That Nigeria is one of the most complex countries in the world is no longer news.

With over 250 ethnic groups speaking over 400 languages. A country where ethnic loyalty is above national loyalty.

Nigeria is a Federal State where each of the 36 componet states( and Federal Capital Territory Abuja ) are autonomous to an extent.

The 36 states are 19 in the north and 17 in the south. The FCT( Federal Capital Territory) Abuja is in the north and that sums up 20 for the north.

The Northerners are predominantly Muslims and are beleived to be more populated than the southerners that are predominantly christians.

Before the advent of democracy in 1999, the north has dominated power and ruled for 34 years of the 39 years of Nigerias' existence as an independent nation then.

At the dawn of the present democratic Republic(1999-date) a political arithmetic was introduced that will see power alternated between the North and South. every eight years. A further equation was also added where the country is divided into six geopolitical zones( namely; south west, south east, south south, north east, north west, and north central)

The equation was put to the test for the first time in 1999, which saw the then President Olusegun Obasanjo from the south west, the vice president Atiku Abubakar from North east, President of Senate from south east, Deputy Senate president North central, speaker of the House of representatives North west and his deputy hails from south south.

This zoning arrangement is followed down to the component states and local governments tiers of government respectively.( Nigeria Has three tiers of government; Federal, State and local government. My example is only at the federal tier of government.)

It is important to note that the Zoning Arithmetic is the idea of the rulling Peoples Democratic party (PDP) but other parties by their body language seems to have adopted the same political calculation. The PDP thought that this arrangement will be a solution to complains of marginalisation and exclusion from governance by other ethnic nationalities against the north. It was hoped that the formula will ensure justice, fairness and equity among all the component units that makes up Nigeria.

The Zoning mechanism is not provided for in the Nigeria's grundnorm but something similar is found in section 14 of the constitution. Section 14 of the constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria 1999 provides for the principle of Federal Character. That is; the composition of a department of government should not be dominated by persons of the same ethnic group, family or religious belief.

Exponents of Zoning believe that this provision of the constitution gives credence to the zoning equation. Antagonist of zoning argues that it is undemocratic and limits the political space. They further contend that it sometimes throws up mediocres in office as against the most competent and that it does not allow for the much needed national integration and unity that has eluded this sleeping giant of Africa for almost a century since her creation by the colonial government in 1914.

The South tenure(1999-2007) ended with former president Obasanjo on tthe 29th of may 2007 and Late President yar'adua assumed office on the same day.

Yar'adua was a northern son and is to take four years of two tenures subject to re-election and complete the tenure of the north then power will return to the south in 2015.

Death dealt a blow to this arangement with the sudden death of president Yar'adua on the 5th of may 2010.


By the principle of succession, the vice president DR. Goodluck Jonathan a southerner assumed office as president and chose a northernern form the same geopolitical zone with late Yar"adua as his deputy, to complete the first four years of Yar'adua and the north's first tenure.


Elections are due in January next year and the north is insisting that President Jonathan should not contest, a true northern scion must emerge as president to complete the remaining four years of the north under the zoning formula.

The south south geopolitical zone where Jonathan hails from is home to the volatile and oilrich Niger Delta that produces over 90 percent of Nigeria's revenue, has never produced a president.


Curiously, the constitution of Nigeria guarantees every Nigerian the right to aspire to any office in the land including that of the President.

The north fears that if Jonathan is allowed to emerge as president, he is constitutionally entitled to two tenures of four years(subject to re-election) and she will be left out in the cold political wilderness till 2019 before she will have one of her sons in the political saddle of the country.

The south south is equally agitating that she is the goose that lay the golden egg which has sustained Nigeria for over four decades, that it is only just for their son to be allowed to run for the office of the president and continue in office by may 2011.


This issue has over heated the polity with Nigerians having divergent opinions on what is the way out of this political log jam.

