Weekly political notes

Leave Governor Yari Alone, NGF Tells EFCC
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), on Thursday, told the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to stop “shadow-boxing” its chairman and Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar.

The NGF asked the anti-graft agency to leave its chairman to face his job of governing his state and leading the forum. A statement signed by Head, Media and Public Affairs of the forum, Abdulrazaque Barkindo, in Abuja read: “This is because our Chairman and Governor of Zamfara State, Dr Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar, had for the umpteenth time told the commission that he neither owns a plot of land in Lagos nor intends to build a hotel in Lagos.

“Yari had denied any links with a $3 million hotel in Lagos. All states funds were remitted to them directly from the federation accounts by the Ministry of Finance. What the NGF received, it must be repeated here, was monies due to the consortium of consultants, who verified the amounts due to all the states that were owed.”

The position of the NGF is not unexpected. This is considering the fact that Nigerian political leaders are always in alliance when it has do with issues that affect them personally. The alliance has never been in the interest of the people, but their own selfish interests. But if one may ask, why has the NGF not deemed it fit to interrogate its members who are owing workers’ salaries for months, despite the Paris Club fund released to them by Federal Government? Why are the governors quick to be in solidarity with their chairman, Yari over corruption allegation?

To prove its sincerity and patriotism, NGF should make public all the documentary evidences concerning how the fund was shared to its members, including the amount given to consortium of consultants. It is not enough for Yari to verbally deny the allegations, without providing incontrovertible evidence to that effect. Even though, Gov. Yari has immunity against criminal prosecution, he needs to clear his name. It is of utmost importance for the EFCC to spend more energy and time on proper investigation of the matter now, knowing full well that Yari still enjoys immunity till 2017.

Senate Suspends Confirmation Of Executive Nominees
The Senate, after it resumption from Sallah break, on Tuesday suspended all issues relating to the confirmation of nominees from the Presidency over what it termed executive’s move to reduce its legislative power. The
Senate equally urged acting President Yemi Osinbajo to respect the constitution and laws enacted by the National Assembly as related to confirmation of appointments.

It also asked the acting president to withdraw his earlier statement that the Senate did not have powers to confirm some officers and henceforth adhere to the constitution of Nigeria.
This followed the presentation of a letter from the Acting President for the confirmation of Mr Lanre Gbajabiamila as Director-General, National Lottery Regulatory Commission; and read by Senate President Bukola Saraki.

Hmmm, The Senate is at it again. It is expected of the upper chamber, being a law making body to toe the line of constitutionalism on this matter, instead of engaging in “cowboys” show. It is obvious that its decision amounts to holding the whole country ransom, not only the executive.

Bukola Saraki

Having engaged in a ding-dong with the executive over confirmation of nominees before now, why not approach the Supreme Court for proper interpretation of its constitutional powers in that direction? Osinbajo has aired his personal view on the matter, which he is entitled to. It is now left for the Senate or any other person to prove him wrong. This can only be done legally, not physical or verbally, considering that Nigeria is not a Banana Republic.

It is good to remind the Senate that the three arms of government-executive, judiciary and legislature derive their powers from the 1999 constitution as amended. So, whenever disagreement of this nature occurs, it could only be resolved constitutionally or through dialogue. It is believed that the Senate knows better.

Already, there are insinuations in some quarters that the Senate’s decision is a retaliation for the ongoing process to recall one of its members, Senator Dino Melaye and the Federal Government’s appeal of the CCT judgment that freed Saraki. The Senate must toe the path of honour on this matter by approaching the court, instead of taking laws into its hand.

Igbo Political Leaders Reject Secession, Demand Restructuring
An expanded meeting of Southeast leaders on Saturday night disagreed with calls for secession by pro-Biafran groups; advocating instead for a united Nigeria where peace, love, fairness, justice, equity are paramount regardless of creed, ethnicity, gender, or political affiliation.

The Igbo leaders in a communique at the end of the meeting also backed calls for restructuring of the country on the basis of fairness and equity.

The meeting, which held at the Nike Lake Resort Enugu, and had in attendance governors from the region, National Assembly members from the zone, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and selected Igbo leaders of thought, was convened by the Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, and the leadership of Ohanaeze.

The leaders further called on the federal government to immediately enter into dialogue with Nigerians that will lead to the restructuring of the country as soon as possible.

Anybody who has been following Biafra agitation led by Nnamdi Kanu and the disposition of the Southeast leaders should not be surprised over this development. Igbo leaders believe that Igbos have been marginalised, especially under the present APC-led government, they never supported secession covertly or overtly as alternative. What informed their decision may not be unconnected with the experiences of the last civil war. Besides, the region cannot exclude itself from the moves and calls for restructuring, an idea many believe would correct the anomalies bedeviling the country and create room for justice, equity and fairness to reign.

The leaders seem not to be in any disagreement with the Biafran agitators, whose activities have opened a new frontier for a discussion on the marriage called Nigeria. So, the southeast leaders’ position and that of Biafra agitators are in agreement as far as it is all about fair and equitable Nigeria. It is wrong for anyone to think they are speaking in discordant tunes. It appears they are saying the same thing in different ways, all in a bid to draw attention and trigger urgent action.

Court Orders Nigerian Govt To Disclose Names Of Suspected Looters
A Federal High Court in Lagos, on Tuesday, ordered Federal Government to immediately release to Nigerians information about the identities of public officials from whom public funds were recovered and the circumstances under which the funds were recovered, as well as the exact amount recovered.

The ruling was delivered by Justice Hadiza Shagari following a Freedom of Information suit number: FHC/CS/964/2016 brought by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, (SERAP).

The suit followed failure by the Federal Government to disclose funds recovered from some high-ranking public and private individuals.

This is a landmark judgment. It is hoped that the Federal Government will obey the judgment, considering the legal excuses being given already by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN). One wonders why a government that beats its chest over loot recovery has refused to disclose the identity of the looters and amount recovered. This is despite the government’s gospel of transparency and accountability. What is the government hiding? Under what section of the constitution is the legal hurdle Malami was referring to?

Ezekwesili Speaks On Dino Melaye’s Recall
A former Minister of Education and a co-leader of the #BringBackOurGirls group, Oby Ezekwesili, has attacked Nigeria’s Senate for appearing to be backing the controversial senator, Dino Melaye, against the recall process initiated by the senator’s constituents in Kogi State.

Melaye had on Tuesday at the plenary begged his colleagues to save him from being recalled, during which the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, assured him that the recall process was “dead on arrival”.

Responding to the remark by Ekweremadu, Mrs. Ezekwesili, on Twitter, Tuesday, accused the Deputy Senate President of speaking so cynically and without due respect to citizens’ right.

It is quite unfortunate, but not surprising that Ekweremadu, who is a deputy Senate president and a lawyer spoke in that manner. But what do one expects from lawmakers who have poor grasp of the law.

Maybe Ekweremadu has suddenly forgotten that the Senate has no constitutional role in the recall process, apart from being informed of its outcome by INEC. Ekweremadu should have known that no amount of support by the NASS would save Melaye from being recalled, if his constituents have made up their minds. Melaye’s recall is a test case for the country’s democracy. If it comes out successful, more constituents may try it on their lawmakers. It will put the lawmakers on their toes.