₦airaland Forum

The Global Integrity Crusade Network (GICN) has urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and Body of Benchers to call the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Wole Olanipekun, to order over remarks that could potentially lead to anarchy.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday in Abuja, the president of GICN, Barr Edward Omaga said Olanipekun’s statement is illogical with the prospect of throwing the country into an unnecessary war situation.

In his final written address to the tribunal against the petition filed by the Labour Party, Olanipekun, President Bola Tinubu’s counsel said the FCT is the 37th state for electoral purposes and any other interpretation would “lead to absurdity, chaos, anarchy, and alteration of the very intention of the legislature”.

But Omaga said Olanipekun not only threatened the judiciary, he intends to blackmail the Honourable Justices sitting at the PEPT into doing the bidding of Mr. President.

His words: “What bothers us now is how Nigeria can survive as one indivisible nation beyond the verdict to be passed by the PEPT and Supreme Court as to who won the Presidential Election. We are aware that anarchy and strong statements have been made by one of the gladiators at the PEPT through his lawyers.

“Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN in the Final Written Address dated 14th July 2023 and filed on behalf of President Tinubu maintained that Section 134 (2) (b) of the Constitution should be interpreted to mean that the Federal Capital Territory is the 37th State in Nigeria for electoral purposes.

“He argued that President Tinubu needed not to have won 25% of the total votes cast in the Federal Capital Territory before INEC declares him the winner. Olanipekun SAN contended that any other interpretation different from this will lead to absurdity, chaos, anarchy, and alteration of the very intention of the legislature.

“To our mind, the above submission coming from a very Senior Member of the Inner Bar is unbecoming, unpalatable, illogical and can be interpreted to mean a subtle attempt at threatening or blackmailing the Honourable Justices sitting at the PEPT into doing the bidding of Mr. President. We want Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN to note that it was wrong for him to fan the embers of chaos and anarchy when Nigerians have chosen to remain calm despite their feelings about the Presidential Election. He should remember that no ethnic group owns Nigeria more than the others.

“Assuming that the lawyers of Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi equally make such anarchy and strong statements in their Final Written Addresses, what would have happened? Does Olanipekun SAN think that he has the monopoly of threat and blackmail? We request the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to quickly cut Olanipekun SAN to size before he throws the country into an unnecessary war situation all in the name of legal practice. Let it be known that Nigerians are not cowards or fools. They are keenly following proceedings at the PEPT with the belief that nothing short of substantial justice shall be done to all the litigants.”

Omaga, therefore, urged the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), which is under the supervision of the Body of Benchers (BOB) to push for sanction against Olanipekun on the ground of professional misconduct.

“He should first be made to drop the BOB Chairmanship so that he does not influence the process and decision of LPDC,” the statement added.

“The anarchy and strong statements made by Olanipekun SAN in his Final Written Address must not be taken for granted as they are capable of tearing Nigeria apart.”

As Nigerians await the Judgement of the Presidential election petition tribunal that heard the petitions brought by Mr Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar against Tinubu, President of the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Dr. Pogu Bitrus has claimed that Tinubu counsel are aware that they don’t have a good case.

It would be recalled that both Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar are asking the tribunal to upturn the election that produced Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the winner in the February 25th election.

Speaking during an exclusive interview with Sun Newspaper, Pogu Bitrus said even Tinubu counsel are talking about a rerun.

According to him, he doesn’t believe there will be a rerun because APC and Asiwaju Tinubu have not case.

“Even the APC and Tinubu’s counsel are talking about rerun because they know they don’t have a good case. But, are they going to get a rerun? No, and if they don’t, this whole ministerial thing will collapse.” Sun Newspaper quoted Pogu as saying during the interview.

Nana Sani Kazaure, a prominent figure within the Labour Party and an integral member of the OBIDATTI Presidential campaign council, recently took to her official Twitter account to share a thought-provoking quote attributed to the late Musician, 2 Pac.

In her tweet posted on a Saturday, Nana Sani Kazaure shared a quote that resonates deeply with the current societal climate, emphasizing the disheartening contrast between funding for warfare and the lack of resources allocated to address poverty. The quote reads, “They have money for war, but they can’t feed the poor.”

Nana Sani Kazaure’s proactive engagement on pertinent national matters is well-known. She has consistently utilized her platform to express her concerns and observations about the prevailing state of the nation. Her recent post emerges as yet another testament to her commitment to shedding light on critical issues affecting the populace.

The timing of Nana Sani Kazaure’s post is noteworthy, coinciding with a period of heightened scrutiny and discourse surrounding the socio-economic challenges being faced by the nation. Her decision to share this powerful quote serves as an effort to draw attention to the apparent disparities in resource allocation between military endeavors and addressing the needs of the less privileged.

