Omotayo, J. A.    Lagos, NIGERIA    November 28, 2010

Waka-About, USA, thanks very much. I like your argument, but the fact remains that you missed the points raised. I did not praise the National Assembly nor set them as yardstick hence my use of the qualifier "condemnable". In spite of their inadequacies, the National Assembly still found Mr El-Rufai wanting. That is the point. Mr El-Rufai was a lawless Minister in office. He demolished buildings with court injunctions and stay of execution. He turned himself into the accuser and the judge. No court of law pronounced "illegal" any of the demolished structures. Yet he called himself a democrat as if democracy is all about being in civil dresses. When Mr Bill Clinton first came to Nigeria (in 2001?) as president of USA, he made one remark. He stated that he saw a man sleeping under the bridge in Lagos. He added that the man could have been another Mr Philip Emeagwali, professor and computer guru. We need visionary leaders like Mr Bill Clinton but not opportunistic quasi-technocrat like Mr El-Rufai (including his friends who have served or are now serving as Ministers, Governors, Commissioners, etc) who would not care about the plight of the poor and underpriviledged in the society. We do not need fantasy chasing pseudo-administrators and executives. Mr El-Rufai was a misfit in public office and he remains as such. Even in places where disasters have struck, kind hearted individuals, NGOs and governments have always shown interest in relief packages: refuge camps, food supplies, etc. Mr El-Rufai has no human feelings and one wonders whether blood flows in his viens. All the poor and underpriviledged Nigerians, irrespective of their tribe, religion, etc should be treated with dignity by those who occupy public offices. That remains my stand and interest. God bless Nigeria.

waka-about    Texas, USA    November 24, 2010

@Omotayo - majorly disappointed in you. You bounce from arguing with logic and let your emotions get the better of you. Though I do not have a stance either way on the intergrity of El-Rufai, I find your use of the fact that he was banned from public office by the National assembly as an indictment against him laughable. For all the research I have seen in your articles, do you really believe that the National Assembly went after El-Rufai because of the masses or do you forget that their problem with him started when he called them "fools" and dont you think that had more to do with this than his actions as FCT Minister?

Do you even question why el-Rufai was banned but other "legislathieves"remain in the House ? If the NA was so concerned about the welfare of the people why havent they banned anyone over Siemens, Halliburton, etc? What of all the ministers and reps who were fired for stealing funds, how many of them have been banned? Why haven't Cecilia Ibru, Bode George, etc been banned by your pillars of democracy, the NA, if they were so concerened about the common man.

Please name one action taken by your yardstick National Assembly that you believe has been in the interest of the masses? It's also doubly disappointing that you aren't concerned with the National Assembly banning an individual from public office. What authority do they have to ban a Nigerian citizen from public office? Just recently they threatened a fellow rep with suspension for calling them "tyrants" These are your beacons of democracy?

Also, you seem to be caught up on the issue of demolition of illegal dwellings but I wonder how you miss the word "illegal" in your statements. Though I feel for the individuals that were affected, let us not forget that the structures were illegal. Much as I would like him to have provided alternative dwellings for those displaced the truth is that he was under no obligation to do so. Lets keep sentiments aside and accept that the dwellings were ILLEGAL, period.

I am not out to defend Mr Rufai here but you are making claims and accussations that are based on hearsay rather than facts and I would expect more from you. On this issue you seem to be bent on getting your point across without any facts.

