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Tag: dissolution

  • Beyond dissolution

    Beyond dissolution

    • Reps should invite EFCC to probe allegations against its dissolved committee members

    The announcement of the dissolution of the Joint Committee Investigating Corruption Issues in the Petroleum Mid-stream and Down-stream Sectors has stirred a lot of controversies. Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Akin Rotimi, announced the dissolution: “The committee, which was originally assigned to probe the importation of adulterated petroleum products, the shortage of crude oil for local refineries, and other crucial energy security matters, will be replaced by a newly formed ad-hoc committee with the same responsibilities.”

    Some constitutional lawyers and NGOs put their foot wrong by condemning the house leadership headed by the speaker, Tajudeen  Abass, for dissolving the committee. Some others allege that the committee had compromised while some others say that there has been some witch-hunt against the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL) and the chief executive. Mele Kyari and some others. They accused the lawmakers of extortion. The latter charge, given the fight between the NNPCL and Alink Dangote was at the bottom of the furore.

    Nigeria is an oil-producing country that has not lived up to the position of the 9th largest oil exporter in terms of the economic gains or infrastructural development, due to endemic corruption in the oil sector. Just a few years after the oil boom in the 1970s, the then head of state, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, had said that ‘money is not the problem of Nigeria but how to spend it’. Although Gen. Gowon had said he did not mean the statement in the context it was taken, that is exactly what has been happening since then. And that was the oil boom era when the Nigerian currency was stronger than the dollar and equal with the British pounds.

    Corruption in government and those running the oil sector has become the albatross of an oil-producing nation with more than half the population living in multi-dimensional poverty, and with the world’s largest out-of-school children at more than 20 million. The oil revenue has been so mismanaged that it has led to diverse developmental issues like environmental pollution, militancy in the oil-producing Niger Delta region, unemployment and sundry problems.

    It is therefore very interesting  that Speaker Abass could dissolve a committee set up to probe the rot in the petroleum industry based on allegations of corruption against the members. That is  self-indictment in a good sense since we rarely see a legislature turn its searchlight on itself in this manner. Nigerians, though, must be carried along through a transparent process that lays everything bare. Such investigations in other functional democracies are done in the public glare to avoid all the allegations and counter-allegations going on like a circus. We want to have everything in the public glare for Nigerians to make up their minds.

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    Graft allegations in such a critical national sector, particularly when it sullies lawmakers, on either side are not discussed under the table or in hushed tones. It is not supposed to be an in-house. It is a matter of legislative integrity and we shall see at the end of the day if it purifies our legislative profile or not. Incidents like this help place the people’s representatives on a pedestal and it is as much a test on them as it is for this democracy.

    One of the actions that may have inspired the dissolution was the call for the firing of Kyari. It is curious because observers see it as an act of malice because of the tiff between the NNPCL and the owner of the Dangote Refinery. The target is kyari and many say it is not unconnected with lawmakers visit to the refinery in Lagos.

    They did not adduce any important reason  for calling for his sack, especially since the NNPCL on his watch has increased output to 1.6 million barrels a day, opened its account for auditing and raised its revenue profile to profitability not seen in a long time. Did the committee find these achievements out of line with the call for his sack? And hence called for its dissolution? If true, It makes the committee a victim of its own corruption.

    Merely dissolving a committee and forming another amidst the litany of allegations is not enough. Nigerian economy is bleeding and for a country so dependent on oil and its varied by-products, the systemic corruption must be treated holistically more so when lawmakers are the culprits.

    The National Assembly might be considered complicit because we want to believe that if the standing committees in the house and senate are diligent with their oversight functions, many of their own will not be caught in the act.

    We recommend that given the issues involved which are economic crimes in nature, the house leadership should not only be transparent but co-opt the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a better job.

