THE Federal Government indicated, on Thursday, that it was no longer pursuing its ultimatum against the United States of America over the inclusion of Nigeria on the terror list, saying it had opted for “friendly resolution.”

The Senate, in the wake of America’s inclusion of Nigeria on the controversial list, issued a seven-day ultimatum on Tuesday for a reversal or diplomatic row will ensue.

Nigeria got into the infamous list as a result of the failed attempt by a Nigerian, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, to blow up a US airliner in a suicide mission.

Addressing a world press conference on Thursday in his office in Abuja, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, disclosed that Nigeria opted for diplomacy to resolve the issue amicably rather than confronting America over the issue.

The US released the names of 14 countries on its terror watch list on Monday, which included Nigeria.

The minister also disclosed that government was still ignorant of the consequences of the watch list on Nigerians travelling abroad, saying that the Minister of Foreign Affairs had been directed to find out what the action meant.

While explaining that the list did not translate into Nigeria being labelled a terrorist country, he said it was merely meant to keep a watch on the country due to the Abdulmutallab issue.

Aondoakaa added that some countries on the list were allies of America, giving Saudi Arabia as an example.

According to him: “We are not against the Senate’s decision, but we cannot be talking about ultimatum at this stage. We want to see how we can resolve the issue amicably. We will invite our colleagues in the US to look into Abdulmutallab’s matter. We have visuals of how the boy left the country. He was thoroughly checked at the airport before he left the country. He first moved to the right of the checking room, then suddenly changed his mind for reasons known to him and moved left, where he was thoroughly checked. He removed his belt and shoes before he was checked in.

“We will invite security agencies in the country to watch the visuals. Nigeria has had a very good relationship with the US. I am sure by the time we place all these facts before them, they will rescind their decision.

“Since this incident happened, we have assured the US of our cooperation. We don’t know the implications of their action yet, but the Foreign Affairs Minister has been directed to find out the actual action the US will take by placing Nigeria on terror watch list. It is in our own interest to resolve the matter.

“Our consulate in the US made contact with the boy with the permission of the US government. He is a suspect in the US and he will be dealt with according to the laws of the US.”

Aondoakaa stated that apart from constant communication with his counterpart in the United States, government was also ready to invite American security agencies to watch the visuals of Abdulmutallab’s movement when he was leaving Nigeria.

The minister also let the gathering into the bills being sponsored by the government to combat terrorism, disclosing that religious crises were listed in the proposed laws as terrorism.

He further said that all issues that posed danger to Nigerians’ lives like hostage-taking would be covered by the proposed laws.

He said it was pertinent to note that there were about 16 United Nations and African Union instruments on counter-terrorism, “all dealing with related issues ranging from money laundering, drug trafficking, crime to nuclear terrorism.”

He added that, “it is noteworthy that Nigeria has been able to sign and ratify nine of these. Nigeria is also considered to be in good compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373 of 2001, 1455 (2003), 1526 (2004) and 1822 (2008) on issues related to counter terrorism.”

He said in compliance with the provisions of the international instruments of counter-terrorism, Nigeria had fulfilled the requirement to establish a focal point.

“The national focal point for Nigeria is co-ordinated by the Department of State Service (DSS) with membership comprising well over 30 national agencies. As a demonstration of our determination to combat terrorism, the Nigerian government, in October 2008, completed the drafting of the Prevention of Terrorism Bill with the help of the UN Counter-Terrorism Committee. The bill which is now before the National Assembly seeks to criminalise and punish all acts of terrorism, terrorists and their associates.

“The bill clearly defines and prohibits all acts of terrorism and its support. It makes violation of the provision of the bill an offence and prescribes penalties for such violations. The bill further makes provisions for listing and delisting, freezing of funds and financial assets of terrorists and terrorist groups and prevention of their entry into or transit in Nigeria.”

http://www.tribune.com.ng/08012010/news/news1.html

Such weak resolve. . .

Bank accounts must have been threatened sha, the ultimatum barely lasted 48 hours.

lol , Levels 4 dun take unimaginary shape wey make thinking change.

Shameless pathetic loots
Not that i am surprised, i already knew they were just bluffing,

Cowards. They've succeeded in disgracing us more.

The US has simply found Aondoakaa's soft spot. Expect further arm twisting.
New saying, "if you live in a corrupt house, don't throw ultimatums".

Kai!!! See how dem don take pour extra sand inside our garri sooo!!! ROFLMAO!!
May the Lord Save Nigeria! 

I thought they only reason through their a.s.sholes. I predicted how it ends and it didn't even last 48 hrs.
Nza the bird picking a fight with his chi.
I hope the US gives them 7 days ultimatum to rein in domestic Islamic extremism and terror. I don't think we've heard the last of this.

Aloy`Emeka:

Cowards. They've succeeded in disgracing us more.

I couldn't have put it better.

that's not good Guys !!!!, to be in the black list of those Americans . nigeria needs to do something

From one disgrace to another. Who told you that they for shit - cos it will be flush down their throat. Now I know that Political Nairalanders are more competent than these senator.

Afterall we had a better analysis on the situation and the way forward.

FMK:

that's not good Guys !!!!, to be in the black list of those Americans . nigeria needs to do something

Does that include threatening a country take the right measures in protecting its citizens. Also does the Senators now had to be playing Executives (instead of providing a president in order to get thing running properly)

They should hid their heads in shame.

We can all now see the senate for who they really are: Men of plenty words and no action. Our people should learn the meaning of the word INTEGRITY and learn to say only what they truly mean.

Yes, i knew from the start that they will change it along the way.altimatum my foot.they have never care for the interest of all nigeria.what a disgrace.

Retards! They didnt think of 'friendly resolution' before opening their mouths to give ultimatum. As always, they put the cart before the horse . .

