Stop Using Illegality To Ratify Illegality; Group Tells Campaign for Democracy

Prince Goodluck Obi

The National Centre for Human Rights (NCHR) has called on the general public to disregard the purported and fraudulent Campaign for Democracy Convention illegally held at the residence of Late Chief MKO Abiola in Ikeja, Lagos.

In a press release by NCHR Publicity Secretary, Charles Nwokedi, he said that Chief MKO Abiola was never part of illegality and character assassination when he was alive and would not have hosted nor allow his revered residence to be used as a meeting place for dastard acts by shenanigans and fraudulent elements masquerading as activists were he to be alive.  

“In her initial publications, the Campaign for Democracy claimed 3-man disciplinary committee purportedly expelled Prince Goodluck Obi whereas the latest communique is claiming 5-man disciplinary panel, where is the integrity of the Campaign for Democracy? Is this not a Kangaroo Convention to tarnish the goodwill and reputation of Prince Goodluck Obi, the Group asked.  

“We wondered why Prince Goodluck Obi’s allegations against the Campaign for Democracy became reckless and unconstitutional while theirs; despite illegal gathering, becomes constitutional?” the group said. 

“From all indications, the Campaign for Democracy (CD) felt threatened by Prince Obi's resourceful, selfless and purposeful Centre for Civil Society and Justice (CCSJ) prominence and activities hence, their machinations to dent his reputation as being ousted from office as the National General Secretary.

The Group called on the general public to ignore the purported Convention and ratification of the illegal and baseless expulsion of Prince Obi because he has every right to be a member of any Organisation including the Campaign for Democracy even though it is not registered with Corporate Affairs Commission.

Charles, who is also a bonafide member of the Campaign for Democracy said that the authentic Convention of CD will hold this week and decision of the omnipotent Congress would be circulated widely for public consumption.

My Expulsion As National General Secretary Of Campaign For Democracy Is Unconstitutionally – Comrade Goodluck Obi

The National Secretary of the Campaign for Democracy (CD), Comrade Prince Goodluck Obi has discredited his expulsion by the so called NEC of Campaign for Democracy (CD).

In a press release made available to the media on Monday evening in Lagos, Prince Obi said that “to expose the illegality and unconstitutionality of the so called NEC and its purported expulsion, according to Section 10 of the Campaign for Democracy (CD) constitution on the issue of discipline of any officer or member, “The National Executive Council shall appoint on an ad-hoc basis 5 members to the disciplinary committee”. Therefore, we want to ask, from which section of the CD constitution did the setting up of a 3 member disciplinary committee emanate by the so called NEC?”

Prince Obi further reiterated by saying “that the Campaign for Democracy (CD), being the foremost civil society organization in Nigeria remains irrevocably committed to its ideals for a better society and will not be distracted by the illegal and unconstitutional activities of some misguided elements who will face appropriate disciplinary actions for bringing the name of our esteemed organization to disrepute”.

Excerpt is the full text of the press release:

RESPONSE TO THE PURPORTED ILLEGAL AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL EXPULSION OF COMRADE PRINCE GOODLUCK OBI, THE NATIONAL GENERAL SECRETARY OF CAMPAIGN FOR DEMOCRACY BY SO-CALLED NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (NEC) OF CD

My attention has been drawn to a report in a section of the social media claiming that a so called NEC of Campaign for Democracy (CD), after a purported illegal and unconstitutional meeting, had taken a decision to expel me ‘from the group’ ostensibly over some alleged anti- CD activities. In the report, I was alleged to be openly drumming support for the policies of the ruling government while wearing a Buhari-branded T-Shirt armed with a megaphone, among other spurious and fabricated allegations. Let me hasten to say without fear or favour that as a Nigerian, my rights to hold political and religious opinions and views are enshrined and guaranteed by the1999 Nigerian Constitution, which is the Ground norm within the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is also pertinent to reiterate that being a member of Campaign for Democracy (CD) and indeed the National General Secretary for that matter, does not exclude me from enjoying membership of other non-governmental groups of my choice voluntarily. Therefore, since the alleged cited activities were conducted on the platform of Centre for Civil Society and Justice (CCSJ), a civil society organization and not Campaign for Democracy (CD) nor representing it, it would amount to an infringement of the provisions of the 1999 constitution for the so called NEC of Campaign for Democracy (CD) to attempt to regiment its members’ political or religious affiliation and thereby encroaching on their fundamental rights. Secondly, the claim that I was invited three times to defend the allegations is not only false and malicious, but a reflection of the despicable desperation of both the principal and agents of this charade to remove me from office by any means necessary. I say it without any fear of contradiction that no form of invitation was sent to me by anyone. It therefore follows that the purported social media trial and expulsion in the imagination of these shenanigans, is a violation of the integrity of Campaign for Democracy (CD) because it did not follow due process and so is seriously bereft of any iota of credibility and an exercise in futility. To expose the illegality and unconstitutionality of the so called NEC and its purported expulsion, according to Section 10 of the Campaign for Democracy (CD) constitution on the issue of discipline of any officer or member, “The National Executive Council shall appoint on an ad-hoc basis 5 members to the disciplinary committee”. Therefore, we want to ask, from which section of the CD constitution did the setting up of a 3 member disciplinary committee emanate by the so called NEC? Again, in the same Section 10:2 of the CD constitution, it states “Provided that in the case of expulsion of a member or removal of an elected officer from office, only the Convention at the appropriate time shall have power to take such a decision”. Again, we ask where did the so called NEC derive the powers to embark on this illegality in view of the fact that CD has a subsisting constitution. Painfully, it is worrisome that some irresponsible characters can drag the dignified name and image of a reputable organization like the Campaign for Democracy (CD) into public opprobrium on the altar of interest by not observing due process and constitutionalism, what a shame! Comrade Prince Goodluck Obi remains a bonafide member of CD and is currently the National General Secretary of the organization; anything to the contrary should be ignored by all CD members and the general public. It must be stated clearly that this latest attack is a series out of many sinister plot being orchestrated by some discredited individuals and interests who benefitted from the previous political order, but are disgruntled by the lack of patronage owing to the change of government at the Federal level. Let it be placed on record, that the Campaign for Democracy (CD), being the foremost civil society organization in Nigeria remains irrevocably committed to its ideals for a better society and will not be distracted by the illegal and unconstitutional activities of some misguided elements who will face appropriate disciplinary actions for bringing the name of our esteemed organization to disrepute.
Thanks.

