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Tag: Ameh Ebute

  • Removal of Benue Chief Judge stands, relocation of tribunal to Abuja illegal-Ebute

    Removal of Benue Chief Judge stands, relocation of tribunal to Abuja illegal-Ebute

    Former Senate President Ameh Ebute has argued the removal of Benue Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, by the resolution of the House of Assembly, remains valid. 

    He insisted that Justice Ikpambese no longer has the legal authority to order the relocation of the Local Government Election Petition Tribunals and Appeal Panel from Makurdi to Abuja.

    Speaking during a recent live interview on TVC NEWS’ STANDPOINT, Ebute described the relocation of the Tribunals as unprecedented and a violation of legal procedures.

     Ebute, who is a practicing lawyer actively involved in legal proceedings at the Tribunal defending the local government elections in Okpokwu Local Government Area, recounted the sequence of events. 

    He explained that Tribunal sittings initially commenced in three senatorial zones of Benue State, with his zone, Benue South (Zone C), sitting in Otukpo. However, the proceedings were unexpectedly moved to Makurdi, a decision the legal teams questioned but ultimately accepted.

    “I attended the sittings in Makurdi on three occasions before the then Chief Judge, Justice Ikpambese, made the decision to relocate the Tribunal sittings to Abuja,” he stated.

    Senator Ebute emphasised that this move was unprecedented as local government matters are exclusively state affairs. He declared that Justice Ikpambese had no authority to transfer the sittings outside Benue State, particularly given that his removal from office by the Benue State House of Assembly had already taken effect.

    When asked about the recent order by the Federal High Court in Makurdi, which ruled that further Tribunal sittings must be held within Benue State, Senator Ebute asserted that the ruling reinforced his long-standing position that a Local Government Election Tribunal cannot sit outside the state where the election took place.

    “It is not a National Election Tribunal, and it is only within the state that the Tribunal can sit…. But I assure you that if security is the problem, the Executive Governor of Benue State is the chief Security Officer of the state, and if any complaint is brought before him, I’m sure he’s going to provide adequate security, to protect the litigants as well as the members of the Tribunal in Benue State, but nobody has come to the governor with any complaint of insecurity at the Tribunal…” he stated.

    The former Senate President further revealed that this marked the third time the Tribunal had been relocated – first from Otukpo, Adikpo, and Gboko to Makurdi, and now from Makurdi to Abuja. 

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    He questioned the motives behind the ousted Chief Judge’s insistence on relocating the Tribunal when the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Headquarters in Abuja, where the sittings were scheduled to take place, is not recognized as a court under Section 83 of the Benue State Electoral Laws, 2007. 

     Ebute alleged Justice Ikpambese may have insisted on relocating the proceedings of the Tribunal to Abuja for “them” to manipulate the decisions of the Tribunal. 

    He said none of the people involved in the Tribunal was coming to rule any constituency in Abuja, as they were coming to rule local governments in Benue State, so they must have the support of the people of the state. 

    However, the elder statesman maintained that his core interest in the whole controversy is to ensure that things were done properly, adding that in his almost 80 years of existence, he had never seen where Tribunal sittings of the local government election would be transferred to Abuja. 

    He urged the appropriate authorities to take the proper step by moving the Tribunal sittings back to Makurdi, so the Tribunals can conclude as soon as possible, adding that they may decide to sit all day of the week, even on Sundays, in order to conclude within the timeframe stipulated by law. 

    “There is no law backing this relocation. So on that ground, we will not attend sittings in Abuja,” he declared.

    On the temporary suspension of Tribunal proceedings, Senator Ebute noted that the process must remain on hold until a competent court delivers a final ruling directing the Tribunal to return to Benue State. He reassured that, despite the ongoing legal proceedings, the duly sworn-in Local Government Chairmen would continue performing their constitutional duties until their elections were either upheld or nullified by the Tribunal.

    “As long as the Tribunal process continues, governance at the local level remains unaffected. The Chairmen will continue executing their responsibilities until a final judgment is reached,” he said.

    Addressing the leadership crisis within the Benue chapter of the APC, Ebute confirmed that the party’s National Secretariat had constituted a seven-man Caretaker Committee led by Chief Benjamin Omale, under whose leadership the last local government elections were conducted. However, he noted that the faction led by former Chairman Austin Agada had refused to recognize the party’s new leadership.

    Ebute added that most of the petitions before the Tribunal were from members of the APC. However, it is the APC Primary Election conducted by Chief Benjamin Omale that is recognised by the Benue State Government, noting that Austin Agada’s faction had not conducted any election, and none of their alleged candidates was recognized by the state’s electoral commission. He concluded that Austin Agada and his cohorts were only fighting of nothing. 

