Ngwakwe: Politicians know what to do for the betterment of this country but have just refused to do so because of "mutually inclusive" selfish gains.

Great move by the Reps, lets all put hands together to stop these bloodshed and insecurity in this country.

You may not know the pain of loosing loved ones accidentally until it happens to you.

PEACE, TOLERANCE LESS SELFISHNESS all we need now.

Ms. Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, on her part, called on Jonathan to step down if overwhelmed by the security situation. She said it was an insult to Nigerians for Jonathan to have left the country for a conference in Brazil. Okoya-Thomas said, “He should step down; let him step down.”

rasputinn: At times I wonder who is more silly,the gullible Nigerian public or the roguish lawmakers that feed on the ignorance of the Nigerian masses?

Go and check the Nigerian constitution,THE LAWMAKERS HAVE NO POWERS TO SUMMON THE PRESIDENT FOR ANY REASON WHATSOEVER,in fact it's only Mr President that can write one or both houses of the NASS requesting to address a seperate or joint sitting of the house(s),the only power they have is either to accept or reject,but they have NO POWERS to summon the president.

Ngwakwe: At least, let all government institutions and civil societies be involved.

Ngwakwe: Reps summon Jonathan, security chiefs over insecurity
JUNE 20, 2012 BY JOHN AMEH, ABUJA

House of Representatives on Tuesday summoned President Goodluck Jonathan and the security chiefs over the escalating bomb attacks in the North and general insecurity in the country. In its resolution in Abuja, the House observed that Jonathan, as the Chief Security Officer of the nation, owed Nigerians explanations on what he had done to contain the situation. The House condemned Sunday’s bombing of churches in Kaduna and Zaria, which claimed many lives. It also condemned the reprisals that followed the bombings in the two towns. The House also raised concerns over the near state of anarchy in Damaturu, Yobe State, and the wave of banditry in Zamfara State. According to the resolution, which received unanimous support, Jonathan is to appear before the House in a “closed-door session” to brief lawmakers on the security measures the government had put in place to protect lives and property. Many members, who debated the issue, feared that the country was “under siege” from terrorist groups, kidnappers, assassins and armed robbers. A member from Kaduna State, Mr. Yakubu Barde, had raised the issue under matter of urgent national importance. Barde said Nigerians were living in fear as they were not sure when the next attack would occur. He said, “How long will Nigerians continue to live in fear? “We have to give Mr. President the marching orders to get his security agencies to be more proactive.” Mr. Godfrey Gaiya advised the House to look beyond the states where violent acts were taking place and treat the crisis as “a Nigerian problem”. He said, “This is a Nigerian problem and it is sad that Mr. President is airborne to Brazil on environmental matters when Nigeria is boiling. “Over 100 people have been killed in Kaduna as we speak.” The Chairman, House Committee on Electoral Matters, Mr. Jerry Manwe, said Jonathan would have to explain to the House how he spent “the almost N1tn” he voted for security in the 2012 budget. Manwe recalled that the President, by his own admission, told the nation that the identities of those behind the violence were not hidden. The Minority Leader, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, told the House he was saddened to hear that Jonathan travelled out of the country at such a critical period. He said it demonstrated his insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians, who were at the receiving end of the security challenges. Gbajabiamila said, “It is very unfortunate indeed that he is out there in Brazil to engage in some sort of climate change conference. “The House has to take proactive steps; to call on Mr. President to appear and brief the House in an executive session on what he has done on the security situation.” An Action Congress of Nigeria lawmaker from Lagos State, Ms. Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, on her part, called on Jonathan to step down if overwhelmed by the security situation. She said it was an insult to Nigerians for Jonathan to have left the country for a conference in Brazil. Okoya-Thomas said, “He should step down; let him step down.” However, the Chairman, House Committee on FCT, Mr. Emma Jime, linked the escalating violence to 2015 presidential election. Jime claimed that the tension in the country could be reduced if Jonathan made a categorical statement on his plans for 2015. He argued that it was not enough for Jonathan to say that the issue was diversionary. “What is happening is an attempt to rubbish the Jonathan presidency so that it will not have the capacity to contest in 2015,” Jime said. The House rejected an amendment to the motion calling on the Federal Government to engage Boko Haram in dialogue. The session was presided over by the Speaker, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal.

www.punchng.com/news/reps-summon-jonathan-security-chiefs-over-insecurity/

Kobojunkie:

Do you mind providing us with information on what particular section of the constitution you refer to?

rasputinn:

If you can ask that question here,then I may have grossly over-estimated you.
In any case,I'm not here to lecture anybody on this.It is what it is,they have no such powers.

Chapter 1,part 2 section 4

Jeez,the constitution is so protective of the president dammit,get a copy and peruse it closely and see the misadventure of the "rogues and armed robbers" in the house of reps

hardywaltz:
Dont be so sure. Even when the constitution is as clear as ABC people still heard to court to have the meaning of that ABC interpreted.

rasputinn:

If you can ask that question here,then I may have grossly over-estimated you.
In any case,I'm not here to lecture anybody on this.It is what it is,they have no such powers.

Chapter 1,part 2 section 4

Jeez,the constitution is so protective of the president dammit,get a copy and peruse it closely and see the misadventure of the "rogues and armed robbers" in the house of reps

Kobojunkie:

Again, where in the constitution did you read that NASS cannot summon the president. This is a clear and straight forward question. And simple too. There is nothing protective about the constitution as it is freely available, even online to the world to see.

