The massacre of 108 civilians in Houla on May 25 is but one instance of a wider Syrian policy of terror that has claimed more than 10,000 innocent lives. It is the tragic but predictable response of a tyrannical regime that will stop at nothing to stay in power. For Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, any compromise is a sign of weakness. Instead, his reply to the legitimate demands of Syrian citizens is systematic violence. This is the catastrophic logic by which the leadership is digging its own grave ever deeper as its cruelty steadily alienates both the Syrian people and the world community.
But Syria can always count on its staunchest ally, Iran. Having crushed their own popular uprising in 2009 and facing increasing isolation, Tehran’s authoritarian rulers are well aware that their fate is tied to what happens in Damascus. The issue is not merely the loss of regional influence, including a vital supply route for Lebanon’s Hezbollah. The Syrian example is shaping Iran’s own calculus of terror as it prepares to deal with renewed democratic threats to its power. The prevention of future atrocities requires a change in this cost-benefit calculus. Ensuring that the nuclear issue does not eclipse human rights and holding Iranian officials individually responsible is an essential part of the equation.
The Iranian Green Movement – which followed the disputed June, 2009, presidential elections – was the precursor of the Arab Spring. Tehran responded to peaceful protests by millions of citizens with appalling violence. Since then, there has been a significant increase in human-rights abuses which (as in Syria) is the surest sign of weakness and illegitimacy. Iran has the highest per capita rate of executions in the world; at least 664 people were put to death in 2011 and at least 218 have been executed so far this year. Public hangings, together with torture and rape in prisons, instill a culture of fear aimed at preserving the regime’s authority.
Ahmad Shaheed, the UN special rapporteur for human rights in Iran, has described a deteriorating situation. This includes harsh prison sentences for renowned human-rights defenders like Nargess Mohammadi. Accused of threatening “national security,” she became mysteriously paralyzed while serving a six-year sentence in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison, where Montreal photojournalist Zahra Kazemi was raped and murdered in 2003. The ailing Ms. Mohammadi was then exiled to the remote Zanjan Prison, making it exceedingly difficult for her four-year-old twins to see their mother. Another example is Elham Ahsani, who was imprisoned for belonging to the “Mourning Mothers” and threatened with rape and execution merely for asking about the fate of murdered and missing children from the 2009 protests.
As in Syria, cruelty against children is used to ensure the obedience of parents. Consider the blacklisting of elementary school students belonging to the persecuted Baha’i minority so they can be singled out for mistreatment. The regime’s hate propaganda has gone to extraordinary lengths to scapegoat this peaceful religious community. Iran’s 300,000 Baha’is are legally deemed to be a “heretical sect” and denied basic civil rights. They are collectively criminalized as the epicentre of an all-purpose “foreign conspiracy” embracing U.S. imperialism, Zionism, Wahhabism, Satanism, espionage, usury, promiscuity, incest and every other wickedness in the fertile imagination of the regime’s demonologists. Human-rights activists – including the authors of this article – are then smeared by association with Baha’is and subject to abuse.
Such desperate measures are an ominous sign – as noted by Canadian Senator Roméo Dallaire – that if threatened by renewed protests, the Islamic Republic may be tempted to execute Baha’is to deflect attention from its woes.
The biggest threat to the regime is the Iranian people, not foreign enemies. The nuclear controversy and threats of war with Israel and the United States are actually helpful in stirring nationalism and buttressing political legitimacy. Bombs cannot bring democracy, but a popular uprising can. Unlike elsewhere in the Middle East, the Iranian romance with radical Islam has reached its end. Having suffered the reality of totalitarianism, the sober but idealistic discourse of Iran’s burgeoning civil society is post-ideological, nonviolent and rooted in secular compromise rather than fanatical utopias. The nuclear question can only be resolved through the triumph of these progressive forces. Just as the secret nuclear programs of the Argentine and Brazilian military regimes and apartheid South Africa were abandoned under democratic rule, a democratic Iran would base its power on improving its citizens’ lives rather than hate-mongering, atrocities and militarization.
The world community must prevent future escalation of violence by conditioning its relations with Iran on respect for human rights. After years of struggle by Iranian activists, the European Union and the United States have adopted travel bans and asset freezes against officials implicated in human-rights violations. Despite its leadership in adopting UN resolutions, Canada is the only Western country that has not enacted similar sanctions, Ottawa’s actions being limited to Iran’s nuclear program. Amidst the shocking reports emerging from Syria, calls to refer the Assad regime to the International Criminal Court have intensified. As the Iranian leadership calculates its survival strategy, the time to discourage mass atrocities is now rather than later, with the hope that the country will see a nonviolent democratic transformation that does not repeat the horrors of Syria.
Payam Akhavan is professor of international law at McGill University, a former UN prosecutor and founder of the Iran Human Rights Documentation Centre. Shirin Ebadi is an Iranian human-rights lawyer and recipient of the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize.
Today saw the glimpse of what the 2015 presidential race will resemble as the Central Bank Governor [CBN], Sanusi Lamido Sanusi was turbaned as the Dan Majen Kano – in Kano State. The former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu and the former military dictator of Nigeria, Malam Muhammadu Buhari both arrived together to the event.
As 247ureports.com gathered, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, turbaned the CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi at minutes after 10 a.m. While installing the CBN Governor, the Emir pronounced that “we have installed you, Dan Majen Kano, in recognition of your experience and exposure as well as your good character. We are aware of your good work not only in Nigeria but also abroad. We are also aware of your patriotism and cordial relationship with the people including your support to the less privileged, plus your effort at reviving the economy and urge you not to relent on your good work.”
Some indigenes of Kano who spoke with our correspondent explained the significance of the new titled given to the CBN Governor. It is gathered that the title Dan Majen was exclusively reserved for the royal family from Kano Habe dynasty and the Sullubawa dynasty. The most prominent among those who held the title under the Sullubawa dynasty was the Emir of Kano Ali Ibn Abdullahi alias Alu who reigned between 1894 and 1903. According to history, the first category of titles is reserved for royal family members while the second is for the decedents of the jihad leaders such as the Makama, and the third category for outstanding people who served and brought great benefit to Kano people.
Among dignitaries who graced the occasion were Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, ACN leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, General Muhammadu Buhari, former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, Inspector-General of Police MD Abubakar, and former Chief Judge of Federation Lawal Uwais.
Former Kwara State governor, Senator Bukola Saraki, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Bala Mohammed, former governors of Bauchi and Ondo state, Adamu Muazu and Gbenga Daniel, the governors of Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Gombe, Edo, Delta, Osun , Imo were also in attendance. Former Vice President and chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alex Ekwueme, former Defense Minister, Theophulos Danjuma and Business Mogul, Aliko Dangote were present at the occasion. The Kano state government was represented at the occasion by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Umar Ganduje, just the Oba of Lagos Rilwanu Akiolu and other traditional rulers were also spotted at the occasion.
In a related development, the joint arrival of both the Presidential Candidate of Congress for Progressive Change [CPC], Malam Buhari and the former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu raised eyebrows as to the rumored talks between the ACN and the CPC for a possible joint ticket in 2015 presidential race.
