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Tunde Asaju
What challenges From Turkey?
Coups! I thought the word had been expunged from the dictionary. Nobody born in Naija in the last two decades knows what the word means. And to think that we once wrote the global coup manual and coached it across the West Coast, the word ought to have been delisted from the global political lexicon. Imagine a word expunged from the lingo finding relevance right near the aorta of Europe? That is stretching anathema well beyond its elasticity.
Last week, there was a coup attempt in Istanbul where you are unlikely to see a bull acting as a symbol of power shift. Istanbul is the capital of Turkey and please stop salivating, because it has absolutely nothing to do with the winged creatures that graces your Christmas tables.
So, the army struck (love that phrase), rolling out tanks, and marching against Turkey’s ruling AKP party with their AK 47 and ordering every bloody civilian to stay indoors and wait further orders. Recep Tayyip Erdogan lost control for 12 hours. Peeping from under his wife, Emine’s abaya, this man who promised to wipe out Twitter actually used social media to mobilize his people against the coup. They heeded his appeal, trooping unto the streets to lie in front of tanks and disarming the putchists. As we write, the Sultan is back in the 1,150 roomed $615 million Ak Saray (the White Palace) from where he is directing a purge never seen since Kamal Ataturk created an empire. In this clampdown, only Erdogan and Emine are ruled out as suspects.
In normal climes, Erdogan brooks no opposition. In two years, about 2,000 people, ranging from students to activists have been prosecuted for insulting the president. This must be cheering news to the conscience of Isa Yuguda and Sule Lamido. Prominent among Erdogan’s victims are a 16-year old student and Miss Turkey 2006, Merve Buyuksarac. Both were arrested, the boy known only by his initials was released but Merve is serving a 15-month suspended sentence. It won’t be out of order if she ends up in jail guilty of secretly being happy at the coup – even without evidence!
To those of you who daily call Naija a zoo and your president a cow count your teeth with the top of your tongue and thank your stars. This writer will avoid Istanbul airport like Ebola after this, in case the Turkish ambassador is reading. A German satirist is being investigated in his own country for criticizing Erdogan – the Sultan is always right!
Before some of you snigger at Erdogan for hiding just remember that everyone hopes to make heaven, but very few want to die. Baba na Dutse, the maverick IBB relocated Naija’s capital to Abuja from Dodan Barracks after an encounter with a guy named Gideon Orkar. On September 11, George W Bush was missing in action for several hours while America was under attack. Saddam Hussein promised the the grandmother of all battles but when Bush and Blair’s coalition of the coerced, the threatened and the cajoled finally rode through Baghdad he vanished only to reappear in a rat hole. By the time he was fished out, he had developed momentary amnesia forgetting who he was. What shall we say of Muammar Gadhafi who wore an air of invincibility only to be smoked out of a culvert? Give Diepreye Alamieyeseigha his deserved rest.
To quote a home worn cliché, Erdogan is back in government and power, but the big question is – who is safe in Turkey? His plane had hardly touched down when he declared a noted cleric now in exile in America guilty without investigation or trial. As I write, over 2,000 Turks, ranging from activists to clerics have been arrested and the dragnet is widening. Truth is, Turkey is now and for a long time to come a huge prison yard in which everybody is guilty until the President clears them. The Sultan finally has a good reason to bark, bite and to inject poison.
While wishing Erdogan happy survival, global leaders have warned him not to totally annihilate every form of opposition. It is a warning evidently bound to fall on deaf ears.
Apart from it being unfashionable to have a soldier sitting behind your country’s flag in 2016, why did Turks risk their lives and limbs to protect the mandate of a civilian dictator? Well, even Myanmar’s generals are toying with the ballot box! Erdogan is the dictator with the Midas touch. He inherited a comatose economy with unemployment standing at 10 per cent. In two years, he has turned things around growing the economy by almost five percent. Turkey is now a manufacturing and export hub exporting its products across the globe. That means job creation, stability, food on the table and happiness all around. A fed citizenry is the best guarantee for security. So, before reading Sai Baba’s condemnatory message on this one, where do we stand with an economy-gone cold Turkey? Lai claims his party has a blueprint, but only him and his party men know what it is – Naija people want to be sold on it. Nothing else satisfies! [email protected]
SGF is not a Christian: Northern CAN
By Lauretta Onochie
It seems to be that the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in this dispensation, has arrogated to its Northern chapter, a role of ignominy hitherto, played by others during the Jonathan Administration. It is common knowledge that this organization, with a leadership that sometimes is not in talking terms with God, is set to go on collision course with Nigerians. Nearly all Nigerians support President Buhari’s war on corruption so Nigerians are serious about uprooting corruption in their nation.
