CHANGE 2015, CHANGE NIGERIANS DONT NEED?

Icheoku says the APC wants Nigerians to change from democracy to dictatorship; from moving forward to sauntering backwards; from happiness to sadness; from hope to doom; from living in freedom to living in bondage and from a PhD holder president to one whose First School Leaving Certificate is missing or at best questionable. But Nigerians are saying to APC that with a change like the one they are offering, no Nigerian needs a change. Nigerians, Icheoku urge you to just tell APC and their tired horse Buhari, no, but thanks, no. Look at their faces, they are all very mean, sad and melancholic people and who needs sadists running our collective affairs in Nigeria? Definitely not Icheoku and hopefully not any sane Nigerian, including you. As Professor Soludo rightly encapsulated them, these are "Aggrieved Peoples Congregation" up to no good and out to do Nigeria grievous harm. Say no to APC, reject Buhari.

Icheoku says Muhammadu Buhari is not the type of change Nigerians want or desire or deserve; not now, not on February 14, 2015 and not at any other future time. Muhammadu Buhari is part of the problem Nigerians have been tirelessly trying to solve all these years following his caustic shock and interruption to governance in Nigeria though his bloody military coup of December 31st, 1983. Moreso, Muhammadu Buhari belongs to the ancient school of thoughts and has no idea of how todays world functions. Further, no amount of APC re-branding can make this old wine become new again, including  putting it in a new skin or dressing him in borrowed robes of a democrat, which he is definitely not. Icheoku says Muhammadu Buhari should be left in the rear view mirror of Nigeria past harried coup plotting era where he truly belongs and allowed to live out whatever is left of his very advanced near-senile old age. 

Nigerians, Icheoku cautions that we cannot continue with all these all motion and no movement, one step forward, two steps backwards convulsive jolts, which has bedeviled our march towards progress since independence. A state of near complete quagmire which was caused by certain entrenched conspiracies in the country, including a man who once truncated our democracy named Muhammadu Buhari. Query why is it that each time some one is trying to figure out how to move the country forward, something always happens to intervene to halt the march forward, either a military coup or needless change of government and it is deja vu the drawing board all over again. Icheoku is emphatic that President Jonathan has finished his presidential internship with his first term and would during his second term give it his all, such that Nigerians can and would indeed really witness the change they crave and deserve. Icheoku says it is now time for Nigerians to say and truly mean it - FORWARD EVER, BACKWARD NEVER. So on FEBRUARY 14, VOTE GEJ.

NIGERIANS WHATEVER YOU DO, KEEP MOVING FORWARD - MLK.

Icheoku says except that Nigerians will not listen, otherwise all the warning signs are there that a Muhammadu Buhari presidency is not what Nigerians need at this time. It would be an irreparable backward misstep for Nigerians to take now if they allow Muhammadu Buhari of the past generation to lead this new app-generation. Simply put, he is not a good fit for the job now, he cannot do it anymore and therefore should not be allowed to even try.

At least if Jonathan is not fast enough for NIgerians' liking, they should encourage him to move at a faster pace but not to embrace the non-alternative devil may-care that is Muhammadu Buhari who has the blood of Nigerians in his hand. Even Martin Luther King has now sent a telegram to Nigerians from the grave, warning Nigerians against embarking on this Buhari fantastical experiment. According to MLK, "if you cannot fly then run; if you cannot run walk; if you cannot walk crawl; but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward." 

Icheoku says Nigerians, you have now heard from the King  of liberation theory himself that the mantra for Nigerians should and ought to be FORWARD EVER, BACKWARD NEVER. Buhari belongs to the past and should be left where he belongs, in Nigeria's rear-view mirror, period. This twenty first century does not need a twentieth century thinking grandpa to drive the agenda. Buhari is stale and Buhari is possibly afflicted with dementia; and a twenty first century Nigeria, desirous of moving forward, does not need such a Buhari; not now, not tomorrow and not the day after February 14 and not at any other future time whatsoever.  So on February 14, 2015, VOTE GEJ.

THE SINS OF JONATHAN - ABRAHAM OGBODO

The APC camp is unrelenting. It has decided that come rain or shine, the 72-year old ex-general must make Aso Rock on May 29. A certificate or something that approximates that has been shown to put paid to debates on whether or not the party’s flag bearer in the February 14 presidential election is educated to a level of becoming Nigeria’s president. 

In effect, all things being equal, it has been agreed that Buhari is good enough in all measurements to preside over Nigeria, the most populous and biggest economy in Africa, otherwise known as Giant of Africa in the 21st century. There is little more to add. Some people are saying it is in order to try a school certificate holder or school certificate attempted and a grand old man since the PhD holder and the young man that has been running for six good years has performed below installed capacity. 

Jonathan himself is the cause of these wild speculations. There is a saying in Yoruba that the hawk will lose its essence if it fails to catch chicken. And as essential as salt is, it will become white sand if it loses its taste. What I am saying is that power, especially in this part of the world, is created to be exercised not to be incubated. Maybe the narrative would have changed significantly if Jonathan had tried to come out as a Nigerian head of state, something in the mould of Olusegun Obasanjo. His gentility and attempt to be democratic when he should be rough and dictatorial have not helped him at all. 

Even his best weapon - the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) – in this political war of attrition was not put to effective use. He has lost the purpose for which former President Obasanjo created the EFCC. If the commission had been appropriately applied, his arch-rival in next month’s presidential election, General Mohammadu Buhari would have been probably running around trying to clear himself of alleged misappropriation of N26billion of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) under him. He would not have the time and presence of mind to jump from one state capital to another campaigning to unseat Jonathan as president. 

Under Obasanjo, no Aminu Tambuwal would have come from nowhere to become the House Speaker against the supreme will of Baba. He would have asked for the head of the little rascal to be brought to him on a platter of wood and he would pay the cost even if it meant sinking the National Assembly under the weight of Ghana-Must-Go bags. That is the way of politics in Nigeria and everywhere too. The end has a way of justifying the means almost always. 

But Jonathan is a gentleman. He allows the means to condition the end. He has said so many times that his ambition to remain President is not worth any bloody fight. That was why after months of sustained pummeling, Tambuwal so easily moved to the opposition to continue the onslaught against Jonathan and the PDP. The President has maintained the infuriating stance that nothing, including his political survival is worth a good fight. Tambuwal is still the House Speaker in spite of President Jonathan. I do not know of any other democracy in the world where the minority party produces the leadership of the legislature. 

Also, when a certain Mallam El Rufai was chased out of town under President Umaru Shehu Yar’Adua, Jonathan came fully on board to relax the conditions for his return. Now the hunted Mallam has completed a full circle and among the pack of ruthless hounds hunting Jonathan with a real threat of making a meal of him on February 14. This is the way the gentle crumbles in Nigerian politics. I can say for sure that the dirty game of politics does not have a dirtier and more brutal outlook than it has in Nigeria. And until something snaps to create a new template, its players must attend the Baba Olusegun Obasanjo School of Politics as a pre-condition. 

In effect, Jonathan needs another PhD from the OBJ academy to do good business in the Nigerian political environment. Roughness is the subjective factor in the power calculus. Without it, other factors cannot add up to tilt the scales. It is not enough to be knowledgeable, urbane, visionary, passionate and all of the attributes that constitute a virtuous scale. When all of these are assured, an effective player must exchange a certain percentage, say 50, of his milk stock for bile to sharpen the Machiavellian instincts needed on the field of play. 

