posted
Is there a lawyer in the house? Please someone investigate whether the title of this thread is a violation of law because based upon what I read below, it is unclear. Please advise us so as to head off any damage to BNW.
___________________ The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves... Posts: 660 | From: Valle del Sol | Registered: Nov 2004
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quote:Originally posted by Greg: Is there a lawyer in the house? Please someone investigate whether the title of this thread is a violation of law because based upon what I read below, it is unclear. Please advise us so as to head off any damage to BNW.
Every post made on this board carries a disclaimer from BNW. Thus, I see no need for additional disclaimers. Moreover, BiafraNigeria's cyber history is strewn with the wreckages of those who have rushed to court, including the court of public opinion, to assert liability upon BNW because of messages posted on this board.
That aside, your analogy with the Pat Robertson/Chavez case is problematic. In that case, a US citizen and former candidate for president of the United States called for the assassination of the president of a foreign country who has committed no crimes against Americans. The dispute was about US oil interests in Venezuela (as perceived by George Bush and Pat Robertson) and Chavez's unfriendly disposition towards the US on that issue.
Considering the stature of Pat Robertson in the US and the following and coverage that Robertson's evengelical church enjoys, many persons rationalized that Robertson could have been a surrogate for George Bush who not long before instigated a failed coup against Chavez. Simply put, Robertson is too big for the US Government and the network that carried his outburst to ignore.
Before the recent war in Iraq started, the US Government openly called on Iraqis to assassinate Saddam Hussein, as a way to avoid war. Indeed, Dick Cheney repeatedly made that call long before there was talk of a war. The rationale was that an assassinated Saddam would save American lives that an invasion would certainly cost.
You should notice that I have not sought to exhaust the legal implications, if any, of Adamu's choice of title. But, such an exhaustion would certainly undermine the undue urgency and graveness that you have attached to it.
___________________ Biafra All The Way Posts: 202 | Registered: Mar 2001
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OK. I didn't know about any of these things of which you write. Thanks for the clarification. I'm not a lawyer so I was concerned when I read about the Pat Robertson story.
___________________ The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves... Posts: 660 | From: Valle del Sol | Registered: Nov 2004
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Ahmed! bro Ahmed! i dont want to go on ironsi, 1966 coup and arabic-notherners coward culture of jungle justice of killing the offenders,innocent, passersby etc which is most babaric, in a modern society. If you could be a bit truthful to yourself, you should know that your statement is self contradictory and myopic.! Ahmed you know more than me that mass mordering of Innocent men, Women, Babys and unborn foetus in an Act of Jungle Justice that is genocidal in nature by arabic-notherners Citizens, did not start with 1966 Coup. neither did it ends with it. this has been happening unabated for over 60 years now in Northern Towns/villages. some years for instance b4 nigerian independence, one Anthony Enahoro an Urobo, presented a bill for Nigerian to be left alone to govern themselves in the colonial era nigerian parliament - arabic-notherner Citizenry who said they want England to stay and Lords nigeria matched through the Towns and villages in Northern nigeria in a zoombie like manner, slashing off Throats of any non natives they lay hand on, men children, women etc who are mostly igbos!. so Ahmed if you are defending 1966 Genocid of 55 thousand innocent souls, can you also defend this one of a politician-Enahoro merely tabling an ordinary proposal on the table!- a reason for genocide!!. bro Ahmed ,like i said earlier this babaric notherners culture is still there, alive, well and occur even more frequently than expected. you know Ahmed more than i do, that even as i am writting these texts, there are tensions and fear of genocides in Kadunna, Kano and other Northern Cities so much so that the inhabitants of these towns stockpile weapons in their Homes to defend their lives- So bro Ahmed,you see as a notherner, and now that you have known, i expect you to do something against this babaric culture which is non africans, by helping to educate others. if you are willing to do that , i will help you with materials- i mean it. you see the blood of an innocent person is sacred to the almighty GOD. nigeria as a nation remains unstable, no progress, no peace because so many innocent blood have shedded and are continuosly being shadded on daily basis. this innocent souls are crying against Nigerian state in the presence of GOD, and there will be no real peace until they are atoned!
