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Tag: Protesters

  • Protesters storm Govt House with coffin of slain pastor

    PROTESTERS from Odighi community in Ovia North East local government area yesterday stormed the Government House,Benin, with the casket containing the remains of Pastor Pius Eromosele who was allegedly murdered by suspected Fulani herdsmen. The protesters were demanding the immediate arrest of the killer herders. Eromosele was reportedly shot at a close range by his murderers who then proceeded to use machete to cut through his skull and other parts of his body. His decomposing body was found after three days by a search party comprising of hunters, vigilance group and the police. He is expected to be buried today. The protesters placed the coffin at the entrance of Government House,dishing out songs that the murderers be arrested and an end be put to attacks on farmers by herdsmen.

    They also carried placards with inscriptions such as : “We want justice for our father”; ” Fulani herdsmen that are killing us must be fished out”; “We need protection and justice”. Contacted , the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information, Mr. Crusoe Osagie said government was already taking action to make the state more safe for residents. He said: “You know that the country is under a lot of pressure right now.All kinds of claims are made with respect to deaths. “Once anything happens like that, the first body you want to turn your anger on is government. People have been angry, so they brought the corpse to Government House.

    “The death of the man is already very painful; you now start to take the corpse everywhere. “We explained that much to the first son of the man. “We told him that it was not right for him to be moving his father’s corpse everywhere. “We expressed grief and we are as pained as they are for the loss. We are also tightening up security, we are working with the police within the state to ensure that this kind of killing does not take place again.”

    A worker of the late pastor, Kingsley Emmanuel, who narrowly escaped being killed during the kidnap related his ordeal to reporters. According to him, two armed herdsmen swooped on them at the farm and showed them a photograph purportedly of a man who contracted them them to kill Pastor Eromosele. He said the herdsmen first collected N31,500 cash from them and asked the late Pastor to call his wife for ransom. He said: “After beating us with sticks and guns, my oga called his wife around 5pm and told her what happened. They said she should bring N4m but later reduced it to N2m. “They took us to another place and tied my oga down. My oga was begging them but they refused. My brother Akpan was cut on the hand but he managed to escape.

    “The following day, they said they wanted to kill us since my oga’s wife did not bring money. After oga begged them, he told his wife to keep the money and use it for his burial. “They used cutlass to cut my hand and shoulder but oga told me to run, so I ran but was very weak so I slept in the bush.” Reacting to the incident, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information Mr. Crusoe Osagie said: “ Some people who felt aggrieved by the unfortunate death of their father who was killed by people who abducted him. Three people were kidnapped in a community called Odigi in Edo State. Out of the three people kidnapped… once the kidnapping took place, the police swung into action and started combing the forest to get them. When the pressure was too much on the kidnappers, two of the victims escaped but the older man among the three victims was not agile enough to run. So, the kidnappers inflicted injuries on him leading to his unfortunate death. You know that the country is under a lot of pressure right now, all kinds of claims are made with respect to deaths. Once anything happens like that, the first body you want to turn your anger to is government. People have been angry, so they brought the corpse to government house.

    On the claim that they were killed by herdsmen, the special adviser said: “While we sympathise with them and feel very bad that they have to lose under such circumstances, we do not want to encourage people to take such desperate measures. This government is a listening government. If they are so aggrieved about the death of their father, they should have written a letter to the governor for audience, and the governor would dully grant them audience. Once people are bereaved like that and the government is aware, or there is a special request that the individuals want to meet with the government, they can put it in writing, sent it to the governor, he would grant them audience instead of leaving the corpse of somebody in front of the government house and then making a situation that was already painful even more painful. The death of the man is already very painful; you now start to take the corpse everywhere.

    We explained that much to the first son of the man. We told him that it was not right for him to be moving his father’s corpse everywhere. We expressed grieve and we are as pained as they were for the lost. We are also tightening up security, we are working with the police within the state to ensure that this kind of killing does not take place again.” Meanwhile, the State Police Commissioner, Babatunde Kokumo, who described the killing as a clear case of kidnaping and murder paraded one Tahiru Usman as the suspect arrested in connection with the killing. Kokumo told newsmen that the killing was not connected with the crisis between farmers and herdsmen in Odighi. He said Tahiru was arrested in the bush and items such blood stained dagger and cutlass and a dane gun were found on him. But Tahiru who insisted that he is a hunter claimed that he brought the gun from Kebbi State to hunt for animals in Edo He said the blood on the dagger and the cutlass belonged to the animal he killed which was still inside the bush. The suspect said he went to buy cigarette when he was arrested. Apparently peeved by the killings, Governor Godwin Obaseki, on Monday ordered the police to fish out the killers of Pastor Eromosele. According to him, “It is with heavy heart that we received news of the incident, which led to the death of Pastor Eromosele. The state government will ensure that relevant security agencies get to the bottom of this incident and arrest the culprits.”