If you do not know where it is. . .. go to Google, type NIGERIAN CONSTITUTION, and google will gladly serve you up with a copy.
All we would need next is for you to identity which particular section this claim of your is in. There is no need for the drawn out debate on what it contains when all you need to do is SHOW US WHERE.

rasputinn:

So you have googled the Nigerian constitution and yet you did not understand whatever it was you googled.
Mr man,quit being ridiculous,I dont want to regret talking with you,I already have a measure of disppointment in you,dont make it worse.
I hav told you the house lacks the constitutional powers to summon the president,if you doubt me,go and get a copy of the constitution and study it very well or to save time,just pick your phone and ask an informed person,but if you dont want to do either and stick to your wrong position,it's a free world.
I rise

@Kobojunkie, can you give instances where your US congress has ever summoned their President? I can't seem for find any. Even when they wanted to "invite over" Condolezza Rice, so much trade offs were made behind the scene on what questions she could be asked and for how long she's to appear before them - if they had used the summons or subpoena it wouldn't have worked

Beaf:

[size=14pt]When has congress ever summoned the US President, liar?
Thats the question, liar.[/size]

Beaf:

[size=14pt]When has congress ever summoned the US President, liar?
Thats the question, liar.[/size]

Beaf:

Kobojunkie regularly tells fibs and porkies and gets creatively evasive when found out.
You will not get a useful response.

rasputinn:
From the above,I see no further need to waste my time with you

67. (1) The President may attend any joint meeting of the National Assembly or any meeting of either House of the National Assembly, either to deliver an address on national affairs including fiscal measures, or to make such statement on the policy of government as he considers to be of national importance.

(2) A Minister of the Government of the Federation attend either House of the National Assembly if invited to express to the House the conduct of his Ministry, and in particular when the affairs of that Ministry are under discussion.

(3) Nothing in this section shall enable any person who is not a member of the Senate or of the House of Representatives to vote in that House or in any of its committees.

Nenum: @ Rasputinn and @ Kobojunkie

Lol.
The constitution on the right of attendance of the president can be found in Chapter V, Part 1, section 67(1-2). And from my understanding it is not expressly stated if eithEr of the houses has the power 2 summon the president,

89. [size=13pt](1) For the purposes of any investigation under section 88 of this Constitutional and subject to the provisions thereof, the Senate or the House of Representatives or a committee appointed in accordance with section 62 of this Constitution shall have power to -[/size]

(a) procure all such evidence, written or oral, direct or circumstantial, as it may think necessary or desirable, and examine all persons as witnesses whose evidence may be material or relevant to the subject matter;

(b) require such evidence to be given on oath;

[size=13pt](c) summon any person in Nigeria to give evidence at any place or produce any document or other thing in his possession or under his control, and examine him as a witness and require him to produce any document or other thing in his possession or under his control, subject to all just exceptions; and
[/size]
(d) issue a warrant to compel the attendance of any person who, after having been summoned to attend, fails, refuses or neglects to do so and does not excuse such failure, refusal or neglect to the satisfaction of the House or the committee in question, and order him to pay all costs which may have been occasioned in compelling his attendance or by reason of his failure, refusal or neglect to obey the summons, and also to impose such fine as may be prescribed for any such failure, refused or neglect; and any fine so imposed shall be recoverable in the same manner as a fine imposed by a court of law.

(2) A summons or warrant issued under this section may be served or executed by any member of the Nigeria Police Force or by any person authorised in that behalf by the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as the case may require.

Nenum: however if they do, He has the right 2 decide to attend unlike his minister's. Cheers

89.
(d) issue a warrant to compel the attendance of any person who, after having been summoned to attend, fails, refuses or neglects to do so and does not excuse such failure, refusal or neglect to the satisfaction of the House or the committee in question, and order him to pay all costs which may have been occasioned in compelling his attendance or by reason of his failure, refusal or neglect to obey the summons, and also to impose such fine as may be prescribed for any such failure, refused or neglect; and any fine so imposed shall be recoverable in the same manner as a fine imposed by a court of law.

(2) A summons or warrant issued under this section may be served or executed by any member of the Nigeria Police Force or by any person authorised in that behalf by the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as the case may require.

Nenum: @Kobojunkie
Well said........
According 2 Section 89, is the president or presidency under direct investigation by d house? If not, then Sec 89 cannot be said to be valid
In this circumstance
Please note, am here with the clear notion that I can and am willing 2 learn
89. (1) For the purposes of any investigation under section 88 of this Constitutional and subject to the provisions thereof, the Senate or the House of Representatives or a committee appointed in accordance with section 62 of this Constitution shall have power

88.
(1) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, each House of the National Assembly shall have power by resolution published in its journal or in the Official Gazette of the Government of the Federation to direct or cause to be directed investigation into -

(a) any matter or thing with respect to which it has power to make laws, and

(b) the conduct of affairs of any person, authority, ministry or government department charged, or intended to be charged, with the duty of or responsibility for -

(i) executing or administering laws enacted by National Assembly, and

(ii) disbursing or administering moneys appropriated or to be appropriated by the National Assembly.

(2) The powers conferred on the National Assembly under the provisions of this section are exercisable only for the purpose of enabling it to -

(a) make laws with respect to any matter within its legislative competence and correct any defects in existing laws; and

(b) expose corruption, inefficiency or waste in the execution or administration of laws within its legislative competence and in the disbursement or administration of funds appropriated by it.

Nenum: @KObojunkie

I do not think me or you or anyone can add 2 an existing constitution and it would become valid, so at this junction I would humbly ask for a vivid interpretation from a constitutional lawyer on this one. As I do understand that the major difference or obstacle as u may have it between a written and applied constitution it's in it's interpretation. Thanks