Comments on NIGERIAN CURIOSITY: 'JERRY RAWLINGS' IS NOT THE ANSWER FOR NIGERIA

Before anyone calls for "Jerry Rawlings"...

2009-11-23T02:10:53.453-05:00

Before anyone calls for "Jerry Rawlings" solution, they should just take a look at Ghana today and tell me how much better it is than Nigeria.

I do not think we need another bloodshed in Niger...

2009-11-17T07:47:33.077-05:00

I do not think we need another bloodshed in Nigeria, in the name of a revolution. We have had enough. In the last year, so many lives have been lost due to religious conflicts and the niger delta issue ...I do not rememeber the government lighting a candle for those victims or even doing a proper memorial(minute of silence.)

Then here comes this dude talking about a bloody revolution. When the post election attacks happened in Kenya , people were talking about a revolution....where is the change ...those innocent people lost their lives for nothing and there is still heavy corruption going on.

We need a revoultion ....but the Jerry Rawlings way is a no no.

ps...this one that he is muslim , the revolution that he is talking about may be to bring in sharia for all of Naija o..hmmmm...just sayin´

Frustration. That's what causes people like Ga...

2009-11-17T05:48:25.377-05:00

Frustration. That's what causes people like Galadima to talk like that. He's just frustrated. Remember what is said about those who make peaceful change impossible. The PDP has made it impossible to change government peaceful, what do you want Galadima (and ANPP) to think?

I am sure that when Buhari considers his travails in the last two elections, he will blame himself for not finishing off most of those who torment him now when he had the chance in 1983.

If he had done so then, Nigerians would have hailed him. After all, Rawlings had just done same in Ghana, so there was precedent.

Many Nigerians do not remember - or do not know - that the so called Rawlings Solution was actually based on a Nigerian model. The one of January 15, 1966.

While the Nigerian model failed, Rawlings had enough time to perfect his own. Rawlings had a plan and time was on his side. He was also able to lead by example but that does not make up for the lives lost.

Unlike you Sydelle, I will not say what is the answer and what is not. Nigeria is the theater of Never Say Never (Again). Anything can happen. We just don't learn.

@ nneoma: you put it so succinctly. As yo say, &qu...

2009-11-16T16:26:28.827-05:00

@ nneoma: you put it so succinctly. As yo say, "such statements are careless". Full stop. And what drives me nuts is that more people aren't challenging these supposedly wise elders, like Ojukwu and Galadima.

If war breaks out their children will be safe. What about the rest of us? WHat about our children? our relatives? Our grandmothers. It is despicable to encourage violence. Ojukwu should spend more time trying to bring an end to the kidnappings and violence happening in his own backyard, instead of spurring flames of violence to flame his own ego. God have mercy.

@ Omosi T: Geez, way to be direct, but I completel...

2009-11-16T16:20:14.967-05:00

@ Omosi T: Geez, way to be direct, but I completely agree with you! Yes, calls for outright violence could lead to another civil war and as a nation, we haven't even atoned for or truly addressed the last civil war.

In fact, I can't even add anything to your comment because I feel you more than adequately summed up the frustration I feel from Galadima's comment.

Most Nigerian elite can say whatever they want because they have not only the finances but the connections to remove their family if and when such is necessary. No offense to galadima, I would like to say he truly wants the best for Nigeria, but his statement for violence and military coup disqualifies him from ever having a public say on the state of the nation. If wahala bursts now, the guy go disappear. Its like the people who financed Boko Haram, where are they now? Everyone knows who some of these characters are. They cajoled and compelled these men to risk their lives and kill others but now that katakata has burst, they aren't brave enough to reveal themselves, shebi?

mmmmsccchewwww!

Let me even stop....

@ Azazel: Believe you me, my broda, I understand y...

2009-11-16T16:19:53.678-05:00

@ Azazel: Believe you me, my broda, I understand your frustration. Indeed, most Nigerians are tired of waiting for change after being promised all sorts. Like I noted in the post, indeed a 'revolution' is necessary. However, no revolution will ever be effective if those directly involved are not enlightened and aware of what it is that needs to be changed. That being said, a violent revolution in Nigeria would be more detrimental than beneficial in my opinion because there are too many moving parts. Violence would allow various fringe elements, now kept in check, to take advantage of the insecurity. Consider the fact that Boko Haram recently raged violence in the north. From all I have heard there remain elements that would pursue similar action if allowed to. Think about AFRICOM. Do you know AFRICOM was partially (well, in large part) created to increase American access to oil and that the US has been planning/preparing via war games for the collapse of Nigeria as a nation so that at that time they can come in under the aegis of helping but with the concrete idea of accessing materials and resources. Now don't get me wrong, I don't mention this to bash the US, but I do include it here to further the discussion (particularly as I had to make a deliberate choice not to mention it in the post's body). If any of that is accurate (which it is), why would we Nigerians want to speed the breakdown of the fragile peace we have as is, and give others an opportunity to further intrude in our nation and its future? I only mention this to give more context to this discussion.

