Connect with us

Government

Southern Leaders Kick Against Buhari’s Broadcast, Insist on Restructuring

Published

on

buhari
  • Southern Leaders Kick Against Buhari’s Broadcast, Insist on Restructuring

Southern leaders drawn from the South-west, South-east and South-south geopolitical zones have collectively expressed their strong opposition to the position taken by President Muhammadu Buhari in his national broadcast on Monday.

The leaders, who converged on the Colonades Hotels, Ikoyi, Lagos, Wednesday to take a stand of the president’s broadcast, said in a statement titled, “Only restructuring will ensure the unity, peace and development of Nigeria,” and jointly signed by Chief Edwin Clark and Albert Horsfall for the South-south; Chief Nnia Nwodo and Prof. Joe Irukwu for the South-east; and Chief Reuben Fasoranti and Chief Ayo Adebanjo for the South-west, that Nigeria was in a “very bad shape and requires statesmanship in its leadership”.

Buhari, in his broadcast, barely acknowledged the growing agitation for the nation’s restructuring, and only stated that the appropriate institutions for national discourse were the National Assembly and National Council of State.

The southern leaders noted that the president, in his broadcast, handled some very important issues with levity that did not give cognisance to the level at which they affect the overall well-being of Nigerians.

“We have studied the national broadcast by Mr. President on Monday, August 21, 2017 and after a careful and thorough analysis of the speech, we make the following observations: the president expressed his disaffection about comments on Nigeria while he was away that ‘question our collective existence as a nation’ and which he said had crossed the red lines.

“Against the background of the threat to treat hate speech as terrorism, we see a veiled threat to bare fangs and commence the criminalisation of dissenting opinions in our national discourse.

“The president deployed the imagery of the late Chief Emeka Ojukwu to play down the demand for the renegotiation of the structure of Nigeria by saying they both agreed in Daura in 2003 that we must remain one and united.

“While we agree with them, the meeting between the two of them could not have been a sovereign national conference whose decision cannot be reviewed.

“The fact that we agree on their conclusion that we should remain united does not foreclose discussions of the terms and conditions of the union,” they said.

The leaders contended that the claim that Nigeria’s unity was settled and not negotiable was untenable on the grounds that “every country is in daily dialogue and there is nothing finally settled in its life”.

“Stable nations are still fine-tuning details of the architecture of their existence now and then,” let alone Nigeria, which they described as a country yet to attain nationhood.

Regarding the October 1 quit notice given to Nigerians of eastern extraction by Arewa youths, the southern leaders noted that Buhari did not give the issue the needed attention in his speech.

According to them, “The one sentence by the president that every Nigerian can live anywhere without let or hindrance, if meant to address the quit notice by Arewa youths against the Igbos was rather too short to address the clear and present danger that the unwarranted threat represents.

“We are distressed by the refusal of the police to comply with the arrest orders given by the Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai and the vice-president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo while the president was away.

“Instead of ensuring that these orders are carried out, the president has now come to make a bland comment on the explosive issue. We are of the view that leadership requires more than that at this crucial moment.”

The southern leaders were also disappointed with the description of the fatal clashes between farmers and weapon-wielding herdsmen as a mere “conflict”, saying: “We are equally miffed that the president talks about the serial onslaught by AK47 wielding Fulani herdsmen against defenceless farmers as a conflict between two quarrelling groups.

“In the last two years, the Fulani herdsmen have become much more ferocious in their attacks against farmers in the south and middle belt areas of the country, with security forces shying away from enforcing law and order.

“To present the various onslaught on farmers by the herdsmen as ‘two-fighting’ would portray the president as taking side with the aggressive Meyiti Allah.

“So, as elders who have spent most of our lives fighting for the unity of the country based on justice, fairness and equity, we call on the president to realise that the country is in a very bad shape at the moment and requires statesmanship and not ethnic, religious and political partisanship.

“This is the time to renegotiate Nigeria along the federal lines negotiated by our founding fathers to stem the tide of separatist feelings and agitations.

“This is why we do not accept that it portrays the president in a favourable light to be away for a long period, only to return to a badly fractured polity and avoid promoting a new dialogue for a better, just, inclusive and peaceful country.”

Other notable persons present at the meeting included Mr. Efiye Bribena, Obafemi Ayo-Adebanjo, Mr. Denzil Kentebe, Mr. Tony Uranta, Chief Supo Shonibare, Col. Tony Nyaim (rtd), Prof. Banji Akintoye, Dr. Amos Akingba, Chief Guy Ikokuru, Mr. Gani Adams, Dr. Walter Ofonagoro, Ambassador George Obiozor and General Ike Nwachukwu (rtd).

