Onuora Odo is a Lagos based human rights legal luminary. He is
the principal of Odo nwodoChambers and the Director General, Human
Rights Global Awareness initiative. He speaks on the recent hike on
the Lagos State Land Use Charges (LUC), re-ordering of the sequence
of election time-table and other sundry issues of national
importance.
There has been public outcry against the recent hike in the Land
use charge in Lagos State.
As a lawyer, what do you have to say?
With due respect sir, I will say with all the emphasis at my
command that the increase in the Land use charge is outrageous,
horrendous, and to say the least, extortionate. First and foremost,
I will say that the increase does not reflect the economic
realities of the citizenry and the snag here is that in enacting
such a law, the people should be adequately carried along. There
should be a constructive engagement with the relevant stake
holders. Unfortunately, that is not what transpired here. And
again, if allowed, it will have a band-wagon and crippling effect
on other services and in the long run, it is the tenants who will
end up bearing the brunt. Objectively speaking, I commend Gov.
Ambode’s efforts in developing Lagos and his revenue
generation-drive; however, his latest decision to hike the Land Use
Charge leaves much to be desired. People are wiser now because gone
are the days when the government will hide under the laws to foist
on the people unpopular and counter-productive policies. My take is
that the enactment should be repealed without more.
With the recent withdrawal of Assent by the president on
the Electoral Amendment Bill, the National Assembly has threatened
to override the president. What is your take?
Statutorily speaking, powers to make laws for the federation are
vested in the National Assembly; nevertheless, the powers are not
absolute. By the provisions of Section 158 of the 1999 constitution
as amended, Independent National Electoral Commission is supposed
to be independent. Personally, I see the bill to be a controversial
bill in the sense that, primarily, a bill seeking for amendments
must show clearly the mischief it intends to remedy.
Conventionally, it is the administrative duties of the electoral
body/umpire to plan and conduct elections globally. No doubt, the
acts of the parliament only provide the legal framework for the
establishment of INEC and its structures but not to delve into its
administrative and managerial duties. It does not show any good
faith for the National Assembly to introduce a bill to re-order the
sequence of election time table. And again, it does not lie within
their powers to do so.
Currently, both the ruling APC and the opposition PDP
appear to be engulfed in internal crisis; which situation has paved
way for the OBJ’S emerging third force. As, a politician, do you
see the third force as the solution to Nigeria’s
problem?
The truth is that it is needless paper-walling a cracked wall. The
problem with Nigeria is not with the party system. If you like,
come up with 4th and even 5th force. The issue here is not about
PDP or APC. So, automatically, the third force narrative is not the
solution. The truth is that both the messenger and the message
should be disregarded and discarded. More so, when we are in a
clime where politics is not played along ideological lines. And
again, there is no law in force against defection so, anybody can
wake up any day and defect to the next party or is Obasanjo saying
that the third force is going to be a party of saints?
There have been calls for restructuring by well meaning
Nigerians and very recently, Nasir El-Rufai’s led Apc panel on true
federalism has lent it voice. What’s your take?
Without prevarication, I lend my voice to join over 200 million
Nigerians who have been advocating for restructuring of this
country. Permit me to say that the Mallam Nair El-Rufai’s led APC
panel on true federalism is merely a political campaign tool for
second term since it is not all inclusive. It is purely a party
affair and should not be seen as a national affairs. The 2014
National Confab under GoodluckJonathan stands head ahead of this
panel. Five years after, the report still receives commendations
from within and outside the country. The APC panel is a waste of
resources, a waste of time and a waste of energy. PMB should advise
himself and adopt the 2014 National Confab. Fiscal federalism is
the answer. Reflection of federal character principle is the key.
Anything short of this is an aberration and will continue to ignite
unnecessary frictions thereby overheating the polity.
Reactions have trailed PMB’s recent declaration of his
intention to seek re-election. What do you have to
say?
As you rightly pointed out, it is a mere declaration of interest
and he has the right to do so just like every other Nigerian
citizen. However, it is going to be a costly and regrettable
political mistake on the part of APC to field PMB to run for 2019
presidential election.
Even in my earlier interviews in the National Dailies, I have
repeatedly maintained that PMB has performed below average. Party
politics apart, for me, PMB is the least qualified for the
presidential job. At this critical period in our national life, we
should try to de-emphasise primordial consideration and ascriptive
tendencies.
