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The Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has called on Nigerians, especially northern leaders. to save the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), from former Lagos State Governor, Senator Bola Tinubu and his cabal in the APC.
To buttress his consistent claim that Buhari was ill, he wondered why Buhari hadn’t returned to Nigeria since his Chatham House speaking engagement if that was why he went to London as claimed by his party.
“Since last week Thursday when Buhari appeared for less than two hours at the Chatham House, where his doctors certified him fit, returning to Nigeria for the ‘final onslaught on the PDP,’ he has simply disappeared from public glare,” a statement by Fayose’s Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said.
“Isn’t it strange that someone who is contesting election in 28 days time could afford to stay outside the country for about two weeks?” Fayose said in the statement, according to Channels Television
“Buhari confessed that he actually saw his doctors; why did the APC cabal lie that he never visited any hospital, even going to the ridiculous and criminal level of using pictures taken in Abuja to authenticate claim that Buhari had a television interview in London?
“Like I have maintained, the same cabal that were involved in the Yar’Adua saga are also involved the packaging of Buhari and Nigerians must save the man from these people who are only interested in using him to assume power,” Fayose said.
The governor said he was worried that Tinubu and his cabal were pushing Buhari too much because of their selfish interests and pleaded that “Nigerians should appeal to Tinubu and his cabal to allow Buhari attend properly to his health.”
While maintaining that Buhari was not the candidate of the North, Fayose asked: “Shouldn’t it interest Nigerians, especially the northerners that only Malam Nasir El-Rufai was a northerner among those who attended the last Thursday’s Chatham House event?”
The statement further read: “During the APC primaries delegates from the North voted for former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar and Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso. Only delegates controlled by Tinubu, Governor Rotimi Amaechi and Senator Bukola Saraki voted for Buhari.
“In appreciation of Tinubu’s role, Buhari gave him (Tinubu) the sole right to choose his running mate, with Tinubu still being rumoured to be interested in the vice-president position that he gave his surrogate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. “Also, the APC confirmed yesterday that Buhari’s campaign is being funded by Tinubu and Amaechi.
“All these point to the fact that Tinubu and his cabal have a sinister agenda against the North, which they want to use Buhari to achieve.”
He further urged leaders in the North to intervene and free Buhari from the APC cabal now because, “Buhari needs to take proper and adequate care of himself medically.”
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) at the weekend disclosed how the anti-graft agency saved N100 billion for the federal government in the Ministry of Finance after it discovered 45,000 ghost workers.
Making this disclosure while defending the commission’s budget before the Senate Committee on Drugs, Narcotics, Financial Crimes and Anti-corruption in Abuja, ICPC Chairman, Mr. Ekpo Nta, said the move was possible because of its sound relationship with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and careful scrutiny of Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).
“Of course you know what we have done in the Ministry of Finance on the issue of ghost workers where over 45,000 ghost workers were discovered. That has saved over a N100 billion.
“We have a robust relationship with the FIRS. We have actually jailed some of their staff that are not doing the right thing and of course the Bureau of Public Procurement. We work hand in hand with them now.
“So if anyone provide false statistics through bidding exercise, they will refer you to us and that has now started cleaning out that sector,” Nta said. Nta also disclosed how it tracked down 50 of the 156 major companies which secured contracts from the Federal Ministry of Works using forged t tax certificates.
He said managements of the firms were now being prosecuted for these criminal acts.
According to him, the actions of the firms have robbed tertiary institutions across the country of adequate funding as a result of non-payment of taxes otherwise known as Tertiary Education Funds.
“We have gone into direct intervention with Federal Inland Revenue Service, most of the big companies that do business for government have not been paying correct taxes or have been using forged documents.
“I can give you clear examples – 156 companies that did business with the Federal Ministry of Works – we got involved and over 50 had forged tax certificates and we are prosecuting them, that has now led to a total change in respect of persons who want to get involved in government business.
“You know that TEDFUND depends on monies that come from companies. So if you don’t pay company taxes, TEDFUND does not get the money they should get to improve the education sector and that is why we target taxation to help improve funding of these other sectors of the economy,” he said.
Nta also said the agency had closed down over 26 illegal degree awarding institutions in the country and simultaneously commenced the prosecution of their proprietors.
