In the street fight between the president and his “vice” truth is indeed very scarce to come by. Both camps have behaved as if they have the monopoly of truth. If it is not Shehu one day, it will be Osuntokun the next. Conflicting theories and sequence of events has emerged. Beneath the atrocities committed in the PTDF are the political intrigues: that of betrayal, backstabbing and vendetta all rolled in one. Beyond all of these scheming and missing in the frame of discussion is the severe harm that was done; the untold evil that both parties perpetrate and the unnecessary waste of public funds and valuable time to satiate the ego of the two main contenders in question- Messrs Obasanjo and Atiku.

There is no doubt that the victim in all of this is the Nigerian people. For as I have often repeated and will continue to repeat when the law of the land is undermined and the actors undermining it are given the protection of state in any form by virtue of office, immunity or by any chance legislative cover by omission or commission, it is the people of Nigeria that eventually suffer. This obviously makes no sense to the abused mentality of Nigerians who are now so used to being abused, beaten upon, dumped and insulted by her political class. Nigeria people need to get some respect, but they seem not to be demanding it.

OBJ says Atiku is a thief, Atiku says he is not. EFCC says Atiku placed money in a bank and got it loaned to two of his friends, Atiku denies it. The Senate panel said one not two of his friends benefited while Atiku insists he acted within norm and practice. Missing in the debate so far and very crucial questions that need be answered are:  was the law broken? Are the actions of the dramatis persona above board? If not, should they be sanctioned? What sanctions are commensurate to the offences they have committed?

First let it be known that I do not intend to hold court for either party. Indeed, I make no pretence to being a neutral camp in this matter. I hold both parties (Obasanjo and Atiku) responsible for the rot we find ourselves in. I count Obasanjo and Atiku as very corrupt individuals for the simple reason that first they cannot give a credible account of their immense wealth; two, that they rigged the 2003 election hence committing the greatest act of corruption in Nigeria now known as election 4-19; three, that in between them to achieve the second, they know the murderers of the former Attorney General –Chief Bola Ige and are yet to own up to their heinous crime. Hence, in my mind it is a foregone conclusion that these two are criminals in charge of the strong room. They are more deserving of a cell in Kuje Prison than an office in the state house; if not for the moral relativism that prevail in our nation today they will be warming their feet in jail cells.

Reading the Senate Report what is clear are the following:

1. The PTDF fund and how it runs depends on an established Act of the National Assembly by virtue of the 1999 Constitution that converted former military decree to their democratic equivalents- Acts of the legislature.
2. Atiku was given the authority to manage the fund. As was customary (emphasis), he decided to place funds under his control in fixed deposit at preferred banks after clearance from the Accountant General of the Federation (a subordinate).
3. In doing so, the Vice President got entangled in a conflict of interest relating to his friend- Otunba Fasawe who obtained loan from these banks at favorable rates.
4. In managing the fund, the President have repeatedly approved projects beyond the scope envisaged; like the Vice President he got the approval of the FEC made up of his appointees (read subordinate)
5. In approving payment of inflated 250 million naira to his personal lawyer for one of these projects, the President like his Vice got entangled in a conflict of Interest.

Indicting and Issues Arising

It is interesting to note that the Vice President Camp has always been using the cloak of what, if any money was lost. This is essentially beside the point. It is the greatest crime against the constitution for laws to be disobeyed by office holders and for monies to be spent outside the law and/or approval of the National Assembly. Any office holder that commits such crime has unwittingly undermined the very institutions and the constitution that brought them to office. It is a grievous crime. Likewise manner, the argument by the president’s camp that PTDF funds were illegally used for “laudable” projects is even more preposterous. Indeed, the statement from the Finance Minister on Thursday which confirmed what we already know that the President had contrary to the PTDF Act illegally limited the deductions from oil receipts flowing to the funds to $100m or 25% of gross: this confirms that the President indeed broke the law like his Vice President.

The Senate Must Do the Right Thing

Clearly, a grievous offense has been committed by both the President and his Vice which can be summarized as: 1. Abuse of office and powers; 2. Conflict of Interest; both against the code of conduct prescribed in the fifth schedule of the constitution 3. Misappropriation of public funds and spending beyond the appropriation mandates of the legislature and the law as prescribed by Sections 80-88 of the constitution. It is then up to the legislature to do the right thing. It is logical that given that the offences above are critically egregious- the appropriate punishment is outright impeachment. Hence, the Senate must do the right thing and impeach the PRESIDENT and his VICE.  

Consequential Benefits of Impeachment

Indeed, there are consequential benefits of impeaching the President and his Vice. For one it will serve as a signal to all politicians that no one is above the law. Furthermore, it will strengthen the clout and influence of the legislature as the organ that control the purse strings. More so, it will be made clear that the law is the law regardless of the interpretation of the Executive who should leave such functions to the judiciary, or any amendment to the legislature. Hence, the cardinal principles of separation of powers will be re-emphasized by this action. Last but not the least, impeaching Obasanjo and Atiku will allow for the opening up of the political space. It will allow Nigeria focus on the next election without the unnecessary distraction of their bickering; it’ll allow room for more credible candidates and indeed ensure fairness since it is pretty well known that OBJ already has a favorite and is determined to tele-guide INEC to install him. With the coolheaded and calculating Nnamani at the driving sit for the next three months, we will have a more credible General Election. Join me on calling the National Assembly to do the right thing. Impeach Obasanjo and Atiku: save the last dance and save Nigeria.

Robot  Villager

# 1 In the street fight between the president and his “vice” truth is indee...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 05.03.2007 10:28

omodudu  Villager

# 2 I am amazed at how quiet Nigerian's have been on this issue. We laugh at the unfolding drama as if we have nothing at stake. I agree with the call for an impeachement of OBJ, if only as a symbolic excercise. Posted by omodudu| 05.03.2007 10:43

Kabikala  Villager

# 3 Michael Oluwagbemi, may your pen never run dry. I am always amazed by the argument of many people that impeaching both Obasanjo and Atiku will overheat the polity. This expression (overheating the polity) which gained prominence in the last few years is the lame excuse given by short-sighted analysts to gloss over many executive misdeeds. I dare to say that the polity is already red-hot and such a drastic action will only serve to cool it down. Impeaching both men for their obvious culpability in mismanaging PTDF will drive home the lesson that power comes with responsibility and that there is true separation of powers in our brand of democracy as should be. It will also teach every potential Nigerian tyrant that indeed, no one is above the law. In spite of the short time we have to the end of this regime, I think the National Assembly should still go ahead and do what is needful. It did not take so long to complete the impeachment process in several states during this 4th republic. There is also the advantage of increased likelihood of having a free and fair election with Nnamani superitending over the process as canvassed by Mr Oluwagbemi (rather than Mr. Do-or-die!). Is Ken Nnamani man enough to bell the cat? Posted by Kabikala| 05.03.2007 11:19

Son of the Delta  Villager

# 4 Nigerians are always very keen to maintain the right of the likes of Atiku, Obasanjo and co to loot the treasury but are not worried about the plight of the true owners of these resources. With the way this wealth is being looted.I am afraid to say.Nigeria and indeed Nigerians may only end up boosting the support of groups like MEND in the Niger Delta. Posted by Son of the Delta| 05.03.2007 11:26

Mikky jaga  Villager

# 5 Impeachment is easier said than done. If you think OBJ will fold his hands and watch his ego bruised and brutalized by any impeachment move, then you don't kinow the man. Let sleeping dog lie while we find a way to prevent his surrogate from coming to complete his destruction of the country by continuing his corruption legacy. Posted by Mikky jaga| 05.03.2007 11:30

bjdon  Villager

# 6 Well Said Brother Michael! While it may never actually happen due to the 'realities' of our dear country, I join you in making the call. IMPEACH THEM BOTH, IMPEACH THEM NOW! Posted by bjdon| 05.03.2007 12:58

