The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Category: Politics

  • Anambra election: Don’t drag us into the election, leave us out of it -IPOB to INEC.

     

     

    The Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) has said it has no business with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the Anambra governorship election.

     

    It said the report that the commission is planning to negotiate with it on the smooth conduct of the election is misplaced.

     

    IPOB in a statement by its media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful on said it wondered why INEC would want to drag it into the the election of Anambra State.

     

    “We have no business with INEC, IPOB family worldwide doesn’t know whether or not INEC exists. We have nothing to do with the election INEC is conducting, and we wonder why INEC would want to drag us into the election.

     

    “INEC should face what is facing it and leave IPOB alone. We didn’t dialogue with Nigeria government let alone INEC.

     

    On the deployment of over 33,000 police officers to oversea the peaceful conduct of election in the State, Powerful said “We found it laughable the declaration by the Nigeria police that they are coming to Anambra State governoship elections on 6th of November with 33,000 personnel and 8 helicopters to kill Igbo citizens on that day.

     

    According to him “this statement from IGP shows how prepared they are to kill our people and also a clear indication that Nigerian police do not want the election  in Anambra to hold.”

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.sunnewsonline.com

  • 2023 Presidency: Northern Youths to mobilize 20 million votes for Osinbajo.

     

    A Coalition of Northern Youth under the auspices of Osinbajo Awareness Campaign, OAC, have on Sunday thrown their weight behind power shift to the South and the presidential candidature of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    The National Coordinator of the group, Mubarak Haruna who made this known while launching its Secretariat in Kano over the weekend, rejected that power should remain in the North.

     

     

     

    Haruna asserted that the ruling party, All Progressive Congress, APC should rather consider a power shift to the South if the party truly believes in sustaining a very united federation.

     

    He further disclosed plans by the group to mobilize 20million votes across the 19 Northern states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in solidarity with the Vice President.

     

     

     

    In his words, “We are launching the awareness campaign across the Northern states to mobilize support for Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo towards making him our next president.

     

    “None of us has ever met him in person but from all we know, we are convinced that the Vice President is the only tested and trusted candidate that can continue the good works started by President Muhammadu Buhari.

     

     

    “It is obvious that Professor Osinbajo is a visionary leader, a patriotic citizen whose loyalty to one indivisible Nigeria is never in doubt; he is a detribalised Nigerian who is widely accepted, irrespective of religion and tribe across the country. We would support him make sure he wins,” Haruna said.

     

    Meanwhile, the group has also launched its vehicles to drive intensive campaigns across the Northern part of the country and drum support for the candidacy of Osinbajo ahead of  the 2023 general elections.

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.vanguardngr.com

  • Press Conference: SED’21 Convener makes case for Restructuring.

    Press Conference: SED’21 Convener makes case for Restructuring.

    By Debbie Egbo

    As the Southeast Debate comes up on Wednesday, October 20, 2021, the Convener of the academic event, Monday Diamond Ani, has, in a press conference in Enugu, harped on Restructuring as having the potency to end National insecurity issues.

    The document titled “Restructuring: A Panacea towards tackling rising insecurity, regional agitation and propelling national unity, peace and progress” read “The Concerned Igbo Stakeholders Forum and the Monday Diamond Foundation hereby express our concern over the rising spate of Insecurity and Violence in the South-East, which could be aggravated if nothing is done to stem the tide.”

    “It is no longer news that the South East has practically lost trillions of Naira for missing out severally on the first day of work week due to the Sit-down-at-home order in the South East issued by the IPOB as a result of the continued detention of its Leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”

    SED’21 Convener, Hon. Monday Diamond Ani

    “While we commend the Leaders of the Southeast on their efforts towards managing the rising tensions in the region, we request the South East Leaders to intensify more efforts towards engaging the Federal Government of Nigeria to give Mazi Nnamdi Kanu a fair hearing especially as the scheduled commencement of his trial which is slated for 21st October 2021 is around the corner.”

    “We implore the FG to leverage this opportunity to prove wrong several insinuations of purported attempts to mar Anambra Elections and collapse business activities in the South East by the needless denial of the IPOB Leader a fair trial for all the charges.”

    “The Concerned Igbo Stakeholders Forum and the Monday Diamond Foundation hereby charges Mr. President to use the forthcoming court hearing scheduled for 21st October as an opportunity to demonstrate his commitment towards the stability of peace and economic prosperity in the South East, by ensuring that the commencement of the trial employees all rightful judicial processes as enshrined in the law of the land.”

    “If a region that is a part of the One Nigeria equation says they should be fairly treated especially as it concerns their general welfare and political positions in the country, it is the responsibility of the Father of the Nation to treat the issue judiciously and diplomatically.”

    “Having made this appeal to the Federal Government, we hereby call on the good people of Anambra State to turn out en masse and vote for the candidates of their choice in the forthcoming Guber Elections. The indigenes of Anambra should be rest assured that the radar of the whole Nation would be on the state on the 6th of November 2021 as Stakeholders across the Nation, including Governors,Senators, Civil Society Organisations and the Media will be on ground to ensure a free and fair election, thus the fear of intimidation should not replace the commitment of the good people of Ndi Anambra towards exercising their franchise for the emergence of the Candidates of their choice.”

    “We equally want to use this opportunity to remind all Stakeholders in the South East of the debate coming up on Wednesday, the 20th Day of October in the South East Capital of Enugu State, where the issues of the agitations in the South East and Security shall be discussed by the elites, youths and students as a propellant of National Unity, Peace and Progress.”

    “It will be a day where the Royal Fathers, Religious Leaders, University community and Leaders in the South East will brainstorm to come up with recommendations on the Way forward at this point in time in the South East and the rest of the country as a whole.”

    Asked how he thinks the Southeast Debate will provide a solution especially to the IPOB order, he said “This is a summit that involves the Royal fathers, political leaders, clergymen, all and sundry, to discuss a way forward to tell them that, look they should come out on Monday. Whether we like it or not the Igbo nation makes up most percent anywhere in the world and that’s why people say any place you go and don’t see any Igbo man, you should run away from that place because its neither economically viable nor safe to live in”.

    The event will hold at The Base Landmark Event Center, Independence Layout, Enugu.

