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Group canvasses power shift in Kogi

Ahead of the governorship election in Kogi State, a group, under the Kogi Equity Initiative (KEI), has called for power shift from the East Senatorial District to another zone in the state.

The group alleged that, since the creation of the state in 1991, the slot and other key political appointment have been skewed towards an ethnic group.

In a communiqué in Ilorin KEI chairman and secretary, Dada Fehinti and Comrade Taiwo Otitolaye said power should shift to give the zones a sense of belonging.

“We are united by common destiny of political equity, power shift and social justice in line with the collective aspirations of our people that have been marginalized for over twenty years.” the group said.

The group added: “Since the creation of Kogi State, no non-Igala has been governor and given the backwardness of human and capital development, despite the enormous resources; when compared with other states created at the same time, power shift is inevitable.

“We express dissatisfaction with the way some positions and offices are been made birth right of the Igalas and, therefore, demand for equity and justice for the people of Kogi West and Central.

July 23, 2015
‘Power must shift in Kogi’

Public affiars commentator Phrank Shaibu spoke with reporters in Lagos on issues that will shape the Kogi State governorship elections. Excerpts:

What are the issues that will shape the governorship election in Kogi state?

I really don’t know how that can be a welcome development for the good people of Kogi State. Rather I think it would come as a curse, if the incumbent governor decides to seek re-election. I say this because many instances abound. For example, the recent public booing of the governor by the citizens during the inauguration of the new House of Assembly speaks volume of the distaste the people have and have developed for him. In every nook and cranny of Kogi state, the story about Wada Idris’s leadership is depressing but sadly those that are expected to act as political watchdogs and even those officially mandated to check the governor’s excesses in the Kogi House of Assembly either do not have strong teeth or may have compromised for self-aggrandizement. Right now, Kogi State is like a rudderless ship moving with no defined purpose and direction. Under Mr Wada, everything about social and economic development in Kogi State is getting worse. Specifically, in the past three years, Kogi state has found itself in a downward spiral with a governor that is clueless on how to steer it out. This can’t be a welcome development.

Kogi state has had its share of good and bad times. But, where do you think Kogi State got it wrong?

The situation Kogi people are facing today is not far from self-inflicted because it was before our own very eyes that a brilliant candidate in Jibrin Isah Echocho was schemed out of the race courtesy of the former national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in active connivance with the immediate past governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris. I do not agree with you that Kogi state has had its good times. When you say good times, it means we have experienced some form of quality leadership that has translated to betterment of the lives of ordinary kogities. This has not been the case in Kogi state since 1999. We have been unfortunate and we have remained unfortunate, and we will continue to be unfortunate until we make up our minds on the way forward. And one of the ways forward is to dispense with all those that have governed the state in times past. Prince Abubakar Audu and Alhaji Ibrahim Idris inclusive.

What are the qualities you expect from candidates?

The PDP is virtually dead under Wada but I hear he wants to run for a second term. How he intends to achieve this remains a wild guess because under him, the PDP base has been grossly eroded and has been weakened at all levels. While the APC is in a precarious situation and may even suffer a dishonorable defeat because Audu’s presence as a candidate will incur voters anger, thus making the prospects of other party contestants better. Indeed, from the results of the recent general elections, it is obvious that the PDP cannot get any better under Wada. Already, the supporters of PDP have made good their threat to abandon Idris Wada as clearly demonstrated in the past general elections where they voted largely for another political party, the APC. What seems clear about Kogi State politics is that a new dawn has arrived for the Kogi people.

The truth is that, even if the National leadership of the PDP once again decides to subjugate the Kogi people’s choice by organising a shabby party primaries and use it as a facade to further impunity that would ensure that Governor Wada emerges as candidate in the next governorship contest, it will not amount to any major threat to the final results of the state governorship elections especially in this era of reformed electoral processes in Nigeria. The fact is that the weak electoral process in 2011, which advanced impunity for the emergence of Wada as Governor cannot be repeated. I also believe that the collective desire for change in Kogi state may materialise regardless of political affiliation. The simple guess is that in the next elections, people will look more at individuals than parties.

Are you saying the PDP doesn’t have a chance?

For now, it may really not be the end for the PDP or absolute victory for any other political party in Kogi’s upcoming governorship elections. Indeed, if the rumour regarding efforts to rebuild the PDP is true and that discussions are ongoing to bring back some disenchanted members of the party like Jibrin Isah Echocho, the man of the PDP infamous stolen mandate saga, then it may be a new chapter for the PDP. Whether the screws will ever tighten on such a proposal regarding Jibrin Isah Echocho, is a difficult guess because a lot of water seems to have crossed under the bridge and I just pray Echocho agrees to put the past behind him and fly the parties ticket knowing the pain he went through in their hands. Nonetheless, for the PDP to make an impact at the forthcoming elections, it has to shop for a new candidate within its fold because if Wada remains its candidate, then it will mean making a weak party climb a steep hill and the consequences may send the PDP to the dustbin of history in Kogi State.

