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Why We Denied Campbell Visa – Envoy
ABIODUN OLUWAROTIMI, WASHINGTON DC
The Nigerian Embassy in Washington DC has denied allegations that it denied a former United States envoy to Nigeria, Ambassador John Campbell, a Visitor's Visa as a result of his negative statements about the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Contrary to the feelings from some quarters, the Nigerian Embassy, through its ambassador, Prof. Adebowale Adefuye, has declared that the embassy did not give the former U.S envoy any negative treatment, stressing that the visa section of the Chancery has stipulated conditions which must be met before any visa could be granted to anybody.
In an exclusive interview with our correspondent on Friday afternoon, Ambassador Adebowale Adefuye said that Ambassador John Campbell was refused the visa he demanded as a result of incomplete documentation.
According to him, "Campbell applied for a visa to enable him attend a meeting of the Governing Council of the American University of Nigeria, owned by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, as a member of the council but he did not meet the requirement regarding the timing of application and issuance of visas as stipulated by the Embassy."
Professor Adefuye continued that the former United States ambassador to Nigeria submitted his visa application on May 5, 2011, to attend the event on May 11, 2011, as a member of the Governing Council of the American university of Nigeria, but did not give any proof to show that he is truly a member of the University's Governing Council.
"The visa section informed Campbell to send in a proof to show his membership of the university's Governing Council as he claimed," he added.
The Nigerian envoy pressed further that it was so late for the embassy to issue the visa because it got the proof that John Campbell is truly a member of the university's Governing Council very late, stressing that the visa was denied as a result of time factor.
"The Embassy contacted him over this decision, but he refused to tell the Embassy why he had to be given the visa even when it became clear that he could not travel to Nigeria to attend the event that made him apply for the visa in the first place," Adefuye further said.
He also declared that it was all lies that the Embassy refused to grant Ambassador Campbell the visa because of his antagonism to the government of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Source: Leadership, 22nd May 2011.
John Campbell and Jonathan's Rag-tag diplomacy
By Uche Igwe
It is no longer news that Ambassador Campbell, the controversial former United States envoy to Nigeria was denied entry visa to attend the graduation ceremony of the American University in Yola last week. The former US envoy has published many research papers that hit devastating blows and leave a bitter taste in the mouths of the Nigerian political elite.
His recent book, Nigeria: Dancing on the Brink, was severely critical. The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs may give hundreds of reasons why Campbell did not "qualify" for a visa or for the undue delays and unnecessary scrutiny of his application, but it is obvious that the government saw the rejection as an opportunity to pay him back in his own coin.
I saw a copy of Campbell's article on the Nigerian elections, which formed the background of his book. Some of the comments might have been caustic and his doomsday predictions will naturally annoy officialdom. However no one will deny the fact that most of the issues he highlighted are embarrassingly accurate and a true reflection of the myriad of complex problems that confront Nigeria.
From the preponderant influence of the military in our politics, to the dysfunctional bureaucracy, the poverty amidst plenty, endemic corruption, electoral malpractices, the crisis in the Niger Delta and eruptions of sectarian and ethnic violence, Campbell was blunt but factual. Our oil is still a curse and that is not a debate. Our effort to a free and fair election was recently tainted with blood. And so why will anyone blame Campbell for saying it as it is?
While one may argue with his style, the former US envoy has shown himself as an erudite scholar. He argues his points logically and reaches his conclusions based on sound statistics and coherent analyses.
It is therefore ridiculous to imagine that a democratic government can contemplate such a crude response as visa denial to a senior official of a very important ally. This action by the government of Nigeria is most condemnable and completely unjustifiable. There came a time the Nigerian envoy to Washington Prof. Adebowale Adefuye was so angry he threatened that Campbell's visa will not be reviewed when it expires as a punishment for his criticisms. Adefuye is famous for frequent but pretentious public displays of patriotic fury whenever he is confronted with facts about Nigeria in any public event in the United States. That may be the old man's way of keeping his job, but professional diplomacy and strategic engagement in the global political capital should go a little beyond that.
The respected Nigerian envoy might have fulfilled his promise to Campbell but this action has portrayed him and the government in Abuja as childish, inexperienced, intolerant, undemocratic and vindictive. Sound diplomacy will entail engaging Campbell on the content of his work while putting forward preventive policy architecture and intelligence in-country. A responsive government will treat him as a friend and not a foe and collaborate with him to work on those fact-based lapses he identified.
First we have enormous oil reserves, which the United States requires to service its energy intensive economy. The Nigerian population size makes us a very a strategic geopolitical " hegemon", difficult to ignore within the West African sub-region both in peace and at war. Our role in the African continent or even most recently in Cote d'Ivoire makes it absolutely necessary that we must continue to talk with both the United States and other potential and actual world powers including the European Union and China about any continent wide concern.
