The
Presidency on Friday said the clause in the proposed constitution amendment,
which seeks to exclude President Goodluck Jonathan and some governors from
participating in the 2015 elections, would fail.
Presidency on Friday said the clause in the proposed constitution amendment,
which seeks to exclude President Goodluck Jonathan and some governors from
participating in the 2015 elections, would fail.
Special
Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Dr. Ahmed Gulak, said this in an
exclusive interview with one of our correspondents in Abuja.
Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Dr. Ahmed Gulak, said this in an
exclusive interview with one of our correspondents in Abuja.
Gulak
said it would be unfair for the National Assembly to make an amendment that
would short-change those elected under a constitution that allows them to contest two terms of four years each.
said it would be unfair for the National Assembly to make an amendment that
would short-change those elected under a constitution that allows them to contest two terms of four years each.
He
said, “It is not a fair amendment to target a particular group of people. That
proposal will not scale through because Nigerians are wiser.
said, “It is not a fair amendment to target a particular group of people. That
proposal will not scale through because Nigerians are wiser.
“You
can’t short-change some people in the name of amending the constitution. I am
sure there will be some considerations and the proposal will fail.
can’t short-change some people in the name of amending the constitution. I am
sure there will be some considerations and the proposal will fail.
“The
President and some governors were elected under a constitution that allows them
to contest two terms of four years each. You can’t change the rule midway.”
President and some governors were elected under a constitution that allows them
to contest two terms of four years each. You can’t change the rule midway.”
Similarly,
the Arewa Consultative Forum opposed the six year-single tenure for the
president and governors as proposed by the Senate Committee on the Review of
the Constitution.
the Arewa Consultative Forum opposed the six year-single tenure for the
president and governors as proposed by the Senate Committee on the Review of
the Constitution.
The
apex northern socio-political body cautioned members of the National Assembly
against adopting it.
apex northern socio-political body cautioned members of the National Assembly
against adopting it.
It
argued that adopting such a provision would be counterproductive because it was
capable of impeding good governance in the country.
argued that adopting such a provision would be counterproductive because it was
capable of impeding good governance in the country.
National
Publicity Secretary of the ACF, Mr. Anthony Sani, told SUNDAY PUNCH, in Kaduna, that
apart from good governance, the proposal lacked the basic elements of
motivation and incentives needed in the management of human affairs.
Publicity Secretary of the ACF, Mr. Anthony Sani, told SUNDAY PUNCH, in Kaduna, that
apart from good governance, the proposal lacked the basic elements of
motivation and incentives needed in the management of human affairs.
He
said, “ACF’s position on single tenure for president and governors is that it
is counter productive, because it has no incentives to motivate for excellence.
said, “ACF’s position on single tenure for president and governors is that it
is counter productive, because it has no incentives to motivate for excellence.
“This
is because the good, the not-so-good and the feckless are grouped together
without any exception.
is because the good, the not-so-good and the feckless are grouped together
without any exception.
“All
management of human affairs which has no way of rewarding excellent performance
cannot reasonably be expected to be effective.
management of human affairs which has no way of rewarding excellent performance
cannot reasonably be expected to be effective.
“In
multiple tenure, reelection is often a form of reward for good performance. And
if the president and governors know that they are all entitled to only six
years whether they perform or not, they will concentrate on the pillage of
public treasury, which is counterproductive.”
multiple tenure, reelection is often a form of reward for good performance. And
if the president and governors know that they are all entitled to only six
years whether they perform or not, they will concentrate on the pillage of
public treasury, which is counterproductive.”
Opposition
political parties shared similar views.
political parties shared similar views.
In
separate interviews, the Action Congress of Nigeria and the Congress for
Progressive Change, said two terms of four years each as was currently being
practised, was better.
separate interviews, the Action Congress of Nigeria and the Congress for
Progressive Change, said two terms of four years each as was currently being
practised, was better.
National
Publicity Secretary of the ACN, Lai Mohammed, said, “The position of our party
has been consistent, two terms of four years each.
Publicity Secretary of the ACN, Lai Mohammed, said, “The position of our party
has been consistent, two terms of four years each.
“There
is nothing wrong with the system. What does the preclusion of Jonathan and
governors from participating from the 2015 elections got to do with anything?
is nothing wrong with the system. What does the preclusion of Jonathan and
governors from participating from the 2015 elections got to do with anything?
“Six
years is a long time in politics. The beauty of democracy is not only in the
ability of the people to participate in voting in a people to govern them but
also in their power to vote out non-performing governments.
years is a long time in politics. The beauty of democracy is not only in the
ability of the people to participate in voting in a people to govern them but
also in their power to vote out non-performing governments.
“What
prevents somebody who comes in on the six-year single term bait from seeking to
make it three terms of six years each? What stops another National Assembly
coming in to change the constitution again?
prevents somebody who comes in on the six-year single term bait from seeking to
make it three terms of six years each? What stops another National Assembly
coming in to change the constitution again?
“Without
prejudice to what they are proposing, we are of the view that the clause
dealing with the issue of tenure is fine as it is.”
prejudice to what they are proposing, we are of the view that the clause
dealing with the issue of tenure is fine as it is.”
Speaking
in a similar vein, his counterpart in the CPC, Mr. Rotimi Fahakin, said, “You
know the President who started this tenure thing probably thought he would
benefit from it. He has been told bluntly by the Senate, that this is not going
to be.
in a similar vein, his counterpart in the CPC, Mr. Rotimi Fahakin, said, “You
know the President who started this tenure thing probably thought he would
benefit from it. He has been told bluntly by the Senate, that this is not going
to be.
