[size=28pt]ELECTION VIOLENCE PANEL: You don’t have powers to probe violence – Buhari[/size]

On May 13, 2011 · In News , 
BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE, Deputy Political Editor

LAGOS — PRESIDENTIAL Candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Maj. General Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, picked holes in President Goodluck Jonathan’s raising of a 22-man panel to probe the post-presidential polls mayhem that claimed many lives and property in some northern parts of the country.

Buhari who described it as illegal and a wild goose chase, also criticised the doling of N5million each to families of the 10 youth corps members killed in the violence.

The CPC presidential candidate, in a statement by his spokesman, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, said: “The Federal Government, by law, has no powers to investigate any disturbances outside the Federal Capital Territory as pronounced by the Supreme Court in Fawehinmi vs Babangida. The 22-man panel set up by the President is, therefore, a hollow ritual meant to just play politics with a serious national tragedy.

Muhammadu Buhari
“Justice Samson Uwaifo, who has been made the Deputy Chair of this illegal panel was on the Supreme Court panel that gave that decision. He presently chairs a lawful Truth Commission in Osun State as only states have such powers.”

Poor performance at the polls

Buhari spoke as founder of the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, Dr. Frederick Fasehun, berated him over alleged  “drumbeats of war” after performing poorly at the polls.

Fasehun said: “The sectarian pattern of General Buhari’s performance in the last elections in which he won only in North-East and North-West states, coupled with the tribal explosions that took place thereafter, should underscore to all and sundry the kind of image that he has cut for himself. Rather than projecting the qualities of a national leader,

General Buhari cuts the image of a tribal warlord; and he is very dangerous for the unity and future of this country.”

In the statement entitled: “On President Jonathan’s cheap politicisation of post-election violence,” Odumakin said the CPC did not justify the killings, adding: “The only sour truth we have pointed out is that those who wilfully violate the right of the people to freely choose their leaders are vicariously liable for the outrage of the mob. While we want justice for the people who lost their lives, we need to alert the whole world that the handling of this issue by President Jonathan is the worst form of mischief dance on the graves of the dead.”

Buhari alleged that the motive behind the giving of N5 million each to families of the victim was not out of “genuine concerns for the dead” but a “a photo-opportunity with the families,” adding: “Were the government to be genuine over its intention of even compensating those who lost their property, all it would have needed was advertising in newspapers for such victims to come forward with a verification panel to assess their claims and value genuine losses.”

He said the activities of the panel would not stand legally because “most of the terms of reference of this illegal panel are criminal investigations that cannot be tribunalised. The burning of houses is arson while the killing of people is culpable homicide; a competent government should be filing charges against the suspects arrested  rather than embarking on a wild goose chase.”

Intense pressure on OPC, others

However, warning Buhari against heating up the polity, Fasehun said it took a great deal of maturity for southern leaders and organisations like the OPC to resist the intense pressure brought upon them to answer the violence in the North with collateral reprisals in the South.

He said: “Such leaders and organisations also held back out of consideration for President Goodluck Jonathan and their love for democracy. If killings take place in future, it may be difficult to control the backlash of emotions.”

Saddened by the killing of corps members during the mayhem, Fasehun canvassed amendment of the NYSC law to make participants serve in their regions of origin. He also sought N20 million compensation of corps members that die in service.

Country no longer at war

Fasehun noted: “General Yakubu Gowon’s regime established the National Youth Service Corps in 1973 as a post-civil war formula to “keep Nigeria one.” Now that this country is no longer at war, do we still need the NYSC 38 years after? Every year the country loses young, bright Nigerians in the NYSC to sectarian crisis mostly in the North.

Against this background, Nigerians expect that the first assignment of the incoming National Assembly will be to consider a Bill to modify or repeal the NYSC Act. Thus the Legislature must, as a matter of urgent public concern, hold a public sitting, where Nigerians will express their views on the desirability, modification or outright abolition of the operations and the latitude of the NYSC.

“While awaiting this essential legislative intervention, we demand immediate modifications in the scheme. If the NYSC must be retained, authorities should, as a matter of national emergency, put in place a system whereby fresh graduates will serve only within their regions of origin or indigeneship. Yoruba people should serve only in South-West states, while Igbo youths serve in South-East, Ibibio in South-South, Fulfude in North-East, and so on. It is unlikely that dog will eat dog; and a zone will not likely kill its own children in case of any crisis.

Also, the government must immediately institute a compensation and insurance package funded by both the NYSC and host states. The family of any youth corps member who dies in the course of serving his fatherland should receive a minimum compensation of N20 million.”

http://www.nigeriamasterweb.com/paperfrmes.html

Reported death toll was in the high 100s but only 10 youth corp members reported dead? And some people were up in a roar as if it was all against youth corp members!

Kobojunkie:

Reported death toll was in the high 100s but only 10 youth corp members reported dead? And some people were up in a roar as if it was all against youth corp members!

whats your f'n point

Kobojunkie:

Reported death toll was in the high 100s but only 10 youth corp members reported dead? And some people were up in a roar as if it was all against youth corp members!

