The Lies Hajiya Binta Told About Dr. Haliru Bello And Vice President Sambo – Aide

October 31, 2014

Special Assistant on media to the Chairman of Jonathan’s Presidential Declaration Committee Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed, Mr. Emeka Nwankpa has berated the call by Hajiya Binta Kuraye on President Goodluck Jonathan to beware of the danger in appointing Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed, as Head of his Declaration Committee on the basis that Dr. Bello is “a political paper weight.”
He also frowned at the advised she gave to the President on what she called the ‘irrelevance’ of Vice President Namadi Sambo to the Presidential re-election campaign.
In a statement in Abuja today, Mr. Nwankpa described Hajiya Binta’s open letter which was advertised in the Sun newspaper of 30th October as blackmail and calumny.
“She copiously quoted Al-Mustapha Jokolo, a deposed and discredited monarch, who had made some wild and unsubstantiated statements about the Vice President in an earlier interview.
“We would not have bothered to respond to her vituperation, as everyone knows her reputation and capacity for mischief. Hajiya Binta Kuraye, a known felon, was recently arraigned before an FCT High Court on account of issuing dud cheques valued at N17.5 million and was remanded in Kuje Prison, having earlier jumped administrative bail granted her by the EFCC.”
Dr. Haliru Bello Aide said that his boss owed it to the public to correct the wrong impressions Hajiya Binta might have created in the minds of Nigerians against the two leaders.
“Both Dr. Bello and Vice President Sambo have made invaluable contributions to the PDP and the development of Nigeria, in general. “They have served and continue to serve this country, meritoriously, in various capacities.”
The statement continues:
“On Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed, Hajiya Binta made the wild allegation that he benefited from monetary gifts from a German telecommunication company, SIEMENS, when he was Minister of Communications.
Dr. Bello has said, time and again, that he had nothing to do with the alleged bribery scandal either in person or by proxy. He has never met or heard of Mr. Siekaczek, neither did he have any personal relationship with Mr. Siedel. For the avoidance of doubt, Dr. Bello did not, at any time, receive any amount, whatsoever, from these men or anybody purportedly acting on their behalf.
It should be noted that there was no reason for Siemens to bribe Dr. Bello as a Minister of Communications, as NITEL, to which Siemens was a contractor, was already under the supervision of the Bureau of Public Enterprises in preparation for its sale, under the auspices of the National Council of Privatization.
It is significant to state that Dr. Bello went through security screening and was cleared before Senate confirmed his appointment as Minister of Defence in 2011.
In her disparaging remarks on Vice President Namadi Sambo, Hajiya Binta, questioned the electoral value of the Vice President and adopted Jokolo’s blinkered and unintelligent evaluation of him. That evaluation deliberately ignored the fact that Namadi Sambo won the Governorship Election in Kaduna State in 2007 and would have won a second term easily in 2011 but for the fact that Allah had designed a higher position for him. He led the PDP to victory in the Governorship Election in Kaduna State, in 2011, and mobilised the highest votes for PDP in the Presidential Election, which was the highest in the states of the North (1, 190, 179; 46.9% of the total votes cast) against Buhari’s 1,334,244.
Facts are sacred and they, clearly, do not support the hollow claims by Hajiya Binta and her cohorts. Namadi Sambo has been a loyal, discreet and efficient Vice President, who has managed his position with great dignity in the last four years or so. He has proven to be a consummate team player and has contributed, in no small measure, to perhaps the most cohesive and peaceful presidency in Nigeria’s democratic history. He is, indeed, an asset.
As for Hajiya Binta Kuraye and her sponsors, I say, “By their fruits you shall know them!” [myad]

70 Year Old Allegedly Rapes 2 Girls

Greenbarge Reporters

October 31, 2014

A 70-year-old man, Udo Udo has been alleged to have raped two girls and has appeared in a Magistrates’ Court in Minna, capital of Niger state. The court has ordered that he be remanded in prison custody.

The accused was arraigned on a count of rape, contrary to Section 283 of the Penal Code.

The Police Prosecutor, Insp. Ahmed Ali, told the court that a member of a vigilance group attached to the emir’s palace in Suleja arrested and brought the accused to the police station on Oct. 11.

