National cake and ‘millionaire voters’ club’

PAUL ARHEWE
(Published 30/06/2011)

The phrase ‘millionaire club of voters’ may not be a familiar term to some observers of happenings in our local politics. Apparently, it is one of the latest inputs in Nigerian political lexicon, as its emergence is linked to the last April general elections. What interpretation would you give to the above phrase? Probably, some people may decipher it as a club of rich electorate congregating to appoint politicians of their choice.

Those who followed this answer path will be astonished they are far from its connotation. When Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State visited President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja recently, he went there to remind the Nigerian leader that his state is among those that gave him at least a million votes; wanting an assurance that Plateau would get its share of the national cake. Last week he brought back the good tidings to his subjects in Pankshin, using it to assuage and boost their optimism for fair treatment from the present administration. In his words, “I was with the president at the Villa and I told him that this time around, Plateau must get its own share of the national cake because we joined the millionaire club of voters.”

Boko Haram and our porous security network

PAUL ARHEWE 23/06/2011 03:20:00

As a reporter on the foreign beat over the years, whenever there is any bomb blast in countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan or Iraq, this never takes the lead position in the arrangement of my stories. Why you may ask? There is a 90 percent probability that a bomb would be detonated in the aforementioned countries on a daily basis given the restiveness and the well sophisticated network of al-Qaeda in this region.

But for countries like the United States of America, United Kingdom, and others which Nigeria used to belong, it is very unusual to witness a single blast, and if by error of omission or commission one goes off usually they lead in screaming headlines. To say the spate of bombings in parts of northern Nigeria is out of hand would be an understatement. Last Thursday’s attack in Abuja Police Headquarters and the subsequent detonation of another in Borno is a vivid signal that the Boko Haram sect has declared war on Nigeria.

Abracadabra and Nigerian war against corruption

By Paul Arhewe 
Many see efforts against curbing corruption in the country as an exercise in futility, as our so called leaders are either the major culprits or they are known to have penchant for shedding their cronies from facing corruption charges. Past Nigerian governments have formulated policies and built in place institutions to combat corruption in the country, but we seem to be going round the circle with no concrete results to show for this. One major factor that has obstructed past efforts in eliminating this monster is adduced to be government’s insincerity and unwillingness to provide full support for this course.

Mr President, one year is too long a time

PAUL ARHEWE
(Published 01/06/2011)

Overwhelmingly Nigerians cast their votes for him; even in the stronghold of the opposition, he clinched the mandate to steer the affairs of Africa’s most populous country for four years. A country that is bedevilled with high poverty amidst abundant natural resources; where corruption has become another nomenclature, by which its offspring is being stereotyped.
For sure, the task ahead is daunting despite this enviable position he has mounted. President Goodluck Jonathan, who was sworn in on Sunday after emerging winner in April 2011 election, to many, is seen as a signature of God; a man whose name has mirrored and showcased the great destiny witnessed so far, and that ahead of him. Jonathan, no doubt, has won the hearts of many in the country, as reflected in the election generally recognised as one of the freest and fairest in Nigeria, despite the turmoil that almost discoloured this laudable attainment.