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K-K-O quote: No doubt, there was a dirty Jew in Germany who must have said: quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Although Hitler's untimely demise would be of the greatest benefit to many, nothing could be more dishonorable as it is herein called for.
What I am saying is, if it happens...oh well...but to publicly call for it is a bit much; and it's chilling to think that 72-79 years ago, a public call to massacre defenseless Jewish men, women and children rang throughout Germany in much the same way, and seems to give creedence to the truism, "the more things change, the more things remain the same." --- Hypothetical Dirty Jew in Hitler's Germany ---------------------K-K-0. ............................................. personally OBJ, Diya, Balogun and other Yoruba so called nigerian military generals who will charged at their opponents today, and tommorow they will be prostrating, and weeping to their opponents if they realise that they, their opponents have the means and determination to face them. for instance about 3 years ago, OBJ called his Friends ,threatening and vowing that he will go to 2003 nomination pools without Artikur his VP, but during the pools, when it becomes clear without atikur, he is gone- i learned from an insider who said he could not believe what he saw- OBJ was prostrating like a child and begging artikur even to the point of weeping!!. [B]for OBJ, kicken a Man that is tied and bounded to the Ground is not only an act of Brevity, but also the only act of Brevity he can undertake!! so personally comparing these Cowards with firebrand Hitler, who will rather go yonder, than eat his words is out of question. but then on a policy level, vindictive OBJ has similler morderous, genocidal policy of neo-nazi Hitler- these statement by OBJ summarizes it all: ................................. " they kill security Agents, and brought destruction and calamity to their Communities" ---Obasanjo that was OBJ defending the genocides and brutal massacre in Odi and Zaki-biam by his forces. ............................................. that means according to OBJ, if a British, french, german, american, etc kills a security agent, all British,german, american etc Citizens should be gathered in one place and gased to death, their communities destroyed and burned down, their Women raped and thereafter killed!!.
now folks, is there any diferent between this policy and that of Adolf Hitlers "letze Lösung zur Frage juden" (the last Solution to jews Question)??!
the truth is simple, OBJ is sooked with thousand of innocent blood.the evidencies are there and vivid and that is the reason why he want to cling to power till death. but nigerians will stop him. i just hope they will capture the old man Alive for him to be tried.
quote:…the truth is simple, OBJ is sooked with thousand of innocent blood.the evidencies are there and vivid and that is the reason why he want to cling to power till death. but nigerians will stop him. i just hope they will capture the old man Alive for him to be tried. – markus
Having no faith in the nigerian abracadabra judiciary I’ll rather him be tied than tried.
Greg, please don’t take my reply to yours personal as it’s being done for scholarship only just like Joy tried and succeeded in doing so also will I try. I want you to see this as my effort to keep what’s operative in the comatose nation of nigeria in sight. Most times people try to approach nigerian issues with civil mind which does not fly with the perpetrators whose goal is to pass on the art of “eating” public monies to their children’s children children.
quote:This is more like what I have in mind for criminals. Prison has a way of humbling even the most arrogant of dictators and stripping them of their pride, replacing it with fear, sorrow, and hopelessness;
The type of punishment you prescribe does not work in that awusa jungle as the next thief in wait would be quick to let the one before him out before he’s even sworn in. You have to know that nigeria is a country where a criminal in prison is released by the next government in power not based on point of law but to show camaraderie and to spite his predecessor. Prison to these criminals is like an honor badge that must be worn with a grin at all times, Greg. If you look around you did see tafa the crook balogun, alami the bail jumper and others who prison did not deter from making pompous statements. “I’ll bounce back” was tafa’s response to the kiss on the wrist the master thief, obj gave him. Of all the folks that are in power today, be it appointed or selected, 99% are criminal convicts. For instance, the governor of my state (Imo) achike udenwa was sacked from employment for stealing yet he’s put in a much lucrative position to continue his avarice; ibori was convicted of stealing some building materials in Abuja and guess what he is today, a governor; tinubu who served time in Chicago for fraud is too a governor; obj was convicted for planning a hostile takeover of abacha’s regime and don’t forget also that he turned OFN into private estate with public monies still a president; atiku stole the nigeria customs silly, his dubious lifestyle continued till today; ibb whose roguery is no longer news is there calling the shots; buhari too is no angle since what he did with the PTF money is still shrouded in secrecy. Oh no, lest we forgot that marwa was just a common awusa boy in the military with enough money to open an airline whereas the country does not own one. As we’re finding out today, he made a kill from all the monies he and abacha stole. These are not hearsay my brother, these are hard facts and our Honorable Web Chief knows this so the disclaimer thing should not be over discussed, although I’m glad that Joy set the record too straight to leave any doubts. I’ll not even bother going into forgers who today are barking orders with bogus certificates and documents again alami is guilty of this. Nwa nnaa, looks like you’ve not been home for awhile? The only proper way to describe nigeria to a foreigner is with one word, ROT!
