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... Presidency Moves Against Nnamani
We’ll resist, say lawmakers
From Kola Ologbondiyan in Abuja, 05.10.2006


Indications that Aso Rock is determined to sack the President of the Senate,
Senator Ken Nnamani, heightened yesterday when the Independent Corrupt
Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) said it has commenced
investigations into contracts awarded by the National Assembly Tender's Board
since the election of Nnamani as Senate President.
But the 2007 Movement, an association of anti-third term legislators, has
expressed its readiness to frustrate the plot even as they called on Nigerians
to commend, support and pray for Nnamani for taking the path of justice,
transparency, fair play and democracy.
However, there were stronger feelers yesterday that Aso Rock has resolved to
sack Nnamani for failing to heed to its demands that the rules that will
guide decisions on the proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution be relaxed.
Specifically, President Olusegun Obasanjo and the enforcers of the third
term agenda are demanding that voting on the clause-by-clause passage of the
bill be carried out through secret voting.
But Nnamani and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu
Bello Masari, were said to have opposed the demand of the enforcers arguing
that parliamentary voting is never done through secret balloting.
Already, the ICPC in a letter signed by its Head of Department
(Investigation), one DCP Hashimu S.A. on behalf of the commission's chairman,
said it has
commenced investigations into "allegations of corrupt practices made against
some officers of the National Assembly.�
The period of investigation covers January 2005 to March 2006 and Nnamani
was elected President of the Senate on April 5, 2005.
The details of the letter with reference number ICPC/INV/LEG/T.20/17 and
which was dated May 8, 2006 and addressed to the Clerk of the National
Assembly,
Alhaji Nasir Arab, titled "Investigation Activities� reads:
This commission is investigating certain allegations of corrupt practices
made against some officers of the National Assembly, Abuja in the course of
which it has become necessary to interview Mr. Mauseri Jankasa, Secretary,
Tenders Board.
"You are therefore requested to advise and release the said officer to
report to the undersigned on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 at 10.00am at the
Commission's Headquarters.
"The officer should come along with the minutes of the Tenders Board
meetings held between January 2005 and March 2006.�
Senator Uche Chukwumerije, who led other anti-third term senators like
Tokunbo Afikuyomi (AD, Lagos); Olorunnimbe Mamora (AD, Lagos); Ohiare; Fred Orti
(PDP, Benue); and Ben Obi (PDP, Anambra) to address newsmen, said Nnamani was
being hounded by Aso Rock for refusing to ignore all constitutional and legal
niceties and devise an illegal debating formula amenable to rigging of the
votes and opinions of Senators.
"The illegal methods which the Presidency is pressurising the leadership of
the Senate to adopt include;
* use of voice vote in place of headcount which is the only quantifiable way
to determine the constitutional requirement of 2/3 majority;
* rehabilitation of Senate's electronic device in order to hide the identity
of the voter from his or her electorate and the public;
* secret ballot - a method not known in Parliamentary rules, conventions and
traditions;
* discontinuation of live broadcast of debates in order to prevent the
public and the Senators' constituencies from knowing the contributions and
votes
of their representatives on the Third Term proposal.
"As the pressures failed to yield the required results, the Presidency has
begun to instigate impeachment moves against the Senate President. At this
juncture, we wish to commend the Senate President for his steadfastness in
resisting the pressures from the Presidency and anti-democratic forces to bend
rules in the course of Senate proceedings to amend the Constitution.
"Should any group of senators attempt to impeach him (Nnamani), we are ready
for them. We appeal to Nigerians to commend, support and pray for Nnamani
for taking the path of justice, transparency, fair play and democracy," the
anti-third term lawmakers further said.
Alleging that Aso Rock has begun a crack down on opposition, Chukwumerije
itemised the intimidation of AIT; the cancellation of the network’s licence
and
giving the media organisation a 21-day ultimatum to dismantle its
transmitters and relocate its operational base from Asokoro Hill adding that
these
actions violate the constitution.
He also alleged that the government is using the Police to shield pro-third
term rallies while frustrating anti-third term meetings.
The recent “national shepherd-boy's false alarm by the Federal Minister of
Information is a notice that clamp-down on anti-third term patriots is set.�
Stating that no fewer than five anti-third term senators were approached
with N50m bribe but which they turned down, Chukwumerije said the Presidency
has
re-confirmed its contempt for the independence of the legislature.
"From 1999 to date, the Presidency has tried to undermine the Senate and
reduce it to an Aso Villa parastatal. Its present tactics once again confirm
its
inclination

