Friday, October 26, 2007

S-Court sacks Omehia, orders Amaechi in

RIVERS State got a new governor, yesterday, in Mr. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi after the Supreme Court ruled that the man sworn in on May 29, 2007 for the office, Sir Celestine Omehia, was not PDP candidate in the last election.

Mr. Amaechi, Speaker of the state Assembly between 1999 and 2007, had won the party’s primaries in the state but was dropped at the eleventh hour by PDP leadership.

He hailed the Supreme Court’s decision as a landmark and historic, while Sir Omehia called for calm.

The PDP declined to comment on the matter for now. But in Port Harcourt it was mixed reactions from residents with some, especially settlers at the waterfront, jubilating over the removal of Omehia. Omehia had planned to demolish the area.
President Umaru Yar’Adua in his reaction asked the people of the state to accept the court’s decision.

The apex court said Omehia was not the candidate of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) which won the gubernatorial election held in the state on April 14, 2007.

The court said Omehia held the office in error and illegally and ordered the immediate swearing-in of Amaechi.
The apex court said Amaechi was the lawful candidate of the ruling party (PDP) that won the election in the state and by extension should be the occupant of the exalted office.
The unanimous verdict came after three hours legal arguments by counsel to all parties in the case.

The arguments touched on the interpretation and intendment of section 34 (2) of the Electoral Act 2006 and when section 308 of the 1999 constitution could avail a sitting governor from court actions.
Justice Aloysius Katsina Alu headed the seven-man panel of the apex court that heard and summarily decided the case.
He said the panel would give fuller reasons for its judgment in the matter on January 18, next year.

He said: “I must start by thanking counsel in this case for the arguments they canvassed. The issue in this appeal falls within a narrow compass. The starting point is the decision made by this court in Ugwuh and Araraume that a political party wishing to substitute its candidate for another within 60 days to the election must give cogent and verifiable reasons to INEC for the substitution sought.
“In the case of Araraume which this court decided, to offer a reason ‘error’ is not in compliance with section 34 (2) of the Electoral Act 2006.

“In this case, the same reason relied upon by the 3rd respondent in substituting the appellant with the second respondent is the word ‘error’ without more. Clearly, in my view, the two cases are similar and the same principle applies.

“In arguments by counsel, it was submitted that the fact that there was an indictment against the appellant constituted a reason for INEC to disqualify the appellant. My reaction is that the submission is untenable because there was no indictment known to law.
“No court of law pronounced the appellant guilty of any indictment justifying his exclusion from election.

“Indeed, he was never charged before any court. It is my finding that the appellant was not substituted in accordance with the law and, therefore, remains the candidate of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) that contested the gubernatorial election held in Rivers State on April 14, 2007.

“Since the appellant was not substituted in accordance with the law, it would, therefore, be wrong for the 3rd (PDP) respondent to nominate the second respondent for the April 14 governorship election in Rivers State. The issue that section 308 enures to the benefit of the 2nd respondent is also untenable.

“The grounds upon which the appellant premised his claim had been in issue before the election and I am unable to accept that the 2nd (Omehia) respondent enjoys any immunity in this matter.
“And to the appellant's claim on pages 68 and 70 that the reliefs are declaratory and injunctive, he brought the claim so that he would not be substituted.

“It is my view that the candidate of the PDP in the election was the appellant. His name was unlawfully removed. In the eyes of the law, he remains the candidate and this court must treat him as such.
“The appellant and not the respondent must be seen as having won the election.

“The argument that the appellant must be held to his claim overlooks the fact that this court has the wide jurisdiction to give circumstantial orders and grant reliefs which the circumstances and situation dictate.

“This court shall rise up to do substantial justice without regard to technicalities. We would not make an order which does not address the grievances of the party before this court.

“The only way to accord recognition to his right not to be trampled upon is to declare him and not the 2nd respondent to have won the April 14 gubernatorial election.
“The cross appeals by 2nd and 3rd respondents fail and the appeal succeeds. The decision of the Court of Appeal is hereby set aside. I make no orders as to cost.

“I, therefore, make the following orders: (1) I declare the appellant the one entitled to be in the governorship seat in Rivers State since he was the lawful candidate of PDP.

Orders immediate swearing-in of Amaechi

(2) It is ordered that Celestine Omehia vacates the seat immediately and that the appellant be immediately sworn-in in his place.
“I will give my full reasons to the judgment on the 18 of January 2008,” he added.

