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THE BORDER-LINES OF A MILITARY TAKE-OVER IN NIGERIA. One thing is certain; no one knows where this country is headed. Not the president, the media, the international community or the people on the street. But another frightening possibility that has begun to take shape in the hearts of common people on the street is that of a military take-over. One they may accept without remorse. Of course this seems least likely given the stage to which Nigeria’s development has gotten, but it’s a possibility. One cannot help but wonder while walking on the streets of Ikoyi Lagos state only a few days ago, and seeing that armored tanks had blocked the roads in anticipation for a civilian response to the postponement of elections. Or a more recent inclusion of the Nigerian military in daily activities in form of road-blocks on several main highways in the capital city of Abuja. One cannot also help but notice the complete lack of trust that Nigerians have developed for the institutions of government, and this is a dangerous scenario; all military governments that took to power in the past have followed a trend most noticeable in writer Max Sillouns ‘Soldiers of Fortune’ by capitalizing on the distrust in the government by the Nigerian people, civil unrest, protests, riots and general insecurity. One may argue that democracy has gone too far to allow for this kind of change. But no one can dispute the leadership failures that can easily be blamed on democracy. Three problems have become obvious following the change in 1999 from a military to a democratic government. In the first place a reversal of democratic gains in the form a dismantling of democratic institutions by manipulating elections, control of independent television and newspaper outlets, and clamping down on opposition activities by the different presidents that have emerged. A second problem is that although power had shifted from those in the uniforms to those in other garments, the elite structure remained the same. General Olusegun Obasanjo who emerged as a democratic president in 1999 was quick to transfer leadership to Umar Musa Yar’Adua; a younger brother to his former compatriot Shehu Musa Yar’adua showing in the most subtle form, that although many authoritarian elites were ready to welcome a democratic institution, a majority had no interest in implementing democratic institutions that would dilute their power. The third and most important is in the failure of political systems to deliver the basic services that people demand from their governments. In the case of Nigeria, what is most noticeable is that after 16 years; power cuts, unemployment, poverty and security has remained a major problem that isn’t even about to be solved. All this difficulties have slowly eroded the confidence of Nigerians in existing institutions. If Nigerians cannot march non-violently against their government on issues about their security and well-being, or demand accountability from their leaders, or demand for change and get it, then there will exist no difference in their understanding between a civilian government and a militarized country. This, the Nigerian military knows all too well. So when Africa’s most populous country and largest contributor to the AU forces cannot tackle a home bred insurgency, when for the first time since our democracy the military has begun to dictate on how and when elections will be run, and when the common man on the street can comfortably state that he would prefer a military regime to what he sees on the television, one can conveniently reach the conclusion that once again, the rules of political engagement may witness a drastic change. I cannot speak for all Nigerians; I will speak for myself and the few people I have discussed with on the issue because we all share a common perspective. If just days before the election scheduled to hold on March 28, the government throws out another illogical reason why it cannot hold elections on that date, what do you think Nigerians will do? Protest? Riot? Be ready to die to ensure that their democratic rights are safe-guarded? With the current statistics, it is more plausible to assume that many Nigerians would simply return to their lives in earnest of another government solution than take to the streets. If on the other hand armored tanks and masked soldiers moved out to block several highways and streets in Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna and Port-harcourt as had been the method in the past to force a declaration from televisions stations, radio stations, print and other media that the nation had changed hands from a democratic to a military leadership, what do you think Nigerians will do? Protest? Riot? Be ready to die to ensure that their democratic rights are safe-guarded? We all know what the answer to this will be. The man on the street is as confused as the man in suit inside an office somewhere in Abuja. He also doesn’t care much about the workings of democracy or who is in power. He doesn’t share a spirit of democratic values or Nigerian-ness, and would not lift a finger to fight in a battle that isn’t his. This attitude has been developed by years of a hopeless demand for change. This attitude can see the rise of another military regime, without any qualms. Written by Tahir Sherriff; Articulated by Media-Links!
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These are very strong presidents of some African countries that ruled with Stiff and rigid laws; but were either brutalized, arrested, escaped or killed. These men were men, some were richer than their country, some were very brilliant, some were dictatorial by leadership style; but have left legacies; some of their legacies were lessons to other leaders such as Nigeria. These leaders includes Emperor Jean-Bedel Bokassa, Mobutu Sese-Seko, Field Marshal Idi Amin Dada of Uganda, Charlse McArthur Ghankay Taylor, Sekou Taure, Macias Ngume, Siad Barre, Hissene Habre, Mengitsu Haile Mariam, Kamuzu Banda, Gnassingbe eyadema, Laurent Gbabo etc. Reflecting back into how these men leads their countries, but end-up in various calamities; ours should have learnt lesson had it been he is well equiped with the history of Africa and the world at large. Leadership can be sweet, but always end so bitter than the taste of Mahogany roots especially when you struggle to remain on power by all mean. A word is enough for Goodluck Jonathan.
