FG Should Stop Humiliating Heads Of Anti-Graft Agencies And Panels -CACOL

By   /  October 28, 2015

ibrahim-lamorde-300x267The Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, CACOL has called on the Federal Government to refrain from supporting the humiliation of Heads of anti-graft agencies and panels.

This came on the heels of a directive from the Federal Government through its Ministry of Justice asking the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC to investigate the allegation that its chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde, diverted about N1trn proceeds of corruption recovered by the anti-graft agency and new directive by the House members to its Committee on Financial Crimes to take over the investigation from the EFCC for a thorough and proper investigation since it would be impossible to separate the EFCC from Lamorde in the instance.

According to the House, the EFCC could not be a judge in its own case by investigating the circumstances surrounding the non-remittance of the funds generated from the proceeds of corruption.

The Executive Chairman of CACOL, Comrade Debo Adeniran while reacting to the new development has asked the authorities to refrain from humiliating the heads of anti-graft agencies and panels noting that such practices is fast becoming a regular practice especially when highly placed public exposed person is under investigation or prosecution. The House, is not an investigative institution; they should continue with their oversight functions and not take this up especially when the wife of the senate president has a case to answer with the EFCC.

We should recall that both Nuhu Ribadu and Mrs Farida Waziri were humiliated out of office in similar circumstances while investigation and prosecution of some highly placed government officials both at the national and state levels were going on. The same pattern plays out in the National Assembly where heads of committees that tried to probe corruption allegations have been humiliated one way or the other. While we are not holding brief for these heads of agencies and panels, we believe that the substance of their findings i.e the cases they are pursuing before their own issues came up should be prosecuted first before the hunter is hunted.

“If in the course of doing their statutory duties, they are accused of wrong doings, they should be made to complete the assignments they are handling, get to a logical conclusion before they are prosecuted or made to quit the office because quitting the office abruptly will be more of advantage to the accused persons than to the cause of justice. And getting the heads of these agencies and panels out of the way might be the only reason why the complainant could have accused the heads of agencies investigating or prosecuting them so that the process of getting the criminals diligently investigated and prosecuted may be truncated”. Adeniran stressed

Speaking further the anti-corruption crusader sited a handful of experiences; he noted that apart from Nuhu Ribadu and Madam Farida Waziri, when Hon. Ndudi Elumelu headed a similar probe into the power sector NIPP, he was alleged in a N5.2 billion contract scam in the Rural Electrification Project of the Federal Government. Another is the case of Herman Hembe, the Chairman of House of Representatives Capital Market Committee probing the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) during the tenure of Arunma Oteh, and Faruk Lawal who probed the issue of Petroleum subsidy where Femi Otedola was involved and recently is that of the Chairman of Code of Conduct Bureau, Sam Saba, while a case of false assets declaration was going on at the Code of Conduct Tribunal against the Senate President. While those that were been investigated never faced the law, it is those who headed the body that investigated them that were harassed and maybe humiliated into submission. If such a practice continues, people of good conscience would not want to serve in such agencies and panels as nobody would want to commit his life and career to projects that is most likely to ruin such life and career. These heads of agencies and panels could have been given the benefit of the doubt; if they had earlier been found wanting they would not have been appointed to head such sensitive bodies where high level of integrity is required. The confidence of integrity that was reposed in them should be allowed to hold sway until the contrary is proven.

It is to our knowledge that Ibrahim Larmode has always been with EFCC from the beginning. He was the Head of Operations during Nuhu Ribadu regime, and acting Chairman during the transition between Ribadu and Madam Farida Waziris’ and now the full blown Chairman of the EFCC. From our own little investigation, we discovered that nobody has traced the destination of the 1trillion naira that he is been accused of cornering for himself. And by our own understanding, it is not likely somebody will all alone steal as much as 1trillion naira and keep it to himself. We believe that some financial institutions and controlling authorities could have been involved and definitely some other staffers of his commission would also be in the know of such transaction.

Emphasizing that his Coalition is not holding brief for Larmode, Adeniran said that his Coalition believes that Larmode couldn’t have been the only one who would steal as much as N1trn without accomplices or collaborators. If there are collaborators like financial institutions, why is it that the accuser didn’t trace the roles played by these other collaborators before they come up with the allegation? There should also have been a preliminary investigation by the authorities to corroborate the allegations of the petitioners before they made the accusations public.

Adeniran, while expressing his opinion said, “We are not saying that Ibrahim Larmode should not be probed, as nobody should be treated as being above the law but we believe that the communication between the Ministry of Justice and the EFCC is more of a query than a mandate for investigation and possible prosecution.” He then urged the authorities, members of the public and Larmode’s accusers to allow the EFCC to state his own part as a response to such a query before asking him to resign.

As far as we are concerned, Larmode is not infallible and we don’t see him as being different from any other Chairman of any anti-graft agencies to us but we should allow the rule of natural justice to work. We should not ask him to loose his job just because somebody probably due to selfish reasons wanted it that way. If he has to resign, the reason must be presented to the whole of Nigerians by the controlling ministry, which is the Ministry of Justice, and it has to be issues that come in contrary to the rules and regulations that guide his appointments and operations. The alternative is for the regime to hold it peace till his term expires in a few weeks time.

Adeniran also backed the call that the petition ought to have been sent to other anti-graft and regulatory agencies. He however said asking Lamorde to step aside could derail the EFCC from performing its duties.

He said, “What they should have done is to allow other agencies, such as the police or the ICPC. The question of probing people is a kind of confusionist approach to the war against corruption. When people are asked to resign on the account of allegations it will sound as if enemies of anti-graft war want to remove the head of the agency that will derail diligent investigation and prosecution of corruption cases by the agency.

A petition by a wounded person does not make Lamorde guilty until it is proven. The so called petition could also be a move by those who want him out because they are afraid he cannot be compromised. He should remain in place until proven guilty. If the authorities believe that enough evidence has been gathered against him, we believe that it is the duty of ICPC to prosecute public corrupt officials.

Adeniran concluded by recommending that the bill on the Proceeds of Corruption Act (POCA), should be given expedient hearing and passage in the National Assembly to take care of cases like this where it would be easy to monitor and keep accurate records of recovered funds.

Source: Universal Reporters.

 

Corruption is Nigeria’s biggest problem – CACOL

The Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, CACOL has affirmed that Corruption is Nigeria’s primary problem and it is a major challenge the country must battle and overcome if indeed Nigeria must enjoy the dividends of democracy.

This came on the heels of a statement made by the President of Igbo Leaders of Thought, Prof. Ben Nwabueze. According to PUNCH newspaper the professor, said corruption is not Nigeria’s primary problem and observed that the present administration’s anti-corruption campaign has relegated other serious national challenges to the background.

Reacting to the statement, the Executive Chairman of CACOL, Mr. Debo Adeniran, noted that the group believes corruption is the biggest problem the country is facing and there is an urgent need to tackle the menace because, if corruption is combated frontally, it would definitely put an end to the many other challenges facing us as a nation. Though corruption as a concept has broad definition; so there is no society that can be entirely corrupt-free but it can be reduced to a minimum.

Adeniran said, “Corruption has become a way of life in Nigeria and the country is deemed to be so corrupt to the extent that even corruption is scared of us. Corruption has virtually become the second nature of the average Nigerian and the level of impunity going on in the country is disheartening. The question of illiteracy, poverty and security was borne out of corruption and that should inform the need for Federal Government to address the endemic problem.

Speaking further, Adeniran asserted that no sustainable democratic culture and development could be established as long as our No. 1 enemy, corruption, thrives and CACOL has decided not to relent but remain in the vanguard of the forces fighting against this seemingly untamable monster that had overtime assumed the overbearing status of an albatross that has constantly been threatening the very existence of this nation and are urging all well-meaning citizens of this country to join hands with President Buhari in this battle for national survival. The anti-corruption crusader noted that the Federal Government has demonstrated some political will to combat corruption and however opined that the regime still need more political will to engender public-will with a view to developing the synergy between the government and members of the public to enhance the trust of the people.

“The Buhari that we know is an epitome of discipline and we believe that he can give corruption its biggest fight in Nigeria. The President needs that revolutionary spirit in him to succeed in the anti-graft war because there are many bobby traps in the system he just need to avoid stepping into. He should not behave as a politician but as a revolutionary soldier on a special mission to rescue the nation,” Adeniran advised.

