Imminent Collapse of Civil Rule in Nigeria By Femi Falana

The dreaded Boko Haram sect has continued to unleash mayhem on defenseless civilians including school children in the north east region . In the last couple of months, the satanic society has annexed part of the territory of the Republic of Nigeria. In the circumstance, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has requested both chambers of the National Assembly to ratify his decision to extend emergency rule in the war torn Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states in accordance with section 305 of the Constitution.

While the Senate has commenced deliberations on the request the House of Representatives has been violently restrained by the Police from considering such matter of urgent national significance. 

Without any justification whatsoever, the Speaker of the House, Honourable Aminu Tambuwal and his colleagues were teargassed by the Police and prevented from gaining access to the chambers of the National Assembly last Thursday. In a bid to enter the chambers some of the legislators risked their lives by jumping the fence. In the process, they exposed themselves and the nation to undeserved ridicule. Consequent on the break down of law and order instigated by the Police the National Assembly complex was closed down by the Senate President, General David Mark (rtd). Thus, the House was prevented from carrying out its legislative duties contrary to the order of the Federal High Court that the status quo ante bellum be maintained pending the determination of the suit filed by Honourable Tambuwal over the removal of his security aides.

Although the majority of the members foiled the coup to remove the Speaker the triumph of democracy in the National Assembly may be short lived. Since the ruling party cannot secure the endorsement of the required two thirds majority to remove Speaker Tambuwal the House will be factionalized while the minority will be given official recognition and security protection under a new leadership. In justifying the barbaric invasion of the National Assembly complex by security forces the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba claimed that the police received intelligence report that hoodlums were going to break law and order in the premises of the National Assembly. To the detriment of democracy the security forces decided to break the law when the hoodlums failed to turn up as arranged!

In a reckless display of partisanship the Police ensured that the Deputy Speaker of the House, Honourable Ihediora and a few other legislators were not subjected to any form of harassment. Meanwhile, the Presidency and the Police have turned round to blame the Speaker and his colleagues for assaulting security operatives who were discharging their "lawful duties" at the National Assembly complex. According to the Police, Tambuwal and a motley crowd of his supporters "broke the cordon, assaulted the Police and evaded due process..." The Police then warned "all political actors to respect constituted authority and due process and desist from the use of thugs to pursue their agenda."

As security forces were used last week to disrupt the proceedings of the National Assembly President Jonathan was prevented by a former militant , Mr. Government Tompolo from attending the flag-off ceremony of the $16 billion EPZ project in Warri, Delta State. Like the terrorists who have prevented the President from visiting Chibok the militants declared him a persona non grata and forced him to stay away from Warri. As if that was not enough, the journalists who had assembled at the venue to report the event were abducted by a horde of armed goons. Even though the reporters regained their freedom after six hours of horrific physical and mental torture those who committed the grave criminal offences of kidnapping and threatening to overawe the President of the Republic have not been arrested by the Nigeria Police Force!

Thus, through sheer negligence and official impunity on the part of the Federal Government the country has become a failed State where security forces are competing with criminal gangs in the wanton infringements of the civil liberties of law abiding citizens. Like the terrorists who attack communities while ill-equipped soldiers vamoose, armed thugs are allowed to threaten the life of the President of the Republic while the Police without any reaction from the Police. But unlike terrorists who abduct school girls in the night, militants kidnap journalists, lawyers and others during the day. Unlike coup plotters who overthrow legitimate governments at night security forces collude with anti-democratic forces in broad daylight to remove elected leaders of legislative houses. Having been enriched by the State and allowed to acquire weapons without any license some ex-militants have set up armed gangs for the 2015 general election.

It is common knowledge that many politicians have also established illegal violent groups of unemployed youths and cultists. Of recent, there were bloody clashes between armed thugs in several parts of the country. In fact, policemen attached to some politicians have taken part in such clashes which marred some of the congresses of the APC and the PDP. The Sheik Ahmed Lemu Panel set up by President Jonathan to inquire into the post election violence which occurred in Akwa Ibom state and some northern states in April 2011 had recommended that over 850 armed thugs and hoodlums be prosecuted for culpable homicide, arson and allied offenses. Although the recommendation was accepted by the Federal Government the persons indicted in the report have not been prosecuted.

In one of his media chats last year, President Jonathan rightly condemned the military invasion of Odi community in Bayelsa state in November 1999 by the Olusegun Obasanjo Administration. Shortly thereafter, Chief Obasanjo accused President Jonathan of training snipers to attack his political opponents. Although the serious allegation was denied by the Presidency security forces are now joined by hounded militants and other nihilist groups to harass voters during elections. It is an irony that the President of the Republic is being harassed and intimidated with weapons acquired under the pretext of executing multi-billion oil pipeline monitoring contracts by ex-militants!

In the first and second republics security forces and thugs were used in the manipulation of elections and the violations of the rights of the Nigerian people. Such naked abuse of power by the Federal Government paved away for military interventions and the civil war. In the third republic, the military dictators annulled a credible presidential election. The crisis that ensued terminated the expensive political transition program and facilitated the return of a full-fledged military dictatorship with dire consequences. However, it is hoped that the ongoing politicization of the security forces, the unprecedented wave of official corruption and the subversion of democratic institutions by the Federal Government will not lead to the eventual collapse of the fragile forth Republic.

