₦airaland Forum

emmasege:
@ OP, what makes a democratic government is the legislature. Remember, we've always had the executive and the judiciary anyway, even in the days of the military.

Why do you think the President takes a bow to the offices of the Senate President and Speaker, after presenting his budget? You only bow to a higher authority.

In the true sense of it, the legislature is above the executive in a constitutional democracy.

Well done.
Good contribution

raumdeuter:
You decide

Picture speaks volume.

Thanks for the enlightenment.

kutchs:
The Senate president is the presiding officer of the Senate and head of the NASS even at joint sittings. The president is only a visitor and can not take the place of the presiding officer. That's how democracy works.
I'm very sure you know this but as a buharists, you will rather cause trouble and mischief than accept what is.

BTW, where do you want him to sit? On the ceiling I guess. Funny people.

Thank you for your contribution. Check my post, I was careful not to make it a case of Buhari but the Office of the President.

Must I be a Buharist before I can raise up an observation?

nnachukz:
They can even make him to keep standing all through the process and nothing will happen. This is because, they are the President and Speaker here and he is just a guest.
If he has any reason to go to court, the Judge will still sit above him.

But remember he can't go to court as The President of the FRN but only as a Mr Buhari?

Xander85:
In the National Assembly, Buhari is a visitor and stands where they want him to stand!

The judiciary, legislature and executive are supposed to be equal partners with none lording it over the other, but at the National Assembly the Senate President as head of the legislature is Lord Of The Manor!

How could the President of the Federation be a visitor? And even if he was, that shouldn't rob him off his position as the President of the country

BabaO2:
Jonathan was there for 6 years, why can't it be implemented if not afraid or know what to do? Same was implemented immediately APC came into power in less that a month, if it was rocket science as you made it look, why so easy for APC to implement in less than a month and PDP couldn't implement in 16 years.

When was it initiated? Be realistic? Are you saying every project started 16 years ago or every project must start at the first year of a new administration?

If a project was initiated a year before the end of a term and it would take 2 years....are you saying it is a bad idea to start it even if you won't be the one to complete it?

A real leader plans beyond his four years term. That a program started with a particular govt does not mean that same government will be the one to complete it or has failed for not completing it.

There are some projects that cannot be completed within 4 years....does that mean it should not be initiated?

Fourth mainland bridge started since the administration of Fashola yet little or no progress has been made, if a new party had emerge to work on it, would you say Fashola failed in initiating it?

I am of the opinion that the National Assembly failed to honour the Office of the President by making Mr President to sit at a position lower than that of the Senate and the Speaker.


Those who understand protocols, what do you think about the picture below. Is that seat appropriate for the number One man, while the number Two sat above him.

Liarrs!!!

12 million people out of 190 million people. Is It only rice farming that employs in Nigeria?

But you don't have the initiative to raise such fund to better your rice farming business in terms of infrastructure and equipment.

You lie to high heavens

APC and propaganda. The same way they lied that scholarship and bursary width 683 million was released by the govt in October 18, 2018. Today is Dec 21, 2018....the beneficiaries are yet to receive the fund.

APC and lies are 5&6

festacman:
We earned so much as a country and after 16years there is nothing to show as what our money was spent on: no steady power supply, no diversification, nothing except white elephant projects.

Hellooo

What was the state of our economy before that 16 years you quoted?

How much was Nigeria owing world bank as at then?

Do you think as at 1999 when PDP took over, our democracy should just matured overnight?

If the Military regime before 1999 was great why do we clamour for democracy?

Please avoid unproven allegation. I believe you are more intelligent than what you wrote

BabaO2:
stop saying what you know little about. BVN/TSA was a discussion that PDP was afraid to implement or does not know how to implement. All these points you are celebrating like an illiterate were actually imported into Nigeria.

Very funny.

You said it was a discussion? Who started the discussion?

Can you implement without first planning?

Makanjuola89:
What is the point establishing or building new institutions when the existing ones are enough. What is needed to do is strengthen the available ones and make sure they are fully implemented and thats exactly what Buhari is doing.

One of the reasons Nigeria has not been moving is that whenever a new government takes over they believe they have to do something new (infrastructures, policies etc). If our past governments had done what Buhari is doing now by making sure all abandoned projects are completed and implementing all useful policies and ideas initiated by previous administrations, Nigeria would have become great.

Institutions like ICPC, EFCC and other policies like TSA and BVN are enough for now as tools to curb corruption to a great extent. It is not until we have repetition of duties before we know that a government is working. Even though Buhari did not create any new ones, It is very obvious that corruption has never been fought like now before in Nigeria.

So you mind sharing the knowledge on how Buhari has strengthened these institutions?

Secondly, are you insinuating that nothing addition can be done to improve on fighting corruption in Nigeria?

You said it is obvious that corruption has never been fought in like now before in Nigeria.... How come Transparency International rated Nigeria lower? Why is Buhari failing to obey court order on Dansuki? Can you fight corruption by disregarding court orders?

How many known people had been prosecuted such as Maina, Babachir, Ganduje, Oshiomole, Tinubu, Ameachhi, Akpabio, Omisore, etc? Are these ones not corrupt?

The truth is that APC is not better than PDP in fight against corruption. Both are the same. Hence, we need to look at other areas of competence of the two parties.

