A PRESIDENTIAL DELUSION AND THE ARROGANCE OF UNAPOLOGETIC BUHARI.

Icheoku says it is crass stubbornness for anyone not to know when to patiently kneel down or bend over for a whirling wind to blow through. It is also a full-steam stupidity for anyone, fully aware of the catastrophic consequence a failure to yield would bring about, chooses not to proactively avert it anyway. Icheoku laments that unfortunately, with Muhammadu Buhari and so many other Nigerians, they don't usually read situations correctly enough, to know when to backdown and watch the three little words "I am sorry" do the magic. Many atimes, people stubbornly cling to the righteousness indignation of their positions, while forgetting that it is their victim but not them, who was offended and who reserves the right to determine or decide whether or not they were so offended or hurt or injured by their action.  Icheoku says this attitudinal stonewalling inures because as far as these perpetrators are concerned, they acted rightly in their judgment, otherwise they would not have so acted in the first place. This is why there is prosecution for crimes and actions in tort for civil violations in order to hold the aggressive party accountable, otherwise they will proudly walk away thinking they caused no damage or hurt by what they did or that they were justified in doing it. So Icheoku is saying that a more rational, introspective and reflective Muhammadu Buhari, instead of beating his hands on his chest that he acted in the best interest of Nigerians when he visited his draconian rule on the country previously, would make a mea culpa and say to Nigerians, "please if I was too high-handed in my past life with you, I did not mean to be so; but in any event, I am sorry if my actions turned out that way. Please forgive me and I promise to do better next time."  As simple as that and by now, all these hysteric conceptions or misconceptions about who indeed Muhammadu Buhari is or the type of president he would be if elected, would have since been laid to rest. But unfortunately, Mohammadu Buhari, instead of the doing what is needed to give his campaign some boost and in the typical Nigerian fashion, is  stonewalling and being overtly defensive in the face of a mountain of accusations of his despotism during his first time around. Icheoku is emphatic that it is this Buhari's attitude of self righteous justification, rather than who he is or what he represents, that is keeping him away and out of the gate of Aso Rock all these years of his futile attempts. Like many people, including a lot of Nigerians, who always believe they are right and the other side is wrong, Buhari wrongly believes his actions were justified, hence no need to apologize for what he did wrong. Icheoku says this is the curse of Buhari and this also ruins so many other relationships such as when one party continuously defaults to a position of wrongful claim of right not ever listening to the other side's point of view, until that other side is forced to finally say enough, to hell with you.  Icheoku is convinced that were Buhari to humble himself enough into doing this, sincerely apologize for his past draconian rule or its perception, things will certainly turn around for him politically and for the better. But until Buhari so realizes and so apologizes, what is hounding his political fortunes in Nigeria will not cease nor stop, but would only grow more intense. It is the affliction of Nigerians - crass stubbornness which often shares a fine thin-line with stupidity, and regrettably, many Nigerians do not know when they cross that line. But hey, Muhammadu Buhari's obstinacy is conversely benefiting Jonathan's second term quest; so it is his alone to abate or make amends if he desires to see a different outcome from his usual past 'thanks, but no' response by Nigerians. So APC and  Muhammadu Buhari, now you know what to do, over to you!

OBASANJO IS A DEGENERATE PERSON - SOYINKA

“The worst kind of behaviour agitated his hands – greed occupied the centre of his heart, and he was a creature that walked in darkness. This man wallowed in bribery, he was chairman of the circle of scheming, head of the gang of double-dealing, field-marshal of those who crept about in the dark of night." - Wole Soyinka. 

Icheoku says this is vintage Kongi Harvest(er), the man whose man in him is still alive because he spoke truth to the face of tyranny! He has just painted the Ota Deity in his true hue, the darkest of the dark Hades. Icheoku says it shall not be well with Obasanjo, a man whose children disowned, a man who has no friends except Andy Uba, a man who had sexual relations with his son's wife, a man whose wife cursed and is reeling under the weight of that curse, a man who twice failed Nigerians and is loathed much by Nigerians for his disappointing performances; yet he shamelessly prances about with his own version of truth anchored on manufactured facts and cashing in on Nigerians's penchant for amnesia induced near forgetfulness; otherwise why does he still command any audience in view of his antecedents? 

Only in Nigeria would a man who cannot run his family be allowed to run a country and Nigerians are still sore with that experience from Hell. Please Nigerians, Muhammadu Buhari might be worse than Obasanjo in his second time around? Like Obasanjo, he too belongs to the school of retired old army generals who believe in impunity, so please don't VOTE for him. Icheoku adds you don't have to do it the for love of Jonathan, just cast a negative VOTE AGAINST Buhari, period. Or is Nigeria such a banana republic that only brute force army men can hold sway therein? Let Nigerians keep on trying until they get it right, but please SAY NO to this cattle mentality that is currently driving the Buhari narrative that he is the shepherd that will coral Nigerians. 

Icheoku is emphatic that Nigerians are not sheep nor cattle nor donkey and do not need to be whipped in line. Nigerians have brains and can have a discussion on the future they want and desire but should not be told by Buhari or anyone for that matter what to think or do. That is for zombies and Nigerians are not zombies. Apologies however to Fela Anikulapo Kuti who rightly believed that Nigerian soldiers under Olusegun Obasanjo were robots and zombies; after all they were ordered by Obasanjo to burn down his Kalakuta Republic and they did, no questions asked and also killed his mother in the process as extra gift to Baba Iyabo. Ditto Odi and Zaki Ibiam. Please Nigerians do not want any more of these army men running the country as if it is a boot camp. Icheoku says any Nigerian who does not like freedom should emigrate to North Korea or even Russia or Saudi Arabia or Iran but please he or she should leave Nigerians alone to freely criticize their president without being bursted or thrown in jail.

JONATHAN V. BUHARI 2015, ISSUE-BASED CAMPAIGN PLEASE!

Icheoku says being an animal scientist does not make anyone more qualified to be president of Nigeria, neither is it analogous to successfully understanding human beings and knowing how to govern them better? Therefore having a PhD or being a semi-illiterate should not be the only benchmark or criteria for choosing who becomes the president of Nigeria in 2015. Icheoku opines that sometimes even complete illiterates are good administrators, otherwise ask our grandfathers how they successfully managed their harem of wives and integrated concubinage? Also when you see a typical Onitsha trader, the popular OMATA, ask him how he successfully juggles his containers on the 'High Seas', his profits and losses as well as his numerous understudies and underlings, apprenticing under him? 

So whereas it is good to be educated, whether up to PhD or at "semi-illiterate level, what is imperative in a good leader is the ability to tap into dynamic talents to help the leader manage the onerous and complex task that governing is. No single individual, no matter how academically qualified or endowed, can single-handily, successfully run a country. In the same tandem of argument, a 'semi-illiterate' president who surrounds himself with the cream of the society can deliver a wondrous governance for the people if he is a good leader? So successful governing depends principally on intelligence rather than academic qualifications, although it is helpful in faster understanding of the fine lines of policies of  state for a quicker moving of the process forward. Icheoku says a semi illiterate president who surrounds himself with very good administrators including PhD holders, and gladly listens to their advise and points of view on issues; and believing that they know what they are talking about, could successfully run a country too? 

