NATIONAL NEWS

Uproar In Senate Over AC, ANPP Members' Defection

Threats of legal action and disruption of legislative proceedings trailed the gale of defection of opposition lawmakers and governors to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANNP), which is worse hit by the development, has threatened to seek legal redress against its decamped members. So far, the party has lost Governors Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State and Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State, elected under its platform to the PDP. The latest blow dealt the ANPP was the defection of 17 of its lawmakers in the Bauchi State House of Assembly to the PDP. The AC also has a fair share of the shift of political loyalty by politicians. Recently, the party leaders and lawmakers in Plateau State crossed over to the PDP. An attempt by one of the defected AC lawmakers, Mr. Satti Gogwin, to formalise his cross-carpeting caused an uproar in the Senate. For about 20 minutes, aggrieved opposition senators brought proceedings in the chamber to a halt as they protested the recurring decimal. Gogwin's defection came as the National Assembly began consideration of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua's Constitution Amendment Bill, which seeks among others to outlaw defection.
Senate President David Mark had barely read out a letter signed by Gogwin, who represented the Plateau Central Senatorial District announcing his defection when the Senate Deputy Minority Leader, Olorunnimbe Mamora, raised an objection, citing Section 68 (1) (g) of the 1999 Constitution. He said Gogwin was supposed to vacate his seat following his defection. Gogwin's letter read in part: "I, Senator Satti Gogwin wish to announce my defection from the Action Congress (AC), a party I contested election in 2007 and the re-run election in 2008 to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the greatest party in black Africa."This action was taken by me and thousands of my supporters in Plateau State, including some executive members and elders of the party at all levels, as a result of the crisis and division bedevilling the Action Congress in the state."With this notification, Your Excellency, I hereby request that you take the necessary steps to integrate me among my colleagues as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party in the National Assembly."
While other opposition senators, including the Senate Minority Leader, Maina Maaji Lawal, praised Mamora shouting "Mamo, Mamo, Mamo," their PDP colleagues booed him. When the uproar subsided, Mamora said the defection ought to be condemned by senators because the situation that should give rise to the defection did not exist in the AC. Mamora said: "My point of order is a Constitutional Order, Section 68 (1g). It says a member of the Senate or of the House of Representatives shall vacate his seat in the House of which he is a member if being a person whose election in the House was sponsored by a political party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which that House was elected provided that his membership of the later political party is not as a result of a division of a political party of which he was elected a member or of a merger of two or more political parties or factions by one of which he was previously sponsored.
"Mr. President, sub-section 2 says that the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of Representatives as the case may be shall give the provision of sub-section 1 of this section satisfactory evidence that any of the provisions of that section has become applicable and satisfactory to the House concerned that the provisions of that section have become applicable in respect of that member. I also want to refer your good self and this Senate to the 77th schedule of the Constitution. It says that is the oath, which we all took at the inauguration of this Senate that we shall preserve, protect and defend the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
"The truth is that while I am not saying that a colleague cannot cross over, cross or cannot jump the ship, I am saying that in the constitution as we have it now, the conditions precedent for that have not been complied with. Let me remind your good self that in the same Plateau State in the last dispensation, 14 members of one party decamped and they lost their seats in that state Assembly. Fourteen members of PDP in Plateau State decamped and they lost their seats because it is self-fulfilling and the constitution is clear under which condition a member can cross-carpet.
What the constitution says in the case of members of the Assembly is; the member shall vacate. It does not say may vacate and to the extent that there is no division in the Action Congress and we all know this. I am saying that we as senators who are privileged to be in Legislative Olympian height, we have a duty not just to our selves but to this country to ensure that we protect the constitution that we all canvassed to defend. I submit that this proposed cross-carpeting is not and cannot stand because it is a violation of the provisions of the constitution as provided by section 68(1g)," he declared. Mark ruled Mamora out of order, pointing out that he was not in a position to determine whether or not there was crisis in the AC. Turning to Mamora, Mark said: "You said that there is no crisis in the Action Congress, You are speaking as a senator, isn't it and not as an official of the party?" Mamora replied: "Mr. Senate President, with due respect, I think I am well placed to know what is happening in the party and I am saying that there is no division in the party and that is the truth."
Ruling on the matter, Mark said: "So, Satti is the one who is taking the risk and not you. So, if he has taken the risk, you leave him to his fate because I don't see what your point of order would do here. You are not a party official. You are a member of the party just like he is. If he has decided to take the risk, what is your point of order now? Satti has a letter showing that there is a division in AC and he has taken the risk. If you feel otherwise, the right place to protest against it is not on the floor here. I cannot stop him from decamping and you cannot stop him either. It is not really your problem so your order cannot be sustained. I rule you out of order."
The Senate floor was then overtaken by rowdiness as prominent PDP senators rose from their seats to take Gogwin to a new seat.A disturbed Lawal, when called upon to second a motion to continue debate on the Constitution Amendment Bill, said: "It is with heavy heart that I second this motion because what happened is really tragic to our democracy."Meanwhile, the ANPP has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare the seats of the Speaker, Bauchi State House of Assembly and the other 17 members, who joined the PDP last Saturday vacant or it would head for the court.Yar'Adua was at the event where Yuguda was formally received into the PDP, the party he abandoned in 2007 to contest the governorship seat.In a statement, ANPP spokesman, Mr. Emma Eneukwu, said the constitution made it imperative that lawmakers could decamp to other political parties when there are factions.He said it was a known fact that ANPP has no faction but one focused and determined structure under the leadership of Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke.