___________________ BIAFRA: The land of my ancestors now, yesterday and always. So it will be! Posts: 2482 | From: Ala Igbo | Registered: Apr 2004
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MeBiafran, your point is crystal clear. I guess I was thinking about the matter from a Western point of view, or after a revolution in Nigerian politics addressing the moral decay so evident among its leaders. It seems I have been drunken with the fine liquor of high-minded ideal, but your words sober me to the abject reality, or can anyone deny your factual account of the poor state of this nation, or the likelihood that justice will be done by the brotherhood of the ruling Mafioso? I think not. It looks like justice will wait still in the wings, and perhaps for eternity, because crime will beget crime. How can it be otherwise?
___________________ The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves... Posts: 660 | From: Valle del Sol | Registered: Nov 2004
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I completely understand your concern. You will be surprised to know that the very people, like Adamu, who insist on their right to extreme free speech, are the same ones that will sue or threaten to sue BNW the moment the tide of radical rhetoric turns against them on this board. In protecting their rights, we ensure that they fall on their own legal sword when the time comes.
___________________ Biafra All The Way Posts: 202 | Registered: Mar 2001
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quote:In protecting their rights, we ensure that they fall on their own legal sword when the time comes. - Joy
Well said, sis. Our adversaries are finding out how astute the people in control of BNW are. They’re among the sharpest minds in Igboland and I don't say this to flatter since in my competent view what I said is open book. Like TB would say, I love this place!
Greg, having been tried, passed and willing to be tried yet again, I’ve to thank you for being the scholar you are as we learn from one another. With no equivocation in sight you should be told how immensely your brothers and sisters here on BNW love and value your advanced insightful contributions. You’re definitely a rounded scholar in the caliber of Honorable Ukaobasi, Anaedo, addy and many, many, many uncountable others, too many to line up here I'm sure they know themselves. For me, I made a purposeful decision to pay less attention to my grammar finesse so that my total concentration would be in the area where I’m more lethal, carpentry. Yes, I approach writing from a carpenter’s angle, hammer the crap away, what the heck as long as the web pages are littered with my victims who gives a rat ass care? LOL. Ndewo!
___________________ BIAFRA: The land of my ancestors now, yesterday and always. So it will be! Posts: 2482 | From: Ala Igbo | Registered: Apr 2004
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quote:For me, I made a purposeful decision to pay less attention to my grammar finesse so that my total concentration would be in the area where I’m more lethal...EBONICS
We do follow your very correct Ebonics my good friend and former Htown brother MeBiafra.
___________________ Feel me? Ofu onye ana asi unu abia go. - Ednut Igbo-American . www.airamericaradio.com visit her. Posts: 2447 | From: Mother Earth | Registered: Mar 2001
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There is NO Southern nigeria; Don't fall for yoroba tricks again! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nwannaa,
That is why the Yoruba have always considered themselves the smartest in nigeria.
1. The original schism in ngerian politics was between Hausa and Yoruba. Even before the colonial era the two groups were involved in a ding dong over Illorin, a fight which was halted by the British.
2. In the early 1960s, the Hausa were winning, having captured Yoruba leaders and their allies- Awolowo, Enahoro etc- and caged them in jail with no hope of ever coming out alive.
