NLC pushes for N90,000 minimum wage, condemns police action in Lagos

Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN

Zoning of speakership: APC leaders’ stalemate dangerous – Kwankwaso

Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN

Senate President: Buhari states position

As the 7th Senate winds up ahead of the inauguration of the 8th Senate on June 4, the upper legislative chambers is at the moment caught up in a high-level of intrigues, horse-trading and lobbying, backstabbing, in a bid to outwit one another or zone on who becomes the next president of the Senate.
However, this was even as facts have emerged that the President- elect, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, rtd, is not willing to support any Senator or member of the House of Representatives who has had or still has any corruption case or matter with the anti-corruption agencies or police for the leadership position in the National Assembly.

Also President Goodluck Jonathan and the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari met Friday in the Villa.

Buhari, it was gathered is said to be uncomfortable with most of the aspirants currently fighting for the National Assembly, as they have one case or the other to answer with the anti- corruption agencies especially the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Apart from corruption, the president-elect was also said not to be interested in working with those alleged to have links with insurgents like Boko Haram.
It was not known which zone would produce the Senate Presidency but sources said yesterday in Abuja that the Senator Bola Tinubu bloc in the All Progressives Congress, APC, was allegedly working to ensure that the former governor of Benue State, Senator George Akume, emerged. The party had already zoned the position to North Central.

The search for who heads the Senate would have been sealed if Senator Chris Ngige from Anambra State had won the election as the position would have just gone to South East geo- political zone of the country without any stress.
Saturday Vanguard gathered that the Tinubu group was backing Akume for the singular reason that the former governor of Benue State is the oldest in the opposition camp who came to the Senate on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, thereby making the party popular in his area.
The North East geopolitical zone of the country also angled for the position of the Senate President saying that such position would placate them after Boko Haram insurgency ravaged the zone. The zone also argued that it produced the second highest number of votes after the North West, for the APC, adding that with this singular contribution to the success of the party, the position of Senate President should go to them. But they have to succumb to party decision Thursday morning that zoned the seat to North Central. .

As the race for the position begins, Senators Bukola Saraki, Kwara Central; Senator George Akume from Benue; Senator Abdullahi Adamu of Nasarawa State; Senator Danjuma Goje of Gombe State; Senator Ali Ndume from Borno State, among others are said to be interested in occupying the position of Senate President.
Only one or two of the candidates jostling for the Senate President had no case with the EFCC. One even has a Boko Haram related case in court.
It was learnt that Buhari would want to respect the independence of the National Assembly. However, he would not want to support any one who has had a graft case in order to enable him have a clean break from the past and pursue his anti- corruption stance to the letter.

"The President-elect respects the rule of law and would not want to meddle into the politics of the National Assembly but he is not comfortable with any one who has or has had a corruption case being the Senate President," a top party source said Friday.
Interestingly, of all the aspirants into the Senate Presidency, one of the two said to be very transparent has questions about his social life.
The aspirant was said to have a lot of things going in his favour except his drinking habit, even as he was alleged to have undergone some transformation in his behaviour and thus could prove his critics wrong.
Those working for this particular aspirant told Saturday Vanguard that ''a personal habit which may affect an individual character is better and manageable than an alleged corrupt person.''

The change in the position of the Senate President and other leadership positions had became imminent following the woeful defeat of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, by the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC.

The PDP which ruled the country for 16 years, controlled both the House of Representatives and the Senate, hence it produced both the Speaker of the House and Senate President throughout the period it controlled power.
However, under the APC's dispensation, the PDP now has 49 senators against APC's majority of 60 Senators. The Senate is made up of 109 Senators.
With this development in the Senate, the PDP has lost its power to produce the Senate President or the Deputy Senate President as well as the Senate Leader currently being occupied by Senators David Mark, Ike Ekweremadu and Victor Ndoma- Egba respectively. The PDP will also lose the position of the Senate Chief Whip now being held by Senator Bello Hayatu Gwarzo as all the four top positions will go to the APC.
There is however, a high risk for the APC in throwing open the contest for the leadership positions in the Senate as a united PDP with 46 members can still produce the Senate President supporting a single candidate, if the 60 APC Senators split their votes along two or more members contesting for the position.

Interestingly, the North Central zone, especially Benue State had been lucky in producing Senate Presidents. The state has produced Dr Iyorchia Ayu as Senate President from 1992– 1993; Senator Ameh Ebute as Senate President from 1993 till the late military Head of State, General Sani Abacha took over power after the palace coup that ousted Chief Ernest Shonekan as the Interim Head of State.
The outgoing Senate has Senator David Mark who hails from Benue as president since June 6, 2007 with Senator George Akume, also from Benue as Minority Leader in the same Senate.
According to sources, even with its present status of producing a large number of Senators, the APC lacks a two- third majority or 73 seats required for key decisions. And with this, the APC would count on the PDP as well as the Labour Party, LP; Accord and the Social Democratic Party, SDP which share five seats.
The leadership contest in the National Assembly is capable of causing deep crack in the party if not well managed bearing in mind that the out-going PDP government never recovered from the Aminu Tambuwal-Mulikat Abiola- Akande saga at the House of Representatives which saw Tambuwal emerging as Speaker against the position of the party that Mulikat Akande should emerge.