Eneukwu added that at no time was it heard that any other leadership structure existed after its 2006 convention.

"Since the constitution of the country is clear on the decampment of lawmakers, INEC should not waste time to declare the seats of the 17 legislators vacant in Bauchi State as that will portend the seriousness of the much-touted rule of law flaunted by the Yar'Adua administration..."Nigerians are watching President Yar'Adua, personally welcomed these people to the PDP, supports their continued stay in the House of Assembly having violated the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which he swore to uphold."We also wish to advise Yuguda that any impeachment process by the present House of Assembly as constituted would be an attempt in futility because the lawmakers have technically and constitutionally lost their seats."We are also baffled at the action of the President, who recently sent a bill to the National Assembly against the idea of defection, to personally attend the Bauchi rally. The action of Mr. President is a sure sign that he is not the apostle of what he preaches and it portends great danger to the success of the topical electoral reform in the country now. The whole noise about the electoral reform may be playing to the gallery after all," he said.

The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) justified what is believed to be a belated trial of the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, over his alleged failure to declare his assets while he was the head of the commission. The bureau said that Ribadu was being tried for failing to declare his assets after he left office as EFCC's helmsman. It also said that it was in support of calls for the immunity clause to be qualified, to the extent that there would be no immunity for the specified officers against criminal prosecution. The immunity clause provided by Section 308 of Nigeria's 1999 Constitution shields the President, Vice President, governors and their deputies from prosecution. The Chairman and Secretary of CCB, Yakubu Tuktur and Mustapha Buba, who respectively expressed this view, explained that the statute empowered the bureau to try any public officer for failing to declare his assets on assumption of office or upon exiting the said public office.
Tuktur and Buba spoke during a media briefing to mark the 20th anniversary of CCB in Abuja. Clarifying why the CCB waited until Ribadu had been relieved of his job at the EFCC before charging him to the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Buba noted that Ribadu's trial was for his failure to declare his assets after leaving public office. "The CCB charged Ribadu for not declaring his assets after leaving office; he declared his assets upon assumption of office as the EFCC Chairman, but when he left office, he failed to declare his assets and that is why we referred him to the tribunal for prosecution", the bureau's secretary explained. Tuktur said although he "knows how sensitive Ribadu's issues are," the CCB could not because of that cover its eyes when its laws had been breached by Ribadu.
Besides, Tuktur said the law did not place a time bar as to when a public officer could be charged for an offence, adding that there was nothing wrong with CCB charging Ribadu or any other public officer to court anytime it detects an offence earlier committed even if it is after he might have left office.

