20032019 -Petition: My case against Buhari, by Atiku

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42 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2019 Stop illegal militarisation of elections in Nigeria By Femi Falana, SAN IN 2014, the PDP-led gov ernment deployed platoons of armed soldiers to Ekiti State for the governorship. A week before the election the army banned two APC governors- Comrade Adams Oshiomole and Mr. Rotimi Amaechi from entering Ekiti State. During the election the voters were subjected to horrendous harrassment by the armed troops. The Court of Appeal condemned the illegal militarisation of the election. Embarrassed by the judicial indictment the authorities of the Nigerian Army probed the intimidation of voters in Ekiti State and flushed out the military personnel who exposed the Nigerian Armed Forces to ridicule. Yesterday, the Nigerian Army reacted to the report of the fact finding committee set up by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which investigated the circumstances surrounding the postponement of the Rivers State governorship election. In rejecting the indictment of the military personnel who engaged in the intimidation and killing of unarmed voters in Port Harcourt the Nigerian Army has justified its intervention in the election. It is highly curious that the Nigerian Army which has set up a panel to probe the illegal activities of its personnel in the Rivers State governorship election can turn round to attack INEC for arriving at the same conclusion. Deployment of the armed forces illegal, unconstitutional However, it is pertinent to point out that as a result the several cases filed by the chieftains of the former ACN and CPC as well as APC from 2003 – 2015 our courts declared the deployment of the armed forces in the conduct of elections in Nigeria illegal and unconstitutional. Consequently, the amendments of the Electoral Act 2010 on March 27, 2015 empowered INEC to deploy security agencies during elections. Specifically, Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act as amended provides that: “Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law and for purposes of securing the vote, the Commission shall be responsible for requesting for the deployment of relevant security personnel necessary for elections or registration of voters and shall assign them in the manner determined by the Commission in consolation with the relevant security agencies: Provided that the Commission shall only request for the employment of the Nigerian Armed Forces only for the purposes of securing the distribution and delivery of election materials and protection of elections officials. “ From the information at our disposal the Nigerian Army was not deployed by the INEC to provide security in any of the collation centres in Rivers State during the Governorship election on March 9, 2019. Neither were they deployed by the President Buhari owes the country and posterity a duty to put an end to the militarisation of the electoral process •Falana Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Therefore, the Federal Government is called upon to investigate the illegal deployment of the armed personnel in Rivers State and other states during the 2019 general elections with a view to sanctioning the military personnel and their civilian collaborators who engaged in the intimidation and brutal killing of voters who trooped out to exercise their franchise on March 9, 2019. Having fought the PDP-led government for turning elections in Nigeria into a “do or die” affair President Buhari owes the country and posterity a duty to put an end to the militarisation of the electoral process. After all, in Buhari vs. Obasanjo (2005) 50 WRN 1 at 311 the Supreme Court (per pats-Acholonu JSC of blessed memory) had condemned “the nationwide spread of ineptitude violence, intimidation and other acts of terrorisation as well as other barefaced acts that literally chill the bones and wound as William Shakespeare said in Macbeth (‘make the sitteth heart knock at my few evidence the use of nature’) some of the revelations that is, where the few evidence was led and proved, are blood cuddling. That in this day and age in this country that has been independent for 45 years we can still witness horrendous acts by security officers who ought to dutifully ensure peace and tranquility in the election process, suddenly turning themselves into agents of destruction, and introduced mayhem to what ordinarily would have been a civilized way of exercising franchise by the people who are sovereign, is regrettable. I ascribe the nefarious activities of thugs and the few security officers and party men to lack of understanding of the philosophy and ethics behind election in a democratic State and lack of understanding of the dynamics of election processes.” Appreciating Ugwuanyi's renewed mandate @ 55 By Louis Amoke THE good news about Enugu State under the watch of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is that since the governor entrusted the state to the hands of God, the goodness of God has continued to be made manifest in its affairs, to the delight of the people. Born on March 20, 1964, Gov. Ugwuanyi, today, Wednesday, March 20, clocks 55, to the glory of God. Inaugurated as the 3rd civilian governor of the new Enugu State on May 29, 2015, Ugwuanyi on Saturday, March 9, 2019 was overwhelmingly re-elected, in one of the most peaceful, transparent and credible elections in the history of the state. The most amazing aspect of the entire scenario was that the governor’s resounding victory in this month of March coincided with his 55th birthday anniversary, which calls for double celebrations in thanksgiving to God, for His mercies and kindness to a man of faith and goodwill. Though his overwhelming victory and that of all other candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, did