[size=14pt]Yar’Adua’s men under surveillance [/size]
By Olusola Balogun
Sunday, March 28, 2010

Fresh trouble seems to be in the horizon for key members of President Umaru Yar’Adua’s kitchen cabinet despite their ouster from the Executive Council of the Federation by Acting President Goodluck Jonathan penultimate Wednesday.

Security sources told Sunday Sun that the returnee National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Aliyu Gusau, has placed them under surveillance to ensure they do not engage in anything untoward.
Apparently acting under instruction, the NSA was said to have ordered that “the movement and contacts of all the former ministers, particularly of those in the (Yar’Adua) kitchen cabinet, be closely monitored and promptly reported to him.”

Key members of the kitchen cabinet had reportedly attempted to checkmate the Acting President even long before he was proclaimed acting President by both chambers of the national assembly.

But the game ended for them when Jonathan decisively sacked the cabinet last Wednesday after a meeting of the FEC. Shocked by the development, members of Yar’Adua’s inner cabinet, who often hold court with the first lady, Turai, were scared stiff of reprisals for their untoward attitude towards the Acting President while he was still the Vice President.

They were said to have made moves to relocate to a neighbouring country, with Ghana top on their list due to its proximity, but security agents stopped them. The source claimed it was members of the clique that the government had in mind when it ordered them all not to leave the country soon after the cabinet was dissolved last week.
Sources claimed those on close security watch are former Special Adviser on Economic Matters, Tanimu Yakubu; former Agriculture and Water Resources Minister, Sayyadi Abba-Ruma; former Justice Minister, Michael Aondoakaa, SAN; Adamu Aliero, former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory; former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Rilwan Lukman, and Minister of Finance, Mansur Muktar.

Former Minister of National Planning, Shamsudeen Usman, who was recalled into the new cabinet, is also said to be on the watch list. According to the source, “we have to put them where we can always see them. They are under watch. The manner they did things before cannot definitely continue. We are compiling their movement, their meetings and a report is being filed on who they meet and their plans.”

He added that the group has been doing some things to undermine the government, adding: “We feed the (Acting) President back on daily basis and I can assure you that the NSA gets reports on them every three hours. We know they are working on a plan to discredit the government.
“They are also working on attacking the foundation of the government, probably through the courts. They are working with some judges so that they will declare the proclamation of the National Assembly unconstitutional and illegal, and subsequently all the actions of the Acting President. One of them is particularly bent on hitting back at the government and is using his influence.”

But speaking to Sunday Sun, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN, said the National Assembly was ready to meet in court anyone planning to challenge its resolution.
Said he: “If anyone is planning to fault what we have done through the court, we will meet them there.”
The Deputy Senate Leader and former chairman of Calabar branch of Nigeria Bar Association added: “We did what we needed to do under the circumstance to save the ship of state and I know it cannot be faulted. We will have things to say too if it is the court they are planning to go. I can assure you of that.”

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/mar/28/national-28-03-2010-004.htm

Beaf:

“They are also working on attacking the foundation of the government, probably through the courts. They are working with some judges so that they will declare the proclamation of the National Assembly unconstitutional and illegal, and subsequently all the actions of the Acting President. One of them is particularly bent on hitting back at the government and is using his influence.”

i was under the impression that the appointment of jonathan WAS in breach of s 145 of the constitution because power was not transferred by way of a written letter by Yaradua nor was it transferred  by way of a declaration by Yaradua's former cabinet - so perhaps Yaradua's cronies have a point.

cap28:

i was under the impression that the appointment of jonathan WAS in breach of s 145 of the constitution because power was not transferred by way of a written letter by Yaradua nor was it transferred  by way of a declaration by Yaradua's former cabinet - so perhaps Yaradua's cronies have a point.

The House of Reps and Senate are our highest law making bodies, their word in law supersedes yours by an incalculable margin.

Beaf:

The House of Reps and Senate are our highest law making bodies, their word in law supersedes yours by an incalculable margin.

so how come there is no provision within the constitution giving them the powers to pass a resolution such as the one that they passed transferring power to Jonathan?

cap28:

so how come there is no provision within the constitution giving them the powers to pass a resolution such as the one that they passed transferring power to Jonathan?

