Third Term Agenda, How did your senator voted?

Culled from vanguard Online
http://www.vanguardngr.com/articles/2002/headline/f112032006.html

Third Term: How senators’ll vote
Emmanuel Aziken,
Posted to the Web: Sunday, March 12, 2006




*Supporters, opposition woo undecided 15
*71 in support, 22 against
Supporters of elongated tenure for President Olusegun Obasanjo and their antagonists are in a race against time for the votes of about sixteen wavering senators in the bid to actualise or scupper the proposed constitutional amendment for a third term tenure for the president and governors.

Sunday Vanguard tracking of senators based on comments, antecedents and political circumstances showed that not less than seventy-one of them are inclined to vote for the amendment and twenty two determined against it. There are sixteen senators, mainly from the North, who, at press time, were yet undecided and their likely voting intentions remained unknown.

Seventy three senators representing two-third of the 109 senators are required to pass the constitutional amendment in the Senate.

Only last Thursday, the Constitution Review Committee of the National Assembly had endorsed the proposal to amend the Constitution to provide three terms of four years each for the president and governors.


Some senators who confirmed their voting intentions as projected by Sunday Vanguard nevertheless said that the possibility of decisions being altered were very likely in the face of what they alleged were mouth watering offers.


One senator from the South-South already projected to vote yes, however, pleaded to be cast as undecided, jokingly noting that he wanted to be lobbied! All three senators from Kwara State are believed to be yet undecided in the face of alleged intensive lobby on Dr. Olusola Saraki, the pre-eminent factor in the political affairs of the state. Saraki’s group, the Northern Union, has been mounting a campaign against the third term proposal which the group believes will deny the return of the presidency to a Northerner.

Opposition to the third term agenda amongst southern senators is limited to a few senators in the South-East with only Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, known to oppose it, reportedly on principle.
Support for the third term amendment in the North is surprisingly in the affirmative with many senators from the area kowtowing to their governors. Senators from Jigawa, Borno and Yobe States, even though in the heart of the core North, are almost all in support and were not, opposing it owing to their own gubernatorial ambitions.

The race to win the support of the undecided sixteen senators is generating much interest with repeated allegations of financial inducements being offered to members. Last week, as members of the Senator Ibrahim Mantu-led Constitution Review Committee arrived for the compilation of the reports of the public hearings at the just concluded retreat in Port-Harcourt, there were allegations of each member getting an allowance of $37,000.
As the week dragged to an end, the figure for inducement was allegedly raised to N20 million per Committee member. Sunday Vanguard analysis of the voting intentions of the lawmakers is as follows:

SENATOR LIKELY VOTE COMMENT

ABIA
Uche Chukwumerije No Implacable leader of the anti-third
term agenda in Senate
Adolphus Wabara Yes Will continue to appease Aso Rock
Villa, perhaps it may yield a reprieve
from the woes of the Wabara family.
Chris Adighije U Close associate of Governor Kalu,
but could spring a surprise as
Obasanjo is said to admire him for
his honesty.

ADAMAWA
Iya Abubakar No Inspirational leader of the Northern
establishment and will not rock the
boat.
Jubril Aminu Yes If not, but to spite Vice President
Atiku Abubakar
Silas Zwingina Yes Will vote yes despite his
gubernatorial ambition as he could
bank on Gov. Boni Haruna going
down with Atiku

AKWA IBOM
Effiong Bob Yes Will not mind Governor Attah
getting another term in office
Bob Ekarika No He has his eyes on replacing Attah
and would not vote to sustain him.
Udoma Udo Udoma No Will on principle and family honour
vote no.

ANAMBRA
Ben Obi No Together with Chukwumerije lead
the anti-third term crusade in the
Senate.
Ugochukwu Uba Yes It is a family project.
Joy Emodi U Strong woman of principle who got
her Senate seat fighting the Ubas and
Governor Ngige but with PDP
structure firmly under the Ubas, she
is believably under strong pressure of
supporters to vote yes.

