Nigeria: Elections, Stock Market and Issues

INEC May Postpone Presidential Polls

2007-04-17T13:15:00.000+01:00

The April 21 presidential election may be postponed even as national Commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were last night engaged in a heated meeting over the next course of action following the ruling of the Supreme Court on the suit brought by Atiku Abubakar.

The Commission is said be in a dilema over whether or not to print fresh ballot papers since the ones already printed for next Saturday's polls will not bear Atiku's name and photograph. . .
Read more:INEC May Postpone Presidential Polls

Utomi Withdraws from Presidential Race

2007-04-17T12:56:00.000+01:00

Just learne that UTOMI has withdrawn from the Presidential race.
Read more: Utomi Withdraws from Presidential Race

Quite a new development; and He's calling for other Political parties to boycott; asking for the Senate President to assume power:
According to him, “The only reason to take is to abort the rest of the electoral process. On May 29, 2007, the Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani should take over and after the six months, a new Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) boss be appointed to conduct the elections,”
Utomi called on other opposition parties’ presidential candidates to pull out from the race, saying it made no sense to continue with the remaining process.
He pointed finger of guilt at the Federal Government, accusing it of making a mockery of the electoral system.
Lets see what happens next.

Polls: Workers May Embark on Strike

2007-04-17T04:56:00.000+01:00

The Nigerian workers present at the experts meeting of the 5th session of the Labour and Social Affairs Commission have decided to abandon the meeting for home following the announcement of the election results by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The workers, led by Trade Union Congress (TUC) President General and President, Petroleum & Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Peter Esele, and the Deputy President, Nigeria Labour Congress, Onikoliese Irabor, expressed displeasure particularly with the Edo State gubernatorial result which was reportedly given to the People's Democratic Party (PDP) candidate. They claimed that it was theft of the people's mandate.

Click to read more: Polls: Workers May Embark on Strike

Pat Utomi For President In 2007

2007-04-10T18:21:00.015+01:00

To UTOMI CAMPAIGN TEAM:
I hope you hav taken time to read through all d posts, comments and thread on this UTOMI the President topic, and well as other similar posts.
As of today, we have approx ELEVEN days to Presidential Election. I beleive something can still be done to enhance UTOMI's visibility.

For those of us who believe that UTOMI can deliver should all come out on that day to cast our voters, and wait while it's computed.
I keep saying it, we NIGERIANS are the only ones to ensure that there's no rigging, no touting, not even the police-riggers shld be allowed to mess up our votes.

We lost June12 bcx we were not ready to stand up for what we believe.
We lost 2003 for the same reason, bcx we were non-chalant.

Now, are we going to sit down and allow another 4 to 8 years of failed promises.
I daresay, let explain to our family, friends, acquaintances, partners on why UTOMI shld be OUR next president.

When we believe in something, we shld be able to make sacrifices for it.

OUR National cake will come to us INDIVIDUALLY when we get out there, tell our friends & family, VOTE and make sure the right person becomes d President, then THINGS will work well, and then we shall all enjoy this country!

I believe!
Do you?

PTDF; the remix!

2007-04-10T18:21:00.014+01:00

Suddenly, it just occured to me . . .
Maybe the Senators & House of Rep members may not want to deliberate more on this PTDF shakara, should in-case any of them is personally implicated or worse, indicted.
Perhaps, it's not for this administration to further the PTDF issue; that could be why they have all scuttled away until after the crucial election.

Come May 29, when we would have "untainted" (in quotes) Senate & House of Rep members, then maybe, Nigerians will hear the true story.

And your guess is as good as mine, the Immunity Clause and the Interfering Power-of-Incumbency wont shield some "importantly, notorious" kingpins by then.

Na wa oh! Naija is changing for Good oh!

Your Vote is Your MIGHT!

2007-04-10T18:21:00.013+01:00

I agree with you that we should vote for INDIVIDUALS.
BUT,
Shld we vote for certain individuals who are being surrounded by the same corrupt PDP kingpins?

It's unfortunate that most of the prominent players are either current or ex- PDP members.

Possibly, there are still some other aspirants who ARE NOT of the PDP blood. We hav to identify such individuals based on their Personality & QUALITIES, not based on Party-backbone.

We shld look for CHANGE!

Your Vote is Your MIGHT!

2007-04-10T18:21:00.012+01:00

It's interesting that some of us see absolutely nothing WRONG with PDP.
From the very onset, when they emerged we thought that they were here for good, but they kept letting us down from one level to the other.

What's d essence of having more than one political party if we don't try out other ideologies?

I am of the opinion that Nigeria should allow PDP "rest" for at least 4 years; by allowing another "party" in there; then compare and contrast. Just 4 years!

It is not an issue of trial and error. Other developed countries didnt manufacture steady, progressive governance out of the blues; they went through trials, challenges, changes, modifications before getting to where they are today.

My People, PDP needs to go on Compulsory leave. Nothing good, I must say, can come out of PDP at this point in time, bcx the people in the party will always remain corrupt, and will continue influencing whoever is "selected".
Didnt PDP party stalwarts confess to rigging in Anambra? What was done to them?
Didnt another PDP top-shot "steal" INEC voter's registration computers at his house?
The Impeached Guvnors, which party "own" them?
Controversial guvnors; what's their party?

Man, we really gotta SHINE our eyes oh!

PTDF; the remix!

2007-04-10T18:21:00.011+01:00

I'm totally against the Senate for playing cold feet at this crucial point in time.
The Committee Members, through their attempted resignation showed that CHANGE is indeed coming to PLAY!
OBJ and his cohorts know that his game is UP, so they want to drag-foot this new development until after RIGGING PDP into d Presidency in April, so as to HELP cover their track; unfortunately, the Senate seems to be playing to the gallery.

Any PDP apologist, member or ex-member MUST NOT get to Aso ROCK!
PDP has to GO! PDP have shown times-without-number that their own CORRUPTION style in on ANOTHER LEVEL, "Mammothic?"!

PDP is Desperate, very very DESPERATE. So desperate that he has to get his boy UMARU into power at ALL COST (do-or-I-die), possibly for more cover-up acts.

With all these FORWARD, BACKWARD Indictment and Counter-Indictments; will any sensible, honourable, respectable person want to cast his VOTE for PDP presidency again?

