THE COALITION OF ALAIGBO RELIGIOUS AND CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS (CARECSO)
RE:- THE RAGING STATE OF INSECURITY IN OYIGBO (OBIGBO), RIVERS STATE & THE ABORTIVE EFFORTS OF CARECSO TO MEET WITH GOVERNOR WIKE OF RIVERS STATE.
Following the global outrage over the mass killings of Igbo Citizens in Oyigbo (Obigbo) in Rivers State, the Coalition of Alaigbo Religious ands Civil Society Organizations (CARECSO) decided to send a delegation to the State to meet with the Governor of the State as well as affected citizens and other stakeholders within Oyigbo area of Rivers State, in order to appraise the situation and have an informed idea of what was going on in the area,.
After due consultations with the leadership of CARECSO put together a delegation comprising several eminent citizens of Alaigbo, among whom are leading intellectuals and public figures which included three Archbishops, four bishops and other high-ranking clergy. There also several leading Traditional Rulers including Chairmen of State Council of Traditional Rulers and ex-Vice Chancellors of Universities, etc.
We made strenuous efforts to reach the Governor through His Excellency Hon Chibudom Nwuche, former Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives. We also wrote formally to the Governor through His Chief of Staff, Chief Emeka Woke, who confirmed that our letter seeking audience was delivered and he was awaiting directive of the Governor to arrange the meeting. Finally we contacted a former Governor of one of our States who also confirmed he did reach out to the Governor and advised him to try and meet with our delegation.
It is to be emphasized that some of the leading members of CARECSO have been urged by the Coordinator to try on their own to reach Governor Wike to urge him to meet with CATRECSO delegation,
Up till the moment of writing this, all efforts to meet with Governor Wike have proved abortive. Meanwhile, global outrage over the mindless killings of innocent people continue to mount and both CARECSO and ADF are being inundated with calls to intervene in whichever way they can to halt the continued state of pogrom going on in the state.
Meanwhile, a delegation of the South-East Governors’ Forum and Ohanaeze visited Governor Wike. The outcome of their visit appear indeed to have given Wike ‘A Clean Bill of Health, which is bound to make the Governor unwilling to receive any delegation that would raise a contrary view to that conveyed by the Governors of the South-East and Ohanaeze.
For us to appreciate the conjuncture of events which maker this period and the current events in Obigbo a very devastating experience for Ndigbo in general, we should consider the following – First, was the Communique of the meeting which the Governors of the South-East held with the General Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Prof Gambari. It has been described as a tragic Surrender Document pronounced by any leader of the Igbo nation. Besides it has done more damage than anything else to the historical task of Igbo national Integration. What is more, it confounds the any efforts to address the security of Igbo lives, property and besieged civilization and faith.
To appreciate these, we have to critically study the two communiques along with the speeches of Governor Wike banning IPOB and also the address he gave while receiving the South-East Governors. Of immense interest also is the video coverage of the meeting between Wike and the South-East delegation. What about Wike’s Video interview where he greatly relished with reckless abandon his declaration that he is not an Igboman? Someone has said that both declarations will remain an eternal chalice which hangs on Wike’s body and soul.
In the light of the above, the call by the Secretariat of CARECSO becomes overdue and now very urgent. Calls are continue pouring from Umuigbo all over the world who are all aghast as to what is happening to our mother land.
Consultations are now afoot as to when to hold this physical meeting and veru urgently too.
It is important to inform our compatriots that both ADF and CARECSO have been monitoring and collecting all relevant data on the tragic events in the Rivers State
We urge all the various organizations and leaders genuinely working for the security and the protection of our people to please bear with us as we address this emergency. At the same time we urge our compatriots to appreciate that what is need now is less noise less recriminations and less incendiary pronouncements.
PROF. UZODINMA NWALA2
ADF PRESIDENT
CARECSO COORDIANATOR
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) penultimate Friday unveiled two documents on the 2019 general election: a report of its retreat and stakeholders’ engagements on the review of the 2019 general election.
Put together by the electoral umpire in partnership of the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), the former document contains far-reaching recommendations by the commission under its erstwhile chairman, Professor Mahmud Yakubu, whose re-nomination for a fresh term of five years by President Muhammadu Buhari is awaiting Senate confirmation. The document contains lofty proposals targeted at restoring sanity to the electoral process and, ultimately, inspiring the confidence of the electorate.
Amongst the recommendations are: “continued piloting and ultimate use of electronic collation/ transmission of results for future elections,” and the creation of Electoral Offences Commission and Tribunal with powers to arrest, investigate and prosecute electoral offenders.
Ahead of the amendment of the 1999 Constitution by the National Assembly, the INEC is also proposing an amendment of the constitution to provide for stronger legislation against defection by federal and state lawmakers who jump from one political party to another.
INEC is equally recommending to the National Assembly Committee on Constitution Review led by Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, an amendment of the constitution to transfer the conduct of local government election from the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIEC) to itself.
On the issue of elected National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly lawmakers who abandon platforms under which they win elections, the commission recommends that «such defectors should automatically lose their seats, except in the case of merger of two or more parties.»
The report under subheading, “Political Parties and Election Observation,» also recommends that «The funding of political parties from budgetary allocation should be restored.” It specifically states, however, that such financial assistance «should not be tied to election campaigns, but for the purpose of maintaining infrastructural facilities and membership registration.»
The report equally proposes an «amendment of the Electoral Act to give the commission more powers to address the issue of compliance and enforcement of internal democracy in political parties.»
Earlier in his remarks, the INEC chairman said «Some of the recommendations that require administrative action by INEC are already being implemented, resulting in improved management of the electoral process as seen in the recent off-cycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states. We are similarly engaging with the National Assembly on aspects of the recommendations that require legislative action.»
Amongst the proposals enshrined in the INEC reports, Nigerians are anxious to see how the electoral umpire will negotiate through its recommendations on electronic voting before a National Assembly that has consistently been derided as an appendage of the executive arm of government.
Findings revealed that electronic voting was part of the proposals in the Electoral Amendment Act 2018 passed by the Eighth National Assembly under the leadership of Dr Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara, former Senate President and former House of Representatives speaker.
Apart from other landmark initiatives, the Electoral Amendment Act 2018 provides for the electronic transmission of results from the polling units (to compare with the manual record), the serialisation of ballot papers for each polling unit and the announcement of results in the presence of all party agents.
To the consternation of Nigerians and the international community, President Buhari withdrew his assent and refused to give legal backing to electronic transmission of results. The president had declined assent to the bill four times citing “drafting issues.”
However, findings by Sunday Tribune revealed that Buhari withheld assent to the bill over fears that the proposed law would usurp the constitutional powers of the INEC to decide on election matters, including fixing dates and election order. He equally claimed that the amendment was too close to the 2019 general election.
Indication that electronic voting was on the card of the INEC was given last May when the commission released a document entitled «Policy on Conducting Elections in the Context of COVID-19 Pandemic.” The document, signed by Professor Yakubu, revealed that electronic voting was being mooted as a safety measure to safeguard lives of its staff, candidates and the electorate. The document revealed the plans of INEC to test-run and make “Pilot changes to the electoral process in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic in a bye-election prior to the Edo and Ondo states governorship elections in order to learn lessons where necessary.”
The electoral body said its new initiative was a response “to the growing demand for deepening the use of technology in the electoral processes, including the introduction of electronic voting.”
While defending his commission›s 2021 budget before the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters, Professor Yakubu said INEC would likely experiment with electronic voting in next year’s governorship election in Anambra State. He said: «We’re determined; we are going to deploy electronic voting machines, or electronic ballot machines in elections. Possibly, we will commence with the Anambra governorship elections next year.»
Yakubu further revealed that about 40 companies had demonstrated the benefits of e-voting to the commission, but a decision was yet to be reached. According to him, “the next stage is for the commission to decide. So, it is too early to tell you the cost or when the process will be concluded,» he stated.
The electorate, once bitten, forever shy?
Nigerians, however, have taken the optimism of Yakubu on electoral reform, particularly with the proposed introduction of electronic voting to reduce electoral fraud and rigging, with a pinch of salt, particularly against the backdrop of absence of legal backing to support the initiative.