  • Anti-corruption protesters trek to Abuja

    The much-publicized protest “Walk Against Corruption” embarked upon by the New Nigeria Nationalists, NNN, a non-political movement, which started in January 29, 2018 at the Tawafa Balewa Square in Lagos will terminate in Abuja on Tuesday.

    They are expected to be received by the Vice President Yemi Osibajo at the Presidential Villa. There’s no confirmation yet from the Office of the Vice President, but the Number Two man had since been informed about the NNN activity which he received with positive response.

    The NNN, a social engineering and apolitical movement, was formed precisely in March 2017 in response to the yearning for a new political order and economic prosperity of our beloved nation, Nigeria. This was disclosed by the NNN convener, Mrs. Foluso Makanjuola-Oyenuga.

    Pastor Wale Adefarasin, a member of the Board of Trustees of NNN, believes that “there wouldn’t have been need to clamour for a new Nigeria, if things are normal and our systems are functioning effectively without political interferences, ethnic biases and religious colouration,” adding that “these are the breeding ground for bad governance and corruption which is the mother of cronyism, nepotism, financial ineptitude and ethno-religious prejudices.

    “As concerned citizens, we came together as a movement for true change that will ultimately give birth a new Nigeria through the use of consistent campaign for zero tolerance for corruption. Come to think of it, let’s remove corruption from our system, Nigeria will return to shape as a favourite for direct foreign investments destination in Africa and emerge the true giant of black nations globally.”

    Corruption, according to the NNN in a statement, is the reason “we keep battling with insurgency, ethno-religious crises and circumvention of the system. As part of our expression in the fight against corruption, NNN is currently staging a protest walk from Lagos to Abuja.

    “Knowing that President Muhammadu Buhari administration mounted the saddle on the strength of coming to fight corruption was a major selling point of his candidature. So far, there are obvious impediments against his noble intention. With the NNN in the fray, things will look pretty better in the fight against corruption.

    “There is no need to pretend about the myriads of our problems as a nation. Major among these anomalies is corruption which is killing our economy. It is unfortunate that thus far, our political leaders have not summoned enough political will to tame this endemic malaise.

  • Protesters demand recall of ex-Edo Speaker

    Senior citizens and youths of Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State yesterday marched on the House of Assembly to demand the recall of a former Speaker, Elisabeth Ativie.

    Ativie was impeached on August 14, and was suspended for three months allow proper investigation of her activities.

    At the expiration of the three months, the suspension was extended for another three months because Ativie refused to appear before the committee mandated to retrieve the official vehicle in her possession.

    The protesters carried placards with inscriptions like “No Ativie, no 2018 budget”; “Bring back Ativie”; “Uhunmwode must be represented”; “We cannot be left behind”.

    Their spokesman, Ehigiator James, said the protest was only a warning to impress on the lawmakers to lift Ativie’s suspension.

    Ehigiator said it was unconstitutional for the lawmakers to suspend a member for more than two days. He accused the lawmakers of having ulterior motives for the suspension.

    His words: “We have discovered that the issue is no longer targeted at Ativie, but the entire people of Uhunmwode. We wish to state that our constituency has suffered a huge setback since the unwarranted suspension of our representative.

    “Even as the year is drawing to a close, we cannot allow Uhunmwode’s seat be vacant, considering the 2018 appropriation budge, which is a major constitutional duty of our representative.”

    The Deputy Speaker, Victor Edoror, who received the protesters on behalf of the Speaker, Kabiru Adjoto, said the protest was long overdue.

    Edoror, however, urged the protesters to prevail on Ativie to appear before the committee for all the issues to be resolved.

    His words: “We are more worried than you because she is our colleague. Talk to your leaders in Uhunmwode to prevail on her to appear before the committee.