It is no more Corruption-As-Usual.

We want a Different type of person in there!
CHANGE, indeed, is on the way!

PTDF; the remix!

2007-04-10T18:21:00.009+01:00

We shld not have one set of rules for some individuals and have another set of rules for others.

That the Senate embarked on a recess at this crucial time makes me wonder if this case wont be flushed down d sewer.

_{Adedibu vs INEC issue was treated by levity by this same administration.}

Let Election shld still HOLD but let OBJ and Atiku both resign if they have any GRAIN of HONOUR and INTEGRITY left in them; and be LEADERS by EXAMPLE!
Since there's no provision for an Interim Govt in The Constitution; the same Constitution, I believe, must have SPELT out the next step to be taken in such a scenario (resigned/impeached President & Vice president)

Agreed, there may be UPROAR of some sorts; but if we let this DIE OFF now, THEN the Anti-Corruption crusade would have bcm an abysmal failure.

Above all, Nigerians should be duly INFORMED & CARRIED in this pursuit.

We must avoid and REJECT Executive Cover-UP.

This might be the CHANGE we've been waiting for. . .

PTDF; the remix!

2007-04-10T18:21:00.008+01:00

By the way, what does d Senate President stand to gain as the No. 3 man if this elections do not hold?

Are sycophants & lobbyist at him already?

PTDF; the remix!

2007-04-10T18:21:00.007+01:00

TRUTH is coming out OH!
eh he! Naija!

U can't hide the truth oh!

_Quote:
_{. . .The committee also recommended a reprimand for President Obasanjo for approving certain projects through the Federal Executive Council outside the mandate of the PTDF.
http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2007/mar/21/national-21-03-2007-01.htm}

Seems like the "Reprimanding" is like the Proverbial "No SMOKE without FIRE!"
What are we NOT being TOLD?!

Buhari, and the Polls.

2007-04-10T18:21:00.006+01:00

Educate the voters and empower the voting process.

Enlightening the populace is a very very effective way to stop all these mess.
Whoever coined that "KNOWLEDGE IS POWER" was absolutely correct.

If I may make a correlation. . . Hasn't Condom sales increased in recent times? Bcx people can't (& WON'T) avoid SEX, hence they've resorted to "playing safe" with regards to HIV/AIDS.
This was made possible through ADEQUATE INFORMATION dissemination, and EDUCATING the populace.

On the aspect of the ELECTORATE, this same feat can be achieved, if those concerned go about it with dedication.

Nigerians aint DAFT, tell us why something is wrong, with adequate proof (and 'dramatization') and we'll definitely adjust our thinking.

Why do people now insist that hair-barber's shld sterilize their clippers?
Why do we insist that nurses shldnt use old needles?

Agreed people are hungry and a few hundreds of naira may make the next man give you his support; but there are those that will take your money and still NOT support you.

The bottomline is EDUCATE THE PEOPLE WITH ADEQUATE, ACCURATE INFORMATION; while other disqualification processes are being explored.

_{Our senators missed a huge chance to remedy a lot of mistakes in our constitution when they discarded every single amendment all in the name of 3rd term.
Our Senators: A case of throwing away the baby with the dirty bath-water.}

Buhari, really has nothing to offer.
The lack of foresight, vision and wisdom that is stagnating our country today bascially began from his interference with the democratic process.
If he had foresight that this country was indeed BIGGER than him, he would have respected our Constitution, waited for a chance to resign from the military and come to contest as a Politician.
If this goes through, I wish it'll serve as a deterrent to all ex-military politicians & their apologists.

PTDF; the remix!

2007-04-10T18:21:00.005+01:00

This is another way of "LIQUIDIZING" the whole PTDF stuff.

Why shld d senate even contemplate embarking on a leave when such a crucial issue at stake?

I guess the panel/committee want to save their face/name by resigning; at this point I think it's a good, if not honourable, thing to do.

Oya Atiku and all other indictees, follow suit.

Will Nigerians ever AGREE to resign when things hav gotten messed up? No they wont, rather they'll prefer to remain there until it's swept in to the SEWER, like usual.

Do we even have Men of Honour in this country at all. . . ?

Na wa oh!

Your Vote is Your MIGHT!

2007-04-10T18:21:00.004+01:00

Exactly another quality those that claim to be Leaders ought to have.
Being able to accept defeat in good faith for the good of the country.

Because they'll grossly be overwhelmed when after their NOISE, Power-of-Incumbency, Riggings, etc, they still come out defeated.

Nigerians, I believe, have learnt that the time has come for a CHANGE.

Gone was the time we used to:
VOTE for political parties; since they'll only continue from where their predecessors stopped.
VOTE for people who share money; bcx they'll only loot-to-replace when elected.
VOTE for persons who pays for votes; bcx they'll impoverish you & I tomorrow.
VOTE for known looters; bcx they'll still loot more.
VOTE for persons that have jumped bail; bcx theyll so much rely on the immunity clause to commit more crimes.
VOTE for persons that use presidential-jets to launder money; bcx they'll have regular access to such jets to launder more!
VOTE for a person who was RELUCTANTLY "convinced" to aspire for the Presidency; bcx since he didnt have a deeply-felt motivation, he'll likely do a shoddy job; worse still, since it was imposed on him, he has nothing to lose.

You should VOTE for that person that your conscience tells YOU that "YES, this man will be HONEST to Nigeria & Nigerians."

VOTE Wisely!
NAIJA, Shine Your Eyes Oh!

Your Vote is Your MIGHT!

2007-04-10T18:21:00.003+01:00

As We ELECT,
May GOD SELECT the RIGHT person,
who's PURPOSE-driven
NOT POCKET-driven

Count-down to Polls has began . . .
Cast your Votes RIGHTLY.
Cast your Votes WISELY.

Election is not a PARTY affair, Lets not VOTE based on parties.

Let us VOTE individuals based on each person qualities; attributes; what he has got to offer; track record; precedence;
"Corruption Quotient/index", "PDTF-relevance". . .

