Transcript CNN International interview with Nigeria's President Obasanjo and USAfricaonline.com Publisher Chido Nwangwu on Democracy and Security Issues

Elections in Nigeria more a battle of the retired Generals and votes buying bazaar

Special to USAfricaonline.com and USAfrica The Newspaper, Houston
NigeriaCentral.com and The Black Business Journal

---

In a country or continent where well-placed members of the armed forces and its retired but not tired Generals are permanent contestants, chief financiers and referees in national elections, that highly valued ointment for the legitimation of all democracies known as credibility becomes a rare commodity.  Thankfully, it can neither be bought nor sold at the auctions now called nominations, political party conventions and elections in different parts of Nigeria and Africa.  Yet, we must say that the retired soldiers and generals have as much right to contest for public office as any other citizen.  The issue is, fundamentally, when stupendous cash and unimaginable funds are deployed to hijack and circumscribe the outcome of (s)elections, it may be seen as a civilianized equivalent of a military coup dressed up in dashiki and agbada..  But Lies have short legs!  We take solace in the fact that Africa, the same continent which cast into our lives Uganda's Idi Amin and Nigeria's late Gen. Sani Abacha also is home to the magnificent statesman Madhiba Nelson Mandela of South Africa , the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, Chinua Achebe, and others

---

With the number of retired soldiers contesting the key positions as candidates, Nigeria's April 19, 2003 elections could be rather perplexing to those who are not too familiar with the convoluted ways to power in the country of almost 110 million. Nigeria has since returned to democratic rule; that is, almost.

In many ways, the political bifurcation along the lines of adherents of the Christian and Islam zealots, the spiral of geo-ethnic conflicts, the now weekly votes-buying bazaar called political conventions in Nigeria, the subtle threats by some political gladiators that "it's either I win power or Nigeria will not move forward" have combined to raise more questions whether Nigeria can do what's failed to do in 42 years of its political independence from Britain: hold elections under a civilian government and transit without a military coup or other visitations bloodying the already dusty and enfeebled remains of the once glorious destiny of Nigeria inflicted by economic brigands and thieving politicians. Sadly, these negative acts by politicians and white-collar criminals are evident and duplicated in other African countries, too.

At a critical level, outside the dispiriting political economics of the very wealthy and the very poor, there are, in fact, two sectors of power in Nigeria: the military power bloc and the civilians who, at the end of the end of the day, follow and do the bidding, and wishes of most of the retired generals say and spend. It is no different for 2003 elections since the return to "civilian rule" began May 1999 under the leadership of another retired General who is running, again, to continue ruling. In a rough sense, Nigeria has one dominant and steady political party: its retired politically agile and active military officers, predominantly from the North, and the Southwest of the country.

Among the Generals running: embattled incumbent Olusegun Obasanjo, had ruled as a military dictator from 1976-1979 is the flagbearer for the PDP. Obasanjo is from the Yoruba southwest. His current vp Atiku Abubakar is running with him after some months of uncertainty. Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu who led the defunct Biafra republic (1967-1970) as commander-in-chief is presidential candidate for the APGA. His vp choice is Ibrahim Sani Bayero, from Kano's royal family. Muhammadu Buhari, former dictator from 1983-1985 and active proponent of Islamic interests in the North leads the ANPP. His vp is former president of Nigeria's senate Chuba Okadigbo, from the southeast central. Other parties without military men as candidates include The Peoples Mandate Party (PMP) led by author Arthur Agwuncha Nwankwo and the Progressive Action Congress (PAC) led by a woman who has been very prominent in public service Sarah Jibril. The candidates are kicking of their campaigns. Ojukwu who was affirmed at APGA's Abuja convention has chosen the key, robust Igbo city of Aba to launch his quest, next week.

He added "I am here to tell you that my aim is not to rule Nigeria but to heal Nigeria. I am a General too. Nigerians should know that I am a more senior General and democratised than the two other Generals produced by PDP and ANPP." Retired Gen. Ike Omar Sanda Nwachukwu captured the ticket of the NDP- after decamping from the PDP almost a month ago. Alhaji Habu Fari is his running mate. Former Governor of Anambra State Senator Jim Nwobodo decamped to win the United Nigeria Peoples Party (UNPP) slot, and has former Governor Alhaji Mohammed Goni as his vp pick. More parties will announce mid January.