Ali said the accused, a resident of Angwan Gwari, Suleja, was alleged to have forcefully had carnal knowledge of the two girls.

He said the accused had confessed to committing the crime during police investigation.

The accused person, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, thereafter, asked for an adjournment to enable the police conclude investigations.

In her ruling, the Magistrate, Sa’adatu Gambo, ordered the actions.

She adjourned the case till Nov.13, for further hearing. [myad]

APC Describes Police Withdrawal Of Tambuwal’s Security Details As Executive Rascalism

Greenbarge Reporters

October 30, 2014

Nigeria’s opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the withdrawal of Tambuwal’s security details as “executive rascalism and abuse of the country’s Constitution.”
The party was reacting to the news of the withdrawal of the security details of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, in the wake of his defection to the party from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

A statement from the police force headquarter Public Relations Officer earlier in the day had said: “in view of the recent defection by the Right Honourable Aminu Waziri Tanbuwal, the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, from the People Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressive Congress (APC), and having regard to the clear provision of section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has redeployed its personnel attached to his office.”

In a statement today, signed by the Rivers State Chairman of APC, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, the party called on Nigerians to condemn what it called “this affront on the fourth citizen of our nation and insult on our representatives. Let us reiterate that it is the constitutional right of Tambuwal to freely associate with any party of his choice, including, of course, APC.”
Dr. Ikanya said that it is only an unserious politician who will continue to stay in a sinking party like PDP that has brought the nation to shame and pains and made it a laughing stock before the international community.
“We therefore ask for the immediate reversal of this obnoxious order. We commend Tambuwal for the bold step he has taken to join the party for a new Nigeria.
“As we sympathize with the present leadership of PDP for making the party the largest undemocratic party in Africa and leading it to its present sorrowful state and imminent demise, we wish to further state that those calling for the resignation of the Speaker are just exposing their level of ignorance of the functions of the House of Reps and our Constitution.
“Speaker Tambuwal was duly elected by the generality of the House members and can only be removed by impeachment by 240 members of the House. With only 180 PDP members in the House, from where are they are going to get the extra 60 members to aid them in the impeachment of Tambuwal?
“They should accept the reality that an APC Speaker is now in place, signaling the beginning of the take-over of the mantle of leadership by our great party on 29th May, 2015.”
APC advised PDP leadership to try and read Section 50 (1)(b) of the nation’s Constitution, which it said states: ‘There shall be a Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives who shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves.’
The party pointed out that the Speaker was elected as the representative of the “generality of Nigerians” and not necessarily because he belonged to a particular political party.
“As we await the mass decampment of the remaining 50 PDP members of the House, we wish to urge President Jonathan to stop overheating the polity and start writing his handover note because he stands no chance of implementing any third term agenda next year as we will resist such an unholy attempt.”
The party insisted that all hope is lost for both Jonathan and PDP, asking: “With Kano, Lagos and Rivers states in the kitty of APC and with the likely elimination of rigging during the 2015 general elections, what realistic chances does PDP have in the 2015 general elections?” [myad]

