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NASS Moves To Impeach Buhari …Lists Eight -Point Demands …Says President Responsible For Appointees’ Actions …Our Democracy ’ll Die If… -Ekwerenmadu
A member of the House of Representatives, Muhammadu Gudaji Kazaure, has raised an alarm over what he said is a plot to impeach President Muhammadu Buhari.
Kazaure, who addressed the House Press Corps immediately after the 3-hour long joint closed door session of the Senate and the House, said some lawmakers have been mandated to collect signatures to impeach President Buhari.
Kazuare, adjudged one of the closest allies of the President in the House, said” I do not support this move because the man Buhari is a very good man. Kazuare however expressed confidence that those behind the impeachment move will not be able to reach the constitutionally required two-third majority.
Kazaure also disclosed that he was opposed to what he said is a threat to impeach the President if he fails to implement the resolutions reached at the joint executive session.
According to him, the resolution to use legislative instruments should the President fail to take action on the resolutions reached by lawmakers is a veiled impeachment threat. “I tried to raise an amendment, but they didn’t allow me to do so. This is because, we had a resolution that, all what we did…that if the Federal Government doesn’t meet our demands, that we will take any legislative action against the executive.
“I am not in support of this and many of us (lawmakers) are not in support of this. Many of us are not in support of threatening the president because we know he is a man of integrity,” he said.
“The issue of people collecting signatures to serve a notice of impeachment to the president….we know this is happening in the House. “But we know nobody can afford to show us the list of people who want to impeach the president.
“I tell you nobody can present this list because they cannot get two-third majority. “Those of us who support the president in the Senate and the House have the numbers. We are strong enough to stop anything called impeachment,” Kazaure added.
On other resolutions, the lawmaker said he is in support, particularly, to the one that demands that security chiefs should be fired.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly (NASS) has tabled a list of demands before the Muhammadu Buhari administration, asking it to implement them, lest they invoke “the Constitutional Powers of the Parliament”.
The demands were listed as part of the outcome of an emergency executive joint session of both chambers of the National Assembly yesterday.
The meeting passed a vote of confidence on Senator Bukola Saraki, the Senate President, now the subject of police investigation over the April 5, robbery in Offa, Kwara State.
In contrast, the National Assembly members passed a vote of no-confidence on the Inspector General of police, who they want the president to remove because of what they considered to be his “outright disregard for constitutional authority of both the executive and the legislature”.
Reading the resolutions after the session, of the Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly, Bukola Saraki said reminded the Presidency that the protection of lives and properties of Nigerians across the country is the responsibility of government and as such demanded that they security Agencies be given marching orders to curtail the sustained killings of Nigerians across the country.
The lawmakers who met for over three hours in closed door, did not spell out what the “constitutional powers of the Parliament”, is but legal pundits said the only power they have is to set in motion an impeachment proceedings against the President.
Among the list of demands, the legislators want the Buhari administration to address the current security situation in the country.
They frowned at the constant harassment of legislators and other political actors, especially those who seem to hold a contrary view from the executive or those who are critical of the executive arm.
The legislative arm called on the executive to show sincerity in the fight against corruption, adhere to the rule of law and refrain from the “intimidation of Nigerians”.
They threatened that they may be forced to invoke their constitutional powers if the conditions were not met.
Below is the detail of the conditions from the Joint Session of the National Assembly:
The Security Agencies must be given marching orders to contain all the sustained killings of Nigerians and protect the lives and properties of Nigerians — as this is the primary duty for any responsible government.
The systemic harassment by the executive of perceived political opponents — people with contrary opinions in the legislature and the judiciary — by the police and other security agencies must stop.
There must be strict adherence to the rule of law and protection for all citizens by the President and all his appointees.
The President must be held accountable for the actions of his appointees and must be ready to sanction, those that carry out any act,that will ridicule or endanger the country and our democracy.
The government should show sincerity in the fight against corruption by not being selective and also prosecute current appointees that have cases pending against them.
