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Rather than issue a public apology to Mr Anthony Okolie, an Asaba, Delta State-based businessman, unlawfully detained for 10 weeks for purchasing and using a SIM card previously used by daughter of President Muhammadu Buhari, Hanan, the Department of State Services, Nigeria’s ruthless secret police, has embarked on a campaign to tarnish the victim’s image in a bid to justify their heinous act.

Okolie was arrested in September 2019, cuffed with chains and ferried to Abuja from Asaba where he was held for 10 weeks without a court order for using the SIM card in question. 

He had purchased the item in December 2018 from an MTN outlet in Asaba for N2,000 and had used it up until September last year when he was suddenly arrested by the DSS on the orders of Hanan. 

After subjecting him to physical and psychological torture for 10 weeks and with President Buhari’s daughter failing to show up at the DSS headquarters to testify if Okolie had used the telephone number for any illegal or criminal act, the secret police eventually released the young man, telling him that his “sins had been forgiven”.

Speaking with SaharaReporters earlier in the week, Okolie said that he was treated like a criminal for committing no offence.

He said, “I was seized like a criminal and subjected to threats by DSS officers and transferred to Abuja, chained in the legs and handcuffed from Asaba to their headquarters.

“After my statement, I was abandoned in custody. They said I was making use of a SIM card previously used by Hanan Buhari, that I am a criminal and that the President wanted to see me.

“I bought the SIM card legally and committed no offence by so doing. It was however, surprising to see myself being detained for 10 weeks.”

The young man went on to narrate how his unlawful arrest and detention had destroyed his fish farm investment worth N5m, shattered his relationship with his fiancée, who he was about getting married to before the incident, and escalated his mother’s health condition. 

However, in a report in its Sunday edition, a national newspaper, apparently doing the bidding of the DSS, turned logic on its head by offering a counter and uninspiring narrative of the entire event and facts surrounding Okolie’s illegal arrest.

In the story written by its Regional Editor, Northern Operation, and titled: I’m labourer, not fish farm investor, Anthony Okolie, man who used Buhari’s daughter’s number, the newspaper and especially the writer not only shamelessly tried to criminalise the Delta State-based businessman but also failed to support its claim of him carrying out criminal activities with the SIM card in question without any sort of evidence.

Alleging that Okolie used the SIM to swindle unsuspecting members of the public especially those, who knew Hanan with the telephone number, the newspaper’s story failed to mention names of those it claimed were defrauded by the young man and how much was involved on each occasion.

Apart from citing exclusive documents seen by it, the newspaper and writer of the story didn’t make any attempt to convince readers with its own version of events by tabling some proof.

Throughout the story by the national daily, there was no attempt by the newspaper or the writer to contact Okolie to get his own side of the story as good journalism practice stipulates.

Instead, the publication ran wholly with what the ‘exclusive document’ it claimed to have sighted outlined. 

Describing the story as a deliberate attempt by the DSS to use the media outfit and the journalist behind the story to defame Okolie and cover its criminal act, legal representative of the victim, Tope Akinyode, said that they will take the matter to court in the coming days in order to get justice for the young man.

He said, “Our attention has been drawn to a poorly-written propaganda on a national newspaper in which the media outfit made spurious allegations against our client, claiming the allegations are the outcome of its investigations.

“In the publication, even though the newspaper admits that our client lawfully bought the SIM in question without having any knowledge that the phone number was once used by Hanan Buhari; President Buhari's daughter, the newspaper howbeit disgracefully proceeded to turn logic on its head by alleging that our client used the SIM card to perpetrate fraud and illegal activities.

“The newspaper alleged that our client discovered that the name Hanan Buhari was registered against the phone line on a mobile App; True Caller, and our client should have complained to the network provider as a result. 

“The publication further stated that rather than complain, our client disguised as a lady to defraud people of money. 

“The publication did not state the names of the persons defrauded or the amount received out of fraud.

“For the records sake, it is important we draw the attention of the public to the fact that our client was illegally detained for 10 weeks at the SSS facility without a detention order and was not charged to court all through. 

“Instead, having discovered that any case against our client would head for the rock, the SSS cowardly released our client after 10 weeks of detention claiming he had been forgiven. 

“We make bold to state that if it were true indeed that our client actually perpetrated fraud, it would have been illegal, immoral and outrageously insensitive for the SSS not to have charged him to court. 

“The refusal to charge him to court is due to the fact that there is absolutely no case against him because he has not committed any offence.

“We are sorry for the newspaper for deliberately shattering its own integrity by such a distasteful publication. 

“As earlier noted, we have concluded plans to file a lawsuit against Hanan Buhari, SSS, and MTN Nigeria and the lawsuit shall be filed shortly. We shall not allow lawlessness to thrive.”

Okolie’s ordeal is indeed an insignificant fraction of the violation of rights of citizens perpetrated by the DSS in recent times.

In September 2019, the Nigeria Bar Association said the DSS was carving a notorious image for itself by constantly disobeying court orders.

In a statement by the association’s National Publicity Secretary, Kunle Edun, at the time, the NBA described the agency’s attitude towards court orders as unfortunate and unacceptable.

“The NBA notes that the Department of State Security is cutting for herself the notorious image of an agency that enjoys treating judicial process with disdain, particularly as it pertains to obeying orders of courts enforcing the fundamental rights of Nigerians,” the statement reads in part. 

Fearing what the DSS could be up to next, Okolie told SaharaReporters that he has since switched off the telephone number in question.

“I've switched off the line ever since that bizarre incident because I'm still scared and don't know what their next plan may be,” he said. 

Human Rights Politics Scandal News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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Rather than issue a public apology to Mr Anthony Okolie, an Asaba, Delta State-based businessman, unlawfully detained for 10 weeks for purchasing and using a SIM card previously used by daughter of President Muhammadu Buhari, Hanan, the Department of State Services, Nigeria’s ruthless secret police, has embarked on a campaign to tarnish the victim’s image in a bid to justify their heinous act.

Okolie was arrested in September 2019, cuffed with chains and ferried to Abuja from Asaba where he was held for 10 weeks without a court order for using the SIM card in question. 

He had purchased the item in December 2018 from an MTN outlet in Asaba for N2,000 and had used it up until September last year when he was suddenly arrested by the DSS on the orders of Hanan. 

After subjecting him to physical and psychological torture for 10 weeks and with President Buhari’s daughter failing to show up at the DSS headquarters to testify if Okolie had used the telephone number for any illegal or criminal act, the secret police eventually released the young man, telling him that his “sins had been forgiven”.

Speaking with SaharaReporters earlier in the week, Okolie said that he was treated like a criminal for committing no offence.

He said, “I was seized like a criminal and subjected to threats by DSS officers and transferred to Abuja, chained in the legs and handcuffed from Asaba to their headquarters.

“After my statement, I was abandoned in custody. They said I was making use of a SIM card previously used by Hanan Buhari, that I am a criminal and that the President wanted to see me.

“I bought the SIM card legally and committed no offence by so doing. It was however, surprising to see myself being detained for 10 weeks.”

The young man went on to narrate how his unlawful arrest and detention had destroyed his fish farm investment worth N5m, shattered his relationship with his fiancée, who he was about getting married to before the incident, and escalated his mother’s health condition. 

However, in a report in its Sunday edition, a national newspaper, apparently doing the bidding of the DSS, turned logic on its head by offering a counter and uninspiring narrative of the entire event and facts surrounding Okolie’s illegal arrest.

In the story written by its Regional Editor, Northern Operation, and titled: I’m labourer, not fish farm investor, Anthony Okolie, man who used Buhari’s daughter’s number, the newspaper and especially the writer not only shamelessly tried to criminalise the Delta State-based businessman but also failed to support its claim of him carrying out criminal activities with the SIM card in question without any sort of evidence.