  • INEC, Police declares readiness for Nov 6 Anambra Election

    INEC, Police declares readiness for Nov 6 Anambra Election

    IN SPITE of security challenges, the Police and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday, declared their readiness for the November 6, 2021 Anambra State Governorship election, with the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba saying that the Police will deploy 34,587 officers, special forces and three helicopters for the poll.

     

    The assurance from the electoral umpire and the police came as the Supreme Court cleared the coast for former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, to contest the election as the candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA.

     

    The apex court verdict threw supporters of APGA into celebration, across the country, yesterday.

     

     

    Police to deploy 34, 587 officers, special forces, 3 helicopters

     

    Towards ensuring a peaceful, free, and fair conduct of elections in Anambra State, IGP Usman Alkali Baba said 34, 587 police personnel, three helicopters, and Special Forces will be deployed to the state.

     

     

    Speaking at a meeting with Deputy Inspectors General of Police, Assistant Inspectors General of Police and Command Commissioners of Police in Abuja, he noted that based on an Election Security Threat Analysis conducted by the Force Intelligence Bureau, Force headquarters has developed a “Strategic Election Security Operation Order which will involve the mobilization and deployment of a total of 34,587 police personnel.”

     

    He continued: “This will comprise of conventional police officers, Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Special Forces personnel, Explosives Ordinance Unit (EOD), Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB), INTERPOL, Special Protection Unit (SPU) as well as Police Medical Teams.

     

     

     

    “We will also be deploying three (3) Police helicopters for aerial surveillance as well as detachments of Marine Police Operatives, specially trained Force Animals, and our unique Technical Intelligence capability towards guaranteeing a safe, secure, and credible electoral process in the State.

     

    “Drawing on our previous election security operations, we have also emplaced adequate forward and reverse logistics arrangements for a seamless police operation and have also made requisite arrangements to address the welfare needs of all personnel being deployed for the operation.

     

     

     

    “In assuring law-abiding citizens and stakeholders of their safety during the election, let me warn subversive elements who are bent on employing violence to attempt to threaten our democratic values, as well as any political actors who may want to adopt undemocratic and illegal means to achieve their aspirations to bury such thoughts now or be prepared to face the consequences, as they will be identified, isolated and made to face the wrath of the law no matter how highly or lowly placed they may be,” he said.

     

    Anambra guber: We’re ready for improved poll —INEC

     

     

     

    On its part, the INEC said it is ready to conduct a near-perfect governorship election in Anambra.

     

    Professor Yakubu Mahmood, Chairman of INEC, said this at a Workshop for Journalists on Election Processes and Procedures in Awka, on Thursday.

     

    Mahmood, who was represented by Mr Victor Aluko, Director of Publicity in the Commission said the November 6 election would enjoy the deployment of modern technology which would make it more improved than all previous exercises.

     

    He said the entire process from registration to transmission of results would be fully automated including the use of bimodal, which took care of unimodal identification processes which only verified voters by fingerprints.

     

    The chairman said there were a total of 2,525,471 registered voters in the state after an additional 77,471 generated during the just-concluded Continuous Voter Registration exercise.

     

    He urged journalists to help the Commission disseminate the right information as they were crucial to the success of the election process, noting that sending the wrong information could inflame society.

     

    On his part, Mr Chuwkuemeka Nnaji, Head of Department, ICT, INEC Awka Office said the Commission improved on its system using an indigenous team of engineers.

     

    Nnaji said the process was such that human interference was greatly reduced and that data uploaded online would be highly secured from cyber attacks and hackers.

     

    He said the prospective voter would be identified by various fractures including their faces and that nobody would be able to vote twice as the registration had been cleaned up.

     

    According to him, the Commission’s desire of having credible elections is sacrosanct, technology deployment has proven to be an effective tool in achieving the set objectives.

     

    “They need to have one-person-one-vote is what has necessitated the deployment of a Bimodal Voter Authentication System (BVAS);

     

    “The need to ensure the credibility and openness of the Commission has necessitated the deployment of the IReV Portal, so we ask for the cooperation of all to enable the Commission to meet its set objectives,” he said.

     

    In his opening remark, Dr Nwachukwu Orji, Resident Electoral Commissioner in Anambra said the workshop was to update journalists with the progress made ahead of the election.

     

    Orji, who was represented by Mr Samuel Nimem, Head of Voter Education and Publicity in Awka, urged the media to report facts and not engage in interpreting what they did not understand.

     

    He said the Commission was available to journalists who wished to get clarifications while urging them to endeavour to get accreditation for coverage of the election proper.

     

    Supreme court clears coast for Soludo

     

    The apex court, in a unanimous decision by a five-man panel of Justices, voided the judgement of a Jigawa State High Court, which made a consequential order that sacked the Chief Victor Oye-led National Working Committee, NWC, of APGA, and recognized Chief Jude Okeke as the Acting National Chairman of the party.

     

    Justice Musa Ubale of the Jigawa State High Court had in the judgement he delivered on June 30, in suit No. JDU/022/2021, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to only recognize the Okeke-led faction of the party which conducted a parallel primary election that produced Chief Chukwuma Umeoji as APGA’s candidate for the impending governorship poll.

     

    The high court judgement was however voided on August 10 by the Kano Division of the Court of Appeal, which reinstated the Chief Oye-led NWC of the party that organised the primary election that produced Soludo.

     

    The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-man panel of Justices led by Justice Haruna Tsammani, maintained that the Jigawa state high court lacked the territorial jurisdiction to entertain a matter relating to the leadership of a political party.

     

    It, therefore, voided the consequential order that was issued against APGA leadership under Oye.

     

    Dissatisfied with the verdict, Okeke, who was previously the Deputy National Chairman (South) of APGA, took the matter before the Supreme Court, where he lost on Thursday.

     

    Okeke had in processes he filed before the apex court, insisted that he was duly appointed by the National Executive Committee, NEC, of APGA, to act as National Chairman, pending when the party would hold its convention.

     

    However, the apex court panel led by Justice Mary Odili, in their judgement, held that two separate appeals marked SC/CV/650/2021 and SC/CV/687/2021, which were filed by Okeke, lacked merit.

     

    The panel noted that both appeals bordered on who should be recognized as Acting National Chairman of APGA, as well as, whether Oye was validly removed as National Chairman of the party.