In conclusion Adeniran stressed that we should also not forget that Nigerians voted for the change mantra of the present ruling party. They would have to do everything they need to, in fighting against corruption in clear departure of what the previous government was criticized for.

Source: Newsverge

 

CORRUPTION IS NIGERIA’S BIGGEST PROBLEM -CACOL

The Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, CACOL has affirmed that Corruption is Nigeria’s primary problem and it is a major challenge the country must battle and overcome if indeed Nigeria must enjoy the dividends of democracy.

This came on the heels of a statement made by the President of Igbo Leaders of Thought, Prof. Ben Nwabueze. According to PUNCH newspaper the professor, said corruption is not Nigeria’s primary problem and observed that the present administration’s anti-corruption campaign has relegated other serious national challenges to the background.

Reacting to the statement, the Executive Chairman of CACOL, Mr. Debo Adeniran, noted that the group believes corruption is the biggest problem the country is facing and there is an urgent need to tackle the menace because, if corruption is combated frontally, it would definitely put an end to the many other challenges facing us as a nation. Though corruption as a concept has broad definition; so there is no society that can be entirely corrupt-free but it can be reduced to a minimum.

Adeniran said, “Corruption has become a way of life in Nigeria and the country is deemed to be so corrupt to the extent that even corruption is scared of us. Corruption has virtually become the second nature of the average Nigerian and the level of impunity going on in the country is disheartening. The question of illiteracy, poverty and security was borne out of corruption and that should inform the need for Federal Government to address the endemic problem.

Speaking further, Adeniran asserted that no sustainable democratic culture and development could be established as long as our No. 1 enemy, corruption, thrives and CACOL has decided not to relent but remain in the vanguard of the forces fighting against this seemingly untamable monster that had overtime assumed the overbearing status of an albatross that has constantly been threatening the very existence of this nation and are urging all well-meaning citizens of this country to join hands with President Buhari in this battle for national survival.

The anti-corruption crusader noted that the Federal Government has demonstrated some political will to combat corruption and however opined that the regime still need more political will to engender public-will with a view to developing the synergy between the government and members of the public to enhance the trust of the people.

The Buhari that we know is an epitome of discipline and we believe that he can give corruption its biggest fight in Nigeria. The President needs that revolutionary spirit in him to succeed in the anti-graft war because there are many bobby traps in the system he just need to avoid stepping into. He should not behave as a politician but as a revolutionary soldier on a special mission to rescue the nation,” Adeniran advised.

In conclusion Adeniran stressed that we should also not forget that Nigerians voted for the change mantra of the present ruling party. They would have to do everything they need to, in fighting against corruption in clear departure of what the previous government was criticized for.

Temitope Macjob

Acting Media Officer, CACOL

temitope@thehumanitycentre.org

cacolc@yahoo.com.

28th October, 2015.

 

 

 

For more press releases and statements, please visit our website at

www.corruptionwatchng.com, www.cwatch.thehumanitycentre.org

Screen nominees with open mind, CACOL tasks Senators

The Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) has tasked the Senate on the need to allow for open mind during the screening exercise of the nominees for ministerial appointment by the President.

Senate_newsverge.com

This call is coming against the background of discordant tunes emanating from across the ranks of members of the red chambers. The body language of some vocal senators since the submission of the list by the president, has so far given a lead to what is likely to witness a war of allegiance rather a supposed constitutional exercise aimed at ensuring that those given the mandate to administer the affairs of governance as ministers are eminently qualified to do so.

If the grapevine account is anything to go by, the senate, in the course of carrying out its duty in this regard, might turn out to be a ’house of commotion’ in which tent-pitching and premeditated vendetta, premised on political persuasion, take precedent over consideration for merit. This is why CACOL considers it expedient at this point in time, to remind members of the upper chambers that their allegiance as representatives of the Nigerian people should be first, to the people and the nation of Nigeria and therefore should take precedence over all other considerations.

“A focused, patriotic and objective legislature remains d key to any resourceful democracy and for our hard-fought democracy to be successful and to stand the test of time, a healthy synergy between the executive and the legislature cannot be substituted”, the group’s head, Debo Adeniran stressed.