The peace overtures of a general amnesty recently made to the Niger Delta militants by the Federal Government appeared to have failed to engender the hope of a new dawn in a critical component of the Nigeria Project - the manufacturing sector. Reason: Reeling under colossal economic losses arising from the drastic reduction in industrial gas to manufacturing outfits as a direct consequence of the raging Niger Delta crisis, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has told the Federal Government to look beyond the troubled region for the gas needs of the nation's industrialists. President, MAN, Bashir Borodo, who stated this in an exclusive interview with newsmen on Monday, described the prevailing shortage of gas supply to manufacturing concerns nationwide as "very disturbing."
Meanwhile, President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua's quest to resolve the Niger Delta crisis, fight crime and check corruption had been extolled by the top Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Alexander D. Polyakov.
He also assured that Moscow would assist in every possible way to buoy the country's economy to achieve the Vision 2020 objectives and the United Nations (UN) Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In an exclusive interview with newsmen, Polyakov argued that Nigeria "does not need foreign aid but investments," hence the recent visit of Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev to Abuja where he and President Yar'Adua signed six agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) to boost the "strategic partnership" between both nations. During the visit, the Russian president inked pacts in the areas of energy, metallurgy, oil and gas production and exploration of space, among others, with President Yar'Adua.
Although he commended government's peace overtures to the militants, Borodo stressed that this should be complemented with prompt moves to seek alternative sources of gas supply in the country. His words: "We agree that one way of solving the Niger Delta crisis is to make peace. But, while pursuing the peace deal, we should also consider the second option for gas supply. There is no way you can simply depend on a single area to power the country. Unfortunately, no one has looked at its cost implication. We have gas in less volatile areas in this country that should be tapped like in Edo and Benue states." Currently, Nigeria depends largely on the Lagos-Escravos gas pipeline for its natural gas needs.
The MAN president emphasised that the problem of gas supply should not be viewed as an industrial one but as "a tremendous, national loss." The Federal Government, Borodo stressed, should take a cue from the European Union (EU), "which has started looking elsewhere for gas supply rather than relying solely on Russia."
He added: "Due to recent problems in Russia and other places, the EU became afraid of Russia using its gas for political objectives and it tagged Russia as an unreliable gas supplier and is considering other sources."
While the MAN president could not come up with a figure on the financial implication of the gas shortage, he said the loss would run into billions of naira. For instance, Lafarge Wapco Cement Plc disclosed at its yearly general meeting in Lagos recently that about N1.8 billion was lost to gas supply shortages last year. And just last weekend, the company also announced that between January and June, it has lost 60 days of production owing to the same problem. Commenting on the development, Head of Communications, OANDO Plc, Meka Olowola, whose subsidiary, Gaslink Limited, supplies industrial gas, said the company was doing all it could to get gas from sources other than the Niger Delta. His words: "We join all Nigerians to pray for peace in the Niger Delta. Nonetheless, we are investing billions in new initiatives to explore other gas supply sources."
The new Russo-Nigerian pacts also covered:
transfer of convicted nationals of both countries, Investment Promotion and Protection of Agreement (IPPA); co-operation in the field of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes; legal cooperation between Nigerian and Russian ministries of justice; MOU on cooperation in the field of exploration of outer space for peaceful purposes; and MOU and Articles of Association on joint venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Russian firm, GAZPROM.

