.. An inimitable asset that the Progressive Government of Senator Monday Okpebholo shouldn’t do without.
In the rich tapestry of our political evolution as a Nation, certain personalities, through dint of hard work and providence, have attained a place of prominence with a track record of achievements through their exceptional performance in the service of our Motherland. One of such pristine personalities that has been exceptional in every one of his endeavors is the legislative icon, Rt. Hon. Samson Raphael Osagie. PhD
Blessed with innate intelligence, brilliance, and uncommon intellect, Dr. Osagie, fired by his desire to succeed, broke the barriers of his extremely humble background, surmounted the inhibiting challenges it brought his way, and plunged himself into the limelight. A look into his very impressive, intimidating, and rich resumé is not only awe-inspiring but reveals a man with an insatiable appetite for knowledge acquisition, an erudite legal luminary, an accomplished and iconic legislator, a refined bureaucrat, a corporate executive with vast knowledge in corporate governance and an impactful politician.
With a Bachelor’s degree in Law (LL.B), a Master Degree in Law (LL.M), a Master in Public Administration (MPA), and a Master Degree in International Relations (M.SC), Dr. Osagie consolidated his quest for diverse knowledge and intellectualism with a Doctor of Philosophy Degree(PhD) in Political Economy and Development Studies. Dr. Osagie is a phenomenon in the practice and teaching of Law and jurisprudence with robust experience in arbitration, civil, criminal, corporate, and Energy Law.
He is a developmental political economist, progressivist, and a fellow of several specialized international and chartered institutes that cut across the fields of Arbutration, Mediation,Concilliation, Corporate Strategy, Ethics, Compliance and regulations. His fellowship and membership also cut across the fields of administration and financial investment. Indeed, Dr. Osagie is a complete package, an inimitable asset to the polity, and Senator Monday Okpebholo’s government has made an avowed commitment to prioritize competence in the drive of the much-needed growth and development as envisioned in his five Points agenda.
Politically, Dr. Samson Osagie cut his political teeth early and has garnered enormous intra-party and inter-party political experience, having contested and won elections several times; hence, he understands the intricacies of politics and governance. Its complexities, distinction, and interrelatedness. He was very successful in handling his affairs as an elected leader while also delivering the dividends of democracy for his constituents.
He left the 7th House of Representatives, National Assembly where he represented the good people of Orhionmwon and Orhionmwon federal constituency in 2015 as a principal office holder with the position of Minority Whip. He had earlier served two terms as a member of the Edo State House of Assembly representing Uhunnwode Constituency. Dr. Osagie’s record of stewardship, legislative vibrancy, and purposeful representation in his unbroken 16 years as a legislator has become a point of reference in the political landscape of Edo State.
Dr. Osagie’s greatest strength as an emotionally intelligent Leader and political actor is captured in Mahatma Gandhi’s sagacious quote where he opined, “I suppose leadership at one time meant muscles, but today it means getting along with people.” His interpersonal skills are top-notch. His ability to build and sustain meaningful relationships with Leaders and alk persons from all cadres and strata of society is a testament to his humility, exposure, and humane nature.
A veritable and passionate team player who gives one hundred percent of his time, commitment, and energy to any course he believes in, as demonstrated in the just concluded Edo Gubernatorial Campaigns and electios. He threw himself completely into the campaigns; the result cumulated in the victory we are celebrating today.
In conclusion, as we look forward to the inauguration and the take of the new government in Edo State, led by Senator Monday Okpebholo, Dr. Osagie’s experience in the law, politics, governance, administration and vocal ability will be useful in helping the administration meet all his campaign promises and birth the new Edo that will be a reference point in the community of State in Nigeria.
One of the outstanding personalities that emerged at the dawn of the fourth Republic is Dr Samson Osagie. A Lawyer by training, a political personage and a towering Legislative figure within the political hemisphere of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. His outstanding contributions to Legislative activism from 1999 to 2015 remains a reference point and a benchmark for all those who have represented any part of Edo State in particular and Nigeria at large.
His dexterity in the practice of Law and represention of clients in the temple of justice and other legal transactions has been one with utmost fecundity. He is simply a multi disciplinary professional with an exceptional experience and record of performance. In Edo State, he is regarded as one of the very few intelligentsia with exceptional capacity, ability and brilliance that grounds his competence in any assignment committed to his hands.
The last Governorship elections in Edo State saw him deploy exceptional grassroot mobilization strategies and scintillating delivery of campaign messages across the Edo South Senatorial District. For this, he has been widely applauded for his unwavering commitment, consistency and loyalty to the All Progressives Congress and its leadership in the State. He it was, who was one of the insignificant few that warned in 2016 that an Obaseki administration in Edo State will be and unmitigated disaster. He led other compatriots like Hon Henry Idahagbon the Edo Progressives Movement(EPM) to resist the Obaseki’s government slide into dictatorship and failure. At that time, the movement was largely misunderstood and maligned as a morbid crowd of sore losers and hungry political gladiators. Alas, they were justified with the ungodly trajectory of the administration. Samson Osagie, holds a triple Master Degree in Law, Public Administration and International Relations and a Doctorate Degree in Political Economy.
With his impressive academic record, an enviable record of public service particularly in the Legislature and some stint in the executive coupled with his prowess in grassroots mobilization, the future beckons on him for further service to his fatherland. Although he narrowly lost the 2015 Senatorial Election as candidate of the All Progressives Congress, it is not in doubt that he has tremendous capacity for both Legal and Representative assignments.
As the clock ticks to end the regime of a most vicious government of our dear state, the likes of Dr Samson Osagie are needed to reset the steering of governance in our state so as to navigate the ship of state away from the drift the Obaseki government has taken it. The need to get the incoming administration to fulfil the promises made to Edo people requires that only those tested to be performers and have the requisite knowledge, experience and compassion to serve are deployed to represent the state at every level.
As a new Edo is rising, the round pegs must be placed in the round holes!
*Roseline Osunde is a Lawyer and a Legislative Research Fellow.
The Nigerian government should look into the treatment of Nigerians in Ghana because there are reports of police harassment and extortion from Nigerians in the country. A Ghanaian friend recently shared a Facebook post on some police raids targeted at Nigerians. His post reads: “My apartment has been raided by the Ghana Police 4 times in less than a year. Whatever reason you think for this. It’s worse! The apartment used to be occupied by some Nigerian men who were tired of being harassed by the police”. So many Nigerians in Ghana suffer constant harassment by the police. The harassment has gone on for too long that some are tired. Yes, some Nigerians are tired of being targeted, stopped, arrested by the police in Ghana.
As the post further reveals, the raids have become a pretext for extortion:“The neighbor told me that they packed and left the day after the final raid; after they had to find 7000 Cedis bribe for the police to bail themselves out. They were not the only Nigerians who packed and left. More than five apartments became available after that raid”.
So raiding apartments where Nigerians live has become a lucrative business for the police in Ghana. Police officers extort thousands of Cedis from Nigerians, then let them go and later return to raid and extort money from them again. Nigerians have become easy prey for the Ghana police. Nigerians have become a cash cow for Ghanaian authorities. Take a look at the next part of the post:
“When I first got the apartment, even before I had finished cleaning it up, police officers showed up in Rambo style, entering into the apartment without knocking, asking where the Nigerians are. I explained to them that I was the new tenant and did not know of anyone else. Because of how the apartment was in disarray, they nodded along and left”.
Look, this was not a random raid for illegal occupants. It was a targeted police action. There are nationals from many west African countries who are living in Ghana. When I was in Ghana, I met Liberians, Sierra Leoneans, and Ivorians who were living in the country and who had taken Ghana as their home. In fact, on one occasion, I met some Fulanis in the Northern region. They entered Ghana on horses through the border with Burkina Faso. They had no travel documents.
The police in Ghana are not raiding apartments asking for Liberians, Sierra Leoneans, or Nigeriens who were illegally staying in the country. No, the police raided apartments asking: “Where are the Nigerians? So, the Ghana police have specifically been instructed to go after Nigerians!
The post recounts other incidents of police harassment: “The second time this happened, I was in my office while some friends were in the kitchen. The police surrounded the apartment, some entering from the front and some from the back, shouting and asking where the Nigerians were. I could see the fear in my friends’ eyes. I stepped in with some jokes to calm nerves, and we even offered them food to calm their nerves. The third time this happened, I had learned to keep my doors locked at all times. I heard banging on the door and someone trying to forcibly open the windows. I opened the door and a police officer rushed past me asking if I am Nigerian and where the Nigerians were. Today, I was not home. My girlfriend was.
The police came again asking for Nigerians. I came home to find their pickup still parked outside. They were moving from apartment building to apartment building looking for Nigerians. Their case: they received a tip that there are Nigerians in the area who smoke. The day before, they had raided some apartments and caught themselves some Nigerians who ultimately had to pay about 6000 Cedis, I am told, to be left alone. “. So police have raided this guy’s apartment many times. Who knows how many times these Nigerians-targeted police raids have been carried out in Ghana? Who knows how much money the Ghana police have extorted from their Nigerian victims?
In conclusion, the post states: “These raids usually happen on a weekend. The officers are always different. They always carry weapons. They always enter forcefully. They are always targeting people who look different. I am beginning to suspect this is not sanctioned by Ghana Police.
Why would the state sanction xenophobia? I am also beginning to suspect that when they run out of Nigerians to do this too, Ghanaians who are different would be the target. Most of these Nigerians targeted, are hard-working members of the community, trying to survive in their sister country. They are only guilty of being Nigerians in Ghana”.
What this kind-hearted Ghanaian has recounted is definitely the tip of the iceberg of abuse, harassment, maltreatment, and extortion that Nigerians, who are living in Ghana, suffer at the hands of the police. Probably, Ghanaian police are imitating the police in Nigeria. They have realised that the Nigerian police abuse and brutalise their citizens with impunity. They are now extending the abuse to Nigerians in their country. Police abuse of Nigerians should not be an excuse for this horrific treatment. Ghana police must be called to order. They should stop targeting, and extorting money from Nigerians.
The government of Ghana must rise to its responsibility and end this official witch hunt and maltreatment of Nigerian nationals who are living in the country.
The government should know that there are at least 500, 000 Ghanaians living in Nigeria.
AT A TWO DAY CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM FOR MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE ON DIASPORA ON WEDNESDAY 15TH OF SEPTEMBER, 2021 AT FRAISER’S SUITES, CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT, ABUJA.
HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIASPORA COMMUNITIES- ROLE OF LEGISLATORS IN THE PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS OF NIGERIANS IN THE DIASPORA BEING PAPER DELIVERED
BY
HON. SAMSON R OSAGIE, Ph.D. AT A TWO DAY CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM FOR MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE ON DIASPORA ON WEDNESDAY 15TH OF SEPTEMBER, 2021 AT FRAISER’S SUITES, CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT, ABUJA.
PREAMBLE:
At a time when living in Nigeria has become very difficult, with many Nigerians particularly the younger population scampering for avenue to jet out to other nations of the world for search of greener pastures, no other subject matter can be most appropriate than the theme of this paper- human rights and diaspora communities: role of the legislature in the promotion and protection of human rights of Nigerians in diaspora.
One may like to ask a few questions to agitate our minds on this all important topic.
1. First, What contributions to national development do Nigerians in diaspora make to our economy?
2. Why is it important to have the legislature promote and protect the rights of Nigerians in diaspora
3. What is or what should be the focus of the Nigerian legislature and indeed Nigerian government vis a vis the citizens of this country in diaspora
1. CONCEPTUAL CLARIFICATIONS
But permit me to do some conceptual clarifications on some terms before attempting answers to the posers above.
1.1 HUMAN RIGHTS
A. What are Human Rights?
Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person in the world from birth until death. These basic rights are based on shared values likely dignity, fairness, equality, respect and independence and they are usually protected by human laws be it municipal or International Law.
In Nigeria, human rights have received constitutional recognition as contained in Chapter Four (Sections 33 to 43) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999( as amended).They include the right to life, right to dignity of human person, right to personal liberty, right to fair hearing, right to private and family life, right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, right to freedom of expression and the press, right to freedom from discrimination and right to acquire and own immovable property anywhere in Nigeria.
These rights are inviolable in that the Constitution gives anyone the right to apply to a high court of law to seek redress in the event of a violation or threat of violation of any of his rights. (Section 46).
International Human Rights Law lays down obligations which states are bound to respect by becoming parties to international treaties. Thus, States assume obligations and duties under international law to respect, protect and fulfill human rights.
The United Nations Charter, The International Bill of Human Rights, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights,1948, The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 1966 and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 1966, Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and political rights, Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights aimed at the abolition of the death penalty, The core International human rights instruments , Universal Human Rights Instruments, etc are some of the sources of International human rights Laws that seeks the protection of the rights that are inherent to the human persons as global citizens.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted on 10th December, 1948 by Resolution 217 of the United Nations General Assembly enshrines the rights and freedoms of human beings. As an international and foundational text in the history of Human and Civil rights, it detailed the basic rights and fundamental freedoms of citizens and affirmed their universal character as inherent, inalienable and applicable to all human beings.
What are the types of Rights there are?
As with Municipal and International Human Rights Law, rights have been classified into Economic, Social, Cultural, Civil and Political Rights.
Examples abound of the categories of Economic, Social and Cultural rights. They include the right to work in a safe environment for a fair wage, the right to access medical care, including mental health care; the right to accessible education, the right to adequate food, clothing, and housing, the right to affordable sanitation and clean water, the right to take part in cultural life, the right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and the right to social security. The States are expected to protect these rights as inviolable and sacrosanct except in special circumstances prescribed by law.
The International Covenant On Economic, Social and Cultural rights established in 1976 and the Convention on the Tights of a Child are made to protect Economic, Social and Cultural rights.
On the other hand, Civil and Political rights require that people must be allowed to participate freely in Civil and political life without facing discrimination and repression. They include right to life, which is violated by actions like death by torture, neglect, and use of force, right to freedom of expression which is violated by restricting access to ideas and limiting press freedom, right to privacy, right to asylum, right to fair trial and due process, freedom to religion, freedom from discrimination etc.
All these are basic human rights intended to enable the citizens enjoy their privilege of being citizens without any let or hindrance. They are supposed to have no limitations in time and space except in circumstances where the citizens themselves violates the law.
1.2: DIASPORA COMMUNITIES
According to Meriam Webster Dictionary “diaspora means a group of people who live outside the area in which they had lived for a long time or in which their ancestors lived.”
From www.yourdictionary.com the definition of a diaspora is the dispersion of people from their homeland or a community formed by people who have exited or been removed from their homeland. An example of a diaspora is the 6th century exile of Jews from outside Israel to Babylon. … A group so dispersed, especially Jews outside of the land of Israel.
What then is a diaspora Community or Communities?
“Any community of people from the same country or region living in another country (or countries). They are considered a community if they consciously collaborate on basis of their belonging to the same country or region of origin.
This term refers to a community of people who live outside their shared country of origin or ancestry but maintain active connections with it. A diaspora includes both emigrants and their descendants”
Today, people from all races, tribes, cultural backgrounds, trades and professions have become members of the diaspora communities all over the world. And the basic motivation for people leaving their original homeland to foreign lands is more of economic than any other factor.
Now let’s focus on our own Nigerians in the diaspora. According to the Chairman, Nigerians In Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM)
“We have found out that there are currently about 15 million Nigerians in the Diaspora” Yes, these are the Nigerians whose rights in the global arena that we are here to talk about.
It is important to underscore the fact that Nigerians in Diaspora have become a veritable community for the social and economic development of their hosts countries and indeed their native country- Nigeria. To that extent regardless of their abode they are supposed to enjoy their fundamental human rights as global citizens by virtue of the various international declarations, conventions, treaties and protocols to which both their host nations and native country are signatories. These rights be it social, economic, cultural, civil or political are supposed to be inalienable to each and every one of them in order that they may enjoy their humanity as with the aborigines of their host countries.
Nigeria is a member state of the United Nations and a signatory to the Universal Declaration on Human Rights 1948 likewise most of Asia, North America, United Kingdom, Europe, Middle east, the Caribbeans , United States of America and African countries where diasporan Nigerians are domiciled. It therefore means that our Diasporan citizens are entitled to the protection of their fundamental human rights in countries where they live.
In asserting the inviolability of the rights of Nigerians in other nations, this important to examine the Foreign policy Of the Nigerian government as been conducted by the Country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Legislative tools of the Nigerian Legislature – the National Assembly- in dealing with the issues of human rights violations against Nigerian citizens abroad.
It is no longer news that Nigerians abroad have suffered huge level of human rights abuses arising from racism, stereotyping, unfair trial, prosecution and sometimes unlawful arrest and incarceration. To be candid though, our citizens abroad have come under intense criticisms for been responsible for the kind of treatment they get sometimes in their host countries in that some of them embarked on purely criminal enterprises like drug and human trafficking, internet fraud, immigration offences and outright stealing and robbery in some cases. Yes, no objective analyst can deny the prevalence of some of those unwholesome conduct of some of our nationals abroad but the preponderance of responsible and sought after professionals among Nigerian diaspora communities across the globe is enough evidence to warrant unqualified guarantee of the fundamental rights of Nigerians abroad.
Nigerian government have endeavored to pursue the enthronement of a secured nation devoid of international terrorism, guarantee a corrupt free country while reaching out to nations office of the world to repatriate monies stolen and stashed away in foreign banks and at the same time working with both regional and global financial institutions to revamp the nation’s economy. This three pronged objectives is the domestic basis of the foreign policy thrust of Buhari’s administration and has led it to enter into bilateral and multilateral negotiations, agreements and diplomatic relations with a number of countries. The whole idea is to make the country a better governed nation for its citizens globally to be proud of and to earn respect from others nations.
Although, these efforts haven’t yielded the desired result, it remains to be seen other very definite efforts at projecting and protecting the images of the nation. We were lucky to have a Nigerian elected recently as the DG of their World Trade Organization thus lifting the Nigerian image in the world economic matrix.
Perhaps most outstanding is the establishment of the Nigerian in Diaspora Commission(NIDCOM) headed by Hon Abike Dabiri, a former member of the House of Representatives and pioneer Chairperson of the House Committee on Diaspora Matters.
Now, let’s look at to the questions raised at the beginning of this discussion.
2.0: WHAT CONTRIBUTIONS TO NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT DO NIGERIANS IN DIASPORA MAKE TO OUR ECONOMY?
As earlier hinted Nigerians in diaspora have become a major bulwark in their contributions to the Nigerian economy. From a research conducted by PriceWaterhouseCooper in 2017 alone over 1.24 million Nigerians migrated out of Nigeria with the figures increasing yearly. As a result, “Nigeria account for over a third of migrants remittance flow to sub-saharan Africa. PwC estimated that these flows amounted to US $23.63billion (2017-US$22 billion) in 2018 and represent 6.1% of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)”
To underscore the significance of diaspora remittances to the Nigerian economy, by 2017 it was 7.4 times larger than the net official development assistance (foreign aid) received by the country to the tune US3.4billion. The PcW had estimated that by 2021 and 2023 diaspora remittances could hit US 25.8 billion and US34.8 billion respectively. This is by no means a huge contribution and any nation with this advantage ought and must endeavor to evolve strategies of not only to ensure good governance but also evolve diplomatic and Legislative interactions with the global community that gives respect to her citizens globally.
At the end of the day we can safely maintain that Nigerians in diaspora contribute significantly to national economic Development.
2.1: WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO HAVE THE LEGISLATURE PROMOTE AND PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF NIGERIANS IN DIASPORA?
The Nigerian Legislature otherwise called the National Assembly is empowered to make laws for peace, order and good governance of Nigeria or any part of it. (Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
It also has powers to provide Legislative imprimatur for the conduct of the nation’s foreign policy through the ratification of treaties entered into by the President on behalf of Nigeria (Section 12) and confirmation of appointments of Ambassadors.
By virtue of various global Legislative conventions, customs and practices the National Assembly belongs to several global legislative groupings and bodies through which it conducts Legislative diplomacy on behalf of Nigeria. For example the two chambers of the National Assembly have Committees on Parliamentary Associations like the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, African- EU Parliamentary Union, International Parliamentary Association, The PAN African Parliament etc. Indeed, some selected members of the National Assembly are members of the ECOWAS sub regional parliament.
We must not forget that the National Assembly is made up of people elected to represent the various segments in the population of Nigeria. Consequently in discussing the necessity for the promotion and protection of the rights of Nigerians in diaspora, we are actually talking about the imperative of the parliament to protect the right of their constituents where ever and whoever they are.
Louis Fisher, an American writer in his book ” Congress: Protecting The Rights of Individuals” submitted that “Deciding the appropriate role for the Congress and its institutional ability to protect individual rights requires an appreciation of historical precedents and constitutional principles….”
Our constitution and political system of Presidential democracy is modeled after that of the United States and so the underlying principles of constitutional democracy to wit: rule of Law, Separation of powers, Checks and balances, independent judiciary and the enthronement of the fundamental human rights of the Citizens are the underlying principles that informed the framers of our constitution in entrusting the parliament with enormous Legislative powers in order to be able to serve as a bastion for the protection and promotion of the citizens rights against unfair treatment.
Now, regarding the rights of Nigerians in diaspora, granted that the National Assembly cannot make laws for host nations of Nigerian citizens abroad , there are however Legislative tools for making foreign governments to respect the citizens rights.
These tools include Lawmaking, Legislative diplomacy, Advocacy and Oversight responsibilities.
For the purpose of this subject matter on the rights of Nigerians in diaspora let me talk briefly about the Lawmaking powers of the National Assembly.
As earlier postulated, the National Assembly is the repository of the Legislative powers of the Federal government of Nigeria. It is pursuant to that function that it made the Nigerian In Diaspora Commission (Establishment etc.) Act 2017 to among other things provide for the engagement of Nigerians in Diaspora in the policies, projects and participation in the development of Nigeria and for the purpose of utilising the human capital and material resources of Nigerians in diaspora towards the overall socio-economic, cultural and political development of Nigeria and other related matters which include working with various Nigerian in Diaspora Organizations across the globe for the protection and promotion of the rights and interests of its Nigerian members. This Legislation is a watershed in the attempt to crystallize the idea of citizens diplomacy not only in ensuring National development but also in providing support for the citizens abroad.
Another instrument of Legislative promotion and protection of the interest of Nigerians in Diaspora is through Legislative Diplomacy. This is concerned with the conduct of foreign affairs from the stand point of the nation’s Legislature. Very often, we are compelled to think that only Mr President and his Foreign Affairs department is responsible for all Executive issues of foreign relations. This is the “sole organ” metaphor “and actually does not represent the practical realities of parliamentary practices.
In his article “Legislative Diplomacy” Ryan M.Scoville submitted that
“But in fact members of Congress routinely engage in communication of their own. Congress, for example, receives heads of states and maintains official contacts with foreign parliaments. And individuals members of the House and Senate frequently travel overseas on Congressional delegations to confer with foreign leaders, investigate problems that arise, promote the interests of the United States (Nigeria) and constituents and even represent the President”
This is the practice today and it has assumed a much more prolific dimension arising from the incessant complaints about the ill treatment of Nigerians in diaspora.
One practical example of this will illuminate the effectiveness of Legislative Diplomacy in assisting the protection of Nigerians in diaspora.
