Tag: Ahmad Lawan
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BREAKING: Vote aspirants with ‘no baggage’, Senate President to APC delegates
Nigeria’s Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, has appealed to APC delegates to consider aspirants’ history and public records before voting at the party’s upcoming presidential primary.
This is contained in a letter contained in a statement he released on Wednesday.
Lawan, who is a presidential aspirant asked for the delegates’ votes so that he could emerge as the APC presidential flag bearer for the 2023 presidential election.
He also urged the delegates to choose a person that would lead and not rule Nigerians and “a leader with absolutely no-baggage”.ALSO READ: Nine APC presidential aspirants set to step down for Ahmad Lawan
The statement reads; “To all delegates across Nigeria, I beseech you to put pecuniary and monetary incentives aside and seriously consider what is ‘in the greater good.’ As you make your decision in picking the flag bearer of our party, I urge you to seek for a leader and not a politician.
“I ask you to choose a person that will lead and not rule Nigerians; one that will be understanding, tolerant, fair, honest, and progressive. A leader that comes with absolutely ‘No-Baggage.’
“A vital component of any logical, efficient and authentic evaluation of a person involves assessing past behavior. The key here is that one’s best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. If one has always done something a certain way, they are likely to do that same thing in the same manner in the future.
“The same goes for how one navigates or pillages in leadership. Thus, as you, the delegates, are determining the APC party presidential flag bearer, it is important to look at past behavior to elicit what behaviors, avarice and rapacity candidates have exhibited in the past. It is important for you to access all candidates along this parameter.
According to the letter which has been obtained by TheNewsGuru.com, it reads in full below:
My Dear APC Party Delegates,
Compliments of the season. Permit me to write to you through this medium. As we converge at this great time, in this great party to begin the journey of determining the future of this great nation, we must be cognizant of the fact that the fate of Nigeria fluctuates.While democracy asserts that the Nigerian voting public determines the person to emerge as President, however in advance of that, the party delegates are saddled with the task of nominating the flag bearers. This communication is an appeal to all APC delegates as the party prepares for its presidential primaries.
I am reaching out to every single one of you APC delegates to plead with you to put ‘Nigeria First’ and give thought to the future of 215,763,437 (million) Nigerians, a lot of whom will appreciate the sagacious determination you will make during this process. I am reaching out to you, with humility, to ask for your votes so that I can emerge as the APC Presidential flag bearer for the 2023 Nigerian Presidential election.
At this point, it is not lost on me that we must come together as one party and as one nation, for we have a great deal to mend, to rehabilitate, to reinstall and so much more to achieve. We have a unique chance to measure up to every expectation and show Nigeria and the world that Democracy triumphs. And that journey shall start during the APC Presidential Primary Election process.
To all delegates across Nigeria, I beseech you to put pecuniary and monetary incentives aside and seriously consider what is ‘in the greater good.’ As you make your decision in picking the flag bearer of our party, I urge you to seek for a leader and not a politician. I ask you to choose a person that will lead and not rule Nigerians; one that will be understanding, tolerant, fair, honest, and progressive. A leader that comes with absolutely ‘No-Baggage.’
A vital component of any logical, efficient and authentic evaluation of a person involves assessing past behavior. The key here is that one’s best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. If one has always done something a certain way, they are likely to do that same thing in the same manner in the future. The same goes for how one navigates or pillages in leadership. Thus, as you, the delegates, are determining the APC party presidential flag bearer, it is important to look at past behavior to elicit what behaviors, avarice and rapacity candidates have exhibited in the past. It is important for you to access all candidates along this parameter.
Dear delegates, look for a leader that will not buy your votes but one that is prepared to sell and deliver your dreams. I promise you that I will be that leader. I am prepared to offer you myself and my heart; my integrity, my dedication and my might. I want to offer you a dream of justice for all, a dream of uniting to fight the foes we face, a dream of unity under one single ideal, common purpose, common endeavor and resolve; a dream to right the wrongs of our past, a dream of work, employment, functioning safe schools, security, electricity, infrastructure, stable economy, compassion for citizenry, technology, opportunity and so much more that Nigerians desire.
I will give you my all, thinking not of power, but of possibility and the public good. I want you to take my hand so that together, we can show the Nigerian story of hope, unity, tolerance, healing, principle, greatness and goodness. I want you to take my hand so that together we can learn from history, embrace faith and find a way to unify Nigeria and take her into the future. We are at an extraordinary historic moment both in APC and in Nigeria and our unity is the path forward.