Karo Akarah  Villager

# 7 ''Man'' Man O! man from the dark abyss of warmth trapped in water logged sack of gore he came crashing, cushioned by runaway passions blown hither and thither from shore to shore and through the cobble stoneyards of uncertainty choked by the flotsam and jetsam of confidence trickery bound and sunk in the quagmire of inertia amidst a warped sense of significance but still husbanded by inferiority. But now so proud so sure bottled in a barrel called authority swish, swish goes the cane rap tat goes the tongue cultivating encentricities to feed his vanity flaunts his ego and call it chauvinism fights against nature and call it liberation disguised in a cloak of debauchery called law and swept in a tidal wave of sewage called society. But alas! It's all vanity a blind striving after winds empty sails flaping with reckless abandon But when cowed by an attack of realism Nature called with a grin and a wink And his lonely white trees met with mother earth in a dark conspiracy, Hmm, such a bloated contraption that he is blown like so much chaff into oblivion. Karo Akarah. This is my little contribution to this tread. We all love to puff an blow, we are all in one way or the other guilty of this nonsense that is happening. You know how? We like to spread ourselves with a lot of analytical nonsense that do not put food on the table of the common man in Niaja. Bottom line is that we should try to infuse a little bit of reality to what we do or say. OBJ is in the last lap of his life, this guy is old for niaja sake. so what do you expect from a cranky oldguy who is probably senile. Atiku is the perfect representation of what obtains in nigeria where the word to ''Hammer or Hit'' is the accepted lingo for survival. To 'hammer or Hit'' means you've stolen from the poor and you're hailed and songpraised by the so called masses we are busting our brains to protect. So where do we start from? Lets just do it the oldfasioned Niaja Village style. Let OBJ and ATIKU go and sit in starch water in their constituencies and bury thier heads in shame for bringing this shame on NIAJA. And let them not forget it is all VANITY. Posted by Karo Akarah| 05.03.2007 13:16

Bobman  JJC

# 8 The Senate President should supervise and co-ordinate the impeachment of the President and his "vice". Has he not realised this will give him the opportunity to be president of the federal republic for 15 - 20 days or so, and perhaps to a more profitable pension, and life attendance at the national council of states meetings? After all Mr Sonekan is now considered a past leader even if he only served as a bridge/stooge between IBB and Abacha? Nigerians will be more sympatheitc to Mr Senate President turned President trying to elongate his tenure under one mistaken guise or another:lol: :lol: :lol: Posted by Bobman| 05.03.2007 16:43

Knightofdelta  Villager

# 9 Nigerians are very quiet about this issue because we know we are powerless. Money says all in our dear country. Which Ken Nnamani will impeach Mr P and Mr VP? Are you guys joking? You'd better stop that. The guy will just die mysteriously if he tried it. He will be wasted like Chief Bola Ige and we will run around looking for the killers with the P and VP making empty promises as usual about getting the killers and bringing them to justice at all cost. I am sorry to say, Ken will never attempt a thing like that. I got to understand the way things work up there when I read Wole Soyinka's You Must Set Forth At Dawn. The only thing we should clamor for is to encourage MEND to continue with its activities so that those thieves up there will not have enough money to put on fixed deposit. What do we have to lose? Nothing. We are not feeling the impact of the petrodollars anyway. The big guns are using the money to make more money and they spend the interest in tummy tucks and organizing parties where they take undergraduate girls from all over the country, use them and buy jeeps for them. The Knight of Delta. Posted by Knightofdelta| 06.03.2007 02:06

abdulmumin  Villager

# 10 Are we saying that a set of laws are applicale to the presidency and another to other Nigerians? Please!!!!!!!!!! To remain relevant in the scheme of things and to salvage whatever is left of our democracy, the Senate is left with no choice but to do the needful. Impeach Mr President and his Vice! Posted by abdulmumin| 06.03.2007 04:45

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