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Tag: 10th NASS

  • Speakership: G-7 will soon fizzle out – Joint Task Group declares, vows to deliver Abass, Kalu

    Speakership: G-7 will soon fizzle out – Joint Task Group declares, vows to deliver Abass, Kalu

    …slams group for saying Abass is not popular

    The Joint Task Coalition of the incoming 10th National Assembly has said that the G-7 group comprising of eminent lawmakers will soon fizzle out into oblivion.

    The group also advanced moves and processes aimed at making the delivery of Tajudeen Abbas and Benjamin Kalu as Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively, a smooth sail on the day of inauguration on June 13, 2023.

    Recall that the Coalition which is comprised of the 8 political parties (APC, PDP, LP, NNPP, APGA, SDP, ADC and YPP) that won various seats in the incoming 10th National Assembly at the just concluded February 25 general elections resolved to work together with a view to implementing the APC zoning arrangement and prevent any form of rebellion within the House against the ruling party and its incoming administration.

    Consequently, the group has since backed the nomination of Abbas and Kalu by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as its preferred candidates for the offices, just as it also seeks to promote cooperation between the legislature and executive, amongst others.

    Speaking on behalf of the group on an Arise TV programme titled “This Week” monitored in Abuja, its secretary a returning member-elect from Kano State, Hon. Aliyu Sani Madaki said the members have resolved to give a block vote, adding that the G7, a group of other aggrieved aspirants poses no threat whatsoever to them, saying it would soon fizzle out.

    He said: “If you look at it, the Joint Task itself is a kind of gang up. I’m from NNPP, the co-chair (Chinda) is a PDP member, the Chairman is of the APC. A few days back, a greater chunk of the opposition came together and endorsed Abass. I can bet you the 10th Assembly intends to work as a group and on that day, we will work as a group and speak as one.

    “By the time we finish this interview, they could become G2 or G1, these are all people I know who are my friends and who are qualified to be Speaker but, we can only have one Speaker at a time. And the best amongst all is Hon. Tajudeen Abbas,” he declared.

    Madaki also said that the stepping down of the trio of the outgoing leader of the 9th Assembly, Hon. Ado Doguwa, Hon. Abdulraheem Olawuyi and and Hon. Makki Abubakar Yalleman was a needed boost to their campaign.

    The highly outspoken lawmaker added that the country needed the best hand at the national parliament to effectively drive the machinery of governance.

    He also revealed that they from the NNPP have the blessings of the party’s leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to support Abbas.

    “On three contestants stepping down for Tajudeen Abbas, that should not come as a surprise to Nigerians. That’s part of politics and politicking, I believe that’s good for our democracy.

    “We at the Joint Task-10th Assembly Coalition believe that we should have a very robust democracy and rancour free House of Representatives where our main concern, main focus should be the well-being of the Nigerian citizen, and how to do it is to select leaders based on competence, intellect, capacity. We believe if that’s done irrespective of party, we will have an Assembly that Nigerians will be proud of.

    “As at now, it’s not about having a working relationship between the APC and the NNPP. It’s about having a National Assembly that will work for Nigerians irrespective of tribe, religion or whatever differences we have in this country.

    “If we don’t have his (Kwankwaso) blessings, you won’t see myself and other members being in the Joint Task.

    “For this country to move forward, we have to do away with all these sentiments and pick the best from amongst ourselves. The Joint Task wants to do what’s obtainable everywhere.

    “The best practice in democracies is that the party with majority of members in that Assembly is allowed to pick who will be the presiding officers.

    “But in allowing the party, we at the Joint Task decided to have certain criteria, and those are: what’s your level of intellect, your contribution to the House? Abass Tajudeen, if you look at his resume, you will see he has brought 74 bills, and 21 of them have been assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari. That’s not a small feat.

    ” I have been in the parliament for eight years, I have only one bill to my name, although in the Eighth Assembly, I have the highest number of motions”, he said.

    The Secretary of the Joint Task Team however disagreed with those who ascribed unpopularity to the person of Abbas, describing it as an “indictment on them” to say that a lawmaker who sponsored over 74 bills and got 21 of them assented by the President was not known amongst his contemporaries.

    Madaki who vouched the credibility, intellectuality and comportment of Abbas, said he remains the most competent to lead the 10th House.

