Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa

Saturday, 22 June 2019

20 YEARS OF DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA

'Since 1999, the Presidency has exceeded the role and powers prescribed by the constitution.
Besides, over-concentration of power in the hands of Governors is indeed a fallacy'
-

The above quote represents the mood at the public event organised by to commemorate the . The following were at the event:

*, Director, - Chairman
*Mahmud Jega, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Daily Trust newspapers - Keynote speaker
*, - Speaker
*Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa, Conflict Transformation Expert - Participant
*, Founder, KIND - Speaker
*Aisha Osori, Executive Director, - Speaker
*, Fmr. Minister - Speaker

The occasion was also in memory of two deceased champions of democratic ideals on the African continent - Dr. Tajudeen Abdulrahman (died 10 years ago) and Prof. Abubakar Momoh (died 2 years ago). The consensus was that 'If the battle of yesterday was to rid ourselves of Military rule, today's challenge is to regain our citizenship'.

It was noted that the representation of women in parliament and indeed politics in general, falls short of expectation and it is the lowest in Africa. The masochistic and 'masculinist' nature of Nigeria's politics needs to evolve into a milieu where women are allotted safe spaces to ensure their effective participation in politics. The shows that no matter how long a lie is brandished as the truth, the victim could be vindicated posthumously!

The nature of politics in Nigeria is essentially transactional. This needs to change. As far as the practice of democracy is concerned, we should never let the perfect be the enemy of the little progress we've made. remain limited liability companies of their founders. This needs to be interrogated in order to allow for internal Party democracy. There are three major areas where citizens need to engage their leaders - , and citizens' rights.

On the whole, it was realised that democracy is work in progress which we should never tire of fine-tuning...

Related Links

*Lessons from the history of democracy https://t.co/1ZyIzAHPJg

*20 proposals to strengthen democracy & resolve electoral conflicts by https://lnkd.in/dj-DQJM
*Mo Ibrahim: Addressing Africa's governance issues https://www.thebanker.com/Reports/International-Meetings/View-from-IMF-World-Bank/Mo-Ibrahim-addressing-Africa-s-governance-issues?
* https://www.sunnewsonline.com/tears-sorrow-blood-lamentation-for-nigeria-at-59/

*Edo 2020: Blueprint for better elections in Nigeria https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/09/edo-2020-blueprint-for-better-elections-in-nigeria

*Religion & the consolidation of democracy in Mali: The dog that doesn't bark http://demanddevelopmentjournal.org/.../religion-consolidation-democracy-mali/

*Over 40 companies demonstrate IT solutions as INEC moves towards E-voting https://newsdiaryonline.com/over-40-companies-demonstrate-it-solutions-as-inec-moves-towards-e-voting

*Democracy works better when there is less of it ft.com/content/f68c13a4_1130
*Ideological convergence vs differentiation in Party ideology in Nigeria's 4th Republic https://www.ifra-nigeria.org/.../387online-workshop-14-convergence/
*Shielding elections from Presidential influence: Lessons from Cape Verde, Comoros & Madagascar issafrica.org/research/africa-report/shielding-elections-from-presidential-influence/
*Private gain must no longer be allowed to edge out the public good aeon.co/ideas/private-gain-must-no-longer-be-allowed-to-edge-out-the-public-good/

*Pursuing status quo or regime change? A critical analysis of external influence on Presidential term limits in Africa https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-

*Gambia opposition laments failure of bid to curb term limit https://www.reuters.com/...gambia-opposition-laments-failure-of-bid-to-curb-term-limit

*Nigeria: Cultural, economic & political undercurrents in Edo election, September 2020 by CDD https://www.cddwestafrica.org/.../edo-governorship-election #EdoElection #EdoLivesMatter #CDDAnalysisCentre

*Edo governorship election & the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria by Jibrin Ibrahim https://opinion.premiumtimesng.com/2020/09/25/edo-governorship election-consolidate-democracy/

*Information influence: Disinformation during Edo's 2020 gubernatorial election - The role of social media https://www.cddwestafrica.org/.../information-influence-disinformation/

*Edo poll voter turnout decline worrisome in spite of credible conduct - CDD https://www.vanguardngr.com.cdd.ampproject.org/.../amp/

*Nigeria: Mainstreaming Constituency needs into Legislative Agenda https://leadership.ng/.../mainstreaming-constituency-needs-agenda.../
*How democracies die by Steven Levitsky et al https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com>books>how-democracies-die...
*Africa needs to decolonise the democratic model to include responsive & afro-centric practices https://twitter.com/MatlosaKhabele
*Why good leaders make us feel safe ted.com/talks/simon-sinek-why-good-leaders-make-us-feel-safe/
*A new Eurafrica partnership by Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Mo Ibrahim & Etienne Darignon https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/eu-africa-cooperation-jobs-migration-by-ellen-johnson-sirleaf-et-al-2019
*Democracy is damaged when people are afraid to speak out https://m.economictimes.com/opinion/interviews/democracy-is-damaged-when-people-are-afraid-to-speak-out-amartya-sen/
*Liberian lawmakers cut their salaries to save money for citizens in 2020 budget https://www.legit.ng/1266043-liberia-lawmakers-cut-salaries-by-30-cent-budget.html
*Can we can create an empathic alternative to the capitalist market? https://bigthink.com/politics-current-affairs/empathy-capitalism
*Nigeria: Lessons from 8th NASS & need to improve legislative representation https://www.legit.ng/1266575-opinion-lessons-8th-assembly-improve-legislative-representation-by-moshood-isah.html
*Democracy is not for sale, INEC warns vote buyers https://www.thecable.ng/democract-is-not-for-sale-inec
*The facade of liberal democracy https://africasacountry.com/2019/10/the-facade-of-liberal-democracy/
*Need for progressive synergy between the executive and the legislative arms of government https://www.legit.ng/1268967-opinion-need-progressive-synergy-between-executive-legislative-arms-of-government/
* shows the importance of democratic tumult by Antonia Malchik https://aeon.co/essays/the-history-of-riot-shows...
* https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/education/three-branches/executive-branch.../
*The future of democracy in Africa issafrica.org/research/papers/the-future-democracy-africa/
*Putting governance at the centre of Africa's development mo.ibrahim.foundation/
*We have advanced Nigeria's democracy - https://www.blueprint.ng/we-have-advanced-nigerias-democracy
*Infinity &beyond: Governance in fragile states chrisunderwoodsblog.com
*Democracy is damaged when people are afraid to speak out https://m.economictimes.com/opinion/interviews/democracy-is-damaged-when-people-afraid-speak-out/
*What Nigeria must do to avoid World Bank's 'worst case scenario' allafrica.com/stories/202001210002.html/
*West Africa's key polls in 2020: Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Togo https;//buff.ly/2RjTMwT
*Monarchies are gradually disappearing https://theweek.com/articles/889866/monarchies-are-fast-disappearing/
*Political Vigilante Groups in Ghana's democratic governance: Some policy options https://www.ssrc.org/publications/view/political-vigilante-groups-in-ghanas-democratic governance
*Nigeria: Political Parties' de-registration & next steps https://newsdiaryonline.com/political-parties-deregistration-next-steps/
*What's behind rising authoritarianism? https://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/whats-behind-rising-authoritarianism/
* aeon.co/essays/why-foucaults-work-on-power-is-important/
*Democracy must not become the silent victim of the CoV pandemic - Kofi Annan Foundation kofiannanfoundation.org/articles/open-letter-democracy-must-not-become-the-silent-victim-of-cov-pandemic/
*Policy on 'Conducting elections in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic' https://www.inecnigeria.org/wp-content/upoloads/2020/05/inec-policy-on-conducting-elections-in-covid-19.pdf
*INEC okays e-voting for 2021 https://t.co/90zawzdV6q?amp=1
*Why democracies do better at surviving pandemics chatamhouse.org/expert/comment/why-democracies-do-better-at-managing-pandemics/