    Ebute criticized Agada and his supporters for challenging the Benue Governor’s leadership instead of working with him for the progress of the state.

    “But Austin Agada’s faction is very stubborn, and will not take orders from the Governor of the State. How can a state party Chairman vow to fight the governor, rather than cooperating with him to move the government ahead smoothly,” he queried. 

    The former Senate President said when the party held its National Caucus meeting recently, it was Chief Omale that was allowed to participate as a member. And the following day, when the National Executive Council of the party also met, it was Benjamin Omale that was granted access. “So the national leadership of the party doesn’t recognize Austin Agada as State Chairman anymore, and he is also not recognized by the Benue State Government as well as the majority of APC members in Benue State,” alleged Sen. Ebute.

    He added that but being supported by a powerful person in Abuja, Austin Agada still insists that he is the Chairman of the Benue State APC, hence he keeps jumping from one court to another, without the support of the people. 

     Ebute maintained that Justice Ikpambese’s removal was legally executed in accordance with Section 292 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which grants a State House of Assembly the authority to remove a Chief Judge through a resolution supported by a two-thirds majority.

    “He is no longer the Chief Judge of Benue State, as long as legality is concerned. Section 292 does not require the National Judicial Council (NJC) to confirm the removal of a state Chief Judge,” he insisted.

    He emphasised that allegations of serious misconduct were made against Justice Ikpambese, including multiple infractions of state laws, and that these allegations were tabled before the House of Assembly, which followed due process in removing him.

    “So he cannot claim to serve a state government that he is actively working against. He has even boasted publicly about his intent to bring down the governor. How can an individual declare war against a duly elected state government? We will not allow that to happen,” Sen. Ebute asserted.

    Regarding insinuations that all is not well with the APC in Benue State,  Ebute said because of the faction created by the former Chairman of the APC in the State, Austin Agada, the ousted Chief Judge earlier constituted a court that ruled that Agada’s faction was the legitimate one, but the ruling is currently being appealed by the Omale faction, and will be appealed up to the Supreme Court. He said and until the final judgment of the court on the matter, Agada cannot claim to be the genuine Chairman of the Benue State APC. 

    Emphasizing the power of the people in such a matter over the power of the court, Sen. Ebute said support in a political party is by the people, not by court. “Once the people say you are the holder of the office, then it confers legitimacy on you, and it’s not the court that will decide who the true holder of the office is.” 

    On the prospects of out-of-court reconciliation of the Benue APC leadership tussle, Sen. Ebute frankly remarked, “You cannot have a governor of a state, and then somebody outside the government of the state is saying he will continue to be the leader of the party in the state. There is a laid-down convention that where a party produces the governor, that governor automatically becomes the leader of the party in the state. ”

    He added that the moment Father Alia was elected as Governor of Benue State, some powers in Makurdi started instigating the erstwhile State Chairman, Austin Agada, to disagree with all the decisions of the governor. He wondered how a state governor could work with a state party chairman who doesn’t support his policies.

    “The governor is supposed to be the leader of the party in the state, and definitely in Benue State, Governor Alia is the leader of the APC, and the majority of the elders and stakeholders of the party in the state will not accept any other person as the leader of the APC in Benue State. Therefore, as soon as the faction within the APC in the state gives up, by either going to another party or returning to the APC as members, genuine peace will be restored to the party. Otherwise by the next election, they will be nowhere in terms of any political power in the state,” stated Sen. Ebute. 

    Senator Ebute urged all parties involved in the Benue APC crisis to acknowledge the governor’s position as the party’s leader in the state, and work toward reconciliation.

    He insisted that the Leadership is for the people; and the government at the state level should be allowed to run smoothly in the interest of the people. Regarding Governor Alia’s leadership, Senator Ebute expressed confidence in the governor’s performance despite the internal party disputes. He insisted that the governor is in full control, and performing as though there was no crisis in the party at the state level. He added that since Governor Alia came on board, the lives of the people have been changed positively. 

    “They are now enjoying the dividends of their democracy. Governor Alia is providing roads, paying salaries on 25th of every month, paying gratuities and pension to people whose gratuities were not paid for the upward of two to three years before the coming of Alia into office. So I don’t know what the whole faction is about. But the matter will be there until the next election, either election at the state level of the APC, to constitute a new EXCO, or the General Elections. And I think Agada’s tenure will soon expire; then we will elect another state chairman of the party. That is the time that this crisis will finally come to an end,” stated Sen. Ebute. 