Already two people have taken over the govt according to Aaisha Buhari, hence how can the President fight corruption?

the military junta, General Sani Abacha died. Immediately after his death. The
Provisional "Ruling Council met and decided that General Abdul Salam Abubakar, who was the minister of Defence under Abacha, should fill the vacuum. It is important to stress that Abubakar's reign was faced with so much problems bath at home and
abroad. Internationally, the regime had problems of image laundering, sanctions and suspension from international community, as a result of the "high degree of human rights abuses recorded under the Abacha regime. This became the major concern of the regime as efforts were geared towards gaining the lost glory of the country.

Abubakar embarked on serous "shuttle diplomacy" which gave him the little support with which he plan a ten month transition programme. Locally , the regime' s attention was drawn to several attending problems facing the
Nigerian people. At this point, the economic condition of the people was highly deplorable that it needed immediate attention. This made the Abubakar regime to announce the upward review of minimum wage from N250.00 to N 5,200.00 which
was later slashed to N 3,500.00 for Federal civil servants and N 3,000.00 for their state counterparts.
Both social and physical infrastructure was in the state of disrepair. There was no particular aspect of the country' s infrastructure that could be pointed to as being in fair shape. However, most of the issues raised under the Abubakar regime were left un-tackled as emphasis and concern was on the transition plan.

The Obasanjo Administration and the Nigerian Economy
The morning of May 1999 witnessed a turning point in the political history of Nigeria as civilian political leaders were sworn in. The birth of the Fourth Republic became a reality after a prolonged military rule. The newly born fourth republic became highly instructive considering the scope and array of economic and political problems
bequeathed to the country by the prolonged years of military rule and which the newly elected civilians have to cope with. It is interesting to note that the performance of the Nigerian economy in 1999 was mixed. Inflationary pressures eased especially during the second half of the year. At
this period, inflationary pressures had decreased to 6.1 per cent. This was a great decrease as it had risen up to 70 percent in 1995 and 1996 (Masha, 2000: 36).

This coincided with a period of expansionary fiscal deficit and money supply growth. Also, the Naira exchange rate was stable the as dollar exchanged for N92.00 to a dollar as at the last quarter of 1999. However, the later part of year 2000 witnessed a drastic increase in the exchange rate. At this period up to the second half of year 2000, a dollar was exchanged for NI35.00. This shows a decrease of about 50 percent in the value of the Naira.

Although, on assumption of office in May, 1999, the Obasanjo administration
immediately took decisive steps to put in place an enabling environment for the
thriving of democracy, regaining international respectability. and credibility and putting the economy on the path to sustainable growth and development. However, these measures have not had significant impact on the economy, rather life has continued to be miserable for an average Nigerian. The analysis of the Nigerian economy shall be done further by examining certain significant sectors and aspects of the economy in order to show the extent of deterioration in the economy.

The increase in agriculture production in the preceding five years (i.e. from 1995) was sustained in 1999. During this period, the aggregate index of agricultural production rose by 3.3 percent, compared with 3.1 percent recorded in 1998 while the performance has been highly unimpressive in the later part of year 2000.

Consequently, this shoot up prices of agricultural commodities. Also, while the prices of agricultural commodities went up at home, the prices of Nigeria' s major agricultural commodities in the world market declined substantially in 1999 relative to their levels in 1998. According to Central Bank of Nigeria' s report, the dollar prices of aIl the commodities recorded declined during 1999. The decrease in prices ranged
from 16.9 percent for soya beans to 30.8 per cent for cocoa. (CBN Annual Report,
1999). This was attributed to increased supply and reduction in demand.
The manufacturing sector is another important sector in this analysis.

Although the manufacturing sub sector recorded a moderate recovery in 1999 and 2000 from what it experienced in 1996. However, the sector still finds it difficult to change the taste and orientation of the people for imported goods. According to a nation-wide survey conducted by the CBN which covered 560 manufacturing establishments, the weighted average capacity utilization rate of the sub-sector rose from 30.3 per cent in 1998 to 34.3 per cent in 1999. The total cost of operations also increased by 14.2 per
cent over the level in 1999 owing mainly to high costs of raw materials, machinery and spare parts. The value of imported raw materials rose significantly by 34.7 per cent and accounted for about 47.5 per cent of the total value of raw materials used, while the value of locally sourced raw materials, accounting for 53.5 per cent of total,
increased by 5.8 per cent (CBN Annual Report, 1999).

Further growth in the manufacturing sub-sector was impaired largely by low demand for locally manufactured goods occasioned by the influx of cheaper products into the country . Other constraints include the poor state of social and economic infrastructures, including erratic power and water supply, as well as poor performing transport and communication systems.

Social Services
The performance of social services in the economy was highly unsatisfactory in 1999 and 2000. Service delivery by key institutions designed to mitigate the living conditions of vulnerable groups was hampered by deterioration of basic facilities, poor funding, the unprecedented high incidence of industrial strikes especially in the education and health sub-sectors as well as civil strife and disturbances. The health system deteriorated to the extent that hospitals were described as "mere consulting clinics". The situation was compounded by the mass exodus of experienced Nigerian health experts to other countries in search of better conditions of service and greener
pastures. The hospitals were poorly equipped. Infrastructure remained poor,
inadequate and fast deteriorating. As a result, there was high infant, under-five and maternal mortality, and the prevalence of many diseases, several of which were of epidemic proportions.