Swearing in a president without checking if he's physically and mentally caapable of carrying out his duties . . .

Rebrabning the image on Nigeria while doing nothing actually to CHANGE it.

Giving a country an ultimatum without trying a peaceful resolution first . . .

*roooooollz eye*

foolishness in high places!

I wonder what happens now, they've put thems @ the mercy of the Americans cos now they know we can't stand by an ultimatum, not to talk of actually take action.

Abegi, Nigerian policiations has turned themselves into comedians. I cant stop laughing. Toothless Asodogs!!!.
What can they do to America in the first place? Seems they forgot that if America  breath back on such Ultimatum they will lost every of their kobo they looth from us. IDIOTS

y'all just love to moan.

What a real joke

hahahaha, look at them running away scared. They were doing all that barking with no bite, wow these people need to get signed by the circus, These people never cared about Nigeria, we see it in how fast they retreated. The U.S. was probably going to expose some of them or prevent them from entering U.S. so they ran and hid.

whatever happened to trying to protect Nigerian citizens from harrassment and all that talk they were doing like there cared about nigerians.?

If we can't get these hooligans out of power, I wonder if there is any way to reduce the power of the Federal govt and increase that of the states. This will help fighting over national political offices meaningless. With this a bunch of idiotic action in Abuja won't have as great of as an effect on the states' and country's progress.

Terror list: Senate ultimatum to US not a joke - Senate

The Senate will not treat the issues of inclusion of Nigeria on the list of countries under the United States of America (USA) terror watch with levity and, as such, the ultimatum it gave the US on Tuesday over the matter is being viewed with all seriousness.

The senator representing Ekiti Central senatorial district, Senator Bode Ola, said on Thursday that the seven-day ultimatum given to the US government to de-list Nigeria on the terrorist list was not an empty threat, the US looming image notwithstanding.

The Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Works, while speaking with journalists during a tour of the newly-inaugurated Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), said the National Assembly would soon take a decisive action to redeem the image of the country, adding that listing the country among the countries being watched for terrorism portended grave danger for its citizens.

The Action Congress (AC) senator said that the National Assembly would decide the next line of action at the expiration of the ultimatum.

“He stated we have not issued any empty threat because we felt it was wrong for the American government to have put Nigeria on the terrorists list. We are talking about a boy who had not been in the country in the last few years.”



http://www.tribune.com.ng/08012010/news/news11.html


Well, I don't know which one to believe !

faoni572:

Terror list: Senate ultimatum to US not a joke - Senate

The Senate will not treat the issues of inclusion of Nigeria on the list of countries under the United States of America (USA) terror watch with levity and, as such, the ultimatum it gave the US on Tuesday over the matter is being viewed with all seriousness.

The senator representing Ekiti Central senatorial district, Senator Bode Ola, said on Thursday that the seven-day ultimatum given to the US government to de-list Nigeria on the terrorist list was not an empty threat, the US looming image notwithstanding.

The Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Works, while speaking with journalists during a tour of the newly-inaugurated Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), said the National Assembly would soon take a decisive action to redeem the image of the country, adding that listing the country among the countries being watched for terrorism portended grave danger for its citizens.

The Action Congress (AC) senator said that the National Assembly would decide the next line of action at the expiration of the ultimatum.

“He stated we have not issued any empty threat because we felt it was wrong for the American government to have put Nigeria on the terrorists list. We are talking about a boy who had not been in the country in the last few years.”



http://www.tribune.com.ng/08012010/news/news11.html


Well, I don't know which one to believe !

My people how much shame does it take to cover another shame? Because denying the facts cannot help us.

Stupid little senate from Africa, what the hell was he thinking, imagine Nigeria threatening the US.

Good move, b4 they also ban my senator colleagues from the US & deny us d fine gals we use to rock on our "medical check-ups". Those in favour shud say aye. . .doz against shud say nay. . .idiots. Iberibe dagbukwa unu ebe ahu, anu n'enweghi eze tagbuo unu.

Have you ever seen a grasshopper challenging a prey-mantis? Silly Nigerian senate.

Am not even dissapointed with em challenging yankee. Am dissappointed they withdrew their challenge after only 48 hours. Spineless idiots.

If this is true then all the senators deserve to be recalled.

This disgrace is even worse than all their actions and inactions combined.

Credibility and Integrity really don't mean much to these guys, so sad.

Na now Mr Adonkia come out talk abi?, the thing don hang am for neck.I knew it'll come to this.what a shame.

How can CJ talk for the Senate? This is not possible.

Let us here directly from Senate President.

If this is true, USA will go for th Junglar of Nigeria.

They cant even stand on their GROUND.

No wonder AFRICANS were enslaved by the WEST

hissss

We don suffer

otawa:

How can CJ talk for the Senate? This is not possible.

Let us here directly from Senate President.

If this is true, USA will go for th Junglar of Nigeria.

They cant even stand on their GROUND.

No wonder AFRICANS were enslaved by the WEST

hissss

And this is another fall out of the power vacuum otherwise we cannot have the legislative arm and the judicial arm giving conflicting information if the executive was up to its duty.

And the international ridicule continues.

^
Thats exactly why the US claims it has reacted so harshly to us. Lets hope Yar Adua pops up or power is handed over to Jonathan before too long, then lets see if the US removes us from that cursed list. If they don't. . . Na enemy action be dat o!

Thats exactly why the US claims it has reacted so harshly to us. Lets hope Yar Adua pops up or power is handed over to Jonathan before too long, then lets see if the US removes us from that cursed list. If they don't. . . Na enemy action be dat o!

supported.

Senate should pass new bill asap: 'Nigerian Enemy Law'

In this, we add countries whose action to Nigeria and Nigerians protray them as our enemy.

We should have our own ways of dealing with them.