The sanctity of the National Assembly should be protected and preserved by the federal government… and prosecute those who invaded the Senate to seize the mace.
Democratic elections must be competitive and inclusive by removing the current reign of fear and intimidation — particularly as we approach the forthcoming 2019 elections.
The National Assembly will liaise with the international community through the IPU, the APU, ECOWAS Parliament, Pan-African Parliament, EU, US Congress and the United Nations to secure our democracy.
“The National Assembly will also engage with civil society organisations, trade unions and NGOs to further deepen and protect our democracy. The President must take immediate steps to curtail the growing level of poverty and unemployment in Nigeria — especially now that we have an advantage of high oil prices.
“Both chambers of the National Assembly hereby pass a vote of confidence on the Senate President, the Speaker and the entire leadership of the National Assembly”.
We also hereby reaffirm our earlier resolution on the vote of no confidence on the Inspector General of Police, who does nothing but preside over innocent Nigerians with an outright disregard for constitutional authority of both the executive and the legislature.
“The National Assembly will not hesitate to invoke its constitutional powers if nothing is done to address the above resolutions passed today”.
Similarly, the National Assembly has said that the President must be held accountable for the actions of his appointees.
It also accused the Executive of “systematic harassment and humiliation” “of perceived political opponents,” urging it to stop.
These were part of the five-point resolutions made at the Joint Executive Session held yesterday.
A tweet posted on the verified Twitter handle of The Senate President, @SPNigeria, and containing the resolutions also stated that the lawmakers resolved that security agencies must be given “marching orders” to curtail the sustained killings of Nigerians across the country and protect lives and properties of Nigerians, saying “this is the primary duty of any responsible government.”
Other decisions reached at the joint session were revealed as follows:
“The systematic harassment and humiliation by the Executive of perceived political opponents, people with contrary opinion, including legislators and judiciary, by the Police and other security agencies must stop.
“There must be strict adherence to the Rule of Law and protection for all citizens by the President and his appointees.
“The President must be held accountable for the actions of his appointees and must be ready to sanction those that carry out any act which will ridicule or endanger our country and democracy.
“The government should show sincerity in the fight against corruption by not being selective, also prosecute current appointees that have cases pending against them.”
However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said the resolution of the joint session of the National Assembly against President Muhammadu Buhari’s Presidency was a vindication of its stance on the administration.
A statement issued by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, in Abuja yesterday commended the members of the National Assembly for their ”patriotism and courage in unanimously standing up for democracy, the rule of law, national stability and cohesion at this trying time.”
It added: “Nigerians would recall that the PDP had consistently pointed to the misrule of the Buhari presidency, as well as the unrelenting violations of our constitution, unprecedented executive highhandedness, abuse of the rights of citizens and the erosion of all known democratic norms under this administration.
“These are in addition to the foisting of siege mentality on Nigerians as well as presidential aloofness to important issues of state thereby resulting in the escalation violence, killings and daily bloodlettings in our country.
“From the above, it has become evident that Mr. President must be called to order through an appropriate legislative instrument.”
The PDP, therefore, called on all democrats, across board, irrespective of party affiliations, to come together, support the National Assembly and “save our democracy from the misrule of the Buhari presidency.”
In another development,the Deputy President of the Senate, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, yesterday, said the country’s democracy would die if the National Assembly was turned to rubber stamp.
The deputy president of the Senate also noted that he was perturbed that the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has remained silent in the face of what he termed clear acts of aggression against the legislature and the judiciary in recent years.
He said the current state of the nation’s democracy would make heroes of the struggle like Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief MKO Abiola, Chuma Ubani, Bamidele Aturu, and Kudirat Abiola sad in their graves.
Ekweremadu, who spoke at the 2018 Law Week of the NBA held in Abuja, maintained that the democracy in Nigeria would die a slow and painful death if the independence of the judiciary is destroyed or the National Assembly is turned to a rubber stamp.