Alleging that Okolie used the SIM to swindle unsuspecting members of the public especially those, who knew Hanan with the telephone number, the newspaper’s story failed to mention names of those it claimed were defrauded by the young man and how much was involved on each occasion.

Apart from citing exclusive documents seen by it, the newspaper and writer of the story didn’t make any attempt to convince readers with its own version of events by tabling some proof.

Throughout the story by the national daily, there was no attempt by the newspaper or the writer to contact Okolie to get his own side of the story as good journalism practice stipulates.

Instead, the publication ran wholly with what the ‘exclusive document’ it claimed to have sighted outlined. 

Describing the story as a deliberate attempt by the DSS to use the media outfit and the journalist behind the story to defame Okolie and cover its criminal act, legal representative of the victim, Tope Akinyode, said that they will take the matter to court in the coming days in order to get justice for the young man.

He said, “Our attention has been drawn to a poorly-written propaganda on a national newspaper in which the media outfit made spurious allegations against our client, claiming the allegations are the outcome of its investigations.

“In the publication, even though the newspaper admits that our client lawfully bought the SIM in question without having any knowledge that the phone number was once used by Hanan Buhari; President Buhari's daughter, the newspaper howbeit disgracefully proceeded to turn logic on its head by alleging that our client used the SIM card to perpetrate fraud and illegal activities.

“The newspaper alleged that our client discovered that the name Hanan Buhari was registered against the phone line on a mobile App; True Caller, and our client should have complained to the network provider as a result. 

“The publication further stated that rather than complain, our client disguised as a lady to defraud people of money. 

“The publication did not state the names of the persons defrauded or the amount received out of fraud.

“For the records sake, it is important we draw the attention of the public to the fact that our client was illegally detained for 10 weeks at the SSS facility without a detention order and was not charged to court all through. 

“Instead, having discovered that any case against our client would head for the rock, the SSS cowardly released our client after 10 weeks of detention claiming he had been forgiven. 

“We make bold to state that if it were true indeed that our client actually perpetrated fraud, it would have been illegal, immoral and outrageously insensitive for the SSS not to have charged him to court. 

“The refusal to charge him to court is due to the fact that there is absolutely no case against him because he has not committed any offence.

“We are sorry for the newspaper for deliberately shattering its own integrity by such a distasteful publication. 

“As earlier noted, we have concluded plans to file a lawsuit against Hanan Buhari, SSS, and MTN Nigeria and the lawsuit shall be filed shortly. We shall not allow lawlessness to thrive.”

Okolie’s ordeal is indeed an insignificant fraction of the violation of rights of citizens perpetrated by the DSS in recent times.

In September 2019, the Nigeria Bar Association said the DSS was carving a notorious image for itself by constantly disobeying court orders.

In a statement by the association’s National Publicity Secretary, Kunle Edun, at the time, the NBA described the agency’s attitude towards court orders as unfortunate and unacceptable.

“The NBA notes that the Department of State Security is cutting for herself the notorious image of an agency that enjoys treating judicial process with disdain, particularly as it pertains to obeying orders of courts enforcing the fundamental rights of Nigerians,” the statement reads in part. 

Fearing what the DSS could be up to next, Okolie told SaharaReporters that he has since switched off the telephone number in question.

“I've switched off the line ever since that bizarre incident because I'm still scared and don't know what their next plan may be,” he said. 

Human Rights Politics Scandal News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, has informed critics that he will forgive them for criticising his administration.

El-Rufai was responding to a Twitter USER, who slammed him for not responding to a question raised by Aisha Yesufu, a rights activist.

Yesufu had quoted a 2014 tweet by el-Rufai commenting on the use of the presidential jet.

She tweeted, “Who is now breaking the implication of Buhari's N8.5bn 2020 budget to maintain presidential fleet? 

"Please tell me I am wrong about the figure!” Her post was in reference to the use of a presidential jet by Hanan, daughter of Muhammadu Buhari.

