₦airaland Forum

By Musa Ahhmed



When the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris ignored Senate's invitation the first time and sent his deputy, many thought he was busy with security issues. When he ignored the second time and went to Kaduna state, it was becoming clear that his action was a snub, then the third time, it dawned on all that it is a clear snub and a total disregard for the institution of the Senate.

The IGP, for the third time, ignored Senate's invitation asking him to appear before its plenary to explain the killings across Nigeria and circumstances surrounding the arrest of Senator Dino Melaye.

The action of the IGP is the latest in the series of unbecoming cases of neglect and disrespect for the constitution and Democratic institution by top appointees of President Muhammadu Buhari.

It would be recalled that the Comptroller-General of Customs, Hameed Ali, and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, have at different times snubbed the Senate's invitation, promting public outrage and subjection of the Senate to ridicule. A total disregard for section 88 of the constitution which confers on the National Assembly, the power to summon a public official.

The deafening silence of President Buhari and his refusal to wade into this consistent abuse of democracy by his appointees sends a very big signal that they are doing it with maximum support from the President. What more could have led to such disregard if not a Presidential back up?

The IGP's action didn't come as a surprise, it only calls for serious concern which should worry anybody who mean well for the Nigerian democracy. Before serving the Senate a piece of his unruly attitude, Idris, in January, ignored Buhari's order to relocate to Benue State following the deadly attacks on villagers, instead, he was in the state for barely 3 days before heading for somewhere else. It was after over a month that Buhari expressed shock that the IGP flouted his order. Again, nothing was done, no action was taken by Buhari.

When the Presidency in a statement said Idris was summoned and queried by the President. Instead of burying his head in shame for his unruly act, Idris in his usual arrogant and bragadoccio toga, debunked the claim and said he was never summoned, challenging officials to show evidence. For how long will the president continue to harbour such arrogance and flagrant disregard for Presidential orders and other arms of government? Probably there's more to the IGP's act than meets the eye.

The act of the IGP and other appointees, must not be allowed to continue, as it is already setting a bad precedence for democracy, one that may take another decade to clean up and correct.

Buhari's inaction in the face of all these is a sign of weakness and support for the IGP. But one must do well to remind Buhari and his handlers that even if Idris is doing their bidding with his acts of continuous snub of the Senate in total disregard for the rule of law, one day it will get out of hands and may lead to a case of bush meat hunting the hunter.

We have not forgotten how the APC, before the 2015 elections, enjoyed the peddling of falsehoods on the social media because it was in its favour, it feasted on it and rode to power. Since it came to power, the APC-led government have been finding it very hard to quench the fire of falsehood in the country, despite dubbing it hate speech. It nursed the baby of falsehood and now it has grown into an uncontrollable adult, that is the same path the IGP and other Presidential appointees are threading if their act is not quickly nipped in the bud.

Now that the Senate has exhausted all its options on the IGP, and only the President has the power to wade in, it's now left to Buhari to prove doubters wrong that he is not in support of the IGP's action which the Senate as described as enmity to democracy.

The IGP latest action is a litmus test for the President and an avenue for the President to prove to Nigerians that he's not a weakling and a paper tiger who doesn't have any authority on his appointees. We are watching the president to prove us wrong. Until he takes serious action, Buhari remains a weakling and a President without power to exercise authority over his appointees.

A socio-political group, Urhobo Solidarity Union, (USU) has called on the Nigerian Senate to immediately begin process for the expulsion and subsequent prosecution of suspended Senator Ovie Omo-Agege for leading hoodlums to the Senate chamber to steal the Mace.

The group in a statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade John Enitekiru, condemned in strong terms, Omo-Agege's involvement in the act that threw the National Assembly into turmoil and led to the disappearance of the Mace, which according to him "has brought the institution of the Senate into great disrepute and has caused the nation great embarrassment among comity of states."

Enitekiru said "With his unstatemanly act, Senator Omo-Agege has shown that he is not fit to be among distinguish people making laws for the nation. He has also displayed that he's unfit to represent the good people of Delta Central Senatorial district at the Senate."

The group also described as worrisome, the act of the Senator and said if such act is let go unpunished, it could become a very bad model for the coming generation and also set a bad precedence at the Senate which is known to be a gathering of matured, refined and distinguish Nigerians.

"It is on this note that we call on the leadership of the Nigerian Senate to begin the process for Senator Omo-Agege's expulsion and prosecution by the appropriate law enforcement agency," Enitekiru said.

