PETER KING, ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM IS NOT THE ONLY FUNDAMENTALISM IN AMERICA?

Icheoku makes bold to state that Islamic fundamentalism or radicalization within the American society is not the only extremism sprouting up in America and for which there should be concern. It is therefore an absurdity, propelled by a seething disdain for those who knock their foreheads on the ground in worship, for Long Island Republican Congressman of New York, Peter King, to so selectively pigeonhole Muslims communities in America as the sole incubator and harbinger of radicalization as well as fundamentalism in America.

Please do not get Icheoku wrong on this matter by interpreting our remarks as a felicitation with Muslims or the figurative sleeping with the enemy; no if Icheoku was in a position of authority during the infamous 9/11, Icheoku would have nuked some place in the Middle East for supplying those airplane bombers. Icheoku knows these guys and what they are capable of doing in the name of their religion and in order to spread it such as the violence they can visit on infidels; so anything they are accused of by Representative Peter King is understandable. However, our position on the ongoing congressional hearing by Peter King is somewhat at odds because it is not all inclusive of all known radicalized groups. Icheoku is of the opinion that such congressional hearing should not be exclusive Muslims, but should encompass other radical elements of the American society that is intolerable of other Americans including such groups as produced the Oklahoma City bomber, Timothy McVeigh; abortion-doctor killers and the Rush Limbaughs of this country whose stock-in-trade is to continuously spread hate-messages against people with different skin-pigmentation. Icheoku says nothing is more radicalized than the daily dosage of asinine messages oozing out of the mouth of Rush Limbaugh and his cohorts, disparaging not only the "Nigger President" occupying "their" White House, but also every other person who seem not to fit the template of their "great American?"

Representative Peter King's hatred for 'THAT ONES' is palpable and Icheoku still remembers his comment concerning Michael Jackson while the rest of the world was mourning his loss. Calling a dead Michael Jackson a pervert is the height of disrespect from a hypocrite who did not see anything wrong with the Irish Republican Army terrorist bombings of yester-years in Northern Ireland. According to this extremist, yes Peter King is an extremist, Michael Jackson "was a pervert, a child molester; and a pedophile. I just think we're too politically correct. No one wants to stand up and say we don't need Michael Jackson. He died, he had some talent, fine. He may have been a good singer, he did some dancing. Bottom line is, would you let your child or grandchild be in the same room with Michael Jackson? What are we glorifying him for?" Icheoku asks what a hate-filled soul would say such uncomplimentary things about an entertainer, whom the world acknowledged as the King of Pop music and this Representative Peter King failed to admit that the allegations of child molestation was not proved by a jury of his peers and that MJ was acquitted of the trumped up charges. A case of willful misinformation and selective dementia by Peter King who settled for lashing out at a dead man. Once again this Long Island Irishman in New York is using the same "not being constrained by political correctness of majority Americans" to attack another disparate group - the American Muslim Community.  A man who would not respect the dead and so brutishly made such uncomplimentary remarks of a world reknowned mega superstar is capable of anything, but Icheoku blames the people of Long Island who continuously send him to Washington as their congressman.

Icheoku says Peter King's house hearing on "The Extent of Radicalization in the American Muslim Community and that Community's Response" is disproportionately skewered against Muslim groups in America who have been singled out as poster-child of extremist behavior in America. It failed to include other radicalized groups such as White Racist Groups who are known trouble makers-in-chief of America as well as some arm of the Black Panters Group who have since become radicalized. The Pat Robertson Group and so many other "Men and Women of God from hell" who preach intolerance were also excluded from the House hearing and one wonders who Peter King is deceiving with his purported house hearing on radicalization. Also Rush Limbaugh and co groups were not included for investigation and Icheoku wonders who else if not them? Fairness demands that equity be observed in such house investigation and being against radicalization, should have been against all manners and forms of radicalization and not just restricted to Islamic radicalization. Or could it be that America is witnessing the rise of another Senator Joe McCarthy of our time; but Icheoku prays that Peter King shall not have his way and that the morality in many of us shall triumph over the warped, ideological-driven antics of a bigoted fellow who happened to be a US congressman called Peter King.

Icheoku says what Representative Peter King is attempting to do with his House hearing is nothing other than the conduct of an Islamophobic hearing and eventual persecution of Muslims in America, based on unfounded allegations and innuendos of Muslims hatred of America? What Peter King is subjecting American Muslim minority to is akin to an inquisition and near perfect copy of the time worn rites of passage which every American minorities of the past were subjected to. Icheoku prays the latest Muslim minority to be discriminated against shall survive Peter King's onslaught and come out of it whole, intact and more audacious. God bless America and God bless American Muslim community so long as they are being Americans and without secret agenda to cause it any harm.