    “The committee members have been looking for her; they have invited her severally but she refused to appear for the matter to be resolved.”

  • Govt to prosecute protesters

    The government has condemned the protest.

    Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Adamu Mansur, who addressed a news conference, said the protesters would be prosecuted.

    His words: “The government restates its resolve to upgrade education. It stands firmly by the interest of the two million pupils in public primary schools, and would not be derailed by the agitation of 21,000 unqualified teachers. The recruitment of 25,000 new teachers is going on.

    “Following reports of serial criminal acts in the last three days, the government has forwarded names of individuals, putting pupils at risk, disrupting schools and vandalising public property, to law enforcement agencies.

    “The government would not allow anyone to get away with crime under the cover of industrial action. Nothing will deter the government from recruiting qualified teachers, while giving disengaged teachers the entitlements specified in their terms of service.

    “The government thanks the people for supporting its quest to deliver quality education. This includes recruiting qualified teachers for public primary schools, and so far, more than 17,000 applications have been received; more are expected before expiration of the November 19 deadline.

    “Government today reviewed the situation in primary schools. This review included a meeting with executive secretaries of the 23 local government education authorities, and the government is satisfied that most of the schools are functioning as normal.

    “However, the government continues to receive disturbing reports of criminal activities being undertaken in the name of union activities.

    “Security agencies have the names of individuals to be investigated for the organised actions that endangered pupils, forcibly closed schools and attacked the House of Assembly.

    “The government is filing complaints for criminal violations of several sections of the Penal Code, including: Section 59: Criminal Conspiracy, Section 73: Promoting Unlawful Assembly, Section 77: Disturbance of Public Peace, Section 78: Inciting Disturbance and Section 162: Obstruction on Public Way. Charges may also be filed for violations of the Young Persons’ Law.”

  • Protesters demand Oyegun’s removal

    Protesters demand Oyegun’s removal

    Ahead of today’s National Executive Committee meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a group of youths yesteday protested at the party’s National Secretariat, demanding the sack of the Chief John Odigie-Oyegun-led National Working Committee (NWC).

    Members of the Save APC and Democracy Youth Vanguard, who carried placards, disrupted the flow of traffic around the secretariat. They demanded the audit of the party’s books and  the cancellation of the non-elective convention. The party, they said, must fully support the anti-corruption fight.

    While the protest was going on, Oyegun drove into the secretariat. The youths got more vocal, shouting: “Oyegun must go”. The police and the APC secretary prevented them from entering the building.

    The leader of the group, Peter Oyewole said: “Since 2015, the budget of APC has not been made public. Since 2015, the ruling party has not held a single meeting. These are enough to remove the National Chairman. We demand the removal of Oyegun now.

    “We are also saying enough is enough to imposition of candidates at all levels by Oyegun-led NWC tnat is currently going on in this party, because in any party where there is imposition, there cannot be fairness; any party where there is imposition, there cannot be equity. The imposition in APC today is just rubbishing the anti-corruption war of President Buhari.

    “If Odigie-Oyegun is not removed within the next one month, the APC youths will picket this national secretariat and make it a no-go area to everybody; the staff, the officials and even the security staff will be chased out of the Secretariat and none of them will be allowed to come in here.”

    “The man (Oyegun) can not manage success. Since 2015 that the APC won the presidential election, tell me a single NEC meeting that has been held? This man can not galvanise support for the president.

    “What we are saying is that if Oyegun continues like this we are going to have imposition at all levels in APC come 2019. This is a democracy whereby many wings can grow up to push for the interest of many.”

    Another youths group within the party under the auspices of  APC Youths Solidarity Forum said the party should find ways of improving its finances. Besides, it should address the anxieties being felt by various party stalwarts, the group said.

    The group said the APC should be strengthened as it remains the only legitimate platform to obtain political power in the country.

    In a letter to the President, signed by the forum’s convener,  Danesi Momoh Prince, the group said the situation in the party urgently needed attention and intervention “if we must retain the presidency come 2019 and remain in power”

    The letter reads in part: “The President needs to take more than a passing interest in the activities of the party and ensure that the party is supreme. There have been alleged schemes to remove the party’s national chairman from office because of his perceived loyalty to Mr. President.

