NBA urges National Assembly to impeach Jonathan
By Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja 32 minutes ago

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has advised the National Assembly to begin impeachment moves against President Goodluck Jonathan, if he fails to return petrol subsidy.
The umbrella body of lawyers also ordered its members to embark on nationwide strike from Monday.
This is in line with the mother of all strikes declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to protest the removal of petrol subsidy by the Federal Government.
In a statement yesterday in Kaduna by its President, Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN), NBA said the “much-touted palliative” measures reeled out by the government will “destroy what is left of the lives of Nigerians”.
The association regretted that “government took advantage of its people’s distress arising from the Christmas bombings and killings by the Boko Haram terrorists and insensitively caused the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (a creature of statute) to announce the withdrawal of petroleum subsidy”.
“If government should apply half the vigour with which it has pursued the issue of the removal of subsidy to the eradication of corruption in all the arms of government and in society in general, then trillions of naira would be freed up for developmental projects”, it said.
In the statement, entitled “Holding Government Accountable and Responsive to the People”, the NBA said the Justice Belgore Committee raised by government to negotiate with the labour and the civil society organisations is a waste of time “because there is in reality nothing to negotiate”.
“The minimum position is the immediate reversal of this provocative and uncalled for increment of petrol”, it stated.
The association recalled how it cautioned government against the subsidy removal and advised it to adopt a different strategy.
The statement reads: “The impression given by government was that the issue will be debated and the views of Nigerians properly considered. Government led its people to believe that the earliest time any possible action would be taken in the direction of subsidy removal was the April 1, 2012. Instead, government took advantage of its people’s distress arising from the Xmas bombings and killings by the Boko Haram terrorists and insensitively caused the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (a creature of statute) to announce the withdrawal of petroleum subsidy, thereby escalating the price of PMS from the already suffocating N65 to the unbearable range of N141-N250.
“Nigerians have in the past four days reacted angrily to government’s action described above. It is considered not only premature, but wicked and insensitive. Nigerians have now concluded that their leaders are truly detached from the reality of economic hardship endured by Nigerians. This is so because virtually all high government officials and their families feed and live off tax payers’ funds, yet they enjoy outrageous salaries and other emoluments. In some cases the amount budgeted for feeding and catering is as much as N1 billion. Government officials travel limitlessly round the world for the flimsiest of reasons collecting estacodes in billions even where the object of most of these journeys can be achieved by simply browsing the Internet. Consequently Nigerians have reacted spontaneously to this unwise and ill-motivated manoeuvre by demonstrations and other forms of protest nationwide.
“Government clearly does not understand the seriousness of the situation. It has failed to understand that all governments, be they dictatorial or otherwise, enjoy power because the people allow it to remain in power. No government can outlast the will of the people. It is clear that Nigerians do not and will not tolerate subsidy removal under the terms and conditions set out or laid down by government. Any removal of subsidy based on the importation of petroleum products is unacceptable to Nigerians. Government must create the infrastructure for the refining of 100 per cent of petroleum products in Nigeria and by Nigerians. It had been done in the past, it was sabotaged, and it can and will be done again.
“The response of government has been to say that there is no alternative to the removal of subsidy; with all due respect there are many alternatives.
•If government should apply half the vigour with which it has pursued the issue of the removal of subsidy to the eradication of corruption in all the arms of government and in society in general, then trillions of naira would be freed up for developmental projects.
•Government should identify areas of wastage in governance, such as the allocation of largesse and booties in the name of allowances and withdraw same forthwith.
•Government must embark on a re-orientation of its own values and ethics and those of Nigerians.
•Law and order must be enforced in accordance with the Rule of law.
•And many other urgent and indeed numerous measures.
•Where and if government persists on this suicidal course of action, the options open to the people are limited but clear.
They include: “ A call on the National Assembly to officially and formally declare its position on the removal of fuel subsidy.
“If as we believe the National Assembly sides with the people, then it must in the same transaction call on the President to rescind or reverse its actions on subsidy removal.
“ Should their call not be heeded by the President, then National Assembly should seriously consider impeachment proceedings; the President having lost the confidence of Nigerians to continue to rule or lead them.
“If the legislators fail to take the desired actions then Nigerians will commence the constitutional process to recall them.
“The Nigerian Bar Association believes in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Rule of Law. Where its elected officials believe that government and governance have become private property run at the master’s whims and caprices, then the time has come for these officials to be reminded that that the people are in charge.
“It must be mentioned that it appears to be more than a coincidence that government chose to remove subsidy at a time when the nation was reeling and mourning from the activities of anarchists and terrorists. Be it noted that Nigerians will not be cowered either from the activities of terrorists or those of an insensitive government. We shall deal with and resolve these issues with or without Government.“
Daudu said the NBA had since the purported removal of fuel subsidy been in active consultation with the NLC, TUC, NMA and other professional bodies and civil societies.
“For the avoidance of doubt, all members of the NBA shall participate in the nationwide strike commencing on January 9, 2012.
“The strike shall be comprehensive with all lawyers withdrawing their services from courts and elsewhere except as it is necessary to facilitate the continuation of pressure on government to rescind its actions.”

http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news/32353-nba-urges-national-assembly-to-impeach-jonathan.html

The same NBA called for the reinstatement of Salami. They lost, but keep dabbling into politics instead strategigising to clear the bar off corruption.

