Unidentified gunmen, on Friday evening, launched a deadly attack on a busy shopping mall in the German city of Munich, spraying bullets as people fled in horror for safety from what police said was a terrorist attack.
Police said that six people have been killed and the attackers were still at large. They told the public to get off the streets as the city – Germany’s third biggest – went into lockdown, with transport halted and highways sealed off.
As Special Forces rushed to the scene, some people remained holed up in the Olympia shopping center.
“Many shots were fired, I can’t say how many but it’s been a lot,” said a shop worker hiding in a store room inside the mall.
The woman, who asked not to be identified, said she had seen a shooting victim on the floor who appeared to be dead or dying.
A worker at a different shop, Harun Balta, said: “We are still stuck inside the mall without any information; we’re waiting for the police to rescue us.”
It was the third major act of violence against civilians in Western Europe in eight days. Previous attacks in France and Germany were claimed by the Islamic State militant group.
No suspects had been arrested yet, she said.
Police spokesman said: “we believe there was more than one perpetrator. The first reports came at 6 p.m. (1700 GMT), the shooting apparently began at a McDonald’s in the shopping center. There are still people in the shopping center. We are trying to get the people out and take care of them.”
The mall near the southern German city’s Olympic stadium was surrounded by police after shots were fired.
“There is a major police operation under way in the shopping centre,” Munichpolice said on Twitter, urging people to avoid the area.
Emergency vehicles were seen in the streets outside, as passers-by looked on.
The shooting comes just days after a teenage asylum seeker went on rampage with an axe and a knife on a regional train in Germany, injuring five people.
Interior Minister, Thomas de Maiziere said the teenager was believed to be a “lone wolf” attacker who appeared to have been “inspired” by the Islamic State group but was not a member of the jihadist network.
It also follows a truck attack in the French Riviera city of Nice after Bastille Day fireworks last week that left 84 people dead. [myad]
President of Turkey, Recep Erdogan, has announced that no fewer than 10,410 people have so far been arrested in the country following the last week’s attempted coup even as the country now monitors its citizens travelling out.
Erdogan insists that the rapid pace of arrests is targeting the supporters of U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen. He had said that the suspects were behind the failed July 15 coup which has disturbed many of Turkey’s Western allies, who said they see Turkey going down.
Among the soldiers were 162 generals, almost half the generals in the second-largest army of the NATO alliance.
“Beyond the arrests, more than 37,500 civil servants and police officers have been suspended. Additionally, 21,000 teachers in private schools have lost their licences.”
That is even Ankara announced the intensification of checks on Turkish citizens leaving the country in a move to prevent people associated with the attempted coup from escaping the authorities.
“Those travelling from any of the country’s international airports will now have to provide proof of their employment.
Civil servants as well as their spouses and children will need authorisation by their employer to travel.
“Meanwhile other employees will have to prove that they work in the private sector and are therefore not civil servants,’’ sources close to the government said.
The government has vowed to “clean” the civil service from Gulen supporters.
All civil servants have been banned from going on holiday, while those currently abroad have been asked to return home.
Turkey entered into a 90-day state of emergency on Thursday, which Erdogan has said is necessary to restore order after the coup, which left 260 dead.
“Turkey is also demanding that the U.S. extradite Gulen.
Citizens have to defend themselves against the “most insidious and vile coup attempt in the history of the Turkish people,” Erdogan said.
People have indeed continued to celebrate the crushing of the coup since the weekend.
Thousands gathered overnight on the Bosporous Bridge, which was occupied by troops in tanks who fired on civilians during the coup attempt.
Yasin Aktay, spokesman of Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) said: “we cannot understand the criticism we’re getting from Europe about this.
“There have been two recent incidents in France and Belgium where terrorist attacks resulted in six months of states of emergency, which were extended for six months.”
He added that Turkey had been the victim of multiple terrorist attacks during this time and refrained until now from issuing a state of emergency.
“The fact that we did it in this case should be applauded much more, out of the 10,410 people arrested, 7,423 were soldiers; 287 police; and 2,014 judges and prosecutors. Furthermore, 686 civilians had been arrested.”
In the light of events in Turkey, Germany has said it would slow down talks on the country’s accession to the EU.
Whether or not negotiations would be halted completely, however, was not immediately clear.
Germany’s government spokesman Steffen Seifert said in Berlin that “this is not a German decision after all.”
The 28-member bloc started accession negotiations with Turkey 11 years ago, though progress has been slow with only 15 out of 35 negotiation chapters having been addressed and only one completed.
