LATEST ON ABIA STATE ELECTION

Ogah remains authentic governor of Abia State –Ubani

— 4th July 2016

By Ndubuisi Orji
AS the controversy over who is the rightful governor of Abia State continues, former chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (Ikeja) and member of the Uche Ogah legal team, Monday Ubani, has said that based on the judgement of a Federal High Court, Abuja,
Ogah remains the rightful governor of Abia State until a superior court rules otherwise. Ubani who spoke in an interview with journalists at the weekend in Lagos explained the issues in the Abia governorship tussle. Excerpts:
Last week, a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that Mr Uche Ogah is the authentic candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in the 2015 Abia governorship election, based on which he has been issued a certificate of return, how did we get to this point?
This issue came up as a result of the Primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party which was held on December 8, 2014.
My friend and by the special grace of God the current governor of Abia State, Uche Ogah, was a participant. He was manipulated out because the irregularities of that primary election was glaring for all to see. Before we could start the primaries, the delegates that were not supposed to be there were inside the stadium.
It all started when we sought to look at the documents presented
by Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, which is a requirement of the law. The
law says if you want to contest an election, you must fill a form,
disclose your educational qualification, your birth certificate and your tax papers. Now, the issue of
tax is very critical. It is a constitutional requirement that if you want to contest an election in any political party, you must have paid your tax for three years as at when due.
Section 177(c) of the 1999 constitution says that a party must sponsor a candidate before he contests a general election. If a party doesn’t sponsor you, you can’t run for election. For that to happen, it means such a candidate must have complied with the guidelines of a political party before he is qualified to contest.
But in Ikpeazu’s case, we went through his papers and discovered
that he has lied. There were so many lies on his tax papers One of the things we discovered
was that he was alleged to have started paying tax when he was not yet in the employment of the Abia State Government.
Two, the serial numbers on his tax receipts were evidence of deception. The 2013 serial number showed as if it was the beginning of the tax payment, whereas, the 2011 receipt showed as if it was the last payment. The serial numbers were conflicting. The conflict showed that Ikpeazu had not paid his tax as at when due in accordance
with the law.
Third, was the issue of figures; let us assume he was supposed to earn N500,000 per annum, but in his tax papers, it was showing above N1million.
He said his tax was being deducted at source. But the question is, if that was so, why the discrepancies in your taxable income?
Is it not what he was earning he should be taxed on? We found so many discrepancies in his tax certificate.
And the law in Section 31 of the 2010 Electoral Act as amended gives a co-aspirant the opportunity to examine the documents of an opponent to validate whether he was qualified to contest for the primary election in the first place  because it is a pre-election matter.
And if you find out in his disclosures and declarations that he has given a false or misleading information, the section guarantees you the right to apply to a Federal or State High Court for a redress.
You also have the right to ask that that candidate be disqualified because he was not qualified in the first place to run for primaries.
Section 31(6) says if such a candidate was found to have declared false information, he is liable to be disqualified by the court. When we found all that, we proceeded for Originating Summons, but they (Ikpeazu’s legal team) came up with the issue that the court has no jurisdiction. So, we had to trash it out at the Supreme Court. That was why time was wasted, because this matter would have been settled a long time ago.
So, when the Supreme Court ruled that the lower court has jurisdiction to hear the case, we had to come down to the Federal High Court again to start all over. Ikpeazu’s team alleged bias against Justice Ademola J, that he has been compromised and all manner of frivolous allegations.
So, the Justice said, “look I hands off the case, I don’t want anything that will tarnish my image”. For sanctity of the Justice and the judiciary, he transferred the case back to the Chief Judge for reassignment.
Then what happened thereafter?
The case was reassigned to Justice Okon Abang, who went on to hear the case. They came again with all manner of applications.