Conversely, an over-confident, self absorbed PhD holder, who scornfully looks down on people around him and snubs them as not knowing what they are talking about and would not listen to their advise or not do what they recommend because he believes he knows more than any other person around him, would end up being an unsuccessful administrator of a country. Icheoku says it is therefore about time both the PDP and the APC campaigns stopped emphasizing on the educational qualification of their presidential candidates and rather refocus their effort on what their candidates will do better towards uplifting Nigerians standard of living. Most civilized campaigns are ran based on the records of candidates as that is usually the precursor of the trajectory the candidate will eventually take the country and this also enable the citizens to vote according to which course they prefer. Icheoku harps that both parties have a lot they can advert Nigerians' minds to in favor of their candidate and also adverse the other candidate,  and they should have a recourse to this talking points and now.

As with Muhammadu Buhari, fortunately for Team Jonathan, he has been on the stage before and thus have accumulated some records Nigerians can hold him to account now that he wants a second chance at a do over. As Wole Soyinka said, in his "Crimes of Buhari" article, "History matters, Records are not kept simply to assist the weakness of memory but to operate as guides to the future", so Icheoku asks why not Team Jonathan ask Buhari to explain some of his past actions as opposed to what he now pretends to represent? There is a plethora of things the then Buhari did which to many Nigerians, including Wole Soyinka and Icheoku, is an unacceptable behavior of any sane leader, especially when the perpetrator now wants to be readmitted to the seat of power? Icheoku says if Buhari did those things then what is the guarantee he will not go back to his vomit if elected this time and do them all over again? 

Why not Team Jonathan ask Buhari to respond or answer to Wole Soyinka's charges (Crimes of Buhari) and exonerate himself accordingly or defend his position against those accusations? Why don't Team Jonathan ask Buhari to explain why he cancelled Lateef Jakande's Lagos metro line project which by now would have helped solve or at least alleviate the notorious Lagos traffic nightmare? Why don't Team Jonathan ask Buhari to explain why the Ajaokuta Steel Industry project was cancelled? Why not Team Jonathan ask Buhari whether he would have similarly executed Bola Tinubu as he did those three innocent Nigerians, Bartholomeo Owo, Bernard Ogedengbe and Ojulope  Lawal based on his drug dealing allegations? Why not ask Buhari if he will respect freedom of the press if elected and tolerate people criticizing his government? Why not ask Buhari if he is overthrown in a coup like he did to President Shehu Shagari, how he will feel and react? 

Why not ask Buhari to explain why he sent an innocent man Ogun State Governor Michael Ajasin to prison despite his being found innocent three consecutive times by tribunals personally handpicked by Buhari for a desired outcome? Why not ask Buhari to reaffirm his conviction that ACN governors are all corrupt? Why don't Team Jonathan find out from Buhari if he still feels that the Federal Government of Nigeria is a worse 'Haram' than Boko Haram? Why not find out from Buhari should the Niger Delta erupts again, following his victory, how he plans to summarily terminate their insurgency? Why has Team Jonathan not asked Buhari whether he still believes now as he believed then during the Sharia introduction in Northeast Nigeria that Sharia is good for the whole Nigeria? Also whether he still believed that blood should flow because of mere election and whose blood should flow and whether he is prepared to lead the riot alongside his family members? Finally why not make Buhari give human name to those baboons and dogs he plans to shed their blood in the event of an unfavorable election outcome? 

Icheoku regrets that in the midst of plenty issues needing urgent clarifications and explanations, that the handlers of Jonathan are occupying themselves with irrelevances such as Buhari being a "semi-illiterate" and the generic accusation that Buhari is sponsoring Boko Haram, and not the specificity of some of his salient comments in their support? Further Icheoku says what does it not matter whether or not Buhari is sponsoring Boko Haram since both of them have the same objective to foist a Muslim president on Nigeria willy-nilly, regardless? 

Conversely, Team Buhari has a lot of issues they can similarly hold Jonathan accountable for, since many Nigerians believe they have hopelessly watched his promised breathe of fresh air turn putrid; from lack of power to insecurity to joblessness to un-abating corruption as well as so many other unfulfilled hopes dashed under Jonathan's four year watch? Why not Team Buhari use Jonathan's own word against him by reminding him that what he cannot achieve in four years, he cannot either even if given four more years? Also whether Nigerians will continue waiting in hopelessly for a transformational government to get transformed or would they rather go for one that is ready, prepared and willing to get transformed immediately? Like John Odigie Oyegun said, why don't Team Buhari restate to Jonathan "that transformation is different from change. They said they have transformed the economy but there are no jobs. They said they have transformed energy but there is no light.  They said they have transformed security but the Northeast is almost gone and they said that have transformed education but out universities are shut down." 

Icheoku says this is the stuff real campaign is made of - real issues needing solutions and not market-woman like banters and name callings including the fantasy that Buhari will impose Islam on Nigerians when they know the chances in a democratic Congress is second to nil? Or that Jonathan is sponsoring Boko Haram to destabilize the North when all the security chiefs are from the North and cannot all be acting in concert with Jonathan against their Northern interest? It is also phony to try and attribute the restive Niger Delta as Jonathan's making because within the Niger Delta there are so many nationalities, with each at each other's throat. Icheoku says Nigerians want this two parties to convince them on why their candidate is better than the other guy and sincerely canvass his special attributes that rank him higher than the other guy; but this name calling and gutter-sniping brickbats must stop. Nigerians want to witness a  more intelligent campaigning in election 2015 to help help them make informed decision with their votes. 

Icheoku says it is in every Nigerian's interest that the election 2015 is successfully and peacefully concluded. It will also be beneficial for the infantile democracy if the campaign is based on real issues affecting Nigerians and not on frivolities and mundanities. This will enable Nigerians cast a more educated vote and for whoever they strongly feel would better cater to their needs. That way, whoever looses, will accept the outcome with less bitterness, knowing that he put up a good fight but that in a contest, one person has to emerge victorious. Icheoku says let the campaign 2015 going forward be more issue-based and objectively-driven; and let the campaigners be more civil as they move forward with pointy marshaling out of their candidate's strong points. May God and Allah guide and protect the two candidates respectively, as well as their Nigerian audience. Icheoku says on February 14, Nigerians please vote wisely and vote your conscience, vote for the candidate that will protect your interest more and whose policies will help you realize whatever dreams you may have. Say no to bigotry, say no to pettiness, say no to religiosity, say no to tribalism and also reject injustice! Your vote is your power, exercise it in a way that says you are indeed powerful. All the best Nigerians and may election 2015 fulfill your heart desires in choosing a president you can trust and live with, and who will help you keep your hope alive. 

NDIGBOS ACCUSED OF TERRORIST BOMBING IN KANO?

“Let it be known that some of the Igbo that are living here, they have lived with you for years, some of them were born here, some of them do not know their places of origin, they have lived here and are doing their businesses here.” - Adenrele Shinaba, Commissioner of Police Kano State, deploring the allegation that Igbos living in Kano are behind terrorist bombing. 