Although CACOL has overtime remained in the forefront in demanding on behalf of the Nigerian masses that a thorough screening job be done by the law-making body, to ensure that people of character and integrity be assigned ministerial responsibilities, this however should not be done on the altar of score-settling and blinded antagonism – all in the name of politics. They should remember that the common interest of Nigerians is Nigeria.

Source: Newsverge.

 

SCREEN NOMINEES WITH OPEN MIND – CACOL TASKS THE SENATE

 

 

The Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) has tasked the Senate on the need to allow for open mind during the screening exercise of the nominees for ministerial appointment by the President. This call is coming against the background of discordant tunes emanating from across the ranks of members of the red chambers. The body language of some vocal senators since the submission of the list by the president, has so far given a lead to what is likely to witness a war of allegiance rather a supposed constitutional exercise aimed at ensuring that those given the mandate to administer the affairs of governance as ministers are eminently qualified to do so.

 

If the grapevine account is anything to go by, the senate, in the course of carrying out its duty in this regard, might turn out to be a ’house of commotion’ in which tent-pitching and premeditated vendetta, premised on political persuasion, take precedent over consideration for merit. This is why CACOL considers it expedient at this point in time, to remind members of the upper chambers that their allegiance as representatives of the Nigerian people should be first, to the people and the nation of Nigeria and therefore should take precedence over all other considerations.

 

“A focused, patriotic and objective legislature remains d key to any resourceful democracy and for our hard-fought democracy to be successful and to stand the test of time, a healthy synergy between the executive and the legislature can not be substituted”, the group’s head, Debo Adeniran stressed.

 

Although CACOL has overtime remained in the forefront in demanding on behalf of the Nigerian masses that a thorough screening job be done by the law-making body, to ensure that people of character and integrity be assigned ministerial responsibilities, this however should not be done on the altar of score-settling and blinded antagonism – all in the name of politics. They should remember that the common interest of Nigerians is Nigeria.

 

 

 

Temitope Macjob

Acting Media Officer, CACOL

temitope@thehumanitycentre.org

cacolc@yahoo.com.

9th October, 2015.

 

 

 

 

 

For more press releases and statements, please visit our website at

www.corruptionwatchng.com, www.cwatch.thehumanitycentre.org

Shock, disbelief greet Buhari’s ministerial nominees

  • By Abiodun Fanoro and Seye Olumide on October 8, 2015 1:01 am
President Buhari
President Buhari

OUTRIGHT shock, disbelief and measured mixed reactions from most Nigerians greeted the ministerial nominees the Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki on Tuesday unveiled to the public, after he had received same from President Muhammadu Buhari last week.

Expectedly, the comments varied from people to people, depending on their background, their political affiliation and their professional callings.
Despite the obvious differences commentators were however united in the shock they expressed that the list fell short of the expectation of Nigerians in view of the un-common delay that the whole exercise was subjected to.

Prominent among dignitaries that commented on the list were former governor of old Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Ogun State former governor Chief Olusegu Osoba, former Minister of Transport, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, National Chairman, African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Okey Nwosu, a Yoruba leader and Chief Ayo Adebanjo.

Others were, former Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, Professor Oyelowo Oyewo, Vice Chancellor, Caleb University, Lagos, Professor Ayo Olukoju, a renowned scholar from the Pan-African University, Professor Emegvwo Biakolo, Executive Chairman, Coalition Against Corrupt Leader (CACOL), Debo Adeniran and a chieftain of Yoruba Ronu, Akin Malaolu.

Balarabe
Balarabe

Musa said there is nothing spectacular in the list that justified the delay in the presentation to the national Assembly because there are no new names apart from those that have been working with him.

According to Musa, “Since the President has had the opportunity to relate directly with the civil servants in the last six months, he must be able to use that as an advantage to feel the pulse of what is happening in the ministries and therefore should know what instructions to give to his ministers when the cabinet is finally constituted.”

The former governor also noted that one important aspect that is missing on the list is that there is no sparkling name of someone, who could be used as Attorney General and Minister of Justice.
According to him, “For Buhari to really succeed in the fight against corruption he needs someone who could handle the Justice Ministry effectively.”

Speaking in the same vein with, Professor Biakolo noted with concern that the list is devoid of technocrats and players in the civil society group who owe allegiance to no political party or godfather who could constitute huddles on their ways to deliver.

