Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Category: Politics

  • Dino’s brother vows to hold Buhari accountable; Court refuses ex-parte application

    Dino’s brother vows to hold Buhari accountable; Court refuses ex-parte application

    By Tobiloba Kolawole

     

    As the standoff  between the Nigerian Police and a lawmaker in the Nigerian Senate, Dino Melaye enters day 5, a brother to the embattled Senator has vowed to hold the Nigerian Police Force and President Buhari accountable should anything happen to the embattled Senator.

    Dino’s brother, Moses Melaye who spoke about the Senators’s plight on Wednesday during a TV programme monitored by Frontpage.ng accused the police of an illegal take-over of the home of a serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Melaye stated that the police under Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris are bent on making the life of his brother a ‘living hell’ having tried to arrest the Senator severally in 2018. He also reacted to the allegation of complicity in the murder of a police sergeant, Danjuma Saliu, which happened in July 2018.  He berated the police for lying, saying no member of Dino’s entourage (thug) shot at any police officer. He said the allegation is unfounded and untrue.

    Melaye said:  “When injustice becomes a norm, resistance becomes a duty. This government and the police have made the life of my brother Senator Dino Melaye a living hell for the past few months.

    “The case they are raising against him happened in July, I was there. The policemen shot at us; my car has over two bullet holes. So how can they turn around all of a sudden that we were the ones shooting at the police? Our police and security men have been taking away since over seven or eight months ago. So how do we now become the person shooting? That story is not true and unfounded”, he said.

    The brother to the embattled Senator further stated that: “Because of the injustice on a daily bases, we cannot trust or believe anything they say or they do. I believe they are out to harm my brother, if not what is the desperation? American police protects lives, Nigerian police takes lives everyday…they came into the compound arrested the security man, beat him up, handcuffed him, the cleaner, the same thing.”

    When asked about the current location of his brother (Dino), Moses Melaye denied having any knowledge of where the Senator might be. He claimed the Police took over the Maitama residence without an arrest warrant and dislodged family members and staff who live with the Senator.

    Officers of the Nigerian Police Force at Senator Dino Melaye’s Residence

    “I cannot confirm categorically because they did not allow anybody into that compound. They shut his house; they are the one opening gate and closing gate, there are dogs in that house, we have cook, my parents are supposed to be in that house as we speak. Dino is not the only occupant of that house. So we don’t even know, they did not allow anybody, family members or staff into that house. We are going to hold the police and the government of Buhari responsible if anything happens”, Melaye said.

    In the same vein, a lawyer and member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Daniel Bwala believes that both parties are overdramatizing the situation.

    Bwala said: “I don’t know why the police will lay siege for a number of days. When you have a search warrant or warrant of arrest, what you will need to do is when you go to the place if the person does not surrender you break into the house, make the arrest where necessary and leave the place. In other words, in less than a day, they ought to have performed the arrest they wanted to perform so that people like Dino’s brother, mother and other family members will not suffer for the sins of Dino, whom by law is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

    “On the other hand, everyone knows that Dino is a dramatist. Otherwise, the constitution is clear about your fundamental right. It states in clear terms, anybody who alleges that his right is being infringed, or has been infringed or about to be infringed can approach the court for the enforcement of his fundamental rights”, Bwala said.

    The lawyer stated that Dino ought to have approached the court rather than resort to self help. He further noted that: “To evade arrest when you are aware that the law enforcement agencies are demanding your attention in itself is an offence. So when you look at the combination of the activities, on the part of the police, you will see that they are overdramatizing it. Now they have met with a super actor and the whole thing now is unnecessary for the Nigerian nation.

    “I think that the Inspector General of Police should make a decision, if you want to arrest Dino, you know what to do. So to lay siege in front of the house of a private citizen for days as if he’s a terrorist who has come to overthrow the government of Nigeria is unnecessary” he stated.

    Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where Senator Melaye belongs has described the incident as unfortunate and against norm.