But in some quarters, it is believed that former governor Abubakar Audu remains the best from the array of contenders judging by his previous stint as governor of the state. What do you have to say?

One of the most convincing arguments by knowledgeable analysts on the deplorable situation of Kogi State is that its woes are self-induced both in scale and scope because it dates back to the advent of the 4th republic in 1999 with Prince Abubakar Audu as governor. Please don’t also forget that Prince Audu was also governor of the state in the short-lived 3rdrepublic. Indeed, there has been a bottomless altercation over the political prospects of Kogi state because the Kogi people have been innocent victims of the machinations in the hands of their so called politicians.

July 2, 2015
New political party seeks shift in polls dates

Following a Federal High Court judgment on Wednesday ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to include the Young Democratic Party (YDP) on the election ballot papers, the party has called on the INEC to accommodate it or re-schedule the general elections.

Stating its position in Abuja after an emergency meeting yesterday, the party said the court had ordered INEC to issue it a certificate and include YDP among the parties contesting the 2015 general elections.

The National Publicity Secretary of YDP, Ugo Nwofor, said INEC has no option than to reprint its ballot papers to accommodate its candidates for elective positions.

Nwafor said: “If INEC does not have the appropriation for logistics for re-printing of its ballot papers, then INEC ought to within the constitutional provision further re-schedule the general elections so as to accommodate our party.

“In either of the two options, our party is ready. It has been a long journey for YDP. We wish INEC would explore the first option”.

He added that in compliance with Sections 85 and 87 of the Electoral Act, the party has fixed it governorship/House of Assembly and presidential and National Assembly primaries for March 26 and 27.

According to him, the party has approved sales of nomination forms as follow: presidential (N15 million), governorship (N3 million), Senate (N1 million), House of Representatives (N500,000) and House of Assembly (200,000).

“As a gender-friendly party, the nomination forms for women in all categories is free, except for a processing fee of N100,000”, Nwafor stated.

He described the court’s judgment as a victory for democracy, rule of law and triumph over impunity.

March 6, 2015
Group warns against interim govt, election shift

A Human rights group, Nigerians United for Democracy (NUD), has cautioned the Presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against any act that could truncate the nation’s democracy

The group said, based on his body language, President Goodluck Jonathan is tilting towards the convocation of an interim government.

Its National Convener, Comrade Waheed Saka, frowned at the decision to shift the general election, which was initially scheduled to hold on February 14 and 28, saying any further untoward development may spell doom for the country.

Saka, who spoke at a press conference in Lagos, said his group will join other groups to mobilize Nigerians to protest against the institution of an interim government or a further shift in the election dates.

He said there are indications that the new election dates are not sacrosanct, as the Chairman, Independent National Electora Commission, Prof. Atahiru Jega was planning to further shift the election dates.

According to him, “INEC appears not to have fully prepared for the election and recent statement by the INEC Chairman that only the service chiefs could guarantee the conduct of elections was an indication that the elections may still be postponed.”

However, he stated that the rights activists across the country have resolved to mobilize students, artisans and others to protest against further shift of election dates.

He urged INEC not to postpone the elections again for any reason, adding that “any attempt to postpone the election will not augur well, as the human rights community will fight the anti-democratic forcesto a standstill.”

Saka called on the National Security Adviser and all security chiefs in the country to sign an undertaking that the elections would hold as scheduled and that contrary action should be treated with disdain.

March 5, 2015
Fear of new polls shift rises

APC seeks sanction for PDP leaders

NGOs rise for Jegaa

There are fears that the March 28 and April 11 elections may be shifted.

The elections were originally slated for February 14 and 28. They were shifted because the Service Chiefs told the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that they could not guarantee security. They asked for six weeks to defeat the Boko Haram insurgents troubling the Northeast.

“The same reason is likely to be advanced in making a case for another postponement,” a source said last night.

The Service Chiefs, The Nation learnt, will tender the military’s recent gains in the war against Boko Haram to make the case for another postponement.

The military says it has made much progress in the anti-terrorism war, retaking towns captured by the terrorists and making arrests.

But, the popular thinking, particularly in the camp of the opposition, is that another shift will allow the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to perfect its strategies to stay put in office by manipulating the elections.

The strategies include:

•the sudden push for the removal of INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega and;

•the campaign against the use of the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) and the Card Reader – two key elements of a fraud–free election, according to INEC.