Political instability can in part, be attributed to the fact that African leaders face a unique set of problems, exacerbated by dependence on aid, post colonialism, fast growing populations and mismanagement of natural resources. Add to this the last looming spectre of climate change- the African progressive panel(APP) report estimated that agriculture yeilds may fall by as much as 50 percent by the year 2020 and that temperature rises could expose an additional 40-60million Africans to Malaria- and it's clear this decade will be a crucial one for leadership in Afica, one way or another.
Opening Liberia's national legislature on January 11, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf challenged lawmakers and politicians alike to remember the common denominator that bound them all: the desire "to leave our country a better place than we found it". Many leaders since independence can be accused of ignoring this admonition, according to Lai Yahaya, a policy consultant who has worked with governments in Nigeria, Liberia, Libya and sierra Leone.
"there is still a great deal of corruption", he explains. "But the evolutionary modernisation of Afican political systems is being driven by Africas' increased willingness to question what politicians are worth and to demand better basic public services, like water and electricity. Looking around the continent those changes are slowly materialising".
Sudanese billionaire Mo Ibrahim recognised the pressing need for new blood when he started the Mo Ibrahim Foundation in 2006.
The Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African leadership rewards democratically elected former heads of state or government who have left office in the past three years. Ibrahim has said that he hopes that the prize, worth US$5million over 10 years and US$200,000 every year for life thereafter, will be an incentive to African leaders to do good while in power.
But last October the 2009 prize panel announced that despite considering "credible candidates, they were unable to choose a leader who had sufficiently improved the econonmic and social prospects of their country. Ibrahim doesn't view this as a failure-he still describes the prize as "the best investment that I have made in my life". But others believe that more could be done to change the stereotypical face of African leadership from a bullish, ageing millitary dictator to a demoratic, empowering leader dedicated to peacefull improvements.
"Africa doesnt need yet more charismatic revolutionaries" says Yahya. "The first leaders werent nation builders, but they provided hope in a non-colonial independent future. Today, Africa needs good administrators- leaders who are not interested in the cult of personality but would prefer to get stuck into policy that will effect tenable change".

SOURCE:Arise magazine issue 10 page 144.

You dared me! on a broad day
on the streets of Makurdi.
I fought ferociously, gallantly and
came out victorious-though with a battered leg now healed-

That was two years be ago.

I thought you will always be
confrontational, bold and daring.
Rather you chose to lay an ambush
on an old man.
In an suspecting place and layed
your filty hands on him.

I am sure if you had confronted daddy openly
He would have defeated you
like I did.

We are made of the best stock
strong, indefatigable, tenacious,
courageous-even under fire- and resilient.

Why use the element of suprise
- for suprise defeats even the strongest-
Haba death! you should have employed another tactics.

You've only ridiculed yourself the more
because you still loss.

Daddy has gained a highers status
He is now beyond and above you 'death'
Immortal and shining among the stars
of Heaven.
He is not dead!

His memories and progeny will always be
Till the end of time.

Offcourse, you have deprived the priviledge
of seeing him in this life.
Dont think it's a sign of victory.
For I am confident of seeing him again
at the break of dawn.

He is now with the Angels.
But for you death! you will always be a LOOSER.

END NOTE:
Hon. Jack Egena Ibu was born on the 20th of September 1943. He was a distinguished educationist and an accomplished Economist. He Schooled at the Famous Ahmadu Bello University Zaria-Nigeria and Leeds University UK. He died on the 5th of March 2010 at the Federal Medical Centre Makurdi-Nigeria after a brief illness. He is survived by His wife Comfort and seven Children one of whom is the mother of my son.

The name Nigeria is gotten from the great River Niger about 94 years ago. She was named by the wife of Sir frderick Lugard the then Colonial Governor General.
Nigeria came out of the Shackles of Colonialism on the 1st of October 1960 from the hands of Britain.
A country richer in Natural resources than the whole of Europe put together held so much promise at the time of Independence.
Forty Nine years down the line most of these promises are far from being achieved.
The country is facing great challenges in credible leadership and certain infrastructural development.
However, her greatest acheivement is that the country has remained one indivisible entity inspite of the bitter civil war of 1967-1970 and other threats of secession and pockets of ethnic and religious crisis.
I find it difficult some times to place My country among other nations. I am not sure wether to describe her either as a rich or poor country. Perhaps she can best be described as a RICH COUNTRY WITH POOR PEOPLE. Her wealth has not impacted much on the life of her people.
I am only sure of one thing;her people are intellectually enterprising, hardworking, peacefull, heart warming, religious and honest.
As we celebrate her birthday, I pray and also beleive that some day she will rise to her greatness and take her proper place among the comity of nations.
How soon will my prayer and belief come to pass? I dont know, may be not during my life time. But The important thing is: the March towards a greater and prosperous Nigeria has begun and I am a part of this process.
GOD BLESS THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA- AMEN