Africa, the home of almost 1000 army generals, is also the land of natural harmony and pristine dislocations.  Africa is truly the continent of the extremes and worn canvas for almost 55 years for the unbridled acquisition of wealth and raw power by assorted bands of soldiers and soldier-politicians. Within its blessed and despoliated length and breadth of Africa, we still see marks and milestones of glory and pain; of power and despondency and shattered dreams and despoliated destiny. 

In our Africa, events swing and undulate from one end of the pendulum toanother like the predictable staccato of violent shots in a shooting range of chartered libertines, licensed to shoot as they wish and without proper aim to the solemn and prayerful quietude following a deathly, monstrous devastation.  Our Africa.   Africa, the continent of natural splendor, differing nationalisms and earthy vivaciousness, is the prime breeding ground for its special export to the world, those  special breed of men mightily known as Generals, Field Marshalls and Commanders-in-chief.  Many of them have such elegant titles as His Excellency the One who is Born to Rule to the end of Time! 

Others are modest and have such titles as The One who swallows the Fire sent by our (!!!) enemies and opponents.  Yes; it's our enemies!  Lest we forget, His Excellency's "enemies" and opponents are the triple horned enemies of  the Republic.  Those opponents must remain, in the "interest of national security and stability" our sworn enemies who must be crushed with all the funds and resources of the impoverished but once wealthy country. 

What is a commander-in-chief worth if he cannot crush errant subjects as he sees fit; or whenever he dreams up new "threats to the peace and stability of the country"?  The answer, my friends, is blowing in the wind.   Remember that many of those Generals (retired and active) hold as their claim to fame such remarkable and significant  war records as "commanders" of the "law and order" regiment assigned  to shoot unarmed students  who ask for funds to rebuild their colleges and the nation. 

Shouldn't we all agree that no one really "authorized" those "rascally" students to question "the decision and wisdom" of the five-star generals who, first, send their children abroad/overseas to the best schools in the world, and then, immediately commence the  installmental ruination of all (!!!) the local institutions of learning.   Why target the schools?  Remember, the Generals as wise men know that  those  students, egg-sucking socialists and revolutionaries learn "subversive activities" in those schools.   What to do?   "Shut them down!" Thus, have yelled certain cronies and Education (?) Ministers around the Generals.  Our Africa. 

Some of those Generals who have, in most cases, destroyed the destiny of all, living and the unborn beings in their countries, with the threat of the gun and brutal force, have since chosen the arena of citizens' politics as the latest zone to showcase their genius as the ones who must lead lest the countries nose-dive to hell in a Mac-truck!   

Why not?  After all, their countries' sun can only shine, dim and set depending on the side of the bed they woke up on.  Our Africa. 

Now the fundamental interest for me here is that our army "Generals" and "Commanders-in-chief" in many countries in Africa are not satisfied with governing with the gun, issuing decrees and barking out orders in their well-starched military uniforMs. They have  increasingly found it quite exciting to civilianize from swashbuckling commandantes to "popularly elected" and "democratically affirmed" Presidents and bankrollers of our political parties.   

Africa, the continent which radiates, at once, with ethnic love and dulled and sapped and sullied routinely from savage rounds of ethnocentric wars, ancient ignorance and the raw animus of communal hatreds is moving into the 21st century with more Generals as "civilian" presidents than ever in its history. 

The West applauds and cites one or two its own soldiers who became presidents.  Interestingly, such rationalizations fail woefully to discuss the process and who the referees are in such quests.  Africa, our continent of sharp contrasts remain a geopolitical mass of antiquated curiosity and projections and yearning for a better future, has defied the obscurantist mis-readings of colonialists and stereotypical chronicles.  Somehow, amidst, the rack and ruin, amidst Africa's ancient and modern history, it manages to find one sliver of hope or two, to begin anew, away and beyond the rubble and shibboleths of its very difficult political ecology and cast of bad leaders. 

From the beautiful, breezy and breathtaking natural wonder of Capetown's table mountain to the harsh Sahelian heat of its northerly areas, from the engagingly unique and the terribly unusual, Africa has in its fertile bowels the capacity and possibility to re-awaken and become a viable part of the 21st century.   

One of the retired Generals who seems to have a lot of possibilities and transcontinental expectations resting on his tried and tested shoulders is Nigeria's president-elect Olusegun Obasanjo. 