On the 7th of July, 2007 , as Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Human Rights I moved a Motion on the Gruesome Murder of a Nigerian Citizen Osamuyi Aikpitanyi by the Spanish Security operatives while he was been deported to Nigeria on board an Iberia airline. The victim was put in a sack and drugged to death. He was a Nigerian citizen of Edo State descent. The house unanimously resolved to condemn the killing and set up ad hoc committee under the Chairmanship of Senator Seriake Dickson. The committee conducted investigations into the matter and in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs a parliamentary delegation was led by my humble self in company of the then Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Hakeem Baba Ahmed visited Kingdom of Spain on a diplomatic protest against the incident and press charges against the security operatives that were involved.
In the end, the Spanish authorities through their then Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr.Angel Losada apologized to the government and people of Nigeria, visited Edo State Government and the palace of the Oba of Benin, repatriated the body of the victim and pay for the funeral expenses.
Years later the security operatives in Spain who were involved were prosecuted and punished.
In a similar vein, the National Assembly had continued to employ this legislative tool together with constant advocacy against the violation of the rights of Nigerians in diaspora.
However what is certain is that the parliament, being an organ of government with little or no enforcement powers will have to synergize with the President, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NiDCOM and the various organized NIDO groups for effective implementation of various measures to protect the rights and freedoms of Nigerians in diaspora.
3.0: WHAT SHOULD BE THE FOCUS OF THE NIGERIAN LEGISLATURE VIS-A-VIS NIGERIANS IN DIASPORA?
a. The Legislature must however deploy its oversight tool to ensure that agencies of government responsible for the conduct of external affairs for the nation performs their responsibility.
b. The challenge of inadequate funding of Nigerian missions abroad coupled with bureaucratic bottlenecks in addressing urgent issues bordering on the rights and interests of Nigerians in diaspora must be addressed
The Legislature must engage with Ministry of Finance and Foreign affairs to reverse this trend through better funding.
c. The Nigerian Legislature must continue to focus on engaging foreign Legislatures particularly of nations whose anti Nigerian/African policies have impacted negatively on the rights and interests of law abiding Nigerians with a view to making them respect International Human Rights Law which guarantees the rights of citizens.
d. The Nigerian Legislature must escalate the numerous cases of abuses of the rights of Nigerians in diaspora before International Parliamentary organizations/Associations with a view to seeking intervention on behalf of Nigerian citizens.
e. There is need for a review of existing Treaties on Human rights with a view to ratifying those that are yet to be ratified in pursuance to Section 12 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), if there are any, to make them enforceable against their violations in relation to Nigerian citizens abroad.
f. The National Assembly should resolve by a resolution for the inclusion of fundamental human rights enforcement requirements in certain bilateral cooperation agreements emanating from states with high rates of abuses.
CONCLUSION
Nigerians in Diaspora are critical to the socio-economic development of Nigeria. The Nigerian Legislature has an abiding responsibility to improve on its Legislative engagements with government and Legislative institutions of other nations through advocacy and Legislative diplomacy in order to give confidence to Nigeria’s diasporans that the Country recognizes their impact on national development.
The Executive arm of government must seek the collaboration of the Legislature towards ensuring that treaties that guarantees basic rights for global citizens are respected by host nations of our nationals in every given situation. If need be, Nigerian government with the support of the Legislature may seek international judicial intervention in clear cases of abuses of rights of Nigerian citizens abroad.
Given the contributions of our citizens to the economy of our country and their host nations their interests and rights must be protected in much the same government (Legislature inclusive) seeks to protect rights of the citizens within the country.
REFERENCES
Arowosegbe, J.O & Akomolafe, R. J (2016): Foreign Relations Powers of National Assembly, Journals. Sagepub.com.
Ben-Naftali, O (2011): International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law-Pas de Deux.
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 1999 (As Amended).
https://www.nidcoms.com
https://www.un.org
https://en.m.wikipedia.org
Louis Fisher (2016): Congress: Protecting Individual Right.
National Action for the Protection and Promotion Of Human Rights In Nigeria, 2006 https://www. Ohchr.org
PriceWaterhouseCooper: Strength from Abroad: the Economic Power of Nigeria’s Diaspora: 2017.
A socio-cultural group, Niger Delta Development Initiative (NDDI) has mounted pressure on President Muhammadu Buhari to institute a legally recognized Board and Management ― 16-months after members of the Board were appointed by him and cleared by the Nigeria Senate.
President and Secretary of the group, Chief Ebikalome Tonye Anselm and Comrade Johnson Oghenekevbe in a petition title: “The need to stop the manipulation of the Management of NDDC against the Law” on Friday, also demanded for the sack of Sen. Godswill Akpabio, minister of Niger Delta Affairs, accusing him of hijacking the functions of Commission in violation of the spirit and letters of the enabling Law that set up NDDC ACT 2007.
The Niger Delta Stakeholders who described the development as sickening, accused the Minister of manipulating the Commission from been led by an Interim Management Committee (IMC) to a Sole Administratorship with his political protégé as beneficiary in contravention of Section 2 of the NDDC (Establishment etc) Act of 2007, which defines the functions and composition of membership of the Governing Board of the Commission among the nine oil producing States and the representatives of relevant Ministries.
The group, expressed worry over the setback the absence of NDDC Board has cost Nigeria people who have not enjoyed stability in its operations after a short stay of Ibim Seminatari to Egba/Obong Nsuma Ekere-led Board of NDDC till the ascension of Senator Akpabio as a result of the manipulation of the Commission was meant to serve without a Governing Board.
“Mr. President, we agree that there is a fundamental basis for probing into activities of the Commission, but we are worried that such exercise cannot obliterate the legal foundation upon which the Commission is founded.
“For the avoidance of doubt, your Excellency, we are of the firm view that over the NDDC are nothing short of an assault not only on established legal framework Governing the Management of the Commission, but an assault on the sensibility of the people of Niger Delta and nine member States of the Commission. This has continued despite the cacophony of voices that have risen against the decapitation of the Commission by the Ministry”, the group lamented.
While urging President Muhammadu Buhari not to allow himself to be goaded into sustaining illegalities in one the interventionist agencies in which huge appropriations are been made annually, urged him to shun distractions and “institute a legally recognized Board and Management which he had appointed in August 2019.
It further expressed sadness over the manner in which the Management of NDDC is being “manipulated to the extent that even court orders are now been manufactured to pave way for the lackey of the Minister to assume the sole leadership of the Commission” ― despite the litany of allegations of corrupt practices which have been made by several persons and groups across a broad spectrum against the spirit and letters of the enabling Law that set up the Commission”.
The petition further accuse the Minister of wrongly advising President Muhammadu Buhari against the inauguration whose main objective is to join other compatriots to advance the cause of development of the Niger Delta in particular and Nigeria in general.
It recalled how a Federal High court sitting in Abuja on the 20th day of January 2021, in suit No. FHC/ABJ/617/2020 Between the Incorporated Trustees of Forum for Accountability and Good Governance made a very startling revelation that it never granted any interim injunction to the Pondei-led Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the NDDC”, which had been dissolved by the President before its supposed lifespan in December 2020 and thereafter directed the most Senior Director should assume in capacity of a Sole Administrator based on the vacuum that was created in the development as it was widely reported on December 12, 2020, amidst protests and litigations by the various interest groups and Stakeholders in the polity on account of gross and further violation of the NDDC Act.
Ahead of the September 19, governorship election in Edo State, the PDP and its emergency candidate Godwin Obaseki have ran out of ideas, as their campaigns loses traction with thousands of their members abandoning their sinking ship.
Perturbed by the reality of imminent and unavoidable defeat, they have gone on their kneels groveling before one of the South South Governors and a PDP godfather who describe the National leadership of their party as tax collectors to assist them procure a frivolous court order that will prevent the APC and its formidable candidate Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu from participating in the September 19 gubernatorial election in Edo State.
As a matter of fact two Senior Lawyers in Benin one in Edo State public service and the other in private practice have been given matching orders to liaise with another prominent Senior lawyer in Lagos to urgently seek for injunctive orders against the APC candidate by all means possible. This step is been backed by the payment of several millions of dollars and billions of naira by Governor Obaseki to the Lawyers and the PDP godfather in the south south.
