ACN Seeks Mass Action against National Assembly •Kumo: This is legislative tyranny

The move by the National Assembly to take over decision-making in political parties may be challenged in court as well as on the streets as more condemnations continue to trail the proposed amendment to the 2010 Electoral Act.

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has vowed to go to court to stop the law, describing it as “selfish”.It also asked the civil society to organise mass protest against the National Assembly, just as the former National Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Senator Saidu Kumo, said the legislation is “tyrannical”.

Elder statesman and former secretary-general of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, also condemned the proposed law.
The amendment bill, which has already passed second reading in both chambers within days of introduction, seeks to make federal lawmakers automatic members of parties’ National Executive Committee (NEC) – the highest decision-making organ.

While the House version of the bill wants to make all federal lawmakers NEC members, the Senate wants all committee chairmen and vice-chairman as members – but they are practically the same since almost all lawmakers are chairmen or vice-chairmen of committees.

The sheer number of National Assembly members is expected to overwhelm other members of NEC, effectively placing the control of parties under the legislature.

The ACN, in a statement issued yesterday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, called on other political parties to also mount a legal challenge against the “obnoxious, self-serving, greedy and democracy-killing” proposed insertion into the Electoral Act 2010.

The party urged organised labour, civil society organizations and political parties to march on the National Assembly “to ensure such [an] anti-democratic law is not passed”.

ACN described the current National Assembly as the most expensive and anti-people ever in Nigeria's history, saying it is time to stop them from ruining the democracy that millions of Nigerians fought to entrench.

The party said: ''Our legislators are the highest paid in the world, with those of Kenya a distant second. Yet, they never consulted us before padding their pay to such high levels. The widespread story is that each of them earns a million naira per day, except on weekends and public holidays! This is not far from the truth, since each one smiles home with N45 million per quarter, in a country where most citizens live on less than US$1 a day, and the minimum wage being fought for comes to US$4 per day!

''Add this to the fact that while it took 3 per cent of the national budget to service the National Assembly in the Second Republic, the current National Assembly is gulping over 30 per cent of the national budget, and one will get an idea of how this legislators are draining the economy. If they dispute the figures quoted above, they should tell Nigerians what they earn and what percentage of the national budget is being used to service the National Assembly.”

The party said the proposed law offends the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, stifles the ability of the parties to make their own constitutions and decide who attends their NEC and shows how those elected to serve the people could not differentiate between the interest of one party, in this case the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with the majority in both chambers of the National Assembly, and the country.

It said: ''As far as the dominant PDP members of the National Assembly are concerned, the interest of their party is the same as the interest of the nation. That is why there has been a cacophony of (PDP lawmakers') voices defending the toxic law being planned, with barely a whimper from the probably overwhelmed or quietly acquiescing legislators from the other parties.

''In the process of defending this law, logic has been turned on its head, with the sponsors and their supporters claiming it will enrich internal-democracy in the parties and broaden their decision-making base. No one has talked about the fact that it will turn the NEC meetings of the parties into a jamboree/rally, with praise-singers in tow.

''It will also mean that the lawmakers would have succeeded in smuggling into the various parties a uniform constitution, akin to making them the five fingers of a leprous hand, as we had during the [former head of state Gen. Sani Abacha years. Needless to say that the surest way to kill democracy and turn Nigeria into a one-party state is to do exactly what the PDP-dominated National Assembly is proposing.

''The proposed law will also make the lawmakers - in the case of the PDP more than 300 National Assembly members gate crashing into the NEC - the single biggest bloc in the NECs of the parties. Then, the dictatorship of lawmakers would have been entrenched, with dangerous consequences for all.”

The party said the various opposition political parties as well as Nigerians were to blame for the turn of events, adding that if the persistent warnings of the ACN had been heeded - that the National Assembly members were representing themselves instead of those who voted them into power - they (lawmakers) would not have been emboldened to try their latest antics.