The choice of former Speaker Ghali Umar Na'Aba that was resisted by former President Olusegun Obasanjo also, almost earned Obasanjo an impeachment.

Also President Goodluck Jonathan and the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari met Friday in the Villa.
The meeting which held at the Presidential Banquet hall of the Aso Rock was the second meeting between the two leaders since General Buhari emerged winner of the March 28 presidential election.
President Jonathan and General Buhari had earlier met last Month on Good Friday at the same venue.
President Jonathan who spoke with state House correspondents after the meeting said the two of them agreed to pick a date later when he will take the President-elect on a tour of the Presidential Villa.
"We will take a date when the President will come and I will show him round the State House but today is not for that. Today is for us to continue with our conversation.
So we don't need to worry the President, we don't need to worry the President
Asked how fruitful the meeting was, President Jonathan said: "You can see that we are smiling, it was a fruitful one. We are discussing for the interest of the country" he said.
General Buhari did not say any thing, noting that: "The President has said it all".
Buhari was accompanied to the meeting by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress APC, Chief John Oyegun and former Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau.
In a move to accord the President-Elect some presidential respect even before being sworn-in, the federal government has made available the Defence House for his private and official engagements.
Vanguard gathered that the House was built by the regime of the former Military president, Ibrahim Babangida.
The residence is also called "Safe House" and can only be accessed by Nigerians with presidential status.
Buhari who has been in his private residence in Asokoro area of Abuja metropolis before his election on March 28 moved into the place on Monday upon his return from Daura, Katsina State for the April 11 governorship and state assembly elections.

So, far, he has received dignitaries including ambassadors of Morocco, Isreal, China and Equatorial Guinea who paid him a congratulatory visit at the place that now wears a new look.
He also received the chairman of ECOWAS and Ghanaian president, John Mahama at the place on Tuesday.
He also received the chairman of ECOWAS and Ghanaian president, John Mahama at the place on Tuesday.
Apparently, the House will provide temporary shelter for the president-elect until he finally moves into the Aso Rock presidential Villa after his swearing-in next month.

Speaker/Senate President: PDP plots to take control of N’Assembly

There are indications that the Peoples Democratic Party is scheming to assume control of the National Assembly following the failure of the All Progressives Congress leaders to agree on zoning of offices.
Saturday PUNCHgathered on Friday that the PDP caucuses in the two chambers of the National Assembly were plotting to benefit from the squabbles in the APC by teaming up with aggrieved elements in the latter.
The aim of such an alliance, investigations showed, would be the emergence of a speaker and a senate president different from candidates approved by the APC.
It was learnt that the PDP hoped that by ensuring its choices emerged as the speaker and the senate president, it would "snatch" the control of the eighth National Assembly from the APC.
A member of the PDP caucus in the House, who pleaded anonymity, said, "Although we are not disputing the fact that the APC should produce leaders of the National Assembly, we will ensure that those who will emerge are people we prefer, not the choices of the APC leaders.
"By doing that, we will snatch the control of the National Assembly from them, just as the APC controlled the House through Aminu Tambuwal."
The APC leaders had on Thursday failed to reach a decision on zoning of political offices at their meeting in Abuja.

There were reports that the APC's National Working Committee had recommended some zoning arrangements to its National Executive Committee.
According to the reports, the position of the senate president seat was zoned to the North-Central and the Deputy Senate President to the North-East.
There were two accounts on the zoning of speakership. While one stated that the post of speakership was zoned to the South-West, the other indicated that it was meant for the North-East.
The deputy speakership was said to have been zoned to the South-South
But the APC, in a statement early in the week, denied the reports. Its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, urged Nigerians to disregard the reports and described them as products of hyperactive rumour mills.
In spite of the APC's statement, it was gathered that zoning topped the agenda of the APC leaders' meeting on Thursday.
The PUNCHhad reported that no decision was reached at the meeting because the leaders felt that more consultations were needed on the issue.
It was learnt that some of the PDP members in the incoming eighth Senate, who would occupy 48 of the 109 seats, had already begun talks with their APC counterparts from the North-East.
The talks, it was gathered, followed the failure of the APC leaders to take a decision on zoning.
The APC senators that have been mentioned as having interest in the senate presidency include Bukola Saraki (Kwara Central); George Akume (Benue North) and Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North).

