In a week capped with the story of the return of the for mer anti-graft czar, Nuhu Ribadu, from self-exile, the Nigerian media also filled their pages with stories on a ‘shaky’ 2011 election and the amendment of the Nigerian constitution by the National Assembly.
“I’m happy to be home, says Ribadu”, says The VANGUARD; “Ribadu: I’m Back to Serve Nigeria” – THISDAY; “Tight Security As Nuhu Ribadu Returns” – TRIBUNE; “Ribadu Returns From Exile, Says ‘I Feel Great'” – THE GUARDIAN; and “Ribadu returns from exile amid tight security” – THE PUNCH, were some of the headlines this Saturday reporting Ribadu’s return to the country.
Ribadu, who left the country on self exile 3 January, 2009, after complaining of threats to his life, had been removed as the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in 2007 and replaced with Mrs. Farida Waziri,
The EFCC, established in 2003, is a Nigerian law enforcement agency that investigates financial crimes such as the advance fee fraud and money laundering. Its establishment was in partially in response to pressure from the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF), which named Nigeria as one of 23 countries which have refused to cooperate with the international community’s efforts to fight money laundering.
On the 2011 elections in Nigeria, the papers went to town with a warning from the acting Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Adeniji Soyebi, that the time was not enough for the institution to ready itself for the conduct of the nation’s general elections.
THE GUARDIAN headlined its story “INEC lists fears over 2011 elections”, reporting on Wednesday that the electoral body Tuesday raised the alarm over the feasibility of the 2011 general elections, saying that time was running out for it to prepare adequately for the polls.
He said INEC needed a minimum of about six or seven months to produce electoral materials.
“INEC raises alarm over 2011 polls, Says time too short for preparations”, accor ding to the TRIBUNE while the SUN, writing under the headline “2011 elections in jeopardy “INEC boss”, quoted Soyebi as saying that, in addition to the lack of time, the Commission required 400,000 staff and 120,000 polling units for the polls, against the 97,000 electronically registered polling units available.
Reporting the recent amendment to the 1999 constitution, the TRIBUNE said “NASS approves amended 1999 Constitution, State Houses of Assembly to make input”, reporting that the approved 1999 Constitution is set to be sent to the 36 state houses of assembly for their own input.
The INDEPENDENT’s headline was “Senate Amends 50 Clauses In 1999 Constitution, Bars INEC Chairman, Commissioners From Party Membership”; THISDAY said “Senate Okays New Constitution” while the VANGUARD headline read “Constitution: Senators, Reps agree on changes”.