Commenting on the controversial bill, Kumo said: “There are procedures of choosing NEC members and the automatic membership of NEC as envisaged by the National Assembly will make NEC meetings quite unwieldy.
“We shall use every available means including going to the court to contest this legislation that the National Assembly wants to introduce which is based on selfish and not the national interest.

“Much as the National Assembly has the legislative rights to make laws for the country, that law must be for the good governance of the country, not one based on selfishness.”
Anyaoku warned members of the National Assembly not to insert a provision that would give them advantage in their political parties in the selection of candidates for elective positions, saying it would be a “serious assault” to the country’s fledgling democracy.

Speaking at a lecture to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the coronation of the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo III, Anyaoku said one of the ways to strengthen democracy and the country’s presidential system is when there is a limit to how far the constitution should go in regulating how political parties seek to conduct their internal procedures and workings.
He warned that to ascribe undue influence and self-serving influence to the parliamentary group of the party in the selection of candidates would undermine the democratic process.

A vibrant democracy, he said, must protect the right of political parties’ conventions and or conferences at national and other levels, to serve as platforms for enabling delegates of the rank and file members of the party to determine their party’s manifesto and candidates for elective political offices.

He also called for the inclusion of one traditional ruler from each of the six geo-political zones at the federal level into the National Council of State who should each be elected by a college of certificated rulers on rotational basis within his/her zone to serve for two years at a time.

At the state level, he recommended one traditional ruler from each of the three senatorial districts who should equally be elected by a college of certificated traditional rulers on rotational basis within each senatorial district to serve in the State Security Council for two years at a time.

Anyaoku said he was not oblivious of the importance of the constitution prohibiting traditional rulers from getting involved in partisan politics and the need to protect them from victimization by the government of the day who might be tempted to co-opt them in pursuit of partisan political activities.

He noted that the fact that many Nigerians still regard it as a desirable social status symbol to accept chieftaincy titles from traditional rulers, showed that the position and role of the traditional rulers were still recognized, respected and revered.
He argued that in some aspects of the life of the society, such as in land matters and even in intra-community civil conflicts, traditional rulers and their Councils of Chiefs still wield significant benevolent influence.

He said: “Since the traditional rulers have continued to guarantee the sustenance of the history, culture and identities of their various communities, being the vehicles for the transfer of their people’s customs from one generation to the other, they still play an important part in sustaining the cohesion of societies thereby contributing to the maintenance of law and order especially in the rural parts of every African country.

“Thus, the traditional rulers not only provide essential and appropriate platform for guaranteeing the people’s fundamental right to culture, they also, as the rallying point of their various peoples, serve for the galvanization of the people for purposes of national solidarity.

“The strategic importance of the institution of the Alake of Egbaland to the Egba people amply demonstrates the vital role that traditional rulers have played in every African society, not only before the advent of colonialism on the continent, but also in this post-colonial era.

“At all times, African traditional rulers have always been the custodians of their people’s culture and the embodiment of their collective conscience.
“With the coming of European colonial domination, the traditional rulers remained the undisputed interface between the colonial authorities and the African peoples.”

Ribadu, Tofa Declare, Atiku Writes All PDP Delegates •‘EFCC never investigated Jonathan’s wife’

Former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFFC), Mallam Nuhu Ribabu, has finally confirmed his intention to contest in the 2011 presidential election, saying he wants to “remake” Nigeria.

He also dismissed the long-held belief that the EFCC investigated the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, for money laundering.

Today, the presidential candidate of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) in the June 12, 1993 election, Alhaji Bashir Tofa, will launch his presidential bid on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP),

And in a novel gesture to woo support for his aspiration, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar yesterday wrote letters to over 3,400 statutory delegates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including President Goodluck Jonathan, urging them to give him their votes in the party’s primary election.

Ribadu promised that Nigeria would become a new country within two years if he is elected. Although, Ribadu said he was yet to decide on which platform he would run, he passionately said he had a dream for a new Nigeria. He said he wants to see a "new thing, a fresh thing" and build a nation out of the country.

The former anti-corruption Czar made these known when he met with journalists in Abuja yesterday, promising a formal declaration later.