But Buhari was quick to quell the rumor adding that no deal has been struck on the on-going merger talk between the ACN and the CPC. The former dictator admitted that talks are in progress. In his words, “I can tell you that the merger talks are on but the outcome is not yet for you. We are here to witness the turbaning ceremony of the governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the Dan Majen Kano. No deal yet on the merger talks. As soon as the deal is struck, you will know, we met in Kaduna on Thursday but no decision was taken.” –
With his recent declaration intent to change the name of University of Lagos in honor of the winner of June 12 1993 presidential elections, Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has again confirmed what many of us of think of him and his administration: he is leading an error-prone presidency. I personally started to think that about this presidency when in 2010 special presidential adviser, Ima Niboro came to tell us in clear terms that “President Goodluck Jonathan has directed that Nigeria withdraws from international competition for two years to enable the country to put its house in order.” Soccer fans and students of international relations will remember how that story ended: FIFA gave an ultimatum, the Nigerian presidency complied and FIFA president, Sepp Blatter gave our own Dr. Jonathan a pat on the back.
It must be noted at this point that during his now controversial declaration, our President recklessly referred to the winner of the June 12 historical elections as the “presumed winner”, a clear affront to history and to the Nigerian voters that voted, believed and whose legitimate and clear wishes were disrespected. Such error is not just bad-mouthing; it as an indication that this presidency, like the ones before it, lacks enough democratic ethos and pathos to build the nation that many true democrats dream and hope for.
Countries like France, Germany and Italy have dealt with the aftermath of undemocratic regimes and they show good examples of how to rebuild a nation with democratic values. These countries came out of fascism to become antifascist republics founded and governed by those with a fervent passion for democracy; their new leaders were bold and courageous, they came with unmistakable experience and even scars from their fight against dictatorships. They governed with a sense of history, a deep respect for their civil societies and displayed very strong allergy for people, methods and values related to the undemocratic past of their countries.
Like the presidents before him, Dr. Jonathan does not seem to posses such features; he does not seem capable of showing them at least not up to date. A passionate democrat would hold the June 12 date in higher esteem than any of the presidents have done so far, a true democrat would know that those that wined and dined with the usurpers should never be treated like those that fought for the freedom of Nigerian citizens, a conscious democratic leader will be careful and considerate enough to factor in the legitimate sentiments and positions of affected stakeholders in his actions and utterances. A bold president committed to democratic ethos would never call M.K.O. Abiola a “presumed winner” he would call him President-elect.
Notwithstanding his many claims in his celebratory and reassurance speech, the very clear, sometimes shocking, most time irritating limitations of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as president are obvious to many of us and he must be held responsible for them, ultimately the buck stops right there at his desk. That said, we must however remember that this man is not alone in the Presidential Villa. He has friends and associates that talk to him; some people are even paid to advise him. What exactly are they doing? Somebody in there must be seeing his speeches, somebody in that Villa must have heard that when the President visits the country, entire areas are shut down, with no provision for emergency and essential services to the annoyance of citizens, somebody with access to the president must know that most Nigerians do not feel as triumphant as he feels of his performance in office, what are these people telling the president? It is too easy to blame just Jonathan for his many inadequacies; we need to start looking at those around him too. We need to know if they are advising him and he is not listening.
One of the main errors that many people have pointed in his declaration to change the name of Unilag is that the president did not consult. That indictment is based on a simple but strong premise: if he had consulted with people in the know, someone would have told him what many are now telling him. That doubt was recently smashed away by the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUJ), Professor Julius Okojie, who is now on record saying the President did confer widely. He even described President Goodluck Jonathan, as the most engaging president and whilst at it, he went on to also declare that this President is very accessible.
Bravo Professor Okojie! Now you need to tell us more. Who exactly did the president consult with, where and when did they deliberate and what did they say to each other? Can we see the consultation papers? Who agreed, who disagreed and why? The president is ultimately responsible for what happens under his watch but it is too easy to hold just him accountable, we need to start looking at the roles played by the likes of Professor Julius Okojie who thinks it is perfectly okay to change the name of Unilag and that the students are reacting too much to matters that concern them.
Congress for Progressive Change
(CPC) Sokoto State
PRESS RELEASE
Sequel to the meeting held by the Sokoto State Congress for progressive Change CPC Executive Committee, on Saturday, 12th May, 2012 the following resolutions were made;
The recent political brouhaha that brought His Excellency Alh. (Dr) Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko into power for the third time after passing through the various judicial imbroglio, is the most unfortunate and unexpected political suicide that happened in the seat of the caliphate. In spite of the various campaign promises of the Sokoto State Governor under the platform of the People Democratic Party to eradicate poverty in the State and empower the youth through various failed policies and programmes Sokoto State had been rated as the most poorest State in the Country as announced by the NIS. It is very unfortunate to see the proliferation of beggars, unemployed youths and other vagabonds following the convoy of His Excellency, with the full expectation that the governor may spread some crumbs of money for them to pick, as he usually does.
Surprisingly many citizens of the state could hardly have one meal in a day while others are living below the poverty level. The state has been reduced to a multitude of beggars, praise singers, looters and people that live from hands to mouth every day.
The resolution also noted that the payment of undergraduate students’ registration fees – without including those on post-graduate studies is unfortunate. This attitude by the governor is capable of frustrating the students from the poor family that cannot afford to sponsor their registration in various institutions, thereby causing the backwardness of higher education in Sokoto State.
May we also use this opportunity to invite his Excellency to go round and see how some of the public schools are misused and mismanaged because of lack of not only qualified teachers but also lack of infrastructural amenities. The custodians of education and other political office holders in the state have abandoned these public schools and took their children to some private schools in the state, leaving the public schools in deteriorating conditions. Is that the dividend of democracy promised by the governor of the People Democratic Party in the State? We therefore implore the elders in the State, business communities and other political stakeholders in the state to contribute towards the upliftment of education in the State by supporting our younger generations to rise up educationally, morally and economically in order to face the challenges of the modern world.
However, this forum will not forget to mention the unacceptable conditions of the masses in the state as a result of scarcity of water. One will be surprise to see different people in most of the nooks and crannies of the state, especially Mabera area, Gidan Igwai, Marina, Rijiyar Doruwa and others moving with empty Jeri cans searching for where they can get water for their domestic activities. The Sokoto State Water board has been disappointing because of its inability to supply enough water in the state despite the huge-amount of money that was claimed to have been given to them by the State government. The most disheartening thing is that the lives of multitude of people in the state are made to depend on the water fetched by the labourers from Niger Republic. Most of these people get their water from contaminated places, wells and deserted reservoirs and sell same to the innocent and desperate people in the state. And this is seriously injurious to our health and other domestic activities.
In conclusion, the state executive governor has also failed in his promise to give an adequate power supply in the state. A huge amount of money was said to have been allocated for the establishment of an independent Power Project in the state, but surprisingly the work is no where to be found and the said amount of money had not been accounted for. This led to the collapse of some of the businesses that have a direct bearing with electricity supply in the state, which eventually led to the economic backwardness and poverty in the state, as no economy can thrive on generators.
In addition to all the above worrisome situations in the Seat of the Caliphate, the political injustice and judicial cheating dome against the election counselors of CPC at Dinawa ward in Wurno local government and one from Jaredi ward in Shagari areas of the state is still fresh in our minds.
The PDP stalwarts as usual had discriminately deprived the elected counselors of CPC of their political mandate and success at the poll in favour of their party loyalists (counselors) who failed woefully to win the election in their wards. We leave everything for God to judge.
