Posted by From JAMES OJO, Abuja on
Seventy-three members of the House of Representatives and six senators Wednesday, launched a movement to counter the planned extension of the tenure of the Executive, saying that the third term project was real.
Seventy-three members of the House of Representatives and six senators Wednesday, launched a movement to counter the planned extension of the tenure of the Executive, saying that the third term project was real.
To actualize the dream of the group, a suit would be filed at an Abuja court to challenge the constitutionality of the zonal public hearing planned by the Constitution Review Committee led by Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu.
Introducing the group, made up of concerned senators and members of the House, Senator Uche Chukwumerije said that the third term project presents clear danger to the unity, stability, development and progress of Nigeria and democracy.
'For some time, there has been speculation in our polity concerning the reality or otherwise of a third term agenda by President Olusegun Obasanjo and some governors. We want Nigerians not to accept any longer the half-truths, lies, deception and manipulations of the Presidency on this issue," he admonished Nigerians.
Senator Chukwumerije described as not only a sad historical experience but also self-serving the ploy to perpetuate Obasanjo in office, which he said was unconstitutional, undemocratic and retrogressive.
The group condemned unequivocally, the despicable role being played by some captains of industry, describing them as illegal beneficiaries of the wholesale mortgaging of the resources of the country.
'We, Concerned Legislators of the National Assembly, hereby oppose, reject, detest and denounce unequivocally the 3rd term ambition of Mr. President and some governors. We condemned the use of coercive forces and resources of state to blackmail, harass, manipulate and threaten elected public office holders at all levels towards achieving this satanic project," Chukwumerije warned.
He reminded President Obasanjo the end of past attempt at self- perpetuation in office and also the advice he gave General Ibrahim Babangida under similar circumstance in 1992.
A member of the group, Hon Haruna Yerima, told Daily Sun that the group might go to court to stop the public hearing because zoning was not recognized by the constitution.
Apart from the problem of constitutionality, he said that the group was not comfortable the way the Constitution Review Committee packed 320 sections and 7 Schedules of the 1999 constitution to be examined by members of the public in one day.
Last week, a group of lawmakers, under the name, National Unity Group, canvassed support for the third term project.
Senators Nuhu Aliyu (Niger), Olorunnimbe Mamora (Lagos), Ben Obi (Anambra), Kanti Bello (Katsina) and Farouk Bello (Kebbi) joined Senator Chukwumerije at the launch.