African leaders penchant for tenure elongation even when they are no longer popular among the people has been factored into the continent's stunted growth.
Former President of Botswana, Mr Festus Gotenbaye Mogae in a treatise on Africa's democratic experience, said the sit tight syndrome among the leaders had snowballed into protracted conflict and truncation of civil rule in several countries in the continent. He further said the manipulation of the constitution and tenure extension by the continents political leaders was the bane of genuine democracy in the region.
Mogae, who voluntarily vacated his office after serving his tenure as president in 2008 also frowned at the continued debate among the political class in Africa on the need to extend the tenure of incumbent presidents without due regard to the existing laws and feelings of the people. He said it is a pity and disgraceful for any leader to continue to hold on to power against the wishes of the people.
According to him, tenure elongation, lack of transparent management of resources and undue alienation of the people from the political process by African leader was a time bomb that must never be allowed to explode. Africa needs a new order to grow and develop.

What do you think?

NOTE: Mogae was president of Botswana from March 31st 1998 to march 31st 2008.
Culled from THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday July 8,2009

La prolongation de tenure blesse l'Afrique !
Automatically translated into French thanks to WorldLingo
Le penchant africain de chefs pour l'élongation de tenure même lorsqu'ils ne sont plus populaires parmi le peuple a été factorisé dans la croissance arrêtée du continent.
L'ancien président du Botswana, M. Festus Gotenbaye Mogae dans un traité sur une expérience démocratique de l'Afrique, a déclaré que le syndrome serré de reposer parmi les chefs avait lancé des boules de neige dans le conflit et la troncation prolongés de la règle civile dans plusieurs pays dans le continent. Il en outre a dit que la manipulation de la prolongation de constitution et de tenure par les chefs politiques de continents était le fléau de la démocratie véritable dans la région.
Mogae, qui a volontairement évacué son bureau après avoir servi sa tenure comme président dans 2008 également froncés les sourcils à la discussion continue parmi la classe politique en Afrique sur la nécessité de prolonger la tenure des présidents de candidat sortant sans respect dû aux lois et aux sentiments existants du peuple. Il a dit qu'il est dommage et honteux pour que n'importe quel chef continue à se tenir dessus pour actionner contre les souhaits du peuple.
Selon lui, l'élongation de tenure, le manque de gestion transparente des ressources et l'aliénation anormal des personnes du processus politique par le chef africain étaient une bombe à retardement qui doit ne jamais être permise d'éclater. L'Afrique a besoin d'un nouvel ordre pour se développer et se développer.

Que pensez-vous ?

NOTE : Mogae était président du Botswana du 31 mars 1998 au 31 mars 2008.
Cueilli DU GARDIEN, mercredi juillet 8.2009

¡La extensión del arrendamiento lastima África!
Automatically translated into Spanish thanks to WorldLingo
La inclinación africana de los líderes para el alargamiento del arrendamiento aun cuando que son populares entre la gente se ha descompuesto en factores no más en el crecimiento impedido del continente.
El presidente anterior de Botswana, Sr. Festus Gotenbaye Mogae en un tratado en la experiencia democrática de África, dijo que el sentar que el síndrome apretado entre los líderes tenía snowballed en conflicto y el truncamiento prolongados de la regla civil en varios países en el continente. Él dijo más lejos que la manipulación de la extensión de la constitución y del arrendamiento de los líderes políticos de los continentes era la perdición de la democracia genuina en la región.
Mogae, que desocupó voluntariamente su oficina después de servir su arrendamiento como presidente en 2008 también fruncidos el ceño en el discusión continuado entre la clase política en África en la necesidad de ampliar el arrendamiento de los presidentes del titular sin respeto debido a los leyes y a las sensaciones existentes de la gente. Él dijo que es una compasión y vergonzoso para que cualquier líder continúe aferrándose para accionar contra los deseos de la gente.
Según él, el alargamiento del arrendamiento, la carencia de la gerencia transparente de recursos y la enajenación indebida de la gente del proceso político del líder africano eran una bomba de tiempo que se debe nunca permitir estallar. África necesita una nueva orden crecer y convertirse.

¿Qué usted piensa?

NOTA: Mogae era presidente de Botswana del 31 de marzo de 1998 al 31 de marzo de 2008.
Entresacado DEL GUARDA, miércoles julio 8.2009

L'estensione di possesso danneggia l'Africa!
Automatically translated into Italian thanks to WorldLingo
Il penchant africano dei capi per l'allungamento di possesso anche quando non sono più popolari fra la gente è stato scomposto nello sviluppo arrestato del continente.
L'ex presidente del Botswana, il sig. Festus Gotenbaye Mogae in un trattato su esperienza democratica dell'Africa, ha dichiarato che il seduta la sindrome stretta fra i capi ha avuta snowballed nel conflitto e nel troncamento prolungati della regola civile in parecchi paesi nel continente. Più ulteriormente ha detto che la manipolazione dell'estensione di possesso e di costituzione dai capi politici dei continenti era il bane della democrazia genuina nella regione.
Mogae, che ha sgomberato volontariamente il suo ufficio dopo il servizio del suo possesso come presidente in 2008 anche frowned al dibattito continuato fra il codice categoria politico in Africa sulla necessità di estendere il possesso dei presidenti incombenti senza riguardo dovuto fino le leggi e le sensibilità attuali della gente. Ha detto che è un pity e disgraceful affinchè tutto il capo continuasse a tenere sopra per alimentare contro i desideri della gente.
Secondo lui, l'allungamento di possesso, la mancanza di amministrazione trasparente delle risorse e l'alienazione eccessiva della gente dal processo politico dal capo africano erano una bomba a orologeria che deve non essere permessa mai esplodere. L'Africa ha bisogno di nuovo ordine di svilupparsi e svilupparsi.

Che cosa pensate?

NOTA: Mogae era presidente del Botswana dal 31 marzo 1998 al 31 marzo 2008.
Raccolto DAL GUARDIANO, mercoledì luglio 8.2009

Besitz-Verlängerung verletzt Afrika!
Automatically translated into German thanks to WorldLingo
Faktor bei afrikanischem Führerhang für Besitzverlängerung, selbst wenn sie nicht mehr unter den Leuten populär sind, ist in das gebremste Wachstum des Kontinentes dargestellt worden.
Ehemaliger Präsident von Botswana, Herr Festus Gotenbaye Mogae in einer Abhandlung auf Afrikas demokratische Erfahrung, sagte, daß sitzen, das festes Syndrom unter den Führern hatte, in langwierigen Konflikt und in Verstümmelung der Zivilrichtlinie in einigen Ländern im Kontinent snowballed. Er sagte weiter, daß die Handhabung der Beschaffenheit- und Besitzverlängerung durch die politischen Führer der Kontinente der Fluch der echten Demokratie in der Region war.
Mogae, das freiwillig sein Büro räumte, nachdem es seinen Besitz wie Präsident in 2008 auch die Stirn gerunzelt an der anhaltenden Debatte unter der politischen Kategorie in Afrika auf der Notwendigkeit, den Besitz der Amtsinhaberpräsidenten ohne passenden Respekt auf die vorhandenen Gesetze und die Gefühle der Leute zu verlängern gedient hatte. Er sagte, daß es schade und disgraceful ist, damit jeder möglicher Führer fortfährt, an zu halten, um gegen die Wünsche der Leute anzutreiben.
Entsprechend ihm waren Besitzverlängerung, Mangel an transparentem Management der Betriebsmittel und übermäßige Entfremdung der Leute vom politischen Prozeß durch afrikanischen Führer eine Zeitbombe, die explodieren nie lassen werden muß. Afrika benötigt einen neuen Auftrag zu wachsen und sich zu entwickeln.

Was denken Sie?

