by Cheta Nwanze

I daresay that Mr. Mamman is being economical with the truth, and is simply muddying the waters in an attempt to push his real agenda: he (or someone he is backing), is making a play for the governorship of Nasarawa state in 2015.

Yesterday was a very good day. Finally, our Prez grew a pair and did something that he ought to have done a long time ago. He declared a state of emergency in the recalcitrant north-east, a portion of the country where human life has assumed a value that is not much higher than that of a chicken. Prior to GEJ’s decisive action, a preening #BokoHaram kaftan had reeled out a list of conditions for peace. What insolence!

Of course, GEJ’s action will elicit the usual rash of knee-jerk condemnations. For me, my only condemnation to it is that it has come, err, slightly late. But come nevertheless, and not far reaching enough, again in my view. The truth is this, his job as Commander-in-Chief requires a strong reaction to incidents such as have been happening in the north. Think Mubi, Baga, Bama, Maiduguri, Potiskum…

…then think Nasarawa as some people there, rather than express horror that a total of 56 security operatives were killed, have resorted to playing politics. While it will indeed be a tragedy of the highest proportions if 214 villagers were killed as Chris Mamman of the Eggon Cultural and Development Association claimed, his claim bears some questioning, “Where are the bodies?” being the most obvious question, while pointing out that such a number of dead will indeed be more than the number of people that were killed in Baga, which the whole world paid attention to. I daresay that Mr. Mamman is being economical with the truth, and is simply muddying the waters in an attempt to push his real agenda: he (or someone he is backing), is making a play for the governorship of Nasarawa state in 2015.

Yes, that’s how we play politics here, with human lives.

Bits and bobs

In more politics that affects human lives negatively, Otelemaba Amachree, a Rivers state gavel has alleged that there is a plot to smoke Uncle Rotimi. He made the allegations completely based on hearsay, in an open letter to the Prez.

Still on the bolekaja between Uncle Rotimi and numerous other parties rumbles on to the delight of seasoned WWF watchers. Nigeria’s biggest bird raised the stakes yesterday when she alleged that Uncle Rotimi’s iron bird was registered by a roadside mechanic.

Baby manufacturing is evidently on the rise in Eastern Nigeria. The police have closed up yet another “baby factory”. This one in Enugu. TBH, this industry raises some particularly scary questions, “Where is the demand for the babies coming from?”, “Who is the big kahuna behind all of this?”, “What are the babies being used for?”

Finally, for those of you who love happy endings, Saka’s level has definitely changed after porting from @Etisalat_9ja to @MTNNG. Hey, the horse himself neighed to PM News.

Right of Reply

Henry Uti wrote,

I’m from Delta state and I am offended by your statement that “Delta state sets us on a very slippery slope as Fulani herdsmen, who by some chance also happen to be Nigerian citizens, are told that they will no longer be welcome in the state.”

These fulani herds men are a nuisance to this nation. What gives them the right to send their cattle to  feed on others farm produce and also rob and rape women at will? Should this be permitted in a sane country? 

These same fulani herds men commit all forms of robbery during the day on our high ways in Delta state and Edo state and yet you’re speaking out in their support? My family has been attacked by this fulani herds men and I can tell you confidently that they have turned themselves into a nuisance to law abiding citizens of Delta state.

If they are not ready to stay back in their states and develop more advanced forms of cattle farming, similar to what applies in the United states, then let their trade die a natural death. Their cattle rearing activity should not remain a negative externality to other component units of this country.

Chxta responds,

Dear Henry,

There are legal methods to redress the situation if only your state government decided to put on its thinking cap. Again, and for the records, Section 41 of the Constitution gives every Nigerian the right to move freely throughout Nigeria, and to reside in any part of Nigeria. 

The country’s Penal Code clearly states what should happen if a person commits an offence, and the prescribed punishments do not include banning a whole peoples from a state. No my brother, if we want to sort this problem, wholesale prevention of a people’s movement is not the way to go as it opens doors that are meant to remain firmly shut and the keys broken. Think how Hitler began by restricting the movement of the Jews…

Ndubisi Ogwuda wrote,

PDP, as far as I know, has – in the past – lost elections; but not at the centre…no incumbent, at the centre, has ever lost an election since the advent of our democratic misadventure.

Seyi Taylor wrote,

I just want to ask 2 questions.
– the last time the Federal Government called for emergency rule in the North, what came out of it?
– apart from ‘declaring’ emergency rule, what real plan does the FG have to re-establish control in the affected areas? Aren’t those states in virtual emergency rule?

Chxta responds,

-not much, and that was because there was no follow up. We did not see any trials for example.
-well, this question has now been overtaken by events. A State of Emergency (quite different from Emergency Rule) has been declared. Those states are now in the hands of the Army. We can only pray for them now.

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Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija.