Concerned Professionals (CP) hereby calls on the ECF to exercise its authority and declare President Yar’adua incapacitated without further delay. We note that the ECF comprises men and women who are professionals like us and who presumably have reputations to protect. We call on each member individually to stand up and do the right thing – answer your Father’s name! Or forever have that name prominently displayed in Nigeria’s Hall of Shame!
Stand Up and Answer Your Father’s Name!
President Umaru Yar’Adua was flown out of Nigeria on 23 November 2009 and after a 93 day sojourn in Saudi Arabia was apparently returned to Abuja last Wednesday 24 February. The nature of his absence caused great unrest in the country and a breakdown in the functioning of the Nigerian government. The Executive Council of the Federation, which according to the Constitution had the responsibility to correct the situation, could not at that time find the courage to do what was right and so allowed matters to spiral out of control.
Fortunately the National Assembly, acting under tremendous civil society pressure, produced an acceptable interim solution by creating and filling the position of Acting President of the Federation. This clearly however could not be the final step in returning Nigeria to complete adherence to the rule of law.
The danger to Nigeria is not yet over. It is imperative therefore that all true patriots stand up to be counted. We members of Concerned Professionals (CP) have, beginning with the 1993 election annulment and even during the Abacha regime, been willing to speak publicly and collaborate with like-minded persons in pursuit of good governance and the rule of law – and we do so again today.
CP salutes several individuals and organisations across the country who have been at the forefront of this struggle and who have also made it obvious that this is not a North/South disagreement. At the same time CP registers its absolute disgust with those organs and individuals within government – including ministers, governors, ambassadors and politicians – who have lied in the most bare-faced way to the Nigeria public. Not just once, but repeatedly, thereby showing their complete lack of respect for the citizens of this country.
It is time Nigeria put this farce behind it and moved on to begin addressing its real problems. It is clear what must now be done. The Executive Council of the Federation (ECF) is given the authority by the Constitution to assess the health and ability of the President to govern this country, and if he is found unfit for the Senate to remove him from office. No amendment to the Constitution is required for the ECF to act; neither is it a long drawn out process, as the other alternative, impeachment by the National Assembly, would be.
CP hereby calls on the ECF to exercise its authority without further delay. We note that the ECF comprises men and women who are professionals like us and who presumably have reputations to protect. We call on each member individually to stand up and do the right thing – answer your Father’s name! Or forever have that name prominently displayed in Nigeria’s Hall of Shame!
We call on:
Alh. Yayale Ahmed
Mrs. Fidelia A. Njeze
Mr. Babatunde Omotoba
Chief Achike Udenwa
Mr. Humphrey Aba
Senator Bello J. Gada
Dr. Shettima Mustapha
Mr. Ademola Seriki
Dr. Sam Egwu
Hajia Aishatu Dukku
Mr. John Odeh
Senator M.A. Aliero
Mr. J.C. Odom
Dr Muktar Mansur
Mr. Aderemi W. Babalola
Chief Ojo Maduekwe
Alh. Jibril Maigari
Amb. Bagudu Hirse
Prof. B. Osotimehin
Dr. A.I. Hong
Prof. D. Akunyili
Dr S. Abba Ruma
Alh. Aliyu Ikra Bilbis
Gen. Godwin Abbe (retd)
Alh. Abdulrahman Adamu
Prince A. Kayode SAN
Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke
Dr. Shamsudeen Usman
Chief Ufot Ekaette
Elder G. Orubebe
Dr. Rilwanu Lukman
Mr. Odein Ajumogobia SAN
Dr. I.Y. Lame
Dr. Rilwan Babalola
Arch. Nuhu Wya
Dr. A. B. Zaku
Engr. S.M. Ndanusa
Alhaji Ibrahim Bio
Mrs. S.H. Sulaiman
Dr. Hassan M. Lawal
Mrs. Grace Ekpiwhre
Senator A. Olasunkanmi
Ambassador A. Kazaure
Michael Aondoakaa SAN
Dr. Goodluck Jonathan
not to hide behind the mirage of collective responsibility or misplaced loyalty but to make clear publicly and at the next ECF meeting where you yourself stand.
We are waiting and watching.
Signed
For Concerned Professionals Ltd/Gte (CP) March 1, 2010
C Don Adinuba
Engr. Tunde Akinleye
Mrs Njideka Anyadike
Osa Asemota
Ladi Cole
Dr. Ayo Ighodaro
Oladimeji Mako
Arch. ‘Bayo Odunlami
Barr. Kingsley Omose
Barr. John Onyeukwu
Barr. Ray Onyegu
Oluseun Mabogunje
Dr. Abiodun Osiyemi
Dr. Babafemi Thomas
“We must be the change we want to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi