Above The Law

I stated that those who will capture Nigeria in 2015 will continue to destroy Nigeria if the people continue to look the other way and condone madness in high places. The Nigerian Senate and the House of Representatives are among the high places where plain criminal activities take place.

Above The Law

By Adeola Aderounmu

Which Way Nigeria?

In the last one to two weeks the social media was again set agog with matters relating to change in Nigeria.

Nigerians need to understand that the majority of the politicians irrespective of their political affiliations or parties still carry criminal tendencies. Looting is criminal!

No one should forget that many of the serving politicians are allegedly corrupt and have been living above the law for a very long time. Until they are served justice, they won’t understand their crimes against humanity because it appears that they are dullards.

On May 31 2014 l wrote a piece titled Looters In Government Are Not Distracted. This means that Nigerian politicians will always serve self first and country last or not at all.

Sadly the change slogan provided them with newer opportunities and also a camouflage to do what they have always been doing best-stealing and looting.

Earlier February 22 2014, l wrote an essay on The Nigerian Syndrome And Criminalities ln The Nigeria government. I stated that those who will capture Nigeria in 2015 will continue to destroy Nigeria if the people continue to look the other way and condone madness in high places. The Nigerian Senate and the House of Representatives are among the high places where plain criminal activities take place.

So whilst the conquerors of Nigeria in both the APC and the PDP are at it, the people decided to raise their voices against the criminal allowance that the bench-warming lawmakers have been awarding themselves since 1999.

If a stop is not put to all these nonsenses, Nigerians may want to start to think of not just occupying Abuja or the Eagle square but also moving on to the systematic processes that will initiate the final revolt to actualise the freedom that has continue to elude them. Nigerians must stop all the gangs that want to continue to live above the law.

I mean the Nigerian senators are among the categories of politicians who have been stealing and looting the Nigerian treasuries since 1999 and no one has questioned their audacity in awarding themselves outrageous salaries and allowances.

No one has shut down Nigeria to ensure that the Nigerian lawmakers/senators, executives and elected/selected people are placed on regular civil service wages/allowances. To make matters worse, these gangs operating in a fashion similar to organised crime have not delivered to the people.

So since 1999, crooks continue to loot Nigeria blind through undeserved allowances and outright self-enrichment. To place these atrocities side-a-side the fact that some of the poorest people in the world are domicile in Nigeria make these crimes punishable.

To make things right means that justice must be served, no matter how long the injustice has lasted. The wealth that has been stolen and wrongly allocated to senators under the supervision of criminal minds like David Mark ought to be recalled and recovered.

Nigerians must not forget that the war on corruption and criminals parading themselves as politicians needs a holistic approach. The governors and former governors who have awarded themselves mouth watering pensions and emolument must be on the radar as well. The nonsense pensions that have awarded themselves must be cancelled with immediate effect.

Those former governors who have wriggled themselves into the Nigerian senate must be told that their pensions are no longer valid in general. How can they eat their cakes and still be having it?

The central government under the leadership of APC and Buhari as the helmsman will continue to be under scrutiny. We are watching to see how they pursue their change agenda and how they lead from the top. They need to help themselves by putting a control on the fake ”official” news flooding the social media.

To remain silent in the face of the persistent and monumental corruption, self-enrichment and massive social injustice will be the height of both hypocrisy and deceit.

As l have pointed out in a previous essay the change slogan will now belong to the dustbin of history in Nigeria. The wasted generation has these 3 to 4 years to show that they mean business of equity both in wealth distribution and providing a level playing ground for all Nigerians to reach their potentials and achieve happiness.

For too long Nigerians have been at home with a system that was not working. They have been at ease with corrupt people and corrupt government. They have all been waiting in line for their turn to dive on the national cake and take what they think belongs to them rather than thinking of what can be done in the best interest of everyone alive and the unborn generation. That mentality ought to be corrected.

Above all of these problems is tha fact that Nigerians are shying away for the political solution to some of the problems facing them. The centralised government is too powerful and too unconscious of the problems at the grassroots. The local government are too weak to carry out life-changing functions as their funding and directives are dependent on higher powers that be. Corruption and ineptitude are common denominators!