However, by 1999 the population per physician had improved slightly from 4,977 to 4,479 in 1998 while population per hospital bed improved from 1,738 in 1998 to 1,564. It is important to stress that the impact of the Petroleum (special) Trust Fund (PTF) in the supply of drugs is important in this regard. Also, the administration of Obasanjo accorded high priority to the health sector, which accounted for the rehabilitation works in health institutions. There was an increment in the budget of the health sub-sector by 21.7 per cent from #10,756.3 million in 1998 to # 13,737.3
million in 1999. This represented 4.6 per cent of total Federal Government budget
(Ibid.). However, this still fell short of the 5.0 per cent minimum standard
recommended by the World Health Organization.

The education sub-sector on the other hand, experienced deep crises for many
years. The schools, at all levels lacked teachers and basic infrastructure. They
suffered from over-crowding, poor sanitation, poor conditions of service for teachers resulting in poor quality of teaching and poor quality of products. This sub-sector has equally been burdened by frequent industrial disputes and strikes actions. It suffered
from poor management, manifested in poor intra-sectional allocation, multiplicity of agencies with duplicated functions and inadequate coordination.

Prior to 1999, teachers at both the primary and secondary school levels were owed up to six months salaries while those who have retired were not getting their pensions as at when due. However, by 1999 adult literacy had increased to 57 per cent from 53 per cent in 1998 (Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2000). Also, the Universal Basic education scheme was launched in September 1999 with enlightenment campaigns to elicit support, by the Obasanjo's administration. At the tertiary institution level, visitation panels were inaugurated, reports of which led to some crucial decisions of Government. Also, cultism, which had eaten deep into the structure of the Universities, was drastically dealt with as judicial panel of inquiry on secret cults in tertiary institutions was instituted. The vice-chancellors of different Universities were compelled to tackle the menace of secret cults. Nigeria's External Debt Profile As at 1996, Nigeria' s external debt stood at US$31 ,407,000.00 which presented Nigeria as the highest indebted country in Africa followed by Cote d'Ivoire which has US$19,713,000.00 (cited in Southern, 2000). However, as at the end of December 1998, Nigeria's debt service obligation amounted to some 36 per cent of the National budget which translated into a payment of some $1.68 million out of the $3.61 billion that was actually due for 1998
(The Guardian 13, September, 1999).

However, it is important to stress that Nigeria borrowed some $28.025 billion over the period 1979 to 1995 and paid back $35.845 billion in principal and interest, yet the outstanding debt as at the end of 1997 still stood at a staggering $27.008 billion (The
News, 2 August 1999).

The adoption of the debt conversion programme as a viable, market-based strategy of debt reduction, is yet to reduce the country's cumulative
liability. The efforts of the present civilian administration of Chief Obasanjo in the campaign for debt relief should be appreciated. This must have informed the increment in the debt service payments in 1999 as this rose by 35.6 percent over the level of 1998.

A total of US$ ,724.9 million was used to service the country' s debt in 1999
representing an increase of US$ 452.4 million over that of 1998 (CBN Annual Report, 1999). Also, there was a decline in the debt conversion scheme in 1999 as application for the programme dropped from 29 in 1998 to 20 in 1999. The value of the applications also dropped to US$ 276.5 million from US$ 20,060.8 million.
Consequently, the total debts redeemed declined from US$ 88.4 million in 1998 to US$ 59.7 million in 1999 (Ibid.). Therefore, the cumulative value of debt redeemed between 1995 and 1999 amounted to $524.32 million.

Concluding Remarks
It is obvious that the Nigerian economy suffered a severe blow during the prolonged years of military rule of Babangida, Abacha and Abubakar's regimes. Life became miserable, while opportunism and greed thrived in the socio-political and economic environment of the country. The economy was battered and at the verge of collapse as social policy, economic and political institutions were undermined. The policy errors of the past regimes have seriously affected the current position of the Nigerian economy. Political and policy instability discouraged foreign investment despite the huge domestic market and the strategic location of the nation.
However, the need for policy redirection in the country became obvious especially with the revelation of the consequences of past policy errors and the emergence of recent global trends. Therefore, on assumption office as earlier pointed out, the Obasanjo's administration took certain decisive steps to put in place an enabling
environment for the thriving of democracy, regaining international respectability and credibility and putting the economy on the path of sustainable growth and development. It is noteworthy that some of the measures taken by the administration which include the inauguration of Anti corruption bill; monitoring domestic and
international campaign to recover looted public assets; introduction of Universal
Basic Education, addressing the energy crisis, establishment of a Poverty Alleviation Programme, the upward review of the minimum wage among other things are good steps in the right direction. In addition, the efforts of the administration in the promotion of the private sector in order to achieve rapid economic growth and development should be appreciated and encouraged.

I am interested in History and like analytical minds.

Having said that, it has become popular for the average politicians in APC and average young Nigerian to say PDP looted the Nation dry for 16 years. Some will even say PDP did nothing for the past 16 years. This is very ridiculous! First, I must say, I am not a card carrying member of any political party. I am just a patriotic Nigeria who loves good governance and competence. This thread is therefore not intended to support PDP but to provide facts to the ignorant ones.

The question I like to ask many people who say PDP did nothing for the past 16 years is this:

WHAT WAS THE STATE OF NATION BEFORE 1999? WHAT WAS THE STATE OF OUR ECONOMY BEFORE 1999?

For people who have been lied to about PDP, I acknowledged that PDP were not perfect, but we must realised, they pioneered the major democracy which we enjoined today. You may want to answer this: do you think it is easier to take over leadership from the military regime than a Democratic administration?