The party also do solemnly appreciate the efforts of or gubernatorial candidate of CPC 2012, Sokoto State Election (Engr. Abubakar Aliyu Yabo) for his personal donation of campaign vehicles for the party progress in the state.
Finally, we also call on our 2011 presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to save Nigeria and Nigerians by coming out to contest in 2015. Victory shall go over way by the grace of God.
While urging the General to ignore all misguided and diversionary comments against his insistence on credible, transparent and rigging free elections in the country, we hereby send him our good wishes and remain his loyal supporters.
Signed
P.R.O
Alh. Anas Dan Nayaba
CPC Sokoto State.
CAMPAIGN FOR DEMOCRACY (CD) AND THE DECEPTIVE LEADERSHIP IN THE ORGANISATION
The Campaign for Democracy, founded by Dr Beko Ransom Kuti and others, the aim which is for the purpose of ensuring democracy in Nigeria. The Democracy that we are having today is through the efforts of CD and other civil societies groups that stood against military rule in the struggle for democracy, many leadership were sent to jail by the military administration, they really laid their lives for this course. Today, how is the organization fairing, in terms of carrying out the purpose of establishing the organization’s aims and objectives.
Under the leadership of Dr Josephine Odumakin who is the national president of the organization. In the next few months, Dr Joe will be completing her second tenure as the president of the organization and that will be making her six years in office.
With Dr Odumakin as the national president of the CD, now the question is what are her achievements having stayed in the office for six years? Looking around it will not take any body a second to understand that CD is more of a grave yard, for six years that Dr Odumakin held leadership of the organization, there have been no progress of any kind. and if any body have a different opinion against this let such be raised with the profile of achievements but rather what have been seen in the administration of Dr Odumakin is using CD to build her own private NGO “WOMEN ARISE”
How can one believe that for six years that Dr Odumakin has been the president of CD, the organization had no permanent office of its own, rather the national secretariate of the organization is housed in a shared borrowed office apartment. And from the arrangement, the CD has only one room office use by the National secretariat in the apartment. But the private NGO of the CD president, WOMEN ARISE is housed in a three bedroom flat apartment. Along Adebowale Road, before Sabo bus-stop at Yakoyo Grammer school bus-stop Ojodu area of Ikeja.LGA of Lagos State. Entering the office of the women arise, you don’t need to be told that this is how an office is suppose to be.
Everything that is needed for the purpose of progressing the work is on ground from human to material resources. Today the women Arise is far more organized and equipped than the CD, Why? Someone may ask. During the 2011 election, the CD did not monitor the election but the women arise did. The CD that paid a high price to see to the achievement of Democracy did not monitor election which was its baby and yet another organization that was not part of the struggle came to monitor the election. Worst of it all some members of the CD who are praise singers to the national president worked for the women arise and monitor the election. Is this not clear selfishness and an attempt to kill CD and raise Women Arise?
For the six Years that Dr Odumakin has the leadership of the CD, the only period that meeting were held was only when she called for the election that brought her into second term in 2010 as held in lagos. After that nothing else, the only place one hears the National president’s voice on CD is when she grants interview to the media house (newspapers) But you see activities of the of the Women Arise everywhere, they have workshops, seminars, rallies etc. both independently and collaboration Programmes, yet no such things in the CD. Why one may ask? But when there are meetings, protest, rallies that have to do with collaboration with other civil societies, you will see CD been represented by the National president only.
Inside the reception hall of the Women Arise office, a picture board on the wall at a corner of the office Tells it all, on the board where different posture pictures of the CD National President with governors, senators etc pictured in different occasions. It may be agreed that the pictures were taken on the platform of the Women Arise, but it can also be said that the success of Women Arise is on the image of the CD. If we are fighting those we see as not doing the right thing, and yet goes back to eat with them. what kind of an image is one exhibiting, not to talk of one who occupies the number one sit of an 0rganisation as the CD. Will Dr Beko Ransom Kuti have time to be attending such meetings and cocktail parties with the same people he regards as oppressors? Not the Beko that the whole world knows. But why have the whole thing come to be? The leadership of Dr Joe Odumakin should explain this to the world.
How many times since Dr Joe Odumakin’s six years of being the president of CD that the National Executive Council (NEC) or and any meeting of the CD had being held.
As said on the picture board, you see the CD president with state governors, politicians in postures. This are the same people who have liquidated our nation and improvised the people yet one who occupies the position of the number one person of a great organization as CD is in a posture with them that had dealt with the citizens of this country.
On the issue of Women Arise monitoring election to the detriment of CD, was full exhibited during the burial of comrade Chidi Nwosu the late chairman of south east CD. The national president of the CD, Dr Odumakin openly distributed a registration form among the members of CD present at the burial. One of those who collected the form to monitor the election on behalf of Women Arise was Uzor A. Uzor of the Anambra CD, is this not clear evidence that CD is an endangered spices in the hands of the national president? During the meeting in Abuja, Uzor A. Uzor confirmed that he runs the CD, HRFJ founded by late chidi Nwosu and also women Arise founded by Dr Joe Odumakin in one office.
This alone should send a signal to one that there is more than what one is seeing as it is the more you look the less you see. Can one imagine that one has been the chairman of CD in a state for more than two years yet such a person is not a registered member of CD.? Such a person has no membership number, identification card issued to him not to talk of it got lost, yet such one occupy’s the state leadership of the CD under the leadership of Dr Joe Odumakin.
Under the leadership of Dr Joe Odumakin, a programme was held in collaboration between CD and African Child Policy forum, a children advocators organization based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This programme was organized by the president and national secretary of CD, no other member of the national executive of the CD knows about the meeting.
Infact, the National Deputy President of CD did not know about the programme between the CD and African child Policy Forum, from inception to the holding of the programme. He was invited as a guest, the National Deputy President of the CD was a guest in a programme in which he is supposed to be part and parcel of, if not chair the committee that saw to the organizing of the programme. The national Treasurer of the CD told some CD members from different states of the nation that he only came to know about the programme through telephone calls as was done to others. He told the gathering that it was while he was in the air craft heading to Abuja that he asked another CD member in the same air craft how is the programme been arranged. These two examples also affect the other national executive members excluding the president and the national secretary. Can one imagine that the meal to the delegates on arrival on 23rd night of April was smuggled into the hotel which the delegates were housed? The same thing happened on the 24th night, infact on the 23rdwhich was the arrival date for the delegates. When the early arrival of the delegates gathered in one of the rooms for a how do you do chat, the national secretary announced that the dinner for the delegates will be shared in the rooms. The chairman of CD Abia state Comrade David Kalu raised an eye brow on the food been shared in rooms. And this was in the presence of the National President Dr Odumakin. But the national secretary said that the cost of a meal in the hotel is N4000 and that will be too high. But that is not the truth because a meal in that hotel will go for N1500.00 depending on what one wants. Then another thing is the Moral wrong of smuggling the food into the hotel. Then the national secretary told the gathering that the hotel will not allow the bringing of food into the hotel premises, and for that reason, the food is being smuggled in. even after comrade Ifeanyi Odili from Ondo state in support of the eye brow of Comrade David Kalu indicated that he has used hotels times without numbers and that there is no where that he wants to bring food in a hotel and being stopped.
Even after the support of Ifeanyi on the eye brow of David Kalu, yet the national secretary had his way. And every one went to his room, and the meal was shared. Now the question is how can an organization as CD be a law breaker, an organization which accuse the politician of wrong doing now becomes the breakers of the law.
The hotel management stated that there will be no external foods into the premises, yet the CD which supposes to be a Law abiding organization is now a law braker? This is under the leadership of Dr Joe Odumakin, these delegates whose food where smuggled into the hotel are delegates who in their various homes can afford a better meal than what is served. It is an insult on the delegates that they are treated in such manner, because that is an evidence that the president, the national secretary and who ever that is involved in the maltreatment of delegates have no regards for the delegates.
Not only that, the question is (1) Does CD owns an account? (2) Who are the signatories to the account? Who and who are the members of the committee that organized the programme in collaboration between CD and African Child policy Forum? Since the national Treasurer was not part of the committee that decided for the programme, then the question is who collected and kept the money from the African Child Policy Forum who are the sponsors of the programme.
How much was brought by the African Child Policy Forum? And who collected the money? Is it the CD or an individual? Before I go on with this write up I want to first and foremost indicate that whatever am doing, am doing it under the protection of the constitution of the CD. In article 4 of the CD constitution under the RIGHT of MEMBERS. Sub-section.3 states that “within the structure of the organization, criticize constructively, any policy, programmes of the CD” also under DUTIES OF A MEMBER, section 5, sub-section1 stated “understand and defend the aims, objectives, policy, programmes and interest of CD at all times, which he or she should fearlessly and continuously explain to the people”
(1) ON THE CD CONSTITUTION HAD THE CD PRESIDENT ABIDE BY THE CONSTITUTION?
During the Abuja meeting the CD President told the gathering that because in the minutes of the south east CD meeting held during which her period of office was mentioned, the president before the gathering told them that Abia chairman doesn’t know the organization’s constitution. Secondly, during a conversation with comrade Ifeanyi Odili on the letter for clarification sent to the national president, comrade Odili told the Abia chairman that he have no right to ask for the clarification, he said that if the Abia chairman knew that only the national convention of the CD has the right to ask the national president to an account on the activities of the CD. But for the attention of who ever it may concern, that section 4 subsection 3 and section 5 subsection 1 empowers every CD member not even as a leader. For the national president to talk about the CD constitution, lets us see some of her activities in the CD. And see how far she had abide by the CD constitution.
The national president who came to the burial of Chidi Nwosu on her platform as the CD national President distributed Women Arise 2011 election monitoring forms to CD members mostly those from south east since they are majority. The Abia CD chairman refused to collect the form, but rather asked the president WHY CD will not be monitoring the 2011 general election and women Arise will be doing such? She told him that the CD had no money but the Women Arise is doing it on voluntary basis. Which the Abia chairman told her that CD can equally do the same. Behold in 2011 “Women Arise monitored the election and CD did not Can one imagine such? The present democracy that everybody is enjoying is the handwork of CD, there is nobody in Nigeria that cannot attest to such. Then the same Democracy that CD suffered for is what CD can not monitor its growth. Can this not be said of a woman who gave birth and was denied of opportunity to nurture her baby for growth! And that was what the CD national President did. With this, the national president have sabortaged the section 2 subsection 4 on AIMS AND OBJECTIVES of the CD constitution that states “To educate the broad masses of the people to appreciate the power of the vote and its wise use in defense of their interest. If any one asks, Did CD had any education election for the 2011 election? The answer is No, because if CD had carried out its primary objective which is educating the people on the election, then the zeal to monitor the election will be there. The CD president also violated the section 3 “Membership”, which stated “membership of the organization shall be to all Nigerians 18years of age and above (irrespective of their place of origin or residence or ideological outlook) who are committed to the realization of CD’s objectives, who have Pledged to loyally support it materially and otherwise and who are prepared in a disciplined manner to commit his or her energies, skills and intellect to the formulation and implementation of its policies and programmes”
With this part of the constitution, it is clear that in 2011 election, the national president of the CD did not give her loyal, material support to the CD on the 2011 election as the CD national president. Neither did she commit her energies, skills and intergrity into the major aim of CD which is building strong democratic institutions for Nigerians. By this, the national president even violated her membership right not to talk of her position as a national president.
In section 5 DUTIES OF MEMBERS, the subsection1 of the CD constitution states that “understanding and defending the aims, objectives, polices, programmes and interest of CD members at all times, which he or she should fearlessly and continuously explain to the people” with the CD not monitoring the 2011 election, have the president understood and defended the aims, objectives, policies, programmes and interest of CD at all times? Rather what have happened is using the image of CD to build the Women Arise which is unconstitutional to the CD.
In section 7: FUNCTIONS OF OFFICIALS, sub-section1 (a) states “The president Shall be the political and administrative head of the organization” one of the administrative responsibility is to see that the national Executive council NEC of CD meets at least every 6 months, but for nearly six years that the national president had been in office, how many NEC meetings had been held under the administration of the president? It will be good if the minutes of such meetings are made public.
The CD president administration for six years now have denied members their privileges, which is the right as provided in subsection 4:5 under rights of members. ”Attend workshops on democratic governance, training of mass mobilization strategies and conferences on understanding the Nigerian constitution” how many workshops on democratic governance or having a training section for mass mobilization strategies and conference on the understanding of the Nigerian constitution was organized by the presidents administration for nearly six years in office? Yet her private organization is holding workshops, rallies, conferences etc, while CD is doing nothing. Does that show that the president knows the constitution? The only workshop of the president’s administration is the one between CD and African child policy forum and there is a lot of unstrenght forwardness in the programme administrative arrangement. Example of such is the national secretariat asking members to raise children agencies name as to enable them attend the workshop. Why the children agencies name, is it not a deceit to the African Child Policy Forum? As they will be made to believe that delegates to the workshops comes from different parts of the country, who are into children welfare programme when actually the delegates where members of the CD leadership from different parts of Nigeria. One wonders why the raising of the fake names, why is it that CD delegates were not invited as CD members. Since section 2.9.2 stated “promote and defend the right of children and the disabled” can one say that the issue of name faking goes out of the guilty of the CD having failed in their responsibilities towards the children and the disabled?
(2) with this deceit of faking names, have the national president not gone contrary to the section 5 subsection 4 which stated that “Be disciplined, honest and loyal in submitting to the majority decision and carry out resolutions of the organs and structure of the organization at all levels” where is the discipline and honesty in this name faking? With this, has the national president kept the constitution? Were is her “Disciplined and Honest” as demanded by the constitution?
The dinners of 23rd and 24th nights were all smuggled into the hotel, without the permission of the hotel management. Even when the hotel management warned against bringing external food into the hotel, yet the president’s administration smuggled in the food. With this can one be right to say that the national president have breached section 7 of the CD constitution on her duty as the political and administrative head of the CD, (1) leading CD into deception against the African child policy forum (2) Being a law breaker as against the law of the Parkview hotel, not to bring external food into the hotel. Everybody knows it that CD is and preaches law abiding, but the national president and Secretary of the CD to have disobeyed the order enacted by the hotel is something else. Was there no budget for the food of the delegates when the budget of the programme was made? The food served to the delegates on 23rd and 24thnights of the workshop packed in a white plastic take away container can not go for more than N300 per one. How much was actually budgeted for the food?.
The section 7.5 THE NATIONAL TREASURER, “Together with the president and General Secretary being joint signatories to the organization’s account, provided that the president with the Treasurer or General secretary or any combination officers or persons is approved by the national executive council shall be competent to sign a cheque or make withdrawals for the purpose approved by the National Executive Council”
Can one believe that for nearly six years that the present administration have been in power, the CD have no account. Evidence to prove this was when the CD membership fees were to remitted to the national secretariat and an account number that was given by the national secretariat was a private account number instead of the CD account. The account number details is as follows Account Name: Gbadamosi Anuoluwapo S. Account Number: 140001012951 Bank: Oceanic Bank. This detail was sent on 05/07/2011 at 1:53 pm. Now the question is how do one monitor the organizations money paid into a private account?. And is this not a violation of CD’s constitution which indicates in the quoted section 7.5 (b) that there should be an account and that three signatories should be withdrawing money from the organizations account. Now why is it that the organization fund is now being paid into private account? This also arose the question, on whose account the money for the workshop in Abuja was paid into. Who knows how many CD funds that have been paid into private account. Since the election of the national treasurer has there been any money received and banked on behalf of the CD? Let the evidence of such be made public. Does that mean that for nearly six years of this present administration in the office that the CD has not made any money? What happened to the registration fees that members pay, as the CD Abia State and other states in the south east have one time or the other paid membership fees, and possible members from other parts of the country, what happened to all these funds?
If the organization has not raised any money for nearly six years now, then what is the duty of the finanacial secretary? Section 7.6 article (c) states that the financial secretary “shall in conjunction with any finance committee as may be set up by the national convention or national executive council work out and execute plans for fund raising” why is it that there is no plans to raise fund for the organization?
How can one understand it that for over two years that one is the chairman of CD in Imo state such person is not a registered member of the organization, but enjoys all benefits of the organization. The Imo State chairman of CD, for over two years now as chairman of CD in the state is not a registered member of the CD. When in section 4.1 states that “To a membership card upon admission, and to attend meetings or cell and of any other structure or organ to which he is invited to participate as delegate or invitee”
For over two years the Imo chairman has been there without membership card, unless it was given to him over night and backdated. If one goes on to keep analyzing issue in the CD, it will take a longer time.
But the truth remains that the present leadership of the CD is a failure and had draw the hand of the clock in the organization backward.
Recently Abia chairman got a mail from the Anambra state chairman of the campaign for Democracy sending him querry on the incident that took place at Park view Hotel Abuja. And this was after Abia chairman had sent a letter to the National President requesting for some clarifications on the issue that have to do with the African Child Policy Forum/co- partnership.
Now the question is who and who sat down and took the decision to give the query? Can the minutes of the meetings that was held to give the query be provided, who are those that attended the meeting, what venues was used and what are the content of the meeting agenda?. Why is it that it was after Abia chairman sent the letter to the national president that the query came?
Then in refusing to answer the query, the Anambra chairman, sent a letter on indefinite suspension. The letter quoted section 5 sub-section 4of the CD constitution. It’s a surprise that Anambra state chairman over look subsection 1 of the section 5 I which states as follows that a member should “understand and defend the objectives, policy, programees and interest of the CD at all times which he or she should fearlessly continuously explain to the people” even without being on the leadership of the CD, duty as a member is specified by the constitution. The Anambra chairman did not take into account section 4, subsection 3 of the CD constitution which empowers the Abia chairman to criticize any policies, programme of officials of the CD at different levels. The Abia chairman is criticizing the smuggling of food into the hotel as was done in Abuja, the acceptance of one being a chairman of CD in state without being a registered member of the CD. The issue of the Anambra chairman writing on the CD southeast and telling all kinds of lies which there are evidence to tender. The placing of CD funds in a private account, and many others.
In signing both the query and suspension letters, the Anambra chairman use the title of the southeast vice chairman. Can Anambra chairman produce any document of the CD national convention that address him as the Anambra chairman not to talk of vice chairman for southeast?.
Another funny thing in the query was the issue of suspending the Abia Chairman from office, the Anambra chairman was under knowledge on the CD constitution, when he failed to understand that only the southeast convention have the right to suspend the Abia Chairman.
And to show that the query and suspension decision are his own, in the last paragraph of the suspension letter, he stated that the “issue will be further discussed at the up coming south east region convention that will be held in June 2012”. This is an indication that the south east convention is yet to meet and discuss the issue, so who and who decide the query and suspension?
Another interesting thing in the constitution of CD section 10 subsection2 stated that “any member or officer to be so disciplined shall be given notice of not less than two weeks “ as an indication that the National President, General secretary, the Anambra state chairman and their cohort are in a hast to remove Abia chairman from office. Letter for the query was sent on May 4th and on the 18th, the indefinite suspension was given and between the 4th and 18thof May is a period of 11 working days and not 14 days (two weeks as indicated in the constitution) Every one knows it that Saturday and Sunday are not counted as working days, as it is regarded as days when offices are closed. So, one can see that they don’t know what the constitution is saying, but power drunk is the problem.
Who and who decided that the CD Southeast convention be held in Anambra state?, at the Abuja meeting it was even agreed by the president and his cohorts that the convention be held in Enugu. So when was it changed to Anambra?, even if the Abia Chairman had refused to take part in the convention. Noting stops the convention holding in Enugu, why now moving it to Anambra?.If there is no hiding agenda in the whole thing and another thing is the Anambra Chairman who also a contestant to decide the venue of the convention, as he indicated in the suspension letter.
The national president, the national secretary have made CD a grave yard. The ideology of those who founded the organization is no more what is being manifested today.
Many a times, the national president have been saying that she has spent a lot of her private money on behalf of the CD, now the question is; In what areas did she spend the money? For nearly six years in office, as had being indicated before that her administration had never organized any workshop, training or conference except this ones sponsored by the African Child policy Forum, which on its own is a deceit against the African Child Policy Forum and a breach of the CD constitution.
Let the national president articulate the amount she had spend for the organization and what she spend it for and make such public.
The CD president have a third term agenda, and that is why she is doing all things possible to see that she plants her supporters mostly in the southeast to return her for the third term, but if one may ask, what she could not achieve in six years will she be able to achieve it in three years. If not for personal interest why must she want to come back to office again after six years of two terms. The CD president, the General secretary have noting to offer in the CD in times of leadership administration.
Another thing is that right now the President, the General Secretary are planning for a southeast convention. Both the national president and the general secretary have mapped out a strategic plan to see that the Abia state chairman does not contest the election during the southeast convention. One of such strategy is the idea of query and suspension. In neglect to the existing structure on ground, the president appointed one who has not been in the CD as chairmen for Enugu and Ebonyi states and is backing the Anambra state chairman who she wanted to become the southeast chairman of the CD.
The president is bent on rigging the election, because as would be known that by the process through which the chairmen were chosen, it is the first step of the rigging process. But one may be bound to ask, what sin did Abia state chairman commit to get such fight from the CD National President and the general secretary? The only sin he can say to have committed was that in his discussion with the president and the general secretary, he had disagreed with both of them time without number on the manner which CD is being run and which is not to the interest of the organization. His argument is based on the constitution of the CD.
