As the abduction of the over 200 female students of the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok in Borno state by members of Boko Haram entered the third month running, President Goodluck Jonathan, last night, rallied former heads of state for maximum support for the task of retrieving the girls.
The former Nigerian leaders who met at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, comprised General Yakubu Gowon, General Muhammadu Buhari, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Chief Ernest Shonekan as well as the Borno state governor, Alhaji Shettima. General Ibrahim Babangida sent apology as he stayed back in Minna to mourn the death of a senator representing his senatorial district.
Detail of the meeting was made known to State House Correspondents by the special Adviser to the president Dr. Reuben Abati.
He said that the leaders expressed their commitment to doing every thing they could to support the President to find solution to the issue of the abducted Chibok girls as well as the general challenge of insurgency in the country.
The meeting which lasted for about an hour was held over dinner.

[myad]

President Goodluck Jonathan has called on leaders of all the political parties in Nigeria to rise against what he called very remorseless anti-democratic forces operating in the political system that are ever ready to exploit lapses in the management of the political and electoral processes.
Some of these forces, he warned, are out to use the forthcoming 2015 elections “as their last stand to truncate the nation’s hard won democratic liberty. But, dear compatriots, with respect to the 2015 elections in particular, and our journey as a Nation in general, we must never allow these negative forces to prevail.”
The President, in his address at the Summit of the All Political Parties and Political Stakeholders held on Thursday at the
International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja noted that the onset of the 4th Republic, under the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo, brought the institutionalization of inter party mechanisms, domiciled in the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Inter- Party Affairs.
The concept of inter- party relations and collaboration, he added, presupposes that even though political parties may differ in ideologies, processes and structures of governance, but that they must remain united in the common objective of preserving and consolidating the nation’s unity and its democratic foundation.
“Political party affiliates must, thus, relate with one another and conduct themselves with responsibility and statesmanship focused on positive inputs into governance, whether they be in power at present, or not. 
“Inter-Party relations and collaboration make it incumbent on the party in power, at any level or section, to govern in recognition of the beneficial voices and views of opposition parties. And vice-versa for the parties out of government, to proffer issue-based engagement, geared towards improved performance in governance, and service delivery to the people.”
President Jonathan said that this is only possible through a rancour free relationship among political parties, in their conduct, acts and utterances.
The President regretted that the current national political outlook with regard to inter -party collaboration has been less than salutary, adding that the conduct and utterances of leading politicians at home and abroad are rapidly creating and spreading unnecessary tension in the country.
“Unguarded utterances on their part,fester the embers of discord, bitterness and rancour.
“Such unfortunate developments play into the hands of extremist elements, waging a vicious campaign of terror against the Nigerian State.
“The recent mindless bombings and killing of innocent Nigerians in Nyanya in the Federal Capital Territory, Jos in Plateau State, the killing in Adamawa State including that of the traditional ruler as well as the heartless and criminal abduction of over 200 school girls from a secondary school in Chibok, Borno state are better addressed by a political class which is united in its commitment to defend the polity irrespective of political differences.  We must never politicize the fundamental and core imperative of defending the State.  To do so can only embolden the terrorists and other enemies of our Republic who will seek to exploit any perceived political and social divisions for their nefarious ends.  We must never give them such opportunity.  Our political parties must remain positive and constructive engagement as we seek to build a virile, strong and stable nation that can compete with other states in the world. 
Jonathan said that the Summit by all political parties offered the opportunity for political parties and politicians to reflect and review the possible consequences their actions, conduct and utterances in the recent past have had and could have, on our polity, national security and corporate existence.  
“This Summit must be an occasion for political rejuvenation and re-orientation. Its outcome must be a common stand against all and any anti-democratic forces that are currently waging a vicious and mindless war against the State.   the President reminded them that they needed to first build a nation before engaging in arguments on how best to run it.
According to him, the system is not yet so shockproof to withstand all unguarded and careless political statements and actions, saying that if the state enterprise fails, no political party or politician will be spared from the consequences.
“Hence, at a time such as this when our existence as a nation is threatened by anti-democratic forces, we, politicians and political parties, must rise to the higher moral ground in defence and protection of our existence as one nation and one people. “Our role should not be limited to the struggle to win elections and acquire political power, but also to handling the demands of patriotism and statesmanship, and restoring hope to the Nigerian people.
The President stressed the exigency of acting, conducting and speaking those things that reflect, at highest level, a commitment to the defence and preservation of the nation’s social cohesion, political stability and sovereignty.
“We must reinforce, and recommit our various supporters across the nation to the Nigerian Project, irrespective of party affiliation, ideological differences and alliances.”

