Thursday 11 July 2013
THE TAROK PERSONALITY:
Writing in 1932, A.B Mathews, District Officer in charge of Lowland Federation, argued that by 1900, oral and anthropological traditions established that tarok people had spent over 200 years in their present location. Therefore, it may be correct to speculate their earlier settlement to late 17th Century. Tarok original occupation is hunting with livestock gathering. Agronomy is later practice adopted due to interaction with other societies coupled the desire to response to growing human population. As a mobile society tarok assimilated different civilizations. Little wonder the social configuration of contemporary tarok society is not only sophisticated but also complex.
As adventuring race tarok personality is shaped by the risk profile of expedition. In this case, an exceptional attribute is required to subdue the hostile environment. Therefore, COURAGE is the definition of tarok personality. Although, this has attribute has been subject of negative campaign by intimidated societies who Will only want to exploit these rear attributes during social threats. Tarok women are worst casualties of this courageous dispositions. Closely related is FRANKNESS, tarok is quite open and blunt when it comes to dealing with others. Tarok believed in saying it as it is. Again, this qualities is misconstrue as rudeness. One integral aspect of tarok personality is JUSTICE. The diverse nature of tarok autonomous clan system could not have survived without sound sense of justice. Even though current challenges arising from unfair social bargains is sending discording signals, tarok has remained intact. HOSPITALITY is an inseparable attitude of tarok. In exaggerating hospitality, tarok evolved elastic assimilation principles that generates internal contradictions of pure identity. Tarok's assimilating capacity is viewed by antagonists as expansionists tendencies as could be seen in the numerous conflicts involving tarok in Wase and other places. This treatise is incomplete without mentioning SELF CONFIDENCE. An average tarok man is driven by confidence. Any adventure is approached with determination to succeed or concurred. Again it is conceived as negative value. Others people even demeaned it as self pride. Of course pride is not an empty value, it must have motivational drive.
Nonetheless, tarok has made incomperable sacrifices to both global and national peace and security. The highest contingents that prosecuted the Second World war from Plateau are tarok. Today, tarok has the highest number of retired senior military top brass. Late General Nanven Garba, who became a General presided over the 44th Unite Nations General Assembly as President. We can go on and on. However, modern civilization combined with hatred and envy has placed tarok personality into negative perspective. The tarok lady is a victim of this unfortunate development. Each time she is made to suffer for these attributes even in the hands of tarok men. She is hardly understood creating the feeling of not been love. The truth remains that tarok personality is germane to tarok greatness. All it takes is the zeal and tolerance to understand this without prejudice.
THE MIDDLE BELT STRUGGLE AS AN ENTERPRISE OF POLITICAL PATRONAGE:
I grew up as a zealot of the Middle belt struggle believing that the plight of the minorities in Nigeria is the majority ethnic nationalities. Having been under tutelage of one of the founders of the concept in the first republic, I hated the Hausa Fulani with a passion. By the political orientation, I believed that every problem of the Northerner minorities was caused by the Hausa Fulani.
I joined the emancipation philosophy at the age of 18 while in form two in secondary school. In fact, my service in the promotion of ethnic and religious politics was unprecedented. This political indoctrination enslaved my conscience greatly that my mentor was second to God.
One contradiction that was eminent was the fact that despite much preached hatred of the Hausa Fulani and the used of religion as a political weapon, the best associates of my principal were Hausa Fulani. They were Muslims who visited him regularly and even had more access to him than any Christian minorities. He gave them more opportunities and invested more on them than anybody yet but in closet we were made not to trust or like them.
My mentor gave jobs in strategic positions to children of his Muslim political associates but will not do same to Christian allies. Today, I know many of such beneficiaries holding strategic positions even in the security services courtesy of my principal.
It is quite unfortunate that 57 years after the middle belt struggle was launched it still use religion and ethnicity as the tool for political negotiations. It started as minority struggle for identity but today reverse is the case. It has reduced its initial ideology to an engine of promoting ethnic and religious hatred. The fears of the minorities was based on cultural ideology for identity which was genuine but what is driving force of such agitation in contemporary Nigeria? The Northern minority struggle was for was a region of their own distinct from the Hausa Fulani so as to promote and preserve their culture and traditions. In 1967, the middle belt region was divided into three states and now six states, namely, Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue, Taraba, Niger and Kwara states. What then are the Northern minorities asking for? These states are governed by their own people and not Hausa Fulani. All the natural and statutory allocations are controlled by them. So why they cry for marginalization? Who is marginalizing who?