In the view of Biakolo those President Buhari need to succeed and turn around the nose-dived economy are ministers that would be loyal to him 100 per cent and over, this category of appointees according to him are largely found among technocrats and civil society groups.

The scholar recalled that in other climes when they face monumental social and economic challenges as it is the case in the country now, politicians are restricted to decision making while technocrats are called upon to implement those decisions, adding that Nigeria cannot be different in this regard. In his submission he averred that the list contained expired and spent bullets

Osoba
Osoba

The University of Lagos Law teacher, Professor Oyewo however did not share the submission of his colleague from the Pan-African University, as he called for restrain and caution in condemning the nominees.
According to him most of them have track record of achievements, “Rotimi Amaechi is renowned for his principles on issues, he always stands up for what ever he believes in, even though it didn’t go down well with the power that be in his constituency, he boldly decided to pitch his tent with a northern presidential candidate who today is the president.”

IN a veiled reference to critics who claimed that the list is partisan as most of them are members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Oyewo noted that there was nothing un-usual about that because they were party loyalists who worked tirelessly for the party to wrestle power from the People’s Democratic Party ((PDP).

The lawyer and law teacher said that the allegation of corruption being leveled against some of the nominees, especially former governors Babatunde Fashola and Rotimi Amaechi may just being whipped up and orchestrated to prevent their confirmation by the Senate. He however said this might not work, as there is a Supreme Court ruling that allegation that is not substantiated could not be used to disqualify any one from being appointed to an office.

Chief okey-nwosu-pix-blamed the disappointment that greeted the nominees on the APC and the President’s media aides who he said engaged in a lot of propaganda and politicking each time people criticized the delay in the past, only to vainly assure Nigerians that Buhari was coming with a super list of nominees.

According to him there is nothing super and un-usual about the list, just as he expressed his confidence in the ability of the nominees to deliver, stressing that “we have seen their performances in the past, I have no doubt that they would perform.”

The ADC chairman urged Buhari to submit the remaining list of nominees without further delay and that he should stop playing politics with the release of the remaining nominees, adding that politicking is over.

On his part, Chief Segun Osoba said people are merely blaming the president for the delay because they do not understand the party intrigues involve in picking political appointees “otherwise we all would appreciate President Buhari for coming out with such a list.”

He said the president couldn’t on his own make appointment without giving cognizance to those interested parties around him. That is party politics because a tree cannot make a forest.

Chief Adebanjo said there is nothing dramatic about the nominees “it does not justify the six months delay after he was elected into office.”
Adebanjo said the names; unfortunately does not signifiy the change the APC has been shouting. “One would have expected something more sparkling than what he released because these are the same set of people that have been moving along with him before, during and after the election. We know them, so what is the reason for the delay in the first instance, it shows there is serious problem before he could arrive at those names and for that reason I do not see anything changing.”

According to Adebanjo, “What is expected of a man like Buhari who has held several public offices including that of the Head of State in the past and also contested four time before emerging as president is to have known what to do instead of the unnecessary delay, which kept the entire nation in suspense and at the end of the day look at what he is bringing out? Worst still the list of ministerial nominees is not complete yet.”

On the skepticisms that some of the names on the list are not detached from corruption, Adebanjo noted in affirmative, “the whole cry about fight against graft is gradually wearing out. He started well but some of the names on the list have some critical issues to resolve before the anti graft bodies. I think the list has dampened peoples’ enthusiasm about the government.”

Former Minister of Transport and a member of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Ebenezer Babatope said the list has not shown anything difference at all “it is indeed more questionable than what we used to have in the past.”

While he refrained from making full comment, until the president has presented the whole list, Babatope said it “is baffling President Buhari will come out with such list after six months. It shows there is a serious problem within their fold.”
Prof. Ayo Olukoju said the important thing is that the list is finally out.
According to him, “One must put into cognizance the fact that there would be many interest to serve before Mr. President could arrive at those names but what should be of utmost concern to Nigerians is the background of the people appointed and the intrigues or delay surrounding their nominations.
“If Mr. President felt that those are the people he can work with he should be given the benefit of doubt but if we continue to stress the matter to whether any of them has corruption issues before the anti graft agencies such must and cannot be based on assumption until a competent court of law declares the person guilty of the charges or not.”

