Third Term Campaign: Falana Fingers Presidency

Third Term Campaign: Falana Fingers Presidency

…Accuses it of Doing Nothing to Curb Groups Pushing the Agenda …Reveals Campaign Kicked Off in September   …Plan Include Emasculation of Opposition, Constriction of Democratic Space Human Rights Lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), says the Presidency is attacking him for challenging support groups that are behind the “third term

…Accuses it of Doing Nothing to Curb Groups Pushing the Agenda

…Reveals Campaign Kicked Off in September  

…Plan Include Emasculation of Opposition, Constriction of Democratic Space

Human Rights Lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), says the Presidency is attacking him for challenging support groups that are behind the “third term agenda,” asserting that it is looking the other as well oiled groups push on with this campaign. He also alleges that the campaign groups are being treated with kid gloves both by the Police and the Department of State Security Service (DSS).  

Presidential Spokesman, Mr Garba Shehu had accused Falana of spreading fake news over his claim that there are plans for President Muhammadu Buhari to get another term.

But in a statement on Wednesday, Falana, who’s also leader of the defence team for Convener of RevolutionNow, Mr Omoyele Sowore and his associate, Mr Olawale Bakare, both standing for treason charges, said the third term agenda for Buhari kicked off in September.

He said despite denying the agenda, the Presidency is doing nothing to curb those campaigning for another term for President Buhari.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) accused the Presidency of intensifying its campaign to suppress the opposition and subvert the rule of law as part of the grand plan to reign in President Buhari for another term.

“The third term agenda for President Muhammadu Buhari kicked off on September 21, 2019 under the auspices of “Movement For the Approval Of Buhari Third Term,” Falana said.

“The members of the group who launched the campaign in Abuja were not harassed by the Police or the State Security Service. The Presidency did not deem it fit to disown or dissociate itself from the campaign.

“However, following the popular rejection of the campaign, the Presidency issued a statement on October 2, 2019 to “correct internet-based gossip and un-informed media commentary regarding presidential term limits, given credence by so-called support groups, staging street demonstrations asking President Muhammadu Buhari to do a third term.

“Notwithstanding the official denial of the third term agenda, the Buhari regime has since intensified its campaign for the emasculation of the opposition and constriction of the democratic space.

“This has been manifested in the subversion of the rule of law through disobedience of court orders, sponsoring of anti media bills and reckless arrest, detention and prosecution of the perceived enemies of the federal government. Peaceful meetings and rallies against unpopular policies of the government are violently suppressed while crowds are rented to attack groups and citizens who challenge authoritarian rule in the land.

“The Presidency has decided to attack me for challenging the support groups and APC leaders that are behind the third term campaign. Even though the campaigners are well known to the security agencies, they have not been attacked by the Presidency.”

Recalling how he challenged the regimes of Gen Ibrahim Babaginda and Gen Sani Abacha, former military heads of state, Falana said he would keep fighting for human rights.

He had earlier accused President Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of planning a third term campaign last month.

While speaking at an event in Lagos in honour of Premium Times Publisher, Mr Dapo Olorunyomi, the human rights lawyer said for this to be achieved, the media would be attacked and made to buckle under.

He said: “Our country has gone to the dogs, and the media must help. That is why the war is against the media because, for the 2023 race, the media must be silenced.

“You may have a third term campaign very soon. Very soon, they are going to destroy all possible opponents and they have started. So, by the time they bring in the third term agenda, the media would have been gone but we are not going to allow it.

Falana stated that no dictatorial power can subvert the power of the Nigerian people.

But the Presidency on Monday accused Falana of allegedly peddling fake news that President Buhari is seeking a third term in office.

In a statement by the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, the Presidency described as false, the claims that Buhari is planning to stay beyond 2023.

The Presidency said “Falana has boarded the free-publicity train, full of those seeking personal media attention.

“To reiterate, the President reminds all of those who wish it were otherwise, whether because they want a third term, or because they seek to make false claims for the purposes of their own publicity of the statement made on 2nd October 2019, which is repeated in full, below:

“The Presidency wishes to correct internet-based gossip and uninformed media commentary regarding presidential term limits, given credence by so-called support groups, staging street demonstrations asking President Muhammadu Buhari to do a third term.

“There are no circumstances – nor set of circumstances – under which President Buhari may seek to amend the Constitution regarding the two-term term limit on holding office as President.

“President Buhari intends to serve his full second elected term in office, ending 2023 – and then there shall be a general election in which he will not be a candidate.

“There is not even the faintest possibility that this will change.

“It is important to note that there was a past attempt to change the Constitution to allow for the then incumbent President to stand for a third term. That attempt was wrong, unconstitutional – and rightly rebuffed. No such attempt will happen under this President.

“President Buhari is a democrat. He respects the Constitution. Any activity aimed at altering the two-term limit will not succeed and shall never have his time nor support.

“The President will have nothing more to say on this matter – apart from to repeat this statement, ad infinitum – that he will not be seeking, accepting, nor standing for a third term,” he reiterated.

President Buhari had earlier slammed a third term agenda, saying he can afford to be reckless because he has no plans to remain in power after 2023 elections.

The President who spoke at the last National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the All APC in Abuja, asked members to begin preparation for the next party conference in the next 18 months.

“I want you to accept that you are now in charge, I am the President but APC is in charge. Please, I’d like to carry you along to make sure that APC becomes a permanent body.

“You should read the constitution because I’m not going to make a mistake of attempting to run a third term or whatever term. Besides the age, I swore by the holy book I believe in that I will go by the constitution and the constitution said two terms.

“I can afford to be reckless because I am not going to ask for anybody’s vote,” he added.

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