    He added, “Father Alia is not minding anybody’s claim to be the leader of the APC in Benue State, he is going ahead as the leader of the party, and we and others are supporting him squarely.”

    Concluding, Senator Ebute dismissed speculations that Governor Alia would not secure a second term, arguing that his popularity and achievements had already endeared him to the electorate.

    “If Governor Alia comes out as a candidate, I don’t see any demi-god that can stop him, because God will not stop him, and it’s only people who feel they are demi-gods that are boasting all over the place that Governor Alia cannot return to office in 2027…we are just laughing at them, because their votes are only few, maybe one or two. But Alia, through his performance, has captured the generality of Benue people, and if you now go to Benue State and say Governor Alia will not come back in 2027, you will be lynched,” he declared.

  • ISWAP: Former Senate President, Ebute writes UK parliament, solicits arms, technology for Nigeria

    Third Republic Senate President, Sen Ameh Ebute, has urged the UK parliament to support Nigeria’s besieging insecurity challenges with modern arms and technology weapons of warfare.

     

    The highly vocal lawyer-cum-politician made this plea in a letter addressed to Rt.Hon. Mrs.  Kemi Badenoch, Member of Parliament (MP), representing Saffron Walden constituency on Thursday.

     

    While appreciating previous interventions of the British Government to battle the terrorism scourge, Mr Ebute believes more can still be done.

     

    According to the ex-lawmaker, with the support of the UK, the remnant Boko Haram sect will be completely defeated.

     

    Read full letter below.

     

    June 25, 2019

     

    Rt.Hon. Mrs.  Kemi Badenoch, MP

     

    Member of Parliament (MP),

     

    Saffron Walden constituency

     

    & Other Colleague-PMs,

     

    House of Commons,

     

    London, United Kingdom (UK)

     

    Dear MPs.

     

    “ A Plea For Parliamentary Support Of Nigeria To Counter Resurgent Islamic State of Iraq-Backed  Boko Haram Terrorists Renamed ISWAP  In Northern Nigeria And The Lake Chad Basin Enclaves.”

     

    I am delighted to have the privilege to write to UK Members of Parliament (MP) through you. Accept the fondest greetings from me and Nigerians.

     

    My motivation of writing the House of Commons through you is my conviction that our lamentations would receive a wider attention in the UK Parliament in recognition of your unique position as Vice Chairman, Conservative Party For Candidates. It is also, spurred by your crystal interest and likewise, the entire British Parliament to assist Nigeria overcome the besieging insecurity challenges in the country.

     

    I believe the facts on the disgusting security challenges assailing Nigeria are already known to all. But let me briefly recount that insurgencies and insurrections appear to have become intractable security problems in Nigeria.

     

    Over the last three years, the Nigerian Military, especially the Nigerian Army have been doing an impressive job is taming and routing out the perpetrators of insurgencies and insurrections out of our shores. The efforts have yielded substantial liberative fruits or else, Boko Haram terrorists would have forcefully taken control of more than half of the territories comprising Nigeria by today.

     

    I cannot say, the counter-terrorism strides of the Nigerian Military have met the targeted results. It means total victory against Boko Haram terrorists as Nigerians anticipate is being frustrated by the interest and sponsorship of insurgents in the country by deadly terror sects domiciled in the Middle East.

     

    The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) led by  Abū Bakr al-Baghdadi ‎ or  Ibrahim Awad Ibrahim al-Badri al-Samariai, are militant organizations fueling terrorism in Nigeria and environs. And we are aware the United Nations (UN) and European Union (EU) among others have designated ISIL and affiliates topmost on their list of terrorists organizations.

     

    May you recall that the United States of America has specifically designated ISIL’s leader, Abū Bakr al-Baghdadi as a Global Terrorist. It confirms his outreach in this devilry act against humanity.

     

    Therefore, ISIL’s agenda of territorial expansion has made inquest into Nigeria and other surrounding countries of the West Africa region. And by March 2015, it officially confirmed its sponsorship of Boko Haram terrorists, which previously operated on local strength; which ISIL has now renamed, “Islamic State’s West Africa Province” (ISWAP).

     

    However, in the last four years, Nigerian government and her Armed Forces have tirelessly fought the scourge of Boko Haram to a standstill. The Nigerian Military has been able to reclaim back her territories under the captivity of Boko Haram insurgents and freed thousands of abducted Nigerians held captive in various secret camps by the terrorists.

     

    Nevertheless, like I stressed earlier, the recorded victories of the Nigerian Government against Boko Haram so far have not reached the point of final extermination of these Islamic militant group.

