NIGERIA DOES NOT NEED THESE SET OF GREEDY AND POWER-INTOXICATED LEGISLATORS ANY MORE!

ZION B-BC   NEWSLETTER.  

(Looking at Nigeria's Political System from a godly Perspectice)

A Publication of the Zion Faith Bible-Believing Church, Kpeyegyi, Abuja Nigeria. [VOL. 6. NO 208. 6th August, 2017.} “…ONLY The Truth, Will Set You   Free! (John.8:32).

NIGERIA DOES NOT NEED THESE SET OF GREEDY AND POWER-INTOXICATED LEGISLATORS ANY MORE!

Constitutional amendment is not an innovation in Nigeria! The 1979 Military Republican Post Independence Constitution of the Murtala-Obasanjo Regime, was promulgated into a DECREE with effect from 1st October, 1979, following FINAL AMENDMENTS carried out by the Supreme Military Council and with the subsequent coups of 1983, (Buhari); and 1985, (Babangida); another Military Republican Constitution of 1989 was decreed into law by Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC), following some amendments!

The Abacha/Abdusalami Transitional Military Regimes (1993- 1999), subsequently produced the 1999 Post Independence Federal Republic of Nigeria Constitution now under the doctoring of the National Assembly (NASS), for SELFISH, AMBITIOUS AND VERY GREEDY REASONS!
Both Chambers on 26th and 27th July, 2017, respectively VOTED ON 33 MAJOR BILLS TO AMEND THE SAID CONSTITUTION; but we were surprised about the following mix bag of results from the two Chambers:
(1). The Legislators, voted against DEVOLUTION OF POWER from Federal to federating States
(2). Sought for IMMUNITY for legislative rascality’s through "spoken words" in the Chambers and Committees Sittings
(3). Requested that ex-Senate Presidents and ex-House of Representatives be absorbed as MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF STATE - in order to have EQUAL ranking with Presidents/Governors, (serving and retired), who form bulk of membership of the Council.
(4). Voted to override Presidential veto in Constitutional Alteration
(5). Removal of LAW-MAKING POWER from the EXECUTIVE ARM, (National Security Agencies Act; National Complaints Commission, Land Use Act and National Youth Service Corps
(6). Voted against the 35 per cent Affirmative Inclusion of Women as Ministers
(7). Approval for 35 years as minimum age for qualification as presidential candidates; and
(8). Approval for INDEPENDENT candidacy at all ELECTIONS, during the lopsided exercise!

Public reactions across political, economic, religious, ethnic/tribal divide over the amendments have deepened the belief of the citizens that the legislators major incursion into Nigerian politics was purely for ILLICIT FINANCIAL GAINS and are therefore CLAMOURING that the 1999 Constitution be scrapped and a new Constituent Assembly commissioned to draft a brand new document that would cater for all fundamental needs of the masses.

THE 469 LEGISLATORS, MOST OF WHO SMUGGLED THEMSELVES INTO THE GREEN AND RED CHAMBERS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, WIELD SO MUCH POWER UNDER THEIR OWN VERSION OF THE 1999 CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, that they do not only make/amend laws, carry out OVERSIGHT functions on all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), that are under the supervision of the EXECUTIVE, they also claim to have the authority to CREATE THE LEGISLATIVE VERSION OF ANY BUDGET THROUGH FRESH INSERTIONS FOR THEIR OWN SPECIAL NEEDS!
For instance, the 2017 Budget which was reluctantly signed into law by the Acting President, Professor 'Yemi Osinbajo, on 12th June 2017, was fraught with controversies in respect of all manners of FRESH INSERTIONS that did not emanate from the EXECUTIVE who is constitutionally empowered to prepare ANNUAL BUDGETS for smooth execution of all imperative projects - Capital/Concurrent - for the welfare of the citizens!

DIVIDENDS FROM MILITARY REGIMES.
Although military administrations which were autocratic, considered aberration to democracy and could not be exonerated from corruption, abuse of public office, embezzlement, mismanagement, etc; were and still unacceptable globally to both developed and developing economies, because of reckless abuse and violation of fundamental human rights, the Nigerian experience of almost 30 years of military governments, (compared to the SIXTEEN inglorious years of Peoples Democratic Party's (PDP), of orchestrated supervision of massive institutional corruption at all levels from Aso Rock to all the Local Government Wards in the Federation), had proved to be far better in the deliverance of socio-economic and infrastructural dividends for the good  of the masses who were always at the receiving end of the POWER STRUGGLE!

President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria's Military Ruler (31st December, 1983 - 27th August 1985), on assumption of office was determined to recover all embezzled government funds which had contributed to both domestic/foreign national debts but his good intentions were cut short within 20 months of ascension of office before he could achieve meaningful results.
The Nigerian Military struck, FIVE years into democracy and in the ensuing years of the several CHANGE OF GUARDS, we can equivocally say that all military regimes ventured to outdo one another before being overthrown!
For instance, the mission of Change Agenda embarked upon by the APC ruling government was the brain-child of President Muhammadu Buhari, who as military ruler between, 31st December, 1983 - 27th August, 1985, moved against the corrupt citizens in the polity to recover embezzled government funds which was responsible for the huge domestic and foreign debts incurred during the tenure of Alhaji Shehu Shagari, his civilian predecessor who ruled between October 1979 and 31st December, 1983!
Buhari as the military Head of State, within that short period also took urgent steps to restore discipline among the civil service and by extension to the populace through a programme tagged "War Against Indiscipline" which engendered patriotic tendencies of faithful and righteous service delivery, probity, honesty and equity in public and private businesses. Though, he was cut short from actualizing that DREAM, today, GOD has given him another opportunity to complete the divinely-ordained assignment which he began in 1983!