From where I sit I reckon that we need to re-organise or re-energise our engagement with the United States to get better results from the huge potential that abounds. I argue that Washington has been supportive of a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria through a cocktail of programmes in good governance, transparency and amnesty to former Niger Delta combatants. The recently inaugurated Nigeria-US Bi-National Commission may be a recent example. Naturally, all this support is not given for nothing but it is the responsibility of Abuja to articulate its enlightened self-interest and come to the table with Washington for a dignified negotiation and dialogue. The United States is an obvious global force; so if Abuja fails, Pretoria will move or even Luanda or Accra as we have seen lately.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs must quickly launch an investigation to the facts that led to the unfortunate diplomatic blunder, or, put another way, the Ministry should admit their wrongdoing and apologise to Ambassador Campbell for the "undue delay of his visa application," and the subsequent denial.
Washington DC, London, Brussels, Addis Ababa, Pretoria, Luanda, Beijing, New York etc must be manned by competent and responsive professionals who are able to articulate and interpret Nigeria's enlightened self interest in the global arena. This new dispensation offered by his re-election has given President Jonathan another opportunity that he cannot afford to squander to re-launch Nigeria to her rightful place in the comity of nations.
Uche Igwe is a Visiting Scholar, Africa Program School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University Washington DC. He can be reached at ucheigwe@gmail.com
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We Won't Accept Rigging of Nigeria Polls, Says U.S.
FROM LAOLU AKANDE (NEW YORK), FRANCIS OBINOR (LAGOS), OGHOGHO OBAYUWANA AND ABOSEDE MUSARI (ABUJA)
Obama sends official to monitor tomorrow's exercise
EU urges adherence to electoral rules
THE United States (U.S.) government and the European Union (EU) have asked Nigeria to do all that is needful to prevent a repeat of the hitches that marred last Saturday's National Assembly elections.
President Barack Obama, who said he is eager to see Nigeria conduct free and fair polls tomorrow and the subsequent exercises, warned that his administration would not accept rigged elections in Nigeria.
To have an accurate report and proper briefing on the conduct of the National Assembly polls, Obama is sending one of his administration's most senior officials on African Affairs to observe the rescheduled election.
The Guardian learnt yesterday that because of what U.S. government notes as a massive turn-out last Saturday by Nigerians for the polls, American Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Johnnie Carson has been ordered by both Obama and the Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, to travel to Nigeria today and return on Monday, two days after the conclusion of the federal legislature's elections.
The EU, through its Elections Observer Group, urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to keep to the rules and deliver to the people credible polls.
Head of the team, and former Prime Minister of Slovenia, Mr. Alloys Peterly, said this in Abuja yesterday during a visit to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Headquarters in company of election analyst, Mrs. Margaretta Alives.
In a statement late on Wednesday in Washington DC, the State Department said Carson "will travel to Nigeria April 8-11 to observe the country's National Assembly elections scheduled for Saturday April 9."
U.S. sources say Carson's trip, which was not planned as at last week when the polls were originally intended to hold, is an indication that the Obama administration is keen on a successful conduct of the exercise.
Carson was quoted in another State Department statement as saying that "our government will not turn a blind eye to a repeat of the political violence and wholesale electoral theft that took place in 2007," signifying U.S. government's readiness to respond critically if this year's elections were rigged.
For instance, Carson warned that the U.S. would take "appropriate measures" against "individuals who violate basic democratic norms," just as it had done with leaders and officials in Côte d'Ivoire, Zimbabwe and Madagascar.
He said any violence perpetrated against voters or candidates would be unacceptable and "casts a dark shadow over the entire electoral process."
Carson, an African veteran in the U.S. Foreign Service, was the first international dignitary to meet President Goodluck Jonathan when he was declared the acting president by the National Assembly last year.
He said: "If Nigeria's current elections are not a significant improvement over the 2007 polls and if they do not meet the expectations of a majority of Nigerians, the citizens will lose confidence in their leaders, their democratic institutions and the capacity of the country to sustain a democratic trajectory in the future."
Free and fair polls in Nigeria, he noted, will help to build a positive democratic trajectory, stressing that America believes "Nigeria has an historic opportunity to allow her people the opportunity to elect their local, state and national representatives in a climate free of violence and intimidation. We hope that opportunity will not be lost."
Emphasising that the Obama administration is closely monitoring the country's political environment, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State said reports indicating that a significant number of Nigerians peacefully turned out to vote April 2 offer "a positive indication of their democratic aspirations."
He encouraged "Nigerians to exercise their rights as citizens to vote and to have their votes counted openly and transparently."