     

    It held that the Deputy National Chairman of the party (North), Alhaji Rabiu Aliyu, who filed the substantive suit at the Jigawa state high court that led to the judgement in favour of Okeke, engaged in “forum shopping”.

     

    The apex court held that Aliyu’s action amounted to gross abuse of the judicial process.

     

    While affirming the judgement of the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court, held that the high court in Jigawa state should not have entertained a matter that was clearly outside its territorial jurisdiction, stressing that issues in dispute in the case occurred in Awka and Owerri.

     

    More so, the apex court held that the subject matter of the suit was not justiciable, being an internal affair of a political party.

     

    Justice Odili, who read the lead judgement held that the Supreme Court, having resolved issue six in the appeal marked SC/CV/687/2021, against the Appellant, “the entire foundation of the case collapses”.

     

    She, therefore, dismissed the two appeals and awarded a cost of N1million in favour of the 1st and 2nd Respondents (APGA and Chief Oye).

     

    Jubilation greets Supreme Court ruling in Anambra

     

    There was jubilation in various parts of Anambra State yesterday after the news filtered in that the Supreme Court had ruled that Chief Victor Oye is the authentic national chairman of APGA, and therefore had the authority to nominate the governorship candidate of the party for the forthcoming poll.

     

    Shortly after the news of the judgement of the Supreme Court filtered into the state, many people drove round the streets to express joy that the governorship candidate of APGA, Professor Chukwuma Soludo had overcome all the obstacles on his way as the flag bearer of the party ahead of the November 6 election.

     

    With the judgement, Oye has the right to submit the name of the APGA candidate in the election to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

     

    Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. C. Don Adinuba, who is the director of media for the APGA campaign organization said Oye’s submission of the name of Soludo to INEC as the APGA candidate in the forthcoming election was, therefore, in accordance with the extant laws of the land.

     

    Adinuba said: “The Supreme Court has, once again, demonstrated that the Nigerian judiciary is a temple of justice. It does not just give judgements, but also dispenses justice.”

     

    APGA hails Supreme Court verdict

     

    The APGA, yesterday, commended the judiciary for their doggedness in defending the cause of democracy against those whose activities are inimical to national development and ethos.

     

    National Chairman of the party, Dr. Victor Ike Oye, in a statement entitled, “Thank you all”, called on APGA members all over the country to continue to work together for the growth and development of the party.

     

    He said: “Today the Supreme Court of Nigeria reaffirmed the leadership of APGA under me by unanimously dismissing the twin-suit filed by one Jude Okeke and his cohorts.

     

    “We thank God for his mercifulness and compassion and for seeing us through the intense legal battles. By this victory we have been called to greater service to our great party.

     

    “The November 6, 2021 Anambra State Governorship Election is drawing closer and this places an additional responsibility on us collectively and individually as members of the party.

     

    “We must guard our loins and take up the gauntlet for the task ahead by ensuring that nothing distracts us as we work for victory in the Anambra State Governorship election.

     

    “We use this opportunity to call on all of us to reach out to our members all over the country about the need to continue to work together for the growth and development of our party. We need everybody on board as we work to reposition our party for 2021 and 2023.

     

    “We thank the judiciary for their doggedness in defending the cause of democracy and shutting out those whose activities are inimical to national development and ethos.”

     

    Supreme court confirmation of Soludo brightens APGA chances – Abia leader

     

    Leader of the All Progressive Grand Alliance APGA in Abia State, and member representing Aba South in the state House of Assembly, Hon. Obinna Ichita, hailed the Supreme Court judgement, saying the judgement will brighten the party’s chances at the poll.

     

    Hon. Ichita who was addressing newsmen after assuming the role of Leader of APGA in Abia, said the judgement had once again confirmed the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.

     

    The lawmaker who predicted a landslide for APGA at the forthcoming Anambra election described Solu do as the man with the economic blueprint to consolidate the foundation and legacies of APGA-led administration in the state.

     

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.vanguardngr.com

  • Ayu emerges PDP National Chairman for the North

     

    Former Senate president, Iyorchia Ayu, yesterday, emerged consensus candidate of the North for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national chairmanship.

     

    Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, announced it after a meeting of PDP northern caucus at the Bauchi Government in Abuja.

     

    Fintiri, who is chairman of a panel set up by northern leaders to screen aspirants from the zone, said with Ayu’s emergence, the North would reach out to party leaders in the South to sell his candidature.

     

    While the North Central nominated Ayu as its consensus candidate, North East and North West nominated former Senate leader, Abdul Ningi and former Kastina State governor, Ibrahim Shema, respectively.

    However, the Adamawa governor said although the three aspirants were qualified to lead the party, following intense discussion, northern leaders settled for Ayu.

     

     

     

    “All of them were immensely qualified but through discussion and reconciliation, we have emerged with consensus list that was endorsed by the candidates themselves. There was no election and there was no selection.”

     

    Ayu’s emergence is the climax of days of intrigues and horse-trading among northern PDP stakeholders.

     

    The former Senate president would be presented to the PDP National Convention holding in Abuja from October 30 to 31 for ratification as national chairman.

     

    A party source, who attended the meeting, told Daily Sun that “at the meeting, Ningi withdrew from the contest as the North East pledged support for the North Central. When the North West discovered they cannot go alone, they equally supported Ayu.”

     

    Ayu, in a chat with journalists, said as chairman, he would run an inclusive administration and work with all leaders of the party across the country to return the PDP to power.

     

    “The PDP will be back to its winning ways. And we will work tirelessly after the convention to rebuild the party to take over power to rebuild the country.

     

    “I believe Nigerians want a PDP government. Our 16 years moved this country forward. We intend to work together with all the leaders, not only in the North, but across the country to reposition this country for the next generation of Nigerians.

     

    “It will be an all-inclusive administration of the party. We will work collectively to produce policies which will be acceptable Nigerians. Today, our currency is the weakest in the world. Even the Somalians are better than us in Africa. We will work hard to solve the issue of insecurity.

     

    “I want to thank the Northern leaders, who are united, determined and who are willing to work with me. I am a foundation member of this party. I worked in the party before, but I know that you cannot do it alone. We shall work as team,” he said.

     

    Multiple sources said he emerged based on agreement that his adoption would not preclude anybody from any zone from contesting the Presidency.