National Publicity Secretary of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Adelaja Adeoye, via his official Twitter handle (@AdelajaAdeoye), asked Nigerians to move beyond agitation for the reform of the police and proscription of the dreaded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and demand sanity in the electoral process.
The ADP spokesman, who called for #FixElectoralBill, maintained that Nigerians must agitate that the Electoral Amendment Act 2018 which President Buhari declined to sign be resurrected. His tweet read as follows: «Nigerians are not speaking up on a very important matter that is capable of shaping the 2023 elections. I understand that there are various contending issues we are currently faced with. #FixElectoralBill.” Prior to 2019 elections, the Eighth Assembly led by Senate President, @BukolaSaraki, presented an amended electoral act, which solves a number of usual irregularities marring our elections. #FixElectoralBill.
“This bill was not assented to by President Buhari, with the excuse of time frame when it was put before him by the Saraki-led National Assembly was very close to election. After the elections were concluded, till date, the Buhari’s Federal Executive is no longer talking about the bill. #FixElectoralBill.
“The unattended electoral amendment bill by President Buhari was of the Eighth Assembly, and for it to be signed into law, it needs to be re-introduced by this current Ninth Assembly led by Senate President Ahmad Lawan. #FixElectoralBill.
“Nigerian populace needs to immediately begin to engage their Ninth House of Reps and Senate members in their various constituencies to, as a matter of urgency, put pressure on them to re-introduce the Electoral Act, as amended by the 8th Assembly, but not signed into law by President Buhari. #FixElectoralBill.
“The Eighth Assembly amended the Electoral Act which solves a number of problems militating against the conduct of our elections. Having the amended Act passed into law and signed by President Buhari should be our focus because of the 2023 elections. #FixElectoralBill… The essence of having an amended electoral bill, amongst other things, is to further strengthen the ways our elections are conducted, allow equal opportunity for candidates… and ultimately work against ballot snatching or stuffing.
“Calling for #FixElectoralBill will not only benefit all Nigerians, but it will also bring sanity before, during and after the electioneering process, and mitigate against avoidable loss of lives, time wastage, since electronic means of collation and transmission of results will be involved. #FixElectoralBill
“Nigerian youths have been on the streets protesting on a number of issues, the only way some of their demands can be resolved is when they are allowed to elect leaders of their choice and this can only be possible through a fixed electoral system. #FixElectoralBill.”
SIEC: INEC’s needless Burden…
Though part of what is INEC proposing as solution to the country’s electoral challenge is taking over the conduct of elections at the state and local government levels, investigation by Sunday Tribune reveals that the plan to render State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) redundant may be rejected by both the Senate Committee on INEC led by former Kano State governor, Senator Kabiru Gaya and the Senate ad hoc Committee on Constitution Review led by Omo-Agege.
A National Assembly source told Sunday Tribune in confidence that the argument that has gained currency within the Senate Committee on INEC is the unbundling of the commission. The source noted that «the governors would use their lawmakers in both chambers to frustrate the initiative.»
It was however established that the federal lawmakers are on the same page for the establishment of a special court to check electoral offences. According to Sunday Tribune investigation, a Bill to establish National Electoral Offences Commission and Other Related Matters has since passed second reading on the floor of the Senate.
Sponsored by Senator Abubakar Kyari from Borno State, the bill proposes severe jail terms for election offences and violence. According to the proposed bill, anyone found guilty of destroying, snatching or illegally opening a ballot box is liable to a jail term of 15 years.
If the proposed amendment scales through, any person who votes when he or she is not entitled to vote is also liable to an imprisonment of 15 years, just as this applies to any one who attempts to stuff any ballot box approved by INEC or a State Electoral Commission other than a ballot paper which is authorised by law.
In the proposed amendment, a person shall also be jailed for 15 years if without due authority he or she takes over a polling station or he is found in possession of any electoral document outside a polling station.