    “I beg to disagree, what’s the process of getting your bill assented to? It goes for first, second readings, then public hearing and third reading to get it passed. If you have 21 bills in an Assembly, any member in that Assembly claims not to know that person, that means that member doesn’t go to sittings. That will be a very big indictment on that member. Maybe, his statement is part of politicking.

    “He has the comportment to handle issues in the House. I have known him for eight years and I can attest to the fact that he’s somebody who can tolerate a lot of things. He’s willing to listen, he’s total level of comportment is very suitable for a Speaker of House of Representatives.

    “Abass was a primary school teacher, a lecturer, was a manager at British-Nigeria Tobacco Company. He’s a member of House of Representatives from 2011 till date. That alone tells you that he must have come to the place with something which makes his constituents elect him three times. Currently, he’s the Chairman Committee on Land Transport and he’s a Ph.D holder and he has 21 bills assented to by Mr. President”, Madaki said.

    The lawmaker also denied speculations in many quarters that Abbas was a project of the outgoing House Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, as well as APC’s compensatory measure to the contributions of the outgoing Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai.

    In his opinion, the aspirant’s lofty ideals, patriotism and qualifications distinguished him from others.

    “Why didn’t El-Rufai give it to any other member in Kaduna? They have 16 members from the state, why Tajudeen? Because he felt he has the intellect. To have any bill passed you must have a good working relationship with your colleagues.

    ” If members don’t like you, your bills won’t see the light of day. And it’s not true that the zoning is a compensation to El-Rufai. The main person who brought the idea that Tajudeen should contest for Speakership is the vice chairman of his committee not Gbajabiamila.

    “The Speaker was sold into the issue by members especially Tajudeen’s Deputy Chairman. And let me tell you something about the House of Representatives, if you’re Chairman of a committee, your biggest enemy is your Deputy. They don’t see eye-to-eye. So, for Abass because of his character and attitude his Deputy Chairman started this whole thing. He’s a man that will deliver”, Madaki said.

  • Speakership: Member elect, Dr. Midala Balami predicts Betara’s victory +Photo

    Speakership: Member elect, Dr. Midala Balami predicts Betara’s victory +Photo

    The newly elected House of Representatives member representing Askira Uba/ Hawul federal constituency, Dr. Midala Balami has predicted a total and comprehensive victory of Rt. Hon Mukhtari Aliyu Betara as the speaker of the 10th assembly.

    He noted that the election of Batara as the speaker of the 10th assembly is sacrosanct considering the massive support and goodwill he commanded from both the newly elected and ranking members of the house of representatives.

    Balami who was elected on the crest of PDP made the prediction on the sidelines of the 76 general church council (GCC) Majalisa 2023 of the Eklisiyar Yan Uwa a Nigerian (EYN) where he and four others were honoured over their electoral victory, stated that no fewer than 200 newly elected members have made up their minds to elect Betara as the next speaker of house of representatives.

    “Without hedging or the fear of contradiction, I stand here today to reveal to you that God’s willing, Betara is our next speaker. I’m telling you for a fact that no one stands a chance against Betara as far as election is concerned.

    “Betara is a broad-minded, down to earth and the most cosmopolitan and progressive ranking member in the house of representatives. If election is a game of numbers, then the victory of Betara is a concluded issue because he enjoyed a cult like followerhip by both the new members elect and the ranking members.

    “He is also a rallying force, a bridge builder, and the most reliable pillar upon which the unity and stability of the house rest. He is one man whose primary concern is the unity and development of Nigeria. He treats people fairly and with dignity without recourse to their class, creed or social status. He is the most detribalised and urbane leader in the house. That is why he is the candidate to beat in the next election,” he said.

    Balami who excoriated the ruling party for zoning the speakership position noted that the posture of the ruling party to exclude many from joining the race is anti-democratic urging the party to recant the undemocratic stance or has itself to blame.

    “As a PDP member I’m not party to the zoning arrangement of the APC it is their own party affair. But form a broader perspective, I want to say as an independent legislature, that action does not resonate with me and when I consulted with my people, they unanimously rejected the approach.

    “That kind of approach is a wrong approach for democracy. To deepen our democracy, we require an independent legislature. And the legislature can only be independent when it is allowed to elect a leadership that will pilot its affairs without interference. Today, I have an opportunity to particularly endorse Hon. Mukhtari Aliyu Betara for the speaker of the 10th assembly 2023.