Abuja Indigenes Want Special Funding For FCT

Greenbarge Reporters

October 30, 2014

The original indigenes of the Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have called for special funding for the Territory to carter for its ever expanding population with the attendant developmental and social service needs. Traditional rulers and opinion leaders drawn from the six area councils of FCT made the call when they paid a visit to President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja even as they expressed their unwavering support for the President and the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed.
The Abuja indigenes whose address was read by the Ona of Abaji and the Chairman of FCT Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Adamu Baba Yunusa, said that the special funding is needed for steady implementation of critical projects in the FCT, such as mass transportation, health, education roads construction and expansion.
Of particular concern to them are the expansion of the ever busy Abuja – Nyanya – Keffi express road and the opening of alternate routes on that axis to ease perennial traffic gridlocks there.
They told the President that the extra funding would also be useful in fast tracking the development of FCT area councils and satellite towns to decongest the city centre and enhance living standard in the rural areas.
According to them, the FCT population is presently over five million, which is more than the population of some states in the country.
The indigenes who praised Dr. Jonathan as a listening and performing leader, also advocated greater funding of the Resettlement and Compensation programme as a way of giving a sense of belonging to them and putting them in proper position to contribute their quota to national development.
The delegation blamed the existence of places like Garki Village, Utako Village, Jabi Village and Guzape where the indigenes live in squalor without basic amenities as a result of neglect by previous administrations.
They expressed happiness that through programmes like Land Swap and other Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives of this administration, the knotty issue of Resettlement and Compensation is being addressed at the same time that the new districts are being opened.
The indigenes said they were aware of the various challenges facing the country, such as general insecurity, terrorism and threat of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), adding that they are also aware of the determined efforts of the present Administration to tackle and resolve the challenges.
They thanked President Jonathan for signing into law the FCT College of Education bill and the support he has been giving to the FCT Administration under the leadership of the Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed.
They also praised the Minister for his grassroot development man which he carried out with the indigenes as partners.
The indigenes called for the endorsement of the recommendations of the National Conference concerning the creation of an additional Senatorial seat and two more Federal Constituencies, two additional area councils, provision for a mayoral status for Abuja City and appointment of a Minister from the FCT, just like the other states of the Federation.
They appealed to the President to address some of these issues through discretionary action and lend his presidential support to others that are constitutional in nature.
Those present at the meeting include Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Ahmad Adamu Muazu, Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Senator Philip Aduda, the FCT Permanent Secretary, Engr. John Chukwu, Hon. Zaphaniah Bitrus Jisalo, Hon. Isah Ega Dobi, the Chairman of PDP in FCT, Alhaji Yunusa Suleiman and the State Secretary of the party, Mr. Bitrus Tanko Kura.
The royal fathers who were part of the delegation are Sarkin Karshi, Alhaji Ismaila D. Mohammed; Sa-Karuyi Karu, HRH Emmanuel Kyauta Yepwi; Sarkin Bwari, Alhaji Musa Ija-Koro; Aguma of Gwagwalada, Alhaji Mohammed Magaji; Gomo of Kuje, Alhaji Haruna T. Jibrin; Etsu Kwali, HRH Shaban Nizazo; Etsu of Yaba, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu; Sa-Peyi of Garki, Alhaji Usman Nga Kupi; Agaba of Jiwa, Alhaji Idris Musa; Esu of Bwari, HRH Ibrahim Yaro; Agora of Zuba, Alhaji Mohammed Bello Umar; Sa-Rubochiyi of Rubochi, Alhaji Ibrahim M. Pada and the Agabe of Gawrgwada, Alhaji Hussaini Agabi Mam.
The chairmen of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Kuje, Kwali and Abaji, Hon. Micah Jiba, Hon. Peter Yohanna Ushafa, Hon. Shaban Ishaku Tete, Hon. Ibrahim Daniel and Hon. Yahaya Garba Gawu respectively were also in attendance.
Others are the six Commissioners of federal parastatals and agencies; Engr. Danjuma Bussa (National Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission), Dr. Aliyu Baka (National Population Commission), Dr. Salihu Yunusa Zuba (Federal Character Commission), Alhaji Sokodobo Alhassan (Federal Civil Service Commission) and Elder Stephen Yepwi (National Sports Commission). [myad]

Governor Uduaghan Heads To Senate, Submits Senate Nomination Forms

Greenbarge Reporters

October 30, 2014

The Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has bought and submitted his Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for the Delta South Senatorial District election in 2015.
The forms were submitted at the Peoples Democratic Party State Headquarters in Asaba today.
Governor Uduaghan, whose forms were bought on October 17 by some of his political associates in G3 at the National Secretariat of the PDP, Wadata House, Abuja, has expressed his deep appreciation to all PDP faithful and Deltans for their outpouring of love and support.
He equally promised quality representation at the Red Chambers.
“History is in the making and I have to heed the calls of my people who have severally urged me to go to the Senate after my tenure as Governor of Delta State.
“I will not disappoint them.
“I will, by the grace of God, give my senatorial zone quality representation.
“I also want to appreciate President Goodluck Jonathan and assure him that I will put all my national and international reach at his disposal.”
Meanwhile, the foremost political platform in the senatorial district, the G3, comprising Isoko, Ijaw and Itsekiri, has fully backed Dr. Uduaghan’s senatorial ambition.
Secretary of the group, Hon. Solomon Funkekeme, said Governor Uduaghan is the best the district can present at the National Assembly at this critical moment of the nation’s democracy.
“His wealth of experience and leadership qualities stand him out.”
Also, the Isoko Advancement Network has applauded the decision of Uduaghan to contest the senatorial seat, saying that the network is confident that the three ethnic groups that make up the zone be well represented in the Senate.
Speaking today in Asaba, the Chairman of the IAN, Hon. Mike Ogwa, said the Isoko nation is fully and solidly in support of Uduaghan’s senatorial aspiration and promised to mobilise the people of the district to back him. [myad]