He as well disclosed how the ICPC had protected a female undergraduate of the Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Edo State, whom he said was allegedly victimised by some of her lecturers for 12 years on campus because she refused to succumb to their sexual advances.
He added: “Now, there is a student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, who spent eight years without graduation and was being victimised. We moved in and through us he graduated.
“We moved into Ambrose Ali University, a girl stayed there for 12 years on the basis of sexual harassment. ICPC moved in. She’s graduated and we are working on prosecuting all the officials involved.”
Nta also said there were TEDFUND projects in all universities, colleges of education and polytechnics in Nigeria because the ICPC had ensured the release of N25 billion to all tertiary institutions within the system.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation (PDPPCO) has said that the Chatham House engagement in London by All Progressives Congress (APC) and its presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, was arranged with the sum of N5 billion.
Addressing newsmen on Sunday in Abuja, the Director of Media and Publicity of PDPPCO, Femi Fani-Kayode, said that Buhari would be on his way to International Criminal Court on account of the 2011 electoral violence in Nigeria if he failed to win the presidential poll.
He also said that his life was being threatened following his statement that former Lagos state governor, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, was plotting to become the next President.
He said: "It is quite interesting to note that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is describing the appearance of its presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, last Thursday, at the Chatham House in London, as successful. This is not so and in fact the contrary is the case. The truth is that the outing was a monumental failure.
"The whole sorry episode has now fully exposed the APC as a party built on propaganda, deceit, make-believe and one which lacks respect for the people of Nigeria. A few days ago we promised to go into further detail on the Chatham House episode at a later stage and we have decided to do that today. Here are the facts.
"Buhari's appearance at Chatham House was a last-minute decoy to divert the attention of Nigerians and the whole world from the fact that his trip to London was mainly to seek medical attention and care. The point we are making is that General Buhari was not originally scheduled to go to Chatham House but in order to divert attention from the real purpose of the trip, the Chatham House speaking engagement was hurriedly put in place."
Fani-Kayode added that the people in the hall of Chatham House were sponsored, adding that the APC leaders begged for the speaking engagement, which was paid for.
"The people in the hall were sponsored. 1,500 persons applied to attend the function but only 200 were allowed in. The audience was carefully selected. The APC mobilised many students from the Republic of Ireland, who were all on scholarship courtesy of the Rivers State Government, to embark on a pro-Buhari rally outside the Chatham House. The students were threatened that their scholarships would be withdrawn if they refused to participate in the rally.
"The information at our disposal indicates that no less than N5 billion was budgeted for the London jamboree. This amount was wasted on General Buhari's Chatham House speaking engagement, numerous foreign consultants, air tickets for the huge delegation, the contingent of governors, hotel bills, the purchase and renting of vehicles and other logistics. We challenge the APC and its leaders to contradict this information," he said.
On Buhari facing ICC, Fani-Kayode said, "No matter what they do or say we are certain that Nigerians will reject such a lying party at the polls during the March 28th elections.
"And after its and General Buhari’s rejection at the poll, General Buhari may have to prepare to face charges of human rights abuses and criminality filed against him before the International Criminal Court on account of the 2011 electoral violence in Nigeria."
On alleged threat to his life, he said: “Nobody can Funsho Williams me and no one can take my life, no one can shed my blood and if anybody tries it, the Angel of the Lord will strike them before they come near me. I cannot be taken before my time, I am a peaceful person and I have not shed blood before.”
However, former Lagos State Governor and national leader of the APC, Senator Bola Tinubu, has accused the ruling PDP and Fani-Kayode, of playing tricks on the minds on Nigerians with distorted information.
Tinubu’s Special Adviser, Media, Sunday Dare, in a statement, said the PDP was making mistakes because it was not ready to accept the fact, and making mistakes in its allegations against the former Lagos governor.
“The PDP campaign continues its descent. This is to be expected. Because the truth stings them harshly, they have become a factory of lies. A few days ago, the agent of character assassination who doubles as the busy hatchet man of the PDP accused Tinubu of plotting to be vice-president then President through subterfuge.
“Clearly, he has exposed the confusion and contradiction within his party and has veered off from the real debate. But he cannot avoid the storm of change already unleashed by the APC.
