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Tag: Bolaji Akinyemi

  • Professor Bolaji Akinyemi and Trump’s wake-up call

    Professor Bolaji Akinyemi and Trump’s wake-up call

    His ideological orientation, philosophical disposition, temperamental short fuse, intrinsic racial arrogance, and instinctual transactional style of political engagement may prove disruptive and destabilising to America’s internal class and power relations, as well as the international political, military, and economic order.

    However, it is not unlikely that by the time he is done with his country and the world, the contemporary international political order will be bifurcated into the “before” and “after” Donald Trump eras. The 45th and 47th President of the world’s sole, if steadily but imperceptibly declining global superpower, Donald J. Trump, is unabashedly refashioning American politics and global international relations in his own image. Unfortunately, it is not a particularly predictable, rational, coherent or readily explicable image.

    But at least the Islamic terrorists and bandits, allegedly dispatched to hell’s gate after America’s Christmas day’s drone strikes in the Northwest of Nigeria, specifically Sokoto, know that Trump wants them nowhere near this terrestrial sphere of existence. The drone strikes were undertaken in pursuit of Trump’s purported agenda of saving Nigeria’s Christians from the genocidal attacks of ‘Islamic terrorists’. Ironically, though, American expertise, technology and intelligence enthusiastically aided Netanyahu’s Israel in the genocidal extirpation of Palestinians, including thousands of Christians, in Gaza.

    Neither does it seem to matter that the admittedly inexcusable terroristic killings in the North of Nigeria, particularly,  hardly discriminated between Christian or Muslim, woman or man, child or adult. Long before sending an investigative team of US legislators to Nigeria to ascertain the truth or otherwise of allegations of Christian genocide in the country, President Trump had declared Nigeria guilty and pronounced her, with solemn finality, ‘a now disgraced country’ to the eternal delight of the Peter Obis of this world.

    Of course, America, in Trump-speak, has regained respect and reverence across the world. Ignore the daily killings of scores of innocent citizens, including school children, in insane gun killings across America’s urban and rural communities. Discount the ceaseless assaults on America’s most cherished institutions and traditions of respect for human rights and liberties ever since the ‘Make America Great Again (MAGA)’ mantra has gained ascendancy.

    Close your eyes to the daily intimidation of judicial officers and consequent ever- increasing expansion of executive powers to the detriment of democracy and the rule of law in ‘America, their America’. Erase from memory the disgracefully (?) unforgettable spectacle of a murderous, instigated mob invading and desecrating The Capitol, inner sanctum of American democracy, in a bid to pull down the levers of civil governance in protest against patently false claims of rigged elections in 2020. But Nigeria is now a disgraced country. But St America’s vestments of innocence and chastity remain unstained.

    Read Also: Trump threatens further strikes if ISIS attack persists

    But then, does the Nigerian State have any excuse for the persistence and ever-steadily worsening of an Islamic insurgency whose seeds were sown in the extra-judicial murder of the founder of Boko Haram, Mohammed Yusuf, in police custody in 2009? Why the tardiness of the Nigerian governance elite across successive administrations in surgically addressing the structural impediments to the effective protection of lives and property in a sprawling, ethnic-regional, cultural and religious social mosaic like ours?

    Now, Trump has spoken ‘guns a-blazing’. You may question his motives. You may interrogate his sincerity. You may mock the affected ‘Christianity’ of perhaps the most irreligious occupant of the White House in recent times. But Trump is not to blame. Neither are the gods. The fault lies fairly and squarely with our ruling class. And here lies the grave danger. Trump does not hide his racism. In his first term, he described African countries as ‘shithole’. He dismisses Nigeria as ‘now disgraced’ based on allegations of baseless Christian genocide that he accepts before ordering an investigation!!

    Trump contemptuously accuses South Africa of genocide against whites without a shred of credible evidence, refused to attend the last G20 meeting in that country and has barred her from attending the next meeting of the group in the US!!! In Venezuela, he is conducting air strikes against vessels allegedly conveying drugs without providing any evidence or adherence to due process, leading to the extra-judicial murder of nearly 100 persons.

    One thing is clear. In the emergent post-Trump world order, weakness is a crime. Might is right. Ukraine’s Zelenskyy is learning the hard way. There is a new spring in Vladimir Putin’s step. Continued weakness is not an option for Nigeria. But the eminent political scientist, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, former Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and active member of the pro-democracy group, NADECO, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, foresaw this long ago. His 2016 Convocation Lecture delivered at the University of Ibadan was titled ‘Nigerian Exceptionalism: Nigerian Quest for World Leadership’ – an admirable venture in intellectual audacity if you ask me.