     

    One of the decisions reached at the meeting was that if the emergence of a presidential candidate tilt the scale in favour of any zone, the chairman would resign and work for the candidate.

     

    “It is after Ayu and the governors agreed to this that Shema and Nazif agreed to withdraw from the race.”

     

    He said Atiku played no role in all the negotiations and observed that it was only last weekend that both men spoke for the first time after many years of not communicating.

     

    Meanwhile, former minister of State for Education, Kenneth Gbagi, has said the PDP wwould win the 2023 presidential election.

     

    Gbagi, governorship aspirant in Delta State, said Nigerians have seen the difference between the PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC), and now know better where to cast their votes.

     

    He said the country has deteriorated in the past six years under the APC-led Federal Government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

     

    Gbagi spoke at Oginibo in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State after his return from Ondo State where he was conferred with Aare Atunluse of Akure kingdom.

     

    The former mnister is convinced that politicians defecting from PDP to APC were be coerced, adding that such persons remained PDP members who would work for the success of the party.

     

    “All the people running from PDP to APC are not APC members. They are PDP members in blood, soul and body, and they are all going to work for PDP.

     

    “PDP is going to produce the next president in Nigeria. If you don’t marry two wives, they say, you do not know which one is better. It is for you to marry two wives and see the difference.

     

    “And you will have a situation in the next election where they, who thought they are forced by their own thinking to join APC, will be bearing APC in the day and at the night, they are PDP members,” he said.

     

    The security expert and renowned entrepreneur also said Nigeria would not disintegrate, and accused the Federal Government of being the problem of the country.

     

    “If there is any problem in Nigeria, it is the government. What ought to be beautiful, what ought to be the happiest thing of our life is our population.

     

    “Population anywhere in the world is a money spinner, an economic driver, but all of that we are toiling with, hence we are where we are today,” he said

     

    “We, as Nigerians, must correct immediately the situation before machineries or government of nations other than our nation come to correct it for us.”

     

    Meanwhile, a pressure group within the PDP, North Central PDP Rebirth Forum ( NCPDPRF) has rejected the emergence of Ayu as consensus chairmanship candidate.

     

    The convener of the group, Mohammed Idah, in a statement, yesterday, stated that the former Senate President’s adoption is part of alleged plan to exclude the North Central from the 2023 presidential contest..

     

    “The North Central has produced several PDP national Chairmen. For the avoidance of doubts, the Pioneer PDP chairman was Chief Solomon Lar from Plateau State, Engr. Barnabas Gemade and Chief Audu Ogbe were all PDP chairmen from Benue State.

     

    “Ahamdu Ali from Kogi state, Alhaji Kawu Baraje from kwara state also became chairman of our party without any benefit to the North Central. We totally reject the move to stop the North Central from aspiring for the Presidency in 2023 using any guise. Not even the position of the National Chairman of PDP,” the group stated.

     

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.sunnewsonline.com

  • Suspension of Onitsha seaport: FG orders contractors to terminate rail at ports

     

    The South-East Shippers Association has protested the constant suspension of activities at Onitsha River Port in Anambra State.

     

    The group said that Onitsha port is a natural deposit which Nigeria should focus on the revenue it generates rather than politics of ethnicity.

     

    The President of Anambra State Shippers Association, Mr. Emma Akpaka, in a protest letter described the suspension of activities at the port as politically motivated against the Southeast zone.

     

    The group lamented the dilapidated Niger road that connects the River port to the Main Market that has become a death trap for the users. “We see it as political sabotage against us. We don’t want what happened to Warri port to happen in Onitsha port. Warri Wharf was labeled a gateway for arms and ammunition. Those who should protest were silent because they did not know it was conspiracy, until those who were illegally disengaged moved to the creeks to forment trouble.

     

    When Onitsha River port became operational in 2017, we celebrated and expected that going forward, Onitsha will be in the same page with Jakarta in Indonesia, Guangzhou in China, Bangkok in Thailand among others.

     

    Indeed that expectation was right, but there is no enabling environment to augment the contributions of the Federal Ministry of Transport.

     

    Niger Street, the only road that links the wharf to Onitsha main market has collapsed. Our expectation since 2017 is that this road would be rehabilitated with speed. But the road is so bad that any heavy-duty truck that tries to pass through it must fall.

    “Therefore, Anambra State shipper are calling on the state government to come to our aid immediately by giving this road a facelift. this under the guise of internally generated revenue. This action has frustrated many of our customers.

     

    “We equally advice governor Willie Obiano to facilitate the building of a jetty at the bank of the River Niger. Meanwhile as part of efforts to decongest the ports and end the intractable gridlock along Apapa- Oshodi Expressway, the Federal Government, has ordered relevant authorities to ensure that all rail lines terminate at the ports.

     

    Speaking during a press briefing to kickstart the 27th Nigerian Economic Summit (#27NES) in Abuja, the Minister of State for Finance Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, said the focus of government was on the rail and by the time that is realised there will be less pressure on the roads.

     

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.sunnewsonline.com

  • Just In: Shema, Nazif step down as Ayu emerges PDP chairmanship candidate

    Just In: Shema, Nazif step down as Ayu emerges PDP chairmanship candidate

    Governor of Adamawa, Ahmadu Fintiri, confirmed the development at a media briefing on Thursday. He said Mr Ayu was unanimously picked by northern caucus of the party.

    Ayu

    Former Senate President Iyorchia Ayu has emerged as the consensus candidate of the northern states for the position of the national chairman of opposition Peoples Democratic party (PDP).

    Governor of Adamawa, Ahmadu Fintiri, confirmed the development at a media briefing on Thursday. He said Mr Ayu was unanimously picked by northern caucus of the party.

    The National Executive Council of the party had at its 94th session ratified the zoning of the top office to the North ahead of its elective National Convention fixed for October 30 and 31.

    Two other contenders for the position- Ibrahim Shehu Shema and Suleiman Nazif- stepped down for Mr Ayu to emerge, ThisDay reported.

    Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state had on Tuesday announced the emergence of Mr Ayu as consensus candidate for North-Central region and had expressed optimism that he would be adopted by other Northern states.

    “Among the five persons that were contesting, the leadership of our party from North-Central unanimously agreed to sponsor former senate president, Iyorchia Ayu, as national chairman of our party,” Mr Ortom told pressmen after the meeting on Tuesday.

