Uzokwe's Searchlight

If Obasanjo succeeds in changing the constitution to rule for a third or what others call a fourth term, the flood gates would have been opened; a precedent would have been set that amendment of Nigeria's constitution is as easy as ABC.
Monday, May 15, 2006



Alfred Obiora Uzokwe

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UNRAVELING OF THIRD TERM BID,
OBASANJO'S VINDICTIVENESS AND THE FEW COURAGEOUS LEGISLATORS
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f one has to go by the information coming from Nigeria's House of Assembly, then it is fair to conclude that the much hyped third term bid or tenure elongation, as it is called, is headed for a defeat. If that becomes the case and the voice of man eventually becomes the voice of God-Vox Populi, Vox Dei-, Nigerians would not only have succeeded in handing defeat to the dark forces of imperialism, but would have unequivocally and immutably affirmed that there is no room for despotism in its young democracy.


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One must state, though, that when it became clear that the issue of term elongation was the brainchild of Aso Rock and its Praise-Singers, this writer was almost certain that the measure would pass in the house and senate with very little challenge from the so-called lawmakers. The reader might be wondering why this writer felt that way. The reason is simple: historically speaking, this administration has always gotten its way with the lawmakers whether by intimidation or through monetary inducement.

Although democratic on paper, the Obasanjo administration has continually toed the path of dictatorship in its dealings with Nigeria's lawmakers. Those, who have deigned to disagree with policies associated with the administration, have been "beaten down" into capitulation and made to pay stiff prices. In 7 years of General Obasanjo's presidency, the position of senate president has changed hands many times. Each time another senate president bit the dust, careful analysis showed that the major reason, apart from the corruption that they are all guilty of, including the presidency, was that the person fell out with the imperial majesty. Infact, as I write, the current senate president is being pressured to change certain house rules to benefit third term protagonists or risk going the way of other senate presidents. Essentially, the legislature, which is supposed to be independent of the executive branch, has been completely subordinated to the authority of the executive branch. The unfortunate corollary is that the "honorable" members merely rubberstamp the wishes of the imperial majesty of Nigeria instead of checking his excesses. When he asks them to jump, they merely ask how high and oblige with little or no resistance. With this trend, I did not think that members of the legislature would stand in opposition of the tenure elongation.

In addition to neutering members of the legislative branch by placing them under the control of the executive, this administration has another wild card with which it beats back into line, those that attempt to disagree with its policies. That wild card is called the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This body, which was originally established to help rid Nigeria of corruption and its devastating influence, now eerily hangs over them like dark clouds over the horizon in a rain storm. Those who may have wanted to disagree with the president have been subjugated into perpetual silence because their closets are filled with skeletons. They know that the EFCC could be let loose on them any time. Currently, their avowed mission is to do nothing that would upset the helmsman.

In a developed nation, a body like the EFCC would normally be independent and have the powers to make, without executive interference, independent determination of whom to investigate, based on a "solid" and unimpeachable probable cause. In this case, though, the reverse is the case. The Commission takes its marching orders from the Nigerian president who is using the body as an instrument of intimidation. This is one of the reasons why I did not think that the legislature would attempt to resist the tenure elongation request. With the threat of EFCC investigation hanging over them, I found it hard to believe that they would ever muster the courage to vote or speak against the third term bid. Incase the reader is wondering if and when the EFCC has ever been used to beat people into submission, a look at the case of the Governor of Enugu State would shed some light on that.

Not long ago, the Governor of Enugu state, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, brought together some prominent personalities of the South East. The main agenda of the meeting was how to produce a president of South East extraction. Unbeknownst to Nnamani, Aso Rock was carefully watching and listening closely. To Aso Rock, the man that used to be its "darling governor" was trying to derail the third term agenda. Soon after that gathering, the EFCC swooped on the state and started nibbling at the edges of his administration. The Commission averred that there had been allegations of corruption against the state government and with that, members of Nnamani's cabinet were placed in the cross hairs of the EFCC. He tried to flex his muscle by stating that he was ready to submit himself for investigation but that did not last for long. When he was overwhelmed with pressure, the University of Nigeria-trained medical doctor capitulated and suddenly started making statements in support of tenure elongation. As we all know, all his woes with EFCC seem to have melted away or at least placed in abeyance because of his willingness to make an about-face and support the third term bid.