“However, the only subterfuge involved in this entire episode, is that eating at Fani-Kayode’s mind. His mind is an agent of mayhem and a foreigner to facts. The last time we looked, the APC ticket was a Buhari/Osinbajo one. That is what is and that is what shall stand.
“Fani-Kayode is not as smart as he thinks. If you read between the lines of his hysteria you see another extreme sentiment: that of surging desperation. His statement indicates that even he now realises that his pay master has lost to Buhari/Osinbajo.
“The game is over. The whistle has blown. What the fantasy man seeks to do is change the game. He seeks to run against Tinubu in hopes the outcome will be better. Fani now grasps at straw in the night wind.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
As the general election approaches, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Olisa Agbakoba, has called on Nigerians to look beyond the elections and demand from their leaders what the future holds for them after May 29, when a new government would be formed or the present one continues.
He stated that it would be most unfortunate if, after the entire hullabaloo about elections and who leads the country, Nigeria remains the same with its political, socio-economical, religious and ethnic crises, adding that Nigerians (the electorate) should therefore ask their political leaders how the country would be run effectively.
“Nigerians will be disappointed if after May 29, we are still asking the same question since 1960,” he said.
The former NBA boss, who however hailed the All Progressives Congress (APC) for making the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) be on its toes, realising that it is no more the biggest party in Africa, told journalists at a press conference in Lagos at the weekend that the biggest challenge in the country was the weak political class.
He added that up till now, no political party had come up with a concrete plan on how to restructure Nigeria and present a blueprint on how to give the citizenry good governance, saying: “I have been trying very hard to understand what the issues are among the noise coming from both parties, till now, I have not heard any of them presenting issues, it just noise.
“However, I think one needs to give credit to APC for having managed to make PDP realise that it’s no more the largest party in Africa. So now there are choices which are important to allow the people validate or invoke power to install their leaders. But after taking over power, what next?”
Agbakoba said till now, no leader had answered the ‘Bola Ige’s immortal questions: ‘Do we really want to be in one country and how do we want to be in one country? He added: “If the PDP and APC leaders are not looking for answers to those posers or are not seeking ways to manage the Nigeria diversity, then they are not ready for leadership which Nigerians yean for.
“So looking forward to president who will they run the country efficiently is the biggest challenge we are facing now, because there is a reason we are going to vote; you are going to vote because you have expectations but we haven’t heard what those expectations are; these are very big issues, and I don’t think the media has helped in solving the matter anyway.
“There is a clutter and a cacophony of deafening noise coming from both parties but the issues are not clear. Unfortunately, the APC has refused to take part in the debate because it is crucial to have a debate to enable both candidates articulate their views. Nigeria’s dilemma is such that the fundamental question posed to both candidates is given the fact that Nigeria is structurally and defectively weak, what do you intend to do?”
While berating leaders for disorderliness, Agbakoba in a piece, ‘National Order and 2015 Agenda’ he co-authored with Willy Mamah, and made available to journalists stated that: “Absence of order is the direct lack of strong leadership. Unlike the rich man who took a decisive step to impose peace, Nigeria has been led by a turnover of leaders who seemed unperturbed by the urgency of the need for an order.
“The apathy of our leaders may not be unrelated to the fact that disorder seemed to have favoured narrow political calculation and establishment pattern of power and inequality.
“Nigeria’s human and material wealth ought to have provided a platform for peaceful cohabitation, but the reverse has been the case, because the priorities of those at the top are in stark contradiction with that of those at the bottom. Everything rises and falls on leadership.”
He further said in Nigerian politics, the failure to identify the correct configuration to sustain a strong political country and its diversity along linguistic, ethnic, religious lines which are major divisive elements is the major weakness of leadership. “It is the reason you have wars across the world. So if APC and PDP are not addressing how they intend to handle Nigeria’s diversity, then I think that is a major failure. We will simply have an electoral cycle number five since 1999 and it will now repeat itself, and in 2019, you will be here to ask the same question, the same situation would remain. Can’t you see how foolish we are unable to look back at our problems and present them to solve today’s problems?
As elections approach, the legal luminary urged “Nigerians to ask their leaders what future do they have for them, how are they are going to manage the resources to give the electorate good governance and take the country to a greater height.”
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday paid glowing tribute to the productive spiritual leadership which Pastor Enoch Adeboye continues to provide for members of his church and Christians in Nigeria.