    Another report had emerged on Wednesday indicating that party stakeholders in the North-West had settled for former Katsina governor, Ibrahim Shehu Schema as the zone’s consensus candidate ahead of a general meeting of northern stakeholders on Thursday.

    The emergence of a “Middle-Belter” as National chairman may give the Northern caucus a shot at the Presidential ticket in the 2023 general elections.

    (Peoples Gazette)

  • INEC waits for President to sign on Amendments to Electoral Act

     

    The Senate bowed to pressure from the public on Tuesday when it passed a bill which gave the Independent National Electoral Commission the sole power to determine the procedure for the transmission of election results.

     

    The red chamber also approved direct primaries as the method to be adopted by all political parties to elect candidates for all elective positions.

     

    The amendments were made on Tuesday by the Senate to some clauses of the Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) bill 2021, passed on July 15, 2021.

     

    In its reaction, INEC told The PUNCH that although it had the capacity to transmit elections results electronically,  it said it could only adopt the method after the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), had signed amendments to Electoral Act.

    Also on Tuesday, the Peoples Democratic Party and civil rights groups faulted the approval of direct primaries by the Senate.

     

    Justifying its U-turn on electronic transmission of results, the Senate explained that its decision to subject the amended clauses of the bill to re-committal was reached after a  critical examination by the Senate Committee on INEC.

     

    The chamber added that some fundamental issues which required fresh legislative actions were observed by the Senator Kabiru Gaya-led INEC Committee in the bill.

     

    Accordingly, the chamber in a bill for re-committal,  re-amended certain aspects of the bill contained in clauses 43, 52, 63 and 8.

     

    The upper chamber in Clause 52 of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill passed  almost three months ago, had approved that “the Commission (INEC) may consider the electronic transmission of results, provided the national coverage is adjudged to be adequate and secure by the National Communications Commission and approved by the National Assembly.”

     

    The Senate’s position contradicted that of the House of Representatives, which gave INEC the go-ahead to adopt electronic transmission of results.

     

    The upper chamber was heavily criticised by INEC and other stakeholders over its decision  in July

     

    However, the Senate, on Tuesday amended the clause when the bill was subjected to re-committal to provide that, “subject to section 63 of this bill, voting at an election and transmission of results under this bill shall be in accordance with the procedure determined by the Commission (INEC).”

     

    The Senate in approving direct primaries for political parties amended clause 87 which earlier allowed for either direct or indirect primaries.

     

    Clause 87 has to do with nomination of candidates by parties.

     

    It now reads, “Clause 87. (1) “A political party seeking to nominate candidates for elections under this bill shall hold direct primaries for aspirants to all elective positions, which shall be monitored by the commission.”

     

    In indirect primaries, party members elect delegates who in turn elect the party’s candidates on their behalf.

     

    But in direct primaries, registered members of the party  vote for who they want to be their candidates. Delegates are not involved.

     

    Members of the Conference Committee on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2021, are expected to meet with their counterparts in the House of Representatives to harmonise the two versions passed by both chambers

     

    The Senate decisions on electronic transfer of  results and direct primaries attracted different reactions on Tuesday.

     

    While the lawmakers were commended over electronic transfer of  results, they were criticised on the adoption of direct primaries.

     

    A former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, commended the Senate for reversing itself on electronic transmission of results, saying it was a huge victory for the nation’s democracy.

     

    Ekweremadu said the Senate’s action justified his assurances to Nigerians in July that all hope was not lost for electronic transmission of 2023 election results despite the initial setback.

     

    The Enugu West Senatorial District Senator stated this in a statement by his media aide, Uche Anichukwu.

     

    Wike hails N’Assembly for endorsing e-transmission of election results

    Also, the Governor of Rivers State,  Nyesom  Wike,  in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kelvin Ebiri commended the National Assembly on its decision to allow INEC determine the use of electronic transfer of results.

     

    Wike stated  ”Like I have always said, what is important now is what do people want. The moment you do what the people want, you’ll see happiness everywhere.”

     

    Senate didn’t reverse itself –  Spokesman

    But the spokesperson for the Senate  Senator Ajibola Basiru (APC) Osun State central, said that the red chamber did not reverse itself on the issue of electronic transmission of results.

     

    Rather, Basiru told reporters after plenary that the Senate only deleted Clause 52 (3) to align with the provision on Clause 43 and  63.

     

    Basiru said, “We revoked that section of our standing order to recommit section 43, 52, 63, and 87 of the passed Electoral Bill for re-committal subject to further amendments at the committee of the whole. The amendment was taken.

     

    “The substance of the amendment are for section 43- seeking to introduce electronic voting machine as one of the materials that an agent of a party would be entitled to inspect and to also empower INEC  provide where they have the competence to do so- Electronic Voting Machine for the election.

     

    “So, the amendment for section 43(2) relate to two sub-sections.

     

    “One; Section 43(1) which now reads, the commission shall provide suitable boxes, electronic voting machine or any other voting device for the conduct of elections.

     

    “So that this would allow INEC where they have the necessary wherewithal and competence, they don’t need to come back for us to introduce electronic voting machine as part of the materials they will use for election.”

     

    Existing law stipulates  manual collation, amendments require Buhari’s assent – INEC

    Commenting on the U-turn made the Senate, INEC  insisted that it had “adequate structures and processes” to transmit results of elections in the country electronically.

     

    It also said while it had the capacity to transmit the result of the Anambra State governorship election slated for November 6 electronically, the nation’s existing laws only allowed manual collation.

     

    Read Also

    Needless opposition to election e-transmission

    Senate bows to pressure, says INEC can transmit elections electronically

    National Assembly plotting to frustrate e-transmission of election results -CUPP

    The Chief Press Secretary to the commission’s chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi who said this in an interview with The PUNCH, stated that the commission would wait till after the President had assented the amendments by the National Assembly, including electronic transmission of election results.

     

    One of our correspondents had asked Oyekanmi if the commission already had any arrangement in place to transmit results electronically in view of the decision of the Senate to a bill which gave INEC sole power to determine the procedure for the transmission of election results.

     

    He was also asked if it was possible for the process to transmit results electronically starting from the Anambra election.

