A pressure group, the “MAKE A STAND” (MAS) Movement, has proposed N60,000 as monthly minimum wage for teachers and security operatives. The special minimum wage is part of sweeping constitutional changes contained in a proposal which the group intends to present to the National Assembly when it resumes from its present break.

Under the proposed law “qualified and certified teachers from the Primary School Level i.e entry level teachers at Grade Level 01 Step 01, using the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) Scale shall be entitled to receive basic Salary remuneration of at least double the National Minimum Wage i.e entry level teachers shall receive a minimum basic salary of N60,000 Naira. The same basic double National Minimum Wage Salary Scale shall apply to all entry level Personnel into the Police Force, the Armed Forces, SSS, all Frontline Defense and Security Services,” MAS said in a document obtained by News Express.

Below are highlights of the proposed constitutional amendments as contained in the document entitled “#THE 98% DEMAND” and signed by MAS Convener Victor Ikhatalor:

There shall be a law enacted for the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all its component parts providing that all Political/Public Office holders and all Public/Civil Servants and their dependents shall mandatorily only seek and use Healthcare and Facilities within the Federal Republic of Nigeria. All Federal Hospitals and Institutions and any so designated shall mandatorily by Law and Endowment become Centers of Research in Science and Medicine in furtherance of the Well-being, Progress and Development of Society. There shall be mandatory insurance schemes for all Health care workers within the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Under this Law, reviewable every five years and in the first instance, it shall be mandatory for the Federal, State and Local Governments to Budget no less than 20% of their total yearly Budget on the Health Sector.

There shall be a law enacted for the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all its component parts providing that all Children and Wards of Political/Public Office holders and of Public/Civil Servants of School going age up to Graduate level shall only attend Schools within the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Whereas Children and Wards within the Primary and Secondary bracket shall only attend Public Schools and Institutions within the Country, those above up to Graduate level may attend any Schools or Institutions within the Country. All Federal Government Universities and any others so designated shall mandatorily and by Law and Endowment become Research Centers in any chosen field/fields in furtherance of the Progress and Development of Society. Under this Law, reviewable every five years and in the first instance, it shall be mandatory for the Federal, State and Local Governments to Budget no less than 25% of their total yearly Budget on the Educational Sector.

There shall be a law enacted for the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all its component parts providing for the creation of a special Court to be known as the Court Of Restoration (COR). The Court shall be at par with the Court of Appeal and its Verdicts can only be reviewed by the Supreme Court. The Court shall be located in all States of the Federation and headquartered in the F.C.T. The Court shall have Jurisdiction over solely Criminal Matters and shall have Singular Jurisdiction to hear all Cases in the Country involving Government/Official Corruption, Terrorism, Kidnapping, Banditry, Electoral Offences, and any such cases deemed of Public interest that involves the use of deadly weapons or force. All Political/Public Office holders and Civil/Public Servants in the country shall be under the Jurisdiction of this Court in any Criminal Matter. The Court shall deliver Verdict no more than 60 days from the day of arraignment and Plea taking. The Supreme Court shall hear and deliver Verdict on any appeal from this Court no more than 60 days from date appeal is entered. This Court shall wholly apply sentencing as structured by the “OGUN ACT”, which shall give it power to sanction a minimum of 10 years to a maximum of imposing the death penalty. All convicted by this Court shall concurrently also be sanctioned according to provisions of the OGUN Act i.e the forfeiture of all wealth/assets. A change of Law, shall also remove the Burden of Proof in all Corruption cases from the Prosecution and transfer to the Accused. The Burden of Proof of Source of Wealth shall be placed on the Accused in this Court.

There shall be a law enacted for the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all its component parts providing for the creation of the, Organized Gangs Undermining the Nation Act (OGUN). Sentencing provisions of this Act shall be used exclusively in cases tried at the Court of Restoration (COR). All Criminal actions and conspiracies of Government/Official Corruption, Terrorism, Kidnapping, Banditry, Electoral Offences, and any cases of Corruption or crimes involving the use of firearms or deadly force deemed of Public interest by Prosecutors shall fall under the Jurisdiction of this Court. Minimum sentencing under this Law shall be 10 years per count to a maximum of imposing the death penalty for criminal acts that result in loss of life. Concurrent sentencing for all convicted shall be forfeiture of wealth/assets. All convicted under this Act in any of the variations of Corruption that involves Stealing monies shall upon conviction be labeled as having been convicted as a “Thief” and a proclamation shall be issued by the Court to be enforced by the convicted Persons Traditional Ruler in the Village, wherein a town crier/announcer shall announce around the village that the convict has been convicted as a Thief. All convicted in this Court shall also be stripped of all Professional or Public recognition, offices, titles, awards, etc.