*The role of CSOs in a democracy https://nickopoku.blogspot.com/2020/08/the-role-of-csos.html

*What is the Mali coup telling Africa? https://allafrica.com/stories/202008270717.html

*Political insecurity in West Africa: A call for democratic stability & peaceful elections https://www.wanep.org/wanep/index.php?opinion...political-insecurity-in-west-africa-call-for-democratic-stability-peaceful-elections

*Elections amid Covid-19 and public safety https://nextierspd.com/elections-amid-covid-19-public-safety

*: Navigating the nexus between rhetoric & emerging reality https://lnkd.in/gpUxbce

*Mali: Lessons on elections for Nigeria & West Africa theafricareport.com

*3rd term for Presidents of Cote d'Ivoire & Guinea must be stopped https://issafrica.org/iss-today/third-terms-for-presidents-of-cotedivoire-guinea-must-be-topped/

*Good governance as the lynchpin for Africa's progress in the face of Covid-19 & climate threats https://news.trust.org/item/2020092.../

*Analysis: Trump's Covid-19 diagnosis throws US November 2020 election into chaos, threatens governing crisis https://cnn.it/3jCtOR

*US: Christianity, character & the Presidency https://link.medium.com/

*Nigeria: Ondo election: Police arrests many for electoral offences guardian.ng

*Ondo Gubernatorial election: Up to N600,000 allocated for vote buying per polling unit - CDD https://punch,ng.com/up-to-n600000-allocated-for-vote-buying-per-polling-booth #CDDAnalysisCentre #OndoDecides 2020

*Mali's transitional government: The danger of the junta clinging to power https://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_malis_transitional_government.../

*Constitutional Review & the Restructuring of the Nigerian Federation by Friends of Democracy opinion.premiumtimesng.com/2020/10/14/constitutional-review-restructuring-nigerian-federation/

*It is not about dismantling SARS, it is about democratising Nigeria by Jibrin Ibrahim newsdiaryonline.com/its-not-about-dismantling-sars-its-about-democratising-nigeria/

*Violent reprisal of peaceful protests constitute dangerous assault on citizens' Constitutional rights - CDD https;//www.cddwestafrica.org/violent-reprisal-peaceful-protest-assault-on-constitutional-rights-of-citizens/

*Polls in peril: West Africa's 2020 elections - CDD cddwestafrica.org

*INEC's conduct of Ondo guber poll improvement on Edo poll - CDD https://m.guardian.ng/politics/inecs-conduct-ondo-polls-improvement-on-edo.../

*Power failure: Why have young people fallen out of love with democracy? theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/20/power-failure-why-young-people-dont-like-democracy/

*INEC, new normal & Nigeria's quest for credible elections guardian.ng/politics/inec-new-normal-nigerias-quest-credible-elections/

*Towards human rights approach to citizenship & nationality struggles in Africa demanddevelopmentjournal.org

*YIAGA Africa's memo submitted to the Nigerian Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters on the Bill for an Act on The Protection from Internet Falsehood & Manipulations & for other related matters https://www.yiaga.org/social-media-bill-not-reasonably-justifiable--in-a-democratic-society/

*Polls in peril: West Africa's 2020 elections cddelibrary.org

*The task ahead for the newly re-elected INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu https://leadership.ng/as-inec-boss-braces-up-for-task-ahead/

*INEC releases 2019 election report, recommends electronic voting premiumtimesng.com/news/424921-inec-releases-2019-election-report.../

*Higher stakes with the re-appointment of INEC boss https://www.legit.ng/1381507-opinion-higher-stakes.../

*Nigeria spending more on elections, but voter turn out keeps decreasing premiumtimesng.com

*Politics, dialogue & the evolution of democracy goodmediapress.com

*Imaging shows how the brain drives political divides webmd.com

*There's a crack in everything, that's how light gets in - Leonard Cohen on Democracy & its redemption https://www.brainspickings.org/2016/11/10/leonard-cohen-democracy/

*How to save democracy from technology www-foreignaffairs-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/united-states-2020-11-24/fukuyama.../

*Africa watches Ghana's 'boring' Presidential race with envy: Relative lack of violence, vote rigging, etc ft.com

*Nigeria's 2023 elections: In pursuit of electoral reforms that serve the common good - Samson Itodo https://opinion.premiumtimesng.com/.../nigerias-2023-elections.../

*Ghana's opposition candidate, Mahama, rejects election results punchng.com

*'Policy, dialogue & the evolution of democracy' by Ken Cloke https;//www.goodmediapress.com/product-page/politics-dialogue-the-evolution-of-democracy

*Why democracy thrives in some countries and not in others economist.com

*When we take democracy for granted https://www.linhedin.com/pulse/when-we-take-democracy-granted-arne-sorenson/

*America's lessons for African dictators mg.co.za/africa/2021-01.../ via mail&guardian

Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa @ the event

Thursday, 23 May 2019

THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF CONFLICT IN NIGERIA

L-R: , &

The title of this post was at the heart of my submission at the on the 20th of May, 2019. I addressed a delegation of Policy Officers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at . The delegation comprised diplomats working in diverse areas of the economy - agriculture, manufacturing, , small & medium scale enterprises, etc. They wanted to know how the many conflicts in Nigeria have affected each of these sectors.

The crux of my argument was that conflict hinders development in any clime, including Nigeria. In recent times, there has been a delicate and uncomfortable intersection between , , criminality, kidnapping, etc. Many of the explanations of violence in Nigeria, so far, have been descriptive. We need to move beyond this.

A number of unresolved issues are the root causes of these conflicts viz; group exclusion, elite domineering authority, state violence against the citizenry, lack of internal , etc. Sometimes, violence is the result of contention among dominant groups. Structuring Nigeria around bargains of rent distribution has also been problematic. Conflicts should not simply be reduced to 'fault lines'. Besides conflict could be cyclical, following election cycles.

I recommended a few remedies that could assuage the high level of tension in the country:

*Political Parties should develop internal mechanisms for ensuring that democratic ideals are adhered to.
*There should be equitable distribution of public goods.
*There should be safety nets for the poor, the unemployed, etc.
*There should be devolution of powers, which would make for more autonomy for the regions/states.
*Elite management/consensus should not be self-serving. The vulnerable in the society and other groups should be accommodated.
*Security Sector Reform (SSR) is of utmost importance in order to counter the more sophisticated forms of banditry and insurgency.
*Identified 'conflict merchants' (gun runners, hate speech vendors, etc) who profit by fueling crises should be named, shamed and punished. This would serve as a deterrent to others.
*A comprehensive plan, beyond SSR should be drawn up by government to address various types of conflict. The '' has its job cut out for it in this regard...

We had robust discussions on the Netherlands comparative advantage, which could form the basis for their entry point into the Nigerian economy at this time...

Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa with members of the delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs @ the Hague.

Tuesday, 12 March 2019

THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY & NIGERIA'S 2019 ELECTIONS

Photo L-R: (Press officer), (Conflict Transformation Expert) & (Chief Observer) @ the EU Press Conference on

Yesterday, 11th March 2019 was indeed a busy day for me. The and the European Union (EU) held separate Press Conferences on the conduct of Nigeria's 2019 elections in . I was at both briefings. The concerns about the elections are similar.