     

    But Oyekanmi said the amendments being carried out would take time since it would still be transmitted to the President for assent.

     

    He said, “The Independent National Electoral Commission has developed adequate structures and processes to successfully undertake electronic transmission of result.

     

    “We believe that the technology and national infrastructure in the country at the moment are adequate to support it.

     

    “The commission has the capacity to transmit the Anambra governorship election results electronically, given the opportunity.

     

    “However, let us not forget that the subsisting law stipulating manual collation of results has neither been repealed nor changed at this point.

     

    “The amendments being undertaken at the moment would still have to be transmitted to Mr. President for his assent.”

     

    Meanwhile, the PDP on Tuesday evening accused the All Progressives Congress-led National Assembly of dealing a huge blow to Nigeria’s democratic gains with its imposition of the direct primaries for the nomination of party candidates.

     

    The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan said this in a statement titled, “Direct Primary: APC Is Rolling Back Our Democracy- PDP,” which he signed in Abuja, on Tuesday.

     

    He said, “The PDP describes the passage by the APC-led Senate of direct primary for the nomination of candidates for election, in all political parties, as a retrogressive provision that seeks to wipe off all the gains achieved in our electoral practice since 1999.

     

    “The party says the decision by the APC-controlled Senate is a humongous blow to the development of democratic norms and a plot to introduce anarchy during internal party elections as currently obtainable in the APC.

     

    “The PDP holds that the provision is aimed at increasing the costs of nomination procedures thereby surrendering the processes to money bags against the wishes and aspiration of Nigerians.

     

    “Our party makes bold to state that with the exception of the APC, which intends to deploy looted funds in future elections, hardly will there be any political party that will be able to raise the cost of conducting internal elections under a direct primary process.

     

    “This is why the decision of the Senate has elicited widespread rejection from Nigerians across board.

     

    “The PDP therefore urges the Senate to immediately deploy its appropriate legislative instruments to reverse itself on the direct primaries as it is not operable and does not reflect the wishes and aspiration of the majority of Nigerians.”

     

    Attempts to get a response from the APC were futile. Calls to the mobile telephone number of the party’s National Secretary, Senator John Akpanudoedehe were neither picked nor returned.

     

    A response to a message sent to him on the subject was still being awaited as of the time of sending this report.

     

    Senate imposition of direct primaries on parties absurd, uncalled for – Former IPAC chair

    Also, a former Chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council and National Secretary of Coalition of United Political Parties, Peter Ameh, condemned the Senate

     

    Ameh, in an interview with The PUNCH, said the issue should be left for parties to decide.

     

    He asked, “Why should the method of selecting or electing political party representatives be forced down their throat? It totally absurd and uncalled for.”

     

    Nigeria lacks political infrastructure to be able to practise direct primaries – CSO

    On his part, the co-convener, Alliance of Civil Society Organisations for Expansion of Electoral and Democratic Space,  Ariyo-Dare  Atoye, said the nation lacked political infrastructure to be able to practise direct primaries.

     

    He said, “We don’t yet have the political infrastructure to be able to practise direct primaries, in terms of rules that should guide this. The direct primaries we have seen in the country are at best a charade .”

     

    The Convener, Ready To Lead Africa,  Godbless Otubure, on his part said, “My view is that it is very democratic but if you ask a party person, they will tell you that direct primaries now make the process a bit more expensive. But that can also be a lie because at the end of the day, it can make the process as expensive as the delegate system.”

     

    Direct primaries will end godfatherism – House committee chair

    Meanwhile,  Gaya; and the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Defence, Babajimi Benson, on Tuesday evening explained the reason behind the U-turn made by the Senate on electronic transmission of election results.

     

    He said this on Politics Today, a current affairs programme on Channels Television monitored by one of our correspondents in Abuja on Tuesday.

     

    Gaya said the National Assembly, whether the Senate or the House, listened to the wishes of the people.

     

    Speaking on direct primaries, Benson said the restriction was based on democracy and freedom to participate.

     

    He said, “The Speaker (the Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila), in his wisdom, during the consideration of the report, brought the motion seeking to ensure that all parties use a direct mode of primary to elect candidates for the various political positions. He  is trying to bring back inclusiveness, so that godfatherism, favouritism and unpopular candidates can step out.”

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.punchng.com

  • Ekiti State Governor calls for constitutional amendment to accommodate Amotekun as State Police

    CHAIRMAN of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, yesterday, called for a constitutional amendment to accommodate the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, as state police to tackle the security challenges confronting the country.

     

    Governor Fayemi said this at the 7th Annual Lecture Series in commemoration of the Birthday of former Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, Babatunde Oduyoye, held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.

     

     

    The governor, who spoke on the theme: ‘Security and National Unity in Difficult Times’, noted that the challenge of insecurity in Nigeria has become frightening and is getting all concerned.

     

     

    Fayemi, who was the guest speaker, said it was imperative to amend the Constitution to empower the various security initiatives to be able to respond to the current challenges in the country.

     

    His words: “The challenge of insecurity in Nigeria is frightening and is getting all of us concerned.

     

     

     

    “At the dawn of the current democratic dispensation in 1999, the major concern of security experts was the staccato of ethnic and religious violence that was common then, which was before the dawn of the Niger-Delta militancy which took almost a decade.

     

    “A new phenomenon in insecurity however waded in with the violent campaign of Boko Haram activities in many parts of the north.

     

     

     

    “Added to this is Nigeria’s extensive and porous borders covering over 4000 kilometres littered with illegal entry points and routes totalling 1500 points.

     

     

     

    “With the porous borders, criminal gangs and terrorist insurgents could easily stroll in with smuggled weapons into the country, which in turn are sold to sea pirates, cultists, armed robbers, kidnappers, bandits and other purveyors of violence in the Nigerian state.

     

     

     

    “The creation of Amotekun can only be a precursor to this.

     

    “We need a security system that is localised, knowledgeable about the culture and security situation of a particular community.

     

     

     

     

     

    “But we need to amend the constitution to empower the various security initiatives to be able to respond to the current challenges.

     

    “For example, despite not possessing Ak47 which the bandits possess, Amotekun operatives have been courageous to confront them in the forest and have successfully rescued victims of kidnapping and arrested the criminals in some instances.