    “The alleged plot is aimed at achieving sinister political ends in the lead up to the 2019 general elections. If the plan succeeds, it will allow the sponsors install their stooges and hijack the party in the lead up to the election. This is a red flag that the President must take seriously and thwart.”

    On appointments, the group said: “Many Federal Government boards, agencies and parastatals appointees who were put in office by the immediate-past administration are still in office. They are not loyal to the APC which they feel had no hand in their emergence.

    “There is need to quickly review these appointments and replace them with qualified APC members. Vacant positions should thereafter be quickly filled with APC members who feel frustrated because they seem not to have benefited from the victory of their party. It is also very necessary that these appointments have the heavy input of the APC national leadership to ensure that the right persons who worked for the party are appointed.

    “The state of affairs of the party, particularly its poor finances, has been a regular item in the media. While there exists a funding stream that should normally come from collection of membership dues and contribution, the reality is that this is grossly insufficient.

    “It is embarrassing that a ruling party does not have funds to meet its basic needs. The National Caucus and NEC needs to urgently work out a sustainable funding model to enable the party to function properly.”

     

  • Protesters seek reinstatement of suspended Ekiti lawmakers

    Protesters seek reinstatement of suspended Ekiti lawmakers

    Scores of youths at Omuo-Ekiti, headquarters of Ekiti East Local Government Area of Ekiti State, yesterday protested the suspension of the House of Assembly member representing Ekiti East Constituency I, Ojo Ade Fajana.

    The protesters gave the Assembly, under Speaker Kola Oluwawole, a week ultimatum to “immediately and unconditionally” reinstate Fajana and allow the constituency to enjoy representation in the state parliament.

    Led by a youth leader in the town, Comrade Samuel Olajide, the placard-carrying protesters described Fajana’s suspension for 101 legislative days as “laughable, unjust and constitutional”.

    They accused the lawmakers of acting “the script of a senior political figure in the state”.

    Some of their placards read: “We Say No To Illegal Suspension of Our Representative in the Assembly”; “We Say No To Autocratic Rule in Ekiti State”; “If You Want Peace, Do The Needful and Restore Ojo Ade Fajana”; “Our Mandate Must Not Be Rubbished by the State Assembly”; “Political Hostility Must Be Put To An End in Ekiti.”

    The protesters threatened to march on the Assembly complex in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, if the suspension on their representative is not lifted within the ultimatum period.

    Fajana was believed to have been suspended for refusing to renounce his association and loyalty to his political benefactor and Senate Deputy Minority Whip Biodun Olujimi, who has run into trouble with Governor Ayo Fayose because of her governorship ambition.

    The lawmakers, about a month ago, slammed Fajana with suspension for 101 legislative days without pay in the first instance “except he shows signs of remorse”.

    The Assembly also barred their colleague within one kilometre radius of the Assembly complex.

    Fajana was also ordered to submit all Assembly property in his custody to the Clerk.

    The protest by Fajana’s constituents caught many motorists passing through Omuo-Ekiti to Ondo, Abuja, Kogi and other states in the North unawares.

    The angry protesters barricaded the highway for some hours, which resulted in a traffic snarl in the town.

    Olajide said Ekiti East Constituency I had been denied a voice in the Assembly by the “unjust” suspension of Fajana.

    The union leader said the lawmaker’s loyalty to Olujimi was not enough to punish him.

    He urged well-meaning Nigerians, including the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the national level and the National Assembly, to call the Ekiti lawmakers to order “before they throw the state into avoidable crisis”.

    Olajide said: “The youths in this local government came out in their numbers to protest the unjust and illegal suspension of the member representing Ekiti East Constituency I in Ekiti State Assembly.

    “The suspended member was being persecuted because of his closeness and allegiance to Senator Olujimi, who is also from this community.

    “We ask whether or not there is any law in the land – whether in the party constitution, the House Rule or even the 1999 Constitution, as amended – which forbids people from associating with one another.

    “We came to the conclusion that our representative is being punished because of the governorship ambition of Olujimi, which we are aware did not go down well with the power that be at Ekiti Government House.

  • NULGE protesters seek autonomy for local govt

    NULGE protesters seek autonomy for local govt

    The Lagos State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) yesterday staged a peaceful protest to the Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA), seeking the House support on local government autonomy.