    In concluding the first part of this piece, I will quote Professor Akinyemi at some length. In his words, “In 1987, as the Minister of External Affairs, I called for Nigeria to develop a nuclear weapon, infelicitously called the Black Bomb. I believe I was right then, and I believe I am still right. In 1987, when I made the call, the only high-ranking public official who called to say he agreed with me was General Abacha, not known for making calls. The media, the intellectuals and practically everyone thought I was mad…When General Abacha became Head of State in 1993, he raised the issue of the feasibility of such a programme with me, but I said the United States would not permit it. I remember his reply: “I don’t intend to get along with the United States. Maybe I should have taken him for his word.”

    Professor Akinyemi continued, “…as of 2015, the GDP per capita of Nigeria was $6,100.00, India was $6,200.00, and Pakistan was $5,000.00. The three countries were within the same range. Yet, Pakistan and India are nuclear powers with an incredible underbelly of poverty. Of course, Pakistan and India did not spend N7.2 billion importing toothpicks or N62.8 billion importing French fries.

    “Let me be as categorical as I can be. Even if all roads in Nigeria were to be paved with gold, and every Nigerian were to own a Rolls-Royce in his or her garage, Nigeria would not secure respect from the world, the kind of respect extended to Pakistan or India or even North Korea, which has a per capita income of only $1,800.00 but has a nuclear programme. At the moment, no country will speak to India or Pakistan or even North Korea the way Nigeria is spoken to or spoken about.”

    • To be concluded

  • How Britain manipulated Nigeria’s leadership to maintain control, by Akinyemi

    How Britain manipulated Nigeria’s leadership to maintain control, by Akinyemi

    A former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, has said Britain deliberately structured Nigeria’s post-independence leadership to enable the former colonialists maintain influence over the country and ensure that power was handed to leaders they could control.

    Akinyemi said this yesterday in an interview with a national television monitored by our reporter.

    The ex-minister was reacting to allegations by U.S. Congressman Scott Perry that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) had funneled $697 million annually to terrorist groups, including Boko Haram in northern Nigeria.

    Akinyemi said as early as 1945, British authorities had planned who would lead Nigeria after independence, deliberately bypassing nationalist leaders, like Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Kingsley Mbadiwe, and Michael Okpara, political leaders he said Britain could not easily control.

    “Nigeria had been a target before we even became independent. The British arranged the handover of power to the least developed part of Nigeria and picked elite they believed they could control.

    “They learnt from their experience with India’s Jawaharlal Nehru, who escaped their control. From then on, Britain ensured that any of their former colonies becoming independent would have leaders they could manipulate,” he said.

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    Akinyemi also made shocking revelations on the role of foreign powers in Nigeria’s security crisis, particularly with Boko Haram.

    The former Foreign Affairs minister claimed that while serving on the Boko Haram Committee, villagers recounted sightings of helicopters piloted by white individuals landing in the dead of night, offloading arms, money, and supplies to the terrorist group.

    According to him, he and his colleagues suspected French involvement, but Congressman Perry’s recent statements point toward American operatives.

    “The villagers had no reason to lie,” Akinyemi said. “They saw white people delivering supplies to Boko Haram. At the time, we assumed it was the French, but now an American congressman tells us it was the Americans.”

    Beyond foreign influence, the former minister said there was also an internal sabotage within Nigeria’s military, alleging that some officers were compromised by foreign interests.

    “Our soldiers have had Boko Haram fighters in their sights, only to receive orders from superiors not to engage,” he said, suggesting a high-level collusion between Nigerian security forces and foreign actors.

    Akinyemi argued that Western powers — particularly the U.S. and the France — have a vested interest in keeping Nigeria unstable, fearing that a strong Nigeria could challenge global power dynamics.

    “I attended a conference in Washington DC, where it was discussed that no country in the global north wants a black nation to become a superpower because it would disrupt their racial power structures,” he said.

    Citing Nelson Mandela, he added: “Until Nigeria makes it, no black nation will.”

    Akinyemi’s revelations have added weight to long-standing concerns about foreign interference in Nigeria’s affairs, raising questions about the country’s ability to achieve true independence and self-determination.

  • Akinyemi, Osaghae, others canvass regional integration, cooperation in Africa

    Akinyemi, Osaghae, others canvass regional integration, cooperation in Africa

    Former External Affairs Minister Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi; Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, and a Professor of Political Science, Richard Joseph, have called for a renewed focus on Africa’s regional integration, cooperation, and domestic solutions to drive growth and prosperity on the continent.

    The scholars, who spoke during the launch of Richard Joseph Learning Centre at the NIIA in Lagos, expressed optimism in the possibility of achieving good governance and development  in Nigeria and Africa despite the present challenges.

    They said the learning centre symbolises hope and resilience and also demonstrates the determination to drive positive changes within the continent.

