Posted by From Laolu Akande, New York on
ON the sideline of his visit to the United States (U.S.) today, President Olusegun Obasanjo may have to address a group of Nigerians based in that country over the worries concerning their fatherland, particularly the third-term controversy.
ON the sideline of his visit to the United States (U.S.) today, President
Olusegun Obasanjo may have to address a group of Nigerians based in that
country over the worries concerning their fatherland, particularly the third-
term controversy.
The group, called Concerned Nigerians in the Diaspora, has already secured
a period to hold protest march in front of the White House while President
Obasanjo and his U.S. counterpart, George W. Bush, meet.
The U.S.-based Nigerians under the umbrella of Concerned Nigerians in the
Diaspora are up in arms against Obasanjo who is billed to meet Bush today at
the White House.
The Nigerian Democratic Movement (NDM), led by Prof. Bolaji Aluko has
already secured a permit to demonstrate in front of the White House.
A strongly worded letter has been forwarded to Obasanjo and copied to
President Bush. Both efforts are aimed at showing the displeasure of
Nigerians in the U.S. to move to extend the tenure of the Nigerian president
and governors.
The citizens are also particularly concerned that the Nigerian government
could not prevent President Charles Taylor from fleeing Nigeria after the
government had acceded to the request to have him extradited.
The former president of the Nigerian Lawyers Association (NLA), in the
U.S., Mr. Shamsey Oloko pointed out that the pursuit of a third term was a
"dangerous precedent" arguing that term limit remained the only way
Nigerians could effect a change of government since it is generally viewed
that elections in Nigeria are corrupt.
The Nigerian professionals addressed a letter to President Obasanjo,
declaring an unambiguous rejection of the third term. Copies of the letter
have also been sent to the U.S. Congressmen in the Senate Foreign Relations
and House International Relations committees on Africa.
The letter read in part: "We the undersigned Nigerian citizens in North
America write to express our outright and implacable opposition to on-going
legislative moves in our country Nigeria to amend the constitution to allow,
inter-alia, the executives in Nigeria (president and governors) three four-
year terms, which is being widely interpreted as intended to immediately
benefit the affected incumbents, including yourself."
It continued: "Prior official denials of the amendment move are no longer
tenable, now that the Nigerian National Assembly's Joint Committee on
Constitutional Review (JCRC) has recently approved it, despite widespread
opposition at various zonal public hearings. We are fully aware that the
amendment still requires approval by two-thirds of members of the National
Assembly and two-thirds of our 36 state assemblies, but the tension arising
from the very possibility of the extension of terms is causing ripples, heating up of the Nigerian polity, and holding up the political process towards an orderly transfer of power in 2007."
Signatories to the letter, besides Aluko who is the President, Nigerian
Democratic Movement, include Okop Usem Leadership Council, represented
by Mr. N. H. Ibanga; President, Nigerians United for Democracy and
Development led by Mr. Patrick Okigbo; President, World Igbo Congress led
by Ichie Igwemazi, as well as the group's Chairman of the Board, Forum for
the Advancement of Nigeria led by Dr. Emmanuel Dada, and the President of
the South-South Peoples Assembly in North America, Dr. Igho Natufe.
Others include the President of the Zumunta USA Inc., Dr. Mohammed
Ladan, President of the Egbe Omo Yoruba in North America, Mr. Adeola
Odusanya, and the Chairman of Pronaco-USA, Dr. Baba Adam.
Some of those who signed on self recognition are Tony Nammor, Oloye
Awojoodu, Samuel Ayodele, Muminu Badmus, Clement Ikpatt, Omoyele
Sowore, Ezekiel Macham, Olu Oreofe, Titus Folayan and Ebenezer
Adewunmi.
The letter insisted that "all the governors and yourself who have sworn
twice (in 1999 and 2003) to uphold the two-term limit of the 1999
Constitution must respect and obey it. ÒThe question of leadership of any
country is a continuous process. No one leader can see a country's
development to its logical end. In a democracy, each leader makes his or her
contributions and leaves the stage to others according to the constitution."
The U.S.-based Nigerians argued that Obasanjo's visit to the U.S. "presents
another opportunity in the glare of the whole world to right matters.
They added: ÒNothing will aid the strengthening of democratic institutions
in our country more than your eschewing of an unconstitutional move that
lacks integrity.Ó They pleaded: ÒPresident Obasanjo, please seize the
opportunity; redeem the moment; do the right thing. During this visit, we
urge you to publicly denounce these campaigns and unequivocally dissociate
yourself from any scheme that will enable you and some others to contest for
a return to power in 2007."
Commenting further Oloko said third term would "open the door to future
leaders to amend the constitution as they wish and that is the end of
democracy." He added that an extension of tenure for Obasanjo would
"upend all the work that he has done all this years." According to him, "if
Obasanjo leaves at the appointed time, his place in history is set whether you
like him or not. But what we are seeing today with all the clamour against
him, is the harbinger of what will happen when he eventually leaves power."
Oloko continued: If Obasanjo loves Nigeria he should step down in 2007
and refuse to change the constitution or elongate his tenure."
The flyers promoting the planned demonstration in front of the White
House yesterday read: ÒDemonstration in front of the White House,
Washington DC As President Obasanjo Visits President Bush!
No! To ObasanjoÕs Third-Term in NigeriaÓ and ÒAny other thing that
aggrieves you! Bring Your Own Placards! Date: Wednesday, March 29, 2006;
Time: 12:00 noon - Assemble at Lafayette Park (in front of the White House)
Time: 12:30 p.m. - Marching Demonstration on White House Sidewalk (1600
Pennsylvania Avenue, Wash DC, NW). Time: 1:00 p.m. - Deliver Letters at
White House Gate to President Bush Time: 1:15 p.m. - Disperse.
National Park Service Permit for Demonstration at White House Obtained
by Nigerian Democratic Movement (NDM).