Yours Sincerely,

Comrade Prince Goodluck Obi,
National General Secretary.

Stop Running Evil Campaign of Calumny Against Buhari – Yoruba Youths Warns Fani-Kayode

Yoruba youths, under the aegis of Concerned O'oduwa Progressive Youth Assembly, COPYA, have strongly warned a former Minister Of Aviation, Femi Fani Kayode over his constant medial attacks on the President Muhammadu-led administration.

The group said the verbal attacks on the presidency by Fani-Kayode, a chieftain of the PDP does not show that he is a true Yoruba native.

FFK, as Fani is fondly called had in the recent times attacked President Buhari on his health, saying that the president might not return from his medical trip abroad.

Addressing newsmen in Lagos on Thursday, the national coordinator of COPYA, Kola Salawu, warned the former minister against making inciting comments that could heat up polity.

Salawu said, “We will specifically address the activities of one Femi Fani-Kayode also known as FFK. You might have known him as the former Minister of Aviation that is currently scurrying from one court to another over cases of graft brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

“The alleged crimes date as far back as when he was in office as an appointee of the People's Democratic Party (PDP). He is someone who had the benefit of being in office courtesy of a political party which blatantly stated that “stealing is not corruption”.

“And it is on record, judging from the avalanche and plethora of cases hanging on his neck like an albatross that, he might have used his slot in government without servicing the Yoruba interest but on his’.

“Curiously, the same FFK is today constituting an obstacle to the Yoruba in the Federal Executive Council and those appointed into other positions of responsibilities by President Muhammadu Buhari. He is running an evil campaign of calumny and blackmail against the President and we think this is in the hope that he can drive a wedge between President Buhari and the Yoruba in his cabinet so that they can be shoved aside.

“This is likely FFK's own way of ensuring he is regarded as a Yoruba voice after having turned the Federal Government against leaders in the region.

“This Assembly wanted to snub him by keeping quiet all this while that he wittingly made it a pastime to insult the government and denigrate persons of other ethnic extraction in the hope that our brothers and sisters from the other ethnic groups would understand not to set stock in his ranting. We expected people would learn to disregard his verbal venom as the product of a man suffering violent withdrawal symptoms from an addiction to living off public funds having been brought up on tax-payers' money by a father who was part of government.

“Femi Fani-Kayode has however taken the proverbial sacrifice far beyond the indicated road junction in his recent call on the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo to take over government from President Muhammadu Buhari. FFK has backup vocalists in this demented call that has no place in the constitution. It is nothing short of a ploy to pitch the Yoruba in government, led by Vice President Osinbajo, against other ethnic groups in the country.,” the statement said.

Salawu warned Fani-Kayode to stop distracting the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo by raising unnecessary issues over the letter written to the national assembly by president Buhari.

The statement further read, “We are therefore warning that FFK and his likes are distracting the Acting President who assiduously goes about his duties as assigned to him by his boss, President Buhari. The recent issues raised by FFK in his incoherent response to a constitutional issue as regards President Buhari's letter, which was transmitted to the National Assembly, is clearly to cast the Vice President, who is now the Acting President, as a desperate person. This is grossly condemnable.

“This is not who the Yoruba is. The Yoruba man will never engage in the kind of treachery that FFK and his supporters are contemplating. We count President Buhari fortunate in this regard that he did not populate his cabinet with traitors, which means FFK or anyone with such intention would never find a willing person to do what they have in mind, which is someone to backstab the president. It is not who we are. And we cannot change our sterling qualities at this point.

“This by no means imply that the poison constituted by FFK should not be neutralized. It is important that the South-West see him for who he is. The action of people like FFK pitched a certain population of the country against All Progressives Congress (APC) Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who is reverend as a political ally of the President, but FFK through his unsolicited actions have continued to unsuccessfully paint the Jagaban in bad light.”