Icheoku says what has become of the Igbos of Nigeria when they have so turned their backs on their homes in Igboland as to now become this nomad, to the extent that they do not to know their places of origin anymore? What a sad commentary on the pitiful testimonial of a people. Icheoku says who says Fulani cattle rearers are the only nomads in Nigeria, let the person please make way for the real Igbo nomads to take their rightful place as nomad numero uno in Nigeria. Ndigbo efu-elee!

BUHARI PLAYING CATCH UP WITH MODERN TECHNOLOGY?

Icheoku says the APC presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, has made a big leap forward. By finally humbling himself enough to learn the evolutionary trend in modern technology, several decades since he took a sabbatical and literally went into hibernation therefrom, he has now rejoined the 21st century world? Icheoku commends this his acceptance that things you don't know, you should be humble enough to learn and hereby applauds him for doing this. Admitted it is somewhat seemingly belated, but being late is always better than never; and just like whether or not one can learn being left-handed in an old age is debatable, the old aphorism 'you cannot teach an old dog new tricks' has equally been laid to rest by Caesar, the dog whisperer. 

Icheoku says by now becoming Internet literate and savvy, plunging himself head-first into smart technology, Muhammadu  Buhari has shown that he is not impervious to correction and that he is amenable to learning new things and new ways of doing things? Icheoku says this quality of being adaptable and able to change to a majority's ways or opinion is virtuous and we hereby commend Buhari for the sea-change too. Possibly too, Buhari will also be able to accept that in a democracy, different people from different parts of the polity, come together to decide and determine their fate; instead of just one man in khaki uniform dictating what is good for every citizen. Icheoku says it is a very big deal that Muhammadu Buhari has finally learnt how to surf the web and also make use of it, texting, tweeting and face-booking, and we commend him for this.  

It is also instructive that by starring into the screen of a fruit of Western education, Muhammadu Buhari has emphatically debunked Boko Haram's campaign of terror's theme that Western education is dangerous and hopefully, Abubakar Shekau will similarly agree. Further by enmeshing himself into smart technology, Muhammadu Buhari has also put Nasir El Rufai to shame by refuting his claim that he, Buhari, thinks that Blackberry is a fruit. Icheoku asserts that now that Muhammadu Buhari is fully seized of the benefits of Western education, pushing a button and instantly the whole world gets his message, it will be much easier to bring his Northern almajiris at par with their so far gone Southerners and this will also help in bridging the gap of misunderstanding between the two polar opposites of the Nigeria great divide. Icheoku is deeply moved by this new humbled Buhari and indeed feels it is a new day in the life of Muhammadu Buhari; as well as the greater Nigerians in general, because lack of understanding and mutual suspicion is always the biggest problem between people. So when people communicate, they can more peacefully resolve their problems and modern technology aids that.

Icheoku says way to go Buhari and may you stay competitive in 2015; but first you must apologize to Nigerians for the highhandedness of your first time around. Please apologize to Nigerians now and let your campaign earnestly begin.  Icheoku says Muhammadu Buhari has solved his religious fanaticism problem by accepting the imposed pastor Osibanjo for a running mate; he has also now successfully re-educated himself enough to be able to engage in modern day social media texts, messages, tweets and Facebooks; all that remains now is for him to apologize to Nigerians and let us all move on. Hopefully he will get this done before Valentine's day 2015 when Nigerians will decide who to fall in love with, whether Jonathan/Namadi or Buhari/Osibanjo. 

Icheoku maintains that this is indeed one heck of a good PR photograph, no doubt; may be the reason Dele Alake was chosen instead of Joe Igbokwe as the director of Media and Communication of the Buhari campaign? Icheoku says may the Buhari's team continue to drive the narrative in this direction - completely re-branding a man that has come to be identified as being too old, nearly obsolete and out of touch. Icheoku says Team Jonathan and his PDP must wake up and face this 2015 Buhari's challenge as very serious and more determined than past ones; and with every minuscule of sinew in their body, fight as a cornered animal would. The threat to their hold unto power is more formidable today than it was in the previous years and the possibility of its fruition, more lucent than opaque. Icheoku warns that any attempt to dismissively wage this campaign based on past triumphs over Buhari might surprisingly leave the PDP wondering what hit them on the day after Valentine's day 2015. To Team-Jonathan and Team-Buhari, Icheoku says all the best and may God/Allah speed you through.

2015 ELECTION, DON'T KILL ANYBODY OR YOU WILL GO TO HELL - SHEIKH GUMI

Icheoku says Sheikh Ahmad Gumi is gradually enamoring himself in the hearts and minds of decent and civilized Nigerians, who feel that his latest utterance is in moderation and properly articulates what should be the norm - no election violence in 2015. Icheoku wishes that every other religious leader as well as tradition rulers in the country including Muhammadu Buhari would join Sheikh Gumi in reiterating that no election is worth the life of any Nigerian as earlier declared by President Jonathan. In his latest remarks about the coming 2015 elections titled "PDP v. APC: Its Not About Religion" Sheikh Gumi said the following:- 

"Surely there is religion in politics and politics in religion. However the 2015 PDP v APC is not about religion. It’s a time bomb and God is not the author of mischief. Security members have clamped down on APC members and took away their computers, while some irrational youth are threatening the lives of PDP members with their families in the North. PDP posters are vandalized in some places. People like me who had been all along critical about the government dear (dare) speak or express my own personal opinion if it’s not in support of Gen. Buhari. One must be bribed or a PDP agent. Just this early morning around 2.30am my three male children individually got threatening phone calls from a private number who are Hausa speakers. 

Already a ‘cult’ is formed. All these are harbingers of what is coming up when anyone of the contestants is declared loser. With intimidation from both sides, it shows that a truly one hundred percent free and fair election will be an illusion. Yet it’s the only one eye we have so we have to do with the cake half-baked. What is now paramount and of highest priority is peace and stability. Every life must be protected; minorities – Muslims and Christians – should be secured also, without putting an extra burden on the already exhausted military and police. It’s good that both presidential candidates of the PDP and APC have re-emphasized that the 2015 presidential contest is not a religious one. The two parties have also reiterated the same. Therefore, the 2015 elections is not a Crusade v Jihad and consequently there is no martyrdom. The only ethical obligation on the clergy of both religions, Christians and Muslims, is to explain it to their congregations to avoid violence. 

Nigeria doesn’t need another religiously tainted war. The Boko Haram has already tormented all. APC was ‘demonized’ by elements in PDP as a “Janjaweed” party to the extent that they were pushed to take a pastor instead of a nominal Christian as their vice presidential candidate. This in turn has nationally brought another dangerous innovation and dimension into the dirty game of power struggle. Now men of religion will surely be messed up and ‘dirtied’. Next as Muslims become sensitized too, a Sheikh will soon be on the list and a u-turn to another religious conflict – inter-faith and extra faith will ensue. Thanks to the recklessness of both parties that have proven no matter what they claim; are still self -centered and egocentric. The choice of a pastor to deputize for Gen. Buhari is meant to shake to the core the Christians who were made to see the candidate as a religious fanatic and also the Muslims alike who saw the General as having some Islamic aura. It should then effectively neutralized the ‘demonization’ of PDP as a Christian party. 