    Prof. Joseph said the centre could be an institution whose impact would extend throughout Nigeria and the African region.

    “The launch shows our determination and resilience over a number of years. It shows our belief in this great country and many of us have been involved in the struggle for what Nigeria can and should be. So, this place can be a place, really, of the strengthening of ideas that we have adhered to,” he said.

    Saying Nigeria and Africa would bounce back, Joseph said: “I’ve been involved in the civil rights movement. I’ve been involved in the anti-colonial movement, and the anti-apartheid movement.

    “I have seen it. I have seen when democracy was threatened in Nigeria and the resistance, the sacrifices, and the martyrdom. And we were able to overcome that. So, I have seen it. I have lived it.

    “And quite frankly, I have no reason to doubt that we will overcome like we used to see.”

    Prof. Akinyemi, who said that African Union and other institutions set up for integration in the region have not achieved their objectives, enjoined the younger generation to drive the actualisation of pan-Africanism and unification of efforts within the continent.

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    According to him, “The pathway to Africa integration is a generational target. The target for our generation was democracy and independence. We achieved that in some form. Your generation (younger generation of Africans) should, in fact, inherit the target of Pan-Africanism in terms of unification of efforts.

    “Institutions have been set up for the integration of Africa. They are still trying to find their feet. And you have to continue to push our leaders, your leaders, towards the achievement of that integration.

    “We set up the Organisation of  African Union, OAU. It metamorphosed into the African Union, AU. You probably will have to come up with another institution.

    “You know, it took only one leader, and that is Muammar Gaddafi, to push the OAU into the AU. Our leaders are very reluctant to go that far. We got the AU. It’s trying to find its feet. You dream dreams and go forward with that.”

    Prof. Osaghae said that by promoting intellectual exchanges and knowledge-driven development, the centre aimed to contribute to Africa’s growth and success.

    “International affairs and African affairs have the foundation that is intellectual and knowledge-driven. So, what we’re doing today is to give traction to that whole propensity. The fact that we cannot move forward in any way without intellectual exchanges of this kind.

    “All great ideas have come from crucibles like this. And so today, we have inaugurated the Richard Joseph Learning Centre. It’s a platform for the exchange of ideas, for engagement in robust debates about development,” he said.

    “The point is, Africa should not be where it is. What do we do to make Africa get to where it should be? Nigeria should not be where it is. What do we do to get Nigeria to where it has to be? Now, you heard today that there is every reason to hope.

    “There’s every reason to build. There’s every reason to begin with new foundations. And here, the Richard Joseph Learning Centre provides a new platform for pushing forward this agenda of Africa must succeed, Nigeria must succeed,” Osaghae added.

  • Ganduje and constitution of new boards

    Ganduje and constitution of new boards

    Government periodic appointments into boards of parastatals and other federal organisations to manage the affairs of over 500 small governments needed to implement its policies is critical to the survival of the democratization process.  Unfortunately this process has in recent years become a veritable source political party patronage often secured through intense politicking and lobbying by party members.

    When Buhari’s list – with 209 board chairmen and 1,258 board members – came in December 2019 after over two years of haggling and indecision, he admitted not knowing over half of those on the list including a number of names of individuals long declared dead.

    Last week, following almost two years of delay as a result of bargaining and horse trading by politicians, President Tinubu, according to Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, last Monday approved the appointment of board chairpersons for 42 federal organisations out of over 500 small governments the president needs to faithfully implement his party manifesto. We were also told the president directed the board chairpersons not to interfere with the management of the organisations, emphasising that their positions are non-executive.

    Much as we have no reason to doubt the capacity and the integrity of most of those currently appointed by President Tinubu, what the nation has often experienced after government’s four year periodic ritual especially since 1999, has been an assemblage of deadwood and failed politicians who just wanted to continue to be relevant by continuous’ sucking of government and its resources.

    The president appeared determined to change the narrative this time around. Without prejudice to his party’s periodic ritual of politicking and lobbying, he seemed to have deliberately gone out of his way for those he believes could add value to his administration.

    For instance Professor Bolaji Akinyemi is our nation’s ‘Sun’. A resourceful intellectual, an outstanding diplomat who played a key role as our external affairs minister to end Chad, Libyan and Mali, Burkina Faso wars, Professor Akinyemi was the brain behind the highly successful Technical Aids Corps Scheme, the concept of the Concert of Medium Powers to mediate within the international system. He was a member of the Uwais panel and deputy chairman of Jonathan’s constitutional conference. He was on the side of Nigeria during the NADECO confrontation with Sani Abacha when the likes of Tom Ikimi and Babagana Kingibe sold their conscience by trading Nigeria for a pot of porridge. To bring him on board, the president had to present Akinyemi as Lagos State candidate as against his Osun State where warring politicians like Rauf  Aregbesola and Gboyega Oyetola  had destroyed the APC over their ego battle for its soul before trading it for PDP, a fact confirmed by Governor Adeleke. 