BAUCHI
Abubakar Maikafi U
Baba Tela Yes Bauchi State position
Bala Adamu Yes Will align his gubernatorial
aspiration with State position of
four more years for Goveror Muazu.

BAYELSA
John Kojo Brambaifa Yes
Initami Rufus Spiff Yes
David Brigidi Yes

BENUE
Daniel Saror No Will vote no on principle.
David Mark Yes Espirite de corps. When duty calls,
Brig-Gen. Mark could take
instructions from Obasanjo, his
former C-in-C.
Ati Yes Even if it will hurt Atiku, but could
benefit his immediate godfather,
GovernorGeorge Akume.
BORNO
Omar Hambagda Yes A strong yes from the alleged author
of the third term and himself from a
rabid pro-third term State
Mohammed Aba Aji Yes Recent statements on stability of
polity indicate his support.
Mohammed Daggash Yes Would have done anything up to
voting No to spite Governor Sheriff,
but with his Senate seat still dicey,
will not want to create more enemies
in Villa to join SAS. Will also be
prompted to vote yes in for the sake
of his friend, billionaire Aliko Dangote.

CROSS RIVER
Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN)Yes A close associate of Governor Duke
plays according to the rules in Cross
River politics which is that
continuity is good.
Bassey Ewa-Henshaw Yes Businessman, would want ongoing
reforms to continue
Greg Ngaji Yes Even though allegedly with a
gubernatorial ambition, will give heed
to the Cross River State political
establishment.

DELTA
James Manager Yes Close associate of Governor Ibori
and would cave in to Ibori’’s strong
support for a third term. A third
term could preserve the Governor in
office and probably keep him away
from Obasanjo’’s trouble.
Patrick Osakwe Yes System man.
Felix Ibru Yes

EBONYI
Chris Nshi Yes State position
Emmanuel Agboti Yes Will bury gubernatorial ambition to
maintain State position and maintain
Senate seat in 2007
Julius Ucha Yes State position.

EDO
Daisy Danjuma Yes Hubby’s (Gen. Theophilus
Danjuma) wish, Chief Tony
Anenih’s instruction, State desire.
Osherienmen Osunbor Yes
Kassim Isa Oyofo Yes To preserve the system

EKITI
James Kolawole Yes State position
Clement Awoyelu Yes State position
Bode Olowoporoku Yes Could have voted no to spite
Governor Fayose, but would
support in order not to give his
enemies a strong reason to hang him.

ENUGU
Ike Ekweremadu Yes To preserve the system
Fidelis Okoro Yes If available will vote yes.
Ken Nnamani --- Will likely not vote unless there is a
tie and may not vote in support of
the majority.

GOMBE
As‘ad Mohammed Yes Will vote along State’s official
position.
Haruna Garba ` No
Tawar Wada Yes Will vote along State’s official position

IMO
Ifeanyi Ararume Yes Acclaimed linkman for the third term
project,. allegedly used the influence
of the Southern Senators Forum
which he leads for that purpose.
Reward could be Imo governorship
in the face of Governor Udenwa’s
alleged bad record in Aso Rock Villa.
Eze Ajoku Yes Candidate of the Abuja politicians
expected not to rock the boat.
Arthur Nzeribe Yes Will vote yes for political survival,
though he is unusually sidelined in
such a controversial project as the
third term campaign.

JIGAWA
Muhammad Ibrahim Yes State’s (or rather Governor
Turaki’s) position
Bello Maitama Yusuf Yes -do-
Dalha Ahmed Danzomo Yes -do-

KADUNA
Ahmed Aruwa No Thrown out of JCRC for his alleged stubborn opposition to third term project.
Isaiah Balat Yes Though with gubernatorial ambition, Balat could under the circumstances vote yes.
Dalhatu Tafida Yes Allegedly a point man of the third term project in the North

KANO
U. K. Umar U Umar had been thought to be a
passionate anti-third term activist,
but some colleagues say he is playing
to the gallery of the Talakawas.
Bello Gwarzo Yes A system man, friend of El-Rufai,
Rabiu Kwankwanso, would vote yes..
Rufai Hanga No Kano sentiment

KATSINA
Umar Tsauri Yes Would vote yes under pressure from
the Yar‘Adua family.
Kanti Bello No One of the trusted anti-third term
activists in the Senate.
Abu Ibrahim No With some political links to Atiku,
Ibrahim also has his own
gubernatorial ambition which the
third term amendment could hinder.