     

    Rather, what we have seen in recent months is the resurgence of Boko Harm, with a resilience and sophistry of weaponry, which I believe has slowed down the pace of the final annihilation of the Boko Haram in Nigeria, despite the struggles of our competent Armies.

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    I am strengthened by the recent parley in January 2019 anchored on  the issue of Boko Haram in Nigeria, which you and your colleagues in the House of Commons interacted mutually. I learnt the discussion ended with a promise of the Parliament to lobby and or, prevail on appropriate authorities in the United Kingdom beginning with the UK House of Commons to support the Nigerian Government with military technology gadgets/weapons to fight this global threat to humanity.

     

    And this is now the time to take steps in this direction before ISWAP (Boko Haram) entrench its tentacles; completely annihilate and  dislocate the civilian populations within the Lake Chad region including citizens of Cameroon, Niger, Chad and Nigerian Republics.

     

    I make this profound plea, believing that the strength, competence and dexterity displayed by the Nigerian Military in standing out to terrorists these years show determination to overwhelm terrorists if adequately supported. So, with the empowerment of Nigerian troops with modern technology weapons of warfare, I am sure, the regrouping of terrorists under the auspices of ISWAP will be crushed instantly.

     

    There is no doubt about the new threats posed to the sovereignty of Nigeria, with the resurgence of Boko Haram terrorists with a strange vigour roundly because of the backing by Iraqi’s ISIL and the UK has a role to play.

     

    And the UK’s  role is largely to consent and act in consonance with its pledges  by deploying  the needed modern technology warfare equipment   to Nigeria for the combat of terrorism. If this is done, it  will no doubt help to reduce human casualties in the theatre of war and finally extinguish the ghost of terrorism in this region in a very  short time.

     

    I appreciate previous interventions of the British Government to aide Nigeria battle the terrorism scourge in terms of training of troops and provision of logistics. But much more can still be done. So, we are appealing for a step-up of such interventions and gestures in the area of modern technology weapons aid to Nigeria.

     

    And  it is the most germane  time to embark on this action. You can recall that in  August 2018 the British Prime Minister, Mrs. Theresa May paid a state visit to Nigeria and met with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja. The bulk of their discussion centered on combating terrorism. And Mrs. May promised to increase UK’s military support to Nigeria to assist the country protect its citizens and British workers resident in Nigeria from terrorists’ atrocities.

     

    The British PM’s pledge was later reiterated by UK’s Foreign Secretary, Mr. Jeremy Hunt who also visited Nigeria in early 2019.  He was emphatic that discussions by the British Government are ongoing in the aspect of increasing aid and military support to combat the Boko Haram terrorists.

     

    This was after Mr. Hunt  visited some crisis ridden places in the Northeast and concluded by  a verdict that the crisis had the potential to trigger humanitarian problems if left unattended , in a manner that would  dwarf the Yemen experience.

     

    It will good enough for the House of Commons to add their voice of reminder to the issue and persuasion of relevant authorities to initiate appropriate actions for weaponry aid to Nigeria with modern technology devices.

     

    We are a sovereign nation and our Military is very strong and capable. So,  once they are supported, it will completely delete Boko Haram in Nigeria. We are not burdening anyone to move troops to Nigeria or asking anyone to come with boots on the ground because there are enough Nigerian troops on ground.

     

    I specially thank you for your audience. And I trust that the contents of this letter will be conveyed to other MPs in the House of Commons for their necessary action.

       

     