One of our biggest problems is not understanding what a constitution is. It is the main reason we have the Yar'Adua problem.

The constitution is a mere set of guidelines. It isn't some sort of bible with detailed verses; you would be surprised to learn that the Nigerian constitution is 10+ times bigger than its US counterpart. Yet, there is no argument as to the fact that the US is so much better governed.
Every Nigerian loves big letters attached to their names and intellect, so we complicate simple issues; a restaurant becomes an "eatery", National Security Adviser becomes NSA, Acting President becomes AG President, newspaper articles become rambling pieces of ar'se licking bullsh!t. . . It goes on and on.
Right now, we are caught in our "cleverness" trap and if it didn't affect you and I so badly, it would be extremely funny.

Compare Nigerian vs US constitutions yourself;
http://www.nigeria-law.org/ConstitutionOfTheFederalRepublicOfNigeria.htm (Nigeria)
http://www.constitution.org/constit_.htm (USA)

Good one beaf

9ijaprince:

Good one beaf

Thanks.

Beaf:

The House of Reps and Senate are our highest law making bodies, their word in law supersedes yours by an incalculable margin.

I wonder oohh!!

cap28:

i was under the impression that the appointment of jonathan WAS in breach of s 145 of the constitution because power was not transferred by way of a written letter by Yaradua nor was it transferred  by way of a declaration by Yaradua's former cabinet - so perhaps Yaradua's cronies have a point.

Their point is always confusion and thieving, of course they always have a point. But does their point serve the interest of nigeria??

Beaf:

One of our biggest problems is not understanding what a constitution is. It is the main reason we have the Yar'Adua problem.

The constitution is a mere set of guidelines. It isn't some sort of bible with detailed verses; you would be surprised to learn that the Nigerian constitution is 10+ times bigger than its US counterpart. Yet, there is no argument as to the fact that the US is so much better governed.

no beaf, one of YOUR biggest problems is that YOU dont understand what a constitution is neither do you understand how one operates: let me help you out:

1(1)  of the nigerian constitution (thanks for posting by the way) states the following:

This Constitution is supreme and its provisions shall have binding force on the authorities and persons throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

1 (2) The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall not be governed, nor shall any persons or group of persons take control of the Government of Nigeria or any part thereof, except in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.

1 (3) If any other law is inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution, this Constitution shall prevail, and that other law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.


can you not see that your above statement is complete garbage - the constitution is NOT merely a set of guidelines it is a set of principles which set out specifically the way in which a nation is to be governed.  s 1(1)  SPECIFICALLY states that the provisions of the constitution are SUPREME and BINDING on the authorities and persons throughout the federal republic of nigeria,

1(2) goes further to stipulate that no person is to take control of the FGN except in accordance with the provisions of the constitution

1(3) goes on to clarify what should happen if there is any inconsistency between the constitution and any other law basically that the provisions of the constitution shall take precedence.

now beaf i know you're not used to abiding by rules and regulations but the true mark of a civilised society is adherence to the rule of  law, you cant have it both ways, its either you decide to be a banana republic or you comply with the rule of law, we chose to have a constitution, we cant decide to pick and chose when we want to abide by it.

^^^^^^^

and on the same constitution; Yaramugu had provision to disregard nigeria a country bigger than his bullocks to go missing ehuu?

cap28:

i was under the impression that the appointment of jonathan WAS in breach of s 145 of the constitution because power was not transferred by way of a written letter by Yaradua nor was it transferred by way of a declaration by Yaradua's former cabinet - so perhaps Yaradua's cronies have a point.

I would say you are right.

We should pray for the nation not the sick president because that man is already dead to my knownledge.Good people great nation.

Quote from cap28
i was under the impression that the appointment of jonathan WAS in breach of s 145 of the constitution because power was not transferred by way of a written letter by Yaradua nor was it transferred  by way of a declaration by Yaradua's former cabinet - so perhaps Yaradua's cronies have a point.

