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Tag: condemns

  • NBA condemns violence

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) yesterday in condemned the political crises in Rivers State.

    NBA President, Okey Wali (SAN), in a statement, urged security agencies to sanction the perpetrators.

    The statement reads: “The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is very disturbed by the turnout of events in Rivers State. The political differences in Rivers State up and until now, have been in the courts, which was the right and proper way to settle disputes in any civilised society, that was why the NBA had refrained from issuing statements on the matter, as they were sub-judice.

    “The NBA calls on the Federal Government and security agencies to do all that is lawful in ensuring the restoration of peace and tranquility in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The rule of law must prevail, and there must be no sacred cows, as nobody is above the law”.

    The NBA described the latest twist of violence, as a dangerous dimension that must be condemned . It appealed to the parties to sheath their swords and return to the courts.

    The NBA said the security agencies must not only be above board, but must be seen to be so in carrying out their lawful duties at all times, adding that the interest and well being of “the good people of Rivers State must remain paramount”.

    A human rights activist and lawyer, Mr. Morakinyo Ogele, yesterday called for the prosecuton of those who perpetrated violence on the floor of the assembly.

    Ogele, in a statement, said: “The political violence perpetrated at the Rivers State House of Assembly is another indication that some of our politicians are not fit for office.

    “Police should arrest the perpetrators for prosecution as their action is criminal.”

  • ACN condemns ‘unconstitutional’ change of govt in Egypt

    ACN condemns ‘unconstitutional’ change of govt in Egypt

    The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday described as a blow to democracy last week’s “unconstitutional” change of government in Egypt.

    In a statement in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said it does not matter how popular the public protests that led the military to make the change was, what happened in Egypt was a coup d’etat which must be condemned.

    “Democracy remains the best form of government known to man, and in order to grow it, it must be nurtured. But if every time there are protests in a democracy, the military moves in to effect a change of government, then democracy will never grow.

    “Democracy has some universal tenets, which include the fact that free and fair election is the only means of getting to power and the only way of losing it. This means that even if people make a wrong choice, they are stuck with it until the next elections, unless in countries where you have a recall mechanism. Some may describe this as a drawback, but there can be no other way if democracy is to be properly practised,” it said.

    ACN said while many Britons and Americans disagreed with their governments over the Iraq war and held several public protests to vent their disappointment, that did not cause the military in both countries to push their democratically-elected governments out of power, as was the case in Egypt.

    It also recalled that during former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s illness, the party (ACN) and a number of civil society groups insisted that the constitution must be followed, as many in Yar’Adua’s inner caucus plotted endlessly for him to hold on to power, even when it became clear that he could no longer function effectively.

    The party said while many in Egypt may not like the Muslim Brotherhood or be happy with the government of President Mohammed Morsi, the fact remains that they both won an election that was globally adjudged to be free and fair.

    ACN hailed the African Union (AU) for suspending Egypt’s membership of the continental body in the wake of the coup, saying it shows that it (AU) is serious about the adherence to its Constitutive Act, which prohibits an unconstitutional change of government.

    The party also said the Nigerian government did the right thing by promptly condemning the action of the Egyptian military and calling for the immediate restoration of democracy in the North African country.

  • World condemns Egypt’s coup

    World condemns Egypt’s coup

    The world yesterday condemned Wednesday’s ousting of Egypt’s first democratically-elected President after a week of protests.

    President Goodluck Jonathan joined the United Nations, Unied States President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron and other world leaders, to demand the reversal of the military coup that removed Mohammed Morsi.

    Mr Adly Mahmud Mansour was yesterday sworn in as interim head of state. He vowed to “preserve the system of the republic, and respect the constitution and law, and guard the people’s interests”.

    Deposed President Morsi was being detained at a military facility. Warrants of arrest have been issued for more than 300 members of his Muslim Brotherhood party.

    United Nations Secretary General Ban ki Moon urged “speedy resumption of civilian rule.”

    President Jonathan’s demand for immediate restoration of democratic order was made through a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.

    The statement said: “The Federal Government of Nigeria has received with grave concern, news of the overthrow by the Armed Forces, of the democratically elected President of Egypt, Mr. Mohammed Morsi and the suspension of the country’s constitution.

    “This is a truncation of the aspiration of the Egyptian people to freely express themselves through the ballot box

    “This unfortunate development is a gross violation of the Construction Act of the African Union, which prohibits unconstitutional change of government.

    “It constitutes a serious setback of the remarkable progress which Africa has made in fostering the culture of democratic governance in the continent.

    “Nigeria calls for the immediate restoration of the democratic order in Egypt and urges the Egyptian Armed Forces to allow the democratic culture to thrive in the country.

    “Nigeria also calls on the Egyptian people to exercise utmost restraint in the peaceful pursuit of their legitimate grievances.”

    President Barack Obama said: “We believe that ultimately the future of Egypt can only be determined by the Egyptian people. Nevertheless, we are deeply concerned by the decision of the Egyptian armed forces to remove President Morsi and suspend the Egyptian constitution.

    “I now call on the Egyptian military to move quickly and responsibly to return full authority back to a democratically elected civilian government as soon as possible through an inclusive and transparent process, and to avoid any arbitrary arrests of President Morsi and his supporters.”

    British Prime Minister David Cameron’s spokesman said: “We don’t support military interventions as a way to resolve disputes. We always condemn military intervention in democratic systems. What we want and what we support is a democratic future for Egypt.”

    Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu,said: “Only can you be removed from duty through elections, that is, the will of the people. It is unacceptable for a government, which has come to power through democratic elections, to be toppled through illicit means and even more, a military coup.” German Guido Westerwelle, the foreign minister: “This is a major setback for democracy in Egypt. It is urgent that Egypt return as quickly as possible to the constitutional order. There is a real danger that the democratic transition in Egypt will be seriously damaged.”

    But Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying,said “China respects the choice of the Egyptian people. We also hope that all parties concerned in Egypt can avoid using violence and properly solve their disputes through dialogue and consultation and realise reconciliation and social stability.” Mansour said he would safeguard “the spirit of the revolution” which removed Hosni Mubarak from power in 2011, and would “put an end to the idea of worshipping the leader”.

  • Activist condemns Ondo lawmaker’s suspension

    Activist lawyer Dr. Tunji Abayomi yesterday criticised the Ondo State House of Assembly for suspending the lawmaker representing Ose Constituency, Mrs. Fola Olaseinde.

    She was suspended for allegedly keeping fetish objects in her former apartment.

    Abayomi said native medicine is acceptable in Africa and Yorubaland.

    In a statement, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) chieftain said the Assembly violated the constitution, which protects the rights for privacy, culture and belief.

    He said: “In my view, we have an unserious case which should not have led to her suspension. Her former landlord, Sir Ogunbadejo, did not contest her claim that she left his house at least nine months ago. This obviously accounted for the legal process initiated by the landlord.

    “Does common sense not tell us that native medicine abandoned in someone else’s house for over nine months can barely command any efficacy or carry any value to the owner or to others?

    “In Africa and Yoruba cosmological thinking, native medicine is an acceptable and respectable way of protecting oneself or loved ones against diseases and death. There is scarcely a Yoruba person who does not know or hear about oogun, (traditional medicine).

    “Even in this advanced age of science, movies remind us of their place in our life. They highlight their significance in our ontological thinking. If Mrs. Olaseinde made native medicine either nine months ago or today, she is exercising her right to privacy, culture and belief.

    “She has done nothing wrong and it was inappropriate of the House to humiliate her with an unwarranted suspension. The House abandoned its responsibility to the legislator.

    “Mrs. Olaseinde is one of the three women in the Assembly. Women in politics, in this heavily-male dominated constituency, face diverse challenges, ranging from marginalisation to sexual harassment. They often walk on a lonely path. It is worse in the case of widows like Mrs. Olaseinde.

    “We need to respect and protect women’s right to seek self-security through means that conform to their beliefs. The institution that employs them has a greater duty not to injure them psychologically, emotionally or spiritually through wrong decisions.

    “Mrs. Olaseinde should have been protected by the House. The Assembly’s failure to do so greatly reduces its dignity, honour and prestige.

    “Now is the time for the Assembly to make amends by recalling her and restoring her rights as the representative of Ose Constituency.”

