Etim: Global right group visits Saraki over delayed inauguration

Offi cials of a global right group, Center for Justice in Politics, has visited Nigeria on a fact-fi nding mission on the delay by Senate President Bukola Saraki to inaugurate Hon Bassey Etim as senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District, as ordered by a competent court of jurisdiction. Earlier, the United Nations rights group, Peoples Right to Life Development Foundation (PELDEF), requested the Congressional Black Caucus of the United States of America Congress to ban Saraki and ten other principal members of the Senate from entering the United States of America over refusal to swear in Etim. PELDEF, it would be recalled, had accused the Senate leadership of using double standard to steer governance in the upper chamber of the National Assembly, citing its fl agrant failure to obey a fourmonth old judgment of a Federal high court, Uyo, which directed Saraki to inaugurate Etim. PELDEF had also copied dozens of global rights groups, including Centre for Justice in Politics, with focus on legislative procedures and fi ghting for political justice.

Th e US rights group which visited Nigeria on the fact-fi nding mission has, however, expressed shock over its fi ndings, saying Saraki and the principal offi cers of the Senate deserved to be banned from entering the US, apart from other necessary sanctions. Its position was contained in a letter dated July 17, which represents an abstract of its executive summary report.

Th e letter which was addressed to the National Secretary of PELDEF, which earlier petitioned the Congressional Caucus of the US, Comrade Ali Abacha, was signed by its Vice President (Operations), Gabe Harrison.

Th e letter reads in full: “As you may know, our organization, Th e Center For Justice In Politics (Center4JIP), is a nonprofi t organization based in the Atlanta area of the USA. We are primarily engaged in legislative procedures training, fi ghting for political justice and political consulting, in developing countries. “Th is is to fi rst acknowledge receipt of your letter, dated July 7, 2017, with the accompanying supporting documents.

“Secondly, we want to inform you that after reviewing all the supporting documents and confi rming the authenticity of the High Court ruling in Uyo and the Certifi cate of Return issued to Mr. Bassey Etim by Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission, we agree that the failure to swear in Mr. Etim to the Senate is unjust and a blatant abuse of power on the part of Nigeria’s Senate President, Mr. Saraki. ‘

Consequently and as contained in your letter to the Black Congressional Caucus, we will disseminate this information to other like entities to secure a ban on Mr. Saraki and others from entering the USA. “We will take other steps to seek redress for this abnormally and you will be kept abreast of our actions going forward. “Th ank you for being our partners in our struggle for justice in politics, especially in developing countries, like Nigeria,” Harrison signed off .

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