Supported! What a wicked and evil president

GEJ is the Rehoboam of our time, chastising the masses not with wipes but with scorpion. It is time we say "to your tents oh Isreal".

Goodfu ck egbere jonasatan, your days in the aso rock are numbered, the IMF and world bank wont be able to save you, your friends at the UN cannot help you, we are coming for you, we will get you, we will bite you, we are closer to you than you know.

good move. now the message is changing across the nation. the song will soon change to Jonathan must go!

ttt

I laugh at the argument. On what basis does those lawyers want the president to be impeached? It will be easier to impeach him on the Boko aram issue than on the fuel subsidy controversy.

Then who will take over. Namidu sambo buhari , Atiku

Eifeh:

Then who will take over.  Namidu sambo               buhari , Atiku

Typically, when you impeach a president, you impeach the vice president also because he is also part of the policy makers, executive branch. So by our constitution, the next in line will be Gen. David Mark (Rtd). As far as I am concern, he will run the country better that this thing called Jonathan. Gen. David Mark, execute this coup and take over. As soon as you take over, revert the subsidy removal and Nigerians will be behind you. We love listening presidents!

This NBA is it recognized by law ? I thought they were under NLC/TUC; why are we hearing many voices instead of unison demand. Anywayz, the Chambers are controlled by PDP so NBA is falling their hands. They are losing my respect daily.

These are the Kind of People we pray for. Pls lets join Hands together and send this Badluck away and Bring PDP to History. Pls Join the Strick

Beaf:

The same NBA called for the reinstatement of Salami. They lost, but keep dabbling into politics instead strategigising to clear the bar off corruption.

Always the first person to post after someone say anything bad about Badluck your boss

You no get job?

BEAF, just asking, are you a humanbeing or a ghost operating among the living with a deadly agenda to destroy as many lives as possible?

Watch God spoil ALL your plans including those you are helping. The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. Where is "'youth'' Kalu who did the same job for Abacha? Enough said. Watch God do His kind of Clean Up. I trust Him. You will destroy urself back to your ''ghost enclave''. I speak what I have heard! You have no love or sympathy in you judging from your comments, oh I 4got you are a wicked ghost among men.  We shall see who laughs last.

Danka7777:

Typically, when you impeach a president, you impeach the vice president also because he is also part of the policy makers, executive branch. So by our constitution, the next in line will be Gen. David Mark (Rtd). As far as I am concern, he will run the country better that this thing called Jonathan. Gen. David Mark, execute this coup and take over. As soon as you take over, revert the subsidy removal and Nigerians will be behind you. We love listening presidents!

No, let's capture and kill em all!!!

who knows, david mark might just be plotting his own coup,

Eifeh:

Then who will take over.  Namidu sambo               buhari , Atiku

How can buhari and atiku take over? are they in govenment? I sense you are trying to start another topic.
If buhari can take over, then i can take over too  

Jonathan must go and Mark to take over, Shikena!

maryjames9:

Always the first person to post after someone say anything bad about Badluck your boss

You no get job?

Ironically,Beaf aka Defender of the GEJ administration,actually has a well paying job, and dat is trying (without success) to defend(cover) Oga Joe's policies(nyansh)every time he talks(shits).
And he gets paid,real good.

And here comes the true motive for all this noise,nobody can impeach Jonathan. Let them try it and finally realize their stupidity because Mark will finally become the president of the North and the Western part of Nigeria and that is what those of us in the SS WANT.Please move fast with this impeachment that will bring to an impeachment on the name NIGERIA!

@beaf,
My brother, lets just remove sentiments and look at this thing clearly. Before now, i can go anywhere to defend our Presidoo in his intentions to move the country forward notwithstanding the internal pressures but to be frank with you things are no longer the way u may perceive them. My brother, this is not what i will say in the open here. If you really want to know, drop ur email for contact or reach me out through this
1FXK~|h%2VQM~?G53*|27023^B#&Cz57Ty4

you may be surprised at the classified info with very few.

They say when the enemy is on the air, Grasses have ears. It is only those who dont know that talk themselves into problem

The same group of Nigerians who had no sense of judgement and whose voices/thumbs helped put retardeen in government are likely the same group of morons who without common sense still, are suggesting for us to to impeach the President at a time when security concerns are rife and tension amounts.

It's now very clear that there are no cabals anywhere, just tens of millions of idio[i]t[/i]s who just can't think beyond their anuses!