Ayodeji-Olukoju admonished Nigerians on the need to exercise patience with President Buhari over the list of nominees.
Secretary general Yoruba Ronu, Mr. Akin Malaolu said apart from the fact that Nigerians are not amused with the time it took our President to make-up his mind on who and who he intends to work with, Nigerians are equally not too fascinated with those individuals on the list. These names have provoked popular debates virtually in all nooks and crannies of Nigeria.

He said, “Rightly or wrongly, some of the nominees are coming with toxic baggage while very few are in the category of what we can call ‘Good men’.
He alleged that Fashola and Fayemi have serious financial allegations against their person and it wouldn’t augur well to have those allegations ignored by the president. “Ngige became governor through a stolen mandate that was later revoked and Peter Obi was given his dues.”

He said the president has added more burdens on his government “with his very extravagant nominees who are not only pompous but also rancorous in habits. Nigerians should accept Mr. President’s nominees at this stage and await with clear-sightedness the results. I cannot but fold my arms and pray fervently for the intervention of commonsense from this time forth.”

CACOL, while reacting to the ministerial nominees described the long wait that heralded the release as basically unwarranted.
The Coalition’s Executive Chairman, Debo Adeniran in a statement expressed utter disappointment over most of the names making the list. “By the way, where lies the change Mr. President and the APC have been promising Nigerians all this while if appointment into his cabinet is still the same old style of ‘settling the boys’, regardless of whether or not such appointment enjoys any merit.”

Mr. President had kept Nigerians on the edge for almost 4 months of waiting anxiously to welcome the super technocrats that would steer the ship of change in our polity but what have we now seen? The same old wine in a new bottle.

CACOL is of the opinion that Nigerians wouldn’t have been too bothered over the list as they would have simply taken it as the usual fashion typical of the average Nigerian politician but for the mere fact that the president had consistently appeal to Nigerians for understanding and be patient with him as he embarked on the search mission for the qualified hands for the jobs.”

Given the president’s assurance overtime, the average right-thinker would have expected to see in the list, names of established technocrats in the roll-call of academics and professionals of repute and there is no disputing the fact that our nation has it in abundance, both within and outside these shores.

We make bold to say that Nigerians are not difficult to govern as some narrow minds are wont to posit, rather they appreciate good and result-oriented ideas whenever any leader comes up with one. Apart from the example of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo whose enviable legacy had ever remained a bench-mark in the annals of governance in the South-West geo-political zone of this country, the appointment of the erstwhile chairman of INEC in person of Professor Atahiru Jega by the Jonathan’s government, enjoyed popular commendation by the of Nigerians across the length and breadth of the country.”

The common question on the lips of the people today has been; why the long wait; why the anxiety and hope for change, since we are not going to witness anything outside the status quo?  Some of the nominees, for instance, are too controversial for comfort:

On a final note, now that the long-awaited list is out, even though most Nigerians have their reservations based on their jettisoned expectations, we want to call on the Senate to do the needful and shun any consideration other than that of the overall interest of Nigeria and Nigerians, by doing a thorough screening and drilling on the nominees, and NOT the traditional ‘take a bow’ ceremony, as this, at the end of the day, remains the only way by which the hallowed chamber of law making could justify the confidence reposed in it by the people that elected them. The days of ‘just come and chop’ should be over; it should now be that of ‘come and work’.

Source: The Guardian

Buhari’s ministerial list was a huge letdown–Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL)

0
The Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) has described the long wait that heralded the release of the ministerial list of President Muhammadu Buhari as basically unwarranted.

The Coalition’s Executive Chairman, Debo Adeniran, expressed utter disappointment over most of the names which made the list.

He held that there really is no unique change at all portrayed in the list.

“By the way, where lies the change Mr. President and the APC have been promising Nigerians all this while if appointment into his cabinet is still the same old style of ‘settling the boys’, regardless of whether or not such appointment enjoys any merit?” Adeniran queried.

“Mr. President had kept Nigerians on the edge for almost four months of waiting anxiously to welcome the super-technocrats that would steer the ship of change in our polity but what have we now seen? The same old wine in a new bottle.”

According to Adeniran, CACOL is of the opinion that Nigerians would not have been too bothered over the list as they would have simply taken it as the usual fashion typical of the average Nigerian politician but for the mere fact that the President had consistently appealed to Nigerians for understanding and patience.