     

    “Yet, these people are at best, volunteer corps with encouragement stipend paid to them. They don’t earn as much as the conventional police, yet they are better motivated to throw themselves to the protection of the community where they have their wives, children and families.”

     

    Besides, Fayemi urged Nigerians to be united to defeat the evil merchants who have no respect for children, old age, women, clergy or traditional authorities.

     

    He said: “They are unsparing and are callous. They have no sympathy for religion, ethnicity or authority and are undiscriminating in the pursuit of their satanic enterprise.

     

    “We must not be ashamed to call for assistance from wherever we can get it in terms of technology, equipment and personnel.

     

    “In addition, there are two things that we need to address quickly to bring the current wave of insecurity to a halt.

     

    “We need to have a conversation on how we can recruit a large number of people to join the police and the military even on a short service or otherwise.”

     

    Also speaking, the co-chairman of the event, Senator Adolphus Wabara, urged the Federal Government to decentralise security apparatus in the hands of one ethnic nationality.

     

    Wabara, a former Senate President, said: “Every morning when I have to open the pages of newspapers or read through posts on the social media, my heart cut at the extent of violence being unleashed on citizens of Nigeria.

     

     

     

    “There are stories of killings, kidnapping, banditry, cattle rustling and herders’/farmers brouhaha from the North East, North West and North Central part of the country, the same way we are bombarded with stories of violence, armed robbery, kidnapping and herdsmen infractions from the South West, South East and South-South.

     

    “It is just like, everywhere you go, there is violence and killings.

     

    “Besides, there have been growing agitations for self-determination from the South East and South West in recent years.

     

    “Rather than adopting the knee-jerk approach in tackling the myriads of security problems facing the country currently, the government at the centre needs to look deep down and design solutions.”

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.vanguardngr.com

  • Senate gives INEC green light to transmit election results electronically in the conduct of 2023 elections

     

    Applause and knocks have greeted the decision of the Senate to give the Independent National Electronic Commission the green light to transmit results of elections electronically in the conduct of the 2023 general elections and the adoption of direct primaries method.

     

    Those who hailed the lawmakers included the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF), Ebonyi Professionals Forum (EPF), Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, former Senate deputy president, Ike Ekweremadu, former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Kingsley Moghalu and The upper legislative chamber had reconsidered its earlier position and gave the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the nod to determine the mode to transmit election results: either electronically or manually.

    It also reversed its earlier position and approved that all political parties must use the direct primary mode in picking candidates. This, however, drew the ire of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) and Governor Wike.

     

    In its earlier amendment passed in July, Senate had approved both direct and indirect methods.

     

     

    The landmark moves came barely 24 hours after Senate President, Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Villa on Monday.

     

    The decision of the Senate, followed the re-committal of some clauses of the Electoral Act 2010 to the Committee of the Whole.

     

    In July, the Senate, rejected its committee’s report, which had approved electronic transmission of results by INEC. The House of Representatives, however, approved it.

     

    The Senate, said: “After critical examination of the Bill by the Senate Committee on INEC, some fundamental issues which require fresh legislative action on clauses 43, 52, 63 and 87, were observed.”

     

    “Desirous of the need to address the observations by the committee and make necessary amendments, and relying on Order 1(b) and 53(6) of the Senate Standing Order, accordingly resolves to rescind its decision on the affected clauses of the Bill as passed and re-commit same to the Committee of the Whole for consideration and passage,” Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi stated while moving the motion.

     

    The Senate, had in July, while rejecting the position of its Committee on INEC, opted for a position, which was outrightly rejected by Nigerians.

     

    The senate approved four clauses in the electoral act amendment bill. Part of the clause amended, read: “Subject to section 63 of this Bill, voting at an election and transmission of results under this Bill shall be in accordance with the procedure determined by the Commission (INEC), which may include electronic voting.

     

    “A political party seeking to nominate candidates for elections under this Bill shall hold direct primaries for aspirants to all elective positions, which shall be monitored by the Commission.”

     

    Daily Sun had reported that plans were underway to force direct method of conducting primary elections on political parties.

     

    Governor Wike said the resolution of the National Assembly joint committee to allow the electoral umpire transmit election results electronically is a good development for Nigeria and democracy.

     

    “I think it is a good news to hear that the Joint Committee of the House of Representatives and the Senate agreed for INEC to transmit result electronically. That is a good news to hear. Like I have always said, what is important now is what do people want. The moment you do what the people want you’ll see happiness everywhere.”

     

    The governor, who has been a proponent of transparent electoral system, observed that many nations have moved beyond manual result declaration and Nigeria cannot afford in the 21st century to be left behind.

     

    On the amendment of the Electoral Act, Governor Wike stated that the issue of direct or indirect primaries should be the exclusive decision of the political parties in the country.

     

    Governor Wike insisted that National Assembly prescribing how political parties conduct their primaries is tantamount to interference in the internal politics of the parties.

     

    IPAC also believe that electronic transmission of results would go a long way in deepening the nation’s political process critical for inclusive, free, fair, credible, transparent and generally acceptable elections.

     

    National Publicity Secretary, IPAC, Ambassador Agbo Major, in a statement released said: “Reversing itself is a giant step forward in making Nigeria a great arsenal of democracy in Africa. Manipulation of election results, ballot box snatching, violence, vote buying and selling are the bane of the nation’s electoral process.

     

    Former VP Atiku, in a statement by his media office, yesterday, said the harmonisation of positions between the parliament and the electoral body was an indication that the country’s democracy is growing.

     

    He also commended individuals and groups, especially the various pro-democracy advocacy groups that participated in the public discourse on the controversial issue.

     

    “By this outcome, I am convinced that public institutions in Nigeria will continue to play their roles as guardians of public policy.”

     

    Spokesman of ADF, Abia Onyike and National Secretary of Ebonyi Professionals, Ugochukwu Hanks-Ezekiel, described it as a progressive move indicative that power belongs to the people. They said it would go a long way to guarantee free and fair elections in Nigeria.

     

    On the issue of direct primaries, Onyike said: “It is equally a welcome development because the members of political parties would have a say in who their candidates for elections should be. The power is being removed from few delegates who can be easily bought over by money bags.”

     

    For Hanks-Ezekiel, it is a sign of the people’s power to stand together. He also noted that direct primaries would end Godfatherism in the nation’s polity.