    Of course, the president’s deliberate efforts did not preclude the emergence on the list of some other self-proclaiming patriots including the likes of Abdullahi Ganduje.  In fact it will not be out place to assume that Ganduje, a man with history of endless political wars, mischiefs and intrigues and for whom there is never a dull moment, nominated himself as chairman of the Governing Board of Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). This becomes a force majeure when it reached the president’s table. In any case, when it comes to party patronage, the buck stops at the desk of the national Chairman of APC.

    The only charitable conclusion is that Ganduje outwitted the president.

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    After all, Ganduje from 1984-1994 occupied various positions within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja. In 1994 he was Kano State Commissioner for Works. From there he in 2007 moved on to become the Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission in Ndjamena. Although a full time job, workaholic Ganduje could not resist combining the job with that of the chairmanship of the Governing Council of Federal Polytechnic Ado Ekiti. A workhorse, he was so dedicated that for his board meetings in Ado-Ekiti, he would first fly from Ndjamena to Kano and from Kano to Abuja from where the vehicle sent from Ado-Ekiti would ferry him down to Ado Ekiti for a board meeting which may not take off until 7pm.

    At close to 77, Ganduje, the national chairman of APC and the recently appointed chairman of the Governing Council of FAAN, has pledged to continue his selfless service to the nation.

    I wish to align myself with Ganduje. With his past record of service to the nation, I have no reason to doubt his competence and ability to do more than one thing at a time. And contrary to his envious detractors from his native Kano, I cannot see any contradiction between presiding over the affairs of the FAAN and meeting the demands of his office as chairman of APC which involve strategies for recruitment of party membership, retaining those so recruitment  and periodic fundraising and internal party governance. For even his political foes, the outstanding performance of his party in Edo and Ondo in recent times was evidence enough Ganduje was on top of his games.

    But for those who hate Ganduje with a passion, I think it is the case of a prophet without honour in his own country. His detractors seem to come more from his own Kano State, where he and his good friend Rabiu Kwankwaso have been consumed by politics of ‘deposition and imposition’ of Emirs, demolition and reallocation of supporters’ physical properties in Kano in the last eight years. Since the duo did not tell us the source of their bitterness and endless war, outsiders think it must have been over the control over Kano resources, a common weakness among our greedy and selfish political elite. Many also consider Ganduje and his warring rivals’ political failures for their inability to exploit their past relationship in the age of innocence before their exposure to great wealth to liberate the people of Kano from pangs of sorrow and pains of hunger

    There was recently a trending picture of Ganduje and Kwankwaso moving around on a Vespa motorcycle on the streets on Kano in the early seventies; many thought that was a relationship both could have exploited to change the fortune of Kano.

    Lagos State Security Trust Fund which changed the face and character of Lagos was first launched in 2007.  Many outside Kano believe that if beyond primitive accumulation, the duo came together to exploit their past friendship to launch Kano Almajiri fund, such could have in three years cleaned up Kano.

    Meanwhile, all hail Abdullahi Ganduje, the nemesis of political foes, un-fearing Emirs and political benefactors who, at close to 77 has continued to ride against the tide.

  • Row over ‘secret Constitution’ rocks conference

    Row over ‘secret Constitution’ rocks conference

    Proceedings at the ongoing National Conference were halted for over two hours yesterday over allegations of a hidden agenda levelled against the leadership of the conference by Northern delegates.

    The development almost snowballed into a rowdy session, as some delegates insisted on digging into the allegation which impunged on the integrity of the conference.

    Northern delegates claimed that they have a 102-page draft constitution waiting to be rubber stamped by the leadership of the conference.

    Deputy Chairman of the Conference, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, was accused of labouring to lobby northern delegates to back the new constitution.

    Akinyemi said though he met with some northern delegates, the intention was to resolve contentious issues threatening the conference.

    It all started with a reference to a publication by a national daily which claimed that Akinyemi was lobbying northern delegates to support a new constitution.

    Some delegates insisted that Akinyemi should clear his name.

    Chief Mike Ahamba said those who claimed to have been lobbied should speak up before Akinyemi would be called to clear the air.

    But former Senate President Senator Ken Nnamani disagreed.

    Nnamani said Akinyemi should be given the opportunity to clear the air on the allegation because of its gravity.

    Chairman of conference, Justice Idris Kutigi asked Akinyemi to offer his explanation.

    There was dead silence in the chamber as Akinyemi said he was being accused falsely.