The bill also targets judicial officers who may want aid and abet electoral crime. It proposes an «imprisonment of 20 years without an option of a fine for a judicial officer or officer of a court or tribunal who is found guilty of corruptly perverting electoral justice, before, during and after election, and if he directly or indirectly receives or accepts for himself or for any other person or on behalf of other persons, any money, gift, loan, property, valuable consideration, office, place, employment or appointment, or promise of personal enrichment for the purpose of giving, rendering, procuring or directing a judicial decision in favour of or against a particular person or party in an election petition or any matter relating to an election conducted pursuit to the provision of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Whether or not the bill will scale legislature hurdle is yet to be seen, given the dramatics of most of the lawmakers who love to play to the gallery. But what will interest Nigerians, ultimately if the bill is passed, is how President Buhari will receive it, having rejected an amendment to the Electoral Act that would have brought sanity into the country›s fraud-ridden electoral process. Will he, as he did to report of 2014 National Conference, lock it in a drawer to gather dust? All the answers would be unravelled in due course.
The urgent need for Ndigbo of voting age to all register and be ready to vote if indeed we are serious about producing the Nigerian President in 2023 provided the motivation for writing you this letter. This is now an idea whose time has come.
After the end of the Nigeria-Biafra Civil war in January 1970, political apathy soon made its bed in the South East Nigeria. Despondency fueled by escalating political marginalization and deliberate and even constitutional exclusion of Ndigbo from the nation’s power politics all combined to keep the morale ebbing in the South East. We have oft been reminded that our fate is the consequence of waging a war and losing it. In fact, it is like telling Ndigbo, “You ought to be happy to be alive”.
The shooting battle ended in January 1970, and the aftermath of the war has continued to linger and simmer, taking its toll on our people. Despite this harrowing experience, the fact is: time has passed. 50 years have passed. Half a century is long enough for our people to heal and pick up the pieces and trudge on – politically.
Remarkably and commendably, Ndigbo have since moved on and repaired their zone. Despite the politics of ‘No victor no vanquished’, Ndigbo have since bounced back economically with little or no support from the federal government. But there is a limit to what we can do without government support and political power. The present and operational 1999 Constitution – possibly the worst of its kind! – has further emasculated the South East and has not given the zone any space for regional economic integration and development.
The unitary nature of the 1999 Constitution has provided the oxygen for the renewed separatist agitations across the country and currently, the struggle for restructuring the country. Or, better put, the struggle for the restoration of federalism in Nigeria as agreed to between the nation’s founding fathers and the departing colonial British government. The fundamentals of federalism were enshrined in the Independence Constitution of 1960, and perfected in the Republican Constitution of 1963.
Ndigbo must shake off the lethargy and embrace politics again as great agents of nation building we are.
You are aware that there has been a massive push for the election of a Nigerian President of South East extraction in 2023, and this quest has culminated in a national conversation with all parts of the country commendably and remarkably keying in. But there are snags that must be addressed immediately lest they become insurmountable obstacles with time. One major snag is the voting strength of Ndigbo, especially in the South East. Statistically, the zone has the lowest voting strength, going by the number of registered voters for the 2019 General Election, though we instructively also vote massively in favour of the chosen candidate or party.
Luckily, an opportunity is about presenting itself again for Ndigbo to upgrade their voting strength by first registering enmass in the soon-coming voters registration exercise to reflect our superior population in Nigeria. The two major political parties (APC and PDP) need to be reassured that Ndigbo are truly out for the Nigerian president of their own extraction by demonstrating it by fresh millions of us joining the National Voters Register.
Recall that the one and only reason the APC picked President Muhammadu Buhari as their presidential candidate in 2015 was for his capacity to draw massive votes from the lunpen proletarians. The South East must show that it can deliver at least 10m votes to a political party that fields an Igbo man as its presidential candidate. Without registering, shouting at rooftops for Nigerian President of Igbo extraction will remain ineffectual buffoonery and whimsical, even unfair without us showing a clear resolve to pull in votes.
First things first; the recently announced Continuous Voter Registration exercise needs to be frontally tackled by Ndigbo, especially by all the organizations campaigning for an Igbo Nigerian president. Notable among these organizations that can play leading roles in mobilizing Ndigbo to register and vote are: Project NIPSEE, S/East for President 2023, PANPIEC, Oge Ndigbo, WUFIPA, 2023 Igbo Presidency Project, Onye Igbo for President and indeed all who wish to see the election of a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction come to fruition.
The 5 Eastern States should be able to pull in at least 2m fresh voters each, to push the voting strength of the South East ultimately close to 20 m. Once a figure like this is in the kitty, ensuring that at least half of them vote for the Igbo candidate becomes realistic and doable.
There were 84,004,084 registered to vote in the 2019 election in 36 states and the federal capital territory, Abuja. Of this number, more than 15 million were new voters. The North-West geopolitical zone registered 18,505,984 for the 2019 elections. The South-West zone was second highest, with about 14,626,800 registered voters. Meanwhile, the South-East was the lowest with 8,293,093 registered voters. The number of those who collected their permanent voters’ cards is a story for another day.
Ndigbo, especially those in the South East, need to get on the National Voters Register with the fresh opportunity. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise will commence in the first quarter of 2021 ahead of the 2023 General Election. This announcement was made by Chairman of the Electoral body, Professor Mahmood Yakubu (who just stepped aside pending his reconfirmation by the Senate) during a budget defence session with the Senate Committee on INEC.
This is achievable since the population is there and only needing reining in and we have a tool made to purpose. Ndigbo have the greatest human organization in Nigeria. Despite our republican nature, every town in Igbo land is unionized and has branches all over Nigeria and in the diaspora. This structure can be deployed to the voters registration exercise for sensitization, mobilization and even for crowd funding for facilitation of the process.
We need to prevail on our people to see this exercise as a crucial project. One great thing about Ndigbo is unity of purpose once they accept any challenge. One likely obstacle is the skepticism that an Igbo man will not be allowed to become Nigerian President. This is not true. If Nigerians voted an Igbo Nigerian Vice president less than 10 years after the civil war, they can also allow an Igbo Nigerian President, 50 years after!
Another obstacle is the institutional frustrations the drive would face. This is also surmountable if we are really determined. Then, our brothers who are looking for Biafra may undermine the drive. Yet, they need to be told in no uncertain terms that a voter’s card will be required even for a referendum.
Let us roll the sleeves and go to work. We have to do this for the repositioning and survival of our ethnic group. We need political power to renegotiate our stay in Nigeria, reposition our businesses and get a fair deal out of the entity called Nigeria in which Ndigbo remain very critical stakeholders.
Power is taken and not given. However, in Nigeria, presidential power is both taken and given through conscientious negotiations. And for us to negotiate effectively, we must show our voting strength and our resolve to massively support a candidate to its logical conclusion as we often do when we are determined.
· Dr. Law Mefor is an Abuja based Forensic/Social Psychologist
The former president ,BVI Channel 1 understands passed on, today, November 12, 2020, after a brief illness.
According to state-owned Daily Graphic, the former President had been on admission at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital for about a week for an undisclosed ailment. He was 73.
It will be recalled that Mr Rawlings recently lost and buried his mother last month.
Jerry John Rawlings was born in Accra on 22nd June 1947, to a Ghanaian mother from Dzelukope, near Keta, in the Volta Region, and a Scottish father.
Background of Rawlings
Jerry John Rawlings was born in Accra on 22nd June 1947, to a Ghanaian mother from Dzelukope, near Keta, in the Volta Region, and a Scottish father.
He was educated at Achimota School where he obtained his General Certificate of Education ‘O’ Level in 1966.
He enlisted as a Flight Cadet in the Ghana Air Force in August 1967, and was subsequently selected for officer cadet training at the Ghana Military Academy and Training School, Teshie, in Accra.
In March 1968, he was posted to Takoradi in the Western Region to continue his course.
He passed out in January 1969, as a commissioned Pilot Officer. He won the coveted “Speed Bird Trophy” as the best cadet in flying and airmanship.
He earned the rank of Flight-Lieutenant in April 1978. He was an efficient officer with a close rapport with his men.
During his service with the Ghana Air Force, he witnessed the deterioration of discipline and morale, reflecting the corruption of the regime of the Supreme Military Council (SMC) at that time.
As promotion brought him into contact with the privileged classes and their social values, his awareness of the injustices in society was sharpened.
He was thus regarded with some unease by the SMC. He read widely and discussed social and political ideas with a growing circle of like-minded friends and colleagues.
