IN DEFENCE OF PRESIDENT BUHARI

Before the 2015 General Elections,I told a Buhari praise-singer friend he and his colleagues will start taking shots at him in the space of 6 months if he eventually becomes President.Nigerians understand how decayed our System is and how long it took to get this bad but the 'ailment' of expecting things to change overnight with the least effort seems incurable.
I didn't have to wait for too long.Its been just a month and if Buhari had a nickel for every criticism he has had to face,i'm sure he would have enough for next year's budget.I for one,have lost count of how times I have had to watch people go at him especially over the last 2 weeks and quite sadly,most of the criticisms I hear and read lack merit.
Now lets take it from the beginning.
President Buhari had barely made it out of Eagle Square on May 29th before some started flaying his inauguration speech for being 'shallow' and I wondered if anyone actually expected him to 'wow' us with a poem when he stood up to address us.There is not a single problem bedeviling us that he didn't promise to tackle in that speech.Though many attribute his victory largely to discontent with the Jonathan administration,the APC and President Buhari did make a lot of good campaign promises.Good Enough to land him on that podium.
The Modus Operandi of getting us to the 'Promise Land' had long been laid bare in detail.From how our economy will be transformed to how unemployment will be curbed and also the road map to steady power supply.
Inaugural Speeches aren't Integrity tests where you seek to know if the story has changed by having same plans told to you all over again.
More recently,PMB has been getting a lot of flak for not yet presenting his Ministerial list to the Senate.I stand to be corrected: the clock started ticking from the day Ahmed Joda submitted his committee's report and that was on June 12th; 2 weeks and a few days ago.His Committee perused the 18,000 page GEJ administration hand over notes and handed in an 800 page report.For any serious-minded person who didn't set up the committee as a formality or means of gratifying his cronies,how long would it take to give it a thorough study,deliberate and reach healthy conclusions?.A week at the very least if you ask me.So PMB is just a week late and understandably so if you consider the fact that some of their recommendations are far reaching and could need to be streamlined with his earlier plans.He needs to merge the right ministries and also scrap the right ones as he has promised.We can't eat our cake and have it.We can't want a reduction in the Cost of Governance and at the same time,fail to appreciate the work being put in that regard.
Secondly,I don't think anyone really expected the Senate to screen Would-be Ministers without a leadership.This brings me to the most annoying criticism of President Buhari in his One month in office-Staying off the NASS Elections and Subsequent issues that arose.I don't think anyone should hate a man for not shoving his choices for legislative offices down the throats of his party members and by extension, us.He should be celebrated for his firm belief in the tenets of democracy and not criticized for doing what is right.Let the will of the majority prevail.We wanted change and we got it.This is what it entails.
He got involved only when he had to and that was after the party had made its choices in a mock election that the losers refused to accept.And when they chose the day he scheduled a meeting with the Party's legislators to stage their 'Coup', he didn't declare war on them.He accepted to work with them in our best interests.So what is the fuss about? 
Now,when I hear people complain about not having done anything worthwhile to boost our economy,I wonder which country they migrated from because they certainly haven't been with us.If they were,they would know we are neck deep in debt at a time when oil prices are low.I find PDP's claim to have left $30 billion in our treasury preposterous.They couldn't pay or at least hold off oil marketers till our GSM companies were just a day or two away from shutting down and fuel was being sold for as high as 300 naira per litre.A lot of us agreed the most important task before PMB was getting us back on our feet in the shortest possible time and It would be most unreasonable to expect anything concrete in his first month in Office as far as the economy goes.
Did I expect him to end the Boko Haram Insurgency in 2 months like he promised?.No.I was particularly disappointed at those remarks.He of all people should know this is a type of war we haven't fought before.It just won't go away in that short a while even if his predecessor had effectively confined them to Suicide Bombings before he left office.Over 200 lives have been lost since he was sworn-in but I won't blame him for that.He is taking the right steps towards ridding us of of this menace and I would only go at him for making a promise we all knew he couldn't fulfill and nothing more.Even at that,i owe him an extra month beforing taking up arms.I score him high as far as the war against Insurgency is concerned,not just because of the relocation of the Military Command Centre to Borno but also because of how he got our MNJTF neighbours to commit themselves fully to the war and this hasn't gone unnoticed as the US donated a token to supplement our efforts.All they ever did to the previous government was send 'experts' and refuse to sell arms.Guess they know where he is headed.The Chadian President had cause to criticize our military before the elections  and the other nations weren't as involved as they presently are in the MNJTF.There was a need for reassurances and reaffirmations.
Visiting the nations personally and hosting an Extraordinary Summit in the first few weeks of his administration where several key decisions were made is commendable.We can't win the war alone and he fully understands that.
I have always supported every government in power till it gives me a good reason not to and I understand not everyone is that way but we are all united in the desire to see a better Nigeria.Constructive criticisms are essential to the well being of any system but anything other than that is tantamount to wanting to pull it down by any means necessary.God help us.