    “By the grace of God we will be there and we are going to vote for him because he has the skills, he has the experience, he has the capacity and competence to not only pilot the affairs of the legislature but also to carry other Nigerians along.

    “We are at a cross road in Nigeria, this calls for efficient and effective leadership that will work for the unity and progress of Nigeria. That is why we will vote Betara,” he said.

  • 10th HoR: Jaji joins parade of those gunning for Gbajabiamila’s job

    10th HoR: Jaji joins parade of those gunning for Gbajabiamila’s job

    …declares intention

    Hon Aminu Sani Jaji has officially joined those gunning for Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila’s job as he declared his intention to vie for the position of Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports that Jaji is a member of the G-7, a group of aspirants who feel aggrieved over the choice of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), of Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and Hon. Benjamin Kalu as anointed candidates for Speaker and Deputy Speaker positions respectively.

    While declaring his intention on Thursday in Abuja, the speakership aspirant said that he will work with the executive arm of government to address the issue of unity and trust in the country.

    For Jaji youth empowerment is paramount even as he noted that there are lots of imbalance in the Nigeria political equation that needs to be addressed.

    “Today I’ll like to submit myself to you once more to tell you that I am contesting for the office of the speaker of the tenth assembly. We are not looking for the continuation of the ninth assembly. If we are there we will do our best to restore sanity to the National Assembly” Jaji said.

    He comes with a six points agenda which amongst other things will enhance the image of the National Assembly.

    Jaji said he will strengthen the Legislative process of the National Assembly, ensure that in Appropriation there must be correlation between what is been appropriated and MTEF and added that there is the need to monitor oversight.

    Present at the declaration were members of the G-7 who are also contestants.

  • Speakership: G-7 splits as Doguwa, two other aspirants support Abbas

    Speakership: G-7 splits as Doguwa, two other aspirants support Abbas

    … declare support for zoning

     

    There seems to be a split in the camp of aggrieved Speakership aspirants in the 10th House of Representatives otherwise known as the Group of Seven (G-7) following the withdrawal from the race by the Majority Leader of the 9th House of Representatives, Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa.

    Doguwa who announced his withdrawal from the race in support of the APC anointed candidate, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, was also accompanied by two other aggrieved aspirants, Hon. Abdulraheem Tunji Olaoye, from Kwara and Hon. Makki Abubakar Yalleman from Jigawa respectively.

    These all played out at the second meeting of the Tajudeen Abbas/Benjamin Kalu campaign group organized by the Joint Task -10th Assembly, a coalition of all 8 political parties with seats in the incoming 10th House of Representatives.

    Addressing the gathering which was chaired by the outgoing Speaker of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Doguwa who referred to Gbajabiamila as “Mr Fix It” stormed the venue of the meeting with some of his supporters saying that the time has come for him to act to a good party and establishment man who also benefited from the system.

    “Perhaps it won’t be out of place Mr Speaker if I put your name on quote as the Mr fix it of this time. I wish you well and I hope you will continue to fix it for the Nigerian people. I call you ‘Mr fix it’ because the way you are fixing it, I can see that you are doing it for the overall interest of the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “My respected honourable colleagues and my brother the Prince of Zazzau, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas this year will be highly eventful for the Zazzau Emirate.

    “My Honorable colleagues, especially those who are looking at me eyeball to eyeball. Don’t imagine that my appearance here is by accident. Don’t think you are day dreaming, you are not day dreaming this is reality. Before you is Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, the Chief Whip of the 8th Assembly and by the leave of my colleagues, Honourable Speaker, the Majority Leader of the 9th House of Representatives.

    “I am here to put on the record that not just from today, that right from day one that the NWC, the National Working Committee of My party put it on the table that they have come up with their zoning arrangement, and after zoning with all sense of morality micro-zoned it to the North West, and micro-micro-zoned it to my brother Tajudeem Abbas, representing Zaria Federal Constituency of North West Nigeria, as from that day, I therefore called my bid to contest for the speakership of the 10th House of Representatives off.

    “I had to do that because I’m a man of the establishment. I had to do that because I’m also a beneficiary of the same kind of arrangement. I have benefited from party arrangements, I have personally benefited from this zoning arrangement. That was what gave me the position of the Chief Whip of the 8th House of Representatives even when there were issues, still the zoning helped me.

    “Today I’m the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives courtesy of the National Working Committee of my party.

    ” My great brothers and sisters, courtesy demands that it’s only fair that I also stand by the position of the National Working Committee of My party.