The eradication of corruption in Nigeria, the ultimate change that will bring about social justice and the possibility of having a worthy existence full of human dignity are inseparable from finding a stable political solution that will work for Nigeria.

Some experts continue to advocate for devolution of power and the re-instatement of regional governments that will bring governance back to the people’s doorsteps.  These are issues for the lawmakers or senators who prefer to share money than to serve motherland. What a bunch of mediocres!

The committment of everyone, unflinching patritotism to country, the elevation of institutions above people and the submission to the rule of law are some of the other ingredients that will bring about the change that the people keep yearning about.

aderounmu@gmail.com

Criminals and Looters in Government Are Not Distracted

By Adeola Aderounmu

It is the people of Nigeria who have turned all their attentions away from what brought them to the present predicament that threatens the totality of their existence. The thieves in government have kept their focus intact.

In almost every part of the world one of the most talked about phenomena these days is undoubtedly the “bring back our girls” campaign. It is this sort of scenario that some opportunists (individuals and groups) have waited for to bring them back to public space and to win sentiments borne plainly out of hypocrisy and eye/lip services. Some are simply capitalising on the situation to give their own agenda a lift.

Meanwhile as the government of Nigeria was perambulating and talking rubbish everyday and buying the time it doesn’t have, the business of stealing and cover-ups in government are going on as usual. It is possible because stealing according to Mr. Jonathan is not corruption and because the people are suffering from the Nigerian syndrome. I have defined the Nigerian syndrome in a previous essay.

One thoughtless fellow called Maku spoke on behalf of the government and said that it is the main opposition party that is organising the “bring back our girls” campaigns. I didn’t know that all the people bouncing on the trampoline of the campaign around the world including notable celebrities in Hollywood now belong to the Nigerian APC. The APC of Nigeria must be the biggest political party in the world.

The people of Nigeria are easily distracted. This is a recurring dilemma for them. They cannot keep up with the loads of distractions provided by the failed and selfish governments since 1960. They don’t asked questions once you load them with deceits. When they asked questions, they move onto the next thing without seeking answers to their questions. Stupid answers are often satisfactory. These are parts of the reasons why nobody has found the courage to call Babangida a thief and initiate his prosecution for all the missing oil money during the gulf war.

Invariably, from one failed government to another the stories are similar. Oil money is always missing. If it is not at the NNPC, it will be among the execu-thieves. This oil money is so slippery it can also get missing at the state and local levels. As a tradition, oil money is always missing in Nigeria.

Now Nigerians have forgotten about the unanswered allegations of several billions of dollars that the Jonathan government also cannot account for. This confused government set up a committee to look into the matter. That in itself is a partial admittance that something is missing anyway. Then in the middle of the entire wahala Mr. Jonathan went on air during his chat to tell the world that “America will know” if billions of dollars is missing.

Ibori_loot-

Why did Jonathan set up a committee to ascertain the allegations made by the central bank? Mr. Jonathan should just have asked “America” since “America will know”. Anyway the senate committee has now dismissed the allegation and concluded that “no money is missing”. This is despite the fact that there is absence of proper coordination between Nigeria’s financial bodies concerned with the sale of crude oil. We can now turn off the sound of Fela’s music-Oil money is (not) missing.

In any case the Nigeria house of representa-thieves and legis-looters are not unfamiliar with the way the corrupt government of Nigeria operates. Nigerians have myopic memories and are long-suffering. Nigerians are the most distracted group of citizens in the world. They suffer from their own syndrome-the Nigerian syndrome.

Many arguments, verbal or written efforts to make Nigerians reason are lost on many grounds not least on the tribal cards. Don’t argue with an average Nigerian on the tenets of good governance. The Nigerian syndrome is yet incurable. Yea right, the problem of looting did not start with Jonathan…why should we complain now? Why did you leave out Obasanjo? What of Shagari? The reasons not to start and finish the war on bad governance have been integrated into the cycle of idiocy in downtown Bongo.

The ethnic card will even be used to justify the crimes committed by one governor Akpabio. This man has ruled for 7 years in Akwa Ibom and as he prepares to leave the seat of government, he ensured that his financial future is secured. In Nigeria, criminals continue to parade the government houses in different forms and shade.