In his initial reponse, el-Rufai said he does not respond to people that don’t vote in Kaduna, adding that he is focused on governing the state rather than exchanging words with people looking for cheap publicity.

The Kaduna governor then said he will ignore and also forgive them.

“Once and final response: I do not respond to every dimwit who never voted in Kaduna State on my TL. 

"I am trying to govern our state and disinterested in being a public commentator/responder to publicity/follower-seeking, anonymous and jobless clowns with neither credentials nor address. 

“Afterword: The most efficient and effective way to hurt those seeking unearned attention, cheap retweets and Twitter following is to ignore them. 

"Depression and sychosis set in for ignored inanities and non-entities, manifesting into anger, insults and fabrications. I will forgive you!,” el-Rufai tweeted.

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Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki

The Coalition for Good Governance and Economic Justice in Africa has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission to investigate the administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State for money laundering.

The coalition said the investigation must be done to save the country from international embarrassment following the arrest of Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Osaze Osemwingie-Ero, by the Interpol in France for being in possession of $2m.

Addressing journalists on Sunday, Country Director of the coalition, John Mayaki, an ex- spokesperson for Obaseki, said the administration had damaged public trust, adding that Edo State was trying to steer clear the matter.

He said, “The EFCC has to immediately intervene to save the country and the administration of President Muhammad Buhari from looming international embarrassment since major national newspapers already reported the discovery of the dirty money allegedly amounting to $2m.

“The poor response from the Edo State Government over this humongous scandal and the attempt to conceal the dirty money while also denying the victim (Mr Osaze Osewingie Ero), is an indication that Governor Godwin Obaseki has inadvertently owned up to the crime and must be brought to book.”

He posited that the EFCC had an obligation to bring under scrutiny the financial records and dealings of the Edo State Government, particularly as it concerns the singing of MOUs and partnership with some foreign bodies. 

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Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki

The Coalition for Good Governance and Economic Justice in Africa has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission to investigate the administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State for money laundering.

The coalition said the investigation must be done to save the country from international embarrassment following the arrest of Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Osaze Osemwingie-Ero, by the Interpol in France for being in possession of $2m.

Addressing journalists on Sunday, Country Director of the coalition, John Mayaki, an ex- spokesperson for Obaseki, said the administration had damaged public trust, adding that Edo State was trying to steer clear the matter.

He said, “The EFCC has to immediately intervene to save the country and the administration of President Muhammad Buhari from looming international embarrassment since major national newspapers already reported the discovery of the dirty money allegedly amounting to $2m.

“The poor response from the Edo State Government over this humongous scandal and the attempt to conceal the dirty money while also denying the victim (Mr Osaze Osewingie Ero), is an indication that Governor Godwin Obaseki has inadvertently owned up to the crime and must be brought to book.”

He posited that the EFCC had an obligation to bring under scrutiny the financial records and dealings of the Edo State Government, particularly as it concerns the singing of MOUs and partnership with some foreign bodies. 

Politics Scandal News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki

The Coalition for Good Governance and Economic Justice in Africa has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission to investigate the administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State for money laundering.

The coalition said the investigation must be done to save the country from international embarrassment following the arrest of Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Osaze Osemwingie-Ero, by the Interpol in France for being in possession of $2m.

Addressing journalists on Sunday, Country Director of the coalition, John Mayaki, an ex- spokesperson for Obaseki, said the administration had damaged public trust, adding that Edo State was trying to steer clear the matter.

He said, “The EFCC has to immediately intervene to save the country and the administration of President Muhammad Buhari from looming international embarrassment since major national newspapers already reported the discovery of the dirty money allegedly amounting to $2m.

“The poor response from the Edo State Government over this humongous scandal and the attempt to conceal the dirty money while also denying the victim (Mr Osaze Osewingie Ero), is an indication that Governor Godwin Obaseki has inadvertently owned up to the crime and must be brought to book.”

