Atiku Calls for National Prayers
From Ademola Adeyemo in Ibadan
Vice President, Atiku Abubakar at the weekend in Ibadan urged Nigerians to continue to pray for the success of the President Olusegun Obasanjo's government in its bid to turn around the fortune of the country for good.
Atiku who was in Ibadan as a special guest at the reception to mark the 60th birthday anniversary of Governor Rashidi Ladoja, enjoined the people to be patient with the leaders saying that things will change for the better very soon.
Accompaigned by Governors Bola Tinubu of Lagos, Olusegun Agagu of Ondo, Olagunsoye Oyinlola of Osun and Gbenga Daniel of Ogun States Atiku said with prayers and support of the people, the present politicaal and economic reforms being pursued by the government will be nurtured into a fruitful stage.
Said he "with the prayer from you Nigerians, we have been able to achieve peace, unity and stability and progress under the able leadership of President Olusegun Obasanjo.
According to Atiku, Obasanjo's government was receptive to positive criticism but would not however condone act of sabotage and subversive.
While congratulating Governor Ladoja for attaining the age of 60, he urged him to continue to dedicate the rest of his life to the service of humanity.
He praised Ladoja for contributing positively towards the enthronement of democracy and good governance in Nigeria.
Other dignitaries who attended the occasion are Minister of Justice, Chief Akin Olujimi, Minister of State for Agriculture, Chief Bamidele Dada, Deputy Governor of Osun State Erelu Olusola Obada.
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Tafa Balogun Heads ECOWAS Police Chiefs Body
From ------
Following the spectacular performance of the Nigeria Police force in the quest to eradicate trans-border crimes, the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Tafa Balogun has been appointed the Chairman of the West African Police Chiefs Committee (WAPCCO).
The appointment which was part of the resolution reached at the end of the 6th meeting of the West African Police Chiefs Committee in Abuja at the weekend, attributed Balogun's appointment to the Nigeria's strong commitment to security matters in West African sub-region.
Balogun's appointment, it was further gathered was due to his contribution towards ensuring that violent crimes and other related activities were brought to a manageable level in the sub-region.
The group commended the Inspector General of Police for successfully hosting the recently concluded WAPCCO summit in Abuja, adding that the recent security strategies adopted in the sub-region have checkmated the excesses of cross-border banditry.
The 16 member committee's meeting objectives include among others, fostering cooperation between ECOWAS member states on general security of the sub-region, promotion of moral principles against all forms of violence and advancement of human rights, respect of all international laws as well as promotion UN and AU Charters and other international treaties and agreements ractified by member states.
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AD: Akinfenwa Seeks Convention Boycott
From Hammed Shittu in Osogbo
The factional group of Alliance for Democracy (AD) under the chairmanship of Senator Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa at the weekend called on the members of the party in the country to shun the proposed party National Convention slated for this Wednesday in Lagos.
In a statement issued by the factional National Publicity Secretary of AD, Mallam Rafui Salau titled "Shun Illegal Convention" and made available to newsmen in Osogbo on Sunday stated that, "Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) through its counsel has made it claim that, the commission would not attend or recognise the proposed convention.
According to him, "the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has restrained the proposed convention to be conducted by the INEC and any group from holding the convention pending the determination of a suit filed by a faction of the party before it."
He said that, "it is important for the members to stay away from the convention under the Akande/Tinubu group because such exercise world be in futility and just a waste of time, money and energy."
Mallam Salau added that, "any action that would be taken is to be considered as well and void" saying that, "since July 29, 2004, the court has ordered that the status quo ante should renouned until the ruling over this case."
The national publicity secretary stated further that, "INEC was fully aware of the subsisting court order and INEC will neither attend the convention or recognise it as this INEC would not float the court directive."
His words "therefore no executive either former or any of the two faction's has the constitutional prior to convey any elective convention before the court ruling because we court do something on nothing."
Salau stressed that, "as long as INEC recognised none of the faction, no existing National Executive Committee (NEC) of AD can summon any convention inline with article 9 - 2(1) of the AD constitution."
He then enjoined the members of the AD nationwide to shun the convention in order to prove at the rule of law in the country and "patiently wait for the court ruling on the case fixed for October 8, 2004.
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Akume Canvasses Power Shift to the North, Lists Ways to Keep Military Out of Power
From Ademola Adeyemo in Ibadan
Benue State Governor, Mr. George Akume at the weekend in Ibadan canvassed that in order to avoid political confusion in the country, political parties should resolve that power be shifted to the North in 2007.
Akume who was in Ibadan to deliver the Annual Alumni Lecture of the University of Ibadan titled "Political Scepticism as an impediment to sustainance of Nigerian Democracy: The view of a sociologist in politics" called for the total professionalism in the Nigerian Armed Forces with officers and men made to strictly accept their roles as defenders of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation.
According to Akume, if power shifted to the North in 2007 it will create a kind of confidence in the power sharing arrangement that was introduced to the nation's political system in 1999.
Said he "I say this because after our election, the Northern governors were told to support the power shift to the South, which we did on the understanding that in due course it would be again the turn of the North."
He said the arrangnment forced the presidential candidates from the north to step down in favour of President Obasanjo's re-election.
