Letter of Commendation from Diaspora Nigeria Citizens to the National Assembly of Nigeria Print E-mail
Friday, 26 May 2006

Diaspora Nigeria Citizens (DNC) in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe

and The Americas

C/o NDM, P.O. Box 747,

Beltsville, Maryland 20704-0747, USA

 

May 24, 2006 

 

 

Honorable Ken Nnamani, Senate President

Honorable Bello Masari , Speaker of the House of Representatives

Honorable Members of the Senate

Honorable Members of the House of Representatives:

Dear Honorable Members of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria:

In a letter to you dated April 24, 2006, a group of us - almost 230-strong Nigerian citizens in the Diaspora - noted the existence of identical constitution-amendment Bills then being considered by each of your two legislative chambers.   We urged you inter alia not to approve the amendment to the 1999 Constitution that sought to extend the executives' term from two four-year terms to three four-year terms.     We appealed in good faith to your patriotism, and urged you to make correct decisions based on the need for justice, respect for the constitution, and future economic, political and social stability of our country.

On May 16 and 17, 2006 the Senate and House of Representatives respectively acceded to our request and that of teeming millions of Nigerians that you represent.    By a resounding voice vote, you not only rebuffed the term extension amendment, but also threw out the entire amendment bills as being the result of a flawed process.   The Third-Term Agenda, which was beginning to divide, destabilize and sear the soul of our nation, can be considered as having fatally contaminated the entire process.

We therefore hereby write to commend you deeply for these very important and historic decisions, and to acclaim them as a victory for democracy.   We are witnesses to the fact that a majority of members of both Houses resisted bribery, intimidation, harassment and party bullying.   We declare that the previously battered image of both hallowed legislative chambers has now been properly restored, and trust that you will continue in your actions to be the bulwark for democracy and against any incipient dictatorship and tyranny in our country.  

We specifically commend the Senate President, Ken Nnamani and the Speaker of the House, Bello Masari for insisting on abiding with set parliamentary procedure of open, transparent and unfettered debate.   We also commend in particular the multipartisan group Movement 2007 in the National Assembly, led in the Senate by Senators Uche Chukwumerije, Saidu Dansadau, Sule Yari Gandi, Tokunboh Afikuyomi, 'Nimbe Mamora, Idris Kuta and Ben Obi, and in the House by Honorables Uche Onyeagocha, Sola Adeyeye, Aminu Tambuwal,   Femi Gbajabiamila, Usman Bugaje, Francis Amadiegwu, Cyril Maduabum and Temi Harriman, all of who were at the fore-front of the anti third-term campaign.  

What we have all just witnessed is a single battle won; what we are currently enjoying is temporary welcome relief since all parties concerned seem to have accepted the outcome of your decisions.   However, the war for the very soul of the country is not over in the least.  We continue to hope that in this parliamentary session you will still be able to address a much more compact set of constitutional-amendment and ordinary-law items, including the issue of removal of criminal immunity from the executive; direct first charge allocation to the Independent National Electoral Committee and the National Assembly to provide them greater independence; and direct federal allocation to the local governments. All other items that will significantly enhance true federalism, as well as promote peace and justice in the nation, and particularly in the Niger-Delta, are also worth re-visiting. Ultimately, we continue to call for a new and popular Constitution unmediated by the Military and confirmed by referendum by the citizens of Nigeria.    

In going forward from here, we expect that you will focus in particular on legislation that will ensure free and fair elections in 2007. That is in fact the next and most important major battle ahead, which must begin right away with an early promulgation of a comprehensive and credible Electoral law (which passage has been at bay since 2004) to govern the elections.   We simply cannot afford another set of atrociously-flawed elections such as witnessed in 2003.  We need to look more closely at the specifics of the voting process which made the 1993 presidential elections to be adjudged by many Nigerians to be the freest and fairest so far. We also trust that the new electoral law will include specific language on enfranchising Nigerian citizens in the Diaspora to vote in 2007.

Finally, we cannot but note the profound effect that the media coverage of the proceedings of the National Assembly, particularly live television, played in keeping in check the excesses of those who would have preferred to successfully subvert our democracy in secret.    Consequently, we believe that a lesson learnt is that each House of the National Assembly should at the earliest possible time seriously consider investing in its own in-house television system to broadcast all of its non-executive-session proceedings.   This should include the use of live Internet video streaming.   Our suggestion is without prejudice to the continued permission of private-enterprise television coverage by such outfits as African Independent Television, AIT, whose role we also deeply commend.    This in-house coverage will be in accord with the best world practice of transparency and accountability of modern parliamentary proceedings in our host countries of the United States, the United Kingdom and elsewhere; see for example http://www.parliamentlive.tv   in the UK. The British House of Lords and the American Congress recently broadcast live their separate proceedings on Nigeria, both of which are currently being re-transmitted on Nigerian Village Square Network - see http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com .

Once again, we thank you for your courage and commitment to democracy, and for the sake of the country, we wish you all well in the important days to come.

Sincerely:

MobolajiEAluko

Mobolaji E. Aluko, PhD

President, Nigerian Democratic Movement NDM (USA) 

ndmovement@gmail.com

 

Signed on behalf of the following signatories:

With copies sent to:

President Olusegun Obasanjo, Aso Villa, Nigeria

President George Bush, The White House, Washington DC, USA

The House of Lords, UK

The International Relations Committee and Foreign Relations Committee, USA Congress


SIGNATORIES TO THIS LETTER OF COMMENDATION:

 
                                                                      

CANADA 

 
O. Igho Natufe, PhD, Ottawa
Paul D. Ocheje, Canada
Joshua Gogo, Canada
Akin Taiwo
Chris Asapokhai, Calgary , Canada.
A.Odueke, Pickering , Canada
Tunde Sodade, Ontario , Canada
Dr. Ola Kassim, Toronto , Ontario
Chido Onumah, British Columbia , Canada
Funmi Ajani , Ontario , Canada
Anthony Anyia, PhD, Canada 
Ray Azubuike, London , Ontario Canada
Uchenna Osigwe, Quebec , Canada
Kingsley Asemota, Windsor , Canada
Henry U. Chinnaya, Toronto , Canada
 

LATIN AMERICA 

 
Obadiah Oghoerore Alegbe, Buenos Aires , Argentina
Abdularazk Ibrahim Baba, Fortaleza , Brazil
 

ASIA-PACIFIC

 
Augustine Maduba, Guangzhou , China
Njoku SaintJerry A., Beijing , China
F N Onuoha, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki , Japan
Ochi Ogbuaku II, Dubai , UAE
Alake O. Omodele, Sydney , Australia
 

UNITED KINGDOM 

 
Esther Idahosa, London , UK
Austin Idahosa, London , UK
Tunde Olumide, London , UK 
Johnbull Omonua, London , UK
Joyce Adelanwa, London , UK
Ezekiel Ayodele Onaderu, London , UK
Femi Ayoade, London , UK
Dr Muhtari Aminu-Kano, Cambridge , UK
Daniel Elombah, UK
Ola Alabi, Watford , UK
Bako Chiroma, Essex , UK
Vashira Yake, Essex , UK
Oluranti,Gbemiga-Oke, West Dulwich , UK
Adebowale M. Akerele , London , UK
Ayo Giwa, London, UK
Moses Amaechi, UK
Olatubosun Ojo, London , UK
Valerie Ojo, London , UK
Adeniyi, Gbenga Christopher, London , UK
Olaposi O. Olatubosun, Reading , UK
Chukwuma Njoku, London , UK
Edirin M. Obadje, London , UK 
Anthony Olomofe, Essex , UK
Olubunmi Olomofe, Essex , UK
Michael Gbemi Fadu, London , UK
Laddieluck Rushden, England , UK 
Olusola Olanipekun, London , UK
William Balogun, London , UK
Obioyanni Ekunuga, London , UK
Ahmed Tajudeen, Middlesex , UK
Eric Ibeonu, London , UK
John Dada, Leeds, UK
Rotimi Jaiyesimi, UK
Edemma Edikan Udoh , UK
 
EUROPE (OTHER THAN UK)
 
Dele Olawole, Norway
Jones O. Edobor,PhD, Vienna , Austria
Zachy Falasinnu (MBA), Vienna , Austria
Bayo Babajide, Vienna , Austria
Kiitan Iyiola, Germany
Hakeem Babalola, Budapest , Hungary
Lawrence C. Nwobu, Dundalk , Ireland
Emmanuel Akinola, Galway , Ireland
Engr. George Omo Iduhon, Rome , Italy
Osamwonyi Edwyn Igori, Perugia , Italy
Ajisafe Sampson, Perugia , Italy
Echezona Ifeanyichukwu Chidume, Dundalk , Ireland
Bamidele Oluwagbenga Deko, Goteborg , Sweden
 