Jonathan has consistently missed this point and it is almost too late to return to it. For now, he can only pray that since the universe is on the side of truth and justice, things should happen in a manner on February 14 to set the bad records straight. And the record is that the APC which is loaded with rough necks and rabble rousers, from Lagos to Sokoto and from Maiduguri to Port Harcourt, saw early enough this unusual desire of Jonathan to be the only good man in Sodom and Gomorra and capitalized on same to make life very uncomfortable for the Bayelsa born President. 

It would seem that while Goodluck Jonathan was lost in cloud seven conceptualising a new Nigeria where politics would be played without rough tackles, the opposition only carefully processed the playing field and returned with the verdict that the rules could not be changed in 2015 and whoever that was attempting to rework the rules should be tagged clueless and a weakling who must be changed going forward. 

Nothing was done to straighten issues when this scenario of a weakling was being created and foisted. It was condoned instead in the false hope of building a new political order. For instance, is it not truly a mark of weakness for a Nigerian President to declare a state of emergency in any part of the federation without dismantling the existing regional political structures to make for freer federal access to contain such emergency? Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa did not spare the regional government in 1964 when he imposed emergency rule in the former Western Region. And when Obasanjo did his in Plateau and Ekiti States, both governors were sacked. 

But Jonathan imposed emergency rule in the three states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa without sacking the governors. It is counting against him because these same governors are part of the crowd causing him sleeplessness. What he would have done to show strength and sleep well was to sack the three state governments and begin immediately a military air campaign to level all the cities, towns and villages with the faintest presence of Boko Haram. That is how to become a strong leader with a lot of clues in Nigeria. Obasanjo did so in Odi in Bayelsa State and Zaki Biam, the birth place of former Chief of Army Staff, Major General Victor Malu. Baba is today adjudged a strong leader with a lot of initiatives to contain trouble. 

Even Yar’Adua who was sick had enough strength to send the Air Force to level Okerenkoko in Delta State when some militants killed just one Nigerian soldier. Therefore, to think always of the collateral consequences of a narrow interest action and refuse to act to create the much-needed impression of strength is not good politics. Now, the opposition has managed to convert the gentility of Jonathan to docility and it is asking that he be replaced with Buhari so that the presidency can regain its characteristic rigidity and brutality. 

The message is sinking because the Nigerian crowd is like the Roman Mob that listens to both prose and poetry and acts on the last impulse. Buhari is the last impulse. Anyhow, it will amount to a change if Buhari wins the presidential election. This seems all that the APC wants from the ongoing process – just change for the sake of change. The nature of the change has not been properly interrogated because Buhari the change agent being taunted shall flunk big time on all indices if brought under scrutiny. He is being protected and guided by sheer propaganda to the presidency. 

This is the danger in the Buhari choice. By all measurements, he neither possesses the mental infrastructure nor the temperament to manage a modern state. He is just a piece of mirage defined as reality largely by the inability of President Jonathan to act decisively. Like all mirages, he shall evaporate upon arrival. 

FEMI KUTI WILL VOTE FOR NO ONE.

“In the presidential election, I will not vote because I do not believe in any of the candidates.” - Femi Kuti.

OBAMA VISITS INDIA , FIRST LADY LEFT TO HER OWN DEVICES HOLDING HERSELF?

Icheoku says this is what happens when a country has a bachelor-president or prime minister or head of state and a visiting foreign dignitary is  accompanied by a wife who will have no corresponding first lady to embrace and hold private tete-a-tete with. It happened in India during President Barack Obama's ongoing three day visit to that country of Mahtama Gandi and world famous Taj Mahal; as President Barack Obama is seen embracing the bachelor prime minister of India, Narendra Modi, and there is no India first lady to keep Mitchel Obama company. Icheoku says presidents and heads of states not having wives to serve as first ladies is increasingly becoming the norm these days with countries like France, Philippines and India as example of countries with bachelor presidents/prime minister holding the fort.

Anyway Icheoku has nothing against any man who decides to remain sane and not dabble into something he cannot adequately manage or maintain a grip over. But for any man to aspire to lead a nation, where both men and women abound, common sense dictates that such a man should have some female around him, whether wife or mistress, to help take care of women related matters such as when a Mitchel Obama accompanies her husband President Obama to visit, so that she will have someone to talk women issues  and gossip about other stuff with. Now imagine how a Mitchel is left starring into an openness, hoping that an Indian first lady would miraculously appear while her husband is in a warm embrace with the prime minister? 

However Indian Prime Minister made bold to state during his election campaigning that families sometimes cause public servants to be corrupt as they aspire to provide for them and their future generation? He convincingly won the last Indian election because Indians saw and believed in what he told them that because he has no family he will have no reason to steal from them since there is no one to bequeath it to. It worked as truth always does work and in Modi Indians see a truthful politician they can trust and they trusted him with their overwhelming vote and continuing goodwill. Icheoku will use the opportunity of this comment to once again congratulate Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his election as Indian leader and prays that all the good in his vision for a new working India would meet fulfillment. To President Barack Obama and First Lady Mitchel Obama, Icheoku says hope your Indian trip is meeting your expectations. Goodluck fellas.

OUR SUPPORT FOR GEJ, THAT YOU MAY KNOW !

 

Icheoku says our avowed support for GEJ is merely a bulwark against Muhammadu Buhari and his compatriot coup plotters to prevent them from ever taking power back in Nigeria. So now you know that we did not do a somersault or suddenly now agrees that Jonathan is a wonder-working president who have kept fate with the electorates by fulfilling his promised 2011 bargains. Icheoku only decidedly stepped up the game in order to help wall off the Miyettti Allah and serial coup plotter, Muhammadu Buhari, from ever entering the gates of Aso Rock. 

To help achieve this objective, in line with other so-tuned Nigerians, Icheoku would be employing and deploying varied resources including cache of available adverse information, geared to making the gates of Aso Rock too needle-eyed that the camel named Buhari would find it extremely impossible to make a passage through it. Icheoku says who needs to be told when to eat, sleep, wakeup, drink or even to stay married by a Buhari, when he divorced his wife and married his former mistress and also eats, sleeps, wakes up and drinks; admitted his drink of choice might be 'fura du nono' or tea or whatever his little kettle contains. But seriously speaking, Nigerians should speak up and speak loudly now or forever keep their peace that Muhammadu Buhari is not the alternative Nigerians desire, deserve or would settle for. This February 14, with your vote, show some love to Jonathan of Otuoke.

2015 ELECTION, WHAT ARE YOU VOTING FOR NIGERIANS?

Icheoku says this Election 2015, aside from voting for either a president, named Goodluck Jonathan, who is seeking a reelection to a second term and a desperately wanna-be president, named Muhammadu Buhari, who is running for the fourth time, eager to be allowed back into the seat of power, there are also so many other things that are on the ballot this February 14th election and which you should also be voting for in addition. They are subliminal, they present themselves in subtlety and they also manifest themselves by necessary implication, so read in between the fine-lines to fully unravel these burning underlying issues which are co-tailing the two candidates in this election.