The group further urged Osinbajo not to be carried away by the ethnic drums being beaten by Fani-Kayode and his likes knowing well that such characters are alone in this endeavour.

“The Acting President must not heed the call for war being chorused by this rubble and must not allow himself to be dragged into dirty politics at the detriment of his spiritual and professional calling as an accomplished Nigerian before venturing into politics.

“If FFK truly has the interest of the Yoruba race at heart, he should immediately declare a ceasefire on issues pertaining to the President's health and surrender to the supremacy of Tinubu as the leader of the Yoruba nation as far as Nigerian politics is concerned. He has unequivocally demanded a ceasefire from all peace-loving Yoruba sons and daughters in the media and holding other assets of propaganda.

“We demand that Femi Fani-Kayode and his likes immediately withdraw the call for war in the interest of the country's peace and unity.”

Buhari’s Letter: Creating A Constitutional Crisis Where There Is None

By Faeren Kuanum Terrence 

The wordings of the letter conveying President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to travel to the UK for medical treatment has sparked a controversy.

From fears that the president may sneak out of the country without informing the National Assembly, the emanating issue after the president has observed all the processes for him to proceed on the medical vacation including transmitting a letter to the National Assembly as well as informing the citizenry has transmuted into a hullabaloo on the literal meaning of a certain phrase in the letter.

The angst has to do with the aspect of the letter which says the vice president will coordinate the activities of the government while the president is away.

And for this, all manners of interpretations have emerged to the extent that some have called on the President to resign saying he has by that comment breached the Nigerian Constitution and (you won’t believe this) annulled the office of the Vice President.

Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, a lawyer, even suggested that the use of the phrase constitutes immense damage to the Constitution and requires a no less drastic measure as commencing impeachment proceedings against the president for the infraction to be addressed.‎

He says this is because the function of a coordinator of government activities does not equal that of an acting president in that the former is a person of equal status with others, do cannot make appointments or sack anybody while the President is away, cannot discipline any erring minister, is limited in policy decisions, and “has no power of control over the ‘Cabal’ to whom the president has handed over power, albeit illegally.”

“In all, he says, “the National Assembly should commence impeachment proceedings against the President for gross misconduct.”

But the lawyer, to paraphrase a Bible passage, can be said to be exhibiting zeal without adequate knowledge on the subject matter.

A careful and disinterested look at the letter would reveal both the zeal and lack of depth to the interpretation given.

This is what the letter says, ” In compliance with Section 145 (1) of the 1999 Constitution  (as amended) I wish to inform the Distinguished Senate that I will be away for a scheduled medical follow-up with my doctors in London. The length of my stay will be determined by the doctor’s advice.  While I am away,  the Vice President will coordinate the activities of the Government.”

We can see clearly that even from the opening phrase of the letter, the President makes no pretense about his resolve to abide by Constitutional provisions and had even made the point that his actions are guided strictly by that provision.

If the President had intended to be dubious, nebulous or evasive as is being insinuated in the message he intended to convey, he would have known better than to make the Constitution his guide and would have completely left out constitutional provisions in the letter since he is not in any way compelled to do so.

It is amazing how a clear matter-of – fact case of respect for the rule of law is now being twisted to look otherwise just to score a political point.

Sections 145 which the president cited states thus:  ‘Whenever the President is proceeding on vacation or is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office, he shall transmit a written declaration to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to that effect, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, the Vice President SHALL perform the functions of the President as Acting President.’‎

The phrase which caused the uproar should therefore not have done so as the writer of the letter had made it clear where he derives his powers from to so act and even if he by default goes ahead to say anything to the contrary he should simply have been ignored as he cannot approbate and reprobate at the same time.

But that is not even the case here as the constitutional provision which the president relied on to go on medical provision cannot be exercised in part. So, for anybody to input meaning that goes against the spirit and wording of the letter is outright mischievous.

Even if one agrees without conceding that the President had not expressly stated that the vice president should step forth and run the affairs of the country as ‘acting president’, how does that amount to a declaration that the office of the vice president is no more?

The farthest this line of argument would have been stretched was to have said that he continues in his role ‎as vice even in the absence of the president,  the added non existent  implication is therefore puerile and without legal basis.‎

This leads to the issue of calling on the National Assembly to commence impeachment proceeding on the president for alleged gross misconduct.

The truth is that while the interpretation of gross misconduct is inelastic, the framers of the Constitution did not intend it as a joke or a tool for use by mischief makers like Adegboruwa and his cohorts want to have us believe .

‘Gross’ as the word connotes here is the qualifier that magnifies the misdeed to the proportion intended by the framers of the Constitution which does not exist here. And in this case, even if the letter could be said to have shied away from addressing the VP as acting president, pray, where is the gross misconduct here?

The mere transmission of a letter to the National Assembly to intimate it of the president’s intention to travel and the recourse to a constitutional provision in the same letter, is enough proof that the president respects the Constitution and is well aware of the demand when he is not available.

If any one was in doubt, the best thing to have done was to have cross checked the wording of the section of the Constitution cited and hold the President to account on that basis if and when he goes against that provision.

Looking for loopholes in areas where the weight of the law would suffice is like saying that the letter by the president carries more weight  than the Constitution.