Turaki Vanguard Hails APC’s Modified Direct Primaries

Greenbarge Reporters

October 30, 2014

The Turaki Vanguard, a political support group for the presidential ambition of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has praised the national leaders of APC for endorsing modified direct primaries for producing the party’s presidential candidate.
The group, in a statement in Abuja, said with the endorsement of the modified direct primaries, the APC has now fully democratized and boosted its democratic credentials and credibility.
Describing the move as a victory for democracy, the Turaki Vanguard praised the APC leaders for responding to the aspirations and wishes of the people.
According to the Atiku political support group, internal democracy is essential to the entrenchment of democracy. It said the APC has set a standard, which all political parties should emulate.
It explained that this move would go a long way to reinforce people’s confidence in the APC as the alternative platform for better change in Nigeria.
The Turaki Vanguard
said internal democracy is about respecting all diverse interests within a political party to ensure fairness and transparency, which are necessary conditions for unity, harmony and internal cohesion.
It, therefore, advised all Atiku supporters and other APC members to mobilize their support behind this democratic decision of the APC national leadership, adding that the measure would strengthen the opposition party and make it even stronger. [myad]

Photo: Aminu Wali, Others At FEC Meeting

Greenbarge Reporters

October 29, 2014

From left: Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Aminu Wali, Federal Capital Territory minister,Bala Mohammed and Solid Mineral Minister, Mohammed Sanda attending the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting today, Wednesday at the State House, Abuja.

[myad]

Jonathan Takes A Leap, Collects Nomination Form For 2015, Thanks Nigerians For Support

Greenbarge Reporters

October 29, 2014

The fog has now cleared as the Presidency has confirmed that come tomorrow, Thursday, President Goodluck will march to the headquarter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to collect the party’s nomination form for the 2015 Presidential elections.
Breifing newsmen today at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, special adviser on media and publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati said that the President is grateful to all Nigerians, members of the PDP, friends, associates, and all groups who, in sincere appreciation of the achievements of the administration in the last four years, have been urging him to seek a second term in office.
Dr. Abati said that President Jonathan is greatly encouraged by the overwhelming outpouring of goodwill and support, as well as the confidence of the generality of Nigerians in his ability to continue to transform the country for the good of all of its people.
“The President is also grateful to all the persons, groups and communities who have sent donations, and made pledges to assist him to pay the required N22 million for the PDP Presidential Nomination Fee and Expression of Interest Form.
“He acknowledges, and accepts with immense gratitude, the following donations and pledges that he has received from a broad section of Nigerians:
“He acknowledges, and accepts with immense gratitude, the following donations and pledges that he has received from a broad section of Nigerians:
1. Mr. Kennedy Ikenna Odoeme – N5, 000
2. Mr. Ezemagu Sunday Nnamdi – N10, 000
3. PDP Governors – N22 Million
4. Transformation Agenda of Nigeria (TAN) – N22m
5. Ogbia LGA Stakeholders, Bayelsa state – N5m
6. Otuoke Community Stakeholders – N2m
7. Brass LGA Stakeholders, Bayelsa state – N50, 000
8. Bayelsa State PDP Stakeholders- N5m
9. Northern Youths Forum – N2m
10. Central Market Traders Union, Kaduna State – N1m
11. PDP Stakeholders, Zaria LGA – N500, 000
12. PDP Stakeholders, Yobe State – N500, 000
13. PDP Stakeholders, Kaduna State- N2m
14. Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore – N5m
15. The Goodluck Support Group, Gombe State – N1m
16. Adamawa State PDP Stakeholders – N3m
17. Ebonyi State PDP Stakeholders- N2m
18. Kogi State PDP Stakeholders – N5m
19. Rivers State PDP Stakeholders – N5m
20. The 2015 Project – N1m
21.Team Goodluck, Ondo North Senatorial District – N5m
22. Middle Belt PDP Women Support Group for GEJ 2015 – N500, 000
23. King David Generation Foundation, Jos – N200, 000
24. Behwong Weneng Yere Duk, Jos – N200,000
25. Redemption 3 Youth Organization, Plateau State – N500, 000
26. Plateau State Indigenes Association, Abuja – N300,000
27. Gombe Youth United for Goodluck Ebele Jonathan 2015 – N500, 000
28. Gombe Youth Vanguard for PDP- N500, 000
29. Yamahu/Deba Goodluck Support Group – N200, 000
30. Coalition of Gombe Support Groups for Goodluck Ebele Jonathan – N2m
31. Hinna Youth Coalition for Goodluck – N500, 000
32. Nigerian Women Pray for Jonathan – N1m
33. National Association of Widows – N100, 000
34. National Council of Women Societies – N500, 000
35. Female members of the PDP Board of Trustees – N500,000
36. Joint Association of Persons with Disabilities -N100,000
37. National Association of Market Women – N500, 000
38. Community Awareness and Development Network – N1m.”
Dr. Abati said that the
President has assured the donors that he will continue to do his utmost best at all times to fully justify the great confidence they have placed in his leadership.