So please don't just vote for the face on the ballot but try and also vote for those things which the candidate stands for and/or represents. With your votes, go behind the mask of their face and ensure that those things which are important to you but which are not visible to an ordinary onlooker are protected and then vote accordingly. As an informed voter, while casting your vote because you can, also vote because there are things dear to you which you want to see come to fruition. Please Nigerians, make your votes count and count for good causes only; but do not be beguiled by primordial sentiments of either religion or that 'it is now our turn to be president or that power must shift back to the North,' when the North does not own Nigeria. On the strength of the laid out premise and considering that the contending candidates are fully identified and known, Icheoku will now move on to explore the subliminal issues that are equally as important and which are gravely implicated in this election. Lets call them the 'other on the ballot issues in election 2015 and which will constitute 'the buy one get the others free' of election 2015.'

1. Born to rule mentality in on the ballot:- Icheoku says this February 14, the 'we are born to rule others but never for others to rule us' way of thinking is on the ballot. Any Nigerian who indeed believes in the sanctity of the constitutionally guaranteed equality of all Nigerians and their inalienable right to aspire to any office in the land including the presidency, should think through before casting his or her vote. Icheoku says if you vote for them and not for him, you are definitely part of the problem; as by your action and your vote, you are emboldening them in continuing their thinking that they are superior, the chosen ones. So make a difference in this election, with your vote, let them know that every Nigerian can aspire to be president and that presiding over Nigeria is not their Allah-given birthright. Like every other Nigerian, these people should also stay competitive and not just always wait for manna to be thrown on their laps from heaven and this includes the presidency of Nigeria. These people are not more endowed for the presidency or leadership of Nigerian  than any other Nigerian, whether the person is from Otuoke or Chibok or Sango Ota or Ntezi.

2. Democracy is on the ballot:- Icheoku says since Nigerians know how hard the fight to restore democracy in the land was and how long the distance traveled to get to the promise land of democracy was, no Nigerian should at this time toy with the idea of playing a rude joke with their democracy by allowing an avowed anti-democracy despot, named Muhammadu Buhari, to reap where he did not sow. Icheoku is emphatic that if Buhari killed democracy once before, he will kill it again; as the Buhari now is cut from the same old cloth of despotism and military authoritarianism as the Buhari of then; and that both Buharis are not given to consensus building inherent in a government of the people by the people and for the people. Icheoku says any spoiler or killer of democracy, like Muhammadu Buhari, should not be unduly rewarded with the gift of Nigeria's democracy, the presidency of Nigeria. To do this would be applauding EVIL and its dubiousness; otherwise where is the lesson learnt and/or deterrent that such misbehavior as toppling a duly elected government is not acceptable nor should be condoned and tolerated in any decent society. A coup plotter has no business or stake in a democracy and Buhari, being a serial coup plotter according to Governor Kwankwanso, should be so summarily dealt with as the pariah of democracy which he is.

3. Fairness is on the ballot. Icheoku says what is good for the goose is also good for the gander; therefore if a Yoruba-man had two terms at the presidency and a Fulani man had two terms at the presidency, admitted the second half was aborted by the same Muhammadu Buhari, then fairness dictates and demands that an Ijaw Otuoke man should not be shortchanged. Icheoku says if an Otuoke man is forced out of office today after only one term, tomorrow it might be an Afikpo man? If an Otuoke man is trampled out of office today, tomorrow it might be that woman of Chibok? If Nigerians allow this injustice of denying equal amount of terms at the presidency to be meted out to a Niger Delta South-south man, who knows what fate awaits that man from South-east or North-central or North-east tomorrow? Icheoku says fairness demands that President Jonathan Goodluck completes his region's two term at the presidency of Nigeria and any other thinking is abhorrent and should be resisted. So when you vote, have this knowledge as your companion in equity.

4. National Conference report is on the ballot. Icheoku says the last year's concluded very far-reaching report on how to restructure Nigeria will be thrown into the waste basket if the APC wins. Recall that the head honcho of APC Asiwaju Bola Tinubu rejected the composition of the national conference and threatened that Yoruba Southwest would boycott it, being against it. Icheoku says now that those naysayers have been proved wrong with a successful conclusion of the conference, their resounding recommendations need to be fully implemented. Icheoku says only Nigerians' smart voting would guarantee that the effort and resources that went into organizing this conference would not do to waste. So Nigerians, make the full implementation of the conference's recommendation possible, this February 14, vote to count and vote to be counted among the smart voters of Nigeria who secured and insured the recommendations of the National Conference. 

5. Oil blocks are on the ballot. Icheoku says mineral rights and licenses for majority of Nigeria's oil blocks, which are largely concentrated in the hands of Northern Nigerian Hausa/Fulanis, are due for renewal and would be maturing for re-licensing early next year. It is imperative that Nigerians know the faceless people who own these proprietary rights over our commonwealth as well as those who are fronting for those coup plotting retired army generals who have stealthily commandeered and appropriated all national assets of Nigerians for themselves and their families only. So when you vote on Valentines day, remember that the need to know this people who are fleecing the country is paramount and trumps over other mundane primordial interests and considerations, which ordinarily would have guided your voting decision. 

6. Internal independence is on the ballot:- Icheoku laments that long after Nigerians freed themselves from British colonial masters, another set of Hausa/Fulani internal colonialists have taken Nigerians hostage. Icheoku says in this election 2015, Nigerians must vote like they mean it and are desirous to secure their freedom from this people. So, with your vote, declare your independence Nigerians from these internal colonialists and tell them enough. These people are keeping Nigerians in bondage of perpetual servitude and only a complete  break-free from their chains and shackles would be acceptable this February 14. If they are the problem, your vote is the solution; so with your votes, solve the problem Nigerians. On February 14, please vote smartly because the British are gone and so also would these Hausa/Fulanis. 

7. Coup plotting is on the ballot:- Icheoku says plotting and/or carrying out a forcible change of government is a crime; hence anyone involved thereat in any capacity is a criminal. Except if the end now justifies the means for Nigerians, Icheoku maintains that Muhammadu Buhari is a CRIMINAL, who plotted and conspired with his fellow traducers of democracy, to unlawfully forcibly seize control of governance in Nigeria. Although not known to many, the coup of December 31st 1983 was also bloody as Brigadier Bako lost his life while trying to carry out his Buhari assigned role of arresting President Shehu Shagari at Aguda House Abuja. Icheoku maintains that the criminal coupist, Muhammadu Buhari, neither got a State pardon nor atoned for his crimes in any other manner and therefore still carries the stigma of a coup plotter and by extension a criminal. Therefore Nigerians must have this in mind when they vote on February 14 to either register a disapproval of Buhari's criminality or give a vote of approval to his criminal overthrow of a duly elected democratic government of President Shehu Shagari. 

8. Moving forward is on the ballot:- Icheoku says Nigerians have a choice to make this Valentines day 2015. Aside of affirming their respective love for their soul-mates or otherwise giving them the boot and moving on, Nigerians will also decide whether they agree with Fela that they are always taking one step forward and moving two steps backwards. A hallmark of a banana republic, going back to the dregs of yester-years is not an option in this election; so Nigerians must decide with their votes if it is okay to see their country as a banana republic or that the country has since moved on from such unneeded 'only "STRONG MEN" need apply for president' mentality. Icheoku says what Nigeria needs now are strong institutions and not a goddamn army-strong man to bully everybody around. Icheoku is emphatic that brain still trumps brawn, especially in the matter of governing a complex society like Nigeria.