“For
us, I wouldn’t really know the problem this amendment to the constitution hopes
to solve in our political system.
us, I wouldn’t really know the problem this amendment to the constitution hopes
to solve in our political system.
“What
we have always known is that the people should always be the fulcrum of any
political decision we want to take.
we have always known is that the people should always be the fulcrum of any
political decision we want to take.
“The
current two terms of four years each if properly used like it is done in
advanced democracies like the United States, is good enough for our own
environment; in that it keeps the people as the focus of the democratic value
of our political system.”
current two terms of four years each if properly used like it is done in
advanced democracies like the United States, is good enough for our own
environment; in that it keeps the people as the focus of the democratic value
of our political system.”
Also
speaking on the issue, the Convener of the Coalition of Northern Politicians,
Academics, Professionals and Businessmen, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, said there was
“absolutely nothing wrong with the constitutional provision of two terms of
four years each as is currently the case.”
speaking on the issue, the Convener of the Coalition of Northern Politicians,
Academics, Professionals and Businessmen, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, said there was
“absolutely nothing wrong with the constitutional provision of two terms of
four years each as is currently the case.”
He
accused the ruling Peoples Democratic Party of nursing a sinister agenda by
trying to push through a single six-year term.
accused the ruling Peoples Democratic Party of nursing a sinister agenda by
trying to push through a single six-year term.
He
said, “If the PDP has its way, it will not allow elections for any serious
position. Democrats, true democrats should cherish and welcome
elections because PDP is not democratic; you see the party finding a way to
trigger a national crisis to avoid elections.”
said, “If the PDP has its way, it will not allow elections for any serious
position. Democrats, true democrats should cherish and welcome
elections because PDP is not democratic; you see the party finding a way to
trigger a national crisis to avoid elections.”
Meanwhile,
the Ijaw Youth Council has said President Jonathan must contest the 2015
election irrespective of the recommendations of the committee.
the Ijaw Youth Council has said President Jonathan must contest the 2015
election irrespective of the recommendations of the committee.
The IYC
insisted that the President’s aspiration for a second term in office must not
be scuttled by the Senate.
insisted that the President’s aspiration for a second term in office must not
be scuttled by the Senate.
“We are
saying that Jonathan must run in 2015 because he is a saleable candidate for
us. The National Assembly should not do anything that will affect the second
term ambition of President Jonathan and others who wish to contest in 2015.
saying that Jonathan must run in 2015 because he is a saleable candidate for
us. The National Assembly should not do anything that will affect the second
term ambition of President Jonathan and others who wish to contest in 2015.
“Though
we cannot compel Nigerians to vote for him (Jonathan), we are appealing to
Nigerians to vote for him in the next dispensation. He must contest no
matter the recommendations from that committee.”
we cannot compel Nigerians to vote for him (Jonathan), we are appealing to
Nigerians to vote for him in the next dispensation. He must contest no
matter the recommendations from that committee.”
In a
related development, Second Republic presidential candidate, Dr. Tunji
Braithwaite, has called on the National Assembly to stop the ongoing
constitution amendment. He said it would not address the current “imbalance,
inequality, injustice and many other problems in the country.”
related development, Second Republic presidential candidate, Dr. Tunji
Braithwaite, has called on the National Assembly to stop the ongoing
constitution amendment. He said it would not address the current “imbalance,
inequality, injustice and many other problems in the country.”
In a
statement in Lagos on Saturday, the lawyer said the Federal Government should
rather call a sovereign national conference to fashion out a new constitution
that would meet the yearnings of the people.
statement in Lagos on Saturday, the lawyer said the Federal Government should
rather call a sovereign national conference to fashion out a new constitution
that would meet the yearnings of the people.
The
Senate Committee on Review of the Constitution, had recommended a
vnon-renewable single six-year tenure for the office of President,
Vice-President, governors and their deputies.
Senate Committee on Review of the Constitution, had recommended a
vnon-renewable single six-year tenure for the office of President,
Vice-President, governors and their deputies.
The
committee’s recommendation also disqualifies President Jonathan and
incumbent governors from benefiting from the new arrangement if the
recommendation becomes law.
committee’s recommendation also disqualifies President Jonathan and
incumbent governors from benefiting from the new arrangement if the
recommendation becomes law.
While
shedding light on the recommendation, the Chairman of the committee, Senator
Ike Ekweremadu, had on Thursday in Abuja said if the recommendation on single
tenure succeeded, the President and some governors would sacrifice their
ambitions in 2015.
shedding light on the recommendation, the Chairman of the committee, Senator
Ike Ekweremadu, had on Thursday in Abuja said if the recommendation on single
tenure succeeded, the President and some governors would sacrifice their
ambitions in 2015.
“We
don’t want Nigerians to say that we have colluded with the executive to give
tenure elongation to the President and certain governors. That means
somebody instead of staying for eight years; he will now be staying for 10
years.
don’t want Nigerians to say that we have colluded with the executive to give
tenure elongation to the President and certain governors. That means
somebody instead of staying for eight years; he will now be staying for 10
years.
“I
think it will be easier for someone to deal with the issue of making a
sacrifice than for someone to have the period for 10 years; I am not sure what
our colleagues will say. If they say that those who are there now should
benefit, that is fine. Those who are currently serving should be able to excuse
themselves and say we make this sacrifice on behalf of the system,” he said.
think it will be easier for someone to deal with the issue of making a
sacrifice than for someone to have the period for 10 years; I am not sure what
our colleagues will say. If they say that those who are there now should
benefit, that is fine. Those who are currently serving should be able to excuse
themselves and say we make this sacrifice on behalf of the system,” he said.
Source: Punch