    The corruption in Nigeria’s oil sector is so pervasive it is a globally known fact and it is disappointing that most cases either in the down-stream, medium-stream and up-stream sectors have local and official collaborators with foreign agents in the industry. Nothing can be more unpatriotic than to have Nigerians working with other nationals to shortchange the nation for personal gains. That Nigeria is notorious as an oil-producing nation that is the poverty capital of the world tells the whole story. To set up a committee that sets out to foster corruption and embark on a witch-hunt negates a committee’s fount of being. Hence the matter must be pursued with rigour to the end.

  • ‘Dissolution of Imo APC exco null and void’

    •Chairman: Oshiomhole acted in ignorance’

    The Executive Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State has described the dissolution of the state exco as null and void, and of no consequence.

    They insisted they still have a valid court judgment, which forbids Oshiomhole and the National Working Committee (NWC) from tampering with their offices.

    State Chairman Dan Nwafor, who addressed reporters at the party’s headquarters in Owerri, described the dissolution and constitution of a caretaker committee as reckless and illegal.

    He said the dissolution would be resisted lawfully, and Oshiomhole’s impunity could no longer be tolerated.

    Nwafor called on the Inspector General of Police (IG) Ibrahim Idris to intervene in the matter, saying Oshiomhole’s action could cause a breakdown of law.

    He noted that Oshiomhole was on “a mission to destroy APC, not only in Imo State, but in the entire Southeast”.

    According to him, the party would also approach the court to interpret Oshiomhole’s action, noting that there a court order stopped such an action from taking place.

    He said: “We are members of the Imo State Executive Committee, and we bring to your notice the following action of the National Working Committee, led by Adams Oshiomhole, against the state chapter. This action threatens the peace of Imo State.

    “It is either the national chairman is ignorant or wants to flagrantly disobey court order. This action is illegal, ultra vires their powers as enshrined in the party’s constitution, and runs against the judgment of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.”

    Nwafor insisted the party’s governorship candidate, Senator Hope Uzodinma, was not a member of the party before Oshiomhole gifted him with the ticket, and party members allowed it in the interest of peace.

     

  • ‘No room for dissolution of Ondo APC excos’

    The Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday opposed the proposed dissolution of the state’s executives of the party.

    It was reacting to a statement credited to the former Deputy Governor Ali Olanusi and other “estranged” party leaders calling for the dissolution of party’s executives and composition of a caretaker committee ahead of next year’s general elections.

    The party described the agitations by the group as a ruse, adding that such arrangement has no place in APC’s Constitution.

    Olanusi’s group, under the aegis of “Concerned Ondo APC leaders,” paraded other members like Isaac Kekemeke, Chiefs M. A. Akeju, Felix Ayegbusi, Bode Sunmonu, Chief Adewale Omojuwa and several others.

    They sought the dissolution of state executives to pave the way for a caretaker committee that would work for the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari and other candidates ahead of the 2019 elections.

    The group maintained that the estranged members constitute more than 80 per cent of APC stakeholders in the state as against 20 per cent of “Team Aketi”.

    A statement by APC’s Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro, said members of the Olanusi group would not change from their conservative mentality.

    The statement said: “We believe these people should operate within the progressives ethos and understand the concept of ‘service’ above self.

  • Stakeholders seek dissolution of Ondo APC exco

    Some stakeholders in Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), under the auspices of Ondo Mandate Group, have urged the party’s national leadership to dissolve state executives and appoint a caretaker committee.

    They accused Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of using members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to breach the peace.

    In a petition addressed to APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole by the convener of the group, Comrade Gbenga Bojuwomi and Publicity Secretary Comrade Olorunfemi, the stakeholders said they supported the party’s decision to give automatic tickets to some lawmakers in the state.

    The petition, dated October 4, reads: “We, members of the Ondo Mandate Group of the APC, are in full support of the decision of the NWC of the party in granting automatic senatorial tickets to some members of the party in the state, and the introduction of direct primary for all elections as we see it a commendable and welcome development.

    “In a meeting in the 18 local government areas of Ondo State, the group, whose membership cuts across the nook and cranny of the state, believes this indeed is an affirmation of the resolve of the party’s leadership to put forward capable hands that can effectively represent the party.