The PDP insists that many would-be voters are yet to get their cards. Besides, the party says the Card Reader may go faulty.

Almost 80% of would-be voters have got their cards. INEC says there are spare card readers, should some suddenly go faulty.

Some civil society organisations have stepped up their campaign that the elections should hold as scheduled.

The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday said there were fears that another postponement was in the smithy.

Nigerians United for Democracy (NUD) held a rally in Lagos on Saturday to insist on the sanctity of the election dates and the guarantee of INEC’s independence and the security of its chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega’s tenure.

The group also expressed their rejection of military rule or any Interim Government in whatever form.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and a group of civil society Organisations under the aegis of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (Situation Room) urged the Federal Government and other stakeholders to ensure that the elections hold as rescheduled.

They frowned at moves by some individuals to discredit the leadership of the National Electoral Commission (INEC) and urged the government to ensure the protection of the commission’s “independence, impartiality and credibility.”

They said the measures were required in “protecting and defending the credibility of the electoral system.”

This was part of conclusions by both bodies after a meeting to examine the “Pre-Election Report and Advisory on Violence in Nigeria’s 2015 General Elections,” issued by the NHRC as a measure to forestall election-related violence, protect human rights and bring accountability to bear for violations of human rights during the general elections.

NHRC and the CSOs stressed the need for the “protection of the independence, impartiality and credibility of the INEC as the body constitutionally entrusted with responsibility for organising elections in Nigeria.”

They expressed their commitment to ensuring the prevention and mitigation of violence, including the need to ensure the existence of a credible capability to address election-related violence and hate speech.

In a statement jointly signed by the Chairman, NHRC, Chidi Odinkalu and Head, the Situation Room, Clement Nwankwo, both bodies have agreed to establish a joint Technical Working Group to work together in developing clear Rules of Engagement together with protocols for monitoring compliance by security agencies (including the police, military, internal security or para-military units) that may be deployed for election duties in 2015 General elections. The Working Group shall report not later than the 10 March 2015.

“The Situation Room and the NHRC called for politicians from across the political divide to close ranks in protecting and defending the credibility of the electoral system.”

The APC said the PDP was scheming to shift the elections because it planned to perfect a rigging plan. It called for sanctions against the party’s leaders, should the elections be moved.

March 2, 2015
Why power must shift, by Buhari

All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari yesterday received a standing ovation at the Chatham House, London, United Kingdom, where he delivered a lecture titled: ‘Prospects for Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria: Nigeria’s Transition,’ and answered questions on the state of the nation. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the significance of the visit and the former military leader’s vision and ideas for repositioning his beleaguered country.

There are two challenges confronting Nigeria, the most populous African country. These are the challenges of democratisation and nation-building. At Chatham House, London, yesterday, former military Head of State and All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari dissected the two challenges of development. His verdict was that there is hope, if the curtains are drawn on the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that has held sway for 16 years in this Fourth Republic.

Before an audience of enlightened citizens of the world, Buhari, who described himself as a converted democrat, alluded to an unfinished task of making Nigeria great through democratic change guaranteed by the sanctity of the ballot box. By throwing his hat into the ring at 73, the retired soldier is venturing into an area where successive leaders have not lived up to expectation since 199. But, as he put it, his strength lies in the beauty of his dreams and passion to work for a new Nigeria that will regain its lost stature and pride in the comity of nations.

The former Head of State did not play to the gallery. He did not pose as a scholar. But, he held the audience captive as a statesman on a rescue mission in a country that has been misruled. Buhari did not promise what he will not deliver. He spoke as a gallant officer, nationalist, patriot and man of valour, honour and integrity. His responses to questions were lucid, logical, and non-elusive. The people cheered his frankness and sincerity. He justified his billing as an experienced administrator. The old soldier was not economical with truth. Even, he admitted his past mistakes as a tough military ruler. He acknowledged his description by the western media as a former dictator. But, he told the audience, without regressing into defense mechanism, that old things are now passed away. He took responsibility for the past and reiterated his readiness to fire a democratic challenge. Yet, he was progressively adamant on one thing. In national interest, he sounded a note of warning. Buhari said that indiscipline will not be tolerated, if he assumes the reins.

It is a defining moment for his beleaguered country. As a contender for federal power in a country of illusions, the General is also on the weighing scale. He believes that the election has serious import for the world. But, more importantly, his party believes that the exercise should take the fledgling federation into a new horizon of popular rule where citizens would savour unpolluted dividends of democracy.

