Politics
Tambuwal: Not An Easy Road To Travel
When the speaker of the
House of Representatives, Animu Tambuwal dumped the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on which platform he was elected and “ported” into the opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), little did he know that the move would be a long walk to his travails and politics in Nigeria.
In October 28, 2014, Tambuwal had told the House at the close of its plenary session that he decided to defect to APC, after months of speculations, because the PDP he knows is no longer democratic, hence the need for change. Many saw Tambuwal’s defection as a betrayal of the highest order which must not go unpunished, at least to teach a lesson to Tambuwal and his likes for plotting to make PDP a laughing stock.
Prior to his defection, Tambuwal was accused of betraying the decision of PDP leadership when he reportedly took away the speaker’s job meant for another House member, Mulikat Akande-Adeola from South West zone, Nigeria, The PDP had anointed Akande-Adeola for the speaker’s job, but Tambuwal connived with the then ACN members in the House and skillfully manoeuvred election of the speaker to his favour: thus denying the South West a position of political reckoning zoned to it.
Since then, Tambuwal was seen as a rebel and a man that can’t be trusted and must be watched. At the turn of events in the PDP crisis, Tambuwal was fingered in the dance game that resulted in the defection of five PDP governors and a sizeable number of legislators to the APC.
Even more noticeable is the absence of Tambuwal at PDP caucus and stakeholders’ meetings
For instances, at the PDP North West meeting that endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2015 Presidency, Tambuwal among key members of the party, were conspicuously absent. The height of Tambunal’s sin of disobedience manifested when he was also absent at the PDP national working committee (NWC) meeting that okayed Jonathan for 2015 presidential race. The speaker’s comments concerning PDP position on certain issues, policies of federal government and the Presidency were visibly unbecoming.
After a long period of his ‘hide and seek’ game, Tambuwal eventually defected to APC on October 28, 2014 with smiles of victory and the reactions that followed his action were arguably understandable. The PDP asked Tambuwal to resign as speaker or be impeached. Government followed the threat with the withdrawal of security personnel attached to the office of the speaker. The PDP also set machinery in motion to compel its caucus in the House to reconvene on Tuesday, November 4,2014, instead of December 3 which the speaker had adjourned sitting of the House.
Sensing danger of his possible impeachment if the House reconvened that date, Tambuwal and his new party, APC promptly approached the court which ordered that the status quo in the House be maintained till further notice. With that court relief, Tambuwal dared the PDP and arrived at the National Assembly complex to declare open public hearings by two committees of the House.
The speaker who personally drove his official Range Rover SUV into the premises of the complex without security personnel was, however, shielded to the venues of the sittings by APC lawmakers led by the chairman, House committee on education, Aminu Suleiman.
Against all odds, there came the commotion at the National Assembly on November 20, 2014 as the plot to stop Tambuwal from entering the Assembly complex failed. It was a dishonourable scene to behold as honourable lawmakers who were prevented from entering through the gate reportedly exchanged hot words with the security and scaled the gate to the main complex. Riot policemen also tear-gased angry lawmakers who protested against the development.
Not only did APC described the action of the police as threat to democracy, it further called for the head of the police in Nigeria. While the Senators and House members fumed, the Presidency and Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Sulieman Abba justified the deployment of security operatives, saying it was to defend the constitution and prevent a breakdown of law and order.
The senior special assistant to the President on public affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, at a news conference, said it would be wrong for the public to assume that the IG acted on orders from the Presidency when the IG, as a very senior security officer has duties to defend and enforce the law.
Abba who appeared before the House committee on Police Affairs led by Usman Bello-Kurmo to explain why the police shut the gates of the National Assembly against lawmakers and also tear-gased them, did not help matters in Tambuwal’s travails as he (IG) did not recognise Tambuwal as speaker. The IG simply addressed him as “Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal”, a title that angered members of the House committee. Abba insisted that it would be “subjudice” for him to address Tambuwal as speaker or any matter relating to him so long as such matter was in court.
Though, members boiled with anger over IG’s attitude not to use the word “speaker” when referring to Tambuwal, they stormed out of the venue angrily and stopped Bello-Kurmo from shaking hands with Abba or seeing him off to the door. And the committee resolved that the discussions would not hold as long as the IG would not accord Tambuwal his due respect.
Just when everybody perhaps was thinking that time would heal the wound in the status of Tambuwal at the House, the speaker’s erstwhile party, PDP, had filed a fresh suit seeking an order compelling the speaker to declare himself as no longer fit to represent the Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal constituency at the lower chambers of the National Assembly.
The PDP’s suit re-opened the old wound even as the suit filed by Tambuwal seeking to stop his removal and subsequent declaration of his seat vacant on account of his defection to APC is pending in court.
But in the PDP’s suit which Justice Ahmed Mohammed had granted an ex parte application by the party to commence its suit against Tambawal, the office of the speaker, Tambuwal himself and the deputy speaker, Emeka Ihedioha are respondents to the suit. Relying on section 68 (1) (g) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, the PDP argued that “Tambuwal’s defection from the party which sponsored his election to the House amounted to losing his seat.