EARTHQUAKE IN JAPAN, ICHEOKU EMPATHIZES!

 What a world we live in that is a mix of ephemerality and hopelessness such as the awesome power of mother-nature that destroyed Japan. In some fleeting moments, all that we cared for and that are endeared to us become part of 'ancient' history - GONE!

Except you did not watch the footage of the 8.9 magnitude earthquake and the resulting tsunami which swept Sendai, Miyaki Prefecture of Japan like one giant monstrous sweeper, then you can live on still thinking those funny thoughts swirling in your head. It simply shows that we are not in control of anything despite our arrogance pretending otherwise. Icheoku's heart goes out to the people of Sendai Miyaki Prefecture as well as the entire Japanese population for what fate had visited on them early hours of this morning (our time). To the people of Japan, Icheoku says the whole world is with you as you at this time of great destruction and as you clean and eventually rebuild your devastated society as you have previously done in Kobe, our prayers are with you. Goodluck.

SCOTT MCCREERY, A COUNTRY FOR AMERICAN IDOL?

 Icheoku was boycotting American Idol 2011 for the loss of Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and the introduction of Jenny from the block. But channel-surfing landed Icheoku to a performance by Scott McCreery, singing a country tune. There and then Icheoku concluded that American Idol 2011 will go to a country singer named Scott McCreery and we are prepared to put our bet on it. Moreso it is been long since country won the show and it will be nice to retain the good ole folks down south who are tuned in. Scott has what it takes - the voice, the presence, the cowboy demeanor and moreso he is from North Carolina and Icheoku could not have imagined a more perfect mix. Icheoku therefore says that Scott McCreery is the American Idol to beat this 2011 season. Icheoku must add, Ashton Jones is impressive too.Congratulations crooner! Icheoku once again tunes off as our protest is ongoing.

GBAGBO STILL IN OFFICE, SEVERAL DEMANDS AND THREATS NOTWITHSTANDING?

Icheoku says one great thinker once said, never say to someone go to hell except you also have the wherewithal to send him there. So Icheoku asks African Union and ECOWAS what have become of their threat to use legitimate force to oust dissident Laurent Gbagbo if he fails to quit? Or is it possible these political groupings spoke a little bit too early without first considering necessarily logistics, manpower and the will needed to see their threat through. Icheoku calls on AU and ECOWAS to reclaim their pride by dispatching their "legitimate force" to rid Abidjan and greater Ivory Coast of de-facto Laurent Gbagbo now or forever descend into irrelevance.

WISCONSIN ANTI-UNION LAW, GOOD FOR THE UNION?

Icheoku once met a construction worker from Waukesha Wisconsin named Jerrolds (he supplied only his first name), a registered democrat who vowed not to vote for then presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama because the White House was named so for a reason - it is for whites only! Again in September 2010, Icheoku ran into another dairy farmer/producer from Oshkosh Wisconsin who would not vote for Democrats because they are wussies? They lack backbones and lay supine in the face of more macho Republicans threats.  


The reason why these two analogies are necessary is to buttress the shallowness of voters of Wisconsin who did not care a hoot about the consequences of their electoral action and voted anyways in such a cavalier manner for a man who now wants their blood; and for reasons that at best will be considered mundane. Why is Icheoku cultivating these grounds one may ask? It is just to show that it is more likely than not that Governor Scott Walker came into office riding on the back of such voters as mentioned above:- people who were persuaded not by what they heard then governor candidate Walker say or promise; but for such other petty considerations including to "show those Dems?" Now they are reaping the whirlwind which they sowed and should therefore not be heard saying that Governor Walker is a tyrant. Icheoku says the people of Wisconsin should just quit complaining and savor the consequences of their electoral action or lack thereof that produced Governor Walker.


The book of Bible tells us in 1Kings12:11 of King Rehobam who thundered to the people of Israelites who came to inquire how his reign will be that if his father chastised them with whips he will chastise them with scorpions; and that he will add to their burden and so has Governor Walker added to the already laden-workers of Wisconsin; turning them into literally "slaves" of corporate employers who will now toss them around with offer of minimum wages commensurate to Chinese workers or their Mexican counterparts. All these would have been averted were the voters of Wisconsin smart enough to know that election has consequences and that votes count and matter. They had all the time in the world to have mobilized their unions to get out the votes for the more peoples orientated Democratic candidate Tom Barrett to succeed outgoing Democratic Jim Doyle; but no they were nonchalant and apathetic, cowered by Tea Party aggression and now they must reap the resulting tornado.


