Nigeria: Divided We Stand?

On August 14, 1947, Pakistan became an independent state from India due to religious and political differences; on August 31, 1963, Singapore declared it's independence from Malaysia due to racial and political differences; in July 2011 South Sudan voted po become independent of Sudan because of racial and ethnic cleansing, do you see where I am heading with this? Nigeria is a country filled with over 200 ethnic groups and double that amount in languages. We have fought one civil war between 1977 and 1979 and killing over 1 million people during that time. Anyone who studied our history will recognize a lot of similarities in today's crisis and the one we experienced just before the war broke out. Only now, the world is paying attention because we have crude oil that it so dearly needs. I was thinking about writing a very long argument but I will make this as short as possible. With the threat of Boko Haram terrorizing Nigerians especially the Christian followers and the bounty of weaponry within the country, we are reminiscent of the genesis of the last civil war.

Also read : If this election fails should Nigeria finally split?
                 An Overview of Events

 Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) & the Nicer Delpa People's Volunteer Force, the disbanded militant groups from the Niger Delpa region have proven that they can be as sophisticated as they come, Oodua's Peoples' Congress (OPC) from the South West region parading the streets of Lagos and openly branding their arsenal and now Boko Haram, the Islamic extremist group boujd on imposing Islamic theocracy in the country also displaying their force and going further by bombing and killing all who disagree with them, Nigeria is on the verge of another civil war. For decades the different heads of state, from military dictator to democratically elected "dictator" have tried and failed to curb the religious and ethnic differences but now it has reached a completely new height. Nobody is safe. Boko Haram have unleashed a new reign of terror unseen in Nigerian history and they demand the impossible. Nigerians have a history of retaliation, especially when they feel that the government is doing little or nothing to protect them and their loved ones. And wiph Boko Haram giving Christians and southerners as a whole, a 3 day ultimatum to leave the north or risk ethnic cleansing, is it time to go our separate ways?

I will not go into the details of the ridiculous demands Boko Haram is making but the Christian associations are also warning of taking matters into their own hands if any more attacks are orchestrated on them like the ones on Christmas morning at churches in several parts of the country that took as many as 40 lives. And with tha president in his infinite wisdoi choosing now to remove a highhy controversial fuel subsidy that has caused the price of petroleum products to more than double, Nigerians are angry. And this is not a country where you want to see the people angry.

In my opinion and that of everyone I have spoken with, the only way to peace is to give them their north back. The only way they can have their theocratic state is if we are no longer part of it. In order to avoid further bloodshed, we all see one way out. Separate! Have a mandate called and put it to ballot. Let the Nigerian people decide if we wajt to split. Let the northern states become the United Sultanates of Nigeria or United Emirates of Nigeria or whatever name they prefer and we the rest that just want our families to live in peace will continue to exist as a secular republic.

Boko Haram founder controversially killed by Nigerian forces

If done right, there will be peace and maybe other issues will arise but none as threatening and hateful as the one we are currently experiencing. In Nigeria we say in Pidgin English "advise no be curse". A word is enough for the wise. Take it to the people and let us decide "which way Nigeria".

Hopefully it will be a Happy New Year for us all.

Pastor, son and shared mistress conspire and murder?!

MAYRA BELTRÁN : chronicle DAY IN COURT: William Fuller is escorted out of courtroom during a break after he testified in the capital murder case of his father, Tracy Bernard Burleson. Photo: Mayra Beltran / © 2011 Houston Chronicle

Just when you think that people cannot do anything immorally extreme and beyond what we constantly see and read about, I come across this appalling story. A pastor (Rev. Tracy Burleson, 44), his son (Darnell Fuller, 20) and their shared mistress (Tyonne Palmer, 31) are accused of conspiring and successfully murdering Pauletta Burleson, 56, (wife of the pastor) in the pastor's home at northeast Harris County, near Houston, Texas.

Pastor Tracy Bernard "T.B." Burleson during his capital murder trial in the 185th District Court at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2011, in Houston. Burleson on trial for the murder of wife Pauletta Burleson where his son William Fuller and mistress Tyonne Palmer were involved. The 46 year-old Burleson faces life in prison without parole in convicted. Photo: Houston Chronicle, Mayra Beltran / © 2011 Houston Chronicle

Darnell Fuller testified Tuesday, 27 September against his father, Burleson, and former friend/lover, Palmer, in a hearing against his father and narrated how he was convinced and manipulated into shooting and killing his abusive stepmother in the back of her head execution style. Fuller narrated episodes of physical and mental abuse that he suffered under both his parents for years and how his father forced him to eventually kill his stepmother so that he (his father) could marry Fuller's off and on lover and his father's mistress, Ms. Palmer.

Palmer is accused of aiding and abetting in the conspiracy as she allegedly picked Fuller up after the murder and tried to help in disposing the murder weapon. The trial is on-going but all I can say is it stinks to hell in every direction.