  • Leave politics to politicians, Ameh Ebute tells CAN, ethnic-warlords

    Third Republic Senate President, Sen. Ameh Ebute, has cautioned the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to forthwith depart the political arena for the main gladiators.
    The country’s Christian leaders  recently delved into partisan politics, abandoning their primary assignment of soul-winning.
    After pressure from all and sundry, the religious group sluggishly congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari, having previously taking side with the opposition.
    Senator Ebute, however, advised CAN to de-robe itself from the garments of partisanship or political parties.
    He gave this charge at the opening forum of a two-day international conference  on politics, religion and ethnicity in Nigeria  organized  by the National Inter-Faith and Religious Organizations for Peace (NIFROP).
    Senator Ebute was also very critical of Chairman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) Prof. Ango Abdullahi, urging him to desist from reducing Nigeria or the geographical North to an ethnic or religious fiefdom.
    “ Why do we draw the swords against ourselves for political, ethnic or religious reasons? Where and when did we abandon our cherished traditional norms of hospitality and brotherhood? Why the so much hate and animosities between brothers/sisters and among communities, over such molten factors, which ought to unite, rather than divide us?,” he queried.
    “ I regret to say, we have deviated so extraneously from the solid foundations our founding fathers and world-recognized nationalists laid for the future of this great nation, Nigeria.
    “ These great Nigerians did great things for Nigeria. Nobody actually heard about their religion, ethnicity or region in the country to the level of interfering with the delicate cords, which bind Nigeria together as one strong and indivisible entity in the resoluteness of unity.
    “ In post- independence Nigeria, the Zik of Africa as he was popularly called told us that ‘Each of our three regions is vastly different in many respects, but each has this in common: that, despite variety of languages and custom or difference in climate, all forms part of one country which has existed as a political and social entity for fifty years. That is why we believe that the political union of Nigeria is destined to be perpetual and indestructible.’
    “ We must also ponder on the wisdom of Sir Ahmadu Bello on unity and peace of Nigeria. He canvassed a proper understanding of ourselves for the unity of Nigeria in his reply to Zik of Africa thus; ‘… let us understand our differences. I am a Muslim and a Northerner. You are a Christian, an Easterner. By understanding our differences, we can build unity in our country.’
    “ And the legendary Chief Obafemi Awolowo reminded us that;  ‘Violence never settles anything right: apart from injuring your own soul, it injures the best cause. It lingers on long after the object of hate has disappeared from the scene to plague the lives of those who have employed it against their foes.’
    “ This generation of Nigerians today are obliged to listen and reflect on these great wisdom the founding fathers as constant reminders to us about the desirability of peace. I shall indulge in futile deception,  if I tell you these men never had disagreements or bruised one another in the course of their sojourn for Nigeria. They had aplenty!
    “ But they considered the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians greater and paramount than personal feuds and never spilled blood over disputes. It’s a lesson for us to go back to our homes and reflect. It is the reason I am glad to be part of this momentous ceremony, which is time and essences is very useful to Nigeria.
    “If you permit me,  I will appeal to  this congregation to take the message out loudly  and indeed, to all Nigerians to follow your footsteps.  I am excited at the fact that you have found in President Buhari a reincarnation of the souls and spirits of our founding fathers.
    “ Whatever Nigeria’s forbearers’ wished for our nation, Nigeria, is embodied by President Buhari. He is now the trusted anchorman because we have seen in him the traits of a genuine leader, who does not only regret our shameful departure from the standpoint of this nation, but is also prepared to lead the path for our glorious recovery.
    “ President Buhari is a rare leader, gifted to us at this of our political or existence history. And we are elected to rally around him to reclaim Nigeria from all the destructive forces of darkness.
    “ May  l also seize,  this opportunity to appeal to some Northern leaders like Chairman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) Prof. Ango Abdullahi to desist from reducing Nigeria or the geographical North to an ethnic or religious fiefdom in the larger equation of Nigeria.
    “ Our dear country is home to all Nigerians. It’s pointless talking tough always on our ethnic or religious fault lines, instead of striving to reunify ourselves and a traumatized nation.
    “ Similarly, I caution all religious leaders in Nigeria, especially those of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), my primary constituency, as a Christian, to de-robe themselves from the garments of partisanship or political parties. There is no need to heat the polity with inflammable comments at his delicate period of our history.
    “ Religious leaders must necessarily leave politics for politicians, if we want this nation to progress in peace and unity. All of you must agree with me that our people have been wrongly indoctrinated to believe religion is something so sensitive enough to spark violence and killings.”

  • Ameh Ebute blames highly placed Nigerians for escalating conflict

    The President of the Senate in the Third Republic, Senator Ameh Ebute, has blamed conspiracy theories promoted by some well-placed Nigerians for the narrative that the government of Muhammadu Buhari was responsible for the escalation of the farmers/herders conflict in the country. He stated this at a roundtable with MPs of the British Parliament, January 23, 2019, at the House of Commons, London, United Kingdom

    Senator Ameh Ebute delivered a position paper titled “Tackling the Violence between Livestock Farmers and Cultivators in Nigeria” before an audience that consisted of Chairmen and Members of committees of the British Parliament on Human Rights, Defense, Environment, as well as African Ministers, and a cross-section of a delegation from Nigeria. He posited that “violent clashes between two sets of farmers in Nigeria, cultivators, and livestock farmers have been a major feature of the Nigerian security landscape since 2003. These clashes escalated in late 2017 with the massacre of over a hundred people at Agatu in Benue State. 2018 witnessed a further deterioration in the violence.”

    “While a responsible government has a solemn obligation to ensuring the safety of its citizens and implementing policies and programs that engender peaceful co-existence among its ethnic, regional and religious diversities of its population, it must ensure too that crisis between any two groups of its population is not exploited for the selfish and nefarious purposes of its detractors.”