But if you read the judgement of Justice Abang, it was comprehensive.
He took time to tackle all the applications they brought, including the issue of jurisdiction, which had already been decided by the Supreme Court. All these were tackled before the Court came to the merit of the case. They (Ikpeazu’s team) agreed that on the face of the tax papers, the disclosures were false, but that it was a mistake.
This in law is an admission.
If this was a mistake, it means on the face of the law you are not qualified to participate in the electoral process. Does it now mean that Dr. Uche Ogah, who came second in that primary should go empty handed, the court said no.
Even though election has taken place and Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu won, since he was not qualified to have participated in the election ab initio, the proper order is to ask him to vacate the seat. PDP as a party should have presented a qualified candidate for the general election.
Again, now that the Supreme Court has held in the case of Otti vs. INEC, that PDP is the winner of April 11, 2015 election in Abia State, the PDP is the party that ought to replace the candidate that was not qualified. This is exactly what Justice Okon Abang ruled on June 27, 2016.
The Judge ordered that Ikpeazu should vacate the office and that INEC should issue a Certificate of Return to Dr. Uche Ogah immediately and he should be sworn in immediately by the Chief Judge of Abia State. And this was exactly what INEC did. There was no contrary order to
that judgement. It’s the extant law.
Now they have appealed. The fact remains that appeal does not operate
as a stay of execution. Every elementary student of law knows
this. They still have to obtain an order of stay before you can stay
execution of judgement. Now, it’s a different scenario, when it’s a
judgment t of the tribunal.
Many lawyers are saying that for the fact that Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu
has appealed, there should have been an automatic stay of
execution.
But this is not true. Section 143 of the electoral Act 2010 as
amended says if you appeal after your election has been validated
by the Tribunal, your appeal operates as a stay automatically if
it’s within 21 days. But in a preelection matter, it does not apply.
You still have to obtain a separate order from the appeal to stay execution.
So, the allegation that INEC was in a hurry to issue certificate
of return to Dr. Ogah, despite their appeal is a wrong assumption.
The problem we have in Nigeria is we tend to do certain
things wrong and when it becomes a norm, we feel that is the way it should be. No, the normal thing is that when a court makes a pronouncement, you have to obey it, you don’t look behind you or
begin to read meanings.
I must say that INEC’s action was very historical and good for the development of our laws and judicial system. For the first time, it obeyed our laws and issued Dr. Uche Ogah certificate of return. Dr. Ogah was supposed to be sworn in immediately as the courts have ordered, in the absence of any contrary order.
When Ogah got to Umuahia, what happened?
But he got to Umuahia and discovered that the Chief Judge of the state and the President in charge of the Customary Court of Appeal in Umuahia have disappeared or may be kidnapped or went into hiding. This gave them the opportunity to obtain a black market injunction in a nearby court in Umuahia. But the fact is that, that order can’t stand, because it is a court of coordinate jurisdiction with the Abuja Federal High Court. The order is nullity.
The only court that can reverse the decision of the Abuja High Court is a higher court and not one with a coordinate jurisdiction.
That shares the same power with the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Again, that interim order was based on the wrong premise
of law. It was quoting Section 143 of the Electoral Act which we already know is only applicable to a judgement delivered by a tribunal. So, in the absence of any stay of execution to the ruling of the Abuja High Court, Dr. Sampson Uche Ogah (OON) today, is the governor-elect of Abia State.
What happens to the Certificate of Return earlier issued to Ikpeazu?
Yes, when INEC issued him that certificate of return, the implication is that the earlier one you have issued has been cancelled.
So, Ikpeazu is sitting there illegally. He has no right to declare public holidays and he also has no right to withdraw money from the bank.
What Ikpeazu has to do now is to vacate office, while he continues his appeal. Then, Dr. Ogah according to the court order should be sworn in and be administered with oath of office by the Chief Judge, so that he can begin his responsibilities as the governor of Abia State.

