MOTHERLAND NIGERIA: ARTICLE

ARTICLE

Group for Democracy and Human Rights (NAG-DHR), Ms.Maureen Idehen met with the head of state and during a handshake attempted to engage him in dialogue. The head of state appeared nervous and reluctant, but Ms Maureen Idehen reminded him of the need for him to listen to members of the pro- democracy and human rights movement for the betterment of Nigeria. Abubakar promised to oblige.

The only questions posed for the evening were asked by Ms. Maureen Idehen, the president of NAG-DHR. She asked Abubakar whether he had NOT compounded Nigeria's problems by opening the playing field to bandits from the previous regimes who had stolen millions and millions of Naira from the Nigerian people. These bandits, she said are now using their ill-gotten gains to hijack the new political parties with the sole aim of buying the presidency, to the exclusion and marginalization of the young new breed politicians who have not the wealth nor means to compete nor wrestle power from these brigands.

Implying that the playing field was definitely NOT level, Ms. Idehen in her follow up, stated that since the Federal Government did not provide initial funding for the parties to take off, the dynamic and resourceful new breed young politicians have been overshadowed by the corrupt and intellectually bankrupt old politicians who are the only ones in Nigeria's political arena today, those making nonsense of the new democratic process.

She further queried why a man like Tom Ikimi, the former Foreign Affairs minister, who has been accused of embezzling millions of Naira and dollars, should now be allowed to use his stolen moneys to form a political organization without being called to book. Insinuating that this was an affront to the Nigerian people, she demanded an answer from the head of state.

General Abubakar responded by stating that he regrets that the government could not provide the funds or do anything that would be perceived as the government interfering with the electoral process. The General said, INEC is responsible for screening the candidates and power shall be handed to whomever the Nigerian electorate comes up with, no matter whom that person is, it is the choice of the people.

Ms Idehen felt the answer was inadequate and responded by saying the situation was "unacceptable." Further comments from her as to the abrogation of the obnoxious degrees, namely degree #2 and #29, and comments on his lopsided cabinet appointments majority of whom are from the North, were interrupted with the singing of "Arise O Compatriots" initiated by the Head of State himself.

Before leaving the hotel, Ms Idehen again accosted Abubakar and reminded him to pay heed to her earlier comments and questions.