Since her post was made, a ripple effect has coursed through social media platforms. Various users have chimed in with their thoughts, opinions, and reactions. This quote, resonating deeply with its readers, has sparked a wave of online conversations about the responsibilities of governments, the allocation of resources, and the broader implications for societal well-being.

Nana Sani Kazaure’s choice to draw from the wisdom of 2 Pac, a renowned figure in the world of music and culture, underscores the enduring relevance of art in reflecting and commenting on societal issues. By sharing this quote, she successfully bridges the realms of music and politics, encouraging a broader discourse on matters that affect the collective welfare.

In the midst of these discussions, it is crucial to recognize the profound impact that thought leaders and influential figures like Nana Sani Kazaure can have on shaping public opinion and catalyzing meaningful change. Her decision to share a sentiment that echoes the sentiments of many underscores the interconnectedness of individuals’ concerns and aspirations within a larger societal framework.

As conversations continue to unfold, it is evident that Nana Sani Kazaure’s tweet has struck a chord, resonating with a wide spectrum of individuals who share her concerns about resource allocation, poverty alleviation, and the broader implications for national development. The power of social media, in this instance, lies in its ability to amplify voices and unite individuals from diverse backgrounds under a common cause.

In conclusion, Nana Sani Kazaure’s thoughtful sharing of the quote attributed to 2 Pac serves as a poignant reminder of the intricate relationship between resource allocation, societal priorities, and the well-being of the most vulnerable members of society. Her decision to engage in these discussions through her platform is a testament to her dedication to fostering positive change and inspiring meaningful dialogue within the public sphere. As these conversations continue to reverberate, the hope is that they will contribute to a broader understanding of the changes needed to create a more equitable and just society for all.

There is the likelihood that a military coup d’etat can still happen in Nigeria given our egregious variant of democratic culture, the compromised nature of our judiciary, and the Nigerian people’s disenchantment with the prevailing socio-political cum economic situation of Nigeria.

But military rule is abhorred in today’s world. It is considered an aberration and anathema for this chief reason: when the military rulers take over power in a country, they will put the country’s constitution into abeyance. Thereafter, they will start ruling the people with iron-fist, abridging their fundamental human rights.

In today’s world, we have these types of government, viz democracy, aristocracy, mobocracy or ochlocracy, kakistocracy, plutocracy, gerontocracy, and others. Of all these types of government, democracy is the best type of government. It is the most acceptable type of government.

Democracy, as a type of government, protects our fundamental human rights and guarantees mass participation of the people in the leadership of their country. That is why Abraham Lincoln defines democracy as the government of the people by the people and for the people.

Before the white people brought democracy to the peoples of Africa, the many different kingdoms in Africa had their unique pre-colonial governments. We had the emirate system of government in the north while the obaship type of government throve in Yoruba land or the west. And the Igbo who are republican in nature had communal or village type of leadership, which was partly based on gerontocracy.

Later, the British, French, Portuguese, Italian, and German people(s), who had partitioned Africa for colonial rule, introduced democracy to their colonial subjects. So the African people(s) suffered and chafed under colonial government for a long while.

However, later, the African people who received education in America and Europe fought for the political emancipation of African countries, which were under the bondage of western imperialism. The African freedom fighters and nationalists, who fought for the decolonization of African countries, include, but not limited to, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Leopold Sedar Senghor, Kenneth Kaunda, Julius Nyerere, and Agostinho Neto.

Their battle for the political liberation of African countries started yielding positive results in the late 1950s with Ghana becoming a politically independent country in 1957. Nigeria achieved self-rule in 1960, too. Zimbabwe was granted political independence in 1980. And many African countries banded together to fight for the dismantling of the Apartheid government in South Africa.

However, the transfer of the batons of political leadership to African political leaders by the white colonialists failed to yield the desired and expected results. Those political leaders, who were freedom fighters, could not take their countries to the acme of economic and technological development; neither could they deepen nor strengthen the democratic structures and institutions on the African continent.

Instead, then, those political leaders trampled on the fundamental human rights of the citizens of their countries. And they pillaged the financial treasuries of their countries and tinkered their countries’ constitutions to elongate their stay in office. Those political despots who misused and abused the political power entrusted in their care include Kamuzu Banda, Gnassingbe Eyadema, Robert Mugabe, Paul Biya, and others.

Consequently, then, the wave of military coup d’etat swept through the African continent, leading to the overthrow of some African civilian governments. In Nigeria, for example, the soldiers held sway over our affairs between 1966 and 1978; and between 1983 and 1999 save the brief period when Chief Ernest Shonekan piloted the affairs of Nigeria under a contraption called the Interim National Government. The successive military governments we had in Nigeria wound back our development by fifty years.