    In his reaction, a PDP Presidential Campaign Spokesperson, Sanni Umar claimed that the police is biased and is not being fair in the matter since the case against the Senator involved their own.

    Umar said: “This is an abuse of state power. The police are an interested party in this matter. They are investigating over the shooting of one of them. So the police is not expected to be fair and equitable.”

    He said further that: “There are other motives by the police. Someone who is being looked for since July, why is it taking this time for the police to now make a manhunt for him clearly knowing that elections are approaching.

    “This is not unusual of the police. The police has done that with Senator Ademola Adeleke, when it was only 2 days to Osun election, they now preferred charges of forgery and other things to take him to court. This is to demoralize him and his supporters, to intimidate him and his party and this is not acceptable”, Umar said.

    On Wednesday, Dino Melaye said via his twitter handle that he will not surrender to the police because he fears the Inspector General of Police will inject him to death.

    Latest report however indicates that a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja this Thursday has denied Melaye’s request to have the police vacate his residence and stop its officers from making further attempt at his arrest.

    In the ruling given by Justice N. E. Maha, the court refused the ex-parte application by the Senator but ruled that the substantive matter be granted accelerated hearing.

    The controversial Senator faces two separate charges of attempted suicide and arming criminal suspects. The Nigerian Police Force remains adamant on arresting the Senator.

  • 2019: Atiku doubts Buhari’s commitment to free and fair elections

    2019: Atiku doubts Buhari’s commitment to free and fair elections

    By Tobiloba Kolawole

    The presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 election, Atiku Abubakar has reacted to President Muhammadu Buhari’s refusal to assent the Electoral Act 2018 Amendment Bill. Atiku, who appears to be the main opposition to Buhari’s reelection bid, expressed doubt about the President’s commitment to free and fair elections in 2019.

    The former vice President made his position known on Friday via his Twitter handle: “Mr. President, assurances that your administration will conduct free, fair and credible elections cannot be taken seriously. For Nigerians and especially us in the opposition, you just missed an opportunity to walk the talk.”

    Another prominent PDP member who has voiced his disappointment over Buhari’s decline to assent the Electoral bill was former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, who said that the President’s action can only mean he does not trust the judgment of his party members at the National Assembly that actively took part in the passing of the bill.

    “What is President Buhari’s fear concerning this Electoral Bill? Can the interest of a single individual be placed above that of Nigeria and its people? Is he saying that even his party members in the NASS were wrong to have passed the Electoral Bill? May God save our country?” Fayose wrote on his twitter handle.

    Meanwhile, some Nigerians have alleged that the real reason President Buhari declined assent to the Electoral Act 2018 Amendment Bill was to benefit from faceless voters who had no permanent voters cards (PVCs). One of those making the accusation is a former aide of ex President Goodluck Jonathan.

    According to Reno Omokri, who made reference to a data by DeepDive Intelligence that is now circulating online, President Buhari won the 2015 Presidential election because over 13 million people with no PVCs voted.

    “The real reason Buhari does not want to sign the Electoral Act is because 75% of the faceless voters who voted without PVCs in 2015, voted for Buhari. That is how he rigged the 2015 election. That is what the new Electoral Act will stop”[SIC], Reno said.

    This is the fourth time President would decline assent to the Electoral Act 2018 Amendment Bill. Reasons for previous refusal had been hinged on errors in the document sent by the National Assembly.

    According to the President’s Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters (Senate), “President Muhammadu Buhari has taken decision on Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2018. In accordance with his power under the 1999 Constitution, he has communicated that decision to the Senate and House of Representatives, in accordance with the law.”

    Enang was however unwilling to give specific reasons why the President withheld assent to the bill for the fourth time but only stated that Buhari has communicated to the National Assembly.

    However, if Nigeria’s membership of the Economic Community of West African States is anything to go by, President Buhari would have breached the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. Article 2 of the protocol forbids member countries from making “substantial modification” to their electoral laws less than six months to elections “except with the consent of a majority of political actors”.