    He said: “I have always asked delegates to reach out to each other whenever I sensed an emerging conflict arising from a controversial issue on the floor.

    “If you are going to be fair, we have heard some people who said they are here to write a new constitution while there were others who said no, that’s not why they were here.

    “We have an issue coming up which was a discussion on modalities for implementing the decisions of the Conference. So, I approached those who said they were here to write a new constitution and asked them what exactly they meant by writing a new constitution. They explained.

    “Then I approached Alhaji Coomassie (Ibrahim) as the head of the northern delegation, as well as Prof. Gambari (Ibrahim) who is a colleague that I wanted to speak with them.

    “Alh Coomassie said the time I picked was not convenient for him but he would send a delegation to speak with me.

    “I have at various occasions raised the issues with Prof. Yadudu (Awwalu) I said to them that what I got from those that want new constitution, I told the northern delegation that if people move for amendment which we have approved and they said in view of the fact that they moved new amendment to the 1999 constitution, they now have new a constitution. I said is that a big issue for us to have a big conflict over?

    Akinyemi said Prof Iyorchia Ayu led the northern delegation to him.

    The northern delegation, he said, explained their objection to calling the proposal a new constitution.

    “That was the beginning and the end of that discussion that have now been called lobbying or whatever it is.

    “All I did was to ensure that both sides started talking to each other before we have a big conflict on the floor over a new or old constitution.”

    Senator Ibrahim Ida who was also fingered in the unfolding development said the issues involved allegation of a hidden agenda by the conference secretariat and emergence of 102-page document tagged draft constitution.

    Ida noted that it was interesting to most of them to read that people were being lobbied with money and other considerations to support the offensive document.

    He said: “There are two issues, one is on hidden agenda by the Conference and reference was made to a 102-page document.

    “The document alleged that following the decisions made in the committee reports that an agreement was reached to prepare a draft agreement for discussion and adoption by respective zones.

    “Inside the document ,contrary to the assertion that agreement contained the resolutions of respective Committees, what is contained in this 102-page document are things that were either rejected at committee level or deliberately introduced here, including the mention of States to be created.

    “No Committee report has it, I have all of them. Mr Chairman, the publication says clearly that it was the draft agreement that was being promoted as hidden Agenda by the conference.

    “When the President inaugurated the Conference, he made it very clear that the Conference should come up with recommendations to see to the betterment of Nigeria.

    “Anybody that is propagating a document alleged to be an agreement arising from committees is deliberately trying to truncate this conference.

    “So it behoves on the leadership to come out very clearly and disown this document that even carried the logo of the conference

    “It is interesting to read that people are being lobbied with money and other considerations.  This is an opportunity for the leadership to disown the document before the delegates and the world.

    “To say it does not have any knowledge of it or support it and those behind it are on their own.”

    Former Inspector General Coomassie whose name was mentioned in the publication said: “Last Monday the Deputy Chair (Akinyemi) sent a note to me and asked ‘can we meet here at six today, you can come with a few people to back you up.’

    ’I couldn’t make it but after discussing with a few colleagues, I delegated former Senate President Iyorchia Ayu to lead Bashir Dalhatu and Khairat Gwadabe and one other.

    “When we finished here that day, he (Akinyemi) approached me and explained what he just told the house now and that if we agree on certain issues, why use referendum to okay it, then we have a new constitution.

    “I told him to wait until the team comes to him to discuss it. That’s what happened.”

    Coomassie noted that in addition, Chief Raymomd Dokpesi, since the beginning of the conference, had always been organising meetings between north and south delegates.

    “I never attended one but I have always been invited. Even Prof Gambari tried to win me over but I still didn’t go.

    Eventually one day here, Prof Gambari asked me, Chief Edwin Clark, myself, Prof Anya O Anya, Prof Gambari, Prof Jerry Gana and one or two others

    “We met at the lobby and they said they wanted us to sanction setting up a technical committee to look into contentious issues so that it will help the conference.

    “ I said no objection but that people should stop abusing us northerners because I have seen series of publications, including paid publications in newspapers abusing northerners over the situation here

    “Chief Clark reacted and said he too had been abused by even governors from the north, he mentioned one governor.

    “I asked if that was meant as a reaction to my complaint Some people intervened and it was agreed that the technical committee, three from each zone be set up.

    “We shook hands and left and I handed over the nominees from the north to Jerry Gana to give them.

    ’I think they have been meeting but this last Wednesday, I was told a new constitution is being written.

    “Later, Chief Dokpesi himself came over here handed a paper to me, addressed  to Prof Yadudu that from that day, northern delegates would not participate again.

    “He gave a lengthy explanation about the document he referred to as a new constitution.

    “I submitted the document with the logo of the conference to the leadership this morning, it even contained the new states to be established.