Do you also criticize the 5 million naira compensation?

The opc leader has said it all,when the 7th assembly assembles,we'll be demanding nothing short of that.

Kobojunkie:

Reported death toll was in the high 100s but only 10 youth corp members reported dead? And some people were up in a roar as if it was all against youth corp members!

really what is ur point,seems so lame to me,as i am speaking to you i'm in kd where there was also violence and i know the state govt have in some way started compensating those involved.nw the nysc is a national scheme championed by the FG thats why they are refered to as FG kids,so when something tragic like this happen is it ur father that should take care of damages and expenses

Kobojunkie:

Reported death toll was in the high 100s but only 10 youth corp members reported dead? And some people were up in a roar as if it was all against youth corp members!

And your point being that it was right to murder 'a few' Youth Corpers in cold blood for reason of election 'fraud'?

What is the old terrorist ranting about?

Kobojunkie:

Reported death toll was in the high 100s but only 10 youth corp members reported dead? And some people were up in a roar as if it was all against youth corp members!

You are SICK.

This is not adding up, this looks like a trick by the newspaper to sell their wares, wetin concern Fashanu and Buhari together? is Fashanu now a CPC member of Buhari an OPC member?

[size=18pt] Buhari Blasts Jonathan ![/size]

[b]Presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), General Muhammadu Buhari (Retd), yesterday blasted President Goodluck Jonathan for allegedly playing petty politics with the unfortunate disturbances in some parts of the country.

Speaking through his spokesman, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, the former Head of State said “The petty politics being played by President Goodluck Jonathan with the unfortunate disturbances following the massive rigging of the April 16, presidential election, shows the tragic incompetence that is governing Nigeria at its pathetic worst.”

Buhari also said that contrary to the vile propaganda by Jonathan that the CPC was justifying the unrest, “it is clear that he is the one who cannot rise beyond base politics when statesmanship is what is required.

“Beyond the twisted logic of the official bulletin of the ruling party, pretending to be news medium, there is nowhere anybody associated with us in any form has provided justification for the crisis in the manner a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governor has done.“The only sour truth we have pointed out is that those who willfully violated the right of the people to freely choose their leaders are vicariously liable for the outrage of the mob.

“While we want justice for the people who lost their lives, we need to alert the whole world that the handling of this issue by President Jonathan is the worst form of mischief dance on the graves of the dead,” Buhari said. Buhari explained: “It is galling that a President who has not shaken off the allegation that he distributed dollars within Nigeria, will value a slain Corper who would have been a breadwinner for life for his family at a token of 5 million naira.“The motive behind this gesture could at best only be a photo-op with the families and not genuine concerns for the dead.

“The Federal Government by law, has no powers to investigate any disturbances outside the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as pronounced by the Supreme Court in Fawehinmi vs Babangida.“The 22-man panel set up by the President, is therefore a hollow ritual meant to just-play politics with a serious national tragedy.

“Ironically, Justice Samson Uwaifo, who has been made the Deputy chairman of this illegal panel, was on the Supreme Court panel that gave that decision. He presently chairs a lawful Truth Commission in Osun State as only states have such powers. Most of the terms of reference of this illegal panel are criminal investigations that cannot be tribunalized. The burning of houses is arson, while the killing of people is culpable homicide, which competent government should be filing charges against the suspects arrested, rather than embarking on a wild goose chase.”

He further said: “We have not forgotten that seven months after the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) claimed responsibility for the October 1, bombing in Abuja during which one family lost four children, the President, who absolved the Niger Delta terror-gang from culpability in a crime it owned up to, is yet to bring the culprits to book.“Were the Government to be genuine over its intention of even compensating those who lost their property, all it would have needed was advertising in newspapers for such victims to come forward with a verification panel to assess their claims and value genuine losses.”

“It has now been forced to eat its words and those of its many accomplices that the elections were free and fair with a self-shot at foot that six million under-age voters, voted for the CPC. This has further strengthened our position that the elections were not credible.“If indeed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and not the CPC allowed six million unqualified voters in one election, the electoral body has serious questions to answer and all elections conducted based on such a fraudulent N87 billion voters register should be nullified.”
[/b]
http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/may/13/national-13-05-2011-001.html



SEE UNDISTORTED REPORT HERE, NOT THAT COOKED UP NEWS FROM SUCH A PAPER.

Buhari will only huff and puff at the tribunal,lose his case/appeal,then go back to his day job;recruiting and training of boko haram terrorists

Kobojunkie:

Reported death toll was in the high 100s but only 10 youth corp members reported dead? And some people were up in a roar as if it was all against youth corp members!

“While we want justice for the people who lost their lives, we need to alert the whole world that the handling of this issue by President Jonathan is the worst form of mischief dance on the graves of the dead,” Buhari said. Buhari explained: “It is galling that a President who has not shaken off the allegation that he distributed dollars within Nigeria, will value a slain Corper who would have been a breadwinner for life for his family at a token of 5 million naira.“The motive behind this gesture could at best only be a photo-op with the families and not genuine concerns for the dead.

