Posted by By GODWIN TSA Abuja on
The battle for supremacy between the Attorney General and Minister of Justice and the EFCC on Tuesday took an ethnic dimension as a group under the umbrella of Joint Northern Youth Association For Unity and Good Governance accused the Yoruba's of catching in on the stand-off to pursue an ethnic agenda.
The battle for supremacy between the Attorney General and Minister of Justice and the EFCC on Tuesday took an ethnic dimension as a group under the umbrella of Joint Northern Youth Association For Unity and Good Governance accused the Yoruba's of catching in on the stand-off to pursue an ethnic agenda.
Their position came against the backdrop of calls by some prominent lawyers from the South-West region of the country, asking President Umaru Musa Yar' Adua to sack the Attorney General and Justice Minister, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa (SAN).
National President of the group, Abdul Ahmed Isiaq, who described the call for the Minister's resignation as mischievous urged him to consider such calls as 'the ranting of failures not capable of distracting you from your constitutional responsibilities."
While castigating critics of the Minister's style of administration as pursuing ethnic agenda, the youths said the position of the Attorney General of the Federation is not a birth right of a section of the country.
'We urge the honourable Minister to note that a section of Nigerians have seen your present position as their birth right and therefore would do whatever, to bring your name to disrepute. Please remain focused, undaunted and committed to your cause, the progress of our nation deserves attention more than the ranting of failures."
The group which urged the Minister to remain focussed in the discharge of his duties, noted that'your stance to uphold the constitution and champion the principle of rule of law is not strange or illegitimate act but a progressive motive that will strengthen our democracy where collective responsibility, check and balances will be strictly adhered to."
In addition, the group which was on a courtesy visit to the Minister urged him not to be distracted from his laid down goals by the diversion and deception.
In his response, the Minister reiterated his resolve to pursue the enthronement of the rule of law initiative of the present administration to a logical conclusion.
He told his audience that the present administration was not out to kill the war against corruption but rather to strengthen it adding that no sane government will cordon corruption.
The Minister explained that the difference between the present administration and the past in the fight against corruption lies in the approach of fighting the war.
According to him, the difference is that 'we stand on the side of the constitution and due process and to detach sentiments and emotions in this fight against corruption.
'It is our belief that this war can be fought and won under strict adherence to the rule of law and in a decent manner."
While thanking the group for their visit, Aondoakaa urged his critics to shun pride and sentiments and embrace the rule of
law initiative of the present administration so that 'we can work according to the tenets of the constitution in task of building a decent society."