[myad]

Zambian President, Sata, Dies

Greenbarge Reporters

October 29, 2014

The Zambian President, Mr. Michael Sata is dead. He died today in a London hospital after a protracted illness.
The death of President Sata, who could not witness the golden jubilee independence of his country a couple of weeks ago was announced today by the leadership of Zambia.
This is even as the Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan has sent a condolence message to the government and people of Zambia.
Jonathan said that he
received with sadness, news of the passing away of President Michael Sata of Zambia in a London Hospital.
“On behalf of the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria, I extend sincere condolences to the government and people of Zambia on the death of President Sata who has led his country since 2011.
“My deepest sympathies are with the people of Zambia and President Sata’s family as they mourn their leader, patriarch, nationalist and patriot who will always be remembered for his uncompromising stand against neo-colonialism and any semblance of renewed imperialism in Zambia and Africa as a whole.”
President Jonathan advised people Zambians to commit themselves fully to a peaceful and orderly succession in keeping with the principles of democracy and the country’s constitution.
He prayed to God to comfort the people of Zambia and grant them a worthy successor to President Sata who will keep the country on an even keel and ensure that it continues to make steady progress for the benefit of its people.

[myad]

So That The Senate Does Not Become A House Of Tin-Gods, By Garba Shehu

Greenbarge Reporters

October 28, 2014

The passage by the National Assembly of the bill cited as the Constitution (fourth alteration) Bill 2014 takes the nation one step forward and two steps backwards.

The Senate is the arm which initially entered this amendment providing for immunity, in a way technically done, proposing that in the course of their law-making functions, the parliamentarians should be immune from prosecution. If approved by the required number of state assemblies, this will confirm widely-held assumptions that the upper chamber of the parliament is gradually transforming itself into a safe haven for men and women who otherwise would gone by names other than “Distinguished Senator” they have prefixed to their names.

I read an angry reaction to this proposed constitution amendment by a group calling itself Human Rights Writers Association, HURIWA, describing the Senate version of the draft law as “a wild card for this category of executive politicians to commit heinous crimes and massive corruption.”

The Senate’s move is understood to come from impatience with frivolous and mischievous litigations against the National Assembly and its members. And in all fairness, the norm all over the world is that comments and actions on the floor of parliament are privileged, and therefore hardly ever subject to litigation. What the National Assembly has done, by this proposed legislation, is to borrow the convention of parliamentary immunity as obtains in the Westminster system which is not a constitutional provision over there, to make it a part of our supreme laws. That is the strange thing about the proposed amendment. Under the presidential system of government, in both concept and theory, parliamentary immunity is alien.