On the other hand, will the man simply become another  notable name in list and pattern of soldiers changing their military uniforms for the legitimation which comes from the ballot box; however tainted and questionable the process? 

When, expectedly, he is sworn in May 29, 1999, to lead the most  important country in Africa, again, retired General Obasanjo will, at the onset, carry the baggage and interests of his fellow retired army Generals. 

Second, he is propelled by his oft-stated determination to make a difference and place Nigeria on a better, nobler road.  Can he?  Or, will those other retired Generals who are said to have massively financed his recent election stand between his agenda to rebuild Nigeria and their private and regional interests? 

Will Obasanjo, whom I had the privilege of moderating and co-hosting his meeting with Nigerians in Houston in August , 1998, (before he decided to eneter partisan politics) lead Nigeria to a better future into the 21st century?  Or....

We wish our new president Gen. Obasanjo well as he prepares to begin his new assignment.  May God bless Africa, our Africa; and its assorted Commanders-in-chief. Stand at ease, my fellow countrymen and women!
Chido Nwangwu, recipient of the Journalism Excellence award (1997), is Founder and Publisher of first African-owned U.S.-based professional newspaper to be published on the internet, USAfricaonline.com. He appears as an analyst on CNN International and CNN's Inside Africa and also publishes Houston-based USAfrica The Newspaper, NigeriaCentral.com and The Black Business Journal. Nwangwu has served as an adviser to the Mayor of Houston on international business (Africa) and the board of the NAACP (Houston)

Why Bush should focus on dangers facing Nigeria's return to democracy and Obasanjo's slipperyslide. By Chido Nwangwu How Obasanjo's self-succession charade at his Ota Farm has turned Nigeria to an 'Animal Farm.' By USAfricaonline.com contributor Prof. Mobolaji Aluko Obasanjo's late wake to the Sharia crises, Court's decision and Nigeria's democracy. By Ken Okorie Obasanjo's own challenge is to imbibe "democratic spirit and practice," By Prof. Ibiyinka Solarin Is Obasanjo really up to Nigeria's challenge and crises? By USAfrica The Newspaper editorial board member, attorney Ken Okorie. This commentary appears courtesy of our related web site, NigeriaCentral.com Obasanjo's late wake to the Sharia crises, Court's decision and Nigeria's democracy. By Ken Okorie Sharia-related killings and carnage in Kaduna reenact deadly prologue to Nigeria-Biafra war of 1967. By Chido Nwangwu. Jonas Savimbi, UNITA are "terrorists" in Africans' eyes despite Washington's "freedom fighter" toga for him. By SHANA WILLS Nelson Mandela, Tribute to the world's political superstar and Lion of Africa   Winnie Madikizela-Mandela's burden mounts with murder charges, trials TRIBUTE A KING FOR ALL TIMES: Why Martin Luther King's legacy and vision are relevant into 21st century. DIPLOMACY Walter Carrington: African-American diplomat who put principles above self for Nigeria (USAfrica's founder Chido Nwangwu with Ambassador Carrington at the U.S. embassy, Nigeria) DEMOCRACY'S WARRIOR Out of Africa. …The cock that crows in the morning belongs to one household but his voice is the property of the neighborhood. -- Chinua Achebe, Anthills of the Savannah. An editor carries on his crusade against public corruption and press censorship in his native Nigeria and other African countries. By John Suval. ARINZE: Will he be the FIRST BLACK AFRICAN POPE? By Chido Nwangwu HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY How far, how deep will Nigeria's human rights commission go? Rtd. Gen. Babangida trip as emissary for Nigeria's Obasanjo to Sudan raises curiosity, questions about what next in power play? 110 minutes with Hakeem Olajuwon Nigerian stabbed to death in his bathroom in Houston. Cheryl Mills' first class defense of Clinton and her detractors' game  It's wrong to stereotype Nigerians as Drug Dealers Private initiative, free market forces, and more democratization are Keys to prosperity in Africa Apple announces Titanium, "killer apps" and other ground-breaking products for 2001. iTunes makes a record 500,000 downloads. Steve Jobs extends digital magic Johnnie Cochran will soon learn that defending Abacha's loot is not as simple as his O.J Simpson's case. By Chido Nwangwu USAfrica The Newspaper voted the "Best Community Newspaper" in the 4th largest city in the U.S., Houston. It is in the Best of Houston 2001 special as chosen by the editors and readers of the Houston Press, reflecting their poll and annual rankings.