Also in Abuja yesterday, American Ambassador to Nigeria, Terence McCulley, held his first people dialogue on democracy and good governance. .
McCulley said the "Giant of West Africa" has much of which to be proud. But the time has now come for Nigeria to take the next step to achieve its potential by embracing democracy fully and cementing in place the institutions, practices, and values of democratic governance. Free, fair, and credible elections are an important part of that process.
"Democracy, however, is more than a formal counting of votes, and both Nigerians and the international community will judge the quality of this election by more than what happens on election day. Democracy is also about the freedom of all parties to campaign, to meet with supporters, to appeal to new voters, and to deliver political messages to the electorate. Democracy is about sharing ideas and stimulating open public discussion on the future of one's country. Democracy is about upholding principles that are greater than any individual and respecting the will of those who confer democratic legitimacy: The people of Nigeria."
On his part, Peterly said the EU group of 140 observers had been interacting with Nigerians at the grassroots as part its commitment to monitoring pre-election procedures in the country.
He commended the people for their warmth and eagerness to ensure that the electoral process goes smoothly, explaining that the EU observers had been posted to the 36 states of the federation and had the responsibility to observe pre-election, the election and post-polls' procedures.
"I feel very safe here. My team has been welcomed everywhere in Nigeria. I visited nine polling units in Lagos, I saw only peaceful behaviour and nice people. They always said we were welcome. This is a nice feeling.
"The people expressed their enthusiasm for the elections. A lot were willing to vote for the first time because they had the belief that the elections will be free and fair. We expect that these expectations would be met as promised. Let elections be held according to your own rules", he said, adding that the EU was not in the country to impose its own rules but to observe and ensure that Nigeria follows the process of elections.
The NYSC Director General, Brig.-Gen. Muharazu Tsiga, said the scheme was established 37 years ago, among other things, to promote national unity, integration, uphold dignity of labour and self-reliance. The collaboration with INEC, on elections, he said, started in 2007.
The 2011 voters' registration, he said, wouldn't have been as successful as it was but for the dedicated youth corps members who saw the work as part of their service to the nation. He assured of credible elections, as he solicited the EU's partnership with the agency.
Source: The Guardian, 8th April 2011.
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US: Use April Polls to Reposition Nigeria
By Crusoe Osagie
As anti-government protests envelope some parts of Africa, the United States has called on the Nigerian government to take advantage of the April elections to reposition itself as the leading nation on the African continent.
US Ambassador to Nigeria Terrence McCulley made the call Wednesday in Lagos at a dinner organised in his honour by the Nigerian American Chambers of Commerce.
The ambassador said the April general election is vital to the triumph of the Nigerian economy and the Nigerian state because of its capacity to bring in credible and accountable government with the will and integrity to use the existing institutions in the country to combat corruption and other ills that currently stall the country's growth and development.
"I will not like to advise the Nigerian government or the Nigerian people but I will love to point out that Nigeria has a very important electoral moment coming up in April. Our hope is that it will be a credible and transparent electoral process. That the millions of Nigerians who have registered to vote will come out and vote. That the government will create conditions that will allow them exercise their civic duties peacefully without intimidation and that the result of the elections will be credible, transparent and will fully reflect the wishes and events of the Nigerian people," McCulley said.
The ambassador, who stressed that corruption is the major challenge that the country faces, explained that Nigeria already had sufficient institutions required to deal with the problem. He added that the institutions needed to be backed by a government with integrity, transparency and accountability.
According to him, this sort of government could only be obtained with very credible elections, which would represent the wishes and aspirations of the Nigerian people.
He said with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of seven per cent, Nigeria is among the nations with the most prospects in the world, but stressed that the country needed to deal with infrastructure and power problems, as well as the hydra-headed problem of corruption in order to attain its extremely high potentials which the country possesses.
"With seven per cent GDP, Nigeria is one of the countries with the highest prospects in the world. It has tremendous untapped potential but it requires leadership that is committed to the rule of law."
Source: This Day, 25th February 2011.
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US: Zoning is PDP Affair
Says Nigeria has a lot to celebrate at 50
From Damilola Oyedele in Abuja and Zacheaus Somorin in Lagos
The United States has said the issue of zoning, which is currently rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is purely the party's affair while noting that it has a natural rotation system in its politics to encourage inclusion on all levels.
US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Jonnie Carson, speaking from Washington via teleconferencing to newsmen in Lagos and Abuja yesterday, added that Nigeria has a lot to celebrate at its Golden Jubilee celebrations, especially as the country has managed to stay united despite its turbulent political history and civil war.
Carson , who refrained from making an explicit statement on the zoning issue however expressed confidence in the Prof. Attahiru Jega led Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)'s ability to pull off credible elections in 2011 which would make Nigeria a strong reference point for democracy on the continent.