    “Members of the mandate group and Ondo APC, however, express concern over the polarisation of the party’s congress in the state by two parallel executives, which came about as a fallout of the crisis that bedevilled the party in the last congress.

    “As we speak, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu is mobilising hoodlums, NURTW members in Ondo State to cause a security breach and hold the committee for the primaries to ransom. There have been sporadic gunshots at different parts of the state since morning; these have prevented the primary from holding.

    “The situation is a slight on the unifying efforts of the national leadership of the party; we, therefore, call for an urgent need to resolve it before it denigrates the progressive efforts of the party.

    “The group is, therefore, calling on the national executive of the party under the able and dynamic leadership of Comrade Adam Oshiomhole for immediate dissolution of the parallel executives of the party in the state. The group also advises that a caretaker committee be set up to oversee the affairs of APC in Ondo State.

    “This remains the only solution for peace in APC in Ondo State, particularly at this point when elections are drawing near. It is evident that Governor Akeredolu’s disposition is de-marketing President Muhammadu Buhari in Ondo State. As we speak, if urgent measures are not put in place, Mr President may not even get 10 per cent of the votes in Ondo State in 2019.

    “Members of the Ondo Mandate Group hereby commend Comrade Oshiomhole for the good work he has been doing since he came on board. We hereby reaffirm our solidarity and support to him for the tremendous efforts he had made at ensuring the victory of the party in Nigeria and for Nigerians…”

     

     

     

  • Woman seeks dissolution of 29-year-old marriage over assault

    An Ibadan-based businesswoman, Adejoke Ariyo, yesterday sought the dissolution of her 29-year-old marriage to her husband, Adeyemi Ariyo, at a Mapo Grade A Customary Court in Ibadan over assaults.

    The petitioner told the court that she was tired of her husband’s frequent threats to tear gas her as well as battery.

    Adejoke, who lives at Ago-Awawu in Sanyo area of Ibadan, said she could no longer bear the ceaseless battery from her husband.

    She said: “My lord, I have become a subject of ridicule and molestation in the last 16 years of my union with Adeyemi. He brutalised me day and night. Anytime Adeyemi did not see me in the shop, he would accuse me of fornication. He would attack me. I had endured with his battery for 16 years thinking that he would soon turn a new leaf. Adeyemi was not only beating me, he recently also tear-gassed me, thereby exposing my life to more danger. Here is the picture I took with my phone after he tear gassed my face. I don’t think that I am safe in his house anymore,” Adejoke said.

    The respondent, however, opposed the divorce.

    He denied all the allegations levelled against him by the petitioner.

    Adeyemi, an officer with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) pleaded with the court to safe his marriage.

    “My lord, the bane of Adejoke is disobedience and pride, she no longer takes instructions from me. As a matter of fact, Adejoke has been denying me sex since 2017. Anytime I made advances at her, she would tell me that I was smelling. I have been totally committed to her welfare and that of our children,” Adeyemi said.

    The president of the court, Mrs Imoleayo Akinrodoye, urged the duo to embrace peace by allowing for reconciliation.

    Akinrodoye then invited the parties into her chamber for reconciliation.

    The matter continues on September 13.

  • Imam seeks dissolution on 23-year marriage

    A 48-year-old building contractor, Rabiu Olayiwola, has urged an Igando Customary Court to dissolve his 23-year-old marriage to Rashidat for alleged change of religion.

    The couple, who got married in 2000 in accordance with Islamic injunctions, have seven children.

    Rabiu, who hails from Ofiki in Atisbo South Local Government Area of Oyo State, said he no longer loved his wife because she converted to Christianity.

    Rabiu, an imam claimed “that his wife does not care for him, defames him in the community and threatens his life by not giving him peace of mind.

    “She has stopped showing me the care and love that she used to show me since she converted to Christianity. This has also not given me any peace of mind as she also questions my authority. My wife goes out at will and never informs me about her movement. Most times, she takes my children to vigils and I don’t want that in my house.

    “I am not against her religious practice but she shouldn’t take my children with her,” Rabiu explained.