Under Section 68 (2) of the Constitution, the ruling party stated that it was mandatory for Tambuwal as speaker of the House to declare as vacant the Kebbe/Tambuwal seat, whose occupant had defected from the party that sponsored him to the House.
In the suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/901/2014, “seeking an order of mandamus”, the PDP is praying for an order of injunction restraining Tambuwal from performing or continue to perform the function of the House speaker.
“In the alternative, an order of court compelling the 3rd respondent (Deputy Speaker Ihedioha) to declare the Kebbe/Tambuwal seat vacant by an order of mandamus in terms of relief (a) supra,” the PDP suit added.
While Tambuwal had too many legal questions arising from the PDP suit, to answer, another House member. Abidun Akinlade, added additional load to Tambuwal’s legal battle. In the suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/871/2014, Akinlade (plaintiff) apart from seeking an order declaring Tambuwal’s seat vacant on account of his defection from the PDP, also sought a “judicial interpretation” of an earlier judgment of Justice Evoh Chukwu where it held that there was no division in the PDP.
From simple interpretation, the aim of the fresh suit is to justify the PDP’s stance that the defection of Tambuwal from PDP to APC on October 28,2014 was “illegal” and in breach of section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 constitution as amended.
Akinlade’s suit assigned to Justice E.S.J.Chukwu of Court 8, however, rattled Tambuwal who promptly petitioned the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court against the suit assigned to Justice Chukwu, claiming that “the presiding judge, Justice Chukwu, ESJ, having made a pronouncement on similar issues, in similar cases, decided by him, clearly shows that he has an iron-cast judicial position or opinion in respect of suit NO. FHC/ABJ/CS/871/2014, concerning me sir, which has been assigned to him.”
Tambuwal’s petition apparently forced Justice Chukwu to withdraw from the matter and returned the case file to Chief Judge for re-assessment to another judge.
But Tambuwal’s joy in forcing Justice Chukwu to withdraw from fresh anti-Tambuwal suit was momentory as the people of Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency in Sokoto State who are being represented by the Speaker at the House, on Monday, December 1, 2014, failed in their bid to become a party in a suit filed by Tambuwal himself to stop his removal from office and a member of the House.
The consitutents of Tambuwal, instead of seeking to be joined along with the speaker as palntiffs, had sought to be joined as co-defendants, but Justice Ahmed Mohammed, in his ruling dismissed the two separate applications filed in the name of the constituents, saying they are “unmeritorious”.
One thing leads to another. About two days after the “unmeritorious” suits were thrown out, Tambuwal’s constituents were back in court where they informed the court that they had filed separate applications seeking leave to appeal against the court ruling based on what they called “mixed law and facts”.
In addition to notices of appeal, the constituents also filed applications for stay of proceedings, and the development stalled the hearing of Tambuwal’s application seeking an order of court to jail the IG for allegedly flouting an order of the court.
While the legal battles last, Tambuwal also has an electoral burden in about eight weeks time, to take a political walk to Sokoto State to actualise his dream to be the next governor under APC platform.
Though intrigues, distractions, mischief, legal fireworks, political rivalry etc may be some of the features associated with Nigeria’s democracy, the truth remains that the rain started beating Tambuwal the day he went against the wishes of his erstwhile party (PDP) and the ruling party may have vowed to bring him down. Indeed, it is not an easy road for Tambuwal to travel on his political journey.
Samuel Eleonu
Aminu Tambuwal
The event, jointly organised by LP and ADC to publicly acknowledge the movement of party members, was first scheduled to hold at the LP secretariat in Idimu.
However, chaos erupted when more than 100 suspected thugs reportedly stormed the premises, forcing party members and officials to flee.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers, some armed with knives, canes and other dangerous objects, assaulted individuals they encountered during the invasion.
The assailants were also heard chanting hostile slogans, declaring that LP and ADC were not welcome in Lagos State.
Several party members sustained injuries in the process, while party property, including furniture and flags, were vandalised.
Despite the disruption, officials of both parties quickly relocated the programme to an alternative venue, the Eco Centre Event Hall in Egbeda, in a bid to continue the ceremony.
Speaking on the incident, the LP Chairman in Alimosho, Mr Olanrewaju Olushola, popularly known as Heritage, condemned the attack, describing it as unprovoked and alarming, especially with the 2027 general elections approaching.
“What is most painful is that most of my members sustained varying degrees of wounds. This is in spite of the hoodlums going into our party secretariat in Alimosho and destroying our furniture and flags,” he said.
Mr Olushola clarified that the defection itself had already taken place, stressing that Saturday’s gathering was merely a symbolic ceremony to inform the public of their decision.
According to him, nearly all LP members in Alimosho, including the party’s leadership structure, had collectively agreed to move to the ADC.
Also speaking, the party’s Secretary in Alimosho, Mr Moses Akujuobi, explained that plans for an open defection ceremony had earlier been halted by the police, who cited the absence of formal approval.
He said the organisers had reached out to the Area M Commander, ACP Abaniwonda, who reportedly informed them that only the Commissioner of Police could authorise political events in the state.
