The Guardian Online - http://ngrguardiannews.com
Friday, April 27, 2001
Okadigbo apologises to Senate

From John-Abba Ogbodo and Emmanuel Onwubiko (Abuja)

AMID thunderous cheers from his colleagues, former Senate President Dr. Chuba Okadigbo yesterday tendered an apology to the Assembly over his recent allegation that some of them were bribed to, first, stop him from getting to the exalted position and, later, remove him after the plot had failed.

With the development, frayed nerves of the upper legislative chamber were cooled and his apology accepted.

Okadigbo's former deputy Haruna Abubakar, also yesterday, secured an interim court injunction from being prosecuted by the police. The Senate had indicted both Okadigbo and Abubakar alongside some others over alleged fiscal indiscretion, and asked the executive to initiate criminal proceedings against them.

A motion sponsored by Senator Arthur Nzeribe (APP, Imo) on Tuesday had asked that Okadigbo apologise to his colleagues for the statement, failing which he would be suspended.

Okadigbo was absent at the Thursday session, fuelling speculations that the House might soon be headed for an epic clash.

But entering the chamber yesterday at exactly 3.25 p.m. a few minutes to the end of the day's session, the chamber immediately became changed, with many Senators discussing in hushad tones.

After exchanging the five item Order Paper, the Chief Whip Stella Omu, took the floor.

She reminded the Assembly of the Tuesday resolution on Okadigbo and asked if he had any comment.

"Mr. President (of the Senate), having exhausted the items on the Order Paper, I wish to say that this Senate on Tuesday resolved that Senator Chuba Okadigbo should apologise for his interview in a paper where he said things that the Senate found offensive," she declared.

Presenting his prepared apology, after being given the floor, Okadigbo said after consulting with his constituency, party admirers and God, he agreed to bow to the wishes of the Assembly.

He, however, had a side-kick: The sponsor of the motion last year had a similar resolution that he apologise to the Assembly, which he repudiated.

The case was referred to the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges and is yet to be acted upon, Okadigbo's statement reads:

"President of the Senate, Distinguished Senators!

"I understand that this Senate requires an apology from me. The matter at stake is an interview I granted to the National Interest newspaper wherein some, repeat some Senators, were said to have been gratified to stop and/or remove me from the position of President of the Senate.

" I have consulted with several persons from my Anambra North Senatorial Constituency, our Anambra State, our PDP party comrades, patriots in the APP and AD, some Senators, and my mentors and advisers across the nation. And I did meditate and pray to God for guidance. The following issues came to the forefront, which I paraphrase hereafter.

"First, what is in the National Interest? Is anybody above the law or an institution as great as this Senate? What will promote harmony and facilitate Democracy, the Rule of Law, and the delivery of the dividends of Democracy for the common good of the many.

"Second, there is the abiding issue of the mens rea doctrine. Here, the fundamental question is: Was it the intent of Senator Chuba Okadigbo to cast aspersion on his fellow Senators? In my humble but studied view the categorical answer is No. However, the issue remains one of individual conscience and must be placed at the feet of the Almighty God who seeth and knowest all.

"Not too long ago, a vast and overwhelming majority of the Senators of the Fourth Nigerian Republic bestowed upon me the outstanding honour and privilege of election as President of this Senate. Before this election, during the relevant tenure, and after its expiry, I have and still regard the hallowed Chamber of this Senate as my other Home, and all of its members as part of one big family, despite different or divergent views, from time to time, as is common in every Democracy.

"Furthermore, we have built friendships and solidarities, which I believe, will endure - way after the expiry of our present tenure of office, Permit me to state that I truly cherish the inherent Friendship and camaradie, much more than the passage of existential events of the last and next few months.

"It is ironic that the mover of the motion under reference, Chief Arthur Nzeribe was asked many, many months ago by our Senators to applogise to this same Senate. He refused to apologise and the matter was accordingly referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics and privileges. Notably, the relevant Report is yet to be presented to this Chamber. Perhaps, Nzeribe imagines that the 'arrogant' Chuba will adopt the Nzeribe option. And then...?