Between a party who took over from a military and the one who took over from a democratic government who should find it easy to lead to achieve more.

Many a Nigerian speaks as if there was no Nigeria before 1999? Many Nigerians speak as if Nigeria economy was the best before PDP took over.

Fellow Nigerian, I present to you an article which will enlighten an open-minded person on the STATE OF THE NATION BEFORE 1999. By Suraj Mudasiru and Olusola Adabonyon
In : Development Policy Management Network Bulletin
Vol. VIII, N° 3, September 2001
pp. 10-13

Introduction
The long years of military role in Nigeria had a devastating effect on the Nigerian
economy. Economic planning was haphazard, policies distorted, and implementation processes undermined. ln addition, corruption, fraud and general mismanagement became the order of the day. As such, the Nigerian economy was in a serious comatose when the civilian regime of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo assumed office in May 1999.
However, hopes and expectations were high, and the Nigerian people were yearning to yield the dividends of democracy in socio-economic aspects. But how has the new civilian administration faired in the management of the economy and what has been
the result?

The Nigerian Economy Before May 29, 1999
The Abacha regime, which came to power in November 1993 under the pretence of resolving the political logjam. occasioned by the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential elections, sought to perpetuate itself in power. ln the process, institutions were subverted, procedures bath in the economy and polity undermined and political
crisis intensified. The economy was the worse for it. The junta through its repressive and dastardly acts undermined the economy. Inflation was at its peak and double standard became
the rule of operation in the foreign exchange market. Friends and relatives of the junta were allowed to buy foreign currency at "official rates" and in large quantities only to sell at high prices at the parallel "black market".

Manufacturers and other genuine users of foreign exchange were at the mercy of the junta' s cohorts. The economy, after about four decades of political independence and economic management, suffered from fundamental structural defects, and remained in a persistent state of disequilibrium. The productive and technological base was weak, outdated, narrow, inflexible and externally dependent (Federal Republic of Nigeria,
April 2000).

AIso, infrastructure was poor, inadequate, lacked maintenance and economic incentives were generally low, giving fige to inadequate utilisation of the factors of production.

This mirrored the Nigerian economic situation until June 8, 1998 when the head of

Waoh! I'm elated. His wife used to be my favourite teacher back then in secondary school.

She's rich and modest, cool, calm and collected. Truly, behind every real successful and responsible man, there is a woman.

Modified:

One reason PDP still excel APC in fight against corruption.
PDP established institutions such as ICPC, EFCC and system of curbing corruption such as BVN and TSA in fact, PDP through Jonathan signed a bill to make court action against corruption cases faster.

What has APC done that will outlived Buhari in fight against corruption? Certainly PDP built institutions and systems which they can also be subjected to when they leave power but APC fight against corruption is hung on President Buhari. When the president leaves office, who or what can be used to fight corruption.

PDP is not perfect but they are better administrators than APC. APC is great as an Opposition party.

Buhari squandered the People's trust

I thought you meant thousand!


Must you lie to gain attention?

Great man with great work!

ossy7881:
lol what is the population of LASU Student?

If you are born or bred in Lagos you should know.

Nearly ALL Lagos state indigenes have at least one of their family members in Lagos state higher institutions of learning.

Problem with many people is that they tend to believe what they want to believe.

Adidas is a big and reputable organisation, do you think they will risk their reputation to support Pogba?

Since they said it had already been scheduled but only coincided with Mou's sack, why then do we still flog the issue.

It is easy to condemn Pogba but if you had been in his shoes may be you would not have condemned him. He alone knows what he had gone through in the hand of Mourinho. Sometimes, the downfall of our perceived enemy is worth celebrating! I beg allow him.

Mourinho could have said worse if it was Pogba that was sent packing.

Happy birthday Mr President
The Holy Bible says "Teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom".
Mr President sir, I thank God for your life for giving you victory for your long-awaited ambition of becoming the President of FRN. Sir, even as many people will be flattering you today, I wish to tell you the plain and undiluted truth.

Sir, strength cannot help Nigeria for the next four years. You said so yourself that at 72, you cannot perform optimally. Sir, you are now 76 yet you want to vie for another term. This is a test of your wide spread integrity.

On this your birthday sir, I wish you can do Nigeria a great service by relinquishing your reelection bid and give a more competent and visionary man like your Vice President the opportunity to lead this great country. If you do this, Nigeria will always hold you in great esteem and the victory of APC at the poll will be a landslide victory.

#This Is A Test Of Your Integrity

#IntegrityTest

Happy birthday Mr President
The Holy Bible says "Teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom".
Mr President sir, I thank God for your life for giving you victory for your long-awaited ambition of becoming the President of FRN. Sir, even as many people will be flattering you today, I wish to tell you the plain and undiluted truth.

Sir, your strength cannot help Nigeria for the next four years. You said so yourself that at 72, you cannot perform optimally. Sir, you are now 76 yet you want to vie for another term. This is a test of your wide spread integrity.

On this your birthday sir, I wish you could do Nigeria a great service by relinquishing your reelection bid and give a competent and visionary man like your Vice President the opportunity to lead this great country. If you do this, Nigeria will always hold you in great esteem and the victory of APC at the poll will be a landslide victory.