Some of the findings are:

*Systemic failings and electoral security problems show need for 'serious reform'.
*There were operational improvements in the of 9th March over the held earlier. However, these gains were overshadowed by systemic failings - lack of transparency, incumbency advantage ballot box snatching and a 'troubling electoral security environment'.
*Condemnation for the obstruction of citizen observers by the military and security agents on election day. International observers were denied access to collation centres in .
*Overall, the elections were competitive, with freedom to campaign. However, there was misuse of state-owned media, which prevented a level playing field. Institutional websites were used to campaign by both the .
*Collation process: Inconsistent numbers, lack of clear checks/explanation and insufficient public information undermined confidence in the integrity of the process.
*The absence of internal party democracy and the lack of effective mechanisms for resolving intra-party disputes contributed to 'highly contentious' party primaries in 2018, which resulted in over 600 pending court cases, some of them to resolve candidacies for state-level offices.
*Lack of women's representation: The percentage of women candidates running for governor and deputy governor increased slightly in 2019 from 6 to 17 percent respectively in 2015 to 8 and 26 percent. However, the two major parties did not field any female candidates for governor.. Additionally, of the 276 women running for deputy governor, only 5 were candidates from APC and PDP.. So far the Nigerian government has not applied the 53% Affirmative Action principle included in the 2006 National Gender Policy.

Recommendations

1) To the Executive branch of government

*Expedite the adoption of comprehensive electoral reforms.
*Implement fully and expeditiously the recommendations of the Nigeria-led reform initiatives, e.g. Uwais Commission (2008) and the Nnamani Committee (2017).
*Adopt and apply measures to achieve 35% affirmative action for women in both elective and appointive positions.
*Investigate the actions of the military and hold all those who violated the electoral and other laws accountable.

2) To the

*Undertake and pass amendments to the election law that address the challenges and lessons learned from the 2019 electoral cycle.
*Prioritise legislation that would promote women's leadership and political participation by adopting the Gender & Equal Opportunities Bill.

3) To INEC

*Publish detailed state and national level results in a timely manner.
*Conduct a comprehensive review of the conduct of the 2019 polls.
*Review the recommendations of credible domestic and international observers.
*Ensure effective communication between the state and federal levels throughout the election process.
*Reconsider the order and timing of general elections in Nigeria.
*Fully empower presiding officers to exercise their authority to act on election offences when they occur.

4) To political parties & candidates

*Strengthen mechanisms for internal party democracy.
*Develop mechanisms for effective resolution of intra-party conflicts.
*Work across parties to identify common priorities and support electoral reform.
*Abandon electoral practices such as voter intimidation, vote buying and other disruptions of the election process.
*Develop state level platforms and policy positions that take into consideration localised priority issues upon which voters can base their choices.
*Strengthen relationships between party structures and elected representatives in the National Assembly and state level to support parties' reform agendas.

5) To civil society

*Convene national and state level multi-stakeholder dialogue to draw lessons from the 2019 election process while galvanising broad-based support for electoral reforms.
*Create broad-based coalitions and aggressively champion coordinated advocacy campaigns to increase the participation of women. Take a cue from the #NotTooYoungToRun campaign.
*Enhance effort to channel citizen priorities at the state and local levels to responsive and accountable governance.

6) To security agencies

*Work with INEC to enforce the electoral law by investigating and prosecuting perpetrators of election-related criminal acts.
*Investigate and sanction security personnel who violate the rules of engagement on election day.

The above represents some of the concerns and recommendations of some foreign observers as regards the 2019 elections in Nigeria. I hope the various arms of government, security agencies and civil society do their part by closely studying the extant commentary on the elections...

Related Links

*The '' behind Nigeria's 2019 elections https://twitter.com/CDDWestAfrica/status/111885...
*8 rules for https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/8-rules-successful-biometric-voter-registration/
*How are young Africans engaging the electoral processes? Lessons from Nigeria & Senegal https://allafrica.com/stories/201904231157.html
*Why fail https://leadership.ng/2019/03/21/why-presidential-election-petitions-fail
*Nigeria's election law: Matters & petition cases lawnigeria.com/judgement/election-matters-law-judgement3.php
* withdraws from Presidential Elections Petitions Tribunal https://www.youtube.com/watch... https://punchng.com/breaking-bulkachuwa-withdraws-from-presidential-election-petition
*Why I asked Justice Bulkachuwa to withdraw from Presidential Election Tribunal https://www.premiumtimesng.com/.../331202-why-i-asked-justice-bulkachuwa-to-withdraw...
*Presidential Election Tribunal dismisses suit seeking to stop President Muhammadu Buhari's inauguration https://www.channelstv.com/.../presidential-election-petition-tribunal-dismisses-suit-seeking...
*Nigeria's 2019 elections https://kujenga-amani.ssrc.org/2019/02/15/special-issue-nigerias-2019-elections-in-perspective/
*Displaced but not disenfranchised: IDPs and the 2019 elections in Nigeria https://kujenga-amani.ssrc.org/2019/02/15/displaced-but-not-disenfranchised-idps-and-the-2019-nigerian-elections
*Women and Nigeria's 2019 elections https://kujenga-amani-ssrc.org/2019/02/15/women-and-nigerias-2019-elections/
*The international community and Nigeria's 2019 elections https://kujenga-amani.ssrc.org/2019/02/15/the-international-community-and-nigerias-2019-elections/
*Security agencies and the 2019 elections in Nigeria https://kujenga-amani.ssrc.org/2019/02/15/security-agencies-and-the-2019-elections-in-nigeria/
*Bullets and ballots: Exploring insecurity in the 2019 elections in Nigeria https://kujenga-amani-ssrc.org/2019/02/15/bullets-and-ballots-exploring-insecurity-and-the-2019-elections-in-nigeria
*Not ready to run: Youth and Nigeria's 2019 general elections https://kujenga-amani-ssrc.org/2019/02/15/not-ready-to-run-youth-and-nigerias-2019-general-elections/
*Political campaigns in the 2019 elections: Economic debate takes back seat https://kujenga-amani.ssrc.org/2019/02/15/political-campaigns-in-the-2019-election-economic-debate-takes-a-backseat/
*INEC says only 21 recommendations by foreign missions can be implemented internally bit.ly/1HyuNuk https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/339714-2019-elections-inec-says-only-21-recommendations-by-foreign-missions...
*Atiku's turbulent journey from polls to Presidential tribunal loss https://www.premiumtimes.ng.com/news/headlines/351962-atikus-turbulent-journey-from-polls-to-presidential-tribunal-loss...
*2019 elections: INEC involved in over 1,600 court cases https://www.premiumtimes.com/news/.../356938-2019-elections-inec-involved-in-over-1600-court-cases.html

18th June, 2019

FINAL STATEMENT OF NDI/IRI ON NIGERIA'S 2019 ELECTIONS

On the 18th of June, 2019, NDI/IRI presented their on the 2019 elections in Nigeria. It is a follow up to their preliminary statement in February after the Presidential elections. I should not fail to mention a new innovation during the release of the final statement. As far as I can recall, this was the first time Nigerian stakeholders were invited to join the IRI/NDI team at the 'high table' for the presentation.

The invited Nigerian stakeholders were:

*Prof. - Professor of French and candidate for the 2015 Presidential election.
*Honourable - He was elected in 2019 to the for the constituency of in . He emerged as the first youth under the age of 40 to be elected into a federal seat at the National Assembly.
*Chairman - He is a Nigerian politician and businessman. Bashir is the National Chairman of the People's Democratic Movement (PDM).

The three stakeholders listed above gave a good account of themselves while giving their unique perspectives on the polity and nature of the electoral system in Nigeria. The following constitute the main thrust of the statement:

*The 2019 general elections fell significantly short of standards set in 2015.
*Citizen' confidence in the elections was shaken. Election stakeholders should take concrete steps to address the concerns of citizens with regard to the polls.
* The 2019 elections highlighted for many Nigerians the need for a national conversation about the country's democratisation since the 1999 transition to civil rule.
* The report provides recommendations to enhance the credibility of elections in Nigeria, going forward - political party conduct, civic engagement, election security and legal frameworks around election disputes.
*In previous years, suggestions for improvement by reputable citizens and international observation missions went unheeded.

