Nigerian EFCC Chair Farida Waziri is tasked with monitoring the financial system inside the West African state. The banking sector nearly collapsed in 2009 in a similar fashion as Wall Street almost did in the United States during late 2008.
Originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire File Photos
By Francis Okeke, Muideen Olaniyi & Abdulmutallib A. Abubakar
Nigeria Daily Trust
Thursday, 10 June 2010 06:24
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar said the union is delighted by the nomination of Professor Attahiru Jega for the position of INEC chair just as it urged Prof. Jega to hit the ground running by first cleansing the INEC.
The All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) said through its National Publicity Secretary Emma Eneukwu that President Goodluck Jonathan should avert any measure that will impact ‘unnecessary’ influence on the new chairman-nominee for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Attahiru Jega and his team to sustain Nigeria’s democracy.
The Action Congress (AC) said through its National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Mohammed that Jega will need more than his credibility to succeed in a job that has ruined the reputation of his predecessors.
AC said Jega owes it a duty to himself and the nation to demand a new voter’s register as the minimum requirement for him to succeed on the job.”
Chairman of the Labour Party, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu advised Jega to steer clear of the immediate past electoral umpire, Professor Maurice Iwu in order to avoid the controversies which dogged his tenure.
National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and the National Director of media Affairs Miss. Zainab Yusuf of the Human Rights Writers’ Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) challenged Jega to conduct a credible process of delivering to Nigerians a good national voters’ register.
Secretary of the group Olawale Okunniyi of the Mega Party Movement (MPM) said the nomination of Prof Attahiru Jega as the new INEC boss has restored hope and opened a vista of faith in Nigeria’s electoral system ahead of the 2011 elections.
Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) said through its National Publicity Secretary Osita Okechukwu that ‘It will be difficult for Prof Jega to make much difference. He is being burdened with junk structures and corrupt INEC staff who did as they liked under Prof Maurice Iwu’s administration.”
Osita said Prof Jega should ensure the release of fresh voters’ register before 2011 elections, remove fainthearted staff and make sure that the new recruitment will be based on merit.
Anxiety Trails INEC Staffers Over Jega
By Stanley Nkwocha, Abuja
Nigeria Leadership
Wednesday, 09 June 2010 19:49
Staff at the Independent National Electoral Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, were yesterday in very anxious mood following President Goodluck Jonathan's nomination of Prof. Attahiru Jega for the chairmanship of the electoral body.
When LEADERSHIP visited the commission yesterday, staff of the commission gathered in their offices and outside discussing the personality of Jega, with most staff expressing optimism at the capability of the University don to chart a new course for the body.
Most junior staff of INEC were seen in joyous moods, discussing the nomination while some others hung around their cars discussing what they referred to as the 'arrival of the August visitor'.
A staffer of the commission who spoke on condition of anonymity expressed satisfaction at Jega's nomination , saying from his antecedents were in the positive side, saying he hoped under Jega the Commission would be viewed from a positive angle and be spared the insults of the past under Pro Maurice Iwu.
A senior management staff member who also craved anonymity said he hoped the coming of Jega would re-phase the Commission and bring better ties to it. He urged the incoming INEC boss to quickly look into the issue of voters register as well as sort out the cases of those sent indiscriminate transfer that has generated bad blood at the commisssion.
“The last chairman took some overnight decisions that affected the morale of staff at the twilight of his exit. Our hope is that he should correct this anomaly and identify those staff that he can work with, staff who share in his vision for the rejuvenation of INEC, instilling staff discipline and orientation for the task ahead,” the staffer said.
Meanwhile, Chief Willy Ezugwu, secretary general of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), has asked Prof Attahiru Jega to gear up for the challenges ahead, noting that he stands the chance of making history if he conducted a free and fair 2011 election.
In a telephone chat with LEADERSHIP, the CNPP scribe said Jega has all the opportunities in the world to correct the anomalies of the Iwu- led INEC and set the course for a respected INEC in Nigeria.
'As a member of the Justice Uwais electoral reform committee, I am optimistic that he would bring to bare those salient issues that Nigerians are disturbed about and set the path for a glorified electoral system in Nigeria. Hopefully, when we get this right, other things will naturally follow suit, including effective leadership at all strata of the Nigerian leadership', Chief Ezugwu said.
Jega's task is enormous, say activists
By Festus Owete and Ifedayo Adebayo
Nigeria Next
June 10, 2010 03:38AM
The Nigeria Labour Congress has described the task ahead of elections' boss, Attahiru Jega, as enormous, stating that the electoral commission presently lacks the operating environment that is required for him to succeed in the office.
"The question of financial autonomy of INEC is highly imperative at this time so that the new INEC chair would hit the ground running given the enormous responsibilities awaiting him especially in cleaning up the messed-up electoral register and other critical logistics that will ensure a smooth general election in 2011," said Abdulwahed Omar, NLC president.
Meanwhile, the Mega Party Movement, applauded the nomination of Mr Jega. In a statement signed by its secretary, Wale Okuniyi, yesterday, the party said Mr. Jega's appointment was a major victory for Nigerians who have been agitating for an electoral umpire with high pedigree and integrity. The party described Mr Jega as an icon of the democratic struggle, adding that his nomination has restored hope and opened a new vista of faith in Nigeria's electoral system ahead of the 2011 general elections.
The way forward
It also hailed the selection of Lai Olurode and other members on the new board of INEC, and advised them not to allow themselves to be tainted. The party also advised the federal government to fully observe the process of electoral reforms recommended by the Muhammadu Uwais-led panel.
Another group, Human Rights' Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has challenged Mr Jega to put in place a credible voters' register for Nigerians.
Born in Jega on 11 Jan., 1957, Attahiru Jega attended Sabon Gari Primary School between 1963 and 1969 and Government Secondary School, Birnin Kebbi. He went to Bayero University, Kano (BUK) in 1974 and graduated in 1978 with second class upper division B.Sc. in Political Science. He started his career as a graduate assistant with BUK and rose to become a professor, and then vice chancellor of the university in 2005. His tenure as vice chancellor is expected to end in October.
NLC, TUC Insist On Uwais Report
By Moses John, Abuja
Nigeria Leadership
Wednesday, 09 June 2010 19:48
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), yesterday insisted that the appointment of Prof. Attahiru Jega to head the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), does not vitiate the core recommendations of the Justice Uwais Electoral Reform Committee.
The two labour movements in separate statements commended the appointment of the former ASUU president, but however, warned that the battle to put in place a credible INEC is not over yet.
NLC in a statement signed by its President, Abdulwaheed Omar said; "Apart from the fact that Jega possesses the requisite competence, integrity and patriotism needed for the job, he was a member of the Justice Uwais electoral reform committee which made far-reaching recommendations that majority of Nigerians believe that if implemented their votes will count.
"It is therefore perfect to appoint him as INEC boss because he is conversant with the core sentiments of the committee's report. His appointment is commendable.
“Prof. Jega's character, particularly in distinguishing himself in whatever position of trust he has held is not debateable. He has not stopped being progressively active and forthright even against the wishes of the government,” the NLC added.
However, TUC’s statement which was jointly signed by its President General, Peter Esele and Secretary General, John Kolawole, said the congress views his appointment as a signal that the present administration under President Goodluck Jonathan believes that credible elections should be a panacea for national peace and development.
The statement added that Attahiru's appointment coming on the heals of the extant distrust on the nation's poor electoral processes as exemplified under the past administration of Professor Maurice Iwu rekindles the hope of every Nige rian worker and the masses that the path to credible elections is becoming wider.
Nigeria Will Soon Witness Change In INEC – ANPP
Written by Osby Isibor, Abuja
Nigeria Leadership
Wednesday, 09 June 2010 19:47
The All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) has commended the appointment of Prof. Attahiru Jega as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying Nigerians expect positive changes from the commission under his leadership.
The party in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Emma Eneukwu, said the appointment of Jega was a divine intervention, saying what the country needs now is a committed, dedicated, transparent, honest and true democrat to revive its electoral body.
"For INEC’s mantle of leadership to fall on Jega could be said to be a divine intervention, so as to revive our dead and decaying electoral body.
“Jega was a member of the electoral reform committee constituted by the former President Umar Musa Yar’Adua in August 2007 and charged with the responsibility of coming out with a blueprint on how to put in place a formidable electoral system for the country. Therefore, he stands in a better position to reform our electoral process.
"Although the ANPP expected President Goodluck Jonathan to allow the judicial council to submit three names to the National Assembly as recommended by the Justice Uwais report,but we still commend his choice based on Jega’s past antecedents.
“His role as the ASUU president yielded much dividends and his membership of so many sensitive committees including Vision 20:20-20, National Working Group on the Niger Delta and Regional Development, May-July 2009, brought to the fore front his leadership skills.
"As a well known radical who believes in positive changes, he should dismantle those various rigging machineries and tactics adopted by the PDP to win elections by claiming other parties mandates without further delay," the ANPP stated.
The new INEC commissioners:
By Habeeb I. Pindiga
Nigeria Daily Trust
Thursday, 10 June 2010 06:28
The Council of State on Tuesday approved the nomination of a new chairman and 10 national commissioners for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The nominated commissioners, who are to undergo Senate screening, are profiled here:
Mrs. Thelma Iremiren
Mrs. Iremiren, who hails from Delta State, is at the present the national legal adviser of the Niger Delta Women Forum. She was a director of CBN during the tenure of CBN governor Joseph Sanusi, and was permanent secretary at the ministry of internal affairs in 2005.