The Party that usually makes the LARGEST noise most times have FAILED the people with in a LARGE way.
_{Empty vessels, they say, MAKES the LOUDEST noise!}

Vote with your conscience
Vote with a foresight
Vote, such that in 4-year's time, we'll look back and be PROUD of who we voted in as President/Guvnor/Senator.
Vote, such that our children of tomorrow will benefit from OUR wisdom of today.
Vote, such that Constitution will not be amended for 3rd & 4th term.
Vote for that individual that will SERVE you, not the one that'll turn you to begging servants!
Vote for an individual that has intellect; because YOU can not be lead by someone who you are more intelligent than, no matter what!
Vote for an individual that will give OUR country the long-deserved image.
Vote for persons who will not take elections as a Do or Die affair (and remained arrogantly unrepentant about it)
Vote for an individual that has the interest of Nigerians at heart.
Vote for the individual that will not Promise heaven on earth, only to leave you worse than when he came in.
Vote for the individual that will prefer to get the health facilities FULLY functional to international standard; employing the best hands; training Nigerians to run the facilities; and making our health sector an international source of revenue.
Vote for the individual that will not travel out to treat headaches; "CATARRH"; "sudden-I-did-not-collapse" medical checks or kung-fu tendon repair.
Vote for the individual that will declare his assets before and after.
Vote for the individual that will not see anti-corruption as a political tool; rather a necessity to clear up the moral decadence in our country.
Vote for the individual that has value for education, who will ensure that EDUCATION gets PROMINENT attention.
Vote for the individual that will ensure that the Police Force is taught self-respect, and equipping and remunerating them adequately.
Vote for an individual that will ensure all the refuse-bins in the country are cleared.
Vote for the individual that will ensure that drive our economy visibly.

Above all, VOTE a genuinely GOD fearing person.

Vote for one who understands that LEADERSHIP is SERVICE; Leadership is STEWARDSHIP; Leadership is LOVE; Leadership is SACRIFICE; Leadership is UNITY; Leadership is TRANSPARENT; Leadership is EXEMPLARY; Leadership is MORALLY SOUND; Leadership is PEOPLE; Leadership is being appreciated by the next man on the street.

And Leadership without followership is DEAD; Leadership is not AT-ALL-COST; Leadership is not a THIEF; Leadership does not bend, twist or mangle the Constitution; Leadership doesnt need Constitutional Immunity; Leadership does not LOOT the treasury.

And RESIGNATION is a welcome outlet for Corrupt, non-performing, deceitful, Leadership.

Long live Nigeria.

Forget the Noise.
Forget the PAID crowd.
Forget the Party business.
Let YOUR conscience rule YOUR VOTE

Pat Utomi For President In 2007

2007-04-10T18:21:00.002+01:00

With barely 30 days to go, i must confess that I aint impressed with the way his campaign team are going about it.

I see the kind of advert Bank PHP do on d TV and I wonder why such creativity have not been put into his Visual campaigns.

In as much as I am certain he'll get good votes from d youths, he has to be VISIBLE to a larger extend.

UTOMI campaign team, what is happening?

Alams: A Lesson . . .?

2007-04-10T18:21:00.001+01:00

Evil that men did, used to live after them.
But these days, Evil that men do LIVE with them.

His precedence has created an "image" for him.
He jumped bail in Britain, Americans are scared he might do same in God's own country.

Sad YarAdua & Atiku were not also denied, we'd have been thinking of strengthening our own healthcare facilities too.

What goes around definitely comes around.

What is National Hospital Abuja there for? Is it only answering big name and over-billing patients?

Hope out-going & in-coming politicians have learnt from this, because a time will definitely come when people will regard the families of "corrupt" individuals with scorn.

Good luck to Alams.

Pat UTOMI's Notes. . .

2007-04-10T18:03:00.016+01:00

Pat Utomi notes:
http://www.utominotes.com/

"Utomi Notes
My Thoughts and Actions Towards the New Nigerian Dream"

http://www.utominotes.com/

http://grandioseparlor.blogspot.com/2006/07/towards-nigerian-2007-elections-pat.html

http://elendureports.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=214&Itemid=29

http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/articles/podcasts/presidential-candidate-interviews-1-professor-pat.html

http://www.restorenigeria.org/

http://www.gbengasesan.com/blog/?p=124

http://www.patutomi2007.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=40

http://www.waado.org/NigerDelta/Essays/Utomi-Oil.html

http://community.nigeria.com/nspace/tell_them_home_to_vote_pat_utomi_0

http://www.patutomi2007.com/blog/

http://www.saharareporters.com/www/article/detail/?id=252

http://independentngonline.com/?c=139&a=22483

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2502240648675966627

http://www.vanguardngr.com/articles/2002/viewpoints/vp508022006.html

http://www.wikio.com/news/Pat+Utomi

http://www.tribune.com.ng/30012007/tunde_fagbe.html
"Will I vote Pat Utomi for president? Yes, I will if I have a vote at all! It may not get him there, but I would have served my conscience right."

http://www.ibctoday.com/News/ViewNewsItem.aspx?rootVideoPanelType=1&newsItemId=17164

Enjoy!

Pat Utomi For President In 2007

2007-04-10T18:03:00.015+01:00

I know that Pat UTOMI will capture a lot of VOTES from:
the youth
the enlightened
the corporate-world
the academia
the business sector

But I still have my reservation about:
the market women
the bike men
the market trader

As for me, he has my vote!

The Nigerian Press & the Election

2007-04-10T18:03:00.014+01:00

It's a known fact that the Nigerian Press/Media Houses have left a lot to be desired; and that there's a need for drastic reforms by its key-players.

That the Nigerian Media/Press is in the "pocket" of politicians is also a known fact.

With a few weeks to this Historic Elections, the Press owe it to Nigerians to portray the TRUE personalities of all aspirants/candidates, with STRONG emphasis on the Presidential aspirants/candidates.

We also need objective and accurate feedback from polling centres on election days; can we rely on the Nigerian media houses to accomplish this?

Agreed, a few media houses have made remarkable inputs with objective coverage; but for some media houses to "praise" known corrupt politicians is going too far.

Among other things, the Nigeria Press/Media Houses will be a good avenue to educate the populace about the need to change our MORAL VALUES in Nigeria for better.

Since the Press do not seem to know what is expected of them, can we as Nairalanders, in our usual manner, LIST out the QUALITIES we DESIRE in an IDEAL MEDIA HOUSE.

Maybe, they'll take a CUE from us . . .

~~MAYBE. . .!~~

Opinion polls & Rigging?

