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Nigerians abroad caution N'Assembly on third term
AFTER persuading the British Parliament to react to the alleged additional term for President Olusegun Obasanjo, some Nigerians abroad have taken their opposition to the move to the National Assembly.
The lawmakers held a special session on the plot and resolved to leave the decision to Nigerians.
To achieve its goal, the NDM has asked all members of the Nigerian National Assembly to vote against the proposed amendment that would allow a third term for the President and state governors.
The one-page letter sent to members of the Senate and the House of Representatives, was signed by over 200 Nigerians abroad drawn from the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom (UK) and other parts of Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America.
They pleaded with the senators and representatives " not to approve the amendment that extends the executives' term from two four-year terms to three four-year terms. In a country such as ours with a keen sense of contest for political power, eight years are enough for executive positions."
Some of the notable Nigerians who signed the letter included Prof. Mobolaji Aluko, a professor of chemical engineering in the U.S., Dr. Ola Kassim, a medical doctor in Canada who is the chairman of the Federal Government-initiated Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, Mr. Clement Ikpatt, an activist in the U.S., Dr Baba Adam, chairman PRONACO-U.S., Dr. Edward Oparaoji, leader of the Eastern Mandate Union-U.S.A. and Mr. Philp Adekunle of Nigeriavillagesquare.com, among others.
The letter asked the federal legislators also to remove the immunity clause and reject any amendments to the constitution that would have a retroactive or immediate effect.
The letter read: Dear honourable members of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria:
"We over 200-strong Nigerian citizens in the Diaspora wish to note the existence of two identical draft bills currently being considered by each of your two chambers requesting that certain amendments (over 100 of them) be made to Nigeria's 1999 Constitution.
"While we believe that a new popular constitution unmediated by any past military regime is what is urgently needed for Nigeria, we also believe that in the interim in amending the present one, at the very minimum:
"You should remove the immunity clause against criminal conduct that Executives at the federal and state levels now presently enjoy. Nobody should enjoy immunity from crime against the state.
"You should not approve the amendment that extends the executives' term from two four-year terms to three four-year terms. In a country such as ours with a keen sense of contest for political power, eight years are enough for executive positions.
"You should not make any amendments eventually decided upon to be either retroactive or of immediate effect. Rather they should take effect beginning on May 29, 2007, which is the anniversary date of the current civilian administration.
"Thus the present incumbents should be held to the oaths that they swore in 1999 and 2003. This is proper and in fact fair to them under the 1999 Constitution, and will make for an orderly transfer of power in 2007."
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