Rivers guber seat not vacant by May 29, 2011

By implication, Sir Celestine Omehia, yesterday ceased to be governor of Rivers State after illegally occupying the exalted seat for about five months.

By the intendment of the judgment of the apex court in Peter Obi Vs Andy Uba, the term of office of Rotimi Amaechi would start running from the day he takes his oath of office as the governor of Rivers State.

By implication, the office of Rivers State governor would not be vacant by May 29, 2011 since the four year term of office of Amaechi would still be running.
He would be expected to vacate office for whoever would take over from him in October 2011 if he does not retain his seat in the next general election.

The judgment of the apex court handed down has also rested varying interpretations to the provision of section 34 of the Electoral Act 2006.

It has also defined the powers of political parties and INEC in substituting of candidates.
The judgment has also enriched the nation’s jurisprudence by the reason of its pronouncement on when section 308 can avail a serving governor from civil or criminal actions.

After Amaechi’s name was forwarded to INEC with an accompanying affidavit indicating that he had fulfilled all the constitutional requirements for the election, speculations started flying that his name was about to be substituted by PDP.

Amaechi then approached a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to stop PDP from substituting his name or disqualifying him from participating in the governorship elections except in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2006. The court said his action was speculative and declined to grant the reliefs sought.

However, on February 2, 2007, PDP forwarded the name of Celestine Omehia to INEC as substitute for Amaechi, as earlier speculated by Amaechi.

In the application forwarded by PDP to INEC to substitute Amaechi’s name for Omehia in line with the provision of section 34 (1) of the Electoral Act 2006, the PDP did not give any cogent or verifiable reason for its action.

Although one of the alleged reasons why PDP substituted the name of Amaechi was because EFCC might disqualify him on the grounds that he had been indicted for corruption, no such indictment was available at the time and there was no reason given.

Immediately PDP applied to substitute his name, Amaechi’s counsel, Chief Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), approached the high court again to report the development and stress the fact that it must grant his reliefs including:

The trial judge, Justice Binta Murtala-Nyarko set aside the substitution of Amaechi’s name with Omehia by INEC.
She described the substitution as reprimandable in view of the fact that the case was on at the time the substitution was done by PDP.
But the judge refused to declare him as the candidate of the PDP for the election in the state.

Rotimi Amaechi, however, went to the Court of Appeal in Abuja to declare him the substantive PDP gubernatorial candidate for Rivers State.

But before the Appeal Court could sit on the issue raised by Amaechi, PDP issued a statement claiming that it had expelled him from its fold.

The Court of Appeal, based on Amaechi’s expulsion from PDP, struck out Amaechi’s substantive appeal for want of jurisdiction to entertain it. Amaechi appealed the verdict of the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court. But the Supreme Court rejected the request.

According to Justice Katsina Alu who read the lead judgment on May 11, 2007: “I think we have the shortest judgment in history. Having heard all arguments of learned counsel from all sides, I hold that the Court of Appeal was in error in declaring jurisdiction to hear the appeal and cross appeal on their merits.

“It is now ordered that the matter be remitted to the Court of Appeal Abuja to hear the two appeals expeditiously. No order as to cost,” he added.

When the matter got to the Court of Appeal, Omehia brought an application to stay proceedings in the case to enable it seek clarifications on the judgment of the Supreme Court.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Idris Kutigi, frowned at the conduct of the justices of the Court of Appeal and gave an administrative order that the case be heard by the court.
The Court of Appeal panel hearing the case eventually took back the case-file and began sitting on the matter.

But while hearing was on-going, the Court of Appeal said except some applications before the Supreme Court by the parties were withdrawn, there was no way it could go ahead with the hearing of the case.
Both Omehia and Amaechi had to return to the Supreme Court where justices of the apex court had harsh words for the justices of the Court of Appeal with a stern warning that the matter must be decided expeditiously.

When the case was eventually heard by the Court of Appeal, the panel of justices that heard the case dismissed Amaechi’s appeal on the ground that his name was substituted because he was indicted by EFCC for corruption.

Although the court admitted that PDP did not state the reason in its application to INEC, it said his indictment was a public knowledge and that INEC knew of it and acceded to the substitution.
Aggrieved by the decision, Amaechi went before the Supreme Court again with a request to reverse the verdict and unseat the Governor of River State, Sir Celestine Omehia.