We need a youthful president who will hit the ground running not
a lame duck president. If I am to score PMB, I will rate him very
low. PMB has failed Nigerians and should not be given a second
chance. I am one of those Nigerians that believe in the majesty of
ballot box not power flowing through the barrel of gun. So, I
advise everybody to arm themselves with PVC so as to decide on who
will take over the mantle from PMB. Our destiny lies in our own
hands.
The APC – led government, in its anti-corruption
posturing has published what its refers to “looters list” and that
has triggered a war of attrition between the ruling party and the
opposition PDP. What is your take?
No doubt, the recent publication of the looters’ list has triggered
off a situation of accusation and counter accusation between the
ruling party and the opposition PDP. Obviously, there is no doubt
that the looting cuts across party lines. This is nothing short of
a dramatic display of show of shame by the political class. There
is gain saying the fact that the publication of the so called
looters’ list is politically motivated.
It stands to reason therefore that the political class is taking
the whole country for a ride. It is sad that the political class in
Nigeria are wallowing in affluence while 200 million Nigerians are
groaning under the burden of mis – governance and gross
impoverishment occasioned by the ruling class. It saddens the heart
that in midst of the growing campaign against corruption by the APC
led government, corruption appears to be biting harder. Suffice it
to say that you cannot win the world against corruption if the
fight is not holistic. The fight should start from within.
Apparently, 90% of those calling the shots in APC today were the
major perpetrators of this corruption that is deeply rooted in
Nigeria today. It is my opinion that the anti-corruption fight as
currently constituted is skewed and selective.
So far, what’s your assessment of Gov. IfeanyiUgwuanyi
of Enugu State where you came from?
So far,so good. Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has performed creditably well
with ample evidence of democracy dividends. Frankly speaking, he is
a 21stcentury Governor because he appears to be moving with the
forces of globalization. He is rated as one of the best performing
Governors in Nigeria.However; he is encouraged to include more
vibrant youths in his administration.
Onuora Odo is a Lagos based human rights legal luminary. He is
the principal of Odo nwodoChambers and the Director General, Human
Rights Global Awareness initiative. He speaks on the recent hike on
the Lagos State Land Use Charges (LUC), re-ordering of the sequence
of election time-table and other sundry issues of national
importance.
There has been public outcry against the recent hike in the Land
use charge in Lagos State.
As a lawyer, what do you have to say?
With due respect sir, I will say with all the emphasis at my
command that the increase in the Land use charge is outrageous,
horrendous, and to say the least, extortionate. First and foremost,
I will say that the increase does not reflect the economic
realities of the citizenry and the snag here is that in enacting
such a law, the people should be adequately carried along. There
should be a constructive engagement with the relevant stake
holders. Unfortunately, that is not what transpired here. And
again, if allowed, it will have a band-wagon and crippling effect
on other services and in the long run, it is the tenants who will
end up bearing the brunt. Objectively speaking, I commend Gov.
Ambode’s efforts in developing Lagos and his revenue
generation-drive; however, his latest decision to hike the Land Use
Charge leaves much to be desired. People are wiser now because gone
are the days when the government will hide under the laws to foist
on the people unpopular and counter-productive policies. My take is
that the enactment should be repealed without more.
With the recent withdrawal of Assent by the president on
the Electoral Amendment Bill, the National Assembly has threatened
to override the president. What is your take?
Statutorily speaking, powers to make laws for the federation are
vested in the National Assembly; nevertheless, the powers are not
absolute. By the provisions of Section 158 of the 1999 constitution
as amended, Independent National Electoral Commission is supposed
to be independent. Personally, I see the bill to be a controversial
bill in the sense that, primarily, a bill seeking for amendments
must show clearly the mischief it intends to remedy.
Conventionally, it is the administrative duties of the electoral
body/umpire to plan and conduct elections globally. No doubt, the
acts of the parliament only provide the legal framework for the
establishment of INEC and its structures but not to delve into its
administrative and managerial duties. It does not show any good
faith for the National Assembly to introduce a bill to re-order the
sequence of election time table. And again, it does not lie within
their powers to do so.
