Oduah: Groups plan nationwide mass protest
Source: http://www.punchng.com/news/oduah-groups-plan-nationwide-mass-protest/

OCTOBER 27, 2013 BY LEKE BAIYEWU AND ALLWELL OKPI
26 Comments

Minister of Aviation, Ms. Stella Oduah
SOME civil society groups have said unless those found culpable in the N255m — armoured cars scandal rocking the Ministry of Aviation are investigated and prosecuted, they will take to the streets in mass protests.

The groups include the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, the Campaign for Democracy, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, the Joint Action Front, the Civil Liberties Organisation and the Committee for Democracy and Rights of the People.

In separate interviews with our correspondents on Friday, the groups said only a thorough investigation and prosecution of those indicted, including the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, would stop them from protesting.

The National Coordinator, CDRP, Mr. Amitolu Shittu, told one of our correspondents that civil society groups had met and had started mobilisation for a mass protest.

Shittu said with the way President Goodluck Jonathan handled previous cases of corruption and misappropriation of funds by public officials, he was not likely to punish Oduah, even if the probe panels indicted her.

He said, “From the look of things, it seems Jonathan is trying to exonerate her. But, we will not let that happen. There was a meeting in Osogbo by the civil society groups two days ago on this issue. We discussed, argued on it and we decided that we are fighting these people to a standstill. We are not keeping quiet on this.

“As part of the plan, there will be protest, but we want to come out unannounced. We are not afraid of arrest and detention. We will not announce the date of the protest because we don’t want hoodlums in government and those on the streets to take advantage of this.”

Shittu added that apart from demanding the sacking and prosecution of Oduah, the planned protest would be in solidarity with the striking members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

“Mobilisation is ongoing. Some people are in schools making adequate preparations because we are in support of ASUU. It would be a combined protest, both to show support for ASUU and also protest against that woman (Oduah). It’s going to be a very strong protest,” he said.

Similarly, the Executive Chairman, CACOL, Debo Adeniran, said, “We have written to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission; we submitted the letter on Wednesday and we gave them seven days. After that expiration, CACOL is taking its independent action.

“We are going to hit the roads to protest the issue.”

In her submission, the President, CD, Joe Okei-Odumakin, said impunity should not be encouraged. She described Oduah’s trip to Israel for pilgrimage in the heat of the crisis as an affront to Nigerians. She said it showed the aviation minister was not remorseful and not in tune with the masses.

Okei-Odumakin said although Oduah had the right to fair hearing, she, however, said the panel set up by President Jonathan was only for “administrative purposes.”

The CD President said the group would take to the streets, if the investigation panel was found wanting.

The Executive Director, SERAP, also said Adetokunbo Mumuni, the group was waiting for President Goodluck Jonathan’s action on Oduah’s response to the query issued to her.

He said the group was also waiting for the outcome of the probe by a presidential panel.

Mumuni said, “We’ll support whatever other civil rights organisations are ready to do in respect of the matter (scandal). We may take it a little bit further by filing a court action, once we are able to make up our mind on the substance of the case before the court.

“If no action is taken by the President, we may be compelled to go to court.”

Likewise, the Executive Director, CLO, Mr. Ibuchukwu Ezike, said the group would take necessary actions, if the Federal Government failed to punish all those indicted in the scam, including Oduah.

“The President has set up a committee to investigate the matter and the House has asked its committee to look into the matter. One thing we know is that Nigerians are not happy with this and we will not allow them to sweep it under the carpet.”

Its obvious that there is a grand plan to discredit and rubbish Stella from the aviation ministry, if not why is it a news that bulletproof cars were bought!!! All the governors in Nigeria today uses bulletproof and luxury cars where did they get the money to buy them and how much? and in whose name were the cars bought? The earlier we start fighting real issues in this country the better for us all.
How can we be trying to crucify a woman who did no wrong, the cars were bought in govts name and was budgetd for! I believe the woman have never even used the cars or even seen it. If you want to do protest , go and protest against Akpabio that bougth luxury bus sometime last year, go and protest against governors spending billions to buy and maintain useless private jets. For crying out loud how many of these leaders today were living the kind of luxury life they are enjoying today before they came to power? these are the questions we need to ask before casting the first stone on Stella.

These bunch of jobless bigots looking for cheap recognition, whats thier own again here?
I hate such clowns. Why did they not protest when a norther stole billions of naira meant for penssioners?
They should hit the streets and watch gun men open fire on them. I pity those that will die that day.

The more these disguised bigots create unnecessary attention, d clearer their evil intension becomes and d stronger d decision to keep madam Odua as Minister.
These people are yet to tell us something else they are afraid of aside d purchase of bullet proof cars.

Lol
Yoruba group in action!

@OP

This group is one reason Nigeria is called a cesspit. Have they established an iota of scam or corrupt intensions in the purchase of cars? What form of corruption has these malnourished fools discovered in the procurement of the two BMW cars?

This is a welcome development, it is a shame that these protests have not taken place before now.

gleaf: Its obvious that there is a grand plan to discredit and rubbish Stella from the aviation ministry, if not why is it a news that bulletproof cars were bought!!! All the governors in Nigeria today uses bulletproof and luxury cars where did they get the money to buy them and how much? and in whose name were the cars bought? The earlier we start fighting real issues in this country the better for us all.
How can we be trying to crucify a woman who did no wrong, the cars were bought in govts name and was budgetd for! I believe the woman have never even used the cars or even seen it. If you want to do protest , go and protest against Akpabio that bougth luxury bus sometime last year, go and protest against governors spending billions to buy and maintain useless private jets. For crying out loud how many of these leaders today were living the kind of luxury life they are enjoying today before they came to power? these are the questions we need to ask before casting the first stone on Stella.

When will you realize that you are just not looking right here?

A purchase of that amount can only be approved by the Federal Executive council and even at that, they advertise and interested companies bid for it competitively. In this case that was not done.

Why did they first deny the presence of the cars? They knew the cars exist but they chose to say no because someone knows it is wrong.

A state governor buying a Jet in the state is different because the State's executive council will be paying for that purchase and they would have approved it. The aviation ministry is under the FEC and what happened is a clear abuse of office, mismanagement of funds and suspected money laundering.

What does a minister need bulletproof cars for? I still don't see the logic behind that. Why would anyone want her dead? Is she as fierce in her job as Madam Dora Akunyili of NAFDAC then?

Even if she was threatened, why did she never complain to the police and hence a record of that complaint filed?

Why did she need 2 cars for a ministry that was already struggling for funds?

Why is it that the NSA/SSS is saying they have no record of the car in their registry as the law stipulates?

These questions need answers

I am very grateful to God Almighty that Jonathan and his subordinates did not blow up innocent civilians to divert attention on this one. As he has chosen to fly out of the country together with his collaborators in looting industry to while away time so as to cool the tempo before coming back, i say in Muslim voice ; ALHAMDULILLAH! THERE IS NO BASIS TO ACCUSE US OF BLOWING UP A CHURCH.

Igbos why don't you ever protest to have good things? As it was in occupy Nigeria, so shall it be with this one. Certain people will never support good and that's to tell u which direction the country will finally head to.

I hope the tribalists organising the protests start and end it in their own neck of the wood. This pull-him-down protest is simply putting the cart before the horse. Investigators are yet to submittheir findings.

As for the ASUU angle, again only BIGOTS support ASUU In their untowards strike. Let them strike till thy kingdom come, their 'agreement' is not implementable, best the go back to the negotiating table. Bunch of selfish lecturers!