Still on moving forward with a post-March 21 movement!
I must say above any other thing, I do agree with you, Sam and join you in calling on your two colleagues to join in and put together the Working Paper. You actually occupy the primary baton-changing position having served in the convening triumvirate and now being the only one of the earlier three in this next and immediate phase. With regards to the CDC triumvirate, I must say that, that is another thing entirely. I would have been of the opinion that communiques should be adopted at meetings and taken away by those in attendance. If for any reason, 'i's are to be dotted and 't's to be crossed it should not be more than days after the conference. The longer a communique's issuance is dated from the conference whose resolutions it embodies the more questions of legitimacy, mandate and relevance arise. That haven been said, I see no reason why Hilary and co should not now release it this week.
While really, there might be lessons to learn from your excursion into the NCP/DA/CD days (refer to Lade's take earlier), I would want to say that, in my view, it fails to take into cognizance the pressures from several quarters right from the 1989 alternative to SAP developments, on Gani, to be part of a collective (the issue really then was not about convincing him for revolutionary politics as against human rights activism, but about moving from a 'one-man riot squad' gad fly personality to building or being part of an organisation). The I and I part without being rasta, I must say is also a bit worrisome (similarly you referred to Chima as 'one of my coordinators' and not coordinator of NCP or 'the party'). Why is this important to point out (especially as it seems now repeating itself) at this point in time that we wish to roll up our sleeves and build anew? Simple, we mentally construct our realities with language. Such language, could reflect or could lead to currents that would replace one set of egotist elites with another (no personal harm meant...but that is the truth). There roots are more in Nietschze than in Kant (I recall you once described yourself as Kantian), projecting the superman as the engine of history. Besides if everyone on the serve that has been part of those days were to each write an I and I story, these would be longer than Mariama Ba's letter. So, please, I would urge, let us focus on the 'we', the 'us', the 'organization', the 'movement'. Of course all these are made up of persons, but we should depersonalize, these to avoid the possible political consequences of doing otherwise.
On ideology, I do think we should grasp at as the cement of false consciousness which should be ruthlessly critiqued with the the theoretical weapon of dialectics. Theory itself if it is to be dialectical and materialist must be rooted in concrete revolutionary practice. The framework we require is thus theoretico-practical but neither in its essence 'ideological' or in its practice, inert.
On a final note here, I noticed in yours Sam that you mentioned Jaye and Odewale? I had thought the third person was Shopade? Anyway, Odewale is a promising young man, even though, we would know of his journey just a few days to the Conference, if he or any one else on ground in Abuja has to be coopted by your troika to ensure that we pass this stage, to the next, I would think that would be welcomed.
My regards,
Baba Aye
_______________________________________________________________________________
From: Chom Bagu
Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2009, 5:36 PM
I am intrigue by the differentiation between revolutionary activism and politics. Its correct and lack of clarity on this has been the problem of the left. However, i disagree with Sam that we should leave ideology and ism to embrace a broader perspective. Rather we need to develop a political practice that allow these perspectives to contend and reinforce each other. It is this framework that we should work on. thanks. Chom
______________________________________________________________________________
From: Samuel Amadi
Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2009, 2:45 AM
Baba Aye,
Thanks. I use this opportunity to request my two other colleagues to please indicate when they can meet for this weekend so we can do exactly as Baba Aye counselled.
On the wrong dates I apologise. Actually, I know Abach came to power in 1993 and I dont know the exact date we formed the National Conscience, but I know it was declared a party on October 1, 1994 sorry for the mixture.
I should know because I was at the table all through the process. I wrote alone the speech for the declaration (The Abolition of Poverty) and together with Festus Keyamo and the Governorship aspirant of NCP for Ogun State in 2003, we wrote the constitution. Actually, I was the Coordinator for the East, Bayo Omotubora, coordinator for West, Festus Keyamo, coordinator for North, and Gani, National Coorditor. Mr. Ogunsakin and Odumakin were Chairman and Secertary of the NCP for Lagos (later, one Dr. in Yaba replaced Ogunsakin as Chair). Anyway, I am not very good with remembering dates and names.
Sorry, If the sentence structure created the impression that I meant that DA came out NCP. Impossible. DA and NCP came together at the same time. DA out of CD but, NC came out of the imagination of Chief Gani Fawehimni, Festus Keyamo and one Sam Amadi. It was our own response to the crisis of state then. Let, me add that when we sat in Gani Fawehimni's chamber and decided on the name (from various options we generated, Gani shaped it to National Conscience), we knew it will be a party but decided that we start with a movement without addin the name party. I remember meeting with Comrade Bassey Ekpo Bassey in Calabar as one of my state coordinators and he advising that Gani take up the challenge of becoming a national politician and focus less on human rights activisim. Well, you are right that it is too much trunchi to talk about how we fared. But, let me say with due respect to Gani that he was not ready nor able to play politics and to abandon a more familiar human rights terrain. It was not long when supra-radical tendencies and other parochialism set in and we were 'purged'. Let me say less.