    Led by its Chairman, Afolabi Ajose, the protesters, numbering about 200, comprised NULGE members, and members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

    They chanted solidarity songs.

    According to Afolabi, the issue goes beyond local government autonomy.

    “We have conveniently covered 21 states and it has been wonderful. We have assurances that the state assemblies would support it. Local government autonomy is about the welfare of the entire citizenry.

    “The autonomy would benefit the masses. It is not just about salaries of workers. It is about what we do in our community, and giving people the dividends of democracy,” he said.

    Ajose added that there are three kinds of autonomy namely – administrative, political and financial.

    Local governments, he said, would work well with autonomy.

    Addressing the protesters, LAHA member Tunde Braimoh said the speaker has tremendous respect for workers.

    Braimoh, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information and Strategy, said the House empathised with the protesters.

    The lawmaker stated that they also had some misgivings about the system just like the protesters.

    He added that the issue at hand was a grave constitutional issue as stated in Section 7.

    Buraimoh said: “The 1999 Constitution has become an albatross and that is why people have come together to find a way out of the problem. There is no constitution that is perfect. Leaders of our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), met in Ibadan, Oyo State recently to discuss several issues, such as local government autonomy, fiscal federalism, devolution of power, the regional government as well as merger and creation of states.

    “Don’t forget that the issues are hydra-headed and delicate, so you cannot just discuss them anyhow.

    “When we have regional autonomy, people can create their own local governments at their own time. Don’t forget that some states, such as Lagos State and Ogun State have LCDAs, what would happen to them, if there is local government autonomy.”

    He thanked the protesters for “conducting yourselves in a peaceful way and for being ambassadors of democracy. We will look at your demands’’.

    “We will be having our own retreat and we will discuss the issue. We will not shy away from what you have come to tell us,” he said.

  • Diezani: Protesters seek ex-minister’s extradition

    Diezani: Protesters seek ex-minister’s extradition

    The Federal Government is under pressure to bring back former Petroleum Resources Minister Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke.

    Some protesters yesterday marched on the Abuja headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to demand her extradition from the United Kingdom for trial.

    They also raised issues on high-profile corruption suspects.

    But the EFCC said it will follow due process in its ongoing investigation of the former minister.

    It said the repatriation of the ex-minister required a long and painstaking process.

    The protesters, who came under the umbrella of Concerned Nigerians, were led by Charles Oputa (popularly called Charly Boy) and Deji Adeyanju.

    They had besieged the EFCC headquarters for a two-day sit-in.

    The EFCC sought for patience on Mrs Alison-Madueke and other high-profile cases.

    Charley Boy said the team was interested in the outcome of Mrs. Alison-Madueke’s  ongoing probe.

    He said: “I am here to give support and ginger the youths who have finally decided to wake up from their docility and their slumber.

    “We are here to force a discussion on this war on corruption. Is it only being fought on the pages of newspapers and why haven’t we had a conviction so far and why haven’t the guilty been punished so far?

    “So, I am here to join the exceptional Nigerian youths to ask questions and hold the government accountable to the promises that have been made.

    I remember the famous quote by President Buhari which says ‘if we cannot kill corruption, corruption will kill us’. And it looks like corruption is killing us. So, what the young people are asking is, why hasn’t there been any conviction so far?

    “So, I am here to encourage them, to motivate them in standing up for their rights because if the youths exclude themselves from nation-building, then they have no future in this country.

    “We told the EFCC that we will be back tomorrow and we will continue to support them in the fight.”

    Charley Boy said apart from losing assets, the ex-Minister must face trial.

    He said: “It is not enough for Diezani’s assets to be forfeited; there should be a conviction.

    “If they cannot get a conviction for Diezani there (in London), let them bring her back home. Our eyes are on the Diezani matter and I am hoping that it won’t be business as usual. The sit-in stops tomorrow but our media campaign will continue.”

    Adeyanju urged the EFCC not to be deterred in prosecuting the fight against corruption.

    He said after the two-day sit-in, which began yesterday at the EFCC headquarters, the group will take its protest to the United Kingdom.

    He said: “We came to tell the EFCC that we are demanding the extradition of Diezani, who is alleged to have stolen billions of dollars from the Nigerian coffers. We are saying if they do not extradite her and allow her trial to continue in the UK, it will be a pat on the back for her because what she is being accused of doing in the UK is a very minor offence.