Yar'Adua to Omehia: Accept judgment in good faith

President Umaru Yar’Adua has enjoined the people of Rivers State to accept the ruling of the Supreme Court removing Governor Omehia from office in good faith.

Special Adviser to the President on Communications, Mr Segun Adeniyi, who addressed State House correspondents said the president had directed all relevant agencies to ensure that the Supreme Court ruling was implemented.

President Yar’Adua said his stand was premised on his “avowed commitment to upholding the rule of law at all times.”
The president further urged all “concerned parties to respect and abide by the ruling of the nation’s highest court on this matter and enjoins all residents and citizens of Rivers State to accept the judgment in good faith.”

No victor, no vanquished — Amaechi

Moment after the court’s ruling yesterday, Mr. Amaechi described the ruling as a landmark and historic judgment. He said his faith in God and confidence in the integrity and character of the Supreme Court sustained him all through the difficult and challenging trial.
In a statement issued on his behalf by Mr Magnus Abe, Commissioner for Information in the Odili administration, Amaechi said the judgment would no doubt further deepen and strengthen democracy in the country.
The new governor said nobody should misunderstand the struggle as a personal struggle, but was about justice and fairness to all Rivers’ people, stating that as far as he was concerned, there was no victor, no vanquished.

He noted that rather than for anybody to sob because of the judgment, the judgment should serve as a unique opportunity for all Rivers people to return unity and togetherness in order to move the state toward peace and progress.

Amaechi noted that he was extending his hands of fellowship to all Rivers people, both those who stood by him all through the trial and those against him.

Omehia appeals for calm

Sir Celestine called on the people of the state to remain calm and not to take the laws into their hands.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Paulinus Nsirim, he said he was yet to be briefed on the judgment by his lawyers. The statement: “Sir Celestine Omehia has called on the people of Rivers State to remain calm following today’s (yesterday) Supreme Court judgment. As law-abiding citizens no one should take the laws into his hands.”

The statement said the governor was waiting to be briefed on the development at the court by his lawyers at the end of which he would address the people of the state.

PDP declines comment

The National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Lady Ime Udom declined to comment on the issue.




1 Amechi in - Supreme Court
Written by Maduka NzoiwuThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it \n This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ' target='_blank'>website, on 25-10-2007 23:17
I want to thank the supreme court for making this judgment for the people of Nigeria. It is time to start rebuilding the minds of the masses after the cabal. Omehia is a brother to Amechi, but the cabal tried to sow a bad seed. Please do not loose the love, but start the peace. This a yet another opportunity to rise to the challenge - help the poor masses. GOD BLESS!
2 Dr
Written by akogu, on 25-10-2007 23:20
May God preserves the lives of our past evil messiahs who held sway from 1999 to 2007 so that they will actively reap the fruits of their evil manipulations as we approach the climax of this judicial cleansing of Nigeria. Congrats to gov Amaechi.
3 rotimi vs sir omehia
Written by niranThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it website, on 25-10-2007 23:32
thank God for the wind of change,it really blowing well,i think obasanjo should berry his head in shame.most of his autocratic decision has been upturn within six month,what a shame ,also i will urge Yardua to immediately order the removal of Maurice Iwu and probe the commission.he has waisted nigeria resouces,he should not be allow to conduct re-run election.
4 Effc doing selective jobs
Written by John, on 25-10-2007 23:40
The EFCC is doing selective Justice, they are being used as a tool by the Federal Government to go against political opponents
5 Gov. Amechi at last
Written by Dr Marvin DekilThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , on 25-10-2007 23:51
It pays to be relentless in quest for justice. Gov. Amechi has demonstrated that he has what it takes to lead our great state - determination and focus. Congratulations my governor!
6 omehia
Written by ChijiokeThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , on 25-10-2007 23:53
it is so unfortunate thay omehia is found in the middle of this. I hope amechi would do a better job
7 Victory for rule of Law
Written by okechukwu IkwunzeThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , on 26-10-2007 00:03
This is victory for democracy and rule of Law.
Hope President yar'dua doesn't fall victim too.
8 Written by NwabuThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , on 26-10-2007 00:18
Congratulations to the new Rivers State governor,however,who will save him from the PDP conspiracy that will be happy to impeach him before he could finish takig hos oath of office.
I wish him well.
9 Omehia and Delta State
Written by Ovie OkpoduThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , on 26-10-2007 00:21
The Supreme Court of Nigeria is leading the way for a powerful progressive revolution in Nigeria. Yar'Adua silently started it, but he must be open with Nigerians regarding James Ibori and Delta State. Ibori must not be shielded, and Delta State governorship election must be nullified. There was absolutely no electio there, so Oduaghan has no business in the government house. SUPREME COURT, PLEASE COME TO OUR RESCUE.
10 S. Decision on River State governorship
Written by OsitaThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , on 26-10-2007 00:26
This is indeed a fresh breath to the ugly situation that confront our dear country. The supreme court by this very sound decision has yet again proved that there are indeed people of courage and integrity left in Nigeria. I do hope that aspects of the decision that relates to immunity of Governors will come to bear on the prosecution of corrupt politicians who are now hiding under immunity to avaod prosecution for crimes committed before becoming governors. May God continue to intervene in our great Country
uniquemate.com