The group also added that "as stakeholders with strong concern for the protection of the interest of Urhobo people, Delta Central Senatorial district, Delta State and the nation at large, we would not fold our arms and watch our elected representative undermine and denigrate democratic institutions, paint the people of Delta state in bad light, all in pursuance of personal interest and self aggrandizement voyage. Omo-Agege must face the wrath of the law".

http://thepunditng.com/senate-invasion-expel-prosecute-omo-agege-group-tells-senate/

By Segun Akinfenwa

Diverse opinions have greeted news about the suspension of Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial district, Ovie Omo-Agege for 90 legislative days by the Nigerian Senate last Thursday.

The Senator, a member of the ruling APC, was reportedly suspended for championing the opposition to the National Assembly's elections reordering bill and the subsequent court case he instituted in court to avoid being punished. Who does that in a true democratic dispensation?

Some of the opinions expressed over the suspension have been constructive, some objective while some are fit only as beer parlour discussion and opinions.

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, while taking his time to explain the decision of the Senate on the issue last Thursday, emphasized the need for Senators to respect and preserve the INTEGRITY of the Senate.

It was quite obvious that Senator Omo-Agege was laying a very bad precedence in the Senate, through his latest actions especially as it bothers on the elections reordering bill and subsequent institution of a court case to evade attempt by the Senate to wiled its big stick that has been used on erring members in the past. He was becoming a divisive element, which if not quickly nipped in the bud could lay a terrible foundation in the Senate and a reference point of rebellion, destabilization and division.

When an institution loses integrity in whatever it does, respect also diminishes and such institution becomes only a carcass, a paper tiger, with no power to take action when and where necessary. This is what the politically discerned believe the Senate was trying to avoid with the suspension of Omo-Agege. A good step in the right direction.

More so, any house that rises against itself will not stand, it will fall like a pack of cards, the Bible was explicit on this.

From the actions of Omo-Agege and his gang, it is obvious that their opposition to the election reordering bill and the court case instituted by Omo-Agege himself are all orchestrated plan to curry the favour of the Presidency. Probably they are doing all to get party's ticket on a platter of gold or for soft landing at the primary, who knows? Only them and time can tell.

Meanwhile, the action and desperation of some Parliamentarians in search of favour from the Executive must not and should never be allowed to be the harbinger that would make the hallowed chamber lose its sanctity, respect and integrity.

While we are not arguing that the National Assembly should always stand as an opposition to the Executive arm even when the Executive mean well, there is a need for checks and balances, the Nigerian political system have long grown beyond the era when the Senate used to be an appendage of the Executive and we cannot afford to go back to that era. It is dangerous for our present democracy and the future of our democracy.

That is why many of us who do not belong to the same political party with the Senate President will always commend his patriotism at any given time.

At several occasions, Saraki has genuinely displayed that loyalty to the country and the constitution shouldn't be sacrificed at the altar of loyalty to the party. Party may die tomorrow, but country will always remain.
Since Nigeria gained Independence in 1960, the country has had several political parties, with many dying naturally after some time, while the country remains. So political gladiators must always watch their actions and not allow personal interest override national interest that may plunder the nation into chaos.

Party will go, country remains. This should be the watchword for political office holders.
Only if they put this on the tablet of their hearts as they take on public offices, the nation would be fairing better.

For any institution to thrive and achieve its set goals, there must be discipline and this is what the Senate displayed last Thursday with the suspension of Omo-Agege. There must be high level of integrity on which respect can be commanded, which will on the long run save the institution from being a carcass.

The Senate has set a good standard for the future, it must be commended for its leniency in handling the matter by limiting the suspension to 90-days.

http://thepunditng.com/omo-ageges-suspension-need-sanctity-red-chamber/

A Former Presidential Spokesman, Dr. Doyin Okupe, has challenged Prof. Itse Sagay, Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption (PACAC), to within 24 hours carry out his threat to reveal the details of the running cost of the principal officers of the National Assembly but added that he should include that of President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Ministers, Special Advisers to the President, other top government functionaries, and even himself.

In a statement released in Abuja, Okupe also said failure by Sagay to give correct figures about the running cost of all top members of the Buhari government in the Executive and legislature should be taken up by the National Assembly and that each day he fails to carry out his threat, his credibility will continue to wane.