But, Gani remains the greatest for the courage to do what he thinks he can do no matter how imperfect. He spared not his convenience nor his funds to form the party and become the first to form a political party when it was banned by military government. If we can be a little like Gani and use our small resources to push this change we talk ad infinitum, the country will be changed.
Baba Aye, you are right about learning from history.. I have experienced a little bit of this history of radical political engagement in Nigeria. Of course, I dont have the same rich pedigree as many of you. The lesson I take away is that not all human rights activists or even revolutionary activists can become radical or revolutionary politicians. When the 5 leprous fingers of Abacha were granting Abacha the sole right to be President of Nigeria, I teamed up with Tunji Braithwaite on GDM. I have always loved Tunji's flamboyant rhetoric and his deep Christian prophetic tradition which I share in common with him. We wanted to confront Abacha in GDM. Because we both believed in divine power as a revolutionary resource we found ourselves very supportive. I became a strategy adviser and spiritual guide for him. We traveled together to Maiduguri to dare Al-Mustapha and his machine. When we discovered that Nwobodo, Gershom Amuta, Prince Adeniji-Adele and Doyin Okupe has all surrendered the GDM ticket (GDM was the only party standing), I advised Tunji to resign with a prophetic statement. Tunji was courageous. He thundered against the regime and declared prophetically that God would scramble the game. This happened.
Afterwards, I watched with surprise as Tunji refused to get the movement beyond himself and his ideolgical peculiarities. He could not see beyond Tunji's brand of activism and embrace a broader perspective to change. As usual, the revolutionary refused to be political. I moved on. But, the lesson in courage and the difference between revolutionary activism and revolutionary politics came out clear. I am sure people have better and more experiences. But for me the challenge is to move beyond particularities- whether of id or ism- and embrace broader perspectives as long as the moral or ideological fundamentals are not compromised.
So, long a letter. Hillary please release the communique. Odewale and Jaiye, please let's meet this weekend to produce the paper so that we can begin the march.
May God grant us more grace.
Sam
Dr. Sam Amadi
Director, (Research& Programs)
Ken Nnamani Center for Leadership & Development
Abuja, Nigeria
_____________________________________________________________________________
From: Baba Aye
Sent: Wednesday, May 13, 2009 3:41:16 AM
Subject: Re: [FOIcoalition] On moving forward, ATTN:Chinedum, Sam
Dear Sam,
Thanx for yours below. I found it interesting particularly the last sentence, which is a proverb that aptly captures the situation on ground.
I would ask Hilary and co to post the communique, if they have it ready, simple. I would want to believe that watching the intellectual communion of the pious or profane never featured as a conditional term of reference for posting the communique. And as for the three of you, tried and tested old war horses, all -I believe- living in Abuja, not to have met even once for the purpose of the task you willingly took up does not somehow sound right....no matter the reason given, in my view.
I would suggest though, in the spirit of doing what we should that the three of you could at least fix a meeting during this week and work out how soonest what is required is presented to the serve.
I not only agree with you that all shades of revolutionaries should be let to bloom, the fact of the matter is that even non-revolutionaries , non-radicals, etc, could have roles to play and should be encouraged to bloom, step more decidedly into the arena of the political, be part of an ever expanding movement of a cause. This however should be done while at the same time fighting any and every reactionist ideas and sentiments be they from non-revolutionaries or revolutionaries!
You do make some historically incorrect assertions though, from the more simple one of dates, to issues such as: why did the DA, so to speak, break out of CD (But definitely not NCP)? It might be out of place to go indepthly into answers to that question here. But, it would bear responsibility with you if the clearer inadequacies of your presentation of recent history are not pointed out:
* Abacha seized power on November 17, 1993 and not 1994
* NCP was formed on 0ctober 1, 1994 and not 1995 at Anthony village (evolving from National Conscience, formed earlier in March/April of the same year)
* DA, did not, actually could not have broken out of NCP haven been formed earlier on June 4, 1994 at Benin
* The split of those that would with a number of others later form DA, from CD (February 4, 1994 at the Teachers' House, Ibadan), had much more involved than disappointment with BRK.