Dear delegates, I give you my word, I will defend the constitution. I’ll defend our democracy. I will defend Nigeria. I will defend every single Nigerian from every nook and cranny, across the length and breath of the nation and from every corner. I commit to defend all 371 spectacular tribes existing in this brilliant, colorful, diverse and beautiful nation.
This and nothing more than this is what we owe to our forefathers, this is what we owe to each other and this is what we owe to the generations that will follow behind us; to our children and our children’s children.Dear APC delegates, you have the sacred mission at this hour of history, during this hour of decision of taking this country to a plain beyond. I urge you to assist me in uniting Nigeria in our common desire to move forward together.
We shall meet on the voting field as members of Africa’s largest party and as Nigerians united in our resolve to remain the most vibrant party in Africa and one of the greatest nations on earth. We shall meet on the voting field to tell the positive tale of Nigeria. While this is expected of every Nigerian, it starts with you, the APC delegates.
I give you my word that I shall not fail you. To this end, I ask for your precious votes and your dedication to our party, APC, and to our motherland. I give you my word that, given the privilege of carrying the APC Presidential ticket, I will represent you with pride, courage, equity, endurance, faith, conviction, devotin to you all and the country we love with all our hearts. I give you my word that I will strive to take the APC presidential ticket nomination you will hopefully give to me and turn it into a landslide win in the 2023 general elections.
Al-Haji Sir Ahmadu Bello, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Al-Haji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Herbert Macaulay, Professor Eyo Ita, Alvan Ikoku, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Sir Egbert Udo Udoma, Al-Haji Aminu Kano, Chief S. A. Ajayi, Joseph Tarka, Chief Sunday Awoniyi, Dennis Osadebay and all the other great men that founded, made and preserved this great Republic are looking down and smiling fondly at every single one of you as you take your place in history in duty and service of your great party and ultimately, your nation.
May you all be protected and directed through wisdom as you journey to the presidential primary election to speak for yourself, your family, your generation, your future, your state and for Nigeria.
May the Almighty be with you as you make the best decision for the future of Nigeria. -
EFCC Boss laments losing corruption cases on technical grounds
Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa has expressed concerns about corruption cases being lost to technicalities at various levels of court in the country.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Mr Bawa made this known on Monday in Abuja while giving his opening remark at a three-day capacity building workshop, themed; “Judicial Dynamism: A Key Factor in the Fight Against Economic and Financial Crimes”.
Bawa stressed that such a development may serve as a disincentive to the fight against economic and financial crimes in the country and affect negatively the cherished image of and confidence in the Nigerian judiciary both locally and internationally.
According to the EFCC Boss, corruption cases being lost on technical grounds have a way of building confidence in corrupt elements and negatively affect the cherished image of the judiciary.
“As a Commission, we do not expect every judicial decision to go our way, but there are instances the EFCC and many Nigerians have been left at a loss about certain judicial decisions, where defendants who obviously have stolen our commonwealth and those who have aided and abetted them have been allowed to go home to enjoy their proceeds of crime on technical grounds.
“This has the tendency of affecting negatively the cherished image of and confidence in the Nigerian judiciary both locally and internationally.
“In the Commission, we hold the view that corruption is a plague that does not select its victims. Those stealing and abusing our common patrimony do not wish us well. Judges are as much victims of corruption as the ordinary man on the streets.
“It is therefore in our collective interest that the gains of the fight against corruption are not reversed. This is also why we must aggregate fresh opinions and forge deliberate winning tactics and strategies to stem its ugly tide,” Bawa said.
Meanwhile, reviewing the impact of the EFCC in the fight against economic and financial crimes in its 19 years of existence, the EFCC boss stressed that the Commission has carved a niche for itself with numerous milestones to its name.
“However, in the little over a year that I have had the privilege to superintend, the Commission secured an unprecedented record of 2220 convictions. It is the highest ever in the history of the Commission and as I address you this morning, we have already secured 1222 convictions, thus far, this year”, he said.
While commending the judiciary for its role in making the convictions record possible, the EFCC Chairman advocated for an enhanced welfare package for Judges and Justices.
Other issues raised at the opening ceremony of the workshop are collaboration between the legislative arm of government and the judiciary in drafting and enacting laws, among others.
TNG reports the capacity building workshop is being organised for judicial officers, corruption investigators and prosecutors.
Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, and other top government officials graced the occasion.
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2023 presidency: Amaechi blasts Kalu for supporting Ahmed Lawan
Presidential aspirant under the auspices of All Progressive Congress (APC) Rotimi Amaechi has blasted Senate Chief Whip, Orji Kalu, for queuing behind the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan in the presidential race.