In my humbly but candid opinion, the minority struggle has lost focus and is a mere tool of exploitation in the hands of some leaders. It employ religious sentiments to manipulate the people for personal political patronage. The map of the middle belt struggle is no more geo political but religious. Anywhere in the North that there are Christian settlements is in their new middle belt map. This development has prevented the growth of Christian Association of Nigeria, Northern states because the politicians has hijacked their responsibilities for parochial benefits.
The middle belt agitation is a mere hand bag association without any known office and even registered members. There is no secretariat or even employees despite the huge clamor about it. There is no single project for the benefit of the people today the group can boast of archiving. The people of the middle belt languished in abject poverty, hunger and perineal instability. This high profile group has never attracted any intervention of either the federal government or international agencies despite the sophisticated networks of the leaders. The middle belt leadership has never contributed relief materials to the crisis victims in the region except to visit government houses on such occasions for their welfare packages. The forum only exist whenever there is political activity, then the leaders dust their secretariat bag to make weighty statements which will attract attention. Once they are settled, then that will be the end of the issue. In 2003, there was laud noise about marginalization, the middle belt leaders threatened not to support Obasanjo, finally when they stroke a deal and went with him, he gave them three positions, two ambassadorial positions and on Special Adviser. The leader of the forum gave his wife and daughter, while the Chairman, Group Captain Dan Suleman took the other position and went to Russia as ambassador. That was all.
The middle belt leadership lack the moral standing to used religion as a tool, why? All those whose sustained them financially during periods of the great travails are or were Muslims. The former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, solidly financed and sustained the middle belt leadership when President Obasanjo had sour relationship with some of them.
Who brought Professor Jerry Gana to lime light? General Ibrahim Babangida, Muslim and so many of such instances.
On the contrary, the middle belt people have been at the receiving end while their leaders live in abuja and can only issue press statements from the comfort of their mansions. Unfortunately the the younger minds, even though enlightened, they have been enslaved by this hypocrisy of religious manipulation. What is religious about what is happening? Is hunger Christian or Muslim or what is the tribe of poverty? In looting the treasury, they are neither Muslims nor Christians but for the sake of dominating the people religion and ethnicity become an issue. Granted, the crisis had also given some level of justification for some sort of fear, however, who are the financiers? I believed the same people, just to create fear and panic so as to avoid accountability. How many poor people can afford an AK 47? Who provided it and for what? If its for the defence and protection of the society why are their children not involved? These deceit of a few who had been ripping the sweat of the people in the name of a sectional, religious but non existing Organisation deserves re-appraisal.
Recently, they re-grouped because 2015 is in focus. They visited the President to lure him to contest the election. Thereafter, they issued a statement to that effect. I have no quarrel with their visit but has so many issues with their statement. If they are canvassing support for the President for the second time, I challenged them to show basis. If its on the basis of religious sentiments, have the President associated with the suffering of the middle belt Christians? After the post election violence did he care to visit or send anybody to visit them? Has the President send any form of assistance whether from his personal earnings to assist those Christians whose worship places were destroyed? Sanusi Lamido Sanusi donated 100 million Naira to his people in Kano during crisis, what prevented you from doing same Mr President? Will Goodluck Jonathan be a Christian to us only for the sake of election?
Another sad aspect of this visit is that among the middle belt leaders there are people who has once contested for presidency but now preferred to be political tools. Why can't the middle belt produce a person to contest but preferred the role of palace servant? Is there no capable Christian minority in the North to contest the 2015 general elections? In as much as there is much clamor for power to return upwards, it will be in our interest to present a candidate instead of trans river Niger slavery which is worst than the hegemony. The middle belt had suffered worst neglect under the southern Christian leaders. Obasanjo started it and Goodluck has continued unabated. I challenged the leadership of the middle belt forum to blow their trumpets instead of blowing others.
On a Northern Christian President I stand in 2015.