" I find the threat by Professor Sagay on allowances and running cost of the leadership of the National Assembly very interesting. It will aid our fight for transparency in public affairs. However, he should not be selective. For us to take him seriously, he should include the details of the running costs of the office of the President, Vice President, Ministers, Special Advisers, heads of Government agencies, parastatals and even himself. Afterall, all the salaries, allowances and running costs come from the same public coffers.

"He should tell the world how much he is paid, how much he spends on his numerous junketing abroad, his allowances, honoraria and others, including the ones paid for by international donor agencies.

"For Prof. Sagay to say that the country would explode if he gives out certain figures is inciting, particularly, at a volatile and tensed period as we have now in the country. I believe the President owes this country a duty to call this man to order.

" It will also be interesting if Sagay can tell Nigerians what the achievements of his committee are in the last 30 months that it has been using government money. Or is the committee set up just for the purpose of abusing and attacking the National Assembly?

"With the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) rating recently released by Transparency International (TI), it does appear that Sagay's committee has neither helped Nigeria nor the President who set up the committee and funded it with taxpayers' money. Mr. Sagay should sit down with members of his committee to work seriously in developing position papers and policies that will actually help the anti-corruption war and make it more effective. This will by far be a much more dignified job than rabble-rousing and witch-hunting of institutions and personalities in the country", Okupe stated.





http://punchng.com/reveal-buhari-osinbajo-ministers-running-cost-okupe-tells-sagay/

2019: Group backs Dankwambo for president

Punch
https://punchng.com/2019-group-backs-dankwambo-for-president/


A group, Concerned Peoples Democratic Party Youths, has thrown its weight behind the Governor of Gombe State, Dr. Ibrahim Dankwambo, for the 2019 presidential election.

In a statement signed by its coordinator, Mr. Sani Bello, on Tuesday, the group extolled the virtues of the 55-year-old governor, describing him as the “brightest and best president for Nigeria in 2019.”

The group said it was backing Dankwambo because it wanted the country’s future president to be a scholar “with a high level of educational qualification and cerebral development, with the capacity for sound judgment based on experience from acquired multi-disciplinary training.”

It also called on Nigerians not to settle for a “mediocre” as president of the country in 2019 when it had the best and brightest people who could lead the citizens to a bright future.

The statement said, “A world-class accountant-cum-financial expert, Dr. Dankwambo is a purposeful, focused, detribalised and young. He is one Nigerians can entrust with governance and be assured of a quick turnaround in the nation’s fortunes via the deployment of sound skills at his disposal to manage men and resources for the greater good of Nigerians, being an administrator and a technocrat.

“He has demonstrated unusual ability over the years, even while at the Central Bank of Nigeria, and was noticed by the then-Gombe State Government, which quickly appointed him as the Accountant-General of Gombe State, and upon noticing his feats in Gombe State, he was immediately snatched by the former President Olusegun Obasanjo administration, who made him the Accountant-General of the Federation, while in 2011, he heeded the call and invitation of his people to lead them as the executive governor; and he was so elected.

“There is no gainsaying the obvious that Dankwambo is simply the perfect man for the job of the president in 2019 due to his vast experience as an administrator, technocrat and a world-class financial manager.”

By Olusola Adeniyi



When news filtered in on Wednesday that the Kwara State House of Assembly has passed a new bill suspending payment of pension to former governors and deputy governors, many perhaps didn't see any peculiarity in the news.

But to set it straight and for clarity sake, after taking some time to study the new law, I came up with these deductions and postulate that everyone who mean good for this nation should start lobbying their respective States for the passage of the bill, before this nation is further plundered into bigger economic woes.

This is what the new bill says; former governors and deputy governors, who after leaving office, went further to hold a political or public office, automatically lose all pension accrued to them as former governor and deputy from their state for an long as they remain in such public or political office. This is a big step towards building strong Democratic system we've been yearning for in Nigeria.

Many may want to argue that the Senate President had been a great beneficiary of the same pension over the years, why championing the suspension of the pension now? Do we blame him? Of course not, it is what the system has foisted on us and to change such system doesn't just occur overnight, it takes time and process which is what has finally happened in the Kwara Assembly.

Some have also argued that it is not out of place for those who have served diligently to be rewarded while they rest, but that's another misconception, the bill only sought to suspend the payment of pension to former governors and their deputies for as long as they hold a political or public office. This implies that, whenever a former governor of deputy leaves office and is appointed into a public office or get elected into another political office, he automatically loses the benefit acrued to him from his state during the period he holds the office.