KEBBI
Farouk Bello U
Usman Sani No Third term project could scupper the
presidential ambition of his close
associate, Gen Ibrahim Babangida
Sani Kamba U Kamba could vote either way depending on the lobby effort of the yea and nay campaigns.

KOGI
Tunde Ogbeha Yes Espirite de corps. Gen. Ogbeha
would vote yes only if he believes
his former C-in-C., Obasanjo, really
wants a third term
Mohammed Ohaire Yes A former MMRD activist, he is
being through carrot and stick wooed
back to the mainstream.

Nicholas Ugbane Yes Though sitting on the ANPP bench,
he is alleged to be the points-man of
the PDP chairman, Dr. Ahmadu Ali,
in the Senate.

KWARA
Ahmed Mohammed U There are allegations that pro-third
term activists are bringing undue
pressure including blackmail on
Oloye to get the votes of the Kwara
legislators all of who will do as he
instructs. But son, Governor Bukola,
seems not to be forging along with
Oloye’s anti-third term chorus
Simon Ajibola U --do--
Gbemi Saraki U As daddy pleases.

LAGOS
Olurunnimbe Mamora No Frontline anti-third term activist.
Tokunbo Afikuyomi No
Musiliu Obanikoro Yes Frontline pro-third term activist

NASARAWA
Emmanuel Okpede Yes Even though with his own
gubernatorial ambition, pressures
from Governor Adamu would swing
his vote to the yeas.
Abubakar Sodangi Yes Trusted ally of Governor Adamu
John Danboyi Yes Would succumb to Governor
Adamu’s injunction.

NIGER
Idris Kuta No Long term desire is power shift to
North
Isa Mohammed U Between state’s crave for IBB and
personal loyalty to Obasanjo and PDP
Nuhu Aliyu No Seeks power shift to North

OGUN
Iyabo Anisulowo Yes Home turf for third term. Life cannot
be better for Ogun State with
another term.
Tokunbo Ogunbanjo Yes Third term activist
Ibikunle Amosun Yes Obasanjo’s Senator

ONDO
Gbenga Ogunniya Yes Gives inspiration to the third term
campaign
Titus Olupitan U AD Senator, unapproachable, does
not speak in the Senate, views
unknown
Hosea Ehinlawo Yes Will support PDP direction.

OSUN
Iyiola Omisore Yes Third term strategist
Felix Ogunwale Yes Enforcer for the third term project
Akinlabi Olasunkanmi Yes

OYO
Abiola Ajimobi U Ajimobi has gubernatorial ambition
of his own and would be hard
stretched to support it.
Robert Kolesho Yes
Teslim Folarin Yes Strongman of Ibadan politics, Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu’s right hand man in the Senate.

PLATEAU
Ibrahim Mantu YES
For him nothing better has happened to Nigeria than Obasanjo
Timothy Adudu U Could have voted yes, but at 40 years, he has his future bright and thus remains undecided.
Cosmas Niagwan Yes A retired military officer, takes instructions from Gen. Obasanjo

RIVERS
Azuta Mbata Yes
Lee Maeba Yes Would do anything to please Governor Odili
Ibiapuye Martyns Yellowe Yes

SOKOTO
Mohammed Maccido No On the basis of principle
Umar Dahiru No Desires power shift to North
Sule Yari Gandi U Watching the situation

TARABA
Abdulazeez Ibrahim Yes System’s man, a yes vote could
soften the zeal of the alleged bribery
case against him.
Saleh Danboyi Yes The only temptation to vote no
would be to spite Governor Nyame,
but lacks the capacity to fight
Nyame and Abuja at the same time.
Ambuno Zik Sunday Yes

YOBE
Usman Albashir U Has gubernatorial ambition to
succeed Bukar Ibrahim. But with
Governor Bukar now a fervent third
term or life term enthusiast, Albashir
is undecided.
Mamman Ali No Has gubernatorial ambition but
Bukar is now a stumbling block.
Jisalo Darani Yes

ZAMFARA
Saidu Dansadau No One of the committed anti-third term
activists in the Senate.
Lawali Shuaibu No ANPP leader
Mohammed Anka No

FCT
Isa Maina Yes Retired army intelligence officer and
one of the Senate’s most reticent
members. Obasanjo’s returning
officer will vote in support of his C-
in-C.