Meanwhile, the U.S. military said that the power supply to the Incirlik air base in Turkey, which was cut off following the coup, had been reinstated. [myad]
Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Prosecution, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, has painted a picture of how lawyers manipulate judges to either delay cases in courts or twist the cases.
“The lawyers take advantage of the fact that they are senior members of the bar and the judges are not firm on them, so they come out with all manner of excuses to get adjournment to prolong the matter. “So if the lawyers are alive to their responsibilities as ministers in the temple of justice, then they cannot do that because the law is very clear even if it would be adverse to your client’s interest.”
Obono-Obla, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja, accused counsels to defendants of being in the habit of using frivolous motions to delay trials because the judges are not firm. “If you look at the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, there is supposed to be collaborations between the Courts, the Law Enforcement Agencies and persons and authorities. “If you look at Section 1 (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act of 2015, it is to ensure that there is compliance of that law. “And what is the essence of that law? The essence of that law is to protect society from crime, to protect the rights and interests of defendants, suspects and society. Obono-Obla said that the President is depending on the National Prosecution Coordinating Committee (NPCC) to improve the standard of prosecuting public officers that have looted the country’s treasury. This is even as he said that the anti-graft war should be seen as a collective fight, and that the President needed the support of the judiciary, legislature and the public to succeed. [myad]
The governor of Taraba State, Darius Ishaku has forgiven the sins of four out of seven traditional rulers who were suspended for aiding and harboring criminal elements, as well as conducted illegal sales of lands belonging to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to unknown persons in their domains.
Governor Ishaku Darius, who spoke through his deputy Engineer Haruna Manu, gave the names of those who have been pardoned as the district head of Taka in Mutum Biyu Chiefdom under Gasol local government (Ali Adamu), the district head of Tella in Gasol Chiefdom under Gasol local government (Bello Chiloma), district head of Sendirde in Gasol chiefdom under Gasol local government area (Ali Umaru Tafida) and ward head of Sabon Dale in Bakundi chiefdom under Bali local government.
The deputy governor who was addressing stakeholders from the affected local government areas (Bali and Gasol) who were at government house in connection to the issue the governor, who had suspended the traditional rulers, has ordered that they should be recalled.
He made it clear that the suspense who was carried out for serious security reasons, and that the administration could not sit idly and allow people who occupy sensitive positions of responsibilities to foment trouble in their various domains.
“We acted swiftly based on accurate security report to restore harmony and avoid further breach of peace in the areas affected.”
He directed the permanent secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Bello Yero to issue the four traditional rulers with letter of reinstatement and warning through their respective chiefs.
He also advised the reinstated traditional rulers to live above board and avoid a repeat of what happened that attracted their earlier suspension. [myad]
A popular Yoruba movie actress/ producer, Lola Alao has said that her conversion to Islam from Christianity was not accidental.
She recently took to her Instagram page to make an announcement to confirm the speculations that she had converted to Islam, saying that she was originally a Muslim from an Islamic family. Lola said: “Salaam alykun to all my wonderful friends and fans. May almighty Allah grant u all your heart desires. I just want everyone to know that I was born into a Muslim home. My late father’s name is Lasisi Alao, so I reverted back to my root through Alhaji Yusuf Adepoju (Acadip). May almighty Allah bless him and all my wonderful friends and fans…. Thanks love you all.. Rohdiat Omolola Alao Ajibola.” [myad]
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Adamawa state in the 2015 general elections, Nuhu Ribadu, has returned to the All Progressives Congress (APC). He left the party for the Peoples Democratic Party in 2014.
Nuhu Ribadu, who was the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), during the regime of Olusegun Obasanjo, had contested the Presidential election under the then Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN) in 2011.
In a statement posted on his Facebook wall on Friday, Ribadu said he rejoined the in his Bako Ward in Yola South Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
Ribadu explained that his return to the APC was triggered by his belief that all politics were local and that almost everyone around him who started politics with him believed the time had come for them to make sacrifices and concession.
“My decision to return to the APC was triggered by my belief that all politics are local. Almost everyone around me, and with whom we started my political journey believed the time had come for us to make sacrifices and make concessions. That is in addition to the unbelievable love that my friends in the APC have showered on me in the past months.
“They demonstrated in words and action that they wanted me back home. The intractable crises in the PDP also made it impossible for one to contribute to the necessary task of building a viable opposition platform for our country. “I also did a deep and long reassessment of the circumstances that warranted my exit from the APC in the first place. I left the APC in 2014 owing to fundamental disagreements with the ways the chapter of the party in my state was run after it fell into some hands.”