But every lawyer knows that even where there is that intent and such comes into conflict with the grund norm,  it is the Constitution that holds sway.

It is therefore assumed that by citing section 145, the president has done the appropriate thing which in this case is the recognition of the vice president as the acting president so the issue of whether he can sack or appoint anybody does not arise. He needs not sack anyone except some people are planning  to sack members of the Federal Executive Council to perfect another sinister agenda. 

If a president dies for example, it does not matter whether he stated when he was alive that the vice president should take over from him or not as the Constitution has made that explicitly clear who should take over

 The same applies to the current situation where the President has to be away. One wonders what the hoopla is all about then.‎

At this juncture, one can assure all concerned that there is no constitutional crisis in the country.  It is those that are out to make political capital out of the current situation that are seeing a constitutional crisis when there is none.

So the call on the National Assembly to reject the President’s letter does not arise. If anything, it would even create more chaos than the storm in a tea cup interest the letter is generating now because if that happens, it would be assumed that the President had travelled and left the country without transmitting a letter to the national Assembly which will set the tone for a constitutional crisis the end of which no one can tell.

Kuanum is a forensic expert and assessor with the Global Amnesty Watch Foundation, contributed this piece from Lagos.

Remaining Chibok Girls, Other Captives Will Be Freed Soon – Army Assures Nigerians

The Nigerian Army has once again assured Nigerians and the international community that it would not relent on its oars until the remaining abducted Chibok girls and other Nigerians held captive by Boko Haram insurgents are rescued.

According to the army, the Nigerian troops have been sweating it out in the battle field to restore peace and sanity to the nation, especially the crisis-ridden north eastern region.

Recall that 82 of the abducted school girls were released to the Federal Government few days ago amid excitement.

The army gave this assurance while addressing a rally organized by Africa Arise for Change Network in conjunction with FCT Market Women Association in Abuja to mark the release of the Chibok girls on Wednesday.

Addressing the mammoth crowd of celebrants on behalf of the army at the Army Headquarters Garrison, Abuja, Lt Col Adamu Usman, promised that the Nigerian military will do all within its powers to ensure that every Nigerian being held in captivity is released and allowed to join their families to continue their normal life in the society. 

He particularly thanked the women, Nigerian media as well as civil societies for their support and prayers for the military and promised to present the peaceful flag received from the women to the appropriate quarters.

“The Nigerian Army is happy with the safe return of the girls. It is not over until is over. We want to assure Nigerians that the army and the Nigerian government wont relent until this battle is won,” he said. 

Speaking earlier, Princess Lillian Cosmos, FCT Coordinator, Africa Arise for Change Network commended President Buhari for keeping to his promise and facilitating the freedom of the girls after three years.

Cosmos urged the Nigerian government and the army to fight hard so the remaining girls and other Nigerian held captive by the insurgent regain their freedom.

She said,  “The large number of persons present at this rally today is proof that we are all elated at the joy of freedom for the latest batch of Chibok Girls to be freed from captivity. As would be expected, the large multitude here today is dominated by mothers. 

“These are mothers in the true sense because they joined this rally all the way from Nyanya to this point in Abacha Barracks in solidarity with mothers that have endured over three years without their children. 

“The release of the Chibok Girls might appear to have delayed but we take cognizance of the fact that all hopes were lost in the months after their abduction until the coming of President Muhammadu Buhari's administration. We therefore commend President Buhari for keeping to his promise. We also use this opportunity to thank the military for pushing the terrorists to a point where a prisoner swap was possible.

  

“We however want to appeal to the federal government not to relent on efforts to bring home the remaining girls and any other person still being held hostage by the terrorists. No one deserves to remain with those killers one minute longer than necessary.  

“The military must be further empowered to wipe out the remnant of Boko Haram in the northeast of the country and anywhere they might be as we must all exhibit zero tolerance for the reprehensible acts they are guilty of.

“It is on this note that we present this special commendation white flag symbolizing peace and the end of Boko Haram to the military leadership for onward transmission to President Buhari."

President Buhari Deserves Second Term - Kabiru Haruna

Alh. Kabiru Haruna, the CEO Shara Homes has said that if President Buhari can achieve all these and many more in less than 2 years:
- Dredging of River Niger at a very low cost;
-Repaired the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja;
- Continuous construction of Second Niger Bridge and Enugu PH Express Ways;
- Construction of thousands Kilometres of roads across the country
- Defeating Boko Haram;
- Boost Agricultural through massive interventions after 40 years of abandonment;
- Increasing Foreign Reserve and ECA;
- Revived the Rail system;
- Initiation of N-Power scheme with initial N500billion as kick start;
-Treasury Single Account  which has saved the Nation trillion of Naira;
- Conversion of FERMA to a company capable of employing close to 50,000 personnel;
- Thieves abandoning their loot and running away among other, Nigerians may rally and call for him to go for 2nd term after 2019.


Alh. Kabiru Haruna who briefly spokes to Journalists on Monday in Abuja said what has been destroyed for so many years can't be fixed in just two years.

"Remember that past administration has ruled for almost 17 years before the President Buhari took over governance. The Buhari's agenda is people's oriented and it must take a process to get the people to fit into the change mantra of President Buhari, Haruna said.

