On Anambra 2010 debate

This may not be said to be true in Akwa Ibom State where I reside because here, all the arms of the government including the state party executive council are controlled by the executive. They call it ‘good relationship between the three arms of government’ but the masses see it as ‘compromised relationship’. Itoro Akpabio, […]

This may not be said to be true in Akwa Ibom State where I reside because here, all the arms of the government including the state party executive council are controlled by the executive. They call it ‘good relationship between the three arms of government’ but the masses see it as ‘compromised relationship’.

Itoro Akpabio, Umuahia Road, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa [email protected]

Katsina 2011: Where are the contenders?

With the polls underway by 2011, the political terrain in Katsina remains unpredictable as to whether the status quo is to be maintained or other players are going to take part in the election for the seat of governor of the state. Popular participation is one of the aspects of democratisation, but the ruling party’s monopoly is making the political atmosphere in the state undefined. And the opposition in the state has undermined itself by allowing itself to be assimilated by the ruling party. It is time politicians in the state pull themselves out of their shells and be active, because power should be in the custody of the people, rather than the presumption of its being individually owned.

Suleiman Nagarba Dutsinma.                                                                 

Yar’adua and the south east governors

The Forum of South-East Governors chaired by Anambra’s Peter Obi had risen from its meeting in Enugu on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 to assert that President Umaru Yar’adua has not breached any clause in the Nigerian constitution by refusing to hand over power to his vice president while he is away on medical treatment abroad. Nevertheless, a respected Igbo socio-cultural group, Aka Ikenga in its statement signed by its president, Sylvan Ebigwei seem to have countered the stand of the governors to the appreciation of all Igbos not only in the south east but also Rivers and Delta States. This goes to show that we have the wrong people in the south east governorship seats. Whereas the northern governors and the elder statesmen are insisting that the constitution should be followed.  President Yar’Adua should listen to sound reason and superior argument and ensure that he follows the constitution.  He should not hold the nation to ransom.

Chief Kenneth Holmes, Okigwe Road, Owerri, Imo State

Re: Don’t evacuate your citizens

 When I read that the Plateau State governor, Mr. Jonah Jang is appealing to the 36 state governors to stop evacuating their citizens from the home of pieces and violence I really became confused. Does he want settlers, as he calls them, to live in the state but allows his people, the “Indigenes”, to maim and mercilessly kill innocent citizens wantonly? I support the decision of all the state governors to continue to evacuate their citizens and live “Jasawa” and “Birom” to live in their state. Let’s all vacate the state. I’m sure they will soon turn on themselves since they are not peace lovers.

 Ibrahim Musa Gwammaja,N0 1297 Gwammaja Quarters, Kano. [email protected]

 

AU Summit: Beyond mere gathering

It has become the ritual for African leaders to meet annually at Addis-Ababa to discuss known and topical African challenges without taking any concrete action in the subsequent future. We know that the essence of any summit or conference is after deliberation and conclusion there is a need to take further actions or decisions .This is not the case with the ritual summit of our African leaders. Despite the fact that African countries are facing critical challenges ranging from war, corruption, brain drain, dictatorship and general retrogression, the leaders of the continent have rather chosen to beat about the bush or merely and deliberately shy away from these challenges and concentrate on issues that are not even realistic in practical terms like that of the United States of Africa. African Leaders should know that in an atmosphere of bad governance, which has been breeding so many problems for the continent, a United States of Africa will be a mirage.

Comrade Bishir Dauda, Sabuwar unguwa, Katsina. [email protected]