All eyes are on Nigeria. The envisaged titanic contest is gathering momentum. Thus, Buhari, in his speech titled: ‘Prospects for democratic consolidation in Africa: Nigeria’s transition’, reflected on the ballot box challenge. He gave some conditions for a successful transition. The postponement of the presidential elections has provoked outrage. Those who postponed it may attempt to take Nigerians for a ride by shifting it again. Almost three weeks ago, Buhari had to appeal to his supporters for calm. His appeal doused the brewing tension. But, at the lecture, he insisted that the postponed elections should now hold on the rescheduled dates. Besides, he demanded on behalf of all lovers of democracy that the exercise should be free and fear so that their outcomes can be respected by all parties.

This has implications. If the poll does not pass the tests of integrity and credibility, danger looms. To avert that, stakeholders must work cooperatively to deliver non-controversial polls that will be adjudged credible by domestic and foreign observers. As Buhari warned that any form of extension, under whatever guise, is unconstitutional and will not be tolerated, those inside the hall and viewers across the globe nodded affirmatively.

If Nigeria succeeds in holding a peaceful poll, or if power shifts to the opposition, according to popular yearning, the country will just be trailing behind smaller countries like Ghana, Mali, Senegal and Mauritius that have accomplished the feat with minimal stress. The next step will be, in Buhari’s view, how to consolidate democracy. Democratisation, he admited, is a journey. The starting point may be the election, but of more importance is the quality of the elections and fruits of elections. If the quality of the election is not compromised, the state will advance with less controversy to the next stage, which is the harvest democratic dividends. Instructively, Buhari pointed out that these dividends are still beyond the reach of Nigerians who groan under poverty, insecurity and inequality.

In his view, democracy goes beyond allowing people to freely choose their leaders. It goes beyond the promise and assurance of choice and freedom. Democracy, he said, must foster security of life and property. It must allow room for transparency and accountability. It must permit the rule of law, good governance and shared prosperity.

Buhari noted that Nigeria has enjoyed stability in the last 16 years. But, of what import is that stability under a system that cannot put food on the table of Nigerians? What is stability, if the patched system cannot provide jobs for youths? What is the import of a stable order that cannot guarantee stable power supply? Answers to these puzzles find expression in the search for the alternative route in a country where the government, according to observers, has failed. Buhari said the alternative to the PDP, which has presided over the lean and boring period, is the All Progressives Congress (APC). He conceded that the elections will hold in an atmosphere of competition. If the poll succeeds, he also believes that the prospects of democratic consolidation will be further brightened in Africa.

The contest is a huge democratic task. Buhari said the exercise will hold under the shadow of huge security and social and economic uncertainties. To him, it is worrisome that this is the first time that insecurity will drive Nigeria to an edge since the days of the civil war. He expressed sadness over the insurgency by the dreadful Boko Haram sect, which has killed more than 13,000 Nigerians and displaced millions internally and externally. He blamed the Federal Government for ineptitude and inaction. He said what has been consistently lacking is the required leadership.

Buhari pointed out that, when the challenge overwhelmed the military through no fault of the patriotic and nationalist institution, the Nigerian military that has won laurels in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Darfur during peace-keeping missions failed at home. He said the government should take credit for the turn of events because it failed to provide the required incentives. Ironically, as the APC candidate put it, Nigeria has been dependent on its neighbours for survival.

If elected, Buhari said that he will halt the trend. He said there will be no annexed territory and the world will not have worry about Nigeria. How will he do it? His answer: “We will pay special attention to the welfare of our soldiers in and out of service. We will give them adequate and modern arms and ammunitions to work with. We will improve intelligence gathering and border controls to choke Boko Haram’s financial and equipment channels. We will be tough on terrorism.”

But, can toughness halt terrorism? Buhari said that his government will also pay adequate attention to the human side of the fight against terror. Through a comprehensive economic development plan, there will be the promotion of infrastructural development, job creation, and the development of agriculture and industry.

If Buhari wins the poll, he will inherit a comatose economy. Indeed, Nigeria’s economy is on its knee. The fall in the price of oil has aggravated the perilous times. The former military leader said that, after rebasing the economy, it overtook South-Africa as the largest economy. In his view, this is economic growth on paper. He doubted if it can translate to human development or shared prosperity. The reasons are not far-fetched. Buhari said mismanagement, profligacy and corruption are the economy’s albatross.

Neither can the dual economies of get rich quick for the few and misery for the poor who are many stand. Thirty three percent of Nigerians still live below poverty line. This is almost 60 million, almost the population of the United Kingdom. This is unacceptable, said the General, who added that Nigerians must act with speed to halt the trend because delay could be dangerous. If this is treated with levity, he warned that the consequence of youth unemployment will widen the inequality. The explosion will be calamitous. Thus, in the face of dwindling resources, Buhari said the starting point is the stoppage of corruption and other associated ills, which he alleged, the Federal Government has succeeded in promoting.