It’s now the Church not just Christians that have a foot engrossed in APC. A privilege the Mosque cannot be said to enjoy in any of the two parties. Therefore both parties are a group of Nigerian Muslims and Christian’s joined together for a common. Each with its winning slogan and strategy. Each can only promote his/her religion on personal basis but the union is purely secular and worldly. The essence of our democratic union. So no Muslim or Christian should be demonized for joining any of the parties. Muslims and Christians should all freely choose which party they like without any compromise on their religious obligations. It’s a matter of mundane desires and preferences. No party is holy or is making brief for the Almighty God. 

Therefore, you as a voter, take all precautionary steps, legal and practical, to vote and protect your rights. But never violence. As for Islam for which I speak for, since there are Muslims on both sides, any Muslim who will kill or die fighting another Muslim will be condemned to Hell for eternity. Likewise, whoever that will also kill another non-Muslim Nigerian because of the constitutional treaty of peaceful coexistence between Nigerians will not smell the fragrance of Paradise. In a Hadith narrated by both Al-Bukhari and Muslim, the Noble Prophet said: “when two Muslims fight each other with their swords, the killer and the killed are in Hell” In another Hadith, the Noble Prophet said: “whosoever will kill any soul of non-Muslim under peace treaty will never smell the fragrance of Paradise which can be found from a distance of forty years,” narrated by Al-Bukhari. 

Islam abhors mutiny and treason which are culpable felonies, deception, and breach of trust, rigging, lying, material and spiritual corruption. And one may not need to ask which Nigerian or party is not a culprit to any of these divine offences? Therefore the word is let us take it easy and live in peace. This democracy has been unconstitutionally raped repeatedly by the military might and polls rigging, yet your civility, patience and prayers had always been our only remedy and the strength of our unity. Therefore don’t kill or expose yourself to political violence for naught. This world is going to end. And the day you die, you will only be judged by Divine ruling not by the Nigerian Supreme Court decisions. 

Whoever calls you out to violence ask him to show up himself and his children first. This way we can altogether avoid post-election violence, chaos and anarchy. Let us remind ourselves, we saw that when Boko Haram takes over a village both Muslims and Christians run helter-skelter for their lives to Federal government controlled areas. Meaning there can be a situation worse than what you are in now. Therefore, thank God and never allow yourself to be used in violence in anticipation of a better life, while you will end up lamenting over our previous situation as bad as it may appear. The near event draws nigh. * There shall be none besides Allah to remove it. May God bring peace, security and stability to our country? Amin."

WAR ON CORRUPTION, DO THE MATH BUT FORGET THE LOGIC?

Icheoku says Buhari "borrows" 27million Naira for his declaration of intent and nomination form purchase? Jonathan's friends raises 100million Naira for his declaration of intent and nomination form purchase? Jonathan again raises 21.7billion Naira for his 2015 campaign? Icheoku says who knows what Bola Tinubu's APC would raise when they eventually do their own fundraiser for their campaign 2015? Yet both sides are pointing accusatory fingers at each other lampooning the level of corruption in the country? 

Query:- how can either Jonathan or Buhari ever raise a finger against these campaign fund bundlers, who have so generously enriched their nominations and election campaign efforts, whenever they are ready to recoup their investment on capital by helping themselves from the common wealth? 

Anyway Icheoku says it works this way:- Buhari steals money and because of his usual narrative of being a church rat with which he is fooling some gullible Nigerians, launders the loot through a third party who now turns around to make it available to him in the form of a no-interest phony "loan." Then Jonathan astronomically marks up the cost of contracts with a specific instruction to the frontman contractor that part of the skimmed top-off money would be recycled back to him during his campaign fundraising? 

So Nigerians, ask yourselves between a six and half a dozen, whether there is indeed any difference? It is the way of politicians, they are all sleazy. They tell you what you only what you want to hear but never says what they mean nor do they ever mean what they say. So in 2015 please just vote for whoever you feel will get your back most; but treat their pledge to fight corruption as a complete hogwash gobbledygook that will not see the light of the day in either enforcement or prosecution. 

DELE ALAKE'S APPOINTMENT, JOE IGBOKWE NOT GOOD ENOUGH?

Icheoku says like a California giant squid with its insatiable appetite and a Pacific octopus with many tentacles combined, the man who owns and runs "T-APC", Ahmed Bolaji Tinubu, continues to  gorge and gobble all posts and positions in the APC, leaving Icheoku to wonder what about the other guys? Bola Tinubu's 'all or nothing' and 'if you don't like it, to hell with you' attitude, must by now be robbing wrongly on some people's mind, particularly those who were hoodwinked into joining the APC thinking they formed a real political party when the APC was birthed? Icheoku has never seen such level of avarice and greed fused together in one person and to make matters worse, Tinubu is only interested in his fellow sons of the soil in his selections and appointments or should Icheoku rather say impositions? 

So now query, if Bola Tinubu is currently acting with this impunity of 'winner takes it all' when he did not and has not personally even won a thing, imagine what would happen to Nigeria's treasury if the unfortunate event that is the nightmare of a Buhari's comeback, ever strikes Nigeria like a bolt of lightening? Can Buhari stop the greedy Tinubu from wrecking havoc on whatever leftover the corrupt Jonathan's government doesn't lay their hands on before 2015? Icheoku really is afraid that Buhari, who could not assert himself now but hopelessly watches on the sidelines as Tinubu fills every position in both the party and his campaign, would not be able to call off Tinubu when the food is finally cooked and ready to serve. 

Imagine the latest imposition by Bola Tinubu of Dele Alake, his former commissioner for Information, as the Media and Campaign Director of the Buhari/Osibanjo Campaign 2015? Icheoku says when would deference to this man, Bola Tinubu, be enough in letting him chose who occupies any available position in both the APC and the campaign organization? Icheoku laments that not even Joe Igbokwe or is it 'Igboekweghi', that shriveling son of wherever he came from, who is been slaving for this Bola Tinubu, was considered good enough for the position? A despicable character, whose apostasy and sleaziness in defense of everything Bola Tinubu, has turned him into a scorned fellow, a somewhat pariah , among his kindred and people of the Southeast, was not deemed a fit and proper person and worthy enough, to be appointed the Media and Communication Director for the Buhari's campaign organization?  Ditto the other sellout Osita Okechukwu and you wonder the agonizing fate which awaits Ndigbo should Tinubu ever have his way by winning election 2015. 

Icheoku is deathly afraid that Ndigbo is in the cross-hairs of Bola Tinubu, who is eager to help finish off what Obafemi Awolowo and Olusegun Obasanjo combined anti-Igbo combustive hatred, could not finish? It is possibly going to be de-javu Obafemi Awolowo conspiratorial decimation of Ndigbo's wealth in corroboration with the usual suspect, the Hausa/Fulanis of Northern Nigeria. Icheoku says in 2015, Ndigbo would be better off casting their lot with Jonathan despite that Jonathan has not done much for Ndigbo. At least he has not killed too many Ndigbo just yet, admitted Ezu River and the brave MASSOB people bear a shocking testimony to his security agencies' intermittent murderous rampages on a defenseless and peace loving Ndigbo. 