Omotayo, J. A.    Lagos, NIGERIA    November 19, 2010

My sister, Amina Othman, thanks for your effort. I appreciate everything except that you have not convinced me. First, lack of jurisdiction does not mean acquittal from charges. For example, a man who robbed at gun point in Lafia, Plateau State and absconded could be apprehended in Sokoto State. If charged to court in Sokoto State, his defense counsel could void the proceeding for lack of jurisdiction. The offence was committed in Plateau State judicial area but not that of Sokoto State. The robber would have to be brought up for trial in Lafia or Jos, Plateau State for the court to have jurisdiction. I think that explains the case of Mr El-Rufai and why the EFCC is still after him. Second, if Mr El-Rufai was a man of integrity under Mr Obasanjo but the latter would not approve or implement his policy initiatives, he should have resigned. Afterall, Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala did so. Mr Domkat Bali, then a Defence Minister, resigned under Mr Babangida. The late Mr Awolowo did same under Mr Gowon. What stopped Mr El-Rufai from resigning with so much policy failures under Mr Obasanjo? Third, if the condemnable National Assembly still thought it fit to ban Mr El-Rufai, is it not reasonable to take him as a worse offender? Of course, yes. Fourth, I am a man who is very close to the grassroot, the poor and the underpriviledged. I enjoy their company. Thus, it is easy for me to hear their complaints. We enter the same combi bus, taxi, local restaurants, airlines, etc. The tales of the many victims I met so far corroborated one another on their ordeal when Mr El-Rufai demolished their homes, markets, etc in Abuja. The late Othman Dan Fodio has been quoted many times by the Guardian newspaper as saying that "conscience is an open wound, only truth can heal it". My conscience does not permit me to distort facts. This is the reason why I write or comment on some topical issues. God bless Nigeria.

Amina Othman    Abuja, Nigeria    November 18, 2010

Sir, , I am suprised you are talking like this. So you mean we cannot start change from somewhere. So you mean it is crime to save lives? You know negative thinking is the worst thing that can happen to ones mind and soul. The so called law makers you are referring to, how many of them are credidle? I hope you are not living outside Nigeria and that you are not current. They stage managed a probe, found him guilty but if i remember very well there was an argument when the issue of his suspension from holding public office was mentioned.
What happened to the power probe? We would like to know what the lawmakers did with the report.

Please do try and get your fats right. Moreover, these lawmakers are busy doing rubbish and destroying our country yet you are praising them. It is really sad. I would like to know the statistics of the people that died as a result of El-rufa'I demolition. I'm sure you have that so that we can have a good analysis. I will like to see a new Nigeria but with the rate at which we are going, we will never get there. I checked the EFCC website and it was a very interesting finding that amongsts all the people on the list el-rufa'I is on the list but not charged with stealing money, money laundering, etc.
"N0 27. Mallam Nasir El-Rufai (Former Minister of Federal Capital Territory
Fed. High Court, Abuja
Arraigned on 8 state counts. Suspect charged for corruption and abuse of office. Plea taken and case adjourned for trial but accused challenged jurisdiction of court as a ploy to delay trial. Case discharged on 20th Oct . Fresh charges filed at FCT High court on 22nd Oct. Suspect at large but returned to the country. Interrogated on May 4,2010 and arraigned on May 12. Due for arraignment on fresh 8-count charge.Commenced by Waziri in 2009."

"EFCC FILES FRESH CHARGES AGAINST EL-RUFAI
Thursday, 21 October 2010
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has said that it has prepared fresh charges against former Minister of the FCT, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. The charges are to be filed at an FCT high court on Friday October 22.
The anti-graft agency disclosed this in a swift reaction to a ruling of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja today discharging the former minister of the eight count charge earlier preferred against him by the EFCC, over the jurisdiction of the court." Remember: You are innocent intil proven guilty by the court.

Kindly check the website for more information. For him to have changed the NIgerian economy: he was part of the economic team but mind you he was not th eperson taking the final decision. He had a President who was doing just that. If he were the President probaly things would have been better. Stay blessed

Omotayo, J. A.    Lagos, NIGERIA    November 16, 2010

Sentiments do not build a nation. If Nigeria of our dream must be built, we have to ask supporters of Mr El-Rufai some questions. If he banned Okada to save lives, why did he not ban cars due to crashes at road intersections within Abuja? Do the car owners have double lives? If he demolished buildings because they were substandard, which standard ones did he erect for the displaced? If he was a saint, why did the National Assembly ban him from holding any public office for ten years? If he is an economic guru, why did over 800 industries close down between 2000 and 2007 when he was the arrow head of Mr Obasanjo's Economic Reform Agenda? If he was not corrupt, why was the EFCC after him? If he was courageous and fearless, why did he go on self exile? Afterall, the late Mr Gani Fawehinmi put his chest against the barrel of the machine gun at Yaba during prodemocracy demonstration against the regime of the late Mr Sani Abacha. I know that Mr Olisa Agbakoba was brutalised and treated at the hospital that day. Your fearless Mr El-Rufai was not there. What kept him away as a patriot? If the World Bank appointed a few consultants and wanted to make payments, why would your Mr El-Rufai endorse the issuance of BPE cheques instead? If Mr El-Rufai is your model of good leadership, then the dictionary meaning of the phrase must be synonemous with demolision and destruction. God bless Nigeria.

