PlatinumTimesng: The Socio-Economic Rights and ability Project has sued President Bola over what it describes as the “unlawful suspension” of the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara; his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and of the State House of Assembly, ThisDay Nigeria reports.
Last Tuesday, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the oil-rich state and suspended the governor and other elected officials for an initial period of six months.
He cited as the basis for his action “the disturbing” violence in the state in the last 24 hours, including explosions and vandalisation of petroleum pipelines, linked to the political crises in the state.
The President had relied on Section 305 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution in his decision that has been greeted with criticism from several interest groups, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Nigerian Bar Association, opposition leaders and erudite lawyers.
In a statement on Sunday, SERAP argued that the decision violates constitutional provisions and undermines democratic governance.
The group said it filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday via three of its Volunteers’ Lawyers Network (SVLN) in Rivers State—Yirabari Israel Nulog, Nengim Ikpoemugh Royal, and Gracious Eyoh-Sifumbukho.
“The rule of law would be a mere figure of speech if the people’s right to participation can be arbitrarily suspended or violated,” SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare said.
“Democracy is an inherent element of the rule of law. Nigeria’s democracy ought to have as its foundation respect for human rights and the rule of law,” the statement read.
To the group, the suspension contradicts both the Nigerian Constitution and international legal obligations, citing the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance.
“The combined provisions of Sections 1(2), 14(1)(c), 176(1)(2), and 305(1) of the Nigerian Constitution create a delicate balance of rights and responsibilities, ensuring that the exercise of presidential power does not override the people’s right to participate in their own governance,” it said.
I don't understand the kind of upbringing people like you got . Can't you make your point without using disdain words to describe your president ?
If he were to be your father or relative and you spoke about him would you describe him as such,?
Did they also approve the suspension of the elected officials and installation of a SA?
These are 2 different things as far as the law is concerned. Yes, he has the power to declare SOE (wether the current situation warrants it or not is a different debate). The HOR has approved it, fine.
DID THEY ALSO APPROVE THE IMPOSITION OF A SOLE AND SUSPENSION OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS?
You cannot muddle both together and make a vote.
Meanwhile the okpolo eye president has already "sworn in" the SA even without the approval of NASS with regards to the SOE.
amending, repealing or deleting any part of the US constitution would require two/third majority concurrence from Congress. Yes, GOP has a narrow majority in both chambers - even if they all vote in agreement (which I doubt) it won't still be enough votes to through. So again, DEAD ON ARRIVAL.
mrvitalis:
I wonder what he would be charged with? Wishing reno family death? ... Obviously that's not a crime
Be like na only you get sense here. I've seen 2 threads on this topic and the comments are laughable. As much as I do not condone the vile comments but I'm yet to see the threat made. There is no crime in the guy's comment. Wishing someone death is NOT a crime!
Reno is just being Reno...raising a ruckus for traffic sake.
A state infested with jihadist terrorist cum bandits by Nigerian media
Ride on baba
Milk the black monkeys to thier bones until sense is received
I totally agree with you. Never seen an agglomerate of docile and spineless citizenry (read black monkeys). We must be milked till we receive sense to do the needful.
A cringing lacklustre performance from POTUS.
Laid bare his geriatric frailities for the Orange man to completely shellack him. Trump, true to character, mesmerised the audience with his perennial lies, laced with aggressive agility and won the day!
Americans are faced with an impossible choice: A man who can't be president vs a man who shouldn't be president.
Pitiable.
Why did the school keep mum since 2021 till now?
Why were they not making balancing to discover the excess payment, since the tuition of the said children have been covered till graduation?
What other similar inflated tuition have been paid - by Bello or other politicians?
How were these not detected upon presentation immediately to show that these payments were alien?
If the EFCC had not been involved, what would have happened to such excess funds?
Well, I already gave up on the country and it's dysfunctional institute and systems. It's just a circle of some and looting. In a short time we will hear how thr current EFCC was diverting recovered looted funds and properties to self and cronies
Dapromzy333: Emeka Ihedioha, the former governor of Imo State, resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) citing a conflict between his personal convictions and the party’s current direction.
In a resignation letter addressed to the chairman of his constituency, Mbutu Ward, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, Ihedioha expressed his dedication to the advancement of democracy and good governance in Nigeria despite his decision to step away from the party.