Based on the recent general elections, the APC will have 60 members in the eighth Senate while the PDP will have 48. Election into the Delta Central Senatorial District is still outstanding.
Senate presidency candidates reach out to senators-elect
Investigations revealed that the camps of Saraki, Akume and Lawan had commenced aggressive lobbying and strategic calculations to outsmart one another in order to occupy the seat.
For instance, while the Saraki camp is currently seeking the support of the new PDP, which he led alongside Governor Rotimi Amaechi and others, to defect to the APC, Akume is relying on the goodwill he is enjoying from the leadership of the APC, particularly, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
The Lawan camp, on the other hand, believed that the North-East had been short-changed in the political office sharing since 1999.
The camp has the backing of the APC senate caucus in the zone.
It was learnt that the North-East sees the current development as an opportunity to demand for its own share of political offices.
North-East APC Senate caucus may form alliance with PDP senators
Sources said Lawan's group had already reached out to the PDP caucus in the senate comprising the incumbent Senate President, David Mark, and 47 other members, with a view to forming a formidable alliance that would make their dream become a reality.

Senators from the North-East were said to have promised the PDP caucus that they would work towards the emergence of one of them as the deputy Senate President if their dream of producing the Senate President materialised.
Attempts to speak with Senator Ahmad Lawan and the APC North-East Senate Caucus on the alleged discussion with the PDP caucus in the senate over his ambition were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
But reacting to the development, a member of the APC North-East Caucus, Ali Ndume ( Borno South ), acknowledged that his zone deserved its fair share of the leadership positions in both chambers of the National Assembly, but stressed that it would also seek the APC senators' support.
"The leadership of the party is doing everything possible to ensure that the zoning is done in such a way that it will be acceptable to all concerned," he said.
However, a senator from the North-East, who did not want his name mentioned, told one of our correspondents that his people might seek support outside the party, if the leadership of the APC failed to zone either the speaker of the House of Representatives or the Senate President to their area.

He said, "We have 18 senators from the North-East, if we get the support of 48 PDP senators, we will get more than simple majority of 51 votes to produce the senate president. Already, there are 48 senators in the PDP camp. One is outstanding in Delta State.
"We are having at least 66 votes if we perfect our alliance with the PDP."
When contacted, Senator Ayogu Eze, (PDP, Enugu North) said the PDP caucus in the senate would allow the APC senators to carry out their affairs without any form of interference from the minority party. He said, "I am in the PDP. I think it is the responsibility of the new majority party to determine how they will share their offices in the National Assembly.
"I don't want to get involved in their affairs because they were not involved when we were in the majority. We will allow them to do their show.
"I am not sure that the South-East will lose out completely in the power sharing at the eighth National Assembly because the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, had denied the rumour of zoning. He said all we are hearing about zoning are rumours"
In the House of Representatives, the PDP caucus is also poised to play a major role in the emergence of the speaker,Saturday PUNCHinvestigations have revealed.
It was gathered that the caucus was closely monitoring meetings of the APC leaders with the aim of working against their choice as speaker.
A member of the caucus, who confided inSaturday PUNCH, said, "If the APC decides to impose a speaker on the House, which is what is likely to happen, it will naturally work with aggrieved elements."
The North-East, South-West, South-South and North-West are all eying the speakership.

But Saturday PUNCH gathered that views expressed by party decision makers at a meeting of the National Working Committee of the APC a week earlier, narrowed the search to the North-East and South-West.
However, two APC towering political figures, one from the North and the other from the South-West, are said to have consistently disagreed in the course of negotiations, as each of them insists that the seat must go to his zone.
"What is going on now is a battle between the North and the South-West; each wants to be in full control of the next government.
"The North already has the President and they are likely to have the Senate President. The position of the South-West is that, if you add speaker to what they (North) have, it is too much power going to one part of the country.
"That is why the South-West is insisting on having the speaker in addition to the office of Vice-President; indeed, a key APC financier has nominated a particular candidate for the job and has advised all other spirants from the zone to drop their ambition for the candidate," a senior party official confided inSaturday PUNCH.
It was learnt that the PDP plotted to cue into the "burble that will burst" in the event of the losing zone becoming aggrieved, to "file behind a neutral candidate that is competent and experienced" as the speaker.
The PDP has about 140 lawmakers in the incoming House, as against the APC's 200 lawmakers.
"If the disagreement in the APC continues unresolved, there won't be a guarantee that they will give block vote to the candidate of the party. They will be divided.