Thankfully, now, Nigeria has had twenty-four years of uninterrupted democratic rule, with one civilian government handing over political power to another civilian government, peacefully and seamlessly. It is an iconic and landmark achievement given the fact that Nigeria is divided along ethnic and religious lines. Here, in Nigeria, ethnic animosity as well as hatred exists. People who hail from an ethnic group view people from other ethnic groups with utter distrust and hatred.

In addition to our problem of disunity, Nigeria’s economy is distressed with millions of Nigerians reduced to sub-humans by biting and grinding poverty. The desperately poor and dispossessed Nigerians are disenchanted with our political leaders. And murmurings among Nigerians about the legitimacy of the President Bola Tinubu’s led government have arisen to crescendo.

So against this background of our distressed economy, the disunity of Nigeria, and the February 25, 2023 presidential election litigation, Nigeria is sitting on a tinderbox. So any missteps taken by the judiciary or President Bola Tinubu can spark off masses’ revolt in Nigeria. The occurrence of violent protests in Nigeria, which can lead to an anarchic situation in our country, will be an invitation to the military to stage a coup in Nigeria.

So President Tinubu, who is leading the ECOWAS offensive to restore democratic rule in Niger republic, should bear in mind the fact that Nigeria is not immune from experiencing another coup d’etat. The conditions that precipitated military takeovers in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Niger exist in Nigeria, too.

So I urge President Tinubu to concern himself with providing purposeful political leadership to us, strengthening of our democratic institutions, and the execution of diverse economic measures to lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty.

And lastly, his non-interference in the judiciary’s handling of the presidential electoral case preferred against him will reassure millions of Nigerians that the judiciary is still the bulwark against the collapse of our democracy. And it will help to keep the military at bay. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.

Goodlyhrt:
I am still begging compassionate Nigerians to have pity on me and save me from joblessness.

The little computer school business that I am doing is being threatened by the fuel hike. I can't continue buying fuel upto 2k everyday to run that place. It is unsustainable.

If any kind Nigerian would provide me with solar equipment I will be very grateful and my God will continually bless the person multifold.

adebayo987:
If the school fit confirm say him bin attend the school, abeg nothing dey there to proof again. As for me, I won't show you my primary school results because na back I dey sit down in those days, but I still manage graduate from uni in 2006. So, no be something to go show anybody.

Person fit get first class but decide not to show you the score sheet because na him privacy and he's acting in accordance to the law that protects one's privacy.

adebayo987:
if he bin score 5 Ds and 7Es, how you want am to show that kind thing?

A Professor of Political Science and International Relations, Babafemi Badejo, has said though former President Muhammadu Buhari failed woefully in the fight against corruption, his successor, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will be worse.

Badejo stated this while delivering the first inaugural lecture of Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Ogun State, titled: “Interests.”

He submitted that Tinubu, judging from his actions in the last one month, would do by far than Buhari in other areas, but not in the fight against corruption.

“It is my own view that former President Muhammadu Buhari failed woefully on the issue of anti-corruption. He did start by wanting to implement the UN anti-corruption’s strategy and went further to appoint a committee and that committee did nothing till today.”

“On President Tinubu, it is too early to give a conclusion, but I can say that from what he has done in one month, he will do by far better than Buhari, but not on corruption.

“He (Tinubu) has not been talking about corruption, but all he has been saying is that he is going to make sure that make judges are comfortable, make everybody comfortable, but no country around the world can be comfortable by staying very far away from fighting corruption. Maybe he will change his mind later on corruption. I wish him well.”

The inaugural lecturer lamented that, Nigerians had been making corruption to thrive by being “too docile and tolerant of corruption for too long.”

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Wainey:
Niger does not have what it takes to stand ECOWAS.
Also I don't want this war on Niger, they are trying to find a govt that will suit them, but I seriously don't want them to think a military dictator is better than a democratic govt.

I think they have to look for a voice in Democracy than settling for military rule

tensazangetsu20:
One thing I noticed here is that their apartment blocks are multi storey and rental cost are cheap. Agbadorians go dey shout tinubu built Lagos but they can't afford to live in eko Atlantic and that's all they chant as achievements

Gerrard59:
This is not the capital o.

Chai! The white man spread his seeds almost everywhere, and in those places he is dominant, they are prosperous. The White man has issues, especially with black people. But he has done well to build successful and functioning societies for his offspring to live

Dubetex96:
He no even yarn pass BIGOT Bayo Ononuga mteeew

The Ohanaeze sociocultural organisation has cautioned the judges of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal against issuing an erroneous judgment.