    ”Corruption charges should be brought against her here and it is imperative that she be tried in Nigeria.

    “We are also demanding that they should assist the British Government in whatever way possible to secure an extradition.

    “We have also highlighted other corruption cases, like the IGP who was accused of collecting N120bn from oil companies and banks. Babachir Lawal and other cases like the CBN’s hoarding of forex.” The police chief has denied the allegations.

    Adeyanju went on: “The EFCC does not need to wait for directives before investigating people. Once someone has been accused of something, the commission should swing into action.”

    The EFCC said it would follow due process in its ongoing investigation of the ex- minister.

    The Secretary to the commission, Mr. Emmanuel Aremo, who addressed the protesters, said the repatriation of the ex-minister required a long process.

    Speaking on behalf of the Acting EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, Aremo stressed the anti-graft agency remained committed to the rule of law, adding that this is paramount in the fight against corruption.

    He said: “Let us be patient and let us follow due process, we on our part will ensure that no stone is left unturned as we intensify the war against corruption.”

    He asked the group “not to relent in their support for the EFCC, as the anti-graft agency needs the partnership of every Nigerian in the fight against corruption.

    “I urge Nigerians to be patient because extradition requires a painstaking process that must be followed,” Aremo added.

     

  • Marching for and against Mr. President

    The Shehu Shagari Way linking the Unity Fountain by the Transcorp Hilton Hotel to the Presidential Villa in the Federal Capital Territory last week Monday lived up to its two-year reputation. The road has been hosting different groups who expressed displeasure against or support for the government, including the Bring Back Our Girls group.

    But the protesters last Monday, carrying placards with various inscriptions, were not pushing for the rescue of the remaining Chibok girls in captivity. The protesters, comprising a coalition of civil society groups, who slowed down vehicular movement on the road had demanded for resignation or resumption in office by President Muhammadu Buhari, who left Nigeria for the United Kingdom on May 7 to meet up appointments with his doctors.

    The protests spearheaded by the National Coordinator, Foundation For True Freedom and Good Leadership, Deji Adeyanju; Publicity Secretary, #OurMumuDonDo Movement, Adebayo Raphael; Convener, Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy and Constitution, Ariyo-Dare Atoye, Secretary of Concerned Nigerians, John Danfulani and artiste Charles Oputa (Charly Boy), faulted the continued stay of the President in London and non-disclosure of the President’s health challenges.

    They urged the National Assembly to invoke Section 144 sub Section 4 of the Constitution and set up a medical panel to determine the President’s health status.

    Adeyanju said, “The leadership of the National Assembly must choose between the Nigerian people and the cabal. 90 days is too long for a president to be away from his country without any explanation to the people that voted him into office.

    “If Buhari had become incapacitated, he should do the honourable thing and resign because he cannot continue to hold the country to ransom; his absence in the country is being exploited by a cabal to loot the treasury,” he added

    But the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, swiftly replied the protesters stressing that the call for the President’s resignation was uncalled for. He maintained that President Buhari has not flouted any law of the land.

    He said, “They are exercising their rights in line with the constitution of this country. Of what use or value is a democracy in which citizens cannot embark on peaceful protests? So we respect their right to convene or undertake peaceful protest.

    “On the second issue, whether the President should resign or disclose or whatever, I think they are stepping outside the laws of this country.

    “Anyone conversant with the constitution of this country will have noticed or seen that Mr President has complied 100 per cent with the requirements of the constitution.

    “He has handed over power to the Vice President, relying on the constitution and the Vice President is carrying on with the affairs of this country; he is undertaking activities of government in line with the constitution in a way that the President himself has given words of commendation.

    “So the President has not breached any law. What he has done is perfectly in line with the constitution of this country and people are looking for things to say. I think they should do their research very well.” he said

    In reaction to the demands of the protesters, the Senate also threw its weight behind President Buhari as it claimed that the President has not violated any law.

    In a statement last Tuesday by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, the Senate asked the protesters to leave the President alone.

    Stressing that Buhari, before his medical trip to the United Kingdom, fulfilled the constitutional requirement of informing the National Assembly of his vacation and transmitted power to the vice-president, the Senate told the protesters that their actions were creating unnecessary tension in the country.

    “The President has broken no law and therefore we do not see any justification for this diversion and noise making.