3. At this point, some wily Yoruba organized around Pirates Confraternity based at Ibadan University worked on an Igbo soldier of leftist persuasion- Emmanuel Ifeajuna and persuaded him to do a coup and hand over power to the " progressives". From here onwards, what started originally as a Hausa -Yoruba conflict was transformed into a Hausa-Igbo war with the Yoruba siding the Hausa.
4. Now fast forward to AD 2006. Mr obasanjo, a Yoruba, released from prison sat in a dark room and agreed to rule nigeria on behalf of the Yoruba, then hand back power to the north - i.e. Hausa - Fulani. Now the same obasanjo and the Yoruba have decided that they did not wish to keep their pact which effectively means returning the Yoruba into slavery.
5. obasanjo now wheels in southern solidarity and organizes a southern meeting at Enugu where his cronies - Iwuanyanwu, Anenih and co. ranted about power remaining in the "south", the "south" being uniquely defined as Yoruba and ultimately obasanjo himself via self succession. In essence, a cowardly scenario is emerging whereby the game is between Ibrahim and Chukwuemeka while Adebola cunningly reaps the rewards as the man who kept nigeria one.
Ndeewo!
Ani
___________________ achieve Biafra and show the difference Posts: 642 | From: Los Angeles, CA | Registered: Nov 2002
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quote:Prison has a way of humbling even the most arrogant of dictators and stripping them of their pride, replacing it with fear, sorrow, and hopelessness;
To buttress what has already been discussed about the pomposity of nigerian thieves and murderers what the erstwhile murderous and thieving governor of Anambra State, chinwoke mbadinuju said upon release from detention is excerpted here: “I have enjoyed my self in detention. Don’t you see I am fatter? Abuja is a beautiful place. I am happy all of us are here. I am not complaining in detention. Tell the members of the public that Odera is not complaining.” How could he complain when all his stolen monies are tucked somewhere intact? How anything resembling complaint could be heard from a man who killed and killed until there was none left to murder?
___________________ BIAFRA: The land of my ancestors now, yesterday and always. So it will be! Posts: 2482 | From: Ala Igbo | Registered: Apr 2004
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Greg: Though I wouldn't join the call for anyone to take anyone's life for whatever reason, however, I think you misunderstood where Weber is coming from. What Weber is saying that Obasanjo risk death should he decide to take the Nigerian people for ride when his term expires in 2007.
And from the qoute below, it seems he is not only Mr. Weber who thinks Obasanjo will be hanging himself should he decide to prolongate his duration in office. Even one of Igbo's most respected politician, Chief C. C. Onoh also holds same view.
Quote: --------------------------- Also, former governor of old Anambra State, Chief C.C. Onoh, posited that there was no need dissuading Obasanjo from actualising the third term agenda if "chooses to commit suicide." He added that "self-serving politicians are beating the death drum for Obasanjo by asking him to extend his tenure."--C.C. Onoh. --------------------------
Apart from the courageous and charismatic governor of Abia State who blew the lid on Obasanjo's alleged undemocratic and unconstitutional third ambition (reason why he is so hated by the forces of darkness,) below is FOR THE RECORDS what the Nigerian constitution stipulates on duration of office and the verdict of the Nigerian people on Obasanjo's "suicide misson."
-------------------------------------- ...And what the people say on Third Term
Friday, January 6, 2006
Controversies trailing the alleged third term bid of President Olusegun Obasanjo has continued unabated, thus heating up the entire polity. Going by stipulations in Section 135 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, the President, irrespective of what his ambition may be, "shall vacate his office at the expiration of a period of four years commencing from the date, when (a) in the case of a person first elected as President under this Constitution, he took the oath of allegiance and the oath of office; and (b) in any other case, the person last elected to that office under this Constitution took the oath of allegiance and oath of office or would, but for his death, have taken such oaths."
Section 180 (2) also states that "the Governor shall vacate his office at the expiration of a period of four years commencing from the date when - (a) in the case of a person first elected as Governor under this Constitution, he took the oath of allegiance and oath of office; and (b) the person last elected to that office took the oath of allegiance and oath of office or would, but for his death, have taken such oaths". But the constitution also provides the President or a governor with the opportunity to seek a renewal of his office through a re-election process.
