Posted by By SAM ANOKAM on
The duo of former Head of State, General Muhammed Buhari (rtd) and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, immediate past vice president and flagbearers of the All Nigeria's Peoples Party (ANPP) and the Action Congress (AC) respectively have been enjoined to withdraw their suits at the Supreme Court challenging the legitimacy of President Umaru Yar'Adua as winner of the last April presidential election.
The duo of former Head of State, General Muhammed Buhari (rtd) and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, immediate past vice president and flagbearers of the All Nigeria's Peoples Party (ANPP) and the Action Congress (AC) respectively have been enjoined to withdraw their suits at the Supreme Court challenging the legitimacy of President Umaru Yar'Adua as winner of the last April presidential election.
Mr. Peter C. J. Anigbogu, founder and national chairman, Non-Indigenes Cultural Association (NICA) who made the call in Lagos at the weekend enjoined Buhari and Atiku to put behind them the bitterness engendered by last year's electoral skirmish and join hand with Yar'Adua to move the country forward.
While conceding to them the right to appeal to the apex court, Anigbogu argued that the only way the duo can demonstrate to the world that they are truly democrats and that their quest for power is not for self-aggrandisement is to accept the verdict of the Presidential Election Tribunal which last month upheld the election of Yar'Adua and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.
'We congratulate the judiciary for affirming President Yar'Adua as winner of the presidential election and we are also using this opportunity to appeal to Buhari and Atiku not to pursue their cases at the Supreme Court in the interest of the nation. I also urge other opposition groups to join hands with Mr. President to move the nation forward.
The task to make Nigeria truly great is an arduous task and requires the effort of every well-meaning Nigerian. This is no time to bicker over bygone election."
Anigbogu who also reacted to the nullification of Adamawa State election by the tribunal urged the people of the state to vote back Murtala Nyako who he said is not only a tested administrator but also as a detribalized Nigerian.
Anigbogu frowned on suggestion in some quarters for the restructuring of the police, saying it is rather too early for such a call even as he advocated for the scrapping of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).
'The Inspector General, Sir Mike Okiro is an experienced policeman. He has begun the process of reforming the outfit, but he needs some time to put his act together. Very soon, Nigerians will begin to see the results. So, rather than calling for his head, people should rather suggest ideas to clean the image of the police.
Since his assumption as IG, we have witnessed a lot of improvement in the police and this is attested to by the numerous awards of excellence that have been given to officers and men of the Force. He should be given a chance to prove his mettle."
He believed that if the war to rid the country of corruption is to be won, then the police must be given a role to play. 'The EFCC and ICPC should be scrapped and let the Special Fraud Unit of the police take over their duties. I don't seem to understand the functions of these agencies when evidences of monumental corruption perpetrated by the last administration abound. At best, the two agencies can be brought under the supervision of the police."
The NICA boss also want President Yar'Adua to make a law making it mandatory for state governors to recognize the right of non-indigenes and treat them with care.
He said a situation whereby non-indigenes are treated like second citizens will not augur well for our quest for cohesive nation-state.