    “It’s not like the table is turning against m, no. It’s just that time has come for me to also pay back. And I think paying back in this circumstances is a great responsibility that I must oblige.

    “I rise before you this evening my colleagues and Honorable Femi Gbajabiamila, and flanking me are Hon. Abdulraheem Tunji Olaoye and Hon. Makki Abubakar Yalleman. We are here individually and collectively stepping into the shoes of this great campaign.

    “We all wanted to be Speakers not because we knew there could be so many Speakers at every given point in time, there can be only one Speaker and we have individually and collectively decided to come and surrender our bids to be Speaker to our great party, and we also defer on record to our great gentleman that was picked by the party to run for the Speakership officially on behalf of our great party, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.

    “We are also of the opinion that the selection process of Hon. Tajudeen Abbas was not in any way biased. We are also quite aware that the person of Tajudeen Abbas and his running mate, are qualified to hold their respective offices,” he said.

    Recall that the Group of Seven comprising the outgoing Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Idris Wase(Plateau), Muktar Aliyu Betara (Borno), Aliyu Sani Jaji (Zamfara), Yusuf Adamu Gagdi (Plateau), Miriam Onuoha (Imo), Alhassan Ado Doguwa(Kano) Sada Soli Jibia(Katsina) and Makki Abubakar Yalleman (Jigawa), with the exception of Olaoye all swore to back one aspirant from them to run against the party’s anointed candidate.

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  • SPEAKERSHIP: 107 opposition parties lawmakers are solidly with us -Hon Abass

    SPEAKERSHIP: 107 opposition parties lawmakers are solidly with us -Hon Abass

    …as Gov Zulum advises him, Kalu to be inclusive in their leadership

    …Lalong, Mohammed say politics is about loyalty and respect

    One of the top contenders for the 10th House speakership position, Hon Tajudeen Abass has said 107 opposition parties members-elect are solidly behind him.

    Also, Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum has called on the Speaker and deputy Speakership candidates for the presiding officers’ positions in the 10th House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas (APC, Kaduna), and Rt. Benjamin Okezie Kalu (APC, Abia), to do something about endemic political corruption in the country when they assume leadership of the House.

    Governor Zulum made the call when a campaign delegation of the duo led by the chairman of the Joint Task – 10th Assembly Coalition, Rt. Hon. Usman Bello Kumo paid him a courtesy visit on Monday night in Abuja.

    The governor who expressed delight in the composition of the campaign team which is comprised of members-elect from all the 8 political parties with seats in the incoming House, noted that little development is being achieved in the country at the moment due to political corruption that has robbed the people of the benefits of abundant resources.

    “Most importantly, I urge you to look into the issues of political corruption in Nigeria when you take over the mantle of leadership at the National Assembly. We have unlimited resources in Nigeria but endemic corruption will not let us see the benefits of what the people have been blessed with by God. And if we keep glossing over the issue of corruption Nigeria will continue to go round in circle without achieving anything meaningful in terms of development or advancement.

    Another thing that I want to implore you is to extend hands of fellowship to other aspirants seeking the same position when God willing you get there. I’m happy that we have opposition parties in this movement, we have PDP and other opposition parties supporting you. So carry everyone along in your leadership.

    “Inclusivity is very important. Plus Don’t distribute the cake now, because if you do, you won’t be fair to everybody. Wait for all the grievances to be settled and frayed nerves calmed before you do that. As people from Borno we would have been very happy and proud to have both the VP and Speaker. But since the party has endorsed you and the President and VP-elect have endorsed you, in Sha Allah you’ll be the Speaker and deputy Speaker. But don’t do a winner takes all. Make sure you form a unity leadership and a united House for the purpose of having a common front for the benefit of Nigerians”, Zulum said.

    Also addressing the Abbas/Kalu campaign team in his official residence in Abuja on Monday night, the Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, while congratulating members for winning their elections, called on the Speaker and deputy Speakership candidates to remain true to the attributes that endeared them to the party’s leadership which informed their selection and endorsement. He also stressed the need for respect and loyalty to the party at all times irrespective of personal political interest.

    “So let me first congratulate all of you for winning your elections, and also congratulate your supporters who made you to win the elections. It’s not easy. And you know that if you have been in politics, you will know that politics is about loyalty. Politics is about being obedient. Not the other obedient (laughs). Being obedient to your leaders, our own leaders. And being respectful to the party. So when we finish like this there are bound to be different opinions, there are bound to be different interests. I was also a legislator. I was just sharing with him how I became the speaker.

