Is President Olusegun Obasanjo's proposed National Dialogue the way forward for Nigeria?
Dariye: EFCC Going Too Far, Ex-Army Chief
From Chuks Okocha in Abuja, Funmi Peter-Omale in Jos and Saka Ibrahim in Gombe, 12.13.2004
Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Salihu Ibrahim, has accused the Economic and Finance Crimes Commission (EFCC) and some interest groups within the core north of pursuing vendetta against Plateau State Governor Joshua Dariye. He also cautioned against the removal of the immunity clause as contained in Section 308 of the Constitution, such move, he said, may negatively impact on the progress of governance. Also commenting on the corruption charges against Dariye, the National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Most Rev. Peter Akinola, challenged security agencies to expose all cases of corruption in public places in the country instead of making Dariye a scape goat. On Dariye, Salihu said, "I have not seen how that government would function effectively with the litany of accusations and counter-accusations and threats to his person being taken to court." Salihu who was chief of army staff under the Babangida administration wile speaking to newsmen in Abuja on the state of the Nigerian Army, the immunity clause and restiveness within the Middle Belst said, "I see the agency (EFCC) making a lot of fuss about removal of the immunity clause and it seems to me that the commission is carrying the whole thing too far. "I don't think anyone has the right, particularly a government agency to push an issue such as this too strongly as if it is a government. I think the only body to do that would be the parliament (National Assembly), until the parliament deems it fit to amend the clause, it would be a disaster for anyone to come out, challenging that today. "From all indications and from all we've been reading in the papers these days, it seems that it is true that an attempt by some interested parties to make life difficult for the Governor of Plateau State, an attempt to bring the governor to nothing. Else, in which case, I do subscribe to the feeling by the affected party playing vendetta of some sort on him for whatever reasons I cannot say for now," he said. He added that, "I think it will be a great error for our country to tamper with the immunity clause as contained in the Federal Constitution. Should any attempt be made to change that, then we would be creating chaos, we probably won't be able to have a steady government in this country. "We had a very brief experience during the Murtala regime if I may recall when in his usual magnanimous way of doing things, he said well, he could be taken to court if anyone feels bad and of course within a short time, he was taken to court by someone. But I think that experience also informed the government since then to retain that clause. "If one looks at the entire international community, almost every country has this clause, because that's the only way of assuring the steady and effective governance of a government of a country," he said. The EFCC has charged Dariye at the Federal High Court Kaduna with sundry corruption allegations. Akinola while answering reporters questions yesterday in Gombe after the commissioning of the Anglican Bishops Court and fund raising ceremony, said dossiers on President Olusegun Obasanjo, the 36 governors and notable Nigerians should be published for the whole world to see how they acquired their wealth. According to him, there are several top government officials, politicians who are more corrupt than Dariye, but are Meanwhile, the Council of traditional rulers in the state has attempted to broker peace between Dariye and Deputy Senate President Ibrahim Nasir Mantu. Mantu is believed to be the brain behind the May 18 state of emergency declaration by President Obasanjo in which Dariye and the state House of Assembly were suspended for six months. This has pitched supporters of the two men against each other. Even after last month restoration of democratic structures in the state, the wranglings between the two as well as their supporters have not ceased as the rift has polarised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. But yesterday at a meeting at the instance of the Chairman of the Council, Long Gomai of Shendam, Hubert Shaldas II, Mantu and Dariye were chided for tacitly backing their supporters to the point of risking the fragile peace that exist in the state. The traditional rulers were quoted to have expressed their dissapointment with the way the two men have been washing their dirty linen in public. He added that they have deliberately been fanning the embers of violence through their utterances and attitude. At the end of the meeting Dariye and Mantu drove off in Mantu's official car. Though the full details of the meeting could not be ascertained as none of those present at the meeting was willing to be quoted, THISDAY, however, gathered that the two parties assured the traditional fathers that they would do all within their powers to ensure that violence never breaks out again within the state. Another peace meeting was scheduled for the first week of January but with a warning that both Mantu and Dariye must ensure no violence breaks out between their supporters. Traditional rulers sighted at the meeting include Gbong Gwom Jos, Dr Victor Pam, Emir of Wase, Dr. Haruna Abdullahi, Ponzhi Taroh, Mr. Edward Zhattau, Ngolong Ngas, Senator Cosmas Niagwan, Hon Labaran Wuyep, Hon John Longhol, among others.moving freely. He believed the security operatives are in position to help in probing those who are not fit to be in position of authorities. Said the CAN President, "I don't think Dariye is the worse sinner or the most corrupt official in this country. How I wish the security, I mean the SSS will probe corrupt officials without fear or favour because they have the dossier of every Nigerian." "They should have the courage to publish the dossier of everyone including the President, CAN President, the governors, ministers and so on. They all have the fact about us," he said. "Dariye's cup was full six months ago and I can assure you by the grace of God, many officers' cup will be full and all of them will be exposed. But never be in illusion that Dariye was the worst man in this country. No, it is not and it will never be. There are people who are doing worst than Dariye is doing."
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