I joined the emancipation philosophy at the age of 18 while in form two in secondary school. In fact, my service in the promotion of ethnic and religious politics was unprecedented. This political indoctrination enslaved my conscience greatly that my mentor was second to God.
One contradiction that was eminent was the fact that despite much preached hatred of the Hausa Fulani and the used of religion as a political weapon, the best associates of my principal were Hausa Fulani. They were Muslims who visited him regularly and even had more access to him than any Christian minorities. He gave them more opportunities and invested more on them than anybody yet but in closet we were made not to trust or like them.
My mentor gave jobs in strategic positions to children of his Muslim political associates but will not do same to Christian allies. Today, I know many of such beneficiaries holding strategic positions even in the security services courtesy of my principal.
It is quite unfortunate that 57 years after the middle belt struggle was launched it still use religion and ethnicity as the tool for political negotiations. It started as minority struggle for identity but today reverse is the case. It has reduced its initial ideology to an engine of promoting ethnic and religious hatred. The fears of the minorities was based on cultural ideology for identity which was genuine but what is driving force of such agitation in contemporary Nigeria? The Northern minority struggle was for was a region of their own distinct from the Hausa Fulani so as to promote and preserve their culture and traditions. In 1967, the middle belt region was divided into three states and now six states, namely, Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue, Taraba, Niger and Kwara states. What then are the Northern minorities asking for? These states are governed by their own people and not Hausa Fulani. All the natural and statutory allocations are controlled by them. So why they cry for marginalization? Who is marginalizing who?
In my humbly but candid opinion, the minority struggle has lost focus and is a mere tool of exploitation in the hands of some leaders. It employ religious sentiments to manipulate the people for personal political patronage. The map of the middle belt struggle is no more geo political but religious. Anywhere in the North that there are Christian settlements is in their new middle belt map. This development has prevented the growth of Christian Association of Nigeria, Northern states because the politicians has hijacked their responsibilities for parochial benefits.
The middle belt agitation is a mere hand bag association without any known office and even registered members. There is no secretariat or even employees despite the huge clamor about it. There is no single project for the benefit of the people today the group can boast of archiving. The people of the middle belt languished in abject poverty, hunger and perineal instability. This high profile group has never attracted any intervention of either the federal government or international agencies despite the sophisticated networks of the leaders. The middle belt leadership has never contributed relief materials to the crisis victims in the region except to visit government houses on such occasions for their welfare packages. The forum only exist whenever there is political activity, then the leaders dust their secretariat bag to make weighty statements which will attract attention. Once they are settled, then that will be the end of the issue. In 2003, there was laud noise about marginalization, the middle belt leaders threatened not to support Obasanjo, finally when they stroke a deal and went with him, he gave them three positions, two ambassadorial positions and on Special Adviser. The leader of the forum gave his wife and daughter, while the Chairman, Group Captain Dan Suleman took the other position and went to Russia as ambassador. That was all.
The middle belt leadership lack the moral standing to used religion as a tool, why? All those whose sustained them financially during periods of the great travails are or were Muslims. The former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, solidly financed and sustained the middle belt leadership when President Obasanjo had sour relationship with some of them.
Who brought Professor Jerry Gana to lime light? General Ibrahim Babangida, Muslim and so many of such instances.
On the contrary, the middle belt people have been at the receiving end while their leaders live in abuja and can only issue press statements from the comfort of their mansions. Unfortunately the the younger minds, even though enlightened, they have been enslaved by this hypocrisy of religious manipulation. What is religious about what is happening? Is hunger Christian or Muslim or what is the tribe of poverty? In looting the treasury, they are neither Muslims nor Christians but for the sake of dominating the people religion and ethnicity become an issue. Granted, the crisis had also given some level of justification for some sort of fear, however, who are the financiers? I believed the same people, just to create fear and panic so as to avoid accountability. How many poor people can afford an AK 47? Who provided it and for what? If its for the defence and protection of the society why are their children not involved? These deceit of a few who had been ripping the sweat of the people in the name of a sectional, religious but non existing Organisation deserves re-appraisal.
Recently, they re-grouped because 2015 is in focus. They visited the President to lure him to contest the election. Thereafter, they issued a statement to that effect. I have no quarrel with their visit but has so many issues with their statement. If they are canvassing support for the President for the second time, I challenged them to show basis. If its on the basis of religious sentiments, have the President associated with the suffering of the middle belt Christians? After the post election violence did he care to visit or send anybody to visit them? Has the President send any form of assistance whether from his personal earnings to assist those Christians whose worship places were destroyed? Sanusi Lamido Sanusi donated 100 million Naira to his people in Kano during crisis, what prevented you from doing same Mr President? Will Goodluck Jonathan be a Christian to us only for the sake of election?
Another sad aspect of this visit is that among the middle belt leaders there are people who has once contested for presidency but now preferred to be political tools. Why can't the middle belt produce a person to contest but preferred the role of palace servant? Is there no capable Christian minority in the North to contest the 2015 general elections? In as much as there is much clamor for power to return upwards, it will be in our interest to present a candidate instead of trans river Niger slavery which is worst than the hegemony. The middle belt had suffered worst neglect under the southern Christian leaders. Obasanjo started it and Goodluck has continued unabated. I challenged the leadership of the middle belt forum to blow their trumpets instead of blowing others.
On a Northern Christian President I stand in 2015.
NIGERIA GOVERNORS FORUM ELECTION, THE JOURNEY TO TYRANNY:
Unfolding political developments in Nigeria has been mind puzzling. Quite disturbing because the key actors are not only beneficiaries of democratic gestures but also supposed to be custodians of political values as leaders.
Even though Nigerians have been tolerating electoral delinquency with great hope that it may attain near perfection in the future, however, hope keeps drifting gradually as unfolding events all way betrays this trust.
Sometimes in June 2013, the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) conducted election for re-validate of leadership mandate. Thirty-five out of the thirty-six members of the Organisation participated in an election. Two people contested for the position of the Chairmanship, they are Governors Jonah Jang of Plateau State in North Central Nigeria and incumbent Chairman, Rotimi Ameachi of Rivers State in the South-south of Nigeria.
At the end of the polls, Governor Rotimi Ameachi got 19 votes while Governor Jang has 16 votes. Governor Rotimi Ameachi was declared winner in the presence of all by the Returning officer. This was the last straw that breaks the Carmel's back of the rumoured sour relationship between the Presidency and some Governors who are even members of the same party with Mr President.
Shortly after the results were declared, fifteen Governors who participated in the election regrouped and declared Governor Jang as factional Chairman. While this was going on Mr President was reported to have been unable to present his speech at the August ceremony of 50th Anniversary of the African Union in Adisababa. The official explanation as to why Mr President did not surface at the event has been quite embarrassing to the nation.
Well, the evolving macabre dance that accompanied this election seriously threatens our democratic experiment. It is matter of concern because the key actors has considerable influence and control the resources of their various states. It is worrisome, taking into consideration the nature of this democracy where the Governors enjoyed immunity and impunity. They are referred to as leaders of their parties in their locations therefore the fear of the Governor is the beginning of political wisdom.
Blame trading with counter allegations have dominated the political sphere, especially from the group that lost the election. I said lost because with my knowledge of elementary arithmetic 19 is more than 16, so I should be pardoned.
Speaking at a Church Service in Jos, Governor Jang told the congregation that "if you rigged election successfully God endorses it". Meaning, he lost the election to Ameachi but he has some support from else where to impose himself as factional Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum. The question here now is which god is Governor Jang referring to as endoring rigging, the god of Aso Rock and INEC or Our Father in Heaven?
In his own version explaining why he supported the chairmanship of Governor Jang, the Bauchi State Governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda stated that Governor Jang was endorsed by the Northern Governors Forum to be Chairman. He stated further that there was supposed to be no election at all after the endorsement, but that their Northern colleagues betrayed them therefore, he was withdrawing his membership of Northern Governors Forum on the strengthen of this betrayal.
May I ask, why did Governor Jang's group agreed to participate in the election since they knew that the traditions of electing the Chairmanship was by "endorsement"?
Secondly, If Governor Jang has won the election will they have still been saying the same thing?
Thirdly, when did Governor Jang become a Northern to be endorsed by Northern Governors?
Lastly, did Governor Jang wanted to deceive Northern Governors for parochial and selfish interest but God exposed him?
Why the sudden romance between Governor Jang and Some core Northern Governors, has Jang dumped his middle belt advocacy for political ambition?
