Apr 14 2010

Babangida: I won’t buy my way to presidency

By Sanni Ologun:

• Ex-ruler: 2011 will determine future of democracy
• Ajibola advises Iwu to resign

Former military president Gen. Ibrahim Babangida yesterday vowed not to buy his way to power in next year’s presidential election.

Speaking on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Focus on Africa programme, Babangida said he had the experience to be president.

The popular thinking is that his wealth is the driving force in his bid to return to power.

Gen. Babangida, who annulled the June 12, 1993 election – Nigeria’s freest and fairest ever – is one of the country’s wealthiest men.

“You’ll be glad to know, I’m the most investigated Nigerian living today,” he said.

“Perhaps after 17 years it (report of investigation) ought to have come out by now, unless somebody is not doing his job.”

He spoke of his determination to run for president for a second time even if the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) does not select him as its candidate.

PDP has zoned its presidential ticket to the North.

“What I am sure of – I can always find one party out of 51 that I can pitch my tent with,” he said.

Gen. Babangida took power in 1985 in a bloodless coup, but was toppled by mass protests after he annulled the election, which was won by his friend, frontline businessman Chief Moshood Abiola. He has refused to apologise for that action which plunged Nigeria into turmoil.

The former military ruler defended his democratic credentials and said he could offer Nigerians “leadership and experience”.

“I have conducted the freest and fairest and this is attested to by the international community – elections in the history of our country,” he said.

“The fact that it was annulled is a different story altogether.”

He pulled out of the 2007 presidential election when then-President Olusegun Obasanjo declared supported President Umaru Yar’Adua’s candidacy.

Mr Yar’Adua has not been seen in public since last November last year because of his ill-health and is considered unlikely to seek re-election.

Acting President Goodluck Jonathan would not be a candidate under the PDP policy of alternating power between North and South, with each region having two terms.

At an international conference on “political stability and democratic imperatives in dynamic international environment” in Abuja organised by National Institute for Policy and Strategy Studies (NIPSS), Babangida said next year’s election would determine the future of democratic governance in the country.

Represented by former Chief of Army Staff Maj. Gen. Alwali Kazir, he said: “Nigerians and indeed the international community have concluded that Nigeria should by now have learnt a lot about democratic practices such that the 2011 elections should serve as the transitional threshold between democratic naivety and the practice of rational, intelligent, nationalistic and people focused democratic governance, starting with the conduct and outcome of election itself. All stakeholders are keenly watching the development. All eyes are on Nigeria. Many feel that ‘it’s now or never.’

“I am convinced that we all recognise the enormity of the task ahead of us. The huge enthusiasm evident in each of us and the air of readiness that is palpable across the various strata of the country is indicative of our acceptance of this challenge and the collective determination to engage the issues squarely. With this mindset and giving the unfolding events in Nigeria’s political arena, I am optimistic that we shall not fail to deliver on expectations.”

Babangida said political stability could only be guaranteed in a democracy if those elected to serve govern in accordance with the rule of law as enshrined in the Constitution.

He said: “There can only be political stability in a democracy if those freely elected rule in accordance with the rule of law as enshrined in the constitution.

“Nigeria is still a state in evolution. It needs commitment on the part of the political leadership to do the right thing for the people and to put national interest above self, sectarian and ethnic interest. Leadership is the most important element in need to build a nation.

“Nigerian politicians must demonstrate the seriousness of purpose needed to build a virile nation. For now there is still too much emphasis on religion and ethnic origin and little respect for merit and competence. Our country needs clear headed public spirited leaders at every level to propel this country to a higher stage of development than is presently the case.

“If we have the right calibre of people at the helm of affairs then it will be much easier to practise democracy in truth and in deed. The meaning of democracy is no longer in doubt. Democracy is the government of the people by the people and for the people. So there is no midway house to democratic governance.”

Babangida blamed the various ethnic and religious crises in the country on poverty.

“We need to move away from the incessant religious and ethnic confrontations sometimes leading to mutual manslaughter of our people. What is behind these eruptions is largely poverty. Idle hands are the devil’s instrument. If people are fully engaged they would hardly have time for seeing other as enemies. Religion should be a personal affair. Each person would answer for his or her misdeeds before the Almighty,” he stated.

The guest speaker and former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Bola Ajibola, urged Iwu to resign now in his own interest.

Ajibola added that the Justice Muhammadu Uwais Electoral Committee’s report is germane to credible elections.

Speaking on the theme of the conference: “Political Stability and Democratic Imperatives in a Dynamic International Environment”, the former Judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague, said: “Let me quickly chip it in here that as we have proclaimed to the world that we are embarking on electoral reforms, we should conclude that process honourably by fashioning out a more credible system from the recommendations of the Justice Mohammed Uwais Panel.