A Governor Walker who campaigned on "true reform" and proudly told the state's senate that "this is our time" and that his mandate was for a true reform towards solving the state's budget woes. Icheoku believes that Governor Walker has now truly sold out to business as he stated earlier that "Wisconsin is open for business. At least the man keeps his promises and men are supposed to have balls. Icheoku believes that were Governor Walker in the White House, that there would have been "public option" in the Health-Care Reform Law; that Guantanamo would have been closed and that the financial reform would have been more far-reaching. All it requires is the mindset and resolve to go all the way no matter how long it took or put in another way "my way or the highway" as the anti-Union bill soon to become law has shown. Icheoku strongly believes that there is more anti-people initiatives from where the union bursting anti-union bill came and Wisconsinites should better gird their loins and take it through the rear like real adults. Next time Wisconsin, during next election circle, know who your real friends are and vote for DEMOCRATS as they will protect workers and the little guys more than the fat-cat republicans who want both cheap labor and reduced cost of doing business. Remember someone's profit is another's loss and for them to grow fat, some people somewhere have to be on diet; get Icheoku's drift?

One thing about Republicans is that they damn the consequences as they barrel headlong with whatever initiative/agenda they consider germane to their cause including unprovoked wars? Unlike the Democrats who seek to "tone it down" the moment republican operatives bark out or Rush Limbaugh calls them out. Governor Scott Walker's anti-union bill has passed 18-1 in the senate following a similar passage in the house, despite month-long protest by workers of Wisconsin and their friends protesting the inhumane face of the legislation. But the Republican Governor Walker never bulked, notwithstanding the flight to Illinois of Democratic senators trying to sabotage it with their absence. The Republicans found a way out of the woods and around the fleeing Democrats, circumvented them by excising a provision requiring twenty-votes and passed it with just 18-1 votes without debating the bill or even needing again those Democrats in undisclosed location outside the state.


Icheoku says the manoeuvre in Wisconsin was not a desperation move, it is rather a well orchestrated rug-pull from underneath the fleeing democrats by a more well geared political operatives and they chose to deem as read a bill which they authored and thus dispensed with the need to read it all over again. To put t in a short terse two-word sentence - THEY WON and the union lost! It is a lesson in electioneering politics which teaches that election has consequences and that unions must be proactive during elections and not to threaten general strike for something that would have been averted by intense and passionate campaign and get-out the votes operations. The people of Wisconsin lost Icheoku when they did not vote in their affable longtime Democratic Senator Feingold and you wonder who these unions now expect to come to their aid or is Michael Moore that influential? They deserve it all, what they are getting int he hands of the Republicans controlling Wisconsin.

MOUMMAR GHADDAFI TALKING TOUGH, STILL DEFIANT AND RESOLUTE?

 The embattled Libyan leader seems to be either oblivious of the depth of trouble he is in as well as the resentment mounting against him or he is simply taunting Libyans with his show-boating press conferences. Icheoku says no one really knows how the cloud enveloping Libya will finally dissipate; assuming it would not eventually turn into a tornado that will sweep away a 43 year old dictatorship. However tragic the end-game may be, presently, Moummar Gaddafi does not betray such emotions but appears confident and determined to ride out the storm. One thing Icheoku as well as the rest of the world knows is that the noose is steadily tightening around Gaddafi's regime; but like the saying goes, beware of what you wish for. If it is true that al-Querida is behind the Libyan insurrection, then the world especially Europe will be in such a big doodle in the event they are successful - what a Jihad launching pad Libya will avail these terrorists. Icheoku only prays the matter is conclusively resolved very soon and well.

GADDAFI SHAKES OBAMA, WHEN THE GOING WAS GOOD!

His love for the "African president of America" was bountiful that he went as far as urging that Obama stays president forever. When asked why, he retorted that is the yearning of the world and the world will forgive America of all its atrocities so long as President Barack Hussein Obama is still the president. Icheoku queries now that things have fallen apart for Gaddafi and his once "beloved son of Africa" is going tough on his administration which he has declared "illegitimate", what must Maummar Gaddafi be thinking of President Barack Obama now? This becomes imperative as Gaddafi sees the revolution as sectional and al-querida sponsored; and is doing everything within his authority to put the enemies of the state down; afterall when Glen Beck and the Tea Party people marched in Washington demanding to have their country back, President Obama never resigned or quit his office. So Gaddafi reasons that what he is facing is not an uprising from the peoples of Libya but certain disgruntled elements of the society under the influence of some narcotics. Day 15 and marching on, could Gaddafi have survived the insurrection since the Libyan army is still on his side? Anyway, the jury is still out but there are signs that the Libyan strongman's strong-arm is working to upturn the tide, at least for now. But is it a trite position to take that the devil one knows is better than the unknown alternative; go figure!

