TheNewsGuru

Tag: Assembly

  • Misleading advice: Gov Otu suspends state assembly commission

    Misleading advice: Gov Otu suspends state assembly commission

    Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu has suspended the state House of Assembly Commission for misguiding him to appoint the wrong person above a superior officer.

    In a letter dated March 18, 2024 and signed by Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Prof. Anthony Owan Enoh, and read on the floor of the Assembly by the Speaker, Elvert Ayambem, Otu stated that the suspension has become imperative.

    The governor said the House of Assembly Commission failed to reveal the correct seniority order of the eligible staff members for the position of Clerk of the House of the Cross River State House of Assembly.

    He said he was misguided to select Mr Patrick Edi over Mrs Catherine Ubi, adding that it has caused a ripple effect.

    The governor has therefore sacked Mr Patrick Edi as Clerk of the Assembly and approved the appointment of Catherine Ubi as the substantive clerk of the Cross River State House of Assembly

  • Assembly passes Delta Disability Rights Bill

    Assembly passes Delta Disability Rights Bill

    The Delta House of Assembly on Tuesday passed the State Disability Rights Bill.

    This followed the adoption of the report of the House Joint  Committee on Housing, Women Affairs/Girl Child Entrepreneurship and Humanitarian Support Services and Special Committee at plenary in Asaba.

    Presenting the report, the Chairman of the Committee, Mrs Bridget Anyafulu, (PDP-Osnimili South) said that the bill sought to safeguard people living with disabilities against all forms of discrimination in the society.

    She also said that bill would ensure that persons living with disabilities have equal rights to sue any individual, corporate body or government and its agencies for damages in the event of the violation of their fundamental rights.

    Anyafulu also said that the bill would ensure that persons living with disabilities were not subjected to medical or scientific experiment without their consent.

    “Persons living with disabilities shall have the right and necessary facilities to access the physical environment, public buildings and public places on an equal basis with others.

    ”They will also have the right of access/accessibility aids, special seats in vehicles, reservations at public parking lots, right to education, and right to work on equal basis with others.

    ”It will also give opportunity for persons living with disabilities to participate in polities and public life among others,” she said.

    Anyafula added that the passage of the bill would give the state the legal framework to establish a commission for persons living with disabilities.

    Consequently, the bill which was considered at the Committee of the whole, under the Chairmanship of the Speaker, Mr Dennis Guwor was passed

    The speaker commended the lawmakers for the speedy passage of the bill.

    ”I thank you all for your time and contributions towards the passage of the bill. The importance of this bill cannot be over-emphasised,” he said.

  • BREAKING: Edo Assembly serves deputy gov, Shaibu impeachment notice

    BREAKING: Edo Assembly serves deputy gov, Shaibu impeachment notice

    Edo State House of Assembly has served impeachment notice on Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu.

    Speaker Blessing Agbebaku directs clerk to serve an impeachment notice to Deputy Governor, with 7 days to respond.

    Recall that Shaibu had alleged a plot to impeach him from office, claiming his governorship ambition was responsible for the plot.

    According to a source, 22 lawmakers out of the 24 have signed the impeachment notice making the eventual removal of Shaibu inevitable.

    Details to follow…

  • Financial autonomy: Workers shutdown Kaduna Assembly, begin indefinite strike

    Financial autonomy: Workers shutdown Kaduna Assembly, begin indefinite strike

    Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria PASSAN, Kaduna State Chapter, has joined it’s counterpart across the nation to begin an indefinite strike over financial autonomy.

    The Chairman of the Union, Abdulrasheed Abarshi asserted this while briefing newsmen Monday, 30th October, in Kaduna.

    Abarshi said the strike was necessary for the progress of the country and that of the legislative workers of the state assembly across the nation.

    “We are here today to embark on an indefinite strike over financial autonomy of state houses of assemblies.

    “Financial Autonomy will promote accountability, transparency and good governance for dividend of democracy to be achieved at all level.

    “In 2021, we took action by embarking on series of strikes, then we suspended on 28th July 2021 when a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the then minister for Labour and employment, representative of the governor’s forum and the representative of speaker’s forum.I want the public to know that all the agreement contained in the MoU has not been fulfilled.

    Abarshi said they want the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure looking towards the implementation of the legislative salary structure Conless be implemented, just as he laments that their outfit allowance has not been paid for over 3 years.

    “But it will interest the public to know that allowances of all members of the state assembly has been paid, why can’t they pay our own when we are the engine room of these members, we have been patient enough.”

    He however, called on the state Governor, Uba Sani to listen to them by paying them their 3 years allowances just as he promised to implement that of their counterparts, the doctors.

     

     

  • Edo State Assembly shut down by protesting workers

    Edo State Assembly shut down by protesting workers

    The Edo State House of Assembly has been closed by members of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria.

    This action comes after the ultimatum for the implementation of financial autonomy in legislative houses in the country expired.

    The protest, which took place in front of the Assembly, has prevented lawmakers from entering the chamber.

    Umaru Farouk Haruna, Chairman of PASAN Edo state Chapter, stated that the nationwide strike has been instructed by the national president of PASAN, Comrade Mohammed Usman, who called for all chairmen and secretaries to rally members for maximum compliance.

    Haruna also explained that PASAN members in Edo State are participating in the peaceful protest after the two-day ultimatum given to the government and governors of the 36 states to implement autonomy in all legislative houses. The deadline was extended by one week and ended on October 27, 2023.

    He said, “Autonomy is a constitutional matter. It has been passed by the National Assembly and was signed by the previous president, Muhammadu Buhari.

    “We are only requesting that the government begins implementation. However, as of today, nothing has been done. The 36 states’ Houses of Assembly can be called rubber stamps because they lack autonomy. They can’t make their own decisions. Our fight is not just for the staff; it’s to enhance democracy for all Nigerians.

    “Separation of powers is only effective when autonomy is in place. But currently, governors are doing as they please, and no one is holding them accountable. The Houses of Assembly cannot speak out because they are not autonomous bodies. This is the struggle we are engaged in,” he added.

  • Adamawa assembly investigates recurring boat mishaps

    Adamawa assembly investigates recurring boat mishaps

    The Adamawa House of Assembly has constituted a seven-member committee to investigate the recent boat mishaps that claimed 26 lives in Yola South and Fufore Local Government Areas of the state.

    The Speaker, Mr Bathiya Wesley, stated this in an interview with NAN on Tuesday in Yola.

    He said the committee has been mandated to unravel the cause of the accidents and make recommendations to avert future occurance.

    Wesley said the committee would be headed by Mohammed Buba-Jijiwa and Kate Raymond-Mamuno as member.

    Others are Suleiman Alkali; Umar Bobbo-Ismail, Mr Japhet Hammanjabu, Kabiru Mijinyawa and Moses Yarima.

    According to Wesley, the committee will engage local council chairmen and community leaders to sensitise the affected riverine communities on the imperative of using life jackets.

    “We expect them to report their findings to the House within seven days,” he said.

  • Ogun assembly screens 3 commissioner nominees

    Ogun assembly screens 3 commissioner nominees

    The Ogun House of Assembly on Monday screened three additional commissioner nominees sent to it by Gov. Dapo Abiodun.

    Mr. Olakunle Oluomo, the Speaker, presided over the screening of the nominees at the assembly complex in Abeokuta.

    The three commissioner-nominees screened were: Mr. Olatunji Odunlami, former Commissioner in the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development; Mr Wasiu Isiaka, former Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Ogun Internally Generated Revenue and Mrs Funmi Efuwape, immediate past Commissioner in the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

    The state legislature had earlier screened and confirmed 17 commissioner nominees, who are yet to be sworn in by the governor.

    The speaker enjoined the screened nominees to remain committed to quality service and avoid anything that could impede the progress and development of the state if confirmed.

    The lawmakers in their various contributions, urged them to look inward and design plans and programmes that would have positive impact on the people of the state.

    They charged the nominees to redouble their efforts to ensure the delivery of dividends of democracy across the state.