CNN, Jeff Koinange , Nigeria and the Niger Delta

The Nigerian government today accused CNN of fabricating a story that ran over the weekend, it was a story by their correspondence in which he portrayed Nigeria as a country on the verge of collapse / civil war and totally under the control of a fake MEND (the real MEND have denied any association with the story) More on CNN and the fabricated? story.

Jeff Koinange refered to the the group as MEND more than 4 times in his report and actually confirmed exchanging emails with one of their leaders named Jomo Gbomo before embarking on his journey to produce this story, the ironic thing is that Jomo Gbomo have come out to deny that that was his group, he actually went further to state that Jeff Koinange actually solicited the group for a show for this story

" "On Monday January 22, 2007, we were approached by Mr. Jeff Koinange who implicitly acknowledged this email account to be the authentic voice of MEND.
"He requested we stage some scenes for a very important CNN programme which was supposed to air in the first week of February. "

Something is troubling about all this, first Jeff Koinange claimed that he was approached by Jomo Gbomo over email, but reading the statement above made by the same Jomo Gbomo you could see that the two stories are different oboviously one of them is incorrect.

He showed us a Major Tamuno that even his own contact claim doesn't exist actually here is a statement by his contact

"We stated clearly we would not be disposed to fit into his tight schedule. Our struggle is much more to us than parading before everyone willing to film fighters. I'm sure the world has seen enough of that.
"What CNN has presented as the truth to its unsuspecting viewers, is a collection of thugs, pirates and bunkerers put together by Jeff Koinange and CNN to meet up with the deadline given to Mr. Koinange by his editors in CNN. It is far from the truth.
"The band of criminals paraded by CNN as MEND have nothing to do with MEND. They are indeed the kidnappers of the Filipinos and as earlier stated, carried out this act at the behest of politicians and some misguided so-called Ijaw leaders to prevent an Itsekiri man emerging as governor in Delta State.
"It is astonishing that a network of high repute such as CNN would descend this low in its search for a sensational story. We are reluctant to release our correspondence with Mr. Koinange but will circulate this if our claims are refuted."
In an earlier release, Gbomo had stated: "From the inception of our campaign, all statements from MEND have been released through this email account only and we categorically denied taking the Filipinos.".
Apparently refering to another group which claimed to have kidnapped the Filipinos, Gbomo said the so called Major General Tamuno "is unknown to us and is a fraud."
The Filipinoes, he said, "were abducted by a community in Gbaramatu with the connivance of FNDIC in Warri who were paid by local politicians to blackmail the government into annulling the PDP primaries in Delta State"

One thing I will like to say now is, Gbomo need to release whatever correspondence they had with Jeff so that we all know what actually took place, we deserve to know the truth because this kind of development is not good for the struggle of the people of the Niger Delta (though I do not support any kind of violence)

What amazes me is that there is no single Nigerian official interviewed for the story and CNN as a reputable news organization does understand the implication of that action, I wonder if anyone vetted the story, Jeff Koinange did however in his own defense on Anderson cooper program (who also described Nigeria as darkness and the Niger Delta as the heart of Darkness) said that he put in a request for an interview with the president of Nigeria and the Nigerian navy but they could not accomodate his request.

I have two problems with this, that story does not deserve an interview with the Nigerian president or Navy (the issue of Niger Delta however does deserve their attention and actions to resolve this peacefully and give them back what they deserve) , I hope someone will help tell him that Nigeria have a ministry of information and he could talk to anyone there, asking to speak to Nigerian president on this issue is like a Nigerian journalist requesting an interview with an American president about a story on Iraqi militants, so in other words his request for interview might have been purposely misdirected so as not to get a reply.