Many Nigerians accept that corruption has nearly killed the country. Buhari promised to lead by personal example by tacking the menace. The holes in the budgetary process will be plugged. Besides, he said the public will vet the books of the critical revenue-generating entities-the Nigeria national Petroleum Corporation and the Customs, which, many believe, must be more accountable. He said, when he begins to fight the anti-graft war, his detractors should not misconstrue it as vendetta or an attempt to settle old scores.

Monies are being recovered from few corrupt officials. How they are used or what they are used for is unknown. But, Buhari said the recovered loot will be used to fund the APC’s social investment programmes in education, health , other social infrastructure, youth employment and pensions for the elderly. Besides, he said the economy must be repositioned to create equity and justice. Thus, wealth redistribution is his priority. Buhari promised to run a functional economy driven by a worldview that sees growth, not an end by itself, but as a tool to create a society that works for all, rich and poor alive.

February 27, 2015
‘Another polls shift’ll be too costly’

The Lagos State Coordinator of the Buhari/Osinbajo Presidential Campaign Organisation, James Faleke, has said the country cannot afford a further postponement of the elections.

At a briefing yesterday in Lagos, he said the postponement of the election from February to March was a manipulation by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to undermine the democratic process and wear out the opposition.

Faleke, a member of the House of Representatives, said: “We say no to further shift of the goal post in the middle of the game. Beyond the security challenges, PDP wanted to boost its war chest to avert an imminent defeat.

“It was to allow the ruling PDP re-strategise and burn out the opposition financially since it has the war chest. We know that the bazaar has been on. But one thing is sure, the PDP cannot continue to fool Nigerians all the time.”

He said dragging the military institution into partisan politics is unacceptable, noting that the Armed Forces should restrict their operations to the protection of Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

Faleke added that those rooting for the military involvement in the election are enemies of the country.

“Our appeal to Nigerians, especially all lovers of progress and change, is to get the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). The voter card is stronger than the federal might.”

February 23, 2015
Counting the cost of poll shift

SIR: Before now, many have been relishing the prospect of having the much anticipated presidential election on a Valentine Day. The possibility of mixing politics with love simply aroused the interest of not a few Nigerians. The recent announcement by INEC of the rescheduling of the general elections has, however, put paid to all that. The rumpus caused by the sudden decision of INEC to postpone has continued to echo across the land.

To begin with, the abrupt postponement of the election has, without a doubt, done much havoc to the not too admirable global image of our country. Nigeria has now become an object of ridicule across the world. What is particularly puzzling to the world is why a nation of over 170 million people cannot successfully plan an election that has been on the card for over four years.

The shift in poll also has deep implications for the image of the Nigerian military as well as other security agencies. In citing reasons for the shift in poll date, INEC chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, clearly made it clear that the shift became necessary mainly for security factors. His words: “There are quite a number of issues in the conduct of elections, the most critical of which is security matter which is not under the control of INEC.”

Professor Jega further confirmed that INEC was ready with all election matters under its control but was compelled to take the security advisory from the National Security Adviser and the service chiefs into consideration in adjusting the timetable for the polls. The issue being raised by pundits is how the military which has not been able to successfully dislodge Boko Haram for six years could do same under six weeks.

Another vital concern is what happens if the military is unable to put the security situation in the country under check before the new date. Would that lead to another shift in poll? Whichever way one looks at things, the image of the military has been badly deflated by the poll shift imbroglio and it would take sometimes before it could really come clean.

INEC itself has come out of the poll controversy more battered than before. Despite Professor Jega’s clever maneuver to shift attention away from INEC’s near sloppy management of the distribution of Permanent Voters’ Card, PVC, it is difficult to completely shield the electoral umpire from culpability in respect of the poll shift. It will be recalled that the 2011 presidential poll was equally shifted by a week because of hiccups experienced across the country right on poll day. This shows that INEC has a rich history of ineptitude and this does not in any way do its image any good. It is left to be seen how the electoral body hopes to wriggle itself out of the negative lame duck tag it has been dubbed in certain quarters.

The postponement also has far reaching implications for political parties in respect of electioneering campaigns, planning, logistics and financing. Previously, most of the candidates aspiring for various political offices have zeroed their budgeting and other associated matters on the initial election dates as earlier announced by INEC. The poll shift would, therefore, bring about additional strains on the aspirants and their political parties. With the reality of the current economic situation in the country, having to extend campaign programmes and plans for another six weeks would, undoubtedly, be a serious financial burden on the political parties and their aspirants. It is, however, hoped that the poll shift would help to diffuse the already tense political atmosphere in the country; and that all stakeholders in the Nigerian project would see the need to embrace peace. According to Martin Luther King, “peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek but a means by which we arrive at that goal.”