#This Is A Test Of Your Integrity

Happy birthday Mr President
The Holy Bible says "Teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom".
Mr President sir, I thank God for your life for giving you victory for your long-awaited ambition of becoming the President of FRN. Sir, even as many people will be flattering you today, I wish to tell you the plain and undiluted truth.

Sir, strength cannot help Nigeria for the next four years. You said so yourself that at 72, you cannot perform optimally. Sir, you are now 76 yet you want to vie for another term. This is a test of your wide spread integrity.

On this your birthday sir, I wish you can do Nigeria a great service by relinquishing your reelection bid and give a more competent and visionary man like your Vice President the opportunity to lead this great country. If you do this, Nigeria will always hold you in great esteem and the victory of APC at the poll will be a landslide victory.

Having watched the Vice Presidential Debate and observed the praises from supporters of both Peter Obi and VP Yemi Osinbajo, I felt the need to make Nigerians see that the position of a vice president in Nigeria is valueless and less impactful according to the Nigerian constitution.

Don't be deceived, the REAL decision maker is the President, the vice president is only like a spare tyre. Its usefulness is in the absence of the President. Below is an excerpt from an article written by a law professional.

DUTIES AS ACTING PRESIDENT

The inadequacies and lacunae in our constitution came to light in 2009 when president Yaradua travelled outside the country for treatment without transmitting a letter to the National Assembly apprising them of his trip. There was confusion everywhere in the country because Goodluck was redundant as Vice-president and no one was exercising the powers of the President. Some were suggesting that Jonathan should take over executive powers pending the return of the President while others were opposing the suggestion. There arose the need for constitutional interpretation in order to lay every controversy to rest. Among the questions that agitated minds of the people were: Could vice president discharge the functions of the president in the absence of the president? If the answer is in the affirmative, why? And if no why? Another question was: what was the status of Jonathan at that point in time since Yaradua was outside the country? Was he just a Vice-president or was also an Acting President at the same time?

In Onwueke v A. G, Federation FHC /ABJ/ CS/10 /2010, High Court Abuja held to the effect that Vice President could by section 5(1) and 148(1), in the absence of the sitting president, exercise all the powers vested in the President. He said the exercise of such presidential powers by the Vice President could be queried only by Mr President if he did not permit the Vice President to so perform the presidential functions and that if the president did not complain or challenge the vice president or his ministers over usurpation of his constitutional functions, no one could challenge the exercise of his presidential functions by any member of his cabinet. And that Goodluck was to exercise those powers in his capacity as VICE-PRESIDENT. He could sign anything the President could sign, he could send bills to the National Assembly and he could sign any bill.

The above decision still raised some fundamental questions, I. e. Why was Jonathan not Acting President? Or put it in a different way, who is an Acting President? And what was the extent of the powers of an Acting President? High Court in answering this question reasoned that, by the provisions of the constitution, Acting president is someone who assumes the powers of the President of Nigeria in accordance with section 145 thereof.

The provision of section 145 is as follows:

“Whenever the President transmits to the President of the Senate and 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.”

While interpreting the above section, the Court held that Vice President could perform the functions of the President as Acting President ONLY if a written declaration is transmitted to the National Assembly. And when he transmits, it means the Vice President is no longer exercising the powers of the President on his behalf but exercising the powers in his own right.

Fortunately or unfortunately, seemed not contented with the decision of the court, the Senate invoked the “doctrine of necessity” and declared Jonathan the Acting President of Nigeria to discharge the functions of the president.

It should be noted that section 145 does not, within the words used in the section, make it mandatory for the President to convey to the National Assembly a declaration of his impending inability to discharge the functions of his office. However, when that section is read together with all other relevant provisions of the Constitution, one may be right to say that it becomes incumbent upon the President to do so since in law, whenever any provision of the Constitution is to be interpreted, that provision must be considered in the context of the whole Constitution. This finds support of the Supreme Court in the case of Okulate vs Awosanya [2000] FWLR 1552 -1743 (Part 25) where per Uthman Mohammed, JSC, stated the law at 1695 thus:

“it is settled law that when interpreting the provisions of the constitution, all its provisions must be read together.”

With the above decision as a background and for a proper understanding of section 145, if section 1(2) which provides for governing only in accordance with the provisions of the constitution, is read together with the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution which contains the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of Office as well as section 5(1) and section 148 of the Constitution, it may be said that the first and paramount duty of any President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is to ensure the continuity of constitutional government in the country. Consequently, section 145, taken together with the President’s Oath of Allegiance and his Oath of office, compels the President, any time he realizes that he is going to be unable, for any reason whatsoever, to discharge the functions of his office, to take the necessary step to ensure the continuity of constitutional government in the country during his absence. This writer is of the view that but for the faulty draft of the section 145, the above argument as to whether the transmission of letter to the National Assembly is mandatory or not would not have arisen.

Without prejudice to all that has been said above, the position of the law as it is today is that if president leaves the country without transmitting a declaration letter, Vice President would exercise all executive functions on behalf of the president unless the President says otherwise and can be questioned only by the president and no one else. However, if a written declaration is transmitted to the Senate, then the vice’s duty becomes dual, to wit, that of the President and that of his office as vice President. Here he does not act on behalf of the president, he acts as Acting-President as of right and not subject to any inhibitive factor.