Reacting to Kalu’s support for Lawan, Amaechi said that the former Abia state Governor is not relevant to the 2023 Presidential aspiration of the South-East.
Kalu withdrew from the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Presidential race and backed Lawan’s ambition.
The former Abia State Governor said he decided to withdraw from the race because APC has no zoning arrangement.
Amaechi further explained that the likes of Orji Kalu can’t make any difference to the pursuit of a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction.
“Orji Uzor Kalu and his likes have the right to support anybody they want to support for the President of Nigeria in the 2023 Presidential election. They are, however, not so relevant in Igbo land; they can’t make any difference.
“If such people who have no relevance in South-East are saying otherwise to the demand of their people, how do you blame them? They cannot make any difference and so nobody should lose sleep about their actions and utterances, you may not even know what their plans are,” He said
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Lawan renews hope on pending constitution review matters
President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan, has appealed to Nigerians with pending issues on constitution review not to lose hope.
Lawan said the doors of the National Assembly were still open for further engagements on issues not addressed during the last exercise.
He spoke in Abuja on Thursday while receiving in audience members of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, led by the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar.
Lawan, who recalled the recent review exercise said, “The D-Day came. And the voting took place and the rest is history, as they would say. We all feel sad but then that is democracy.
“But what you have done today is to take democracy to Nigerians because what you have done today is to show your belief in the parliament, the National Assembly.
“And you have given an example to the rest of Nigerians that never lose hope because your request failed. So many things failed. Of course many more passed because we have casualties in our bills.
“And I am taking the opportunity to appeal to other Nigerians, either individuals or institutions, organisations, NGOs, CSOs and so on, if there was anything that you wanted done or passed during the constitution amendment exercise, the latest one, and it failed, hope should not be lost.
“We are still around and this parliament is the people’s parliament.
“It is the only parliament that can kick start the process and therefore, people can still come back and remind us about their issues and maybe we change our strategies, the lobbyists and maybe we look at why it failed and how it can pass.”
Earlier, Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe said that their mission was to appeal to the senate to reconsider its position on the need to accord constitutional recognition to the roles of the traditional Institutions in governance.
The issue of formal recognition of the roles was deliberated upon recently during the review exercise by the National Assembly, but it was not passed by the senate.
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Strike: Senate wades into FG, ASUU’s impasse
Senate President Ahmad Lawan has said the Senate will intervene in the lingering dispute between the Federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) by bringing them back to the negotiation table.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Lawan made the promise on Tuesday in Abuja to officials of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), who were led to his office by a concerned Methodist Bishop, Dr Sunday Onuoha.
The NANS President, Mr Sunday Asefon, who spoke on behalf of the students decried their continued stay at home and disruption of the students’ academic programme.
He urged the Senate President to intervene in the dispute between the Federal government and the University teachers.
Responding, the Senate President expressed unhappiness about the turn of events, recalling that the Senate had intervened in the past before everything broke down again.
He, however, promised that the Senate would wade in again and expressed optimism that the issues would soon be resolved.
“You are in the right place. We are going to intervene. We will make concerted and sustained efforts to bring back ASUU and the Federal government to the negotiating table.
“So that we are able to resolve as quickly as possible those issues that are now very knotty and have stopped our Universities from reopening.
“That is now making our students walking the streets all over the country.
“But I want to appeal to you, too, since we are going to make effort to bring back everybody to the negotiating table, you should give us a chance to do that believing that we are going to find a solution.
“Because it is not only enough to bring them back to the negotiating table, but we will participate and I want to make sure that we find the solution when we start the negotiation again.
“Now that you have come here, we are going to make sure that everybody in this sector especially those in public sector who have responsibility and mandate perform their functions.
“We will make sure they do that.
“Because you have come, I think we also have some tonic enough in us. Time is of essence and we must do whatever is necessary to get this issue resolved,” he said.
Also, responding to the threat by the students to distrupt political activities, Lawan appealed to them to continue in the path of consultation and avoid confrontation.
“I want to also advise, I don’t think it will be necessary to distrupt political activities. We shouldn’t do that and we don’t need to do that.
‘What we need to do is to continue to follow the path of consultation, consolidation and avoid confrontation.
“It is when you emphasise consultation, it is much easier for us to find something that you can consolidate.
“Your prayer is that you want the Federal government and ASUU back to negotiate and resolve the issues.
“We have taken this prayer. We have endorsed it and we will work for it as quickly as possible.