     

    Ekweremadu said the Senate’s action justified his assurances to Nigerians in July that all hope was not lost for electronic transmission of 2023 election results despite the initial setback.

     

    In a statement by his media aide, Uche Anichukwu, Ekweremadu said: “I want to specially commend the Senate for setting aside narrow partisan interests to correct the mistake of July 15, 2021 by reversing itself on the issue of electronic transmission of election results.

     

    “This clause, though not originally part of the Bill, was introduced by the Joint National Assembly Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission, which I am part of, to save the nation the troubles of ballot box snatching, electoral violence, and manipulations that happen between the polling booth and collation centres. Although I was representing Nigeria at an international parliamentary session in Montenegro and therefore unavoidably absent during the passage of the Bill in July, I had assured Nigerians that we would work with the progressives across party lines to dialogue with our colleagues and other critical stakeholders to ensure that electronic transmission of results was restored in the Bill. It is, therefore, heart-warming that my confidence in the capacity of my colleagues to dialogue  and rise above narrow partisan interest on this matter was not misplaced.”

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.sunnewsonline.com

  • Just In: Senate bows to pressure, says INEC can transmit elections electronically

    Just In: Senate bows to pressure, says INEC can transmit elections electronically

    Floor of the SenateNigerian Senate

    The Senate on Tuesday passed a bill to rescind its decision which subjected the Independent National Electoral Commission to seek approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission before it could transmit elections results electronically.

    The upper chamber also voted in support of the conduct of party primaries only by direct method.

    The Bill is titled, “Recommittal of amended clauses of a bill for an Act to repeal the Electoral Bill 2021 and enact the Electoral Act 2021.”

    The Senate had in July, during consideration of a report on 2010 Electoral Act ( Amendment ) Bill 2021 submitted by its Committee on INEC, amended clause 52(3) as recommended.

    While the clause as presented by the committee in the report says INEC can transmit election results electronically where and when practicable, the Senate passed the amended version which says “INEC can transmit election results electronically subject to confirmation of the NCC based on adequacy and security of National Network.

    The House of Representatives at the time, adopted the clause as originally recommended by committees of both Chambers on INEC.

    Consequently, the Senate has been in the eye of the storm which made it make the amendment.

    Clause 52: has to do with the conduct of poll by open secret ballot.

    Sub section (2) now reads, “Subject to section 63 of this Bill, voting at an election and transmission of results under this Bill shall be in accordance with the procedure determined by the Commission, (INEC) which may include electronic voting.”

    The Senate in approving direct primary for political parties amended clause 87 which allowed for either direct or indirect primaries.

    Clause 87 has to do with nomination of candidates by parties.

    It now reads, “Clause 87. (1) “A political party seeking to nominate candidates for elections under this Bill shall hold direct primaries for aspirants to all elective positions, which shall be monitored by the Commission.”

    (punchng.com)

  • Bakare: 1999 constitution is a lopside sham, the Nation needs restructure

     

     

    Serving Overseer of The Citadel Global Community Church (CGCC) and Convener, Save Nigeria Group (SNG), Pastor Tunde Bakare, has described the 1999 constitution as draconian and lopsided sham which must be torn down for the country to move forward.

     

    In his State of the Nation address tagged: “The Black Box of Nigeria’s Politics,” which was relayed from his Lagos church, yesterday, he said if President Muhammadu Buhari does not tear the constitution down and push for restructuring of the nation, not only would history record that he failed to rise to the occasion, he would have squandered a great opportunity.

     

     

     

    He said many of those who say Nigeria’s unity is non-negotiable pay lipservice to a version of unity that serves their selfish interests.

     

    “Our founding fathers signed a contract in 1960 detailing the terms and conditions of our union or unity following a series of negotiations. This contract was then updated in 1963 following due consultations. While the 1999 Constitution opens with the preamble: “We the people,” ‘we, the people of Nigeria’ were neither duly consulted nor did we accept the conditions under which we are now being governed. How, then, can anyone hypocritically insist that our unity is non-negotiable? Did we not negotiate it in 1960 and 1963?

     

    “The majority of the champions, promoters and supporters of the “our unity is non-negotiable” slogan pay lipservice to a version of unity that serves their selfish interests. What they are insisting on, in reality, is that ‘our disunity is non-negotiable’ and that we must be forced to live together irrespective of the inherent dysfunctionality of the terms and conditions. The continued insistence on altering the set rules in the midst of our spirited game of national development, and the subsequent imposition of a draconian and lopsided concoction of a constitution in 1999 is the most inhibiting, corrosive spanner thrown into the wheel of our national unity and faith, peace and progress, from that time until now. I am fully persuaded, as are many fellow compatriots within and outside the shores of Nigeria, that the 1999 Constitution, whether as amended or to be further amended by the National Assembly is nothing more than a glorified death certificate.”

     

     

     

    Pastor Bakare added that what the country needed ws a geo-political structure that would provide an enabling environment for every zone to maximise its geo-economic opportunities and potentials under a strong country and that this can be achieved by a pragmatic approach to restructuring Nigeria rather than by mere zoning of the presidency.

     

    “Once upon a time, the Berlin walls separated Eastern Germany from Western Germany until President Ronald Reagan in his indomitable manner spoke lucidly on live television to the president of the then Soviet Union.

     

    “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall. Mr Gorbachev eventually did, and Germany is better off for it today. In the same spirit, I say to President Muhammadu Buhari. ‘Mr President, stop passing the buck to the National Assembly. Tear down this inhibiting concoction of a constitution; tear it down so we can build a truly great nation.’ This is one enduring legacy your administration can still secure before your time in power draws to a close. If you do, present and unborn generations of Nigerians will remember you for it and write your name in gold when the history of this period is written. If you don’t, history will record that you failed to rise to the occasion and squandered a great opportunity.”

     

    He warned that those clamouring and waiting for genuine change to happen through the forthcoming 2023 presidential election without first insisting that the “imposed sham of a constitution must be torn and discarded are merely putting the cart before the horse. This is nothing but a prescription for retrogression. No tangible progress can ever be made by such an exercise in futility. It would be tantamount to building a superstructure on a faulty or shaky foundation.”

     

     

     

    Source: www.sunnewsonline.com