    “I was pondering on this whether to call a meeting of northern delegates today to consider and give appropriate reply to this.

    “Suddenly over the weekend, I learnt that the agenda is now out and it has been published, they detailed some of the things contained in the document.

    “Another publication came today that I was lobbied and I detailed some to represent me. It is true, Prof Ayu is here.

    Chief Dokpesi who was named by Coomasie said Ambassador Gambari and himself elected to convene a national consensus bridge building group to help the conference to arrive at consensus on controversial issues.

    He said the conference secretariat was not part of the organisation of the consensus bridge building group.

    Dokpesi said, “It’s absolutely true that Prof. Gambari and I convened the National consensus bridge building group when it became glaring that we were going to have problems with the last group of reports and so it became imperative to form an intervention group.

    “Membership extended to all delegates and we have been meeting regularly.

    “From South South we have Chief Clark, we have Gen. Ike Nwachukwu from the Southeast, Chief Olu Falae from the Southwest, Alh Coomassie and Prof Gana from the North. This group nominated three delegates from the zones and I was the 19th and the convener.

    “In our first meeting, we discussed the National Security report and the major issue was State police.

    “We tried to harmonise and agreed on the need to have State Police.

    “We discussed fears against and reasons for and agreed that it was agreed that in a federal system, a multi tier police is the best.

    “Anyone who is honest will testify that it was agreed at the meeting also the recommendations of the five reports embedded in the new document.

    ’Also embedded in that report are some of the arguments raised and wanted to be discussed. All are tabulated in the document.

     

     

    “Prof. Yadudu who attended at least one or two meetings of the group ,maybe he was not one of those 18 members nominated, he now came into the meeting

    “We agreed for that day that all those issues were unanimous agreement of 15 out of the 18 delegates that were present at the meeting.

    “It was clearly stated that it was a working document for us to be able to know the issues and any new issue that was covered in our document would be raised

    ’We had a clear cut situation and Prof Yadudu came in on Tuesday when we adjourned with a letter that the north delegates were withdrawing.

    ’He stated that consultations were held on certain issues with different groups, that what we had there and that we were only inviting them to come and rubber stamp the decisions that have been taken.

    “He wrote a letter to me which I will present to the leadership, I replied him that night in the presence of others and I copied the delegates.

    “There was nothing secret about our document and it was made available to the leaders of all zones that this was a working document

    “In the document, each zone’s comments were tabulated in columns, so that if there are two or three comments and objections on any issue, as well as areas of disagreement, where we have to try to have a fall back position.

    “All of a sudden, Prof Yadudu said that this conference leadership has made a position on the constitution and and I said absolutely no, that you are very much aware that the leadership of the conference knows nothing about the document and the consultations.

    “I made it clear in the letter I wrote to him that there was no iota of truth and that I was shocked, disappointed that the man I hold in high esteem, Senator Ibrahim Ida, who discussed it properly with me could gang up against the same matter.

    “I found it on the front page of yesterday’s paper.

    “I irrevocably and irreversibly affirm that the leadership of this conference has absolutely nothing to do with that document.

    “And Prof Yadudu and his group, who want to break up this conference, are aware of it and made it available and circulated it as if it was true.

    “There is nobody who does not know that it is a working document among the people who are here. It is not a matter of a new constitution being written or anybody being lobbied.

    Kutigi said it had been clearly stated that the conference leadership knew anything about the document.

    He noted that anybody who attempted to link the conference leadership with the document was only being mischievous.

  • Delegates may ask for more time

    Delegates may ask for more time

    THERE were indications yesterday that the National Conference may request for further extension of time to conclude its assignment.

    This emerged as the chairman, Justice Idris Kutigi, told the delegates yesterday that the conference had only five weeks to turn in its report to the Federal Government.

    Justice Kutigi, who repeatedly informed delegates that the conference was running out of time, explained that the information became necessary so that delegates would do the needful to save time.

    The chairman also told delegates that the conference had debated and adopted reports of four committees with about 17 reports still outstanding.

    He suggested that the time the delegates used to debate committee reports should be saved to consider and vote on the committees’ recommendations.

    According to him, delegates who have amendments on any recommendations should forward same to the conference secretariat.

    Though majority of the delegates agreed that there was need to avoid a waste of time, Justice Kutigi’s proposal did not go down well with some members, especially those who claimed to have been shut out of speaking since the conference started on March 17.

    Those opposed to the proposal insisted that rather than foreclose the debate of committees’ reports, the time allotted to each delegate to speak should be cut down.

    Following some delegates’ opposition to Justice Kutigi’s suggestion, Deputy Chairman Prof Bolaji Akinyemi reminded the delegates that the conference had been extended for four weeks.

