Nigerians celebrate rejection of Obasanjo third-term bid

ABUJA – Nigeria’s opposition celebrated on Wednesday after parliament rejected a constitutional change that would have allowed President Olusegun Obasanjo to run for a third term in office in 2007.

Senators voted against the bill on Tuesday and the lower house of parliament withdrew it from consideration Wednesday. “The issue of third term and anything connected to it is hereby closed,” the speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Bello Masari, said at Wednesday’s session.The constitutional amendment had been opposed by some members of Obasanjo’s ruling People’s Democratic Party, including Vice President Atiku Abubakar, opposition parties, rights groups, and organised labour.”The decision is one of the best things to happen to Nigeria.It confirms the place of the legislature as the true representative of the people,” Atiku’s media aide Garba Shehu said in a statement.”It confirms that democracy has a teeming army of believers and converts who will defend it even in the face of inducement, blackmail, harassment, threat and intimidation,” he said.”Let’s thank God and rejoice.Nigeria is a lucky country.It is not one of the tiny countries where dictators can easily have their way.”Lagos lawyer and human rights activist Mike Ozekhome agreed.”If Nigerians unite with one voice against an issue, they can always succeed.”- Nampa-AFP”The issue of third term and anything connected to it is hereby closed,” the speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Bello Masari, said at Wednesday’s session.The constitutional amendment had been opposed by some members of Obasanjo’s ruling People’s Democratic Party, including Vice President Atiku Abubakar, opposition parties, rights groups, and organised labour.”The decision is one of the best things to happen to Nigeria.It confirms the place of the legislature as the true representative of the people,” Atiku’s media aide Garba Shehu said in a statement.”It confirms that democracy has a teeming army of believers and converts who will defend it even in the face of inducement, blackmail, harassment, threat and intimidation,” he said.”Let’s thank God and rejoice.Nigeria is a lucky country.It is not one of the tiny countries where dictators can easily have their way.”Lagos lawyer and human rights activist Mike Ozekhome agreed.”If Nigerians unite with one voice against an issue, they can always succeed.” – Nampa-AFP