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Please Download and Share the HawkVision Election Rigging Monitoring App Ahead of Elections here - http://hawkvisionapp.com/ The HawkVisionApp is a revolutionary election and social irregularity documenting mobile application that has been developed with priority to checkmate election rigging during the February 2015 general elections. The App has been presented and demonstrated to major political parties in Nigeria. The HawkVision application, which currently runs on android mobile devices, captures events (images and videos) real time and stores them with date and location stamp to a central secure server. These files can then be called up and the exact location, mapped using Google maps, with the data accessed with exact time and sender information. How it works: All Nigerians with Android phones download the App to their phones and ready to protect the voting process. At all polling locations, proactive citizen volunteers are urged to capture pictures and videos of any usual, unusual and suspicious activity including availability and access to grounds, behavior of the electorate, the police and electoral officers. Captured images and video only need to be uploaded through the App and the work is done. All images are automatically filed according to Polling booth location and stored with time stamp, geographical location and user phone number for confirmatory contact and possible follow-up. Access to the data is available to the media, government officials, the police, international monitors and other concerned individuals and groups wishing to investigate and review the captured electoral process. The HawkVision team diligently scours through the data to identify infractions and proceeds to investigate and refer such evidences to necessary authorities and organizations. The geographical and time and date stamp ensures authenticity and credibility of all evidence gathered. The HawkVisionApp further enables election monitoring in remote and terrorized locations like the Boko Haram plagued northeast where safety-conscious citizens are available and have downloaded the App and share to friends and family. Note; this application works on Android, iPad, and other devices including Techno Pads. Media-Links!
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HARD CORE:’ JORDAN’S KING ABDULLA COMBATANTLY GEARED, FLEWED OVER AMMAN AND STRIKED AT ISIS TARGER. WHAT A LEADER! EXAMPLARY COURAGEOUS. Jordan’s King Abdullah is reportedly personally involved in executing air strikes against Islamic State positions in the aftermath of the terrorist group’s brutal execution of Jordanian pilot 1st Lt. Moaz Kasasbeh. Abdullah is personally involved in conducting the air strikes. What remains unclear is whether Abdullah is personally suiting up and flying a plane, or instead commanding units involved in the mission. “The Jordanian King Abdullah II participated personally on Thursday in conducting air strikes against the shelters of the terrorist ISIS organization to revenge the execution of the Jordanian pilot 1st 5:22:52 PM Kasasbeh by the ISIS. Jordanian Author Waleed Abu Nada Tweeted on Wednesday afternoon, “Local reports here in Jordan say that King Abdullah will personally fly and lead the airstrikes against ISIS. Middle East commentator Joseph Braude wrote on Twitter: “Reports that Jordanian King Abdullah, himself a pilot, flew sorties on ISIS targets.” Before assuming the throne, Abullah II was a Major General in charge of Jordanian Special Forces. Abdullah is also certified as a Cobra Attack Helicopter Pilot. In 1980, he joined the UK’s Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the British Army. Jordanian air strikes on Wednesday neutralized at least 55 Islamic State jihadists, including a top ISIS commander who was known as the “Prince of Nineveh,” The strike comes just hours after Amman vowed to step up role in US-led coalition against jihadists. The Jordanian air force carried out air strikes against ISIS targets in Mosul, killing 55 including a top IS commander known as the "Prince of Nineveh," Iraqi media reported Wednesday. The strikes came just hours after Jordan's King Abdullah II vowed a "severe" response to ISIS after it burned alive a Jordanian fighter pilot captured in Syria. "The blood of martyr Maaz al-Kassasbeh will not be in vain and the response of Jordan and its army after what happened to our dear son will be severe," the king said in a statement released by the royal court. Abdullah held talks with senior military and security officials Wednesday after cutting short a trip to Washington following ISIS release of a video showing Kassasbeh's killing. Information Minister Mohammad al-Momani told AFP Amman was "more determined than ever to fight the terrorist group Daesh," using an Arabic acronym for ISIS, after the brutal murder of its airman. A government spokesman said that Jordan will step up its role in the US-led coalition against ISIS militants, with all military options on the table. US President Barack Obama, who hosted Abdullah in a hastily organized and brief Oval Office meeting Tuesday night, led widespread international condemnation of the latest graphic murder, decrying the "cowardice and depravity" of ISIS. During the meeting Obama offered "his deepest condolences" to the king. White House spokesman, Alistair Baskey, said that "The president and King Abdullah reaffirmed that the vile murder of this brave Jordanian will only serve to steel the international community's resolve to destroy ISIS. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered his condolences to Abdullah as well, saying that radical ISIS "cruelty knows no borders, the greatest threat to humanity would be if these extremists get their hands on nuclear weapons," referring to Iran's nuclear program. Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman also sent his condolences to Jordan for the pilot's "barbaric" murder. Lieberman also applauded King Abdullah for "for his powerful actions against the heinous terror," and called on world leaders to follow Jordan's example with fighting terror "because it is impossible to beat terror with words and declarations." Earlier in the day, Jordan executed two jihadist prisoners by hanging in response to the killing of Kassasbeh, government spokesman Mohammed al-Momani said. The executions came just hours after ISIS militants released a video which showed al-Kassasbeh being burned alive in a cage. Kassasbeh's father said the two executions were not enough and urged the government to do more to avenge his death. "I want the state to get revenge for my son's blood through more executions of those people who follow this criminal group that shares nothing with Islam," Safi al-Kassasbeh said. Jordanians are demanding that the state and coalition take revenge with even more painful blows to destroy these criminals," he concluded. The European Union, which had released a statement of solidarity with Jordan over the brutal killing of al-Kassasbeh, condemned the executions. While all efforts must be made to counter terrorism and hold the perpetrators accountable, our reaction to the threat posed by ISIS needs to be consistent with our common values on justice and the rights of prisoners," foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said Wednesday. Even for a group infamous for its brutality, the execution of al-Kassasbeh marked a significant escalation, with the group hoping to sow division and fear among their opponents. end up in videos that are even more horrific and will do lasting damage to public opinion in your countries," said Romain Caillet, an expert on jihadist movements. No "head of state wants to see a young soldier end up in one of these videos," he said. "It was a huge opportunity for ISIS to inflict maximum pain on the international coalition, especially to Muslim countries that took part in it," he said. The main purpose of this video is to send a message that retribution against fellow Muslims who assist the United States in its fight against the group will be unimaginable. Iraq-based security expert Hisham Alhashimi agreed, saying the gruesome execution method was intended to evoke the maxim "an eye for an eye". Jordanian state media said Tuesday that al-Kassasbeh appeared to have been killed on January 3 2015, suggesting the group never planned to exchange the pilot. It preferred instead the shock and propaganda value of killing him, said Hassan Hassan, an expert at the Delma Institute, a research center based in Abu Dhabi. The video, more than 22 minutes long, seeks to justify burning Kassasbeh alive by showing footage of the air strikes launched by the US-led coalition in Syria since September. Sources in Raqqa reported that big screens were set up across the city and played the video throughout the night. Syria Kurds mourn Jordan pilot as 'martyr' of Kobane. Syrian Kurdish fighters in the battle ground town of Kobane commemorated al-Kassasbeh as a "martyr" after his brutal execution by their jihadist foes, an activist said Wednesday. "After the killing of Maaz was announced, troops from the People's Protection Units (YPG) in Kobane and in liberated villages nearby gathered to mourn the pilot's death, and to hold a minute of silence in his honour. "He is one of Kobane's martyrs, everyone is proud of him," Ebdi said, referring to the slain pilot's participation in the US-led air campaign in Syria, which helped Kurdish fighters liberate the town from the ISIS group last week. The YPG's political arm, the Democratic Union Party (PYD), vowed to avenge ISIS's killing of al-Kassasbeh and Japanese fellow captives Kenji Goto and Haruna Yukawa. The recapture of Kobane "is just the beginning of the defeat of those monsters, so that humanity can be free from them for ever", it said. Media-Links report!
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OBASANJO MISSING AS BUHARI, BABANGIDA, GOWON, SHONEKAN A AND OTHERS TURN UP FOR COUNCIL OF STATE MEETING IN ABUJA. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is the only living Nigerian leader absent at the ongoing Council of state meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja. Present at the meeting are Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), former President Shehu Shagari, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd.), Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar and Chief Ernest Shonekan. Others at the meeting include Vice President Namadi Sambo; President of the Senate, David Mark; Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal; Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN); Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyin Pius Anyim; National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki. Peoples' Democratic Party, PDP governors at the meeting include those of Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Kaduna, Cross River, Niger, Kogi, Bayelsa, Adamawa, Ondo, Taraba, Delta, Enugu, Ekiti, Plateau, Jigawa, Katsina, Gombe and Bauchi States as well as the Minister of the FCT, Bala Mohammed. Opposition Governors in attendance include Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Aliyu Wamako (Sokoto), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Abdulfatahi Ahmed (Kwara), Tanko Almakura (Nasarawa), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara) and the deputy governors of Borno and Yobe States.
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