Civilian Coup

Feb 7, exactly 7 days before the election and Prof Jega, visibly disappointed, announces that our elections have been shifted by 6 weeks.

INEC, firstly, is fully responsible for not ensuring we had a higher and more uniform PVC collection percentage; the federal government's late funds release notwithstanding.

However, Prof Jega made it clear that the reason for the electoral pause is security. The security service chiefs, less than a week after confirming with rtd Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar that they were ready for the elections; suddenly had too much to do. Sambo Dasuki as well again, in his capacity as National Security Adviser, called for the elections to be shifted.

Femi Falana (SAN) pointed out that by law, only the national security council, headed by the GCFR, could categorically state on the army's preparedness to carry out her constitutional duties. Therefore, we again witness circumvention of due process and impunity by Nigerian leaders.

Prof Jega, without the affirmation of security, had no option but to postpone the elections. It would be suicidal to insist on elections knowing fully well that an under-armed police and untrained NYSC cannot effectively secure Nigerian and foreign lives. The possible backlash would be great and we would call for his head.

The question now is, who exactly is the head of state, grand commander, commander in chief of the armed forces. GEJ has made no statement before and after the recent developments on the state of preparedness of the army. Just like he showed in his 2014 roundtable interview, our president is either:
- unable to preside or
- presides in dubious ways and feigns ignorance.

Either way, it is dangerous.

We the Nigerians must remain firm, dutifully pick up our PVCs and vote March 28. We must resist any further 'magic'.

Christians and Muslims

I've consciously avoided even thinking about this topic.

I once reflected that attitude knows no religion. As well, attraction between people is not limited to only people of the same Faith.

As a Nigerian christian, I've grown up with the view that an ontoward reason is the only justification of a Christian-Moslem union. Raji Fashola, Lagos state governor; one of the wives of Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President; are examples of Nigerians today who are "unequally" yoked and have no extraterrestrial problems.

The major question for me is: Is it even biblical?
Solomon married many wives, mostly of different religions and cultures. Yet he is the wisest man in the bible.

In the 2nd Epistle by Paul to the Corinthians chapter 6; he implored them to not be "unequally yoked"; that is they should not have dealings with unbelievers. Every opponent of intermarriage starts with this passage and rightfully so:
- How can you expect to be one with someone who doesn't share your soul's beliefs
- How will children, if there are any, be raised?
- Won't the religious tension be too much?

This is however because these proponents expect religion, not even personal relationship with God, to come first and foremost in life.

These proponents also conveniently leave out the story in Acts of the Apostles chapters 10 & 11 wherein Peter, the first Pope, was commanded to dine and fellowship with unbelievers- in essence, be unequally yoked, and then forced to eat " unclean food". I n that passage, we see God directly commanding us to be unequally yoked and to consider all his creation equal.

This is yet another example of the contradictions of the bible and proof that we must speak using the whole bible and not just the convenient areas.

It is sad that religious differences are not championed especially in Nigeria. In social studies as a primary and secondary school student in Nigeria, we were taught about the benefits of inter-tribal marriages; one of which was improved unity. This is why people of marriage age these days see inter-tribal marriages much more favourably than people of earlier times who were brought up in individual nations (Igbo, Yoruba, etc). This same principle is applicable to inter-religious unions. 

I do not believe that inter-religious marriage is wrong and in fact, I think it's beautiful. 

P.S: Count Agnosticism, Atheism as religions as well.