This was contained in a congratulatory letter to the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) on the occasion of his 73rd birthday billed for today.
In a statement by the presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, Jonathan expressed his profound appreciation of the prayerful support which the clergy gives to the present administration.
“It gives me great pleasure to felicitate with you on the occasion of your 73rd birthday.
“Our administration and the Nigerian nation owe you a debt of gratitude for your prayerful support and the productive spiritual leadership you continue to provide, not just for the millions that constitute the membership of the RCCG across the world, but also for the entire body of Christ in Nigeria.
“On a personal level, I have left every meeting with you greatly strengthened and deeply inspired by your steadfast faith and commitment to the peace, stability, growth and development of our dear nation.
“I pray that Almighty God continues to imbue you with robust health and enduring fulfillment in the many more years of worthy service ahead of you,” Jonathan wrote in the congratulatory letter.
He wished Adeboye very happy birthday and fulfilled celebration.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu, has directed all PDP candidates as well as would-be government appointees under the party to prepare to go the extra mile to make huge sacrifices after the party’s victory in the coming general elections.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said in a statement on Sunday that all serving elected and appointed PDP government officials have also been directed to set the tempo for the new era by redoubling their efforts and making more sacrifices in reciprocation of the support by the people.
Also, the party expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their renewed solidarity and overwhelming support for President Goodluck Jonathan and other PDP candidates in the 2015 general elections, vowing to reciprocate by working harder, more than ever before, in ensuring more prudent management of resources at all levels.
“The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wishes to thank the Nigerian people for their renewed and overwhelming support for our party and our candidates in the 2015 general elections. We also appreciate the massive collective support given to our Presidential flag-bearer, President Goodluck Jonathan especially in the successes recorded in the fight against insurgency,” Metuh said.
He continued: “Indeed, it is heartwarming to note the faith, confidence and hope our people have renewed in us for a more prosperous tomorrow. We therefore state in the strongest possible terms that we will not let them down. This show of love and support by Nigerians brings out the best in us. We must reciprocate by making huge sacrifices and working harder, more than ever before to give our people the best.
“In this regard, our National Chairman, Ahmed Adamu Mu’azu has directed all PDP officials including state governors, federal and state legislators, ministers, commissioners, local government chairmen, councilors as well as all political heads of parastatals to be prepared to make sacrifices, which must be the face of PDP governance across board.
“We must make sacrifices that will strengthen our bond as a nation and rekindle the resilient spirit in our people for greater accomplishments. We must make sacrifices that will consolidate the gains already recorded in the transformation agenda of the PDP-led government in all sectors of the economy.
“We must make sacrifices that will guarantee a better tomorrow for our children and generation yet unborn, in keeping with the manifesto of our great party and the visions of our founding fathers,” the statement said.
The ruling party assured Nigerians that stringent measures would be put in place at all levels to plug loopholes, curb economic waste and eliminate corrupt practices in all sectors.
While restating its appreciation to Nigerians for their support, the PDP said it was always guided by the yearning and aspirations of the people and urged Nigerians to continue in their solidarity with its candidates and government at all levels.
“The PDP as a party believes in the people. We derive our power from the people. Indeed, all our policies and actions are always guided by their wishes and aspiration and not from the whims of a few individuals.
“It is on this note that we invite Nigerians from all walks of life to continue to join hands with us to achieve the Nigeria of our collective dream, which path has been well articulated in the manifesto and ideology of our great party,” the party said.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
ABUJA — The fuel crisis across the country worsened, weekend, as most of the petrol stations were shut down leaving motorists stranded.
This was in spite of claims by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, on Friday, that it is injecting about 688 million of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, into the market. Motorists had to resort to the black market, where roadside petrol sellers now sell the commodity for as high as N250 per litre.
However, the NNPC, yesterday, promised that it was working to ensure that the situation is addressed quickly and assured Nigerians that the fuel supply situation will improve in the coming days.
Responding to enquiries from Vanguard, spokesperson for the NNPC, Mr. Ohi Alegbe, said: “On Friday, we had stated that in 48 hours we will wet the market with 688 million litres of petrol. Distribution of products is by trucking. You will agree that it is some distance from the depots and tank farms in the south to the depots and retail outlets in the hinterland. Expectedly, the queues should disappear before long.”