“I have a dream of a new Nigeria, a changed Nigeria; I want to see if there is a possibility of opening a new chapter and those who are in charge somehow certainly need to give chance for the country to move forward," he said.

His areas of priority, he said, would be security, fighting corruption, providing electricity, improving education, building hospitals and helping Nigeria become an industrialised nation.

Giving reasons why he is running at the federal level in spite of his little or no experience in politics, Ribadu said: “I have experience in public service. I put 25 years of my life into service to the Federal Government of Nigeria in the executive capacity. After that, of course, I served outside Nigeria, I worked and have acquired international experience.

“I had the chance to set up an agency and ran it for five years and I was in the economic team as well as a federal prosecutor, probably more than any other person in that capacity. I was a police officer, a public worker, I put all my life to service in the federal level and it is really natural for you to put all of that into where the experience best fits, yes I will contest for the presidency.”

Asked how he intends to fund his campaign, he explained that contributions from ordinary Nigerians would be used by his team.
Ribadu also denied allegations that he mishandled a corruption case against Dame Patience, when her husband, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, was governor of Bayelsa State.
He said that it was propaganda to taint his image and that of Jonathan during the 2007 polls.

Ribadu explained that the EFCC never handled any case against Patience. “The case had to do with a lady and a man who lodged huge sums of money in the bank. The EFCC was alerted by the bank and an investigation was carried out,” he said.
According to him, it was found that they legitimately earned the money through contracts executed in the state. All the reports in the media were lies, he insisted.

“For instance, it was initially reported that N70 million was lodged into the bank. Later, it was reported that the money ran into millions of dollars. Such was the extent of the lies,” he said, maintaining: “We never handled a case against Patience Jonathan.”
Meanwhile, Tofa is set to declare his presidential ambition on the platform of ANPP today in Abuja.

The declaration which is billed to take place at Chelsea Hotel is expected to hold in the evening
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday nullified the positions of the two factions of the ANPP who have been fighting over the control of the party.

INEC, in a letter dated 15th September, 2010 and addressed to the Chairman of the convention committee, said the resolutions of the two factions of the party which took place on the 27th August and 2nd September, 2010 respectively were not supported by any provision in the constitution of the ANPP nor the Electoral Act as amended in 2010.

The commission said the two transition committees set up by both factions remained null and void, maintaining that it would deal strictly with the National Convention Planning Committee “until a new National Executive Committee is validly constituted”.

At a press conference to harmonise the positions of the two factions, Chairman of the convention committee and Governor of Yobe State, Ibrahim Gaidam, stated that both warring factions have all agreed to work together for the interest of the party.

He added that the suspension of the Sen. Muhammed Muhammed-led faction taken by the former National Chairman of the party, Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke, has been set aside, saying that they are now welcome back as bona fide members of the party.

Though INEC’s letter did not state categorically which of the convention committees it would recognise, the governor while presenting the position of the commission adopted the convention committee set by the Ume-Ezeoke’s faction with Chris Amah as the Secretary.

Meanwhile, Gaidam’s committee tentatively shifted the day of the convention by one day.
THISDAY checks revealed that the shift in the date from September 17-18 to 18-19 may not be unconnected with the decision of President Jonathan to declare tomorrow at the Eagle Square, the same venue ANPP intended to use for its national convention.

The meeting was attended by Borno State Governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, Senator Kabir Gaya, Alhaji Gambo Maigaji, former Governors, John Odigie Oyegun, Audu Abubakar and Ahmed Yerima. Also in attendance were Prince Ebuta Ayuk, former Deputy Governor of Jigawa State, Hassan Hadeja, former Minister of State, Defence, Alhaji Abdulrahman Adamu among others. Presidential candidate of the party and Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau, was absent at the meeting.

In the meantime, among those expected to receive Atiku’s letters are Vice-President Namadi Sambo, Senate President David Mark and Speaker of the House of Representatives Dimeji Bankole.

Other recipients of the letter include governors, deputy governors, senators, members of the House of Representatives, state Houses of Assembly, local government council chairmen, PDP chairmen in the Local government councils and PDP state executive officers.

