condemn the mass killings of southerners for no just reason in the north the north will continue killing southerners anytime.so if obi is considered selfish because he said ibos will support Jonathan which I am not saying he is right or wrong,but yesterday when Tinubu said there is nothing wrong with the differences ad Nigeria can never break how many of his people rose up in truth to condem him.this is the tribalism that has been killing Nigeria and will keep destroying Nigeria.what actually will break Nigeria are the senseless killings and injustices and not these open lies told by politicians to oil their pocket.A lot of southerners have been killed and I’m sure more will be killed.the parents and relations of those killed has anyone considered their feelings.i don’t think anyone in this world will ever be happy when his/her relations,son,husband are killed senselessly.oh I weep for nigeria
It is not buhari ,tinubi,or ojukwu uzor kale been president ofnigerua that will save Nigeria.rather it is when there is justice and an end to all these senseless killings that will. Not break Nigeria.youcannot create a single hair yet you quickly kill your fellow human beings for some reasons.what can be a justication for senseless mass killings,bombings going on in Nigeria.hausa,ibos,Yorubas why not come together in truth and allow justice be.why not allow equal opportunities for all your citizens.stop nepotism and polices of tribalism and intimidation.allow politics of merits to reign in your country,stop all killings and see how Nigeria will become great in a short while.or is it the Nigeria as a country is cursed.the politicians are busy helping themselves with the country wealth while Nigeria poor masses are busy defending tribal sentiment.im confused over you people
A very sincere questions.ibos how have your support for corruptt politicians from your region helped you and your children?hausas how have your support for corrupt politicians from your region helped you and your children?Yorubas hw have your support for your corrupt politicians from your region helped you and your children?ijaws,itshekiris and other tribes of Nigeria how have your support and defense of your corrupt politicians helped you and your children?everyday I see the children of these corrupt politicians drive very expenseive cars,own expensive mansions,attent world class schools,get every respect any one will wish for him/herself in Europe America and other advanced regions of the world.their children are highly respect by authorities of other countries because of the way they squander your collective wealth.and every day I see common Nigerian of Yoruba,hausas,ibos,ijaws and other tribes been haunted by security forces on America and Europe because they are into 419 activities,they are into drug activities,they at into credit card fraud activities,even of recent they are involved on armed robery activities.the truth is that most common Nigerians are involved in this criminal activities be ause their collective wealth have been plundered by your politicians from every region.but each time because of tribal sentiment you keep defending them.aslobg as you are Hausa politician the average Hausa does not mind if you steal 100 billion of pounds in Nigeria.likewise those of ibos and Yorubas.how senseless are you people.let me tell you.evol pride is evil and does no good.do you ll know no Nigeria has any business living outside Nigeria because of hardship.your country is one of the blessed countries.it is the masses of Nigeria that should checkmate all these high level corruption or do you expect outsiders to do it for you.instead you are there fighting among yourself and defending evil just because such evil is perpertuated by politician of your tribe.i implore you people to acquire sense
I dont apriciate GJ’s admin bcos he also is vry notoriosly coropt. I wil prefa a prefer a presidnt dat’s revolutionary in style irespectiv of his tribe. Nigeria is heading to revolution and if dis gagantum coruption, inequlities n injusticeis indigbo wil remain d wose hit in nigeria. I lik a presidnt of my stoke bt i prefa a presidnt who wil stop coruption in nigeria.
Orji V.I.C,
Who do you think will “BEAR THE CAT” on revolution? An average Igboman feels that Goodluck Jonathan deserve to rule for second tenure. he deserves it because for all the past years since the end of Biafra/ Nigeria Civil war, nobody from the Old Eastern Region has by any means ruled the Country called Nigeria. I believe that this is our chance and we can not afford to loose it to anyone.
Secondly, on the issue of revolting, who will be revolting against who? Since the rulership of Gen Yakubu Gowon, Gen. Muritalla Muhamed, Gen. IBB, Gen. BUHARI, President Shehu Shagri, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakkar, Obasanjo (both in Millitary/ Civilian) who amongst Nigerian called for revolution? So why call for revolution just because an Igboman from South-South is in power. This by any calculation can not work. And if their be of any kind shall result to the end of this country called Nigeria.
The Arab Nations revolution was a success because they are of common religion, tribes, culture, and ideology. Such can not happen in Nigeria because we are not United in any form.
Thirdly, to call for revolution, Gen Yakubu Gowon / Awolowo must first face the International Criminal Court of Justice for War Crimes genocide against the Biafra Nation.
Jesus Christ of Arochukwu! Azikiwe kissed Balewa nyash till he died. Ojukwu too kissed Shagari nyash till he pafuka. Now, this Obi don change am to Ijaw nyash. Wetin de do this Igbo people self? When are they going to believe and have faith in themselves? And they want to be President. Anyway, that one go tey o. Igbos kidnapper wan form kidnapper’s association of Nigeria. Na wah for Igbos!
people should not mind this old fool . He is speaking for himself and family alone…On IGBO PRESIDENCY, WE STAND
Chief Ben Obi spoke his mind and I think he spoke well, let us give GEJ his complete 4 years if he does well then we will vote him but if he fails then we will send him back to his village but only with our votes. it pains me that most people that are talking here have not even voted b4 and are not ready to vote come 2015, yet you are insulting a gentle man and one of his kind in politic in the Igboland and in Nigeria in general, one of the those that fought OBJ’s 3rd third openly one that Igbos can trust to stand by his word. one of those that don’t believe in stealing public funds. Please every one has his opinion and Chief Ben Obi has just said his, without insulting anyone. GOD bless Nigeria
If i may ask, what did igbo people really desire, is it the president or biafra republic rising or shadowing sun?
Senator Ben Obi is only being frank. If you like call him names but that doesn’t kill the voice of truth and reasoning. Jonathan is constitutionally entitled to a second term if he wishes to contest and in the present calculation his failure to contest will be taking power to the core north which most Nigerians will oppose vehemently because these core northerners have an agenda of retrogression. Obi is being wise, it is better the South East throw their weight behind Jonathan who is closer and sticker to them than allow themselves to be used as a pon to water down Jonathan popularity in the south and make it easier for the north to cling power.
All said, I think Jonathan’s leadership style is better and I am hopeful he will deliver on most electoral promises before 2015.
4 me i pray and wish tht USA prediction on this enity come 2015 will come to pass so that all the story will be a past and 4gten issues.simple
nigeria is an undemocratic nation state,how can mr president wishes to contest for 2015 whereas he has not completed the first tenure,ok nevertheless he is the incubent head of state he can still be kicked out of the seat in 2015,anybody can compet with him so far the candidate is eligible to contest.PDP has messed up nigeria with there zoning system,PDP has succeeded in imprisoning democracy in d country,gej records and antecedents wil determine whether he will win presidential seat in 2015 .
Benjamine Obi is not qualify for any elective position,that’s why he is always supporting any body that is contesting,even if you are a goat,cow,sheep,pig,lion,dog,antelope,giraffe,monkey,boko haram commander,armedrobber,kidnapper,etc.Shameless Ben Obi will support you to the end,provided you will give him money.
When Atiku who can’t articulate well came out Ben Obi supported him,he supported Obasanjo,he supported IBB,now he is supporting Jonathan.To him (Ben Obi) anybody is qualified for the office of the president.Ben Obi is a real bastard Igbo man.