Sunday, October 7, 2007

How Sudanese militias killed seven Nigerian soldiers

When General Martin Luther Agwai, Nigeria’s former Chief of the Defence Staff, CDS, was approached by the United Nations, UN, to take up the appointment of the Force Commander of the 26, 000 UN/AU Hybrid force in Darfur, he initially declined the offer because he felt the conditions were not ripe for him as a 4-star general to accept since the logistics expected for such a large force structure, in fact the largest peacekeeping operation ever, was absent.

Aside that, Agwai who was once the deputy adviser to the United Nations General Secretary on Peacekeeping in New York, wanted all the parties involved in the Darfur crisis and the United Nations to come out with a clear mandate for the troops participating in the operations since experience had shown that what was currently on ground in terms of mandate was at variance with the enormity of risks to peacekeepers.

But with the UN insisting that its radar on the African continent pointed only at Agwai to do the job and former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s encouragement that the former CDS should accept the job as it was a recognition of Nigeria’s contribution to peacekeeping worldwide, Agwai accepted the job.

The acceptance was however with the proviso that the proposed troops compliment for the operation would be met by this month. The logistics requirement included weaponry like rifles for soldiers, machine guns, armoured personnel carriers, military aircraft, communication equipment and building of camp accommodation for troops that were promised by the UN.

So, about two months into the job, when Sunday Vanguard sought to know from Agwai if the UN had fulfilled its promise of providing the required troops and logistics holding for the Darfur operation, he sounded worried and non-committal, saying, “as force commander, I use what I have on ground (6, 000 troops). It is the duty of the UN and AU to generate the troops. As I speak to you, I honestly don’t know when and where the 14, 000 troops I am waiting for will come from. But I hope they will come and I hope I will have them soonest so that we can have peace in Sudan.”

According to him, “The world has realized that with just 6, 000 troops, you can do nothing in Darfur. If they can get the 20, 000 troops and the 6, 000 civil police on ground, if we can get the goodwill of the world, that the people and parties to the conflict are willing to sign the peace accords, if there is suspension of hostilities, then we can think of disarmament.”

“The truth is that if the peacekeepers don’t disarm the rebels and parties to the conflict, then you can never have peace in Sudan,” Agwai stated.

Against this apprehension of the force commander, barely nine days ago, it is little wonder that the killing of seven Nigerian soldiers attached to the Hybrid force at Sector 8, Haskanita area of Western Darfur by rebels of a faction of the Sudanese Liberation Army caused outrage and condemnation not only from Nigerians and the federal government but also other nations of the world.

During the attack which was launched at an awkward time when Moslems were preparing to break their fast; over 2, 000 rebels swooped on about 200 soldiers who are mostly Nigerian peacekeepers, with rocket propelled grenades, general purpose machine guns (GPMG) and AK 47 assault rifles while the AU troops were mostly unarmed, short of logistics and weaponry like APC’s and machine guns to fight back.
A further stumbling block to the AU forces retaliating immediately it became obvious that the Darfur rebels were out to spill their blood was the existing mandate, which the Force Commander complained about, that prevents peacekeepers from attacking indigenes they are supposed to protect.

But, according to Brigadier General John Musanda (rtd), Joint Chief of Staff of the AU Mission in Sudan, “in my private capacity, I feel we should have the right as AU or UN to pursue rebels or militias who cut down our peacekeepers in the callous manner that occurred in Darfur.’ Musanda who spoke at the national burial ceremony accorded the seven Nigerian soldiers in Abuja decried the killings further saying, “we are disgusted by this attack on peacekeepers sent to Sudan to bring peace. We are not part of the problems but we are there to solve them. It is unbelievable that we could have such attack mounted against our innocent peacekeepers.”