As part of measures to achieve this unholy and devilish mission Obaseki having obtain assurance from the PDP’s godfather in Port Harcourt has been junketing from one judicial division to the other seeking for pliable judges to assist him with an order based on frivolous and unmeritorious application against the APC and its candidate. This is why he is not campaigning or funding the PDP campaign, a situation which is alleged to have created a rift between him and his Deputy.
No wonder their media hirelings have been posting what looks like messages intended to prepare the mind of the public as to what they intend to achieve. In one of the Post a certain Jack Obiyan, Special Assistant to Governor Obaseki twitted that the suspended former State Chairman Anselm Ojezua as saying ” APC has no candidate”. The PDP godfather during their ill-fated flag off campaign in one of the changing rooms at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium re – echoed same.
Unfortunately, for the embattled party that sold its governorship and Deputy governorship tickets to Obaseki and his Deputy for several billions of Edo taxpayers money, many heads of courts across the country have issued stern warnings to judicial officers to refrain from entertaining frivolous politically motivated litigations aimed at derailing the democratic process which has characterized the Obaseki misadventure in Edo State governance since 2016.
Let it be known that Anselm Ojezua and Godwin Obaseki are living in fool’s paradise for assuming that they could put spanner in the works of the Edo APC from regaining its control of government in Edo State come November 12, 2020.
The APC gubernatorial primaries which Anselm Ojezua claims did not produce a candidate was ratified by the National Executive Committee which held in the Presidential Villa and which he virtually attended, albeit erroneously. How he now claim that after the ratification of the primaries which produced Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the party still has no candidate is a matter Mr President and the National Caretaker Committee of the APC must invoke serious disciplinary measures against by expelling Anselm Ojezua from the party.
It is no longer news that Anselm Ojezua and a few party chairmen at the LGA levels in Edo State are refusing to decamp with Obaseki to PDP with the intention of sabotaging the APC in the next election.
They will fail!!!
It is therefore important to state that Nigerian courts must be wary of the suits which are been filed with the aim of derailing the democratic processes in Edo State so as not to create a constitutional crisis as the tenure of the incumbent governor expires midnight of November 11(my birthday) and Edo people are not prepared to renew the mandate.
Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, candidate of the APC has undoubtedly fulfilled all legal requirements including incontrovertible academic qualifications and compliance with every statutory provisions spelt out in the Nigerian Constitution, the APC constitution and the electoral Act under which INEC has issued its guidelines.
Consequently, any order seeking to stop the APC candidate from participating in the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Edo State can only be a product of judicial compromise and we are confident that the Nigerian judiciary will not lend itself to such an ignoble mission.
Let us warn the PDP godfather in the south south oil rich state that the APC is fully aware of his boasts to use the judiciary to achieve this unholy mission as he did to APC in Rivers State in 2019. By God grace and under God no weapon fashioned by him and his God son Godwin Obaseki shall succeed and Obaseki shall lose shamelessly to Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
Needless to emphasize that the people of Edo State have accepted the SIMPLE AGENDA of the APC and its candidate and they are very prepared to run with it to guarantee security, quality infrastructure, Manpower development, public private partnership, leadership by example and employment cum empowerment. This SMART program is Specific, Measurable, Achievable , Realistic and Time bound so much so that Edo people can hold the APC government of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu accountable to it. On the contrary, the Obaseki government has no discernable agenda except bogus and incomprehensible litany of failed promises. Edo People cannot continue with his deceitful and hypocritical administration.
The task to reclaim Edo from the PDP tenant on September 19 is already a forgone conclusion and the Courts must exercise utmost circumspection not to yield to any unpatriotic, undemocratic, frivolous and vexatious applications relating to Edo elections particularly applications for injunctive reliefs against the APC and its candidate.
Finally, the Chief Justice of Nigeria should prevail on all superior courts of record to excercise utmost discretion and restraints in matters relating to Edo State governorship election before, during and after the election without prejudice to their powers to entertain post elections petitions.
Edo State is APC, and it’s people have decided to elect Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Mallam Gani Audu as the next Governor and Deputy Governor.
No more, No less.
~~Hon Samson Osagie is a former Minority Whip of the House of Representatives and the Coordinator, APC Campaign Council in charge of Edo South Senatorial District.
Today, we are gathered here as members, leaders and critical Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress APCEdo State to address Edo people and the entire nation on issues that have been bedeviling the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the Godwin Obaseki led administration in Edo State since the last three years.
THE STATE OF APC IN EDO STATE
It is important to note that the running of the party in Edo State by Barr. Anslem Ojezua has left much to be desired, a situation which was almost decimating the Strength of the party until we came in as a rescue team.
The inability of Barr. Anslem Ojezua to run an all inclusive party (the APC) in Edo State was gradually creating hopelessness among party members over issues that could have been amicably resolved, led to a situation that would have resulted in mass exodus of members from the party. Ojezua is not known to have been able to settle any party dispute no matter how minor, thus making his continuous stay in office as State Chairman a clear and present danger to the cohesion of the Party and therefore unacceptable to the majority of members.
For the avoidance of doubt, it is important to state that Barrister Anslem Ojezua has been involved in a number of constitutional breaches and gross misconduct ranging from illegal and unilateral suspension of the State Secretary and other legally elected officers of the Party, causing division in the Party by taking sides in Party disputes, failure to be accountable to Party, failure to improve the fortunes of the party in his immediate Local Government Area and Senatorial district as he has serially been a loser in all elections, disrespect and disregard for National leadership of the Party, conspiracy in the execution of an illegal inauguration of Edo State House of Assembly and many more acts of misconduct.
Consequently, as loyal party members and leaders we decided to find a voice for the teaming members who have been alienated and wrongly treated by Anslem Ojezua and his collaborators in Government and this led to the formation of our group with which we have been engaging the party and government in the last six months. Thus , our group was a necessary appropriate response to the drift in the party as led by Anslem Ojezua, who rather than being Chairman of the Party became a misadviser of the government, a contractor handling several SUBEB Projects in the State, and thereby compromised his integrity and neutrality in party matters.
We are happy to state unequivocally that in spite of the resistance of Barr. Anslem Ojezua and the government he has been misleading on party matters we have been able to galvanize the majority of the APC members in Edo State to keep faith within the party. We have also been able to attract other members of the opposition in their numbers to the APC as we shall witness shortly.
In the light of the above positive development the leadership and membership of of our group have resolved to continue as authentic APC members to further galvanize our members towards actualising our next cardinal objective of producing a candidate that will deliver on the party programs and ensure the United party capable managing all the tendency within the party. Henceforth, we shall continue as critical stakeholders, members and leaders of our great party in pursuance of our party’s objectives of providing sustainable development for our dear state through a leadership that is responsive, responsible, accountable and people oriented particularly as we approach the 2020 Governorship elections.
We therefore wish to notify the National Working Committee of the Party that the State of the Edo APC at the moment is critical and requires urgent and responsible steps to ensure cohesion, particularly as the State Chairman has failed to manage the party responsibly.
Consequently, we hereby endorse the recent removal of Anslem Ojezua by members of the State Executive Committee of the party and urged the National Working Committee to urgently ratify the removal to pave way for the full restoration of peace and discipline in the party.
