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Vol. 2 No. 449
Thursday, May 14, 2015
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N150
We have confidence in Buhari, says ex-British PM, Tony Blair }8
Fireworks as Reps consider PIB Philip Nyam Abuja
M
embers of the House of Representatives were sharply divided yesterday as they began con-
sidering the report of the House Ad hoc Committee on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). Their disag reement stemmed from a series of observations raised on legal
technicalities of some clauses in the bill. The House leadership had earlier met behind closed doors before the commencement of the plenary to soften the ground for the easy pas-
sage of the bill. However, when the consideration of the bill eventually commenced, out of the 368-page document, comprising 312 sections, only seven CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
NEW TELEGR
APH THURSD AY, mAY 14,
Interview
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Law
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Days after Presid Goodluck Jonat ent han indicated his desire to handover to the President-e lect, General Moha mmadu Buhari on May 28 as against May 29, some states execu tives also dismissed have the significance of May 29. They insist ed that they would hando ver to the SSG before May 29. What is the signifi cance of May 29 in relatio n to Sectio n 135(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitutio n? TUNDE OYESINA and AKEEM NAFIU seek lawyers’ views
May 29 han }21 d six pages polarises la over date wyers of THE law A
lthough President Abayomi Goodluck had made Jonathan a detour on his powers to plan to handover the Presid General Moham ent-elect, madu Buhar on May 28, i to the expiratwenty-four hours it is not so tion of his tenure , with some states execut outgoing ives. To them, ing on themMay 29 is not bindpredecessors as none of their handed over them when to they assum some eight years ago. ed office the symbo President lized May 29. May 29 office as the Jonathan assumed inaugurated as Democracy was since 1999 elected presid in the 2011 general electio ent General especially as it endedDay lost to Genera Abdusalami the ns but ly contested l Buhari in a keen- military dictatorship Abubakar’s presidential shered in tion held the democ era and urelecon March ratically electhis ruling 28. While ed government spearh Peoples Democ Chief Oluseg eaded by Party suffere ratic un 16 years on, Obasanjo in 1999. governorshipd defeat both at the May Assembly’s and the National Nigeria’s symbo 29 has become l nors were elections, its gover- hence it has becom of democracy; worst hit e the and beginn end by the loss. of tenure However, ing by, some of as the May 29 draws public office holderfor the elected s since the nors have the outgoing gover- ginning of the Fourth bevowed not Republic. However, to abide by preted differeMay 29 is being interholders since ntly by public office ‘fall’ of the the beginning of the queried the PDP. First to tactica lly President symbolized May 29 was Jonathan nounced when he that he would anpowers to handover the Presid ent-ele Although FOLUSO OGUN he had made ct. his PDP govern MODEDE a JUDICIARY ors at the detour, announced EDIToR weekend foluso.ogunmoded not bindin that the May 29 was newtelegraphonlin e@ g power to as they may hando e.com © Daily Telegrap the in-com ver h Publishin tration in ing g Company their respec adminisLimited before May tive states 29. For instan ce, the Jigawa outgo-
Hon
Jonathan's senator, Rep defect to APC ing Gover nor, become emphaSule Lamido has
Let me emphasise that the whole idea of handover is strange to the Constitution
cessor tic that he not hand-o may symbos took oath of office ver to the on the All Progre lic date. ssives Congrin-coming Hon said: administrati ess (APC) on priate thing “The best and approLamido said: on May 29. Jonathan to do is for President “I will over to my to hand over successor not hand of the at 12:01am predecessor becaus morning did not hand e my “If he hands of May 29, 2015. me. I will over to go on leave over before nine days on May 20, 29, it means he is May to the no longer president. “I will handohandover day. the He should by 12:01am hand over ver retary to of May the State to the Sec- usual Government (SSG) and practice by 29 or do as the the to the next SSG will handover It will not be late 7am in the past. if it is done 7am on was done administration as to me it forme the morning of May by r presidents 29 as But lawyer in 2007’’. s disagreed took over the morni governor. on with the ng of To To the Presid May 29”. May 29 datethem, the traditional ent must of Public terest be although Inthey silent respected Abdul Lawyers League (PILL), aspect of on the legal Mahmud the hand there ing impro over date. May 29 has priety about was nothbeen the traditi on May 28. hand over al date of onhandin He said: country return g over since the “Actual transf powers happen ed to democ in 1999, one er of racy ry said. prescriptionss when mandatoA Senior of Section and (2) of Sebastine Advocate of Nigeri the 1999 Consti 135(1) Hon said that a, are fulfille tution Jonathan’s tenure will President or transf d. In effect, hando end on May statutorily ver er of power happe elect should29 and the President- when the oaths of allegia ns and office fice like the take the Oath of nce are admin ofsame way istered by his predeCoNTIN UED
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Quick Read
Editorial
Buhari and diversification of Economy }19 Senate rescinds plan to override Jonathan's veto }7
President-elect, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, with a delegation of Delta State All Progressives Congress (APC) members during a visit to Buhari in Abuja...yesterday.
PHOTO: Elijah Olaluyi
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Saraki, Lawan woo Ekweremadu as deputy lAPC NWC backs ex-Kwara gov as Buhari prefers Yobe senator lI'm ready to work with anybody, says president-elect }2