PRESIDENT GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN, COASTING HOME TO VICTORY IN APRIL 2011.

 

Icheoku says welcome the hardest working and most campaigning presidential candidate in Nigeria 2011. Icheoku has been wondering where other presidential candidates are since they are no-show everywhere one looks; forcing people to wonder what their game-plan is towards winning the presidential election.

Everywhere one looks, it is PDP presidential candidate President Goodluck Jonathan who is traversing the land from South-West to North-East to South-East to South-South to North-Central and to North-West; and except the opposition are banking on the courts to stop the election or to annul the result, Icheoku does not see how they plan to pull it off based on the effort the incumbent is putting, seriously campaigning to sell his candidacy to Nigerians. The PDP already have an edge both of the incumbency and the Governors Forum, so show Icheoku the options left for th opposition. Icheoku says the opposition parties in Nigeria lost the mojo when they failed to reach an alliance presenting one common front and candidate against President Jonathan. As a result, it is now an assured victory for President Jonathan as the PDP will most likely retain the presidency, admitted not by the same margin the Otta deity rigged the party in 2007.

Icheoku says President Jonathan will win all South-South, South-East and North-Central; and also at least two states in South-West, three states in North-East and one state in North-West, thus securing the needed number of votes to retain the presidency. Icheoku is being modest with the allocation of states especially in North-West and South-West acceding Buhari and Tinubu some commanding presence in their only catchment areas. We also agree that ANPP will likely retain its two North-Eastern states and that there will be a few other toss-up states in play. So plus minus, President Jonathan wins convincingly in 22 states out of the 36, the remainder of which will be split amongst the other three parties ACN, CPC and ANPP; thus giving him the victory. Icheoku says, Nigerians welcome your president for the next four years, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan! Icheoku is not a fan, but agrees that President Jonathan has worked and campaigned hard enough to earn his honors as president; so Nigerians, VOTE for JONATHAN

NUHU RIBADU, WHY HE WILL NOT WIN.

 First of all he looks so gaunt and not presidential enough. He looks mean and hungry and Julius Caesar admonishes that such men are dangerous. He lacks experience. He is not President Obama, admitted he feels good comparing himself with that young charismatic American president. Above all Mallam Nuhu RIbadu lacks principles and convictions otherwise what explanation does he now offer for cavorting with Bola Tinubu, a man he once described as the numero uno financial and economic criminal in Nigeria?Icheoku queries, if Nuhu Ribadu could be so cheaply bought by Tinubu; who knows how bended his back will be when heavy hitters of the world come calling. Icheoku's beef with the mallam is that he appears to have swallowed his vomit on Tinubu by accepting his campaign sponsorship from him and you wonder what epiphany sanctified all the sins of economic and financial crimes his EFCC said Tinubu committed. Like Richard Akinjide rightly posited, it is very insulting for a man who has never held any position in his life other than being member of the Nigeria police force to arrogantly feel that he is experienced enough to rule a complex country like Nigeria.The gist of the matter is that Mallam Nuhu RIbadu lacks the experience to rule Nigeria; and even his strongest suit - anti-corruption credentials, now appears compromised with his dalliance with Bola Tinubu, a man with no stellar records. The good news however is that ACN is a Yoruba regional party, ran by Bola Tinubu as his personal estate and lacks national acceptability in Nigeria. To make matters worse, Nuhu Ribadu choose a fellow political no-body as his running mate and you wonder the God President Jonathan serves that so paves his political path with such diamonds. Away with Nuhu Ribadu, a puppet of Bola Tinubu who would run affairs were Ribadu to miraculously win in a nightmarish scenario; but thankfully enough, his chances at winning is akin to hell freezing over. Icheoku calls on Nigerians to simply say no to the man behind the scene, Bola Tinubu, by rejecting his minion, Nuhu Ribadu.

MUHAMMADU BUHARI, A VOTE FOR HIM IS A VOTE FOR SHARIA LAW IN NIGERIA!

Icheoku says, just don't do it Nigerians except you want your body parts to be chopped off one part after another depending on the offense you committed under an Islamic Republic Sharia Nigeria. His northwest catchment area is already 'Sharia-ed" so do not encourage the spread throughout the rest of Nigeria with your vote for the Chief Imam.