Sensible path to stronger naira and economic prosperity

This column has consistently maintained that the root cause of Nigeria’s economic paradox of increasing income, with unbridled unemployment rate, and deepening poverty will be found in the conscious but incorrect adoption of a faulty and distortional process for the infusion of our crude oil export dollar revenue.

Hereafter, we will discuss the related adverse consequences of the Current Payments Model against the POSITIVE attributes of the Advocated Payments Model for the allocation, for example, of $1bn export revenue in the following explanatory steps.

Thus, in CPM: -1 The Central Bank of Nigeria unilaterally determines the naira exchange rate and thereafter unconstitutionally captures the distributable $1bn revenue and prints/creates in replacement (read as monetises) N200bn as statutory allocations, which are then domiciled in the bank accounts of beneficiaries.

CPM:-2 If, however, the CBN’s mandatory Cash Reserve Ratio for banks is, for example, 10 per cent, the N200bn inflow can be leveraged tenfold, to create additional credit and expand consumer spending power which will invariably fuel inflation. The recent establishment of the Treasury Single Account will, regrettably, only temporarily, absorb such cash injections, as the N200bn allocation, for example, will ultimately migrate when spent into private sector bank accounts and invariably expand naira liquidity, banks’ credit capacity and consumer demand.

CPM:-3 In response to evolving inflationary threats, the same CBN, ironically, “altruistically” sells Treasury bills and borrows money it does not need, often, at over 10 per cent, just to combat the challenges of systemic excess naira and excessive consumer demand! Inexplicably, however, despite the crying need of the real sector for cheap funds, these CBN borrowings are simply kept as idle funds, while fresh cash interventions are created to stimulate sectors of the economy, despite the subsisting systemic liquidity challenge.

CPM:-4. Since unrestrained access to excess cheap funds instigates spiralling inflation with adverse economic and social consequences, the CBN responds by raising its Monetary Policy (Control) Rate to force banks to also significantly increase their own lending rates, so that higher cost of funds would discourage borrowing, and sadly, inadvertently also reduce any prospect of industrial growth and job creation. Thus, the CBN unexpectedly becomes vicariously liable for the very high cost of funds that cripple the real sector.

CPM:-5. Meanwhile, Ministries and state governments, who require imports to enhance social infrastructure become constrained to buy back their earlier captured dollars at a higher regulated rate from banks that strangely become the prime beneficiaries of the CBN’s dollar auctions. Ultimately, naira exchange rate comes under threat as increasingly surplus naira is unleashed by the CBN to chase the dollar rations it regularly auctions. Consequently, the market dynamics of demand and supply become unfavourably skewed against the naira, despite the CBN’s custody of relatively impressive “reserves.”

CPM:-6. The less dollars sold, the larger will be the CBN’s purported reserves, but the weaker ironically also will be the naira rate, as less and less dollars become pitted against the excess naira that the CBN earlier instigated. Ultimately, the gap between official and black market naira rates will invariably widen, to provide irresistible opportunities for speculation, hoarding and currency round tripping.

CPM:-7. In order to reduce the gap between parallel market and official exchange rates, the CBN commits the unforced error of allocating dollars to the Bureaux de Change, who in turn fund the requirements of treasury looters and smugglers of contrabands, not minding the adverse economic impact of such misguided dollar allocations; (thankfully, after seven long years the CBN terminated this clearly obnoxious strategy of official dollar sales to the BDCs in January 2016).

CPM:-8. The CBN, ironically, continues to maintain its monopoly of the forex market and sits on bountiful naira and dollar reserves, while domestic and external debt accumulation and deepening poverty, inexplicably, persists, while banks unexpectedly simultaneously celebrate bountiful profits.

Conversely the Advocated Payments Model will turn around the existing counterproductive process and operate as follows:

APM:-1. The same $1bn distributable revenue is not immediately substituted with N200bn allocation; instead, constitutional beneficiaries receive dollar certificates equal to their respective allocations, while the actual $1bn remains domiciled in the CBN, while the naira exchange rate is conversely determined by competitive market forces of demand and supply.

APM:-2. With strictly dollar allocations, the $1bn income does not translate to additional FRESH naira inflow; consequently, naira supply remains the same, and cannot therefore further instigate the usual disenabling spectre of systemic surplus cash which fuels inflationary consequences.

APM:-3. Without the usual systemic naira surplus, the CBN does not have to mop up liquidity by borrowing money it does not need, often with interest rates above 10 per cent. Consequently, the present N12tn ($60bn) oppressive debt and related service charges will become restrained. Additionally, reduced government borrowing will also naturally force commercial banks to chase the real sector for business and promote economic growth.

APM:-4. Furthermore, with optimal naira liquidity, the CBN can gradually align its Monetary Policy (control) Rate to international best practice below three per cent; commercial banks will also, without persuasion, correspondingly drop lending rates across board to single digit, to attract real sector borrowers.