9. Whether Nigeria is working for you is also on the ballot:- Icheoku maintains that between the trio of evil men Nigeria was cursed with - Obasanjo, Babangida and Buhari; and added the midget of Kano Sani Abacha's five years; together these three men from hell have been in power in Nigeria for a total of 29 long agonizing years. So for the greater part of Nigeria's life, these monsters have held it on a vice choke-hold; yet you wonder why things are the way they are? Query, if any of this men is any good, why did they not improve things in Nigeria such that Nigeria would not be the humpty-dumpty that is proving a monstrous challenge for the present government to fix. Icheoku does not know about you, but please think through your decision before you contribute to this anathema that helped ruin Nigeria and for such a long time. Enough of these stale and archaic pedestrian thinking that has not moved Nigeria forward and as far as its potential could otherwise have thrived. 

10. Liberating other Northerners is on the ballot:- For too long, everything and anything meant for the North has always ended up and been commandeered by the North-westerners. As at the last count, they ALONE have produced FIVE PRESIDENTS and heads of states in Nigeria. From Muritala Mohammed to Shehu Shagari to Muhammadu Buhari to Sani Abacha to Umaru Yar'Adua - all of them without an exception are from the Northwest. Now, once again they are busily queuing up and gearing to re-produced another president in the person of a recycled Muhammadu Buhari. Icheoku queries, is it only the Northerners from the Northwest that knows how to be president? How about those other Northerners from Northeast and North-central? Admitted that the North-westerners usually trace their right to everything and anything in Nigeria belonging to the North to their ancestry to Uthman Dan Fodio, who having captured and subjugated the other Northerners, are theirs for the asking but should this still remain germane in present day twenty first century Nigeria? Icheoku says helping these people in any way sustain this warped thinking is not healthy for the mind and psychology of these other Northerners. Icheoku says in this election, Nigerians must tell these North-westerners that Nigeria is not Saudi Arabia where kingship is hereditary; that every Nigerian including other Northerners are equally entitled to the office of the presidency of Nigeria.  That the story of Uthman Dan Fodio is a long distant history and should be confined to where it belongs - the past. So Nigerians, on February 14, vote to bring about this truth squarely and frontally to them. VOTE smartly and vote for a purpose and vote for a reason and vote because you care and vote because you matter. 

11. Obasanjo and Babangida relevance are on the ballot:- Strangely and to Icheoku's amazement, many Nigerians still defer to this two retired army men and you ask yourself why? What did they meaningfully contribute to the society that should earn them this relevance and reverence, giving them unmerited air of importance and as with some people, admiration? Look at Obasanjo, an incestuous adulterer who had sex with his son's wife Mojisola and who couldn't effectively run his family, but is swaggering everywhere and pretending to be Nigeria's president maker? Ditto Ibrahim Babangida, a bloody coupist and killer extra-ordinaire, who has the blood of so many Nigerians including Major Mba and 299 other army majors, running in his hand, also perambulating everywhere and parading himself as a king or rather president maker? Icheoku cringes each time Nigerians put this two munchkins on an elevated pedestal which they did not honorably merit nor deserve. Icheoku says this February 14, Nigerians must decide whether to free themselves from the clutches of this two dishonorable despicable fellows or forever remain captive of their imbecility. To be honest with you, Icheoku includes the immediate demise of this two men as prayer points, each time and each day, we are in prayerful supplication to God. Icheoku laments that as long as both men live, Nigeria will never know peace because they are the architects of all our troubles. 

12. Educated president matters and is equally on the ballot:- In as much as Icheoku does not belong to the school of thought that says a "PhD" is the it all; but we make bold to state that any future Nigerian leader should be educated enough to at least understand the workings of basic micro economics and some modicum of international relations. Icheoku says this twenty first century Nigeria should have no accommodation for a president with only a native intelligence. Regrettably, Mohammadu Buhari has no basic education and no certificate either to show in rebuttal of  the assertion. As a correlation therefore, Muhammadu Buhari is not educated enough to be president of present day Nigeria and therefore should not be allowed with your votes to become president. A time when blind men led the sighted is since gone and Nigerians cannot afford the old way of managing things when there is an option which can do without and does not include managing things. This February 14, vote like your mind is developed enough to think and think things through first, before making a decision. Vote with the full knowledge and awareness of all the ramifications and implications of once again having an illiterate ruler, moulded in the form of Buhari, preside over the collective affairs of Nigeria. Such idea is a no brainier and helping to foist it is treacherous; so please be wisely informed as you go inside the polling booth.

13. Freedom is on the ballot:- Icheoku was once kept out of Nigeria and for a long time because of hard political views and commentaries considered adverse by the government of the day, then. If you take a look at Saudi Arabia, you will see how reprehensible their rulers are that have kept their people so captive and so yoked down. Just recently, a blogger was sentenced to 1000 lashes for merely airing an online opinion on issues in the country. The said blogger is presently hospitalized and recovering from the first installment of 50 lashes from a scheduled 1000 lashes which was meted out to him. Imagine a common wide practice in a twenty first century world where people use social media to keep connected and air their opinion on issues, and such is considered an offense the piqued minds of the kingdom rulers? Icheoku says the fate of this Saudi Arabian blogger awaits all online dwellers and participants in a Muhammadu Buhari's Nigeria; except that the good Lord will not let it see the light of the day. Muhammadu Buhari did it before and would readily do it again. He is averse to criticism and does not accommodate divergent and disparate views. Muhammadu Buhari's Decree 4 is very instructive on what fate awaits Nigerian bloggers and FaceBookers in the unfortunate event he is ever let into the gates of Aso Rock. All his present pretensions not withstanding, Buhari has not changed his despotic ways and you cannot teach an old dog new tricks. So 21st century Nigerians, if you like the uninhibited freedom the Internet brings your way and which allows you to freely interact with other freedom loving peoples of the world, who sometimes even call their presidents names to their face and hearing, then for Jove's sake, DON'T even think about voting for Muhammadu Buhar. Icheoku says Muhammadu Buhari should only be good enough to be sighted in your rear view mirror as you cast your vote.  He will trample on your freedom of both expression and association and this is a fact of consequence. Don't let his handlers fool you, tell them thanks but no to their offer of a stale, dementia-stricken mind to lead and guide you in this twenty first century.

Finally Icheoku says the reasons why Muhammadu Buhari should be REJECTED is just too many to be fully encapsulated in this article or any other. So feel free to add your thoughts as you may deem fit; but conversely, do vote for Buhari and live to lament if only you had heeded the maxim CAVEAT EMPTOR. So Nigerians, now you know why Team Buhari and his Miyetti Allah followers are murderously itching to win the February election; a lot of good thing are at stake which they would gladly like ONLY to abort if you let them. Also they know that it is now or never as their old way of subjugating Nigerians would finally be buried with their failed candidate Buhari and they are fighting and clawing to remain relevant with a win, but only if you let them. However and luckily too, the election is still in the future and not already past; and so, the undecided voters in Nigeria still have time to see what the futuristic-thinking and looking Nigerians have already seen, that they have no inheritance in the son of Buhari named Muhammadu and cast their vote accordingly.