There shall be a law enacted for the Federal Republic of Nigeria providing that remuneration i.e salaries, allowances, benefits, etc, of all Political and Public Office holders in the Country shall solely be determined by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) using the template of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC). Save that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the Highest Office holder in the land shall be entitled to no more than 99% increment of remuneration over the highest Civil Service Grade Level. Using that parallel, determination of remuneration of Political and Public Office holders shall cascade downwards i.e from the President to Vice President, etc.

There shall be a law enacted for the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all its component parts providing that only the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) shall have singular power to determine the remuneration and severance package where applicable appropriate to all Political and Public Office holders in the Country. No other body or entity i.e Legislature, Government Ministries, Departments, Agencies, etc, shall have any powers to determine remuneration under any guise. Only the President and Vice President shall be entitled to any form of after Office remuneration or benefits as prescribed by the RMAFC. Any and all remuneration i.e salary, pension, benefits, etc, prescribed or determined by any other body or entity in the Federal Republic of Nigeria other than the RMAFC shall be deemed illegal, null and void and an act punishable under Law.

There shall be a “Dignity” Law enacted for the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all its component parts providing for a special remuneration threshold and other allied recognition. This Law shall apply to those we put the future of our Children into their hands and those we send into harm’s way to safeguard and guarantee our collective security. Under this Law qualified and certified teachers from the Primary School Level i.e entry level teachers at Grade Level 01 Step 01, using the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) Scale shall be entitled to receive basic Salary remuneration of at least double the National Minimum Wage i.e entry level teachers shall receive a minimum basic salary of N60,000 Naira. The same basic double National Minimum Wage Salary Scale shall apply to all entry level Personnel into the Police Force, the Armed Forces, SSS, all Frontline Defense and Security Services. All Frontline Defense and Security Personnel i.e Personnel of the Police, Armed Forces and SSS shall be compulsorily insured. In the case of loss of Life, disengagement through injury or after honorary Service, management of the aforementioned institutions or any other so concerned shall not latter than 60 days from date of permanent disengagement through any circumstances fully remit all remuneration in form of i.e Gratuity, Insurance Payment, Benefits etc. Failure by managers/management lawfully empowered to carry out this remittances over a period exceeding this time limit shall be punishable under Law. Remittances of ongoing payments i.e Pensions shall also be considered actionable if for a period of 60 days i.e 2 months a pension is not remitted. Under this Law, no Burial rites of Personnel of the Police or Armed Forces who lose their life in Active Service may be summarily carried out unless in a Flag draped ceremony with honors and gun salute. It shall be mandatory for Authorities/High Command to within 7 days of confirmed loss of Personnel to issue a bereavement notice that shall be mandatorily broadcasted and announced by all Nationally Licensed Mass Media pro bono. Under this Law Public honors and awards to Personnel of our Frontline Services who have distinguished themselves in the line of duty shall be encouraged by a mandatory announcement/broadcast by all Nationally Licensed Mass Media.

There shall be a Law enacted for the Federal Republic of Nigeria providing for the creation of the Public Order Writ Law. This Law shall without prejudice to the powers of the Executive to superintend over the Defense, Security and Law Enforcement Forces, Departments and Agencies, delegate Special powers to the National Judicial Council (NJC) and it’s assigns to sanction Personnel of the Armed Forces, Police, SSS, etc. All Personnel of aforementioned Services, Departments and Agencies in the Country fall under the Jurisdiction of this law. The NJC shall at the National level constitute a standing Panel headed by the Chief Justice of the Federation. This Panel shall have powers to Sanction any Personnel as aforementioned for unprofessional conduct. This Panel only has Jurisdiction to hear a matter when such a matter has not been dealt with at all, or to the satisfaction of members of the Public through conventional Executive or delegated oversight. Any case of professional misconduct not dealt with by appropriate oversight authorities within 60 days from the act/acts may be brought to the NJC in the simple form of an affidavit attaching supporting documentation, evidences or exhibits. The overriding consideration of this Panel shall be Public Order/ Public Interest. Complaints may be filed and submitted to the NJC through any practicing lawyer or any elected member of any legislative body in the Country. The NJC shall have power under this law to either acquit, suspend or terminate any Personnel from Service/Office. The NJC can also further direct specific or appropriate authorities to further prosecute in a Court of Law. Commanding Officers/ Superior Officials shall be held solely or jointly responsible for the conduct of Personnel under them when applicable. All Verdicts of this Panel shall be in the form of a Public Order Writ that shall be directed at the Executive or appropriate authority and shall have immediate effect. In States that have Jurisdiction over Security Outfits i.e State Policing, the NJC shall delegate it's powers to a Judicial Panel headed by the State Chief Judge. Panel's shall hear and deliver Verdict in the form of a Public Order Writ no later than 60 days from when Complaint is accepted and recorded to be heard. Without prejudice to the Public Order Writ any sanctioned may seek redress in Court albeit without Prejudice to its Verdict no Court except the Supreme Court shall have power to stay the execution of the Verdict of the Public Order Writ. Any case entertained challenging a Public Order Writ must be exhausted not later than 90 days in the Court of first instance, 60 days in the Court of Appeal and 45 days in the Supreme Court. Failure to enforce a Public Order Writ shall constitute a crime punishable under Law.