Anyway, history is useful only to the extent that we learn from it. My own lesson is to demand that we see the yam, dug out....the first triumvirate brought their ship home to use the words of my dear friend DK, they have passed the torch now to two sets of triumvirates, made up largely of revolutionaries! You have the hoe, you are standing on the soil =>we want to see the yam, touch it, eat it:
All eyes on you...,
Baba Aye
____________________________________________________________________________
From: Samuel Amadi
Date: Tuesday, May 12, 2009, 6:37 PM
Baba Aye,
Sorry that I have not responded to your many mails on the change meeting. Well, I decided to read more of the mails and not comment for now. One of moral burden of those who are sincerely committed to change is when you efforts are being second-guessed. It is even more worisome when there is a creeping issue of 'genuine' as against 'non-genuine' comrades. My view is that we need all shades of revolutionaries. Let a thousand flowers of revolutionary and psuedo-revolutionar y movements flourish.
May be some of our colleagues are no longer very enthusiastic because of the tendencies in this listserve. The meeting charged three of us to develop a roadmap. We have not done that. We are even yet to meet. But the communique is with Hillary or his partner. But, perhaps, they are watching what some of our more ideologically puritan and institutionally untained comrades are up to. But, I this useless sniping should stop. Let work together, or at least let some people begin to work without the 'shady' few.
I remember in 1994 when Abacha took power and the human rights movement decided to respond there were many groups stretching a variety of ideological and moral perspectives. . When Chima Ubani and co felt disappointed with Beko and co, they formed the Democratic Alternative. I formed the National Conscience with Gani Fawehinmi and Festus Keyamo. I remember meeting Uche Onyagucha and Chima Ubani in Owerri while I was recruit members for the party we wanted to launch in October 1, 1995 and Chima questioning me on the ideological basis of the National Conscience. Chima later agreed to be one of my coordinators even though he was a promoter of DA. I later also joined DA and attended one of its congress (I hope it was a congress) in Bayelsa.
So many groups were attacking the Nigerian military state. Many of those comrades in CD and DA (many of them are in the listserve) did not like Gani's politics but approved of his commitment and sincerity. We soldiered on and the rest is history.
Differentiation and distinction are part of dialectics. Let those who 'feel' more radical or who think some 'comrade' are tainted by PDP or institutional member of Police Service Commission or the Rebranding Committee, etc, strike out like DA did from CD and NC. I will like to attend the meetings of super-radicals and near radicals. My people say that it is fruitless to say a women will not eat the traditional yam when no one has dug it out from the earth.
Dr. Sam Amadi
Director, (Research& Programs)
Ken Nnamani Center for Leadership & Development
Abuja, Nigeria
While really, there might be lessons to learn from your excursion into the NCP/DA/CD days (refer to Lade's take earlier), I would want to say that, in my view, it fails to take into cognizance the pressures from several quarters right from the 1989 alternative to SAP developments, on Gani, to be part of a collective (the issue really then was not about convincing him for revolutionary politics as against human rights activism, but about moving from a 'one-man riot squad' gad fly personality to building or being part of an organisation). The I and I part without being rasta, I must say is also a bit worrisome (similarly you referred to Chima as 'one of my coordinators' and not coordinator of NCP or 'the party'). Why is this important to point out (especially as it seems now repeating itself) at this point in time that we wish to roll up our sleeves and build anew? Simple, we mentally construct our realities with language. Such language, could reflect or could lead to currents that would replace one set of egotist elites with another (no personal harm meant...but that is the truth). There roots are more in Nietschze than in Kant (I recall you once described yourself as Kantian), projecting the superman as the engine of history. Besides if everyone on the serve that has been part of those days were to each write an I and I story, these would be longer than Mariama Ba's letter. So, please, I would urge, let us focus on the 'we', the 'us', the 'organization', the 'movement'. Of course all these are made up of persons, but we should depersonalize, these to avoid the possible political consequences of doing otherwise.
On ideology, I do think we should grasp at as the cement of false consciousness which should be ruthlessly critiqued with the the theoretical weapon of dialectics. Theory itself if it is to be dialectical and materialist must be rooted in concrete revolutionary practice. The framework we require is thus theoretico-practical but neither in its essence 'ideological' or in its practice, inert.
On a final note here, I noticed in yours Sam that you mentioned Jaye and Odewale? I had thought the third person was Shopade? Anyway, Odewale is a promising young man, even though, we would know of his journey just a few days to the Conference, if he or any one else on ground in Abuja has to be coopted by your troika to ensure that we pass this stage, to the next, I would think that would be welcomed.