In spite of the threat of terrorist and other nihilist groups to balkanize the country I strongly believe that the rickety democratic process can still be salvaged by all the genuine democratic forces who led the Nigerian people to fight against unending military rule and who equally defeated the cabal that attempted to take advantage of President Umaru Yaradua's ill-health to seize power from the then Acting President, Dr. Jonathan. As time is not on our side the forces of democracy ought to return to the trenches now to halt the imposition of fascism on the nation by the Jonathan Administration.



http://saharareporters.com/2014/11/24/imminent-collapse-civil-rule-nigeria-femi-falana

Fresh Bombs until Naija get sense!

This is deep!!! The shallow minded can't dare to swim in it, they'd get drowned!!

Thank you sir for this wonderful piece.

#I weep for my dear country.

Some of the people like Femi Falana would be questioning why they fought for Jonathan when Turai and the Katsina cabal were messing him up....they would question why they suggested the doctrine of necessity to the National Assembly....

Seun, Obinoscopy, OAM4J, Ishiluv, I think you'd be doing this forum a great disservice if this isn't placed on the fp. This is just too deep!

It is unfortunate that Femi Falana conveniently dodged the vexed issue of section 68 and whether Tambuwal should remain speaker or not but conveniently carried on referring to Tambuwal as speaker.

I don't also know whether Femi Falana is not in tune with the chronology of events because Tambuwal has withdrawn his case about the withdrawal of his security aides but Falana made reference to this case curiously.

Rashness is the parent of misfortune. It has began with auto pilot. We are not worthy of cloth again...our fyn nigeria is already dancing unclad in the market square

Words only the reasonable and thoughtfilled citizens will appreciate and understand its content and motive.

God help Nigeria recover from this Nightmare of a President.

mikeansy:
It is unfortunate that Femi Falana conveniently dodged the vexed issue of section 68 and whether Tambuwal should remain speaker or not but conveniently carried on referring to Tambuwal as speaker.

I don't also know whether Femi Falana is not in tune with the chronology of events because Tambuwal has withdrawn his case about the withdrawal of his security aides but Falana made reference to this case curiously.

Femi Falana is smart to know that only a court of law can pronounce the speaker's seat vacant.
Until the then, the constitution of Nigeria regards Aminu Tambuwal as speaker.
PS: in case you don't know, the constitution allows for defection.

AZeD1:

Femi Falana is smart to know that only a court of law can pronounce the speaker's seat vacant.
Until the then, the constitution of Nigeria regards Aminu Tambuwal as speaker.
PS: in case you don't know, the constitution allows for defection.

If Femi Falana believes a provision so clear in the constitution still requires interpretation or pronouncement of the court before it takes effect then Falana should have said so in his own write up!

Unless you are claiming to be a mind reader you can not know exactly why Falana chose to ignore this important part of the debate!

Deep. These are d people that fought to put jonathan in power. Oby, Tunde bakare, dele momudu, sahara reporters, obasanjo etc. All are now saying " you are not presiding well". But clannish ppl are saying its because hes niger delta. So when they fought for him they did not know where he was from? He has not impressed anyone with his governance. The best his supporters can muster is to ask " who is better". Well...we will ask that question after we vote him out first. We will take our chances with the opposition.

mikeansy:


If Femi Falana believes a provision so clear in the constitution still requires interpretation or pronouncement of the court before it takes effect then Falana should have said so in his own write up!

Unless you are claiming to be a mind reader you can not know exactly why Falana chose to ignore this important part of the debate!

The constitution says a person can defect if there is division in his party and Tambuwal has defected based on the division plaguing the Sokoto state pdp so what do you want Falana to write?

AZeD1:

The constitution says a person can defect if there is division in his party and Tambuwal has defected based on the division plaguing the Sokoto state pdp so what do you want Falana to write?

There is a court injunction saying there is no division in PDP

mikeansy:


There is a court injunction saying there is no division in PDP

This is another ruling that says there is a faction. So which one should we follow?
http://apc.com.ng/index.php/media-center/latest-news/item/615-kwara-state-court-declares-defection-of-22-pdp-lawmakers-to-apc-legal

AZeD1:

This is another ruling that says there is a faction. So which one should we follow?
http://apc.com.ng/index.php/media-center/latest-news/item/615-kwara-state-court-declares-defection-of-22-pdp-lawmakers-to-apc-legal

You tell me?

That's the kind of chaos your Tambuwal is creating!

Hence why wise heads like Falana should be calling out Tambuwal for trying to circumvent the law but unfortunately Falana is trying to sound popular by conviniently avoiding a difficult debate!

JonaTAN always afraid of lowly people like Tampolo, Asari and Shecow since 2011.






Like if you believe our presido is weakling.

mikeansy:


You tell me?

That's the kind of chaos your Tambuwal is creating!

Hence why wise heads like Falana should be calling out Tambuwal for trying to circumvent the law but unfortunately Falana is trying to sound popular by conviniently avoiding a difficult debate!

