‘Resurrection’ of PDP, Igbo quit notice, constitution amendment — seven events in Buhari’s 100-day absence

On May 7, President Muhammadu returned to the UK where he is receiving medical treatment for an undisclosed ailment. He took the first trip to the country – this year – on January 19, and returned on March 10 before leaving a second time.

He did not make any public appearance in the first two months of his stay in London, fuelling speculation that he was gravely ill. But late July, the president began receiving guests at Abuja House. He received the leadership of his party – the All Progressives Congress (APC) –  some governors, and recently, members of his media team.

Today makes it 100 days since Buhari left Nigeria – and the longest time any Nigerian president has spent outside the country.

A lot has happened in his absence, but here are seven events that have generated much talk.

ASUU BEGINS INDEFINITE STRIKE

On August 14, the Academic Staff of Union of Universities (ASUU) commenced an “indefinite and comprehensive” strike to compel the government to meet its demands.

In a memo to lecturers dated August 12, Biodun Ogunyemi, president of ASUU national strike coordinating committee, said the union resolved to down tools because the government failed to implement its 2009 agreement and 2013 memorandum of understanding (MoU).

Ogunyemi highlighted some of the issues influencing the action “as non-payment of salaries, non-payment of earned academic allowance (EAA), removal of universities staff schools from funding by government and non-implementation of provisions of the 2014 pension reform act with respect to retired professors and their salaries, amongst others”.

RESUME OR RESIGN PROTEST

On August 7, a string of protests broke out to demand that the president either resume office or resign. It was on the 90th day of the president’s absence. The protests were coordinated by a coalition of civil society groups led by ‘Our Mumu Don Do’ and Concerned Nigerians.

The protesters were tear-gassed and manhandled by policemen stationed at Unity Fountain – venue of the citizen action – though the police claimed they had to use force because hoodlums infiltrated the protest.

The senate condemned the assault just as it condemned the protest. A group of people in support of the president later launched a counter protest to ask that the president remain in London for as long as he wants.

BLOODBATH IN ANAMBRA

On August 6, a gunman opened fire on worshippers at St Philip’s Catholic Church, Ozubulu, Anambra state, killing 13 people.

The incident sparked off an outrage and drew the condemnation of most Nigerians. There was speculation that the attack was perpetrated by insurgents, but the police quickly shot down the rumour.

The police said the attack was the fallout of a gang war between two members of the community who live abroad. They also announced that some arrests had been made.

From his base in London, the president sent a condolence message to the people of Anambra.

AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION

On July 25, the senate voted to amend some sections of the 1999 constitution. The upper legislative chamber voted for a provision which requires the president and governor to submit the names of persons nominated as ministers or commissioners within 30 days of taking the oath of office for confirmation by the senate or state house of assembly.

It proposed that the constitution provide for independent candidature in elections. According to the senate, the criteria for an independent candidate to participate in an election will be set by INEC.

The senate also approved the reduction of the age for qualification for the offices of the president and governor from 40 to 35, and membership of the senate, house of representatives and the state house of assembly from 30 to 25.

BOKO HARAM AMBUSH OIL EXPERTS IN BORNO

On July 25, some Boko Haram insurgents ambushed a team of oil experts and soldiers at Magumeri in Gubio local government area of Borno state.

Out of 10 vehicles, which conveyed the contingent to its place of assignment, only one was reported to have returned. About 58 members of the team, including soldiers, were reportedly killed in the attack.

The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) confirmed the attack, but could not say if any of its staff was rescued. The army had claimed that it rescued all the NNPC staff kidnapped by the insurgents. It later apologised for giving false information.

The attack was one of Boko Haram’s bloodiest this year. Following the incident, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo ordered the relocation of the service chiefs to Maiduguri.

MAKARFI DECLARED PDP CHAIRMAN

On July 12, the supreme court declared Ahmed Makarfi as the authentic chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Makarfi and Ali Modu Sheriff had been locked in a tussle for the leadership position of the party. But the apex court sacked Sheriff. This ended the leadership crisis.

A three-man panel of judges led by Walter Onnoghen, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), held that the national convention which brought in the leadership of Makarfi should not have been disregarded by the lower courts based on the party’s constitution.

Rhodes Vivour, the judge, who read the judgment, said all members of the PDP were bound by decisions made at the convention.

While citing article 33 of the party’s constitution that provided for the supremacy of national convention, the panel explained that an officer could be removed after a period of two years.

The PDP held a non-elective convention last Saturday, where former President Goodluck Jonathan declared that his party laid a solid foundation for the country. His statement, however, earned him caustic criticisms.

AREWA YOUTH GIVE IGBO QUIT NOTICE

On June 6, some northerner youth groups asked the Igbo in the north to leave the region by October 1.

The order was contained in a statement issued after a meeting in Kaduna state. They based their decision on the shutting-down of major towns in the south-eastern part of the country on May 30, by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its sponsors.

Abdulazeez Suleiman, one of the leaders of the groups, who read the statement, said the region was “tired of the marriage”, hence the need for restructuring.

Following the order, Nasir el-Rufai, Kaduna state governor, ordered the arrest of the youth leaders. But no arrest has been made to date.

In response, Niger Delta militants asked northerners in their region to leave the area before October 1.

From the statement released by the presidency, even Buhari does not know the date of his return.

Femi Adesina, spokesman of the president, quoted his principal as saying he felt like returning home but his doctors were in charge.