Below is Ribadu’s statement announcing his return to the APC
Today I heeded the calls on me to return to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a party of which I was a founding member.
I re-registered as a member of the APC last night through the party’s online portal. After that, the leadership of the party in my Bako ward of Yola South Local Government Area visited me in my Yola residence to welcome me back to their fold.
This afternoon, I visited the Yola South secretariat of the party to present myself and submit to the leadership as a loyal party man.
My decision to return to the APC was triggered by my belief that all politics are local. Almost everyone around me, and with whom we started my political journey believed the time had come for us to make sacrifices and make concessions. That is in addition to the unbelievable love that my friends in the APC have showered on me in the past months.
They demonstrated in words and action that they wanted me back home. The intractable crises in the PDP also made it impossible for one to contribute to the necessary task of building a viable opposition platform for our country.
I also did a deep and long reassessment of the circumstances that warranted my exit from the APC in the first place. I left the APC in 2014 owing to fundamental disagreements with the ways the chapter of the party in my state was run after it fell into some hands.
Some colleagues and I tried hard to reposition the fold and save the then APC administration from an orchestrated impeachment plot. We didn’t succeed.
Events in the last 15 months have addressed many of the issues and healed some of the wounds. More so, with the genuine and sincere invitations I received since last year to retrace my steps into the party, I decided to return after consulting family and political associates at all levels.
I would like to appreciate all those members of the party who privately and publicly prodded me to return to the party. My appreciation also goes to the leadership of our party, from my ward in Bako to the national leadership, for the enthusiasm they showed in having me back.
The former EFCC boss is one of the founding leaders of the party, but defected to the PDP in 2014, a few months to the 2015 general elections. He left the APC after the impeachment of former Governor Murtala Nyako by the State House of Assembly in 2014.
He was reportedly disappointed that the APC leadership could not save Mr. Nyako from impeachment. [myad]
An Indian military plane with more than 20 people on board has gone missing over the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Air Force (AIF) has confirmed.
The Antonov-32 transporter aircraft took off from Chennai (Madras) in southern India at 8.30 am (local time) for Port Blair in the eastern archipelago of Andaman and Nicobar.
It was scheduled to land at 11.30am. A search operation has been launched.
The IAF operates more than 100 Antonov-32 aircraft.
A navy spokesman told the Reuters news agency that surveillance planes and ships were looking for the missing aircraft, which was carrying service personnel to strategic islands near the Malacca Straits, where India has a military base. [myad]
Bukola Saraki has been marked for ‘destruction’ by the ‘Hawks’ in the ruling All Progressives Party (APC). They want him out at any cost. This is the group that Saraki recently described as “government within government.” He is probably restrained in the use of radical words like ‘Cabal,’ ‘Mafia,’ due to the integrity of the office he occupies as the President of the Senate and as a result of his continuous search for political solution. But as we have seen, and regardless of the onslaught and the pains he has suffered, it appears Saraki’s preference for political diplomacy is still preferred by him to the ‘unknown’ cost of confrontation – option B. His latest comment “I remain loyal to the APC,” and the re-allocation of ‘juicy’ committees to Senators opposed to his emergence, could also be interpreted in the political framework of his option A – diplomacy.
The wild and unrestrained impulses with which those involved in this “operation demolish Saraki,” have carried on so far, do not suggest they are likely to adopt political solution or give up on this matter. These Hawks are consumed by the urge to seek political retribution and by extension reduce the burden of challenge for 2019 power struggle – an agitation which started in the APC since April, 2015 before the swearing-in of President Muhammadu Buhari. It is also unlikely that even a signed pact of “I’ll not contest 2019 Presidency,” by Saraki will sway their minds. It is a matter of life and death for them – wickedness taken too far. They had succeeded in massaging the ego of Mr. President that Saraki contested against his will and he must be crushed.
But Saraki after yet another case – a forgery suit instituted by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, against him and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu at an Abuja High Court, might have put aside any further fear. His statement after the second arraignment, sounded more like it to his loyal supporters off and on the social media: “Let it be clear, as a citizen and as a foremost legislator, I will continue to rise above all the persecution and distraction that have been visited on me. In the words of Martin Luther King Junior, `the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience but where he stands at a time of challenge and controversy.” For once, Saraki sounded in a way the radicals amongst his supporters had wanted. He capped it by daring the Hawks: “If yielding (unyielding) to the nefarious agenda of a few individuals who are bent on undermining our democracy and destabilising the Federal Government to satisfy their selfish interests is alternative to losing my personal freedom, let the doors of jails be thrown open. I shall be a happy guest.” His popularity soared afterwards.
