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THISDAYonline
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Soyinka Asks Obasanjo to Resign
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Wants National Unity Govt
From George Oji in Abuja and Joseph Ushigiale in Lagos
Nobel laureate and chairman of the Citizens' Forum (CF), Professor Wole Soyinka, has enjoined President
Olusegun Obasanjo to resign and allow for the formation of a Government of National Unity which would in turn convoke
a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) to discuss the future of the country.
Soyinka, who spoke in Lagos yesterday, where he provided insight into last Saturday's confrontation between members
of the Forum and the police at Campos Square, Lagos said "the time has come for a restructuring of the country
and this can only be achieved through a Sovereign National Conferen-ce."
On the call for a government of National Unity to replace Obasanjo, he said "a government of national unity
should be formed and the SNC be called to assume authority at the central and at the state levels because they
are the products of the massively rigged and manipulated 2003 general elections."
He pointed out that it was out of place to argue that the present National Assembly members would want the SNC
to hold, because, "the two basic issues of restructuring and the evolution of a new system for the country
would affect the law makers in the country."
Soyinka noted that, "you do not expect them to be comfortable to the convocation of an SNC which would definitely
discuss the future of the legislature in the country and the desirability or not of maintaining a full-time or
part-time legislature. We must answer the question as to whether this country can sustain a full-time legislature
or not."
On the raging controversy over whether the police arrested him or not for his role in last Saturday's botched rally
Soyinka said, "I find it unbelievable that the police would deny arresting us. The denial is a suggestion
that we are liars."
According to Soyinka, "the point I want to stress here is that, we were taken away against our will. I want
to advise the police to be honourable and tell the truth. It is regrettable that corporate lies are being perpetrated
by an organization that should not only respect the law but also say the truth no matter the situation."
Narrating his ordeal in the hands of a detachment of policemen who swooped on the organisers of the rally at Campos
Square, Soyinka said, "we were tear-gassed after we had left the venue that was declared locked and inaccessible
and were making our way towards our various vehicles. It was a day of infamy."
Soyinka said it was "unbelievable that a place with the history of Campos Square, which survived several dictatorships
and provided a veritable platform for confronting the colonialists and more recently the late General Sani Abacha's
infamous regime could be shut and the people tear gassed by a government that lays claims to democratic ideals."
He said the police opted to tear gas and brutalize members of the Citizens Forum, even when they were persuading
people who had come out in support of the cause at Igbosere to go home. He added that "it is cowardly irrespective
of the apology."
But another member of the panel Chief Gani Fawehinmi of the National Conscience Party, (NCP), said the action of
the forum was not new as its members had in the past risked their lives to protest misgovernance in the country.
According to Fawehinmi, "the civil society is again on the match against misgovernance and the infringement
on the fundamental human rights of the people."
He stressed that the refusal by the police to grant a permit to the Citizens Forum to organize a peaceful rally
was in contravention of Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution. He added that the position of the Inspector General
of Police, Tafa Balogun was not reasonable and justifiable in a democracy.
He pointed out that "the permit issue is contentious and should not be heeded because freedom of association
is crucial. In a democracy, it is sad that President Olusegun Obasanjo should transform to Abacha."
Fawehinmi said the forum was determined to continue on the path of confrontation until its quest for the convocation
of a national conference is achieved. He added that "we will continue in this manner, others will join us
until we get what we want because the Sovereign National Conference is not negotiable."
Tracing the historical antecedents of constitution making in the country, Fawehinmi regretted that from the first
constitution in 1913 to 1999, "Nigerians have never had the opportunity of a referendum. That is why we are
insisting that there should be a Sovereign National Conference to give the people an opportunity to produce a constitution
of their own."
On how this could be achieved, he said "Obasanjo should set-up an SNC Panel not on party basis, but draw participants
from all ethnic nationalities, students, civil societies and stakeholders."
Members of the panel, he said, "have to be involved in discussing the way forward in ending corruption, poverty,
enthrone the fundamental human rights of the people and produce a system of government for the country."
He said the action by the police last Saturday, "has emboldened us, and we would not look back until we achieve
our aim of removing Obasanjo from power. It is only in Nigeria that those who fought for power are not in government.
All those in government today, never entrenched democracy. We will never allow that mistake to repeat itself in
future."
Others in attendance at the conference were Mr. Femi Falana, Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, Bamidele Aturu, Chima Ubani,
Joy Okei-Odumakin and Luke Aghanenu.
Meanwhile the police headquarters, yesterday dismissed claims that its officers and men brutalised Soyinka and
other activists during the rally.
The police in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Chris Olakpe said its men could not
have taken any action which would violate the fundamental rights of Nigerians. The two-page statement by the police
read Citizens Forum:
"The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed as untrue claims by some highly placed Nigerians that they were brutalized
by the police during a mass rally held at Campos Square.
"At a press briefing Monday, May 17, 2004, the prominent Nigerians had accused the police of brutalization
during the rally.
"However, the Nigerian Police Force in its reaction denied the allegation of brutality, but asserted that
any rally, procession or assembly without permit as provided by the Public Order Act Cap 324, 1990 is illegal in
all ramifications.
"The Force further averred that it is very conscious of the fundamental rights of the citizens as provided
in the constitution, in the context of democracy and its echoes, except that these rights and liberties are enveloped
by the provisions of Public Order Act, that permit must be obtained from the commissioner of police before any
such rally becomes legal.
"The Inspector General of Police implores all Nigerians to join hands with the police in ensuring that the
laws of the land are respected, assuring that the force is now positioned more than ever before to uphold and respect
the fundamental rights of the citizenry, as well as maintain h
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