THE APC AND EDO STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY DEBACLE:
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is no longer news that Edo State is the only State in the Federation that is running an unconstitutional contraption call “ a House of Assembly”. You all will recall, that Governor Goodwin Obaseki in criminal conspiracy with Barr. Anslem Ojezua and Deputy Governor Philip Shuaibu abducted at gun point four members – elect and cause the Edo State House of Assembly to be inaugurated at 9:30pm on June 17th 2019 with 9 members out of the total number of 24 elected members. By their action, the Governor and his co-conspirators foisted on Edo people a minority rule contrary to Section 91 of the 1999 Constitution in the Edo State House of Assembly and well-meaning Nigerians including Traditional Rulers have intervened to no avail. The Obaseki led government have refused to reverse the wrong by complying with National Assembly resolutions on the matter, but instead have resorted to more desperate tactics of procuring black market injunctions and rulings to perpetuate the illegality. In the face of this wanton disregard for law and order, the lives of the other elected members have continued to be in jeopardy owing to attacks on their persons and followers. Indeed, Anslem Ojezua has continued to preside over their illegal suspension from the party in their various LGAs. This is unacceptable to Edo People and the generality of APC members in Edo State and we are concerned that Anslem Ojezua and the Governor have continued to be stumbling blocks to the restoration of the rule of Law in the constitution of the Edo State House of Assembly. We condemn therefore in strong terms their actions and complicity in this matter and demand that the right thing be done.
THREE YEARS OF GODWIN OBASEKI ADMINISTRATION
The Obaseki administration turned three years in office as at 12th November, 2019. You will all recall that the Governor was the Chairman of the State Economic and Strategy Team and the State Internally Generated Revenue Committee during the 8 years administration of former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, now National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress.
It is on record that under Governor Adams Oshiomhole, the APC (which metamorphosed from AC to ACN and then to APC) became a brand and metaphor for both human and infrastructural development in Edo State with Several major quality legacy projects like the Benin Storm water project, the Queen Ede and Auchi Erosion Control Projects , over a thousand kilometers of quality roads across the length and breadth of Edo State, Edo State Urban Renewal Projects, Education transformation Programme (Codenamed as the Red roof Revolution) in primary, secondary and tertiary educational institutions, the Comrade buses for transportation and very many more too numerous to mention.
It was on the basis of this sterling performance that the need to install a government that will continue with these laudable achievements that led to the emergence of Godwin Obaseki as the Party’s candidate in 2016 having been part of the administration as both member of the cabinet and commission earning consultant on financial matters. He was neither a voter in Edo State nor a card carrying member of the All Progressives Congress (the APC). He was expected to build on the Legacy of the administration on whose back he rode to power. However, it is noteworthy, that other than the opportunity offered him to serve in Oshiomohole’s administration, he had no prior personal connection with the development of the State through any charitable work or investment in any form. Thus ,he rode to stardom on the back and goodwill of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and providence. He was certainly not the best at that material time.
However, upon assumption of office he began to manifest hostile attitude towards APC rank and file members, hatred for those who contested the party primaries with him and disdain for the State development master plan which he participated in formulating under Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; he also deviated sharply from the progressive programmes and policies of the party, introduced selfish and uneconomical programmes and policies which has resulted in huge capital flight,he shut down educational institutions which were set up to improve the Agricultural , health and Educational sectors of the state Economy and instead replaced them with consultants of doubtful qualifications. In fact , the consultants he hired for training of teachers were paid N1.5 million per teacher. Today ,we have the College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi closed, the Tayo Akpata University, Ekiadolor locked up and staff members and students left to idle away. The continuous closure of the functional College of Education in Igueben, Michael Imodu College of Physical Education Afuze and the College of Agriculture Technology Agenebode and the state school of nursing bears testimony to his insensitivity in building institutions, yet he is a technocrat.
The folly of Governor Godwin Obaseki reached its climax with the over N2B investments in the Sobe farms, In Sobe, Owan West Local government of Edo State the farm became a drainpipe to siphon the scarce resources of the Edo people into the pockets of his cronies and surrogates in the guise of Agric vendors from Lagos and Port Harcourt. Today, the impact of that investment on both the State economy and food security for Edo people cannot be determined.
Apart from that, there was also the CBN Agricultural Credit Scheme( CACS) of N5B which came into Edo State coffers in 2018.As a CBN loan, it was meant to assist farmers increase their yields in the State .Part of it was to be used for clearing farmlands while the balance was to be given to farmers in clusters as loans supervised by the state government for increase in agricultural produce in the State. The Obaseki Government need to show Edo people the land that it cleared with N2.8B it earmarked for that purpose , publish the names, numbers and location of farmers to whom the balance of N2.2B was shared to. This is a loan which the state government is paying back monthly with deductions being made at source from the Federation account.
We demand that Governor Godwin Obaseki comes out clean on the millions of naira Edo State investment in the Ossiomo Power Project, and the ownership structure of the project.
The APC in Edo State is saddened by the recent flooding associated with the heavy down pours in the last raining season. This arose due to the neglect by Governor Godwin Obaseki of the Benin Storm water project which was started by Comrade Adams Oshiomole. His failure to commence the second phase of the Storm Water project came at a great cost to the residents of Benin-City as houses were submerged by flood.
More scandalous is the verifiable fact that not a single teacher has been employed in the last three years with the result that many schools (primary and secondary) have no adequate number of teachers to teach the necessary subjects to pupils and students. Many of the teachers have retired from service, thus resulting in the shortage of teaching personnel in Edo schools which has adversely affected the quality and standard of education in the State, yet, this was a Governor who procured from NUT the award of best Governor in Education in Nigeria. What an Irony?
In furtherance of the plundering of the educational sector, Governor Godwin Obaseki has criminally diverted the sum of N1.4 Billion Naira from the Statutory Allocation of the Edo State Oil Gas Development funds (EDOSOPADEC) – a statutory commission with clear mandate
to initiate and execute developmental projects in Oil producing areas in favour of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) – another statutory agency of Government with its own mandate and budget without any valid legislative approval.
This is apart from the plundering of Local Government funds and revenues in various guises, using the mandatory signatory of the State Accountant General and each serving council Chairman to move various sums meant for the development of the Local Government Areas to various accounts of the State Governments. This was authenticated by the Chairman of the Commission Pastor Kennedy Osifo and is already a subject of investigation by EFCC and ICPC. We hereby use this medium to call on both EFCC and ICPC to expedite investigations on these various acts of financial impropriety.
The APC, Edo State wish to demand from the Governor, to publicly account for all revenues he has received from all sources so that Edo people can decide whether his so called performance can reasonably be measured against actual receipts. It is on record that apart from Statutory Allocations and Internally Generated Revenues, the Governor has received, on behalf of Edo people, funds from the Paris Club refund, repayment by Federal government on road projects constructed in Edo State by his predecessor, the loans he has borrowed so far which has made Edo state the second highest indebted state ( debt profile of $277.74m) in the Country and several other receipts into the coffers of Edo state. In this way, Edo people will appreciate the hypocrisy of the Governor and the tokenistic performance which he has shored up by means of propaganda.
In the health sector, Governor Obaseki has shamelessly sought to blackmail his predecessor over the state and condition of the Edo Specialist Hospital which was built and equipped before he assumed office as Governor. However, in his imaginary fight against godfatherism he attempted to manipulate the House of Assembly and erstwhile Commissioner of Health into indict Comrade Adams Oshiomhole over that commendable health project. Unfortunately both the House under the leadership of Kabiru Adjoto, who investigated the project and the Ministry of Health confirm that the hospital was indeed built and equipped in accordance with the terms of the award. As we speak, Governor Obaseki has given the hospital to non-Edo indigene who now charges exorbitant fees, way beyond what the average Edo person can afford thereby defeating the objective of providing affordable and quality health care to Edo people. Efforts by civil society groups in Edo State to ascertain the true status of the hospital was met with attacks by state sponsored thugs who beat up journalists and members of the civil societies during a peaceful protest.
Sadly, the Governor manifested his crass incompetence in governance when after almost three years in office he visited Stella Obansanjo hospital and lamented that he never knew the hospital was in such a bad shape. Meanwhile, he has been in government for 11 years in Edo state. It is on record that Comrade Oshiomhole equipped the Eye Centre at the Stella Obasanjo Hospital, and Governor Obaseki was at the commissioning of the Centre, which has been adjudged one of the best in the South-South. What a hypocrite!
In the area of road construction, Obaseki has woefully disgraced the APC by constructing substandard road projects. It is unthinkable that a man who served in Oshiomhole’s government which constructed quality road projects across the state will be engaged in substandard projects even with World Bank loans that generations yet unborn will have to pay back. Regrettably, these roads are what have earned him the sobriquet “wake and see” instead of “wake and sleep”. We apologize to Edo state people over this scam.