Furthermore, Alegbe blamed the scarcity on panic buying by motorists and sharp practices by some retail outlets who are hoarding the commodity, thereby frustrating efforts to stem the scarcity. He said the NNPC had informed the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, of these sharp practices by some petrol stations’ owners for adequate sanctions against them.
He said: “Panic buying has persisted in spite of our appeal to motorists. Secondly, some retail outlets are hoarding the product by dispensing from only one pump head. We have reported some of them to the DPR and we believe appropriate sanctions will be meted out to them appropriately. Also, a source in the DPR disclosed that the scarcity currently being experienced in Abuja is as a result of panic buying and not because of non-availability of petrol.
According to the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, DPR officers in depots across the country and even in the FCT have been sending in reports of availability of the commodity at the various depots and liftings by trucks to various petrol stations. The source said: “The DPR had also had discussions with a number of petrol stations’ owners who told us that panic buying is responsible for the long queues.
“A particular owner of one of the petrol stations told us that he received a tanker load of fuel on Friday morning and is expecting to receive another consignment of the product before the end of the day. So, it is evident that the product is not scarce, just people buying the commodity out of fear of the unknown.”
In addition, the source urged motorists to avoid panic buying as there are large quantity of the products in depots across the country. In the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, almost all the petrol stations in Wuse, Maitama, Nyanya, Abuja-Keffi expressway, Asokoro, Jabi, Gwarinpa, Kubwa Expressway, Airport Road among others were closed while the few that were selling had long queues of motorists to contend with.
Some residents told Vanguard that they had to abandon their vehicles at home throughout the weekend, hoping to conserve the little fuel they had for their journey to their various offices during the week. Some of the respondents called on the Federal Government to intervene urgently and bring the situation under control, before it escalates.
Lagos
Fuel scarcity has also worsened in Lagos with long queues observed in filling stations in some parts of the city. Vanguard learnt that the situation was made worse by the agitation of independent marketers that the Federal Government needs to pay them the difference occasioned by the sudden reduction from N97 to N87 per litre. The marketers had claimed to have imported fuel earlier based on the N97 price and had expected to be reimbursed.
To make good their threat, they have resorted to hoarding the product, thereby creating artificial scarcity. Most filling stations now open at night and sell at N100 per litre. Techno, Oando and MRS filling stations on Ojodu-Abiodun Road, by Ojodu Berger area of Lagos were seen closed when Vanguard visited. Vehicles were parked along the road hoping to get the product, while the attendants refused to comment on the situation.
In Enugu
Residents of Enugu and its environs have also lamented the scarcity of petroleum product. A motorist, Mr. Amaechi Ukwuani, regretted that”the scarcity has led to a hike in pump price of fuel in the state. Some of the filing stations where the product is available sell between N110 and N115 against government price of N87.
“The operators have cashed in on the scarcity to alter the meter reading. The quantity of product they dispense per litre is less than what it ought to be. Apart from the alteration, the quality of the product is questionable too. The situation has led to hike in fares for inter-city and intra-city transport services.”
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
The Arewa Youth Integrity Forum (AYIF) has supported the allegation by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign organisation that the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, is critically ill and unfit to be president.
The group also corroborated allegations levelled against an APC leader, Bola Tinubu, accusing him of a secret plot to become president by signing a secret pact with the APC’s vice-presidential candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.
AYIF said in a statement signed its Coordinator, Ibrahim Abubakar, the northern youths have aligned themselves with the allegation that the fronting of Buhari by Tinubu and his cronies is an attempt to tactically move power to the South-west.
Ibrahim said it was obvious that Buhari might not be strong enough to survive the four years of presidency.
“The alliance between Tinubu and Olusegun Obasanjo is similar to what happened in 2006 when the North was tactically denied the presidency by handing it to a man that was ill, Umaru Musa Yar A’dua who died to bequeath the seat to another southerner.
“We strongly believe this to be another scheme by the Tinubu/Obasanjo alliance which does not like the North, to deny the region of the presidency. It smacks of the same scheme employed by Obasanjo in 2006, when he presented an ill Yar’Adua as the North’s candidate amidst many healthy and vibrant aspirants knowing full well that the latter’s health condition would not allow for him to live through the tenure. We strongly refuse this tactic in 2015.”