APM:-5. The MDAs and state governments can directly exchange for naira, all or portions of their dollar allocations from time to time, through commercial banks. Thus, in the absence of the usual naira surge when the CBN substitutes fresh naira creations for dollar revenue, market dynamics will inevitably change to favour the naira, with relatively more dollar supply chasing the existing stable naira balances. A stronger naira rate will expectedly reduce production cost and also lower fuel prices to make subsidy totally unnecessary. Furthermore, a 10 per cent sales tax on cheaper petrol and kerosene could favourably consolidate over N1000bn annually into the treasury.

APM:-6. The CBN’s usual monopolistic dollar auctions will cease, as the constitutional beneficiaries directly trade their dollar certificates for existing naira balances with banks before spending, (since the dollar is not legal tender in Nigeria). Nonetheless, the dollars will remain domiciled with the CBN, irrespective of the ultimate buyer, until the apex bank receives appropriate instruction from respective banks to directly pay overseas suppliers of “authorised” goods/services, from the dollar balances in the accounts, banks maintain with the CBN. This payment process certainly provides a more transparent usage of funds than presently.

APM:-7. With optimal naira liquidity and relative dollar surplus, the naira rate will gradually improve, and stabilise and promote the perception of naira as a safe store of value. Furthermore, with little motivation for round tripping, capital flight and speculative dollar purchases, the black market for the dollar will rapidly contract.

APM: 8. Optimal naira liquidity will invariably precipitate lower MPR, and therefore promote single digit interest and inflation rates below three per cent, with positive knock-on impact on consumer demand, industrial consolidation as well as increasing job opportunities, with bourgeoning economic prosperity. A stronger naira will similarly drive down fuel prices and ultimately eliminate annual oppressive subsidies.

Sadly, the patriotic and rational fervour evident in President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent affirmation, at a meeting with the Nigerian community in Kenya, that he did not see any valid reason to further devalue the naira, may ultimately come to nothing if the increasing pressure from local and international experts and powerful interest groups persists and the gap between official and parallel exchange rates further widens.

In conclusion, therefore, the present payment system will shunt us back to the Fourth World, while the advocated model will propel us amongst the top world economies within a decade. Clearly, our fate as a nation is not in our stars, but obviously in the choices we make!

How to demystify corruption and defeat it

February 2, 2016

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Azuka Onwuka

An idea suggested by Col. Gabriel Ajayi (retd.), from Ipole, Ilesha, Osun State, on the issue of corruption, has kept me thinking. He said:

“We must demystify corruption if we must succeed in the fight against it. If I were Prof Itse Sagay, I would declare my own assets publicly followed by other members of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Advisory Committee. Though the law does not require it, all ministers and advisers should declare their assets publicly. We must demystify corruption, and one sure way to go about it is public declaration of our assets by all stakeholders in the Nigerian project. All of us – judges, magistrates, vice-chancellors, professors, general overseers, imams, traditional rulers, senior government officials, media top shots, labour leaders, governors, legislators, military leaders, senior police officers, officials of the DSS, the EFCC, and Code of Conduct Bureau, political party leaders, business moguls across the broad spectrum of national endeavour – must publicly declare our assets. That is the minimum base line or we keep our mouths shut. We must know those who own all these petrol stations and hotels tucked away in our built-up areas. Let us know how people come about their wealth. Let us join hands to demystify economic, political, social, religious and traditional corruption that holds down this potentially great nation. We must engage the whole gamut of ethical revolution otherwise I am afraid we can do nothing worthwhile against corruption.”

This seems hard to achieve because non-political office holders will easily claim that they don’t owe anybody any obligation to declare their assets publicly, since they are not working for the public. And because they are not compelled by any law to do so, it will be hard to get them to do it. But most importantly, such an exercise would open the rump of most people who are in the forefront in the condemnation of those accused of corruption. By declaring their assets publicly, those who earn N100,000 a month but have chains of buildings and other assets will be asked questions how they came about such assets.

Asking those in leadership positions or those who have influence over others to publicly declare their assets is not a matter of legality but morality. It does not sound nice or feel nice for someone who is corrupt to condemn or accuse others of corruption. It reminds you of the men in the Bible who wanted to stone an adulterous woman to death, but when they were told by Jesus, “Let he who is without sin be the first to cast a stone,” one by one they dropped their stones and sneaked away. When people make it crystal clear that they have not corruptly enriched themselves, it confers on them the moral force to criticise others on the issue of corruption.