Unfortunately, Oha na Eze that is supposed to be providing Ndigbo with political guidance going into 2015 is in disarray; and a dysfunctional organization which is as good as moribund have little to no utility in advancing the course of Ndigbo towards an informed 2015. Icheoku reaffirms that 2015 is indeed heavily pregnant with a monstrosity of no describable pedigree and Ndigbo should be prepared to defend themselves from whatever it might unleash on Nigeria. May God and Allah jointly help salvage Nigerians from what they have unfortunately found themselves entwined in:- a Jonathan that is not good and a Buhari that is even worse, thus making the difference between sleeping on an empty stomach and having a nightmare almost seamless. This is particularly more worrisome a choice for the Igbo nation and a fate which they are forced to deal with come 2015. But for Bola Tinubu, he is damn so TOO GREEDY, it shows!

I DIDN'T SAY THAT - JONATHAN

““I would have loved that the Nigerians in Diaspora vote this year but to be frank with you, that is going to be difficult now. Presently, the law does not allow voting outside Nigeria and so this year Nigerians in Diaspora will not vote but I will work towards it by 2015 even though I will not be running for election.Without security, there is no government. So it is not debatable, it is something we have to address and we are working towards that with vigour. But if I’m voted into power within the next four years, the issue of power will become a thing of the past. Four years is enough for anyone in power to make significant improvement and if I can’t improve on power within this period, it then means I cannot do anything even if I am there for the another next four years after.” - President Jonathan Goodluck, Addisa Ababa, Ethiopia, January 31st, 2011 during an interactive session with Nigerian diplomats working at UNECA and AU.

DONT BE AN ANGRY WENCH, GET HELP.

Icheoku says please get help and don't become a nightmare to people around you, reacting to some childhood molestation or some past bad experience or visiting the iniquities of your past life on an unfortunate victim who merely walked into your life but who did not cause or was the reason for your sadness or angry outbursts. Lola Omotayo-Okoye, the wife of Peter of the P'Square musical duo just did and today she is as wholesome as a fresh milk. Now hear her story:- 

"When I was a young girl in my early teens in high school, I was molested by a Catholic priest. I blamed myself I didn't tell anyone because I was ashamed; I couldn't tell anyone because everyone would blame me, so I carried on the guilt and bitterness with me for years. I was filled with hate and I became an angry person. I was rebellious and didn't want to listen to anybody. I later sought help from a counsellor and today I am whole again, a happy woman." 

Icheoku says way to go and even better because she is sharing the experience in order to help other similarly situated women seek the help they need.

IS APC TRULY A DEMOCRATIC MASS-MOVEMENT PARTY?

Icheoku says NO! In view of the manner Ahmed Bola Tinubu has successfully hijacked all the instrumentality and functionalities of the APC, imposing only those he personally wanted unto the party's various offices as well as hand-picking those standing for 2015 general election against the other party, PDP; it is an anomaly to suggest that the APC is a political party strictly called and not a mere gathering of the flock with their shepherd, Bola Tinubu, corralling them?  Icheoku really is at a loss how any person in APC could sincerely look Nigerians in the eyes and claim to be a member of a political party so called, when he or she has no say nor voice, talkless of an opinion on how things are done in the party. How can any of these people, especially  the supposed party honchos, people like the Fasholas, the Atikus, the Rotimi Amaechis, the Sarakis as well as other APC governors, still pretend to be bona fide members of a political party when they cannot voice an opinion nor decent or counter-argue what their overall boss decrees? How can anyone truthfully say that the dictates of one man qualifies a party as a political party? Where is the internal democracy is such an arrangement?

It is on record how Bola Tinubu forced out Momodu Sheriff from the party; ditto Tom Ikimi after the said Ikimi labored in vain clobbering the APC together; then he imposed John Odigie Oyegun on the party as his preferred chairman; then he took Abubakar Atiku's money and dumped him; he ordered the party to ensure that Muhammadu Buhari gets the ticket as the party's presidential candidate and it was done; then he picked Ambode as candidate for Lagos State governorship regardless of what the incumbent Governor Fashola said or thought; and finally he cemented his vice hold on the party by equally imposing his candidate of choice on Buhari as his running mate. Icheoku asks based on these available evidence of just one man determining and deciding the fortunes of anyone and everyone in the APC, is it fair to still ascribe to the APC the innate quality of being a political party in the strict sense of it? Icheoku asks would it be out of place to canvass for a name change and for the name TInubu, to become a prefix of the APC by changing it to read 'TAPC -  "Tinubu's All Progressive Congress?" 

The worst of these humbled pies who are now mortally traumatized in their standing before the people of Nigeria, as a result of Bola Tinubu's humiliating behavior, are those loud mouth APC governors who find pleasure in attacking President Jonathan but who quickly dissolves into shivering moles with quavering mouths and trembling hands whenever their Lord of the Manor Bola Tinubu shows up. Icheoku asks how can any sane governor allow himself to be so intimidated by another governor, especially an ex-governor for that matter; yet when that governor is not respectful of the president of the country? Certain things indeed does not usually make sense including the present fact of living in trepidation and in bondage of Bola Tinubu by these APC governors? A matter made worse because these humiliated APC governors, none of which was considered fit and qualified enough by Bola Tinubu to be nominated a vice presidential candidate of the party, are still loyal to Bola Tinubu and continuously stand at attention to do his bidding and merely waiting for his command. Icheoku says such slavish servitude is indeed mind boggling and outrightly befuddling. 

May be it is just an ego thing, but Icheoku would rather just remain a respectful governor than to descend into such decrepitude cesspool in the worship of an ex-governor in order to put a facade of pretended political relevance. But hey, they are not Icheoku and Icheoku is not them; but it is safe to say that these APC governors are insanely stupid especially after the vote of no confidence Bola Tinubu passed on them that was the selection of Yemi Osibanjo as the vice presidential candidate of the party? So query, if their slavish-worship of Bola Tinubu thus far have not put them in his good books yet, why then continue? Why continue to trod the path of second-class inferior governors, instead of becoming more assertive in the face of the little man Bola Tinubu? Why don't these governors man up and stand up against Bola Tinubu's continued imposition of his will on them and their party?  It is indeed quite unfortunate  what the APC has become - just a one-man operation; but hey, if you are Bola Tinubu, why not? Icheoku says instead of insisting on internal democracy in the APC,  members of the party have allowed themselves to become so beholden to just one man, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, who dictates to everyone in the party in a cleverly crafted system of governance known  as Tinubuocracy? 

Icheoku says imagine then what would become of Nigeria in the unfortunate event this lone hijacker, successfully, also hijacks the Nigerian state? Imagine a situation where nothing flies up or down in Nigeria except Bola TInubu says so? Imagine where nothing is built or constructed in Nigeria without Bola Tinubu gets his ten percent? Imagine where nobody gets appointed into any position unless Bola Tinubu signs off on the candidate? Imagine where even the president cannot sign the country's budget into law without first including a Bola Tinubu's first drawing rights in the constitution? There are simply so many imagines of havoc, which an overbearing Bola Tinubu could and would inflict on the country that Icheoku is having a nightmare, wide awake in the afternoon, just thinking about it. The thought alone is such that sends spasmodic shudders to the spine and then ask yourself, the kind of  cataclysmic convulsion its actuality will cascade on Nigerians. APC is not a political party and its Bola Tinubu has become a freight train without brakes, bulldozing anything and anyone on his way and absolute power is not what a democratic Nigeria needs at this period. Therefore, Icheoku entreats and begs dear God, to please defer a Bola Tinubu's hostile take-over of Nigeria from ever materializing or to such an infinite future date of NEVER.