INFRASTRUCTURAL/INSTITUTIONAL LEGACIES OF THE MILITARY!
Nigerians have experienced SIX successful and THREE failed military coups without civil constitutions and legislators but through martial laws/decrees, yet the greatest dividends of productive governance to the masses, were recorded during those administrations! Emphasis was placed on masses-oriented policies which rejected the UNITARY system and introduced Social Infrastructures through the creation of 36 STATES;  creation of a new Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, introduction of the Local Government Reforms and regular employment opportunities for all categories of youths and employable able-bodied adults. Other achievements included, discouragement of Wastages in Governance through low profile lifestyles of Officers and men of the Armed Forces and the Civil Service;  dependence on crude oil was de-emphasised by government through the introduction of an agrarian policy which encouraged AGRICULTURE at all levels of government and among family units in such programmes tagged, "Operation Feed The Nation"; "Green Revolution"; etc; construction of Hydro-Electric/Thermal Stations for Water Dams in arid and semi-arid lands of the nation, where rainfall is low, for electric power generation, water- irrigation for farming and water supply - mostly in Northern Nigeria, (Jebba, Kainji, (NigerState); Bakolori, (Sokoto); Dadin Kowa, (Gombe); Jibiya (Katsina); Tiga, (Kano); Shiroro Dams (Niger); and began Egbin Power Station! Onne Fetilizer Plant in Rivers State, NAFDAC, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ajaokuta Steel Industry, etc.); eradication of corruption in the Public Service through probes into their earnings, properties and bank accounts were some other achievements.

The military administration also constructed national edifices like Stadia in all former national and some regional capitals, - National Stadium, Lagos; Kaduna Stadium, Kaduna; and also in various state capitals by Military Governors; the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, Tinubu Water Fountain Square, Lagos; National Theatre for Arts and Culture, Iganmu, Lagos; Third Mainland Bridge, Eko Bridge, Festac Town, all in Lagos; Lagos-Ibadan/Benin Express Road; new State Airports; construction of the Presidential Lodge (State House), Abuja ;  and construction of the Warri, Kaduna, and Port-Harcourt Refineries.
We challenge the 8th NASS Legislators to SHOWCASE their achievements outside of INSTITUTIONAL LOOTING OF THE TREASURY according to Abdulmumin Jibril!

THE NEED FOR PERIODIC CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS!
In credible global democracies, periodic constitutional amendments serve to deepen good governance and strengthen bilateral relationship between leaders and the led, but in Nigeria, ambitious legislators have turned the exercise into an avenue for acquiring more political powers outside of the sacred document!
All constitutions are fallible, having been crafted by human minds/brains and as such could be fraught with obsolete ideas as the years of nations progress, hence the intermittent revisions of the numerous sections to meet international best practice of evolving civilisations and technologies. Legislators of the 8th Assembly on the 26th and 27th July, 2017, agreed to forward 24 bills after all harmonisations, but through inordinate ambitions, have infuriated the sensibilities of the masses/electorate, who have rejected their selfish voting’s as enumerated in earlier paragraphs, before they could be forwarded to the Legislative Assemblies of the 36 States for TWO-THIRD majority ratification!

It is crystal clear that the legislators are on a suicidal bid to COVET Executive functions in spite of very distinctive functions and privileges of the TWO ARMS, which are unambiguous as stipulated and enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, but have forgotten that the  Sovereignty to make FINAL DECISIONS belong to the entire 170 million PEOPLE OF NIGERIA whose psyche and sensibilities cannot continue to be manipulated by these UNGRATEFUL SERVANTS who dwell in comfort and opulence at the expense of our brethren in the IDPs Camps and those who sleep under the bridges and in market stalls in all weather conditions!

NIGERIA NEEDS A BRAND NEW CONSTITUTION WHICH WILL EMPHASIZE DEVOLUTION OF POWER TO FEDERATING UNITS, ENSHRINE RESOURCE CONTROL THROUGH DERIVATIVE FORMULA, PLACE LEGISLATION AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL IN THE HANDS OF 74 PATRIOTIC NIGERIANS WHO WOULD CONSTITUTE ONLY ONE CHAMBER AS OBTAINS IN STATE ASSEMBLIES, WORK ON PART-TIME BASIS AND COLLECT CIVIL SERVICE REMUNERATION FORMAT, IN ORDER TO DISCOURAGE MONETARY ATTRACTIONS WHICH HAD BEEN A BANE TO NIGERIAN POLITICS SINCE 1999!

"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to all people." (Proverbs.14:34).

Please look forward to more divine revelation in the next edition of Zion B-BC Newsletter as you share this with friends and remain blessed in the Lord. [For weekly access, to this newsletter, log on to:  facebook.com/zionfaithbible.believingchurch or http://www.zfbbc1.blogspot.com, https://www.google.com/+zionfaithbiblebelievingchurch.

If you have not accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour, don’t miss this great opportunity as you pray this prayer: Lord Jesus; I confess that I am a sinner who needs to be saved through the grace of the New Testament of your Blood, shed on the Cross at Calvary; I renounce every sin in my life and accept you as my Lord and Saviour. Please forgive me and write my name in the Book of Life. Amen. If you prayed this prayer, you have been admitted into the family of sons and daughters of God, who are born-again. Congratulations.

I am, yours sincerely, Dr. David B.A. Olufon, Resident Pastor and Editor. 08130669886, 08098194390.  08080243066   g-mail- dvdolufon@gmail.com.