     

  • Women’s group condemns EKSU rape

    A rights group, the Women Empowerment and Legal Aid (WELA), has condemned the rape of a female student by five of her male colleagues at the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, last week.

    It said the increasing cases of sexual abuse in the country has assumed a dangerous proportion and requires urgent attention.

    In a statement by its Chairperson, Mrs. Funmi Falana, WELA said: “More appalling in this case is that it happened on the premises of a university, which is supposed to be a citadel of learning and hallmark of leadership training.

    “However, we hail the authorities of the institution for sanctioning the wayward and misguided students. We equally praise the Ekiti State Government for arraigning the suspects for conspiracy and rape.

    “We have no doubt that the sanctions on the suspects will serve as a deterrent to others. We urge the authorities to pursue the prosecution to a logical conclusion. The victim deserves justice and in this case, justice means that the rusticated students are duly prosecuted.

    “We have resolved to support the Ekiti State Government in the prosecution of the case by volunteering to hold a watching brief and partner the authorities in stamping out the brutal violation of the dignity of innocent women in the society.”

  • Senator condemns CP’s killing

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Communication Senator Gilbert Nnaji has condemned the killing of the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Mr, Chinweike Asadu.

    Nnaji, in a statement presented to the Senate, said:

    “I wish to formally bring to the attention of this distinguished Senate, the brutal assassination of the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Chinweike Asadu, at his home in Amorji Nike, within my senatorial district.

    “The murder, which occurred on March 3, has thrown my senatorial district and the whole of Enugu into a state of shock and panic.

    “It is feared that if such high-profile security personnel could be killed just like that, how safe are the ordinary citizens.

    “It is my prayer that the Senate, in its usual manner, would rise to condemn this dastardly act. I commiserate with the Nigeria Police and the family of the fallen officer.

    “I urge the Inspector- General of Police to speedily apprehend the perpetrators of this act and prosecute them.”

  • APGA condemns demolition of Ojukwu’s library

    The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) yesterday condemned the demolition of Ojukwu’s Memorial Library project in Owerri, Imo State.

    A statement in Abuja by the Acting National Chairman, Maxi Okwu, said: “APGA strongly condemns the demolition of the Ojukwu Memorial Library project in Owerri, Imo State, being erected by the leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Ralph Uwazurike.

    “It is sad that some misguided elements destroyed the structure slated for inauguration this month.

    “Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu lived a selfless life; he loved Ndigbo with all his heart and worked for the well-being of all Nigerians until his death.

    “ It is a sacrilege in Igboland for any person or group to conspire and destroy a befitting movement in honour of the people’s general.

    “We call on security agents to fish out the perpetrators of this wicked act and bring them to book.

    “We urge all those who loved the great Ikemba in particular and Ndigbo in general to support this library project and ensure its prompt completion.

    “ Ojukwu desired the best for Ndigbo and deserves the best structure as he lives in the minds of his loved ones, supporters and followers.”

  • Soyinka condemns Good Governance tour

    NOBLE Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, yesterday in Benin City berated the ongoing Good Governance tour by the Minister for Information, Labaran Maku, describing it as a scam.

    This is coming barely twenty four hours that the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) called for the stoppage of the tour.

    Professor Soyinka, who made an unannounced stoppage at the Oba Oguola press Center while inspecting the historical Benin moat on the fence of the NUJ secretariat, told journalists who had attempted to ask of his mission in the state that “he is happy that Oshiomhole told the leader of the Good Governance tour, Labaran Maku to go to hell.”

    It will be recalled that the Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole had earlier rejected a multi-million naira proposal from the Minister asking the state government to bankroll the Edo leg of the tour, saying it was a waste of public fund.

    He said: “The resources accruable to the state cannot accommodate the expenses of hosting the Minister of Information and his Good Governance tour team. Why should I take Edo State tax payers’ money to finance a federal government project? I don’t need Abuja to help me tell Edo people what I am doing in the state. Anytime any state official goes for official duty in Abuja, the state takes responsibilities of its expenses, so, I expect the Federal Government to finance its officials.

    Sources in the Government House told our correspondent that the proposed tour would have cost the state government a whooping one hundred and fifty million naira.

    It was, however, learnt that the Noble Laureate, who is one of the foremost voices in the UNESCO is advocating for the relevance of the Benin historical moat.