“Incidentally, we could not reach the CP, but we informed the DSS, after which we went ahead since it wasn’t a rally but a quiet ceremony,” Mr Akujuobi said.
He added that the situation became more tense upon arrival at the initial venue.
“When we got to the venue this morning, we were shocked to see police vans with heavily armed policemen. They informed us that we cannot hold the event and referred us to the police commissioner.
“While we were at it, the hoodlums besieged the place and began to beat people, leading to our deserting the venue,” he explained.
Mr Akujuobi said party officials subsequently contacted members by phone to proceed to the second venue in Egbeda, where the programme resumed briefly.
“We, however, began to contact our members through phones to move to the second venue, which is the Eco Event Centre, and everyone witnessed what took place here.
“The hoodlums got wind of our second venue and equally attacked us, beating up our members again,” he added.
He noted that the decision to defect to the ADC was driven by internal leadership challenges within the Labour Party and protracted legal disputes affecting the party.
Shortly after the hoodlums vacated the second venue, several police vans carrying armed officers reportedly arrived at the location.
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has strongly rejected calls by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria seeking the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, over comments he allegedly made on genocide.
The Fellowship described the demand as unjustified and a threat to constitutional freedoms.
In a statement signed by its National Secretary, Bishop David Bakare, the PFN insisted that Prof Amupitan, like every Nigerian, has the constitutional right to express his views on matters of national concern, irrespective of the public office he occupies.
According to the PFN, the comments attributed to the INEC Chairman were made in his personal capacity and had no link whatsoever with his official responsibilities or electoral duties.
The Fellowship stressed that elections and electoral activities were not involved in the matter, arguing that there was no basis to connect the alleged comments to Prof Amupitan’s role as INEC Chairman.
“We strongly oppose such calls because Prof. Amupitan, as a Nigerian, has the right to make comments on what he observes to be happening in the nation, regardless of his appointment or assignment,” the statement read.
The PFN said it condemned “in every ramification” the suggestion that the INEC Chairman should be removed from office on the basis of his personal views, warning against attempts to punish public officials for expressing opinions outside the scope of their official duties.
The Tide source reports that the Fellowship also cautioned against what it described as a growing tendency to interpret national issues through religious lenses, noting that such an approach only deepens divisions and undermines peaceful coexistence.
“We must resist the temptation of profiling or judging people based on their religious beliefs or positions. Prof. Amupitan has a right to bear his mind, and this should not be at the cost of his job,” the PFN added.
The PFN called on all stakeholders to exercise restraint, understanding and mutual respect in national discourse, particularly on sensitive issues.
It emphasised that unity and peace must remain paramount in addressing national challenges.
The Fellowship reaffirmed its commitment to fairness, justice and mutual respect, urging that these values guide public engagement and responses to issues affecting the country.
In A Statement Issued On Saturday, Mr Obiorah Ifoh, The Factional Spokesperson, Described The Decision Of The Electoral Body As Strange.
Mr Ifoh Also Said The Sacked Factional Leadership Of The Party Will Protest The Action Of INEC.
Stating That Judgment Of The Court And The Decision Of INEC Will Not Stop Its Members From Putting Up A Strong Appearance In The Forthcoming 2027 General Election, Mr Ifoh Noted Legal Redress Would Be Sought By LP.
He Said, “Some Persons Who Are Applauding The Impunity By Some Politicians Should Retrace And Do Some Introspection, Because This Was How In The Past They Applauded Injustice In Our Democracy Because They Were Beneficiaries.
“At The End Of The Day, When Their Enthroned Leaders Began To Abuse Power, They Started Complaining.
“For Us In Labour Party, Our Faith Is Strong That The Appellate Court Will Do The Right Thing And Therefore We Advise Our Members To Remain Calm. We Will Continue With The Struggle To Take Our Party From The Godfather,” Mr Ifoh Said.
He Also Stated That The Labour Party Is A Party Formed On The Basis Of Social Democracy Where No One Man Is Permitted To Appoint Everybody.
According To Him, It Is Against The Party’s Principles For “One Man To Sit At A Place And Gather Everybody And Appoint Everybody From The National Working Committee To The State.
“That Is Impunity Of The Highest Order. This, I Believe, Negates The Principles Of The Party.
“If We Say There Is No Party Ideology In Nigeria, This Is How It Starts. We Are Very Sure That It Will Be Quashed On Appeal,” He Added.
Mr Ifoh Also Described The Celebration And Excitement Showcased By Senator Nenadi Usman And The Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti As Temporary.
He Said Dr Otti, Senator Usman And Their Cohorts’ Names Which Were Already Listed On INEC’s Portal Will Be Short-Lived.
“It Is For A Short Time. Their Victory Is Pyrrhic And There Is Nothing To Celebrate Because Doomsday Is Closer Than They Will Imagine; Which I Believe Will Be Very Catastrophic For Them.
“Moreover, It Is Very Clear That The Appointment Of The Caretaker Committee Did Not Go Through The Normal Procedure. Proper Notice Was Not Given In Line With The Party Constitution And The Electoral Act,” He Said.