On his part, the CDS, General Andrew Azazi, who had the unenviable task of going to bring back the dead soldiers, did not mince words when he said, “on 30 September when information started filtering in of a heavily armed militia attack on a Nigeria position in Darfur, for several reasons, I expected the worse because the geography of Darfur did not allow for easy defence.

“So I knew that our troops were at risk. Of course the several militia troops that get formed every day and keep attacking each other are always heavily armed. Of course, when the details came out, we discovered that it was a totally unprovoked militia attack on a Nigeria location and 10 persons were killed, some wounded and others missing when their position was overwhelmed.

“Out of the ten killed there was a Major from Mali who had just been promoted Lt.Colonel and who was waiting for four weeks to go and enjoy his rank. He was married with three wives but he died. There was another Major from Botswana and a civil police from Mali who were also killed.”

Reacting to several questions that have been bogging the minds of Nigerians, Azazi said, “I am very sure there are debates all over and people are asking, why did we send our troops to that place? Why are our troops getting killed? Why this? Why that? But do we really need to ask all these questions?

“We must all die in one-way or the other, whether we are sleeping in our beds, we are in operation or just driving. And for these seven soldiers who died, they died gallantly. The military in operations is prone to casualties. The military is a calling that very often requires the supreme sacrifice. However we also hope to serve gallantly and retire and in our old age tell our grand children stories of our exploits.”

“We know how painful it is to lose loved ones. When their colleagues return from Sudan, for instance, they will not be there to share the warmth of returning home. They will not be there to see the rest of their families. Our colleagues are today going to mother earth; no matter what we say here today, what we do, no matter the prayers, they will not come back to us. What we can only say is goodbye to them.
“But we promise that the circumstances of their death will only give us more resolve. Wherever Nigeria sends us, we will go and as we have seen today by the presence of the mammoth crowd, we are assured of the support of the nation.

“And in fact, to show the resolve, by Monday 8 October, 2007, Nigerian troops will go back to occupy that position in Haskanita in strength, daring whoever to come and attack us again.”

With these tough words, Azazi may have driven home the point for the mandate of the peacekeepers in Darfur to be protected, for trying to protect others but it remains to be seen how the Nigerian government particularly the political masters would exploit this unfortunate incident to bring an end to these wanton killings of soldiers doing their diplomatic bidding.

Incidentally, during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, another seven Nigerian soldiers lost their lives and nothing was heard of a national burial ceremony while their bodies were brought home secretly and buried.

Again, when it is remembered that exactly 12 months, two weeks and four days, last Friday, a national burial ceremony was held for 13 senior military officers including ten Generals who lost their lives in an Airforce Dornier flight 033 crash in Benue State while going to Obudu ranch for a retreat, one could only wish the Nigerian military journey mercies in all their endeavours.

Because going by what President Yar’Adua said at the occasion of the burial ceremony, “while I want to condole the nation and the families of the late soldiers on this irreparable loss, I wish to reaffirm our commitment to peace and stability in our sub region and the world at large and to say that this is the sacrifice Nigeria is making for the world.

“Whenever we are called and whenever we feel it is necessary to be there, Nigeria will be there.”
So for Danjuma Madaki, Usman Saleh, Duniya Audu, Samuel Orokpo, Bala Mohammed, Dogara John and Ajao Toyin, all fallen heroes because of the resolve of Nigeria to help bring peace to a sister African country called Sudan, it is hoped that future Nigerian soldiers taking part in these inevitable missions would not prematurely lose their lives especially when it concerns unwarranted attacks and killing.

free dating site

Monday, October 1, 2007

Akinjide tasks Obasanjo on privatisation revenue

SECOND Republic Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Richard Akinjide has challenged former President, Olusegun Obasanjo to explain how his government spent money realized from the privatization programme he embarked upon in his eight year rule.

Chief Akinjide who condemned the privatization policy of the ex-president said Nigerians needed to know who bought all the assets sold and at what cost.

“We have had the worst government in this country within the last eight years. I am ready to challenge anybody on it", he said at a forum organised in Ibadan by the Ibadan United Front.

"Chief Obasanjo sold everything the country had. The only things he did not remember to sell are National Assembly building, Aso Rock, and the Supreme Court building”, Chief Akinjide said at the forum.