While praying for Buhari’s recovery, Ibrahim called on all well-meaning Nigerians to queue behind President Goodluck Jonathan in his re-election bid. This, according to him, would ensure that power returns to the North after four years.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
ABUJA—Pressure mounted, weekend, on the presidency not to compel Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega to proceed on pre-retirement leave as reportedly being canvassed by some concerned stakeholders in the polity.
The anti-Jega forces had been pushing the presidency to remove the chairman from office, a move that was last night described as dangerous by notable lawyers. The pressure came in the face of heightened tension in the commission over the alleged moves. The chairman’s five-year term comes to an end on June 30 and though he is qualified for re-appointment, the chances of such have become remote given recent allegations of bias against the chairman by campaign officials of President Goodluck Jonathan.
The mood at the headquarters of INEC, weekend, was that of resignation to fate, as most of the officials, adopted a ‘wait-and-see’ disposition over Jega’s fate following claims of surreptitious moves to force the chairman out of office ahead of the first of the national elections on March 28.
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega
A top official of the commission told Vanguard, yesterday that they were still working with the hope that the elections would hold as rescheduled and that the chairman would be allowed to conduct it before going in June.
The tension followed claims by the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senate caucus of the discovery of a plot by the presidency to send Jega on pre-retirement leave as a way of clearing the way for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to emerge victorious in the forthcoming national elections.
PDP officials had in recent times kicked against the insistence of the commission to use the card reader and the Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs.
Among those who spoke against the alleged move to send Jega on pre-retirement leave were Prof. Itse Sagay, SAN, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, Chief Olisa Agbokoba, SAN, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN and Prince Orji Nwafor-Orizu. Chief Fredrick Fasheun, who is also a supporter of the second term aspiration of the president, also opposed any premature exit of Jega.
Constitutional lawyer, Professor Itse Sagay said that any attempt to remove Jega from office through what he called “political retirement” would set the country on fire.
In a telephone interview with Vanguard, Sagay said the INEC chairman cannot be removed from office at this time under the pretence of retirement on two grounds.
He said: “The appointment of Jega as INEC boss was ratified by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and his removal under the law must be ratified by two-third majority of the Senate.”
Besides, he opined that the appointment is political and that he is as such “not a typical civil servant who is expected to proceed on leave after spending 35 years in service or attained the mandatory retirement age. So any attempt to force him out of office through political means is an attempt to set the country on fire.”
Falana
Falana, on his part, said: “Prof. Jega is on leave of absence from the Bayero University. He won’t be due to retire until the age of 70. That is when he would go on terminal leave. He is on a five-year renewable tenure. His first term ends on June 30, 2015 and the appointment enjoys constitutional flavour.
“It is not at the pleasure of the president to remove him or send him on a compulsory leave. The president has to seek and obtain the approval of two-thirds majority of the Senators pursuant to Sections 157 of the Constitution. Assuming but not conceding that he has to proceed on terminal leave, that cannot happen before April 2015.”
Ozekhome
“The chairman is not a career civil servant. However, only the President can sack him with the consent of the Senate. A similar thing was done in the case of Lamido Sanusi, who was suspended. I do not believe that he should proceed on terminal leave like a core civil servant. If he were to be dismissed, the National Assembly needs to be consented the same way his appointment was done.
“The Senate also has the right to reject the removal. The constitution involved the Senate in that kind of issue to prevent any arm of government from being too powerful. It is a constitutional stipulation that ensures balance of power. In contemplating sending him on terminal leave, the moral and ethical angle should also be considered. The elections are around the corner. So any attempt at removing him will not augur well for our democracy.”
Agbakoba
In his reaction, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Chief Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) said removing the chairman of INEC will not be good for nation’s polity.
Speaking with Vanguard, yesterday, Agbakoba said: “I know that it will be a big mistake to remove Jega unless he decides to resign. If you remove, there is a perception that there is something wrong. Jega’s tenure is almost ending, wisdom suggests to me that the best thing is to let him conduct the elections. We have to have confidence in the way the electorate will vote. The perception of removing him (Jega) will not be good for our polity.”