  • ‘Politicians are not ready for free and fair elections’ – Sam Ohuabunwa

    ‘Politicians are not ready for free and fair elections’ – Sam Ohuabunwa

    By Tobiloba Kolawole

    As the 2019 general elections draw near with about 76 days to the polls, concerns about INEC’s readiness to conduct free and fair elections are among critical issues up for debate across the country.

    In an exclusive interview with the President and Chairman, Association of Corporate Governance Professionals of Nigeria last weekend in his Lagos home, Sam Ohuabunwa made known his concerns about having free and fair elections in 2019.

    • Nigerians are not ready for free and fair elections

    The renowned Pharmacist who founded Neimeth Pharmaceuticals PLC feared that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may be capable, ready and willing to conduct credible elections but that it does not operate in a vacuum and might be susceptible to desperate politicians who are bent on subverting due process to win elections at all cost.

    Ohuabunwa said “I believe that INEC in all sincerity is capable of conducting a free and fair election. The question is would the election be free and fair?  The other point I must make is that INEC may be capable, ready and willing but it still operates in an environment where politicians want to win election by all means.”

    He said further that In an environment where there is a high number of politicians and people with criminal tendencies; and a short staffed, ill equipped police force with a baggage of bribe taking, INEC as an umpire would be overwhelmed.

    Ohuabunwa said “INEC, I believe is largely a body of professionals, they will do all the preparation. Who are the people who stole PVCs from INEC office in Akwa Ibom, is it INEC that stole them, could they have stopped them? So that is the concern, INEC may be ready but the nation itself, especially the political actors are not ready for a free and fair election.”

    He agreed that there is need for an attitudinal change, an orientation of the people, politicians and the electorate alike.

    “This competition shouldn’t be a do or die. I have always believed that every political office should be an opportunity to serve, for you to make sacrifices. If you genuinely want the office, canvass as quick as you can, present yourself and let the people make a decision. If you are not a governor or house of rep member or a minister, there are other things you can do. But Nigeria is like a zero-sum game and they are willing to do things including shedding blood.”

    • Reducing the cost of conducting elections and curbing electoral malpractices

    On issues bordering on high cost of conducting elections and reducing malpractices in Nigeria Ohuabunwa strongly believes that electronic voting would solve many of the problems.

    “Elections should be such that it is demystified. Declaring public holiday to do elections, all those things are archaic. Elections can be conducted even for a week. When you are free you go to the polling centre if you have to go press some buttons or ultimately you can vote from your house”, he said.

    The former CEO of the defunct Pfizer Nigeria feels that Nigerians can cast their votes for their preferred candidates electronically just as it is used for varying numbers of transactions and activities. He argued that if Nigerians can transfer money, sell or purchase through their mobile phones, they should be able to use the same device to vote candidates into elective positions.

    He tried to allay the fear of critics on the susceptibility of electronic voting to rigging, “every system can be rigged, all you need to do is to put the safety guards. Whether it is physically or electronically, the system should be subjected to verification. We should demystify this idea of declaring holidays and people not going to work.

    “Secondly is to also reduce the powers and privileges of political office so the struggle will reduce. Also is to restructure and make the center weak. Something tells me that the centre was not as attractive in 1963 as it were today because if it was I would not believe that Ahmadu Bello refused to come to the centre but stayed in the region and sent Tafawa Balewa instead, which showed that the region was better” Ohuabunwa said.

  • 2019: PDP dares Buhari to face Atiku in live debate

    2019: PDP dares Buhari to face Atiku in live debate

    By Tobiloba Kolawole

    The main opposition People’s Democratic Party has challenged President Muhammadu Buhari, the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate to a policy debate with its candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

    The party made this call in a statement released by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbodiyan. It said President Buhari should present himself for a live debate on critical sectors of the economy, especially on his blueprint, “to enable the electorate weigh him alongside the party’s presidential candidate”.

    The PDP spokesperson chided President Buhari as being “mortally afraid of facing our candidate Atiku Abubakar, in a general debate organized by independent bodies”.