The story of Buba Marwa rings alike. He started criticizing the policy of Obasanjo's administration in preparation for entrance into politics. What he did not know was that Aso Rock was paying attention. In the fullness of time, the dossier that EFCC had already compiled on him was made public. He was made to spend Christmas and New Year in EFCC cell while his airline, Albarka Air, was grounded. By the time EFCC was done with him, he became damaged goods that may no longer be deemed fit to aspire to the position of the presidency! He has now been reduced to the position of a man trying to placate Obasanjo. He recently joined in attacking the Vice President for "not being loyal" to Obasanjo and even denied ever declaring any presidential ambition, although he later made a volte-face. This is how the administration has been using the EFCC. There are many other instances where the Commission has been used to terrorize people for daring to disagree with the policies of this administration but that treatise would be something for another time.

The above submission and my pessimism not withstanding, I must say that having followed the third term debate so far, one is heartened that there are still a few Nigerians, in the legislature, that the nation could count on. These are Nigerians who have shunned the allure of N50 million bribe; they have banished the fear of EFCC and are infact risking their lives by speaking out against the evil that is tenure elongation. These men and women deserve an interim salute for the fight they have fought so far even though the matter has not been completely resolved. If the third term project is roundly defeated, these courageous few would have written their names in gold and when the history of Nigeria's democracy is chronicled, they would all have very honorable mention.

Heroes are not born but made and it is events like the one that is transpiring in Nigeria that make heroes. More than two and half decades ago, when the indomitable Nelson Mandela went to jail for what he believed in, little did he know that as small as that step may have seemed then, he would bring an earth-shattering and course-changing tidal wave to South Africa and beyond. Today, even though he has no mansions or bank accounts replete with millions to brandish, his place is assured in history for eternity. Nelson Mandela could have decided to pass on that opportunity for the sake of his family and comfort but he chose to do the right thing when the situation presented itself. The gravity or magnitude of what was at stake, then, in South Africa may not seemingly compare with the gravity of what is as stake today in Nigeria with the third term project. However, a close look at Nigeria's situation will show that the defeat of apartheid is equally as critical as the defeat of Obasanjo's egomaniacal quest to tinker with the constitution. If Obasanjo succeeds in changing the constitution to rule for a third or what others call a fourth term, the flood gates would have been opened; a precedent would have been set that amendment of Nigeria's constitution is as easy as ABC. It means that when another president ascends power, he may once again seek to change the constitution to rule for four terms and so on. It does not end there, that president could also start amending the constitution to dismantle aspects of it that he does not like or which curtails the powers of his presidency. Simply put, if Nigerians allow the president to alter the constitution to elongate his term, it will be like a domino whose eventual path and endpoint cannot be predicted or controlled.

As the third term debate continues, it is important that Nigerians understand that the issue transcends Obasanjo's selfish ambition and would have far-reaching implications if allowed to pass. It is with all that in mind that one is exhorting members of the legislature, who have sided with majority of Nigerians, to defeat it. It must not only be defeated but must be seen to have roundly been defeated and rejected, sending an unmistakable message to would-be presidents. The message must be that Nigeria must not and will not be designed around one individual and that it means business with its democracy.

This is a momentous period in Nigeria's history. Whether Nigeria's democracy survives or fails will rest on the courageous few in the house and senate. They must understand that the protagonists of third term seem more determined to win than retreat. For many of them, this government is their bread and butter. If Obasanjo is out of power, they will lose their jobs. They are therefore seeking tenure elongation to protect the source of their bread and butter. The few men of courage in the legislature must understand that the battle is not won yet. It is one thing to make speeches in opposition of the project and another thing to really vote against it when voting time comes. This is what the Deputy Chairman of Unity Forum, Hon. Hallims Agoda said when he was asked about the claims that the third term project had been defeated in the house and senate,

"That is not correct. I am a practical politician� It is at the dying minute that you will see what we call political astuteness, when people will really declare what their stand is on this matter�debate is one thing, voting is clearly another."[ThisDay, May 15, 2006]
This statement is very telling. The protagonists of third term are still fighting tooth and nail, including increasing the amount of bribery money being offered to the legislators in anticipation of the voting. If the courageous anti-third-termers become lackadaisical and declare victory prematurely without matching effort to sustain their momentum, they should be ready for a rude shock. They must therefore stand firm, stand resolute and keep their eyes on the ball. They should realize that the time has come again in the annals of history when heroes are set to be made. They must seize this moment and make their mark. They must hand defeat to President Olusegun Obasanjo, his cohorts, hangers-on and sycophants loud and clear. Tell them that Nigeria is slowly moving away from the dictatorial tendencies instilled into the polity by the khaki boys. Tell them that Nigeria is a land of 130 million intelligent people and that one man, who happened into the presidency by accident, cannot be allowed to hold her hostage or design her well-being around him and his cohorts.

May God Help Us.