It is a known fact today that the present National Assembly, the Federal Executive Council and federal government agencies are largely composed of former Governors and deputies who currently receive huge pensions from their states and also enjoy bogus pay on the payroll of government as Senators, Ministers and Board chairmen. This could be likened to the case of depriving the populace their access to the nation's Commonwealth, which circulates among a tiny minority of former leaders, while the people languish in poverty.

Leadership has always been about influence, and it is the prerogative of a leader, as expected of him, to wield such influence positively with his position. Good or bad, history and posterity would always be there to judge. With this new bill, Saraki has once again succeed in using his influence in the right direction, this huge feat by the Kwara Assembly is a new height in the Democratic governance of our nation which should take no time at being replicated across the 36 states of the federation.

He who comes to equity, must come with plain hands, it's time for other former governors presently holding public and political office to start walking the talk if truly they mean well for this nation, it's time to match words with action. Enough of hypocrisy, we want to see then use their influence on their State Assemblies to effect a good change in the nation.

A national leader of the Accord Party, Dr Doyin Okupe has declared that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the major opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cannot win the 2019 Presidential election.

Okupe, a former Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, made the declaration on Sunrise Daily on Channels television on Thursday morning, while reacting to the Press Statement of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo advising President Muhammad Buhari not to seek re-election in 2019.

He said the former President's statement should be a serious concern for the ruling party because all issues raised in the statement are truth that cannot be faulted by anyone and it should also send a strong signal to APC and PDP that they cannot win the Presidency in 2019.

"Everything President Obasanjo said in the statement is correct and we cannot fault them. Things are not going right, we can't argue about it, people are losing their jobs, people are hungry and dying, we can't argue about it. So I am saying APC should not be afraid but they should be seriously worried that it is now clear to Nigerians that they have no good agenda for the country," he said.

Okupe, who threw his weight behind the call for a new Coalition of Nigerians as suggested by Obasanjo in his statement, said "I fully support the call because as it is presently APC will not be able to produce a president on its own. PDP is also highly fragmented. So in order to bring a president that will be acceptable by the people you have to take people from PDP, people from APC and other parties and non partisan people who will come together and create the coalition and that's how it works.

"That was how Buhari became the President. But unlike the APC merger that has failed to translate into meaningful development for the country, this new merger should be about people with ideology and political will to make the country better and I am sure it will spring up by March or April this year," he added.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGIAonsd3XI


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKSJu0pzrss


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDIwSSiN-oQ


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JglZtyGsDHM

Now that there is a united voice on the street all echoing that the present government and the APC have failed to justify the trust, confidence and massive goodwill it enjoyed to dethrone the PDP in 2015. Rather than meeting the needs and yearnings of the common Nigerian, it has worsen the situation with hunger and impoverishment of the people.

It would not be out of place to start setting agenda for the kind of qualities Nigerians must look out for in electing President Muhammadu Buhar's successor. Its now obvious that the much touted integrity narrative of the Buhari government, if at all it exists, is not enough to rule a nation and deliver the dividends of democracy.

Hon Umar Ahmed Suleiman shares some of these qualities as possessed by Governor Ibrahim Dabkwambo of Gombe state.

1. Great Manager: Nigerians must look out for a great manager of human and material resources, and Dankwambo got this in abundance. He is a great manager of material and human resources. He has prudently managed the resources of Gombe which is the 2nd state with the least federal allocation. With this meager amount, Dankwambo has never defaulted on payment of workers salary, while not neglecting massive investment in infrastructure.
He has set Gombe on the world map in terms of infrastructural development even with the little resources.

2. A Nigerian with topnotch priority for quality healthcare and education: with Nigeria presently rated as the nation with highest number of out of school children and still on the bottom of the ladder in infant and maternal mortality across the world, there is need to embark on a search for a candidate who prioritises the education and the nation's healthcare system.
Strong, viable and enduring health and education institutions are top priority, likewise he doesn't toy with effort to mould a rewarding future for the children through access to qualitative education, you can't bargain for less from a Doctorate degree (Ph.D) hinder in Financial Accounting, Ph.D in Financial Management. He values education and he's walking the talk in Gombe.