ANMERKUNG: Mogae war Präsident von Botswana vom 31. März 1998 bis 31. März 2008.
Ausgewählt VOM WÄCHTER, Mittwoch Juli 8.2009

A extensão do Tenure fere África!
Automatically translated into Portuguese thanks to WorldLingo
O penchant africano dos líderes para o elongation do tenure uniforme quando são já não populares entre os povos foi fatorado no crescimento stunted do continente.
O presidente anterior de Botswana, Sr. Festus Gotenbaye Mogae em um treatise na experiência democrática de África, disse que se sentar que o syndrome apertado entre os líderes teve snowballed no conflito e no truncamento protracted da régua civil em diversos países no continente. Disse mais mais que a manipulação da extensão do constitution e do tenure pelos líderes políticos dos continentes era o bane da democracia genuína na região.
Mogae, que vacated voluntàriamente seu escritório após ter servido a seu tenure como presidente em 2008 frowned também no debate continuado entre a classe política em África na necessidade estender o tenure de presidentes do encarregado sem consideração devida às leis e aos sentimentos existentes dos povos. Disse que é uma piedade e disgraceful para que todo o líder continue a prender sobre para power de encontro aos desejos dos povos.
De acordo com ele, o elongation do tenure, a falta da gerência transparente dos recursos e o alienation impróprio dos povos do processo político pelo líder africano eram uma bomba de tempo que devesse nunca ser permitida explodir. África necessita uma ordem nova crescer e tornar-se.

Que você pensa?

NOTA: Mogae era presidente de Botswana março de 31o 1998 a marchar 31o 2008.
Culled DO GUARDIAN, quarta-feira julho 8.2009

Ambetstidf8orlängningen görar ond Afrika!
Automatically translated into Swedish thanks to WorldLingo
Den afrikanska ledareböjelsen för ambetstidförlängning, även om de är ej längre populära bland folket, har dela upp i faktorer in i kontinent hämmade tillväxt.
Tidigare president av Botswana, Herr Festus Gotenbaye Mogae i en avhandling på demokratiska Afrika erfar, sade att det åtsittande syndromet för sitta bland ledarna hade kastat snöboll in i långdragen konflikt och trunkering av borgerligt härskar i flera länder i kontinenten. Han sade vidare att behandligen av konstitution- och ambetstidf8orlängningen av kontinentpolitisk ledare var banen av äkta demokrati i regionen.
Mogae, som tömde frivilligt hans kontor efter portion hans ambetstid, som presidenten i 2008 också frowned på den fortsatte debatten bland det politiskt klassificerar i Afrika på behovet att fördjupa ambetstiden av vilande på presidenter utan rakt hänseende till de existerande lagarna och känslorna av folket. Han sade att det är ett medlidande och vanhedrande för att någon ledare ska fortsätta för att rymma på för att driva mot wishesna av folket.
Enligt honom var ambetstidförlängning, brist av genomskinlig ledning av resurser och otillbörlig alienation av folket från det politiska processaa av den Afrikan ledare en tid bombarderar som måste aldrig vara tillåten att explodera. Afrika behöver ett nytt beställer för att växa och framkalla.

vad dig funderare?

NOTERA: Mogae var presidenten av Botswana från mars 31st 1998 som marscherar 31st 2008.
Gallrat från FÖRMYNDAREN, onsdag Juli 8.2009

Выдвижение Tenure ушибает Африку!
Automatically translated into Russian thanks to WorldLingo
Африканские руководители penchant для удлиненности tenure even when они no longer популярны среди людей были сфакторизованы в задержанный рост материка.
Бывшия президент Ботсваны, г-н Festus Gotenbaye Mogae в трактате на опыте Африки демократическом, сказал сидеть плотно, котор синдром среди руководителей имел snowballed в protracted конфликт и усекание гражданского правила в нескольких стран в материке. Он более добавочно сказал манипуляцией выдвижения конституции и tenure политическими руководителями материков был bane подлинной демократии в зоне.
Mogae, которое добровольн vacated его офис после служения его tenure по мере того как президент в 2008 также нахмуренном на продолжаемом debate среди политического типа в Африке на потребности расширить tenure нынешних президентов без должного отношения к действующим законам и ощупываниям людей. Он сказал он жалостью и disgraceful для любого руководителя, котор нужно продолжать держать дальше для того чтобы привести в действие против желаний людей.
Согласно ему, удлиненностью tenure, отсутсвием прозрачного управления ресурсов и undue отчужденностью людей от политического процесса африканским руководителем была бомба времени которой необходимо никогда не позволять взорвать. Африке нужно новый порядок вырасти и превратиться.