"The zoning issue is a party issue; it is not an issue that defines the politics of the entire nation.
In the US, our presidential andvice presidential candidates come from across the country. We have managed to balance our politics, the former presidents have had a person from a different region on their tickets because of the desire to ensure that everyone feels included and not left out in the process.
We almost have a natural rotation in the US which is true in many democracies around the world", he said.
Carson, who would lead US Presidential Delegation to the Nigeria at 50 celebrations in Abuja tomorrow, emphasised that Nigeria is very important to the United States alongside Angola and South Africa. He hailed Nigeria's peacekeeping efforts on the Africa continent.
He reiterated the commitment of the US to upholding and strengthening its relationship with Nigeria through the Bi-National Commission which is expected to provide opportunities for mutual benefits between the two nations.
In another development, the United Kingdom has said it is committed to building cultural and historical links between the UK and Nigeria.
UK's Foreign Secretary, William Hague, said this at a meeting with Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Odein Ajumogobia, on Monday in the UK where he highlighted the bonds shared by citizens of both countries.
Source: This Day, 30th September 2010.
US No Longer Hiding Place For Corrupt
Nigerians – Envoy
Nigeria says it is willing to fully cooperate with the United States to ensure that government officials who steal public funds do not find a safe harbour in the the country.
Prof. Adebowale Adefuye, Nigeria's Ambassador to the U.S., told reporters in Washington D.C yesterday, that a zero-tolerance to corruption remained a key feature of President Goodluck Jonathan's administration.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that senior U.S. Government officials had confirmed the revocation of visas granted to some former government officials linked to corrupt practices.
U.S Government officials said the restrictions would be extended to families and cronies of such government officials.
Adefuye described the development as most ``welcome'', citing the present administration's determined efforts to curtail tendencies that give the country a bad name in the international community.
``I have not been officially informed (of the revocations) but if my opinion is sought, I will support any move to discourage corruption.
``They should not revoke only their visas but also those of their children and families not only in Nigeria, but also in Africa,'' he said.
The Nigerian envoy urged western countries to repatriate stolen funds to Africa, adding that a lack of political will and legal technicalities had made it impossible for such loot to return to national confers.
``During my days in the Commonwealth Secretariat in London (as special adviser and head of Africa section) I used to tell the British, American and the French that one way you can help us is to make sure that those who steal our money do not use technical legalities to escape.
``They must find a way of revoking their visas because when they steal that money, they take it to overseas countries to deposit in Swiss banks and the rest of them,'' he said.
He recalled that at the level of Commonwealth nations, a scheme was launched to return stolen assets to Africa, but many states in the western hemisphere had not fully cooperated with that initiative.
On the political situation in the country, Adefuye argued that there was stability, highlighting several government's efforts to diversify the nation's economy and boost its prosperity.
He said Nigeria would not allow the negative activities of a few to rub off its determination to improve relations with the international community.
Ahead of the 2011 polls, the ambassador said the current president had not made up his mind whether to contest or not. ``President Goodluck Jonathan has every right to contest if he so desires," he noted.
He expressed confidence in the ability of the new helmsman at INEC to conduct credible elections next year.
``On the international scene we want to remain an active player. Nigeria has always played a leading role in Africa and we regard it as a mark of destiny,'' he said.
He outlined the four main objectives of the present administration as ensuring good governance and democracy, rule of law, diversification of the economy and strengthening the amnesty programme for Niger Delta militants.
Source: Leadership, 18th July 2010.
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US Revokes Visas of Nigerian Officials
Reopens investigation of Halliburton Scam, Yar'Adua's Death
From Ike Nnamdi, The Sun Reporter, New York
President Barack Obama has authorized the State Department to revoke the visas of more former government officials and their close relatives over their role in the controversy that surrounded the health of former President Umaru Yar'Adua and the looting of the nation's treasury.
Washington had also beamed its searchlight on several top Nigerian officials who were named in the Halliburton bribery scandal preparatory to bringing charges. Already, the search had also been expanded to include some officials who served under former president Olusegun Obasanjo and those said to have benefited from several deals within the past 20 years.
White House sources said those affected include close security aides to the late Nigerian leader, some serving governors and assistants "who failed to fully brief relevant authorised government officials and institutions about the health of the late president."
Also affected by the ban are former and serving government and political party officials who had been tried and convicted of corruption or abuse of office. The White House said some Nigerian officials benefited financially from the ordeal of President Yar'Adua and should be made to account for their roles in the controversy.
"We know Mr. Yar' Adua was not in a position to discharge his duties while in hospital in Saudi Arabia, but certain decisions and expenditures were made with his authority and some officials should be held responsible," a senior administration spokesman stated.