3. A candidate with deep understanding of Nigeria's Economy: at this time, integrity alone won't rebuild the ailing economy, we need someone who can manage resources to achieve the desired goals and objectives of the nation, anything short of this could spell another doom for the nation as we are presently experiencing.
Dankwambo, as an international and chartered professional accountant per excellence, is well equipped with the experience of serving in higher capacities. Having worked as the Accountant General of the Federation and presently serving a second term as Gombe state Governor, you would agree with me that this is someone that has a very good financial and economic background with a rich knowledge of Nigeria economy and public service, a great asset that would work to turn around the dwindling economic fortune of Nigeria if we do not want to further decline into abyss.

By Salami Musa

Reactions of some Nigerians to the retrial order made against the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki seems to have been equated with his conviction. It must be emphasized that the trial Panel has only in its wisdom opined that the Senate President should simply defend himself in three (3) out of the eighteen (18) charges preferred against him.

The Court of Appeal Panel has only recommended the retrial of the case against Dr. Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal and it should never be misconstrued as the conviction of the number three citizen of the nation.

It must be noted that the three-man Court of Appeal panel led by Justice Tinuade Akomolafe-Wilson has only upheld charges 4, 5 and 6 for retrial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal out the eighteen (18) counts initially brought against the Senate President.

This is at best another opportunity for Dr. Saraki to prove his innocence and to clear himself of any wrongdoing in the remaining three charges; just the same way he had done in the already dismissed fifteen (15) charges.

It should be noted that the retrial order cannot unsettle the Senate President in anyway because he is a clear conscience that fears no accusation. Meanwhile, Nigerians that derive joy in the spread of negative news bothering on Dr. Saraki should appreciate the fact that the number three citizen has so far allowed a free flow of the nation's judicial process and has totally restrained himself from using his exalted office to obstruct the system.

Since the retrial order is already a matter of sub judice in Hindi, Nigerians are therefore advised to patiently wait and allow Dr. Bukola Saraki to prove his innocence and put all doubting Thomases to shame.

Since the 2015 Presidential elections which swept the PDP away from power, and the crisis that rocked the party for over two years, and the several court cases in the battle for the soul and structure of the party, the major opposition party in Nigeria, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) is gradually gathering momentum and repositioning itself for the 2019 elections.

A major step to the repositioning is the PDP National Convention after the court cases that lingered for over two years and affected the fortune of the party in Ondo and Edo governorship elections.

As the Party prepares for its National Convention on December 6th, 2017, Femi Salako (Editor-in-Chief of Triangle Magazine) examines the latest entrant into the Chairmanship race of the party, Prince Uche Secondus and lists ten reasons why he is the most preferred and qualified for the office.

1. Secondus boasts of an unblemished reputation that continues to soar higher above others in the race for the National Chairmanship office of the nation's most popular and major opposition party, the People's Democratic Party (PDP).

2. No member of the party’s Board of Trustees has openly endorsed him as some have done for some other candidates; this has doused the claim that his emergence is a plot being hatched in some quarters to impose him on the party.

3. Rather than sit on his hoarse waiting for any group’s endorsement, Secondus has hit the road working, campaigning day and night across the six geo-political zones, with his redemption messages to PDP delegates.

4. Just as rightly stated by the Oodua PDP Alliance, there is a cogent need to build on the popularity and wide acceptance of the party in the South South where Secondus comes from, hence the need to give room to Secondus. Loyalty of the zone needs to be rewarded with Secondus’ candidacy. Secondus stands as the viable option to reward the zone.

5. Prince Secondus remains the most qualified for the Chairmanship position of the party going by his antecedents before and after the crisis that nearly consumed the party, while many others sold out and abandoned the ship of the party for wreckage, Secondus stood by the party in thick and thin.

6. At this critical time when it is very important that the PDP elects committed party members into the next National Working Committee in the best interest of the party and Nigerian democracy. It is for this need that Prince Secondus, a man of undiluted loyalty, unflinching determination for PDP’s revival stands tall among others as most qualified to lead the party.

7. One of the very few without corruption scandal. It is also important to put into consideration the daily persecution in the name of anti-corruption war, the present APC government has unleashed on any voice against the hardship the party is inflicting on Nigerians, thus Secondus, with no corruption case would not be witch hunt by the government in power to distract him from focusing on rebuilding the party to a formidable alternative to the scam wrapped in Change toga sold to Nigerians in 2015.

8. Prince Secondus remains the only one among the aspirants who portends great prospects for the revival of the PDP to reposition it to winning ways.