The Presidency cleared the thickening fog over the sudden postponement of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua's planned two-day visit to Bayelsa State. There were speculations that security reports advised the President against the trip, coming at a time the people of the Niger Delta were still bitter over the Federal Government's recent military action in the region. But Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity), Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi, said in Abuja that the cancellation of the tour was temporary and at the instance of the Bayelsa State government.
Adeniyi said the last-minute decision was due to Governor Timipre Sylva's request that the trip be delayed so that the President could assess the progress of the implementation of the amnesty the government granted militants last week when he finally visits. "I wish to clarify that the postponement of the two-day state visit to Bayelsa State by President Yar'Adua was at the instance of Governor Timipre Sylva, who following the amnesty proclamation advised that the President should visit during the amnesty period so he could make an on-the-spot assessment of the implementation of the entire programme," he said. Adeniyi said the visit would come up at a later date, which would not only be agreed upon, but would also be more convenient for both the Presidency and the state government. Also, the Media Coordinator of the Presidential Committee on Amnesty and Disarmament, Dr. Timiebi Koripamo-Agary, explained that the amnesty granted to militants, of which Henry Okah is a beneficiary, has "absolutely no conditions attached nor is it a Greek gift."
Koripamo-Agary, a former permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and Communications, said the "apparent reason" that may delay the immediate release of Okah, now on trial in Jos, Plateau State for treason, is the conclusion of diplomatic formalities with the Presidents of Angola and Equatorial Guinea. She described "as misleading" statements credited to the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta and the Joint Revolutionary Council (JRC) that the recourse to normal diplomatic finesse before the release of Okah amounted to conditional release.
Adeniyi had last Friday said "what the President (Umaru Musa Yar'Adua) will be doing in the next couple of days will be to send special envoys to these Presidents he had discussions with before Henry Okah was extradited to Nigeria; that this is a decision (amnesty) that has been taken by Nigeria. And out of courtesy, he needs to inform them that under this amnesty he wants to extend it to Henry Okah. It is only fair and normal that he will do that after which Henry Okah will be offered the amnesty. And if he accepts, he will be released." Korimapo-Agary told journalists that it was clear that "the Federal Government has through the amnesty offer demonstrated good faith in refusing to criminalise militants through derogatory terms. Militants and the Niger Delta youths know what is good for them and their communities. And I believe they will make the right decisions for themselves and the progress and development of the Niger Delta and Nigeria".
"I wish to state that the offer of amnesty is unconditional and covers Okah, who will be released as soon as the Federal Government concludes its consultations with the governments of Angola and Equatorial Guinea. This is also in the best interest of Mr. Henry Okah. Mr. President has offered an olive branch, which should be accepted to restore peace and development in the region, which is of great concern to the militants, and for which real steps are being taken by the government. "The amnesty offer affords them the freedom and opportunity to engage in the dialogue that President Yar'Adua has promoted since he assumed office. I think aside the amnesty proclamation by Mr. President, the fact that he is willing to personally receive any militant that surrenders demonstrates how sincere he is on the Niger Delta crisis," he said. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Yar'Adua's political platform, has commended the militants for their positive response to the amnesty offered them by the government. It also applauded Yar'Adua for making good his pledge to reach out to the armed men.
In a statement signed by the party's National Chairman, Chief Vincent Ogbulafor, he said the amnesty gesture showed Yar'Adua's sincerity of purpose. He said the move was a practical demonstration of the President's avowed determination to proffer a lasting solution to the crisis in the Niger Delta. The party also praised the militants for accepting the offer, which, Ogbulafor said would bring peace to the region. The PDP appealed to the militants yet to submit their arms to do so without further delay. Ogbulafor also appealed to the Niger Delta people to be vigilant and ensure that their quest for an enhanced standard of living was no longer hijacked by criminals for their own selfish interests. Information and Communications Minister, Prof. Dora Akunyili says the amnesty initiative would impact positively on the current rebranding of the country. She said the development could change the negative perception of the area as crisis-torn and alleged government's insensitivity to the yearnings of the people.
At the 14th Synod of the Anglican Communion, Enugu Diocese, held at the weekend in Cathedral Church of Good Shepherd, Independence Layout, Enugu, Akunyili, said the amnesty was an indication of the readiness of the government to end the unrest in the oil-rich zone. She said the desire of the government to change the negative perception being held about Nigerians and the nation informed the Nigeria Rebrand, which she stated was targeted at ensuring attitudinal change and increased productivity. Akunyili said: "Nigeria generally is peaceful, that we are working on our image does not mean that there is nothing good about us. It does not mean we are a failure, but this is a thing we must do to increase productivity and change certain perceptions of individuals, including those within the country on how we react to issues concerning us".
According to her, the modest inroad made in the War Against Indiscipline (WAI) was not sustained, while the Heart of Africa project among others failed due to poor planning and execution. She said even when the Federal Government had paid about N20 million of the N150 million debt on the Heart of Africa project, it could not continue the project because it was not homegrown and too elitist. Akunyili said: "Heart of Africa project could not fly with our population, having being launched outside the country. It was not meant for the people of the country and its programme was elitist in nature. Such project should have been targeted inside and not outside." The minister, who spoke on the theme, "Rebranding: The role of the church," lamented that Nigerians were unfairly regarded as fraudsters, criminals and a country where nothing works, arguing that these anti-social vices were foreign to indigenous culture. She maintained that religious leaders had roles to play in the project, adding that government alone could not succeed in the efforts to reposition the country without the cooperation of the led.
Earlier, the Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma, urged religious leaders to cooperate with the government to ensure that the crusade succeeds, lamenting that bribery and corruption had eaten deep into the nation's fabric. Bishop Chukwuma noted that there appeared to have been selective prosecution in the anti-corruption war, wondering why only political leaders mostly from a section of the country were being indicted by the anti-graft agencies. He therefore called for holistic approach to the campaign, where persons from a particular part of the country would no longer be treated as sacred cows.