It will be recalled that he had earlier called on Nigerian politicians to pray for President Buhari's speedy recovery and success in office.

Pray For President Buhari’s Speedy Recovery; Alh. Kabiru Haruna, Urges Nigerians

Alh. Kabiru Haruna

The Chief Executive Officer, Saraha Homes Ltd, Alh. Kabiru Haruna has called on Nigerians to pray for President Buhari for speedy recovery and sound health.

In an interview with reporters in Abuja, he said” I wish President Muhammad Buhari speedy recovery.

He further said that Nigeria belongs to all of us and it is our responsibility to always pray for our leaders.

“President Buhari is a father, grandfather, a brother, an uncle to us all and as a nation! It is our responsibility to pray for our President.

“Whatever happens to President Buhari happens to us as a nation, so my fellow Nigerians; let’s pray for our President, Haruna said.

Makarfi PDP Faction As The Real Terror Group

By Richard Murphy

It takes morbid callousness or an unrivalled level of ignorance or a combination of both to attempt the stunt by a faction of the troubled People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in its reaction to the release of 82 of the abducted Chibok girls.

A statement credited to the spokesperson for the Ahmed Makarfi PDP faction, Dayo Adeyeye, apparently has issues with the swapping of the some Boko Haram prisoners for the girls.

Assessed on the template of beer parlour debate, the PDP faction has some points going for it. It contended that it is against the international principle of never negotiating with terrorists, would embolden Boko Haram to extract more concessions from the Federal Government and would encourage the terrorists to carry out more abductions. It is also worried that the released prisoners would be back in terrorists camps to possibly stage more attacks or worse still they would be free to roam the streets and recruit more fighters. Added to these, the faction of PDP somehow developed the empathy to articulate how the release of these 82 girls would affect the families whose members are still in captivity.

These arguments however fall flat once taken away from the realm of drinking joints where the average right thinking person is able to humanly and humanely look at issues without the benefit of confounding fumes. The situation at hand requires the clearest of thinking to appreciate what has happened with the benefit of foresight and hindsight and not just responding out of reflex.

That is what is expected of all rational Nigerians at this moment as only such appreciation would have made the greatest critics of the Nigerian Federal Government to commend the release of the girls without bothering about the cost at which their freedom was secured.

The Bring Back Our Girls Group (BBOG) which has been at the forefront of demanding action from the government on the girls’ release was ecstatic at the news that 82 girls have been freed. The group was elated six months ago when the first batch of 21 girls were released and judging from its reaction its appreciation was four-folds for the second batch of 82 girls.

Even the usually antagonistic Amnesty International (AI) which saw nothing good about the monumental efforts of our gallant troops to redeem the country from terrorists, had positive things to say about the release of the girls. Where the safety and freedom of the abducted girls is concerned, swapping ten terrorists in detention for one girl is justifiable as the country would have saved one person from a harsh fate by so doing. That said, the claim of this factional PDP must be addressed so that it does not continue to have the misplaced impression that it can ride on a wave of populism to worm its way back into public acceptance on the wrong premise.
Unfortunately, the PDP was trying to create unnecessary fear over the tendency for terrorists’ to re-offend upon being freed, recidivism. The faction however failed to point out that terrorists that re-offend are most likely to get killed when they return to a life of crime. This is not counting the fact that those likely to succumb to recidivism constitute a fraction of those that regain freedom. Re-offending is also not limited to terrorists, other criminals re-offend too. And now that the PDP has drawn our attention to it, another chance to this gang of politicians will see them re-offend by again looting the country and providing inept leadership.

Suddenly the PDP, which committed its years in power to creating the hydra-headed Boko Haram is now aware of international principles. It is now enlightened to the point of knowing that it is not globally acceptable to negotiate with terrorists.

The claim in this regard is ridiculous because it was the PDP, in the era of Alex Badeh as Chief of Defence Staff, that was busy declaring ceasefires each time it was supposed to strike a final blow against the terrorists. It was the PDP that employed the tired cliché of order from above to free the earliest Boko Haram suspects at a time when there were no civilian hostages to be freed. It was the PDP that paid huge amounts to terrorists for failed ceasefires only for Boko Haram to use the funds to procure sophisticated weapons. Someone must therefore tell the PDP that this swap is not the same as the charade that went on in their own time.

It is exceedingly naïve to tout the concept of not negotiating with terrorists without recognizing the trade-offs. Countries that do not negotiate with terrorists tend to exterminate the captives with their captors. The PDP wants the government to pulverize the abducted girls with the Boko Haram captors! The girls were taken under PDP’s watch and they never thought to murder them at that time but they now want another government to have the blood of the innocent on its hands.

These desperadoes must ask themselves probing questions and answer sincerely. They should ask if the APC government has not demonstrated that governance is about the people no matter how mad they chose to be in a democracy? How many Nigerians initially held hostage by the terrorists from the PDP era have been freed today? The latter question has to do with deliberate omission by the PDP in its statement to recognize that there are other hostages that do not have the Chibok Girls’ celebrity status, who have been freed through government intervention.

As for the families that will be traumatized seeing other girls returned when theirs are still in captivity, the PDP faction should have seen this as another opportunity at great reflection at the damage they inflicted, not just on the grieving families but on the entire nation. Their years of misrule and kleptocracy was the catalyst for the poverty that became the precursor for the growth of extremism and subsequently terrorism. The faction should visit these families and apologize for everything it failed to do while in power and the one it did wrong.

The factional PDP disagreement with negotiating to secure the release of the abducted girl is noted but should be taken with a pinch of salt. One must however wonder if this stance would be the case had the girls languishing in Boko Haram captivity were the children of those in that faction. It is one thing to reject an option; in this case negotiating the girls’ freedom, it is another thing to come up with viable alternatives to what is being rejected.

Since negotiating or swapping Boko Haram prisoners is not acceptable, what other options is the PDP giving us? It has none. This is sad. Could the be so bereft of ideas to this extent?

By trying to blackmail the government to leave the Chibok Girls in Boko Haram’s camps the Makarfi PDP faction has proven it is desirous of continuing to terrorize Nigerians. It is the only incentive it could have for trying to keep the girls imprisoned. In the last part of its 16 years of misrule, the then President Goodluck Jonathan admitted that Boko Haram were part of his cabinet, which also means they are in his political party, the PDP. Now that the end game for the terror group is near, its political face is manifesting in the form of the Markafi PDP faction. It is the real terror group.

Murphy is a security expert and contributed this piece from Cotbus, Germany.

Lawyers Pass Vote Of Confidence On President Buhari, Vows To Counter Protests

A group of legal practitioners, Lawyers Network for Better Nigeria has passed a vote of confidence on the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari on its resolve to reposition Nigeria on the part of greatness.

The group also described as diversionary the call by some Nigerians on the President to resign or address the nation on the state of his health on or before May 29, vowed to resist any action capable of breaching the peace in the country.

In a statement signed by Adedotun Akintola-Idowu and Tersagh Upande, chairman and secretary of the group, regretted that despite strides made under two years of the Buhari administration, some self-seeking persons were trying to explore the health of the President as if they are themselves immune to illness.

“President Muhammad Buhari has demonstrated loads of good intentions in his service to the nation for the past two years. We therefore, consider as fallacious and faulty the argument canvassed in the media that the health status of the number one citizen of Nigeria is being shrouded in secrecy by an imaginary ‘cabal’ in Aso Villa”.

The statement further explained that the minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed had stated at a point that the President will have to rest and operate from home but some persons are bent on creating confusion where ordinarily it should not exist.

” In recent weeks, many Nigerians have gone to town whipping sentiments in their characteristic manner that our indefatigable President Muhammad Buhari, GCFR is in the worse state of health and thus incapable of exercising the executive powers conferred on him by section 5 (1) (a) and (b) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). We wish to state clearly that such line of cheap blackmail against a man whom many have described as biblical Moses on a mission to lead Nigeria to the promised land is unnecessary, callous and any if development.

“The plot by a handful of greedy, egocentric and mischievous political elements to sabotage the restoration of the lost glory of Nigeria after they were displaced out of governance following the historic 2015 General Elections must be resisted”, they emphasised.

“We take serious exception to the uninformed position of the likes of Femi Fani-Kayode, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), Ebun Olu- Adegboruwa, Mr. Bako Usman, Ariyo-Dare Atoye, Liboros Oshoma and some other sponsored Civil Society Organisation activists suddenly turned partisan politicians who are mischievously over heating the polity by calling for street protests if president Muhammad Buhari does not resign or address the nation on the state of his health on or before May 29, 2017”.

The group further warned that Nigeria has gone pass the dark days when people make irrational statements without the due regards to public good and the rule of law and urged Nigerians of good will to support the Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammad Buhari to win the fight against terror, corruption and reposition the country for the good of all citizens.

“Let it be known to the whole world that we are ready, prepared and willing more than ever before to counter any form of protest from any quarter. We shall not condone any action capable of breaching the peace and throwing our dear country Nigeria into unwarranted turmoil. Nigeria is ours and the interest of Nigeria we shall always protect”, the statement added. 

Arewa Youths Berate Northern Governors For Not Protecting Buhari

‎The  Northern Youth Leaders Forum have berated the 19 northern governors for not doing enough to protect President Muhammadu Buhari in his moment of trial.

The youths in a statement by their national  president  Alhaji Adamu Mahmuda, said they observed that the president has been left on his own since the controversy on the issues surrounding his health and well being began.

The youths said instead of informing their citizens about the true situation surrounding the  president, the governors have engaged themselves in schemes and underhand deals meant to favour them to emerge as vice president in the event that Buhari does not complete his tenure.

The youths describe this development as selfish, callous and insensitive saying this has exposed the  governor as people who do not mean well for the region but themselves alone.

The group said apart from Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano who organised a prayer session for the president some months back, the rest were busy either inviting party leaders to their states so as to intensity lobby  for their vice presidential bids or busy holding clandestine meetings to serve their interest.

The Arewa youths said it is  condemnable ‎ that while series of meetings are being held in Kaduna and other states on the issue , none  of the northern governors either individually or collectively has deemed it fit to publicly douse the tension over the matter.