The role of the Presidency and PDP in this drama of tyranny is quite unfortunate. The presidency has openly gave its backing to the group that lost the election. It has also mobilized everything against Governor Ameachi including physically using security agents against him. The war of words between the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and the Governor attest to how bad the situation has gone. Even recently, Governor Ameachi was blocked by over zealous security agents from exchanging pleasantly with Mr President even when he was at the Villa at the instance of presidential invitation. There are subterranean moves to have Ameachi impeached as Governor of Rivers State.
The PDP in reacting to this show of shame suspended Governor Ameachi for dissolving a democratically elected Local Government in River State. However, Governor Jang dissolved five Local Governments Councils in Plateau State namely, Langtang North, Wase, Kanam, Mikang and Langtang South mid-way into the tenures of elected Council leaders, in place appointed Management Committees, but the PDP did not see anything wrong with it, then why this selective justice? Could this be that Governor Jang is an anointed undertaker of the 2015 political agenda of Mr President while Governor Ameachi is anti the hidden agenda? From all indications the anti democratic credentials of PDP with its penchant for injustice is responsible for the challenges of our journey to viable democracy. If a party in government cannot epitomizes justice, equity and fairness then tyranny will be entrenched in place of responsible leadership. Late General Azazi once argued that lack of internal democracy, corruption, impunity and imposition of anointed candidates by PDP is the definition of security challenges. Even though, he was vilified for saying the truth, his spirit hunts us today. I agreed with the late National Security Adviser that PDP is a club of tyrants faning the embers of discord of this drama of irresponsibility accompanying the NGF election.
For those Governors alleging rigging of the election by Governor Ameachi, may I ask how did they win their own elections as Governors? He who live by the sword dies by the sword or cony man die, cony man burry him.
The political disgrace has serious implications for the future. If the Governors cannot conduct credible elections for thirty five people how can they presides over the election of 170 million fellow Nigerians?
Whatever way one looks at the entire drama, there is no doubt that the struggle to manipulate the 2015 election is in motion.
My advice to Mr President will be to distant himself from this show of shame, because it will demeans the status of his office. He should concentrate on performance instead of shadow chasing. Nothing will give him power in 2015 except good stewardship and God. Fighting Governor Ameachi is unethical of the converted status of a President. Even religious and ethnic sentiments will not save the situation but only and only performance.
Nigerians must hold the sanctity of Governor Ameachi's election as Chairman of Nigerian Governor Forum and advise Governor Jang to challenge the election in Court if he has evidence of rigging but parading himself as factional chairman is not only self mockery but elders delinquency. Ameachi's victory is a sacred mandate and like June 12, if tempered with then it will drive our democracy to Somalia.
Lets keep our fingers cross as big masquerades dance naked on the political landscape call Nigeria.
Even though Nigerians have been tolerating electoral delinquency with great hope that it may attain near perfection in the future, however, hope keeps drifting gradually as unfolding events all way betrays this trust.
Sometimes in June 2013, the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) conducted election for re-validate of leadership mandate. Thirty-five out of the thirty-six members of the Organisation participated in an election. Two people contested for the position of the Chairmanship, they are Governors Jonah Jang of Plateau State in North Central Nigeria and incumbent Chairman, Rotimi Ameachi of Rivers State in the South-south of Nigeria.
At the end of the polls, Governor Rotimi Ameachi got 19 votes while Governor Jang has 16 votes. Governor Rotimi Ameachi was declared winner in the presence of all by the Returning officer. This was the last straw that breaks the Carmel's back of the rumoured sour relationship between the Presidency and some Governors who are even members of the same party with Mr President.
Shortly after the results were declared, fifteen Governors who participated in the election regrouped and declared Governor Jang as factional Chairman. While this was going on Mr President was reported to have been unable to present his speech at the August ceremony of 50th Anniversary of the African Union in Adisababa. The official explanation as to why Mr President did not surface at the event has been quite embarrassing to the nation.
Well, the evolving macabre dance that accompanied this election seriously threatens our democratic experiment. It is matter of concern because the key actors has considerable influence and control the resources of their various states. It is worrisome, taking into consideration the nature of this democracy where the Governors enjoyed immunity and impunity. They are referred to as leaders of their parties in their locations therefore the fear of the Governor is the beginning of political wisdom.