He posited that the EFCC had an obligation to bring under scrutiny the financial records and dealings of the Edo State Government, particularly as it concerns the singing of MOUs and partnership with some foreign bodies. 

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SERAP Logo

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court, Abuja, asking the court to order the 36 state governors to publish a breakdown of pensions being paid to former governors and other ex-officials under their respective state pension laws between 1999 and 2019.

SERAP is also asking the court to grant an order for leave to apply for judicial review and an order of mandamus to direct and/or comply with the order.

SERAP is also seeking a declaration that “the failure of the 36 state governors to provide SERAP with the requested information on pension law in their respective states as requested constitutes a breach of SERAP’s right under the FoI Act, 2011, and for such further order(s) the court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.”

SERAP, in the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/19/2020, had written a Freedom of Information letter to all state governments requesting for details of the pensions paid to their ex-governors.

The rights organisation revealed that only two governors—Delta State governor, Mr Ifeanyi Okowa and Kwara State governor, Mr Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq—have responded to its FoI requests.

“Governor Abdulrazaq provided a copy of the pension law and list of former governors and ex-officials receiving pensions in Kwara State under the state’s Governor and Deputy Governor (Payment of Pension) Law, 2010, naming Cornelius O. Adebayo; Mohammed Shaaba Lafiagi; Sayomi Simon Adediji; Bukola Saraki; and Ogundeji Joel Afolabi as recipients of life pensions in the state.

“However, the governor did not state the amounts that have so far been collected, and whether the state would pursue recovery of the pensions paid.

“Both Okowa and Abdulrazaq did not in their responses make any commitment to repeal the pension laws in their states and to seek refund of the pensions already collected by former governors and other ex-officials.”

SERAP said that the suit is in the national interest, public welfare, public interest, social justice, good governance, transparency and accountability, adding that there is no justifiable reason for the governors to refuse to provide SERAP with the details of payment of pensions and other related information requested.

“Public officials should not encourage, sustain, or implement jumbo pension laws that show an appearance of conflict of interest, impropriety or create situation of personal enrichment.

“The pension law negates the duty to act honestly and to represent the needs and concerns of the people, and to refrain from activities, which interfere with the proper discharge of public functions.”

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

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SERAP Logo

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court, Abuja, asking the court to order the 36 state governors to publish a breakdown of pensions being paid to former governors and other ex-officials under their respective state pension laws between 1999 and 2019.

SERAP is also asking the court to grant an order for leave to apply for judicial review and an order of mandamus to direct and/or comply with the order.

SERAP is also seeking a declaration that “the failure of the 36 state governors to provide SERAP with the requested information on pension law in their respective states as requested constitutes a breach of SERAP’s right under the FoI Act, 2011, and for such further order(s) the court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.”

SERAP, in the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/19/2020, had written a Freedom of Information letter to all state governments requesting for details of the pensions paid to their ex-governors.

The rights organisation revealed that only two governors—Delta State governor, Mr Ifeanyi Okowa and Kwara State governor, Mr Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq—have responded to its FoI requests.

“Governor Abdulrazaq provided a copy of the pension law and list of former governors and ex-officials receiving pensions in Kwara State under the state’s Governor and Deputy Governor (Payment of Pension) Law, 2010, naming Cornelius O. Adebayo; Mohammed Shaaba Lafiagi; Sayomi Simon Adediji; Bukola Saraki; and Ogundeji Joel Afolabi as recipients of life pensions in the state.

“However, the governor did not state the amounts that have so far been collected, and whether the state would pursue recovery of the pensions paid.

“Both Okowa and Abdulrazaq did not in their responses make any commitment to repeal the pension laws in their states and to seek refund of the pensions already collected by former governors and other ex-officials.”

SERAP said that the suit is in the national interest, public welfare, public interest, social justice, good governance, transparency and accountability, adding that there is no justifiable reason for the governors to refuse to provide SERAP with the details of payment of pensions and other related information requested.

“Public officials should not encourage, sustain, or implement jumbo pension laws that show an appearance of conflict of interest, impropriety or create situation of personal enrichment.