AFRICA 

 
Musa Suleiman, Nigeria
Danladi Kuta, Abuja , Nigeria
Larry Oyims, Abakaliki , Nigeria
John Onyeukwu, Nigeria 
Abdullahi Usman, Lagos , Nigeria
 

UNITED STATES (CONTINUED)

 
Thomas Isekenegbe, Ph.D, Vineland , USA
Olufunso Osunlana, Detroit , Michigan, USA
Ayo Akingbemi, Ph.D., Rialto , USA
Olugbemiga Ekundayo, Baltimore , USA
Dr. Aisha Nonyellum Obodoeke, New Rochelle , USA
Victor O. Emuakhagbon, Mansfield , USA
Felix Nwabuko, Dallas , USA
Style Egbeci, Bronx , NewYork, USA
Leotis Orji, Buffalo , N.Y.,USA
Adeyemi Agbaje, Brooklyn , USA
Paschal Ukpabi, Detroit , USA
Marshall Anako, Phoenix , USA
Akintola Oluwatosin, NY , USA
Adeolu Adebari, Washington , DC, USA
Stella Scott, Hyattsville , USA
Dr. Anthony F. Oladapo, Brooklyn , USA
Raphael O. Ugwu, Cincinnati , USA
Michael Olufemi Ewetuga, Indianapolis , USA
Muminu A. Badmus, Washington , DC, USA
Adeniran Adeboye, Washington , DC, USA
Kingsley Odinaka Iwu , Hamburg, USA
Adeyemi Agbaje, Brooklyn , USA
Chief (Mrs.) Dorothy Edo-Agbaje, Brooklyn , USA
Emeka Mbanugo, Washington , DC, USA
Nnawuihie Alilonu Njoku, Boston , USA
Kayode Aina, Oxnard , USA
Segun Ajibulu, Raleigh , USA
M. Omotayo Alawiye, Atlanta , USA
Miedide Doukpolagha, Silicon Valley , USA
Joe Ezeokeke, San Jose , USA
Sir Joseph A. Ezeh, MBA, Baltimore , USA
Akin M. Adebayo, Silver Spring , USA
 
 
 