This is in line with the statutory delegate list published by THISDAY newspaper in the last four weeks, which was confirmed by the guidelines released by the PDP on Wednesday.

THISDAY calculates that there would be 3,400 delegates but the PDP is yet to come up with the official list which is not expected to be significantly different.

In the letter, Atiku said that delegates hold the key to the realisation of his vision of a prosperous, secure, peaceful, democratic, caring and confident Nigeria.

“I am seeking the presidency of our great country to chart a new course for our beloved country and lead our people to their manifest destiny,” Atiku wrote.

“We need to create millions of jobs to keep our youth gainfully employed and help to tackle the high level of insecurity in the country. We must invest in education, research and modern technology, and infrastructure so that our productivity can increase significantly. We have to improve on our healthcare delivery so that our people will no longer die needlessly.

“With your support, we will put in place attractive incentives for people to invest in our economy and create well-paying jobs. We will fix our crumbling schools, roads, and hospitals. We will fix the electricity problem by taking advantage of the varying energy resources and needs in different parts of the country.

“We will address desertification, gully erosion and other lingering environmental challenges. We will wage a genuine war on corruption by instituting a better reward and punishment system, ensuring true independence of the anti-corruption agencies and the speedy trial of corruption cases.

“This is the time for an experienced, committed and visionary leader to rescue our country from imminent collapse. I am ready to lead. Together, we can make good things happen for our people and our country,” he said.

ANPP Zones Presidency To The North.

After an exhaustive meeting that lasted all night, the national caucus of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), yesterday agreed to pick its presidential candidate in the 2011 elections from the northern part of the country. The caucus zoned the posts of the national chairman and secretary to the south and the north, respectively.

With the decisions, the race for the chairmanship of the largest opposition party in the country at tomorrow’s national convention in Abuja, is now open to the four aspirants from the southern part of the country. They are the first executive governor of Edo State, John Odigie-Oyegun (Edo); the incumbent national publicity secretary, Emma Eneukwu (Enugu); former national secretary, George Moghalu (Anambra) and billionaire businessman, Harry Akande (Oyo).

The two other aspirants from the north, namely Gambo Magaji (Gombe) and the national deputy chairman (north) Yusufu Musa (Plateau) are expected to withdraw from the race.

The meeting had been convened to streamline the number of aspirants for the chairmanship position ahead of the two-day convention. It was also necessitated by the agitation by some top northern members of the party as well as other groups, to who wanted to rezone the chairmanship seat to the north. Those at the meeting were the national chairman of the party, Edwin Ume-Ezeoke and all the members of the national working committee, state chairmen of the party, members of the Board of Trustees, the leadership of the party in the Senate and the House of Representatives.

A source at the meeting said the decisions were near unanimous as only one person voted in support of the zoning of the chairmanship position to the north.

Oyegun In The Race

However, one of the aspirants and his supporters resisted the proposal and insisted on the status quo and he subsequently voted accordingly.

“Some people tried to insist that our party chairman should come from the north but it was not a popular proposal. However, at the end of the day, everybody voted for the retention of the position in the south and the secretary in the north and our presidential candidate will come from the north also,” our source said.

Mr Eneukwu, who is also the outgoing national publicity secretary of the party, confirmed the decision during a telephone interview with our reporter yesterday.

He, however, declined to give details of the resolutions at the meeting.

Mr Odigie-Oyegun was also cautious in his response, although the former Edo governor said he was still in the race and will not step down for anybody.

Since the birth of the ANPP in 1998, two of its substantive chairmen, Mahmud Waziri and Yusuf Ali came from the north while the other two, Don Etiebet and Mr Ume-Ezeoke were from the south.

On the other hand, its first presidential candidate, Olu Falae is a southerner while Muhammadu Buhari , a northerner was its candidate in 2003 and 2007. Mr Buhari had earlier this year defected to the newly-former Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) where he hopes to contest the 2011 presidential election.