• Tayo Ogunbiyi,

Lagos State Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

February 13, 2015
Is election shift not road to Golgotha?

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, in his bid to hang tenaciously onto power, is tormenting the peace of the nation’s ancestors. Whether through his aides’ unguarded statements or by his body language, conduct and lingo in the past weeks, he seems determined to truncate this democracy if the coming 2015 Presidential election will not go his way. When everything pointed in the direction that he would lose the election, he confirmed the fears in public space that he would tinker with the independence of INEC: He covertly compelled the electoral body through Sambo Dasuki, his National Security Adviser (NSA), and military service chiefs to shift the election dates – just precisely a week to the conduct of the presidential election initially slated for February 14.

Quite interestingly, like a patient dog that eats the fattest bone, Nigerians that are determined for CHANGE are eagerly waiting for next six weeks to come for them to use their votes to show Jonathan the way out of Aso-Rock Villa. This president seems to have forgotten the tribulations that Nigerians endured before the birth of the ongoing democratic project. But for the toil of courageous Nigerians that stood up against military dictatorship, probably, the president, who never hitherto stepped out of the country, and perhaps the Niger-Delta, would be rotting away somewhere in Otuoke, Bayelsa state. Now, he wants to overstretch the elasticity of his destiny by daring to submerge the echoes of CHANGE in order to realise his own infamous over-ambition for another term in office.

The president pretends before the entire world that he knows nothing about INEC’s shift of election dates when he is the main architect of the political rigmarole. This government is showing grave disregard for the country’s past because of his having been blinded by the awesome power at his beck. From the first republic when the mobile unit of the police force was created to suppress the opposition of that era to the second republic when the same mobile police were deployed to intimidate, harass and tyrannise the opposition, the end was always dismal for perpetrators. From Ibrahim Babangida’s charade called transition to democratic rule when he used the military with impunity to repress and suppress people’s resistance against the satanic annulment of the June 12 1993 election and; Abacha’s use of same method to facilitate his failed transmutation agenda down to Olusegun Obasanjo’s use of military to win election at all cost, there had been a dire consequence for such political iniquity.

History is currently repeating itself under Jonathan who has been using the military to commit all sorts of atrocities including the deployment of soldiers and masked intelligence and police service operatives to harass the opposition at electioneering period. Does the law allow for the use of soldiers during elections? The answer is capital NO! The 1999 Constitution in section 215(3) vests the Nigeria Police Force with the power to exclusively maintain and secure public safety and order. But there is, however, a circumstantial moderation over this police role in the second leg of provisions of Section 217(2) of same Constitution that empowers the president to deploy the armed forces only for the suppression of insurrection and while acting in aid of civil authorities including the police to restore law order. What is apparent today is that there is no insurrection or civil disturbance except in 14 local governments cutting across the troubled three north-east states out of 774 councils in the federation where the Boko Haram insurgents hold way.

So far, there are no civil disturbances in the remaining 760 local governments across the federation or any sign of it that the police cannot contain to warrant military intervention. Even when the president needs to take extraordinary security measures as enshrined in Section 305, he still must go through the national assembly to seek and obtain its approval for a specified timeline. Reading this two Sections (215 and 217), this column believes that it is only clear that the president can only deploy the military while trying to aid the police to restore peace and order when it has broken down. Otherwise, the president can deploy the armed forces for internal security in cases of suppression of insurrection which includes the devastating Boko Haram insurgency. From the intent/spirit of the grundnorm, it is clear that the military has no place in election matters and the elections’ dates should not have been shifted because the military threatened not to provide security. What is the position of the Inspector General on this issue?

There have also been judicial pronouncements on the matter and in this regard the Court of Appeal judgment in Yusuf v Obasanjo (2005) 18 N.W.L.R.(Pt 956) 96 remain instructive: Salami JCA ( as he the was) held: “It is up to the police to protect our nascent democracy and not the military, otherwise the democracy might be wittingly or unwittingly militarised. This is not what the citizenry bargained for in wrestling power from the military in 1999. Conscious step or steps should be taken to civilianize the polity to ensure the survival and sustenance of democracy.” The current move to stall democracy via postponement of the election by the NSA, the military and the PDP is an efforts aimed at militarising the electoral process which is illegal and criminal.