It said though it is within the governors given rights to aspire for whatever positions, they should remember  that most of them would not have won their elections if not for the strategy of identifying with the overwhelming influence of Buhari.

The group said for some of  the governors to try to pretend the occasion does not call for their open  support and ‎ agitation is an act of deception that has not gone down well with the populace.

"The northern governors who won their elections for merely identifying with Buhari have all of a sudden gone asleep not wanting to be drawn into any issue surrounding the health of the president.

"After benefiting from his campaign and support through the provision of bail outs and other handouts for them to run their states, we find it extremely uncharitable for the governors to have gone so cold when the occasion demands they should rise up and reassure citizens in their states that there is no cause for alarm and that the president is only taking a rest.

"Nobody is fooled by their 'see no evil, hear no evil posture' which is deliberate so as not to make them appear too supportive of the president for fear that that might make them lose out in case the president decides not to continue. But this  is wicked, selfish and insensitive," the group stated. 

2019: Why Buhari’s Second Term Must Stick!

By Charles Ibekwe

There is so much tension in Nigeria currently. Political jobbers have a meaningless job again, which is worsened by the tension amid the avoidable speculative hype about President Muhammedu Buhari’s present state of health. He fell ill and proceeded on medical treatment in London, where he stayed for nearly two months. The President is back, but needs more time to recover and only performs his official duties minimally.

 As idle and petty-minded as some Nigerians have chosen to become, the President’s illness and recuperation have become the favorite past time by professional politicians. In essence, there is entirely senseless and so much social media buzz about the President’s health condition. It is also subject for roadside gossips and excited power-seekers have perceived it as another opportunity to exercise their ego and freak for perpetual presidential contests.

However, no matter how deeply concealed is the plot or campaign against President Buhari over his health condition, Nigerians know the permutations and calculations are geared towards who should lead Nigeria beyond 2019.

Many questions are being asked: Why is the power cabal and bootlickers over interested in ousting President Buhari?  Why are they so concerned about his ailment or do they know the source of his sickness?  Nigerian masses are asking.

If every reason or interpretation about President Buhari is all about how to scuttle his Presidency, the schemers may have embarked on a doomed mission.

Nigerians are Africans and a people of the black heritage. They have a rich cultural wisdom embedded in very stupefying proverbs, which often steep in nuggets of worthy ideas.  One such African adage says, “When a mighty tree falls, the birds are scattered into the bush.”

For the masses of Nigeria, President Buhari is more than just a President of Nigeria; but a leader of the Nigerian people at its most degenerative time in history. Those who falsely wish him death or too gravely incapacitated to continue in office are free to do so. But for the millions of Nigerians who President Buhari has positively touched their lives in the last two years are unprepared for the bad news the schemers are plotting and spreading.

Nigerian masses are aware that  the misfortune of the  death or incapacitation  of Buhari  would signify the literal death of every ordinary Nigerian, who are in millions and with it, the hope of survival in a country so messed up to the point, it has lost the wings to fly at any height or altitude. Buhari is restoring the lost wings or the hope and the power mongers who are hurt so badly, want him out of the way at all cost.

In figurative terms, President Buhari’s shadows alone have perished the evil thoughts most demonic Nigerians nursed against their own country for fear of the repercussions. His absence on the seat for whatever reason, would cause the immediate regrouping of these locusts to again pillage Nigeria. Nigerian masses are abreast with this reality and pray fervently that President Buhari takes a straight eight years as constitutionally stipulated to right the wrongs.

A few days ago, former interim APC national chairman, Chief Bisi Akande observed something  very sensitive about President Buhari while commenting on the reaction of Nigerians and the need for caution over his health condition.

 An experienced elder statesman by every yardstick, he said when he met President Buhari in December last year, he complained about his stressful looks and  according to him, the President’s  reply denoted what is known to every Nigerian. Akande said; “His reply connoted some allusions to circumstances where an honest man fighting corruption is surrounded mostly by unpatriotic, greedy ruling class. He felt painfully frustrated…I then knew that corruption had effectively been fighting back. And I prayed for Nigeria.”

No nation on earth can progress or prosper when corruption becomes endemic and widespread. When it is celebrated like it is done in Nigeria before the ascension of President Buhari who in spite of the frustrations has halted the trend and looted wealth is being recovered. There is psychological fear among Nigerians with the mindset to loot because they are fully aware they will certainly not go scot free with Buhari at the helm. There is an astonishing level of public sanity that is gradually returning to Nigeria. Nigerians know the era of impunity in public governance is eventually dissipating, courtesy of President Buhari.

Nigeria’s image abroad has improved tremendously and dramatically. Yet, this was a country former British Prime Minister, David Cameron ridiculously referred to as “fantastically corrupt.” America’s President Donald Trump may not be justified on his attacks on Nigerians resident in the US and Mexican migrants. But he says the truth, when he drums about Nigeria stealing their country blind in corruption and running to take refuge in other countries which have fortified themselves about such debasing scourge of nation-hood. 

