Political Briefs
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FOLLOWING an allegation that 63 senators were planning to impeach him, President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday, December 3, advised the senators to focus their attention of issues of national importance rather than plotting against him. Doyin Okupe, senior special assistant on public affairs, who communicated the advice, said the senators should be more concerned about “serious fundamental issues of national importance such as winning the war against terrorism and stabilising the economy in the face of dwindling oil revenue which require the full attention, commitment and swift action of distinguished members of the Senate.”
The statement noted that in the last four years, the legislature had responded to issues of great national importance with commendable political ability, noting that within the same period, the Senate had functioned as a stabilising force within the polity, employing the much needed political maturity required to guide and protect the nation’s nascent democracy.
“However, confrontation and strong disagreements are not uncommon phenomenon in Executive-Legislative relationship world-wide. The recent purported attempt by some senators to prepare impeachable offences against the president, as reported in some section of the media, is seen by us in this light. We strongly trust and believe in the leadership of the present Senate and the unwavering patriotism and commitment that have been shown by the distinguished members and we trust that ultimately it is this tendency towards true nationalism that will prevail in the Senate,” the statement said.
Alkali Jajere, one of the leaders of the impeachment move in the Senate, told journalists on Tuesday, December 2, that there was no going back on the project. “As of today, the required signatures to initiate the impeachment process had been obtained. The Senate has adjourned to December 16, so by that date the impeachment motion will be presented on the floor of the Senate. As of last week, 63 of us had signed up for the impeachment; my signature was the fourth but I can confirm to you that we have 63 signatures but after the session today two people had called and told me that they want to sign,” Jajere said with a promise that the figure could rise to 70 before the Senate resumes on December 16.
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Uduaghan Cautions Politician against Desperation
GOVERNOR Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State wants political office seekers to pursue their ambitions peacefully, avoid desperation and acts capable of triggering crisis and violence.
Uduaghan gave the advice while receiving Gideon Oyibo, a reverend and Delta State chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, and his executive, who were on a courtesy visit on Wednesday, December 3, in his office. He stated that it was important for aspirants for political offices to keep in mind that their desire was to serve the people and should not take their aspirations as do-or-die affair as power belongs to God.
He said: “There is too much desperation among the political class today and most of them don’t care what happens to their political opponents or the people around them as long as they achieve their ambition. It has been a challenging period for me. I have been accused of so many things. I have been a victim of internet terrorism. What bothers me most is when people resort to violence to achieve their ambition. I want to appeal to political aspirants to ensure that there is no violence. Somebody must not die for you to get to any position,” the governor admonished, adding: “Remember it is only God that gives position and what he has ordain will surely come to pass.”
While commending the members of the CAN for its credible performance during the last local government election in the state, Uduaghan said that the conduct added credibility to the electoral process and urged members to play similar roles in future elections.
He also asked the CAN members to continue to pray for the nation to overcome the Boko Haram scourge, declaring that President Goodluck Jonathan was handling the insurgency with the seriousness it deserved.
Oyibo, on his part, also decried the attitude of political aspirants who were so desperate for positions and use violence as a means to achieve their aims. He advised politicians to stick to the rules and guidelines of the game.
Also on Wednesday, December 3, an ultra-modern executive chambers inside the New Government House, built and furnished by the Uduaghan administration, was dedicated. Bishop God-Do-Well Avwomakpa, bishop and chairman of the CAN, South-South, led a team of men of God, including Oyibo, to perform the dedication ceremony. Prominent among those who witnessed the ceremony were Governor Uduaghan, Roli, his wife; Amos Utuama, SAN, deputy governor; commissioners; and senior government functionaries.
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CNPP Urges APC Candidates to Close Ranks
THE Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, wants politicians seeking to vie for 2015 presidential election on the ticket of opposition parties, especially the All Progressives Congress, APC, to close ranks in order to present a credible candidate that would bring about the much desired regime change.
Osita Okechukwu, national publicity secretary of the CNPP, in a statement, said the group advised APC aspirants to reflect the symbol of the party which is broom in working as a team to realize victory.
“The CNPP is making a passionate appeal to the presidential aspirants of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to hearken to the collective yearnings of Nigerians for regime change to unite. For a united broom sweeps better than a scattered broom.
“We are making this passionate appeal not as a member of the APC; but as one of those who have been in the vanguard for regime change aimed at guaranteeing more prosperous and secure Nigeria. The CNPP said it was disheartened to note that all the five presidential aspirants on the platform of the APC had to sign a letter of undertaking, saying it was a sign of “scattered-broom-diagram.”
The APC aspirants who signed an undertaking to remain in the party if they failed to clinch the party ticket are Mohammadu Buhari, retired general and former head of state; Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president; Rabiu Kwankwaso and Rochas Okorocha, governors of Kano and Imo states, as well as Sam Nda-Isaiah, publisher of Leadership newspaper. The aspirants also agreed not to take any action that would put inhibitions on the campaign wheels of the party.
— Dec. 15, 2014 @ 01:00 GMT
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