The second case instituted by the executive over what is purely an internal affairs of the Senate is a legal affront against the principle of Separation of Power. Especially when there is a pending one on same matter in another court of law. Justice Gabriel Kolawole handling the first case, clearly expressed his misgiving on this: “In all of these facts and issues, having regard to the pendency of this suit in which the defendants have both filed processes, one question that did not cease to resonate in my thoughts is why this “desperate haste” to prefer the criminal indictments in exhibit “B” the investigation of which is at the heart of this suit and of the parallel suit in exhibit “E”, and which indictments, by law are not time barred as the substantive suit before this court, had by consent of both the Plaintiff’s Counsel and the 1st defendant’s Counsel, been scheduled for 6/7/16 for hearing.”
When the principle of separation of power developed by Baron de Montesquieu is violated by one arm or when another organ of government constitutes a threat to the other, it is likely to give rise to an unhealthy political rivalry. This sometimes leads to the quest to balance power by the offended arm in a bid to guide and defend its independence especially if there is the will to do so. The rumours over an attempt to commence an impeachment process against President Muhammadu Buhari which was widely reported by the media is an indication of an emerging group in the Senate that is favourably disposed to negotiating balance of power in an executive-legislature cold war. The constitution confers on the National Assembly the power to remove the President and such instrument is available for political negotiations – it is a common legislative bargaining strength globally. The House of Representatives attempted it during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and it worked.
In international politics, states oftentimes try to ensure their survival and relevance by maintaining or increasing their power in a self-help world. In international relations, balance of power suggests that “national security is enhanced when military capability is distributed so that no one state is strong enough to dominate all others. If one State becomes much stronger than others, the theory predicts that it will take advantage of its strength and attack weaker neighbours, thereby providing an incentive for those threatened to unite in a defensive coalition,” – Wikipedia. This concept (theory) is also silently embedded in the principle of separation of powers as adapted by the constitution of democratic nations. The National Assembly understands this perspective clearly too in preserving its independence, hence the rumours of impeachment.
As a trained medical doctor, Saraki understands the implications of a cancer that is already growing and spreading and the likely treatments. Unfortunately, legislative-executive imbroglio has also degenerated into a political cancer of sort. It is spreading. The recent Dino Melaye vs Remi Tinubu face-off is part of the symptoms. And we are likely to see more in the weeks ahead if caution is not applied. Semblance of this, is a Senator Robert Boroffice who was not in the National Assembly complex during the confrontation, but he took to the media to lampoon Senator Dino Melaye, just in a desperate bid to enlist the support of the husband of Senator Remi Tinubu for APC Governorship ticket in Ondo State. There will be other derived intrusions in the trials of Saraki in the days ahead. Same Boroffice is also amplifying the Abuja court trial.
Borrowing Saraki’s phrase, this “government within government” group has since crossed the red-line, closing their minds to any form of negotiation. Saraki should apprise himself to this singular fact – Hawks are hardliners with extreme positions, they take no prisoners and are perpetually pro-wars. He has options, including fighting back, but he is personally over-conscious of probable executive tyranny and the fear of not receiving enough positive media support. Also, the goodwill of the National Assembly is still considerably low – worry over getting enough public sympathy. But fighting for honour and purpose is the signature of courageous men – history reckons with them. The onus is on Saraki to choose his battle.
There is a latest silent intervention by some past leaders, but yet they are closing in on him with legal distractions. The third leg of his trial is likely in the offing, if and after the Senate confirms Ibrahim Magu as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He was a Governor and he is on their radar; they may explore that – this is in addition to his trials at the Code of Conduct Tribunal and the Abuja High Court. The plan is to use every means to deprive him of Senate sittings, including his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, joined in the second suit. It is not unlikely that Ekweremadu will be included in the third-leg option albeit separately to double his trial and ensure none of them is able to attend sittings. At least the EFCC has proved time and again that cases could be manufactured against perceived enemies of government to achieve a mission. The case of fiery human rights lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa who was arrested just to prevent a mass action in Lagos over subsidy removal comes handy.