    Prof Akinyemi said Justice Kutigi led a group to the Presidency to request for a six-week extension, adding that the government granted only four weeks.

    He prayed the delegates to optimally use the remaining time because the conference had barely five weeks to conclude its deliberations, write its report, bring back the report for adoption before sending it to the President.

    Some delegates told our correspondent that there is need for a further extension of time “to allow us do a thorough job”.

    One of the delegates from the South-South said: “If we are expected to do justice to the work we have been assigned, more time is needed. We cannot rush the debates, especially when we have not considered the main issues for which the conference was convoked in the first instance.”

    The Federal Government extended the conference from June 30 to July 31.

     

  • National Conference is broke

    National Conference is broke

    Delegates to the ongoing National Conference in Abuja have not received their allowances for accommodation and transportation in the last six weeks, it was learnt yesterday.

    Aides to delegates have also petitioned Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar for permission to hold a rally over alleged refusal of the Federal Government to make financial provisions for them.

    Deputy Chairman of the conference, Prof Bolaji Akinyemi, drew the attention of delegates to the petition of their aides, including the drivers to the IGP.

    Prof Akinyemi urged the delegates to call their aides to order.

    He warned that if they failed to restrain their aides, security agents would ensure that nobody or anything would be allowed to disrupt the proceedings of the conference.

    Hardly had the deputy chairman concluded his speech than Dan Nwanyanwu asked the conference leadership to look inward.

    The delegate alleged that the secretariat workers were behind the plot of the delegates’ aides to disrupt the proceedings of the conference.

    He said the investigation showed that the secretariat workers were complaining that their allowances were not being paid as at when due by the conference leadership.

    Nwanyanwu said the transport and accommodation allowances of the delegates had also not been paid in the last six weeks.

    He said: “Look at the empty seats you see there. They are the seats of delegates who can no longer cope. Hotels are no longer accommodating some delegates because of the failure to honour their daily obligations. Something should be done urgently to address the situation.”

    Prof Akinyemi, who appeared jolted by Nwanyanwu’s statement, said even the secretariat workers had not been paid their allowances for six weeks.

    “We also have not been paid,” Prof Akinyemi said.

    The deputy chairman noted that it could not be true that the secretariat drivers were behind the threat to disrupt the conference.

    According to him, it was not that funds had not been approved for the conference, but “it is just that we have not received the paper to collect the money”.

    Prof Akinyemi said the Deputy Secretary (Finance) had been chasing the funds at the Ministry of Finance.

    Mrs. Felicia Sani, the representative of Market Women, blamed the development on corruption.

    The women’s leader said she had been trying to liaise with other delegates under the platform of Market Women.

    She said if funds had been released to the delegates, they should be paid to the delegates without further delay.

    Mrs Sani said: “Mr. Chairman, what is happening is corruption. That is what we have been trying to stamp out of this country. There is a fat rat in your house. You must fish out the rat.”

     

  • Conference adjourns over delegates’ accommodation

    Conference adjourns over delegates’ accommodation

    The National Conference inaugurated on Monday by President Goodluck Jonathan was forced to adjourn yesterday due to lack of accommodation for delegates.

    Although the 492 delegates were informed that their accommodation, feeding and transportation had been monetised, findings by our correspondents showed that many of the delegates were yet to sort out their accommodation problems.

    Findings also showed that mostly affected were delegates who do not have property in Abuja.

    Apart from accommodation, it was also discovered that some basic allowances of the delegates were yet to be paid.

    Apparently to fast track payment of the allowances, delegates were asked to submit their account details to the conference secretariat.

    The conference will resume on Monday to adopt its rules of proceeding, Conference Chairman, Justice Idris Kitigi (rtd) announced yesterday.

    Kutigi, who began with an apology for starting proceedings behind schedule, said the purpose of the meeting was for delegates to know themselves as well for principal officers to introduce themselves to the delegates.

    “Ladies and gentlemen, I suppose you know me; I’m supposed to be the chairman of this conference. My deputy, Prof Bolaji Akinyemi, is also here,” Kutigi said.

    There was outburst of laughter by delegates.

    When the laughter subsided, Kutigi handed over to the Secretary of the conference, Dr. Valerie-Janette Azinge who gave the overview of the Nigeria Judicial Institute (NJI) conference venue.

    Azinge told delegates that they observed free sitting arrangement but added that “by next sitting seats will be designated and tagged according to delegates.”

    She also told delegates that the conference would sit for four days, Monday to Thursday, every week while Fridays will be used for administrative purposes.

    She noted that conference rules of proceeding when adopted would shape the conference operation.

    Sitting arrangements almost became an issue when a delegate, Mr. Charles Edosomwan from Edo State suggested that the conference should continue to observe free sitting.