That way, the clothes used to wrap corruption would be removed. Corruption would no longer be seen as something mysterious. It would also help the public to see the extent of rot or cleanliness in the nation.

Corruption is a major problem in Nigeria but one key reason why it seems difficult to defeat is that it is seen as a problem restricted to only those who hold political positions. Those who don’t hold political posts swim in their own corruption but believe that theirs is not the main national problem. It is like the case of pickpockets, burglars and thieves who are the first to mob another pickpocket caught. Sometimes, one wonders if such people are really angry about the crime or the fact that the person was not cautious to evade capture.

However, what obtains now is that corruption is directly and indirectly promoted by the Nigerian society. Everybody in Nigeria seems to be waiting for an opportunity to hold a national position – either elective or appointed. It seems as if the life of a Nigerian is not complete until he or she has “served” the nation. Even though it is called “service,” there are clear signs that it is far from being service. It is seen as a golden opportunity to amass wealth and wield power.

Ironically, even though many people finger corruption as the major problem of Nigeria, the same people expect that a political office holder has to regularly dole out money, jobs and projects to people. Such a person is not expected to leave office poor or at the same financial level as he or she was before the position.

Once the person gets into office, congratulatory adverts are placed in the newspapers by his friends and associates, including his town union, committee of friends, university classmates, secondary school classmates, alma mater, etc. The person will also receive visits from family members, alma mater, religious groups and leaders, social clubs, etc, who will bring their congratulatory messages and requests. They expect that since their “person” has been “blessed” with a high position, it is their turn to enjoy. In a matter of weeks, they expect the person to start doling out money, jobs and projects to them. They won’t accept any excuses.

If that person does not dole out all these favours as quickly as possible, he or she gets the name of a stingy person or one who loves to “eat” alone. And if such a person leaves office without any evidence of stupendous wealth, he or she is heavily tongue-lashed by the same people for being “foolish” and missing a “God-given opportunity to become rich.”

One is therefore left to wonder: “What do Nigerians really want on the issue of corruption? Are they really serious about eradicating corruption or are they simply waiting for their opportunity to hold a high position to have the opportunity to wield power and amass wealth?”

The Corruption Perceptions Index released last week by Transparency International for 2015 showed that Nigeria ranked 136 out of 168 countries. It scored 26 points out of 100. In 2014, Nigeria was also the 136th nation on the table, but then the total number of countries surveyed was 174. That year, it scored 27 points out of 100. With the ongoing fight against corruption, one hopes that Nigeria will steadily rise in ranking. Nigeria needs to move away from the lower rung of the corruption perceptions index and move up to at least the middle of the chart in the next five years.

Corruption is a major issue in Nigeria. It is necessary that all possible solutions be thrown at the issue of fighting corruption. When the fight against corruption is made an all-inclusive battle, corruption will cease to be seen as a crime committed only by politicians but one that every citizen should steer clear of.

Anyaoku urges Nigeria to practice true federalism

-Emeka Anyaokwu urged Nigeria to remain as one as there is a lot to benefit from the unity

-The elder statesman highlighted the key problems Nigeria is facing

-He suggested that he country practice true federalism

Chief Emeka Anyaoku, the former secretary-general of the Commonwealth has said that Nigeria has a lot to gain by remaining as a single entity and suggested that true federalism is the key solution to the country’s problem.

He elder statesman who was speaking at the inauguration conference of the Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy (ISGPP) at the University of Ibadan suggested that against the call and prediction that Nigeria will fall apart, he still believed in the unity of the country.

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Chief Emeka Anyaoku

A lot of separatist groups especially from the eastern region have called for the disintegration of Nigeria and the establishment of an independent Biafra state. The arrest and continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, the director of Radio Biafra has also escalated the agitation.

At the programme held on Monday, February 1, Anyaoku said having survived as a country for more than 100 years; Nigeria will continue to remain as one.

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Chairman board of governance (ISGPP), Pro. Akin Mabogunje, former president of Nigeria Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Elder state man, Chief Emeka Anyaoku and Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu

“Contrary of doomsayers, I hold strongly to the view that there are inherent benefits for all citizens in belonging to a country of Nigeria’s size and resources.”