"President of the Senate, Distinguished Senators, you all know that Senator Chuba Okadigbo stands for the integrtity of the Senate, for harmony in the Senate, and for the delivery of the dividends of democracy to the good people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Let us move on, put rancour behind us, and carry on with our national assignments. With these remarks, I tender my apology to this Senate."

In a related development, the Senate also yesterday mandated its committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to look into the complaints of delineation of electoral constituencies nationwide.

Its ad hoc committee on the probe of Pipeline Product Marketing Company (PPMC) also flagged off its activities with a press conference.

Pledging to be transparent, the Committee's Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff said it was not out to witch-hunt anybody.

He also dismissed allegations that the committee was out to target a particular Senator, saying "may persons headed the PPMC between 1995 and now, so we are not limiting our activites to any particular person."

And, for Senator Abubakar, yesterday was a good day. Justice Okechukwu Okeke granted an interim injunction against the Nigeria Police from initiating a criminal prosecution against him and other indicted Senators following the Kuta Panel Report on alleged contract scandal.

Abubakar had through his three-man legal team namely last month applied to the Federal High Court, Abuja with an application for an exparte order halting possible criminal prosecution of the indicted Senators.

Specifically the embattled Senator from Nasarawa State had prayed for;

an order granting leave to the applicant to apply for an order of certioriari to remove into this court for the purpose of being quashed namely the report of the Ad hoc Committee of the Senate on the investigation of Senate contracts; and the report of the senate harmonisation committee report; and

an order of interim injunction restraining the Senate, the Attorney General of the Federation and the Inspector General at Police by themselves, their agents or whosoever from arresting or initiating any criminal prosecution of the applicant on account of the contents of the reports of the Ad-hoc committee report pending the hearing of determination of the suit;
The embattled Senator who secured the reprieve from Justice Okeke of the Federal High Court said he was relying on a 37-paragraph affidavit, statement in support of the application, reliefs sought, and ground upon which the reliefs are sought.

Very briefly, Okadigbo is human and his apology shows how civilized he is compared to others. Who in Nigeria will make intentional and honest mistake and human enough to apologize? very few.

Frankly, I believe he did the right thing to free his mind. He is now stronger with a cleared concious. I stil stand in my previous assessment, that he is best an intellectually stud in college classrooms to win, loose or draw, Nigerian way of politiks.

I believe his actions speaks exclusively within those theories and reality. "Sorry for my political indescretion". That is what differentiate the boys from the men...Boys to MEN if you get the drift?
If they decide to prosecute him for mistrust, what a heck?. I hope there is a due process in Nigeria and must be followed. I am a firm believer in that.

Hail Biafra

I disagree that Okadigbo was singled out by anybody; rather Okadigbo is the sole architect of his downfall. I think Okadigbo is too intelligent to fall for Obasanjo bait, and if he is that dumb with all his educational background and exposures to fall for Obasanjo bait, then that is his own funeral. I agree with you on the Na’aba issue, but I still hope nemesis will catch up with him soon. Na’aba can run, but he cannot hide.

In a true democracy, all the 3x36 senators should have been recalled by now, or none will be electable in the next election. They misrepresented to the masses that they collected 3.5 million for the furniture(Which was outrageous in first instance) while, in actual fact, they collected 5 cool million when the masses are dying of hunger, no good roads, NEPA remains a mystery, telecommunication is non existent and so forth.

I'm imprssed.You are improving in your opinion. I am happy for you. That is what this board is all about. Speak your mind and avoid foul mouth with others..be diplomatic. However, when you disagree with something you must endevour to back it up with facts, a reader like me will understand.

Brother Biafra may be right in his assessment. Obasanjo's personal tribal feelings may have gotten him to arrive to that conclusion that Okadigbo was singled out by Obasanjo. One fact still remain that Obasanjo fought tooth and nail to block Okadigbo from being norminated the senate President. And Okadigbo consumed criticism of Obasanjo 2000 Budget and the continous mockery and violation of the Nigerian Soldier constitution, not only an oversight but intentional disregard to please his insatiable detectorial gut.
Bother Biafra is logical in arriving to that conclusion even though he did not provide us with back up.