 
UNITED STATES
 
Augustina Omosigho Iyare , USA
Mobolaji E Aluko, PhD Burtonsville, USA
Ulari Munnem, Maryland , USA
Adey Oyenuga, California , USA
Joseph U. Igietseme, PhD, Atlanta , USA
Clement Ikpatt, Delaware, USA
Rotimi Ogunsuyi, Chicago , USA 
Ioana Agams, New Jersey , USA 
Chief Musa B. Kannike,  Los Angeles , USA 
Mazi A. Ukoh, M.D., FACS , Silver SpringUSA 
O. 'Layi Abegunrin , USA
Farooq A. Kperogi , Louisiana, USA
Anthony Ayodele, USA 
Moses O. Agboola, Houston , USA
Adebowale Saibu, Silver Spring , USA
Omolara Ladejobi, Washington D.C, USA
Sir Tony O. Nammor, Maryland , USA
Lillian Agbeyegbe, Staten Island , New York, USA
Dr. Joseph O. Asagba, Denton , USA
Abiodun Abbey Abs, PotomacUSA
Benjamin Obiajulu Aduba, BostonUSA 
David Nosa Imsayeguahi , New York, USA
Dada Ibrahim, Pasadena , USA
Dr. Baba M. Adam, Prescott , Arizona, USA
Cecil Ibegbu, Detroit , Michigan, USA
Style Egbedi, NewYork , USA
Farooq A. Kperogi, Lafayette , USA
Kayode Babatunde, Willingboro , USA
Anthony Ayodele, Denver , USA
Ayodele Akande, Brooklyn , USA
Folabi Ogunleye, Boston , USA
Olawande Akande (Mrs.), Brooklyn , USA
Oluwole Oke, Beltsville , USA
Emma Adewole Adeniji , New York, USA
Mrs. Ioana Agams, Paramus , New Jersey, USA
Michael Oluwagbemi, Houston , USA
Oludare Joseph, Minneapolis , USA
Stan Oksy, Boston , USA
Daniel Okogun, Sr., Romeoville , USA
Edozie Ezeokoli, New Jersey , USA
Ayo Ojutalayo, Atlanta , USA
Kanayo Onyechi, Dallas , USA
Charles Uzoma Maduka, Dallas , USA
Ejike Arizor, Rockwall , USA
Joseph Dangme Rinyom , Iowa, USA
Modupe Odusanya, Naperville , USA
Emma Okafor, USA
Solomon Olufelo, McDonough , USA
David Obi, Baltimore , USA
Babatunde Loye, Snellville , USA
Reginald Akpata, Long Beach , USA
Adetunji A.Aladesanmi, New England , USA
Austin Anadu, Georgia , USA
Ego Anadu, Georgia, USA
Chief John Emale, Dallas , USA
Rev.Frank Ojogwa Ekejija, Dallas , USA
Chuba Okolo, USA
Gbekeloluwa Oguntimein, Baltimore , USA
Prof. Sylvester Egwim , Arkansas, USA
Emeka Iwunze, USA
Allwell Nwankwoala, New York , USA
Yinka Leo Ogundiran, Houston , USA
Sunday D. Goshit, Iowa City , USA
Clement Asuoha, MS, Kansas City, USA
Abu Baba Usman, Arlington , USA
Okei Okusogu, Baltimore , USA
Prof. Edward Oparaoji, Philadelphia , USA
Akinwale N. Philip, USA
'Kale Oyedeji, Atlanta , USA
Ogbogu Achonwa, Dallas , USA
Remi Ladeji, Dallas , USA
Emmanuel Abiodun Dada , USA
Obi Okafor , USA
Adeniyi Lawal, New Jersey , USA
Adekunle Shobajo, USA
Abdulaziz Ogunmola Mohammed, Atlanta , USA
Bassey Ben Etok, Georgia , USA
Titus Adeyemi Aladeyelu, Dallas , USA
Pamela N. Mojekwu, Chicago , USA
Sam Ayodele, USA
Chief Sam Adere, Atlanta , USA
Gboyega Adesokan, Atlanta , USA
M. Ola Owokoniran, Raleigh , USA
Michael O. Folorunso, Dallas , USA
Professor Cyril O. Enwonwu, Maryland , USA
Dr. Samuel Ogunbo, Baltimore , USA
Ololade Adeyemi LaCrown , New York
Solomon Bolaji Olaribigbe, Jacksonville , USA
Folasade Ayomikun MaCrown , New York, USA
Usman SB Aliyu, USA
Augustine Mekkam, M.D, Oakland , USA
Oloye Lekan Awojoodu, Silver Spring , USA
Victor Adewusi, New England , USA
Chief Alex Ike Okeke, Baltimore , USA
Olusegun Ogunniyi, Clarksburg , USA
Olisa H. Osita, Palm Springs , USA
Timothy Falade, Atlanta , USA
Olaoluwa Olabosipo, Rockville , USA
Owopele O. Shonowo, Little Rock , USA
Ayo Ola, New York, USA
Andrew Azebeokhai, Ft. Lauderdale , USA
Uzoma Onyemaechi, Taylor , USA
Professor Alphonsus Osiezagha, Atlanta , USA
Tota Danladi Yahaya, Boston , USA
Moses Ebe Ochonu, Nashville , USA
Wole Okunowo, Atlanta , USA
Laolu Akande, New York , USA
Sam Oputa-Olisa, New York, USA
Victor Nwokocha, New York, USA
J. Aikhuele, Atlanta , USA
Philip Adekunle, Chicago , USA
Johnson Ayan Kolawole, Willingsboro , USA
Segun Adebayo, Bethesda , USA
Adetunji Adesegun, Dallas , USA
Seni Ajao, USA
Olaide Laguda-Ajao, USA
Egbuna A. Onyeagwa , California, USA
Habu Dauda Fika, Washington, DC, USA
Frank McMaye, USA
Ebi Bozimo, Atlanta , USA
Ezekiel C. Nwakwue, Houston , USA
Ikenna Anokute, New York , USA
Chuks Ibekwe, Houston , USA
 



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In a letter to you dated April 24, 2006, a group of us - almost 230-strong Nigerian citizens in the ...Read the full article.

Posted by Robot| 26.05.2006 09:24

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