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ABUJA — A PLOT to impeach Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani, for the purpose of allowing an easy passage of the constitutional proposal of a third term for the President and Governors may be in the offing, according to allegations yesterday.
The revelation of the plot allegedly initated by a controversial South-East Senator came as the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) yesterday launched an investigation into contracts awarded by the National Assembly since the emergence of Chief Nnamani as President of the Senate.
Meanwhile, the anti-third term camp in the Senate has named six Senators who they claimed rejected the N50 million bribe allegedly passed on by Presidency officials to influence the passage of the third term amendment. Those named as having rejected the offer were Senators Abiola Ajumobi (Oyo, AD), James Kolawole (Ekiti, AD), Tawa Wada (Gombe, South), Joy Emodi (PDP, Anambra North) and the three Senators representing Kwara State. They, however, did not name any of the recipients.
Also yesterday, the anti-third term lobby in the Senate under the aegis of the 2007 Movement alleged a plan by the presidency to intimidate lawmakers, civil society and the media in its effort to ensure passage of the third term amendment proposal.
Leaders of the 2007 Movement at a press conference in the Senate building were the first to give notice of the plot to impeach the Senate President who they said had refused to bow to pressure from presidency officials to soften the rules for the passage of the amendment.
Senator Uche Chukwumerije (PDP, Abia North) who led Senators Tokunbo Afikuyomi (AD, Lagos West), Mohammed Ohiare (PDP, Kogi Central), Fred Orti (PDP, Benue), Oluorunnimbe Mamora (AD, Lagos East) and Sule Yari Gandi (ANPP, Sokoto) to the press conference said: “As the pressure fails to yield the required results, the presidency has begun to instigate impeachment moves against the Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani. At this juncture, we wish to commend the Senate President for his steadfastness in resisting the pressure from the Presidency and anti-democratic forces to bend the rules in the course of the Senate proceedings to amend the Constitution. Should any group of Senators attempt to impeach him, we are ready for them.”
Asked to name those behind the plot, the anti-third term Senators said the plot was originating from within the South-East caucus of the party.
The revelation of the plot came as a letter from the ICPC to the Clerk of the National Assembly sought an investigation of all contracts awarded by the National Assembly since just before the election of Senator Nnamani.
The letter signed by DCP S. A. Hashimu, head of investigations on behalf of the Chairman of the ICPC read: “The Commission is investigating certain allegations of corrupt practices made against some officers of the National Assembly in the of which it has become necessary to interview Mr. Mauseri Jankasa, Secretary Tenders Board.
“You are, therefore, requested to advise and release the said officer to report to the undersigned on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 at 10.00a.m at the Commission’s headquarters.
“The officer should come along with the minutes of the Tenders Board meetings held between January 2005 and March 2006.”
Noting the increasing intimidation of opponents of the third term proposal, Senator Chukwumerije said: “The first harassment and intimidation of a major TV station, AIT, solely on the ground that it is performing its constitutional duty of remaining dispassionate and professional in its coverage of all activities pertaining to the on-going third term controversy. For this sin, the federal Government has cancelled the network license of AIT and given the media organization a 21-day ultimatum to dismantle its transmitters and relocate its operational base from Asokoro hill."

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18 Reps against, 11 for 3rd term on Day1
By Ben Agande, Emmanuel Aziken, Habib Yacoob & Ayo Adegbuyi
Posted to the Web: Wednesday, May 10, 2006

* Na'Abba restricted to the gallery
* 13 Senators for, 8 against on Day 3


ABUJA—THE House of Representatives’ debate on the controversial third term could not have begun, yesterday, on a more dramatic tone when the immediate past Speaker of the House, Alhaji Ghali Na’Abba, was stopped from watching the proceedings from the chambers, even as 18 Reps spoke against tenure elongation, 11 for and one undecided.

A similar debate in the Senate was in favour of a third term with 13 members rooting for tenure elongation, eight against and one remained undecided. Although the House of Reps rules allow former presiding officers to watch debate from the lobby, members of the House especially those of the pro-third camp kicked vehemently against Alhaji Na’Abba’s presence in the lobby.

Alhaji Na’Abba is anti-third term and had, recently, dumped the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD). House Leader, Alhaji Abdul Ningi, had shortly before the floor was opened for debate, craved the indulgence of the House to allow Alhaji Na’Abba into the lobby, as provided by Order 106 of the House Rules. But no sooner had he finished reading the order, than members burst into a shout of “no”, “no way”, “we no go gree”, throwing the once peaceful chamber into a commotion.

