There is a kind of letter you would not want your dad to receive from your head teacher, especially when you know he is making some sacrifice to keep you in that elite school.
The US Secretary of State, John Kerry, literally and figuratively, got that kind of letter from Congressman Tom Marino, who represents Pennsylvania in Congress. Marino has asked his country to withhold any assistance until President Buhari shows signs of inclusive government and commitment to the basic tenets of democracy.
Make no mistake about it: this letter could delay many things – from the returning of loots back to Nigeria, assistance to IDPs to the fight against insurgents.
And this is coming when everyone thought the Americans had fallen in love with us. And of course, just like the father who was making some sacrifice to keep his ward in a posh school, John Kerry was really committed to seeing that this government succeeded. He has visited Nigeria a couple of times as Secretary of State.
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Marino noted that most of Buhari’s appointments were from the north. An observation that some might argue wouldn’t have mattered in a developed country that is more interested in merit. But Marino seems to understand Nigeria, even more than some of the members of his committee on Foreign Affairs. [The folks who advised Senator Kerry to visit the Sultan alone did not understand the level of mistrust in the country]. The congressman argues that these lopsided appointments fuel distrust in the country.
He drew his country’s attention to Buhari’s anti-corruption fight. He says the fight is focused mainly on the opposition. I thought the US had given the president a pass mark on his fight against corruption. Marino’s letter literally ripped off Buhari’s shirt. And of course, ripping off a person’s shirt could provoke a retaliation.
He also drew his country’s attention to the extrajudicial killings IPOB members and Shiites. And also, to the extrajudicial detentions in the country.
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One is not surprised about Marino’s admonition to the State Department on selling arms to Nigeria. The congressman, in his home country, has been arguing against giving guns to people who could misuse them. [I’m not saying that Nigeria will misuse any arms from abroad, don’t get me wrong].
His submission speaks the mind of many Nigerians. He definitely knows a lot about the politics in Nigeria. But I have some concerns. One, on his page on Wikipedia, it is stated that the congressman supports death penalty. And at the same time stated that he is a Roman Catholic. This is contradictory. Two, since Marino became a congressman, he has sponsored 40 bills, but none have become law. This raises the question of the kind of influence the republican might be able to have on Nigerian politics – i.e. from his own end of the Atlantic.
Well, this letter could do two things. One, it could put pressure on Buhari’s government to reform itself and improve on its performance. Yes, it could provoke a debate in Congress on the romance between America and Nigeria. Two, it might just provoke an attack on Congressman Marino from some media aides in Nigeria. He could be accused of many ridiculous things. That’s politics for you.
After all the politics, it should be noted that Nigeria needs America’s support. A country in a recession needs all the stimulus and expertise it can get from the biggest economy in the world. Coincidentally, America had experienced both a recession and a depression – there is a lot to take away from them.
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It will be interesting to see the effect of this letter in the coming weeks, or even months.
For Congressman Tom Marino, I want to believe you are like most of us who love Buhari, but are always ready to put him on his toes to get the best out of him.
15 comments
Your comment..its good to tell the leader the true
This issue is not something to sweat about because the Congress man is an identical twin of gov fayose in American. Pls try to search other articles about him you will know what am saying.
This is rascal, i cant believe this news, it’s has k leg!
Tom Marino Is A Bold Spectator From Outside Who Only Wishes To Save Many Of Us Nigerians From Timidity And Intimidation By Some Pro-Northan Die-hard Teaming To Subjugate Not Any Other Region But CHRISTIANITY. The Man Who Said If He Couldnt Win As President, It Will Be “Biri Jini Kare Jini” Is Indeed Acting Islamic. It’s His Skin That Will Start To Pill. My Words.
The congressman, Tom Marino may have failed in getting bills passed but on the issue of Nigeria and Buhari, he is a Nigerian. Those in America that doubt his submission should come to Nigeria unannounced and see the obvious. Thank you Honorable Tom, events in Nigeria will vindicate you soon.
Tom Morino stated the obvious. Nigerians who see Tom in bad light on these issues are not telling themselves the truth. Because his proposed bills were not passed does not mean he is not saying the obvious in this matter
Bros Tom Marino.
Well, what do you expect from a frustrated Republican congressman? Anyway, his comments are noted.
Well, tell us where he lied in all that he said. pls call a spade a spade.
even a blind, deaf and dumb person who feels the pulse of nigerian at this moment can say same thing about this government as did Tom Marino. The facts speak for themselves. Forget about what the lying agents of this government says in their desperate attempts to mask the truth. It is just a matter of time, the whole world wouldn’t need Marino to talk before they see for themselves. Just a matter of time.
yeah! it’s true I am happy with this mosion congress should takes necessary action which would be lesson to Nigerian army that always killing innocents and radicalizing the moderate, they ‘re brave only when came to fight unarm civilians so if congress veto every weapons deal, so that we Nigerians will be free of their evility .thank you honorable morino you really love us more than our leaders.god bless you and rest of the Americans.god bless Nigeria & Nigerians.
The fact remains that most of the supporters of this mal–interlectul /informed govt. die and wail inside only to come out to the media to pretend to be enjoying the entire mess we have been plunged into by the day
who say the developed nations will ever nigeria to get where they are. Remember we are talking about nation building surported by nairanation of our economy. stoping imports of what we can manufacture.And possibly export. Unfortunately the black man doesn’t like himself. u people should know that corruption is an international conspiracy. we have crude but we cannot refine products. we built Ajakuta but we we export our steel and import steel and metal products. But sometimes we say we are educated. but what is the essence of knowledge without its usage. To we cannot even feed ourselves but here we are supporting an American who is not happy with giant strides this government is making in security and in the effort re oriente our people to become self reliant and more productive
You’re pathetic, your likes are responsible for the situation nigeria find itself. Aboki gworo
This is a very sound warning to those who think that nigeria will remain the way it is, how can buhari be ignored with his Islamic agenda? Thank God that the likes of marino is on the side of truth. I pray for republicans to win the upcoming presidential election in the United States. Thank you for saying the things that a lot of people living in nigeria could not expressed for fear of reprisals from buhari; as seen in the case of Nnamdi kanu, femi fani kayode, ayodele fayose etc. Congress man marino, thank you.