I sincerely hope that these useful recommendations are carefully studied and implemented to a large extent.

Related Links

*The sophisticated ways was used in Nigeria's 2019 elections https://qz.com/africa/1678202/how-whatsapp-impacted-nigerias-2019-elections/
*Journalistic framing of electoral conflict in a politically fragile society: A comparative study of the Zimbabwean weekly press https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/fill/10.1080/23743670
*Sorting fact from fiction: Nigeria's 2019 elections https://t.co/fFXsiH6iAI
*Judging an umpire: Observers' verdicts & INEC's scorecard https://tribuneonlineng.com/226147

Monday, 11 March 2019

ADIEU PROF. PIUS ADESANMI: PUBLIC INTELLECTUAL PER EXCELLENCE

'Here lies who tried as much as he could to put his talent in the service of humanity and flew away home one bright morning when his work was over'
- Pius Adesanmi, August 21, 2018

'Thinking is really the only debt the public intellectual owes this society, thinking is all I believe I owe Nigeria and Africa'
- Pius Adesami, 2011

'Africa is the forward that the world needs...'
- Pius Adesanmi,

'A great deal of our problem in Nigeria is because our people have been strategically under-educated and dis-educated by the ruling class because of the advantages of using illiteracy'
- Pius Adesanmi, #AkeFest15

'I have drawn this profile, not because I have hope for change. Sadly, I think our people have been psychologically defeated and have come to accept and love these things about Nigeria. They turn on whoever tries to awaken them. Nigeria's irresponsible leaders have us where they want us. I write basically these days for the purposes of archaeology. A thousand years from now, archaeologists would be interested in how some people called Nigerians lived in the 20th and 21st centuries. If they dig and evacuate, I am hoping that fragments of my writing survive to point them to the fact that all of them accepted to live as slaves of the most irresponsible rulers of the era'
- Pius Adesanmi, 'An Archaeology of Nigeria' in the Tribune, March 9, 2019, a day before he died in an

Pius Adesanmi, author of '' etc. quoted Ps. 139:9-10 on his Facebook page in the airport in Ethiopia few hours before he boarded the crashed plane. The jist of the passage is simply that Almighty Father knows everything about us and none of us can escape His presence. Did he have premonition of his death? He even wrote his epitaph, probably not intending to do so, while engaging in social satire.

I am still mourning! Candle in the wind? Adieu Pius Adesanmi (27th February 1972 - 10th March, 2019). Please tell me to wake up from dreamland where I believe Pius would simply walk into my living room in flesh and blood to say news of his demise was just a ruse...But I need to face reality, the cold fact that Pius is gone, at least from this earth life. Although fourteen years younger than I, I was always in awe of his intellectual prowess each time I encountered him. Nigeria, and indeed Africa has lost one of its very best - eloquent, fearless, articulate, speaker of truth to power, accomplished academic, loving husband/father, a strong link between town and gown, generous, respectful, respectable, polished and relentless advocate of the undeniable potential of the black man/woman...PIUS.

Pius lost his life in the ill-fated Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 flight of Sunday 10th March, 2019 with 157 passengers on board from 35 countries! Pius traveled with his Canadian passport (He had dual citizenship: Nigerian and Canadian). This caused the delay in identifying the fact that such a precious Nigerian was on board. He was en route Nairobi as a participant in the organised by the AU. Until his death, Pius was Professor of Literature and African Studies, . He was also former Fellow, French Institute for Research in Africa (IFRA) and French Institute of South Africa (IFAS).

A thorough investigation into the cause of the plane crash is the very minimum demanded by citizens the world over. What can I say? He came, he saw, he conquered. It is not how ling you live that matters, but the impact you make while on earth. I extend my condolence to his wife and two daughters at this critical time. I am confident that the family will keep the flag flying and continue from where Pius stopped...abruptly. The best all of us can do to his memory is to constantly reinforce the noble ideals he stood for in his lifetime...

Related Links

*Greek man, Antonis Mavropoulos, who missed Ethiopian Airlines fight by mere minutes shares emotional post https://edition.cnn.com/2019/03/11/africa/ethiopian-airlines-crash-missed-facebook-post-scli-intl/
*Passengers killed in Ethiopian Airlines crash came from 25 countries https://edition.cnn.com/2019/03/10/africa/ethiopian-airlines-crash-victims/
*The Institute of African Studies at the Carleton University calls for submissions of a Poetry Anthology in honour of Pius Adesanmi bit.ly/2FobSGG
*Pius Adebola Adesanmi: Like a dew on grass by Bamidele Ademola-Olateju https://opinion.premiumtimesng.com/2019/03/18/pius-adebola-adesanmi-like-a-dew-on-grass...
* & national leadership: A tribute to Pius Adesanmi https://www.thenewsguru.com/news/.../tortoise-folklore-national-leadership-tribute-pius-adesanmi/
*Finding meaning in Pius Adesanmi's self-prophesied death by Ogaga Ifowodo https://opinion.premiumtimesng.com/2019/03/17/finding-meaning-in-pius-adesanmis-self-prophesied-death...
*Pius Adesanmi's mother & daughter sue Boeing over Ethiopian airline crash https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/.../333902-pius-adesanmis-mother-daughter-sue-boeing-over-ethiopian...
*Wreaths for a Wayfarer: An Anthology of Poems in Honour of Pius Adesanmi (1972 - 2019), Nduka Otiono &Uchechukwu Umezurike (eds), Co-Publishers; Daraja Press/Narrative Landscapes Press https://web.facebook.com/photo.php

Saturday, 9 March 2019

'BECOMING' BY MICHELLE OBAMA: LESSONS FOR NIGERIA

In spite of the fact that today, 9th March 2019, Nigerians are trooping out to vote for candidates of their choice in the Gubernatorial and State Assembly elections, I cannot resist the temptation to highlight lessons for Nigeria and indeed the electorate from 's New York Times best-selling book, ''.

'Becoming' is a lucid, down to earth rendition by Michelle Obama (former First Lady of the US) on her journey so far this earth life. I can relate to the contents of the book because it has valuable lessons for women and indeed men in Nigeria at both the individual and national levels. Some of the lessons I can decipher are:

*In spite of anyone's success, there are times when we humans still feel insecure. Let Michelle speak for herself: 'I have become, by certain measures, a person of power and yet there are moments still, when I feel insecure and unheard'. Could this insecurity at the personal level be the reason that many otherwise successful persons seek political power by all means?

*Becoming isn't a static notion. 'It isn't about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as a forward motion. It means evolving. A way to reach continuously towards a better self. The journey doesn't end'. Are we Nigerians constantly trying to improve ourselves at the personal level which should eventually translate to a better socio-political and economic life. By this I mean constantly refining our in good faith and in line with our realities to ensure free, fair, credible and inclusive elections. The lessons learnt each election season should be reflected in the conduct of subsequent elections. Remember: . It is only one significant element of any democratic process. Others are clear ; respect for the place of the fourth estate of the realm (the press) in the polity; etc.

*Becoming is not about being perfect. It's not where you get yourself in the end. There's power in allowing yourself to be known and heard. In owning our own story. In using your authentic voice. There's grace in being willing to know and hear others. This, for Michelle, is how we become. We in Nigeria need to commit to using our 'authentic voice', we should own our own story while being open to ideas from all sections of the country.

*There are lessons for us in Nigeria, especially before, during and after elections. We should embrace one another, while playing down ethnic and religious sentiments in the name of politics.

*In Nigeria, as advised by Obama, 'let's invite one another in. Maybe we can begin to fear less, make fewer wrong assumptions and let go of the biases and stereotypes that un-necessarily divide us. Maybe we can better embrace the way we are the same'.

*What struck me about the book was Michelle Obama's candour about her concerns, fears, insecurities and pain throughout her life so far, including as First Lady. The major lesson for us in Nigeria this election season is to remember that after the elections, Nigeria remains in spite of the winners and losers. We have no other country to call ours, let's embrace peace!

