Nigeria: Civil society challenge to dictatorship

Issued: Thursday December 8, 2005

Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria

Statement By Human Rights Activists and Representatives of Civil
Society On the Political Agenda of President Olusegun Obasanjo

We, the undersigned activists and representatives of Nigerian civil
society and various human rights organizations, concerned about the
state of democracy in our fatherland;

Worried that Nigeria appears to be on the drift to anarchy,
lawlessness and break down of rule of law and due process under
President Olusegun Obasanjo, and that like a bad dream, the specter of
a sit-tight dictatorship looms in Nigeria once again, less than eight
years after the brutal dictatorship of General Sani Abacha;

Concerned, that having waited patiently in the hope that President
Olusegun Obasanjo on whose behalf opportunistic and sycophantic
messengers have being mounting a third term campaign, would intervene
decisively to re-assure Nigerians that it is not true that he intends
to abuse and desecrate the Constitution;

Worried that it has become clear that the third term agenda is no
longer a joke, but a grand design by undemocratic forces to fritter
away our hard-won democracy, for which some of our colleagues and
scores of other Nigerians died;

Convinced, that with "all the President's men" now in the forefront of
this unholy campaign, it is quite clear that it is a plan being
executed at the behest of President Obasanjo or, at the very least,
with his blessings;

Further convinced, that it is a monumental tragedy in our time, that
the greatest beneficiary of this democracy would seek to sacrifice it
all, at the altar of personal ambition;

Recounting that the late General Sani Abacha took us down this same
road only in recent years, when he manipulated every aspect of the
political programme to seek to achieve his ambition to remain in
office as President after the end of his transition programme;

Noting the parallels that exist between General Sani Abacha's
political machinations and manipulations, and President Olusegun
Obasanjo's ongoing corruption of the present political system;

Particularly, the manipulation of the major political parties, causing
divisions in their ranks and propping up individuals who are amenable
to his undemocratic ambition. And the manipulation of the ruling
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), through a membership re-registration
exercise and holding of party congresses even in violation of court
orders, and whose sole objective is to oust from the party all
dissenting voices and opposition to President Obasanjo's third term
agenda;

Noting Further, the manipulation of the constitutional reform process
to make it possible for President Obasanjo to "serve" a third term,
through a selective amendment of the Constitution and reports of plans
to corrupt the legislative arms of government and the States' and
National Assembly levels, aimed mainly at extending President
Obasanjo's rule;

And curiously, the failure of the Independent Corrupt Practices and
Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to investigate and act on these
reports, when both bodies are usually quick to investigate
allegations against the President's "enemies" or former lackeys who
have fallen out of favour;

Anxious, that Nigeria, does not again descend into arbitrary and
undemocratic rule in view of the increasing intimidation and
harassment of dissenting voices and opposing views across the country
and repression of the media, by the Intelligence and law enforcement
agencies, who have become ready tools for despotism;

Further anxious, that the credibility and integrity of the
anti-corruption process have been seriously compromised through their
use as political weapons of intimidation and elimination of opponents
of President Obasanjo;

We, the undersigned human rights activists and representatives of
various Nigerian civil society organizations hereby resolve as
follows:

1. To launch a campaign of action and challenge of the looming and
emerging dictatorship in Nigeria. As we have done in similar
circumstances in the past, we as civil society organizations, stand
united and will defend our democracy and our fatherland. We are
returning to the trenches and to the barricades from where we fought
military dictatorship to a standstill, to once again fight another
kind of dictatorship, dressed in civilian garbs.

2. We immediately resolve to boycott participation in all events
including public hearings being orgainsed by the Senator Ibrahim Mantu
led committee in the National Assembly to amend the Constitution.

3. We further ask the current National and State Houses of
Assembly across the country, to defer requests and all moves to amend
the Constitution until the Electoral Law is passed and a free, fair
and transparent election is conducted in 2007, in line with the
current 1999 Nigerian Constitution.

4. We call on President Olusegun Obasanjo to publicly, clearly and
unequivocally announce that he will not seek to amend the current
Nigerian Constitution, and if asked will not accept to remain in
office under any circumstance, as President of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria, beyond May 29, 2007.

5. We urge all Nigerians to be alert to the clear and present
danger facing Nigeria and to stand with us for the sake of our
future, the future of our children and our country, and in opposition
to dictatorship and arbitrary rule.

6. We will wage a vigorous and sustained battle and will not be
deterred by the harassment and intimidation of our members, the signs
of which are already evident.

Signed:

Signatories

1. Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti - Center for Constitutional
Governance

2. Olisa Agbakoba - HURILAWS

3. Clement Nwankwo - Constitutional Rights Project

4. Mike Ozekhome - Universal Defenders of Democracy

5. Richard Akinnola - Centre for Free Speech

6. Festus Okoye - Human Rights Monitors

7. Priscilla Achakpa - Women Environmental Project

8. Edetaen Ojo - Media Rights Agenda

9. Bamidele Aturu - Democratic Alternative

10. Abiodun Aremu - United Action for Democracy

11. Y. Z. Ya'u - CITAD

12. Dominic Ogankpa - Justice Dev. and Peace Commission

13. Olanrewaju Suraju - Citizens Assistance Centre

14. Santos Ayuba Laraba - League for Human Rights

15. Gad Peter - League for Human Rights

16. Mma Odi - Rural Women
Empowerment and Development Network

17. Fabian Okoye - Global Rights

18. Femi Falana - West African Bar Association.

19. Lanre Arogundade - International Press Centre

20. Dr.Jibrin Ibrahim - Global Rights

21. Tunde Aremu - International Press Centre.

22. George Mary - Lagos.

23. Ndubuisi Obiorah - Center for Law and Social Action

24. Innocent Chukwuma - Transition Monitoring Group

25. Titus Mann - Civil Liberties Organisation

26. Ibrahim Muazzam - Center for Research and
Development

27. Mimidoo Achakpa - Women's Right to Education Program

28. Clement Wasah - Comm. Action for
Popular Participation

29. Mohammed G. Wuyo - Borno Coalition for Dev. And Progress