EU parliament wants aid to Nigeria stopped until fresh polls
ADVOCATES of fresh elections in Nigeria have secured a strong ally in the European Parliament.

The parliament, in a resolution yesterday, urged the European Union (EU) to withhold all financial aid to the country until fresh elections are held.

In adopting the resolution, the parliament noted the report of EU observers on the April elections, which alleged widespread rigging in favour of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The EU believes that the elections fell short of basic standards and can not be considered credible, free and fair, according to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) yesterday.

The EU has planned nearly ? 500 million over the last five years for different projects in Nigeria, most of them focused on good governance, health, water supply and sanitation.

"EU aid to Nigeria should not be given to federal or state structures until new, credible elections have been held," the European Parliament said in a non-binding resolution. Such resolutions are often issued to pressure EU member states and the executive Commission in Brussels.

EU observers had earlier challenged the credibility of elections, even before the final results were announced.

Amid mounting opposition calls for the cancellation of the elections held April 14 and 21, chief EU observer Max van den Berg said the polls had "fallen far short" of basic international standards.

He had added: "The elections have not lived up to the hopes and expectations of the Nigerian people, for the process cannot be considered to be credible."

Van den Berg's team said at least 200 people were killed in "unacceptable" election-related violence during the two polls, with victims including police and some candidates.

It added: "The continuing and widespread use of thugs by a number of political parties created a significant degree of fear and intimidation."

The main opposition candidates, Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and former military ruler Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, both criticised the poll as unfair and undemocratic.

"I have already rejected the elections," said Abubakar, demanding a re-run, adding: "They have no alternative other than to cancel them altogether.

"What we have seen clearly proves our fears that it is the worst election ever seen," Abubakar added.

His verdict was backed up by Nigeria's largest election monitoring group, which slammed the government's handling of the elections.

"The election was a charade," Innocent Chukwuma, head of the transition monitoring group, told reporters.

"We, therefore, reject it and call for its cancellation," Chukwuma said, demanding a re-run within three months.

http://www.guardiannewsngr.com/news/article02/250507

Hmmm, the EU can keep their AID money. I question their deep concern for the 200 Nigerians who lost their lives,
as another re-run is sure to see that many more die too. In any case, its a non-binding solution, meaning they
are just "going on the record" and merely blowing smoke. The G8, which has least 3 key EU members has already
extended an invitation to Yar Adua.

They are the masters.

right?

I hope the senate passes a law that forbids anyone granting AID to Nigeria as Nigeria don't need any such AID. We want fair trade not the current crazy and criminal formulas that promote and protect the Western producers while exploiting and stealing from Nigeria and other African nations.

Nigeria is rich enough not to get any form of AID from these so called nations that end up milking us dry in the name of trying to help.

The average corrupt politician can effortlessly write off the total AID package given to Nigeria by all the donor nations put together so what are we really talking about?

I hope this issue will lead to a critical analysis as regards whether we really need the AID in the first place or not.

what would happen if Nigerian government start giving aid to europe?

How will that affect the economy?

Will it be positive or negative?

Can Nigeria give the aid in Naira or does it have to be dollars?


The funny thing is, most aids are given as loans

what would happen if Nigerian government start giving aid to europe?

we are already doing this, only its not call AID.

Nigeria has $40billion in foreign reserve. This cash is not in Nigeria but in EU and they are using it for their benefit!

This is blessing in disguise, we need to be self sufficient.
We have enough to do that, EU can keep their aid.

All we need in Nigeria is to use our oil and gas to negotiate for whatever we want.
EU aid to Nigeria is simply impoverishing Nigerians of tomorrow, because what it means is that if the Govt loots both our money + EU aid. They would have succeeded in looting future Nigerians into debt.

They should take thier aid to somalia we are bigger than that

Which kind aid dey wan give us the ones dem don give us before which good e do us. No be our oil money and interest on our money wey dey dem banks wey dem dey loan back to us. Make dem go die. if dem make too much noise i suggest we add "s" to the aid wey dem don give us b4 mail am back to them. WERE!!!

I don't see why anyone should have a problem with Yar'adua. They don't care about what Nigerians want.

McKren:

This is blessing in disguise, we need to be self sufficient.
We have enough to do that, EU can keep their aid.

All we need in Nigeria is to use our oil and gas to negotiate for whatever we want.
EU aid to Nigeria is simply impoverishing Nigerians of tomorrow, because what it means is that if the Govt loots both our money + EU aid. They would have succeeded in looting future Nigerians into debt.

Good Point , we need to be self sufficient. Lets face it when we get all the aid , any thing outstanding going on? they cannot do without us they are just fooling themselves.It is time for us to stand up to this people and work toward been self sufficient.

I don't care about the EU and their AID,  yet all I know is that the last election happens to be the worst in the hisory of Nigeria.  Maybe Nigerians want Yaradua, but at least OBJ and his PDP/INEC should have given us the opportunity to vote for him.  There were no elections in Anambra State. 