There shall be laws enacted for the Federal Republic of Nigeria covering the Judiciary.
*Heads of Courts requiring confirmation of the Nigerian Senate i.e The Chief Justice of the Federation, President of the Court of Appeal etc shall not be deemed suspended or removed at the recommendation or order of any Authority save that such suspension or removal has been approved by the Senate.
*Members of the Bench i.e Justices, Judges etc must mandatorily step down from their Active roles/Office once sued in any Criminal matter. Any case of a Criminal nature involving a member of the Bench shall be given accelerated hearing. A member of the Bench shall be reinstated in their Active roles/Office within 48 hours after being cleared and discharged of any litigation including Appeals.

There shall be a law enacted for the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all its component parts providing for the creation of the Project Industry and Technology Act (PITA). This Policy Law Underlines the recognition that no Nation thrives in Progress and Development without its own Indigenous Businesses and Companies being Industrial, Technology and Services Mainstays. Under this Law all Tiers of Government in the Country, their organs, assigns, agents, etc, shall mandatorily Procure/Patronize: Items, Products, Goods and Services that are Locally Made in or in case of i.e Raw Materials or Services, Sourced in Nigeria. It shall be a Criminal Offence for any Public Office/Official to Procure Items, Products, goods and Services from any Foreign Nation/Nationals unless such is not Made in or Sourced in the Country. Unless absolutely not practicable, a Paramount Policy Condition for entering into any Foreign Contract shall be the Transfer of Technology and Know-how.

There shall be a Law enacted for the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all its component parts providing that all Elected Political Office holders in the States and Local Governments shall reside and work within the Physical Jurisdiction of the Place/Area to which they were elected i.e Governor’s and Local Government Chairpersons shall Reside and Work within their States and Local Governments. Under this Law it shall be a Misdemeanor and an Abuse of Office, Crimes impeachable and warranting removal for any of the aforementioned Political Office holders to spend more than 7 days within any given Month on any sojourn outside of their Elected area of Jurisdiction. Save that only on an Annual Leave of absence can any in this category spend more than 7 days outside of their Elected area of Jurisdiction.

There shall be a law enacted for the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all its component parts providing that it shall be mandatory for all Political/Public Office holders to Publicly declare their assets upon assuming and vacating Office. At the request of any member of the Public, relevant Persons or Authorities shall provide before the expiration of 30 days from request, all asset forms and documentation of any Political/Public Office holder and any Public/Civil Servant. Details and Documentation of Government/Official Transactions and Contracts are to be mandatorily made available at the request of any member of the Public by relevant Persons or Authorities not later than 30 days after request is made. Save that any such Transactions or Contracts are restricted on the basis of relevant Intelligence or National Security Provisions, which can be challenged in Court, failure by any Persons or Authorities to comply with the provisions of this Law shall be deemed a Crime and Punishable under Law.

There shall be a law enacted for the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all its component parts providing that all Succeeding Authorities of Tiers of Government in the Country, their Ministries, Departments and Agencies shall mandatorily continue and sustain Lawful Projects and Contracts instituted by preceding Authorities. Save that any Project or Contract is encumbered by Corruption allegations or any other mitigation which must be given assent to by a Court of Competent Jurisdiction, it shall Constitute a Misdemeanor, and Abuse of Office which shall be cause for Impeachment or Termination of Office if any Succeeding Authority arbitrarily halts, cancels, etc, any Preceding Project or Contract. Under this Law in the first instance, Incumbent Authorities are to mandatorily take stock of, and it necessary review all existing Projects and Contracts to Streamline into effectiveness. This review process shall take no more than 1 Budget year from when this Law comes into existence. Subsequently all such uncompleted Projects and subsisting Contracts shall be taken into consideration until completion and fulfillment as from the next Budget year.

There shall be Law’s enacted for the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all its component parts providing for more autonomy of the States and Local Governments to reflect that indeed Nigeria is a Federal Republic. Law’s shall be Made and Streamlined to ultimately lead to Stronger, more autonomous States that are able to generate and control more of their resources.