Blame trading with counter allegations have dominated the political sphere, especially from the group that lost the election. I said lost because with my knowledge of elementary arithmetic 19 is more than 16, so I should be pardoned.
Speaking at a Church Service in Jos, Governor Jang told the congregation that "if you rigged election successfully God endorses it". Meaning, he lost the election to Ameachi but he has some support from else where to impose himself as factional Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum. The question here now is which god is Governor Jang referring to as endoring rigging, the god of Aso Rock and INEC or Our Father in Heaven?
In his own version explaining why he supported the chairmanship of Governor Jang, the Bauchi State Governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda stated that Governor Jang was endorsed by the Northern Governors Forum to be Chairman. He stated further that there was supposed to be no election at all after the endorsement, but that their Northern colleagues betrayed them therefore, he was withdrawing his membership of Northern Governors Forum on the strengthen of this betrayal.
May I ask, why did Governor Jang's group agreed to participate in the election since they knew that the traditions of electing the Chairmanship was by "endorsement"?
Secondly, If Governor Jang has won the election will they have still been saying the same thing?
Thirdly, when did Governor Jang become a Northern to be endorsed by Northern Governors?
Lastly, did Governor Jang wanted to deceive Northern Governors for parochial and selfish interest but God exposed him?
Why the sudden romance between Governor Jang and Some core Northern Governors, has Jang dumped his middle belt advocacy for political ambition?
The role of the Presidency and PDP in this drama of tyranny is quite unfortunate. The presidency has openly gave its backing to the group that lost the election. It has also mobilized everything against Governor Ameachi including physically using security agents against him. The war of words between the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and the Governor attest to how bad the situation has gone. Even recently, Governor Ameachi was blocked by over zealous security agents from exchanging pleasantly with Mr President even when he was at the Villa at the instance of presidential invitation. There are subterranean moves to have Ameachi impeached as Governor of Rivers State.
The PDP in reacting to this show of shame suspended Governor Ameachi for dissolving a democratically elected Local Government in River State. However, Governor Jang dissolved five Local Governments Councils in Plateau State namely, Langtang North, Wase, Kanam, Mikang and Langtang South mid-way into the tenures of elected Council leaders, in place appointed Management Committees, but the PDP did not see anything wrong with it, then why this selective justice? Could this be that Governor Jang is an anointed undertaker of the 2015 political agenda of Mr President while Governor Ameachi is anti the hidden agenda? From all indications the anti democratic credentials of PDP with its penchant for injustice is responsible for the challenges of our journey to viable democracy. If a party in government cannot epitomizes justice, equity and fairness then tyranny will be entrenched in place of responsible leadership. Late General Azazi once argued that lack of internal democracy, corruption, impunity and imposition of anointed candidates by PDP is the definition of security challenges. Even though, he was vilified for saying the truth, his spirit hunts us today. I agreed with the late National Security Adviser that PDP is a club of tyrants faning the embers of discord of this drama of irresponsibility accompanying the NGF election.
For those Governors alleging rigging of the election by Governor Ameachi, may I ask how did they win their own elections as Governors? He who live by the sword dies by the sword or cony man die, cony man burry him.
The political disgrace has serious implications for the future. If the Governors cannot conduct credible elections for thirty five people how can they presides over the election of 170 million fellow Nigerians?
Whatever way one looks at the entire drama, there is no doubt that the struggle to manipulate the 2015 election is in motion.
My advice to Mr President will be to distant himself from this show of shame, because it will demeans the status of his office. He should concentrate on performance instead of shadow chasing. Nothing will give him power in 2015 except good stewardship and God. Fighting Governor Ameachi is unethical of the converted status of a President. Even religious and ethnic sentiments will not save the situation but only and only performance.
Nigerians must hold the sanctity of Governor Ameachi's election as Chairman of Nigerian Governor Forum and advise Governor Jang to challenge the election in Court if he has evidence of rigging but parading himself as factional chairman is not only self mockery but elders delinquency. Ameachi's victory is a sacred mandate and like June 12, if tempered with then it will drive our democracy to Somalia.
Lets keep our fingers cross as big masquerades dance naked on the political landscape call Nigeria.
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