Furthermore, whether person is a Vice-president or an Acting President, whether a letter is transmitted to the National Assembly or not, in the absence of the president, Vice President is entitled to exercise all executive functions of the president. “Acting President” is just a matter of nomenclature. Peradventure, the only difference is that in the capacity of Vice-president, executive powers are exercised on behalf of the president while under Acting President, powers are exercised ex debito juticere (as of right)

At this point we would look at those powers of the President the “Acting President” is to exercise. President exercises executive powers and Executive powers generally means execution of laws made by the National Assembly. Section 5(1) of the constitution provides as follows:

Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the executive powers of the Federation:

(a) shall be vested in the President and may subject as aforesaid and to the provisions of any law made by the National Assembly, be exercised by him either directly or through the Vice-President and Ministers of the Government of the Federation or officers in the public service of the Federation; and

(b) shall extend to the execution and maintenance of this Constitution, all laws made by the National Assembly and to all matters with respect to which the National Assembly has, for the time being, power to make laws.

However, a careful perusal of the above provision shows tha, the powers of the President goes beyond execution of laws for three reasons, to wit, the section opens with “Subject to the provisions of this Constitution”. Which means the executive powers of the President as provided in this section is subject to other provisions of the constitution. In other words, there are other powers provided within the constitution. And under sub (a) it makes the powers subject to the Acts of the National Assembly. Lastly, the use of the phrase “extends to” which suggests that there are other powers apart from the ones under section 5.

The other powers of the President are: security powers which is basically anchored on giving directive to the Inspector-General of Police, through the Nigeria Police Council, under section 216, as well as under section 218 of the Constitution, which empowers the President to determine the operational use of the Armed Forces, power to appoint and remove from office. Example, ministers, Special Advisers,ambassadors etc, declaration of state of emergency under section 305, prerogative of mercy under section 175, assent to bills under section 58 reading together with section 2 of Interpretation Act, 2004 and many other powers.

In the absence of the president, the Vice President has no legal restrictions on the authority exercisable. Much of the restrictions on it will be political as the Acting President will need to be restrained and careful to avoid using his powers in such a way that may give the impression that he is harboring a different motive from his principal on the issues he takes decisions on.

FALLACY IN THE POWERS OF NIGERIA’S VICE-PRESIDENT

The Nigerian Constitution, like the American presidential system, envisages single executive for which the President is the head and in whom the executive powers are vested. Article 11 of the Constitution of the United States, just like section 5(1) of our Constitution, provides that “the executive power shall be vested in a President of the United State.” The principle implies the preclusion of vesting of the executive powers in two or more persons of equal authority.

In Zimbabwe, it is mandatory for the president, subject to certain exceptions, to act upon the advice of the cabinet. This model underlines the importance of participatory decision-making process unlike the Nigeria’s which allows for presidential dictatorship.

The Nigerian constitution gives the vice-president the power to advise the president under section 148 thereof but it does not make it mandatory for the president to accept the advice. In Governor of Kaduna State v Kagoma (1982) All N.L.R 160 Nnamani J. S. C. said:

“although it is mandatory that he holds regular meetings with his Commissioners, it is clear that the content of what is to be discussed in such meetings is in his discretion; …the Governor is not obliged to accept any advice tendered at such meetings. …The Governor of a State is therefore… the repository of the executive power of that state. He is the Chief Executive of that State.”

The Vice president also does only what the President assigns him to do, nothing more. Making the Vice President relevant only in the absence of the President leaves many questions than answers. Vice President does not exercise real executive powers. This explains why in practice vice-president turns to be an errand boy or excessively loyal in order to maintain relevance by being assigned duties by the President. This goes to show that if vice-president is stubborn or has acrimonious relationship with the President, he will remain redundant.

The Vice-President is only a deputy chairman; his powers would again depend to a very large extent on his relationship with the President. If there is cordial relationship between them, the President may always stay away from meetings and allow the Vice-President chair them, thus making the Vice-President functional. If the relationship is not cordial then the President would ensure that meetings come-up only when he has the time to chair, not when he would not attend.

One is constrained at this point to ask: do we actually need the office of the vice-president? If the answer is yes then why? One wonders what the framers of the constitution intended the kind of a national officer the Vice-President should be. Could it be that they envisaged a powerless second citizen who would only be seen but not heard? Or a Vice-President who is only at the mercy of the President? He is a national Officer who does not have constitutional powers of his own except as granted at the whims and caprices of the President. He is of less constitutional value and of less political relevance. The makers of our Constitution appear not to have thought of the office as being of any serious significance except in the event of vacancy in the office of the President.

It is on this note that a writer, Nat OFO (in his article Rethinking the Leadership Role of the Vice-President of Nigeria) described vice-president as “a spare president” (Akin to a spare tyre that is only relevant and put into use when any of the main tyres are unusable, defective or damaged)

CONCLUDING REMARKS.

A dispassionate and careful consideration of some of the provisions of the Constitution has shown some lacunae existing in the constitution. Now in view of the current commitment the National Assembly has shown in amending the Constitution, it is desirable for this writer to proffer precise recommendations toward the amendment of the 1999 Constitution to make it wholesome, relevant and suitable to deal with leadership challenges at the topmost executive level of government.

The areas requiring constitutional amendment are: the express stipulation of specific executive roles for the Vice-President in the Constitution under section 5(1) and 148(1), temporary absence of the President under section 145, and the Vice-President succeeding the President under section 146(1)

It is hereby suggested that the constitution should stipulate a specific functional role for the Vice-President. It can be a ministry or a particular government department without making it subject to the President or anybody’s approval. It should be a matter of right as the vice-president of Nigeria.