In one of his mails to the national president, the Abia chairman told the president that CD is being used to enrich Women Arise and that Beko Ransome Kuti will be crying wherever he is, seeing how the national president leadership has destroyed CD.
The meeting that was held in room 204 of the Parkview hotel Abuja on the 24thNight and that meeting was pre-arranged, the purpose for the meeting was purely to intimidate the Abia state chairman. But on seeing that the Abia chairman can not be intimidated, the national secretary wanted to turn the whole thing into violence by hitting him on the shoulder thereby to drag him to fight. But thank God for the spirit of calmness that the Abia state chairman exhibited. While all these were going on the national president was just sitting down and watching with a smile. Which is an evidence that the meeting was a pre arranged by the president and that is short of a good leadership.
The Abia state Chairman, having taken into consideration things that took place inside Parkview hotel Abuja that 24thnight, infact, the confusion was so high that night that the hotel management attention was drawn to room 204 by other guests in the hotel. Based on all these the Abia state chairman have written to the national president, copies sent to members of the CD leadership, that can be reached. Informing the national president that he refused to accept whatever decision at the meeting, that night, from the appointment of Ebonyi, Enugu chairmen as that is a plot to skimmed the Abia Chairman out of the contest, that he do not accept the Anambra chairman leadership in the south east, someone who will just get out from his bed and make a pronouncement on behalf of the south southeast CD. Without reference to the constitution or other CD leadership in the Zone, someone who will want to use CD southeast zone for personal interest.
The Anambra chairman of CD was once the CLO Anambra state vice chairman. How did he faired while he was in the CLO, can one go to the CLO Anambra state and find out how the Anambra chairman, who the CD national president is projecting for the southeast zone chairmanship performed as vice chairman of the CLO in Anambra state.
Some thing funny happened at the meeting at Abuja, the Anambra state CD chairman brought out pix of the CD office in onitsha with plastic chairs, tables etc. The chairman told the gathering that he bought all these for the CD, but that is not true, because the periods that the Abia state chairman visited the Anambra chairman during his case with the market association; he saw those plastic chairs in a one room shop on the ground floor of the two storey block in which the Anambra chairman lives.
He opened the office when he had disagreement with the CLO in Anambra, and he left and started his own organization. It was when he started his organization that he rented the shop and bought those things. But at the Abuja meeting, he presented it as if he just bought them newly, this is the kind of person they wanted us to have in the southeast. When I wrote on the issue that have to do with the judgement on the Al-mustapha’s case, the national president accused me of violating the constitution even quoting section 7.1 article (a) “The president shall be the political and the administrative head of the organization”
Recently, the Anambra chairman held a kangaroo rally in onitsha, and spoke on many national issues and one is yet to see or hear the president caution the Anambra state chairman. Part of the requests made in the letter to the national president for some clarification are as follows:
(2) STILL WAITING FOR THE REPLY OF THE LETTER TO THE CD NATIONAL PRESIDENT ON THE CLEARIFICATION CONCERNING THE CD PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AFRICA CHLID POLICY FORUM
Who and who approves the partnership with the African child policy forum, was there a meeting held by the NEC of the organization and can I have the copy of the minutes of the meeting..
What was the point of reference for the partnership, between CD and the Africa Child policy forum?
What has CD to benefit for partnership with the Africa Child policy forum
How much fund was sent by the African child policy forum?
Does the CD own an account and who are the signatories to the accont?
How was this money paid by the Africa child policy forum, is it through an individual account or through the CD account
I believe that before the Africa Child policy forum; send in the money that a budget was drawn. Who and who drafted the budgets. Was a committee set up?
How much was budgeted for the food as you noticed that the dinner that was served on the 23rd and 24thnight of April being the day of our arrival and programme night were smuggled into the hotel, and as you know such is a wrong ethics. I remember that when the national secretary came to announce the meal, he asked everybody to go to his room. That the meal will be served in the rooms, someone like me raised eye brows on such. His explanation was that the cost of the food is high in the hotel, that is not true because the food in that hotel can go for N1500.00, it al depends of what one wants.
Why is it that the National President was invited as a guest to the programme, in a programme which he is suppose to be parts and parcel.
I had someone made a comment that the National Treasurer only got invitation to the programme as others and that it was while he was inside the plane coming from from Abuja that he asked someone on how the programme is been organized. Now, if the national treasurer was not part of the people that sat for the decision to held the meeting, then who collected and kept money brought by the Africa Child polcy forum.
During the invitation conversation I had with the National secretary, he mentioned you and him sat down to decide on the programme and that it was decided that members should raise name of children organization as to enable them to attend the workshop in Abuja. As it will afford members the opportunity to hold a CD meeting at the same time. It is morally wrong for you and the secretary to have taken such decision knowing that such is a fraud against the Africa Child Policy Forum. On that the CD members are not involved with children and the issue of child adoption not to talk of intercountry have never been discussed by the CD in any meeting. But what happened was that you and the Secretary see the Africa Child policy forum platform a good a good one to fight me back.
Who appointed the woman who cooked the food, and of what cost did she served the food?
Don’t you think that the manner in which 23rd and 24thnight dinners was served to the leadership of the CD from different states of the federation is an evidence that the national leadership have no regard for the CD memebers. These are men who have their families and can afford a better meal in their houses, yet have their meal smuggled to them as if it is an exhibit.
In the morning of 24th April which was the day of the programme, I raised the issue on the manner of the delegate invitation to the south east, Someone told the people that were present when I raised the objection over the list of delegates that attended the programme that was made without your consent, is that true?
Up till the time of writing this, the president is yet to reply. This is more than three weeks the letter have been sent.
The prayer is that God who gave the founding fathers of CD the idea of initiating it will come to the rescue of the organization. As the leadership of the organization is like a sheep without a shepherd.
It will not be a surprise if by tomorrow the Abia chairman is removed or suspended or even expelled me from the organization, but the truth remains that the leadership of the CD is a leadership that is not on the right track…
One of the world’s last dictators, Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe is seen by the Europe and America as a global pariah. But inside the country, his former foes are now flocking to his side. Education Minister David Coltart, a longtime opponent and human rights activist, tells Leo Cendrowicz that as Mugabe wanes, it no longer makes sense to isolate Zimbabwe.
David Coltart knows what is said about him. He is seen as a collaborator, a dupe, and a sucker. He was turned, bamboozled. He betrayed his principles and his people when he joined the government of Zimbabwe’s eternal dictator, Robert Mugabe. “I’ve been accused of all sorts of things: that I’ve been charmed by Mugabe, that I’ve lost it,” he says.
But as Zimbabwe’s Minister for Education, Sport, Arts and Culture for the past three years, he still believes he is doing the right thing. And he has, after all, a long record of moral integrity and conscientious objection. Coltart, 54, first set up a legal aid clinic in Bulawayo in 1983, and as a lawyer handed human rights cases relating to the Gukurahundi genocide in the 1980s, and the people who the regime had ‘disappeared.’ He was first elected to parliament for the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party in 2000, and has regularly faced harassment and intimidation. Worth adding that Coltart is white, and given Zimbabwe’s tortured racial history and its recent resettlement programme, his involvement in modern day politics is all the more striking.
Coltart is not alone amongst Mugabe’s foes in joining a power-sharing coalition with the President’s Zanu PF party. Notably, MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai has been Prime Minister since 2009, despite being arrested and beaten by Mugabe loyalists. Coltart is now going further. Having once led the calls for global sanctions against Mugabe’s regime, he is now travelling the world to seek their rollback. Why?
Coltart takes a deep breath before explaining himself. He knows how perverse it sometimes feels to be sleeping with someone globally seen as odious, as Mugabe is, and he has only slightly tempered his language about his president since joining the government. “Mugabe has done some pretty horrendous things, including to me personally,” he says. “My understanding of his culpability has not changed. But if we are to take the country forward, prevent hundreds of thousands of people leaving or dying, we need to work with him. I understand your skepticism. But there is no viable alternative.”
For more than a decade, the West has issued howls of outrage at Mugabe’s flagrant disregard for basic principles of democracy and human rights. But there is not a snowball’s chance in Harare of any Libyan-style intervention in Zimbabwe. “Mugabe is not just going to hand over power,” Coltart says. What opponents can do, he argues, is plan for the post-Mugabe era. With the old tyrant now aged 88, this could begin soon.
Coltart draws in historical comparisons to show why it might prove worthwhile to hold his nose and shake the hands of his former nemesis. An obvious example is South Africa, where Nelson Mandela and the ANC negotiated with the National Party, eventually securing a full and peaceful transfer of power. “It was a painstaking process that lasted four years, but it succeeded,” he says. And he looks further back to the Second World War, to show another unlikely alliance forged for the greater good. “The bottom line is that Churchill and Roosevelt had to negotiate with Stalin to bring a war to an end,” he says. Even today, a similar delicate dance is being conducted with the unpalatable Burmese regime: Washington has re-established ties in step with the generals as they open up the country to limited democracy.
While sanctions once shamed the country, they are now counterproductive, Coltart says. “Sanctions have got beyond their sell by date,” he says. “They have always been more symbolic. The reality is that Zimbabwe had already been suspended from the World Bank because of their arrears. Even if these sanctions are lifted, it won’t change the arrears.” The travel bans on Mugabe and his cronies have also been circumvented; as Coltart notes, Mugabe often comes to New York. “And so much notice was given on the asset freezes that they had time to move them out,” he adds.
The point of the sanctions, Coltart says, was to stigmatize those involved in gross human rights abuses. “It was why I supported them, as they were acting with impunity,” he says. “And if they are lifted, the stigma will not go away. So the sanctions have achieved their purpose.”
Ironically, Coltart says, the sanctions are now serving the hardliners around Mugabe, who use them as an excuse to explain why their policies have created turmoil. “If you remove the sanctions, you remove the excuses,” he says. “It won’t change much on the ground. And it will move the process ahead.”
There is also real change in Zimbabwe, Coltart says, which deserves support. “The international community forgets how bad we were in 2008,” he says. Back then, Zimbabwe was on the brink of implosion with hyperinflation, mass emigration, and a cholera epidemic. Now inflation is down to 4%, the country has reopened hospitals and clinics, beaten the cholera, and brought clean water to people in cities. When Coltart took over as Education Minister, the schooling system was facing total collapse, with just 26 teaching days in 2008, but he has re-established the teaching year.
“The country would have become a failed state like Liberia and Somalia,” he says. “We know there is not going to be a deep rooted change while he is there. But that assumes there has not been any improvement on the ground. By every objective indicator, thing have improved since 2008.”
Even if he does not get a change in policy on sanctions, Coltart hopes he will at least get a change in engagement and support of education. He notes that Germany has put $18 million into Zimbabwe’s education transition fund, Finland $10 million, the UK £38 million, but only $1 million from the US.
Coltart says that it is misleading to see Mugabe as a tinpot tyrant in same vein as Sacha Baron Cohen’s recent movie The Dictator. “It is wrong to compare him to Hilter and Pol Pot,” he says, drawing a psychological picture of the man who led Zimbabwe’s independence movement in the 1970s against the white supremacist rule of its predecessor, Rhodesia. “Although he has been responsible for crimes against humanity, he has not killed millions. He is a very complex character, but wrong to paint him as a doddering old sadist. He is a calculating ideologue, rooted in the battle to defeat Ian Smith and Rhodesia.”
The country is still in a precarious position, and thugs are still in authority, Coltart warns. “I’m not naïve person who thinks leopards can change their spots,” he says. For example, he does not expect the next parliamentary and presidential elections, due next year, to be peaceful, free, and fair. He also notes that earlier this year, one of his closest friends, human rights activist Paul Chizuze, disappeared without trace. More recently, the nuts on Coltart’s car wheels were loosened, and the wheel came off. “It could well have been sabotage,” he says. “I come into this debate with the clear understanding that there are still dark forces utterly determined to subvert the process, and use the same tactics they have used for 30 years. But by disengaging, it only benefits the hardliners.”
As for Mugabe, “He is 88 years old, he is old and tiring.” But, Coltart notes, whether we like him or not, he is still revered by about a third of Zimbabweans. “In Africa, he remains a symbol of overthrowing white rule. We have to grasp the harsh practical reality. We have to accept we need him,” he says.
Hon. Aminu Musa Habib Jega, Speaker State Assembly, Kebbi State
Not all appears well with the government of the northwestern State of Kebbi State. A cantankerous fete has taken hold of the Governor of the State, Dakingari and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Aminu Musa Habib Jega. Information available to 247ureports.com reveals that the governor of Kebbi State has finalized impeachment plot against the Speaker of the State Assembly over an alleged embezzlement of N7billion. The impeachment was to take place before the weekend.
The trouble between the Governor and the Speaker began on the eve of February 11, 2012 when the Supreme Courts nullified the gubernatorial election that brought the Dakingari to the seat of governorship. The Court ruling ordered for a new election to be held within a prescribed number of days. Dakingari was removed from the governor’s seat – and was replaced by the Speaker as the acting governor. The Speaker acted as governor for a period of twenty eight [28] days – overseeing the conduct of the gubernatorial election – which Dakingari won and returned as the governor in mid-March 2012.
According to government sources, when Dakingari returned as Governor, he found the state coffers emptied by the then acting governor. In particular, the governor’s men pegged the sum of N7billion as having grown wings. The governor charged that the former acting governor awarded fraudulent contracts to friends and associates. In the words of the governor, “he [speaker] spent a lot of money in that 28days, wastage and embezzlement”.
Specifically, the governor’s men pointed to N3billion fertilizer contract awarded to Dakingari’s nephew [name = Lawani] as one of the conduits with which the former acting siphoned money out of the state coffers. According to the information received, the speaker had reached a deal with Lawani on the N3billion fertilizer contract – that was supposed to net him a little over N1billion. Lawani was reported to have supplied the fertilizer but failed to keep to the terms of the deal reached with the then acting governor. Instead what Lawani did was to purchase three [3] Prado Sport Utility Vehicles [SUVs] for the three [3] of the Speakers’ wives. The fertilizers were dumped at the government house.
In line with the spirit of the N3billion fertilizer largess, the then acting governor reportedly shared the entire members of the legislature with N500,000 to pacify and/or sedate them. In addition to the N500,000, the then acting governor arbitrary approved luxury retreat for the lawmakers in Dubai. Sources indicate that the lawmakers have left for the retreat.