Tambuwal isn't creating any chaos or trying to circumvent the law. The speaker clearly believes there is a faction in the PDP and there's a court judgement to back the speaker. Anyone who feels aggrieved should approach a court to declare the speaker's seat vacant.
The idea that "Falana is trying to ound popular by conviniently avoiding a difficult debate" is laughable. The dude knows its not in his place to judge whether there is a faction in the PDP or not.

God help us

Imagine a write up that scared many lowlife monikers away. We all know them. I guess its too deep for them to comment? Lol. So far no insults or attempt to digress from topic.
Its so clear that gej's admin is a complete failure. Even the blind can see this. I feel so bad because as a south southerner, the chance we had to prove our prowess was given to an almost imbecilic individual. Yes! I said it.

mikeansy:
It is unfortunate that Femi Falana conveniently dodged the vexed issue of section 68 and whether Tambuwal should remain speaker or not but conveniently carried on referring to Tambuwal as speaker.

I don't also know whether Femi Falana is not in tune with the chronology of events because Tambuwal has withdrawn his case about the withdrawal of his security aides but Falana made reference to this case curiously.

The seemingly outstanding legal luminary speaks about reality and also proffer solution.
You and I know that cross carpeting has never been a sin abinixio but one will be shocked when ruling party only shouting foul when member of its party left to opposition party. When Atiku de camped to ACN from PDP the matter was challenged by OBJ and he lost. Why can't Jonathan learn from history and judiciously approach his ambition?
Nigerians are suffering without help from federal. BH menace required more security and seriousness nor by political rascality.

Deep write up. One guy is already trying to digress from the main point and pointing fingers on why falana called tambuwal the speaker...how come u neglect the part Tompolo warned ur own president not to step a foot in delta state with journalist being kidnapped as well...I saw all this coming even before he became a president when everybody was shouting he is a God sent without checking his antecedent..I was so worried we were all blinded by our religion and refuse to see the basic fault he has...I still maintain my stand he is an Opportune president and he has shown beyond all reasonable doubt that he was not ready to be a president when he became one!

It is time we speak with one voice and caution the impunity of Jonathan now. He cannot trample on the National Assembly. He is rubbishing our institutions. Imagine, some nonsense police officers locking elected legislators from accessing the National Assembly?

If our elected officials can be treated as such without any repercussions, what is the assurance that some 'powerful politician' will not issue senseless commands to the police to mete out injustice to other people without a louder voice?

Our democracy is greater than his desperate personal ambition. I will keep saying this. This guy is turning into a despot gradually & it is sad that some bigoted people are not noticing. He is obviously power drunk, forgetting that power is transient. Where is IBB, Obasanjo, Abubakar, Yaradua today?

The lawmakers who climbed the gate endangered their lives to save democracy - Falana


This article is a sponsored political op-ed that lost every sense of objectivity and balance.


So sad. I thought this lost of decorum ended when your people in Ekiti State rejected you and your fellow Elites who "over-estimated" their importance in a Democracy.


*/ This is Read Only, Don't this quote comment

Sahara Reporters? Brown envelope media house. Falana playing to the gallery since 500BC. Mtcheeew...

mikeansy:


If Femi Falana believes a provision so clear in the constitution still requires interpretation or pronouncement of the court before it takes effect then Falana should have said so in his own write up!

Unless you are claiming to be a mind reader you can not know exactly why Falana chose to ignore this important part of the debate!

Maybe you should take away the blindfold of mediocrity so you'd see this next time you read.

. Thus, the House was prevented from carrying out its legislative duties contrary to the order of the Federal High Court that the status quo ante bellum be maintained pending the determination of the suit filed by Honourable Tambuwal over the removal of his security aides.

Descartes:
Sahara Reporters? Brown envelope media house. Falana playing to the gallery since 500. Mtcheeew...

Explain this sh.it you just typed up there

ayukdaboss:

Explain this sh.it you just typed up there

What explanation do you want again. Or do you also schooled in france?

Ok

Ilekokonit:
Thus, the House was prevented from carrying out its legislative duties contrary to the order of the Federal High Court that the status quo ante bellum be maintained pending the determination of the suit filed by Honourable Tambuwal over the removal of his security aides.

Falana lied above. The Federal High Court did not order that "status quo ante bellum" be maintained. The court ordered that "status quo" be maintained.

Status quo = The present situation of things

Status quo ante bellum = The situation of things before the conflict.


The status quo as at the time the court gave the order was that Tambuwal's security had been withdrawn.

it is hoped that the ongoing politicization of the security forces, the unprecedented wave of official corruption and the subversion of democratic institutions by the Federal Government will not lead to the eventual collapse of the fragile forth Republic.

This will definitely come to pass. The only hope for this country is for him to be impeach. Jonathan will rig and it will be fatal for this country.

Sunnybobo3:


Falana lied above. The Federal High Court did not order that "status quo ante bellum" be maintained. The court ordered that "status quo" be maintained.

Status quo = The present situation of things

Status quo ante bellum = The situation of things before the conflict.


The status quo as at the time the court gave the order was that Tambuwal's security had been withdrawn.

Source?