Mr. Obama said the new directive was in "pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 770 which authorized all America institutions to deny entry into the United States, persons and their relations with links to corruption." Already, the administration last week revoked the visa of former Justice Minister, Michael Aondoakaa, over his role in the power play during Mr. Yar'Adua's medical trip to Saudi Arabia.
Source: The Sun, 9th July 2010.
Visa Ban - U.S. Compiles List of Corrupt Citizens
Chinedu Offor
Washington D.c — Dozens of senior Nigerian officials, former and current, are on the verge of losing their travel privileges to the United States, as Washington begins to withdraw their visas and ban them from entering the country on the strength of their loot, proven or alleged.
Quick on the list is former federal Attorney General and Justice Minister, Michael Aondoakaa, whose visa was revoked last week. Former Plateau State Governor, Joshua Dariye, and his family were banned from entering the U.S. four years ago.
Corrupt Nigerian officials are being punished for '"undermining the growth of democracy and acts designed to hinder the strengthening of democratic institutions in Nigeria," the State Department said.
The policy, Daily Independent gathered, is a fall out of the promise President Barack Obama made to President Goodluck Jonathan to assist Nigeria in the fight against corruption by targeting officials whose "acts have bothered on undermining the democratic process."
Sources said others awaiting the punitive measure include several senior assistants and security aides to the late President Umaru Yar'Adua, as well as Governors, Ministers, and heads of agencies.
"This action will also target those identified to have played a role in the controversy over the health of Yar'Adua" Washington officials added.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the action is in pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 7750, which provides authority to deny entry to the U.S. to persons with links to corruption.
Former President George W. Bush had on January 12, 2004 signed Proclamation 7750 to restrict foreign officials and their family members allegedly linked to corruption.
Obama renewed the policy after Jonathan made a case during his visit to Washington in April.
More names will be added on the list as Washington awaits the outcome of corruption cases against several Nigerian officials, the White House said.
Two prominent Nigerians themselves lamented in Lagos on Wednesday the pervasiveness of corruption in the country, as it has become a convenient national culture for those in the corridors of power, with those outside the loop also getting in on the act.
Theophilus Danjuma and Ben Nwabueze, both members of the Presidential Advisory Council (PAC), moaned about it, but disagreed on the way out of the political and economic morass.
Nwabueze, alarmed at the rate of corruption in the system, argued that only a bloody revolution can halt the decadence in governance.
He expressed shock at "the looting spree" in the National Assembly (NASS) "where lawmakers vote billions of Naira to themselves while those who voted them into the House live in abject poverty.
"People who were voted to serve the country go there to loot - you need to know what we (members of PAC) now know."
Nwabueze announced that the deterioration in the state of affairs is such that Nigeria has been listed among the 11 failed states in Africa and among the 17 in the world.
Arguing in favour of a violent revolution, he claimed that France is what it is today because of the success of the 1789 revolution in that country.
"I don't believe in small changes; we've had ad hoc arrangements; Nigeria needs a revolutionary change, and it has to be bloody. Those who survive it will pick up the pieces. I cannot see Nigeria survive any other way."
Nwabueze spoke at the launch of his book, Colonialism in Africa: Ancient and Modern, published in two volumes.
But Danjuma, who chaired the ceremony, said while he agrees with Nwabueze that Nigeria needs transformation, he disagrees with his approach, because a bloody revolution is not the best solution.
Bloody or violent revolutions, he noted, are dangerous since it would not spare anyone and becomes untamable once it takes off.
Danjuma, a retired General, warned: "Revolution devours its scions; it knows no friends or enemies; it is an exceedingly dangerous means of transformation.
"I am an optimist; I believe that one right man in position of authority can transform the entire country. We have not been lucky to have such a man, but we shall muddle through."
Source: Daily Independent, 8th July 2010.
Sanders: 2011 is Transformative for Nigeria
•Govt free to pursue legal case in NLNG bribery scam
By Paul Ohia
United States ambassador to Nigeria Ms Robin RenPe Sanders has urged the Nigerian government and
Nigerians to muster enough political will to make democracy work by ensuring free and fair elections next year.
She also said the Federal Government is free to initiate a legal case against companies such as Halliburton who have been heavily fined by the US for giving bribes to Nigerian public officials in order to secure contracts.
Sanders was responding to questions posed by THISDAY Editors when she visited the company. She was received at the Ikoyi residence of THISDAY Chairman Nduka Obaigbena.
According to the US ambassador, the voters and politicians in Nigeria should do the right thing by choosing their candidates and show they are committed to democracy.
She sees her country's offer of technical assistance as no sufficient guarantee for free and fair elections, stressing the need for adequate political will from all participants in the process which "must have to be enforced by someone down the line."
"It is your election. It is your voice and your choice and all about voting for a change that would make Nigeria strong and vibrant.
