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Say No To Obj Third Term Bid

By Erin B 07/02/2012 13:23:00

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Author: Nigerians Abroad
Posted to the web: 5/3/2006 12:16:53 PM

Nigerians in Diaspora against Obasanjo’s Third Term Bid

We have been observing over the past months with great concern and disgust, the political manoeuvres between the executive and the legislators whose ultimate goal is to secure Obasanjo a third term in office with deliberate defiance of popular opinion with the act of re-amendment of constitution.

Nigerian constitution has been reviewed and amended several times since her independence in 1960 but never a time in her history has a constitutional amendment assumed the image of national scandal as in this current attempt that lacks credibility and legal validity.

The people of Nigeria are governed under the constitution of 1999 which empowers president for a four year term in office. The bicameral legislatures of Nigeria consists of a 360-seat house of representatives and a 109-seat senate and are elected for a four-year term in office.

Why does Rtd. Gen. Olusangun Obasanjo want a third term in Office?

Some politicians including Obasanjo glibly tell Nigerians that the 'problem' of Nigeria are the twin devils of 'Corruption' and 'Bad Leadership' yet with each change of government, things have gone progressively from bad to worse. Nigeria after 45 years of independence yet remains an elephant with two heads.

Nigeria had no social security system. Less than 1% of the population of Nigerians above the age of sixty receive pensions, there are no agricultural facilities, the citizens living on less than a $ 1, 00 daily is over 89% of the population. More than 70% of Nigerians are unemployed, the country’s official human statistics are questionable, and the traditional practice of caring for parents has begun to erode under harsh conditions of scarcity in urban areas.

Although, one can commend his efforts in debt relief and his activities on NEPAD initiatives but the deliberate and reckless disregard of court orders and rule of law, state sponsored killings of Eminent Citizens, intense ethnic/ religious, socio-economic malaise, manipulation of the Legislators, intimidation of opposition through Police and EFCC and misuse of Public funds has riddled his efforts.

Significance/Consequences of a Third Term

The on-going debate on third term has brought about a heated political tension in the country that has fuelled several ethnic/religious, social and economic crises. The recent religious conflicts in the northern and eastern parts of Nigeria as well as the kidnapping and killing of people in the Niger-Delta region are clear signs of frustrations and sufferings experienced by the people of Nigeria.

We strongly believe that the third term bid would be a great setback to our hard-earned democracy which may expose Nigerians to another civil war. With no scepticism, the issue of third term will facilitate the division of Nigeria in a near future if Obasanjo succeeds in amending the constitution by a fraudulent act through corruption, greed and self-centred legislators that are not true representatives of the people they claim to represent.

The success in this amendment will not only bring set back to Nigeria but to whole of Africa. Obasanjo should be told loud and clear that another four years in office is not worth a Nigerian Civil War.

At this junction, support is highly needed from the International Community to mount pressure on President Obasanjo to forget the issue of third term in office in order to save millions of Nigerians who may lose their lives in the projected civil war.

Written by:

Mr. Lewis Ehiwario, President, African People Convention, Germany

Mr. Frank Okey Collins, African Immigrant Integration Centre, Germany

Mr. Omo-Ojumah, Oghenevwaire Humphrey, Acting Treasurer, International Rehabilitation for African Disables e. V. Germany

Prince Okoro Monday Akinyemi, Secretary General, International Rehabilitation for African Disables e. V. Germany