    The petitioner, who lives in Egan, a Lagos suburb, said: “My wife now practices Christianity and claims to be a prophetess but has only caused trouble and brought shame to me.”

    He added: “She doesn’t do those things a wife ought to do.

    “She disrespects me in front of the children and also my Muslim members”.

    The petitioner claimed that after the Alternative Dispute Resolution’s (ADR’s) intervention, everything went on smoothly for a week before trouble started all over again.

    His wife, he said, proved stubborn when she was called by the Islamic group in the community.

    He said: “She and I can’t go on different religions as this would be a great disaster to me and my reputation. I don’t want a divorce if only my wife would come back to being a Muslim. But if she is not ready to change, I want the court to separate us as I am no longer interested in the union; I want to live comfortably and in peace.”

    Rabiu urged the court to award the custody of their children to him.

    Rashidat, who has changed her name to Rachael, denied the allegations. She described her husband as inconsiderate.

    The respondent said: “My husband is not fair; he only cares about himself and what he wants. He says he wants me to be a Muslim again when he knows quite well that I was a Christian before marrying him. But because I loved him, I did as he wanted.

    “God has been calling me to be a prophetess and I have been unclear about His calling until two years ago and since I did, my husband has changed towards me. He also went against my wish to shave my son’s hair after we were told not to”

    The 41-year-old woman, who is a photographer, added: “I still love him, but whatever he wants is okay by me. But I can’t leave the house we both built of which I suffered most. I do not want to end the marriage because of the love I have for my children, I do not want them to grow up in a separated home.”

    She insisted that she would not change her religion, adding that she would not oppose the divorce if it would bring peace.

    The court’s President, Mr Akin Akinniyi, said the couple were obviously tired of each other.

    He ordered Rabiu to give his wife N5000 monthly and continue his duty to his children.

    He advised the estranged couple to keep the peace while they live together.

    “I hereby adjourn the case till July 17 for judgment,” he said.

  • ‘Disregard calls for NDDC dissolution’

    ‘Disregard calls for NDDC dissolution’

    Urhobo youths, under the auspices of the Urhobo National Youth Council (UNYC), have urged the Federal Government to disregard calls for the dissolution of the Nsima Ekere-led Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board.

    UNYC Youth Leader Monday Oyeghe told reporters in Asaba, the Delta State capital, that needless protests, agitations and media showmanship cannot override the dictates of the enabling law that established the interventionist agency.

    He said: “I mean, it smirks of needless politics and activism aimed only at distracting a lawful board, whose tenure is clearly provided for in the NDDC Act.”

    Oyeghe, who is an All Progressives Congress (APC) youth leader in Delta State, noted that it would amount to an affront on the Change Agenda of the present APC-led administration for some groups to threaten violence and unrest, if their “politicised” demands were not met.

    He said: “We are confident that Mr President cannot be swayed by these pockets of politicised demands and agitations, as against what the law provides.

    “The Nsima Ekere-led Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board is a full-fledged board with a tenure of four years, as provided by the NDDC Act. No amount of politics or media showmanship can rewrite the clear provisions of the NDDC Act

    UNYC urged other law-abiding youths in the Niger Delta region to continue to support the current NDDC board to enable it deliver on its mandate.

    It also advised the region’s youths to shun those it called merchants of violence, “who want to use them to achieve their selfish ends” by throwing the peaceful region into another round of violence.

  • Wife seeks dissolution of marriage

    A 35-year-old housewife, Rasheedat Zubairu, has prayed an Ilorin Area Court, Kwara State to dissolve her 17-year-old marriage to Kehinde Zubairu, over barrenness.

    She said the union did not produce any child, adding that efforts to conceive proved abortive.

    “I want this marriage to be dissolved. I am fed up. There is no love between us again.

    “I have advised my husband to marry another woman, but he refused. He believes I can still conceive; he has been faithful to me.

    “My husband’s twin sister has been giving me problems. I cannot bear it again,’’ the petitioner said.

    The judge, Abdulkadir Ibrahim, advised her to allow peace reign.