Please do not buy into the hype that a leopard can change its spots and that Imam Muhammadu Buhari is now a pro-democratic man as a despot always remains a despot. Buhari is despot extraordinaire and a known Muslim fundamentalist of Boko Haram mold and cannot easily change so old in his life. Just in case you are still wish-washy with your decision or have forgotten, advise yourself of the following:- 1. Which Muslim country is bankrolling Buhari's campaign or don't you know that presidential campaign is a multi-billion Naira project? At least Ribadu is being sponsored by Bola Tinubu and President Jonathan by Governors Forum but no one knows which Muslim countries are sponsoring Buhari's campaign and he claims he is not rich? 2. Who murdered Bartholomew Owo, Ojuolpe and Ogedengbe - three innocent Nigerians killed by Buhari based on a retroactive decree for an offense which was not a death-penalty offense when it was committed. 3. Godfatherism or godmotherism is Buhari's stock in trade or does the name Major Jokolo not ring any bell in your ear? The Buhari ADC who smuggled 53 suitcases filled with currencies during the currency exchange in 1984 with Buhari's tacit approval? 4. Who overthrew a democratically elected President Shehu Shagari's government in December 31, 1983? An anti -democratic credential Buhari still carries with him till date just like a snail does its shell? 5. What was the purpose of Decree 4 which harangued journalists and emasculated freedom of the press in Nigeria that was authored by Buhari? The problem with Nigeria and Nigerians alike is their very short non-retentive memory, otherwise who in his right senses will be craving a Buhari's second coming - Obasanjo did it; Babangida tried it and now Buhari is attempting to do it with the strange support of some Nigerians; hope you are not part of that group. Anyway the good news however is that Buhari will not win as he is simply too extreme for Nigeria. Please Nigerians wake up and smell the coffee that Buhari is just an old wine that was simply poured into a new keg and that does not make him a NEW man. Muhammadu Buhari SHALL NOT win and if he "wins" SHALL NOT rule Nigeria. GET IT Buhari supporters so don't waste your votes, jump off the train to Shariaville NOW that there is still time! Muhammadu Buhari is an extremist Islamic religious fundamentalist not good for a secular Nigeria. DO NOT VOTE FOR BUHARI

2015 IGBO PRESIDENTIAL DREAM IS OVER - KANTI BELLO.

"The agitation for an Igbo president in 2015 is a mirage, the whole arrangement went up in smoke with the emergence of Jonathan, a southerner. In 2015, it will be free for all. Anybody from anywhere can go for it because we have said bye, bye to zoning in 2011. I don’t know what is wrong with Nigerians; you can’t blow hot and blow cold at the same time. If zoning is bad in 2011, it cannot be good in 2015.” - Kanti Bello. Icheoku asks where are all those Igbo leaders of thought now that a need to make a counter-affirmation of the Igbo Project 2015 has arisen; and to tell all these Hausa-Fulani oligarchs that they do not necessarily determine who rules Nigeria and that Igbos can still pull it off with or without them. Icheoku urges these Igbo leaders to unequivocally affirm Igbos resolute determination to produce the president of Nigeria of Igbo extraction in 2015 and this position is not subject to negotiation.

2015 IGBO PRESIDENCY NOT NEGOTIABLE - GOVERNOR THEODORE ORJI.

"If it leaves the South-South. it should come to the South-East. We have not tasted it. The North has tasted it. The South-West has tasted it, so is South-South. The South-East is the only zone that has not tasted it. We have not produced any President, so they should give us the chance to produce one. They (North) can afford to wait." - Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State. Icheoku, while agreeing with the principles enunciated by the governor, implores Ndigbo to be prepared to fight to finish to secure the presidency if need be; since power is never freely given but taken and forcefully if it boils down to that. 2015 is an important date with history for Ndigbo in Nigeria politics and the presidency must not elude them, not that time. 2015 Igbo presidency MUST and SHOULD be none negotiable and Icheoku agrees that the North can wait. That way real rotation can finally take place from South-West to South-South to South-East then to North East, North-Central and then North-West before heading back to South-West. What a seamless, smooth, orderly clockwise rotation it will be. Give it up to the Governor Alusi-Okija of Abia State

MOUMMAR GADDAFI, ONCE MINGLED WITH WORLD'S HIGH-UPS.

Icheoku says how times changes that the once all powerful strongman of Libya, a toast for oil and anti-terrorism effort, Moummar Gaddafi, is now suddenly a pariah being called illegitimate and asked to QUIT? But one thing all Westerners are forgetting so easily is that Libya is not Egypt and that Gaddafi is not Mubarak and that Gaddafi can only quit dead, period. Moummar Gaddafi sees himself as the embodiment of the 1967 Libyan revolution and the potentate "King of Kings of all Africa"; so asking "King Gaddafi" to abdicate his Tripoli throne is tantamount to asking Queen Elizabeth of England to turn in her crown. "King" Moummar Gaddafi of Africa can only quit stretched out in a pine-box cold and without any breath left in him; and any other suggestions to the contrary is a nonplussed.