The selfish and self-serving Governor of Akwa Ibom, Mr. Akpabio (This man has no record of mental or physical disability to support his pension. But he will get:N200 million per annum, basic, N100 million, medical allowance, 5-bedroom maisonette, Accommodation allowance of 500 per cent of annual basic salary, Medical allowance not exceeding N12 million per annum for one surviving spouse)

The selfish and self-serving Governor of Akwa Ibom, Mr. Akpabio (This man has no record of mental or physical disability to support his pension. But he will get:N200 million per annum, basic, N100 million, medical allowance, 5-bedroom maisonette, Accommodation allowance of 500 per cent of annual basic salary, Medical allowance not exceeding N12 million per annum for one surviving spouse)

There is definitely going to be an argument that he was a good governor or that he could have looted the money anyway like Babangida and others. In Nigeria a critic may never win any argument. The Nigerian syndrome is vast.

In Uyo and across all of Akwa-Ibom, I’m looking forward to the following campaigns, #akpabiobringbackourmoney

#no-pensionforakpabio

#socialjusticeforall

#socialsecurityforakwaibomites.

Nigeria remains in a big mess today for several reasons that some of us are not tired to write about every week. It is very important that the collective intellectual consciousness of the people do not give in. It must not dwindle. It must tarry and persist. For in relenting, evil will continue to rise and subdue good totally.

Nigerians must know that there will be no messiah in Abuja, not now, not in 2015. The system of government is so ill-structured that Abuja would not be a major factor for the eventual freedom and stability of Nigeria. Hence it is very important that we don’t forget to tune up the ways that may end the senselessness in government whilst we point out the persistent evil and crimes in the land,

Nigerians must ensure that the non-corrupt intellectual class rises up to do the needed. In several states in Nigeria, former criminals, former thugs and former riff-raff hold sway in governance. Government has been used to reward insolence and barbarism. In government it has remain impossible to be above board. All who come into it exit it as criminals or with criminal tendencies. It’s worse for those who came in as criminals. Regardless they all ruined Nigeria!

akwa ibom

In every region, in every community, in very part of Nigeria, there is a need to change the mentalities of the people. I am aware of the agitation of the people from Western Nigeria. They are seeking self-determination or autonomy. But they must know that some people amongst them were part of the problems with Nigeria. They have been part of this nonsense going on in Nigeria since the fake independence in 1960. Therein lies a huge danger ahead should Western Nigeria emerge today.

The autonomy of Western Nigeria should not be sought as a license for the elongation of criminalities in the Oduduwa region. Before dawn, the Yorubas should have a full functional road map and blue print that will ensure that their self-governance does not lead to self-destruction.

In the end all the geo-political regions of Nigeria should be allowed to determine their own future. The benefit or probability of marching on Abuja/Aso rock by criminals and terrorists should be zeroed.

I strongly hold the personal view that irrespective of the aims of the Northern terrorists, and irrespective of the primary goals of their sponsors, the dismantling of the useless unitary government will promote the emergence of regional autonomy and make a complete mess of their ambitions. Who will march to Abuja or throw bombs in Abuja if there is no government there to be overthrown or if the power in Abuja is ceremonial?

I reiterate that no group of people would allow its own race to self-destruct or to be persecuted unjustly when the conditions for social justice and fair play are the rules and not the exceptions. A word is enough for the wise goes the Yoruba adage. When received, it becomes whole within.

Talking about social justice, what is good for the goose is good for the gander. I hope that Mr. Akpabio has made plans to ensure that all the unemployed people of Akwa Ibom will enjoy some benefits. If the people of Akwa Ibom have no social security in place, they have the right to sack all the dummies who rubber-stamped Akpabio’s looting largess.

If the people of Akwa-Ibom remain quiet and passive, they are drowned in the Nigerian syndrome. They are probably distracted as the looting continues. They are not alone, Nigerians are all guilty of the lack of will to sack corrupt governments and make them face proper justice. They are guilty of being at home with a system that is not working. It beats my imaginations!

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(After publishing this story, there are now more information that some ex-governors in Nigeria started this criminal activity of milking the states they ruled over, so Mr. Akpabio is not the only governor with criminal tendencies. There are many of them in Nigeria)

Obasanjo to Goodluck Jonathan: YOU ARE SUPER CORRUPT!