On May 28, 1979, Flt.-Lt. Rawlings, together with six others, appeared before a General Court Martial in Accra, charged with leading a mutiny of junior officers and men of the Ghana Armed Forces on 15th May, 1979. There was strong public reaction, especially after his statement had been read in court, explaining the social injustices that had prompted him to act.
The ranks of the Armed Forces, in particular, expressed deep sympathy with his stated aims. When he was scheduled for another court appearance on 4th June, 1979, Flt.-Lt. Rawlings was sprung from custody. With the support of both military and civilians, he led a revolt, which decisively ousted the Supreme Military Council from office and brought the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) into being.
The AFRC, under the chairmanship of Flt.Lt. Rawlings carried out a “house-cleaning exercise” aimed at purging the Armed Forces and society at large of corruption and graft as well as restoring a sense of moral responsibility and the principles of accountability and probity in public life.
Meanwhile, following the programme already set in motion before the 4th June Uprising for civilian administration, general elections were held.
On 24th September 1979, the AFRC handed over to the civilian Government of the People’s National Party (PNP) under President Hilla Limann.
On 31st December 1981, Flt. Lt. Rawlings led a section of the Armed Forces to overthrow the PNP administration. A Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), composed of both civilian and military members, was established, with Flt-Lt. J.J. Rawlings as the Chairman.
His interests include reading, building model aircraft, horse-riding and swimming. He is married to Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings with whom he has four children – three girls and a boy.
Flt-Lt. Rawlings ceased to be a member of the Ghana Armed Forces with effect from September 14, 1992. He formed the National Democratic Congress, which contested and won the 1992 Presidential and Parliamentary elections. He and the party again won the 1996 elections.
His term of office ended in the year 2000.
He is the joint recipient of the 1993 World Hunger Prize. He holds an Honorary Doctor of Law Degree from Medgar Evers College, City University of New York and Lincoln University Doctorate Degree for Diplomacy and Development.
Government turning Boko Haram insurgents to freedom fighters, protesters terrorists
It is an attempt to intimidate state panels of inquiry, alleges Ozekhome
FG insincere, pretentious, says NBA
To govt, treasury looters are saints — Odinkalu
Friday Olokor, Ade Adesomoju, Adelani Adepegba and Oladimeji Ramon
The Federal Government came under fire on Wednesday for tagging of #EndSARS campaigners as terrorists with prominent citizens and groups deploring the Central Bank of Nigeria’s action, which led to the freezing of the accounts of some of the campaigners.
The Federal Government had succeeded in freezing the accounts of 20 #EndSARS campaigners after telling a Federal High Court in Abuja that the funds in their accounts might have been linked to terrorist activities.
This was according to a written address in support of a motion ex parte filed by the CBN, which froze 20 accounts in the second week of October and thereafter approached the court to seek an ex parte order to freeze the accounts.
In the case with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1384/2020, filed before Justice A. R. Mohammed, the CBN, however, made no mention of the fact that the 20 accounts were owned by persons involved in the #EndSARS protests, but told the court that the funds might have emanated from terrorist activities.
FG insincere, pretentious – NBA
The Nigerian Bar Association said on Wednesday that blocking the accounts of #EndSARS protesters on the pretext that they were terrorism suspects showed that the Federal Government was insincere.
Speaking for the body of lawyers in an interview with The PUNCH, the Publicity Secretary of the association, Dr Raps Nduka, maintained that the #EndSARS protests were lawful and the demands of the campaigners genuine.
He added that the action of the Federal Government through the CBN in blocking the accounts of the promoters of the movement showed that the government was insincere with its promise to address their demands.
Nduka said, “The timing looks very suspicious. The protests are lawful and the demands of the protesters and the concerns they expressed are genuine.
“What has happened shows that the protesters were right to insist that they were not going to leave the streets because over time, the government would promise something and do the opposite. This action of the CBN lends credence to the position taken by the youth.
“Even if the government is right, who will believe it at this time? The government makes it look like it is trying to silence people from talking about the ills of the society. Why does the government appear to be doing that?
“It tells us that the government may not be doing anything to ensure that the complaints are being addressed. It also tells us that that their original claims that they were standing with the youth were pretences. You cannot be standing with them and freeze their accounts. It does not work that way.
“Let us assume that the allegations are true, what happens to discrete investigation? Why should they block the accounts of persons because you are investigating them? Why don’t they be on the trail of the money going into the accounts, assuming the allegations are true?
“The time is very suspicious. It lends credence to the belief of the average Nigerian that the government is not being sincere.”
It’s an attempt to intimidate states’ panels of inquiry – Ozekhome
Reacting to the apex bank’s action, a prominent Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Mike Ozekhome, on Wednesday described the Federal Government’s tagging of the promoters of the #EndSARS protests as terrorists as unlawful, unconstitutional and insensitive.
Ozekhome, who said he found it hard to believe that the CBN made such a claim in the application filed to obtain the court order freezing the accounts, noted that the rights to protest were guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution.
He said, “Who is saying that peaceful protests on the streets of Nigeria by Nigerians, who are constitutionally entitled under sections 37 and 38 of the Constitution to protest, to assemble, to associate, to move freely, to kick against bad government policies, to demonstrate on the streets peacefully, to sing, to dance and to hold rally, are terrorism? Who is the person saying that these amount to terrorism? What can this government not do to give a dog a bad name so as to hang it?
“So, the government does not know that the herdsmen are the real terrorists? The government does not know that Boko Haram members are the real terrorists? The government does not know that the rampaging kidnappers are the real terrorists? The government does not know that the bandits are the real terrorists? The government does not know that those in government stealing the commonwealth belonging to the people are the real terrorists?
“It is insensitive; it is immoral; it is illegal; it is unconstitutional; it is unlawful; it is wrongful for the government, through CBN or any agency, to tag peaceful protesters as terrorists. It is most unfortunate and saddening.”
He also said the blocking of the bank accounts of the campaigners was an attempt by the Federal Government to intimidate the various state governments to express views contrary to its own via the various panels of inquiry to investigate the root causes of the protests.
Ozekhome stated, “What happens to the various judicial panels of inquiry set up by the various state governments like Edo, Lagos, Ondo, and Ekiti to look into the root causes of these protests and what can be done? The Federal Government is already intimidating the states by already condemning the #EndSARS campaigners by blocking or freezing their accounts and tagging them as terrorists. Do you expect any state government panel to come with views that run contrary to the views of the government of Muhammadu Buhari?”
CBN risks losing credibility, Ogunye warns
Similarly, human rights lawyer, Mr Jiti Ogunye, said the profiling of the #EndSARS promoters as terrorists by the CBN was ridiculous, warning that the apex bank, which is not a security agency, must not get itself involved in politics at the risk of losing credibility.
Ogunye said, “It is ridiculous. The CBN has no statutory duty to profile anybody. The CBN is not a security agency or a law enforcement agency. The CBN is the banker to the Federal Government of Nigeria; it is also a regulatory agency in terms of ensuring compliance with fiscal policies. But it is not a body to designate or profile anybody as terrorists.
“What the CBN reportedly has done on this occasion is ridiculous and dangerous. This clampdown, violation of rights and profiling are unlawful and disconcerting. We live in a country that is talking now about rehabilitating known terrorists, who have taken up arms against the state, who are being rehabilitated or de-radicalised, but people who embarked on a protest are then tagged as terrorists; it is ridiculous.
“It is best for the government to calm down and engage in introspection. When you talk about incitement, if there is no fundamental lack, will it be possible for people to be incited? The more the CBN gets itself caught in the vortex of this very political action of the government, while it is supposed to maintain a degree of independence, the more people will treat it with derision and the CBN may suffer credibility crisis.”
Also, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr Tayo Oyetibo, said the right to protest was guaranteed by the country’s constitution and by no stretch of imagination could a protester be tagged a terrorist.
Oyetibo stated, “I think the proper question is whether people, who protested against police brutality, can be regarded as terrorists and my view is no. Because the right to protest against policies of government that one disagrees with is one of the fundamental rights granted to every Nigerian citizen. So, if you are protesting against government policies, there is no valid legal basis of adjudging you a terrorist. By no means can anybody protesting be adjudged to be a terrorist.”
It’s a wrong move – Sowemimo
Another Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr Seyi Sowemimo, described the profiling of the #EndSARS protesters as terrorists as a wrong move by the government.
Sowemimo said, “It is not helpful in trying to quell the tense political climate. I don’t think it is necessary. The protesters are not terrorists in the sense that we all understand who terrorists are and describing them as terrorists is not going to change people’s views as to the merit of their protests.
“So, I think it is a wrong move. If they have no other reason for trying to clamp down on their accounts, the tag of terrorism is simply not going to fly with the people.”
To FG, treasury looters are saints, says Odinkalu
A former President of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Malachy Ugwummadu, said, “The state is at liberty to file charges against anybody. What is important is to be able to gather watertight evidence to prove and establish the charges.
“Allegations of terrorism and terrorist activities are not mere misdemeanours. They attract as much as life imprisonment upon conviction or N150m, or both, pursuant to Section 33 of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011. Thus, where were the CBN, the DSS, the FIU and other security and financial institutions before the #EndSARS protests?
“What the government has done with these moves amount to a breach of the understanding it has with Nigerian youths.”
The Convener of the Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy and Constitution, Ariyo-Dare Atoye, also berated the government.
He stated, “It is not shocking to me that a government that has been doing everything to reshape terrorism narrative in the country and turn Boko Haram members into freedom fighters or agitators could now easily turn around to label peaceful protestors as terrorists.”
Govt turning protesters to terrorists, B’Haram members to freedom fighters — Group
On his part, a former Chairman of the Human Rights Commission, Dr Chidi Odinkalu, tweeted that the government regarded treasury looters as saints and #EndSARS protesters as terrorists.
He wrote, “Reprisals: @cenbank says those who protested to #EndSARS & those who supported them were terrorists.
The #SARS operatives who slaughtered young ppl & the politicians who loot our common patrimony are saints!”
#EndSARS activist drags lawyer before disciplinary panel for misconduct
A leading member of the #EndSARS movement, Deji Adeyanju, has filed a complaint against a lawyer, Kenechukwu Okeke, before the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee for “acts unbecoming of a legal practitioner.”
The petition dated November 11, 2020, was supported by an affidavit filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The action against Okeke was sequel to the criminal complaint he filed against 50 #EndSARS promoters before a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Abuja for their alleged roles in the protests, which he said resulted in the looting and destruction of property.
In the case instituted on Monday pursuant to sections 88, 109(a) and 110(1)(c) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, Okeke listed prominent persons, including entertainers and social media influencers as defendants.
The lawyer alleged that his properties were destroyed during the riot, adding that the defendants should be brought to justice over his loss.
Those listed as defendants include musician, Damini Ogulu, aka Burna Boy; David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido; Folarin Falana, aka Falz; social media comedians, Debo Adebayo, aka Mr Macaroni; and Maryam Apaokagi, aka Taoma.
Also listed are Adeyanju, Aisha Yesufu, Feyikemi Abudu, Olorunrinu Oduala, Pamilerin Adegoke, Japhet Omojuwa, Ayo Sogunro and others.
Following Adeyanju’s petition, the LPDC said, “Okeke of Gana Street, Maitama, Abuja, is required to answer to the allegations contained in the statement/affidavit, which accompanies this application and that such order be made as the committee shall think right.”
If found guilty, the LPDC may suspend the lawyer from the bar for at least one year.
INEC had stated that resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) will resume in the first quarter of 2021.
The commission’s Acting Chairman, AVM Ahmed Mu’azu (retd.), announced this yesterday during the virtual meeting with leadership of political parties at INEC national headquarters in Abuja
Praising the parties for their role during the recently concluded Edo and Ondo states’ governorship elections, Mua’zu urged them to channel all efforts towards adhering to the commission’s voters’ code of conduct for elections during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On the crisis that ensued over which leadership of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), which should be given legal recognition by the commission, Mua’zu endorsed the Leanard Nzenwa faction, ignoring the observation and protests from the National Chairman of Labour Party (LP), Abdukadir Abdulsalam
He said: “The Edo and Ondo states’ governorship elections have come and gone. They were acclaimed as credible and peaceful.
“The commission sincerely appreciates the role played by the leadership of political parties and their candidates towards ensuring that the elections were generally peaceful and safe within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