not come to many as a surprise, especially those who are informed about the political antecedents of Enugu State, as well as the governor’s sterling performance and swelling popularity in the state, the hidden truth remains that Gov. Ugwuanyi won his reelection the day he had his first interaction with journalists, a few days after his inauguration in 2015. Panacea for progress and rapid development On that fateful day, Gov. Ugwuanyi stated clearly that his administration will work hard to ensure peace in the state as a panacea for progress and rapid development. The peaceloving governor pledged not to engage in any act that would undermine the relationship between his administration and the past ones, vis-à-vis himself and past leaders of the state. He promised to unite the leaders of the state and accord them due respect irrespective of political affiliations, stressing that “everybody is our friend and the era of politics of bitterness is over”. This strange resolution which Gov. Ugwuanyi religiously adhered to, no doubt contributed immensely to the overwhelming support and endorsement he enjoyed from the people of the state from all spheres of the society and across party lines, prior to the general election as well as is landslide victory at the polls. The governor’s decision became one of his greatest assets and a rallying point for prominent leaders from all walks of life, such as the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, former Governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo, Archbishop Emmanuel Chukwuma, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, Senator Fidelis Okoro, Senator Hyde Onuaguluchi, and Ambassador Mrs. Justina Eze, to endorse and campaign vigorously for his reelection. For instance, at the grand finale of the governor’s door-to-door campaign, held at Udenu Local Government Area headquarters ahead of the just concluded governorship and state assembly elections, some of these leaders eulogized him for entrenching peace, tranquility and good governance, in a manner that has never been experienced before in the history of the state. They described Gov. Ugwuanyi as a man of history, expressing delight that he has united everybody in the state, irrespective of political leaning. The leaders told him that the culture of peace and good governance he has entrenched in the state was unprecedented and will earn him a landslide victory at the •Gov Ugwuanyi polls. The party stalwarts added that his pre-election adoption by 70 political parties in Enugu State as their consensus candidate was an affirmation that the governor has united everybody in the state. While Senator Ekweremadu disclosed that “there is no bickering or quarrels among the political leaders in the state", Senator Nwobodo, who described Gov. Ugwuanyi as a son thanked him “for bringing everybody together”. According to Senator Onuaguluchi, “Gov. Ugwuanyi has brought uncommon peace to the state” and “all of us have come to learn from Gburugburu (Ugwuanyi)". Senator Okoro pointed out that "we have not seen his type before", and Amb. Mrs. Eze joined others in urging the people to vote massively for him and other candidates of the PDP. Shortly after the March 9 election, which was adjudged the most peaceful, freest and credible by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)-accredited local and foreign observers, 70 political parties, and leaders of the state, among others, the coalition of governorship candidates in the state led by Gerald Abonyi of Labour Party (LP) congratulated Gov. Ugwuanyi, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the exercise and pledged to support his administration. Basking in the euphoria of the welldeserved victory, support groups and people from various Local Government Areas have continued to troop to the Government House, Enugu to equally congratulate the The culture of peace and good governance he has entrenched in the state was unprecedented and will earn him a landslide victory at the polls governor. On the day the people of Igbo-Eze North LGA paid him a congratulatory visit, the peace-loving governor appealed to members of his political party to be magnanimous in victory by promoting peace and unity and showing love to one another irrespective of party affiliations. He stated that “now the election is over, politicians in the state should invoke their Christian faith, go back and unite with their perceived enemies, show love to them, so that the prevailing peace for which Enugu State is known will be adequately sustained”. Prior to this, Ugwuanyi, as a humble and appreciative leader, had shortly after the victory returned to the markets and streets to say “Thank You” to the people for re-electing him as their governor. It would be recalled that the governor and his party, the PDP, unlike other political parties, embarked on an intense door-todoor campaign at the markets and streets of the state canvassing vigorously for votes. It was, therefore, a heartwarming experience for the residents, the petty traders, the barrow pushers and the market men and women, among others, seeing their governor at their doorstep, coming to say “Thank You” for re-electing him into office. Gov. Ugwuanyi had earlier in his acceptance speech expressed gratitude to God and thanked the people of the state for their overwhelming support in renewing his mandate. Accepting the mandate, the governor stated that “this victory does not belong to me alone”. He disclosed that “it belongs to Ndi Enugu – our political leaders and other stakeholders irrespective of party affiliations; the market men and women, the barrow pushers, taxi and commercial bus drivers, Okada and Keke riders, petty traders, other artisans, town union and community leaders, the clergy, our revered traditional rulers, civil servants, the farmers, the professional class, youth and women groups, students and