POLITICS NIGERIA reports that, according to the group, an erroneous judgment could lead to a situation similar to the military coup in Niger Republic.

Ohanaeze said the judges must be independent in their verdict of the 2023 general elections, which are marred by allegations of irregularities and non-compliance with electoral laws.

The group’s factional Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isisguzoro, said the lack of adherence to the electronic transfer of election results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) central server, known as IREV, further fueled these concerns.

Isisguzoro said Nigerians are eagerly awaiting the verdict of the PEPT, and their expectations are high for an unbiased and uncompromised judgment.

He said the interpretation of the constitutional requirement for a presidential candidate to win 25% of 2/3 of the states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja is a crucial issue that the judiciary must address.

He said, “As Nigerians eagerly await the verdict of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT), their expectations are high for an unbiased and uncompromised judgment.”

“Additionally, the interpretation of the constitutional requirement for a presidential candidate to win 25% of 2/3 of the states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja is a crucial issue that the judiciary must address.

“We emphasise the consequences of an erroneous judgment in light of recent events such as the Nigerien military coup. The apex Igbo cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has cautioned the PEPT judges against making any errors in their verdict. Nigerians understand the gravity of this warning and recognise the potential consequences of an erroneous judgment. The judiciary must consider the broader implications of their decisions, as a flawed verdict could undermine public confidence in the democratic process and lead to social and political unrest.

“Recent events, such as the military coup in Niger, serve as a stark reminder of the fragility of democracy and the importance of upholding the rule of law. Nigerians have witnessed the disastrous consequences of political instability and the erosion of democratic institutions. The PEPT must bear these lessons in mind and recognise the pivotal role they play in upholding the integrity of the electoral process and preserving Nigeria’s democracy.

“The expectations of Nigerians for the 2023 Presidential Election Petition Tribunal are rooted in the desire for an unbiased and uncompromised verdict.”

The protest in Niger Republic against Tinubu who is chairman of regional bloc, the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) is coming after a coup in the country which removed the democratically elected President, Mohamed Bazoum.

The protest in Niger Republic against Tinubu who is chairman of regional bloc, the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) is coming after a coup in the country which removed the democratically elected President, Mohamed Bazoum.

It is also coming after BBC reported that Nigeria cut off power supply to Niger Republic in line with an order from the Nigerian presidency.

ECOWAS has already said that military response will be the last option it will seek to restore the democratically elected government removed by the military junta.

The Caritas Nigeria (Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria) election observer group has declared the 2023 general elections as the worst in the history of Nigeria’s electoral system.

Director, Church and Society Department of Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, who is also the Executive Secretary, Caritas Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Uchechukwu Obodoechina, made this declaration at the public presentation of the 2023 General Elections Observation Report.

Obodoechina said that the elections were married by violence, intimidation, disenfranchisement, vote-buying, logistics challenges, and several other vices that affected its credibility.

He recommended punishment for people who compromised the system, which he said resulted in the manipulation of the outcomes of the elections.

The cleric said, “Obviously, majority of Nigerians are disappointed with the performance of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies despite the huge financial and logistics support it received.

“One of the greatest flaws of the 2023 elections was the inability, unwillingness, and outright refusal of INEC to upload results from Form EC8A to the IReV portal in real-time from the Polling Units as was severally promised before the conduct of the election.”

Obodoechina stated that currently, no fewer than 10 political parties have instituted 1,341 cases, representing about 90 percent of the 1,490 contested seats; and 346 judges have been engaged in different tribunals, making the 2023 elections the most litigated, contentious, disputed elections in the history of Nigeria’s electoral democracy.

He noted, “There are chances that the 1,341 petitions may not be the last since some other cases have not come to the fore. The ball is now before the Courts, and one question that agitates people’s minds is why it should be so. If the Courts should be the avenue of determining who wins elections in Nigeria, then what is the essence of establishing INEC?

“Judiciary is the last hope of the common man and they should live to that expectations. But with the level of corruption, impunity, and failure of consequences in the country, one is skeptical about the type of justice that will be served to the litigants.

“It is our sincere hope that the judiciary should, for once, prove those who do not trust the integrity of the judiciary wrong by serving the type of justice that will right the wrongs done during the polls.”

The cleric further urged INEC to apologize to Nigerians over how its officials dashed the hopes of millions of citizens by conducting an election that fell short of, not only the expectations of most Nigerians but that of the international community, despite the huge funds approved for the exercise.

Kayyy:
Was the secondary school he returned back to the missionaries because he couldn't fund them free ?

TemplarLandry: