The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, on Tuesday in Abuja declared the declaration of political autonomy by the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, MOSOP, as unconstitutional.
Speaking at a session to announce the association’s preparation for its 52nd Annual General Conference, the President, Chief Joseph Bodurin Daudu, a senior advocate of Nigeria, stated that the constitution did not allow any part of the country to secede.
“It is unconstitutional for any part to seek to breakaway or to do any acts that amount to that.” Daudu stated and called on President Goodluck Jonathan to take immediate steps to denounce the secession bid of the Ogoni people and any other part of the country.
The NBA President also denounced the recent trend in the country where states are adopting separate flags and anthems and also called the Federal Government to take steps to put an end to it.
“There is no constitutional provision for state flag, our constitution does not allow it. Government should come out to denounce it. No right to self-determination is provided for under the constitution”.
He however distinguished between a state adopting jingles that extol the virtue of culture of that particular state from an outright act of secession.
“Extolling the virtue of your state is not an anathema. That is permissible. It must be done within the ambit of the Nigerian constitution. Secession bids are illegal. Isolation and independence not allowed”, he further stated.
Early this month, on August 2nd, 2012, MOSOP in a live broadcast on a newly established radio station: Voice of Ogoni, MOSOP, declared its political autonomy from Nigeria. The group’s President and Spokesman, Dr. Goodluck Diigbo declared the political autonomy saying that “by this declaration of political autonomy, we, the Ogoni people are determined to enforce the United Nations Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples, without fear or retreat.”
Dr. Diigbo stated that self-government within Nigeria would secure for the Ogoni people, their indigenous rights, enable them to meet their needs and interests and finally end internal colonialism.
Reacting to the threat by some lawyers protest the high fees payable for participation at the conference, Daudu warned such members to rather sit down in their houses instead of coming to Abuja to disrupt the conference. He justified the imposition of the fees which he stated, would make the association to be independent.
According to him, instead of going cap in hand to beg for funds, the association took the decision to charge some fees as shown in the leaflets printed to herald the conference. Lawyers with one to five years at the bar will pay N20,000.00 while those with six to ten years post call experience will pay N30,000.00. Senior Advocates of Nigeria will pay N150, 000.00 while judges are expected to pay N75,000.00. Political office holders will pay N200,000.00.
“We want to be independent. We don’t want to go and be begging people for money. We should be able to speak on issues without fear and favour. But if you collect money from people you lack the legitimacy to criticize them. People should pay for what they benefit. We attend conferences worldwide and we pay. Why should we not want to pay in Nigeria? He queried.
While warning those who would not pay not to come near the venue, Daudu said the association would not allow any form of demonstration or protest anywhere near the conference venue.
“Some branches have said that they would not attend. Don’t come to the conference venue if you don’t pay. We will not allow anybody to breach the peace. The best thing for them to do is to keep away. If you don’t have tags, don’t come near the conference. We need to ensure the safety of those who will be participating.”
On the criticisms which greeted which greeted the just concluded association’s election, Daudu said the election was free and fair and noted that hee had no interest in who succeed him and therefore had no need to impose candidates.
By Nnamdi Felix
Source: PM News
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