ANPP set for convention, may dump zoning

AS preparation for the national convention of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) scheduled for this weekend heightens, there are indications that it may jettison its zoning arrangement, and allow a free-for-all contest. This follows the reported decision of the party’s National Caucus to zone its chairmanship to the South.
Two South-West and South-South zones of the party had, in separate communiqués in June, this year, adopted the candidature of the erstwhile head of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Harry Ayoade Akande, as the party’s next chairman.
Chief Don Etiebet from the South-South had served a five-year tenure as the chairman. The out-going Chairman, Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke from Anambra State, is serving the slot of the South-East. Akande is from the South-West that is yet to hold the office.
However, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) chieftains have said the elders in the North will not join the train of those who may want to use the contentious issue of zoning to destabilise the nation. They equally dissociated themselves from the on-going debate on zoning within the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
And, Governor Ibrahim Shekarau has expressed interest to vie for the presidency of Nigeria in the forthcoming 2011 polls.
Shekarau, who spoke to reporters at the Kano Government House however remarked that the bid, which would be made formal on August 5, this year, is not a do-or-die affair.
The governor ruled out the possibility of contending with former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida who is rumoured to be plotting to move into the ANPP if the PDP supports President Goodluck Jonathan’s purported bid to contest the 2011 polls.
The governor said there was no way Babangida can stand on his way because he would not satisfy the provision of the ANPP’s constitution (Article 9, Section 9 sub-sections 3, 4) that stipulates that anybody vying for the position of the presidency on the platform of the party must have been a member for not less than 12 months.
But some notable leaders of the ACF including the former Minister of Mines and Steel and chairman of the Political Committee of the Northern Socio-Cultural Group, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Gusau, said that the forum must not shy away from any political development that may undermine the interest of the North.
The Guardian source yesterday in Abuja disclosed that the caucus of the party which met on Tuesday night actually zoned the chairmanship position to the South, but it was not clear, which geopolitical zone of the south it was zoned to. The decision, it was learnt, was influenced by a serving governor and a former governor of the party, now a senator.
An influential governor of the party was, however, not invited to the meeting. The chairman of the sub-committee of the Convention Committee, Chief Kunle Ogunade in a telephone conversation, confirmed to The Guardian yesterday that the party’s position had been zoned to the South.
“It was rumoured initially that the position had been zoned to the South, but there was serious apprehension when it was being rumoured that it has been zoned to the South-East. That has been adjusted. What is happening now is that all the aspirants will have to go to the field,” he said.
In their separate communiqués signed by all the leaders in Ibadan and Port Harcourt respectively, the two zonal caucuses hinged their support for Chief Akande on the fact that the South-West zone has not produced the national chairman since the inception of the party 12 years ago.
The South-West caucus said its demand for the slot was legitimate and fair, considering the fact that the zone remains the only one that has never produced the national chairman.
“The South-West zone also resolved that the only candidate the zone adopts and considered credible and capable as to successfully lead the party in the capacity of the national chairman, is Chief Harry Ayoade Akande.”
The South- South caucus of the party at its meeting in Port Harcourt on June 12, 2010 expressed its support for the zoning of the position of the national chairmanship to the South-West during the forthcoming convention “since it is on record that the other two zones have had a fair share of one complete tenure each in Chief Don Etiebet and Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke respectively.
“The chairman of the ACF, Gen. Ibrahim B.M. Haruna (rtd) who, in his opening remarks, insisted that the nation’s constitution must guide all political actions in the country, said that the debate on zoning was not the same with either the issue of the constitutional amendment which the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo embarked upon in the dying days of his regime to elongate his tenure or the non-remittance of letters to President Goodluck Jonathan by late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua which necessitated the “doctrine of necessity” that necessitated reactions from the Forum.
The ACF’s position on the debate was made known by the national chairman of the Forum during a “round-table discussion” on issues affecting northern unity in Kaduna, yesterday.
Haruna spoke as he also lamented over the level of disunity in the zone occasioned by non-co-operation between the organs of ACF and most of the 19 state governors in the north.
Among those who attended the “round table discussion” include, Gen. Haruna, Alhaji Saidu Barda, Mallam Mohammed Haruna, Mr. Hassan Hyet, Brig.-Gen. David Bamigboye, Maj.-Gen. David Jemibewon, Col. Musa Shehu (rtd), Alhaji Yusuf Idris, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Gusau, Dr. Nasirudeen Usman, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed, Hajia Halima Alfa, Alhaji Audu Sule, Mohammed Abdul and Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmed.
Others include Alhaji Bala Sokoto, Mr. Anthony Sani, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie, Alhaji Garuba Mohammed, Alhaji Ahmed Jalingo, Isa Kachako, Sheik Jarma, Gen. Garba Wushishi (rtd), Mr. John Paul, Burka Zarma, Idris Wada, Alhaji Aminu Attah and Mustapha Ahmed.
