Posted by By RAZAQ BAMIDELE and UCHE USIM on
A coalition of some political parties under the umbrella of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) has called on the National Assembly to as a matter-of-urgency serve impeachment notices on both President Olusegun Obasanjo and his deputy Atiku Abubakar before the general elections in April this year.
A coalition of some political parties under the umbrella of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) has called on the National Assembly to as a matter-of-urgency serve impeachment notices on both President Olusegun Obasanjo and his deputy Atiku Abubakar before the general elections in April this year.
The coordinator of the coalition and the National chairman of the Nigerian Advanced Party (NAP), Dr Tunji Braithwaite who made this call, Sunday, while receiving the presidential candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd) in Lagos stated that the impeachment of the duo was one of the ways Nigeria could get credible election in 2007.
'With what we are reading from the Petroleum Trust Development Fund (PTDF) scandal, if something reasonable is not done, we do not believe we can have credible election this year with all the work we have been doing" the legal practitioner cum politician emphasized, warning that Nigerians should not allow any government to impose anybody on them.
Speaking further, Braithwaite urged the duo to clear themselves of the alleged offences.
His words 'If the National Assembly would carry out their oversight responsibilities, we are expecting impeachment notices to be served on Obasanjo and Atiku long before the election.
'We believe in due process. Let both of them clear themselves before the elected representatives of the country."
The NAP boss who expressed fears that Nigeria was at the cross roads challenged Nigerians to do whatever was legally and constitutionally possible to ensure credible elections in Nigeria, asserting that the call was a signal to Nigerians to prevent what happened in 2003 from repeating itself in 2007.
On why the coalition adopted Buhari as its presidential candidate for 2007, Braithwaite said Buhari was about the only credible presidential candidate on parade today describing him as a man of integrity.
'Let us look at his antecedents.
He is the closest to the idealogical stand point to salvage this country. If you can convince me of any better personality with integrity who lives for the good of the common people, I will go with you" He averred that Buhari was even better now than when he was instilling discipline into the people of this country in the mid-80s.
In his own speech, Buhari said his mission in Lagos was to formally express gratitude for the solidarity, support and endorsement of his candidature by members of the Nigeria political parties, (CNPP).
He said he was impressed with the articles of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) submitted saying it tallied with 'my ideals, conviction and in harmony with the fundamental obligations for good governance enshrined in the 1999 constitution and the manifest of the ANPP."
If eventually elected president, the former Head of State promised to restructure the country and ensure freedom and national integration.
Hear him: 'My cardinal programme is to expand the frontiers of freedom, social justice and the rule of law. It is only through the expansion of frontiers of freedom that maximum welfare and common good of the citizens, national integration and consolidation of democracy will be actualized.
'May I crave your indulgence and solicit your support for intention to restructure the country. A reasoned proposition anchored on an enabling bill would be presented to the National Assembly in order to restructure the country and restore her to true federalism."
While appealing to eligible Nigerians to register to enable them to vote, Buhari who urged all the citizens to assist him to fix Nigeria said 'this is the prelude to defending the sanctuary of the ballot box, consolidation of democracy and popular participation in building a new Nigeria of our collective dream."
Represented at the reception were Alhaji Balarabe Musa of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Dr Osagie Obayuana and Mr Femi Falana of the National Conscience Party, (NCP), Senator Femi Okunrounmu of the Democratic Peoples Alliance (DPA) and representatives of the Peoples Action Congress (PAC).
Earlier, General Buhari had visited the Ikeja General Hospital to console the victims of the Abule Egba pipeline inferno that claimed several lives on December 26, 2006.
The ANPP presidential flagbearer, who was in pensive mood, was received at the hospital by the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr Olufemi Olugbile who conducted him round the various wards where the fire victims were receiving treatment.
Security operatives barred journalists from entering into the hospital for undisclosed reasons.
After few minutes stay at the hospital, Buhari was said to have headed to Sheraton Hotel, Lagos to hold meetings with politicians.