“It is an opportunity for me also to appeal to ASUU to suspend this strike period because there is no way ASUU can negotiate with the Federal government when it is on strike.
“So, it is an opportunity for us to have them, at least create a window, suspend the strike for a certain period and let us see how far we can go.
“I want to be very positive that we are going to resolve this issue as soon as possible by the Grace of God,” Lawan said.
The Senate President said the 2009 agreement which was the subject of the matter was not properly thought out before it was signed.
“Somebody just wanted ASUU to go back to the classroom and just signed everything there.
“We must understand that there are things that when we promise we should do, we must do,” Lawan said.
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What makes Ninth NASS stands out from previous Assemblies – Lawan
The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan has advanced reason to justify why the current National Assembly stands out from the previous Assemblies.
Lawan said the uniqueness of the Ninth Assembly was it’s ability to conquer most complex and critical legislations that had either defied passage or assent.
The Senate President spoke on Saturday night in Lagos in response to the honour bestowed on him as The Sun Political Icon of the Year 2021.
The award was formally presented to him at The Sun Newspapers’ 19th Annual Awards held late on Saturday at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Lawan dedicated the award to the past presiding officers of the National Assembly who he gave the credit for laying the foundation for what the current Assembly had been able to achieve in less than three years.
He said: “I am sure the award has been given to me because I have been in the Legislature or in the National Assembly for more than two decades and that is to say that the Legislature has been recognised at this stage.
“I’m so pleased and delighted that the Sun Newspapers are able to sieve through and see what the other arm of government, the Legislature, is doing because more often than not, the Legislature does not receive the kind of attention that it deserves from the citizens.
“For us in the Ninth National Assembly, we believe that service to our fatherland, service to our people, service to different Senatorial Districts and Federal constituencies is paramount and there is nothing more than that.
“Thank God in less than three years, the Ninth National Assembly has done tremendously well in the area of important, critical and crucial legislations for national development.
“I have dedicated this award to previous presiding officers since Nigeria started as a democracy because whatever we have achieved in the Ninth National Assembly, there must have been some foundation set by others before we came on board.
“I therefore dedicate this award to the previous presiding officers of the Senate and presiding officers of the House of Representatives.
“Let me say that I have learnt a lot from one very outstanding presiding officer and his name is Senator David Mark who was Senate President for two terms – the sixth and the seventh Assemblies.
“And of course the 13th President of the Senate, my brother and my friend(Senator Bukola Saraki) who was here(for this occasion) before he left. I worked with him as a Senate Leader. He made contributions too like previous President of the Senate did.
“Therefore I cannot take credit for the Ninth National Assembly but the Ninth National Assembly stands out in one way. He stands out in the way of conquering the most difficult legislations that defied passage and where they were passed, defied assent.”
The Senate President also applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for his cooperation with the current National Assembly to get things done.
“Let me also pay tribute to President Muhammadu Buhari because for us in the Ninth Assembly, if not because we have the buy-in of the President, to ensure that the Legislature works very cordially with the executive arm of government, all the legislations wouldn’t have been assented to.
“And this President assented to more bills than all the previous Presidents since the fourth Republic started.
“Therefore we believe that the Legislature and the executive arm of government must always work together. They can disagree but not to cause friction to such an extent that citizens will not receive the services from government,” Lawan said.
He thanked the founder of the Sun Newspapers who is the Chief Whip of the Senate.
“This Chief Whip does not spare anyone even the Senate President. He whips everybody. We want to thank you for being a very progressively minded person, very practical person, very reliable person.
“You have brought experience, you have supported this Ninth Senate to achieve stability, productivity and the kind of relationship that you will always like to see in the parliament.
“For Nigerians, I want to see the cup as half full. The cup is half full, not half empty. I don’t want to see it as half empty.
“Yes, we are faced with numerous challenges but it is also true and it is an established fact that we have also achieved a lot in the last seven years. Those challenges, we can surmount them when we unite and fight against them,” Lawan said.
Distinguished Senators in the company of the Senate President at the Saturday night event included: Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, Senator Barau Jibrin, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, Senator Bello Mandiya, Senator Yakubu Oseni, former Yobe State Senator Mohammed Hassan and his Chief of Staff, Dr. Babagana M. Aji.
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Workers’ Day: Call off strike in spirit of May Day – Lawan tells ASUU
President of the Nigerian Senate, Ahmad Lawan has appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU) to call off their ongoing strike in the spirit of 2022 May Day celebrations.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Senator Lawan made the appeal in a statement in which he sent his best wishes to Nigerian workers on the occasion of this year’s May Day, being International Workers’ Day.