“The pension law negates the duty to act honestly and to represent the needs and concerns of the people, and to refrain from activities, which interfere with the proper discharge of public functions.”

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

Legal Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2P1XP1M

SERAP Logo

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court, Abuja, asking the court to order the 36 state governors to publish a breakdown of pensions being paid to former governors and other ex-officials under their respective state pension laws between 1999 and 2019.

SERAP is also asking the court to grant an order for leave to apply for judicial review and an order of mandamus to direct and/or comply with the order.

SERAP is also seeking a declaration that “the failure of the 36 state governors to provide SERAP with the requested information on pension law in their respective states as requested constitutes a breach of SERAP’s right under the FoI Act, 2011, and for such further order(s) the court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.”

SERAP, in the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/19/2020, had written a Freedom of Information letter to all state governments requesting for details of the pensions paid to their ex-governors.

The rights organisation revealed that only two governors—Delta State governor, Mr Ifeanyi Okowa and Kwara State governor, Mr Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq—have responded to its FoI requests.

“Governor Abdulrazaq provided a copy of the pension law and list of former governors and ex-officials receiving pensions in Kwara State under the state’s Governor and Deputy Governor (Payment of Pension) Law, 2010, naming Cornelius O. Adebayo; Mohammed Shaaba Lafiagi; Sayomi Simon Adediji; Bukola Saraki; and Ogundeji Joel Afolabi as recipients of life pensions in the state.

“However, the governor did not state the amounts that have so far been collected, and whether the state would pursue recovery of the pensions paid.

“Both Okowa and Abdulrazaq did not in their responses make any commitment to repeal the pension laws in their states and to seek refund of the pensions already collected by former governors and other ex-officials.”

SERAP said that the suit is in the national interest, public welfare, public interest, social justice, good governance, transparency and accountability, adding that there is no justifiable reason for the governors to refuse to provide SERAP with the details of payment of pensions and other related information requested.

“Public officials should not encourage, sustain, or implement jumbo pension laws that show an appearance of conflict of interest, impropriety or create situation of personal enrichment.

“The pension law negates the duty to act honestly and to represent the needs and concerns of the people, and to refrain from activities, which interfere with the proper discharge of public functions.”

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

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SOC Okenwa

Hypocrisy and sycophancy are part of the social problems associated with our decadent society. Apart from pretending shamelessly to 'love' God or Jesus Christ more than the Jews or the prophets of yore, we have turned worshipping the immortal one into a billion-dollar spinning business venture week in week out! Our so-called bishops are riding in private jets, ranked among the richest in the world! Alas, despite this affliction of the syndrome of 'godliness' in the midst of immorality and corruption, Nigeria remains a basket case of hopelessness.

While nations with dreadful history of atheism (China, Japan etc) are making steady progress towards greatness in all spheres of human endeavors, we are stuck in the developmental mess for decades. Our leadership lot since independence had been one of mediocrity and idiocy all along. Yet we are a happy people suffering and smiling and hoping for divine intervention somehow, someday.

Our leaders at the federal and state levels lie to us daily about improvements in our living conditions yet things are getting worse. They swindle us, the politicians, by looting the treasury with impunity and serving themselves instead of 'we the people' that put them to power and authority in the first place.
The followers are glorified 'mumus' who glorify political abominations as long as they benefit from same!

Olusegun 'Baba' Obasanjo presided over Nigeria from 1999-2007. Since he was 'coronated' post-Abacha, he had established 'Babacracy' in the stead of democracy - a vainglorious system fraught with vindictiveness and pettiness. OBJ, in spite of some flashes of achievements here and there, failed generally to take Nigeria to the next level she was supposed to be by now. The 'Babacratic' politics played with little or no patriotism led to the 'disappearance' of $16bn which he claimed his administration poured into the power sector without any corresponding power to show for it!