SARAKI: MOVES IN A WAR YET UNWAGED

Senate President, Bukola Saraki is a clever fellow.He is taking the best steps at ensuring he doesn't get booted out of his seat easily and he fully appreciates the fact that the PDP holds the aces in that regard not his party;the APC.
No one can conveniently rule out the possibility of the APC eventually getting accustomed to life at the summit and living with a true democrat who won't interfere in 'Other' businesses as President.In other words,outgrowing teething problems and if that indeed does happen,Saraki can't count on the support of any APC Member.Not even that of those eating from his palms at the moment as everyone of them would be expected to toe the party line.He would be deemed Public Enemy Number One and those presently in his camp only for their selfish interests would blame him for corrupting their morals.That point when everyone is availed the opportunity to make a go at the black sheep.
Enter the PDP. 
They have an interest to protect in the Saraki Presidency with Senator Ike Ekwerenmadu as his Deputy.They could decide his fate if just 5 of its members are willing to join any plot to kick out Saraki.A 2/3 'Super' Majority Vote is required to impeach a Senate President and this translates to 73 Senators at the very least.In the event of an APC onslaught against him,the hardest task would be finding 5 PDP Senators willing to discard the interests of their party.Or maybe 7 if the other 2 Kwara Senators play loyal brothers.Yes,it could get that bad for him.
It would be easy to whip up the right sentiments against Saraki if they can unite the APC family first,for his blatant disregard for the party's interests.In defiance of its wishes,he refused to have his rival, Ahmed Lawan as Senate Leader in what was obviously an attempt at keeping everyone happy by the party,citing the 'risk' of doing so as his excuse and instead,insisted on Senator Ali Ndume.A man who may suddenly remember he was jilted in the Deputy Senate Presidency race for Senator Ekwerenmadu if at all,a full scale war is waged against the Senate President.
As it is,Bukola Saraki has racked up quite a number of 'abominable' sins,Capping it off with a refusal to have the Party Chairman's letter read on the Senate floor in what many argue was an unplanned move to put the party in its place while further reassuring his loyalists and PDP associates 'Who the Man' was.
One can't help but commend the flirtations with the people possessing the true power to decide his fate in a worst case scenario;The PDP. Heading to President Obasanjo's residence before any reconciliatory meeting was strategic and When I saw the list of people who accompanied him on that visit,I knew he was going to be shameless about trying to stay in the good books of the PDP.The appointment of an ex-PDP Senator,Isa Galaudu as his Chief of Staff didn't shock me but what I found noteworthy was the fact that someone wanted everyone to notice it.He is doing a good job of diminishing the chances of a 2/3 majority vote in the long run.Galaudu could very well turn out to be a key addition to his team if one considers the fact that historically,northern lawmakers are more prone to rebellion and if the APC are likely to get PDP sympathizers from anywhere,it is from the North.He could help with keeping them in line. 

The Senate President Is a PDP man at heart whose ambition out ranks all other considerations at any given time.Reason why he joined the APC train in the first place.I remember taking offence at the then nPDP Chairman and Saraki's bosom friend,Kawu Baraje's statement that they were rebelling in the best interests of the people.No,They weren't!!.
The propelling factor was Jonathan's refusal to step down for a northern Candidate and Tukur's quackery along with his boss's left a festering ground for such.The end justifies the means for people like him.I tell people Atiku could very well end up vying for the PDP Presidential ticket in 2019.Defying Authority isn't anything out of the ordinary for Saraki and he is smart enough to know sooner or later,the meetings could change.From ones where he features prominently,calling for Peace and fair play to ones without him,rallying the troops in the Upper Chamber.From ones with him and his cohorts sticking to their guns to ones where agreements will be reached with those cohorts to turn on him.
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has adopted the PMB non-interference stance as it appears at the moment leaving things in the hands of the figure-head party chairman but no one should underestimate the Lion Of Bourdillon.
He could step back in at just the right time to kick start a plot to do away with anti-party element extraordinaire.
It could all go South for the Senate President within the twinkle of an eye and he is working hard to ensure that never happens.
Lets see how it plays out.