others who are the true heroes of our democracy”. He told the people of the state that he was “deeply humbled that you have, once again, invested your trust and faith in our team”, saying that it is now for him and his deputy and running mate, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo “to continue to work for you”. Ugwuanyi pledged that his administration will devote energy and time to work harder for the wellbeing and prosperity of the people, stressing that “we are open to new ideas and new visions, as we continue to lay the solid foundation for a more prosperous Enugu State”. According to him, “I hereby reaffirm that we will continue to serve you with the fear of God, with humility and an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of our people and lifting the State to unprecedented heights of development and progress”. In our spirit of brotherhood, everyone is a winner Extending his hand of fellowship to other contestants he added: “In truth, the victory is not a winner-takes-all. In our spirit of brotherhood, everyone is a winner. Therefore, I reach out my hand of friendship and partnership to my fellow contestants. I invite all of you to join hands with me so that together, we shall build a better Enugu State, to the glory of God. Re-committing himself to the service of God and the state, Gov. Ugwuanyi declared: “Now is the time to get back to work. We are inspired by the sacrifices and support of our people in renewing our mandate. I am confident that by the special grace of God and with your continuing cooperation and prayers, all things concerning Enugu State will continue to end in praise”. On the significance of today’s birthday celebration, the time-honoured occasion reinvigorates the governor’s commitment to peace, charity and almsgiving - a constant moral obligation in appreciation of God’s goodness and amazing grace to him as “Nwaogbenye”. The anniversary offers him, his family, friends, well-wishers, and teeming supporters, who have remained steadfast in prayers, yet another opportunity to give to the poor and less privileged in the society with all sense of divinity and benevolence. It re-echoes his disposition towards alleviating the suffering of the people as the nexus between him and God. It also re-echoes his long-held appeal that those who intended to offer him birthday gifts should “channel them to charity homes and orphanages in appreciation of God’s mercies and kindness” and “in the spirit of the Lenten Season”. This, one believes, is the best way to celebrate the governor’s resounding victory at the polls, appreciate God‘s abundant blessings upon him and his family’s life, as well as pray fervently for continued peace and progress of Enugu State, as he strives to render more selfless service in realization of the dreams of the state’s founding fathers. Your Excellency, it has indeed ended in praise, Happy Birthday. Enugu State is truly in the hands of God. Amoke wrote from Enugu.
Vanguard, WEDNESDAY MARCH 20, 2019 — 43 By Emmanuel Aziken Political Editor and Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA: Amidst concern of a free for all by three leading candidates for the office of Senate President, a senior national officer of the All Progressives Congress, APC yesterday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to step in to avoid the party losing out in the end. The call came as the three leading candidates for the office of Senate President continued to dig in. It also emerged yesterday that the national leadership of the APC had commenced discussions on the zoning of the leadership of the 9th National Assembly. Irrespective of the deliberations of the party leadership, the three leading candidates, Senate Leader Ahmad Lawan, Senator Danjuma Goje and Senator Ali Ndume all of whom are from the Northeast have continued to lobby senatorselect for support. The same game Vanguard learned is also going on in the House of Representatives where the outgoing leader, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila may have emerged as the frontline contender. However, sources in the House say that the Gbajabiamila aspiration is, however, not unassailable based on contentions of personality. Lawan who was the favourite of the party leadership for the office of Senate President Vanguard gathered has emerged at the head of the pack and in the Ahead of today’s enunciation of plans to conclude the Rivers State governorship election, the Tonye Cole campaign yesterday described recent assertions by the army as a vindication of its claim of a collaboration between the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and Governor Nyesom Wike. The campaign in a four-point demand demanded an apology to the electorate, condemnation of the violence meted on all sides, a cancellation of ongoing plans and the immediate removal of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC and all principal officers of the commission in Rivers State. The assertions came ahead of today’s expected disclosure by INEC on how it plans to conclude the governorship election that was suspended amidst confusion last week. Speaking against the background of the revelation by the army that INEC acted Senate President: Concern in APC as Lawan, Goje, Ndume heat contest - Why Buhari should step in to stop Saraki hijacking 9 th Senate – Nabena •Senate Leader Ahmad Lawan view of some stakeholders already acting the role. However, his aspiration based on the momentum arising from the Eight Senate sources said could be derailed by the determination of his major challengers who according to sources are not likely to give up. Goje a former minister in the Olusegun Obasanjo administration who went on to serve as governor of Gombe State for two terms and now serving his second term is aspiring to be the president of the Senate in his third term. “I don’t see Goje giving up, and the battle could