Fuller gets a lesser conviction for his cooperation with the District Attorney's office as his father is also being accused of previously burning down his own church for insurance benefits.

Is Patriotism Taught or Nurtured?

With the rise (against governments) of so many people in different countries occurring, I think there is no better time to ask this question. The whole world watched as the Americans bonded and banded together more than once any time a major crisis happened to put country first (every time except the debt ceiling debacle) and that has always baffled me. The United States is a country of multiple races, religions, cultures etc. and it is not free of discrimination against minority cultures, races, religions and sexuality either but yet, the moment she needs her people or she is physically threatened all those oppressed put aside their differences and become Americans again. A lot of countries show patriotism but I have never seen love and pride for country at this measure. That begs the questions, "is patriotism taught or nurtured and how can other countries replicate it"?

There is uprising in Northern Africa and the Middle East; is it for their individual freedom or for their country? I cannot tell just yet, but I sense that like most of Africa's history, the people who will replace the ousted will in time forget about country and begin to enrich themselves (I pray I am wrong). The real issue is if we can genuinely love our country and it's people we will not massacre them and bury them in mass graves as we have just discovered that Ghaddafi may also be guilty of, or enrich our Swiss accounts while people starve less than hundred meters from our mansions. We would strive to enable our people excel and compete in our new and very experimental global economy. 

Is there a lesson to be taught to our children in kindergarten or is it in the U.S.A's pledge of allegiance?

Should we all teach our kids their allegiance pledge or just inculcate the words into our own?
Is it their comic heroes? Does every country need to create it's own version of Superman and Captain America draped in the country's flag colors and promoting the country's ideals and values?

What would make an oppressed Black man wear the American military uniform and fight in WW2 just to return home and be discriminated against again, or a gay soldier discharged shamefully for his orientation immediately reenlist the moment the ban is lifted just to be shipped to Afghanistan? I love my birth country but I don't see myself sacrificing that much for her especially when I believe she does not sacrifice for me but they would.

I'd love to get your opinion on this matter and even if you disagree with my portrayal of them and their patriotism please speak and educate me as to where and why I am wrong.

An Overview of Events!

I have literally been absent for over 7 months and in my absence a lot of the same has happened. Obama has been under attack from the right-wing for being anything and nothing at all, Nigerian terrorism from the Islamic extremist sect, Boko Haram continues, Libya is still highly restive, Egypt has seceded power to it's people, Syria is killing it's people who oppose the regime, the global economy is at the brink of another recession and the only obvious change is that Sudan is finally and officially 2 states.

From the United States the most noticeable and prominent story came from the stand-off between Republican controlled congress, the president and debt ceiling. With the United States owing trillions of dollars and constantly in need of more to fund their multiple wars, social programs and fattening the pockets of the wealthiest, sorry, "job creators", with the Bush tax cuts, the United States was at the brink of defaulting on the debt ceiling and losing it's AAA rating (that enables her to borrow vast amounts) as the House Republicans and Speaker/chief negotiator, John Boehner refused to budge demanding that 100% of his mostly ill-advised impositions be taken up. As you all probably know, the U. S. did not default on the deadline but they still lost their AAA rating down to AA+ from one of the numerous rating agencies. All this happened just as the presidential campaigns were just kicking off. With Obama having to give in to almost every demand the Republicans driven by the Tea Party force to make the deal pass, his approval rating is seeing it's lowest decline so far in the 40 percentage and the Republicans are trying to find a worthy candidate to represent their at this time undefined ideals, this will certainly prove to be a race worth watching.

In Nigeria, the new fast growing breeding ground of terrorism ideology, Boko Haram, have stepped up their campaign of violence in the country's capital and other northern towns and cities. In mid-June an explosion rocked the police headquarters in Abuja killing at least 6 and injuring dozens more. It was originally thought to be a suicide bomber as the culprit allegedly exploded with bomb. However, after security forces reviewed the CCTV footage they concluded that the explosion was premature and the culprit wasn't meant to explode with the device but rather to plant it and escape.

Suicide bombing at Nigerian police headquarters
Police Headquarters bombing not a suicide attack!

Again in August, a higher profile location was targeted when the United Nations building in Abuja was rocked with a similar style explosive killing an uncertain number of people, as reports range from 20 killed (reported by media) to over a hundred as recorded by eyewitnesses. Once again credit was taken by the Boko Haram sect who have been linked to Al Qaeda for training, ideology and funding.

The Nigerian government currently has detained and indited multiple suspects in the bombing but with allegations of several Islamic extremist groups working individually and using the Boko Haram name as an umbrella the crises is far from resolved.