EUs reaction is based on the fact that our so called election was a mockery on our integrity as a nation. I am ashamed that while the EU is calling for the restoration of our rights as a people to choose our leaders, some "patriots" seems to be okay with this internal colonialism.

I am ashamed that we are so misguided that rather than address the same issue the EU is addressing (which happens to be the worst form of corrutpion: election rigging), we are busy wasting energy on whether we need their AID or not.

Yet, we all know that whether they send AID or not, our internal colonial masters will continue to harrass, maim and even kill us when we agitate against their atrocities. By allowing the last election to stay, we have institutionalised fraud to the zenith. I am suprised that somebody reduced this issue to just Yaradua, yet it is not about Yaradua. It is about the rape and dehumanisation of a people. Nigeria is retrogressing!.

EU my foot - to hell with their aid and their usurping power.

GUYS Great posts but lets us take out the insults.

Who wants EU aid or AIDS (whichever is applicable). Because it doesn't reflect on the general wellbeing of Nigerians. What we need is to fight corruption in all aspect of our life, our resources are enough to cater for us. Is it not this month that Naija launch a communication sattelite into space in addition to the previous wheather sattelite, the EU did not pay for that it is Naija money. Also, all the billions stolen by ours corrupt leaders and stored away in Europe should be be returned to us, that would be the best aid they can give us right now.

Plus check my earlier post [Nigerian Leaders Should Stop Seeking Legitimacy From Abroad]. It is the Nigerian people who will decide not some people from faraway Europe, the time is past when their ambassadors will can our politicians aside and teach them what to do.

Who wants EU aid or AIDS (whichever is applicable). Because it doesn't reflect on the general wellbeing of Nigerians. What we need is to fight corruption in all aspect of our life, our resources are enough to cater for us. Is it not this month that Naija launch a communication satellite into space in addition to the previous wheather satellite, the EU did not pay for that it is Naija money. Also, all the billions stolen by ours corrupt leaders and stored away in Europe should be be returned to us, that would be the best aid they can give us right now.

Plus check my earlier post [Nigerian Leaders Should Stop Seeking Legitimacy From Abroad]. It is the Nigerian people who will decide not some people from faraway Europe, the time is past when their ambassadors will can our politicians aside and teach them what to do.

Maybe we forgot that debt cancellation came as an aid package. I dont know if we really undestand the full meaning of what we are saying.

Afam:

I hope the senate passes a law that forbids anyone granting AID to Nigeria as Nigeria don't need any such AID. We want fair trade not the current crazy and criminal formulas that promote and protect the Western producers while exploiting and stealing from Nigeria and other African nations.

Nigeria is rich enough not to get any form of AID from these so called nations that end up milking us dry in the name of trying to help.

The average corrupt politician can effortlessly write off the total AID package given to Nigeria by all the donor nations put together so what are we really talking about?

I hope this issue will lead to a critical analysis as regards whether we really need the AID in the first place or not.

True talk Afam, but are our politicians wise or patriotic enough to give up their stolen loot for the nation.

As much I hate to have foreigners dabble in the affairs of Nigeria, ths last April non-elections are a sham and a blemish on the administration. Some of us have not been forthcoming nor bold enough to condemn such brazen act of disenfranchisement of the citizens.
No matter how much we like things to move forward, we can never build a nation on falsity.

The foregners have been very conniving and enabling in corruption in Nigeria. The multi-national oil companies more so than any other corporate. At the same time their governments have been well meaning at times in giving a helping.

I have to support them in not giving any aids until we correct our corrupt ways of doing things.

Hi Bankole01,

I believe that we can tackle our problems ourselves.

For the simple fact that Lagos State did not fall into the hands of the PDP even with the massive mobilization I dare say that we will always live with what we support directly or indirectly.

We shout, complain but when the time for action comes many run away.

We should effect changes or live with the status quo.

As for foreigners, we don't need them.

As for corrupt Nigerians, I hope the day comes where people will be tied to stakes and shot for corruption.

Do have a great day.

If Europe full paid back their Marshal Plan loans from US and Canada, who are we to say that we don't need genuine loans. That our banks, telecoms and likes Dangote to say that we do not need aid. Our debt cancellation came as an AID package even though Nigeria was not in HIPC list. So, folks we need to soft pedal on your patriotic zeal and acknowledge that we need AID

adconline:

If Europe full paid back their Marshal Plan loans from US and Canada, who are we to say that we don't need genuine loans. That our banks, telecoms and likes Dangote to say that we do not need aid. Our debt cancellation came as an AID package even though Nigeria was not in HIPC list. So, folks we need to soft pedal on your patriotic zeal and acknowledge that we need AID

Stop mixing issues up.

What is the marshal plan and what is the aid in question?

Are they one and the same thing?

afam,
separate aid from debt cancellation. Answer,

Separate marshal plan from loan. Answer,

my point is that if countries, banks, investors take foreign loans, why cant Nigeria take AID (Free of Charge) just because they criticized our selection process. If want to reject their aid, let's start from debt cancellation. kapich

adconline

Maybe we forgot that debt cancellation came as an aid package. I don't know if we really undestand the full meaning of what we are saying.

