INTRODUCTION
In my introduction to this column, I had stated that readers’ reactions would always be published. There has always been such a deluge that were I to publish all, this column itself would be supplanted. I have always taken some now and again, as I now do. On the scale of commendation and condemnation of my honest, patriotic views and modest contributions, I am happy to announce that it is about 90% – 10%. That is an obvious A+. So, readers, thank you for your reading, digestion and cross fertilisation of ideas and plurarity of views. True, the apophthegm and aphorism, Vox populi vox Dei (the voice of the people is the voice of God).
Re: The dog named “Buhari”
Mike, your submission on the unusual friendly sincerity of The dog named “Buhari” reminded me of an experience I had with mine some years back. The dog was close to me until I chased it out when it bit a neighbour’s child. In spite of that, it escorted me home anytime it spotted me until I finally moved into a new apartment. As my properties were being loaded into the van, it was walking round the vehicle, grunting, barking, pitifully. When the vehicle moved, it followed it to a spot where it watched the vehicle disappear. Chinakwe’s “sin” is not a crime. Does naming his dog “BUHARI” make a ‘dog’ PMB? It might even be a compliment if considered along the dog’s loyalty to its master. That is Nigeria for you.
Lai Ashadele, 07067677806
SAN, as long as God is in heaven, your enemies and foes must be put to shame, amen. We are strongly behind you. This change is not the change we the Nigerian youth voted for.
Obiora, 08063731990.
Mike, you are really the SAN of the masses. Your hard facts show that there is still hope for the poor. God will surely bless you. I am going to file this article and be putting you in my daily prayers. Remain blessed.
Chief Darlington Ohia, 08055940241.
Mike, nice to learn from your piece that President Buhari interpreted eponymous dog-naming as a comic relief. He needs more of such a template under this consuming recession. Should one be bothered by the over-reaching action of the police on the matter? Playing to the gallery sometimes triggers recognition for promotional perquisite at work. In my view, the Presidency has denied a hand in Iroko’s arrest. So, no one would imagine the police to be dumb to continue with prosecution of Iroko in court over the matter. But it might be a spiritual way of making Iroko a millionaire through a court process for defamation of character and abuse of his human rights against the Police Force, who knows? Sacking of such a police officer in charge is certain; thereafter. Let Nigerians hope that PMB would take your patriotic call to ignore distractions and concentrate on genuine plans to salvage Nigeria from her current recession. Lai Ashadele, 07067677806.
Mike, recently I wept about the death of Gani Fawehinmi. We lost an icon. He was not only the voice of the voiceless, but also the hope of the hopeless. I became deeply sorrowful, especially now that we need the likes of him. But I see the resurrected spirit of Gani in you. You are a prophet sent by God to defend the poor in truth. God bless you. Anonymous, 07061287229.
Mike, thanks for this highly scholastic outing on The dog named “Buhari”. But I am afraid we may be looking at the issue purely from Western legal jurisprudence. What we as southern Christians fail to realise now is that Moslems tend to lean towards their religious kith and kin in the Middle East in dealing with non Moslems in matters like this. Dogs and pigs are low in Islamic circles. Almost Haram. Surprises you? Remember the directive from the Sultan to the internal affairs minister to extend the public holiday until the new moon was sighted. Are you sure we are not already in the middle of a macabre dance?
Anonymous, 08035617260.
Sir, thanks for fighting for the poor masses by speaking out via your writes up. Please, don’t relent. May God bless you, sir.
Evang. C. C. Iwegbuna, 08033089669.
Mike, would you have taken this position if the dog were named after Jonathan?
Anonymous, 08039098744.
Mike, if I have 15m US dollars in my Nigerian bank account, I would not be a revolutionary myself. Oka, 08063738578.
Mike, for many years, I have followed you in the public space and perceived you as a true patriot with great zeal for the down trodden. How so wrong I had been. What reason, if not mischief will make a man hang a name of another man on the neck of his dog?
Anonymous, 08066129607
SAN, naming a dog Buhari is not a crime like banning of rice without preparing for food sufficiency, or sending military to kill Niger Deltans in the name of fighting Avengers after years of political injustice and diversion of our wealth to develop one section of the country, or attacking the immediate past First lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, by using EFCC as cover. Now, millions of Nigerians blow their brains due to economic depression. Udo, 08027622232.
Sir, continue to stand for what is right because God and the Nigerian people are solidly behind you. Anonymous, 08073478286.
Chief, powerful intellect on board. Fire on.
Barr. Onwualu, Awka, 08036748262.
And in your eyes, naming a dog “Buhari” is a perfect exercise of human rights? The truth is that John Iroko called his dog “Buhari” to spite the president and the North. If it’s right in your eyes, it is not right in the eyes of other people.
Anonymous, 08066129607.
Sir, I see you one day becoming Minister and Attorney General of the Federation, due to your honesty of purpose and always speaking the truth in all matters. I love reading and watching your discussions in national dailies and on television. Help keep the country moving in the right direction. Prince Uzoma, 08068206221.
Mike, considering Nigeria’s legal jungle, I never had any regard for the Bar or Bench. Your Joe Iroko dissertation has changed my perception. There are lawyers who truly CARE! I am encouraged to not only own a dog now, but also study law as well. Nnolim, 08103665182.
Chief, I am anxious to know if Iroko can sue for unlawful arrest/prosecution and possibly demand for compensation. May God bless you for standing for the oppressed in our warped society.
Emmanuel, 08037135183.
SAN, you are wrong, sir! The intent of Mr. lroko is targeted to breach public peace. His intention to name his dog “Buhari” was done out of malice and in bad faith. It is the constitutional right of Nigeria Police to maintain law and order and avert looming crisis. I have lost my respect for you.
Anonymous, 08055338459.
Our SAN, thanks for speaking our minds and identifying with our pains. Is Nigeria under a curse? Do we really deserve the bad governance we are experiencing now?
Kanuj, 08032910874.
These two weeks “Hard facts” will certainly break the hardened, heartless, wicked hearts of our Pharaohs in Nigeria. When the righteous is in power, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rules, the people mourn (Proverbs 29:2) One Nigeria! Up Recession!! “Change” has begun with me!! Anonymous, 08030878755.
Mike, the police and the government they serve are just using the issue of ordinary dog naming to cover up for their gross incompetence.
Anonymous, 08162056267.
Re: Niger Delta Avengers
SAN, a well written article, sir. Thumbs up for you. However, while we appreciate the laying down of arms and strongly advocate it as you rightly suggest, can’t the Nigerian Government be sincere to history? Resource control was there when it was agriculture and coal. Why the sudden difference with oil and gas? I respect your pedigree sir. Help us. Anonymous, 09093500073.
Re: Nigeria’s dire need of restructuring: The urgency of now
Mike, well written on HARD FACTS about restructuring Nigeria. Since General Gowon ended up retaining Ironsi’s Unitary Decree 34, which he had given as a reason for his July 1966, counter coup, Nigeria departed from true federalism. Gowon then again in 1967, abandoned the Aburi Accord that could and should have ensured the unity of a federal or confederal Nigeria. The ensuing war to keep Nigeria one achieved nothing but unwarranted deaths, destructions and disunity till date. And the General is on crocodile tears – “Nigeria Prays” – to save Nigeria, instead of openly admitting and calling for correction of his 1966-1967 errors. We need more of your kind. Thanks.
Chukwuka, 08053012997.
Sir, I am just reading your hard facts. It is not only legally educative, but historically informative. Keep the good work, sir. God bless.
Anonymous, 08033027133.