The recurrent clamour for a third term by certain advocates since the inception of the second term of President Olusegun Obasanjo has been viewed by many commentators as unhealthy for the polity.
Irked by the determination of the perceived enemies of democracy to ensure the elongation of the present government, various individuals and groups have embarked on a renewed plan to fight the battle head long.
The Ethnic Nationality Forum (ENF), the umbrella association of all ethnic groups in the country has registered its bitterness against the agenda, vehemently kicking against the recent call of Southern Political leaders for the amendment of the constitution, saying the call would rather boost the chance of the President and governors to realise their alleged third term agenda. The ENF's criticism of the call is in view of the increasing number of advocates of the agenda. Notable among them is the Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Kelechi Nwagwu, who vowed that his assembly would support any constitutional amendment to that effect.
The Pan Ndi-Igbo Foundation (PNF USA), is another critic of the third bid. Its president, Dr. Acho Orabuchi, did not mince words in persuading Nigerians to resist the 'evil act.' "We encourage well meaning Nigerians and organisations to stand firm against third term plot. The third term idea or plan should be shelved immediately for the progress of democracy in Nigeria," Orabuchi said.
Also, the Deputy National Chairman, National Democratic Party (NDP) South-west zone, Hon. Dipo Olaitan, said Obasanjo should follow the rule of law and abide by the constitution with the decision of the people. According to him, "it would not in the best interest of the people to allow Obasanjo to go for third term, moreso, the nation is blessed with talented and experienced politicians that could lead the nation to the promised land after 2007."
Meanwhile, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Bishop John Onaiyekan, during a Christmas carol service that was jointly organised by NTA and FRCN in Abuja, and attended by Obasanjo, admonished the President not to follow the route of other sit-tight African leaders who turn their countries to banana republics.
In the same vain, Nya-Etot, guber aspirant for the 2007 general elections in Akwa Ibom, posited that "the theory of life presidency for Obasanjo is not just balderdash, but a display of abysmal ignorance of his sycophants." According to him, "Obasanjo has seen all he needs to see in Nigeria. When the fish gets too big for the stream, he moves to the bigger river," adding that the reforms, the anti-corruption war, the transparency and accountability drives are nothing but a dress rehearsal for the ultimate destination.
Presidential candidate of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in the 2003 general elections, Maj-Gen Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) in an interactive meeting with senators and members of the House of Representatives elected on the platform of the party urged its members to stand firm against the third plot of President Obasanjo. He said "every school boy knows there are moves by this government to continue in office beyond 2007".
Giving support to Buhari's position, Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka in Lagos, reviewed the political situation of the country and accused the President of driving the country to anarchy through executive lawlessness and dictatorship. But Third Republic Senator, Chief Aniete Okon, in his view said the speculation that Obasajo is scheming for the third term are the handiwork of mischief makers who want to frustrate on going efforts to amend the constitution and rid it of its many contradictions that have distracted the nation's federal structure.
Former Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) to President Obasanjo, Dr. Doyin Okupe, described third term as a white elephant project, which Nigerians should not reckon with. According to him, "would you take good and not take the bad. Luckily for us, we do not have to worry about Obasanjo. Let us look beyond 2007. We have to ensure that whoever emerged fits into the picture of a modern leader."
Also, former governor of old Anambra State, Chief C.C. Onoh, posited that there was no need dissuading Obasanjo from actualising the third term agenda if "chooses to commit suicide." He added that "self-serving politicians are beating the death drum for Obasanjo by asking him to extend his tenure."
National Chairman of Alliance for Democracy (AD), Chief Bisi Akande, in his opposition to the third term bid, maintained that the bid portends grave signals to the health of the nation's democracy. According to him, "the nation's democratic project could be truncated unless progressive minded Nigerians check the move." While General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), former military Head of State, who spoke from his past experience as former leader said "we have to avoid the tendency of leadership prolonging itself or even overstaying its acceptability. My experience, that of General Ibrahim Babangida and (late) General Sani Abacha should be a good lesson for all leadership in Nigeria today and tomorrow."