2007-04-10T18:03:00.013+01:00

We have GSM almost at every nook & cranny of Naija.
Text messages, emails, online voting.
Free or premium-priced sms will serve to encourage respondents.
Information/adverts placed on TV, radio, newspaper, bill-boards, flyers, posters, multimedia adverts, etc are but a few.
Some media houses did something similar during international beauty pageants, etc.

All it needs is the right publicity mix, the right media noise at d right places portraying the importance and benefits of same should pull a good level of participation by the populace.

Internet access is also there; at most multiple entries from a singular cell-phone or computer IP address culd serve as a check to disqualify such.

It can be done!

Just a thot!

Opinion polls & Rigging?

2007-04-10T18:03:00.012+01:00

Conducting An Opinion Polls Will Stop Rigging?

Let the MEDIA conduct an OPINION POLLS fast!

I wonder why uptill now the Nigerian Media houses havent thought it PROPER to conduct a GENERAL OPINION POLLS in this country like it's done in other places?

This has lots of Advantages and it's also an avenue to allow the aspirants re-strastegize, if need be.

All these while, we have been hearing their campaigns, and what I've heard so far SUCKS!
No originality

The same LIGHT, WATER & ROAD issues; that will be left undone when they get into office, only to be used for next dispensation.

It also serves as an Opportunity for the people to show what they have in mind before the election proper, and in places where it's been done, it also helps to checkmate rigging to a large extent,

Someone once mentioned that the NIGERIAN MEDIA is VERY LAZY; and I'm beginning to agree that it's true!

Why can't the Media conduct a general polls on the situation of the Aspirants?

THE MEDIA. . . ?

Pat Utomi's Visibilty: My Concern

2007-04-10T18:03:00.010+01:00

For one, the issue of Pat UTOMI's VISIBILTY has been one of great concern to me. I havent been seeing the kind of 'effizy' (effects) I see from other aspirants.

Though we all know that oftentimes money gets thrown around to rent the crowd/people that have been used so far, but they are making the NOISE; and the effects they draw usually transcends to other people, passers-by, on-lookers, and of course the media footage!

Now, many Nairalanders (and Guests) positively feel that Pat Utomi is the guy for Naija Presidency, but that is not enough to get him there.

HOW CAN WE AS INDIVIDUALS SUPPORT THE ACTUALIZATION OF THIS DREAM!

From what I have seen, the UTOMI's methods so far hasnt created the "effizy" I'd expected. In as much as I feel that an aspirant shld do all the noise making, but there are many of us here who have the means to influence other people in a bid to solicit support for Utomi.
Infact, I have a few pals and we JUST carry out DIRECT & INDIRECT campaign in our offices, computer school (where I take lessons), church, fellowship, on a bike ride, and every opportunity that presents itself.

I am convinced that as an Individual, if I want something that much I shld be able to make sacrifices to achieve it.

Many of us can do this on-our-own.

If you are a registered VOTER and u feel UTOMI deserves a chance, GOOD, go out there and "talk the UTOMI talk".

Even if you were not able to register as a voter, or do not currently reside in Nigeria, you may be able to talk to people to cast their votes wisely.

Your suggestions here could also be useful in this regards.

I strongly believe that U & I can make this change!

Pat Utomi For President In 2007

2007-04-10T18:03:00.009+01:00

Can Pat Utomi Deliver?
This thread started with a topic that interested me and when I peeped in, I saw totally different talk.

In fact, my answer is YES, Pat Utomi can Deliver!, and in every capacity.

I don't see what d talks about rotational presidency has to do with it.
Personally, I don't see Buhari or Y'Adua as a better option. The former had been there and as far as we are concerned, the main "action" personality was Idiagbon; Y'Adua on the other hand is, as far as I can percieve, a papa's boy!

Or shld I mention Uzor Kalu or Atiku; no don't faint, I wont.

So, what are we talking about then?!
Let's talk about ISSUES here. It's about time we left the old "reality" ways and did things the right way.
We can indeed JUST elect anyone from Nigeria, no matter his/her sectional or geo-political background. It wont start tomorrow if we don't start it NOW!

My point is that, as the current YOUTH of this nation, we owe it to our FUTURE, to the generation un-born this singular act of VOTING right, VOTING well, VOTING with a focus.

The Future is not tomorrow, nay, the FUTURE is NOW!

Pat has began his TV "shows", so we'll definitely hear & see more of him.

For me, I'll vote for Pat and he'll definitely win.
\o/ \o/ \o/ \o/ All hands in d air for the 2007 President Utomi!

Cheers

Atiku vs Obj

2007-04-10T18:03:00.008+01:00

What do you think of the attempt by President Olusegun Obasanjo to sack Vice President Atiku Abubakar for defecting to AC? The easy way to deal with this matter is to say that it is a constitutional, a legal issue. Let’s get the court and the National Assembly to sort it out. But the truth is that I feel so sorry for a Presidency that does not think about history. . . I find it remarkable though that for a General like Obasanjo, who ordinarily prides himself as a great strategist, an ordinary Customs man has been one step ahead of him throughout this whole game; always one step ahead of him. If I were he, I would be quite ashamed of myself. Excerpts of Pat Utomi's interview. Read more: http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/articles/verdict-07/i-ll-shock-my-opponents-utomi.html\

Pat Utomi For President In 2007

2007-04-10T18:03:00.006+01:00

Since most people, one way or another think that UTOMI is the RIGHT guy, JUST cast your vote for him.
_{We should also try to "PROTECT" our votes at the polling units/booths, by being vigilant.}

It is not right for the bad guys to always emerge with their crooked ways!

Y'all have been making good comments about him, GIVE HIM YOUR VOTES then.

It's that simple!

Pat Utomi For President In 2007

2007-04-10T18:03:00.005+01:00

What if a "PLACE LIKE THIS" changes?
A PLACE LIKE THIS has kept us like this for 8 years!

U & I; ALL OF US can change a PLACE LIKE THIS to what it should be; by VOTING a "GOOD GUY" into power, so that we don't continue having a PLACE LIKE THIS forever, for our children . . .!

Your vote, my vote , his vote, her vote, for a GOOD GUY can NEVER go wrong!

Unless if we want to remain in a PLACE LIKE THIS for the next 4 + x YEARS, (where x is unknown).