POLITICS OF 'STOMACH INFRASTRUCTURE' IS A GOOD POLITICS.

Icheoku says Ekiti State's Governor Ayodele Fayose's example of how to really empower the people by providing them with real democracy dividend, their stomach infrastructure, is indeed a good policy initiative. Icheoku maintains that it is a model policy worthy of emulating and  exploring by all other states, with a view to implementing it throughout Nigeria as a universal policy of the country. It is a trite rule of living that a hungry man is an angry man; and that no hungry person can appreciate any good in anything when his stomach is churning and rumbling, including in huge stadiums no one really needs, government secretariats that adds no value to a state or flyovers when he has no car to drive on them. As the Americans would say "there is no fun in summer when one is hungry"; hence Icheoku commends Governor Ayodele Fayose on this operation feed the people of Ekiti State 'Stomach Infrastructure' program. It is a well thought out idea that will have far reaching benefits for the lucky people of Ekiti State.

It always baffles Icheoku when some state governors or governments in Nigeria fail to appropriately prioritize their initiatives. There was this case of a Member of the House of Representatives and Chairman of then House Committee on Communication during the second republic of President Shagari's government, who went to his rural community and built a post office no one ever once used nor ever wanted. Today the building is empty and rotting away; and only provides shelter for lizards, rats and other rodents in this  predominantly subsistence-farming community. Icheoku believes that were this rural community somewhat near enough to urban areas and within operational zones of armed robbers, the abandoned post office building would have been a very good hiding den for them. But albeit it is so rural and so far removed from civilization that only rodents call it home. So ask yourselves Nigerians what manner of government official would so thoughtlessly locate a facility where it is neither needed nor would add anything of value to the community wherein it is located?

Stories abound everywhere of other such similar white elephant projects which the government usually embarks upon, mainly as a means and conduit to siphon and launder money, as they steal from the people through overinflated contracts, many of which are usually subsequently abandoned. But here in Agodi Ekiti, a man has arisen, a man of the people, a man who is actually on the ground and a man who really understood that no infrastructure ever supersedes that of the stomach. Icheoku says Governor Ayo Fayose understands that majority of the people in the state are hungry and that there is no joy for the hungry and so is doing the needful to assuage this hopelessness. Through a program he appositely termed 'stomach infrastructure', the governor is trying to first save lives and also build up the peoples' stomach infrastructure  through proper nutrition, before other things. Icheoku says it is a good policy initiative worthy of spreading though out the country.

Icheoku says well done Fayose and hopes that other states in Nigeria would emulate his good example and help to also build up their own peoples stomach infrastructures too. It is what  obtains even in advanced democracies throughout the world, where the government's responsibility includes providing nutrition to its less fortunate citizens. Social Security services, Food Stamps, Section 8, Vouchers and many other social services are for example used to provide some form of assistance to citizens of America who are down on their luck. So in Nigeria, where too many people are both down and out on their luck and nearly hopeless that a change in their fortune is within the horizon, a thinking, peoples' orientated government should intervene to mitigate or ameliorate their hardship. Otherwise what is then the need for a government, one would ask, if the peoples' needs cannot be its preoccupation; and it goes without saying that the chief need of humans is to stay alive and to do this, good nutrition is imperative. 

If Icheoku were in authority, priorities would certainly be given to such benevolent policy as providing stomach infrastructure for the people. Instead of spending billions building useless "world-class" stadiums or spending hundred million Naira for just few toilets and bathrooms, Icheoku would spend millions feeding the people. It is the purpose of having a big-brother government and Icheoku hereby declares Governor Ayodele Fayose's Ekiti State government as one very good peoples oriented government. Icheoku says congratulations Governor Fayose on this worthy 'Project Stomach Infrastructure'; and says lucky are the people of Ekiti State who are so fortunately blessed to have such a good man as their governor. Icheoku agrees with the various sentiments being expressed by some of the beneficiaries of this program and whose stomach infrastructures are gradually being built, that Governor Ayo Fayose is a supporter of the common man. Also that he is a grass-root politician to the core and that he will go down in history as the only governor in Nigeria with a genuine interest of the people at heart and also a welfare package for the people, which example is very rear in Nigeria. Icheoku says well done Governor Ayodele Fayose and may you govern long and thrive.

TINUBU'S SURROGATE YEMI OSIBANJO, IMPOSED ON BUHARI?

Icheoku says it has happened yet again as the man who owns, controls and runs APC has fully cemented his stranglehold on the party. By also choosing the vice presidential candidate of the APC, Ahmed Bola Tinubu has  recorded a complete sweep in the picking and imposing of candidates on the party and for every office of the party. From the party chairman to its secretary to Lagos State governorship candidate to its presidential candidate and now to its vice presidential candidate, only one man was the chief decider of who gets what. Icheoku says Asuwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu is indeed a master political tactician and by imposing his surrogate on Buhari as his vice presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu would by extension, be the vice presidential candidate by proxy of Yemi Osibanjo. Icheoku is beginning to admire the political sophistry of this man, Bola Tinubu, who has time and again, proved himself a very deft political player and always had his way regardless of how pissed up or loud his detractors may appear to be. 

Icheoku says the statement made with this very vice presidential candidate's selection is that all the APC governors, including Rivers State's Rotimi Amaechi, were not good enough for a raise? A vote of no confidence was practically assed on them by their godfather and chief benefactor, Ahmed Bola Tinubu; otherwise why did he not promote one of them to the higher office of APC vice presidential candidate? It appears Bola Tinubu scored all of them very lowly, a testimonial that none of them performed creditably well in his judgment and therefore did not merit or deserve a promotion. What a snub of no mean proportion this Osibanjo's selection is, that an erstwhile commissioner was promoted over and above the governor he previously served under, to now become the party's vice presidential candidate. Icheoku says the only possible explanation for this political insolence on these APC governors is that Bola Tinubu does not want any of them including Lagos State Govenor Fashola to climb past him in Nigeria political ladder. Some school of thought has it too that Bola Tinubu began planning Fashola political stalling when he induced him to deport those Igbo Nigerians from their Lagos home and thereby successfully alienated Fashola from the Igbo nation as a pariah. 

The other fact of consequence with this vice presidential candidate's selection is that it once again shows that Bola Tinubu does not care or give a hoot about what anybody says about his intimidating and overbearing domination of the APC. Icheoku says because of this, the man Bola Tinubu does not hide his political agenda or intention from any APC member and usually, publicly, declares his support or interest accordingly and ahead of time. ABT is also a man of resolute fidelity who does not abandon his anointed candidates midway, but successfully sees them to the finish line. He has this sort of 'stop me if you dare and can' scorch-earth audacity. Icheoku says with this Bola Tinubu's  successful manipulation of all the APC nominations, if by dint of luck and handwork, the APC pulls off a victory in 2015, Nigerians would for the first time see a trinity of leadership with Bola Tinubu becoming part of the presidency as a defacto president and vice president combined and pulling the strings behind the curtains. Bola Tinubu would become so powerful that Umaru Dikko's Shagari era would be a too long ago child's play power-grab.  But hey, the APC have to first win the election before he can assert himself and authority and however he chooses. 