First, in the Vanguard online news of April 26th 2016, this Northern CAN said Nigeria will slide into confusion if Jonathan was arrested. Of course, Nigerians who are waiting for all those who looted their treasury to be brought to account, were shocked that an organization that is affiliated to God, could utter such unrighteousness. Why would they embark on such an unholy advocacy? Should men and women not reap what they sow?
Isn’t that what the Bible prescribes? If Rtd. Col. Dasuki, Chief Oliseh
Metuh, Alex Badeh Akpobolokemi, etc., are facing investigations and being charged to court, why would Nigerians be confused if anyone, no matter how highly placed, suspected to have stolen public funds, is pulled in, if found culpable? It leaves one with a clear pointer as to who is behind the continued misguided utterances of men who speak from the pockets of their sponsors and not through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It has further become clear that as the National CAN in the past, looked away from the stealing that went on under a supposedly Christian President, the Northern CAN, is now being used to castigate every action of the government of President Buhari. Their meddlesomeness is becoming irritating. They want to dictate who get appointed, and who should not be arrested if found culpable. One wonders, what sort of people do we have in this association?
I know President Buhari is not averse to criticisms, so a body such as CAN has a role to play in being the conscience of not just the Christians it represents, but also other Nigerians of good faith. However, in playing that role CAN should have all its facts so its criticisms can be constructive, sound, fair, just and believable. The role some CAN members are playing now, am afraid, is clearly part of the work of the “National Association of Corruption Fighting Back.”
The change mantra is being taken seriously by the President. Consequently, he has adhered to the provisions of the constitution with regards to federal character. Nowhere in our constitution is it stated that religion must be a criterion for appointing people to positions. However, the following Northern Christians, excluding the inherited ones, were appointed by the government of President Buhari: Secretary to the Government of the
Federation, Engineer Babachir David Lawal; Hon. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbe; Hon. Minister of Youths and Sports, Comrade Solomon Dalung; Late Hon. Minister of State, Labour & Productivity, Barrister James Ocholi; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political Matters, Hon. Gideon Sammani; Special Assistant to the President on Political Matters, Mr. Ayuba Birma; Special Assistant to the President on Social Events, Mr. Ayuba Balami; Personal Assistant to the President on Social Events, Mrs. Faith Pukuma; Senior Special Assistant to the President, Legal and Documentation, Prof. Adamu Usman; Administrator of Villa Chapel, Reverend Isaac Ambi; Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission, Pastor Tor Uja; Managing Director, Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority, Mr. Boss Mustapha.
Not many southern Nigerians can work out the religion or tribes of most northerners as many names are common to both Christians and Moslems in the north, the same way many northerners assume that Okon Bassey and Pere Tamuno are Igbo men. It therefore, behoves Northern CAN to assume the role of educating southerners with facts, with a view to allaying their anxiety occasioned by perceived marginalization. For every appointment made, there are probably a million others who are qualified too. But only one can be appointed. It’s therefore sad that if an appointee is a Christian who is not known to Northern CAN, his or her Christianity becomes a nullity and of no effect. Could this be the faith of the SGF and other Christian appointees. Could this be of CAN. It’s obvious that the aim of all these misinformation is to divide a region perceived as President Buhari’s stronghold. The role of an association such as CAN is not that of dividing the north along religious lines. It should be that of uniting the whole country so Nigerians can collectively focus on building a strong nation where people experience equal opportunities irrespective of tribe, religion, etc.
Again, one does not need a religion to do a good job. All religions of the world encourage merit. There are those who may not subscribe to any religion but can do a great job. Should it not be of paramount concern to the Northern CAN that people who can do the job be appointed? Should they not be holding to account those who are failing in their duties? Should they not be solidly standing behind the righteous work of this government infighting the capital sin of corruption?
The CAN in Nigeria in the immediate past became controversial. This led to the Catholic Church in Nigeria withdrawing its membership of the association. The present utterances of the Northern Chapter of CAN show that they have not repented of their sinful past. They need to forsake their past transgressions and return to the scriptures. That’s the only way they can find resurrection and maybe, those who left the association may then return. God save Nigeria from ungodly men! Amen. Lauretta Onochie @laurestar