    Senator Ebute further argued that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was able to make substantial gains in the fight against terrorism. “Boko Haram was routed from its Sambisa Forest stronghold. The Nigerian military recaptured Mubi, Gwoza, Baga and other major cities and villages that had been overrun by Boko Haram. Coordinated attacks by the air force and the army seriously degraded the fighting capabilities of Boko Haram.”

    “Recognizing the regional dimensions in Boko Haram activities, the Buhari administration initiated a multilateral approach to fighting against Boko Haram by entering into a regional alliance with the neighboring states of Niger, Chad, Cameroon and the Republic of Benin. Hundreds of thousands of Nigerians who had fled to those neighboring countries in the wake of Boko Haram seizure of their towns and villages returned to Nigeria.”
    Some of the most prominent military deployments included Operation Lafiya Dole, Operation Sharan Daji, Operation Awatse, Operation Shirin Harbi, Harbin Kunama I, Harbin Kunama II, Operation Crocodile Smile I, Operation Python Dance I, Operation Dokaji, Operation Egwu Eke (aka Python Dance II, Operation Harbin Kunama II, Operation Whirl Stroke. These operations are against terrorism, cattle rustling, kidnappings and robberies, banditry, and sabotage of oil facilities, theft of oil, and perpetrators of livestock/cultivators violence.
    “In addition to military operations designed to end terrorism and curtail other forms of violence, the Buhari administration has promptly deployed the police to areas of violence to curtail the violence and arrest the perpetrators.”

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    On the various allegations of the complicity of President Muhammadu Buhari in fueling the farmers/herders conflict, Senator Ebute posited that there is no shortage of conspiracy theories to explain the violence between livestock farmers and cultivators in Nigeria and they range from mildly misinformed attempts to explain a complicated social situation to outright falsehoods.
    “The most often encountered of these theories blame President Buhari directly alleging that his ethnic affinity with the Fulani livestock farmers either encourages the violence or makes Buhari turn a blind eye to the violence.”  He further argued that “conspiracy theories on violence in Nigeria are given credence when otherwise respectable public figures use them as an explanatory framework for what is going on.”
    He gave the example of retired Lt. Gen. T.Y. Danjuma, a former Chief of Army Staff, as one of the purveyors of falsehood on the efforts of the Muhammadu Buhari led administration in tackling the farmers/herders conflict in the country.
    “Danjuma had asserted quite incorrectly that the violence in Benue and Taraba states between cultivators and livestock farmers was a result of cooperation between members of the Nigerian armed forces and renegade Fulani groups. This is certainly true. It is probable that the type of cooperation that Gen. Danjuma had described might have taken place when he was a minister of defense and the general impression that members of his group, the Jukun, rented soldiers in their violent struggle with their neighbors, the Kutebs.”
    “It was also during Danjuma’s tenure as minister of defense that soldiers opened fire on unarmed civilians at ODI in Rivers State and Zaki-Biam in Benue State killing many people and burning down the entire villages. That type of behavior can longer be authorized nor tolerated. Any Nigerian soldier that engages in acts of brigandage or molestation of civilians is now promptly disciplined accordingly under the current administration.”
    Senator Ebute consequently eulogized the international community for the assistance it has rendered to the government of Nigeria in tackling its security challenges. “the government and people of Nigeria appreciate the help it has received from the international community, but the international community can do more to help Nigeria tackle its security challenges.”
    “The Nigerian armed forces need arms, ammunition, actionable intelligence to deal with Boko Haram and other security issues. Nigeria is trying to revamp its small defense industry and cannot yet manufacture all the military equipment it needs. It is important for Britain and other international partners to supply needed weapons and materials to Nigeria. Nigeria is not calling for foreign troops on its soil. Nigerians will do the fighting themselves. Terrorism is a global problem and must be tackled globally”.
    In the closing remarks, the MPs led by Kemi Badenoch appreciated Senator Ameh Ebute for the insight it provided on the efforts of the Muhammadu Buhari led administration in the fight against terrorism. Some of the MPs that were in attendance were James Duddridge, Lord St. John, Mark Simmonds and many others while  Cherie Blair, wife of former UK Prime Minister,  – Julia Hulme and Anthony Smith and many from the Human Rights Community in the UK also attended the meeting. And many others from Nigeria and the United Kingdom .

  • ‘Resign to save Nigeria’s image, you have failed’ –  Ameh Ebute writes Saraki

    Former Senate President and elder statesman, Senator Ameh Ebute, has called on Bukola Saraki, President of the 8th Senate to immediately resign in order to save the image of the entity called Nigeria.