Also in the case of Buhari v Obasanjo (2005) 1 WRN 1 at 200, Abdullah JCA observed: “In spite of the non-tolerant nature and behaviour of our political class in this country, we should by all means try to keep armed personnel of whatever status or nature from being part and parcel of our election process. The civilian authorities should be left to conduct and carry out fully the electoral processes at all levels”. The Supreme Court in its appeal judgement in the same Buhari v Obasanjo (2005) 50 WRN 1 at 313 states that the State must make sure that “citizens who are sovereign can exercise their franchise freely, unmolested and undisturbed.” This molestation obviously obtain in a military-infested polity being bred by Jonathan. It is regrettable that the election was postponed but Nigerians would not condone such evil deed in the nearest future. The election could have gone ahead despite the military’s illegal threat if INEC had been calm enough to read and digest properly section 25 of the Electoral Act which allows the electoral body to deploy his power for election postponement only where there is verifiable threat of breakdown of law and order ‘in the area or areas’ under scrutiny.

To Mr President and his goons, Nigerians are saying enough of politics of cluelessness. They want a break from the cycle of PDP’s political servitude for enthronement of a political movement as represented by APC with an echo that would be heard and appreciated by generations to come.

Soldiers’ siege on Tinubu’s residence

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State is undisputably an enviable pillar of opposition politics in this country and more importantly, an inspiration and model in the current democratic movement against government ineptitude as exemplified by the President Goodluck Jonathan presidency.

The move by the presidency to intimidate him by stationing armed soldiers around his house is nothing but a sheer waste of time, personnel and resources. Asiwaju is too experienced and familiar with this kind of desperate repressive official method to be subdued. He, in his fight for democratic enthronement that Jonathan is now enjoying, survived more crude and severe official antics that led to nowhere.

Asiwaju, be assured that nothing will happen to you or any of us that truly believes that the time for CHANGE in this rotten system headed by Jonathan is now. You remain a worthy pillar of this inevitable crusade. I reserve further comments on Tinubu and his political exploits till a later period in the nearest future. Ride on

February 13, 2015
Jonathan, service chiefs under fire over polls shift

U.S., U.N., ASUU, TUC disappointed

Falana alleges treason

President Goodluck Jonathan and the Service Chiefs came under attack yesterday for weekend’s postponement of the general elections.

The President, who is also the Commander-in-Chief, by the action of the military chiefs who said they could not guarantee security for the exercise, has committed an impeachable offence, All Progressives Congress (APC) vice presidential candidate Prof. Yemi Osinbajo said.

The military chiefs should resign, rights activist-lawyer Femi Falana said.

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Attahiru Jega said the agency was persuaded by the memorandum from security chiefs that they could not guarantee protection for the process. INEC moved the elections from February 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11.

Jega said the commission was ready for the elections, but could not ignore the written security advice, which many believe was made up by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led Federal Government to halt the momentum of support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

Expectedly, the PDP has hailed the polls shift as necessary in the nation’s interest, but the APC described the decision as “a major setback for democracy and highly provocative.” It nevertheless urged Nigerians to remain calm.

The United States expressed disappointment with the postponement, especially since Secretary of State John Kerry visited President Goodluck Jonathan and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari last month to extract a promise of a violence-free poll to be conducted as scheduled.

Kerry said the U.S. is deeply disappointed” by the decision to postpone Nigeria’s presidential election.

“Political interference with the Independent National Electoral Commission is unacceptable, and it is critical that the government not use security concerns as a pretext for impeding the democratic process.

“The international community will be watching closely as the Nigerian government prepares for elections on the newly scheduled dates. The United States underscores the importance of ensuring that there are no further delays,” Kerry said.

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged electoral authorities “to take all necessary measures… to exercise their right to vote in a timely manner.”

He added: “This is imperative for ensuring a credible, free and transparent election.

In the statement issued yesterday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and made available by the National Information Officer, United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Nigeria, Oluseyi Soremekun, Ki-moon said he had separate telephone conversations with President Jonathan and Gen. Buhari last week during which he reminded them of the need to abide by the Abuja peace accord on non-promotion of violence during the elections.

“The Secretary-General notes the decision of the Nigerian Independent Electoral Commission to postpone the general elections, initially scheduled for 14 February 2015.

“He urges the electoral authorities to take all necessary measures, such as the rapid distribution of the remaining Permanent Voter Cards, to enable all eligible citizens, including those displaced, to exercise their right to vote in a timely manner. “This is imperative for ensuring a credible, free and transparent election.

“He looks to Nigeria’s authorities to uphold their commitment to ensure a violence-free election and put in place adequate security measures so that citizens across the country are able to exercise their civic duty safely and without fear.

“The Secretary-General hopes that the forthcoming elections will meet the high expectations of the Nigerian people and the international community.

“The successful conduct of these polls would strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and enable the country to continue to play a leading role in the promotion of regional peace and security,” he said.