"We provided technical assistance in 2007 and we're providing a lot of technical assistance now…2011 is a transformative time for Nigeria. You've got to have the political will to get to a point where a lot of things would happen in a sustainable manner."
She confirmed that the visa of the former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Fede-ration Mr. Michael Aondoakaa was revoked but refused to go into details because of what she termed privacy reasons.
Her words: "Yes, we revoked the visa and that's how it was, the rest is a privacy issue. I won't go into the details of why there was a visa revocation."
On whether Nigeria should receive part of the $338 million fine which a US court ordered Technip to pay, in respect of the $180 million bribe allegedly paid to unnamed senior government officials by Halliburton, Sanders said she is not sure why it is a question.
"The department of justice has executed the case and they were fined after criminal charges…Nigeria's attorney-general is at liberty to pursue his own case against the companies," said Sanders.
Speaking on the blacklisting of Nigeria by the US after the attempted downing of a Detroit-bound Delta Airliner by Umaru Farouk Abdulmutallab last December, the ambassador said the issue has been resolved amicably noting that it was not a policy targeted at Nigeria.
"The type of policy we had that time was not a nationality designated one. I and my staff had to go through the same security check as well. It was not a nationality designation and unfortunately that is how it is viewed here. It is a worldwide policy and we had a number of meetings with Nigerian aviation authorities to enforce safety regulations." she explained.
On whether US President Barrack Obama has any plan to visit Nigeria in the near future, she explained that she does not have the president's future itinerary but recalled that Obama and President Goodluck Jonathan met in April and held fruitful discussions.
She recalled the speech of the US president where he stated the importance of Nigeria on the world scene including the leadership role the country has to play on the African continent.
"They talked about credible election, development and moving forward. We have respect for the leadership role of Nigeria on the continent and you're now a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. We want the best for Nigeria because you are one of our best friends," Sanders said.
On Nigeria's quest to become a permanent member of the UN, she said that the US currently supports article 23 of the world body which outlines the steps to becoming a permanent member.
The ambassador also spoke on the US/Nigeria Bi-National Commission, explaining that the working group on the Niger Delta would meet soon. On food security and agriculture, she stated that the "US is doing a lot towards food security and Nigeria is one of the recipients of the largest food security programmes that we have and this year, $25 million will be worked out as the year goes forward," she said.
Source: ThisDay, 9th July 2010.
US Confirms Ban On Aondoakaa
Written by Ahuraka Tusuf Isah, Abuja
As exclusively reported by Leadership Weekend in its last week's edition, the United States of America Embassy in Nigeria yesterday confirmed that the former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Michael Kaase Aondoakaa (SAN), had been banned from entering the US. His visa had also been revoked.
According to the Public Affairs Office of the US Embassy, Aondoakaa's visa had been revoked pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 7759 and section 212 of the Immigration Act, which precludes authority to deny entry to USA to person for corruption.
When asked to tell the nature of corruption the former AGF was found liable for in their country, he simply said, "That's all the message handed over to them from their country."
While reacting to the development, the former minister of justice said that "at the time we all made an inquiry over the internet story, there was no such information at the US Embassy.
"If the event turns out that way, there is nothing I can do; that is one of the plight of holding public office, after all a whole Mandela was once banned from entering the US, it's no big deal at all."
He added, "Maybe some people are envious of my having a United Nations job after leaving office and want to scuttle it at all costs because I was in the public office for two and a half years.
"I am surprised how US Government that voted for me as a member of the governing board of the United Nations Institute for Unification of Private Laws in December 2009 could turn out last Wednesday to ban me from entering their country.
"Mind you, there are several Nigerians both high and low who are alleged to have committed one thing or the other. How come I am being singled out in the US?"
Aodoakaa said the matter will be normalised when the truth is made known to the US.
"Steps are being taken to resolve the issue," he said.
It would be recalled that the Leadership Weekend of June 26, 2010 carried the story that just weeks after a Federal High Court sitting in Calabar banned him from further holding public office in the country, Nigeria's former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, and some members of his immediate family were banned from entering the United States of America.
Corroborating that the order banning him was signed by the United States President, Barack Obama, the US Embassy, in a statement yesterday, said the revocation was predicated on the Presidential Proclamation 7759, an order duly signed by Obama himself.
However, the US Embassy could not confirm if the visa revocation was also extended to other members of his immediate family.
It was also gathered that the United States government had decided never to welcome Nigeria's political functionaries who abused their offices or engaged in questionable or illegal conduct.
The United States government had deplored some of the activities that took place during Aondoakaa's tenure as justice minister.
Generally, the United States warned at the United Nations Headquarters in New York a fortnight ago that several corrupt officials in Africa would be made to face travel bans and visa revocation as a way of combating corruption.