Given the President’s assurance overtime, “the average right-thinker would have expected to see in the list, names of established technocrats in the roll-call of academics and professionals of repute and there is no disputing the fact that our nation has it in abundance, both within and outside these shores,” Adeniran added.

“We make bold to say that Nigerians are not difficult to govern as some narrow minds are wont to posit, rather they appreciate good and result-oriented ideas whenever any leader comes up with one.

“Apart from the example of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo whose enviable legacy had ever remained a bench-mark in the annals of governance in the South-West geo-political zone of this country, the appointment of the erstwhile chairman of INEC in person of Professor Atahiru Jega by the Jonathan’s government, enjoyed popular commendation by the of Nigerians across the length and breadth of the country.”

He said the common question on the lips of the people today has been; why the long wait; why the anxiety and hope for change, since we are not going to witness anything outside the status quo?

Source: ekekeee.

 

 

Buhari’s Delayed Ministerial List Unnecessary, Says CACOL

Emmanuel Asiwe 07 October 2015

 

The Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) has described the long wait that heralded the release of the ministerial list of President Muhammadu Buhari as basically unwarranted.

The Coalition’s Executive Chairman, Debo Adeniran, expressed utter disappointment over most of the names which made the list.

He held that there really is no unique change at all portrayed in the list.

“By the way, where lies the change Mr. President and the APC have been promising Nigerians all this while if appointment into his cabinet is still the same old style of ‘settling the boys’, regardless of whether or not such appointment enjoys any merit,” Adeniran said. Continue reading “Buhari’s Delayed Ministerial List Unnecessary, Says CACOL”

CACOL ON BUHARI’S MINISTERIAL NOMINEES – UNWARRANTED LONG WAIT

PRESS STATEMENT

 

 

 

The Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders CACOL, while reacting to the list of ministerial nominees just submitted to the Senate, had described the long wait that heralded the release as basically unwarranted.

 

The Coalition’s Executive Chairman, Debo Adeniran, has expressed utter disappointment over most of the names making the list. “By the way, where lies the change Mr. President and the APC have been promising Nigerians all this while if appointment into his cabinet is still the same old style of ‘settling the boys’, regardless of whether or not such appointment enjoys any merit.” Mr. President had kept Nigerians on the edge for almost 4 months of waiting anxiously to welcome the super technocrats that would steer the ship of change in our polity but what have we now seen? The same old wine in a new bottle. Continue reading “CACOL ON BUHARI’S MINISTERIAL NOMINEES – UNWARRANTED LONG WAIT”

Attack on court becoming national tradition – CACOL

   

 

Executive Chairman, CACOL, Mr. Debo Adeniran

A group seeking a corrupt-free society, the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, has decried the recent attack on the Ogun State Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta.

CACOL said it was disturbing that needless attack on litigants by overzealous and lawless politicians was gradually becoming a tradition in Nigeria.

Describing the attack on the Ogun State election petitions tribunal as a national embarrassment that tends to diminish the Nigerians as a people; CACOL urged the security agencies to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators.In a statement on Friday, CACOL Executive Chairman, Mr. Debo Adeniran, said it was saddening that no suspect had been arrested in connection with the attack three days after it occurred.

Adeniran said, “Attack is a national embarrassment that tends to diminish our value and dignity as a people. Such act of barbarism is only capable of debasing our sensibility as humans.

“By the way, what sort of society are we trying to build or what legacy shall we be bequeathing to upcoming generations, when the sanctity of our hallowed chambers of justice is flagrantly desecrated at will by those who have assumed a status of out-laws in our midst?

“Is ours turning into an animal kingdom where laws do not exist at all?

“Since the court is said to be the last hope of the common man in seeking justice, where else could the common man turn to when his last hope has been turned into a scene of jungle behaviour of all sort?”

He recalled that Nigerians were stunned not long ago when some group of political thugs invaded the premises of the High Court in Ado-Ekiti and beat up litigants, counsel and other court officials, including a judge whose official robe was torn to shreds.

Adeniran said to the best of his knowledge, the attackers were not invited for questioning, let alone arraigned for prosecution.

He said, “Because that show of national shame and embarrassment was allowed to go unaddressed, a precedent, so to say, has been set.”

Source: The Punch