VOTE WISELY!!!

The Interview of a "President"

2007-04-10T18:03:00.004+01:00

The person that cannot speak good english shld be going for private tutor if he wants to be presido, abi?
IBB did it!
Abacha did it!
Obj has been in & out of various schls. . .
Even "Hatikuh" has improved on his english too!

So what are we talking about? He shld get some tutors, maybe National Open University; but I wont recommend "Toronto style"

Let's all leave sentiments out of it; let's assess him based on WHAT has he done so far for 8 years he's been in Abia State.
He's already passing-the-buck with respect to cleaning Aba;
Every bad thing he's done that is being brought up, he blames EFCC and Obj; soon "Immunity clause" will expire abi?
My MAIN point of concern for him is that since him & his other guv'nors failed to renovate our prisons while they are on seat . . .

This dude just doesn't have what it takes; I've been wondering in whose name the "proposed" refinery will be in . . .
Probably we'll have "First Mama", like "First Lady".

Happy week y'all!

The Interview of a "President"

2007-04-10T18:03:00.003+01:00

Call your friends who reside in Abia State and hear them speak about their Guv'nor, then you'll appreciate what these talk is all about.

Bottom-line, Uzor Kalu is not fit to be a President!
Whether he has good command of English language or not; is not the issue. Whether he is RICH before or after 8 years of guv'nance, is not the issue. The dude has not done anything worth commending, he HAS nothing to offer. He has given Abians nothing after 8 years and he wont do any for Nigeria. _{(new refineries? in whose name?)}
Most other State guv'nors and politicians have same fault.

This is the reason WE SHLD SHINE OUR EYES and elect CREDIBLE people, not those who are used to throwing money around; bcx they'll only RE-FILL their pockets when they get in there; nor those promising to "fire", "water", "oil", and create ministries. We have gone BEYOND all that crap!

Above all, we need a LEADER, who for one MUST be an Intellectual (for a change ); able to portray a 'beautiful' IMAGE of Nigeria home and abroad; one who can rightly stand among the rank of world presidents and do us proud.

I have a candidate in mind! Do you?

Pat Utomi For President In 2007

2007-04-10T18:03:00.002+01:00

The comments have been very positive with respect to Pat UTOMI for President.

Of all the presidential candidates currently aspiring for this TOP SEAT, whc of them seem to hav the qualities of honestly being an administrator in a Local Govt Area?

At this stage, we shld look beyond whether UTOMI has what it takes to lead Nigeria or not, but to sincerely and honestly weigh the QUALITIES of all the current candidates in this race.

On your other issue:
Of what good will Utomi be as a Minister when he serves under a corrupt system?
Where is Okonojo-Iweala today after her input in this administration?

In essence, we should select people based on their Values, their Strengths, as well as their precedence.
Let's not allow sentiments to be-cloud us.

Nigerians have been known to be very 'understanding' with corrupt and direction-less leaders, but I don't think the patience is beginning to wear thin. _{{need I remind u of MEND in d Delta, or the Abuja Military-Pensioners blockade?}}

That FUTURE your were referring to, my dear gentleman DonnyMikky, is NOW!
NOW is the TIME to stand up for a Change!

We CANT make another such mistakes in the likes of Alamesiya, Uzor Kalu, Fayose, Dariye, and a whole host of them.

I have a GUT feeling that UTOMI remains the Best Candidate thus far!

The Interview of a "President"

2007-04-10T18:03:00.001+01:00

Heaven help us!

A good idea is to get the Interview repeated for him in Ibo language, possibly with an Ibo-digital translator (IDT), maybe he'll be more comfortable. [HardTalk, take note!]

What in heaven's has this shameless clown think he can offer to Nigerians where he couldn't do anything in Abia State for a whole 8 years?! His stewardship is minus-ZERO!

I am from Umuahia, the Abia State capital, but I'm filled with so much anger at what the people are going through bcx of the greedy clown who has been guv'nor for 8 years.
There has been NO CHANGE at all. Some other state guvnors do one or two things to improve the environment, but UMUAHIA has remained a SLOW town, and d guvnor claims all sort of lies.
It's so shameful!

I'm so glad their 8 years of looting are over, funny none of them bothered to re-furbish the PRISONS, bcx I fore-see them ending up there. NO APOLOGIES!

Pat Utomi For President In 2007

2007-04-10T18:03:00.000+01:00

Naija-rians are indeed changing!
MEND is pulling it's stunts.

A few days ago, Abuja experienced a MASSIVE traffic jam from Nyanya to d main Abuja city!
[the military pensioneers should have also blocked-off Kubwa express and Airport express too! ]

It seems like u can push Naija-rians to d wall anymore!
He will retaliate.

We can't cast our votes now and it'll be rigged and we'll stay quiet, I strongly believe that time has past.

Anyway, I still dey support 'President' Pat UTOMI.
GBAM!

Pat Utomi For President In 2007

2007-04-10T17:48:00.010+01:00

So much talk out there about Human Capital Development (HCD); but how can we put d Cart in-front of the Horse and expect progress? How far can we go with HCD when our Educational Policy is in shambles?
How can we expect GOOD economy, good moral values when the people (teachers) who are supposed to imbibe these values into us, into our children, are left to suffer?

Take a look at what's happening on-campus, and even in secondary schools now, where lecturers/teachers have had to "help" students pass their exams; since one way or another they'll get some financial rewards to take care of financial needs that their insufficient and infrequent salaries can't handle.

The FUNDAMENTAL development of any society, the GROWTH of any Nation depends HEAVILY on what the teachers have been able to inculcate into children & youth of that Nation.

The Child Psychologist will inform you that by the time a child is 15 years, his/her mind has formed to an advanced stage.
If by this time, proper training, guidance, moral values are not rightly and timely imbibed in that child, then woe to that nation.

Teachers' welfare is an issue that SHOULD NOT be played with any longer!

In essence, we have to always put the growing children & generation unborn into cognizance when casting our votes; we have to elect such a person that will put "our future" as a nation into perspective.

For the past EIGHT odd years, we have seen what these crop of political looters have done to our beloved country, and have given NOTHING in return.

It's time for a drastic SHIFT from bogus promises.

Let's all VOTE for UTOMI.

He's the CHANGE!

Rumour or No Rumour!