He however noted strongly that the current governance architecture was not doing the country any good as the 36 states were gulping in a lot of financial expenses while some states were on the edge of bankruptcy.

He noted that prior to the coup of 1966, the country had four regions and each was independently sustaining itself but in a bid to weaken the secessionist movement, Yakubu Gowon created 12 states from the existing structure thereby creating ethnic divide.

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Chief Emeka Anyaoku

He gave examples of countries like Unites states, India, Canada and Australia that practice true federalism and that they were united in their diversity. He urged Nigeria to emulate the structure of these countries.

The former Commonwealth secretary-general noted that agitation for the creation of new states has been the main issue in every national conference. Anyaoku said this was a testimony of the problem Nigeria was facing as the small units were not comfortable with the perceived marginalization.

READ ALSO: IPOB faults judge for denying Kanu bail

He suggested that the country strengthen the six geo-political zones and make them economically independent so as so foster healthy competition. He said this will also make the centre less attractive and the regions more independent.

He said: “Gowon’s administration created more states by splitting the regions into 12 states to weaken secessionist forces. By the end of the civil war, Nigeria has not recovered. All these attempts at constitution making, the trend has been to demand for more states. The reason is agitation against marginalization by ethnic groups within existing states. From the 12 states, the number has increased to 36 with institutions including 36 state assemblies, 36 civil services, 36 judiciaries, all adding to the cost of governance.

“Nigeria was making more progress in national development with true federalism in four regions. Today, the non-viable 36 states have becoming economically handicapped and some states now find it difficult to pay salaries and the N18, 000 minimum wage. Many states are hovering on the brink of bankruptcy

“I urge the national assembly to effect a more fundamental change rather than stop at tinkering with the edges of the constitution.”

The elder statesman suggested that the six geo-political zones should be allowed to control some aspects of the country while the federal government retains more national aspect.

“The federal government must retain exclusive power over federal power and related institutions, finance, defence, immigration, aviation, maritime, solid and liquid mineral, internal security judiciary but only Supreme Court, education but only federal universities, health but only federal university teaching hospitals and federal highways and rail ways

READ ALSO: Pro-Biafra militants hijack ship

“The 6 federating regions should handle fiscal responsibilities, police, education, health, power, transportation, and economic development and agriculture.

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“40 per cent of the federal generated should be retained by the federal government with 15 per cent derived from mineral going to producing areas and the rest should be shared equally by regions.”

Other top Nigerians who were at the conference includes former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, Dr Kayode Fayemi, Professor Akin Mabogunje, Professor Pat Utomi and Dr Richard Joseph.

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Chief Emeka Anyaoku Canvasses Six-Region Federation For Nigeria

present federal system to six federating units if the country is to overcome its present difficulties and begins to tread the path of economic and social development and political stability.

Chief Anyaoku who in his capacity as the chairman of the Third Arc Goody Jidenma Bi-Annual public lecture in Lagos Tuesday said that the lecture was particularly timely now that the country is preparing for the convening of a National Conference.

Noting that proceeding to the 2015 general elections without first resolving the political crisis that shrouds Nigeria would be fraught with danger for the future cohesion, peace and stability of the country, Chief Anyaoku declared that most of Nigeria’s problems were rather systemic. “I believe that the problems can be more effectively tackled if we review and modify our present structure of governance.”

Lamenting that the present federal governance structure retards national development and breeds instability and conflict within the country, Anyaoku said: “With 36 federating units and the Federal Capital Territory, each with its paraphernalia of administration, the country will continue to spend disproportionate amount of its resources on recurrent expenditure thereby leaving little funds for its capital development.

“And at the same time, the control of the Federal Government will continue to fuel destabilizing competition among our ethnically and religiously diverse peoples.

“I therefore believe that the prospective national conference which the President has decided to convene will offer the country a welcome opportunity to discuss and hopefully reach a national consensus on a more appropriate federal structure of governance in Nigeria.

“In my view the most appropriate structure of governance for Nigeria should be a return to a true federation of six federating units with each developing at its own pace and the proceeds from God-given national resources , that is minerals both liquid and solid, shared equally among the federating units after the deductions to be agreed for the mineral producing communities and the Federal Government whose exclusive powers will be limited to such national institutions as Defence, Foreign Affairs, Monetary Policy, Immigration, National Security, Customs and such like.”