Conference of Ethnic Nationalities

Also weighing in on the restructuring debate Wednesday, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar III, called for a conference of ethnic nationalities to reach a resolution on Nigeria’s quest for nationhood, including a discourse on restructuring and federalism.

The sultan, who spoke in Abuja at a colloquium organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) with the theme, “The Labour Movement and the Future of a United Nigeria: What Role for Restructuring,” however, maintained that the nation’s unity was sacrosanct.

The sultan posited that there was strength in unity, but stressed the need for dialogue among the ethnic groups in an atmosphere where there will be mutual respect for one another’s views.

While stressing that the country had undergone phases of restructuring since the 1914 amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates by Lord Frederick Lugard, the sultan insisted that as a people, Nigerians needed to know their history and how they came together as a nation.

“It is good to sit down and dialogue but there must be respect. It is important to know who we are and where we come from. We have a history. We must look back at where we are coming from. When we talk about restructuring, what are we to restructure, how do we restructure?

“Let us sit down to talk about all these with position papers prepared by every ethnic nationality – Afenifere, Ohaneze, Arewa, the Ijaws and others.

“Let the federal government provide the enabling environment that will be conducive for us to sit down and discuss these issues. But like I said, there must be respect for one another’s views,” he said.

Sultan Abubakar commended the labour movement for taking the initiative to discuss issues that are germane to the country’s national unity, saying that it was long overdue.

Former Ebonyi governor, Prof. Sam Egwu, who presented the lead paper, however, said he did not subscribe to the notion that Nigeria was indissoluble but would rather advocate what needed to be done to retain the unity.

According to Egwu, “We need to work to retain the existing relationship among the different ethnic nationalities and the unity of the country.”

Egwu, a political scientist, said it was unfortunate that some people calling for restructuring were ignorant of what it means, thus causing tension in the country.

“They only succeeded in creating trying times for the country, trying times for our unity, trying times for our democracy because they keep on overheating the polity and our corporate existence is being threatened,” he said.

Egwu said the call for restructuring was not enough without resolving other dynamics of federalism that needed to be addressed and centre around the institution of the state.

He said: “The central rallying point of identity which is what the state has taken away, leaving the stage for alternative identities such as religion and ethnicity,” explaining that people agitating for one thing or the other were contesting the meaning of the state.

“People are asking legitimate questions but using the wrong platform of religion and ethnicity,” he noted.

Egwu blamed the Nigerian federal system for failing to reflect the principles of true federalism embedded in the shared roles that recognise the peculiarity of each component units of the federation.

He made reference to the 2014 National Conference to which representatives of the six geopolitical zones presented position papers as a better way of arguing on the wrong platform of ethnicity.

To him, restructuring “is about how you can align structures with functions in a federal system”, adding that the problem with Nigeria was that of governance, justice and equity and the inability to mobilise and distribute national resources.

The president of NLC, Mr. Ayuba Wabba, said the colloquium was put together to articulate a labour perspective on the debate on the restructuring of Nigeria, adopt just and fair measures of reconciliation, integration and development, and to proffer practical and policy based recommendations on the nature of restructuring.

Pursuant to the outcome of the proceedings, Wabba said the NLC would take a position that would be submitted to the presidency, the National Assembly, state assemblies and labour affiliates for consideration and implementation.

In addition, he said, a labour group would be constituted to monitor the constitution review process and lobby the appropriate bodies to ensure the implementation of the resolutions.

Justifying the need for the labour movement to join in the national discourse, he said the ongoing articulation of positions by the political class, civil society and the contending groups of agitators was being conducted using violent language and deploying ethnic and religious sentiments, which have the potential of shaping the opinions of the Nigerian workers and dividing them along ethnic and religious lines.

“Unfortunately, the working people have been mobilised to be partisan by accepting some of these canvassed positions which are heavily identity-based rather than ideological.

“The Nigeria Labour Congress feels strongly that she should access this dominated space and articulate an agenda for Nigeria by hosting a platform for national discourse on the issue,” he said.

On hand to discuss the papers presented were Prof. Godoni Darah, Prof. Toye Olorode, Mr. Femi Falani, Adams Oshiomhole, and Prof. Jibo Ibrahim.

But there was a mild drama over Oshiomhole’s submission that those calling for restructuring must be interrogated, noting that they were self-serving.

He was of the view that Nigerians should focus more on good leadership that guarantees speedy development.