APPRECIATION A young father writes his One year old son: "If only my heart had a voice...." Why Chinua Achebe, the Eagle on the Iroko, is Africa's writer of the century. By Chido Nwangwu Since 1958, Achebe's "Things Fall Apart" set a standard of artistic excellence, and more. By Douglas Killam DEMOCRACY DEBATE CNN International debate on Nigeria's democracy livecast on CNN. It involved Nigeria's Information Minister Prof. Jerry Gana, Prof. Salih Booker and USAfricaonline.com Publisher Chido Nwangwu. Transcripts are available on the CNN International site. NEWS 5 students from Nigeria at Abilene Christian University killed in March 31, 2002 one-car accident.18 year-old Kolawole Oluwagbemiga Sami was identified as the driver of the Isuzu which had 2 other men and 3 women. One of those female passengers in the 1994 Isuzu Rodeo SUV had an identification card stating her as Iyadunni Oluwaseun Bakare. She is also 18 years old. USAfricaonline.com special report by Chido Nwangwu USAfrica The Newspaper voted the "Best Community Newspaper" in the 4th largest city in the U.S., Houston. It is in the Best of Houston 2001 special as chosen by the editors and readers of the Houston Press, reflecting their poll and annual rankings. Osama bin-Laden's goons threaten Nigeria and Africa's stability. By Chido Nwangwu Tragedy of Ige's murder is its déjà vu for the Yoruba southwest and rest of Nigeria. By Ken Okorie What has Africa to do with September 11 terror? By Chido Nwangwu Should Africa debates begin and end at The New York Times and The Washington Post? No NEWS INSIGHT CNN, Obasanjo and Nigeria's struggles with democracy. Why Obasanjo's government should respect CNN and Freedom of the press in Nigeria. Jonas Savimbi, UNITA are "terrorists" in Africans' eyes despite Washington's "freedom fighter" toga for him. By SHANA WILLS Lifestyle Sex, Women and (Hu)Woman Rights. By Chika Unigwe Africa suffers the scourge of the virus. This life and pain of Kgomotso Mahlangu, a five-month-old AIDS patient (above) in a hospital in the Kalafong township near Pretoria, South Africa, on October 26, 1999, brings a certain, frightening reality to the sweeping and devastating destruction of human beings who form the core of any definition of a country's future, its national security, actual and potential economic development and internal markets. 22 million Africans HIV-infected, ill with AIDS while African leaders ignore disaster-in-waiting What has Africa to do with September 11 terror? By Chido Nwangwu Africans reported dead in terrorist attack at WTC September 11 terror and the ghost of things to come.... Will religious conflicts be the time-bomb for Nigeria's latest transition to civilian rule? Bola Ige's murder another danger signal for Nigeria's nascent democracy. In a special report a few hours after the history-making nomination, USAfricaonline.com Founder and Publisher Chido Nwangwu places Powell within the trajectory of history and into his unfolding clout and relevance in an essay titled 'Why Colin Powell brings gravitas, credibility and star power to Bush presidency.' AFRICA AND THE U.S. ELECTIONS Beyond U.S. electoral shenanigans, rewards and dynamics of a democratic republic hold lessons for African politics. CONTINENTAL AGENDA Bush's position on Africa is "ill-advised." The position stated by Republican presidential aspirant and Governor of Texas, George Bush where he said that "Africa will not be an area of priority" in his presidency has been questioned by USAfricaonline.com Publisher Chido Nwangwu. He added that Bush's "pre-election position was neither validated by the economic exchanges nor geo-strategic interests of our two continents." These views were stated during an interview CNN's anchor Bernard Shaw and senior analyst Jeff Greenfield had with Mr. Nwangwu on Saturday November 18, 2000 during a special edition of 'Inside Politics 2000.' Nwangwu, adviser to the Mayor of Houston (the 4th largest city in the U.S., and immigrant home to thousands of Africans) argued further that "the issues of the heritage interests of 35 million African-Americans in Africa, the volume and value of oil business between between the U.S and Nigeria and the horrendous AIDS crisis in Africa do not lend any basis for Governor Bush's ill-advised position which removes Africa from fair consideration" were he to be elected president. By Al Johnson