Related Links

* https://edition.cnn.com/2019/03/26/politics/michelle-obama-memoir-10-million-copies/

*Michelle Obama's DNC speech edition.cnn.com/videos/politics/2020/08/17/michelle-obamas-dnc-speech/

*15 inspiring quotes by Michelle Obama https://idscreate.com/2020/05/29/fifteen-inspiring-quotes-michelle-obama/

* thriveglobal.com/stories/how-to-improve-posture-back-tips-success-confidence/
* ideas.ted.com/how-to-be-kinder-to-yourself-self-compassion/
*Tips for middle-aged women who want to look stunning in photos newyorker.com/humour/daily-shouts/tips-for-middle-aged-women-who-want-to-look-stunning-in-photos
*The 'Neuro-biology of Affiliation': Why 'care' & 'scare' are inseparable when you love someone aeon.co/essays

*How the failure of multiculturalism led to the rise of 'Black Lives Matter' (BLM) https://theconversation.com/how-the-failure-of-multilateralism-led-to-black-lives-matter/

* next-element.com/maya-agelous-myth/

*Michelle Obama discusses going through menopause as First Lady elle.com/uk/life-and-culture/a33594028/michelle-obama-menopause-white-house/
*Don't stress: Scientific secrets of people who keep cool heads newscientist.com/article/mg24532700-600-dont-stress-scientific-secrets-of-people-who-keep-cool-heads/

*21 year old Special Olympics athlete with Downs Syndrome (DS) Chris Nikic, has made history as 1st person with DS to complete an Iron-man triathlon cnn.com
*When a smile is not a smile: What your facial expressions really mean newscientist.com/article/mg24532690-900-when-a-smile-is-not-really-a-smile.../
*4 myths about 'finding your purpose' thriveglobal.com/stories/myths/finding-your-purpose/
*How to disappear: The art of listening to silence in a noisy world brainpickings.org/2019/10/14/gordon-hempton-silence-in-noisy-world/

*Larry King's children die within weeks of each other edition.cnn.com/2020/08/22/media/larry-king-children-died-trnd/index.html
*Michelle Obama's 'Becoming' set to become best-selling memoir in history nypost.com/2019/03/26/michelle-obamas-bocoming-set-to-become-best-selling-memoir-in-history
*How to love: Mastering the art of 'Interbeing' - Thich Nhat Hanh (Budhist teacher) brainspickings.org/2015/03/31/how-to-love-thich-nhat-hanh
* thriveglobal.com/stories/perfectionism-how-to-deal-advice/
*5 ways to finally break a bad habit even if you've had it for years thriveglobal.com/stories/break-bad-habit-strategies-healthy-lifestyle/
*7 tools for making sense of Life & Death WillowEoL.com/shop