It would be recalled that during the last days of the late President Yar'Adua's administration, several members of his kitchen cabinet were listed for visa ban by the United States government.
In an interview granted Leadership last weekend, Mr. Aondoakaa dismissed as false the story that he was banned by the US government.
He further said that the story was planted in the media outfits by those who perceived him as an enemy or threat, and that it was coming just after he openly threw his support behind those who said President Goodluck Jonathan was not precluded from contesting the 2011 presidential election by the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Source: Leadership, 1st July 2010.
We've revoked Aondoakaa's visa – US
By Emeka Madunagu and Comfort Oseghale
The United States Government on Thursday confirmed that it had barred Nigeria's former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Chief Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, from entering its territory.
A blog, Saharareporters.com, had reported on Thursday last week that US President Barack Obama ordered the revocation of Aondoakaa's visa for unspecified links to corruption.
Aondoakaa swiftly denied the report, saying that he had not received any communication from either the US Department of State or the US Embassy in Abuja to that effect.
He had said, "In the first instance, the revocation of visa of a citizen entering the US does not go through Obama. It is just a matter of the state department revoking your visa."
However, the US Embassy in Abuja, through one of its top officials, confirmed to one of our correspondents that the former AGF and his family had indeed been barred from entering the United States.
Reading from a prepared text on the telephone, the diplomat said, "The United States has indeed revoked the visa of the former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Michael Aondoakaa, pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 7750, which provides authority to deny entry to the United States to persons with links to corruption."
Prodded for further details, the diplomat said the information was restricted to the text.
By this development, Aondoakaa's position as a member of the governing council of the United Nations Institute for Unification of Private Laws may be hampered.
Former US President George W. Bush had on January 12, 2004 signed Proclamation 7750, to restrict foreign officials and their family members allegedly linked to corruption.
The full text of the proclamation is posted on http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-957.pdf.
The proclamation had earlier been used to bar a former governor of Plateau State, Chief Joshua Dariye, and his family from entering the US in 2004.
In retrospect, a Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State, had in early June, restrained Aondoakaa from holding the office of the AGF or any other similar public offices in future in Nigeria.
It had, therefore, advised the government to always consider Aondoakaa unfit and incompetent to hold public offices because of his conduct while serving as AGF in the administration of the late former President Umaru Yar'Adua.
Justice Adetokunbo Ademola, who delivered the judgment, had also referred the ex-minister to the Nigerian Bar Association for appropriate disciplinary action.
The judgment was on a suit filed against Aondoakaa by the Peoples Democratic Party candidate for Uyo Federal Constituency, Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Emmanuel Obot.
Obot had challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission and PDP for substituting him as the party's candidate for the 2007 election with Mr. Bassey Etim.
The Election Petitions Tribunal in Uyo had in its ruling sacked Etim and asked INEC to issue a Certificate of Return to Obot. The judgment was affirmed by the Court of Appeal sitting in Calabar.
The Court of Appeal had before its ruling ordered that a new panel be reconstituted to retry the petition, but Aondoakaa, in a letter dated January 8, 2008 to the President of the Court, had asked him not to comply with the directive.
Aondoakaa had also used his position as the AGF to volunteer a letter on February 16, 2009 to the former Chairman of INEC, Prof. Maurice Iwu, asking him not to issue a certificate of return to Obot.
He had also written the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole, imploring him to allow Etim to remain in the House despite the Court of Appeal's judgment.
Obot had, therefore, approached the Federal High Court to determine whether or not the conduct of Aondoakaa in the three separate letters did not constitute abuse of powers conferred on him by Section 150(1) of the 1999 Constitution.
In his ruling, Adetokunbo had observed that there was no counter-affidavit filed by the defendant (Aondoakaa) to deny the letters and challenge depositions in an affidavit filed by the plaintiff.
He said, "It is also settled in law that the documents tendered and admitted in court are like words uttered and do speak for themselves. They are more reliable and authentic than words from the vocal cord of man as they are neither transient nor subject to distortion or misinterpretation but remain permanent and indelible through the ages."
The judge had also noted that the conduct of Aondoakaa was a desecration of the office of AGF, adding that the position as created by law was meant for learned and eminent members of the Bar and not for political charlatans, jobbers or latter day praise singers.
He said, "A declaration is hereby made that Aondoakaa undermined and subverted the rule of law, the due administration of justice and the independence, authority and integrity of the judiciary in the letters of January 8, 2008, February 16, 2009 written by him in his capacity as the AGF.
"A declaration is hereby made that Aondoakaa is not a competent, fit and proper person to hold office as AGF having regards to the Oath of Allegiance and Office.