The question many analytical observers are actually asking is whether this time, Muhammadu Buhari would reap any electoral mileage out of the chosen Yemi Osibanjo? That Osinbajo is a born-again pentecostal christian, we know and likewise Buhari's former Tunde Bakare? That Osibanjo is a lawyer, we know and likewise Tunde Bakare? That Osinbajo is a Yoruba Southwestern Nigerian, we know and likewise is Tunde Bakare? So what changed now to make this latest Muhammadu Buhari's running mate any different and such that would positively affect the fortunes of Muhammadu Buhari this time around? Icheoku says the problem seems to be with the head of the ticket and not who the tail is; and it probably would not make any difference had Buhari choose even Baba Iyabo or the CAN president Oritsejafor. It is not who Buhari chooses that is the matter but what Buhari means and represents to millions of Nigerians, especially the discerning ones among them. Buhari offended Nigerians' sensibilities and should admit that he ered and make amends for it by first accepting responsibility and asking for forgiveness.

Honestly speaking, Icheoku believes that Muhammadu Buhari is politically damaged in Nigeria and baring a miracle this his latest attempt at the presidency will also meet the proverbial hard rock. Buhari made Nigerians mad, have not apologized for his intransigent misbehavior and for this Nigerians are still bearing him a lot of ill will.  If Icheoku were advising Buhari, we will urge him to goo on a national television, prime-time, and apologize to Nigerians for his highhandedness during his first coming. It will be as simple as "For those who feel offended that because of my youth, I overreached during my military days, I apologize. It was not deliberate meanness but i thought i was doing the best i can under the circumstance to right some perceived national wrongs." Please forgive and forget and lets build our nation together. Icheoku believes that such humbling would elicit commendation from Nigerians and they will be prepared to forgive and forget and to move on. But a continually self-effacing Buhari, pretending that Nigerians were not offended with his first time around, would be mistaken at the rejection which awaits him in 2015. 

But absent of this mea culpa, it does not matter that Buhari accepted a Bola TInubu's surrogate as vice presidential candidate this time as Osinbanjo would not affect his fortunes. Just like Buhari's other former running mates during his three previous presidential runs, Osibanjo is but a local politician with no national name recognition and does not bring any value-added to the ticket. Moreso Osibanjo is too petite, lacks gravitas and does not exude a leader's confidence or inspiration. Osibanjo also has no proven track record of administrative and political accomplishments; and equally lacks knowledge of the broader Nigeria polity to be an effective vice president of Nigeria. Icheoku says Osibanjo does not inspire many Nigerians as should a desirable leader, which many Nigerians crave for and desire to rather have. Yemi Osibanjo is seemingly too debonair and lacks the street-smartness atypical of many a Nigerian politician and might not ably withstand the brawl and bawdily of Nigerian electioneering politics? Nigeria is not there yet with playing refined gentleman politics of ideas by qualified individuals because the overbearing control of gritty and grimy godfathers, who are still picking and choosing whomever  they please and placing them into offices like Bola Tinubu did with the present Yemi Osibanjo.

Icheoku makes bold to project that Yemi Osibanjo would end up like the other pastor/lawyer vice presidential candidate, Tunde Bakare; who could not win or drag needed supporters from the Yoruba Southwest across the line for his then ticket with Buhari. Conversely, Icheoku would be very reluctant to dismiss this Osibanjo out-rightly as a political nitwit, because having accomplished so much in his chosen legal profession, he may be one die hard political operative. For him to have successfully convinced his mentor and  benefactor in chief, Bola Tinubu, to anoint him as the APC vice presidential candidate in a field that was saturated by so many wanna-bees, shows that he has something up his sleeve. The other exception however is that no one is privy to the deal he reached with his said benefactor including  to probably temporarily hold the office at his pleasure. Icheoku says is it possible that Yemi Osibanjo reached an agreement with Bola Tinubu that he will later make way, either by resignation or through impeachment, in order for Buhari to appoint Tinubu as his replacement vice president. Is it possible that Yemi Osinbanjo already executed a post-dated letter of resignation which will be used to force him out in the event he later changed his mind?

But whatever happens and assuming APC manages to ease out PDP from office, the office of the vice president is not after all that a big deal. As Olusegun Obasanjo proved to Nigeria with his humiliation of then vice president Abubakar Atiku, a vice president is but a glorified clerk in Aso Rock? Any mad president such as Obasanjo, could so frustrate his vice president that such vice president, if he had what it takes, would simply resign to retain his sanity and maintain his dignity. Atiku did not so do, but whether Osinbanjo would, the jury is still out and would remain out until providence deals it's hand. Icheoku in essence is saying that a vice president could only have as much power and influence as the president wants him to have or benevolently confers on him. Ditto, State deputy governors, who are just wallowing in name only and which forced the deputy governor of Kebbi State to resign just recently because of redundancy. 

So given that Obasanjo did it to Atiku; Yar'Adua did it to Jonathan and Jonathan could but is not yet doing it to Namadi, what stops Buhari from consigning Osibanjo to the kitchen or even locking him away in a closet in Aso Rock, afterall Yemi's very petite stature would conveniently fit into such confined spaces? Nigerians especially those who found home in the APC are taking for granted the fact that Jonathan has been very magnanimous in empowering his vice president Namadi. But that does not in any way show that a vice president has suddenly become a powerful position or commands so much influence that it should begin to matter who is in occupation therein. Therefore whether Yemi Osibanjo or Bola Tinubu wearing the mask of Yemi, it does not matter because no one knows what the unpredictable Hausa/Fulani has up their sleeve? What if they are merely playing dumb all along, just tagging along with all Bola Tinubu's dictates simply to get their power back?  What if after they become mission accomplished and they decided to kick away the ladder of Tinubu that helped them scale over the fence of Jonathan? Icheoku asks what would be the remedy in the event Miyetti Allah and their alter-ego, Buhari, decided later to lock out both Bola Tinubu and his Yemi Osibanjo from power. But who knows and Icheoku does not have any clue whatsoever nor an insider knowledge either. 

Finally, Icheoku would like to end this piece by once again reiterating the indelible place history has now placed Bola Tinubu in Nigerian politics. With the Yemi Osibanjo selection now firmly tucked in under his arm, Ahmed Bola Tinubu has fully confirmed his absolute and total and complete control of a major political party in Nigeria. Icheoku says now that ABT has cemented his majority shareholding and near full ownership status of the APC, from Icheoku to Asuiwaju, congratulations; all the best. Icheoku says congratulations also to APC, Buhari, Osibanjo as well as other members of the party that are working tirelessly and assiduously to give Nigerians a viable opposition party alternative. It is a new day and indeed a good day that finally there is a viable party to challenge the PDP for the hearts and minds of Nigerians and provide them with an option if desired. Once again, to the man behind all the powers of APC, the spirit that breathes life into APC, the oracle of APC, the deity of APC who bequeaths anyone he chooses with political offices in APC, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Icheoku says respect. February 14 2015 is a Valentine's day and a day of reckoning, when Nigerians will be persuaded to fall in love with either Jonathan/Namadi or Buhari/Tinubu by proxy of Osibanjo. Until then, Icheoku 'dey laugh ooo' in anticipation; salutes all and says may the electioneering campaign fireworks now go into full gear and full throttled. 