President John Kuffor of Ghana during his visit to the Country last year, adviced President Obasanjo to respect the provisions of the constitution. According to him, "I am a constitutionalist and if the national constitution has prescribed a term in office, then all the people must work by the spirit and letter of the constitution," adding that "constitutions are made by nations to give guidelines or set the framework with which the nation must be governed. If in the wisdom of the nation, the people should decide to alter their constitution. That is their right." The British High Commission to Nigeria, Mr. Richard Gozney, said "the idea of a third term is a hypothetical one. The man high up there (President Obasanjo) to us is a man who respects the constitution," adding that "he has not changed the constitution and he has not told us anything regarding extension people talk about."
However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Dr. Ahmadu Ali, claimed innocence of the campaign, saying "I am not aware of any third term ambition of Mr. President. Quite honestly, it is the hype by the media that has perpetuated it. They created it and they are perpetuating it and the opposition elements are happy to find something to latch on to and ride on the back of that if only to smear the name of PDP."
According to him "the PDP is proud of President Obasanjo and if the country decides on their own to amend their constitution, who are we to prevent anybody from enjoying it?...What we are saying is that for God's sake, if this is most suitable at this time, let us use it to move forward, not stop-go. We have had enough of stop-go development."
Former Minister of Mines and Power during Alhaji Shehu Shagari's regime, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan, noted that all the governors reportedly supporting Obasanjo for third term are those who are guilty of corruption. According to him, "the third term issue is satanic and all the governors supporting it are selfish and greedy," adding that "Nigerians would stand against it and that the President would not realise his ambition, no matter whatever it would take." ______________________________________
----------------------------- Quote: "constitutions are made by nations to give guidelines or set the framework with which the nation must be governed. If in the wisdom of the nation, the people should decide to alter their constitution. That is their right." --President John Kuffor of Ghana --------------------------
Thanks Sir! But the wisdom of the good people of Nigeria is that they dont want any alteration of the Nigerian constitution as it concerns duration of office. Moreover, the Nigerian people have spoken in unison that they dont want to have Obasanjo as their president post 2007.
The question is will Obasanjo and his drum beaters listen to the VOICE OF REASON?
Posts: 997 | From: Germany | Registered: Mar 2001
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A former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Victor Malu, on Monday in Kaduna said he regretted not toppling the government of President Olusegun Obasanjo before he was retired from the army.
Malu, who accused Obasanjo of transforming himself into a civilian dictator, said his retirement was a blessing in disguise, as he would have been tempted by the prevailing political situation in the country to carry out a coup.
He spoke at the Arewa Consultative Forum General Assembly where a former Head of State, Gen.Yakubu Gowon, confirmed that Obasanjo’s alleged third term bid was real.
Malu said his action would have been borne out of the various undemocratic acts such as the subversion of the constitution and national security allegedly being committed by the Obasanjo administration.
Malu, who was appointed by Obasanjo in 1999, noted that the permission granted by the Federal Government to the United States military, in the guise of providing peacekeeping operations training to Nigerian troops, was one major sore point between him and the President throughout his tenure.
This, he said, allowed the US military to interfere with the nation’s security.
He accused the Obasanjo administration of embarking on policies that had weakened the national security of the country, to the extent that Nigeria had become vulnerable to attack by smaller neighbouring states like Benin Republic.
He said, “We have the case of Benue State where I happen to have been a victim. May be I was too loyal. I would have done what I was supposed to do, but I believe in democracy. So, I didn’t organise a coup to overthrow him. Because I am a principled, trained officer, I insisted on the principles being applied. For that reason, I disagreed with General Obasanjo on certain issues.
“ I told him that if he thought he made me the chief of army staff as a favour, I think he should tell me who to hand over to. The public doesn’t know this; we had a lot of disagreements. He is my commander-in-chief, but for God’s sake, give me the credit.
“It was principally on the issue of the Americans who were allowed to come in here and fraternise with us, live in the barracks with us, under the pretext of coming to train us for peacekeeping (that we fell apart).