Overwhelmed by the spirit of omnipotence, OBJ had desperately sought to do another four-year (third) term after the expiration of his second term as approved by the constitution of the Federal Republic. Billions of dollars were invested into the project but it was fortunately 'killed' in the Senate! Obasanjo and his gang had wanted to modify the constitution to legitimise and legalise the third term but the senators led by one Ken Nnamani had patriotically thought otherwise in the superior interest of the nation's democracy.

Given the failure of the gambit, 'Baba' reluctantly handed over power to the late Umaru Yar'Adua. Not long after his departure from Aso Rock, evidence upon evidence began to emerge of millions and billions (sometimes packed in Ghana-must-go bags) distributed among legislators to 'buy' them over.
Today, the nauseating politics of third term is here with us - even timidly. President Muhammadu Buhari, still basking in the euphoria of a rigged presidential poll of last year in his favour, is being rumoured to be secretly nursing the ambition of a third stint of four years in power beyond 2023! The campaign for this absurd scheme has commenced in earnest if what we read online are anything to hold on to. Whilst we acknowledge the fact that the presidency has since debunked the rumours distancing itself from the political jobbers pushing for Buharism post-2023, we hold nonetheless that there is no smoke without fire emanating from somewhere. Despite the plethora of evidence linking 'Baba' to the third term brouhaha, OBJ still conveniently lives in denial - even today!

But what befuddles the sound mind remains the real reason behind any idea of four more extra-constitutional years for Buhari. Should the Buharists not be praying fervently for their champion to see 2023 hale and hearty given his fragile health profile? Besides, what has Buhari achieved extra-ordinarily to warrant third term in power? Closing the borders for months at a time of national peace? 'Technically' defeating Boko Haram yet counting dead bodies of soldiers and civilians wasted on a daily basis at the different fronts? Tactically aiding and abetting Fulani herdsmen terrorists in their murderous armed campaign for pastural dominion?

The APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, a diminutive man known for his garrulous hubristic style of leadership, had accused the opposition PDP of being behind the third term campaign in order to discredit the image of the APC! Whatever is wrong with the ruling party then the PDP must be blamed for that!

West Africa had lately been insulated from the strong-man weak-institutions syndrome post-Kerekou, Eyadema and Jammeh. Today the Biya-Museveni-Mbasogo longevity-in-power syndrome however, seems to be spreading fast like malaria.

In Guinea, Prof Alpha Conde, an historic opposition figure elected President close to a decade ago, is seeking a third term in office unconstitutionally. And it is now official. To achieve the feat, Conde has been mobilising his 'troops' and the constitution is set to be amended. From Conakry to Labe, the vibrant opposition are up in 'arms' against the diabolical scheme. Demonstrations had rocked cities and towns turning often bloody and casualties are mounting weekly and monthly. The polity remains charged and over-heated in a poor country struggling with a dictatorial past and institutional corruption.

In the Ivory Coast, President Alassane Ouattara, a septuagenarian much like Buhari and Conde, has suddenly been bitten by the third-term power bug. His third term bid is no longer rumour but a project with a huge budget! The constitution is about to be tinkered with soon in order to remove the age limit associated with qualification for the presidency. Though Ouattara is a good President with great accomplishments, opposition is mounting in Abidjan and elsewhere over this inordinate ambition of his to do another five years after 10 eventful years in the saddle.

President Buhari cannot boast of being a good leader from every stretch of imagination. His leadership style gives him away as a potentate unaware of what true democracy really represents. Given his Islamic superiority complex coupled with his presidential aloofness, Nigeria cannot possibly make any meaningful progress politically and econo-socially. Against this backdrop, therefore, the third term gambit, whether true or false, is nothing but an insult to our collective sensibilities and intelligence. It must be halted fortwith!

Nigeria deserves better and Nigerians deserve a better leader come 2023.
SOC Okenwa
soco_abj_2006_rci@hotmail.fr
 

Opinion AddThis :  Original Author :  Ozodinukwe Okenw Disable advertisements : 
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