His report made it very clear that the militants were better armed than the Nigerian navy, he described them as terrifying, disciplined angry youths , I can't say much about his description (since there is even an issue of authencity in the story itself) other than the angle of his camera that was shown to us. But I need to let him understand something , he saw a couple of militants armed for a show and he reaches a conclusion that they were better armed than the Nigerian navy? he must be kidding or just wanted to exagerate a little bit for his unsuspecting American viewers, even the militants will laugh at such an assessment by a journalist working for a well known News organization like CNN.

If the Nigerian Navy is not fighting back, it is not because they are unable to, or because they are underarmed, but rather because we know what war meants, he has been a reporter covering wars, we have been the victims in the past, there is a big difference between the two.

CNN have also come out to say that it did not pay anyone for the story other than the $700 that what was paid to rent a boat and the $450 for a local journalist that worked with Koinange for the three days that the filming took place. While I have no reason to believe that CNN paid anyone for this story, (unless something turn up in future) . Lets take this into perspective, the amount paid by CNN equals roughly about 150000 naira (one hundred and fify thousand naira) which is like three year salary for a Nigerian police officer, an entry level journalist perhaps take home about 15000 to 22000 a month, while the cost of renting the boat is still been worked on (will make it available once we have a figure) it certainly may not be up to $700 for three days. I will do a major analysis of the amount paid by CNN as this story develops, the bottom line is in Nigeria $700 for three days rental is a lot of money so also is $150 a day for the translator.This is however not to say CNN did not pay this amount we just needed to put things in perspective so that we all understand that $700 in America does not mean $700 in Nigeria, it is a lot more.

Militants Disown CNN Report

More on CNN and the fabricated? story

Obasanjo's EFCC and Dr Tejuosho

Wonders they say shall never end, the EFCC have indicted Dr Lanre Tejuosho, this is really not news or shouldn't be surprising considering the level of decay and corruption in the land however I think we need to take a new look into the operational efficieny or deficiency of the EFCC, I personally do not know Dr Lanre Tejuosho and have no reason not to believe EFCC is right or seems to be doing the right thing, but the fact that he is contesting against the daughter of President Olusegun Obasanjo worries me, is he really corrupt and the EFCC have a reason to believe he is guilty as indicted or this is just a political ploy on the part of the president.

After a serious thought about this issue, I have more questions than answers and hope somebody out there can provide me with an answer.

1. Why is the EFCC just publishing names of supposedly corrupt politicians rather than take people to court and let the justice system decide who is (or not) guilty, I will understand the case of Governors and other elected public official who have immunity (though I still believe it is wrong to publish a name if the person have not been convicted in a court of law) what about those without any kind of immunity.
2. Is this issue making EFCC less powerful or let me put it this way, is it making this noble organization lose it's importance, is it rightly or wrongly been perceived to be another arm of the PDP that is wielded only at those who oppose the president and his co-horts, time will tell.
3. Is there a law that stipulates that a man is innocent until found guilty in a court of law? , by publishing this names the EFCC is becoming the Judge and the prosecution and I think this should be checked. I really believe that the EFCC can be very effective if it stays clear of this kind of publicity as it serves no one any good.

I am still at a loss as to what the EFCC hope to gain with this, it is time the EFCC is made to understand that the issue shouldn't be a matter of publicity stunts but if someone is truly believed to be corrupt , don't start publishing names that don't serve anyone any good, go to court and prove your point, if not then please keep quiet and do your investigation. I know election is near and they perhaps want to prevent people that are perceived to be very corrupt from taking over power in Nigeria and I have no problem against that but just do it within the law, as I honestly don't think this is within the law.

There are those who believe that the EFCC is only after Obasanjo's opponents I don't necessarily subscribe to this as that now is everyone's excuse and knowing Nigerian politicians I am not surprised this is even an issue, this is why it is pertinent to have the EFCC operate within the law and stop all forms of perceived interference in our political process.