Gen. Abdullahi Bagudu Mamman
Mamman, born on July 21, 1941 in the Abaji area of the present Federal Capital Territory, attended the Provincial Secondary School, Okene and the NMTC-Kaduna. He had military training at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, England; Royal School of Artillery, Lark Hill, England and the Odessa Military College, former USSR. Mamman attended several military courses and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru. He served in the Nigerian army for 30 years and rose to the rank of Major-General. He was Minister of Internal Affairs, Industry and Technology; Member, International Observer Team to Zimbabwe; Member, United Nation’s Interim Force in Lebanon; Member, Constitutional Conference 1993; Federal Commissioner at the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) 1999; and delegate to the National Political Reform Conference in 2005.
Dr. Abdulkadir Oniyangi
Dr. Oniyangi is among the first generation of medical doctors in Northern Nigeria. He rose in the Kwara State civil service to become the Secretary to the State Government in 1983-85. He was also at a time a consultant to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. After retiring from public service, he set up the Hassanah Memorial Hospital in Ilorin, where he is now the Chief Medical Director and consultant. Oniyangi is founding member of the Ilorin Development Progressive Union (IDPU). He is younger brother to the late Akanbi Oniyangi.
Dr. Ishmael Igbani
Dr. Igbani, who is from Rivers State, was minister in the government of president Shehu Shagari in the Second Republic. He was a national commissioner at INEC for five years up till the time he retired in 2008. During his stay at INEC, Igbani served as commissioner in charge of political party monitoring.
Mrs Amina Bala Zakari
Hajiya Amina, born June 23, 1960, has been a consultant pharmacist for decades. She graduated with a degree in Pharmacy from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1980, worked as senior pharmacist at the ABU Teaching Hospital in 1984-1987, and was intern pharmacist at the CSV Pharmacy Hartsdale New York. She was with the International Drug Agency in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in 1997, from where she moved to the Afri-Projects Consortium as senior consultant and as chief pharmacist between 1997 and 2001. She was secretary in the FCT ministry from 2004-2007. Hajiya Amina attended the Harvard Business School, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, in 2007. Since 2008, she has been the head of consultancy at the Songhai Medical Centre, Abuja. She is a widow and has 5 children.
Prof Lai Olurode
A former Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Lagos, Prof Oludare has a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degrees in Sociology, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Law. He got a PhD from the University of Sussex, Britain, in 1984. He was called to the bar in1991. He is a prolific writer, who authored, co-authored and edited dozens of books. Prof Oludare hails from Osun State.
Mr. Phillip Umeadi
Barrister Philip Etomike Umeadi, Jnr was born in October 1963 in Onitsha, Anambra State. He attended the University of Benin, and got a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LL.B) in 1990. He was at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, in 1991. Before his appointment as INEC National Commissioner, Umeadi worked as a legal officer in Akure Local Government Area of Ondo State. He also worked as Principal Solicitor & Counsel at Ezebuilo Umeadi & Co.
Mr. Solomon Adedeji Soyebi
Mr. Solomon Adedeji Soyebi is at present the acting chairman of INEC. He born in April 1955 and hails from Ogun State. Soyebi has a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Ibadan. He served as a school principal in various schools for about 20 years before joining the Commission in 2003, where he has served at various times as Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun, Abia, Akwa- Ibom, Cross River, Kano and Lagos states.
EFCC blames judiciary for delay in corruption trials
By Elizabeth Archibong
Nigeria Next
June 10, 2010 03:38AM
Evidentiary hearing into the cases of some former state executives is yet to commence, nearly four years after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed criminal charges against them, the chairman of the commission, Farida Waziri, has said.
Mrs. Farida Waziri, who was speaking in Abuja yesterday at the public presentation of Anti-Corruption Handbook authored by Tabi Joda, listed several instances where the slow pace of court processes stalled the fight against corruption.
Some of the ex-governors include Ayo Fayose, Saminu Turaki, and Joshua Dariye.
Mr. Fayose was prosecuted on December 17, 2006 on a 51-count charge on financial misappropriation totaling N1.2 billion; Turaki's trial also commenced on July 13, 2007, when he was arraigned on a 32-count charge for laundering N36 billion; and Dariye's was also set on the same date, based on prima facie case of corrupt enrichment and money laundering of N700 million.
While reiterating her call for the establishment of special courts to try corruption cases, Mrs. Waziri said court processes have frustrated the work of the agency.
"I have also called for laws that will enable us sequestrate the assets of accused persons and convert them to government assets upon their conviction. Whereas those are long term goals, I think the judiciary can do a lot to speed up our trials," she said.
She also added that the commission has recovered $3.5 billion as proceeds of crime and over N3 billion after investigating tax cases, which has been forwarded to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
Minister of Police Affairs, Adamu Waziri, and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bell Adoke, in their goodwill messages both agreed that fighting corruption was the collective responsibility of Nigerians. Mr. Adoke promised that attack on EFCC operatives would be a thing of the past.
Mrs. Waziri said the police must be reformed to execute its constitutional duty.
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