well go to the Senate floor,” one source familiar with the development said yesterday. Senator Ndume Vanguard gathered is also raising momentum in the contest with his supporters dismissing his past trial of having a link with Boko Haram as a political trial. “That Boko Haram trial was a political action, he was never involved,” one source said yesterday. It was also learned that some of the candidates had also approached the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP caucus for support with Senator Ike Ekweremadu, the outgoing Deputy President of the Senate being among the key senators being wooed. The PDP is expected to have at least 40 senators in the forthcoming Ninth Senate. Ekweremadu, Vanguard gathered has yet to incline himself towards any of the contenders on the claim that with the Southeast now having Southeast senators that he would not rule any eligible senator from the region out of the contest. Meanwhile, a senior national officer of the APC has called on President Buhari to immediately intervene in the zoning of the National Assembly positions as he alleged a plot by the PDP to again take the initiative as it did in 2015. Yekini Nabena, the deputy national publicity secretary Rivers: As INEC rolls out plan, APC calls for redeployment of REC By Emmanuel Aziken •Effanga, Rivers REC in bad faith in its statement condemning the role of the military, the Tonye Cole All Progressives Congress, APC governorship campaign, yesterday said it had been vindicated in its assertions of a collaboration between INEC and the governor. Spokesman of the campaign, Prince Tonye Princewill in a statement yesterday said: “The recent terse statement made by the Nigerian Army exposed a wide gap in the •Senator Danjuma Goje relationship between the “independent” umpire and the security agencies, the same people who provide the conducive environment for INEC to operate. What is striking in the statement released by the Army is not that they simply dented INEC’s credibility, but that they called them out in a key aspect of their qualification that leaves them in tatters - their expected independence. How INEC recovers from this remains to be seen, but suffice to say that they can no longer speak with the freedom of the benefit of doubt they have been enjoying, from not only Nigerians but from the international community as well. “We in Rivers state know that there was no widespread violence that called for a total suspension of a whole state. If there was, how did INEC get results in 17 out of 23 LGAs? We know that widespread violence leaves a trail of death and destruction, if that was the case, how come INEC was able to declare results for Presidential •Senator Ali Ndume elections when death and destruction were validated, but not for the governorship election when death and destruction were unconfirmed? “If INEC wants to be a responsible umpire, beyond obeying the courts, they will now need to do the following: “Apologize to Rivers people and the security agencies, especially the army, to rebuild the sense of joint duty needed to move forward. -Issue a statement condemning the violence meted out to all sides with specific reference to the Governor’s illegal storming of a collation center. “Cancel the entire process and start again or pending the resolution of all legal matters, announce the results as a collation of results announced per LGA, up to the point of “suspension.” “Change the REC and principal officers to conduct the election whenever the opportunity so provides, as there is no confidence in their neutrality and/or competence to conduct a free and fair election.” of the APC in a statement yesterday said the alleged plans by the PDP has the support of a former Head of State, warning his party to urgently rollout the zoning arrangements to avoid a repeat of what happened in 2015. Addressing journalists Tuesday in Abuja, Nabena alleged that the outgoing Senate President and his party, PDP had devised plans to ensure that their loyalists take control of the legislative arm of government. Nabena said: “The outgoing Senate President and the PDP caucus have begun surreptitious moves to lure some new APC lawmakers with juicy committee positions in return for their support for the PDP choice for the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives. “Already, Saraki’s henchman, Dino Melaye and some other returning PDP federal lawmakers have scheduled meetings with some APC lawmakers from Wednesday to Sunday in a yet-to-be-announced venue.” While calling for urgent intervention by the APC leadership, the Deputy spokesman stated that “it is important that the APC leadership meets and urgently roll out a fair zoning arrangement to ensure that we produce our preferred candidates for all leadership positions in the incoming National Assembly. The APC’s failure to allow what some party chieftains described as a common ground for all interested candidates to aspire for the leadership contest four years ago led to Senators Saraki and Ekweremadu emerging as presiding officers of the Senate after a tendency in the Senate caucus backed a deal with the PDP. In the House of Representatives suave moves spearheaded by the immediate past Speaker, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and personality traits radiated by Speaker Yakubu Dogara helped to upset the APC’s permutations that had projected Gbajabiamila as Speaker. The contention in the House of Representatives is, however, less contentious at least for now. While Gbajabiamila remains the clear favourite in the face of no clear challenger, sources in the House of Representatives yesterday said the potential for the emergence of a dark horse to challenge the House leader remained very, very viable.
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20032019 -Petition: My case against Buhari, by Atiku

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