Nwafor-Orizu
Asserting that Jega cannot be disciplined except under extant laws, Nwafor- Orizu an, Abuja based constitutional lawyer said: “No, the INEC chairman is not a civil servant, and the Constitution by Section 158 is specific that INEC should not be subject to the direction of any other authority or person.
“To understand the constitutional meaning, one needs to examine the opening sentence of section 158 which is clear that disciplinary control of INEC cannot be directed by the civil service rules or even the president of Nigeria.”
Nwafor-Orizu further contended that compelling Jega to go on leave and he refusing could cause a constitutional jam as the INEC chairman under the constitution does not have a supervisor to discipline him.
He should be allowed to conduct polls —Fasheun
On his part, founder of the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, Dr Fredrick Fasheun said the INEC chairman should be allowed to conduct the general elections.
Fasheun said: “Why does anyone want to remove him? It is not acceptable. He should be allowed to conduct the elections.”
The gloom in the commission heightened at the weekend following suspicions that the Presidency had concluded moves to remove the Chairman of the electoral body, Prof Attahiru Jega, and replace him with a ‘more friendly and amenable’ hand to do its bidding to prevent the opposition from coasting home with victory.
Although President Jonathan had initially denied the claim that he was shopping for Jega’s successor, hordes of his foot soldiers have insisted that the professor of political science must be replaced for insisting on using card readers and permanent voter cards for the polls, a development, they claim, would likely disenfranchise their supporters.
To prove their opposition to Jega’s stance on the use of PVCs and card readers for the polls, many pro-Jonathan groups and friends have filed suits asking the courts to disallow the use of the facilities.
The groups had waited patiently for the postponement of the elections last month, to challenge Jega and INEC.
While Nigerians had taken Jonathan by his words that he was not planning to force Jega to proceed on pre-retirement leave, opposition Senators raised the alarm last week, alleging that they had credible information that the Presidency had concluded plans to remove the INEC boss to pave the way for the enthronement of a crony to its bidding.
According to the Senators, the pre-terminal leave letter would come from either the office of the Head of Service of the Federation, OHSoF or that of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, OSGF.
We dont’t have Jega’s sack letter — OHSoF
But findings by Vanguard revealed that the OHSoF was not in possession of the said letter as at the close of work last Friday.
When Vanguard inquired about the said letter, senior officers in the OHSoF denied knowledge of the said document, claiming that it was news to them, as the INEC boss was not reporting to that office.
One of the sources in the OHSoF described the link between Jega’s alleged pre-terminal leave letter to the OHSoF as shocking since according to them, “the distinguished senators are supposed to know that the office does not deal with political appointees like Jega but with core civil servants”.
Meanwhile, the mood at the Headquarters of the INEC, was that of resignation to fate, as most of the officials, adopted a ‘wait-and-see’ disposition over Jega’s fate following the APC Senators’ allegation and mounting attacks on him by supporters of the President.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
ABUJA — Worried by the rising figures of awaiting trial inmates in various prison facilities across the federation, Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, has asked magistrates to stop imposing stringent bail conditions on accused persons involved in minor offences.
Time for sports for the inmates
The CJN, who gave the directive when the national executives of the Magistrates Association of Nigeria, led by its acting National President, Chief Magistrate Victoria Isiguzo, paid him and 15 other Justices of the Supreme Court a courtesy visit during the weekend, said some magistrates were to be blamed for the level of congestion in the prisons.
He said it was regrettable that minor offenders are sometimes ordered to meet harsh and untenable bail terms, even as he stressed that the essence of bail is not to punish an accused person but to secure his attendance to appear in court for trial.
Besides, the CJN noted that a large number of persons are detained without charge while others are detained pending further investigation.
He further decried that people are sometimes detained on the basis of a First Information Report, FIR, which he said upon examination, may operate as holding charge while the prosecutor seeks more evidence to back up his trial.
Mahmud described the practice as unjust, noting that in most of the cases, suspects who are yet to be declared guilty by a competent court, often find themselves incarcerated.
He, therefore, called on magistrates to stop indulging the police by admitting to bail a suspect whose case the police are not ready to prosecute.
According to the CJN, “a corollary to this is the imposition of such bail terms which an accused has no real hope of meeting. I wish to use this medium to counsel magistrates to judiciously and carefully exercise their discretion to remand and consider alternatives to detention where possible, and to set reasonable bail terms as appropriate.”
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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