The Nigerian people as chief deciders in this election, still have all the difference to make in this election; and it is only them who will decide what is in their best interest and then vote accordingly. The Nigerian people will on Valentines day 2015 chose between President Jonathan and candidate Buhari whom to fall in love with and then be prepared to live with whatever fallout their vote begets. But like Joshua told the people of Israel, Icheoku says to Nigerians, choose you whom to vote for and intelligently too; as for Icheoku and family of well wishers, we have decided to pitch our tent of support to and are now fully vested in the reelection of the man from Otuoke named Jonathan. We are doing this not as a testimonial or for any other reason associated with Jonathan's performance or lack thereof this past years, but in fairness to their South-south Niger Delta zone, who are as entitled as any other zone in Nigeria to a two terms presidency. This 2015 is rightfully theirs to win the presidency and remain in charge of affairs in Nigeria as co-equal partners of Nigeria PLC.  Any other thing or thinking geared at dislocating this is a none starter and simply gibberish. This practice of allowing each region a two term stints at the presidency is time-tested, honored and still remains applicable in Nigeria and should not be unfairly changed midstream and now, simply because a minority is occupying the office. So on February 14, Icheoku asks you to VOTE fairly, wisely and smartly, VOTE GEJ.

BUHARI IS TINUBU'S CANDIDATE, NOT THE NORTH'S?

“The question to ask Tinubu and his cohorts in the APC is simple; if Tinubu’s godson, Governor Babatunde Fashola is saying that 57 year old Jimi Agbaje is too old to rule Lagos State, how then can they present a 78 year old Buhari to be President of the whole country? The answer is also simple, they want a president that would die in office so that they can take over Nigeria. Even during campaigns, Buhari was already collapsing. God will not allow these desperate people to plunge Nigeria into another crisis." - Governor Fayose, EKiti State.

ICHEOKU SAYS NO TO POSTPONEMENT, ELECTION 2015 MUST GO ON.

Icheoku says 'NEPA or no NEPA, Aduke must go on; and so the scheduled election must go on as planned. There is never a time when all registered voters ever votes in an election, so with whatever voters INEC has, they should proceed with letting Nigerians decide who leads them going forward post February 14, 2015. Alternatively, just like Abubakar Atiku suggested, INEC could revert to the good old ballot paper system or better still, allow non PVC holders the opportunity to paper-vote while PVC vote accordingly. 

Icheoku does not ascribe to the postponement of the election whether on grounds of unavailability of PVC to some registered voters or any other ground whatsoever. Luckily, INEC has risen to the occasion by assuring that those who are yet to receive their personal voters cards would so receive before the election; and this is a good confidence-boosting news. According to a release by INEC,  the chairman said “We have assured that the issue of concern, namely distribution of PVCs, will be addressed before elections; and the cards will be made for all registered voters. As evidenced in our preparations, we are ready to hold elections in February.” 

Icheoku says now that Nigerians have once again heard from the man charged with conducting the election, Atahiru Jega, on his commission's preparedness to holding the election as scheduled, they should therefore ignore the earlier fears expressed by the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, suggesting a postponement.  Icheoku says the assurance from Jega is highly commendable and with that, Nigerians must now continue to prepare to vote as scheduled come February 14, 2015. And please remember that Muhammadu Buhari is not the alternative Nigerians desire nor deserve and/or are looking for; so vote Jonathan Goodluck for stability, fairness and to enable his South-south Niger Delta region complete their own two terms at the presidency. I am Icheoku and I approve this message. So on February 14, go VOTE and please VOTE GEJ.

ELECTION 2015, ICHEOKU ENDORSES PRESIDENT JONATHAN !

Icheoku had initially planned to stay out this election on the sidelines and not take sides but recent developments has forced our hands and we hereby declare our full support for the reelection of President Goodluck Jonathan to a second term. An injustice to one is an injustice to all; and so if a Shagari village Fulani man was allowed that and an Ota man was also allowed his Yoruba's two terms at the presidency, so should an Otuoke Niger Delta Ijaw man. Fairness demands that and so also does the voice of God affirm. Icheoku says no real democrat would stand by and watch the latest gang-up by these coup plotting retired army generals to once again dictate to every Nigerian how to live their lives and not at least say, ENOUGH! To do nothing would be to give these criminals a thumbs-up and vote of approval that their perversion of democracy and ruthlessness were an acceptable behavior. It is equally instructive that not only did this band of anarchists truncate President Shehu Shagari's duly elected democratic government but they equally truncated the also duly elected democratic president-in-the-waiting MKO Abiola election and for no other reason other their penchant to cause mischief and hurt Nigerians. 

Icheoku says that Nigerians gravely suffered untold hardship and torture during their both regimes, added to that one of their triumvirate Sani Abacha, the midget of Kano. Bartholomew Owo, Bernard Ojulope, Segun Lawal, Kudirat Abiola, Ken Saro Wiwa, Mamma Vasta, Dele Giwa, Pa Rewane and so many other Nigerians were brutally murdered under the supervision of this three bloody coup plotters. Icheoku says these were avoidable deaths of innocent Nigerians  which only animals could and did indeed authorize. Therefore Icheoku's fatwa is that no person connected to any of this state murders, talkless of someone directly involved in them, should be allowed near the corridors of power in Nigeria, never again. It is on the authority and rage of these harried memories and the fact that the same Evil Genius who not only murdered Dele Giwa but also annulled MKO Abiola's election, is now shamelessly teaming up with the same man he overthrew in 1985 that caused Icheoku's hairs to stand up in defense of sanity. 

Icheoku says if Buhari was all this and all that and the messiah Nigerians have been waiting for, as Babangida is now telling Nigerians, why then did Babangida overthrew Buhari in 1985 and not allowed his messianic prowess to fully become manifest? Icheoku says the coming together of these former foes cannot be for anything good for Nigeria as they are both incapable of having or showing affection. Remember that Babangida killed his best friend and the best man at his own very wedding, Mamman Vasta, based on a phantom coup. Icheoku says any man who could so cruelly  shed the blood of his best man at his own wedding does not deserve a place amongst decent humanity. Such man is a resident evil not deserving any human interaction talkless of edification of any kind. Why did he not put him in prison assuming an express pardon would be difficult to secure? 

Icheoku warns that this latest alliance between Ibrahim Babangida and Muhammadu Buhari is ominous and should raise instant red flag to every right thinking Nigerian that the duo, being both evil and very mean, cannot be up to any good or have any plans to do anything different to improve the lot of Nigerians. Just ask yourselves Nigerians, when both men had their opportunities as criminal coupists to lead and led for ten years,  what legacies did they leave behind for Nigerians to treasure other than sorrow, tears and blood? Icheoku recalls that MKO Abiola warned Nigerians that 'with a friend like IBB, no one needs an enemy.' Nigerians, Icheoku is emphatic that MKO Abiola was right then when he issued that warning and that MKO Abiola is also right now as he once again telegraphs this warning from his grave. His message, that Nigerians should beware of the poison ivy that is Ibrahim Babangida as he offers a cyanide-laced poisoned chalice named Muhammadu Buhari to Nigerians; and that they should not drink of it.