    Ebute, who was President of the Nigerian Senate during the end of the third republic, in a thought-provoking letter addressed to Saraki and obtained by our reporter on Friday, hinged his reason on the fact that Saraki had succeed in turning the Red Chamber into a combat theatre by protecting the abominable and despising truth.

    The Benue-born political leader lamented that the Saraki-led senate also imported what he termed despicable autocracy and despotism into parliamentary engagements, hence, the needless brawls between the senate and the executive arm of the governments.

    He also cited the recent suspension of Senators Ali Adume and Omo-Agege as some of the few examples Saraki’s aberrational leadership of the Senate and the National Assembly.

    Ebute declared, “This is the extent of your moral deficit, which has disqualified you from belonging or even leading an assemblage of honourable men and women.”

    He advised the Kwara-born lawmaker to kindly eat the humble pie ad take the exit door, having, “consistently failed to pass the integrity and morality tests to continue to preside over Nigeria’s parliament.”

    The letter reads below.

    Let me begin by extending my greetings to you and other members of the National Assembly. It is exactly  eight years since God crossed our path and must be bold to say that knowing you as a friend has been an interesting journey all the way.

    As a senior citizen of Nigeria, I feel I owe the younger generation of Nigerians the moral obligation to offer advice and counsel when public institutions are mismanaged. It is more compelling, especially, whenever I see the ship of state derailing or democratic tenets blatantly abused, as in our experience now with your leadership of the National Assembly. This is why I have decided to write this open epistle to you.

    We all know that democratic governance rest on the pillars of the legislature, whose main responsibility is to enact legislations that would deepen democratic practices and good governance in any country of the world. A corrupt legislature is a bane to the country; while an upright, focused and virtuous legislature is an asset to Nigeria. The entire wheels of democratic governance are propelled and energized by the legislature.

    Therefore, those who should populate the hallowed chambers ought to be men and women of proven integrity and trustworthy. The demands of morality and integrity on the Parliament, which is the conscience of democratic governance is very strict.

    It is no longer in doubt to all discerning minds that your lofty position as the Senate President  and Chairman of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigerian places a serious a moral burden on you, which your actions and utterances in the last three years have exposed you as very deficient.

    Nigerians have watched with utter amazement how you have redefined leadership of the legislature in the negative sense. This to me as your friend is very shameful and immoral to say the least but still not too late.

    The Senate under your watch has imported despicable autocracy and despotism into parliamentary engagements. And the resultant effects include, the dictatorial muzzling of  opposition voices of colleagues during plenary and abusing their inalienable right of freedom to hold and express opinions on the floor of the hallowed chambers.

    Your leadership of the Senate has shown an absolute  proclivity to vindictiveness and witch-hunting of colleagues who share views opposed to your disposition. Such members are goaded to the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee peopled by your acolytes, who have accepted the loathsome job of serving as your hatchet men. They unduly or unlawfully punish dissenting voices for the audacity of holding an opinion contrary to your thinking.

    The suspension of Senators Ali Adume and Omo-Agege are some of the few examples of your aberrational leadership of the Senate and the National Assembly. You have turned the Red Chambers into a combat theatre, protecting the abominable, but despising truth. This is the extent of your moral deficit, which has disqualified you from belonging or even leading an assemblage of honourable men and women.

    Mr. Senate President Sir, you have consistently failed to pass the integrity and morality tests to continue to preside over Nigeria’s parliament. Nigerians recall with much sadness, your scandalous alleged purchase of the N298 million bulletproof Range Rover Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), with fake documents and the evasion of Customs duties, which  was  impounded by Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).

    There is also the issue of your alleged false declaration of assets, a case still hanging at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), but you are frustrating judgment with frivolous court injunctions. This again testified to the obvious that you still own the Nigerian people an apology.

    And your recent alleged shadows in the Offa bank robberies which claimed the lives of over 30 Nigerians, including security agents have cumulatively placed a moral burden on your leadership and disqualify you from holding the noble identity of a Nigerian parliamentarian, much more holding such exalted positions of Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly.

    Sir, in my humble opinion, you are barren of every essential ingredient and honour to continue to preside over any parliament anywhere in the world.  The abysmal performance of the Senate under your watch, the padding of national budget or the simmering regime of corruption your leadership has allowed to creep into  the Senate strips you of any qualification to be a member of Nigeria’s National Assembly.

    Nigerians have tolerated your leadership deficit enough and time has come for you to have a rethink and do the needful.
    We are tired of your scandalous outings at every point. It is either, you are fingered in armed robbery today, or some illicit monies are traced to your account abroad, which are matters the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria does not approve of any public office holder.