“Otherwise, the recommendations of that panel would have amounted to another waste, not only of resources but more importantly of time… We should avoid the mockery of another election. In my view, if I were Prof Maurice Iwu, I would honourably resign my appointment as the Chairman of our Independent national Electoral Commission (INEC).”

According to Ajibola, democracy presumes an atmosphere where elections are free and fair and where legislative seats are based on votes scored in an election, not by “cross-carpeting; and where there is no clear majority in the legislature, several parties may come together to form a coalition government.”

“That was the system with which our country was midwifed; the parliamentary system,” Ajibola said. “But we have since changed to the more expensive, winner-takes-all presidential system, irrespective of its suitability to our needs and yearnings.”

He noted that corruption has become “terribly endemic” within Nigeria and “fast pushing us into unstoppable backwardness … if we can stop the rate of alarming corruption, definitely poverty will be drastically reduced in our society.”

Ajibola added: “There is a widespread tendency in this country to limit the issue of corruption to financial matters alone. In as much as that remains a big problem for us in the country, corruption hinged on time, is weightier and has probably cost this nation.

To Ajibola, said Nigerian politicians are among the most-highly remunerated in the world.

He said: “It is an open secret that the Nigerian political class probably ranks among the most highly remunerated in the world. It is logical, therefore, that to whom much is given, much is expected.

“Unfortunately, the reverse is the case in our country. Reports abound on the internet and the general press of primitive acquisition of stupendous wealth and its unabashed flaunting by some politicians.’’

He said the situation highlights the emerging picture of a lack of deterrence, in spite of the giant strides recorded over the years in the administration of justice.

“The equation is quite simple. If A commits a crime and was able to mitigate his punishment or bought his freedom outrightly, `B’ may be tempted to commit the same crime and `C’ will surely not be deterred in anyway from committing the same crime.

“They will all continue to revel with their ill-gotten gains in the society as criminis participens,’’ he added.

“If we can stop the rate of alarming corruption, definitely poverty will be drastically reduced in our society,” Ajibola said.

The former minister added: “The wealth of the country is still locked in the vaults and bank accounts of a few, very few indeed, in the society.

“The average Nigerian knows that a 1.969 GDP per capita is a far cry from being truly representative of the conditions of the proletariat in the actual sense of it.”

He commended Acting President Goodluck Jonathan for his open abhorrence of time corruption and determination to deal decisively with same.

On the recent Jos crisis, Ajibola urged all the key figures involved in finding a lasting solution to the problem to expedite action on it and ensure a just and equitable resolution of the issues.

He said that the sad experience of the Niger Delta would have been avoided, if the recommendations of the Willink Commission set up in 1958 had been implemented.

On the fight against terrorism, Ajibola said governments and international agencies should, among other measures, organise orientation for youths.

The Special Guest of Honour and former Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, who was represented by retired Maj.-Gen. Alwali Kazir, said the 2011 elections should serve as the transitional threshold between democratic naivety and the practice of people-focused democratic governance.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Josephine Anenih, said that to ensure a stable democracy, there was the need to harness the resources of women.

She called on women to participate in the 2011 elections.

The Director-General of NIPSS, Prof. Danfulani Ahmed, had earlier said that the conference marked the beginning of another strategic window of intervention to shape the course of the nation’s resolute march to greater destiny.

Viewed 22891 times by 5007 viewers

By admin • SPOTLIGHT • 4

Apr 14 2010

Ibori Accuses EFCC Of Witch-hunt

By Sunny Igboanugo and Tunde Opeseitan:

Why would the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) declare former Delta State Governor, James Ibori, wanted before delivering to him a letter of invitation on the investigation it claims it is carrying out?

Why would it also go to town with the information that it is mounting a manhunt for him, four clear days to the date he is supposed to honour the invitation?

These are some of the questions begging for answers in the renewed onslaught of the EFCC against him.

The EFCC declared Ibori wanted on Tuesday over  alleged official corruption and money laundering.

“Following persistent public enquiries over the status of the case involving (him), we will like the public to know that (he) is wanted by the Commission for interrogation.

“In this regard, letters of invitation have been sent to his known addresses in Lagos and Abuja while a court warrant has equally been obtained for his arrest,” said a statement issued by EFCC Spokesman, Femi Babafemi.

However, Ibori has decried the “Gestapo tactics” being employed by the EFCC and called this a “political harassment that demands a vigorous legal challenge so that Nigeria is not ruled like a fiefdom  – and that is what I will give.”