    “The sponsors are merely seeking cheap publicity at the expense of the peace of Nigeria.

    “We, in the National Assembly, are satisfied that there is no vacuum. The federal government is working. Acting President Yemi Osinbajo is providing the required leadership. So, there is no reason for the protests.

    “All Nigerians now should focus on praying for the safe return of the president. We in the Senate are happy about the report by the governors and party leaders who recently visited President Buhari in London and we know he will soon return to continue to provide leadership to our people and the rest of Africa.

    “We, therefore, call on the protesters to stop all these demonstrations and let their sense of patriotism overshadow the zeal for activism by joining other Nigerians to pray for the president, the acting president and Nigeria as a country at this critical period.” it stated

    While some Nigerians commended and welcomed the reaction of the National Assembly to the protest, it did not go down well with the groups.

    Charles Oputa, had responded with: “The Bukola Saraki-led chamber had once again demonstrated that it is nothing but a mere rubber stamp of the executive arm of government.”

    He also claimed that the Senate President’s decision to back the President, despite the hardship faced by Nigerians owing to poor governance caused by Buhari’s absence, was a desperate attempt at patronising the Presidency.

    While all the drama was going on, another set of groups emerged last week drumming support for President Buhari’s administration.

    It will definitely not be out of place here to urge for calmness on every side, as Buhari,  who is said to have flouted no law of the country, is claimed to be recovering fast and will soon return to Nigeria to take the country to the promised land.

    Let’s give him the benefit of doubt especially as any mortal can fall ill at any point in time.

     

  • Police attack on anti-Buhari protesters illegal, says Falana

    Police attack on anti-Buhari protesters illegal, says Falana

    Activist lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) yesterday described last week’s attack on anti-Buhari demonstrators as illegal and unconstitutional.

    In a statement titled: “On duty of police to provide security for all protesters”, issued in Lagos, Falana noted that “by providing adequate security” for the pro-Buhari demonstrators while harassing the anti-Buhari protesters”, the police violated section 42 of the constitution, which prohibited discrimination on grounds of political opinion.

    “Since the role of the Nigeria Police Force has been limited to the provision of ‘adequate security’ for demonstrators, the violent attack on the peaceful rally of the “our mumu don do” group by the police in Abuja last week is completely illegal and unconstitutional,” he contended.

    He asked the police to apologise to the members of “Our mumu don do” group, stressing that “the violent disruption of the anti-Buhari rally ought to have embarrassed President Muhammadu Buhari, who, he said, had advised President Shehu Yar’Adua, in a similar situation, to step aside as he could no longer discharge the duties and functions of his office”.

    Falana listed other protests in which Buhari participated before becoming President as including that of November 23, 2014, in which he led All Progressive Congress (APC) leaders, including APC National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun and former Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi, thousands of party supporters on Boko Haram insurgence and another protest he led alongside the late Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu allegedly against the inefficiency of the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    The statement said: “On the 22nd day of September 2003, the police disrupted the rally convened by the defunct All Nigeria Peoples’ Party (ANPP) to protest the rigging of the 2003 general election. The police authorities justified the disruption by claiming that the organisers of the rally did not obtain a police permit. Completely aggrieved by the action of the police, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and other leaders of the ANPP instructed our law firm to sue the Inspector-General of Police to justify the legal validity of asking for police permit before protesting against the government.

    “In a suit filed at the Federal High Court against the Inspector-General of Police, the plaintiffs challenged the constitutionality of the provisions of the Public Order Act relating to police permit.

    “In a well-considered judgment the learned trial judge, Chinyere J. held that police permit was inconsistent with sections 39 and 40 of the Constitution and Article 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights Act (Cap A9) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. The appeal filed against the judgment at the Court of Appeal by the Police was dismissed. In affirming the decision of the lower court, Olufunmilayo Adekeye J.C.A (as she then was) observed said that ‘A rally or placard-carrying demonstration has become a form of expression of views on current issues affecting government and the governed in a sovereign state. It is a trend recognised and deeply entrenched in the system of governance in civilised countries – it will not only be primitive but also retrogressive if Nigeria continues to require a pass to hold a rally.”

    The lawyer, therefore, urged the police authorities to apologise to Mr. Charlie Oputa and other members of the “Our mumu don do.”