Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - CHIBOK: THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF CHICKENS OUT!

But then, who is advising Mr President?  If he wants to treat the Chibok area as enemy territory, or a war zone, why not take a leaf out of Obama or Cameron's book?  Why didn't he just bloody well go, and let us know about it when he was on his way back? 

A President symbolizes the integrity and strength of the state Sam?  No wonder a debate is going on elsewhere on this listserve about whether Nigeria is a failed state!

Security reports my left foot.  No wonder we have to wait for the French President to summon our own neighbours to a meeting about our own security!

Ayo

I invite you to follow me on Twitter @naijama

On May 16, 2014, at 8:18 PM, "'Sam Amadi' via USA Africa Dialogue Series"<usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Is this from my friend and comrade, Bamidele Aturu? If it came from him, then I am sorry to say that it sounds foolish, which is unusual because Aturu always makes sense. He has proved to be one of the most objective and consistent activist. 

It cannot be true that the only way to be an effective Commander in Chief is to walk into a plot and die a Hero at the hands of scum of humanity called Boko Haram. Yes, presidents must take charge. But they do so according to credible intelligent security briefing. I don't know why Mr. President cancelled his trip. But I will be grievously pained if he comes to harm because he want to prove he has a big mojo and discountenanced a good security report. 

Just think of an American suggesting that President Obama  risks death for the symbolism of visiting Chibok. Yes, it is very hugely symbolic and symbolism is at the heart of public governance. But in a presidential democracy the executive power of the federation is in the President. He symbolizes the integrity and strength of the state. If Boko Haram gets the president they have fundamentally undermined the integrity of the Nigerian state.

Please note that I don't know the evidence on which Mr. President made that decision but it will be foolish, utterly foolish in my view, to sit on the critic's seat and just suggest cavalierly that President Jonathan should have plunged on to Chibok even if it meant harm to him (and therefore to the state) just to prove he had got the mojo. 

Sam AMADI

Sent from my iPad

On May 16, 2014, at 7:09 PM, "'Bamidele Aturu & Co' via USA Africa Dialogue Series"<usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com> wrote:

CHIBOK: THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF CHICKENS OUT!

Bamidele Aturu

The cancellation of the presidential visit to Chibok on any ground whatsoever is an abandonment of the unwritten responsibilities of the office of the President. It is now clear that the President and his aides do not understand the scope of his presidential responsibilities and this is very scary. The President, for God’s sake, is first and foremost the Father of the Nation. In that capacity he is the chief mobiliser and galvanizer of the people. The President is expected to give hope to the people even when all seems hopeless; it is the part of the functions of the President to show courage when fear looms everywhere. What manner of father would desert his children and refuse to visit them on account that danger looms in the abode of his children? As one African writer puts it, whenever the lives of others depend on us, one has no right to fear even when one is afraid.

I am saddened, disappointed and embarrassed that the President could not damn the security report and visit the people of Chibok four weeks after the unfortunate abduction of our girls by the Boko Haram sect.  The President ought to have visited Chibok by all means and at all costs to do his duty to our nation. By failing to visit Chibok, the President has abandoned his unwritten sacred duty to guide our people and to be a beacon of hope. This may not be an impeachable offence but it is undoubtedly a moral dereliction which must truly disgust everyone who values the exalted office. Just a hug to one of the women whose daughter was abducted would have reassured our people that we have a father who cares. How can the President rely on the security report of the security agencies who weeks after the abduction of our girls do not have any idea about their location? It is amazing and unbelievable that the President could cancel the visit.

But is not the President also the Commander –in- Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria? My position is that it would have been better for the President to die in the hands of Boko Haram and become a martyr than remain in the cozy environment of Aso Rock. The problem with this Presidential retreat is that the people of Chibok and other parts of Nigeria can no longer trust that the Nigerian State personified by the President can guarantee their security. Why should the people of Chibok think that they are safe in their own community when the Commander-in -Chief is scared stiff of visiting that small community?  Even those who love the President so much and think he can do no wrong ought to criticize him for this unpardonable retreat. 

 

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