The chairman of the Political Committee of the ACF, Alhaji Gusau, had also lamented over what he described as the lukewarm attitude of some northerners to issues concerning the region, pointing out that “we should examine ourselves and see whether we are still one (North)”.
Gusau, who stressed that “this should not be the beginning of the disintegration of the North” pointed out that “most northerners now see themselves first as individuals before seeing themselves as northerners”, adding that the “North should harmonise its interests with national interest even as North needed its unity now more than before.”
However, in the address by Haruna entitled: “Viability of ACF as a vehicle of northern hegemony and its limit”, he stated that there was little or nothing that ACF could do as the matter fell within the purview of a political party which was designing how to share power as it deems fit.
According to Haruna, ACF is not a partisan organisation and therefore, constrained by its own constitution to dabble into political matters.
He, however, advised politicians on the need to “seek to promote democracy” by finding “workable system that would affect good governance in a multi-party democratic practice”.
Haruna added: “Recent political events have given rise to questioning the role, purpose and limits to the role of the ACF in the political ferment engendered by PDP in post-Obasanjo’s regime and the passing on of President Umaru Yar’adua.
“In as much as the Obasanjo’s Constitutional Reform Agenda was to promote his third term and subsequent self-succession, the same cannot be said of this later day zoning and rotation (PDP agreement), which can be enforced by the PDP or amended by them as they had done in the past.
“PDP, zoning and rotation do not call for any amendment of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria or even the Electoral Law even though it is the custom of our political practice, on the sharing of power. It therefore remains in the purview and political perspective of a political party to share power as they deem fit in adopting as their tactics for cohesion of their party, for promoting federal character, national unity and party loyalty.
“Therefore, the ACF as an umbrella body of the historical northern region can only fulfill its purpose as set out in its Constitution. It is a consultative forum of the people of the erstwhile northern region.
“While the ACF has been engaging its efforts to encourage unity in the North and promote security and peace in the North and indeed Nigeria, it is constrained by its constitution and therefore it cannot leap into the bounds of a political party’s domestic affairs or the preserves of the 19 northern governors.
“We have to remind ourselves that in the Nigerian Federation (not confederation), we practice presidential system (not parliamentary cabinet system where the prime minister is first among equals), where its 150 million people, in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory; its 774 local councils and its over 250 ethnic nationalities each have to expressly seek to promote democracy and have to find workable system that would affect good governance, in a multi-party democratic practice.
“In our growth in democracy we seek to build a plural, cultural society that shuns domination or marginalisation of any group and promotes the upholding of fundamental human rights.
“The ACF is in a hierarchy and at the epic piece, not PDP umbrella, one finds that it is composed of former “Arewareans” who had ruled in Nigeria.
“Regrettably, the body’s relationship has not been strengthened because of weaknesses in the contact between the state governor and the former national leaders.
“This has affected northern unity and the effectiveness of ACF. The resolve of the ACF to face its common challenges depends on the strength of its foundation and that is the state chapter.
“The chapters need a healthy interaction with the governors of their states, state authorities and their various ethnic people, to generally; nurture a non- partisan plural society.
“Whereas the ACF has reached out to meet with chapters, patrons and members through visits and general meetings and has submitted memoranda, to governments and commissions, the ACF, has yet to receive reciprocity from northern political and influential personalities to demonstrate some mutual desire to consult or co-ordinate our search for progress.
“However there are good signs, yesterday – we dialogued with the Northern Political Leaders Forum (NPLF): there have been calls in certain quarters that ACF should demonstrate the qualities or effectiveness by acting as a principal, supervisor and dictators instead of consultants.
“We need to further better understanding of our different roles. To bridge the gap some patrons had noted that the lack of extensive discussions involving the top tier and lower tiers of ACF is the main cause and therefore suggested that ACF should initiate a meeting of leaders and elders.
“ACF therefore incorporated the leadership and elders’ meeting as a part of its 10th anniversary programme.
“The meeting was held on April 28, 2010. It was scantly subscribed and its agenda was tentative. Following what seemed whimsical at the meeting, the leadership requested that the ACF secretariat should in-not-so-distant date organize an all inclusive and embracing meeting to promote discussions by the leadership and the elders of ACF.
“It is to be noted that this meeting and the previous one were not conceived or motivated by the recent debates on Zoning and Rotation.
“While we recall that the ACF had throughout the debates on the Non-transmitting of the President illness; and the ‘doctrine of necessity’ conjured by the legislature maintained as its policy that whatever course a debate takes or decision that is taken should be a decision that is consistent with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the laws.
“The ACF’S policies and activities are founded on this premise of constitutionalism of its own constitution as well. We at ACF rein our Northern sentiments and emotions because we desire to become a leading civilized society under the laws, ethic, morality and the tradition and customs, so well established”.

