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Democracy & Political Development

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NIGERIAN ELECTION 2007: CAN ANY PARTY DEFEAT THE PEOPLE DEMOCRATIC PARTY?
WHO ARE THOSE IN FOR NOMINATION OF THE PDP TICKET SO FAR

As the quest for the leader of the most populous African nation heating up; multiple parties are seeking the presidency in 2007, one fact is remaining clear; the organized machinery of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is likely to remain largely intact and infact will remain superior to any other organized party or political groups coming together for the 2007 political exercise. The question remains who will PDP select, come December as the party bearer, going into the 2007 polls. With more than 30 political parties seeking the office of the president, PDP stands a shoulder above all others as of today. The main opposition party still remains All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) which is largely popular in the Northern states, with loyalist still enticed by religious and cultural sentiments in the predominately Muslim northern states. Efforts to nationalize the party has not been very successful, thou! gh 2007 could be a test of such efforts by ANPP. Other parties include the recently formed African Democratic Congress, Alliance for Democracy AD, Labour party and a host of other registered parties. More >>

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The Stroke of Midnight - By Phil Tam-Al Alalibo
BY Tam-Al Alalibo
DATE : Friday, 22 September 2006

Make no mistakes about it; what we have on our hands is a tribe of greedy,
monstrous and avaricious politicians marking the time to the stroke of
midnight on May 29, 2007 when their term expires. Before then, however, they
must have their fill, they must embezzle to the hilt; they must loot, spend
and loot again. They must buy cars for their girlfriends and countless
streams of mistresses; they must buy mansions and planes, businesses and
companies to cushion their retirement. And he who does not partake in this
frenzy must be a paramount fool and suffer the painful repercussion of being
a pauper. More >>

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Nigeria tops migrant remittances in sub-Saharan Africa
By Femi Makinde
Published: Wednesday, 20 Sep 2006

The United Nations has ranked Nigeria as the country with the largest remittances of migrants in the sub-Saharan Africa.

Sudan was ranked second while South Africa was rated third. More >>

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Interpol Places Nigerian Officials On Watch List

The International Police Organisation (Interpol) is closely watching Nigerian officials on foreign trips, based on the request of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

This is preparatory to the plan by the EFCC to step up investigation of those seeking elective office and those planning to quit at the end of their tenure. More >>

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TRANSCORP A CLOAK FOR FINANCIAL CRIMES BY NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT LEADERS
Standing before the Senate Committee on the Capital Market, last week, Madam Ndidi Okereke-Onyiuke, the director-general of the Nigerian Stock Exchange who is now more popularly known as the chairman of Transcorp, finally told us what we had always known: President Olusegun Obasanjo, indeed, owns a chunk of Transcorp. But even in answering the Senate committee's questions, this lady still spoke as if Nigerians are dunces and so gullible.

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United States Leaders Points to Nigeria's Democratic Gains

by Paul IKhiemen (Del. Indiana)

Hearty congrats to all  elected to offices in the  ANAC conference last Saturday. Kudos especially  to all the founding members  for their vision, and courage to crystallize same. Now its time for us all to take this initiative and run with it. In continuation of honorable shortlist of some of the ideas gained at the conference, we learned from Congressman Payne, described as the best friend of Africa in the US Congress

a) Develop/Redevelop agriculture.

b) Stop letting outsiders come into Nigeria and create divisions
based on religious differences.

Congressman Payne reminded us ethnic, and religious strife commenced with the departure of the British at end of colonial rule. Nigerian people with their cultural/religious differences lived peacefully together prior to and through stay of colonial masters. Former secretary of state Cohen, observed that consolidation of democracy was perceived to be good and on the right track and too many people don't want to see change. The former secretary also told us what the US hopes to see in the next five years

a) Great disappointment if President Obasanjo changes the Nigerian constitution to try to run for a third term in office. He gave us a brief US history, and concluded by saying if President Obasanjo changes the constitution to allow for third term presidency, it must not benefit him.

b) Want to see the next elections done in an open and fair manner.

c) Nigerians can only escape from poverty not by foreign aid, but by Nigerians themselves investing in their country and establishing businesses, factories, industries in Nigeria.

d) Invest money in independent power. Power is at the root of investment. Without power, no factories can survive. Utilize low cost power from natural gas which is being burned right now all over the country.

e) 2007 election is key election in Nigeria. It was Cohen's opinion that, that election will demonstrate if Nigeria can lock in democracy by smooth transition of power from democracy to democracy, while noting that President Obasanjo has history on his side as he had previously voluntarily handed power to civilians as a military head of state.

f) Nigeria must have a well paid civil service that gets paid as at when due.

Ambassador Jetter had these words of wisdom for us a) We (ANAC) cannot do this job of helping our fatherland alone, no matter how well intentioned. We must form alliances with like minded groups, but first we must find/know them. One natural constituency was other Nigerian organizations, the African-American constituency. b) We must have someone fully engaged with helping us stay in an organized state. This individual must be working on a daily basis on the issues and projects of the organization. c) Ambassador Jetter notes it will take political will to make our organization (ANAC) effective, and we must d) Monitor US policies towards Nigeria, e) Monitor Nigeria's activities politically, f) Establish a skills bank, g) Advocate, encourage investments, and tap into Economic Development Corporation for business venture assistance, and abundant sources of funds, and h) We must say no to President Obasanjo's third term in office. He added that President Obasanjo must publicly deny the idea of extending his stay beyond a second term in office. i) ANAC must be non-sectional, non partisan, and must be a strong political action committee. Some recent advancement in Nigeria was also highlighted. The a) development of professional corps, b) incorporation of 18 companies from former NEPA, c) Formation of bureau of public enterprises. The gentleman from NIPS, also enjoined us to invest in a) hotel, b) oil c) gas d) steel e) telecommunications Mr. Howard D, former ambassador to Nigeria, and Mr. James Perry of Prince Georges County also had words of advice for us. Gentlemen, the ball is in our court. While our able President, General Obasanjo is busy steering the course of our nation, he has on numerous occasions called on Nigerians in diaspora to come to the aid of their fatherland. We need to send a message that we hear him and are responding. An official communique may be a good idea. Fellow delegates, we are pressed for time. God Bless Us All. God Bless Nigeria. Hon. Paul Akhimien. Del Indiana.

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