“The Federal Government by law, has no powers to investigate any disturbances outside the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as pronounced by the Supreme Court in Fawehinmi vs Babangida.“The 22-man panel set up by the President, is therefore a hollow ritual meant to just-play politics with a serious national tragedy.

Further interesting read!! So how exactly is the INVESTIGATION INTO THE almost 600 deaths ( note,  not just 10 corp members died during the violence but about 600 people did) coming along. Is justice ever going to be served in this case? Or are we, simply paying the families of only the 10 corp members money(while the other innocent lives get nothing),and then going back to our seats to wait till the next riot to wail again?

To me, This Buhari is a threath, too desperate and un remorseful, HAD HE SPOKEN IMMEDAITELY HE HEARD OF THE VIOLENCE IN THE NORTH, BY HIS SUPPORTER WHO BORE HIS POSTERS AND IN HIS DEFENSE WOULD THE ISSUE HAVE GOTTEN AS WORSE AS IT GOT??Now he blabs, Let him go and have a rethink, because all we pray for is a united Nigerian.

rasputinn:

Buhari will [b]only huff and puff at the tribunal,lose his case/appeal,[/b]then go back to his day job;recruiting and training of boko haram terrorists

Yeah, one of the signs of a failed nation. More reason we have billionaire judges, it'll only cost an oil-well!! 

What do we have to do to shut this guy upH why can he check permanently into a retirement home or travel to his desert village permanently

@10cerinoh
Many newspapers carried this news about Buhari, and of course each is allowed to titled the article according to their understanding.
All and all, I don't think impeding this violence investigation is doing good to Buhari's image as the possible source of the violence in the first place.

Buhari has turned himself into a bogeyman - the great evil one, in our political consciousness. With people like him - with TRAITORS like him - given any sort of credibility in the north, that region can forget about ruling Nigeria.

Waiting for all Buhari defenders to explain this one.

Gani took IBB's government to court over this and won at the supreme court, it is the states that are empowered to set up tribunals, also because this is a criminal matter, there is no need for any tribunal, arrest the perpetrators and take them to court shikena.

hercules07:

Gani took IBB's government to court over this and won at the supreme court, it is the states that are empowered to set up tribunals, also because this is a criminal matter, there is no need for any tribunal, arrest the perpetrators and take them to court shikena.

Are delibrately comparing apples to oranges, or you just don't know the difference between a military dictatorship and a popularly elected democratic goverment?
However, I agree with you that arrests should be made immediately and people made to face trial not neccessarily a tribunal.

^^^^

Abeg o, did our constitution say otherwise?

THE MAN HAS SOMETHING TO HIDE. THEY SHOULD GET TO THE ROOT OF THE MATTER. LET US MAKE IT CLEAR; HIS COMMENT HEATED UP THE POLITY. FOR A MAN TO MAKE SUCH COMMENTS MEANS HE IS NOT ONLY WICKED BUT A BLOOD SUCKER AND HE THINKS HE IS WISE IN HIS WAYS BUT LOOSER FOR ETERNITY UNTIL HE BURNS IN HELL.

WE ARE WATCHING, I MEAN WE ARE WATCHING. OPC HAS SPOKEN, MASSOB HAS SPOKEN AND NIGER DELTAL HAS SPOKEN, IF HIS ARMED BEGGARS THINK THEY ARE STRONG ENOUGH, I TELL THESE GROUP ARE READY TO STEP INTO THAT REGION AND PICK UP THEM FROM THEIR BACKSIDES, WHIP THEM TO DEATH.

@naija

I hope you are aware that it was the military that gave us our constitution and that you are aware of precedence in the court of law, please ask a lawyer, he will enlighten you.

Who else is sick and tired of this hungry guy called Yinka Odumakin.

Kobojunkie:

Reported death toll was in the high 100s but only 10 youth corp members reported dead? And some people were up in a roar as if it was all against youth corp members!

The bit in bold is a disgrace!!!!!

@mike

Where was your GEJ when Yinka Odumakin and his wife were facing Abacha's government, the guy has stayed on the side of truth and no matter the intimidations, he will stay the course, you need to educate your president that he has no powers to set up a tribunal, that is the law.

hercules07:

@naija

I hope you are aware that it was the military that gave us our constitution and that you are aware of precedence in the court of law, please ask a lawyer, he will enlighten you.

The military and their constitution are the worst thing that has ever happened to Nigeria.

hercules07:

@mike

Where was your GEJ when Yinka Odumakin and his wife were facing Abacha's government, the guy has stayed on the side of truth and no matter the intimidations, he will stay the course, you need to educate your president that he has no powers to set up a tribunal, that is the law.

Please what section of the constitution says the President can not set up a panel of enquiry to investigate events in Nigeria?

What is the side of truth? Yinka Odumakin's activities in the Abacha regime or whatever regime for that matter is no licence to engage in madness and irrationality.

The question is why is Buhari who is the supposed Mr Transparent scared of a panel of enquiry?

^^^
Good question, and it gives me a headache when educated people try to confuse the issue. IBB and Abacha are not presidents to be compared to GEJ.

Who is afraid of the big bad panel?