EGHEOMHANRE EYIEYIEN FOR SENATE 2015: A DIALOGUE ABOUT SOME SALIENT ISSUES FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

A dialogue about some salient issues for Constitutional Amendment:

This dialogue was initiated by my Facebook friend, Stephen Dieseruvwe, in response to my Facebook post of Monday, 29th July, 2013, in which I said in part:

"Many people have asked me why I chose to run for the Senate in 2015 instead of trying to serve my people in another capacity in the political terrain. My answer: Senator Odion Ugbesia.

Senator Ugbesia has been warming the seat in the Senate (when he shows up) and collecting the illegal salaries and allowances which is widely believed to be about US$3million per annum. I have said repeatedly that the present pay of legislators is illegal and cannor be justified when about 70% of Nigerians wallow in poverty. It is contrary to the remuneration specified by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), the only statutory body that can fix the remuneration of public servants. I reiterate that I will not be part of this day-light robbery of Nigerians by their legislators when I am elected a Senator by God's Grace. I will only accept the NSIWC-approved pay for legislators. Please quote me on this."

 Stephen Dieseruvwe:

"Egheomhanre Eyieyien, you have spoken well on the Jumbo Salaries of members of the National Assembly - Senate and House of Representatives. Apart from you rejecting the "illegal and armed robbery" salary, how would you impress it on 'your colleagues' to do the same?.
Due to the current stand of the Senate on a number of issues in the Review and Amendment of the Nigerian Constitution, what are your views on the following?:
1. Abolition of State Independent Electoral Commissions;
2. Abolition of States and Local Government Joint Account;
3. Removal of the immunity clause;
4. Autonomy of Local Government;
5. Independent Candidacy in elections."

 Egheomhanre Eyieyien:

"Stephen Dieseruvwe, one cannot control the mindset and behaviour of adults; one can only try to influence them. I hope other like-minded legislators in the National Assembly would be emboldened by my rejection of the illegal pay of Senators (and full disclosure of the actually salaries and allowances to the public) to do the same. Many cowards are challenged and encouraged to act brave when they say someone else take a courageous stand.

My thoughts on the issues you raised:

1. Abolition of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs):

I am in support of the abolition of SIECs. The overwhelming influence of State Governors in Nigeria is a threat to democracy. Governors have undermined the Constitution and usurped the functions of Local Governments and stolen their funds; they have compromised the State Houses of Assembly; and the dependence of SIECs on Governors is evident.

Even my Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who I had praised for performance has shown that he can't even tolerate a very popular candidate of an opposition party (PDP) winning the Chairmanship of my local government, Esan North East LGA. Most people in Uromi voted for Hon. John Yakubu, who I publicly endorsed for a second term after I returned from Uromi and saw some of the good things he had done; but Gov. Oshiomhole did not allow "one-man-one-vote" in Esan North East LGA simply because he wanted to "win" in Chief Anthony Anenih's local government.

The Independent National Electoral Commission can be strengthened through legislation to ensure true independence (e.g. Appointment of the INEC Chairman by the National Judicial Council) and it can handle ALL elections in the federation.

2. Abolition of States and Local Government Joint Account:

Supported for same reasons as in item 1 above.

3. Removal of the immunity clause:

Not supported. The legislators in the Federal House of Representatives were merely being vindictive and immature by removing the immunity clause for the President, Governors and their deputies since they have no such privilege.

But I will initiate a Constitutional amendment that allows a three-man panel of Justices of the Supreme Court to decide if there is a prima facie criminal case against the President, Governors and their deputies to warrant the immunity clause being inapplicable so as not to pervert the cause of justice with all the kleptomaniacs in some State Houses.

4. Autonomy of Local Government:

Supported. See 1 above.

5. Independent Candidacy in elections:

Wholly supported. I am still undecided about a political party to join since they all are the same. I really wish I could run for the Senate as an independent candidate."

Esan di fure!

Nigeria di fure!!

EGHEOMHANRE EYIEYIEN FOR SENATE 2015: MY MANIFESTO - ISSUE NUMBER TWO: FREE AND QUALITATIVE PUBLIC EDUCATION UP TO THE TERTIARY LEVEL FOR QUALIFYING STUDENTS

ISSUE NUMBER TWO: FREE AND QUALITATIVE PUBLIC EDUCATION UP TO THE TERTIARY LEVEL FOR QUALIFYING STUDENTS

As one whose father endured great hardship to give himself an education culminating in his being a 1973 graduate of History of the University of Ibadan and being a beneficiary of his immense sacrifice to give me the best education available at the time, I know the value of a qualitative education.

All my formal education was in public schools: Government School, Uromi, Edo State; St. Patrick’s Primary School, Yaba, Lagos; King’s College, Lagos; and the University of Benin, Benin City. The tragedy is that, today, I would not like my children to attend the same great schools I attended because they would not get the same quality of education I received in my days.

Education is the foundation for a great future. Education is empowerment to succeed in an ever-increasingly challenging world. Education should not be a privilege. Education is a basic right. I believe that very Nigerian child should be educated by the Nigerian state at the expense of the state up to the tertiary level for those students who meet the admission criteria for our universities and polytechnics.

As a matter of priority, I will sponsor a bill in the Senate for the reform of our educational system to ensure that Nigerian children are given free and qualitative education up to the university/polytechnic level and that Nigerian teachers are both well trained and well paid for the great task they are burdened with: the education of our posterity.

For the avoidance of doubt, I want to make clear that the new education policy means that SCHOOL FEES WOULD BE ABOLISHED AND MADE ILLEGAL FOR NIGERIANS in all public schools. In addition, one free meal shall be provided during school hours to all children of public primary and secondary schools across the country while the students in the tertiary institutions would be paid bursary by the Federal Government equivalent to the 50% of the official national minimum wage.  I will initiate an amendment of the Nigerian Constitution to make funding for education a first-line charge on the nation’s consolidated accounts and to ensure that it represents at least 10% of the Budget of the Federal Government.   

I am convinced that Nigeria has the financial resources to meet the additional costs this new education policy would entail. The problem is not the dearth of funds; the problem is the LACK OF POLITICAL WILL TO MAKE QUALITY EDUCATION FREELY AVAILABLE TO ALL NIGERIANS, THE HYDRA-HEADED MONSTER OF CORRUPTION and GROSS SYSTEMIC INEFFICIENCIES which create leakages such that the billions of Naira voted annually for education by all levels of government never actually get used for the purpose budgeted.

Nigeria should be subsidising the education of its youths rather than subsidising the importation of fuel which it should really be exporting. 

We can and we must secure the future of our youths by guaranteeing them first class education that would make them world-beaters!
 

Esan di fure!

 

Nigeria di fure!!