2007-04-10T17:48:00.009+01:00

Rumour or No Rumour!
The guy had a close shave, whether we like it or not.

If I may recall, when dark-goggled-general-Abacha passed on a few years back, didnt it start as rumours?
Were we not fed with propaganda till it couldn't be hidden any more?

Good thing now is that he's ok. I am glad he's ok, but is he in the right frame of Health to manage this country?
Reasons could be the rigours of the campaign; if so why wasnt he advised to go for his check-ups more frequently and earlier; why did they wait for such a close shave?

This, my dear NIGERIANS, is the kind of planning, execution and package the PDP has in stock for Nigerians.

I also feel that the strength of the negativity of the Rumour was mainly because of the platform he's running on: PDP and the "UNLIKENESS" Naija-rians have for PDP.

YES!
VOTE PDP for another 4+x years of Democratic MISRULE.

On Sunday, we'll say: "Yar'Adua, Welcome back jare, but please don't faint again Oh!"
_{I DARE NOT imagine what will happen when he's replaced (on account of ill-health by d power-mighty Fhee Dee Fhee) or worst still, when he loses out.}

Rumour or No Rumour!

2007-04-10T17:48:00.008+01:00

A corrupt Guv'nor...?

2007-04-10T17:48:00.007+01:00

It's about time we told these people DIRECTLY in the face to GO AWAY!
Our moral standards here in Naija truly leave a lot to be desired!
Where looters openly and shameless claim to be victims, and still have the audacity to run for office.

What does MORALITY mean in the Nigerian context?

If the guv'nor is clean, why is his mother on d run? Why didnt she stay and clear her family's name?
I wish EFCC will go ahead prosecute her, and declare her a fugitive. So that she wont freely set foot in Nigeria, She and her son really messed up Abia State.

Infact, EFCC shld PLANT their men in every State in d Country from the 1st of May, 2007 to monitor all the currently IMMUNIZED guv'nors/politicians and GRAB them on or before midnite May 29th. And shld not let them vamose in d manner that Fayose did.

It's about time we placed our priorities right, or else OUR children and youth will grow up tomorrow thinking that "WRONG THINGS" are RIGHT!

How Can We As Nigerian Citizens Stop Rigging?

2007-04-10T17:48:00.006+01:00

How can we as Citizens STOP RIGGING?

We have about 150million NIGERIANS! Out of whc the Politicians & Political THUGS are not upto 2% of this vast population.

Can we rightly say that these little percentage can effectively BULLY the bulk of Nigerians through RIGGING this time around and get away with it?

Do you know that the international community, INEC, Observers, etc, cannot eradicate Electoral Rigging?

What can we do as Nigerians who have patiently left our homes, come out to cast our votes, do to make sure that the figures published are the actual figures?

Wont you be shocked when the collated figures exceeds the 60million of registered voters?

It's about time we took this RIGGING business heads-on!

Let's not leave it for "THEM".

It's our Future;
It's the future of our children;

It is upto US (you & I) to find a solution to RIGGING monsters, starting with this April 2007 elections.

What do you feel?

How Can We As Nigerian Citizens Stop Rigging?

2007-04-10T17:48:00.005+01:00

My other question is:

Have we Nigerian woken up to the manipulations and tricks of these people?
Have we sat down and asked ourselves what these people have got to offer?

Does the Next man on the street know that "the Government" is actually HIS; that he has a RIGHT to SAY who shld be at the leadership, or who shouldn't.

YES, it's called EMPOWERMENT!

Casting BLAMES HAS never been a solution to any problem.

For now, the Media may provide a seemingly temporary solution; by playing their objective role, like it's being done in other places; by being the MOUTH-PIECE of the people.

The Media can empower the people with accurate, factual reasons that they have the POWER over these politicians and not the other way around.

Information, nay, PROPERLY PACKAGED PEOPLE ORIENTED INFORMATION is key for this empowerment!

How Can We As Nigerian Citizens Stop Rigging?

2007-04-10T17:48:00.004+01:00

The Govt should play the major role.

But what do u do when d govt of the day perpetuate/condone d same rigging shamelessly?

I was SHOCKED when Audu Ogbeh, a former PDP chieftain, openly said as much in one of Atiku's campaign recently. He challenged the people (at Kano, I think), to be very watchful of the ballot boxes and to "deal with/neutralize" anybody that tried to tamper with the boxes.
He was once the party Chairman of d same PDP, the ruling party; so he must have had "practical" expositions with rigging (?)

I think it's about time the people: him, her, I, us, we, me & you, (not they, them, etc,) come to realize that it's our duty to protect our future, our democracy, etc.
If for nothing else, for the sake of our children.
For the sake of History.

Pat Utomi For President In 2007

2007-04-10T17:48:00.003+01:00

Well, what can I say!
Someone indeed has a great passion again Utomi!

Paid? who? where?
I guess it's about time we quit the pay-for-vote method of Election.
Thus far, all the people who paid to get voted only paid themselves back by looting our country.

-----------------------------

We so much want to copy the certain foreign countries in many things, why can't we emulate them and for once, even if this once, to elect an individual that has integrity.

There's no way u can expect something good to come out corrupt politicians. NEVER!. We will only get promises, but we might end up with another 8 years of nonsense rule.

Fellow Nigerians, for once, let us show allow our heads to decide for us, not our pockets.

I still strongly BELIEVE that UTOMI can get this job done.

NIGERIA, by beloved country, really needs a change!

A Paradigm change!

Pat Utomi For President In 2007

2007-04-10T17:48:00.002+01:00

Many people of our generation have come to realize that OLDER politicians can only serve as ADVISORY COUNCIL as Elder Statesmen and will be much more respected that way.
They have "tasted" power one way or another.

It is THAT TIME to have a change; to have a shift of expectations.

Let's VOTE IN a person that, for once has the GENUINE, HEART-FELT support of the people.

Someone that feels the people have decided to ELECT him on the basis that the people believe he has something to offer.
We have long gone past the time when politicians promise to "Mine WATER in the Deserts", "fire" Nigeria through NEPA, just to "confuse" the people to part with their vote.

The Question now is:
For those who don't feel that 'President' PAT UTOMI is the man for May 29, 2007;
Can they sincerely search their conscience and look themselves in the EYE and can convince themselves that any of other candidates can and will truly deliver any of their promises?