By Adeola Aderounmu

If you have not read Obasanjo’s letter, you are in the dark. Nothing said is new but for me it feels fulfilling to get an official confirmation to my blog posts.

Obasanjo said Jonathan has brought corruption to the level of impunity. That is a bloody lie. Jonathan just kept the status quo.

Impunity was there when Obasanjo came in. What Jonathan has done is to raise the bar.

With Obasanjo, Okonjo-Iweala did magic with Abacha’s loot that was returned to Nigeria by the government of Switzerland. Only Obasanjo and Iweala knew where the money went.

Obasanjo came into government in 1999 almost a wretched fellow. When he left government, he was super rich. No explantion for source of wealth. We know it is looting.

Under Jonathan, Okonjo-Iweale has presented herself openly as the ugly face of corruption-several funds have disappeared or gone missing. The largest sum of monies to disappear from the Nigerian treasury have taken place under the watch of Goodluck Jonathan, Okonjo-Iweala, Allison Madueke and Lamido of the central bank.

Obasanjo and even Babangida must be shocked that there are bigger thieves and criminals than them in Nigeria. Babangida must be feeling poor with the 12 billion dollars that the stole from Nigeria.

Obasanjo was been feeling silly by the 16 billion naira NEPA money that disappeared under his watch.

Goodluck Jonathan, together with Okonjo-Iweala and Allison Madueke are today Africa’s biggest thief. If you are reading this, you assignment is to go and find out how much these criminals have stolen recently in Nigeria.

I will never stop to say that Nigeria is the MOST corrupt country in the world.

If the sum we are talking about here disappears from the European Economy, Europe will face a sudden depression and global economy may collapse!

The level of corruption in Nigeria is the single most important tragedy of modern era on the face of the earth when war is not in consideration.

To event think that the name of the ”former pride” of the WORLD BANK Okonjo-Iweala kept coming up everytime money gets missing is a disaster to the reputation of the world bank.

Nigeria’s presidency and executive arms are so shameless and unbelievably corrupt you wonder what Nigerians are waiting for!

To include the legislators and national assembly in the sources of money missing from Nigeria daily is a source of permanent headache and worries.

In the midst of plenty, Nigerians are suffering, smiling and shieding looters! What about the states and local councils? You get Corruption Inc., Nigeria.

Obasanjo’s letter pointed how Jonathan shielded Ms. Oduah from punishment in a crime that is known globally. Goodluck Jonathan is the lowest thinker among the men who have ruled or colonised Nigeria.

aderounmu@gmail.com

Twitter : @aderinola

Nigerian Ghost Workers

By Adeola Aderounmu

One of the craziest news from Nigeria this morning is the alarm raised in Akwa Ibom that there are at least 8000 ghost workers in the state civil service.

This is not news in Nigeria.

Over the years ghost workers have always existed and they will always exist for as long as corruption and stupidity remain unpunished.

The economy department of the various Ministries know about the ghsot workers. The various heads of departments know about the ghost workers.

The truth is that the human resource department, the economy department and the head of the various department must know about the criminality in Akwa Ibom state. It is a national trend in Nigeria.

These funds are what some people have used to build houses, build hotels and buy fancy cars. They claim that ministry work is lucrative because they steal from government the same way government itself steal from the people.

Don’t be fooled! The 8000 ghost workers in Akwa Ibom are not going to disappear. What will happen with this open knowledge is that the people who will benefit from the scandal and eventual cover-up will increased.

Ghost workers don’t disappear in Nigeria. They will always be there as long as the people who are responsible from this case are not dismissed and made to refund the money they have stolen. Their properties will not be confiscated, instead they will be promoted.

Most of the people who rule in Nigeria are thieves and criminals, and this is why people get promoted even when they are known to be crooks and boot lickers.

Nigeria is no ordinary country!

Crazy things are normal in Nigeria.

By tomorrow nobody will be talking about this news and the scandal will continue.

Change will come with functional judiciary and sincere police force. Change will come when a radical wind of change blows acrosss Nigeria. Change will come when people can put patriotism above self, and when merits and dignity are attached to appointments and labour.

For now, the madness continues, unabated!

People are stealing right from the presidency down to the last man in the council, ghost workers are just by-products of the systemic decadence.

aderounmu@gmail.com

twitter @aderinola