Sensing that Saraki, aided by one of the best assemblages of lawyers in recent history, had wriggled himself out of a quick plan to get a judgment at the CCT, the Hawks from all indications decided to adopt the ‘distraction approach.’ Probably the lacuna these trials will create, may help the anti-Saraki group to negotiate their replacements by reaching some deals. It is going to be a tall dream. Aside the fact that the Senate is not ready to compromise its independence as epitomised by Saraki/Ekweremadu leadership, they are also ahead in this game with options. A PDP person will take over the Presidency of the red chamber and still secure the seat for Saraki. Mind you, some cases will get to the Supreme Court and none is strong enough to convict Saraki. The Hawks had perfected plans to manipulate court of first instance just to remove Saraki, while appeals would be immaterial. That was why the same CCT that exonerated former Gov. Bola Tinubu reversed himself in a desperate bid to execute these plans.
In a fair sense, embarking on an impeachment process may not be a bad option to balance power. The Hawks are not likely to compromise their stand and since Saraki/Ekweremadu are not ready to relinquish their seats, then they may have to act. Moving against the executive will definitely stoke tension in the land but it will at least give the National Assembly a bargaining power at a time the popularity of the President has dimmed. For instance, the legislature could be blackmailed as working against good governance if it adopts the approach of not treating executive requests or without dispatch, but certainly not an impeachment move. There is no better time for the legislature to save itself from the tyrannical disposition of the executive than now.
Ariyo-Dare Atoye is the Convener, PDP Reform Group and can be reached via aristotle001us@yahoo.com [myad]
Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo (Right), seems to be asking Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosu and Anambra State Governor, Chief Willy Obiano that the Nation’s economy is improving, shortly before the meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC), which he presided at the Council Chamber of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday. Photo by Sunday Aghaeze.
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Unidentified gunmen, on Friday evening, launched a deadly attack on a busy shopping mall in the German city of Munich, spraying bullets as people fled in horror for safety from what police said was a terrorist attack.
Saraki: Between Political Diplomacy And Balance Of Power, By Ariyo-Dare Atoye
The wild and unrestrained impulses with which those involved in this “operation demolish Saraki,” have carried on so far, do not suggest they are likely to adopt political solution or give up on this matter. These Hawks are consumed by the urge to seek political retribution and by extension reduce the burden of challenge for 2019 power struggle – an agitation which started in the APC since April, 2015 before the swearing-in of President Muhammadu Buhari. It is also unlikely that even a signed pact of “I’ll not contest 2019 Presidency,” by Saraki will sway their minds. It is a matter of life and death for them – wickedness taken too far. They had succeeded in massaging the ego of Mr. President that Saraki contested against his will and he must be crushed.
But Saraki after yet another case – a forgery suit instituted by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, against him and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu at an Abuja High Court, might have put aside any further fear. His statement after the second arraignment, sounded more like it to his loyal supporters off and on the social media: “Let it be clear, as a citizen and as a foremost legislator, I will continue to rise above all the persecution and distraction that have been visited on me. In the words of Martin Luther King Junior, `the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience but where he stands at a time of challenge and controversy.” For once, Saraki sounded in a way the radicals amongst his supporters had wanted. He capped it by daring the Hawks: “If yielding (unyielding) to the nefarious agenda of a few individuals who are bent on undermining our democracy and destabilising the Federal Government to satisfy their selfish interests is alternative to losing my personal freedom, let the doors of jails be thrown open. I shall be a happy guest.” His popularity soared afterwards.
The second case instituted by the executive over what is purely an internal affairs of the Senate is a legal affront against the principle of Separation of Power. Especially when there is a pending one on same matter in another court of law. Justice Gabriel Kolawole handling the first case, clearly expressed his misgiving on this: “In all of these facts and issues, having regard to the pendency of this suit in which the defendants have both filed processes, one question that did not cease to resonate in my thoughts is why this “desperate haste” to prefer the criminal indictments in exhibit “B” the investigation of which is at the heart of this suit and of the parallel suit in exhibit “E”, and which indictments, by law are not time barred as the substantive suit before this court, had by consent of both the Plaintiff’s Counsel and the 1st defendant’s Counsel, been scheduled for 6/7/16 for hearing.”
When the principle of separation of power developed by Baron de Montesquieu is violated by one arm or when another organ of government constitutes a threat to the other, it is likely to give rise to an unhealthy political rivalry. This sometimes leads to the quest to balance power by the offended arm in a bid to guide and defend its independence especially if there is the will to do so. The rumours over an attempt to commence an impeachment process against President Muhammadu Buhari which was widely reported by the media is an indication of an emerging group in the Senate that is favourably disposed to negotiating balance of power in an executive-legislature cold war. The constitution confers on the National Assembly the power to remove the President and such instrument is available for political negotiations – it is a common legislative bargaining strength globally. The House of Representatives attempted it during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and it worked.