My regards,
Baba Aye
_______________________________________________________________________________
From: Chom Bagu
Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2009, 5:36 PM
I am intrigue by the differentiation between revolutionary activism and politics. Its correct and lack of clarity on this has been the problem of the left. However, i disagree with Sam that we should leave ideology and ism to embrace a broader perspective. Rather we need to develop a political practice that allow these perspectives to contend and reinforce each other. It is this framework that we should work on. thanks. Chom
______________________________________________________________________________
From: Samuel Amadi
Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2009, 2:45 AM
Baba Aye,
Thanks. I use this opportunity to request my two other colleagues to please indicate when they can meet for this weekend so we can do exactly as Baba Aye counselled.
On the wrong dates I apologise. Actually, I know Abach came to power in 1993 and I dont know the exact date we formed the National Conscience, but I know it was declared a party on October 1, 1994 sorry for the mixture.
I should know because I was at the table all through the process. I wrote alone the speech for the declaration (The Abolition of Poverty) and together with Festus Keyamo and the Governorship aspirant of NCP for Ogun State in 2003, we wrote the constitution. Actually, I was the Coordinator for the East, Bayo Omotubora, coordinator for West, Festus Keyamo, coordinator for North, and Gani, National Coorditor. Mr. Ogunsakin and Odumakin were Chairman and Secertary of the NCP for Lagos (later, one Dr. in Yaba replaced Ogunsakin as Chair). Anyway, I am not very good with remembering dates and names.
Sorry, If the sentence structure created the impression that I meant that DA came out NCP. Impossible. DA and NCP came together at the same time. DA out of CD but, NC came out of the imagination of Chief Gani Fawehimni, Festus Keyamo and one Sam Amadi. It was our own response to the crisis of state then. Let, me add that when we sat in Gani Fawehimni's chamber and decided on the name (from various options we generated, Gani shaped it to National Conscience), we knew it will be a party but decided that we start with a movement without addin the name party. I remember meeting with Comrade Bassey Ekpo Bassey in Calabar as one of my state coordinators and he advising that Gani take up the challenge of becoming a national politician and focus less on human rights activisim. Well, you are right that it is too much trunchi to talk about how we fared. But, let me say with due respect to Gani that he was not ready nor able to play politics and to abandon a more familiar human rights terrain. It was not long when supra-radical tendencies and other parochialism set in and we were 'purged'. Let me say less.
But, Gani remains the greatest for the courage to do what he thinks he can do no matter how imperfect. He spared not his convenience nor his funds to form the party and become the first to form a political party when it was banned by military government. If we can be a little like Gani and use our small resources to push this change we talk ad infinitum, the country will be changed.
Baba Aye, you are right about learning from history.. I have experienced a little bit of this history of radical political engagement in Nigeria. Of course, I dont have the same rich pedigree as many of you. The lesson I take away is that not all human rights activists or even revolutionary activists can become radical or revolutionary politicians. When the 5 leprous fingers of Abacha were granting Abacha the sole right to be President of Nigeria, I teamed up with Tunji Braithwaite on GDM. I have always loved Tunji's flamboyant rhetoric and his deep Christian prophetic tradition which I share in common with him. We wanted to confront Abacha in GDM. Because we both believed in divine power as a revolutionary resource we found ourselves very supportive. I became a strategy adviser and spiritual guide for him. We traveled together to Maiduguri to dare Al-Mustapha and his machine. When we discovered that Nwobodo, Gershom Amuta, Prince Adeniji-Adele and Doyin Okupe has all surrendered the GDM ticket (GDM was the only party standing), I advised Tunji to resign with a prophetic statement. Tunji was courageous. He thundered against the regime and declared prophetically that God would scramble the game. This happened.
Afterwards, I watched with surprise as Tunji refused to get the movement beyond himself and his ideolgical peculiarities. He could not see beyond Tunji's brand of activism and embrace a broader perspective to change. As usual, the revolutionary refused to be political. I moved on. But, the lesson in courage and the difference between revolutionary activism and revolutionary politics came out clear. I am sure people have better and more experiences. But for me the challenge is to move beyond particularities- whether of id or ism- and embrace broader perspectives as long as the moral or ideological fundamentals are not compromised.
So, long a letter. Hillary please release the communique. Odewale and Jaiye, please let's meet this weekend to produce the paper so that we can begin the march.
May God grant us more grace.