Having been a member of the PDP since its inception in 1998, Ihedioha highlighted his contributions to the growth and evolution of the party, noting its historical commitment to internal reforms and providing credible leadership both in and out of power.
However, Ihedioha lamented recent developments within the party, stating that it has deviated from its core principles. He voiced concerns over the party’s inability to enact internal reforms, uphold its own regulations, and effectively oppose the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The letter reads, “Since 1998, I have contributed my quota to the development and transformation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as one of the founding . All these years, I have taken pride in the fact that the PDP is a party that will always look inward for internal reforms and provide credible leadership for the people, whether in power or outside power. I have had the benefit of serving and benefiting from the party at various levels.
“Regrettably, in recent times, the party has taken on a path that is at variance with my personal beliefs. Despite my attempt to offer counsel, the party is, sadly, no longer able to carry out internal reforms, enforce its own rules or offer credible opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress.’
“It is in the light of the foregoing, that I am compelled to offer my resignation from the People’s Democratic Party effective immediately. While the decision was difficult to take, I, however, believe that it is the right one. Despite this resignation, I will always be available to offer my services towards the deepening of democracy and good governance in Nigeria.”
Has Hamas ever attacked any other county in the world before apart from Israel??
Has Hamas ever declared to be part of the Global struggle to establish a version of Islam on every part of the world or declared any other Global agenda??
Has any other extremist group ever declared to be part of Hamas or working with Hamas??
Has Hamas ever targeted or killed any non Israelis before??
Has Hamas ever kidnapped any non Israelis before??
If all answers to these questions is No...then why is it too much for you to see Hamas as another Military of a people or a country or a settlement...who are simply at war with Israel??
Why do you always need someone to help you think? Why??
It will interest you to know that even the so-called office of the first lady (at federal and state level) is alien to our constitution. You dey talk DG wife.
Dey play. Country is long long, we all know it and know the remdy. But we chose to play tribal games. Me no dey lament again. E go reach all man.
“Show me your friends; and I will tell you who you are.”
How he deals with Festus Keyamo might turn out to be one of the acid tests of President Tinubu’s sincerity in tackling governance in Nigeria. Right in front of our eyes, Keyamo committed three grave offences which, in any other country where the rule of law prevails, would have landed him in hot waters. Two of those offences did not involve you; the third did. Here they are.
FICTITIOUS 774,000 JOBS IN LGCs
“774,000 jobs: FG goes after defaulting banks” (VANGUARD, JUNE 6, 2021).
Before going into the substance of this matter, I want to declare that it is my strongest belief that the media should always hold those in power able at all times – without exception. For instance, since 2020, I published at least six articles warning Hadi Sirika and Nigerians that the former Minister’s approach to establishing Nigeria Air would end in disaster. Only God knows how much was wasted from public and private pockets. He was not alone. Jonathan left 55 kilometers of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway unfinished in 2015. Buhari and Fashola have failed to finish it in almost eight years. Several nations started and completed longer roads in less time and at far lower costs. Promises upon promises went unfulfilled.
But, there is no need to list seriatim all the former promises followed by failures. Ordinarily, it has never been my habit to advise Presidents on who not to appoint as Ministers or Advisers; they have turned out, since 1999, to be mostly noise makers – with little to show for their tenures in office. Keyamo was one of the worst in Buhari’s government as Minister of State for Labour. Here is why.
“History never repeats itself; man does” – Barbara Tuchman, Harvard Historian.
Keyamo announced twice, in 2019 and 2020, that the Federal Government was going to create one thousand temporary jobs in all the constitutionally recognised Local Governments in a bid to reduce youth unemployment. The young people were to be engaged for only three months. I could detect another scam about to be foisted on Nigerians. I was writing on this page in 1999 when Obasanjo and the late Chief Tony Anenih embarked on the N10 billion Poverty Alleviation Programme, PAP – which was organised the same way as Keyamo’s own giveaway programme.
In 2000, the youths were also supposed to be given short-term employment, to perform unspecified duties, at unfixed locations, without definite resumption or closing times. In exchange, they were supposed to receive N10, 000 per month. It was a fraud from start to the finish. (See my book PDP: CORRUPTION INCORPORATED). In 2020, Keyamo, proving Professor Tuchman absolutely right, merely increased the wage to N20,000 per month and increased the number of participants and the bill to N52 billion.
There was nothing original about it. That was the tip off. I was waiting for the show to start. The constitutionally recognised Lagos Island Local Government is a small Island. It is impossible for 100 people to receive any benefit without all of us knowing about it; 1,000 newly-employed would mean one on every street of our Island. In fact, it was Lagos Island which exposed Obasanjo’s PAP and Buhari government’s COVID period School Feeding Programme. All the kids stayed home and nobody brought food. That, however, is another story.
It was, therefore, not surprising to me when Keyamo and the banks started bickering about funds placed with them that were not disbursed. If the FG cannot honestly fulfill a promise to people in Lagos Island, one of the smallest and socially well-integrated, then it can never do so anywhere else in Nigeria.
OPEN CHALLENGE TO KEYAMO
My former Personal Assistant recruited ten young men who had roamed the streets in Lagos Island, from Isale-Eko to Obalende; they were asked to go in search of where the recruitment would take place and to try their luck. In addition, they were to spread their dragnets all over Lagos Island to locate any recipients of the N10, 000, what they did and who paid them and how? We were unable to locate the “workers”. So, what happened to the funds?
Before Tinubu appoints Keyamo into any top office, he should be asked to publish the names and addresses of the 1, 000 people employed under the scheme.
We are waiting.
KEYAMO THE INGRATE!
“Keyamo to Buhari: It’s unconstitutional to appoint Ministers of State” (News report, May 25, 2023).
Just when Buhari was being consigned to the dusty pages of history, an event occurred which drew my sympathy for the former President. Festus Keyamo, his former Minister of State, 2019-2023, in his speech at the valedictory session of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, told Buhari that it was unconstitutional to appoint Ministers of State. Johnbosco Agbakwuru, who filed the report, did not tell the readers if there was any response from Buhari – who certainly must be shocked that he committed the monumental blunder by appointing such a cowardly ingrate as a Minister.
Irrespective of the merits of Keyamo’s submissions, this address, unprecedented in Nigeria or any other country I am aware of, is the first time anybody, a lawyer for that matter, would accept appointment and serve in a post which he believed was unconstitutional. At the very least, it is unprofessional. It amounts to receiving reward from foul play. No true professional does that.
The immorality of collecting pay for performing a public role which should not exist tarnished Keyamo more than Buhari. The former President can point to the fact that Ministers of State had been appointed since the Shehu Shagari istration – without any objections from anybody alleging violation of the constitution. The obvious question is: why did Keyamo accept and serve in a post he knew breached the constitution for four years only to wait until his last day in office to raise the issue?
When he said “what I am about to say, therefore, should not be construed as an indication of ingratitude”, he had named only one of the sins he committed in that address. He was certainly ungrateful. Only God knows who recommended him to Buhari for appointment. The fellow must be regretting placing so much trust in someone undeserving of it. He was also unpatriotic. Being a financial and social beneficiary of an unconstitutional measure is the clearest case of disloyalty to country that one can imagine. And, to do so knowingly is the epitome of infamy – perhaps unequalled in the history of this country.
He started the address by disclosing that other more gutless Ministers of State had been grumbling in silence; not bold enough to speak out. It might not have occurred to him that Ministers of State had different reasons for grumbling. Some were subordinates to absolute incompetents, example was Ministry of Education. They could observe, at close quarters, the horrors which square pegs in round holes can produce. It is doubtful if they all questioned the legality of their appointments as junior Ministers.
Keyamo has always struck me as one of those who can be called “intelligent but not wise”. The late Prince Tony Momoh, a former Minister of Information, would have called what he did as “abuse of forum”. The valedictory session of Ministers is generally regarded as the President’s last show. Kind words are said, promises are made to keep in touch; vows to come and visit are thrown around like confetti — even if not sincerely meant. It was bad to upstage the star of the show. Keyamo would have been more in order if he called a Press Conference to warn Tinubu about appointing Ministers of State instead of embarrassing Buhari; who could no longer correct the alleged infractions.
CAN A SERVING MINISTER CAMPAIGN FULL TIME FOR A CANDIDATE?
Lawyers in politics represent two faces of people who don’t give a damn about truth or ethics. Shakespeare, 1564-1616, once proclaimed: “The first thing we do; let’s kill all the lawyers.” After that, Louis Howe, 1871-1936, told us: “You cannot adopt politics as a profession and remain honest.” Lawyer/politicians scare me. There is nothing condemnable they cannot do.