Amina Othman    Abuja, Nigeria    November 10, 2010

It is sad that doing good in Nigeria is a big problem. We rather support people who steal money and contribute nothing at all to the development of the country.

El-Rufai may not be liked by people all thanks to the BAD GUYS who wanted to destroy his reputation but i know that he can make a difference in Nigeria whether we like it or not. I know he is better than IBB,Buhari, Gusau, Saraki, Bafarawa, etc.

Let us continue to hate the man for being a hard working, fearless man and could deliver and do what all others ran away from and continue to complain that we are backward. El-Rufai, may Allah comntinue to bless you and protect you from all your enemies, Amin.

Tajudeen Olarewaju    Lagos, Nigeria    November 10, 2010

Nigerians please let us stop arguing. I believe that many Nigerians are suffering not because of el-rufai but because of the bad leadership that we have. Look at the other states are their people not suffering?

El-rufai banned Okada and saved the lives of many people living in Abuja. He demolised sub standard buildings and when the so called good guys came and did not want to demolish, killed innocent people by allowing bad building to be constructed and the bad ones allowed to stand. In fact how many buildings collapsed after el-rufai and how many people died?

To all the enemies of progress please learn to be constructive but in a positive light. God bless el-rufai.

Mohammed Salihu    Abuja, Nigeria    November 10, 2010

Omotayo, Please give us a break. We are country governed by law, if there is anything that Mallam El-Rufai has done that contravenes our law, the Federal Ministry of justice is better placed to know than you, and they haven’t say anything of the such that you’ve described him.

El-Rufai is not a crook. You need to get over the induce fabrications of Aondoakka and Farida and move on. El-Rufai is a hardworking man, smart man, great patriot and a nationalist. Let's not characterize him based on falsehood, nor should we legitimize slandering.

Politicians have problems with El-Rufai-- not problems Nigeria has El-rufai. The former is this: When you idealize honesty, you become the enemy of the ruling circle. This is why most good men in our country are sidelined politically. El-Rufai is one of few that are standing them.

What this country really needs right now is a strong independent minded president that won’t carry around the entire political baggage of a party, to sacrifice four years of his/her life and personal reputation to put this country back on track, fiscally, economically, morally, and politically, much the way Elrufai did with Abuja as a Minister.

Mukaddas Muhammed    Abuja, Nigeria    November 10, 2010

@Omotayo, yours is laughable… Nigerians have since uncovered the intent behind your ploys to ridicule Mal. Nasir el Rufai. Please do not misunderstand me… Of course you could avail your self the freedom of expression but, when next you want to criticise him, get your facts together! This time, your comprehension of his stewardship appeared very myopic and unguided.

As much as you would hate Mal. Nasir, you can never change the FACT that he is the best minister ever - in the annals of Nigeria’s history.

Roz Ben-Okagbue    Abuja, Nigeria    November 09, 2010

Omotayo.....you are deliberately distorting facts. In the first place, El Rufai did not "pay youth corpers in BPE millions". The World Bank paid a consultant hired to assist with the privatisation project. She was not a youth corper at that time. Please get it right.

Mallam El Rufai was not a marauder in office. He was never accused of stealing any money or property either in BPE or FCT. Please read the EFCC case against him in FCT, It does not involve any case of theft. Furthermore, he did not demolish any property only to reallocate it to his family and friends. This is a total fabrication.

As for those suffering from hypertension, blindness, indebtedness etc...what has that got to do with Mallam El Rufai?.....how powerful can one man be that he can inflict all these things on numerous people....pls Omotayo, get real!!!