BUHARI AND A 'MINI-ME' RUNNING MATE?

Icheoku says finally at last, little people will now have their day in the court of Nigeria politics and stand on a stool to be seen and recognized. The APC has clobbered together two polar opposites in an unholy presidential ticket matrimony? The presidential candidate is quite tall while the vice presidential candidate is too shorty he is so little to be a leader; except that in the event the ticket wins, he might become Nigerian Napoleon Bonaparte with the syndrome? Boy, is the APC vice presidential candidate one very little, petite, short dwarf or should Icheoku just say one finicky midget for crying out loud? 

At less than five feet tall, that would make him the shortest and smallest person to ever dream of becoming a vice president of Nigeria. But hey, it is Nigeria and therein, everything is strangely possible. All hail Nigeria's APC for giving Nigerians this mixed blessing of a tallie and his dwarfie running mate presidential dream or rather nightmare team. Icheoku says with this ticket, February 14, 2015 have indeed become more heavily pregnant and Nigerians will deliver whatever is inside that protruding stomach but Icheoku prays it is not a monster nor a Frankenstein?

JONATHAN BRIBES LAMIDO FOR SUPPORT 2015?

Icheoku sometimes envies the political tenacity of the Hausa/Fulani political class. Imagine just one man holding President Goodluck Jonathan  hostage with his support for the president's reelection bid of 2015, with the president begging him; but he will not and did not bulge until the president paid his demanded kings ransom? Icheoku says a huge feat like this, pulled off by just one governor, would be rather very difficult if not impossible for the entire Ndigbo to replicate? Could Ndigbo imagine this and be ashamed that what they could not contemplate, was achieved by just one governor. 

Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State personally confirmed this development after meeting with President Jonathan at Aso Rock where the president literally agreed to pay the price for his support. According to the governor, “I had a frank discussion with the president today in Abuja and I am convinced that he will redeem his pledges; therefore, I will support him.  The president made commitment to fulfilling all campaign promises he made to my state in 2011. President Jonathan further assured me that the Federal Government would refund the money spent by my state government to construct Dutse International Airport; and also promised to rehabilitate and complete the Hadejia Irrigation Scheme and the Gaya-Jahun-Miga road project." 

Icheoku says President Jonathan having now fully paid or agreed to pay the king's ransom for Governor Sule Lamido's support, the governor will now as a trade, support  Jonathan's 2015 reelection bid? Icheoku says this is politics 101 at its best, but which type of wheel-dealing politics  unfortunately the rambunctious Ndigbo lacks a capability. Like a cheap prostitute, Ndigbo are once again offering their support to Jonathan free of charge, despite the fact that they have not reaped any benefit for their previous 2011 almost en-bloc support. Anyway this is what usually happens wherever there is a leadership vacuum as is presently afflicting Igbo nation. A desirable but currently unavailable leadership, which would have galvanized and articulated Igbo nations position and then make pointed demands of Jonathan as a trade for their support in 2015. Icheoku laments the pitiful fate which has befallen Ndigbo, a rudderless people with no real political value nor actual political relevance in Nigeria. What a shame!

PUTIN'S EGO, TAKING RUSSIA DOWN?

Icheoku says it is only a man so full of himself and in a rather comical and ironical way, that does not know when to pack it up and go? One of Kenny Rogers' song is very instructive on when to stop the gambling and call it a day. Icheoku says Russian strong man Vladimir Putin has reached that critical stage in his facedown with the West and should now do the needful in order to stop the bleeding Russians and their economy is currently undergoing. Icheoku says Putin should know that his strength is only perceived within Russia and similarly limited to inside Russia, but not when the entire civilized world is banded together against his aggression in Ukrainian Crimea as well as Eastern Ukraine. As a result, his bloated ego, his living in the past of a once "glorious" Soviet era coupled with his attitudinal cockiness,  has pushed his country's luck rather too far and today a once growing Russian economy is spiraling south and at a whirlwind pace, so fast, it hurts. Icheoku calls on Vladimir Putin to do the statesmanlike thing  and for the love of his fellow Russians and their economic well-being, help plug the increasing leakage of the country's economy. 

Their chief foreign exchange earner oil has taken a dive for the worse in the world market and is threatening to take down their currency Rouble along too. A result of now severely biting economic and monetary sanction imposed by the West and their Asia allies for his meddling in an otherwise purely internal affairs of a sister country, Ukraine. Icheoku adds that the government in Kiev was justified in trying to quell the uprising in its eastern region, their legitimate territory and no one including Putin's Russia has the right to question their action; after all the same Putin did it in Russian Chechnya. Icheoku therefore says that Russian lacks the moral standing to query the actions of Kiev and interfering in the internal affairs of the country is both wrong and condemnable and is here therefore condemned. Further, it is also wrong for Vladimir Putin to rush in and grab Ukrainian Crimea under the pretext that he was saving Russians there living. Such armed brigandage is an unacceptable behavior of a civilized modern day leader of a country as big as Russia. The days of acquiring territories of another by force is since over, the reason there is United Nations and no pretext whatsoever justifies Putin's land grab of Crimea. 

Icheoku says if those Russians living in Ukrainian territories no longer finds it home enough, they should like the Jews of the world are doing, vacate therefrom and move back to Russia but they must leave the land for its rightful owners. They are not allowed and must not be allowed to move with the land back to Russia. It is not done and should not be tolerated. It is akin to telling Israel to invade France, United States, Argentina or even Iran, simply because Jews live there and therefore those lands should automatically become Jewish lands? Icheoku says Putin lost the argument because there is no one country on earth that is purely homogeneous in population and Russia will not be an exception. Crimea as well as all the lands of Eastern Ukraine belong to Ukraine and any resident therein who does not like the fact that they speak Russian and are living in Ukraine, should simply migrate back to their own agreeable motherland; after all Russia is a vast country and would always find accommodation and space for all its returning Russian citizens from Ukraine and elsewhere. 

Icheoku says now the bleeding of the Russian economy must stop and only Vladimir Putin can do this. The war of world's economic supremacy cannot be won by Russia, not when they control none of its levers. The condition for lifting the sanction is not that strict, all Russia is expected to do is just vomit the swallowed Crimea and pull out Russian military from Eastern Ukraine. Thereafter, Russians can watch their Rouble roar back to life and peradventure Saudi Arabia would be persuaded to put a stop to the plummeting oil price so that Russians can reset and start building back lost territories of their now moribund economy. Icheoku says the people of Russia are hurting and even the rich is also becoming poorer due to loss of value of their monetary assets. What any feeling and caring leader would do now is whatever is needed to help stop this slide down a slippery slope. Icheoku says there is no ego that is too much at stake here because the primary reason for any leader's existence, is to protect his people. Putin should know that with the Western imposed sanction continuing erosion of their Rouble and the free-falling oil price that it is the Russian people that are at the tip of the spear and needs some immediate reprieve and NOW. Please Vladimir Putin, this is your "tear down this wall" moment, make the West lift the sanction, do what is needed.