We all have to answer this same soul-searching question:
"Can the person I have chosen as my presidential candidate TRULY and POSITIVELY make a change for the better in NIGERIA?"

The Change is HERE!

Pat Utomi For President In 2007

2007-04-10T17:48:00.001+01:00

I'm OVERWHELMED by the sincere and strong support this generation has for President UTOMI

And to make sure these SPLENDID posts/comments in this forum do not unnoticed, how can these informations & contributions be brought to the attention of the The Utomi for President Campaign team?

I think it's URGENT!

Bcx I've not seen much of his/their/the effectx around.

Cheers.

"President" Pat UTOMI, come May 2007.
Tony.

How Can We As Nigerian Citizens Stop Rigging?

2007-04-10T17:22:00.003+01:00

This is interesting:

I thot I shld post it here for us all to read & learn:

http://thinknigeria.com/nigeria/how-can-we-as-nigerian-citizens-stop-rigging-t129.0.html;msg529#msg529

Read on:

"The sure way of reducing (or totally eliminating) rigging is for every eligible voters to go out and perform their civic responsibility by casting their vote on election day, and to wait around a little while for the votes to be counted, and recorded in the official INEC form.

"The little experience I gained in active politicking (I took part in Abacha transition uptill 1999), is that, you can only rig an election in the area you have your strongest support, or where you have a little edge over your opponent. Election is never rigged, and not possible to be rigged where you have little or no support.

"For example, in 1999 AD rigged the election all over South West for Falae (I witnessed where many individuals are voting more than ten times each - because that is the strongest base of AD), while the election was rigged for Oasanjo in the North (which was the strongest base of those that wants Obasanjo)."

Well, it sounds tough.

We really have a lot to do!

God Help us!

Pat Utomi For President In 2007

2007-04-10T17:22:00.002+01:00

We've all done enough talking.
It's about time we done the walking.

Agreed, Pat may or maynot be the man.

What will it cost you if u cast your vote for him?
4 years, only! Of which I am certain he'll deliver more than we have had in a very longtime.

For years, we have been under military rule; then it got converted to these 8 years of Military-Democracy.

What has the gunvors, legislators, senators delivered these 8 ODD years?
NOTHING!

Yet most of us are still willing to cast our votes to another set of PROMISFOS (translate to: Promise & Fail) politicians.

The ONLY solution is to give Prof PAT UTOMI yur vote.

May the candidate who has sincerity of purpose WIN!

Recent Salary Increase!

2007-04-10T17:22:00.001+01:00

How thotful PDP can be!

Effecting a Salary increase at this very moment.

I see a political undertone to it.
Such that it'll make the Nigerians, who have since lost faith and confidence in them give them our votes.

Of what use is Salary increase where we know it always leads to inflation.
If you must increase salaries, why can you do so quietly.
What effect will the salary increase have on people's life when fuel scarcity, high transport cost, Tiger-generator power-backup, taxes, etc mops up this changes.

Why was it done just FEW WEEKS away from elections when PDP will still lose the PRESIDENCY!

Stop Corrupt Nigerians From Contesting The April Election

2007-04-10T17:22:00.000+01:00

Come to think of it;
What does it take to be a Presidential Candidate?
What makes IBB the best qualified?

I vehemently disagree with you.

I can rightly say that you, anybody, will do a better job as a President than all these selfish politicians we have everywhere.

History & people's precedence shld be enough criteria!

Check!

What's All The Story About Pat Utomi?

2007-04-10T17:06:00.003+01:00

I have always wondered when we will have DYNAMIC politicians who don't seem to have the EOTM (ie Eye On The Money) syndrome.

Then I heard of Pat UTOMI!

But I need to be convinced that he can deliver. . .!
I don't mean CASH, I mean deliver all the good things we need to move NIGERIA forward!!

I am awaiting feedbacks . . .!

Cheers.

Tony James.

www.patutomi2007.com

www.patutomi2007.com

Police College Dec 2006 Graduates.

2007-04-10T17:06:00.002+01:00

For 6 months, they had been in training!

And on graduation on Friday 15th Dec, 2006, they passed out of the Police college.

Allowances and other accessories were not given to them, infact they had to buy a lot of things out of their pockets, such as the metallic NPF tags, booths and other accessories, which were supposed to be given to them FREE!

And they have been TRAINED. . .!

Trained for WHAT. . .?

You definitely guessed right. . . . . . . . . . , Twenty-NAIRA!

These are young persons, who joined the Police freely and ready to risk their lives for the country, yet the Police Administrators did not deem it fit to at least, while at the college, make things as comfortable for them as the training could allow before throwing them to the "wolves".

With this type of treatment at the TRAINING level, already the self-image and personal ego factor had already been tampered with. Your guess is as good as mine who now stands at the receiving end of the policeman's "transfered aggression" - THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

This goes to further highlight the URGENT need for an improvement of the welfare package of the policemen at all levels, and create avenue to give them a level of self-confidence, build-up their morale. Give them a sizeable take-home pay-package; let them feel their welfare is being taken care of, so that they wont have any excuse to be corrupt.

We all recall the Tafa Balogun loot story.

Time for that change is now! We cannot continue to have the police treated this way.

Presidency 2007: Let The Younger Ones Have A Go.

2007-04-10T17:06:00.001+01:00

Let the Younger ones have a go at the helm of Leadership in Nigerian Presidency.

With the on-going in this current Administration, I have noticed that most of the appreciated, laudable achievements were by the younger individuals.

Soludo (CBN), Akinyuli (NAFDAC), Ezekwesili (Education), just to mention a few of these dynamic achievers.

As we are being Cajoled into the 2007 polls, we should among other criteria, select individuals who are YOUNG, credible and who have proven leadership abilities.

Not meaning to campaign for any one here, but I strongly think the persons of Utomi, Okotie and many more WHO HAVEN'T BEEN "corrupted" at any point by the Nigerian political methods should be given a chance.

For once, let those who have been in the political corridors in one-way or another; let all those fake, "promiscuous" persons give Nigerians a break, let them take a back-bench and for once be observers such that we can try other honest methods of getting things done.

I believe that with the outcome of the 2007 polls, Nigerians are going to start seeing that things can still be done the right way.