Alhaji Ningi then consulted with the Speaker, Alhaji Aminu Masari, and some other members following which he announced thus: “Well, we have decided that no public officer is to be allowed admission into the lobby henceforth.”

Speaking to House correspondents afterwards, Na’Abba, said he was disappointed, but not surprised at the attitude of the legislators. “It doesn’t bother me. In fact, it is an indictment on the part of the House brought upon by the new members who are pro-third term, and this is dangerous for our democracy. You know that majority of them are new and they were not there between 1999 and 2003 when I was there.

“It is unfortunate that there is this alleged attempt to bribe people, under an administration that boasts of fighting corruption. It is also ridiculous that in the name of tenure elongation, people can do anything,” Na’Abba said.

The debate was also watched by the Chairman of the ACD, Chief Alexis Anielo, Alhaji Musa Gwadabe, Ms Funke Adedoyin, Chief Dapo Sarumi, Dr Farouk Abdulazeez and other members of the ACD.

18 against, 11 for, 1 non-committal

One the first day of debate on the amendment of the 1999 constitution, 18 of the 30 members of the House of Representatives that spoke on the constitution amendment kicked against the third term agenda while 11 members spoke in its favour with a member remaining non-committal on the matter.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Austin Opara, who led the debate on the Constitution Amendment Bill reminded his colleagues that the National Assembly was at the point of making history, saying: “What ever we are doing should be in the interest of the country and our constituents. We should be dispassionate and not sentimental about our debate.”

Former chairman of the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO), Mr. Abdul Oroh, and another member from Abia State, Mr. Mba Ajah, however, declined to speak yesterday after they had indicated their intention to speak on the bill.

While Mr. Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Mrs Temi Harriman (Delta), Alhaji Nasir Dantiye and 14 other members spoke vehemently against the third term, Dr. Cairo Ojuoghoh, Mr Aminu Safana, Mr Tunde Akogun and 11 others spoke passionately in favour of tenure extension.

Those who spoke against third term: Gabriel Suswam (PDP, Benue): “Today (yesterday) is a great day in our history. It is the responsibility of the National Assembly to make laws for the good governance of the country. I wonder whether what we seek to do today (yesterday) is for the good governance of the country or the whims of the power of incumbency.

“The economic reform being touted as a reason for the extension of the tenure has engendered poverty in the land. There is despair on the faces of Nigerians. Tenure extension is the most devilish thing to happen in this country. It is immoral and selfish.”

Temi Harriman (PDP, Delta): “The South-South has nothing to gain from the extension of the tenure of this president. The public hearing on the constitution amendment was an insult on the intelligence of Nigerians. The whole process lacks legitimacy. Whether the government has done well or not, it has no justification to lengthen or shorten its tenure if you like. What we need in the Niger Delta now is an immediate increment of derivation to 25 per cent immediately and up to 50 per cent in the next five years.”

Nasir Dantiye (ANPP, Jigawa): “Third term is undemocratic and unjustifiable. My constituents told me to convey to the National Assembly that they reject third term as the reforms which the proponents of the third term hinge their argument on have no human face and the process of the constitution amendment did not meet the guidelines set up by the National Assembly.”

Ishaq Kurfi, (Katsina State): “I have a simple message from the people of my constituency and that is that we are opposed to third term.”
Habeeb Fashinro (AD, Lagos): “The road to hell was made with good intentions. The constitution amendment document is full of flaws and absurdities. If adopted, the document seeks to alter the fundamental principles of federalism. The third term is a NO! NO! Cause.”

Jimoh Tijani (Oyo): “My people told me they are not in support of third term. Our president would not like third term. He is aware that majority of our people do not want third term.”

Samaila Abdulrahman Kawu (Kano): “I have a short message from my constituents: This House should reject third term in toto.”

Bala Ibn Na’Allah (Kebbi): “What we are doing today (yesterday) was attempted in the British House of Lords. The president has done well but you cannot take that to refuse his advice that he gave in 2002 against remaining in office against popular demand. Nigerians are unanimous that they do not want third term. My constituents want me to convey their disapproval of tenure elongation.”

Francis Amadiegu (Imo): “We are opposed to the third term because it is an Unidentified Flying Object (UFO). There is no need to amend the constitution now.”

Uche Anyaoguocha (APGA, Imo): “The 1999 constitution is the most dangerous document but the amendments being sought are more dangerous and dubious. My people in Owerri who are people of proud civilisation have told me that they are against the third term.”