Sam
Dr. Sam Amadi
Director, (Research& Programs)
Ken Nnamani Center for Leadership & Development
Abuja, Nigeria
_____________________________________________________________________________
From: Baba Aye
Sent: Wednesday, May 13, 2009 3:41:16 AM
Subject: Re: [FOIcoalition] On moving forward, ATTN:Chinedum, Sam
Dear Sam,
Thanx for yours below. I found it interesting particularly the last sentence, which is a proverb that aptly captures the situation on ground.
I would ask Hilary and co to post the communique, if they have it ready, simple. I would want to believe that watching the intellectual communion of the pious or profane never featured as a conditional term of reference for posting the communique. And as for the three of you, tried and tested old war horses, all -I believe- living in Abuja, not to have met even once for the purpose of the task you willingly took up does not somehow sound right....no matter the reason given, in my view.
I would suggest though, in the spirit of doing what we should that the three of you could at least fix a meeting during this week and work out how soonest what is required is presented to the serve.
I not only agree with you that all shades of revolutionaries should be let to bloom, the fact of the matter is that even non-revolutionaries , non-radicals, etc, could have roles to play and should be encouraged to bloom, step more decidedly into the arena of the political, be part of an ever expanding movement of a cause. This however should be done while at the same time fighting any and every reactionist ideas and sentiments be they from non-revolutionaries or revolutionaries!
You do make some historically incorrect assertions though, from the more simple one of dates, to issues such as: why did the DA, so to speak, break out of CD (But definitely not NCP)? It might be out of place to go indepthly into answers to that question here. But, it would bear responsibility with you if the clearer inadequacies of your presentation of recent history are not pointed out:
* Abacha seized power on November 17, 1993 and not 1994
* NCP was formed on 0ctober 1, 1994 and not 1995 at Anthony village (evolving from National Conscience, formed earlier in March/April of the same year)
* DA, did not, actually could not have broken out of NCP haven been formed earlier on June 4, 1994 at Benin
* The split of those that would with a number of others later form DA, from CD (February 4, 1994 at the Teachers' House, Ibadan), had much more involved than disappointment with BRK.
Anyway, history is useful only to the extent that we learn from it. My own lesson is to demand that we see the yam, dug out....the first triumvirate brought their ship home to use the words of my dear friend DK, they have passed the torch now to two sets of triumvirates, made up largely of revolutionaries! You have the hoe, you are standing on the soil =>we want to see the yam, touch it, eat it:
All eyes on you...,
Baba Aye
____________________________________________________________________________
From: Samuel Amadi
Date: Tuesday, May 12, 2009, 6:37 PM
Baba Aye,
Sorry that I have not responded to your many mails on the change meeting. Well, I decided to read more of the mails and not comment for now. One of moral burden of those who are sincerely committed to change is when you efforts are being second-guessed. It is even more worisome when there is a creeping issue of 'genuine' as against 'non-genuine' comrades. My view is that we need all shades of revolutionaries. Let a thousand flowers of revolutionary and psuedo-revolutionar y movements flourish.
May be some of our colleagues are no longer very enthusiastic because of the tendencies in this listserve. The meeting charged three of us to develop a roadmap. We have not done that. We are even yet to meet. But the communique is with Hillary or his partner. But, perhaps, they are watching what some of our more ideologically puritan and institutionally untained comrades are up to. But, I this useless sniping should stop. Let work together, or at least let some people begin to work without the 'shady' few.
I remember in 1994 when Abacha took power and the human rights movement decided to respond there were many groups stretching a variety of ideological and moral perspectives. . When Chima Ubani and co felt disappointed with Beko and co, they formed the Democratic Alternative. I formed the National Conscience with Gani Fawehinmi and Festus Keyamo. I remember meeting Uche Onyagucha and Chima Ubani in Owerri while I was recruit members for the party we wanted to launch in October 1, 1995 and Chima questioning me on the ideological basis of the National Conscience. Chima later agreed to be one of my coordinators even though he was a promoter of DA. I later also joined DA and attended one of its congress (I hope it was a congress) in Bayelsa.
So many groups were attacking the Nigerian military state. Many of those comrades in CD and DA (many of them are in the listserve) did not like Gani's politics but approved of his commitment and sincerity. We soldiered on and the rest is history.
Differentiation and distinction are part of dialectics. Let those who 'feel' more radical or who think some 'comrade' are tainted by PDP or institutional member of Police Service Commission or the Rebranding Committee, etc, strike out like DA did from CD and NC. I will like to attend the meetings of super-radicals and near radicals. My people say that it is fruitless to say a women will not eat the traditional yam when no one has dug it out from the earth.
Dr. Sam Amadi
Director, (Research& Programs)
Ken Nnamani Center for Leadership & Development
Abuja, Nigeria
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