As at date, Governor Obaseki has executed over 100 MoUs under the pretense of bringing different investment to Edo State. However, none of these has materialized despite the huge resources spent on them and in view of the fact that these investments agreements are shrouded in secrecy. Indeed, as we speak, Governor Obaseki in connivance with his Lagos Cabal of capitalist and bank executives have sold off Edo Share in the Azura Power Plant without due process or legislative imprimatur. What a way to divest a States interest in an investment attracted to the state by his predecessor!
Ladies and Gentlemen, we can go on and on to list the missteps and maladministration of the Governor in complete deviation from the APC policies, programmes and developments paradigm instituted by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. As if his mis-governance is not enough, Governor Obaseki on the Counsel of Barr. Anslem Ojezua, the state Deputy Governor, the SSG and other sycophants has launched a war of attrition against members of All Progressive Congress (APC) beginning from the National Chairman to leaders and members of the party in every local government in the state. He has demonized the party members and called them thieves and greedy politicians whereas, he has increased his security vote to six billion N6B per annum (N500 million monthly) in a state where crimes and state sponsored criminal elements are on the upsurge.
We as a party cannot continue to condone this subversive approach to governance in a state that hitherto enjoyed some degree of tranquility and political stability.
We hereby apologize to Edo people for the mistake that the party made in 2016 and shall correct the wrong in the 2020 gubernatorial primaries. We appreciate the absence of human face of the Governor Obaseki administration through his draconian policies of sending traders and market women to priso
His intolerance for opposing views which has become legendary has driven him and his coterie of fearful advisers including Anslem Ojezua into desperate mode all in a bid to silence all voices of dissent attacks. We cannot be cowed as our commitment to rescuing the party and Edo people from his tyrannical hold remains unwavering.
POLITICALLY MOTIVATED ATTACKS BY OBASEKI’S GOVERNMENT
For the first time in Edo State we are witnessing a Government that recruit thugs to attack openly political opponents and voices of dissent. On the 9th of May, 2017, Chief Blessing Agbonmhere, a PDP candidate for 2019 National Assembly elections was attacked and assaulted at the Benin airport by thugs deployed for such a despicable act by the Deputy Governor.
Senator Mathew Urhoghide was attacked by Government sponsored thugs on the 26th of July, 2018 in the full glare of Governor Obaseki who rather than condemn same, thumbs up for the perpetrators.
On the 18th of June 2018, State empowered thugs ably guided by “Wabaizigan”, private security outfit of the Governor headed by the CSP to the Governor invaded Golden Tulip Hotel and beat up House of Assembly members-elect who were denied inauguration.
On the 12th of October 2019, thugs loyal to the Governor attacked the house of the Former Governor and National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomole in Benin.
At different occasions, the Obaseki led administration have recruited thugs to attack Party members and Support group Ikpoba/Okha, Uhunmwode ,Owan East, Etsako West, Etsako Central, Igueben, Ovia North East and other places. The administration has stooped so low to the extent of organizing thugs to the 1st Convocation Ceremony of the Edo University, Iyamho which provoked the unfortunate incident of denial of access into the Country home of the National Chairman of APC by angry youths of some dignitaries.
Governor Obaseki intolerance has driven him into becoming a dictator,fascist with autocratic tendencies which also evidenced by the bizarre manner he truncated the condor primaries for the National and State Assembly primaries in Edo State in September 2018.
PURPORTED ENDORSEMENT OF GOVERNOR OBASEKI AND SHUAIBU
Only recently the former State Chairman of the party , Anslem Ojezua led a few party leaders to endorse Governor Obaseki and his deputy for a second term at a fee of N100, 000 each to all those who attended the ill-fated meeting. For us as the authentic APC stakeholders in Edo state we wholeheartedly denounce such endorsement. From his antecedents Governor Obaseki does not deserve such endorsement and we hereby dissociate ourselves from it. We wish to state that at the appropriate time the APC National Working Committee will initiate the process of party primaries for the selection of the party’s gubernatorial candidate. We will abide by the guidelines for such primaries as the constitution of the party vests the responsibility of conducting primaries on the NWC. Governor Obaseki should note that no amount of intimidation or harassment will stop all those who are interested in the governorship of the state from contesting and we are prepared to give every aspirant equal opportunity to test their popularity. We will resist any attempt by the Governor to close the political space.
In any event, given the numerous anti-party activities that the Governor, his Deputy and his appointees have been involved in , it is certain that their agenda is to use Government resources to decimate the Party and move to other platforms. This move has been attested to by the Integrity group of the PDP which recently revealed that the Governor and Anslem Ojezua has been holding clandestine meetings with PDP leaders in the State. We shall remain vigilant in order to protect our party.
CONCLUSION
Suffice to say that our concerns and agitations in the last few months are not and were never about stomach infrastructure or a quest for compensation from State resources. It was never about a god-father and a god-son struggle for the control of Government or resources of the State.
It has been about ensuring a good governance with a human face and our resolve is to check the destructive path approach to governance in Edo state and put our party on the path of moral rectitude, transparency, inclusion and the progressive agenda of the APC in Edo State.
This struggle has been about a Governor who lacks interpersonal relationship skill, who is vindictive and repelled by the presence of his party members and without provocation, resorts to anger and pugnacious display of raw power. This is about a governor who has not shown any iota of appreciation for all efforts and sacrifices of his Party members across the state. This is about a Governor who has failed to fulfil his electoral promises to the people of Edo State and who has refused to listen to the voice of reasoning irrespective of where those voices are coming from. This is a Governor who has neglected to employ the tool of dialogue, consultation, negotiation and compromise which are necessary ingredients for proper administration. This is a Governor who believes in all ramifications that he is above the people. This is about a Governor who has suddenly become tyrant! In the history of our dear state and country this is the first time a serving Governor is openly applying for a banking license for his company which was near liquidation at the time of taking over the reins of governance in Edo State. We cannot fold our arms and watch helplessly.
With the above traits , it is obvious that this Governor was never really psychologically and emotionally prepared to be a Lead. In a politically vibrant state like ours with the abundance of quality and talented political leaders in all spheres of human endeavor, there can be no stopping of opposition to these insidious and unacceptable behaviour by a political leader.
We wish to therefore restate our commitment, our unalloyed loyalty to the National Leadership of the All Progressive Congress, and we pledge to do everything humanly possible to protect it from those who are bent on destroying it after they have used it to ascend to political leadership.
My attention has been drawn to a post in the social media by a certain Sylvester Ibhane and been promoted by a section of some social media activists in Orhionmwon Progressive Forum to the effect that as Vice Chairman of Uhunmwode Local Government council my elder brother Hon Samson Osagie had a running battle with him at Egba Unit and other units in my ward within Uhunmwode Local Government Area during the February 23, Presidential and National Assembly Elections.
I wish to state categorically that nothing can be farther from the truth and that the story as far as it concerns Hon Samson Osagie and to the best of my knowledge is not only untrue but a figment of the imagination of the promoters.
Suffice to mention that Hon Samson Osagie was very instrumental along side all the illustrious sons and daughters of Egba to the success of APC in the said elections. He even took several trips to the local government headquarters to ensure success for the party. We never had any disagreements or disaffection as to how the elections should go because he is a very respectable member and one of the leaders of the party in the Local Government. He indeed organized the ward alongside other leaders a day to the elections.
It’s important to state that at Egba, Hon Samson Osagie is a very great asset having contributed to both human and capital development of the community particularly during his service in the National Assembly as representative of Orhionmwon and Uhunmwode Federal Constituency and Minority Whip of the House of Representatives between 2007 and 2015.
Of particularly interest is the ongoing Construction of Benin/Adumagbae- Egba- Akure Road which he continues to pursue to its completion even as Executive Director at the Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd.