    He directed the bailiff to serve the respondent again with summons, “since he has refused to appear in court” and adjourned the case till today for hearing.

  • Group calls for NDDC’s dissolution

    Group calls for NDDC’s dissolution

    President Muhammadu Buhari has been urged to dissolve the leadership of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), for alleged failure to carry out the its mandate. It admonished the Niger Delta Avengers who threatened to resume hostilities to have a change of focus and pursue peace.

    The group, ‘Pandleaf’, said the headship of the commission was rotatory, pointing out that the tenure of the board would end in December and any attempt to reappoint or renew their tenure would be resisted.

    In a statement by its National President, Richard Akinaka; Secretary, Ubok-Obong Umoh and Spokesman, Comrade Success Jack, the group decried the failure of political leaders in the Niger Delta to work cohesively for development and pressed for pursuit of common interest by all stakeholders.

    It reads: “We vehemently reject the recent tenure renewal for the current board of the NDDC since it constitutes a conventional aberration, highly insensitive, very inciting and capable of breaching the peace currently enjoyed in the region.  We hereby call on President Muhammadu Buhari to dissolve the current board and reconstitute a new one with respect to rotational consideration at the end of the current tenure in December 2017. It should be made clear that would stop at nothing to fiercely and firmly resist this anomaly, if not reversed.

    “We condemn in totality the unhealthy political rivalry between political leaders in our States; it has reached alarming and embarrassing levels which has adversely affected us as a region. We urge them to redirect this energy and focus to form synergies in advancing a common regional political, economic and social agenda. They should not forget in a hurry that their actions and inactions today, form the legacies for which posterity would remember them.

    “We also call on State Governments and Federal intervention agencies to take all necessary measures aimed at improving the lives of our people in regards to projects especially on matters incidental to road infrastructures. State governments and federal intervention agencies should embark on road construction irrespective of and without prejudice to whether it is a State or Federal road.

  • Group calls for NDDC’s dissolution

    Group calls for NDDC’s dissolution

    President Muhammadu Buhari has been urged to dissolve the leadership of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), for alleged failure to carry out the its mandate. It admonished the Niger Delta Avengers who threatened to resume hostilities to have a change of focus and pursue peace.

    The group, ‘Pandleaf’, said the headship of the commission was rotatory, pointing out that the tenure of the board would end in December and any attempt to reappoint or renew their tenure would be resisted.

    In a statement by its National President, Richard Akinaka; Secretary, Ubok-Obong Umoh and Spokesman, Comrade Success Jack, the group decried the failure of political leaders in the Niger Delta to work cohesively for development and pressed for pursuit of common interest by all stakeholders.

    It reads: “We vehemently reject the recent tenure renewal for the current board of the NDDC since it constitutes a conventional aberration, highly insensitive, very inciting and capable of breaching the peace currently enjoyed in the region.  We hereby call on President Muhammadu Buhari to dissolve the current board and reconstitute a new one with respect to rotational consideration at the end of the current tenure in December 2017. It should be made clear that would stop at nothing to fiercely and firmly resist this anomaly, if not reversed.

    “We condemn in totality the unhealthy political rivalry between political leaders in our States; it has reached alarming and embarrassing levels which has adversely affected us as a region. We urge them to redirect this energy and focus to form synergies in advancing a common regional political, economic and social agenda. They should not forget in a hurry that their actions and inactions today, form the legacies for which posterity would remember them.

    “We also call on State Governments and Federal intervention agencies to take all necessary measures aimed at improving the lives of our people in regards to projects especially on matters incidental to road infrastructures. State governments and federal intervention agencies should embark on road construction irrespective of and without prejudice to whether it is a State or Federal road.

    This is because Federal Government is not a person but the roads, so classed, are still to be used by people in the State.  We urge them to borrow a leaf from the glowing examples of H.E Godswill Akpabio who during his time as Governor, undertook the construction of all roads, many of which were on the exclusive list but till today are still been enjoyed by the people of the State,” they said.