This will ensure that the Vice-President plays a definite, certain and more active role in the administration. A situation of having a top-ranking number two citizen who is almost entirely redundant will be eliminated. If this recommendation is acceped, the Vice-President will cease to be a mere spare President, waiting President or a figure-head and/or the President’s errand boy. He would be a more active and responsible State official vested with specific executive function(s). The turbulent relationship between President Obasanjo and Vice President Atiku would not replicate itself. This writer should not be misconstrued as suggesting a parliamentary system of government since he is not advocating that one should be Head of State and the other should be Head of government. Perhaps one would be correct to say that the single executive for which the President is the head and in whom the executive powers are vested is because of the Presidential system we are practicing. It is strongly submitted that there are no hard-and-fast rules about a system of government a country should adopt. Nigeria as a sovereign state has the carte blanche to adopt any system with such modification as its peculiar political experiences, exigencies and the political future may demand. It has the right by its grundnorm (constitution) to arrogate an executive power to Vice President. Office of Vice-President should be like a training field for those eyeing the presidency. Because while serving as the Vice-President, he will be exposed to the rudiments of state administration.

Section 135(2)(b) needs amendment. The word “elected”, which the court in Good luck’s case made heavy weather of and misdirect itself, should be expunged. It should now read as follows:

135(2) “Subject to the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, the governor shall vacate his office at the expiration of a period of four (4) years commencing from the date when:-

…

(b) The person who last held that office took the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office or would, but for his death, have taken that oaths.”

Section 145 of the constitution also needs redrafting. To avoid a situation where president would one day leave this country without transmitting a letter to the National Assembly. Preferably, the section 145 should be drafted in a commanding tone as follows:

“Whenever the President is proceeding on vacation, or is for any other

reason unable to perform the functions of his office, he shall transmit to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a declaration that he would be unable to discharge the functions of his office and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such functions shall be discharged by the Vice-President as Acting President“

Section 146 which gives various conditions under which the vice-president shall assume the office of the President should also be amended to specifically mention that if Vice finishes the tenure of the president on the ground of death or for whatever reason, he will be entitled to contest for the office of the President not more than once.

CHUKKOL
email – oliverchukkol@gmail.com

AdvanseNg:
JIMI AGBAJE’S (JUST KIDDING’S) LOUD GAFFE – AN IRRESPONSIBLE TRAIT OF A FAILED ELDER

“Dem dey run dia mouth like water”
When Chidinma Ekile sang this song, she sang this in reference to JK’s ilk – a class of politicians who are hell bent on playing to the gallery and creating schisms just to get their way.
Earlier this week, Jimi via his Twitter handle embarked on a diatribe that crashed upon impact. You say you are running for Governor of Lagos State, Africa’s third largest economy, yet you speak from both sides of your mouth without any clear articulation on any issues.
JK’s foray into politics started with the Afenifere however, it is apparent that he only joined the group, because it was a fad to be a member of the Afenifere at that time. The Action Congress (AC) also received JK with open arms but when he realized that this was a party that meant serious business with governance in Lagos State, JK packed his baggage and left for the Democratic People’s Alliance (DPA), where he ran for the first time for the seat of Governor in Lagos State. Of course, the DPA experiment turned out to be a failure, but rather than learn from this experience, JK proceeded to pitch his tent within the camp of thieves and failures in the PDP and the fact that he has stayed this long with the party shows that JK is like fish to water within the camp of the PDP.
JK ran again in 2015 after emerging as the candidate for the PDP in Lagos State. While many believed that he had a good chance to win the Governorship election with Jonathan’s Federal backing and proceeds from the Dasuki loot, Jimi goofed on his campaign. He did not focus on the issues but descended into the murky waters of dirty politics where he has sufficient skills.
Again, Just Kidding has showed up like a regular customer that he is – seeking to retire on the Government’s seat. One would have expected that his experience on previous gubernatorial campaigns would guide him this time but it is rather sad that Just Kidding has once again proved to be a disappointment. He appears on the scene once every four years like the FIFA world cup to find satiation for his power hungry self but too bad; Lagosians have found his quest laughable on every ground.
This time, JK is once again failing to stick to the issues; rather he has rolled himself in tissues, urging others to descend into the pit of failed politics, where he is champion.
JK is not the only candidate in this election but he is the loudest amongst all of them; a testament to the fact that empty gourds make the loudest noise. The forerunner of the #ForAGreaterLagos and #IssueBasedCampaign is eight years younger than Just Kidding and he has comported himself, and is exuding respect for other candidates, even against the backstabbers. It is however sad that JK who definitely has more experience running an election than other candidates has no plans, but plans of division to achieve his retirement quest.
You say you want to set Lagos free, yet you remain in perpetual servitude to Bode George, an ex-convict, guilty for 40 counts of fraud, who cooled his heels off in Kirikiri Maximum prisons.
Lagosians have asked consistently; tell us your plans for health, transportation, education, growth, business opportunities, investment, tourism, employment, technology and waste management in Lagos, but Brother JK has returned nothing to satisfy the curiosity of Lagosians. In fact, he stooped so low to steal campaign strategies from @realdanielemeka without due reference.
Just Kidding does not come close to BOS in any way. Their examples have shown us clearly that age is not a criterion for leadership. BOS is a man of many firsts, an active contributor to governance in Lagos since 1999. Despite his amazing credentials and wonderful track record, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has so far brought his plans #ForAGreaterLagos alone to limelight.
We cannot compare Just Kidding with BOS. The first question anyone who is amused by Jimi’s many lies should be - what his contribution has been to the progress of Lagos State beside turning up every four years to waste our times. Within the PDP, the failed political party where Jimi has found comfort lately, what has been his contribution? Jimi dared to suggest that Sanwo-Olu was handpicked to run but he cannot see for himself that every sensible person has left him and Bode George to continue fooling themselves in the Lagos PDP. When this election is over, we hope he retires his tired brains and allow the young ones in the PDP in Lagos State to present their ideas. The only fear is that the young ones current frolicking with JK cannot make them escape the poison of his dirty politics.
The poles are wide apart on this one and it is certain that Lagosians will exercise their franchise this time, to usher in #ForAGreaterLagos on the wings of Sanwo-Olu’s #IssueBasedCampaign.