    “As DG campaign, I was very loyal, and I remain loyal to the President-elect who was my boss and also the Vice President-elect and also to the leader of the party for now, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “So today we have elected a President, and have elected a Vice President. Definitely, their words will be our wisdom. So I will say that I have listened to you. I can say you are even the first person to have come to me, inspite of the fact that I have two of my own that also indicated interest. But I granted you audience to see you. And I saw you. When I said I saw you, you know what I mean. But if you become the Speaker and deputy, look at some of our interests too in the North Central Zone. Not that they are crying, they are crying on our behalf. So if you get it please don’t forget us in the North Central. But as I have received this message, I want to assure you that I will carry it forward. Even in the absence of the President-elect the Vice President-elect is already moving and the DG must support him for us to move forward.,” Governor Lalong assured.

    Briefing the Governor on reasons for the visit earlier, both Hon. Abbas and Hon. Kalu, as well as the Joint Task Coalition Chairman, Hon. Kumo congratulated him for a job well done at the just concluded Presidential election.
    They expressed appreciation for the sacrifices he mad to take on the challenges of marketing the party’s presidential ticket even in the face of mounting pressure and propaganda

    They however, informed the Governor that theirs is a unity project that seeks to reestablish national loyalty and cohesion in the polity, just as the Speakership candidate, Abbas disclosed that as at Sunday evening, not less than 107 members-elect from opposition parties have joined the movement.

    “So we are here your Excellency, inspite of the fact that you have two candidates, to plead with you to support our course, because our course is a Nigerian course. We are a unity project members here. We have membership across all the 8 political parties. And I can tell with confidence sir that our last count as at yesterday (Sunday), we have 107 minority party members onboard this project.

    Speaking to journalists after an hour long meeting with the Candidates behind closed doors, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State stressed the importance of showing respect for constituted authority.

    He said while it’s not in his place to assess the candidates who already enjoy the support of the ruling party and the President and Vice President-elect, he will sit with members-elect from his State to discuss on the need to be on “the winning team.”

    “I’m not in a position to assess the candidates. As a politician I know he’s the endorsed person by the President-elect and the Vice President-elect, and as someone who has a lot of experience in democracy and parliamentary practice I know there should be respect for constituted authority. I know there should be synergy between the executive and the legislature. And that is what is typefied by this endorsement that I should advice my members-elect to look positively into because I know that at the end of the day, they are going to be independent and they’re going to work to enhance the welfare and independence of the legislature under any leadership.”

    The Governor stated further that while he may be an opposition governor, he shares in the responsibility to ensure a harmonious working relationship between the executive and the legislature, noting that peace or conflict between them will determine the direction of the entire country and the people irrespective of party affiliation.

    “And of course it is not my business to know who was endorsed but it’s my business to see that there’s peace, there’s collaboration, there’s synergy between the two arms of government and of course my legislators (members-elect) are also going along with the winning team, ensuring that Bauchi is in the scheme of things and not excluded.

    “Hon. Abbas, of course I have seen his pedigree, I’ve seen his resumé and I have seen the support of the federal government, definitely we will sit down with my legislators (members-elect) and we will take a decision,” the governor assured.

  • 10th NASS: We are happy with zoning decision – Ohanaeze tells APC to ignore Orji Kalu

    10th NASS: We are happy with zoning decision – Ohanaeze tells APC to ignore Orji Kalu

    Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has waded into the controversy over the zoning of principal offices of the 10th National Assembly.

    The group’s reaction was over the protest by Abia Senator, Orji Uzor Kalu.

    Recall that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), zoned the position of Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives to Rep Ben Kalu from the same  State.

    But Senator Kalu, a former governor of the State, who is aspiring for Senate President’s position is insisting that the South-East deserves more than Reps Deputy Speaker.

    Reacting to the developments, the Ohanaeze Youths in a statement by its National President, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike urged Senator Kalu not to jeopardise the interest of the South-East by hiding under faceless groups to issue self-serving statements.

    While commending the APC and the President-elect for nominating Ben Kalu for Deputy Speaker, the Ohanaeze Youths said it was a decision based on merit.

    “Why Ben Kalu’s nomination is justified is because of his numerous works and capabilities shown in 43 bills and 22 motions and 2 laws signed by the President, making him the highest among his mates, especially those contesting.

