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Presidential Term Limit Reforms Crucial in Addressing Tenure Elongation-CSOs

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Economic of West Africa States
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The West African Democracy  Solidarity Network(WADEMOS),and partners, have tasked  the Economic Community  of West African (ECOWAS),on reforms to institutionalise presidential term limits to curb tenure elongation.

WADEMOS in collaborations with Tournons La Page (TLP)and Afrikajom made the call at a panel discussion ahead of the ECOWAS Heads of States Summit in Abuja supported by OXFAM and Open Society Foundation.

Prof.

David Dosseh, National Coordinator, Tournons La Page-Togo, said that the meeting was aimed at urging ECOWAS to acknowledge the plea of citizens to institutionalise and to implement the principle of limitation of mandates.

Dosseh said that the issue had been going round for more than a decade.

According to him, ordinary citizens no longer understand what is delaying the adoption of such a provision and why leaders hold on to power after their mandates.

“We are in Abuja to tell the heads of states that will gather on Sunday that it is time to reform and to unanimously accept the limitation of the mandates of heads of governmeTho.AAAQqa

“Those who hold executive power have to accept the principle of one or two mandates and not more.

“This is indispensable and the heads of state and heads of governments being the supreme organ should accept it,” he said.

He said that the reform was obligatory.

“A partial reform that limits only the mandates of some and not that of others and authorising them to remain in power in eternity is harmful and would disqualify our regional institution,” he said.

Dosseh said that ECOWAS would celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025.

He said that it would be an opportunity to operate a profound and structural reform to consolidate democracy and guarantee more efficiency in democracy.

Mr Austin Aigbe , Regional Advocacy Officer and ECOWAS Liaison Lead WADEMOS, said that Africa has witnessed  26 successful military coups  between 2002 to 2023.

Aligbe spoke on the topic “The State of Democracy in West Africa in 2024: the ECOWAS Reform Debate”.

He said that  half of the coups occurred in the  ECOWAS region.

“Between 2019  to 2024, 10 successful  military coups have occurred in seven countries in Africa and six of them took place in West Africa.

“There is a need for ECOWAS to address the issue decisively and prioritise it during its summit on Dec. 15 to ensure the stability and democratic integrity of the Economic Community,” he said .

He urged ECOWAS to incorporate explicit clauses that render any amendments regarding term limits or tenure irrelevant to current officeholders.

He also called for legal safeguards against retrospective application to prevent laws from being applied retrospectively in a manner that affects rights previously established.

“The ECOWAS should declare illegal term elongation a constitutional coup.

“Any constitutional manipulation in favour of a sitting head of state should be deemed a constitutional coup and classified as an unconstitutional change of government (UCG).

“To safeguard against illegal term elongation, ECOWAS must reform and reinforce its commitment to democratic norms by instituting its Supplementary Protocol to meet current challenges,” he said.

Also speaking ,Ms Marie-Josiane Ngah, Project Coordinator, WADEMOS, said that the network had been at the forefront of the campaign against term elongation and for the institutionalisation of the presidential term limits across the region.

According to Ngah, the meeting holds a great significance given the persistent challenges facing ECOWAS in upholding democracy and maintaining regional integration.

“The ongoing threats to democratic governance, coupled with the potential exit of the Sahelian countries, pose serious risks to our collective vision for the region.

“Such an exit could disrupt the progress towards building an ECOWAS of the people, a vision that prioritises grassroots inclusion, democratic accountability, and shared prosperity,” she said.

Ngah said that the meeting provided a platform to reaffirm commitment to democratic principles, and strengthen solidarity among civil society actors, and expand existing strategies to address the underlying challenges threatening the region’s stability.

Mr Sadikh Niass, International Relations Officer, Afrikajom, said that the exit of the sahelian countries from ECOWAS would pose danger on citizens.

Niass said that the group was, therefore, carrying out an advocacy action to draw the attention of leaders to the emergency.

“So, what we are saying today in a loud voice is that ECOWAS should say something on the withdrawal of the Sahelian states during its summit.

“We CSOs meeting here today in Abuja believe that an understanding should be found between the heads of state of the countries of the Sahel so that the regional integration would be preserved”.(NAN)

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Life Doesn’t End in your Communities, NYSC D-G Tells Corps Members

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The Director-General of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Yusha’u Ahmad, has advised corps members to stop thinking of relocating back to their communities, emphasising that life does not end there.

