Is President Olusegun Obasanjo's proposed National Dialogue the way forward for Nigeria?
Immunity Clause Must Stay- Igbinedion
From Daniel Ior in Makurdi, 12.15.2004
Benue
Edo State Governor Lucky Igbinedion, has described decision of President Olusegun Obasanjo to remove immunity clause in the 1999 constitution as unnecessary and vindictive saying the clause must stay. The governor made the observation in Gboko, Benue state in a chat with newsmen. Obasanjo, had September 14, in an address to the second plenary meeting of Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria in Makurdi lamented that his administration�s anti-corruption crusade was hampered by "those provisions of the constitution granting unqualified immunity to certain persons. We are taking measures to effect appropriate amendments," he told the bishops. Igbinedion in his reaction to the president's decision observed that already the 1999 constitution has adequate provisions that make any public office holder accountable or liable for all his actions or inactions while holding any public office. The governor who was confered with the honorary chieftancy title of "Zege Gbenda U tiv" (Big Road of the Tiv) by the Tor Tiv Dr. Alfred Akawe Torkula, therefore argued that as far as he was concerned, attempts being made to change those constitutional clauses were unnecessary, uncalled for and smack of victimisation of some people. "I don't subscribe to the plan to remove the immunity clause in the constitution. We all know that after a maximum of two terms you have to face being an individual, as a former Governor." He therefore told the president that immunity clauses in the constitution cannot be a problem or hindrance to the anti-corruption war. "That should not be an excuse to start victimidsing people." He noted: "I don't really think whether you remove it or you don't remove it it is going to help anybody found wanting."" According to him it is therefore only a foolish person who will think that because he is in a position today, he can go and do something wrong. The governor also said he was not satisfied with the kind of political patronage being made to minorities in the country. The Tor Tiv while confering the chieftancy titles on the Governor and Coach Godwin Uwua, said the decision of the Tiv traditional council to honour the governor was in line with the Tiv tradition of extending the hand of friendship and recognition of selfless commitment to the development of the country. "We have focused on Edo State this time, not only to reach out far and wide in our bridge-building efforts bu also to recognise and elevat an gentleman governor, who believes in the corporatre existence of this country."
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