$5 MILLION DONATION:'AMERICA KNOWS'

Former President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan gave us the 'America Will Know' phrase in a Presidential Media Chat which became quite a sensation.It became a hilarious point of reference in depicting just how incompetent a leader he was.
President Buhari means business in the war against Boko Haram and 'America Knows' as it has demonstrated by the $5 Million donation to the MNJTF set up by Nigeria and its neighbours.
PMB in staying true to his campaign promise,hit the ground running by relocating the Military Command Centre to Maiduguri.He travelled to meet with other Heads of the MNJTF States in person culminating in an Extraordinary Summit at the Nnamdi Azikiwe international Airport.It has Nigeria as its leader,a Nigerian Commander and Headquarters in Chad.Mr Lai Mohammed now has the moral right to declare any time he so wishes that-It is not about rallying these countries together,it is putting the union to optimal effect that matters and 'America Knows' this if the PDP doesn't.
We very much appear to be working hand in hand and I wouldn't expect an outburst from the Chadian President saying they do some of our 'work' like the one sometime back or an uncontrollable influx of ISIS fighters from our porous borders into the Boko Haram fold.They are rumoured to be in bed with them and there couldn't be a better time to pool resources together.It is not our fight alone.We need no soothsayer to tell us the ultimate goal of these delusional extremists-seizing the world by any means necessary.
Due credit must however go to the GEJ administration for dislodging the Insurgents from numerous camps,recapturing their 'Caliphates',procuring arms from other sources when America wouldn't sell and for heeding the voice of reason by obtaining external help which came in the form of almost 10,000 troops from our African brothers.Only he was Trillions of Naira and many lives too late.
I remember speaking in Support of SERAP's call for a probe of how defence funds were been spent at a Public lecture in Kano.GEJ's good calls weren't made in good time and there is no excuse whatsoever for incompetence or to use milder words, naivety and inexperience.To quote Og Mandino- "There is an immeasurable distance between late and too late".
Though the capture of Marte in Borno State by the Insurgents in the twilight of the Jonathan administration led to fears of a resurgence on their part,their most potent means of wrecking havoc still remains Suicide bombings.This is where Intelligence gathering becomes an essential tool.It would be much easier to comb for bomb making factories than monitoring Sellers of the basic components.A lot of us who clamoured for the use of airstrikes way before their use have been vindicated.So far as the threat still exists,we must make the best use of the aerial advantage we have over the Insurgents and the recent influx of funds kick started by PMB's $21 Million donation ensures money is not a problem.In addition to more fighter planes,we can now afford to spend on air surveillance as well.This would speeden up total annihilation of the Sect in no small measure. The number of insurgents involved in the failed bid to invade Maiduguri by Boko Haram suggests there could be camps elsewhere.
However, it doesn't change the fact that their activities have been curtailed and restricted to bombings rather than outright decimation and take over of cities and villages.
The President is not only building on what his predecessor was able to achieve,he has promptly taken more appropriate measures and this hasn't gone unnoticed-'America Knows'.

5 CHANGES THAT WORKED FOR FC BARCELONA

In just one season in charge,Luis Enrique has made Fc Barcelona treble winners with more wins than Pep Guardiola was able to manage en route achieving a similar feat in 2009.Only a few have noticed the many changes that transformed FCB from a Power-house whose reign seemed to have reached full circle back to one serving a fresh term.Here are 5 of those changes:

1.MODIFYING THE 'TIKITAKA' STYLE.
There is a saying -'Tikitaka is Barcelona and Barcelona is Tikitaka'.The success of this playing model is hinged on possession at all times or at least most of the time.It worked superbly for the 'old' Barca because they paid special attention to the most important detail;recovering possession fast when they lost it.How?.They kept it close.Short passes with more than one option at all times and this ensured the players were able to swarm round an opponent when they lost the ball.
What Barca had working for them in the Pre-Enrique era was the ability to recover possession in the shortest possible time but on the low side,they were very prone to vicious counter-attacks on their off day and were fatigued before the end of most seasons because of the tireless running involved.
Enrique modified the system by making sure they played faster and used longer passes without having to compromise the importance of possession.He instilled the ability to spot an opening and capitalize on it from anywhere without playing 'sexy' all the way to the opponent's box.Effectiveness over Everything was his motto.
At the beginning of the season,they struggled to adapt to the change but when they eventually did,they were unstoppable.Most people didn't tip them for great things till the latter stages of the season because there wasn't too much 'champagne' soccer and lots of goals accompanying their victories like in the typical great Barca season.

2.COUNTER-ATTACKS
This used to be a weak link but the gaffer turned things around.What Barca lost in fast recovery of the ball in observance of the previous Tikitaka model, they made up for by trooping back in numbers and the fastness of their new style of play helped them move the ball swiftly to the three henchmen up front.In ridding it of the old 'attack is the best form of defence mentality' which they came to regret quite often,Enrique paid extra attention to defensive play and devised a most potent counter-attacking system with precision and fastness as its hallmarks.It paid off handsomely. 

