10/03/2010 13:14 ABUJA, March 10 (AFP)
Nigerian activists seek sack of Yar'Adua's cabinet
Around 5,000 Nigerian activists staged a march Wednesday to demand the sacking of the cabinet and a public appearance by ailing President Umaru Yar'Adua, two weeks after he returned to the country.

The police stopped the protesters -- led by prominent Lagos pastor Tunde Bakare -- near the presidential villa where they had planned to present their demands to Acting President Goodluck Jonathan.

The secretary to government of the federation, Yayale Ahmed, on behalf of Jonathan, received the demands of the activists which included the dissolution of the cabinet, divided over the health of Yar'Adua.

"The acting president has asked me to assure you that your demands will be looked into with immediate effect. You want to know the status of health of the president,  You will not be denied of it," Ahmed told the protesters.

Yar'Adua, 58, who returned to Nigeria on February 24 after spending 93 days in Jeddah, where he was being treated for acute pericarditis, has not been seen in public since his arrival.

His return threw the country into confusion and revived concerns of a leadership squabble just two weeks after Jonathan was installed as acting president.

Information Minister Dora Akunyili has advised her colleagues to invoke the relevant section of constitution which paves the way for his destitution.

She also accused Yar'Adua's aides of lying about his health.

The protesters, who were blocked from gaining entry into the national assembly, also demanded the implementation of the report of a committee on electoral reforms.

Nigeria has a long history of flawed elections and and activists have called for comprehensive electoral reforms ahead of the 2011 general elections.

"We will continue to mobilise Nigerians,  to engage in public action, including protests and strike action until these demands are fully implemented in the interest of peace, security and genuine democracy," Bakare told reporters.

Ahmed said that government would ensure credible future polls.

[size=14pt]"We are aware of your concern regarding credible election in this country, only two weeks ago, the acting president handed over, (the electoral reforms) committee report unedited to the national assembly," he said.

"I would like to assure that the national assembly will do the necessary legislation in term of reviewing the electoral act and the constitution," he said.[/size]

The protesters have staged similar rallies this year in Abuja, Lagos and Benin. The Lagos rally was led by 1986 Nobel literature laureate Wole Soyinka.

Also on Wednesday in Abuja, a pro-Yar'Adua group staged a parallel march to drum support for the ailing president.

Some 500 people, members of the 'Future Nigeria Group', carried placards reading "We support Yar'Adua/Goodluck" and "Yar'Adua is alive and at home in Nigeria", among others.

http://www.africasia.com/services/news/newsitem.php?area=africa&item=100310131452.xhmh76oi.php

We need to hold the National Assembly to account and make sure the Uwais recommendations are 100% implemented.

Beaf:

We need to hold the National Assembly to account and make sure the Uwais recommendations are 100% implemented.

Now you are talking, let all the people pay visits to the law breakers, cos they ought to be representing them on the floor

I love democracy.

we need to wake up those Politicians and tell them its not business as usual.

asscend:

I love democracy.

we need to wake up those Politicians and tell them its not business as usual.

Yes, and if we make life unbrearable for the Councilors, chairman, the senators, the governors, the house of reps, and the president and the ministers, trust me, change will come and they will know that we mean business

Beaf:

We need to hold the National Assembly to account and make sure the Uwais recommendations are 100% implemented.

you are too intelligent to believe this.We are no fools.they did not send any report to the nass just politics

adamabdul:

you are too intelligent to believe this.We are no fools.they did not send any report to the nass just politics

ummmmmmmmm

adamabdul:

you are too intelligent to believe this.We are no fools.they did not send any report to the nass just politics

IMCDO. There is no way out of this. Genuinue electoral reform will not see the light of the day until after 2011 elections.

chosen04:

IMCDO. There is no way out of this. Genuinue electoral reform will not see the light of the day until after 2011 elections.

True Dat, cos they know it will make many lose their greedy chances

adamabdul:

you are too intelligent to believe this.We are no fools.they did not send any report to the nass just politics

Even if they didn't send the report to the NASS, there is no escape now. The claim has come out of the presidency and the NASS must now deal with it.
The best we can do is to continue to clamour for the Uwais report to be adopted; and believe me, the Nigerian masses are a formidable and conquering force, if only we would stand our ground and say "enough is enough!"

na wa o. future nigeria group. cant wait to see their pics and see the hunger in their faces.

Beaf:

Even if they didn't send the report to the NASS, there is no escape now. The claim has come out of the presidency and the NASS must now deal with it.
The best we can do is to continue to clamour for the Uwais report to be adopted; and believe me, the Nigerian masses are a formidable and conquering force, if only we would stand our ground and say "enough is enough!"

I thank you @Beaf,  I could cuddle you. . . .  LOL

No serious now, mehn, how often I have talked already myself blue in the face.
Nice to find somebody who also thinks so.

And here the suitable song in addition:"You are not alone" by King of Pop     

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pFLcN4fYQg&feature=related

Continue only in such a way, maybe it happens
a miracle and even more zeros stand behind the comma, soon.
To dream is allowed, or? 

How does one say. "Little strokes fell big oaks". 

The uwais electoral report does not perfectly solve our electoral problems as it is presently.