"It will be easy for the PDP to woo the losing group for a team work to clinch the speakership, even if the candidate has to be an APC member," one source knowledgeable in the calculations of the PDP toldSaturday PUNCH.
We are watching wrangling in APC –PDP caucus
Deputy House Majority Leader, Mr. Leo Ogor, confirmed toSaturday PUNCHthat his caucus was watching the wrangling in the APC with interest.
He said it had been the tradition of the House to allow lawmakers pick a speaker of their choice, as the choices of political parties usually backfire or end up in crisis.
Ogor said, "We are not going to be idle in the PDP by just sitting and watching. No, we will play a major role in how the speaker will emerge.
"The much I can say is that nobody or party can impose a speaker on us. We agree that the party with the majority is the APC, but members will have to elect their speaker."
Asked whether this major role could also mean the possibility of a PDP member vying for the seat, Ogor said he would withhold his comments on the question.
"I won't comment on that question; but I will tell you that we in PDP will not be idle on this matter," he added.
South-South intensifies campaign for speakership
Also, the South-South intensified its campaign for the speakership position to be zoned to the region on Friday.
The South-South has two ranking APC lawmakers in the House going to the eighth Assembly, namely Mr. Pally Iriase, and Mr. Peter Akpatason.
A group, the Coalition for Justice and Fairness, made a case for the South-South. It expressed surprise that nobody was mentioning the zone in the sharing of political offices in the incoming government.
Coordinator of the group, Mr. Muraina Ahmed, said excluding any zone of the country from the power equation was a breach of Section 14 (3) of the 1999 Constitution, which provided for the federal character principle.
Ahmed said, "For the records, the APC, as the majority party, has the conventional privilege to zone the offices of Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

"The nutty issue that will test APC's abhorrence of impunity, which was one of the major reasons Nigerians voted for the party, is the zoning of the listed leadership offices in the National Assembly.
"To be fair, there are extenuating circumstances that may hamper the even spread of legislative offices enumerated above to all the six zones in Nigeria.
"For instance, the South-East has no APC senator at all and has not produced any ranking APC member of the House of Representatives.
"The South-South has one senator who is a fresher and does not meet the ranking criterion. But the South-South has four members – elect for the House of Representatives, two of whom are ranking, with one of them, Pally Iriase, parading impeccable credentials and legislative leadership experience.
"This is a golden opportunity that the APC must not miss. In the spirit of fairness and adherence of federal character, the position of Speaker, House of Representatives should be zoned to the South-South geo-political zone."
We will take position on Senate President, Speaker's positions soon – PDP
The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party is to meet with newly elected senators and members of the House of Representatives soon.
The meeting will determine who among the numerous candidates to support among those aiming at becoming President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, disclosed this in a telephone interview with our correspondent in Abuja on Friday.
Metuh said until the meeting is held, the party could not say which candidate it would support or not.
But he said that the party would support its members in the National Assembly to be active and also support the cause of the party.
He said, "Well, we have met with them on the need to support the national leadership of the party as we plan to reposition the party. They have agreed to work with us on this matter.
Attempts to get a reaction from the APC were futile.
Several calls to the mobile telephone number of the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, were neither picked nor returned.
The first call was at 3:21pm, the second was at 3:23 and a text message on the subject was sent to him at 3:31pm.
This was followed by another set of calls made at 4:17pm and 6:32pm, none of these efforts elicited a response as of the time of filing this report (6:35PM).

Jonathan rejects Constitution ammendments

In what appeared a last-minute face-off, President Goodluck Jonathan has rejected amendments to the 1999 Constitution by the National Assembly.
He said he would not assent to the amendments because they do not satisfy the strict requirements of Section 9(3) of the 1999 Constitution.
He queried the decision of the National Assembly to whittle down some Executive powers of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He also faulted some amendments which will give Executive powers and duties to the Legislature and the Judiciary.

Jonathan made his position known in a seven-page letter to Senate President David Mark and House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.
The return of the Constitution Amendment Bill jolted Senators and members of the House.
The President listed 12 errors in the amendments.

They are as follows:

•Non-compliance with the threshold specified in Section 9(3) of the 1999 Constitution on amendments;
•Alteration to constitution cannot be valid with mere voice votes unless supported by the votes of not less than four-fifths majority all members of National Assembly and two-thirds of all the 36 State Houses of Assembly;
•Right to free basic education and primary and maternal care services imposed on private institutions
•Flagrant violation of the doctrine of separation of powers,
•Unjustified whittling down of the Executive powers of the Federation vested in the President by virtue of Section 5(1) of the 1999 Constitution;
•30 days allowed for assent of the President; and
•Limiting expenditure in default of appropriation from 6months to three months
The others are: •Creation of the Office of Accountant-General of the Federation distinct from the Accountant General of the Federal Government
•Empowering National Economic Council to appoint the Accountant-General of the Federation instead of the President;
•Allowing NJC to now appoint the Attorney-General of the Federation rather than the President;
•Unwittingly whittling down the discretionary powers of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
The President said he has no choice than to veto the amendments to the constitution as forwarded to him by the National Assembly.