    “He brought the largest investment to Igbo land from the federal government that runs into billions without diverting same and has been visible on the floor and all over the media as the face of Ndigbo.

    “As a spokesman, he did so well that Nigerians marked Igbos good on image making and public relations.

    “He stood by his party despite all odds; he is credible and dependable and will not bring Igbos shame.

    “The incoming government is happy with him and he will use that to attract more dividends for our people.

    “He won his elections based on what he did visibly for his people despite the wave he was saved by his works.

    “Those attacking him are those who feel his political positioning will shake their positions of leadership. They are doing it for selfish interest, not the region.”

    Okwu warned those sponsoring what he called “selfish campaigns against Hon. Ben Kalu to stop before we open their Pandora box on how they held Benjamin Kalu down for 22 years with nothing to show for his loyalty. We will also reveal how he fought his elections in 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023 in a graphic manner.

    “We are happy with what has been zoned to us, we are not ingrates, let those who worked more eat more.”

    He urged the Reps members-elect to cast their votes for Ben Kalu, assuring that he would give in the best for the unity and development of the country.

  • Speakership: Why Tajudeen Abass must be rejected now, True Democrats tell members-elect

    Speakership: Why Tajudeen Abass must be rejected now, True Democrats tell members-elect

    The coalition of True Democrats at the weekend rose from an emergency meeting opposing the ongoing moves to impose Dr Tajudeen Abass as Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives.

    National Coordinator of the group, Dr Mustapha Yusuf in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja argued that the move is antithetical to the tenets of democracy and the rule of law.

    The group warned House of Representatives members elect to guard against any action that would compromise the independence of the legislature.

    The group called on members elect to freely choose from among aspirants jostling for the seat of the Speaker of the House of Representatives based on their pedigree level of acceptability, competence and experience over the years.

    The group thereby urged the President Elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership of the APC to drop the idea of imposing Tajudeen Abass on members of the House in the interest of peace and tranquility in the country.

    The group noted: “The President Elect must not allow anti democratic forces not to cajole him into interfering in a function exclusively provided for the legislators by the Nigerian Constitution.

    “Those behind it are doing so for their own personal and selfish biddings which is inimical
    to our nations democracy.

    “For those who crafted the word democracy and indeed separation of powers. The idea is to have an independent arm of government called the legislature for the purpose of providing checks and balances in such a manner to avoid the concentration of powers in one body as this would lead to usurp of powers and consequently degenerate to dictatorship, tyranny and operation.

    “Section 50 (1a) and (1b) is clear and unambiguous as it states that the Speaker and Deputy Speaker shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves.

    “This simply implies that any other person or persons or group of persons nominating the principal officers of both houses other than the representatives themselves is Null, Void and Unconstitutional, therefore amounts to an aberration which tantamount to usurping the powers of the legislators thereby exposing the fragile democracy of Nigeria to jeopardy.

    “We must do things the right way. We must not allow imposition of principal officers of the national Assembly on our legislators.”

  • Senate Presidency : Igbo senators-elect talk tough, caution Tinubu, APC leadership

    Senate Presidency : Igbo senators-elect talk tough, caution Tinubu, APC leadership

    Following the speculation that the All Progressives Congress,  (APC) in agreement with the president-elect, Bola Tinubu has zoned the senate presidency to the South-South with Godswill Akpabio as the anointed one, South-East Senate caucus on Sunday cautioned  Bola Tinubu and the national leadership of the APC to desist from such an act.

    They rejected the purported zoning of the 10th Senate Presidency to the South-South.

    Their stand was contained in a communique issued after several hours of the meeting held at the Maitama residence of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, YPP, representing Anambra South Senatorial District.

    They disagreed with the zoning of the Senate President to the South-South, saying that since the South East was denied the presidency by the two major political parties, the zone should be allowed to produce the 10th NASS Senate President.

    Part of the Communique read: “We have observed with dismay the antics of persons with vested selfish interests who have planted themselves around the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and have vowed to shut out the South East from the Senate Presidency of the 10th Senate.”

    Expressing anger at the antics of those around the President-elect, the caucus insisted that it would serve justice to the people of the South-East, particularly as the zone has been blessed with ranking Senators-elect, Including members of the APC.

    The lawmakers said ranking Senators from the South-East to the 10th Senate have the capacity, competence and followership to lead, hence, the ruling party should remember its creed, which is the principle of natural justice and equity.