“I can tell you with every confidence that if any country is to embark on the training of other countries for peacekeeping, Nigeria should be doing that. Peacekeeping is not nuclear warfare, it is not chemical warfare, it is a job we infantry people do and that’s what we have been doing since the sixties. So we are even more competent in that than any other country.
“I think it was a blessing that I was kicked out, otherwise I might have changed my mind from being a democrat to something else. The point is that the results are already showing. Now we have the Americans sitting at the back of our yards because of the oil in the Equatorial Guinea; government has been asking questions as if they didn’t know such could be the pattern.
“But the whole result of what happened was that we are now so vulnerable that a country like the Republic of Benin can disgrace us.”
Malu also criticised the North for laying too much emphasis on power shift to the detriment of the socio-economic development of the region, stressing that the president could come from any part of Nigeria provided the person was ready to deliver on his campaign promises.
Gowon who chaired the occasion said he recently received a text message allegedly from supporters of Obasanjo urging him to support the President’s third term bid.
Calling on an ACF member, Mallam Mohammed Haruna, to read the content of the text message to the assembly, Gowon stated, “There is no doubt that that is what the government has called upon us to do and therefore the third term agenda is happening and is real.”
Part of the message reads, “It is not an issue of third term, but the issue of continuity of the laudable programmes initiated by the government. Kindly support the extension of tenure programme to enable us see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
The PUNCH, Tuesday, January 31, 2006
___________________ Biafra is inevitable.Illegitimis nil carborundum. Posts: 760 | From: europe | Registered: Jan 2005
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BBC news Tuesday, 31 January 2006, 12:35 GMT Boost for third term in Nigeria A majority of Nigeria's 36 state governors have given their backing to moves to change the constitution.
The most controversial part of the proposed changes is the scrapping of the two-term limit for elected officials, notably the president.
The issue has divided the ruling People's Democratic Party and Nigerian public opinion, with President Olusegun Obasanjo's second term ending in 2007.
Several governors did not attend the meeting and two walked out early.
Nigeria's powerful governors are also limited to two terms in office and so could benefit if the constitution were changed.
'End divisions'
The chairman of the governors' forum, Akwa Ibom State Governor Obong Victor Attah, said it a constitutional review was necessary and should "be completed within the life of this administration".
The meeting also urged an end to the practice of regional meetings between leaders from either the south or the north of Nigeria.
They said such meetings could serve to divide Nigeria, between the Muslim majority north and the Christian and animist south.
Both northern and southern leaders have held meetings and demanded that the next president should come from their respective areas.
Mr Obasanjo has not publicly said he wants to stand for another term but there is increasing speculation that behind the scenes he is trying to secure a third term.
Supporters of Vice-President Atiku Abubakar oppose moves to change the constitution and he is thought to wish to succeed Mr Obasanjo.
___________________ Biafra is inevitable.Illegitimis nil carborundum. Posts: 760 | From: europe | Registered: Jan 2005
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America would have been delighted on Monday when South African President, Thabo Mbeki, declared on national television that he would not stay in office beyond the end of his second term in 2009.
The man politely explained that he would have served rather too long at the top by that date and is adamant that his party would not use its parliamentary majority to change the country’s Constitution to enable him elongate his tenure.
I would like to step aside and allow someone else have a go at leadership, he pledged.
There is also something to cheer from Zimbabwe, with accommodation between the government and the opposition, but the United States, promoter of global democracy and freedom, remains jittery over Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria, its third largest supplier of oil.
Another senior American Government official has warned of the dangers of a third term bid by President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The latest salvo from Washington is through the U.S. Director of National Intelligence, John Negroponte, who told lawmakers that attempt by Obasanjo to stay in power beyond 2007 could lead to political strife and eventual breakup of Nigeria.
Aso Rock played it all down.
Presidential Spokesman, Femi Fani-Kayode, replied that “it will be premature to respond to a report that we haven’t seen and which hasn’t been forwarded to the U.S. Congress. It will be better to wait until the Congress makes a formal statement, especially since America is a friend.
“However, it is important to state that the President will not do anything outside the Constitution, yet we cannot respond to the third term issue because it is still a hypothetical question.