Explaining his role in the emergence of Alhaji Shehu Shagari as President in 1979, he wondered why anyone would blame him for bringing the idea of 122/3 saying he, as a lawyer, he only argued for his client adding that he was not the Supreme Court that gave the judgment and as a good lawyer, you must do all you can to win a case for your client.

His words: “I don’t know why people keep blaming me for the idea of twelve-two-third. I only argued the case. I did not do anything to influence the judgment of the Supreme Court. I did not write the Supreme Court judgment. It is wrong to blame a messenger but blame the message.”

According to him, he is no longer interested in politics but to play the role of a statesman. “I know my brother (Lam Adesina), is a politician and he has never disappointed me. What I want at this stage of my life is what God gives me. I was 27 years when I joined the parliament. What do I want again? I’m no more a politician but a statesman and I will speak the truth no matter whose ox is gored.”

His denunciation of politics did not go down well with Alhaji Adesina who, in fury, said “I know you are a statesman, but you must help to correct the things that have been destroyed. There are many thieves at the federal, state and local governments. Many governors are thieves. Obasanjo should be held responsible for what is happening in Ibadan. We allow nonentity and mediocrity to reign in the city. What he (Obasanjo) did not succeed in privatizing are the ordinary Nigerians."
The former AGF also dismissed the conception of Nigerians that something was wrong with the extant constitution emphasizing that our leaders were the ones who shirked in their responsibilities.

His words: “I feel very sad and embarrassed that in the last 45 years, we have had more than five constitutions but the critical point is that nothing is wrong with our constitution but our rulers. If you bring Americans here to operate this constitution, it would work. And in the same vein, if you take Nigerians to America, you will find out that the constitution there would not work for them.

“In the past eight years, what we had in Nigeria was a military government masquerading as a civilian government. And let me correct one thing which most Nigerians do not know. When we drafted the 1979 constitution, what came out was not what we submitted. There were 17 critical amendments.

“We should stop comparing American Constitution with ours. There is no basis for comparison. In America, the president is elected by electoral votes but in Nigeria, president is elected by popular votes.

free dating site

Yar'Adua vows to secure N-Delta from militants

President Umaru Yar’Adua has pledged to secure Niger Delta from its present state of lawlessness and launch it on the path of growth.

The President in a nationwide radio and television broadcast this morning to mark the nation’s 47th Independence anniversary said no region or group would be left behind by government in its desire to build a strong, secure and prosperous nation founded on the ideals of justice, equity, fairness, patriotism and the fear of God.

Vice President Goodluck Jonathan also said on the occasion of the anniversary that government would soon convene a national conference to address the recurring religious crises in parts of the country.
Similar goodwill messages came from state governors and eminent citizens.

President Yar’Adua in the broadcast said: “The last 47 years were indeed momentous years in our history during which we faced monumental challenges, including having to fight a civil war. During these 47 years, we have had remarkable bursts of socio-economic and political development. These were punctuated by no less profound setbacks to our political development, economic progress and social cohesion. However, almost against all odds, we always summoned uncommon resilience and with abiding faith in our common national purpose, we overcame all.

“We are entering our 48th year as a free and sovereign nation against the backdrop of a renewed hope and optimism about our nation and our future. In the short four months we have been in office, we have taken initiatives to build a steady future for ourselves and our posterity. We shall continue with unmediated dedication in our determination to check corruption, reduce poverty, grow our economy, entrench absolute respect for the rule of law, eradicate abuse of due process, and create equal opportunities for all Nigerians.

“We have commenced the process of rebuilding our basic infrastructures. The energy challenge will be met in a holistic manner. We shall be guided by our national consensus for democratic governance and strengthening our democratic institutions, structures, and processes. We shall in particular ensure that our electoral process is of the highest quality and meets international best practice.

“In pursuing our aspirations for the growth and development of a peaceful, strong, secure and prosperous nation founded on the ideals of justice, equity, fairness, patriotism, and the fear of God, no region and no group will be left behind. In the troubled Niger Delta in particular, we shall secure the region for growth and development while effectively tackling the criminal dimension to the problem.
“Today brings with it another opportunity for us to reflect on our yesterday and ponder over our course for a better tomorrow.

We must resolve to work together to restore our cherished values of diligence, honesty, decency, transparency, selflessness and accountability in our polity. I made a covenant with you while soliciting for your votes that I will work towards these goals as your servant-leader. Today, I reiterate that pledge.
“I wish you very happy National Day celebrations.”