Lawan celebrated the workers for their immense contributions to the development of the nation.
“Nigerian workers deserve our appreciations and respects for their contributions to the development of our country.
“I also salute them for their patriotic cooperation with the government and and other institutions in the collective efforts to address societal challenges.
“There is no gainsaying the fact that Labour creates wealth for the nation, the more reason that the welfare of the Nigerian workers should always be accorded priority.
“As Parliament, the National Assembly will continue to partner with the Organised Labour in addressing issues that affect workers and the generality of the Nigerian people.
“Despite the prevailing challenges, the relationship between Labour and the Government should be cooperative in the overall interest of the country.
“In the spirit of May Day, I appeal for a speedy and amicable resolution of the ongoing negotiations between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU) to ensure that our universities reopen for learning and research.
“We should always be mindful that no society can make meaningful progress without industrial peace and harmony.
“Once again, I say congratulations to all Nigerian workers and wish them a happy May Day,” Lawan said.
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Senate to pass Buhari’s revised 2022 fiscal framework Thursday
The Senate will tomorrow, Thursday, pass the revised 2022 fiscal framework before adjourning on the Easter break.
The hint was given by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, after the report of the Committee on Finance was stepped down today for consideration.
The Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi, who moved a motion for the report to be stepped down, explained that its deferred consideration till tomorrow, Thursday, April 14, 2022, would allow lawmakers make their inputs.
President Buhari, in the letter dated 5th April, 2022, requested the Senate to adjust the 2022 fiscal framework.
He said doing so became necessary in view of new developments in both the global and domestic economies.
According to him, the developments were occasioned by spikes in the market price of crude oil, which were a fallout of the Russian-Ukraine war.
He, therefore, requested the upper chamber to approve an increase in the oil benchmark by US$11 per barrel, from US$62 per barrel to US$73 per barrel.
The President also sought a reduction in the projected oil production volume by 283,000 barrels per day, from 1.883 million barrels per day to 1.600 million barrels per day.
He also the chamber to approve an increase in the estimated provision for PMS subsidy for 2022 by N3.557 trillion, from N442.72 billion to N4.00 trillion.
President Buhari, underscored the need for a cut in the provision for Federally funded upstream projects being implemented by N200 billion, from N352.80 billion to N152.80 billion.
He proposed an increase in the projection for Federal Government Independent Revenue by N400 billion; and an additional provision of N182.45 billion to cater for the needs of the Nigerian Police Force.
In a related development, the Senate also stepped down consideration of a bill to amend the 2022 Appropriation Act.
The chamber, however, considered three bills which scaled second reading during plenary on Wednesday.
The bills seek to provide for the establishment of the Federal University of Health Sciences Azare, Bauchi; Federal College of Education Jama’re, Bauchi State; and to repeal the Immigrations and Prisons Services Board Act and to Enact the Internal Affairs Services Board Act.
The bills were sponsored by Senators Jibrin Barau (Kano North) and George Thompson Sekibo (Rivers East).
The bills after consideration were referred by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, to the Committees on Health (Secondary and a Tertiary); Tertiary Institutions and TETfund; and Interior, respectively.
The Committees were all given four weeks to report back to the chamber in plenary.
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2023: APC Senators wish Osinbajo goodluck in quest to become Nigeria’s next president
Senators in the National Assembly (NASS) under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have wished Vice President Yemi Osinbajo goodluck in his quest to become the next president of Nigeria.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan made this known after leading the APC Senators to a dinner with the Vice President on Tuesday.
Osinbajo formally briefed the Senate APC caucus over his presidential ambition and sought their support.
The briefing, which was part of Osinbajo’s consultations with critical stakeholders, held over Iftar dinner at his official residence at Aguda House within the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
“We had Iftar dinner with His Excellency, the Vice President and thereafter we had brief interaction on our Government and of course on the Vice President’s declaration to run for the presidency of our great country, the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Lawan said.
When pressed further, Lawan said: “naturally, the Vice President told us that he has expressed his interest and that he wanted to consult with the Senate APC caucus.
“He wanted us to hear from his mouth and we did and he was seeking our support in whatever way we can at the appropriate time and we wish the Vice President goodluck in this endeavour.
“But let me assure everyone that the Senate APC caucus and indeed the National Assembly caucus of the APC will continue to work very hard for our great party, the APC, to continue to provide services to Nigerians and also work hard to ensure that by 2023, the next administration is an APC administration at the center and majority of the States in our country, by the Grace of God will be APC”.