The ex-Edo State governor stressed that qualitative leadership and devolution of power to the states would lead to a reduction in corruption at the federal, state and local government levels.

Also speaking, the chairman of the occasion and former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Alfa Belgore, commended the NLC, describing it as one of the most educated and informed labour movements in Africa for its concern about the unity of the country. “Nigeria will be united forever,” he said.

‘Threats, Insults Not the Way’

Meanwhile, the Presidency has advised proponents of restructuring to exercise restraint in their choice of words, saying issues can be resolved through “established processes, not by abuses, insults or irresponsible statements”.

Malam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President, Media and Publicity, gave the advice in a statement in Abuja Wednesday.

Shehu was reacting to the opinions expressed by Nigerians for and against Buhari’s broadcast after his return from a medical vacation.

He said the call had become imperative to avoid heating up the polity and causing acrimony across the country.

The presidential aide said a majority of the citizens welcomed the broadcast, and condemned those criticising the president for not responding to calls for the restructuring of the country, reported the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He said the president has no power to impose restructuring on the country by military dictate, explaining that National Assembly members are the elected representatives of the people who can handle agitations for restructuring and other constitutional changes.

According to him, the president is constitutionally bound to work with the National Assembly to deal with such complex issues.

He reminded the critics that Buhari would not exercise arbitrary powers or bypass the legislature in taking such fundamental decisions.

“Changes don’t happen on a whim in a democracy. The ‘immediate effect’ military mentality cannot work under a democratic order.

“Since the president has sworn to defend the constitution, he will remain faithful to that oath by working with the legislature in taking major decisions on the future of Nigeria’s federal system,” Shehu said.
He, however, stated that “while Nigerians are free to express themselves, they should exercise such liberty with restraint and a sense of responsibility”.

He said calling the president an enemy of Nigeria was in extreme bad taste, adding that nothing in Buhari’s service record would justify such language.

“The country’s parliament is ready and willing to discuss all issues but the pundits are more interested in television and newspaper headlines.

“Threats don’t work in a democracy. Democracy requires planning and proper processes; issues are resolved through established processes, not by abuses, insults or irresponsible statements,” he said.

Is the CEO and Founder of Investors King Limited. He is a seasoned foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and other prominent platforms. With over two decades of experience in global financial markets, Olukoya is well-recognized in the industry.

Continue Reading
Comments

Government

EFCC Nabs Ex-Delta Governor, Okowa, For Alleged N1.3trn Fraud

Published

on

governor-ifeanyi-okowa-of-delta-state

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, over the alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion.

Sources with the EFCC revealed that Okowa visited the EFCC office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Monday before he was subsequently detained by officials.

The N1.3 trillion reportedly represents the 13% derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.

It was gathered that Okowa was at the Port Harcourt office of the Commission following an invitation from investigators probing the allegations against him.

The former governor was said to have been apprehended no sooner than he arrived at the anti-graft office.

Okowa was also accused of failing to account for the funds, as well as another N40 billion he allegedly claimed was used to acquire shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas.

Sources said the former governor reportedly bought shares worth N40 billion in one of the country’s major banks, representing an 8% equity stake, to support the offshore LNG project.

The funds are alleged to have been misappropriated for other purposes.

They noted that investigators are also examining the alleged diversion of funds by the former governor to acquire estates in Abuja and Asaba, Delta State.

Okowa was the running mate to Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party in the 2023 election.

He was the governor of Delta State from 2015 to 2023 and was succeeded by Sheriff Oborevwori, the incumbent Governor.

When contacted, EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrest but declined further comment on the matter.

Continue Reading

Government

FG Frees Minors Remanded For Protesting Hunger In Nigeria

Published

on

Some minors who joined the nationwide #EndBadGovernance in Nigeria have regained their freedom.

Their release followed the striking out of the treason charge against them by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday.

Investors King had reported that the Federal Government through its security agencies arrested and preferred treason allegations against the minors who participated in the August #EndBadGovernance protest.

However, President Bola Tinubu had directed the release of the minors owing to the outrage that greeted their arrest, prosecution and incarceration.

Carrying out the presidential directive when the matter resumed on Tuesday, counsel to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, made an application for discontinuation of the case.

Abubakar, who is the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), premised his application on provisions of Sections 174(1), (b), and (c) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

He informed the court that the AGF had officially taken over the case file, saying the Federal Government no longer has interest in the case against the protesters.

The DPPF also applied for the proceeding to be conducted without the presence of the minors in the courtroom, in line with provisions of Section 266 (b) of the ACJA, 2015, and Section 1 of the Child’s Rights Act.