Icheoku however believes that as soon as the oil price hits $150 per barrel, the whole West particularly Italy will make a sudden u-turn on the matter of Gaddafi and seek a quick way out of the imbroglio that Gaddafi's attempted ouster has caused in Libya, which has skyrocketed the world oil price. It is all about permanent geopolitical interest and not necessarily their love for Libyan desert dwellers that is fueling the sudden "Gaddafi must go sentiments from the same people who once dined and wined the same Gaddafi not too long ago. Gaddafi was then what Gaddafi is today, yet they could care less provided the spigot was kept open and running. But life happens and it is what it is - full of intrigues!

NEWT GINGRICH, PROMOTING A 2012 PRESIDENTIAL RUN?

Icheoku says wonders shall never end as some people feel so too self-important that they convince themselves, even if somewhat delusional, that they are simply indispensable? Newt Gingrich, former speaker and thrice married  Republican, is one of such person that it was not totally a complete surprise when he launched a website NewtExplore2012.com, promoting his likely presidential candidacy for 2012.

Icheoku rebuts that Newt Gingrich's effort is out of his concern for the future of the country or  concern for the children and grandchildren of this country; no, his planned run is fueled by an over-bloated ego on steroid. Anyway it does not matter how important Newt feels of himself as to so much covet the presidency; but just before he runs, he must be prepared to give America's voting public unequivocal answers and explanations to his numerous catalogued infra-digs. However, Icheoku alerts that a man who was so heartless as to divorce his cancer-stricken and dying wife on her hospital bed cannot love Americans more and should therefore not be allowed to preside over their affairs as president. Simply stated, Newt Gingrich lacks the moral grit to be president; admitted nothing bars him or anyone from dreaming; but Americans will reject his candidacy, which is DOA anyway!

SHAHBAZ BHATTI MURDER, INTOLERANT PAKISTAN CONTINUES TO KILL CHRISTIANS!

Icheoku asks when will Western Christian civilization finally answer the Islamic world's challenge for the crash of civilizations? When will the Western world stop observing the biblical '70 times 70' injunction turning the other cheek, when their way of life and religious beliefs are constantly being attacked each day by the Islamic world? When will Westerners begin to also "assassinate infidels non-Christians", who are living amongst them and openly practicing their religion and worshiping according to their beliefs? When will Western Christian civilization start to enact and enforce their own blasphemy laws, making it a "death-penalty offense by stoning" to say anything against Jesus Christ, the Papacy or even Christianity?

These questions have become imperative, eliciting immediate answers, in view of the latest dastardly murder in Islamabad, of the only Christian serving in the government of Pakistan, Shahbaz Bhatti, the Minorities Affairs Minister.  Icheoku says Bhatti's murder was made more gruesome as it took place just within the driveway of his mother's house, whom he had just visited and was leaving for a government meeting when three assassins laying in wait, emptied their high velocity bullets into him shattering his car's windows and piercing its body. The result, another high profile murder of a Christian government official, following shortly in the heels of the murder of the governor of Penshawar, Salman Taseer just a few short weeks ago.  Icheoku asks when will enough be enough with these senseless killings going on unabated in Pakistan as it continuously seems like the government is either not doing enough to stem it or are indifferent to the plight of minorities in Pakistan, being too afraid to confront those Islamic extremists.

The other mind-boggling question with this latest assassination is that it could have been prevented were the government in Islamabad proactive enough and functional; afterall there were several threats preceding the assassination and the slain official even requested for bullet-proof vehicle which was never honored? So any investigating process into the murder must include ferreting an answer to why a bullet-proof vehicle was not provided to the slain official when it was requested, the security imperative considered. Also who tipped off those assassins on Bhatti's movement and his where-about at the time they struck or was it his driver this time? Icheoku is aware that the government of Asif Ali Zardari is very weak and that they are not completely in charge in Pakistan; but for them not to do something about the situation in Pakistan is to embolden these fanatics who will stop at nothing but to continue to terrorize the people of Pakistan, killing and maiming them at their whim. Icheoku asks whatever happened to reciprocity such that whenever these animals kill someone for insulting Islam, some other people could also kill some of them for also insulting Christianity or the pope?

The 42 year old Roman Catholic Bhatti seem to have foreseen his death; but said in a prerecorded video that he was not afraid of those terrorists trying to silence everyone. According to him, he was ready to die for his beliefs and principles that religious minorities in Pakistan should be free to practice their beliefs just like in other civilized societies of the world. Strangely enough, they got him as al-Querida and Pakistan Taliban have since claimed responsibility for the killing of the "infidel Christian?"