He said: "In view of the foregoing and absence of credible evidence that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fourth Alteration) Act 2015 satisfied the strict requirements of Section 9(3) of the 1999 Constitution, it will be unconstitutional for me to assent to it.
"I therefore withhold my assent and accordingly remit Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fourth Alteration) Act 2015 to the Senate /House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria."
The letter reads: "May I draw Your Excellency's esteemed attention to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fourth Alteration) Act, 2015 that has been passed by the National Assembly and transmitted to me for assent.
"I have accordingly examined the substance of the provisions and the procedure adopted by the National Assembly to pass the Act and wish to observe as follows:
"Section 4 of the Fourth Alteration Act, 2015 seeks to alter Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution by the insertion of a new subsection 3A, which dispenses with the assent of the President in the process of constitutional amendment.

"However, this alteration can only be valid if the proposal was supported by the votes of not less than four-fifth majority of all the members of each House of the National Assembly and approved by a resolution of the House of Assembly of not less than two-thirds of all the States as provided by Section 9 (3) of the 1999 Constitution.
" This is a fundamental requirement of the Constitution and in the absence of credible evidence that this requirement was met in the Votes of Proceedings of the National Assembly, it will be unconstitutional for me to assent to this Bill.
"In light of the above, I am of the respectful view that I should withhold assent until it can be shown that the National Assembly has complied with the threshold specified in Section 9 (3) of the 1999 Constitution.
"However, assuming without conceding that the necessary thresholds were met by the National Assembly, there are a number of provisions in the Act that altogether constitute flagrant violation of the doctrine of separation of powers enshrined in the 1999 Constitution and an unjustified whittling down of the executive powers of the federation vested in the President by virtue of Section 5(1) of the 1999 Constitution.

The said Section 45A of the Fourth Alteration Act 2015, which guarantees the right to free basic education is too open ended and should have been restricted to government schools.
He added: "This is because, a right unless qualified or restricted must be observed by all. It follows therefore that the right to free basic education under this provision if taken to its logical conclusion, will invariably apply to private schools, which could not have been the intendment of the legislature.
"This same argument applies to Section 45B, which guarantees unqualified right to free primary and maternal care services. The implication of this is that private institutions will be obliged under Constitution to offer free medical services since it is a right and this is not only impracticable, but also could not have been the intention of the law giver.
" There is therefore the need for these provisions to be redrafted to restrict the enjoyment of these rights and place the obligation to provide the conditions necessary for the enjoyment of the rights on the government."
Jonathan also queried the limitation of the power of the President to withhold assent to bills to 30 days.
He said 30 days might not be sufficient for a President to go through such bills.
He said: "The power vested in the President to withhold his assent to Bills passed by the National Assembly is part of the checks and balances contained in the Constitution. "Withholding of assent therefore constitutes a check on the exercise of legislative powers in a constitutional democracy especially as the Executive Branch has the responsibility of enforcing laws passed by the National Assembly. However, some of the Acts of the National Assembly emanate from Private Members' Bills, which in many cases, the Executive may not have had sufficient input.
" It is also instructive to note that in some cases, more than one Bill is transmitted to the President for assent and that the President requires the advice of relevant agencies of government before he can assent to the Bill.

"Against this background, the 30 days allowed for assent of the President may not be adequate in some cases for the President to make a decision as to whether or not to assent."
The President disagreed with the lawmakers for restricting the President's right to spend funds in default of appropriation to three months instead of six months.
He said the amendment by the lawmakers does not take into cognizance unforeseen circumstances the nation might go through any time.
He added: "This alteration seeks to limit the period when expenditure can be authorized in default of appropriation from the 6 months provided in the Constitution to 3 months.
"I am of the view that this provision has the potential of occasioning financial hardships and unintended shutdown of government business particularly where four unforeseen reasons and exigencies in the polity, the National Assembly is unable to pass the Appropriation Act do not justify the reduction of the six-month time limit in the Constitution. I am of the respectful view that the current position should have been maintained."
He blamed the National Assembly for recommending that the National Economic Council(NEC) should henceforth appoint the Accountant-General of the Federation.
He said: "The provision of section 84A that creates the new Office of Account-General of the Federation distinct from Accountant- General of the Federal Government has not addressed the funding requirement for the establishment of the office.
" It is necessary to clarify for instance, who staffs and funds the office of Accountant General of the Federation and from whose budget he will be paid since he serve the three tiers of Government.