Mark harps on rule of law

The President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, said the successful civilian-to-civilian transition last May had made democracy a matter of finality even as he stressed that the country must remain guided by the rule of law.

In his Independence message, Senator Mark said: “More than ever before, Nigerians must rise above those mundane issues that seem to put us asunder, to the indissolubility and indivisibility of our fatherland.

“We must constantly and consistently harp on those attributes that bind us together as a people, and also be proud as a nation that despite the trying pasts and years of the faltering steps as a toddler, we can look back and say, bravo, we have come of age."

National religious confab coming — VP

Vice President Jonathan at an interdenominational service to mark the anniversary in Abuja said a national conference would soon be convened by the Federal Government to address the perennial religious crises in parts of the country.He said no nation could develop to its full potentials with constant instability, as no investor will put his money in an unstable economy.He asked Christians and Muslims to preach and teach that people should learn to live together inpeace and harmony.

“The religious intolerance that we have observed is coming up again must be addressed. We implore the religious leaders to preach peace and harmony,” he said, adding: “The government will soon call a meeting of all religious leaders for us to brainstorm, maybe lock ourselves up in one room for a whole day to come up with a solution that will suppress these excesses of some fanatics.

We believe that as a nation if we continue to do what we have been doing, if one religion continues to rise against the other and kill, maim and continue with the instability, we will not go anywhere. There is so much instability in the nation. When a nation is not stable nobody will want to invest in that nation."

Keep hope alive, AC tells Nigerians

The Action Congress (AC) in its goodwill message congratulated all Nigerians on the occasion of the Independence anniversary, and urged them to keep hope alive despite the pervasive gloom and rot across the nation.The party through its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, was optimistic that the “current state of despair in one the world’s most endowed nations would give way to a brighter day for all, if all citizens would join hands to work for the country’s progress and check those whose only interest is to pillage the country’s resources and feather their own nest.

“There is enough blame to go around over the situation that has left Nigeria a perpetual sleeping giant, but the issue today, as we mark another milestone in the country’s history, is for the people to strengthen their determination to move the country forward,” the AC said, adding “This can only be done by ensuring that the periodic elections held to determine the people at the helm of affairs are made to count by banishing rigging and other electoral frauds, that the right people are voted into power at all levels of government and that the country would not be perpetually held to the ground by the forces of darkness.”

Shun ‘destructive old ways’, Fashola pleads

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State invited all men of goodwill to come on board with ideas that could help take forward that noble dream of building a Lagos that would be the pride of future generations.

In his 47th Independence anniversary message to Nigerians, the Governor asked everyone to shun the destructive old ways, vain glorious criticisms and actions that could set us on a collision path with the norms of an orderly society and the law.

He said it was gratifying to note that the present government vision of the Lagos megacity project as presented at a mega city project in New York recently struck the right notes in both local and international investors who have made commitments of time and resources as partners in delivering the project.

He said the Lagos megacity project would transform vital facets like power, integrated transportation, roads, solid waste management, and provision of water, tourism, property and creation of new business districts cum financial hubs.

Uduaghan vows to offer leadership

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State reiterated the determination of his government to offer leadership to the people of the state without succumbing to blackmail or propaganda from any quarter.
The governor speaking at an inter-denominational thanksgiving service at St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Asaba, as part of the 47th Independence anniversary, assured the people of the state that utterances of disunity would not deter him from uplifting the lives of the people.

In a veiled reference to insinuation by a group over the cost of the beautification and electrification project his government has initiated to change the face of the state, Dr Uduaghan dismissed their claims as a distortion and unfounded with the intention of inciting the people of the state against the government, maintaining that it was still early for anyone to launch attacks against his administration.

Obi calls for sober reflection

Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State in his message said: “As far as I am concerned, the period calls for sober reflection and introspection on how far we have been able to govern ourselves since the first of October 1960.

Have we been able to sustain the vision of our founding fathers? Can we say in all honesty that we are better off today than before independence? Can we look at our country today and cheerfully call her a prosperous State or mournfully call her a failed State?
“Such questions are intended to provoke us all into reflection and for us to ultimately decide to build a better Nigeria that will be rule-governed.

“This calls for the sustenance of democratic ethos, hinged on civilised politics that is devoid of thuggery, rigging and all negative things that take us many notches back from the path of development," he said.

free dating site