*Is spiritual growth possible without confronting whiteness? https://www.hcn.org/issues/52.10/ideas-books-is-wth-possible-without-confronting-whiteness/
*2 ways to improve your Emotional Intelligence - Neuroscience: The RULER Approach thriveglobal.com/stories/new-neuroscience-reveals-what-makes-emotionally-intelligent
*Have we found the true reason for diabetes, alzheimers & stroke? https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg24332420-900-have-we-found-the-true-cause-of-diabetes-stroke-alzheimers
*30 signs that reveal someone is middle class self-made.io/30-signs-that-reveal-someone-is-middle-class/
*Why procrastination is about managing emotions, not time bbc.com/worklife/article/20200121-why-procrastination-is-about-managing-emotions-not-time/
*A small glass of juice or soda a day linked to cancer https://edition.cnn.com/2019/07/10/health/sugary-drinks-cancer-risk-study-intl
*Cand crusher: The man who trned the world against sugar https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg23531420-800-candy-crusher-the-man-who-turned-the-world-against-sugar/
*Foodie calls: Women who date for a free meal more likely to exhibit dark triad personality traits https://neurosciencenews.com/food-dating-dark-triad-14291/
*The joy of not ewaring a bra https://www.newyorker.com/culture/personal-history/the-joy-of-not-wearing-a-bra/
'The bra is a product spring from a perceived necessity and from an attempt to create necessity where there is none or very little - Everett Collection
*Having kids makes you happier, only when they move out newscientist.com/article/2213655-having kids-makes-you-happier-only-when-they-move-out/
*Does size matter? https://africanpressclub.com/does-size-matter/
*Power of a mentor https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/power-mentor-sanchayan-d
*The human skills you should build to succeed in an unpredictable world t.ted.com/oSkTx41
*Sitting for nine hours a day linked to early death newscientist.com/article/sitting-for-nine-...
*How to spot little Einsteins (gifted kids) econ.st/2N47OkG
*Too much sunscreen? How avoiding the sun could damage your health newscientist.com/article/ng24132210-100-too-much-sunscreen-why-avoiding-the-sun-could-damage-your-health/
*How to deal with people disrespecting & undermining you at work: Rising above toxic difficult situations in the workplace http://go.drkathyobear.com/turn-the-tide
*Happiness is being, not just doing - Richard Branson https://web.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2555810397772259&set=
*People who are naturally slim have smaller and more active fat cells newscientist.com/article/2214792-people-who-are-naturally-slim-have-smaller-and-more-active-fat-cells/
*How to make healthy financial choices thriveglobal.com/stories/how-to-make-healthy-financial choices/
*You can train your brain to manage worries thriveglobal.com/stories/train-brain-stop-worries/
* newscientist.com/article/mg3931860-200-autism-can-bring-extra-abilities...
*How much sleep is enough? thriveglobal.com/stories/sleep-research-nocturnal-brain-neurologist-physician-advice-tips/
*Denmark's first country to ban PFA's chemicals which have been linked to cancer from food packaging starting 2020 edition.cnn.com/2019/09/04/health/denmark-pfas-food-packaging-ban.intl/
*Vegetarian diet linked with 22% lower risk of heart disease/
*A network in the brain is involved in a range of mental health issues newscientist.com/article/2216175-a-network-in-the-brain-is-involved-in-a-range-of-mental-health-issues/
*The truth about intelligence: What makes someone smarter than others http://bit.ly/2Q78V6e
*Happy life in retirement by Harvard Psychologist thriveglobal.com/stories/harvard-psychologist-interview-retirees-happy-life/
*5 ways to find your purpose thriveglobal.com/stories/how-to-find-your-purpose-life-wisdom
*4 ways to make your wardrobe more sustainable and work harder wef.ch/2mDlE2e #fashion #sustainability weforum.org/agenda/2019/09/make-your-wardrobe-more-sustainable-and-work-harder
*A single bag can leak billions of pieces of micro-plastic into your brew edition.cnn.com/2019/09/22/health-microplastics-tea-bag-study-scn-scli-int/
*Fathers and perinatal mental health: A guide for recognition, treatment & management by Jane Hanley & Mark Williams https://www.linkedin.com/feed/#
*Why de-cluttering may be the most under-rated self-care strategy thirveglobal.com/stories/organisation-tips-declutter-stress-mangement-pop-up-grocer/
*How neuroscience could explain the rise of addictions, heart disease & diabetes https://t.co/OtVEnHiM3q
*I'm not the radical left, I'm the humane middle https://johnpavlovitz.com/2019/09/26/im-not-the-radical-left-im-the-humane-middle/
*The key to a good life is avoiding pain https://t.co/HYcWrEqKUq
*'Naps' may be good for your heart https://t.co/B8onGDgsh4
*The book of 'Gutsy women: Favourite stories of courage & resilience' by Hilary & Chelsea Clinton (Published by Simon & Schuster) https://www.simonandschuster.com>books>Hilary-Rodham-Clinton
*Happiness: Saying 'yes' to these 7 questions means you are happier than you think thriveglobal.com/stories/if-you-say-yes-to-any-of-these-7-questions-you-are-much-happier-than-you-think/
*6 ways to give your mental health the daily care it deserves thriveglobal.com/stories/give-mental-health-daily-check-in/
*The 'germiest' place in your home edition.cnn.com/2019/10/07/health/germs-home-wellness/
*Being authentically you: 3 choices you can make thriveglobal.com/stories/being-authentically-you/
*Owning a dog tied to lowering your risk of dying early, studies show edition.cnn/2019/10/08/health/dogs-help-us-live-longer-wellness
*John B. Goodenough just became the oldest person, at 97, to win a Nobel Prize in Chemistry for research on improving battery technology (lithium ion batteries) edition.cnn.com/2019/10/09/us/john-goodenough-nobel-prize-trnd/
*5 scientifically backed ways to stop worrying thriveglobal.com/stories/ways-to-stop-worrying/
*Oprah Winfrey opens up on moments that changed her life people.com/movies/oprah-winfrey-moments-that-changed-my-life/
*15 things that ruin a first impression immediately thriveglobal.com/stories/things-youre-doing-that-make-people-dislike-you/
*Fight self-doubt: You are stronger than your inner bully thriveglobal.com/stories/physical-tips-fight-off-self-doubt-martial-artist/
*Becoming the primary earner? Female breadwinners share their advice https://www.forbres.com/sites/biancabaratt/2019/09/24/becoming-the-primary-earner-female-breadwinners-share-their-advice/
*9 Science-Backed ways to reduce stress thriveglobal.com/stories/9-science-backed-ways-to-reduce-stress/
* Do you have a hard time saying 'no'? Tips here thriveglobal.com/stories/trouble-saying-no-tips-protect-time-well-being/
*Singapore to become first country banning ads on sugary drinks edition.cnn.com/2019/10/11/health/singapore-sugar-drink-ads-intl-hnk-scli/index.html
*Scientific proof that happiness is a choice thriveglobal.com/stories/happiness-is-a-choice/
*How to hurt less just by sleeping more thriveglobal.com/stories/relieve-pain-quality-sleep-connection/
*About sleep thriveglobal.com/stories/mental-health-deep-slow-wave-sleep-brain-science-emotion-decision-making/
*7 tips for late bloomers thriveglobal.com/stress/7-tips-for-late-bloomers/
*All you need to know about the menopause (but nobody tells you) newscientist.com/article/2145060-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-menopause-but-nobody-tells-you
*28 ASMR (Autonomous, Sensory Meridian Response) Triggers for anxiety, relief, sleep, etc thriveglobal.com/stories/asmr-triggers for-anxiety-relief-sleep/
*Richard Branson's relationship advice: Healthy relationships are the foundation of a healthy life thriveglobal.com/stories/richard-branson-profound-relationship-advice-love/
*Strategies to transform your relationships into strengths thriveglobal.com/stories/turn-failure-to-success-mistakes-learning-strengths/
*The back pain epidemic: Why popular treatments aren't working newscientist.com/article/mg24332450-600-the-back-pain-epidemic-why-popular-treatments-are-making-it-worse
*Why you should never forget who you were before having kids thriveglobal.com/stories/never-forget-who-you-were-before-having-kids/
*5 ways to reach forgiveness goalcast.com/2019/05/23/how-reaching-forgiveness-helps-us-live-healthier-lives/
*Dancing can reverse the signs of aging in the brain https://medicalxpress.com/news/2017-08-reverse-aging-brain.html
*Michelle Obama shares her workout, reminds us of the power of self-care thriveglobal.com/stories/michelle-obama-work-out-exercise-self-care/
*MRIs show screen time linked to lower brain development in preschoolers edition.cnn.com/2019/11/04/health/screen-time-lower-brain-development-preschoolers-wellness/
*The link between lack of sleep and cancer is now so strong that the WHO has classified any form of night time shift as a probable carcinogen t.ted.com/BFWOfuD
*The kindness paradox: Why be generous? newscientist.com/article/mg23130860-400-the-kindness-paradox-why-be-generous/
*How to deal with loneliness thriveglobal.com/stories/how-to-deal-with-loneliness-in-your-thirties/
*Michelle Obama says it's important to become more than just somebody's wife https://www.xonecole.com/what-michelle-obama-taught-us-about-becoming.../
*7 ways to get someone to like you by FBI expert thriveglobal.com/stories/how-to-get-someone-to-like-you-according-to-fbi-expert/
*13 Resolutions that will make you more productive thriveglobal.com/stories/new-year-resolutions-focus-productivity-microsteps-tips/
*How to deal with toxic family around the holidays goalcast.com/2018/12/06/deal-with-toxic-family-holidays/
*20 brutal truths no one wants to admit inc.com/matthew-jones/20-brutal-truths-no-one-admits-to.html
*Chance inheritance: The subtle power of birth order newscientist.com/article/mg21929330-700-chance-inheritance-subtle-power-birth-order/
*How much sleep do you really need? newscientist.com/article/mg23030750-300-how-much-shuteye-di-i-need/
*How do you know if you have found the one? thriveglobal.com/stories/found-the-one-meant-to-be-relationship-advice/
*On how being optimistic actually re-wires your brain thriveglobal.com/stories/benefits-of-optimism/
*14 most inspiring travel destinations on earth https://www.goalcast.com/2019/06/28/most-inspiring-travel-destinations-on-earth/
*10 mindful new year resolutions: Focus on self-knowledge, not self-improvement thriveglobal.in/stories/10-mindful-resolutions-that-might-change-your-life/
*Why new year resolutions don't work for you and what you can do instead goalcast.com/2019/12/19/why-new-year-resolutions-dont-work/
*The difficult art of giving space in love: Rilke on freedom, togetherness & the secret of a good marriage (autonomy vs togetherness) brainpickings.org/2018/09/03/rike-love-marriage/
*Strategies for success in the new year thriveglobal.com/stories/tips-strategies-for-success-new-year/
*The trials of Sister Meghan theinterview.ng/2020/01/24/trial-sister-meghan/
*BBC Africa Editor leaves role because of PTSD bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-51236199?ns_campaign=bbcnews&ns_source...
*Michelle Obama describes her family's daily routine during their CoV self-quarantine edition.cnn.com/2020/03/26/us/michelle-obama-family-cov-routine-trnd
*Michelle Obama is hosting a weekly story time for kids during the CoV pandemic edition.cnn.com/2020/04/17/politics/michelle-obama-pbs-read-aloud-series-trnd/

*Barack Obama's Memoirs (November 2020) - 'A Promised Land': I still believe in America theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/11/barack-obama-i-still-believe-america/617073/...