Mohammed Maifata (Kano): “The amendment being sought would create a monster as a president. My constituents and I are against the third term.”
John Longhor (Plateau): “My people say no to constitution amendment. We do not support it whatsoever.”

Emmanuel Arigbe Osula (Edo): “The constitution amendment is an attempt to fool Nigerians and the tenure elongation is unacceptable to the people of Oredo that I represent.”

Victor Lar (ANPP, Plateau): “The constitution amendment is a charade aimed at getting tenure elongation. My people of Langtang are opposed to the third term.”
Baba Shehu Agaie (Niger): “Third term is illegal and criminal. After consultation with my people they say they do not want it.”

Emeka Ihedioha( Imo): “Constitution amendment is not about one clause. It is in the interest of the nation to maintain the present status of two term tenure for the executive.”

Isa Musa Matori (Bauchi): “We are in a hurry to amend the constitution for those in power to benefit. My people are totally against third term. It is evil.”
Those who spoke for third term. Cairo Ojuogboh: “No other person than the vice president of this country endorsed the wonderful work being done by this president. We need to allow the president continue the good work that he is doing.”

Emeka Atuma (Abia): “The third term recommendation by the constitution review committee is highly commendable. My constituents support it and I support it too.”

Ifedayo Adekunle (Ondo): ‘My people like most Nigerians support third term and urge this House to support it.”

Tunde Akogun (Edo): “Tenure elongation has the support of my people.”

Ireti Arebi (Osun): “I am in support of the third term.”

Dayo Oguniyi (Ondo): “Tenure elongation is good for the stability of this country. We support it in my constituency.”

George Sekibo (Rivers): “We are in support of the constitution amendment. We support the recommendations made by the constitution review committee of the National Assembly.”
Ezekiel Anaka (Akwa Ibom): “I have the mandate of my people to support the amendment and accordingly, I am in support of tenure elongation.”

Ayo Adeosun (Oyo): “The president and the executive governors just like the National Assembly members do not need term limit. The clause on tenure should be removed.”

Leo Ogor (Delta): “History will not forgive us if we do not act well. The electorate should determine who becomes the president. As party men, we must support the position of our party.”

Joel Danlami (Taraba): “After consulting with my people, I believe that the tenure elongation is well deserved. My constituency supports it.”

Aminu Safana (Katsina): “I and my constituency support tenure elongation and I have no apology about it. It is a matter of interest.”

Undecided

Clever Ikisikpo: “The constitution has short comings. I believe the 18 per cent proposal for derivation is not enough. A position of office is from God and he will decide who to give power to.

13 senators for, 8 against on Day 3

The deliberation on the Constitution amendment bill continued in the Senate yesterday with Senators in support of the third term amendment again overwhelming opposition to the amendment.

Thirteen of the 22 Senators who contributed to the debate expressed support for the amendment that could allow President Olusegun Obasanjo seek an unprecedented third term in office. Eight Senators opposed the amendment while Senator Mohammed Abba Aji, the ANPP whip was the only Senator that deliberately shied away from commenting on the issue.

Unlike in the previous two days of deliberation on the bill when only officials of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) were present to monitor the deliberations, yesterday’s debate had the sizeable presence of leaders of the Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD) who came to watch the deliberations.

Among those present were former PDP chairman, Chief Audu Ogbeh; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Ghali Na‘Abba; Chairman of ACD, Chief Alexis Anielo; former Minister of State (Health), Ms Funke Adedoyin; chairman of ACD Publicity Committee, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Prince Yomi Edu and Chief Dapo Sarumi.

Their presence seemed to have startled Commodore Bode George (rtd.), deputy national chairman of the PDP who stepped into the gallery at 1.08 p.m. and on noticing them huriedly left.

Besides the issue of term limit, Senators who contributed yesterday with only very few exception gave strong support for the increase of the minimum derivation allowed revenue producing states to 18 per cent. There were some, however, like Senator Effiong Bob (PDP, Akwa Ibom) who sought a progression of up to 50 per cent.
Excerpts:

Jalo Zarami (PDP, Yobe East): “My constituents support the position taken by my Governor (Governor Abba Ibrahim of Yobe State). On derivation, my people support 18 per cent derivation and the retention of the immunity clause as it is. Presidents and Governors should be made to declare their assets immediately after their tenure.”

Ibikunle Amosun (PDP, Ogun Central): “My people want third term and they asked me to speak for them. Therefore, I support third term. I support creation of states for South-East and 18 per cent derivation.”