Also, government sources point two more fraudulent projects – electrification and hospital building – as conduits used by the then acting governor to siphon state funds. Hon. Aminu Musa Habib Jega awarded an electrification contract for his hometown in Jega worth nearly N1billion. Information indicates Hon. Jega collected 40% of the contract sum equivalent to N400million – upfront. The former acting governor also awarded a contract for the building of a hospital – also in his hometown – not minding that his hometown already had a hospital facility. The contract was awarded for the sum of N400million. The former acting governor was said to collect 10% of the contract sum upfront equivalent to N40million.
Further inquiry uncovered that the former acting governor may have gone on a spending spree with his newfound wealth. Within days of his accession to the seat of governor, he purchased three [3] luxurious houses in Maitama Abuja for the three [3] of his wives. Each house was worth N60mllion.
Gov Dakingari, on his part, has acted to revoke all contracts and agreements signed by the then acting governor. He has set up a panel to investigate the activities of the former acting governor. The Governor stayed action of the distribution of the fertilizer until the panel completes their investigation. A source within legislative arm of the Kebbi State government revealed that the governor maybe unhappy with the fact that the monies he had reserved to siphon was made away with by the former acting governor. The source who happens to be a lawmaker added that the governor had already called on the lawmakers to initiate impeachment moves against the Speaker. “We were to act before this weekend” said the lawmaker who explained that the lawmakers appear somewhat sympathetic to plight of the Speaker – and are not eager to impeach the speaker.
Information reaching 247ureports.com indicates that a suicide bomber struck the police headquater in Maiduguri. According to the information received, it struck at minutes after 12noon when a vehicle ladden with Improvished Explosive Device [IED] rammed into the police headquarters in Maiduguri.
The explosion was immediate. A source within the vicinity revealed that the sound of the explosive vigorously shook the Police building and other buildings within the vicinity to their foundation.
Further details of the strike remain unclear as the area is said to have been cordoned off by security operatives.
Information made available to 247ureports.com through sources within the Senate chambers reveal that the UNILAG/MAUL saga have entered a public chapter – as the Senate has agreed on throwing the deliberation into the open for public discourse.
It is gathered the Senate, on the afternoon of Thursday, discussed the request for approval sought by Mr. President to rename UNILAG to MAUL. Following the end of the meeting, the Senators decided to opted for a public hearing.
A source notes that the Senators appeared usually uneasy over the request for approval presented before them – as they gathered. Some viewed the request a catch-22. And for this reason and other reasons, “they passed over the burden” explained the source who also added that some among the Senators seemed eager for “political uppercuts” against the president – through the hoopla to be caused by the open discuss.
It is not certain the date of the public hearing.
On Democracy Day of 2012, Mr. President announced, as part of his Democracy Day address to the Nation, the name change of UNILAG to MAUL.
The change came as arbitrary. It was received with mixed feelings. In many quarters the announcement was welcomed with rejection.
Presidential sources say the offering of huge cash to visitors is an infamous but routine gesture in Aso Rock.
President Goodluck Jonathan’s patchy relationship with key northern political groups took a plunge at last week’s hyped visit of the region’s elders to the president, with the team’s last minute rejection of a N20 million presidential gift, those familiar with the matter have told PREMIUM TIMES.
The visit by the Northern Elders’ Forum, a touchy political gambit that has since generated discontent from some northern regional organizations, was made to confer with the administration on the way out of the current security challenge the country is facing.
The government has faced scorching attacks from the region’s leading class over its handling of the matter.
The meeting discussed the operations of the Joint Task Force military outfit, which the delegation told the commander-in-chief, were involved in extrajudicial killings and other excesses. But those familiar with the proceedings say after the talks, the government, through an intermediary, offered the visitors about N20 million – branded as “kola from oga” (meaning honorarium from the president).
Presidential sources say the offering of huge cash to visitors is an infamous but routine gesture in Aso Rock..
The money was however rejected based on a “consensus” of the members of the group, after they were handed the cash in several bulky envelopes as they emerged from the meeting venue and made their way back to their bus.
“The president may not have been aware. But then, it is unlikely he knew nothing about it. But someone stationed near the bus offered the delegation the package,” one of oursources said.
PREMIUM TIMES could not independently verify the sequence of events during and after the meeting. Phone calls and text messages to presidential spokesperson, Reuben Abati, for comments were not answered or returned.
We however learnt that after the talks, said to have ended on a cordial note, members of the group were met as they were boarding a bus to exit the villa, by an administration representative who informed them of the monetary package.
Those who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES, many on anonymity, said the group considered the motive of the donation and reached an “automatic consensus” that the offer be rejected.
“The members were emphatic,” one source said. “When you review what has been going on at the National Assembly, you realize you need to be careful with such gifts.”
When contacted, a member of the delegation, Lawan Kaita, declined to comment on the monetary gift from the president’s office, directing all enquiries at Maitama Sule, who he said was leader of the delegation.
Mr. Maitama could not be reached for comments but another member of the delegation, Ango Abdullahi, confirmed that his team was offered huge cash after their meeting.
Prof Abdullahi, a former Vice Chancellor of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, told PREMIUM TIMES the gesture from the administration may have been a reflection of “African hospitality” regarding visits.
“It is common practice in Africa that when you pay someone a visit, your host should extend hospitality,” he said. “But in our case, what was offered was turned down. It was an automatic consensus that it should be rejected because we have to be very careful.
He however could not confirm the amount offered his group although another source said the money should have been in the region of N20 million.
“No one had time the to count money,” Mr. Abdullahi said. “Once you don’t want it you don’t want it. There is no need to count.”
The offer of cash to the northern elders again underlines a longstanding culture in government houses where discretionary cash tills are kept, and arbitrarily deployed by aides and officials to “appreciate” guests to the chief executive – governors or the president.
This year, the state house budgets N436.4 million as honorarium and sitting allowance. The amount is expected to cater for regular state meetings such as council of state meetings, security and economic council meetings.
But its provisions, backed by separate wide monetary votes, also become handy for servicing presidential guests.
More than 15 members of the Northern Elders’ Forum attended the closed-door meeting with the president where they roundly condemned the tactics of the JTF in hunting down militants and keeping peace in the region that has seen several armed attacks.
Those in attendance included Prof. Ango Abdullahi, Yusuf Maitama Sule, Paul Unongo, Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi(rtd), Lawal Kaita, Shehu Malami, Sanni Zango-Daura, Bello Kirshi, Mrs. Pauline Tallen, and Gen. Paul Tarfa(rtd).
Others were Bishop John Praise, Gen. IBM Haruna (rtd), Sen. Wash Pam, Rev. Yakubu Pam and Dr. Safiyat Mohammed.
The government’s delegation to the meeting included Vice President Namadi Sambo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Sani Sali, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, and all ministers from the north.
The group reportedly told the president that although regional leaders were “appalled” by the activities of the Boko Haram sect, they were equally concerned about the behaviour of the security personnel deployed to protect lives and properties.
“The most charitable interpretation of their mode of operation is unprofessionalism,” the group’s leader, Yusuf Maitama Sule reportedly told the president.
They accused the Joint Task Force whose of summary executions and arson, carried out “in the name of fighting Boko Haram.”
“In Maiduguri alone, available records indicate the figures of those that were killed by the JTF to be in the thousands, most of whom were first apprehended/arrested before they were extra judicially executed,” they told the president.