" It is also important to state who will exercise oversight powers over the office. Furthermore, the National Economic Council, which is mainly an advisory body, is now charged with the responsibility of recommending those to be appointed to the Office of Accountant General of the Federation."
Jonathan described the amendment on the separation the Office of Attorney General of the Federation from the Minister of Justice as ambiguous.
He said: "These alterations encapsulate wide-ranging provision that seek to separate the Office of Attorney General of the Federation from the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General from the Commissioner for Justice in the respective States of the federation. They also provide for the independence of the Office of Attorney General by guaranteeing tenure and funding.
"However, as desirable as the separation is, there are some provisions that validate the doctrine of separation of powers and also negate the age-long independence and absolute discretion that the office has enjoyed for centuries since it creation in middles ages. The potential challenging provisions are discussed below:
"The first noticeable set back is that the Fourth Alteration Act 2015 is silent on who is the Chief Law Officer of the Federation/State. This is serious lacuna, which may create implementation challenges.
"It will be recalled that the Attorney- General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice and the Attorney General and Commissioners for Justice in the respective States of the federation are under sections 150 and 195 of the 1999 Constitution, the Chief Law Officers respectively.
"Apparently, it is the fact that the AGF is the Chief Law Officer has the power to guide the MDAs on legal issues by way of legal advice and represent the Government on other legal matters including civil litigations, contract, treaty obligations, legal drafting, etc., is derived.
"With this amendment, which limits the power of the AGF to criminal prosecution and silent on whom who is the Chief Law Officer, it appears to erode the constitutional and legal basis for the current structure and functions of the Ministry of Justice and the Law Officers employed therein, in the absence of a Statute that provides for the exercise of these powers and functions.
Consequently, if it is the intendment of the National Assembly to make the Minister of Justice, the Chief Law Officer, it should be expressly stated. This will enable these functions to continue to be traditionally performed by the Ministry under the supervision of the Minister of Justice while the Office of the AGF, which is to be independent and separated from the Ministry, concentrate on prosecutions."...... Please continue reading
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN

Buhari’s 12 million jobs and other promises

A look at the campaign promises of President-Elect Muhammad Buhari.In spite of divergent views that Nigeria's presidential election campaign was hardly issue-driven, the leading presidential candidates still made their plans for some critical sectors of the nation's life known.
The All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, who won the contest, in line with pre-election prognosis, was known to have remarkably deflated the current state of many key sectors during his campaigns.

That informed his vow to prioritize many areas that have become increasingly important to the electorate.
Retrospectively, the areas Buhari, who received substantial jabs from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the days leading to the poll, promised to focus on include: Security, education, unemployment, economy, health care, social security, infrastructure, energy, environment, human capital development, politics and governance.
A breakdown showed the then presidential hopeful being specific on how some of these sectors would be fixed within time frame, while time line was not attached to others.

Security
Buhari had, during his various campaign stops, said the present government had not responded appropriately to the wave of terrorism in the country.
Hence, he said the Boko Haram insurgency would be tackled before any other thing.
''The fundamental problem facing this country now is security. I pledge to tackle the Boko Haram crisis if elected, '' he noted.

Economy
On the nation's economy, rated the largest and fastest growing in Africa, he pledged to create a market-based economy.
Buhari said such economy would be operated with clear unambiguous regulatory framework and effective enforcement mechanism.
The then APC presidential candidate envisaged that it would help Nigerians participate and engage in productive economic activities, in order to revamp the economy.
He promised to ensure diligent implementation of annual budgets to guarantee accountability and transparency in public resource management.

Stablization of the Naira
There was also the promise of stabilizing the naira if elected. He pledged to do that by ensuring that the country's currency is equal to the dollar.
Health
The blueprint for the health sector involves the transformation through the provision of modern equipment, qualified personnel and adequate drugs.
His party also pledged free maternal and child health care.

Corruption
The president-elect, who is a known anti-corruption crusader, at most campaign stops, assured that he would wipe out corruption.
He was of the opinion that if Nigeria doesn't kill corruption, it would kill the country.

Unemployment
At a campaign rally in Kano and other places, he promised to create three million jobs yearly to solve the problem of unemployment.
In addition, his then running mate, Prof Yemi Osibanjo, at a campaign rally in Akure, pledged 20,000 jobs yearly totaling 720,000.
He also wants to make all who looted the treasury return what they allegedly stole.

Energy
He hopes to ensure steady power supply so as to resuscitate local industries which he described as dying.

Infrastructure
Buhari plans to complete moribund road projects and improve infrastructural development nationwide especially in the war ravaged North-East.

In line with these and other assurances, expectations are rife about the feasibility of achieving some within the life span of the incoming administration.
Eminent Nigerians, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard,differed on how best to achieve some of the key goals, while others were unanimous in their belief that Buhari would bring to reality most of the pledges.

Building four refineries possible
On the possibility of building four new refineries in four years, David-West responded thus: "That is very possible. All he promised to do in that sector are possible."

What are your expectations from an APC-led government?

Photo:
L-R: Owoh, Emenike and Mohammed

The Presidential election has come and gone with the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd)winning the election. As a new government is set to take over on May 29, 2015, Saturday PUNCH asked Nigerians accross the country what they expect from the incoming government.