If the President gets impeached, the nation plunges further into chaos, everybody loses!

dats a good move but, who will then take over from him

Dauda has been bribe by the useless cable that want to hold this country captive. All this lazy non productive terrorist that r contributing nothing to the economy and r taking Oil from the ss and subsidise their lazy ass and still have mouth to talk. Superior idea will over come foolishness

Nigerians – where are your priorities? Isn’t this the same organization members who runs around defending the corrupt practices of those Governors, Legislators, Embezzlers, 419 e.t.c filing one injunction after the other, and at the end of the day, the case or cases either disappears, thrown out of court, and even when the culprit is found guilt, he/she end up spending a 6 months prison sentence, not in a real prison, but at a 5 Star hotel under the disguise of health issues?

I may or may not support this subsidy removal issue, but the point is, and for the country to progress, her citizens cannot continue to be selective in fighting only those battles and causes that affects their pocket book while turning a blind eye on other issues: Corruption is Corruption – which is a cancer that has eaten rotten into the core principles of an average Nigeria. A quick dictionary definition of Corruption states that it is an:

a: impairment of integrity, virtue, or moral principle : depravity
b: decay, decomposition
c: inducement to wrong by improper or unlawful means (as bribery)

Is Subsidy removal an impeachable offence? – Don’t belief so.
What happens to the separation of powers, since they are now calling on the Legislative arm of Government to tell the Executive what to do?
What about recalling all the elected members of both Houses, Non performing Governors (and at what measurement standard), Local Council Chairman - Because of their exorbitant salaries and perks?
And while we are at it, we might as well stand up against Police Brutality, Corruption and refuse taking and offering gift to induce a favor in the name of tradition. At the end of the day: It is A BRIBE.

NBA is very funny.

My problem with impeaching Jonathan is that it may not solve our problems, imo. Who do we replace him with, then, Namadi Sambo? Are u kidding me?

Its better we bend him to our will and make him do what we want. Hopefully by 2015, we would learn to reject any candidate the PDP gives us.

HNosegbe:

My problem with impeaching Jonathan is that it may not solve our problems, imo. Who do we replace him with, then, Namadi Sambo? Are u kidding me?

Its better we bend him to our will and make him do what we want. Hopefully by 2015, we would learn to reject any candidate the PDP gives us.

nah! Sambo goes automaticaly wif hm, d senate leader takes ovr

This is another shit thread so members of house assembly do not have their own mind foolish NBA. Go to hell the country will need to reform NBA is better to reforming themselves bastards

WHAT THE HELL ARE THEY WAITING FOR, GET THAT POO CALLED EBELE ODECHUKWU RETARDEEN OUT OF THERE NOWWWWWWWWW.

The NBA's supposed to be a noble institution instead What do we have? Who gains when subsidy is retained? Pay less for fuel and suffer perpetually? The fight against corruption must start from somewhere someday. FUEL SUBSIDY is the mother and father of corruption in Nigeria. if we cannot endure a little pain a better tomorrow, then is too bad for a pple who wants to be respected outside. How do you feel when you see the direction Ghana is going?

I wont be surprised if the sponsors of this bad belle thinking are not the same pple that have been feeding fat on the oil subsidy and NBA turns deaf and dumb on that issue. Shameless institution!

A colonial official, Harold Smith, in a London television interview some years ago provided a window into the motives that informed British policies on Nigeria through the period of colonialism to independence. Hear him:

[b]"When we assessed Nigeria, this was what we found in the southern region; strength, intelligence, determination to succeed, well established history, complex but focused life style, great hope and aspirations, the East is good in business and technology, the west is good in administration and commerce, law and medicine, but it was a pity we planned our agenda to give power "at all cost" to the northerner. They seemed to be submissive and stupid of a kind. Our mission was accomplished by destroying the opposition at all fronts. The west led in the fight for the independence, and was punished for asking for freedom. They will not rule Nigeria!"

"Despite seeing vast land with no human but cattle in the north, we still gave the north 55 million instead of 32 million (in the census). This was to be used to maintain their majority votes and future power bid. The West without Lagos was the most populous in Nigeria at that time but we ignored that. The north was seriously encouraged to go into the military.We believed, that the south may attend western education,-but future leaders will always come from military background. Their traditional rulers were to be made influential and super human. The northerners were given acceleratcd promotions both in the military and civil service to justify their superiority over the south. Everything was to work against the south. We truncated their good plan for their future. I was very sorry for the A.G; it was a great party too much for African standard. We planned to destroy Awolowo and Azikwe, the west and the east and sowed a seed of discord among them. We tricked Azikiwe into accepting to be president having known that Balewa will be the main man with power. Awolowo had to go to jail to cripple his genius plans for a greater Nigeria. If Northern leaders have any agenda in Nigeria at all, sadly it is only for the north, and nothing for Nigeria. The time has come now to see people of intelligent minds with an open and inclusive agenda for all Nigerians in power, people who will really look after Nigeria's large population, her wealth, her potentials, her future."[/b]

Source: http://odili.net/news/source/2012/jan/6/601.html

@ Beaaf:
As usual, ur logic is polluted. U just committed a fallacy in reasoning and logic more popularly known as the "et tu quoque" fallacy. It translates into something like ' see the kettle calling the pot black'. The point is:is d pot black or not?
Very diversionary at best, it is usually employed when a debater is backed into an argumentative wall.
Go polish up boy, and come back. Hear me?