    My friend Senator, I have no hesitation to say, you have regrettably become an opposite of honour or integrity, both at home and abroad and a shame to Nigeria, a country President Muhammadu Buhari is spending sleepless nights to reposition and rejuvenate on the path of progress and public morality. We cannot allow you to reverse these gains.

    Though, the mistake was made right from your home state of Kwara, where the people of Kwara Central senatorial district failed to see your odd characters, underserving of leadership patronage and proceeded to entrust you with their mandate. Even this is now questionable having listened to some criminals confess openly how they manipulated your elections to give you victories against the people’s wish .

    These negative virtues are innately part of you, and there are no restrictions. You even irresponsibly besmirched and desecrated, the Elder Olusola Saraki, your own father by shamefully humbling a man that brought you into this world and even politics by extension.

    Therefore, at the behest of all men of good conscience and lovers of Nigeria, I am advising you to do the needful. Please, withdraw your membership of the National Assembly by resigning your position. And the time to act appropriately is now. It is the collective desire of all Nigerians to see their country progress. We cannot continue to stomach or tolerate a leadership liability like you anymore.

    Thank you for the patience of reading this open letter and may you be guided accordingly.

    You may permit me to share this with our friends in the diplomatic circle as witnesses to my call for you to do the needful. This is to put everyone on notice should masses decide to emulate your style of doing things by removing you from office in the days ahead.

  • Boko Haram: UN yet to receive sanction request

    The United Nation on Friday denied receiving a letter reportedly written by a former President of the Senate, Chief Ameh Ebute, in which he accused some of Nigeria’s neighbours of complacency in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency.

    Ebute wants such countries sanctioned.

    The letter was supposed to have been addressed to the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, and a copy sent to the Chief Prosecutor, International Criminal Court, Hague.

    However, Mr. Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for the Secretary-General, denied knowledge of the letter.

    “I’ve seen the press reports. I have not seen the letter,” he said.

    “Obviously, the question of sanctions is up for the Council.

    “And I think for the UN, for our part, we’ve always counted on the cooperation of all countries in the Lake Chad Basin in the fight against Boko Haram.”

    Ebute had said in the letter “that each time the insurgents strike in Nigeria, they escape into either or all of these countries for refuge, during which time, they recuperate, re-energise, re-arm and surface to attack new targets in Nigeria.

    “It must be emphasized that the three countries have always been the entry and exit points for terrorists into and out of Nigeria.

    “Since the fall of Sambisa forest, their safest haven in Borno State, residues of insurgents have relocated to these countries, from where they stray into Nigerian territories to launch random attacks on soft and obscure targets.”

    The former Senate President urged the UN Secretary-General to invoke relevant instruments, particularly Article 99 of the UN Charter.

    He added that the Secretary-General should draw the attention of the Security Council to investigate the “nuances of the consuming terrorism undercurrents” in Nigeria, which are potent enough to cause international breach of peace and security.

  • Ameh Ebute to Tambuwal: Declare defecting Reps’ seats vacant

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, has been asked to declare vacant the seats of the 37 Peoples Democratic Party’s members that defected to the All Progressives Congress.

    A former Senate President and member of the PDP, Senator Ameh Ebute, who made the call on Thursday, also urged Tambuwal to stop the salaries of the defected members and prevent them from participating in House activities.

    But the APC and Minority Leader of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila while reacting to the call described it as “a lone voice in the wilderness.”

    He said though the former Senate President, who is a member of the ongoing national confab “is entitled to express his own opinion. Unfortunately, Nigerians collectively disagree with his ranting.”

    Ebute’s demand came via a letter addressed to the Speaker and dated April 14, 2014 with the title: “Aminu Tambuwal, defected 37 PDP members, impunity, treachery and INEC.”

    His words: “Honourable Tambuwal are you aware that these defected PDP members should not be allowed to participate in House matters and can therefore not be paid salaries? I therefore seize this opportunity to declare vacant these seats vacant. The failure of the speaker and the INEC to act in accordance with the laws could breed anarchy. This is a serious threat to our budding democracy.”

    He further stated: “My brother, you coerced and cajoled 37 members of the PDP to defect to the APC while you the hatchet leader of the plot decided to remain in the PDP so that you can finally bury the PDP. You institute courts cases against your party, the PDP. You refuse to attend party rallies and other party functions and yet you remain in the PDP.”

    According to him, the Speaker connived with the opposition and “hoodwinked” members of the House to scuttle PDP’s plan to zone position of Speaker to the South West.