Transparency in government

Bisola Mohammed, Graduate

I expect to see positive changes in the economy as proposed by the president-elect during his campaigns.

The positive changes entail increase in economical activities, providing employment opportunities and a stable society. I also expect the incoming government to provide adequate security for the people. Also, government should ensure that there is credibility, accountability and transparency in government.

We need cheap fuel and regular power supply

Mrs. Desola Opeola, Trader

We are happy about this change but the issue of fuel price is the first thing the new government needs to tackle. The price of our fuel is too high. The new government should also work on power supply which has been really bad in this country for a while. I would have said Buhari should put in place free education for all, but that may not be possible.

A government that will unite the country

Green Abenabe, Master's student at the University of Ibadan

I'm not expecting a messiah but I'm expecting a leadership that would give Nigeria a direction, a path and a legacy. I want a leadership that would reconcile the various zones in the country and not sectionalise the country along religious and tribal lines. I want someone who can say 'YES' and 'NO' and not sit on the fence or be timid to make important decisions. I want someone who will surround himself with proven and tested quality hands to work with. That is what I expect from Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

Solving power problem will put food on our tables

Mrs. Kehinde Obateye, Trader

We are really concerned about power supply. A lot of things are connected to the poor power supply in the country. Many people are hungry because there is no power supply to run their businesses. If the new government solves that problem, there would be food on our tables.

I expect prudence and accountability

Abimbola Fayemi, Civil servant

My first thought is that for the first time in the history of Nigeria's democracy, the will of the masses was not subverted. The results in some eastern states based on percentages are questionable, though.

However, we believe this newly elected government will be a friend of the masses. I expect this government to truly have the interests of the people at heart. I don't expect the newly elected government to be run with fragrant impunity like President Goodluck Jonathan's government. I expect the new government to be prudent and accountable for public funds.

I also personally expect that the new government will sieve the existing cabinet members and ensure that subsequent appointees are thoroughly scrutinised and assessed. Government should ensure there is steady and affordable electricity for Nigerians. With this, Nigeria will move away from being a consumer nation.

We need all-round change

Jide Adedeji, Pastor

We voted for this new government because we wanted change. Now that we have voted the new government in, it should ensure that it solves our security challenges. Power supply must be stable while corruption which has been destroying our country must be eradicated. But Nigerians must not forget to be prayerful. We cannot totally put our trust in a man. With God on our side, the change we need would come to pass.

Good roads and youth empowerment

Sulaimon Adegbolu, Welder

First, we need good roads. For instance, I expect the new government to complete ongoing road projects like the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway because it's causing the people so much problem. There have been too many accidents on our roads. Also, the new government should focus on youth empowerment and employment generation. With that, the crime rate will drastically reduce in the country.

Fulfil all promises

Okewole Ibukun, Student

I expect that all the promises the party and its candidates made to us during electioneering would be fulfilled, and in the first 100 days of this new government, we should be seeing traces of a government that is set to deliver on its promises. All the promises won't happen in 100 days, but there must be evidences here and there that we can hold on to. Beyond that, I expect this government to tame Boko Haram, make our currency more valuable, give us stable power supply and work on our refineries so that we can stop importing refined petroleum products. I also want the issue of unemployment to be reduced, by creating jobs for people. Above all, if the new government can fulfil all those promises it made while campaigning, Nigeria will be a better place for us.

I look forward to visionary leadership

Esther Alidu, Communications officer

I'm really looking forward to a significant transformation in Nigeria, better relationships with our leaders and a deepened sense of unity in governance. I would love to read reports I've never read before. I get tired of seeing the same old stories in our papers. It gets boring at times. Sometimes you can complete the story in your mind by just reading the headline. Imagine seeing the very best news stories. Stories on innovations, developments, completed projects, functional committees who attend to problems and actually resolve them in the most remarkable ways. I look forward to visionary leadership. A government that challenges us to rethink our actions and decisions as individuals. People who model integrity, diligence and inspire greatness. I think our communities have lost that and what's worse, not many people are looking out anymore. I want the three tiers of government working amicably rather than each one doing its own thing, with no communication whatsoever.

Respect rule of law

Abe Temitope

I want the new government to have total respect for the rule of law and for Nigeria to have an improved justice system, which is very important for any country that wants to develop. Our education needs quality reform, if we must have a saner society. I expect this new government to fight corruption, the bane of our development. I want it to cut government's spending and wastages, such as reducing the number of appointees and allowances for political office holders. I also expect that power supply will improve, maybe through decentralised generation and distribution, whilst focusing on generating more revenue from the non-oil sectors. Appointments should be based on capability, professionalism and expertise so we can have round pegs in round holes. I hope this government will be progressive in terms of the policies it formulates.