Further is it a safe argument to make that Shahbaz Bhatti "deliberately" brought about his end by asking his police and paramilitary guards not to accompany him as he visited his aging widowed mother? Except that it could also be argued that Bhatti possibly got spooked by security guards when a guard assigned to the slain governor of Penshawar Taseer was the one who killed the man he was supposed to protect? Icheoku hopes that Shahbaz Bhatti's killing will not finally make it possible for "the Taliban to impose their radical philosophy on Pakistan and threaten or kill whoever stands against their radical philosophy" as predicted by the now slain minister. May the religious soul of Shahbaz Bhatti now rest in peace with the Lord as does every soul that dies in the Lord. Shahbaz Bhatti has fought the good fight and died heads-high, holding his beliefs in tact. He did not cower in the face of deadly threats nor tried to deny Jesus like Peter but he stood up straight like a real man proclaiming salvation in Christ. Icheoku says may all those other believers and peoples of faith coming after him, have the courage to continue the fight for freedom of all those oppressed religious minorities of Pakistan. Adieu Bhatti.

PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN, FIRE ADVISER ABBA AJI NOW!

Icheoku calls on President Goodluck Jonathan to immediately fire his Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Senator Mohammed Abba-Aji, for breaching protocols in making inciting comments that can be attributed to the presidency. First the adviser said that the president will not sign the much anticipated and long-awaited Freedom of Information Bill (FOI) and now seem to have finally put his foot in his mouth by saying that the 2015 Igbo presidential agenda shall not be realized. Icheoku says a presidential adviser is sufficiently close to the president to know what the president's thinking and/or position on some issues are and could be safely assumed to be speaking on behalf of the president. Hence, when such adviser comments on national issues, it is safe to assume that he was just venting the president's inner recesses and speaking on the president's behalf and behest. So Icheoku calls on Nigerians to be aware that President Goodluck Jonathan does not intend to sign into law the FOI and the Igbos should also know that the president does not ascribe to their aspiration 2015.

If the president refuses to sign the FOI, then Nigerians will know who the real anti-people politician in Nigeria is and will conclude that the president is only paying a lip-service to his anti-corruption gimmickry. But why would any reasonable president refuse to append his signature to such a transparency-geared legislation? Anyway, that is an issue for the president to deal with, but faced with millions of Nigerians and their representatives who strongly believe that such a freedom of information bill will help reduce corruption in Nigeria, Icheoku does not think that President Jonathan has a choice but to consent to the FOI with his presidential signature. Although the Otta deity, Olusegun Obasanjo, refused to sign the bill when previously passed during his government because of his own so many skeletons which he did not want unearthed; but circumstances have since changed and Icheoku strongly believes that President Jonathan will sign it into law. The president will have no choice but to sign the FOI bill into law as soon as the Senate consents to it as is expected, following in tandem with the House of Representatives.

But on the issue of 2015 Igbo presidential agenda, Icheoku says it is a sacrilege for President Jonathan to crush the Igbo dream in this cavalier manner; and the only way the president can reassure Igbos of the South-East that Abba-Aji does not speak for him and that he, the president, will not stand in the way of realizing that Igbo 2015 dream is to fire Senator Abba-Aji now for embarrassing his government. Anything short of sacking the presidential adviser is tantamount to Jonathan condoning anti-Igbo elements in his government; except Jonathan is one of them. Admitted that so many northern politicians including Bamanga Tukur have voiced their anti-Igbo opposition to Igbo 2015 presidential agenda and Icheoku respects their opinion to say whatever they like. But for another northerner, who happens to be very close to the president to recklessly mouth such a diatribe against the Igbo 2015 agenda, asserting further that Vice President Namadi Sambo is the official 2015 presidential candidate in waiting of the PDP is an affront and a smack on the face of millions of South-East Igbos, who have since thrown their support for the President Jonathan-Sambo 2011 ticket. Icheoku says any attempt by anyone including the president through his adviser, to sabotage or try to deny the Igbos their long awaited 2015 shot at the presidency is unacceptable and will result in some unbargained for consequences.