For those Nigerians who have chosen silence in the face of this cruel gang up amongst Nigerians worst nemesis, Icheoku warns that their purchased silence is a disservice to the fatherland. For those who chose to do nothing but stand hands akimbo and aloof, shivering in fear, Icheoku warns that upcoming Nigerian generations would not forgive their willfully indifference. A time like this calls for real people with conscience to stand up and stand their grounds to  vehemently denounce evil; and should not allow the man and woman in them to die faced with tyranny. Icheoku bemoans that Babangida joining forces with Buhari is tyranny by itself and Nigerians should not wait to see their plans come to fruition before taking up the gauntlet to stop them cold. Posterity will not forgive Nigerians if Buhari ever comes back to power; moreso with the support of the satanic Ibrahim Babangida, a man who literary destroyed Nigeria and left Nigerians near destitute. A man whose flagrant disregard for the law including the Oputa Panel of Reconciliation is simply too mind-boggling, just to mention but a few.

Based on the foregoing and other infra-dignities of Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida in particular, most of which are in the public domain, Icheoku heretofore condemns as very devious, this latest alliance by this two serial coupists to once again snatch power in Nigeria. Icheoku says both men are unfit and disqualified by their antecedents to play any role in a Nigeria that is future-focused; and as result, would work to help stop their cunning advances and conspiracy to once again insert themselves in Nigeria's governance. Furthermore, many of us know first hand what it feels like to be haunted for speaking out and for speaking up; some of us too were once on a prohibited do-not-enter Nigeria list  and were not allowed to enter Nigeria during some past governments and therefore greatly appreciate the abundant freedom under the present government. Therefore Icheoku declares full support and hereby endorses PDP presidential candidate, Dr Goodluck Ebelesimie Azikwe Jonathan for reelection as president of Nigeria. So Nigerians, on February 14, 2015, VOTE FOR GEJ . 

REAL MEN STAND UP TO THEIR BELIEVE.

"The greatest mistake Nigerians would make “is to give their mandate to an individual who does not believe in democracy.” - Governor Sule Lamido, Jigawa State

BUHARI CERTIFICATE-GATE, THE REAL UNFOLDING SCANDAL?

Icheoku says the certificate or no certificate saga of the APC presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari is suddenly taking air on its own because of the inconsistencies of explanations surrounding it. From 'my certificate is with the army' to 'YarAdua is my classmate' to now a released testimonial with a different name and varying subjects that were taken, as well as variations in relevant dates of consequence. In a more civilized society, the candidate would have since done the needful and stepped aside to avoid the current bleeding which the none satisfactory clarification of his qualifying credentials is causing his party. But a Nigerian society with so many contending disparate primordial interests, the parties with interest in his presidency, are huffing and puffing, and threatening Armageddon in their futile attempt to intimidate inquiries thereto, and desperately trying to sweep the matter under the carpet as if it is no big deal. 

Icheoku says assuming, ordinarily, it may not have been a big deal that a candidate's certificate was lost either during the Biafran war or in a fire or whatever circumstance, but for a candidate who has protested so much about his incorruptibility, such evidence of his certification and necessary qualification for office of the president therefore becomes an imperative. It touches and concerns the very root of his professed candor for truthfulness and capacity to keep upright and therefore he ought to validate same by producing his certificates. Only a cheat would not have necessary qualifying certificate and pretends otherwise to have it and Muhammadu Buhari has led the world to believe he is a Mother Theresa and should therefore prove same. Icheoku says Muhammadu Buhari should satisfactorily explain the where-about of his necessary qualifying certificates and in any other event, step aside for lacking the necessary requisite qualification to become president of Nigeria. 

As a matter of fact, majority of these Northerners do not have formal qualifying education or training or even certificates.  Icheoku makes bold to state as follows that even the senate president David Mark did not finish school; Ibrahim Babangida too does not have any qualifying certificate; likewise the late maximum ruler and midget of Kano Sani Abacha. Jeremiah Useni also does not have qualifying certificate and same is Abdulsalam Abubabar as well as Atiku Abubakar and also the Customs Director Dikko and former IGP Abubabar. The problem with Nigerians is that they are often very selective in apportioning blame  otherwise the proper thing to do in this circumstance is to demand that every public official in Nigeria re-present their qualifying certificates for verification in order to make sure that they are properly suited for the job and offices to which they are appointed. 

Icheoku asks does it ever occur to Nigerians to ask why  their country continuously run out of gas and always in the negative charges, leading to series of its institutions disappearing over the years, including the Nigeria Airways, National Shipping Line etc. It is simply the result of a shifty feudal machinations that punishes merit and rewards mediocrity; which sees incompetents placed in authority, who do not have a clue or idea of what needs to be done to move things forward and stay the gears permanently engaged. Icheoku recalls that not too long ago the deputy senate president Ekweremadu lamented that in the senate close to 75% of senators cannot even read or write and are only interested in collecting their allowances and benefits; and then you wonder the kind of legislations that will be churning out therefrom. So what Icheoku is saying is that public officials' cheating on their curriculum vitae is pervasive in the country and that Buhari should not be needlessly singled out to hang alone.  

As one who has had an insider personal experience and knowledge dealing with the wide disparity in educational development/attainment in Nigeria, Icheoku says this Buhari certificate scandal is but a tip of the iceberg. Icheoku once lived in Birnin Kebbi, then Sokoto State and capital of present day Kebbi State before the December 31st 1983 Buhari coup that toppled Shehu Shagari. A very good friend was simultaneously doing his NYSC in the same town at the Birnin Kebbi Polytechnic as a teaching staff. One day I visited him and he was grading the students examination papers and low and behold, out of the over forty five candidates he had already finished grading their papers and scored, none of the students managed a pass - they were all below 32 percentile. He said he will take the matter up with the head of department and subsequently informed me that he was mandated to "grade to pass them" and should not worry about their proficiency or knowledge thereof their subject areas. 

Also for anyone who has lived in the core North, there is also a prevalent of Bangladeshis and Pakistanis as well as Indian staff throughout their system including medical staff and teaching staff as well as agricultural consultants. These people would rather hire these foreigners so called, than tenure their supposed fellow Nigerians from the South. Icheoku recalls that during the said stay in Birnin Kebbi, that the then State commissioner of health was on the television one day, decrying the poor state of health in the state as well as lack of indigenous medical doctors from the state, which he put at around ONLY TWO DOCTORS throughout the state. Today, the very same Sokoto State has been sub-divided into Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara and Kebbi States - just one state; but whether the health care situation has improved, Icheoku is not in a position to tell. In the same vein, then Kano State with its phantom forty-four local government areas, had Jigawa State carved out of it, and still retained its original forty four local governments areas and you wonder, what local governments area then constitutes the new Jigawa State. It is all scam.

The fact of the matter is that this Northwestern Nigerian people have been getting a free ride on the back of the camel called Nigeria and for so long that they have lost any sense of personal responsibility for anything; and unfortunately this is at a very great expense to everyone else in Nigeria who is not one of them. Also everything North is always about them such that they have produced four presidents and heads of state of Nigeria and now rearing to produce the fifth; and you ask yourself how about the other Northerners? So the real question should be for other Nigerians to demand that everyone actually sit down and address all these existing imbalances and inequities in Nigeria; and if the concluded National Conference covered this, then lets implement them. The only fear is that the conference is also an issue in this election as an APC win will spell death to it because they are against it. Imagine this people for example, banned the sale of alcoholic beverages in their domain, yet they partake in the disbursement of VAT revenue derived from taxes levied on sale of alcoholic beverages in the South and other places where people are still allowed to consume such drinks. 