Counsel to the defendants, including Mr Femi Fanala, SAN, did not oppose the application.

To this end, Justice Obiora Egwuatu struck out the charge against the protesters who were minors.

Recall that the judge had last Friday admitted the 114 protesters arraigned by the police to N10 million bail each with two sureties each in like sum.

Continue Reading

Government

Knocks, Kudos For Judiciary Over Stoppage of Allocations to Rivers State as Fubara Boasts of Coping Without FG’s Funds

Published

on

Siminalayi Fubara

A mixture of condemnation and praises has trailed a judgement of a Federal High Court that stopped the release of state allocations to the Rivers State Government.

Investors King had reported that Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of a Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, ordered the stoppage of the release of monthly federal allocations to Rivers State.

Justice Abdulmalik predicated her action on the grounds that the state government was in violation of the Constitution as regarding the state expenditures.

According to the judge, the current budget being operated by the state was not passed by a lawful arm of the Rivers State House of Assembly, therefore, Fubara is not entitled to allocations from the government at the centre.

Meanwhile, some stakeholders in the country have knocked the judiciary over the decision, calling on the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun to rein in on judges’ actions over the political crisis ravaging Rivers.

For former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the judiciary should be cautioned against setting the South-South State on fire.

In a statement by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, the former Vice President, said it was appalling that some elements loyal to the Federal Government were pulling the strings from behind.

Atiku wondered why Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the order when it was public knowledge that Rivers State had already challenged the Court of Appeal’s judgement on the legality of Rivers State’s 2024 budget.

He, however, called on Justice Kekere-Ekun to ensure that those found wanting are disciplined in order to restore the fading glory of the nation’s judiciary.

In the same vein, Chief Emeka Kalu, National Coordinator of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Coalition observed that the ongoing crisis plaguing Rivers State must be handled with caution to save it from unnecessarily being flamed in uncontrollable state of lawlessness.

Kalu in the statement said the judiciary is expected to maintain its integrity and protect her independence by working to avoid being politically purchased to harm democratic processes and the ethics of law.

According to him, the recent judgement by the Abuja Federal High Court division directing the RMAFC to stop releasing statutory monthly allocation to the State government was done out of bias and politically motivated plans to disrupt Fubara ‘s administration.

The group affirmed that it remains the height of injustice for a political party under the guise of personal interest to continue raising the dust of anarchy against the will of the people and the judiciary is expected to redeem and revitalize the failed system instead of allowing herself to be used to ruin the polity.

On the contrary, the National Democratic and Change Coalition has hailed the court for the judgment banning further release of allocations to Rivers and called on Governor Fubara to refund all monies spent without appropriation to the state coffers.

The coalition, while expressing satisfaction with the ruling, said the people of Rivers State have been vindicated and the long-awaited justice has been served on the governor.

Reacting via a press release by John Uloko, president of the coalition hailed Justice Joyce Abdulmalik for the judgment, saying that since January 2024, Rivers State had received and spent allocations based on an “illegitimate” budget, thereby describing it as a “constitutional aberration”.

The group, made up of lawyers, agreed with the court that Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s presentation of the 2024 budget before a four-member Rivers House of Assembly was an affront to the constitutional provision.

It added that the ruling is a victory for democracy and will teach rogue governors the bitter lesson that the Constitution of the Federal Republic must be respected and the sanctity of the nation’s democratic institutions upheld irrespective of their political desperation.

Nonetheless, the embattled Governor Fubara, on Wednesday said the restriction placed on the state allocations is “the least” of his problems.

Governor Fubara stated this during a special thanksgiving service organised by the state government to celebrate his administration’s resilience amid escalating political crises, which began with the arson attack on the State House of Assembly complex exactly one year ago.

Governor Fubara assured that despite the court order, his administration would continue payments to contractors and ensure workers’ salaries are disbursed from today (Thursday).

He also confirmed that allocations for the 23 Council Chairmen would be credited, as the Joint Accounts Allocation Committee procedures have been completed.

The governor encouraged his supporters to remain resilient, assuring them that all challenges are surmountable.

Reflecting on his administration’s success, Governor Fubara noted that despite predictions that his government would not last even a week, he has successfully led for over a year.

He said his administration has also conducted local government elections against all odds and maintained a full cabinet despite attempts to undermine his leadership through resignations.

Highlighting his administration’s progress, he mentioned ongoing project executions across the state, countering critics who claimed he would be unable to deliver.

He also cited recent reports that position Rivers State as one of the leaders in financial accountability and transparency.

Continue Reading

Trending