If we are to be guided by media reports, everyone is set for the eventful year, 2011 – the year of all important elections. Even President Goodluck Jonathan appears more enthusiastic than others when he cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against any form of failure when he emphatically said that, ‘gone are the days when those in charge of electoral or other responsibilities will use such phrases as ‘our hands are tied‘ for justification or failure‘.

All over the world, especially in the 20th century, nations have emerged through voluntary associations or by brute force.

Last week, I wrote on those who are expected to transform Nigeria into a united and prosperous country from the amalgamation of unequal ‘nations‘ divided by ethnic, religious and political interests.

With the confirmation of Professor Attahiru Jega as INEC Chairman by the Senate and the appointment of Professor Bert. Nnaji as the Adviser on Power, President Jonathan could not but feel happy that the solution to some of the nation‘s problems is nearer.

THE last two weeks witnessed the flexing of political muscles by the proponents of the ruling party‘s controversial ‘zoning‘ system and the new apostles of unconditional and free choice of leadership of the party and the country.

Thus eleven years of democratic rule have given Nigerians that unique advantage of shouting hoarse without being heard or of knocking without being answered. Afterall, it is our wish at all times that we prefer freedom with danger to servitude in tranquility. Many people might think that what we are getting at the moment might not resemble rich dividends we deserve or desire, but the opposite of what Nigerians (except the wealthy few) prefer.

To me and others of my thinking, theformer President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo would always remain an enigmatic personality – confusing to many Nigerians but more perplexing to himself. He might easily wear the coronet of a split personality with bundle of contradictions.

As a principal disciple of Obasanjo, Ribadu was in power and he did exercise power — the institutional authority of the EFCC. True, he did a lot of good work with his powers; but not without the blemish of abuse all the same. At least Obasanjo’s perceived opponents and adversaries who suffered through the quaint use of the powers of the EFCC under Ribadu’s watch can best testify to this.

IF there is anything that Nigeria has contributed to the growth of Democracy anywhere, it could be the concept of ‘zoning‘ as a panacea to all ethnic or tribal politics. In its raw form, the distribution of powerful political offices among the recognized areas or zones within the country is being regarded as an attempt to get everybody involved in the administration.

THE two questions appear identical if the readers set their minds on expectation of immediate revival of a failing state. Some have accused me of being a coward for not declaring outright Nigeria as a failed state. I am not an unduly optimistic analyst by nature since I believe that pessimism could be self_defeating in examining the various problems of the country.

For the understanding of the chaos in the downstream sector of the oil industry, I would quote relevant paragraphs on ‘pricing of refined petroleum products‘ from my book, The ‘Thunderbolt‘ published in 2002. ‘The present problems of instability in the prices of white oils – gasoline (PMS) diesoline (AGO) and dual purpose kerosene (DPK) could be traced back to the late 1960s when the Northern elites started to clamour for uniform prices for all petroleum products and electricity tariffs.

THERE is no doubt that the last two weeks belonged to the usual patience of the Nigerian people and perhaps, the consistent goodluck of the acting President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan in preventing what could be regarded as unnecessary constitutional crisis.

THE recent visits of the former British Prime Minister, Blair and the United States‘ past President Bush to President Jonathan (acting) could be regarded as the acceptance by the western powers and our friends of the silent political revolution (coup) carried out by our civilian legislators.

IN the last few weeks, the nation has been thrown into a bit of confusion arising from the absence from the country of the President, Umaru Yar‘Adua. That the President is ill and receiving treatment in Saudi Arabia is no longer news. What is perplexing is the strange and confusing behavior of the ruling party in sorting things out without rancor or litigation.

Jos (Jesus our Saviour to many) is a fine city with an agreeable climate and a melting pot of many cultures and various traditions. Jos in the past, was a place Nigerians would like to spend their retirement days in peace and tranquility.