Anyway, Icheoku will stop thus far because often times, delving into this people's arrant arrogance makes Icheoku wanna puke. It is quite unfortunate that they were allowed by other Nigerians to get away with this much and for too long; and once again they are impetuously queuing up behind one of their own Miyetti Allah member to again run for president when he is not even qualified to so do. To them, it would appear that different rules applies to different people in Nigeria and this certificate requirement should not apply to them; after all they were born that way - BORN TO RULE, no questions asked. Icheoku says it is about time Nigerians called their bluff, rise up in unison and tell them enough. This 2015 they must be told to their face, "if other Nigerians cannot rule them, they cannot be allowed to rule other Nigerians', period! Who gives a damn if their founding father conquered Northern Nigeria; Nigerians have got their independence from Britain and must also declare their independence from these Hausa/Fulanis of Northwestern Nigeria. So Buhari, Icheoku says show your certificate or take the exit door out of the presidential race NOW!

BOKO HARAM, A MERE REGIONAL PROBLEM - JAMES SPARKS

"The stack difference is that while world leaders are in complete solidarity and outrage against what happened in France. Truly, that should be surprising because what is happening in Nigeria is real madness, but it is not a priority. The United States can get rid of Boko Haram in Nigeria if it wants. It could be a long-term effort, but it can be done. The US has the capability, it has all the elements and power to do it, but it is just not a priority. 

This is the problem, we are committed elsewhere in the world, but black or Western Africa, is not the US priority. That is the case right now and it may be hard to say but Boko Haram is just a mere regional issue. But if it appears in some other regions of the world, like white Africa, which is North Africa, or in the Middle East or somewhere else, we would be alarmed into doing something to stop it. But for now it is a mere regional issue which can wait.” - Major General James Sparks, US Army, retired. 

Icheoku says Nigerians now you know why there is no help coming forth from the West towards fighting Boko Haram; because as far as these white people are concerned, Nigerians and black Africans lives as well as black Americans lives, don't matter to these White people.

TEAM JONATHAN 2015, HEDGE YOUR BETS WITH CAUTION?

Icheoku asks what would Nigerians do if they wake up on February 15, 2015 to find the reality of a defeated President Goodluck Jonathan? Like it happened in Ghana few years ago when sitting President John Agyekum Kufuor lost his reelection bid to the opposition, how would Nigerians react, faced with such similar situation? Would it be a pall of mourning and grief cast over the nation or would it be an exultant and jubilant citizens, thanking the almighty for a good riddance? What type of exhilaration and excitement would it be that would herald an elected new president named Muhammadu Buhari; or would Nigerians, like King David, throw ashes on themselves and in loin sack clothes, mourn the cruel fate which suddenly became their portion? Icheoku says the only one way anyone would know is to live till that fateful day and find out for themselves. 

However, Icheoku dreads the Buhari-outcome so much the thought alone is akin to having a drowning-nightmare; admitted not necessarily because we are that invested in Jonathan, no, but simply because Icheoku is convinced that Jonathan is a lesser evil that Muhammadu Buhari. But unfortunately Icheoku has his fears and the tell-tale signs everywhere  are not helping Icheoku to overcome these fears. They seem to suggest otherwise differently, including an apparent  handwriting on the wall of Aso Rock reading "Mene Mene Tekel, Upharsin" and foretelling a possible post Valentine's day 2015 occupant therein, whose name is not even found in the Bible? Icheoku does not want nor wish or desire this outcome because of the resident-evil who might benefit from such an eviction; but fast developing circumstances has forced Icheoku to prepare for whatever outcome that flows from the election of February 14 and hopefully, you will do the same. Like a popular aphorism goes, the expectation of the worse is usually the beginning of a life of liberty and one free of agonizing misery. 

Just few days ago, the PDP deputy governor of Niger State Cletus Ibeto defected to the APC with his supporters? Although many die hard Jonathanists might dismiss the development as just an ordinary disgruntled deputy governor leaving the party, but it is still part of the bleeding which the PDP is lately suffering which no member of Team Jonathan have yet found a bandage to stop. Icheoku maintains that President Jonathan, if he loses this election, will have himself to blame as he is doing so many things wrong and has not decisively stepped up his game like someone with some fire in his belly and desiring something so badly it hurts. Imagine a president from the Niger Delta South-south going into a major election against a Fulani North-westerner and left his party's chairmanship still in the hand of a Fulani man? So also is the NSA also in a Fulani hand; the Defense Ministry in a Fulani hand; the IGP in a Fulani hand; the INEC in a Fulani hand; even his own campaign chair he equally left in a Fulani hand? Not even the bombast and bomb-throwing Ojo Maduekwe was deployed into battle by Team Jonathan and you wonder what is the hidden secret they are planning to use in order not to lose the keys to Aso Rock? So Icheoku queries what manner of a political operative would so naively trust his reelection in the hands of the kindred of his opponent and expect them to work assiduously to help him defeat one of their own brother? Icheoku does not know about you but this Jonathan is exhibiting every trait of a puerile politician, too trusting and in the wrong people. What motivation would make these team of Fulanis, whose people desperately want a power shift, to work against or to prevent such stated agenda with such a Jonathan-given golden opportunity at midwifing a power shift through a Buhari presidency? Icheoku says any investor in Team Jonathan 2015, who like an ostrich has dug his/her head in the sand and pretending that all is well with the Jonathan campaign, would have some teeth gnashing to do on the morning of February 15, 2015 if the momentum on the other side continues as it is. 

Icheoku laments that for a sitting president to be lacking a  real traction with his campaign, at this stage of his reelection bid, with barely just three weeks left, does not bode well. Icheoku wonders why the president did not take his campaign directly to the Nigerian people and like President Obama did, make them the decider in chief instead of his botched planned reliance on Olusegun Obasanjo which now left the President somewhat stranded with no Plan B to surge on. The erosion his campaign is suffering is such that even in PDP previously controlled firm states, it is no longer at ease with Jonathan. Just a few short days ago, while Team Jonathan was campaigning in Anambra State, Dame Patience had to claim the citizenship of Anambra State when she pleaded, "Ndi Anambra, please if not for any other thing, please vote for your inlaw"? Her statement left Icheoku wondering if Dame "dar is god ooooo" is no longer from Rivers State but now an Anambra woman, just to curry votes? Icheoku berates, if indeed her husband Jonathan did something great for "Ndi Anambra" or at least delivered on his 2011 promises, would she have a need to claim citizenship of the state or descend to such emotive sentimental evocation just to get their votes? Unfortunately, the report card is practically the same everywhere, throughout Nigeria; that even his Niger Delta terrorist compatriots MEND, whom he had cause to defend in the past, even threw their support to the other guy. 