There shall be Law’s enacted for the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all its component parts on Electoral Matters. The responsibility for nominating and appointing the Chairman and all Statutory Commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) shall be the responsibility of the National Judicial Council (NJC). All such appointees shall be screened and confirmed by the Nigerian Senate to be deemed appointed.

Electronic Voting and Transmission of results shall mandatorily be applied in all Elections conducted in the Country by INEC and the State Electoral Commissions.
All Pre Election Matters/Litigation in the Country shall be dealt with and concluded before the commencement of Elections.
All Post Election Matters/Litigation in the Country shall be dealt with and concluded before date of swearing in of those Elected.

A CLARION CALL TO MAKE A STAND

At no other time in our history has it become manifestingly clear the conceptualization of the 98%. As the World has locked its doors, the Ruling Class down through to the Masses, the Hoi Polloi are together stuck in the leaking boat that is Nigeria. The reality for those in the Upper and Middle Classes who cling to illusions of having managed to escape the travails of the downtrodden is stark as it increasingly becomes obvious we are all together, all of us, - “Puppets on the String” played by the Ruling Class. The Greatest Disservice done to the Country by the Ruling Class is not their unrestrained and wanton Corruption but the Bequest in making the General Public accessories, complicit in their Corruption. Even for crumbs and to our manifest detriment in the destruction of all sectors, institutions, aspects of our lives that touch us and those we hold dear, Citizens, anywhere, and everywhere have accepted Corruption as the “Normal”. For so long in our History, the Ruling Class have only succeeded in perpetuating the Corruption of the “Idea that is Nigeria”, by capitalizing on a classic aspect of human behavior, -

“For fear of exposure, an accessory to a crime will not call out the principal Villain”. It is time to “Make A Stand”, to stop accepting crumbs. It is for each and everyone to grant themselves a personal amnesty and absolve themselves of complicity. Continuing on our present road of perdition will lead to profound disaster.
Citizens, it is time to "Reset". To reset is not to bring about cosmetic "Constitutional changes", that at best will mildly decentralize and give our localized Feudal Princes and Lords more power to continue more of the same but to “Demand” a Fundamental Reset that will salvage our Nation, institutionalize social Justice and drive us towards Progress and Development. The Single Monopolistic Political Culture that has been our lot from time whose base and most basic tenet is the acquisition and retention of Power at all costs must be dismantled by taking away the allure and odious pecuniary benefits of Political Office. The classical resort by the Ruling Class from North to South, East and West, to Ethnic and Religious sentiments must be shown up and ignored as indeed the People have come to realize that for the Ruling Class their True Religion is Power and their Ethnicity, Money.

The Nation as a Body has been ravaged by a myriad of diseases from institutionalized and perverse Corruption, diverse insecurity, rank poverty, lack of and decaying critical infrastructure, spiraling debt alongside ever dwindling revenue, etc, etc, etc. These ravages to the “Nigerian Body” is a constant, albeit the majority of the Nigerian People have been “suffering and smiling” we are entering into a time when the “suffering” will get enhanced and embrace more into its ranks. It is already clear and accepted that the aftermath of Covid-19 will cause pain to the Greatest Nations in the World, the U.S, and other Developed Countries, and there is already a reverberation around the World to that effect. Whilst the question in those parts is how much the pain will be, even now they are doing all they can in direct assistance to Citizens and Businesses to mitigate the pain as best they can. All indexes point to the fact that for us, it will get darker. We must make a stand not to go back to business as usual in the aftermath of Covid-19. The taking by our Feudal Princes and Lords of so much by so few is no longer sustainable or justifiable. Those in Positions of Authority today must see this never before experience of Mankind as a jolt from Providence and must embrace the opportunity to Reset our Nation. Our resources must be harnessed to the maximum for the good of all.

The Demand of the 98% channeled through making a stand must be a Non Violent Movement propelled by the momentum of the People. It is time for all who are literate to begin to lead, it is time for those in the Upper Class, the decimated Middle Class and indeed those of the Ruling Class who can regain a conscience to lead. How much accumulation is ever enough? How much more can we continue in “it’s not my business outlook”. Historically, any Non Violent Movement that has ultimately succeeded has had the buy in of some move away segment of the Ruling Class. Our Nation is already in a dark place and it will get darker because of the omissions and commissions of the past and present and we cannot under any circumstances afford a Violent Reset as in such a scenario as seen in other places the few will simply run away to their loot in far off places while the already dispossessed will suffer in sorrow, tears and blood. The reality really is that to save our Nation from what is surely lurking ahead at the end of our continuing road to perdition, we have no choice but to collectively demand a RESET.
Upon Resumption, The 98% Demand will be submitted to the National Assembly.

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