The guest lecturer, Professor of Political Science and President, Institute of Governance and Social Research, Jos, Prof. Jonah Isawa Elaigwu in his lecture titled: ‘The Practice of Federalism in Africa, The Nigerian Experience and the Way Forward’ noted there was no mistake of 1914 and that Nigeria is more than a mere geographical expression.

He posited that the fact it has been possible to keep the country united all the while is an achievement despite the fact he concurred there are still many things to be done.

On the debate over whether the amalgamation of Nigeria terminates next year, Prof Elaigwu disagreed, affirming that there was no mistake of 1914.

In his argument, he said that the colonial masters in the first instance used the amalgamation as a convenient instrument of managing the colonies and not for the purpose of creating a nation state.

He stressed that Nigeria was not just a mere geographical expression, adding that since Nigerians had agreed to maintain the unity of the country for so long and also watered the soil of the country with the blood of over a million people to keep and maintain the unity, then Nigeria could no longer be a mere geographical expression.

He also dismissed the insinuation that Nigeria is a failed state, saying that many may be angry about the state of the nation, many may feel we should be running but we are walking, while others may feel we might have been carrying out our developmental stride through a process of summersault, my own take is that Nigeria has done well for staying together for so long.
Culled from Guardian, Tuesday, 12 November 2013

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Egyptian Symbolism In Black American Music

Ancient 

Introduction

The aim here is to trace the origins of the use of ancient Egyptianiconography in black American music. It can be found as far back as the 1950s with artists such as Sun Ra, continuing with Alice Coltrane in the 1960s, through to Earth Wind and Fire, X Clan, KRS One, Erykah Badu, and a host of others in-between and after. 

While Western composers such as Mozart and Verdi had made reference to ancient Egypt in their work (The Magic Flute & Aida), a unique set of historical circumstances led to black American artists doing the same.

Thus I wish to draw attention to artists whose use of the symbolism was an expression of pan Africanism, nationalist politics, their awareness of history, and identification with African culture and spirituality. This perspective has been overlooked of late, due to the focus on more contemporary pop/rap music incorporating the same ancient symbols, but in ways that are far more materialist and often darker in theme (the so-called ‘Illuminati music videos’). 

In retracing the history, hopefully this essay will help towards shedding light upon the more positive connotations of the symbolism. 

Post World War 2: A New Mood In the Air

The period just after the Second World War saw a series of important societal changes that would impact upon the music of black America. Let us briefly outline some of the shifts that took place.

First of all, during the 1950s and 1960s the civil rights struggle was in full swing. Not since the times of Marcus Garvey in the 1920s had the Americanblack community been so galvanised. It coincided with the independence movements taking place in Africa and various Caribbean islands. Pan Africanism and black nationalist ideas were becoming increasingly widespread.

Among American blacks, especially the young, there was a new-found interest in finding out more about their ancestral heritage, with a particular thirst for learning about African history prior to slavery & colonialism. Malcolm X’s work and charismatic presence was a great catalyst in this area, both during his time with the Nation of Islam and thereafter. Along with other nationalist street orators of the day, during speeches Malcolm would consistently refer to the accomplishments of ancient black civilisations to inspire audiences. History books, journals and magazine articles on this theme began to gain popularity. Among the popular writers were J.A Rogers, George G.M James, William Leo Hansberry, John G. Jackson, John Henrik Clarke, Cheikh Anta Diop, Yosef Ben Jochanan and others. 

The arts - and music in particular - always reflects the social climate in which it is created. Not surprisingly, this culturally charged atmosphere had an effect upon musicians and informed their creative output.

How the Music Was Affected

The African influence took many forms. In terms of sound (without getting too technical here) it affected the way musicians approached rhythm, melody, and ways of writing/arranging music. A number of musicians began employing the use of African instruments, especially percussion. The 1940s bebop movement had heralded some of these musical innovations, especially in its use of Afro Cuban rhythms and conga drums in some pieces. It’s worth mentioning that black artists drew upon a range of musical influences across cultures; it is the prominent African aspect that this essay focuses upon.

We also begin to see musicians using their art as a platform of social commentary to protest at the status quo, or as a vehicle for spiritual practise. The new mood was expressed visually too. Relevant to this essay is the consistent reference to ancient Egyptian themes by a variety of musicians - whether in record sleeve artwork, song titles, attire, stage settings etc.

