INEC, Governors & the Law

So, eventually a court in Abuja says five states may not be part of the April Governorship elections. The five governors took oath of office and oath of allegiance twice since their first election in 2007. The big deal is that INEC said earlier these five states must join in the 2011 elections because of a constitutional amendment that says period spent in office by an incumbent returned after a by-election should count in determining his or her tenure of four years.

Is the Federal High Court saying the law cannot and should not be 'retroactive'? Is the constitutional 'alteration' actually retroactive? How soon can an appeal run through? Would we enjoy the privilege of a Supreme Court pronouncement? Ok, this is Nigeria. The days, though numbered, have a way of elongating themselves for Nigerians.

Nigeria: The Meaning of Credible Elections!

When on the 22nd August 2010, the result of the by-election for the senate seat from the Bauchi South Senatorial District if Bauchi State, North East Nigeria was anounced, only two other political parties were present at the district collation centre. Both of them 'refused' to sign the collation sheet claiming they individually had problems with 'the way the election was conducted' and 'the outcome of the election'. That they had the right to petition and prove their claims was not sufficient to make them leave the premises quitely. The noise that ensued was quite disturbing and clearly reflects the attitude of Nigerian politicians to the outcome of elections. Yet, the clear definition for a credible election appears to be missing in the Nigerian polity.

Very few Nigerians accept they understand, let alone appreciate that election outcomes cannot always be the yardstick for determining the credibility of an election. If it was so, public sentiments will be the determining factor in elections and not the number of votes scored by candidtaes in contested elections. No Nigerian politician has yet said elections in Nigeria are not contested. It is probably the way in which the contest eventually runs that becomes an issue after the elections. Credibility is attained for whoever wins. It is not for all those who loose.

The time for a determination of the real definition of credible election within the Nigerian context is now. Otherwise, Professor Jega, the INEC Chairman may be disappointed.

What block?

I will never understand what a writer's block is. I do understand you may have alot of things you think you want to write, but find that you are unable to write. My current state. Pity, I fancy holding onto a blog for a while.

Never to be late!

Surely, staying away from my blog is not planned. It just happened. Well, no it was caused by NEPA (oh dear me, PHCN), as if I need to justify my reluctance to write the small pieces. But the truth is that Nigeria has become a 'fearful' place. Writing opinions is now a problem. So is holding the opinion in the first place - unless of course you are a 'mouthpiece'. God help us.

Michael 'Mikael' Jackson is DEAD!

My friend is an aspiring publisher. His current spreed sheet 'House of Islam' is already reaching places he did not think it would. The reception is also good. That is why he was so worried he had to confirm if Michael Jackson died a Muslim or not. He had reported the SUN story that the KING OF POP had converted to Islam.

During the whole day the tribute 'memorial' was done for the musician, Ismail was glued to the television set trying to catch any phrase that would suggest to him that the late musician died a Muslim. There was none. I however told him that earlier on I had heared the brother of the dead musician, announing the death of his brother, say: 'Michael, may Allah be with you always' and he was excited. Jarmine (Friday) Jackson is a Muslim. He announced the death of the music superstar on behalf of the Jackson family. Is that confirmation that Michael Jackson died a Muslim?

The CNN which broadcast Jarmine Jackson's announcement, later 'edited' the portion with 'may Allah be with you always' and no reason came up to explain why. Should they have explained? America has its own traditions. One of its traditions is secularim. No religion for the state. No glorification of a religion over another. Yet, would any other faith have kept quite about their own person who passes away? Where is the Nation of Islam? Where is CAIR? Where are the other Islamic Organisations in the United States of America?

Maybe, just maybe, Michael was battling to become a Muslim. However, was that picture of him and Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam) and others a flux? Allahu A'alamu

A View on 'Muslim-Converts' et al ...

I made a presentation in Yola this weekend. It was an expression of my views about conversion and how people who embrace Islam may be treated. You will find the complete paper at my other site on the ssrn.com network. However, a few points may be interesting.

I believe managing converts is not an issue. I believe all the people who convert to Islam are Muslims and are obliged to act accordingly. I believe all Muslims owe each other the obligation of treating themselves equally. I know Allah loves those of the highest piety. May we all be alive to our responsibilities.

Christ-like, yes, ... that is what I said!

This morning something pleasant happened to me. I visited my eye doctor to collect my glasses and went through a very interesting encounter. My eye doctor engaged me in a serious discussion on the issue of religion. She was particularly impressed by something about me that made her impression of, her attitude and thinking about Muslims change. She asked me if Muslims believed in Hell and Paradise. I said, we did. She said, meeting me had made her realise that there are some Muslims that MAY go to Paradise. I asked her to explain. She was incoherent, seeing that she was really unable to specify the exact thing about me that changed her thinking about Muslims. May be if I explained the events leading to this morning, I may succeed in conveying my astonishment and pleasant surprise.

I started wearing prescription glasses in 2003. My first set was the only one I picked after a thorough medical examination. So, when the eye started trouble, I had to go and see an eye doctor. I walked into this private clinic and there she was! She examined me and made her prescription. She charged me and showed me a number of frames. I opted for a nondescript piece and made a comment to the effect that I was not interested in a frame for show. As I left the clinic that first day, she asked me my 'denomination' but before I answered, I noticed her hesitation and then she asked if I was a Muslim or a Christan. I said am a Muslim. End of discussion.

The cost of the replacement glasses was something I could afford to pay in two installments. So, after a few days, I was able to make the first installment. She said they were expecting me, and we joked about the possibility of my failing to show up after the examination. I was to return after three days, but I said I may not be able to do so unless I raised the balance. I failed to show up. A week after, I raised the balance, and this morning, I walked back into the eye clinic. I noticed she was reading her bible.

By this time, you expect I would know her name. I still don't know. Today I confirm she is a qualified eye doctor not just a technician. Her interest in me was wonderful. She told me that since she saw me and observed my actions, she told herself I must be a 'good' Muslim. She asked me why Muslims kill other people. She also asked if I believed in Jesus Christ. I told her Muslims do not kill people, but politicians who are Muslims may have political reasons to kill - as in the Twin Towers - but no Muslim kills as a religious belief. I said all Muslims believe in Isa (named Jesus Christ) as an article of faith. I told her any Muslim who does not believe in Jesus Christ is not a Muslim. She said I acted like a Christian. I said I was acting CHRIST-LIKE but I am not a Christan. All Muslims are Christ-like because they submit totally to the will of Allah (arabic name of the Creator of the Universe).

Yes, I told this Christan eye doctor that I am Christ-like, but not a Christian. She agreed I showed something that made her think that some Muslims MAY go to Paradise (after those who call themselves Christian?) because she never believed Muslims were good. She said I changed her thinking in this direction. So, I must live my life the way I do - so that it continues to change people's thinking about Muslims and Islam.