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November Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor

April, 2007
NigerianNews Letter to the Editor

April 26, 2007

Editor

GOOD DAY

I am disappointed in nigeriannews.com not to have seen any outright condemnation of the "so called" elections in nigeria, instead you are putting stories only commending and not condemning, I am a nigerian residing in the U.K and all the foreign media have described it as a sham only for you to put LA TIMES editorial and not NY TIMES editorial condemning it in totality. The media should be the last hope of the common man.

lanre bakare

Editor's reply

Hello Lanre,

Since it is our policy to reply all letters, we must reply this. Does it not occur to you after a while that you may be unfair to our reporting?

Where you read the LA Times story, there are also 3 (see BBC and VOA at the same location) other stories which highlighted precisely what the predominant mood has been in the last couple of days. You must understand there are other people (who hold different view from the one you hold) too who think we are not reporting the good side about the election. While we are yet to see that good side, you must agree with us that the rigging in 2007 achieved the same objective as the rigging in 2003 in which Atiku was a part, the only difference being the usage of a new method. We sincerely believe that a new method was used because the PDP knows that the Atiku group are disciple of the old method, so they resorted to this new method.

The victim of all these perhaps, is Buhari, whose party did not rig enough or had no overwhelming means to provide him an outright win!

Unless Nigerian problem is fundamentally solved unemotionally, and NOW, this frustration will become an every 4year event. So our job here is to try to be as objective as possible, however, it seems every time we try, we fail you!! Even now, our reply to you is much more than your terse few lines, we hope you are satisfied.

Editor, NigerianNews
Unbridled and Unafraid

April 25, 2007

Dear Editor,

To Buhari and Atiku.....May Allah reward you accordingly, amin.

Simply because you both lost out in this last presidential contest means there should be unrest in the country whereby hausa`s will start slautering Ibo`s and Yorubas resulting in reprisal attacks in other parts of the country?
Do you ever think about innocent bloods, young and old , being wasted because of your greedy quest for power?
Is making life unbearable for innocent citizens a way to get back at your political rivals who will not even feel the pains or gains of such attacks here and there?

I pray to ALLAH that should any violent protest erupt in any part of the country your families and properties, Buhari and Atiku and cohorts, will be the most affected victims of your blind and insensitive lust for power.
Enough is enough!

Abdul Hakeem

Dear Editor

victory for democracy

I would like to comment on the recently concluded elections, to say that The people of Nigeria were in no way surprised at the outcome. It followed the norms and conformed to the standards of our �nascent� democracy.

I would also want to condemn the sudden show of statesmanship shown by some of the Opposition political parties. It is unfortunate that they are products of the same system, Which has finally subverted them. Most of the people who claim that the elections were not free and fair, themselves set the stage For this showdown. Unfortunate as it seems, Nigeria always succeeds in rigging out the masses. But in this case, the same set of people who were playing blind fold with the truths are the ones Hurting.

The elections have come and gone with the usual political acrobatics; though not new to us. And we are happy that at least the so-called political bigwigs are beginning to come to terms with the truth. Now it is clear to everyone that the people who actually lost the elections were our law makers who did not read in between the Lines.

Finally as an individual I am happy with Yar�Adua�s victory. This is the first victory for true democracy.

Long live Nigeria!

AWU, Ude A
Analyst

April 24, 2007

Dear Editor,

Nigeria Elections: Matters arising

One has read widely, reports of the local and international observers and the various new media on the states and national elections in Nigeria. As usual the press and those observers have beamed the problems and failed to give credit to INEC for the job well done against all odds.

Too many questions are begging for answers, are Nigeria political class ever ready for a free and fair elections? are there conducive environment for free and fair elections to be held, when police stations are being burnt, banks are freely attacked by armed bandits, vehicles transporting election materials are being attacked and yet politicians can not caution the various thugs they hired to stop intimidating people. That voters turn was poor was not unexpected when they were not sure of their safety. If politicians have created a safe environment, there would not be any need for police or the military to be invited for the elections.

On election materials arriving polling stations late, what have the politicians done to improve transportation system in the country over the last eight years, whether they are in the ruling party or opposition, they have been closed to the corridor of power, yet they have not made any positive impact.

The comments of the senate president is also very unfortunate, because he seems to be proving to be an icon of democracy of late, whereas there are several bills that could engender good governance, such as fiscal responsibility bill that was with the senate for several months. Rather the senate president was onetime lamenting the situation of roads in his local government but still could not do anything to change that situation let alone changing the situation in other level governments in the country.

Yes, the elections may fall sort of international standards and that should not worry anybody, or what aspect of our lives in Nigeria is up to international standards, is the perennial power cut (courtesy of saboteurs), insecurity, bad roads (even in Lagos, centre of excellence, that can not provide simple monorail system, if metroline is expensive), unemployment or corruption epitomed by the leadership and copied by the followership.

The truth is that Pro. Iwu and his team should be congratulated for bringing the elections to some completion and BIG thanks to BABA for coasting home safely after his eight years of trying to give hope to Nigerians, an effort that has continually being undermined by the ever corrupt political class. One can only wish him a happy retirement time on expiration of his tenure by May, 29 2007.

Kind Regards.