What now follows is a selection of music and visual examples.

Sun Ra

Sun Ra pioneered the reconnecting of ancient Egypt to the African diaspora’s music tradition. A relatively underground figure, he was hugely influential. His groundbreaking work was the prototype of the Afrocentric/cosmic themes that occur later on with the likes of John Coltrane, EWF, Afrika Bambaataa, X Clan and Erykah Badu. From his 1959 album Jazz In Silhouette, this is 'Ancient Aiethiopia':

 

Another late 1950s Sun Ra album sleeve, The Nubians of Plutonia:



Max Roach

The album We Insist! Freedom Now (1960) captures the mood of the civil rights struggle. The track 'All Africa' featuring Abbey Lincoln also celebrates the pan African spirit that was influencing musicians at that time. Here is a 1964 performance from Belgian television:



Randy Weston

Pianist Randy Weston has always given prominence to the African elements in his work. Here's the 1960 album Uhuru Afrika which featured the renowned poet Langston Hughes.



(Fast forwarding a few decades, below is the sleeve of Randy's 2005 album Zep Tepi)



John Coltrane

Sleeve for the album Cosmic Music by saxophonist John Coltrane. Notice the sphinx on the left hand side; it’s accompanied by symbols from each of the world religions. Trane said ‘I believe in all religions’ and he appears to have been moving towards a non-sectarian, metaphysics based view expressed through music.



Alice Coltrane

Alice Coltrane’s late 60s and early 70s solo work, often in collaboration with Pharaoh Sanders, continued the spiritual legacy of her husband John Coltrane. With titles such as Ptah the El Daoud, The Ankh of Amen Ra, Isis and Osiris & Blue Nile, her music embraced the mystic tradition of Egypt.



Featuring Alice on harp, this is ‘Lovely Sky Boat’ from 1968.



The Last Poets

Along with people such as Gil Scott Heron, The Last Poets were a precursor to conscious hip hop. Their poem E Pluribus Unum (1972) addresses the presence of African symbols on the US dollar bill and the masonic background to the founding of the United States.



Gary Bartz

Saxophonist Gary Bartz was a protégé of Max Roach, and brought a similar pan African sensibility to his work with his band Ntu Troop. The sleeve of his album Follow The Medicine Man (1973) features a variation of the ankh and scales of Maat.



Lonnie Liston Smith

Pianist and composer Lonnie Liston Smith played with Miles Davis in the 1970s (as did Gary Bartz). ‘Sais’ (Egypt) is taken from his Cosmic Funk album; ‘Sais’ is the Greek rendering of the name of an Egyptian town.



Earth Wind and Fire

The spiritual ethos of EWF was and is as much a driving force as their stellar musicianship. Interestingly, founder member and leader Maurice White briefly played with John Coltrane in the saxophonist’s latter years. Here's the sleeve for their 1977 album All and All.



Gary Byrd (Imhotep Gary Byrd)

Gary Byrd's classic 'The Crown' (1983) was a major hit in the early 80s. A few years later, KRS ONE's 'You Must Learn' followed in the same lyrical vein.



X Clan

X Clan were one of the greats of the late 80s/early 90s 'Golden Age of Hip Hop'. They came about at a time when Afrocentricity, The Nation of Islam and Gods & Earths teachings were exerting a major influence over hip hop culture. X Clan brought a strong African centred lyrical content and visual presentation which still resonates today.



Erykah Badu

I always felt Erykah Badu was coming from the same worldview as X Clan, albeit with her own distinctive artistry. Her album Baduizm (1997) was a calming breath of fresh air as so-called 'gangsta' and bling were dominating the airwaves. Erykah's image - note the ankh on her finger - offered a welcome alternative.



Postscript

The above list of artists is by no means exhaustive and provides an introductory taster for anyone wishing to explore further. A study of the actual meanings and functions of the symbols themselves would provide additional insight for researchers. Above all, these artists have shown in multifaceted ways how music can uplift, inform AND entertain – something that today’s music makers can learn much from.

{liberatormagazine.com exclusive feature}
by @ImaniHekima {Leeds, United Kingdom:EU}

 

    

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