Akume, a 1978 graduate of Sociology in the University of Ibadan said that in order to over come the problem of sceptitism and related issues in politics, "we must endeavour to eliminate those factors that tends to promote them."
He also canvassed that the military should be kept out of Nigerian politics through a three-pronged approach of re-orientation of the military, institutionalisatiion of good governance and the sensitisation of the civil society to reject military intercention.
Said he "the re-orientation of the military must be made a continuous exercise whereby officers especially other ranks are made to accept their surbordination under civil democratically constituted authority, those officers and men who demonstrate ---- in this regard should be promptly shown the way out."
According to the Governor, in the final analysis, military would be kept out of politics and made to accept their role as defenders of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation akin to their counterparts in the established democracies only if they have reasonable career pospects and adequate conditions of service.
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From Agaju Madugba in Kaduna
President Olusegun Obasanjo has asked officers and men of the Armed Forces to remain loyal and patriotic to the nation and work towards the sustenance of democratic rule.
According to Obasanjo, "this is one way to retain and enhance the credibility, dignity and strength of the armed forces."
Obasanjo who spoke yesterday at the 40th anniversary celebration and graduation of the 51st regular course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), also charged the military personnel to embrace opportunities offered by the global information technology in order to expand their world-view.
The President said, "let me reiterate to the passing out cadets and all serving personnel that there can be no greater honour to a professional soldier, sailor or s--men than loyal and patriotic service to the nation, consistent with the roles assigned to you by the constitution.
"This means that you must never dabble into roles for whicy you have neither training nor constitutional rights and legitimacy.
"I hope that the NDA, taking itscue from the National Defence and Security Policy, will also take a hard look at its mission, vision and how to achieve them. Government will provide the support and resources for the achievement of the new policy orientation."
Obasanjo also said that government would ensure that the NDA relocates to its permanent site next year.
A total of 129 cadets graduated during the ceremony, comprising 60 Army, 34 Naval and 35 Airforce Cadets.
Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, former Head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, the Minister of Defence, Alhaji Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as well as governors and members of the National Assembly were among dignitaries at the ceremony.
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Ex-convict Saga: Plaintiffs Withdraw Suit Against Ibori
From Onwuka Nzeshi in Warri
The long drawn legal battle between Governors James Onanefe Ibori of Delta State and two members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state over the governor's alleged conviction by a Bwari Upper Area Court in 1995 may have come to an end.
The plaintiffs in the case namely Messrs Goodnews Agbi and Tony Alabi yesterday reportedly agreed to withdraw the suit and settle whatever differences they have with Ibori out of court.
Breaking the news yesterday at a news conference, the Delta State Elders Forum and the Delta Traditional Council said the decision by the plaintiffs to end the legal battle was for the overall interest of the state.
The Delta Elders Forum was represented by Chief Edwin Clark while the Traditional Council was represented by its chairman, His Royal Highness, Emmanuel Efeizormor II, the Obi of Owa Kingdom.
A letter purportedly written and signed by the principal actor in the suit Engr. Goodnews Agbi on behalf of his colleague, Anthony Alabi was tendered at the press conference. The letter dated 20/09/2004 and addressed to Chief Edwin Clark read thus:
"Refer please to your discussion and appeal to me and Anthony Alabi to settle the matter and whatever quarrel you have with Chief James Ibori out of court.
"Sir, after serious consideration and consultation far and wide within and outside Delta State including the enormous pressure brought upon us by the PDP we have considered and accepted your entreaties to withdraw the case and settle out of court.
"Your visit to us in Lagos and Abuja cannot just be discountenanced with impunity. Thereafter please, in consultation with Obi of Owa, the chairman of Delta State Royal Fathers who have equally begged us, can proceed with the press conference. Thank you very much sir."
Explaining further the circumstance that led to the decision by the plaintiffs, Chief Edwin Clark said that prominent indigenes of Delta State have been embarrased by the ex-convict saga and have been making moves to broker peace and reached an amicable settlement.
"We do not want disunity in Delta State because this case has caused a lot of ------------- wasted enormous resources. We do not want any conspiracy from outside to ruin the chances of our state from enjoying the dividends of democracy. We are therefore appealing to the parties and all those involved in one way or the other to burry the hatchet," Clark stated.
On his own part, the chairman, Delta State Traditional Council, HRH Emmanuel Efeizormor II said the ex-convict case has portrayed Delta State in bad light for over two years adding that if nothing was done it could linger on for another two years.
"We that are addressing you are elders of the state. Some of us fought for the creation of Mid-West region (Bendel State) and later Delta State. We want to leave this state better than we met it rather than allow the raging five to continue to burn and jeopardise the future of our children.
"The parties in dispute are all indigenes of Delta State and we cannot just fold our hands and allow them to go on firing at one another. It potrays us as not having elders. There is no community or state that has no problem. Our governor is not the worst. We should all come home and resolve, whatever differences there may be," the royal father admonished.
Since none of the parties to the dispute were at the press conference, newsmen wanted a proof that the decision purportedly reached by the plaintiffs was authentic. The letter allegedly signed by Agbi was tendered. Although written in long hand and with a signature over Agbi's name, efforts to get Agbi on the phone to ------ it was not successful.
The celebrated ex-convict case is due to resume at an Abuja High Court today where the court in a trial de novo is expected to identify the James Onanefe Ibori that was convicted in 1995.
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