    “That the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu should extend the same democratic opportunity he received from the outgoing administration which gave all aspirants equal opportunity to exercise their fundamental and constitutional rights during the APC Presidential Primaries.

    “That there would be grave implications of zoning and endorsing a candidate from the South-South without any regard for the South-East as it could snowball into restiveness,” the caucus stated.

    They urged the President-elect to be sensitive to the times in Nigeria and ensure the country continues to thrive on the tripod of Nigeria (Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba) and the geopolitical zones.

    There are strong indications that the leadership of APC has endorsed  the choices of Godswill Akpabio and Barau Jibrin as the president and deputy president of the 10th Senate, respectively.

     

  • 10th NASS: Opposition parties kick against the choice of Akpabio as senate president

    10th NASS: Opposition parties kick against the choice of Akpabio as senate president

    Senator-elect in the opposition parties with special reference to the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) have all rejected the choice of Godswill Akpabio as the Senate President of the 10th Assembly.

    The decision to use Akpabio arrived at the eight-man caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress, APC with the President-elect, Ahmed Bola Tinubu on Friday morning at his residence in Abuja.

    The opposition parties have now reacted to moves from the APC to make Akpabio the senate president.

    Akpabio was a two-time governor of Akwa Ibom on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party and defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress before he became the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.

    According to APC. Akpabio is set to be deputized by Senator Jibrin Barau from Kano.

    A newly elected Senator on the platform of PDP who spoke with pressmen on condition of anonymity : revealed that Akpabio is not in the good books of the party.

    He said: “The choice of Akpabio is not acceptable to us. We are the major opposition in the 10th Senate and APC should listen to us. We don’t want Akpabio.”

    “Only 3 out of 36 PDP Senators are backing Akpabio which I know, the Senators-elect are from Rivers State and governor Nyesom Wike urged them to support him.

    “He is offering us money but we don’t want his money because he is not principled. He will eventually sell out the Senate if allowed to be the Senate President, the source alleged.

    “Remember what he did in 2018/2019. The PDP honoured him as a first-timer in the Senate by giving him an exalted position of Minority Leader.

    ”Without any just cause, save for his pocket and selfish interest, he abandoned the PDP midstream and joined APC. He was rewarded with a ministerial position. We can’t trust such a person as a Senate President, he is unstable,” the PDP Senator-elect from South-South claimed.

  • APC, NWC: Tinubu endorses Akpabio, Tajudeen as Senate president, Speaker of 10th NASS

    APC, NWC: Tinubu endorses Akpabio, Tajudeen as Senate president, Speaker of 10th NASS

    Nigeria’s President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu had a meeting with the leadership of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress on Friday in Abuja to deliberate on their choice of senate president and House of Assembly Speaker.

    It was gathered that the meeting which had in attendance the National Chairman of APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, Deputy National Chairman, North, Senator Abubakar Kyari, Deputy National Chairman, South, Emma Eneukwu and the National Secretary of the party, Senator Iyiola Omisore took place at the Defence House in Abuja.

    A reliable source who attended the meeting but doesn’t want his name in print said that Tinubu prefers Akpabio and while Senator Jibrin Barau will serve as his deputy.

    Also, the meeting reached a compromise on the next Speaker of the House of Representatives, with Abbas Tajudeen giving the nod to preside over the 10th House.

    The source said: “It is true Asiwaju met with Adamu, Omisore, Kyari and Eneukwu today (Friday). They have agreed that Akpabio will be the next Senate President while Jibrin will be his deputy. TJ (Abbas Tajudeen) will be the next Speaker.)”

    The source added that the North Central would be compensated with the position of Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

    Recall that Adamu had hinted on Wednesday at the end of the NWC meeting that the ruling party alongside the president-elect would agree on a consensus in the zoning of the leadership positions of the next Assembly.

    “That is not what today’s meeting is all about. When we do the zoning meeting, we don’t just go alone as a party. Zoning is to take along the person who has the mandate of this country, the president-elect, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu, we want to take him along. He travelled after the election and he came back only last week and we have to carry him along.

    “And we cannot stop those who are ambitious or zoning interests, or individual interests, we cannot deny them. And as long as that is there, we have to find a way, persuasively, to reach some level of consensus. That’s what we are working on. It is not a one-day affair,” Adamu had said.