When a lover's spat goes wrong in Nigeria - Muhammadu vs. Aisha Buhari

On October 14th, 2016, audio of comments by Nigeria's First Lady, Aisha Buhari, was released publicly. She stated her disagreement with some of her husband's choices and stated some concerns. The First Lady's opinion stemmed from her desire to ensure that "he will leave a legacy."

Source: uncova.com

Personally, I didn't like it when I heard about this. I don't think her public comments were helpful for Nigeria - a country where there's significant economic and political insecurity. Such comments from the First lady only serve to further the dysfunction.

Nevertheless, I figured there's a silver lining in the sad situation - it's a good thing that a first lady is empowered enough to publicly express herself even if such seems contrary to her spouse's stance on political matters. Maybe that can be a positive example to others who need it? Maybe?

And that is how I would have spun the situation if I was President Buhari and I was asked by reporters.

"My wife, the First Lady of Nigeria, like all Nigerians, is allowed to have an opinion and express it. And as any husband can imagine, I have to get used to hearing it often. Just as I have to get used to hearing the opinions of the people I serve ..."

Make a joke out of it, in a respectful manner, to diffuse the tension. Pivot from the question and move on.

Instead of downplaying their obvious disagreement, what could even have been chalked up to a lover's spat someday, Nigeria's president informed the world that his wife "belongs to my kitchen and my living room and the other room." All this at a conference in Germany. A country with an accomplished and well-respected FEMALE head of state. Oh, and he was standing right next to Germany's head of state.

He went on to "claim superior knowledge over her" as well.

His reaction reinforces one of the most acute criticisms of himself and his administration - a lack of originality, an inability to verbalize concrete ideas other than dusty old tomes that aren't suitable for today's reality. These are two political sins that have crippled Nigeria for decades and continue to break the backs of citizens. How easy it is to diminish a woman's ideas because she has stepped out of her 'place' - the kitchen, the bedroom...

All his "clapback' managed to achieve is reveal his misogyny and disrespect. Not just toward his wife but towards women in general. All because she had an opinion and voiced it publicly, it seems. An opinion stemming from a desire to ensure his greatness and help her country.

How disappointingly sad.

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AFRICA'S ECONOMIC POTENTIAL

Its always refreshing to not read a doom and gloom tale about the African continent.

Source: Makingitmagazine.net

*Sidebar* I recently watched the entire first season of Netflix Sense8 and loved the Kenyan character, Capheus, and his intense appreciation for Jean-Claude Van Damme. It gave a great portrayal of that character's reality and his story transcended his realities of poverty, tribal issues and violence.

Anyway, I recently got to read Michael Johnston's compilation of sometimes overlooked facts about where Africa is headed economically. In fact, he shared 10 charts that illustrate that things are looking up for various countries across the continent.

For instance, did you know that by 2050, Nigeria will be the third most populous country in the world behind China and India? (Okay, that one's a little scary!)

Okay, here's another one - did you know that four of the top five economies, as measured by expected 2016 GDP growth, are located in Africa?

Source: Allemergingmarkets.com

(Do you see Libya, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone? Liberia and  Cote d'Ivoire aka Ivory Coast aren't too far behind).

There's more to read at Allemergingmarkets.com. Check it out when you can.

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Nigerian 2015 Presidential Inauguration Live: Buhari

Thanks to Channels TV for providing a free livestream on Youtube available here - https://youtu.be/ANM-dq5USTc

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NIGERIA'S NEW PRESIDENT IS MUHAMMADU BUHARI

A former military dictator, Muhammadu Buhari, has clinched the tightly contested 2015 Presidential elections.

In a step never before seen in Nigeria, the incumbent, Goodluck Jonathan, called Buhari to concede defeat and congratulate the winner. This is also the first time an incumbent president has lost office in Nigerian history.

Jonathan came to power on the heels of the death of former President Yar'Adua, who died while in office, leaving his then-Vice President, Jonathan, to become president. Jonathan then won re-election in 2011.


Clearly, the citizens of Nigeria wanted 'change' and opted for something other than the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has controlled Aso Rock for the last 16 years. Instead the All Progressives Congress (APC) was given the opportunity to run the country, via the Presidency, for at least the next four years.

What will this mean for the real problems Nigeria faces?


Buhari has committed himself to anti-corruption and ensuring the security of Nigerians. With the scourge of Boko Haram, any new leader would struggle to tackle that issue and all should hope that Buhari will be able dampen the group's horrible effects on citizens.

It is left to be seen what legal challenges this Presidential election shall face in the courts, if any. What with Jonathan's alleged concession, one can only hope that the challenges will not be so great so as to prove a significant distraction to the business of bettering the country.

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RIP NELSON MANDELA 1918-2013

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#OURNASS

On Thursday, September 26^th at 10 am, Enough is Enough Nigeria, United Action for Democracy, Say No Campaign, ReclaimNaija and other organisations will meet at the National Assembly to make 5 demands of our representatives. 

 The demands and the rationale are summarized below:

	DEMAND	RATIONALE
1.	Immediate comprehensive breakdown of their budgetary allocation of N150 billion for 2013.	They have been very vocal that the N150 billion is not only for salaries but the entire National Assembly structure. The Economist magazine says they are the 2nd highest paid parliamentarians in the world. There is no authoritative breakdown of what the N150 billion pays for. We want them to provide this breakdown.
2.	An account of the N1 trillion received since 2005 before the next recess in December.	N1 trillion is a lot of money. Have Nigerians gotten value for money? They have to tell us.
3.	Functional contact information - numbers, email addresses and physical addresses of their constituency offices. We demand the names of at least two contact people attached to the numbers and email addresses.	Our representatives must be reachable!
4.	ALL voting records on ALL constitutional amendments.	Nigerians have a right to know how their representatives honored their wishes for changes to the constitution.
5.	We demand that the attendance list for each plenary be made public.	Pictures show both chambers relatively empty on plenary days, yet members are quite opposed to suggestions that they work part time. How many people actually attend plenary and contribute to discussions? Are Nigerians getting value for money?

Protests and visible discontent are an integral part of any democracy.

We invite you to join us on that day. For those who are unable to come to Abuja but would like to organize a protest on the same day to their State Assemblies, please send an email to info@eienigeria.org and we’ll see how we can support.

Through our partners, Budgit, we have some infographics that help tell the story.

If you would like to support financially, you can also do that as well.

More information about the protest can be found here – www.eienigeria.org/ournass.

This post is shared with you on behalf of EIE Nigeria

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THE NEW NIGERIAN 'CHILD BRIDE/RAPE' LAW

I wish I had something to add but, this reaction from Stella Damasus shall suffice. For now.

A few quotes -

"Has Nigeria suddenly run out of mature girls who are fully developed and ripe enough for marriage that our shameless Senators would actually resort to cradle snatching?"

 "These [Senators] are all mad men who derive pleasure in having pleasure in having sexual relationships with children! And now they want to insult us more, by making it legal!"

Until these IDIOTS, both men and women, no longer have power, this and many other nonsensical, criminal acts will continue to happen. And Nigerians will continue to suffer at the hands of their leaders. Too many people lack decency and shame.

Thank you Ms. Damasus. I no fit shout.

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