There will be a turn around!

Compliments of the Season.

Tony James.

The new History Lectures of Naija . . .

2007-04-10T17:06:00.000+01:00

History Class of Present Naija:

When I was taught Social Studies & History at Primary & Secondary school levels respectively, I often admired "OUR HEROES PAST. . ."

Let's picture this:
In the near future, our children are going to be taught very strange things in the Social Studies and History Classes about the 1999 - 2007 era.
VIZ:
- The guvnor that dressed as a WOMAN to escape the British police.

- The Godfather that SELECTED & RIGGED his candidate into office and later got booted from the Govt House.

- Public officers and politicans who loot money and dump in foreign countries.

- A police Inspector-General who looted so much funds BUT was jailed for less than 6 months.

- The police service that gets paid the lowest wages in the system.

- The House of Assembly members that meet in hidden Hotels outside their states to impeach guvnors, at past midnite.

- The Judicial system that encouraged MID-NITE Impeachments.

- The Legislators, who threw chairs, punches, etc during sessions.

- The Legislators, who voted millions of money for housing, car-loans, etc.

- The President and Vice-President who throw "yabs" like children struggling for mango.

- The Senator and his boss (pres) who cunningly and quietly supported 3rd term.

- Guvnors who do virtually nothings in their states (except for Looting) BOLDLY come out to campaign for Presidency without any conscience or shame.

- The Power sector that perpetually "HOLDs" Power in black out.

- NNPC/Refinery: A country so blessed with Crude Oil, imports finished products and cannot set up functional refineries.

- Groundnut, Cocoa, Coffee, Kola, Palm-oil, Cotton; etc that used to provide for us; and which still sustains many nations are long forgotten.

- The Fire service that either has no vehicle, no fuel, or NO WATER!

- The rail system that is rusty.

- The Road networks that are death-traps.

- The Highways that are single-laned.

- The Works & Housing Minister who dissolved millions of Naira without fixing the roads.

- The Terror of Bus drivers in Lagos and on the roads.

- The menace of Bikes/Okada in Naija.

- The Airline system that is "scary", turbulent and hopping.

- Airline operators that use "tokunboh" parts to repair Aircrafts.

- An Education system that is comatose.

- A university graduate that cannot compose a "neat" sentence; nor defend his/her degree.

- A university system where students use money (& other "things") to settle for scores, grades, etc.

- Overflowing prisons, whc most politicians failed to renovate, bcx many may end up as in-mates SOON.

- The LIST is endless . . .

This year, Nigerians are going to RE-WRITE the History of Nigeria.

We WILL NOT allow LOOTERS to RIG themselves into Leadership seats!

We have to use our Conscience as VOTING NIGERIANS who have realized that MOST PRESENT-DAY POLITICIANS are only willing to get "SELECTED or ELECTED" at all cost so as to FILL THEIR pockets and do nothing for OUR BELOVED COUNTRY - NAIJA!

And if I may ask:
Have u registered as a VOTER?!

We need your VOTE because it will count to make Naija (Nigeria) the place we want it to be!

We can’t tolerate any more political hoodlums/looters on seat.

There is a VOTER's registration point next to your house.

Get Registered Today!

We have to leave a LEGACY for our children, for the future!

I BELIEVE IN the NIGERIA-PROJECT!

DO YOU ? ? ?

Pat Utomi's Visibilty: My Concern

2007-04-10T10:21:00.001+01:00

But my main concern remains that PAT is not VISIBLE enough "on ground".

Sadly, the parties that have made d most noise are those who have been in power and have "saved" enough money to throw around (and INEC is dumbly watching).

Believe me, the next man on the street does not know who Pat is because he has not encountered Pat, either on the TV with a catchy, spontaneous TV advert/campaign; in a sweetly-sounding/appealing radio jingles; on posters and bill-boards; on-site campaigns, etc.

In as much as we are wont to discourage brazen money politics, it happens to be the order of the day.

Atimes, we may have to play by the rules of the opponents if we really want PAT to get into power, then and only then can the changes be made FROM THE INSIDE!
To a great extent, the changes that this Nation needs has to come from the INSIDE; from within the government structure. Hence, UTOMI has to get in there!

Someone once noted in this forum that Pat isnt getting enough media coverage, that could be true.
Another person noted that Pat's campaign methods are Elitist (for the elites).
These, to me, are CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISMS, and can be a form of public feelers; hence providing the need to adapt, modify and re-strategize campaign methods, modalities and approach.

Most Nigerians, unfortunately, have taken to the path of mediocrity, believing that nothing good can come out of Nigeria, but I strongly disagree with that; that is why we need a focused person there.

Left to me, I'll say we DO NOT need a political-POLITICIAN at the helm of affairs.

Good news is that there is still enough time to modify this impression.
The TRADER needs to know one-on-one why Pat (and not a money-thrower) should be the person he should vote for.
The BIKE man, the BUS driver, the school teacher, the University under-graduate, even the school pupil ought the recognize & discuss Pat Utomi (believe me, kids can influence even adults & parents).

We all really want Pat to win, because we believe he has a lot to offer, but from the way I see things, our campaign is more on the Internet. I stand to be corrected, but that is all I have seen so far.

We need to get UTOMI as a "brand" into people's minds.
"UTOMI" as a name should be fashioned to represent the change for TODAY and the HOPE for TOMORROW!

ENOUGH of this seemingly lack-lustre UTOMI campaign.

I see the adverts done by Bank PHP (former Platinum Bank) and I used to wonder, "Can't we get UTOMI campaign adverts with these type of concepts, ?"

Can UTOMI's campaign be given more bite?
There is still time Oh!
UTOMI campaign team, WHAT is WRONG?

Your Vote is Your MIGHT!

2007-04-10T10:21:00.000+01:00

I guess because Yar wont FAIL!
Once, we all believed that OBJ was a good OPTION, where has that gotten us? What do we show for it?
8 IRREPLACEABLE Years!

Maybe we all need to take a trip to Katsina and see all the "SUCCESSFUL" accomplishments of YarAdua so as to grab Afam's point of view.

Excuse me! Nothing makes Yar'Adua a better alternative than anybody. Even you, my dear AFAM, will do a better JOB than whatever Yar did in Katsina, and YOU, AFAM, will do better than OBJ.