This mallam presidential national adviser even went forth to insult the entire polity of Nigeria, including the president, by asserting that President Jonathan's 2011 presidency will be counted as South-South's turn? Icheoku says, if that were the case, it then means that the president will continue in office after 2015, since the South-South is equally entitled to a two term of four years each in office. So if Icheoku were to walk on the pathway now being charted by Abba-Aji, it means that in 2015; not even the north will have a shot at the presidency as no vacancy will then exist, since the South-South will still have four more years to complete its eight year tenure. What Senator Abba-Aji is saying by necessary implication is that President Jonathan intends to continue in office in 2015 contrary to his promise to serve one term and thereby calling the president a liar? In Senator Abba-Aji's own decrepitude words, "It is very clear, Vice President Sambo will step in, as soon as Jonathan finishes. Jonathan is serving  the South–South ticket, after that it will come to the North and when it happens, we  will want the institutional memory to be there, we don’t want  too many dislocation that will set us one step forward, two step backward and all of that. So when Jonathan finishes, it shall be Sambo for continuity." 

It is very clear that Abba-Aji was not definite about when President Jonathan will finish his term but cleverly only said "as soon as Jonathan finishes," which is an open-ended  phraseology. While Icheoku agrees that it is a good idea for a vice president to always succeed a president for continuity of policy; but the 2015 succession bid will be far too complicated than imagined. The Igbos want the presidency in 2015, Vice President Namadi Sambo would like to stake his bid thereon and the greater North would also want to have the presidency returned back to the north; so where would such a contentious scenario then leave the Igbos and their quest to produce Nigerian president of Igbo extraction? Icheoku foresaw such a jigsaw situation long before the nomination of President Jonathan for president and warned of the implication of Jonathan's run; as we fiercely advocated for a northern president to complete President Yar'Adua's Northern unfinished turn instead. Such a northern president would have overridden these nightmarish scenarios now popping its head everywhere as to who will succeed President Jonathan in 2015. Also the question of whether President Jonathan is serving the South-South turn and what becomes of Vice President Namandi Sambo in 2015 would have both been solved with a northern president. Icheoku concedes however that either way, it will be very complicated and will drastically task the political body-fabric of the country in a Catch-22 like fashion, with no proverbial silver bullet to fix all the problems.

However, pending how the problem is eventually resolved when the time comes in 2015, Icheoku calls on President Jonathan to solve an immediate problem that has reared its ugly head NOW and there is an immediately available solution. President Jonathan should fire his Adviser on National Assembly  matters, Senator Mohammed Abba-Aji NOW, for recklessly overheating the polity, especially among the Igbos of the South-East, with his unguarded statement dashing the Igbo's 2015 presidential dreams. President Goodluck must distance himself from such a crushing anti-Igbo comment of his adviser Abba-Aji and reassure the Igbos that they, like other Nigerians, reserves the right to aspire for the presidency. Icheoku says to President Jonathan, the Igbos are waiting!

HERMAN CAIN, TEA PARTY FAVORITE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE?

Icheoku says once again the Republican Party's soul, Tea Party, is playing another fast one on unsuspecting Americans. They have just endorsed in a straw-poll, a "Nigger" as their favorite  Republican 2012 presidential candidate? Icheoku says this is deja vu Michael Steele, the 'Nigger" who was once made Republican Party chairman just to help neutralize the effect of President Barack Obama's 2008 turning-point election. The circumstances surrounding Michael Steele's removal from office and even the fact that his hectic tenure was fund-deprived by Republican donors is there for the records that he was never welcomed nor at a home in the Republican Party. Now it is Herman Cain for president? Icheoku says never has flattery been this unabashed and unashamed; as these Tea Partiers who are mad that a "Nigger" is occupying their White House, are now mockingly endorsing another "Nigger" for president. It is as laughable as it is ridiculous!


Now as 2012 approaches and there being no viable Republican candidate to challenge President Obama on an issue-based campaign, the smart-by-half Tea Party members are now flying the kite of a possible black-man running against another blackman President Obama in the 2012 presidential election. Anyway, borrowing the famous admonition of former President GW Bush, "fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me;" so America will not be fooled again by this peoples' antics such as this endorsement from the blues of Herman Cain for president. Nobody in America will take a bite on this Herman Cain bait as the motive of the Tea Party is obvious and their intent so glaringly discernible that only a person who had called Mars home these last three years will not know the hatred they have for people of different skin pigmentation. So Icheoku wonders the love these Tea Partiers really have for any "Nigger" to make one their Republican presidential candidate in 2012, when they summarily threw another "Nigger" who was their Republican Party chairman, Michael Steele, under the bus despite winning back the House for the Republican Party. Republican Party's  major donors conspired and withdrew their donations, hence starved him of necessary funds with which ti run the party, just to frustrate his administration and in order to have a reason to take their Republican Party back from the ordinary folks and in this case, those ones! Finally, Icheoku says the endorsement of Herman Cain for president by the Tea Party wing of the Republican Party is one huge April Fool's joke, admitted it is not April 1, yet.