Currently, both the ruling APC and the opposition PDP
appear to be engulfed in internal crisis; which situation has paved
way for the OBJ’S emerging third force. As, a politician, do you
see the third force as the solution to Nigeria’s
problem?
The truth is that it is needless paper-walling a cracked wall. The
problem with Nigeria is not with the party system. If you like,
come up with 4th and even 5th force. The issue here is not about
PDP or APC. So, automatically, the third force narrative is not the
solution. The truth is that both the messenger and the message
should be disregarded and discarded. More so, when we are in a
clime where politics is not played along ideological lines. And
again, there is no law in force against defection so, anybody can
wake up any day and defect to the next party or is Obasanjo saying
that the third force is going to be a party of saints?
There have been calls for restructuring by well meaning
Nigerians and very recently, Nasir El-Rufai’s led Apc panel on true
federalism has lent it voice. What’s your take?
Without prevarication, I lend my voice to join over 200 million
Nigerians who have been advocating for restructuring of this
country. Permit me to say that the Mallam Nair El-Rufai’s led APC
panel on true federalism is merely a political campaign tool for
second term since it is not all inclusive. It is purely a party
affair and should not be seen as a national affairs. The 2014
National Confab under GoodluckJonathan stands head ahead of this
panel. Five years after, the report still receives commendations
from within and outside the country. The APC panel is a waste of
resources, a waste of time and a waste of energy. PMB should advise
himself and adopt the 2014 National Confab. Fiscal federalism is
the answer. Reflection of federal character principle is the key.
Anything short of this is an aberration and will continue to ignite
unnecessary frictions thereby overheating the polity.
Reactions have trailed PMB’s recent declaration of his
intention to seek re-election. What do you have to
say?
As you rightly pointed out, it is a mere declaration of interest
and he has the right to do so just like every other Nigerian
citizen. However, it is going to be a costly and regrettable
political mistake on the part of APC to field PMB to run for 2019
presidential election.
Even in my earlier interviews in the National Dailies, I have
repeatedly maintained that PMB has performed below average. Party
politics apart, for me, PMB is the least qualified for the
presidential job. At this critical period in our national life, we
should try to de-emphasise primordial consideration and ascriptive
tendencies.
We need a youthful president who will hit the ground running not
a lame duck president. If I am to score PMB, I will rate him very
low. PMB has failed Nigerians and should not be given a second
chance. I am one of those Nigerians that believe in the majesty of
ballot box not power flowing through the barrel of gun. So, I
advise everybody to arm themselves with PVC so as to decide on who
will take over the mantle from PMB. Our destiny lies in our own
hands.
The APC – led government, in its anti-corruption
posturing has published what its refers to “looters list” and that
has triggered a war of attrition between the ruling party and the
opposition PDP. What is your take?
No doubt, the recent publication of the looters’ list has triggered
off a situation of accusation and counter accusation between the
ruling party and the opposition PDP. Obviously, there is no doubt
that the looting cuts across party lines. This is nothing short of
a dramatic display of show of shame by the political class. There
is gain saying the fact that the publication of the so called
looters’ list is politically motivated.
It stands to reason therefore that the political class is taking
the whole country for a ride. It is sad that the political class in
Nigeria are wallowing in affluence while 200 million Nigerians are
groaning under the burden of mis – governance and gross
impoverishment occasioned by the ruling class. It saddens the heart
that in midst of the growing campaign against corruption by the APC
led government, corruption appears to be biting harder. Suffice it
to say that you cannot win the world against corruption if the
fight is not holistic. The fight should start from within.
Apparently, 90% of those calling the shots in APC today were the
major perpetrators of this corruption that is deeply rooted in
Nigeria today. It is my opinion that the anti-corruption fight as
currently constituted is skewed and selective.
So far, what’s your assessment of Gov. IfeanyiUgwuanyi
of Enugu State where you came from?
So far,so good. Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has performed creditably well
with ample evidence of democracy dividends. Frankly speaking, he is
a 21stcentury Governor because he appears to be moving with the
forces of globalization. He is rated as one of the best performing
Governors in Nigeria.However; he is encouraged to include more
vibrant youths in his administration.
Read more https://nairalaw.com/reflection-of-federal-character-principle-is-the-key-onuora-odo/