UN Building targeted by suicide bomber in Abuja
UN names 21 victims of Abuja bombing
UN express concern over security as alleged culprits are taken to court

Uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt led to a change in regime and it quickly spread to other Northern African and Middle Eastern states demanding for the same thing but without success so far. Libya and it's capital Tripoli are currently under the control of the NATO assisted rebels who have successfully sent the ruler for over 40 years, Maummar Gaddhafi, into hiding and have been recognized by most of the United Nations and other states as the legitimate government even though the body is yet to be defined and delegated. The president in hiding has vowed to fight to death and we are yet to see the end of this. Likewise, their Middle Eastern counterparts, Syria, have been defying curfews, assassinations and much more to demonstrate on the streets calling for the desolation of their "democratic monarchy" under President Bashar al-Assad and his late father before him. He has been accused of crimes against humanity and has also received condemnation from other Middle Eastern and Arab nations for the maltreatment of his people.

Gaddhafi denies fleeing to Niger
Gaddhafi vows to fight on
Obama says the president of Syria is standing in the way of it's people
Syrian opposition vows to protest until president is ousted

And finally, on the bright side, the genocide in Sudan may finally be over with South Sudan becoming a state independent from Sudan on July 9, 2011. This marks the manifestation of the vote to create a free state earlier this year. As every new state is, it is still very volatile in many sensing but there is finally hope and a bright future for many of the formerly oppressed Sudanese people.


Government of the Republic of South Sudan
South Sudan Profile on BBC News

If this election fails should Nigeria finally split?

Nigeria is the most populated Black nation on earth with an estimated 150 million plus people inhabiting it. A country just over 50 years since it's independence from her colonial masters, the United Kingdom, is the union of over 250 ethnic groups speaking over 500 languages between them. Nigeria has an almost 50/50 division in religious population between the Muslims and Christians and has undergone years of distrust and in fighting for almost as long as she has been independent.

With at least 5 successful military coups between the 1960s and 1990s and as many or even more botched attempted coups, Nigeria has never really seen political stability up until 1999 when she begun practicing what some might call 'American style' democracy. That democracy headed by former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, a former military dictator himself (he won two tenures as president and exhausted his eligibility as stated in the constitution), has held on against all odds and alleged attempts to topple it so far.

Past elections held have been rife with allegations of electoral fraud but with a reputation for corruption, it has never been fully investigated or prosecuted up until recent years (a lot of elections have been annulled or overturned on the gubernatorial and lesser levels in recent times by the Nigerian courts).

The question at hand is "Will the April 2011 elections shape or break Nigeria?"

In the oil rich south of the country, militancy has evolved to terrorism with kidnappings, vandalization, bombings, assassinations and other forms of intimidation being perpetrated by these militants who initially were welcomed by the people for their struggle over the unequal distribution of the oil wealth which is primarily drilled from the south. And more recently the bombings in the capital city, Abuja, that took lives and injured many have made them enemies of the state and most of the people.

Also see: Violence in Jos and Borno!!!
              President Jonathan vs Vice President Atiku

In the north, a sect of extremist Islamist have resolved to similar tactics including a bombing in one of the country's military cantonments to discourage the introduction of what they call "Westernization" of their religion and culture.

Jos, a once vast tourist city has become ground zero of continuous religious and ethnic genocide between the ethnic inhabitants and the naturalized inhabitants and as it so happens, one sect is Christian and the other Muslim.

Nigeria is not new to religious and ethnic divide. This way of life has made reprisals several times in it's 5 decades as a country and it peaked during the 'Biafra war' (the country's only civil war) in the late 1960s.

A lot of it's indigenes are calling for the country to split between the mostly Muslim north and mostly Christian south and they blame the British, particularly Lord Frederick Lugard for amalgamating the country in 1914 and only see a peaceful country if it were two states. For others, this April's elections will be the final straw and litmus test of whether the country can stand as a united entity.

With Sudan's electoral mandate that suggests that the people have overwhelmingly decided to split to end the war and killings, many Nigerians who are currently living at home and abroad believe that that is the way that Africa's most populated nation should go.

Do you think that Nigeria should follow the path that Sudan has set?
Leave your comments below:

Related Articles: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12201063
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/22/world/africa/22sudan.html?_r=1
http://www.thisdayonline.com/
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/2011-kudos-knocks-for-inec-timetable/79079/
http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/jan/30/national-30-01-2011-001.htm
http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=36957:15-feared-dead-in-fresh-jos-crisis&catid=1:national&Itemid=559

A Week of Natural and Man-Made Disasters!

So far, 2011 has promised more violence and natural disasters! In a very busy week for the press, everyday there seemed to be a troubling event taking place somewhere in the world. Starting with the near fatal tragic shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona and many others leaving 6 people dead, among the dead a 9 year old girl, the week seemed to take a down turn from there.