A statement issued by his Media Assistant, Tony Eluemunor,  quoted him as describing the claim by the EFCC that “letters of invitation have been sent to his known addresses in Lagos and Abuja”  as a wicked lie, because no such letter was ever received before the declaration.

Ibori asked his supporters not to panic because up till April 13,  2010 no letter inviting him for questioning from either the EFCC or any other security agency had been received in any of his houses both in Abuja or Lagos.

“EFCC knows this to be the truth, that is why it did not mention the dates of those alleged invitations  – because no such letters of invitation were ever sent to him.

“Instead, it is on record that Ibori’s counsel, J. B. Dauda, wrote a petition to both the Attorney General of the Federation and the Chairman of EFCC, dated April 12, 2010, (and this was reported in some national and Internet publications of April 13, 2010) over the unsubstantiated media reports of the past two weeks that Ibori had been on the run from the EFCC.

“Also, it is on record that Ibori has instituted a suit against the EFCC over this same issue.”

The statement said surprisingly, immediately after the EFCC received Ibori’s petition and learnt that he had filed a suit against it in court, “it applied its Gestapo tactics and rushed to the news media with the malicious falsehood that the agency had invited Ibori for questioning.”

It maintained that the EFCC’s action is political, not criminal, and shows that the arm-twisting that defaced the final years of the last administration has been allowed back into Nigeria as the country enters an election year.

It said Ibori’s lawyer made it clear in the petition to both the Attorney General and the EFCC  that this matter had been thoroughly investigated  in the past and the case rested.

The petition had stated that, “It is a matter of public record and judicial decisions that you (the EFCC) have on behalf of the Attorney General vigourously investigated every aspect of our client’s tenure as Governor of Delta State and failed to find any crime committed, inclusive of allegations of conspiracy, official corruption, diversion and misappropriation of public funds, stealing and money laundering for the period May 29, 1999 to May 29, 2007.

“The said investigation covered, among other issues, the purchase of Wilbros by Ascot and the role of the Applicant in respect thereof.

“It is also a matter of record that the head of the investigators, Yahaya Bello, and contained in his counter affidavit filed in suit number FHC/B/CS/862/2007 AG Delta v. EFCC & Ors, admitted that all these facts have been investigated and the matter charged to court.

“In very simple elementary terms, what your organisation is doing is seeking to re-investigate a matter you have already investigated and discharged (which in this instance amounts to an acquittal) which amounts to not only a complete infraction of the Constitution but a breach of our client’s fundamental human rights.

“Nowhere in the world, except of course in some notorious Banana Republics, is the rule of law and constitutionalism trampled upon so aggressively as you are doing in this i nstance.

“It is neither fair nor decent to criminalise our client on the pages of the newspapers without any formal invitation to clear his name, which the courts have already done for him.

“Take notice, therefore, that if there is any attempt to interfere with our client’s liberty merely because you control the coercive forces we shall have no option but to have recourse to judicial redress before the courts, which is the last hope for the defenceless man such as our client.”

The EFCC, which had arrested and prosecuted Ibori in 2007, again declared him wanted on Tuesday for allegedly failing to honour its invitation.

But Ibori insisted that he had not been invited by the EFCC for anything until about 4.20 p.m. on the same day, several hours after it had gone out with the news that a manhunt was already mounted for him.

A letter dated March 22, signed by Zubairu Muazu on behalf of the EFCC Chairman (Farida Waziri) and delivered by Mike Anigbogu – with delivery acknowledgement dated April 13, which he personally signed at 16.20 hours (4.20 p.m.) – had notified him of the investigation and requested him to appear at the EFCC Abuja headquarters on Saturday.

The invitation said the Commission “is investigating a case in which your name featured prominently. In view of the above, your presence is kindly requested at my office for interview through Francis A. Idu of Economic Governance Unit, Date 17th April (Saturday), Time 1030 hours prompt … Your co-operation in this is highly anticipated, please.”

News that Ibori had been declared wanted had surfaced  in the media even before now, with NEXT (March 29) and Saturday Punch (April 3),  making it their lead stories.

Associates of Ibori had equally cried out against the renewed onslaught against him, allegedly ordered by Aso Rock to pay him back for remaining in the camp of President Umaru Yar’Adua instead of Acting President Goodluck Jonathan.

They claimed that Waziri has been told that the only way she would retain her job is to hunt down and imprison Ibori, in a scheme said to be geared towards getting him out of the way ahead of the 2011 elections.

Viewed 21822 times by 4471 viewers

By admin • SPOTLIGHT • 0