Report says that Ahmad spoke when he visited the NYSC temporary orientation camp on Friday in Kaduna.

Addressing corps members of the 2024 batch ‘C stream ‘I’ currently on the mandatory three-week orientation course, he urged the corps members to find home anywhere they were posted to, emphasising the importance of adapting to new environments.

Ahmad emphasised that the corps members must find a sense of belonging wherever they were posted, stating that such mindset was crucial for a successful service year.

According to him, embracing new experiences and being open to change can lead to personal growth and development.

He urged the corps members to focus on making a positive impact in their host communities.

The director-general encouraged them to be proactive and seek opportunities to contribute to the development of their host communities.

He urged them to respect the cultures and traditions of their host communities, advising, ”remain peaceful and resilient as you add value to the community you are posted to.

”I am sure many of you will choose to remain here after your service. You should also take security seriously.

“Your security is our concern, but no one can secure you more than yourself.”

Ahmad underscored the importance of skills acquisition and entrepreneurial development of the scheme.

He urged the corps members to take advantage of the programme to become not just self-reliant, but job and wealth creators after their service year.

“Skills acquisition is designed to make you independent, self-reliant and productive.

”The Federal government is out to ensure that youths are supported and empowered so they can stand on their own.

“Thousands of your predecessors who maximised the opportunity are now independent,”Ahmad said.

The director-general however warned the corps members on unauthorised and night travels, indecent dressing, among other acts that may project the scheme in bad light.
(NAN)

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Protect TETFUND from Abrogation Under Proposed Tax Bill–ASUU urges NASS

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has urged the National Assembly (NASS) to protect the Tertiary Education Trust (TETFUND) from being abrogated under the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024.

Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, the President of ASUU, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

Osodeke said that the proposed bill was worrisome and also posed potential danger to the Tertiary Education Trust (TETFUND).

“ASUU has observed with keen interest the ongoing debate on the review of the tax system in the country under a proposed bill tagged, Nigeria Tax Bill, 2024.

“This is currently before the National Assembly. Arising from the tax bill is the proposed abrogation of the education tax.

“ASUU is alarmed by this dangerous and unpatriotic aspect of the proposed new tax regime,” he said.

According to Osodeke, the bill proposed that education tax, called development levy, used to bankroll TETFund’s programmes should be ceded to the newly established Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

“TETFund will also receive 66.7 per cent in 2027, 2028 and 2029 years of assessment but zero per cent in 2030 year of assessment and thereafter,”he said.

He said that the far-reaching consequence of the new tax system is that from 2030, all funds generated from the development levy would be passed to NELFUND.

He said that ASUU found the development not only worrisome but also inimical to the national development objective due to the potential danger to the survival of TETFund.

Osodeke said that TETFund has been viewed as the backbone for infrastructural development, postgraduate training and research capacity building in Nigeria’s public tertiary institutions in the
last 15 years.

He said that ASUU had resolved not to stand by and watch the denigration or obliteration of TETfund which represents a positive testament to its constructive engagements with Nigerian governments since 1992.

“It is our considered view that abrogating the TETFund Act 2011, by design or default, will be a great disservice not just to education but to Nigeria as a nation.

“As a result, ASUU is urging members of the National Assembly to do all within their capacity to protect TETFund from being abrogated under the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, ”he said.(NAN)

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Gunmen Kill 1 at Benin Nightclub

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The police in Edo have confirmed the killing of a guest at the popular Raptor Club and Lounge, Stadium Road, Benin.

The victim was shot dead by gunmen in the early hours of Friday, while his female passenger sustained gunshot injuries.

SP Moses Yamu, Public Relations Officer of the Police Command in Edo, said that investigations into the incident were ongoing.

According to him, the police received a distress call at 3 a.

m. that there were gunshots at Raptop Club.

He said the operatives of the command on reaching the scene went after the hoodlums, who escaped and abandoned a pump action gun and two expended empty shells.

Yamu explained that efforts were ongoing to arrest the perpetrators.

NReport says that the incident, which occurred at about 2 a.m., has left the management and patrons of the nightclub in shock.

A source told newsmen that the deceased, whose identity has not been disclosed, was shot inside his white Lexus Jeep vehicle, while the female passenger was hit by stray bullets on her lap.

The incident left the club with some damages, including shattered show glasses and a destroyed glass door.

Policemen were seen at the scene of the incident, as the deceased’s vehicle was towed away. (NAN)

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