AB Mallami

hi editor,

I am only young, but I don't seem to understand what is going on in Nigeria anymore, it seems like anyone think that they can just come and takeover everything in this country, they think that they can just lead us like they want. I don't know anything about the new president, but I pray he will do very well. thank you very much for your time and pls send me anything that comes in.

thank you

MARIAM ABASS

April 17, 2007

Dear Editor,

My Heart bleeds for Nigeria

Infact I do not know where to start however let me start with INEC. Permit me to use this word; Prof Maurice Iwu is a disgrace to academic sector and Igbo race. It beats my imagination that a man of such caliber could not come out to tell Nigerians truth. I wonder what would happen to the younger generation when our fathers are full of treachery. Iwu told us during the registration exercise that snatching of ballot boxes during election would no longer be possible since the voting is going to be electronic. But what we saw was the opposite. Ballot boxes were snatched in the open and the original Sheet were hijacked and figures changed. They fill in the results in their homes/Abuja. Iwu should come out and apologies to Nigerians for his inability to deliver. The election was mar with irregularities. Since the inception of democracy/INEC, Iwu�s tenure is the worst. Many eligible voters names were not seen in INEC register; as such many people were disfranchised.

My fellow Nigerians, there is call for prayers for our beloved country. We should pray that the land of Nigeria should vomit all those corrupt/sit tight leaders. I wonder what PDP government has to offer Nigerians if not corruption. If not how can Alao-Akala, Andy Uba that was caught in money laundering be selected by PDP as potential governors. Baba Iyabo Nigerians are tired of this government or do you want to make yourself a life president. God forbid! Nigerians has not forgotten how Abacha died and you still want to continue to rule Nigeria as an unelected PRIME-MINISTER, with Yar Adua as the ceremonial President and Iyabo the daughter as the Senate President? We know that you have ruined Nigeria and would not like your deeds to be probed. I write to congratulate Mr. President and tell him that the world has seen how far he has fought corruption, In fact Transparency International needs to give the PDP government an Oscar award. Bravo! But remember that nothing is hidden under the sun.

Inegbu Okwuchi
Abuja

April 13, 2007

Dear Mr Larr,

Letter Frisky Larr on: My Problem with the President and his Enemies!

I read your article, "My Problem with the President and his Enemies!" posted on http://nigeriannews.com/ . I was encouraged by your surreptitious attempt to define objectivity by asking some well known questions before you took a swim into your sea of anger. Unfortunately, I could not discern the principles you were trying to highlight apart from the issue of old school journalism which equals objectivity in your judgement. I have read many commentaries on old school journalism and my conclusion (subjective I guess) is that it was not as glamorous as you painted it. Atleast you must concede that the period you are romanticising was not all under democratically elected governments.

I think you need to come to terms with journalism under democracy as against under the force of the gun where you censured yourself in your best interest. Let us be a little bit more kind to the circumstances that brought us to where we are today.

How are you to know that the questions you wish the President to answer are not the missing links in the bridge of your lack of understanding of what made people like Balarabe to do what they did? Is it probable that they already have the answers to the questions you are seeking answers to?

Hiding under any cover to throw the usual caustic missiles on the North and Muslims in particular is a game well understood by the masqurades and the more discerning. Taking into consideration the contributions of people like Ribadu and El Rufai in the Obasanjo administration, pouring venom the usual direction is indeed a mesmerised hallucination that soothes a dwindling ego.

I most sincerely have more serious thoughts and considetion of what constitute fairness and objectivity than what I read in your disintegrated piece. I had hoped that you can do a better job of picking issues one after the other and staying straight at them. Wombling and tumbling are not befitting for a gasping runner that you seem to be.

I look forward to cultivating some respect for your ideas in the Future. I hope the rain will arrive early for it to be nurtured. In the meantime keep on reclassifying yourself from old school to the old, old, oldest school until you get it right!

Umar Usman Mohammed,
Kaduna

Frisky's reply

Dear Mr Mohammed,

Many thanks for your response. Old school journalism that I refered to does not imply the teachings of journalism in Nigeria under military rule since I did not study in Nigeria. The old school journalism under reference was taught in democratic countries and modern journalism is also being practiced in democratic societies. Hence my reference to the Iraq war. I am quite impressed by the part of your letter that gave a hint on what may be the background to the actions of people like Balarabe Musa. As an admirer of Balarabe Musa in the second Republic, I will sincerely hope that your hint is the truth as that will only serve to rekindle my regards for this outstanding politician.

However, my dear Usman Mohammed, I am unable to understand where your accusation came from that the usual caustic missiles are being thrown at the north and muslims. Did you read and digest my reference to Bola Ige as being of Ribadu's caliber? El Rufai and Ribadu that you mentioned are just nothing but heros in the present dispensation. If more of them were in places that matter, no one would care these days, who is northerner, southerner or who is muslim or christian.

Your purpose in making such valid points was best served without the conclusive expression of personal defamation Sir! I guess that was unnecessary!

Best regards!

On Nigerian Police Force

Dear Editor,

Subject: Thank you to Nigerian Braviests

Has anyone said a huge thank you to the Nigerian police for putting their lives on the line to protecting the people?. Some of them are not different from the politicians or citizens that they protect-corrupt. The other few or want-to-be good but are frightened out of being just, should be told that we, the people, say big thank you for the check points and the inhumane and inclement weather that you have to stay and endure each and every day just to protect us.

The Nigerian police did not join the force to be corrupt, rather the politicians and the government wages for them failed them. The government must be innovative in creating opportunities for her police officers; opportunities like low-income loans, housing needs, free transportation and other social amenities including food ratios or federal vouchers .

Thank you

Akhuemokhan@aol.com

April 12, 2007

Dear Editor,

Subject: Business opportunities in Nigeria for Nigerians living abroad

Love, love, love this website! Not only because it�s so resourceful and up to date, but also because of it�s provision of some business opportunities. Being a Nigerian American fully committed to searching for ways to invest in Nigeria�s upward move to success, it�ll be nice to see more and more presentations of well researched business opportunities that Nigerians and people from all over the globe can trust to invest in with peace of mind.

As you did presenting business opportunities in banking and petroleum industries, please present or profile more legitimate companies and investments with recommendations and references.

Thanks much and keep up the great work!

Yemi Ariyo
MIS Manager,
FABNY