  • Forum condemns killings in Borno, Kano, Yobe

    Forum condemns killings in Borno, Kano, Yobe

    The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) is set to make its organs more functional.

    The Forum denied that it is against President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration and passed a vote of confidence on its leadership under Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

    At the end of its meeting in Abuja in the early hours of yesterday Amaechi read the Communique: “We, the governors of the 36 States of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at our second meeting of the year held Wednesday 20th February 2013 at the Rivers State Governor’s Lodge, Abuja, deliberated over a number of issues and resolved as follows:

    “Members exhaustively discussed the administration of the Forum and resolved that all the organs of the Forum be made functional at the next meeting.”

    “Governors expressed deep concern and condemned the recent killings of health workers in Borno, Kano and Yobe while re-affirming their solidarity with the governors and people of these States.

    “Forum commended the governors of the states for their resolve to continue with their polio eradication programme.”

    Anambra State Governor Peter Obi said: “We all met to support the President. Not the other way round.”

    On the presence of Bishop Matthew Kukah at the meeting, he said: “He wasn’t invited; he just wanted to see us. He came to see a group of us on an issue, it doesn’t have to do with….. You don’t have to know every issue.”

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi said: “Polio was the most serious issue we raised today, following the assassination of health workers in Kano and also the attack on health workers in Borno and Yobe.

    “We, of course, in solidarity with our colleagues who were affected, we commended their resolve for not allowing this to create any disinterest on their part to focus on polio eradication. That was the most critical thing and we also discussed the issue of the administration of the forum.”

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha said: “The issue of polio is becoming very embarrassing to our nation. We also looked at some key positions in the Governors’ Forum that need to be fixed up. We have never had such positions before and some of the key structures.

    Some of the states represented at the meeting are Edo, Ekiti, Jigawa, Abia, Kogi, Kaduna, Imo, Akwa Ibom, Kwara, Adamawa, Rivers, Bayelsa, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kano, Oyo, Anambra, Sokoto, Cross River, Enugu, Katsina, Kebbi, Zamfara, Niger, Plateau, Yobe, Rivers and Benue.

  • Outgoing AU chair condemns Africa’s response to crisis

    Outgoing AU chair condemns Africa’s response to crisis

    OUTGOING African Union (AU) Chairman Boni Yayi yesterday criticised the continent’s slow response to the Islamist insurgency in Mali.

    Yayi is the President of the Republic of Benin.

    France responded to a call for a military help from Mali as rebels advanced towards the capital, Bamako more than two weeks ago.

    The response has helped in reversing the gains made by the militants linked to al Qaeda as French and Malian troops regained Timbuktu on Saturday.

    But Africa has been struggling to contribute a meaningful ground force to the mission seen by foreign powers as a counter-strike against the threat of Islamist militants, using Mali’s remote Sahara region as a launch pad for international attacks.

    “How could it be that when faced with a danger that threatens its very foundations, Africa, although it had the means to defend itself, continued to wait,” Yayi told other African leaders at the opening of the AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, yesterday.

    The AU appealed to the United Nations for money and emergency logistics to get the regional intervention force known as AFISMA fully deployed.

    Army Chiefs from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have said a total of 7,700 African soldiers would be dispatched to the troubled Mali.

    Boni said the door was open for further troop pledges to help wrestle back control of Northern Mali, a vast desert expanse roughly the size of France.

    He said: “The list is not closed. I would like to thank countries whose troops are already in the battle zone and in advance, the other countries whose troops will follow, be they from Africa or elsewhere.”

    He thanked Paris for its intervention which has seen French warplanes pound rebel positions and French ground forces alongside Malian troops recapturing several towns.

    There has appeared to be some embarrassment among African leaders that the continent had to rely on a former colonial power to take the lead in the Mali campaign.

    According to AU officials, the AFISMA is severely hampered by “logistics shortages and needs airlift support, ammunition, telecoms equipment, field hospitals, food and water.”

    Addressing the AU summit, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he had given the Security Council his recommendations on a logistics support package for AFISMA, a force that had been in the making months before France’s intervention.

    The UN, Ban said, is ready to undertake peace-building, governance and security sector reform in Mali “once the regrettably necessary combat operations are over.”