That section didn't mandate d president to write and dat section didn't also imply dat until d leta is submited d VP can not act. As a mata of fact d constitution only recognises one function for d VP and that is for him to act in d absence of d president. That means in as much as d president goes to d loo in d middle of d meeting, d VP can act on his behalf and in his capacity. So d issue of s145 is just being used to distract us.

cap28: can you not see that your above statement is complete garbage - the constitution is NOT merely a set of guidelines it is a set of principles which set out specifically the way in which a nation is to be governed.  s 1(1)  SPECIFICALLY states that the provisions of the constitution are SUPREME and BINDING on the authorities and persons throughout the federal republic of nigeria,

1(2) goes further to stipulate that no person is to take control of the FGN except in accordance with the provisions of the constitution

1(3) goes on to clarify what should happen if there is any inconsistency between the constitution and any other law basically that the provisions of the constitution shall take precedence.

Just listen to yourself.
Of course, your interpretation of the constitutions "set of principles" is that the country can be owned by a criminal cabal. Disgrace.

The consitution is not a "set of principles", it is a set of BASIC principles, common sense fills in the gaps. If everyone adopts your approach, very soon people will start asking what punishment the constitution stipulates when a man slaps his neighbour.

There are very good reasons why I gave you the links to both the Nigerian and US constitutions. While the US version is a mere 9 pages, the Nigerian one stretches to about 100 pages; yet if Obama ever stays too long in the loo, Joe Biden would take over seamlessly. It shows where we get it wrong and like I said earlier, it is because of the Nigerian error of aggrandising even petty everyday things; you would rather be attending a birthday "function", instead of simply, birthday party as the whole World knows it; Mr Etim Etuk, would rather you addressed him as Chief Engr Senator Etim Etuk CFR MON QED and any other BS he can make up; you would rather be looking up Section 145, than employing common sense and putting the VP in charge as the constitution makes clear.

The rhyme "For Want of a Nail" is most apt here (I hope you like poetry);

The beginning of a poem that makes the point that a seemingly minor event can lead to significant consequences.
For want of a nail the shoe was lost.
For want of a shoe the horse was lost.
For want of a horse the rider was lost.
For want of a rider the battle was lost.
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.

http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1097943

marvix:

That section didn't mandate d president to write and dat section didn't also imply dat until d leta is submited d VP can not act. As a mata of fact d constitution only recognises one function for d VP and that is for him to act in d absence of d president. That means in as much as d president goes to d loo in d middle of d meeting, d VP can act on his behalf and in his capacity. So d issue of s145 is just being used to distract us.

I believe that is an erroneous take on what the constitution states there @Marvix. What we have today is NOT  the VP as PRESIDENT but the VP as ACTING PRESIDENT implying it is at the request of the sitting PRESIDENT, and the only provision made in the constitution for such to take place is IF a LETTER IS TRANSMITTED  to the house of Reps for such to take place. Essentially, it is ONLY BY THE PERMISSION OF THE PRESIDENT that this can take place. the constitution goes ahead to state that aside from this, the House can choose to impeach the sitting president so as to install the VP as PRESIDENT.

145. Whenever the President transmits to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a written declaration that he is proceeding on vacation or that he is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office, until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary such functions shall be discharged by the Vice-President as Acting President.


146. (1) The Vice-President shall hold the office of President if the office of President becomes vacant by reason of death or resignation, impeachment, permanent incapacity or the removal of the President from office for any other reason in accordance with section 143 of this Constitution.

(2) Where any vacancy occurs in the circumstances mentioned in subsection (1) of this section during a period when the office of Vice-President is also vacant, the President of the Senate shall hold the office of President for a period of not more than three months, during which there shall be an election of a new President, who shall hold office for the unexpired term of office of the last holder of the office.


(3) Where the office of Vice-President becomes vacant:-

(a) by reason of death or resignation, impeachment, permanent incapacity or removal in accordance with section 143 or 144 of this Constitution;

(b) by his assumption of the office of President in accordance with subsection (1) of this section; or

(c) for any other reason,

the President shall nominate and, with the approval of each House of the National Assembly, appoint a new Vice-President.

If you look closely enough at the constitution, you will find that 145 is the only place where the words Acting President is mentioned. If that ain't clear enough, then I don't know what else is.

The cabal and its goons have very rightly been placed under security surveilance. They are the enemies of Nigeria, I look forward to the day they will all be jailed.
The same goes to all coup plotters and their conmen.