Minister Keyamo was paid by all Nigerians – irrespective of political affiliation. We expected him to work full-time on our problems. Instead, he openly took time off to work on a candidate’s campaign. That he was not sacked is the proof beyond reasonable of doubt about how inept the Buhari government was.
Question: would Buhari have allowed him to campaign for Obi? Would he have been fully paid for those months if he was working for PDP?
Any way you look at it, there is something morally wrong and legally dishonest about the whole thing. Let us see what Tinubu would do with Keyamo.
Very on point. Growing up, Keyamo was my role model, especially going by his valiant antecedents in fighting for truth and justice. One of my classmates recently showed me a picture of our year book where I proudly mentioned him as my role model with the question "how far now" I haven't replied him yet, because I have no words. How do you fall so low to defend injustice and corruption? How do you look us in the eye and say black is blue and blue is black when we can all see the true colours?
Keyamo is perhaps one of the biggest disappointment I've seen in politics - next to Yemi Osinbajo.
Ellen G White said "The greatest want of the world is the want of men—men who will not be bought or sold, men who in their inmost souls are true and honest, men who do not fear to call sin by its right name, men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole, men who will stand for the right though the heavens fall..."
Is it not even self indicting and more suspicious to say that it worked in the Senate and HOR elections but failed in the Presidential when both were held same day
And then suddenly started working for Governorhsip and HOA elections?
Please how did this semi-illiterate become a governor? And the clown can't just stfu with this Aba made "engrish".
So because he built a beer factory, he thinks he has built industries in Anambra State? Now where is the beer factory? Is it the same factory that is of same worth as nothing?
Ewu Gambia. That was a verbal statement by PO. The error is from the transcriber...it was also stated above. Apparently you were too in a hurry to type your nonsense to have noticed it.
RENO Omokri, former aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan has taken a swipe on the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter OBI saying he is more corrupt than President Bola Ahmed TINUBU.
Omokri, in a long write-up on his official Tweeter Page available to SOJ WORLDWIDE said Obi's savings of funds in his private bank where he enjoys annual interests to the detriment of the state. He stated that Tinubu's Alphabeta is better.
He was responding to @FrankEtuk who said he was corrupt.
"Dear
@FrankEtuk
Thank you for your . Steal? I was in government for four years, and nobody, not even the Buhari istration that I heavily criticised, ever accused me of stealing. If you have evidence of any acts of stealing on my part, please publicly produce it.
Regarding Peter Obi, he is at least as corrupt, or even more so, than Tinubu, the known drug lord, who is now performing above everybody's expectations.
Do you know why Peter Obi did not build much infrastructure and rather saved money for Anambra? It is because he saved the equivalent of $50 million of Anambra state money in his bank. Fidelity Bank, to be precise. A bank in which he had significant interests. A bank where he was a former chairman
In a year, that money will yield at least $5 million when invested in the S&P 500 (likely more). Much of that $5 million yield would be Peter Obi's PERSONAL profit. And that is every year. So, imagine how much money Peter Obi personally made in eight years as a Governor from the conflict of interest in investing state funds in his private bank. No wonder he boasted of being richer than President Biden!
And then you guys are here, rightly pillorying Tinubu for benefitting from Lagos money through Alphabeta. That is even better than what Peter Obi did. Alphabeta gave valuable service. Peter Obi did not attempt to cover his. It was blatant!
Peter Obi then invested Anambra state funds in a beer brewery where he had personal business interests.
If Peter Obi had tried this in Europe, America, or even South Africa, by now, he would have ed Jacob Zuma in jail. If he had done this in China, he would have been summarily executed. And I challenge your Peter Obi to sue me in court if I have lied.
And you Obidients know that you cannot defend this corruption. That is why when it is brought up, you people immediately shift away from the issues and either insult the person exposing your god, so the fellow can leave the issue and get angry, or you accuse them of being anti-Igbo as if all Obidients are Igbo.
Regarding financial integrity, Peter Obi is NEVER in my class. He is FAR below!
Thanks again, and may God bless you.
#TableShaker"
Hw saved in 3 banks, why aren't you mentioning the other banks you hypocritical dimwit of a pastor. Or he also owns Diamond bank and access banks which were separate entities then before the merger.
A garrulous, hypocritical scoundrel! Your obsession towards P.O will k** you.
kayevans: 2:00pm On May 01
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