Anyway, any critical observer would agree that President Jonathan has some serious challenges going into this election and that in no state does he have a commanding lead including in his own Bayelsa State; and you wonder if not in Bayelsa, is it Katsina State that he would then win convincingly? Icheoku has observed repeatedly and is once again here observing that President Jonathan did not perform creditably well enough otherwise his record would have been his best campaign tool. Ordinarily he would have been campaigning at every state by pointing to this and that as the things he has already done with further promises to do more if reelected. He would have compelled that village woman to say the person that put this borehole for me is  the person that I know and who I will vote for. But where there is nothing to campaign on, his team can only claw on needless distractions such as his opponent's lack of producing a qualifying certificate, advanced old age and/or nearing his grave? Furthermore, if Jonathan's apologists and town criers are to be believed that their man is a wonder-worker, who has wrought so many miracles of developments in Nigeria thus far, why does their man still need anybody's validation before Nigerians? In a democracy, a candidate takes his campaign straight to the electorates and does not need to beg Olusegun Obasanjo to validate him before Nigerians. 

Instead as a sitting president for this past one, two, three, four, five or six years, depending on how anyone chose to count Jonathan's number of years in office, has Jonathan not got enough name recognition to go forth and campaign for a second term based on provable accomplishments? Has Jonathan never heard of the legal maxim "res ipsa loquitur" and that his achievements should have been his best advertiser and not the 'Alusi (deity) Ota. That good wine needs no bush is not just a mere aphorism or statement but a truism of practical applicability. No one disputes a fact standing before one's eyes and there is the fork in the road of a president seeking a reelection but one who has not adequately accounted for the years he was granted a lease on the seat of power to deserve its extension or renewal. As a solution-based guy and one not easily given to plenty of emotional sentiments, Icheoku desires to see the evidence, that the same four years which it takes to graduate from college or university, is not enough time for a president to have left some indelible marks on the landscape of Nigeria; otherwise Obafemi Awolowo would not have declared that he just wanted to be president for just 24 hours.

Ordinarily a well performed president, who met and surpassed the peoples expectations, would just stand by, hands akimbo, and let his records speak and campaign for him. But now, like a deer stuck in front of a high beam, President Jonathan is running around and looking for somebody to bail him out and lie to Nigerians that their president performed brilliantly so well that he earned a second term. But every dispassionate and truthful Nigerian knows the reason for the current hysteria and panic in Aso Rock with February 14 fast approaching. It is because there is no substantial record to run on, all things considered; and having alienated all his primary constituencies including his erstwhile Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, who has since abandoned ship and pitched his tent elsewhere, the president is now crawling for every and any life-support for his 2015 project which he can find. Also the Nigerian coup plotting army generals are now ganging up against Jonathan; except that no one should be truly surprised that these democracy deniers are once again standing against an elected president seeking a reelection; after all, they overthrew a former elected President Shehu Shagari. 

Just for the records, Icheoku is only airing what filtered through our information gathering network as Icheoku has no greater desire than to see Jonathan secure a second term because of reasons already previously canvassed. But as a precaution, Icheoku urges all those people who are so vested and have sworn in the outcome of a reelected President Jonathan, to please tread softly in their anticipation, just in case. There is nothing more convulsing in life than to be unprepared when a jolt of a rude shock comes anyone's way. So fellas, ask yourselves, in the event February 15 comes without the expected outcome, are you cushioned enough to absorb the shock? Like sports, politics should be a game playfully played without so much heart-wrenching and heart-wrecking investment therein; it comes around ever four years, so if you don't win this time, may be next time. 

Finally, Icheoku says anything short of an outright victory by the PDP over the APC and which gives the APC any basis to also simultaneously declare victory, might give the Western countries including America and Britain reason to quickly recognize the APC-led government as the legitimate government of Nigeria. These white people are not interested in helping Nigeria fight Boko Haram but the speed with which they would intervene in the event of an inconclusive election, will shock many Nigerians. Similarly if APC wins and Asari Dokubo and co want to start another trouble in the Niger Delta, they would have the US Marines as well as the British special forces to contend with. Please Nigerians, let everyone, regardless of party affiliation, include the February 14 election in their supplications to whatever they believe in and ask that what the enemies of Nigeria have planned and mapped out and are ready to implement towards destroying the country will not be our portion IJN. Icheoku, speaking matter of factily, is indeed more troubled with the post election consequences than who eventually wins the election. But hey, simply just my thoughts. Salute!

ENUGU STATE PDP GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE, DANGEROUSLY OVERWEIGHT?

Icheoku says with extra pounds of unneeded flesh in excess of 250lbs and on a frame of less than six feet tall, the Enugu State PDP governorship candidate Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi might be an accident waiting to happen? Icheoku asks is the guy simply waiting to first explode or burst open, before he look at himself in the mirror with his eyes wide open and see that his size is a health emergency seriously knocking on his door? What would it take to sensitize the governor-in-the-waiting to truly understand that excessive weight is an unhealthy life risk and that he needs to declare a life emergency now and do something about his overweight obese condition. Icheoku calls on this guy to go forth and map out a Marshal plans geared towards drastically reducing and shedding off those extra load of flesh which no one needs and definitely not a guy soon to be burdened by the duties of running a state. The candidate needs all the health and lightness of both the head and body to properly function and function optimally too. 

Icheoku does not wish him any harm, but judging by how FAT he is, it is just a matter of time before something very catastrophic happens, either before or after his election as governor of Enugu State in 2015 or anytime soon thereafter? Icheoku is emphatic that the PDP governorship candidate is certainly overweight and there is nothing sexy nor healthy in bearing such extra load of flesh when he could easily do without it. But unfortunately his town criers and people leeching off him will be telling him only things musical to his ears and would be praising him for looking indeed "WELL FED"; but that is besides the point. The fact of the matter is that medical sciences have determined that excessive weight is dangerous and when added to the extra stress that is running a state, might jeopardize the person's life. Ironically too, the guy's pet name is "GBURUGBURU" which literally means "ROUNDLY", and you wonder if a name ever played this type of cruel joke on its bearer. 

Icheoku does not care what his town criers are probably telling him about his weight and deceitfully too; and it also does not matter to Icheoku how much he has made representing the people of his constituency in the National Assembly, but at least he has to be alive and healthy in order to enjoy his life. Moreso, as he is now answering the call for a higher office as soon to be  governor of Enugu State, he needs to smarten up his appearance and personal appeal, not political appeal, by losing some of these excess weight. Icheoku says the people of Enugu State want to enjoy his governance as well as its second term; but would not be happy to have a governor who will be in and out of the hospital or a governor who is battling debilitating diseases or who will fall victim of a sudden heart-attack by reason of being overweight. Icheoku maintains that being obese or over-weight is neither cool nor sexy; and the demands of the office of governor takes a toll on a person and an overweight person will be worse for it. Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey, a "GBURUGBURU" governor in USA, was similarly overweight and was forced to do something about it. 

Furthermore, what type of a moral giver and health advisor would an overweight governor be to the young impressionable people of Enugu State, who will suddenly assume that it is suddenly okay to pack the pounds, after all their governor says so, with his own looks? Icheoku says the health negatives of having excessive weight is legion, including diabetes, gastroenteritis, arrhythmia, organ failure, apnea, lack of quality of life, laziness, clumsiness,   sluggishness, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, hypertension, heart attack as a result of a heart laden with so much pumping-grounds to irrigate that it just can handle it anymore and suddenly packs up. Icheoku will not belabor this issue any further, but hereby urges and calls on Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Enugu State Governor-in-the-waiting, to please loose some weight. If it means gastric bypass surgery, hiring a dietitian, a personal trainer or even doing personal FASTING, just get it done. Whatever it will take will be a good measure and an effort well undertaken; but please get rid of those excess pounds.