During reflections at a mass for the 200th anniversary of the Gendarmeria or the Vatican Police Force, His Holiness, Pope Frances said, “Corruption produces addiction, and it generates poverty, exploitation, suffering. And how many victims there are in the world today?”

And painfully, those who exclusively pay for the corruption of the ruling class; the rich; the wealthy or the politician are the poor in every society. In Nigeria, media headlines have ceased celebrating other news items since Buhari came on board.  Every other day, the media is aghast with how a former public officer has embezzled or stolen billions of naira or millions of US Dollars. 

No nation can fulfill its aspirations of being a great nation if her citizens are allowed to freely steal, embezzle or loot the people’s commonwealth.  President Buhari has unleashed unprecedented venom against the scourge of corruption and the impact is too visible to ignore. Those affected are not only scared, but feel President Buhari must not continue. The looters have stashed their loot in secret places. They neither have the liberty or freeness to spend this loot. They are being fished out in piecemeal to face the lawful consequences of their actions. Some of them are the gangs in power at lower levels.

 Nigerian masses whom Buhari  is serving faithfully are aware of his extra efforts to regain the pride and dignity of Nigeria. And majority of the Nigerian people who control the votes know his eclipse from the theatre of leadership would automatically terminate the regeneration process of Nigeria. So, even on wheelchairs, President Buhari would get a second term in 2019. This is the verdict of Nigerian masses.

Outside corruption, President Buhari has broken the seemingly unbreakable jinx on insecurity which suffocated Nigeria all round for years. Terrorism in Nigeria is now only a reference point; something that is confined to the past and the entire world has acknowledged this feat. Nigerians savour the peace prevalent in their country they dreaded six years back.

 Other insurrectional rebels, secessionists and violent criminals have taken leave under President Buhari because of his intolerance of such criminal acts and the actions that ended the criminal siege on the country. Nigerian masses have no second option to Buhari, but to stick with this popular leader who identifies with the masses until fate decides otherwise.  

Buhari has made so much impact in the polity and in several sectors.The economy was in recession when he assumed office. With consistently falling oil prices in the international market, Buhari has been able to prudently manage the little resources at his disposal to inject life into the economy. It is being diversified with federal government’s investment in agriculture, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, and the boost to the manufacturing industry via loans. The CBN, the Bank of Industry (BOI) and the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) have all been mandated to see to the accomplishment of the task.

The construction sector has been enlivened as old contractors have been re-mobilized and new contracts have been awarded in both the transport and the power sectors among others. Jobs are being created in the private sector and the N-Power jobs have somewhat endeared Nigerians to him, hence it has no political party or godfather, religion or ethnicity beneficiaries. They are simply jobs for Nigerians. Anywhere, poor suffering masses are interested about their future like Nigerians now, they would not want to gamble away a President like Buhari. Its another stumbling block to conspiratorial architects of President Buhari’s exit from office. And God Almighty will side the masses.

So, the economy is gradually freeing itself from recession. Foreign reserves which netted zero US Dollar has risen to about $40 billion and the business environment in Nigeria is becoming more friendlier. Besides, disrupting the unofficial zoning formula of political offices in Nigeria would delay an Igbo Presidency in 2015. The Southeasterners are no longer prepared for a replay of the Jonathan episode under former President Umaru Yar’Adua and all eyes/interests are wide awake.

No gainsaying, much as the political cabal plots President Buhari’s ouster, the millions of Nigerian masses  want him to exhaust his Constitutional tenure. It is for the grandeur reasons of ending his reforms and completing the mission of repositioning Nigeria; which would ensure progress/development, political stability and harmony in the country that Buhari remains a choice for 2019, even on a wheelchair.

 It is principally why President Buhari’s choice for 2019 sticks. Around the world, including America, serving Presidents have been sick; but they were never compelled to vacate office on account of the illness. They were allowed to moderately work while they recuperated, as it is applicable to President Buhari at the moment. The hype, the intrigues and the plots as exemplified in the balloon over Buhari’s health condition is not the solution to any region which intends to stealthily ascend to power.

Ibekwe, a public affairs commentator writes from Enugu, Enugu State.

‘Pray For President Buhari’s Speedy Recovery’, Dr. Fatima Abdulrahaman Urges Nigerian Women

Dr. Fatima Abdulrahaman

The immediate past President of All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Dr. Fatima Abdulrahaman has called on Nigerian women to pray for President Buhari for speedy recovery and sound health.

In a brief interview with Reporters in Abuja on Thursday, she said ” I wish the President Muhammadu Buhari speedy recovery. It is not good for anyone to wish the president death. Let’s join hands to pray for the President.”

She said that “Nigeria belongs to all of us and it is our responsibility to always pray for our leaders, most especially our president, irrespective of our political affiliations.”

“President Buhari is a father, grandfather, a brother, an uncle to us all and as a nation; we owe it a responsibility to pray for our President and not to heap curses on him.

“It’s only a fool that will wish his or her President death because the Holy Book commands us all to pray for our leaders.

“Nigerians also need to show sympathy and understanding as their president battles with a poor health condition. They should not allow people whose hearts are filled with hate to brainwash and indoctrinate them.

“Whatever happens to President Buhari happens to us as a nation, so my fellow Nigerian women; let’s pray for our President,”