    Edosomwan said instead of tagging seats, delegates should be encouraged to come early to choose where they preferred to sit.

    He wondered the criteria to be adopted for tagging the seats.

    Chief Sergeant Awuse (Rivers State) said that the sitting arrangement should be done to enable delegates from a particular state sit together.

    Awuse argued that such arrangement would enable delegates to confer when it became necessary.

    Chief Segun Osoba objected. Osoba said that first and foremost delegates should see themselves as Nigerians.

    The former Ogun State governor suggested that delegates should sit in alphabetical order.

    He said delegates who wanted to confer on any issue should find alternative place to do so.

    Osoba was applauded by majority of the delegates for what a delegate described as “a statesmanly intervention.”

    Mrs Azinge assured delegates that the conference would be “ as democratic as possible to give delegates the right to challenge any thing.”

    She also told the delegates that sitting arrangement was contained in the conference rules of proceeding that would be debated and adopted.

    Delegates, she said, also have the right to challenge the sitting arrangement as contained in the rules.

    Mrs Azinge, who said that the views of the majority would always be carried, noted that it was obvious when Osoba spoke what delegates wanted.

    She said deliberations at the conference would begin from the speech of Jonathan after which other issues would be discussed.

    She told the delegates that they would work for 12 weeks with the first two weeks devoted to general discussions.

    She said after the first two weeks, issues would be broken and assigned to committees for more in-depth discussion.

    The committees, she said, would report back to the plenary for resolutions.

    Senator Florence Ita-Giwa said the conference arose as a result of anger.

    She noted that since delegates came with major issues in their minds, they should be given ample opportunity to air their views.

    Pastor Tunde Bakare stressed the issue of punctuality to the conference saying the delegates should avoid carrying the old to the new.

    He said: “If we say 10 am, let our 10am be 10am. Today we started 45 minutes or thereabout behind schedule.”

    Bakare also underscored the importance of sacrifice saying that those who came with personal assistants should pay them.

    He also cautioned about the use of religious prayer as preface before any contribution.

    According to him, if a Moslem uses religious prayer to preface his contribution, a Christian can also begin his contribution with “let somebody praise the Lord.”

    Former Dputy Speaker, House of Representatives Chibudum Nwuche noted that the conference started on a good note.

    He said: “I can say so far so good. Today plenary was specifically for house keeping. Delegates were asking routine questions about the proceedings and the rule of engagement. What was obvious today was the enthusiasm of Nigerians, their willingness to dialogue on all the issues.

    “The conduct of delegates also showed that Nigeria is united, that Nigeria is one is resolved to discuss the salient issues of equity and justice. My own perspective which I will present on the floor is that Nigeria needs to be reworked so that we can function better.”

     

  • Kutigi to chair conference

    Kutigi to chair conference

    •Akinyemi is deputy chair

    Retired Chief Justice of Nigeria Idris Legbo Kutigi will chair the national conference billed to be inaugurated on Monday.

    He will be assisted by former External Affairs Minister Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi.

    Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Anyim Pius Anyim announced the appointments last night.

    Dr. Mrs. Valerie Azinge was named the secretary of the conference.

    The statement announcing the appointments reads: “His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has approved the appointment of the Leadership of the National Conference as follows:

    Honourable Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi-Chairman

    Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi-Vice Chairman

    Dr. (Mrs.) Valerie Azinge-Secretary”

    “The appointees are to resume at Abuja on Wednesday, 5th March, 2014 and would be received on arrival by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.”

    Mrs. Azinge is the wife of the DG of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Prof. Epiphany Azinge.

    Investigation by our correspondent showed that the President decided to choose Kutigi and Akinyemi because of their belief in the unity and stability of Nigeria.

    A source said: “I can tell you that the pan-Nigeria attitude of Kutigi and Akinyemi earned them the appointments.

    “Jonathan opted for them because he does not want any issue at the conference which could affect our corporate survival.

    “Also, the preference for Kutigi was informed by his tough and principled stand on issues. He is not somebody you can sway by tribal or political persuasion.

    “Since he left office, he seldom speaks truth to power. So, you can see that the government is really determined not to influence the conference.

    “He is not a blind critic or a friend of the government. Kutigi has the opportunity to lead the conference to preserve our unity.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “The fact that Kutigi is a former Chief Justice of Nigeria would help address legal and constitutional issues at the conference.”

    On the appointment of Akinyemi, the presidency source said: “He loves Nigeria with an uncommon passion and he is internationally exposed. He deserves such a post.

    “He is also a patient Nigerian whose bridge building experience nationwide could assist in managing the tempo at the conference.”

    It was learnt that the President decided to appoint a secretary from the South-East so that the conference can start on a national tripod from the onset.