According to him, “Our society is in despair today; democracy is receding; rule of law appears to be at the crossroads; and the killings across the land have become so massive, frequent, and mindless. Politicians that were once friends have turned our politics into a war of attrition.
“Our elections, in many instances, have been highly militarised, with some security officers accused of physically assaulting the staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Nigerians have watched on live television, the raid of the hallowed chamber of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the carting away of its mace by thugs.
“As if emboldened by that, political thugs stormed the premises of the Rivers State High Court. The nation watched with great concern the heavy and prolonged gunfire by armed thugs, who, but for the resistance put up by the people of Rivers State, had virtually succeeded in preventing the court from carrying out its legitimate duties. Today, to hold a different political opinion appears tantamount to a political suicide.”
While urging the NBA to be more proactive, Ekweremandu said, “the Bar has not uttered any word of condemnation of these and other clear acts of aggression against the legislature or the judiciary in recent years.
“We must bear in mind that democracy does not die in a day. Democracy dies a slow and painful death. Democracy will die if the independence of the judiciary is destroyed, the National Assembly turned to a rubber stamp, the media gagged, the civil society organisations sucked-in, and the electoral umpire annexed.
“But it is not in anybody’s interest, let alone the Bar, for our democracy to fail. However, we cannot fold our hands, keep sealed lips, and expect heavens to play our parts as lawyers. So, the Bar must rise in defense of democracy.
“There is no sitting on the fence. The poet, Dante Algheri, warns that the hottest parts of hell are reserved for those, who in the time of moral crisis preserved their neutrality. The Bar must speak up against impunity.
“The Bar must be heard loud and clear in condemnation of desecration and intimidation, and annexation of key institutions of democracy.
“The Bar must stand up in defense of the rule of law, separation of power, rights, liberties, and other laudable tenets without which democracy becomes an empty barrel, a civilianised dictatorship, and, above all, the Bar must continue to promote justice, equity and fairness to sustain our democracy.”
Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi
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Be Firm In Fight Against Oil Theft, Fubara Tells CNS …As Navy Moves Training Hqtrs To Rivers …Seizes 14 Vessels In Three Months
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has encouraged the Nigerian Navy to be firm in the fight against all forms of economic sabotage, particularly crude oil theft, in the nation’s waterways.
The Governor noted with delight the positive results already recorded by the Navy in the State due largely to the tremendous support it has received from his administration.
Governor Fubara spoke when he hosted on courtesy visit, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla with his delegation of top officers of Navy High Command at Government House in Port Harcourt,yesterday.
The Rivers State Governor stated that Nigeria was facing myriad of crises, including economic challenges, rising insecurity and criminal activities that threaten the national economy, which should not be overlooked.
He said, “We are working together, we will give you all the support to make sure that you deliver on your mandate.
”And what is the mandate? You were appointed at a time when our country is facing a lot of crises, and your duty, among others, include to reduce, if it cannot be eliminated completely, the criminalities perpetrated on the waterways; oil theft and others.
”And I am happy that they are positive and commendable records of achievement so far, in the course of your tenure.”
Governor Fubara said the good news of reduced level of oil theft in Rivers State is evidence of the many positive things that are happening in the State beyond the much hyped negativity, and assured that such positive achievements will be sustained.
The State Chief Executive insisted: “The success of the Nigerian Navy in our State, in the areas of oil theft, is because the State Government has given you all the necessary support.
”We have collaborated with the command here. We supported them morally, and with all the necessary logistics.
”We have also maintained good relationship with the communities to make sure that whatever it is that is required for these operations to be successful were granted. I am happy to be associated with these very laudable achievements.”
Governor Fubara said: “So, I have to say that I am happy that the Chief of Naval Staff, today, is commending the success of the exercise. He is commending the doggedness of the men in fighting oil theft, not just in the Niger Delta, but particularly in our State.
”I want to assure you that we will continue to give them the support, and discourage any act that would be a sabotage to the economy of our State.”