*Michelle Obama reflects on how she put her anger aside for a peaceful transition https://cnn.it/3puM7L.../

*15 inspiring quotes from Michelle Obama idscreate.com

*Barack Obama's Memoir sells more than 887,000 copies on first day https://on.wsj.com/35LXQgz

*Jack Ma's empire in crisis: How China lost patience with its loudest billionaire bloomberg.com/news/features/2020-12-22/jack-ma-s-empire-in-crisis.../

*Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's review of 'A Promised Land' by Barack Obama nytimes.com/2020/11/12/books/review/barack-obama-a-promised-land.html

*All the celebrities Barack Obama name-drops in his new book https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/books/story/2020-11-18/obama-celebrities-names-memoirs-a-promised-land/

*Remembering some of the artistes we lost in 2020: The lives they lived https://nytimes/3mMgyK8

*Dog missing for weeks wanders into local Walmart to find its owner at work https://www.instagram.com/p/CJHfKs1jYjs/

*The son of an Iraq war veteran designed an App to stop his dad's PTSD nightmares https://www.instagram.com/p/CJRZy23nFhl/

*10 takeaways from Barack Obama's memoir: 'A Promised Land' https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/books/a34670429/barack-obama-memoir-a-promised-land-takeaways/

*5 faith facts about Barack Obama's book: 'A Promised Land' https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2020/11/19/5-faith-facts-president-barack-obama-a-promised-land/

*Barack Obama reacts to his memoir topping Michelle Obama's https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/barack-obama-reacts-to-his-memoir-topping-michelles/

*Michelle Obama inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame cnn.com

Tuesday, 5 March 2019

THE 2019 PRESIDENTIAL & NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA

as Lead Analyst in the Election Situation Room (ESR) of the West Africa Network for Peace-building (WANEP) during Nigeria's 2019 Presidential & National Assembly Elections

The Presidential and National Assembly Elections were held in Nigeria on the 23rd of February 2019 after a one week postponement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Election Management Body (EMB). Many voters traveled with the intention of voting where they registered. They did so before the initial election date of 16th February, 2019. Alas! I woke up to the middle of the night to the announcement by the INEC Chairman about 3am, three hours before the commencement of polls that the elections had been postponed. The loss in monetary terms to INEC, international & local observers, businesses, etc was humongous. The postponement led to a level of voter apathy. However, in the patriotic spirit, many voters repeated their trip to enable them vote.

Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa on Africa Independent TV (AIT) on the eve of the Presidential & NASS elections discussing the socio-political and economic implications of the postponement of the elections.

According to INEC, a winner has emerged. Muhammadu Buhari of the APC won 15,191,847 votes while Atiku Abubakar of the PDP came second with 11,262,978 votes. The PDP is set to challenge the results in court! Meanwhile, the APC candidate has been given the certificate of return by INEC. YIAGA Africa, which conducted a parallel vote count using the Parallel Vote Technology (PVT) came to the conclusion that official results fall within the PVT estimated ranges. But the PDP insists that it has enough evidence to go to court. Former President Abdulsalami Abubakar's has since embarked on shuttle diplomacy between the leadership of the PDP and APC. But this does not seem to be yielding much result in the direction of brokering peace out of court.

Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa in YIAGA's PVT Centre, Abuja. L-R: Cynthia Mbamalu (Programme Director, YIAGA, Ryan Dalton (Senior Programme Officer, NDI) & Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa

I am not a card-carrying member of any political party in Nigeria. However, I am a patriotic Nigerian and interested in the peace and development of Nigeria before, during and after elections. I believe the Courts should be last resort in any election dispute. This is the time when all well-meaning Chartered Mediators/Conciliators like me should arise and see how we can assist the Peace Committee to help the two leading political parties close ranks, while the APC constitutes an inclusive government in the interest of our dear country, Nigeria. However, if all effort to broker peace outside the Courts fails, then I am still confident that we have enough incorruptible judges who would weigh the evidence and deliver sound judgement.

I intend to watch this space in the coming months...

Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa in full regalia as Election Observer/Analyst...

Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa (Lead Analyst) with the Analysis team in the ESR of WANEP

Related Links

*Is Nigeria about to become the next Venezuela? The signs are not good https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2019/03/05/nigeria-become-next-venezuela-signs-not-good/
*Why does Nigeria need Peace Accords before elections? Roots of Nigeria's election violence https://issafrica.org/iss-today/roots-of-nigerias-election-violence
*2019 polls: Increasing consideration for PWDs https://leadership.ng/.../2019-polls-increasing-consideration-for-pwds
*Credible elections: How telephones played a major role in vote buying sunnewsonline.com/credible-elections...
*Aperiod of consequences https://guardian.ng/opinion/a-period-of-consequences
*Nigeria Army parades 11 NYSC members, 43 others over electoral fraud a.today.ng/p/154633
*The Socialist policy of envy: What the world can learn from Nigeria's unfolding disaster https://www.ccn.com/the-socialist-politics-of-envy-what-the-world-can-learn-from-nigerias-unfolding-disaster/
*Nigeria's winners and losers - from godfathers to rappers https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-47400317
*The challenge of electoral management in Nigeria https://kujenga-amani.ssrc.org/2019/02/22/the-challenge-of-electoral-management-in-nigeria
*Post election: 5 security challenges facing Nigeria https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/02/5-security-challenges-facing-nigerias-leadership/
*Polls: Vote cancellation higher than 2015 https://www.sunnewsonline.com/polls-vote-cancellation-higher-than-2015-yiaga-africa/
*Why Nigeria's election won't change anything https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/22/opinion/nigeria-elections-corruption-economy.html
*YIAGA Africa calls for systematic post-election review https://t.co/lAicgOGCER
*What we learnt from the Nigerian election https://www.bb.com/news/amp/world-africa-47385552-twitter-impression...
*Is Africa going backwards on democracy? https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-46971250
*Buhari re-elected Nigeria's President https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa...
*Why Nigeria's generation democracy didn't vote https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-47122192
*The international community and Nigeria's 2019 elections https://kujenga-amani.ssrc.org/2019/02/15/the-international-community-and-nigerias-2019-elections/
*Women and NIgeria's 2019 elections https://kujenga-amani.ssrc.org/2019/02/15/women-and-nigerias-2019-elections
*Displaced but not disenfranchised? IDPs & the 2019 general elections in Nigeria https://kujenga-amani.ssrc.org/2019/02/15/displaced-but-not-disenfranchised-idps-and-the-2019-nigerian-elections/
*Nigeria's 2019 elections in perspective https://kujenga-amani.ssrc.org/2019/02/15/special-issue-nigerias-2019-elections-in-perspective
*Nigeria's governance progress is lagging behind demographic growth and expectations of youth population mo.ibrahim.foundation/news/2018/african-governance-progress-lagging-behind-demographic-growth...
*Election observer shot dead in Enugu during the 2019 Gubernatorial elections https://www.thecable.ng/breaking-election-observer-shot-dead-in-enugu/
*Electoral dysfunction: Why democracy is always unfair https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20627581-400-electoral-dysfunction-why-democracy-is-always-unfair/
*A young generation of divided voices: The 2019 elections and the fate of the Nigerian youths https://www.panafricanvisions.com/2019/a-young-generation-of-divided-voices-the-2019-election-and-the-fate-of-the-nigerian-youths
*Atiku not a Nigerian, APC tells Presidential Elections Tribunal https://wp.me/p2LdGt-1mAP
*20 'winning women' who lost 2019 elections tell their stories https://www.yiaga.org/20-winning-women-who-lost-2019-election/ #ReadyToRun #EU4DemocracyNG
*How women fared in the 2019 elections https://www.cddwestafrica.org/how-women-fared-in-the-2019-elections/
*The 2019 elections and declining women's participation representation https://skydaily.ng/2019-elections-and-declining-women-representation...
*Voter apathy in Nigeria clouds President Buhari's second term https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-29/voter-apathy-clouds-buhari-s-second-term... https://t.co/Rrp53w8bqZ

Saturday, 9 February 2019

PEACEFUL ELECTIONS & NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

(GJF) held a one-day peace conference in on the 7th of February, 2019 with the theme: ''. GJF hit the ground running. It was launched on the 20th of November, 2018 at the public presentation of the book: '', authored by Dr. (GEJ), former President of . See my blog post on the book launch via the link: https://dayokusa.blogspot.com/2018/11/the-goodluck-jonathan-foundation-gjf.html

Some of the participants include:

*Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan - Chairman/Founder, GJF & Fmr. President of Nigeria (2010-2015)
*Dame Patience Jonathan - Former First Lady of Nigeria
* - Conference Chairman & Head of State of Nigeria (1998-1999)
* - Special Guest of Honour & Fmr. President of
*Dr. Remi Ajibewa - Director, Political Affairs, & Rep. of Chairman,
*, Lead Speaker & Bishop of the ; Chairman/Founder Kukah Centre; Convener of the (NPC)
*, Lead Speaker & Ambassador Extraordinary/Plenipotentiary of Liberia to Nigeria, with concurrent accreditation to the /; Liberia's Permanent Representative to ECOWAS
*, Lead Speaker & Chief of Staff to the
*Inspector General of Nigeria Police Represented, Discussant
*, Discussant & Dean, Faculty of Law, UNN/Founder, Women & Youth Advocacy Network
*Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa, Participant & Conflict Transformation Expert
*, Discussant & Editor, ThisDay Newspapers
*, Discussant &CEO Connected Development
*, Moderator of Discussion Panel & Fmr. Chairman,

Former Head of State, General Abdusalami Abubakar of the National Peace Committee chaired the President of Cote d'Ivoire event. In his remarks, GEJ noted that the ten most developed countries in the world are very safe, while the least developed ten are bugged down by conflict! This is instructive. It implies that we need to ensure peaceful elections in Nigeria to avoid which could consume the country. In Africa, about 20 nations are set to go to the polls in 2019. What happens before, during and after elections in Nigeria invariably affects other African countries. The world is watching Nigeria as she goes to the polls.