Again, Nigerians have not exhausted their options for dealing with the issues of our political elite who have failed to live up to their expectations. Violence is definitely not necessary, I believe. We Nigerians have to take matters into our own hands. For instance, if your local government leaders are not organized enough to remove trash from the streets, then the community should dump their refuse in front of their elected officials homes. This is just one of a million of tactics that citizens can take to truly frustrate non-performing officials. These acts of civil disobedience, if strategically applied across the nation can force the hand of officials.

Anyway, I don't mean to diminish your stance. I understand and share the frustration that makes the Jerry Rawlings solution very appetizing. I however, believe that suggesting violence is the only remaining option is irresponsible. Besides, would Galidima put himself in the middle of a fight? Would you, my broda? If anyone cannot truly commit their own personal body when fight time comes, then they have no business encouraging others to potentially die.

Thanks so much for always swinging by and taking the time to share your honest opinions. I truly appreciate it as watching/participating in these discussions definitely helps me crystallize my ideas on things. I hope that these discussions are beneficial for you as well.

@ Shadenonconformist: thanks so much for taking th...

2009-11-16T16:19:16.066-05:00

@ Shadenonconformist: thanks so much for taking the time to swing by and comment. Much appreciated.

For sure, this Jerry rawlings suggestion is one reiterated by many at home and abroad. I just think that as a nation, we have not exhausted our recourse options for changing the nation. Violence is not the only solution and I strongly believe that in our case, it is non-option because once we let that beast loose, there is little doubt that we will not be able to reign it in.

Besides, where would we stop with the executions? How far back would we consider either military officers and their allies? Would they have to be judged in a court of law first? I mean when one really thinks about the potential consequences of Galidima's suggestion, its a lot more complicated.

Anyway, I can't help but look at Nigeria and see so many people individually and collectively doing the impossible despite their circumstances and worry that violence and further insecurity would only serve to put these people at a disadvantage.

Thanks so much again for taking the time to start this conversation.

well-stated. galadima's statements are very m...

2009-11-16T16:13:19.773-05:00

well-stated. galadima's statements are very much in-line with that of Ojukwu's latest civil war rants which I discussed recently. i agree, that such statements are careless, but the push for violent revolution is becoming increasingly and uncomfortably more common. soaring unemployment rates, a sham of an educational system and the inability to EFFECTIVELY petition the government, create fertile soil for violent uprisings. putting in place and enforcing means by which ordinary citizens can peaceably challenge policies and injustices is a good move for democracy and indirectly protects the government from military coups.

Anyone who calls for violent revolution should bri...

2009-11-16T15:21:57.247-05:00

Anyone who calls for violent revolution should bring out their parents, siblings, relatives they care about and their friends, then shoot each and every one of those people in the head, then I'll know that they are serious about a violent revolution. Till then they should STFU!!!!! Nonsense! Most people that call for a violent revolution which will probably lead to another civil have probably not experienced the devastation that war can bring. We as a nation have not recovered from the first civil war and some damn idiot is looking to start another one???? Ugh

Solomon.. Idk i kinda agree with the dude though.....

2009-11-16T14:11:00.872-05:00

Solomon..
Idk i kinda agree with the dude though..
We really do need our own revolution in Nigeria..
We are tired of waiting..

I'm not going to lie, i always felt that for a...

2009-11-16T05:11:28.558-05:00

I'm not going to lie, i always felt that for a revolution/change to occur in Nigeria, violence is/was necessary. Unlike Galadima, my caveat would be that "we need to execute the military officers/political elite who have embezzled funds in Nigeria, are guilty of human rights violation and so on". Because i feel like no matter how much we "pray/fast", these people will continue to influence policies and commit all sorts of despicable acts. Hence, we need to execute them. Radical but hey...It's not like they care about the hungry/dying families or children that can afford healthcare, have access to a good education..

But after reading your well articulated argument, i'm beginning to have a re-think about that. I guess it always helps to see it from another perspective. Thanks...

Come to think about it, it's scary to think of the atrocities that our so-called leaders will commit all in the name of a "revolution" if violence breaks out (pray it never does). Also, i know it's become redundant, but we really need a grassroots movement in Nigeria where people feel involved/engaged in the political process (we believe that our vote counts, we want to make it count, we are willing to die for our country). I strongly believe that it will help create a sense of oneness amongst us Nigerians and the country. We would actually care about what happens to our motherland..I keep praying for that day...At least it's beginning to happen..That's the first step...

Sorry for being long-winded...