"A perpetual injunction is hereby made restraining Aondoakaa from occupying the office of the AGF and Minister of Justice and such other similar offices in the Federal Republic of Nigeria."
Speaking with one of our correspondents on Thursday, Aaondoakaa, however, denied knowledged of the revocation.
He said, "I am not aware that my visa has been revoked. The US Embassy had said before that they hadn't revoked the visa. If they have done so now, maybe somebody, somewhere does not want me to take up the United Nations' Job.
"If this story is true, I expect that the matter will be taken up diplomatically. The job which I am to take up at the UN is not Aaondoakaa's job. It is a job that I am representing not only Nigeria but the entire Africa. I have been in public office for two and half years and I expect the Federal Government to protect me if what you are saying is true.
"The US embassy has not informed me that they have revoked my visa. It is only when they do so that I will ask for the basis of their action. It is at this point I will then react."
Source: Punch, 2nd July 2010.
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Jonathan Is A Critical Leader In Africa, Says U.S.
Acting President To Meet Obama
From Laolu Akande, New York and Wole Shadare (Lagos)
AT last, Nigeria, which was excluded from the list of bilateral meetings that (U.S) President Barack Obama will be holding next week, has made a comeback. The White House has confirmed that a "courtesy call" has been scheduled for Acting President Goodluck Jonathan tomorrow afternoon with Obama. It described Jonathan as a critical leader in Africa.
The confirmation came yesterday afternoon during a White House senior official press briefing addressed by Gary Samore, Senior Advisor to the President and Senior Director for Non-Proliferation of Arms and Ben Rhodes, Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications.
Rhodes said Obama, who is hosting the Nuclear Security on Monday and Tuesday in Washington DC, would begin holding bilateral meetings on Sunday and wrap up the one-on-one presidential chats with Jonathan at the Blair House adjacent to the White House.
Although informed sources had hinted that Obama and Jonathan would meet, White House announcement of the talks did not include Nigeria until yesterday's briefing.
On the same Sunday that the two leaders will meet, Obama will also consult with the Presidents of India, Pakistan, South Africa and the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
In describing the Obama-Jonathan meeting, Rhodes said it is "a courtesy call" where both presidents will discuss "several issues," without being specific. He added that the leaders would focus on American-Nigerian partnership, as Jonathan is a "critical leader in Africa."
On Monday, Jonathan will participate in a welcome ceremony for the Nuclear Summit for which Obama has invited 50 world leaders including the Acting President.
In all, the White House said, there will be 38 presidents, prime ministers, and kings at the summit to be held at the Washington DC Convention Centre. There will also be nine deputy prime ministers, vice presidents and ministers. The Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), the head of the European Union and Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, (IAEA), will also participate.
At the end of the summit on Tuesday afternoon, Obama will address a press conference detailing the communiqué of the summit.
The Obama administration has explained that it is keen on addressing threats to US and global peace, which nuclear weapons portend, using the summit the largest gathering of world leaders to discuss the nuclear threat and find common ways to controlling nuclear weapons.
By granting Jonathan a courtesy call, it is believed that Obama and the US government are sending positive signals to Nigeria that the Jonathan presidency enjoys Washington support.
Countries participating in the summit include Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Switzerland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, and Vietnam."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced yesterday he would not attend for fear Arab representatives at the meet would use the platform to raise issues about Israeli undeclared nuclear weaponry.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Alhaji Yayale Ahmed has said that the signing of the bilateral agreement between Nigeria and US would
reinforce mutual respect between the two nations.
He told journalists at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport (MMA), Lagos yesterday on his return the US, that the agreement specifically focused on improvement of energy and investments, adding that the US government encourages private sector to invest in Nigeria.
The SGF further stated that with a vibrant mass media in the country, the electoral reform, which is under processing would be concluded before the 2011 general elections, assured that there would be a significant changes in the conduct of electorate and politicians before the elections.
He said: "The specific benefit of the agreement will reinforce mutual respect between Nigeria and the United State of America and identifying faulty areas whereby we will continuously review them for the purpose of making sure that we do everything correctly.
"There are specific sections on energy and investment and the American government is encouraging the private sector there to and invest in Nigeria . We have existing bilateral relationships and agreements with them, which we are honouring. And they also depend on us on peace-keeping internationally. The US also mentioned during my visit that Nigeria is highly respected its peacekeeping efforts in the continent.
"And in the area of electoral reforms, we know we are doing that. We have a vibrant press like yourself, which will tell us where we are wrong and where we are right. And indeed the electoral reform is on course, before the 2011 election, we will see significant changes in terms of conducting ourselves."
A ceremony inaugurating the Nigeria-U.S. Bi-National Commission (BNC) took place on Tuesday at the State Department of State in Washington D.C.
Source: The Guardian, 10th April 2010.
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