Dr. Amos Sawyer, former President of Liberia, who was the special guest of honour said GEJ has demonstrated that there can be enjoyable life after occupying public office at the highest level. This is the very first election where the electorate is dominated by those born after military rule! I relate this fact to the statement by Hamza Lawal, (Chief Executive, Connected Development), a youth, and discussant at the event, who said he did not understand how we got to this level of violence in Nigeria, where human life means little or nothing! Hamza said he only hears that there was a better Nigeria from elders and he hopes to experience a better Nigeria in his lifetime.

I could relate to Hamza's comments in my intervention, where I categorically stated that because I'm in my 60's, I could relate to the comment on behalf of the youths of Nigeria via Hamza. When I graduated from the in 1980, I already had at least three jobs waiting for me in blue chip companies and high profile agencies. But I elected to go back to the University for my M.Sc. degree in Political Science! Today, many graduates fail to secure viable employment ten years post graduation! They are then asked to set up businesses of their own by the same people who had the very best from Nigeria in years gone by - free education, immediate employment after graduation, efficient public service delivery, etc How do you expect such graduates to set up companies? - Revolving funds, entrepreneurial concerns to teach them the nity gritty of business ownership, a conducive environment to thrive...All these are non-existent. Then, the same 'elders' criticise the youth for abusing drugs...The idle hand is the devil's workshop.

Further comments made by me touched on the need for training in a finishing school for politicians who have been elected into office before they assume office. During the regime, there was the (CDS) where elected politicians and top public officers were groomed in the art of good governance. This should be revived. Besides, I said that in order to ensure that non-violence in elections is sustainable, we need to concentrate on the next generation. Parents and teachers have a big role to play in this regard. 'Since wars begin in the minds of men/women, it is also in their minds that peace should begin' (). In this regard, we should catch them young. Parents should imbibe the culture of peace in their kids and Peace Clubs should be resuscitated in schools.

Dr. Amos Sawyer continued that the negative influence of social media through the spread of fake news could fan the embers of violence. Election related litigation over-tasks the judicial system. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), especially Mediation could be employed in this regard. Litigation should be the last door in the spectrum. New procedures in the electoral system, like the Card Reader in Nigeria could elicit glitches. There should be transparency in the use of such relatively new technology. Besides, the integrity of the judiciary should be left intact. Dr. Remi Ajibewa, Director, Political Affairs, represented the Chairman of the ECOWAS Commission. He urged all parties to sign the Peace Accord proposed for February 13, 2019.

Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah lit up the hall with his charismatic and enervating speech. In a satirical mood, he said violence could have its benefits for those who engage in it in the poor areas of town, where they could loot TV sets which they hitherto never owned! Violence does not take place in the elitist areas of town. 'We all believe that death is a bad thing. But it is a beautiful happening for the coffin maker!'. There is cynicism about democracy in Nigeria. We assume that elections lead to good things. This is not necessarily true. For example, Mussolini was democratically elected, but he became a fascist in power. Democracy is irritating to many politicians because it could force them to surrender power, which they often assume is their birth right! We also forget that there's a gestation period for violence. Violence is a process, not just an event. We often ignore the early warning signs (EWS) of violence. Early warning(EW) should be complemented by early response (ER).

Bishop Kukah said the Rwandan violence started in 1990 when the Kangora newspaper published thus: 'Hutus should not marry Tutsis. Tutsis are cockroaches. Hutu women are superior...' Those responsible for monitoring EWS of violence looked the other way when hate speech was rife in Rwanda. The result was the Rwandan genocide that claimed about a million lives! Nigerians have refused to confront the details of our history. Such antecedents could come back to haunt us! Prof. Al-Hassan Conteh gave a rather academic paper on 'The effect of crises on national development in Liberia & Sierra-Leone'. The main gist is as follows: Crisis is a nebulous concept. There was cumulative causation as regards the war in Liberia and Sierra-Leone. Both countries are in the Mano River Region, so the crises were inter-linked. The availability of small arms & light weapons (SALWs). The military junta manipulated the elections. (SALWs) fueled the crises. Sierra-Leone was ravaged by corruption, weak infrastructure, single Party constitution (where the opposition was banned and there was room to install a President for life). There was also the issue of 'blood diamonds'.

The lessons for other countries, including Nigeria, from the Liberia/Sierra-Leone wars are:

*Democratic institutions should be established and strengthened in all democracies.
*There should be clear separation of powers between the three arms of government.
*Jobs should be created for the youth.
*Good governance through the enactment of laws that would improve the lives of the citizens.
*Corruption should be eliminated.
*The opposition Political Party should not be unnecessarily harassed.
*SALWs should be mopped up from the system.
*The negative effects of conflict could become trans-national, especially when refugees are produced.
*There should be zero tolerance for hate speech.

Dr. Fidele Sarassoro, Chief of Staff to the President of Cote d'Ivoire talked about 'The effect of the 2010 impasse on Cote d'Ivoire. The crisis was as a result of the refusal of L. Gbagbo to accept the result of the 2010 elections. The following factors were the triggers for the crisis:

*Manipulation of ethnic differences for political ends. The constitution was used to exclude a strong contender.
*Illegal use of security forces.
*The failure of the diplomatic shuttle by ECOWAS under GEJ to quell the crisis. Other creative ways of ending similar conflicts in the West African region should be explored.

Some of the other suggestions at the conference were:

*GEJ deserves an international Peace Award for voluntarily relinquishing power in 2015.
*SALWs are the the weapons of mass destruction in Africa and they should be mopped up.
*The scope of intervention by the GJF should be expanded.
*Nigeria should learn from the experiences of Rwanda, Cote d'Ivoire, Sierra-Leone, Liberia and prevent crisis pre, during and post elections.

On the whole, it was a stimulating and timely conference on the eve of the 2019 elections in Nigeria. Violence in any form retards a nation. Conflict is inevitable in any human interaction, but violence is a choice. I must point out that the Communique should have been ready before participants left the conference hall. A communique not ratified by the whole house is null and void. I really wanted to comment on the 'communique' presented to us, but the compere rather impolitely said that since the chairman had handed the microphone to him, no one else could talk. I have been compere at various events in the past thirty-five years, and this is not the norm. GJF should look into the 'muzzling' of potential commentators who are experienced enough to add value to the subject matter. The whole essence of the gathering was to elicit refreshingly different and constructive viewpoints from concerned citizens. This should not be slaughtered on the alter of any compere's ego! Finally, bravo to GJF for a successful outing. I admire GEJ for the good work he is doing via GJF. GEJ is indeed a statesman per excellence...

Related Links

*Hate speech increases in conflict& natural disaster areas https://digitaldilemmas.com/?utm...