“Nigerians are sufficiently educated in the intricacies of constitutional interpretation and we do not need anybody from outside our shores to tell us what our law books say”.
Nonetheless, the American alert is the conclusion of an “Annual Threat Assessment Report” conducted by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
The office was created to coordinate intelligence gathering among all U.S. agencies after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the U.S.
Negroponte’s comment comes just days after President George W. Bush called on America to end its "addiction to oil".
The U.S spy chief said the combination of rising demand for energy and instability in oil producing regions like Nigeria makes the government vulnerable to increasing geopolitical leverage of key producing states.
Negroponte, who was testifying before the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, said the 2007 elections in Nigeria would be the most important on the African horizon.
The vote, he added, has the potential to reinforce a democratic trend away from military rule or could lead to a major disruption in a nation suffering “frequent ethno-religious violence, criminal activity, and rampant corruption”.
In his view, speculation that Obasanjo will try to change the Constitution so he can seek a third term is raising tension and, if proven true, threatens to unleash major turmoil and conflict.
“Such chaos in Nigeria could lead to disruption of oil supply, secessionist moves by regional governments, major refugee flows, and instability elsewhere in West Africa”.
He warned that the continent remains a potential recruiting ground for terrorists.
“In much of the continent, humanitarian crises, instability, and conflict persist. Overlaying these enduring threats are the potential spread of Jihadist ideology among disaffected Muslim populations and the region's growing importance as a source of energy. We are most concerned about Sudan and Nigeria”.
Sources said American lawmakers are re-focusing their attention on Nigeria following the recent abduction and release of foreign oil workers by militants in the Niger Delta.
The thinking in government circles is that Nigeria may no longer be an attractive substitute for Middle East oil if tension in oil producing states continues.
Officials said Nigeria could lose substantial revenue and assistance from Washington if the government abandons current efforts to increase its presence in the country to counter the skepticism of Washington.
Abuja recently ordered about 15 gun boats, mostly from America companies, to patrol the Niger Delta.
They are equipped with sophisticated tools to engage in 24 hour patrol and rescue mission in the event of an attack on oil installations.
On his part, Mbeki in South Africa ruled out staying in his post beyond his second term.
He said the governing African National Congress (ANC) would not use its two-thirds parliamentary majority to change the Constitution to allow a third Presidential term.
Formerly Deputy President, Mbeki succeeded Nelson Mandela as President in 1999 and was re-elected in 2004.
South Africa's Constitution limits a President to two terms. Some ANC supporters have, however, called for a debate on a constitutional change, prompting speculation over a third term.
But in an interview with South African television, Mbeki moved to crush such speculation.
"By the end of 2009, I will have been in a senior position in government for 15 years. I think that's too long”, he said. "I think that after 15 years, I should step aside in any case”.
The South Africa National Civics Organisation – a coalition of civic organisations broadly allied to the ANC – has called for a debate on changing the Constitution so as to allow the President have another shot.
But Mbeki insisted the ANC does not support that position, despite having won more than two-thirds of the seats in parliament in the 2004 election – enough to change the Constitution unilaterally if it so chooses.
"The ANC has taken the position that we don't want to change the Constitution. Even when we got that more than two-thirds majority, we said this, that we are not going to use this two-thirds majority fundamentally to alter the Constitution. And that remains our position”.
Over the last decade, other African leaders have drawn criticism at home and internationally for seeking to extend their terms in office beyond their original mandate.
Mbeki fired his Deputy, Jacob Zuma, who was widely regarded as the heir apparent, in June last year after he was implicated in a graft scandal. He was shortly charged to court.
Zuma's dismissal and Mbeki’s declaration now leaves the field wide open in the race for the next President.
Mbeki has discouraged fellow African leaders from tampering with their countries' supreme law to prolong their time in office.
Turning to foreign affairs, Mbeki revealed that Zimbabwe's Government and main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) have quietly negotiated a new Constitution in a bid to end a political stalemate.
"They gave me a copy initialed by everybody”, Mbeki said without providing details.
Since then, the MDC has split over a breakaway faction's participation in November elections for a new Senate.
MDC Leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, has called for a boycott
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