It is therefore important to mention that it it is amateurish to insinuate that Hon Samson Osagie sabotage the election in Egba or anywhere in the ward.
I wish to therefore urge for restraint in the way people react to the outcome of the elections bearing in mind too that Hon Samson Osagie what once a Senatorial Candidate of the Party who also lost an election in 2015.
For the avoidance of doubt let me put it on record that the success of APC at Egba Unit in particular was as a result of the support Dr. Caesar Iyayi, Mr. Abel Omoruyi, Mr Julius Onaghise, Hon Samson Osagie and very many others who joined hand with me to deliver the unit to APC. It will be unfair to insinuate that Hon Samson Osagie did otherwise.
Former Minority Whip and member House of representatives and Co- Covener of the Edo Peoples Movement, Hon Samson Osagie has taken a swipe at the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki over the latter’s boast that his second term was not negotiable.
In a statement personally signed by him in Benin City , Samson Osagie queried the Governor over the audacity he has to boastfully declare that his second term is non-negotiable and that he earned it. Hon Samson Osagie stated that Governor Obaseki has not given a good, tangible and acceptable account of his steward three into his administration.
According to the erudite Lawmaker and corporate Executive, Obaseki had merely attempted to spoil the APC brand by employing deceitful tactics to give Edo people the impression that he is performing whereas his administration is more of the more you look the less you see.
Hon Osagie noted that Obaseki didn’t need to reinvent the wheel if he had continued with the people oriented projects and programs which the administration he served as Chairman Economic Team instituted and on the strength of which he campaigned for continuity.
According to the him ” Governor Obaseki exhibited the highest degree of infidelity to Edo people and the All Progressive Congress by abandoning projects he participated in sourcing for funds for, and then turned around to blackmail the same government that started those projects. He did that because to continue the funding of those projects will not avail him the quick wins of looting Edo funds as quick as he would like, hence he resorted to all manners of intangible projects like Alaghodaro summits 1 and 2, over 25 Seminars, workshops, talkshops, conferences, trainings using his his cronies and allies from other places, over 50 foreign trips for the sole purpose of executing MoUs at great expense to the state without any tangible benefit to Edo people and the party”
So, Governor Obaseki is only dreaming to think that because he is the custodian of our collective patrimony he will intimidate us and hoodwink Edo people to shy away from giving him a run for our money he is amassing to run for second term.
Let this serve as notice to him that some of us are going to present ourselves for next year’s gubernatorial elections and by the time the array of contestants are unveiled, Edo people will not chose deceit over sincerity, rhetorics over substance and a government that has encouraged capital flight from the state over a government that will make sure the resources of the state circulates among its citizens.
For close to three years, Governor Obaseki major achievements are in a few storey buildings in the high court premises and the Secretariat. Schools infrastructures have deteriorated, standard road infrastructures are no longer carried out, drains are not desillted and erosion rendering inhabitants homeless. Obviously, this is not the APC brand of government that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole laboured to institute in Edo State. So let it be clear to Governor Obaseki and his coterie of sycophants and carpets baggers that real development will come to Edo State not by rhetorics and deceit, but by genuine and sincere implementation of existing master plans in infrastructural development and painstaking approach to provision of social services that will guarantee the welfare and security of the people. This is the only way that the massive security vote, voluminous revenues from the Federation account in various forms and the internally generated revenue can be justified. Governance is not rocket science and Obaseki cannot school in the art of good governance. We know it, Late Dr Samuel Ogbemudia gave it to old Midwest Region, Professor Ambrose Alli gave it to Bendel State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole demonstrated it in Edo, what we have now is a far cry.
Edo State deserve better than what we are getting now.
It is no longer news that Comrade Adam’s Aliyu Oshiomole the National Chairman of APC was removed from office today through an Interlocutory Injunction granted by an Abuja HighCourt and he is restrained from parading himself as the National Chairman of APC based on suspension from his Etsako ward in Edo State. I do not want to comment on the APC Constitution vis a vis discipline of a National Officer which is an issue before the Court as the matter is subjudice.
I have received a lot of calls and messages that I should volunteer my opinion with regards to this matter of Interlocutory injunction which purported to have removed Oshiomhole from office and I wish to succinctly do that as follows:
I have taken my time to look at the processes filed to achieve the removal and I have also seen a copy of the Notice of Appeal filed by Oshiomhole against the said ruling.
By nature of Interlocutory order, the purpose is to preserve the res i.e the subject matter of a case. In legal parlance it is said to the purpose for the granting of Interlocutory Injunction is to maintain status quo ante belum. This means injunction is meant to preserve the state of things as at when the matter was brought to court so as not to over reach the court and the other party.
In this case, when the matter was brought to court, Oshiomole was the Chairman of APC why its ward is claiming to have suspended him as a member. It means therefore that the purpose of any Interlocutory injunction should have been to preserve that state of affairs pending the determination of the main suit already pending in court.
In the case of Green v Green (1987)-LPELR (1338) SC, the Supreme Court talked about Purpose for the grant of an order of injunction in the following: “An order for an injunction cannot be made in vacuo. The aim of an order of injunction is usually to protect an established legal right. If the substantive right had not been established, as in this case, it will be, and it was, very wrong of the learned trial judge to grant the injunction sought against the defendant, Accessorium non ducit sed sequitur suum principale (the accessory right does not lead, but follows its principal).”Per OPUTA J.S.C. (P.7, paras. C-E)
I am also aware that it is an established principle of law that a court should not pronounce on live issues that will touch on the substantive issues in a case at Interlocutory level.
In this case, the aim of those who approached the court is to remove Oshiomhole from office at the end of the matter and it is part of their prayer before the court. It is therefore illegal for the court to have removed Oshiomhole at the Interlocutory stage in this case.
See the case of UBN PLC v ASTRA BUILDERS (WA) LTD (2010) LPELR- 3383 SC where the Supreme Court has the following to say on Whether Court can pronounce on substantive matters or issues in the course of interlocutory proceedings: “It should be noted that the appeal originates from the exercise of the discretion of the trial court either to grant or refuse the grant of the application in issue. It is equally important to note that the application being interlocutory the law is that the court should not decide the
Substantive matter at the interlocutory stage of the proceedings. “Per ONNOGHEN J.S.C. (P.35, paras. B-D).
In this case, the FCT High Court has decided the substantive case at the Interlocutory stage and this in my opinion is wrong and will not stand at the Court of Appeal.
I am aware that Oshiomhole has now appealed this interlocutory order at the Abuja division of the Court of Appeal. That is the right thing to do and haven done that, Oshiomhole can effectively resume his office any moment from now as if nothing happened, parade himself as National Chairman and carry on as the National Chairman and he will not be in contempt of court. This is because a party that has filed an Appeal against an Interlocutory order cannot be guilty of contempt of that order especially where it is obvious that the Court granted the order without jurisdiction like it obviously did in this case.
In the case of Group Danone & Anor vs Voltic Nigeria Ltd (2008) LPELR-1341 SC the court have this to say:
“Firstly it is settled principle of law that where a Defendant in a cause challenges the validity of an order directed against him either by way of an appeal or other application, he cannot be proceeded against for contempt of that order unless and until the issue of its legality is settle done way or the other.
“Now that Oshiomhole have challenged the order on Appeal, he can go back to his office without committing contempt of court.
Generally speaking, I am of the opinion that the FCT High Court with all due respect to My Lord has no jurisdiction to entertain this matter because the matter is an internal affairs of a political party and a court should not determine a political question according to Supreme Court.
Those who are happy that Oshiomole has been removed from office and are dancing Asonto and Shakushaku only have a temporary relief as Comrade Adams Oshiomole will be back earlier than expected in a more consolidated form as this action will certainly fail and will not achieve anything in the end.
Though it is a temporary setback for Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomole but he will certainly survive the onslaught! This process cannot remove him from office based on law except if there is anything behind and different from Legal process which I am not privy to but if it this one based on law, it will certainly fail and collapse! This is my humble opinion.