Deal with insecurity

Ilori Akande, Artisan

We all voted for this government and are happy about the success story. But we want the coming government to take the issue of security seriously. We are not secure in this country and many of us are living in fear. Inflation should also be tackled. What is the use of having money that is worthless?

Give women a chance

Nne Owoh, Housewife

Successive administrations in Nigeria have not done too well for

women. All the promises made have hardly been fulfilled. But now that Buhari has come on board, we want him to change all of that. His government must empower and give women more opportunities. This is very important for women in this country.

Improve power supply

Bolarinwa Balogun, Estate Surveyor

My expectations are many, but top on the list is power supply. I'm hoping for a drastic improvement in that sector. I expect a situation whereby government will be prudent in spending our collective wealth, and tackle insecurity. It is also necessary for us to have functional and efficient refineries so that we can stop importation in that sector. Even if we won't stop it, let it be reduced drastically. The electoral system must be reviewed so that people's vote would count and the process would be devoid of some avoidable hiccups to boost people's confidence in the process. Anti-corruption agencies should be strengthened and be made independent for a better performance. These are not things that would happen overnight, with the state of the economy now, but I'm hoping that in two years time, there should be measurable improvements in many areas.

Buhari must learn from Jonathan's mistakes

Queeneth Ofuru, Model

President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) should learn a great deal from the mistakes of President Goodluck Jonathan, whom I still respect so much despite his lapses. He should run an open government whereby citizens can ask the government questions, a situation whereby we can lend a voice to the way the system is run. We don't want a scenario whereby Nigeria is run like a secret cult. Every activity of the government should be let out in the open and he should strengthen the media in this respect.

Corruption should be eradicated

Orungbe Dare, Musician

The president-elect has been in government before, so that would save us the time of him being tutored or being told what to do. So many promises were made during their campaign, so, I expect him to fulfil those promises, and it's another opportunity for him to correct some of the negative perceptions people have about him. I expect him to fight corruption, especially in the public service, and in the way contracts are awarded. I also want an improvement in power supply, because when basic amenities are in place, it is easy to think and actualise one's plans. It also allows for innovation, for as many that would want to establish businesses of their own. He should also tackle insecurity, which has been a setback for the economy.

He should let reputable and competent people run offices

–Oladayo Okunola, Businessman

I want him to represent every tribe in Nigeria in his cabinet and not be sentimental in choosing those who run the various offices in the system. He should embrace everyone and fix only reputable and competent people to run our ministries and other organisations. We need innovation in the system and this can never happen if he gives a free hand to those who once ran down this country again. We need new wine in this new bottle.

We need dividends of democracy

Johnson Emenike, Businessman

This is a struggle that we have been on for a very long time and we

are glad that it has finally paid off. We are looking up to him to

deliver to us the true dividends of democracy.

Buhari, during his address to the nation after his victory, has assured that he would tackle insecurity, empower people, revive the economy and provide jobs. He has told us that his government would not be a one man show, so we are waiting for him to fulfil these promises.

I am expecting that the new administration under General Buhari would cater for the masses that have been at the receiving end of all the problems in the country. The youths need job and if the administration

can tackle this, it would bring joy to our hearts.

He should not differentiate stealing from corruption

–Abiori Shontelle, Businesswoman

I'm sorry to say this, but one of President Goodluck Jonathan's many flaws is that he shouldn't have allowed the thieves in our government think they were not corrupt. Buhari shouldn't make light of issues. He should deal with anyone who steals just N1 from taxpayers' money. He should purify this system because that's why Nigerians voted for him. We believe he could change the situation of things.

Give us more jobs

Amadi Rogers, Student

My father told me that General Buhari performed very well during his time as Head of State and so I believe that he would perform even better in a democratic government. He would do a lot of good things that the entire world would see and salute. I believe that things would go well but then my expectation is that the educational system would be greatly improved so that ordinary citizens can have access to quality education. Jobs too must be created, there should be infrastructural development and economic growth. The General is surrounded by intelligent people, so I am confident that they would do well for Nigeria.

Let him block all financial loopholes

–Along Johnson, maritime worker

Buhari should block all those loopholes that those corrupt guys used to siphon our money abroad. He should reduce, if not eliminate, broad daylight looting. He should take to court those found of weakening this economy through their corrupt activities and use the money recovered to develop this economy. Good roads, health care facilities, railway network are some of the things all Nigerians would want to see. He can do it by God's grace.

Focus on job creation

Orji Werenta, Businessman

Personally, I want the new administration to focus on job creation and empowerment of youths and women. A lot of the problems we are facing in this country is because many people do not have jobs. But if this

problem is addressed, a lot of other things would improve.

Constant electricity

–Yemi Oladeinde

I am not expecting too much from the incoming government. I just want the new government to provide an enabling environment for us -constant light and security. That is all I ask for. Any other thing is a bonus