Вы думаете?

ПРИМЕЧАНИЕ: Mogae было президентом Ботсваны с 31-ого марта 1998 до 31-ого марта 2008.
Отбракованн от РАДЕТЕЛЯ, среда 8.2009 -го июль

De Uitbreiding van de ambtstermijn kwetst Afrika!
Automatically translated into Dutch thanks to WorldLingo
De Afrikaanse leidersneiging voor ambtstermijnverlenging zelfs wanneer zij niet meer populair onder de mensen zijn geweest zijn factored in de belemmerde groei van het continent.
De vroegere President van Botswana, M. Festus Gotenbaye Mogae in een verhandeling op de democratische ervaring van Afrika, zei strak syndroom onder de leiders had doen escaleren in voortgezette conflict en beknotting van burgerlijke regel in verscheidene landen in het continent zit. Hij zei verder de manipulatie van de grondwet en de ambtstermijnuitbreiding door de continenten politieke leiders was bane van echte democratie in het gebied.
Mogae, die vrijwillig zijn bureau na ook het dienen van zijn ambtstermijn als voorzitter in 2008 vrijmaakte fronste bij het voortdurende debat onder de politieke klasse in Afrika op de behoefte om de ambtstermijn van zittende voorzitters zonder gepaste achting tot de bestaande wetten en het gevoel van de mensen uit te breiden. Hij zei het een medelijden en beschamend voor om het even welke leider is blijven op macht tegen de wensen van de mensen houden.
Volgens hem, waren de ambtstermijnverlenging, het gebrek aan transparant beheer van middelen en de onbehoorlijke vervreemding van de mensen van het politieke proces door Afrikaanse leider een tijdbom die nooit moet worden toegestaan om te exploderen. Afrika vergt een nieuwe orde zich te groeien en te ontwikkelen.

Wat denkt u?

NOTA: Mogae was president van Botswana vanaf 31 Maart 1998 aan 31 maart 2008.
Geselecteerd van de BESCHERMER, Woensdag 8,2009 Juli

تول آذى إمتداد إفريقيا!
Automatically translated into Arabic thanks to WorldLingo
[أفريكن] زعيمات حللت ميل لتول استطالة [إفن وهن] هم [نو لونجر] شعبيّة بين الالناس يتلقّى يكون داخل القارّ يقزّم حالة نموّ.
قال رئيس سابقة بوتسوانا, سيد [فستثس] [غتنب] [موغ] في مقال على إفريقيا خبرة ديموقراطيّة, ال [ست] تناذر مشدودة بين الزعيمات كان قد [سنووبلّ] داخل يمدّد نزاع واقتطاع من قاعدة مدنيّة في عدّة بلاد في القارّ. هو أبعد قال كان المعالجة من الدستور وتول إمتداد بالقارّ زعيمات سياسيّة اللعنة من ديموقراطيّة أصليّة في المنطقة.
[موغ], الذي طوعا فرّغ مكتبه بعد يخدم توله بما أنّ رئيس في 2008 أيضا يعبس في ال يستمرّ مناقشة بين الصنف سياسيّة في إفريقيا على الحاجة أن يمدّد التول من مسؤول كبير رؤساء دون إحترام واجبة إلى الموجودة قانون وأحاسيس من الالناس. هو قال هو شفقة ومعيبة ل أيّ زعيمة أن يستمرّ أن يمسك فوق أن يزوّد ضدّ الأمنيات من الالناس.
وفقا ل ه, تول كان استطالة, افتقار من إدارة شفّافة موردات واغتراب غيرضروري من الالناس من العملية سياسيّة بزعيمة [أفريكن] [تيم بومب] أنّ ينبغي أبدا كنت سمحت أن ينفجر. إفريقيا يحتاج أمر جديدة أن ينمو وطوّرت.

ماذا أنت تفكّر?

بطاقة: [موغ] كان رئيس بوتسوانا من مارس - آذار [31ست] 1998 أن يسير [31ست] 2008.
ينقّي من الحارسة, يوم الأربعاء يوليو-تمّوز 8,2009