You seem to understand better the full meaning of what we are saying, but hope your understanding also includes the fact that the debt itself came as a result of aid.

aid = (IMF and Wolrd bank's deceptive word for loan). Loans are given because there is a security some sort of guarantee that the money can be reclaimed. The security in this case is the vast resources we have.
The very essence of these aid is to leave us in a disadvantaged position so that they can dictate to us how to use our resources.

Mckren@

but hope your understanding also includes the fact that the debt itself came as a result of aid.

Debt came as result of misappropriated loans not aid. Do you blame your  credit card company  for bad credit history when  you default on your payment ?. We have to apportion the blame to where it belongs. Lenders  are in to make money and its the reponsibility of the borrower to make  good use of the money borrowed.

aid = (IMF and Wolrd bank's deceptive word for loan). Loans are given because there is a security some sort of guarantee that the money can be reclaimed. The security in this case is the vast resources we have.
The very essence of these aid is to leave us in a disadvantaged position so that they can dictate to us how to use our resources.

I did not know that loans and aid could be used interchangeably. Thanks for opening my eyes to IMF economics.  I would think that loans are needed to carry out most businesses since most folks don’t usually have start capital. I firm believe that Nigeria still needs AID.  Just check the cost of Anti retroviral drugs or anti malaria drugs without any sort of aid.

This is not about teaching you new IMF economics, the point I am trying to drive home here is that there are always unannounced conditions for those aid and loans.

I do not blame my bank for defaulted credit repayments, but it becomes criminal if after defaulted repayments my Bank goes on to futher increase the worth of my credit card because they know a few things about my person and maybe inspite of the fact that I have no means of income they are sure that maybe because my dad is a billionaire they can extort money from me by puting me in debt trap.


What is the point giving an African leader more money when so much revenue generated by the same government is not accounted for. At the end of the day the aid do not better the life of ordinary Africans.

The worst part it is that most of the loans given out to our leaders end up back in the foreign banks. Only this time around, under individual names or numbers.

These loans are still charged to the country (Nigeria) when they(Europeans) know full well that the money had been stolen with their duplicity and trust.

This is why loans and aid should not be given unless they know what projects are being implemented and how compliance and progress is monitored.

EU should give loan to EU and leave nigeria alone. And who is EU parliament?
They better stop the insult. Nigeria needs no AID(S) of theirs.
Such aid should be given to Poland, Turkey, Slovakia, Romania etc.
I'm such these EU countries need the loan more than we do.

we go thank God if dem stop am o so dat dis hiv/aids wey dey kill our pple for nigeria go reduce small.

I think Bulgaria, Romania, Poland needs more aid(s) compared to Nigeria. All this their aid has small prints that we do not read b4 we accept the aid. It will be better they keep for the remaning european countries that is not part of EU at the monet.

adconline:

Maybe we forgot that debt cancellation came as an aid package. I don't know if we really undestand the full meaning of what we are saying.

Dont even mention debt cancellation as a form of aid. That was daylight fraud! Only an African state borrows $3bn and has to pay back $36bn in less than 20 yrs! Besides more than 90% of the so-called aid is used to pay "expatriates" hired by these same EU nations to act as consultants who are no better than the average Nigerian graduate?

After paying almost $18bn in debt can we account for were a penny of the so-called aid went to? These same EU are sitting on the looted funds stashed in their banks, pretending to be legally unable to return those funds while forcing the rest of us to cough up another lump sum as debt!
And they dangle a few billions and call it aid and we fall down and worship them?

When I say Nigerians are not ready to move forward, it is nothing but true talk. If you're happy with the way things are in Nigeria, good for you. I do not support abuse of human rights and rigged elections, if you do then also good for you.

Sanctions of this nature are only a means to force the Government to have a RETHINK!. . .The S. African apartheid Givernment and other collapsed oppresive regimes did not end by internet chatting.If you do not think free and fair elections are needed, then the EU should go and die.

Last I checked, no Nigerian is willing to shed their blood to fight for their rights and the other hand, no Nigerian wants the international community to help them fight for theirs. That is why I say, Nigerians are a JOKE!. . .When you're serious to progress, Donzman will know.

By the way, aids come in different forms and are MOSTLY not loans. It could be an aid to help open pipe borne water in some village in Imo State, who knows what the money is for!

The election was rigged and there is not doubt about that , however considering the Nigerian situation would it really be in the interest of peace that the election be reversed ?I don't really think so , though we didn't have a perfect election , the fact that we would be moving from one democratic government to another is some sort of achievement , we should build from there , those calling for reversal of the election processes do not really know what the impact would be to the stability of the nation .
meanwhile while we are here yapping about the the past election and weather eu should suspend aid or not , same eu who i feel have been practicing democracy for longer time us have just released 1.5 billion naira aid to Nigeria again .Does this mean they are not aware that the election as rigged ? I don’t think so .Below is the link to the news about the latest eu aid ;

http://allafrica.com/stories/200705260021.html