Governor Fubara said that Rivers State was not named in error: there are several water channels that can boost the operations of the Navy. This is why we are requesting that the Nigerian Navy move all its bases to the State.
”It was not a mistake they called it Rivers State. It is surrounded with all forms of rivers. You want the Atlantic region, you can get it here. You want those small creeks, you can also get it here. Maybe, if you want an Island, you can also find it here.
”So, it is proper if we work with you and you have all that is required within this geographic region, to have all your bases relocated to Rivers State,” he said.
He further said: “We must continue to give you the necessary support to make sure that you succeed. I am happy to also say that, as the Governor of the State by the special grace of God, we are still here, not minding the dramas here and there. We will not let our people down in ensuring that we protect their interest.
”We will support the genuine course of governance; the protection of lives and provision of basic amenities. And these can only be achieved when there is a peaceful environment.
”And the peaceful environment can only come when there is a collaboration with security agencies to prevent crimes, and protect lives and property of residents.”
In his address, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, reiterated that the Nigerian Navy and Rivers State are like conjoined twins who cannot do without each other.
This is because, he said, they needed collaboration on various aspects of their activities ranging from training, operations, logistics, adding that Rivers State is key to their performance.
”My purpose of coming here today are three folds. The first is to inform His Excellency that on Saturday, we are graduating a set of former civilians who have been trained at our Basic Training School, Onne, and are graduating to join the ranks of the Nigerian Navy as ratings in order to beef up our strength.
”The second reason is to first appreciate the Governor and the entire Rivers State Government for the schools they donated to us: the Ambassador Nne Krukrubo Model Secondary School at Eleme in Eleme Local Government Area, and the Model Secondary School, Egbelu in Oyigbo Local Government Area.”
Vice Admiral Ogalla stated further: “We also want to use this opportunity to inform His Excellency that following that donation, and based on our strategic plan of moving our facilities to areas where we have enough space to be able to carryout out duties, we have renovated the school at Eleme.
”We are happy to report, today, that the erstwhile location of Headquarters of Naval Training Command, Lagos, is moving to that particular school location in Eleme, tomorrow.’
Speaking on the operational successes recorded thus far, he said that propelled by the charge given to them by President Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian Navy, under his watch, has impounded 14 vessels caught to be conveying stolen crude oil and several other individuals arrested, adding that investigations into their culpability were ongoing.
”I am here today to report Sir, that, with the “Operation Delta Sanity”, launched in January, 2024, we have been very successful, and within the period, we have recorded tremendous successes and achievements.
”Over 14 large crude carrying vessels have been arrested within that period. Most of them are at various levels of investigation. We have also arrested several barges and other companies and organizations that are involved in oil theft.
”As a result of the operations, we are happy to report that there has been tremendous improvement in terms of security in the maritime environment,” Ogalla added.
A heavy downpour has wreaked havoc on the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger State, resulting in extensive damage to the facility and facilitating the escape of 118 inmates.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the spokesperson, Federal Capital Territory Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Adamu Duza, yesterday.
Duza noted that the downpour which occurred on Wednesday night, caused severe damage to the custodial centre’s infrastructure, including a breach in the perimeter fence, which allowed the inmates to flee.
However, 10 fleeing inmates had been recaptured following a swift response by the NCoS in collaboration with other security agencies.
Duazu promised that efforts were ongoing to recapture the remaining fleeing inmates, adding that their database would soon be made known to the public.
Recognising the vulnerability of ageing facilities, many of which were built during the colonial era, Duza acknowledged that the NCoS was committed to modernising its infrastructure.
The statement further noted that the Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, Francis John, assured the public that the situation was under control and urged them to carry on with their daily activities without fear.
The public was encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities or sightings of escaped inmates to the nearest security agency.
The statement read in part, “A heavy downpour that lasted for several hours on the night of Wednesday, April 24, 2024, has wreaked havoc on the Medium Security Custodial Centres, Suleja, Niger state, as well as surrounding buildings, destroying parts of the custodial facility, including its perimeter fence, giving way to the escape of 118 inmates of the facility.