    Ologbodiyan said “for this the PDP grants him (President Buhari) the liberty to choose a venue, date and time convenient to him to face our candidate before a neutral panel”.

    The party insisted that Nigerians already know that President Buhari is afraid and not fit to engage Atiku Abubakar in an intelligent debate.

    “If Buhari cannot face political debate, how can he vigorously engage in international competitions? President Muhammadu Buhari must face Atiku in person”, Ologbodiyan insisted.

    FronPage recalls that during the heat of the 2015 elections, President Buhari, then a candidate of the APC said he was not ready to participate in the presidential debate with then President Goodluck Jonathan. He stated that the record of the PDP in its 16 years in power and that of Jonathan in government was poor and of no basis for debate.

     

  • Ogun APC Primaries: Amosun, Oshiomole should sheathe their swords – Adaramola

    Ogun APC Primaries: Amosun, Oshiomole should sheathe their swords – Adaramola

    The All Progressives Congress in Ogun State has been advised to put its house in order so as not to scuttle its chances of winning the governorship seat in the state at the 2019 general elections.

    A public relations professional Tope Adaramola warned in an interview that if political actors in the state and at the national level do not sheathe their swords the fortunes of the party at all elective levels might be affected drastically.

    Adaramola who made this known in Abeokuta last Sunday called on Governor Ibikunle Amosun and the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomole to institutionalize the party and not allow their disagreement put the party in Ogun state in a difficult situation.

    The political analyst also berated Governor Amosun who has been vocal about the situation. He said, “the other man in the person of Dapo Abiodun appeared to be more matured in his outlook and handling of the situation unlike the governor who has been throwing tantrums at every opportunity”.

    It is understandable that it is painful for the candidate of the governor to lose out against his plans and agenda, he should also know that the party is supreme and it is better to have power retained within the house than giving it to the opposition, ADC especially” Adaramola said.

    While commenting on the consequence of the political imbroglio, Adaramola said that the APC is unwittingly strengthening the chances of Gboyega Isiaka of the ADC, a native of Yewa who had contested twice under the platforms of Peoples Democratic Party in 2011 and Peoples Party of Nigeria in 2015. He stated that if all issues are not resolved amicably the situation will whip up sentiments for Isiaka riding first on the Yewa agenda and secondly on public sympathy for coming out to contest for governorship at a record third time.

    About two days ago, President Muhammadu Buhari had sent a reconciliation committee to the state who met All Progressives Congress (APC) state assembly candidates to resolve the crisis, which resulted from party primaries in the state.

    The committee is headed by Hon. Sandra Oladele, who assured party members that all aggrieved parties would be reconciled.

  • My Relationship With President Buhari Remains Strong – Amosun

    My Relationship With President Buhari Remains Strong – Amosun

    By Tobiloba Kolawole.

    The Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has restated that his relationship with President Muhammadu Buhari remains strong and unimpeachable in spite of the desperation of the political opponents to orchestrate disaffection between them through mendacious propaganda.

    In a press statement personally signed by the governor and released on Tuesday, Amosun vehemently denied the allegations against Buhari, which were attributed to his person, describing them as lies from the pit of hell.

    According to Amosun, “The ultimate aim of the purveyors of these unconscionable falsehoods is to drive a wedge between me and the President and tarnish my hard-earned reputation. This hatchet job will not work as Mr. President is discerning enough to know the source(s) of the pack of concocted lies.”

    “The relationship between President Buhari and myself transcends partisan politics. I hold President Buhari in the highest esteem and nothing will change that”, Amosun emphasized.

    “The target of this grand campaign of calumny is actually our dear President Muhammadu Buhari”, Amosun said in the statement.

    For the avoidance of doubt, let me state categorically that the people trying to cause disaffection between those of us loyal and committed to Mr. President and the success of APC, are plotting to strip Mr. President bare so that their grand design to achieve unfettered domination of the party would be achieved,” the statement concluded.