The danger as foreseen by many of the Senate’s critics, is that what is merely a privilege to say and do about everything on the floor of the legislative chamber to advance law-making may be stretched to, for instance, cover physical and verbal abuse, a penal offense, or the alleged corruption that dogs about every inquisition or undertaking by our parliaments.

It is too early to say whether the amendment will get the approval of the country’s diverse state legislatures.

It is however pertinent to warn even at this stage that unless they put the brakes on their endless quest for personal safety, itself fueling the perception of their imperviousness to the law, the Senate will trip on its overreach.

When you look at the current composition of the Senate, you see that 10 percent of its membership is made up of ex-governors. These eleven are: Bukar Abba Ibrahim,Yobe; Kabiru Gaya, Kano; Ahmed Makarfi, Kaduna; Bukola Saraki, Kwara; Abdullahi Adamu, Nassarawa; Chris Ngige, Anambra; Andy Uba, Anambra; Danjuma Goje, Gombe; George Akume, Benue; Joshua Dariye, Plateau and Ahmed Sani Yarima, Zamfara.

Taken together with the ex-Deputy Governors in the Senate, the ex-Governors form the largest trade group in the National Assembly, perhaps far more in number than manufacturers, bankers, medical doctors and professors.

While the Senate appears to be largely addressing itself to the development challenge at hand, and is clearly conscious of the need to be seen to be doing so, there many in the hallowed chamber who have veered towards passivity. Again, confirming widely-held notions that they are merely there to be safe. Majority of them, as part of the larger National Assembly have joined the others to approve trade agreements, irrigation projects, roads, schools and a countless number of development projects. Together with the civil society, they have formed a bulwark against the return of the military, on account of which we are today celebrating 15 years of unbroken civil rule.

But what is it that derives governors from the comfort of the State Houses to the Senate? Is it for protection? When they leave office, we all know that they lose the immunity against prosecution, on account of which, the ant-corruption agencies swoop on them but as soon as the ex-Governors scale the fence and land themselves in the Senate,the investigation goes cold, loses steam and pace. With quite a number of such parliamentarians carrying on with liberal bail conditions from trials that have no end in sight, there is that perception that the lawmakers have found a protection around themselves, making it near impossible for the anti-corruption agencies and the courts of law to deal decisively with them.

These anxieties continue to gain impetus as more and more of the graduating class of governors bid for Senate seats in the coming elections. This must be very frustrating for groups with grievances against such graduating governors. What for instance, are the options for teachers in Benue State who have remained unpaid for several months, and are of the view that Governor Suswam had seized their salaries so can have enough for the electoral contest ahead of him? How would the petitioners against Governor Akpabio be answered and get justice when he jumps into the warmth of the Senate from the State House in Uyo?

Even more frustrating is also the fact that when they go in there, Senators behave like tenants from hell. They don’t want to leave. To remove them from those seats, it sometimes requires a surgical intervention. If not this, the Supreme Court must come in. In a patronage-driven/ridden political process, the situation is compounded by the conferment of automatic tickets as reward by the ruling party for anyone showing blind support for the President. By several accounts, many back in the states were not enthused by the offer of automatic tickets to the Senate’s Principal Officers, many of whom have lost their magical illusions. The continued stay of some Senators is in clear breach of the agreements on zoning of such offices, on account of which thy came to Abuja.

What then can Nigerians do to leverage the National Assembly when, in addition to everything else, it confers immunity on its members? If the power of the votes cannot rid a constituency of an unwanted Senator, what is there for them to do? Self-help?

At a stake here is public trust in the National Assembly and the anti-corruption agencies which have, over the years lost a substantial part of their credibility when it comes to dealing with VIPs. To help the institutions overcome this challenge in the overall national interest they claim to serve,political parties may do the needful by prescribing a one-year time out for graduating governors, to give them time to overcome State House eccentricities and clear all investigations before they rejoin the political process. In addition to this, State Assemblies should take it as a part of their duty to the nation by removing absurdities going by the name of immunity for the executive as well as the legislature. We don’t need tin-gods in the parliament or anywhere for that matter. [myad]

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