James Kolawole (AD, Ekiti North): “We don’t need to amend the Constitution for President Obasanjo. The bane of the polity is succession. We don’t need to amend the Constitution because of the performance of the President, if we have a non-performing President are we now going to amend the Constitution to reduce his tenure?”

Bode Olowoporoku (PDP, Ekiti South): ‘It is not good to amend the Constitution for the sake of a person. I am not in support of third term and my people are not in support of third term. But if power shifts to the North, then we must rotate everything and all ministries now in the North should be rotated to the South such as Agric and FCT.”

Patrick Osakwe (PDP, Delta North): “Amendment of the Constitution is not discriminatory. He (Obasanjo) will face the primaries, he will face the electorate who could either support him or deny him. The decision depends on the electorate not any political party. I support the amendment of the Constitution to give the President four more years.”

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every community should be responsible for the actions of their sons and daughters. failure to do that we shall remove them from the map of biafran nation cause they are a major security risk.

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Anti-3rd Term Lawmakers Maintain Lead • House: 33 against, 23 for • Senate: 9 against, 9 for From Kola Ologbondiyan and Chuks Akunna in Abuja, 05.11.2006

In support of the bid to elongate the President's tenure and that of the governors at yesterday's session were Olaka Wogu (PDP), Olu Ogunbanjo (Ogun, PDP), Alex Nwofe (Ebonyi, PDP), Nkechi Nwogu (Abia, PDP), Damian Ozurumba (Abia, PDP), Prince Adeyemi (Ekiti, PDP), Patricia Udogu (Imo, PDP), Ike Chinwo (Rivers, PDP), Mohammed Al Makura (Nasarawa, PDP), and Wale Adegoke. Also in support of third term were Kayode Amusan (Ogun, PDP), Bako Sarai (Kano, PDP), Joseph Faniyi (Kogi PDP), and Tayo Sarunmi (Oyo, PDP).

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LAGOS, May 11 — A bill to change Nigeria's constitution to allow President Olusegun Obasanjo to seek a third term in elections next year headed for defeat after more than a third of senators opposed the amendment on Thursday.

In two weeks of debate, 40 of 90 senators who spoke have opposed extending the current limit of two four-year terms.

Even with 14 senators still to speak, the level of opposition so far means the bill cannot achieve the two-thirds support of the 109-member chamber it needs to pass.
Opposition has also been overwhelming in the lower House of Representatives, but the debate there is lagging the Senate, where opponents slated the idea on Thursday.
"The issue of elongation of tenure is a cancer, it is a disease that can kill everybody," Senator Mohammed Ibrahim said, to the applause of fellow opponents, in televised proceedings.
"It is HIV, it has no cure," he said.
Elections next year should mark the first time in Nigerian history that one civilian president hands over to another through elections, but the campaign to allow Obasanjo to stand again has jeopardised that.
Supporters of the third term argue that it would allow him to consolidate his liberal economic reforms.
Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has publicly split from his boss over the amendment, and accused the former military ruler of trying to subvert democracy against the popular will.

EMERGENCY TALKS
A visibly irritated Obasanjo called the leadership of the National Assembly to the presidential villa for two hours of emergency consultations after the debate on Thursday, delaying his scheduled departure to Indonesia for a two-day summit.
A glum-faced Obasanjo did not comment after the meeting.

A defiant Senator Arthur Nzeribe, a third term supporter who accompanied the leadership to the meeting, said he was still "very confident" the bill would pass, although he did not explain how this could happen.
The National Assembly is due to spend the next several weeks voting on more than 100 amendments to the 1999 charter, including the clause extending the presidential limit.
Obasanjo came to power in landmark elections in 1999, restoring democracy to Africa's top oil producer after three decades of almost uninterrupted military rule.
The United States government and Nigeria's influential trade unions recently joined those asking the president of Africa's most populous country to quit next year.
Last week, the opposition launched a boycott call against companies they accused of bankrolling the third term campaign.
Opponents, including dissident members of the ruling People's Democratic Party, argue that any extension would undermine democracy and lead to more conflict in Nigeria.
They have accused the government of trying to corrupt the assembly by offering hefty bribes to garner more support.
Obasanjo has done little to halt the divisive campaign and has avoided making a clear statement on whether he intends to stay or retire in 2007.
Political uncertainty has been a factor behind riots that cost at least 150 lives in February and militant attacks in the Niger Delta which have cut oil exports by a quarter.
Obasanjo's government has become increasingly repressive towards opponents of a third term, teargassing rallies, detaining leaders and labelling opposition groups a threat to security.
(additional reporting by Felix Onuah)

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