“The service has immediately activated its recapturing mechanisms, and in conjunction with sister security agencies, has so far recaptured 10 fleeing inmates and taken them into custody, while we are in hot pursuit to recapture the rest.
“The service is not unmindful of the fact that many of its facilities were built during the colonial era and that they are old and weak. The Service is making frantic efforts to ensure that all aging facilities give way to modern ones.
“The Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, Francis John, wishes to assure the public that the service is on top of the situation and that they should go about their normal businesses without fear or hindrance.”
Meanwhile, the United States has underscored the significant challenge of overcrowding in Nigerian prisons.
The US, according to its ‘2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Nigeria,’ published on its website on Tuesday, noted that numerous correctional facilities were grappling with a staggering 50 per cent increase in the number of inmates beyond their intended capacity, revealing a systemic issue.
Furthermore, it disclosed that a notable proportion of these prisons, some with histories dating back 70 to 80 years, faced difficulties in meeting even the most fundamental standards of living.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that peace has prevailed because he draws strength from God to resist insults and tantrums thrown at him while frustrating attempts by some disgruntled persons who wanted to plunge the State into unending crisis.
The Governor also said that because he has anchored his Government on promoting peace, the enabling atmosphere has been provided for investments and sustainable development to flourish.
Governor Fubara made the assertion when he received a delegation of members of the Bishops and Gospel Ministers’ Association International Incorporated, Rivers State Chapter, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, Governor Fubara said while most people took his meekness for weakness, his stance on peace has unarguably enhanced harmonious atmosphere of concord as residents sleep with their two eyes closed, and investors and shareholders are happy with the returns on investment.
He said, “Before, what they hear of Rivers State is that they are fighting, and some genuine investors will not come. Some people even ask you: How are you coping in Rivers State?
“But now”, he asserted: “The Governor has brought about a lot of changes in the State. One of the most important things is that he has changed the negative narrative. It is no longer Rivers of blood. It is now Rivers of peace.
“We are enjoying our lives here. Why? Because there is a change in the narrative. We have peace. The Governor is, as much as possible, absorbing any level of insult at him only for one purpose: that Rivers State may have peace; that we may grow; that this state will experience genuine development.”
Governor Fubara urged them, as members of the Christian family in the State, to continue to pray for the State and the Government so that the enemies of the State will be put to greater shame.
“This peace is what I want you to embrace. Go and continue to pray, because when the sower of the seed went and sowed, the enemy went in the night and sowed tares inside there. But the Governor is sowing peace.
“When I listened to the leader of the team, His Grace Eddy Ogbonda, he said you came all the way from Eleme Junction, and stopped at major junctions, and you uttered prayers for the peace of Rivers State.”
He also said: “I, hereby want to thank you for identifying with the Governor at a time like this. At a time when it looks as if someone wants the Governor’s peace posture misunderstood as weakness.
“When someone has the strength to fight back, but refuses to fight back. That is a bigger strength; that power of restrain does not just come, it can only come from God.
“You cannot give peace, if you do not have peace within you. The Governor is not interested in any form of trouble or violence. What he is interested in is known, and it is: let there be peace in Rivers State,” he said.
In his address, leader of the group, Archbishop Eddy Ogbonda, said they had observed a week-long intensive prayers that culminated into a peace rally, which brought them to Government House, and assured the Governor that God will continue to give him victory over his adversaries while preserving Rivers State.
“It is Rivers State Prophetic Prayer Convocation and Rally 2024 with the theme: ‘Peace be still’. Of a truth, everyone of us understands that we live in a time when we need peace much more than any other thing.
“Rivers State needs peace. Everyone as individuals need peace. The country needs peace, and the world at large needs peace. So, we are here to do a peace march. We pray that God will command His peace to reign in Rivers State,” he said.
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