Eko Ti Sanwa N Tiwa.

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Before we can take you serious. Tell the APC Governor to sign the Freedom of Information Bill.

A govt who is not accountable is not progressive.

A govt who's dealing is shady is not progressive.

A government who lied in the media to have paid students scholarships and bursary but did not, is not progressive.

APC is a scam. PDP is not the best. But PDP is RELATIVELY better than APC.

The best role that APC fit in, is the Opposition....bunch of liars and thieves still support APC.

This APC spokesman is very stupid.

Does it mean what was created by the PDP cannot be improved upon?

How can you attach Labour strike to PDP?

How can you attach ASUU strike to PDP?

Most of the crazy people in this country are workers of politicians

Hmmm

efighter:
Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu (born June 25, 1965) is a Politician from Lagos State who contested and won the gubernatorial primaries under the All Progressives Congress against incumbent governor, Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State in October 2018.[1][2] He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, as well as the London Business School, Lagos Business School and the John F. Kennedy School of Government. Prior to his gubernatorial ambition, he was the Managing Director/CEO of Lagos State Property Development Commission (LSPDC).


Education
Sanwo-Olu has a BSc in Surveying and an MBA from the University of Lagos. He is an alumnus of the John F. Kennedy School of Government, the London Business School and the Lagos Business School.[5]

He is an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) and Fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Training and Development (NITAD).

Career
Banking
Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu was the treasurer at former Lead Merchant Bank from 1994 to 1997 after which he moved to the United Bank for Africa as the head of foreign money market. He then proceeded to First Inland Bank, Plc (now First City Monument Bank) as a deputy general manager and divisional head. He was the chairman of Baywatch Group Limited and First Class Group Limited. He is a board member of the Department for International Development (DFID/DEEPEN) Fund and Audit Committee of Caverton Offshore Services Group, PLC.

Public service
Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu began his political career in 2003, when he was appointed a Special Adviser on Corporate Matters to the then deputy governor of Lagos State, Femi Pedro. He was later made the acting Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget until 2007, when he became the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry by then Governor, Bola Tinubu. After the General Elections of 2007, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu was appointed Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions by Governor Babatunde Fashola. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu was made Managing Director/CEO of the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC) by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in 2016.[6][7]

Some of his notable public sector achievements include the supervision of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) privatization projects.[8] He set up and was the Pioneer Board Chairman of Lagos Security Trust Fund. The LAGBUS System and the Control & Command Centre in Alausa were subsequently established under his directives.

Politics
On 16th September 2018, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu formally declared his intention to run for the office of the governor of Lagos State under the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Party, making him a major contender to the incumbent governor Akinwunmi Ambode.[8]

His declaration attracted endorsements from major stakeholders in Lagos State politics; including the Governor’s Advisory Council of the Lagos chapter of the All Progressives Congress[9] and members of the Lagos State House of Assembly,[10] which led to withdrawal of Dr. Femi Hamzat,[11] a governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress APC in Lagos from the gubernatorial race.

He won the Lagos gubernatorial primaries of the All Progress Congress on 2nd October 2018

Awards
Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has obtained a variety of awards in his career, some of which include:[7]

Platinum award from the Lagos State Public Service Club.
2009 Best in Human Capital Development award from the Industrial Training Fund (ITF).
Merit award from the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria.
Merit award from the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management in Nigeria (CIPMN).
Merit Award from the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN).
LSDPC Impactful Leadership and Recognition Award.

Personal life
Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu is happily married with children to Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu.


SOURCE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babajide_Sanwo-Olu

Not inspiring for me!

He worked in private sector....what were his achievements or accolades at UBA and First inland Bank?

Merit Award from association of professional women engineer.....what was his contribution to engineering? Do we really have INSIGNIFICANT number of PRACTICING WOMEN ENGINEERS IN NIGERIA?

That you relied heavily on wikipedia to describe the him says a lot of how much you know him.

justfash50:
You know absolutely nothing about SANWO EKO that is why. He is a man of his words to the letter I can bet you and he is here to implement and manage the strategic plans he formulated for Lagos state.

The man of the MOMENT, Sanwo Eko has been tested, his leadership style in various positions held in the past speaks volume.

Tell us something about him then. You that know EVERYTHING about him.

My question to you.... Do you think Sanwo-olu can go ahead to implement a good policy he believes in if his godfather Tinubu says NO?

This man is just promising everything. We have to be careful of one who tries to appeal to everyone because at the end, they deny everything they promise with excuses