3.THE IVAN RAKITIC FACTOR
Ivan Rakitic was tailor-made for the midfield Luis Enrique had in mind-an attacking midfielder with a creative edge but not obsessed with possession and too much patience on the ball and one with a good eye for goal.Whats more?.He has the right dose of steel and defends hard when the team doesn't have the ball.Something Xavi lacks or rather isn't innate.
He added more defensively without compromising his attacking responsibilities and you can rightly say he symbolizes Enrique's philosophy which simply put is-Optimum Attack and Defence.
With Iniesta pulling the strings,it was wise to pair him up with someone to assist in doing so and also cover for his defensive frailties to sustain the model.

4.SUAREZ, NEYMAR AND MESSI
The devastating trio accounted for more than 120 of Barca's goals this season.These three make you want to think you can play without midfielders.All you need do is get the ball to the feet of one of them with the other two up front.
I doff my hat to the tactical acumen of Enrique who was able to get the best out of them without necessarily relegating two to the wings like the team was used to.While Neymar was on the right on most days, Suarez was able to cohabit with a Lionel Messi bursting through from behind.Their positional play was at its best and the three kept popping up to bury chances which quite frankly,they created for themselves most times.

5.A STINGIER DEFENCE
Players trooped back to fill spaces when they lost the ball and this ensured less torrid days for the defenders.The full-backs surged forward with a lot more caution than they used to and hardly left the central defenders exposed.
A lot of trust was put in the devastation of the three 'bad' men up front and quite fortunately,they kept opposing defences preoccupied enough to allow for meaningful forays by the two wing backs.
Gerrard Pique improved considerably and he was subjected to less one on one situations where he annoyingly keeps shying away from the attacker going at him.He made less mistakes and this eased the burden on Mascherano who covers for his misgivings whenever they were paired together.
Jeremy Mathieu was a huge blessing.One simply can't quantify how valuable an addition he proved to be.He could slot right into his 'original' left back position when required to do so,is good in the air,kept his composure at all times and is not prone to mistakes.Hardly made one all season.

I celebrate my 17th anniversary as a Barca Fan with a Treble.Like the motto says-Mes Que Une Club.It is more than a club to the blaugrana faithful.#ViscaElBarca

SYLVA : IS A SILVER LINING IN SIGHT?

President Muhammadu Buhari is definitely the most loved Nigerian politician in recent times.Very few people can last more than 5 minutes opposing him in an argument with his supporters.Besides his remarkable achievements in the times he was called upon to serve this Nation which come in handy for them,they are quick to adduce evidence of his tough stance on corruption.
As the saying goes-Facts Speak for themselves.
A couple of days ago, not a few eyebrows were raised when Festus Keyamo withdrew as EFCC prosecuting counsel from its 2 billion naira fraud case against Former Governor of Bayelsa State,Timipre Slyva at the Federal High Court.Moreso for citing 'certain developments' for doing such.
Most reports claimed it was to provide a soft landing for Sylva who was Chairman of President Buhari's May 29th Transition Committee.
The DPP, a delegate of the AGF through his representative, O.J Nnadi SAN on June 1st 2015,withdrew charges against Mr Sylva with the EFCC citing the need to consolidate charges with those in another matter against him as its grounds.
This raises some questions.
Only the AGF can withdraw a charge in such a case by virtue of his power under Section 174(1c) of the Constitution.Thus,only Adoke Mohammed SAN, the outgoing AGF could have issued those directives.
Presumably,he did this before leaving office.Could the withdrawal of charges against the President's Transition Committee Chairman be a deal among other deals struck with the previous administration?
One can't simply dismiss the allegations of seeking a Soft landing for Mr Sylva with a wave of the hand if one considers the fact that our Criminal Procedural laws allow the alteration or amendment of a Charge Sheet to include new charges.Its the best option for a government that has promised to go full throttle in fighting corruption.The timing of the commission of the offences in both sets of charges automatically pulls down any barrier to simply amending the Charge Sheet.All that needed to be done was to terminate one of the cases and seek an adjournment to amend and enable Mr Sylva's lawyers prepare in view of the alteration.Is somebody desperately trying let this man walk?
Could this end up being one of such cases of 'Let My People Forget' we have come to see a lot of times? 
Buhari represents the 'last hope' for a lot of Nigerians.He represents the change we so badly need; a shift from appointing Service Chiefs without Senate ratification as specified in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, from holding 'Coup-like' impeachments and the very many 'norms' up there that trickle down to paying the 'Customary Police Roger' at Check points and for bail at Stations.
It would shatter many if he turns out to be a disappointment.A lot of people expect heads to roll for the wanton impunity with which the GEJ administration bled us dry and it would be a shame if those heads are shielded.
We can't effectively curb corruption without prosecuting cases to the end and handing out punishment where due to deter the crooks in our midst. 
Like any well-meaning Nigerian out there,I hope this administration will ensure Cases are prosecuted as best they should.
'Soft landings' in whatever form they may appear-Plea Bargain and Shabby prosecution will only result in a 'treadmill' fight against Corruption.A fight which will lead us nowhere because we are running on the same spot.