Lagos lawyer Femi Falana said the security chiefs who said they could not guarrantee security for the poll could be tried for treason.

In an open letter yesterday, Falana said: “Since the President could not persuade the National Assembly to pass a resolution for tenure elongation on spurious grounds, the service chiefs allowed themselves to be manipulated to subvert the democratic process. “Thus, by causing the election to be postponed, the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the security chiefs have staged a coup against the Constitution.

“They are liable to be prosecuted for the grave offence of treason at the appropriate time.”

He added: “If the satanic Boko Haram sect is not defeated by the armed forces of the republics of Chad, Cameroon and Niger in the next six weeks, the security chiefs are likely to ask for another postponement of the general elections on the grounds that the operations in the Northeast have not been successfully concluded.

“As such extension cannot be accommodated under the Electoral Act and the Constitution the democratic process may be terminated by the security chiefs to pave the way for the much-touted Interim national government.”

Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko called for the resignation of the service chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police for orchestrating the shift in the elections.

The governor said: “All the service chiefs and the IGP should resign now for dereliction of their duties as they have failed the nation and Nigerians.

“The shift in dates was orchestrated by the PDP but the action is just akin to the fruitless efforts of a sinking ship or a dying person.

“They should therefore honourably resign as they could not guarantee safety of Nigerians on election days as their statutory and civic duties.

“How can the Boko Haram and a myriad of security challenges, which have been bedeviling Nigeria for some years be solved in paltry 36 days.

“All of us should be patriotic and pious enough to put Nigeria first above our egocentric and diabolical interests,” Wamakko, urged.

He said the APC and its members were law-abiding; “hence, abhor any acts capable of causing a breach of the peace and unity.”

Gen. Buhari’s running mate Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, said President Jonathan should resign or be impeached for his failure to secure the country.

In a tweet on his handle @Prof Osinbajo, he said “If the president says ‘I’ve lost the capacity to guarantee the security of lives and property’, it’s certainly an impeachable offence.

“If a government needs to put adverts in the (news) papers, to advertise what they’ve done after six years, then there’s a big problem.

“My personal reaction (to the polls shift) was one of disgust. I was disgusted that government chose to be so devious.

“All former Heads of States agreed: if the insurgency is happening in 14 LGAs, surely the elections can go on?

“It’s ironic that in many countries where insurgencies happen, elections go on, Nigerian troops keep the peace there.

“PVCs collection in Adamawa and Yobe, where there is insurgency, is over 70%.

”We’re becoming accustomed to the impunity of this government. And I think it’s so sad that they would go against the wishes of the people. “

Also speaking on a radio programme monitored in Lagos yesterday, Osinbajo said: “I think it’s so sad that they would go against the wishes of the people.

“There has never been 100 per cent Permanent Voter Card collection. Ekiti and Osun states; less than 60 per cent, all of a sudden, the government is concerned.”

Former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi accused the Presidency of “polluting the military” to facilitate the polls shift against the wishes of Nigerians.

“It was apparent that the military and presidency boxed INEC to a tight corner by merchants of retrogression to get the postponement to achieve their devilish motives.

“I believe what we are expected to do as democrats must be those things that would strengthen democracy. For military to be saying that it would overcome insurgency it had failed to curtail in five years. Is that not standing logic on its head? You could see that Nigerians are very unhappy.

“To me, this is more of a civilian coup against democracy because for military to have said that it cannot provide security for INEC top prosecute the election implies that it is hands in gloves with the presidency. This is a travesty and a danger to our democracy.

“Military is a product of Nigeria and not the father of Nigeria and it must do everything to protect this democracy.”

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) also flayed the polls shift.

ASUU President Dr Nasir Fagge told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the security issue which the shifting of the polls was predicated on, was not sufficient.

He expressed doubt if the six weeks extension would be enough to tackle the security issue.

“However, if the election umpire has been convinced enough to have the elections postponed, especially as it concerns security, then let us give them the benefit of doubt.

“All I can say at this point is to call on Nigerians to organise themselves very well and keep their eyes open.

“I also want to seize this opportunity to appeal to them to use this period to ensure that they collect their voter cards and ensure that they do not only vote but also ensure that their votes count,” Dr. Fagge said.

TUC President Bobboi Bala Kaigama described the

postponement as “a great setback capable of truncating the country’s frail peace.

The Congress urged Nigerians to remain calm and desist from violence.

“We therefore charge the security agencies to put their acts together to return the country to the path of peace devoid of security challenges that may serve as another set of excuses for further postponement. The national institutions must not be trivialised on the altar of politics.

”We wish to reiterate that the swearing in date (May 29) is sacrosanct to avoid plunging the country into constitutional crisis,” TUC said.

February 9, 2015