ANPP Leaders Woo IBB

ome top members of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), including senators and former governors, have urged the party to do all it can to lure former military President Ibrahim Babangida to its fold.

The move by the members is premised on the calculation that the former military leader may not secure the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to enable him contest in next year’s general election.

Among the arrowheads of the move to get Babangida into the ANPP are Senators Ahmed Sani Yarima (Zamfara West), Kabiru Gaya (Kano North), member of the House of Representatives, Honourable Abdulaziz Yari from Zamfara State and the ANPP National Secretary, Alhaji Saidu Kumo, among others.

Available information indicate that even though Babangida is yet to be contacted, a high-powered delegation will likely be sent to the general in due course to make the offer of joining the ANPP.

Giving an insight into the plan, former Zamfara State governor, Ahmed Sani Yarima, told THISDAY that: "It is true such a proposal was discussed, and we are exploring avenue to make it a reality. As at the last time we held a meeting in that regard, IBB has not been consulted, but we feel it is not necessary now. We are waiting to see how the PDP primaries will go.

"We feel with his popularity, mass appeal and experience as a former Head of State, he will be the best person for this country at the moment.
"Don't forget the fact that Babangida had himself given the hint that he may seek his ambition under another platform if denied the PDP ticket. We are trying to explore that and also ensure that we field a candidate that will match PDP in all ramification," Yarima, one of the top financiers of the party, disclosed to THISDAY.

He said, if IBB accedes to their request, the party would mobilise its members and resources to ensure he gets the ticket.
"I have spoken to the national secretary and others who are all eager to take the idea to the next level," he added.

Efforts to speak to the ANPP national secretary was not successful yesteday. However, the party’s publicity secretary, Mr. Emma Eneukwu said the party as a body has not discussed the issue.

"It is not even an agenda for us at the moment because the person in question (IBB) is not a member of our party. Until he joins ANPP, I cannot comment on his ambition. As for our members you mentioned, they are free as individuals to express their opinions on issues, and to propagate such opinions," Eneukwu said.

Also, IBB's spokesman, Prince Kassim Afegbua said the former military president is a strong member of the PDP and will seek to be its presidential candidate next year.
"That is the end of the matter. Honestly, we are very confident of getting the party's (PDP’s) ticket. As such, all our energy is tailored towards that," he added.

The move to drag IBB into the ANPP will make a strong opponent of Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau who has already declared his intention to contest next year's presidential poll under the banner of the ANPP.