In international politics, states oftentimes try to ensure their survival and relevance by maintaining or increasing their power in a self-help world. In international relations, balance of power suggests that “national security is enhanced when military capability is distributed so that no one state is strong enough to dominate all others. If one State becomes much stronger than others, the theory predicts that it will take advantage of its strength and attack weaker neighbours, thereby providing an incentive for those threatened to unite in a defensive coalition,” – Wikipedia. This concept (theory) is also silently embedded in the principle of separation of powers as adapted by the constitution of democratic nations. The National Assembly understands this perspective clearly too in preserving its independence, hence the rumours of impeachment.
As a trained medical doctor, Saraki understands the implications of a cancer that is already growing and spreading and the likely treatments. Unfortunately, legislative-executive imbroglio has also degenerated into a political cancer of sort. It is spreading. The recent Dino Melaye vs Remi Tinubu face-off is part of the symptoms. And we are likely to see more in the weeks ahead if caution is not applied. Semblance of this, is a Senator Robert Boroffice who was not in the National Assembly complex during the confrontation, but he took to the media to lampoon Senator Dino Melaye, just in a desperate bid to enlist the support of the husband of Senator Remi Tinubu for APC Governorship ticket in Ondo State. There will be other derived intrusions in the trials of Saraki in the days ahead. Same Boroffice is also amplifying the Abuja court trial.
Borrowing Saraki’s phrase, this “government within government” group has since crossed the red-line, closing their minds to any form of negotiation. Saraki should apprise himself to this singular fact – Hawks are hardliners with extreme positions, they take no prisoners and are perpetually pro-wars. He has options, including fighting back, but he is personally over-conscious of probable executive tyranny and the fear of not receiving enough positive media support. Also, the goodwill of the National Assembly is still considerably low – worry over getting enough public sympathy. But fighting for honour and purpose is the signature of courageous men – history reckons with them. The onus is on Saraki to choose his battle.
There is a latest silent intervention by some past leaders, but yet they are closing in on him with legal distractions. The third leg of his trial is likely in the offing, if and after the Senate confirms Ibrahim Magu as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He was a Governor and he is on their radar; they may explore that – this is in addition to his trials at the Code of Conduct Tribunal and the Abuja High Court. The plan is to use every means to deprive him of Senate sittings, including his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, joined in the second suit. It is not unlikely that Ekweremadu will be included in the third-leg option albeit separately to double his trial and ensure none of them is able to attend sittings. At least the EFCC has proved time and again that cases could be manufactured against perceived enemies of government to achieve a mission. The case of fiery human rights lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa who was arrested just to prevent a mass action in Lagos over subsidy removal comes handy.
Sensing that Saraki, aided by one of the best assemblages of lawyers in recent history, had wriggled himself out of a quick plan to get a judgment at the CCT, the Hawks from all indications decided to adopt the ‘distraction approach.’ Probably the lacuna these trials will create, may help the anti-Saraki group to negotiate their replacements by reaching some deals. It is going to be a tall dream. Aside the fact that the Senate is not ready to compromise its independence as epitomised by Saraki/Ekweremadu leadership, they are also ahead in this game with options. A PDP person will take over the Presidency of the red chamber and still secure the seat for Saraki. Mind you, some cases will get to the Supreme Court and none is strong enough to convict Saraki. The Hawks had perfected plans to manipulate court of first instance just to remove Saraki, while appeals would be immaterial. That was why the same CCT that exonerated former Gov. Bola Tinubu reversed himself in a desperate bid to execute these plans.
In a fair sense, embarking on an impeachment process may not be a bad option to balance power. The Hawks are not likely to compromise their stand and since Saraki/Ekweremadu are not ready to relinquish their seats, then they may have to act. Moving against the executive will definitely stoke tension in the land but it will at least give the National Assembly a bargaining power at a time the popularity of the President has dimmed. For instance, the legislature could be blackmailed as working against good governance if it adopts the approach of not treating executive requests or without dispatch, but certainly not an impeachment move. There is no better time for the legislature to save itself from the tyrannical disposition of the executive than now.
Ariyo-Dare Atoye is the Convener, PDP Reform Group and can be reached via aristotle001us@yahoo.com [myad]