The
Petition from Save Nigeria Group (SNG)
......We, the Save Nigeria Group (SNG),
a coalition of pro-democracy and human
rights organizations and patriotic
Nigerians who desire the entrenchment of
a truly democratic and accountable
governance hereby petition you on
certain developments that can truncate
democracy and security in Nigeria. We
believe in Nigeria and are determined to
fight to save the country from the
control of groups and individuals that
profit from the failure of the Nigerian
system.
2. For more than 100 days, Nigerians
have not seen or heard from President
Umaru Musa Yar’adua since he was
evacuated to Saudi Arabia for treatment.
For the 3 months he reportedly stayed in
an intensive care unit of a Saudi
hospital, several of his aides continued
to claim that the President was getting
better. Some claimed he had started
intense physical exercises. It is now
more than two weeks since he was brought
back to Nigeria in the dead of the
night. We have not still heard from or
seen President Yar’adua.
3. The refusal of President Yar’adua to
resign from office on account of his
deteriorating ill-health and failure to
transmit a letter of vacation on time as
required by the Constitution has
resulted in a severe but avoidable
constitutional crisis. This crisis has
compounded other political challenges
caused by an electoral system that is
designed to aid electoral malpractices.
This dysfunctional electoral system
threatens democracy and good governance
in Nigeria.
4. In order to save Nigeria from real
and present dangers, the Save Nigeria
Group (SNG) demands:
• An end to the invisible Presidency of
Yar’adua by activating Section 144 of
the Constitution so that presidential
powers will be fully accountable;
• The dissolution of the present
Executive Council of the Federation
which has largely collaborated with
presidential aides to foist this crisis
on the nation; and
• Quick and thorough implementation of
the Uwais Report on electoral reform
starting with the immediate removal of
Professor Maurice Iwu as Chairman and
the reconstitution of the INEC with
persons of impeccable integrity and
competence.
5. We will continue to mobilize
Nigerians to engage in public action,
including protests, sit-at-homes and
strike actions until these demands are
fully implemented in the interest of
peace, security and genuine democracy in
Nigeria.
6. Please accept our highest esteem and
support.
Pastor Tunde Bakare
For: SAVE NIGERIA GROUP
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