[myad]

President Goodluck Jonathan indicated his agreement on the decision of the London Ministerial Meeting on Security in Nigeria  and West Africa to operationalize a  Regional Intelligence Fusion Unit that will enhance the generation and sharing of information essential to curbing terrorist activities.
President Jonathan similarly agreens with the establishment of a multi-national joint task force by Nigeria, Chad, Benin Republic,  Niger Republic and Cameroon to enforce stricter border controls and prevent terrorists from having unrestricted access to their territories.
A statement from the Presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati today said that Jonathan believed that the  implementation of the important decisions taken at the London meeting, supported by necessary technical expertise from Britain, the United States and France will greatly boost his administration’s ongoing efforts to end the scourge of terrorism in Nigeria and make the country a much safer place for its citizens and residents.
“As his Administration continues to vigorously explore options for rescuing the abducted Chibok College girls and enhance security in all partsof Nigeria, President Jonathan reaffirms the Federal Government’s commitment to working for faster progress on developmental,  governance, education and gender issues in keeping with its multifaceted approach to dealing with the underlying causes of conflict and insecurity in parts of Nigeria. 
“The President also endorses the agreement by all countries represented at the London meeting that their collective response to terrorism must show due regard for human rights.”
Abati said that  President Jonathan showed gratitude to the British Government for the reaffirmation of its
commitment to helping Nigeria and other West African countries to achieve faster development and ensure that social services and infrastructure are provided to those communities most affected by conflict and insecurity.
The President, he said, is also happy with the Britain’s announced intention to expand its ongoing support for Nigeria’s efforts to overcome terrorism and insurgency.

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has said that the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi was destined to be the Emir of Kano and that his choice was an act of God.

The National Publicity Secretary of the body, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim in Kaduna, called for the peoples’ support even as he advised Nigerians to seek for a peaceful and acceptable way of resolving disagreements or grievances for the overall benefit of the country.

“The new Emir should therefore bring his wealth of experience, competence and exposure to bear in uniting the royal family members and people of Kano for a peaceful transition and continuation of the good legacies of late Ado Bayero.

“ACF has an unflinching regard and respect to the traditional institutions as peace stabilisers, custodians of our core values, culture and customs.

“We therefore call on HRH Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to uphold the sanctity of the institution and consider his appointment as a rare opportunity to serve his people in this new capacity.” [myad]

“I believe that some of them will never return. We will still be hearing about them many years from now.” These were the words of the former Nigeria’s President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

The former President who answered questions on the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation, monitored in Abuja today added: “Some (of the abducted girls of the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok in Borno state) will give birth, but if they (Boko Haram members) cannot take care of them in the forest, they may be released.”

Obasanjo regretted that since he made move to reach out to Boko Haram leadership on the possible release of the girls, the Federal Government had yet to give him the go ahead, expressing the fears that the more than 200 abducted girls might never return again.

He noted that the girls might have been divided into groups and not likely to be at the same location. [myad]

A Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Abdulkadir Abdulkafarati, has punished a politician in Kogi state, Mohammed Audu ordering him to pay the sum of N1.5 Million fine for seeking to remove Governor Idris Wada, through a suit which constituted a gross abuse of court process.

Justice Abdulkafarati said that the Kogi State Election Petitions Tribunal could have heard the suit as the issues raised were post-election matter, thus ordering the the plaintiff to pay N500,000 each to governor Wada, the Independent National Electoral Commission and another defendant in the suit.

The plaintiff, a chieftain of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), had through his suit, asked the court to remove Wada because the processes leading to the December 3, 2011 Kogi governorship which produced him as governor violated the Electoral Act.

The plaintiff, who said he participated in the ACN’s primary election and emerged as the deputy to the governorship candidate, Professor Yusufu Obaje, argued that he remained a legitimate candidate of the party even when Obaje crossed to another party.

He contented therefore that the choice of reflecting Abubakar Audu as the governorship candidate of the ACN in the December 3, 2011 election had rendered the emergence of Wada in the election invalid.

He had therefore, urged the court to order Wada to vacate the seat and he (the plaintiff) be sworn in as the governor of the state.

Justice Abdulkafarati descended on the plaintiff’s counsel, Mackings Nezianya, describing the lawyer as being among those who refuse to give “honest advice to clients.”

He upheld the contention of Wada’s lawyer, Mr. Chris Uche (SAN), that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter because the dispute was post-election issue which could only have been entertained by the Kogi State Elections Petitions Tribunal.

The judge added that the plaintiff, not being a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, on whose platform Wada emerged as the candidate of the party, he (the plaintiff) lacked the locus standi to challenge the primary election which produced the governor. [myad]

Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar III has cautioned President Goodluck Jonathan against using heavy military action on Boko Haram as it has its own negative effect of aggravating the already volatile situation in the North Eastern part of the country.

He asked the President to re-consider his position on the use of maximum force to curb insurgency in the country, calling on him to embrace the dialogue option with leaders of the Boko Haram sect through the implementation of the reports of the Committee on negotiations with Boko Haram.
The Sultan who spoke today in Abuja at the 7th Annual National Conference of the Muslims Lawyers’ Association of Nigeria, with the theme, ” Rule of Law & Social Justice: A Panacea for Unity & National Development”remarked: “when people say you don’t dialogue with criminals, who said you don’t dialogue with criminals? You cannot fight criminals because you don’t even know where they are.
“About two weeks ago, the American government exchanged one prisoner who was even a deserter for very senior five al-Qaeda leaders who have been in Guantanamo prison for years.
“They kept dialoguing with them for five years. For them to exchange him they must have been talking.  There is need for dialogue. You cannot win any insurgency by way of force. Nowhere in the world that work.”
Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar ruled out the possibility of any group or individuals making Nigeria an Islamic nation and therefore urged non Muslims not to be afraid of the inclusion of Sharia in the country’s constitution.
The monarch maintained that the Muslims in Nigeria are not the problem with the country and that they were not out to force everybody under the Islamic legal code, the sharia, adding: “I have said it one million and one times, as far as in America, when I delivered a lecture at Harvard University. The problems of Nigeria are not caused by Muslims.
“I want to assure you that we have been doing our best to educate people on what Islam and Muslims stand for and want to do in Nigeria.
“I have said it one million times, Muslims in Nigeria are not out to Islamise Nigeria because it is not possible.
“We all know what is said in the Holy Quran. So why should anybody be afraid of the strength of Muslims in this country?
“When we come together and we are doing positive things or rightly it is got the development of that community and when a community is developed Muslims, non-Muslims and whoever within that community will be a beneficiary of that development.
“Why are the non Muslims opposed to the inclusion of the Islamic laws in the constitution?  There is no country in the World where the interests of the citizens especially their religious  views are not protected in the constitution
“At the same time, muslims should not be against the inclusion of certain aspects that will serve the interests of the non muslims in the constitution. Having Shariah in the constitution is purely for the muslims. Non muslims should not entertain any fear about that at all.
“What the muslims in Nigeria are demanding through the inclusion if Shariah is justice. They want justice in accordance with their religious beliefs and faith in the Almighty Allah.
The sultan urged Muslim lawyers to make their presence felt through positive activities, especially by being united for the purpose of getting out innocent Muslims, arrested for being members of Boko Haram and kept in various prisons across the country.
“You have to come out, visit prisons, visit mosques where there are less privileged Muslims, offer free services to them as an organization and I believe a lot of people will start knowing who Muslim lawyers are.
“In Islam you all know why it means to be a leader. So I am challenging you to wake up and do what you are supposed to do. Go found the prisons, there are so many Muslims locked up in prisons as suspects of insurgency.
“People don’t even know what is insurgency in their lives. Thousands of them! Why don’t you take up such issues to the courts?
“If saying the truth now a negative thing in a country that hurts? We must say the truth. When you challenge people and say something is wrong it does not mean you are fighting somebody.
“You are saying it so that the authorities will look at it and mend their ways for the betterment of the society. Not that somebody will be labeled an extremist or a supporter of this and that or somebody who has a small compassion for a criminal.
“Of course, we have compassion for criminals because we believe when you are thrown into prison you come out a better person. Sometimes when we speak as Muslim leaders, somebody will say ‘look, His Eminence should not speak because he is not a politician.
“We are the fathers of the politicians, we are the leaders, so we must tell them what is right and what is wrong.   If they accept our advice, alhamdudilahi! If they don’t accept, alhamdudilahi.”
He asked the federal government to carry out relevant checks and investigation on the people suspected to be Boko Haram members locked up in prisons because some of them could
innocent.
“When somebody tells you that he is not a Boko Haram, please take it that he is not because if he is Boko Haram he will never denounce it.
“So if you have 100 and one of them says I am not Boko Haram please release him. They other 99 will say ‘yes we are, what can you do to us? It is important for us as leaders, especially as Muslims to look at these issues in a broader perspective. Let us not just be opinionated because we must reach out to everybody.”
Sultan urged the federal government and Nigerians to take the issue of insurgence with utmost care and caution to avoid another civil war in the country, saying: “it is interesting to hear an eaglet lawyer saying that when the Civil War took place he was not born. I am happy to hear that and also to make a statement that it behooves on all of us – those who were not there during the Civil War, and those who were there and actually took part directly or indirectly.
“Muslim lawyers should do whatever it takes to ensure no Civil War ever takes place in Nigeria again because we know the adverse effects of civil war in any country.”
“As leaders at all levels, as Muslim leaders, we must keep on telling the government what they are doing rightly or wrongly because we need a society that will meet the challenges of the present day insecurity in our country.
“Somebody who doesn’t want to say I am speaking to Boko Haram, therefore somebody will say I am a sympathiser of Boko Haram. No. If you don’t speak for people that are deranged, wayward, who will do so? How will they ever change?
“Also Muslim lawyers in the Judiciary particularly the judges should refrain from polititics in the discharge of their duties. You are working for the people and not to serve the interest of a politician or a political party.
“As Muslim lawyers, dont be biased. Be very proactive and rise up to defend the truth and the truth shall set you free.” [myad]