Australia experienced a devastating flood caused by rainfall, which is being described as one of biblical proportions leaving at least 16 people dead and among them a 13 year old boy who sacrificed his life to save his younger brother, after a rescuer tried to help him out of the flood but he directed him to his brother instead. The brother was rescued but the young hero, Jordan Rice, and his mother were swept away by the current before they could be rescued.

As if taking cue from Australia, Brazil also experienced deadly flooding and mudslides caused by extreme rainfall and if the Australian floods are biblical, this one should be termed apocalyptic! At least 500 hundred people are confirmed dead and hundreds more missing. The flood which happened in the dead of the night, took the Brazilians by surprise and hampered rescue efforts, seriously damaging lives and property! Search and rescue efforts are still underway but with forecast of more rainfall in both Brazil and Australia we can only hope that worst is behind us.

Related news on natural events in Australia and Brazil

Then we have violence in the North African state of Tunisia, where a coup d'etat has occurred ousting the president of 23 years. The frustrations in the country reached a height that forced it's people to demonstrate on the streets and riots broke out as a result. Clashes between security forces and the demonstrators left both sides with injuries and at least 42 detainees dead in a prison fire. Fouad Mabezaa, the speaker of the parliament has assumed office as the acting president while the former president, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, has taken exile in Saudi Arabia.

And on a lighter note, incumbent president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, defeated his party rival and former vice president of the country, Atiku Abubakar, in the party primaries to become sole flag bearer for the 2011 presidential elections. The in-house rivalry was hyped to be close call election between the two delegates because of the party's (Peoples' Democratic Party) constitution of rotation of power between ethnic and religious zones of the country. Delegates argued that President Jonathan, who is from the South South Zone and only became president because of the death of the his superior, Umaru Yar'Adua, a Northerner, is ineligible to run for office until the North has exhausted it's 2 tenures ending in 2015 and should step aside despite his being very popular among the masses. V.P. Atiku on the other hand was the Northern consensus candidate and was surprisingly swept in the nationally televised voting event in the country's capital, Abuja.

Atiku vs. Jonathan

President Jonathan will go on to compete against other presidential candidates from other parties which include the highly popular Nuhu Ribadu, former minister of the capital province, Abuja and also against the former military head of state and 3 time presidential aspirant, General Buhari (Rtd) in the upcoming elections.

Please leave your comments below

Related Articles: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2011/01/20111140122621565.html

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/americas/01/14/brazil.flooding/index.html?hpt=T2

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12188293

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12143774

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/2011/01/12/2011-01-12_brisbane_becomes_the_latest_victim_of_australias_deadly_floods_thousands_evacuat.html

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/01/15/tunisia.protests/index.html?hpt=T1

http://www.thisdayonline.com/

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/jan/15/national-08-01-2011-001.htm

Will Gay Group's Support of Atiku Help or Hurt his Chances?

Former Nigerian Vice-president, Atiku Abubakar, is scheduled to go on a head-on challenge for the right to bear the flag of the ruling party, Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP), as the presidential front runner against the incumbent president, Goodluck Jonathan in a few days. This is as dramatic as when Barrack Obama went against Hilary Clinton in 2009. It was deemed as important or even more important than the finals between Obama and McCain and rightfully so, at least for the U.S. elections. 


V.P. Atiku in the final years in the position had a very public falling out with the then president, Olusegun Obasanjo and ran against, President Obasanjo's anointed protégé, the late President Umaru Yar'Adua, who passed away in office last year. 

During that bitter campaign an ad was placed in one of the newspapers paid for by an "independent group", calling one of the presidential aspirants a homosexual and an evil individual without mentioning names to avoid any legal implications but those who happen to have seen the ad made our assumptions of whom it was referring to. I personally was disgusted at how low some people will stoop to win an election. Going to the extent of defamation and libel to assume an office.


Africa has a very poor record on gay rights and in most African states homosexuality is a criminal offence and most of all the general African public is not accepting of the lifestyle. Terming a politician as a homosexual most often hurts his/her chances of winning that office.


Nigerian newspaper, ThisDay is reporting that a group called National Gay Forum, is backing Atiku's bid for presidency, not because of any other reasons but that they believe in his policies and see them as beneficial for Nigeria but unfortunately, that might hurt his aspirations in a country like Nigeria which recently voted to maintain it's anti-gay policies in place. The endorsement might make Atiku favorable to Western nations advocating for equal rights for all individuals but I personally doubt that the Atiku presidential campaign team wants the endorsement of a group that may be detrimental to it's bid for the highest office in Nigeria.


I personally feel that all individuals are equal and despite my heterosexuality, I have no prejudice against the lifestyle or choice of sexual preference of another person. 


What do you think? Will this endorsement help, do damage or have no effect on Vice President Atiku's campaign for presidency of Nigeria?


Leave your comments please


Related Articles: http://www.thisdayonline.com/
http://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-583851.0.html
http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE70A0HO20110111?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0
http://www.newnigeriannews.com/cover_3.htm