A fresh official push for tenure extension for President Obasanjo started today in Abuja as a culmination of so many underground meetings to that effect. The president officially met with former heads of states at the Aso Rock Villa today with a major push for tenure extension till October 2007.
Also, members of the National Assembly have started receiving bribes regarding the plot; most members, with very few exceptions including those members formerly opposed to the extension of tenure have all resolved to collect the monies being shared for that purpose even if they will vote against the measure when it finally comes to the National Assembly. However, a source close to the plot told Saharareporters that president Obasanjo will not be looking towards the National Assembly for the ratification of the tenure elongation project this time around, instead members of an extended National Council of State which will include Traditional Rulers, Religious leaders, Pressure Groups, and Trade Associations are being cobbled together to take the final decision on the matter. At the end of the Council of State meeting today in Abuja, the Attorney General of the Federation in a press briefing hinted that the time for preparation for the upcoming general elections was “too short”, he said: “high numbers of political parties, time needed to print ballot papers and the Niger Delta crisis remains the major reason why INEC time is too short”. He did not state what the government intends to do about the problem.
Already some members of Obasanjo’s “Kitchen Cabinet” led by Nasir El-Rufai have already departed Nigeria to make the case for tenure extension; they will address the UN Press Corp tomorrow in New York after which they are expected to visit Washington DC and a few colleges. Talks are on-going to have El-Rufai address students at a college in Kansas.
The INEC Chairman, Director General of the State Security Service, Service Chiefs of the Armed Forces including the Inspector general of Police has all been briefed to this end.
The presidency has already commenced negotiations with elders in the Niger Delta region in order to placate them by releasing to them Asari Dokubo and Alamieyeseigha, it is not clear if the judiciary will be used to this end. The next few days will be crucial to the fresh plot!
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