    Responding, the nominees promised to consolidate on their achievements during the first term if confirmed

    They assured that they would continue to synergise with the state legislature and other relevant stakeholders to implement policies and programmes for the development of the state.

  • Controversy in Abia state assembly as PDP lawmakers stage walkout

    Controversy in Abia state assembly as PDP lawmakers stage walkout

    Controversy today at the Abia State House of Assembly complex on Tuesday as aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) staged a walkout.

    The PDP members, who are 11 in number, stormed out in protest over Friday’s announcement of new principal officers of the House, which saw the Majority Leader position and other key offices in the legislative house go to the Labour Party (LP) and Young Progressive Party (YPP).

    Only the position of Minority Leader is still vacant as it was not among those announced by the Speaker.

    Speaking to newsmen on behalf of his colleagues, the member representing Ukwa West constituency, Hon Godwin Adiele, noted that the abrupt end to Friday’s seating was allegedly not captured in the minutes of Tuesday’s proceedings.

    He wondered why a political party with a majority of members should be made to assume the place of a minority in the assembly.

    He insisted that Order 8, Rule 42 of the House should be followed, adding that PDP members may seek legal interpretation.

    The walkout by PDP lawmakers took place on the day commissioner nominees were to be screened.

    The Speaker Emmanuel Emeruwa had announced that the emergence of new principal officers was a product of an understanding between the LP legislators and their counterparts from YPP and APC.

  • A/Ibom assembly moves to induct Hilda Baci in hall of fame

    A/Ibom assembly moves to induct Hilda Baci in hall of fame

    Apparently excited by her successful record – breaking feat in cooking for over 93 hours and subsequent certification as the current record holder with her name enshrined in the Guinness World Record book, Ms. Hilda Effiong Baci, has been slated for the Akwa Ibom state House of Assembly Hall of Fame.

    It was at tne plenary session in which the 26-member House overwhelmingly concurred a Motion sponsored by the member representing Nsit Ubium State Constituency, and Deputy Leader, Rt. Hon. Otobong Bob.

    Bob, in his Motion recalled that Ms. Baci, a daughter of the state, had on completion of the 93 hours and 11 minutes Cooking Marathon, created more than 55 recipes and over 100 meals, including local delicacies peculiar to Akwa Ibom state, a feat he stressed, should not be ignored.

    He said: “Also recall that this epoch-making event gathered momentum globally and throughout the federation, as various Nigerian citizens, celebrities and dignitaries thronged in to support our very own daughter.

    “From available records, the Akwa Ibom state House of Assembly has a custom of officially giving credence and commendations to true ambassadors of our state, who achieve successes in various feats globally.”

    He recalled notable Akwa indigenes who had attained such heights and were generously honoured to include Ms. Ime Ime Umanah, who was the first black African President of the prestigious Harvard Law Review and Master Stephen Udotong, a Nigerian Whiz-kid in the United States of America (USA), who built the first Nuclear Fusor in 2017, among others.

    Therefore, members of the House including Rt. Hon. Asuquo Nana (Ikono): Rt. Hon. Effiong Johnson (Mbo); Hon. Jerry Otu (Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara) and Hon. (Mrs) Itoro Etim (Uruan), supported the Motion, maintaining that Ms. Hilda Bassey, has through her cooking prowess, projected the state in good light, the more reason she was more deserving of the honour.

    They noted that a recognition of Ms. Bassey’s success would serve as a morale booster and encouragement to other Akwa Ibom citizens who may wish to attempt such positive feat in different endeavors.

    Responding, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs. Nsikak-Abasi Orok, to on behalf of the House, issue an official congratulatory message and forward same to Ms. Hilda Baci.

     

  • Nasarawa assembly crisis: Group stages protest against state commissioner of Police, Maiyaki Baba

    Nasarawa assembly crisis: Group stages protest against state commissioner of Police, Maiyaki Baba

    A group under the aegis of Nasarawa Stakeholders Forum have stormed the police headquarters protesting against the state Commissioner of Police Maiyaki Baba, over interfering in the internal affairs of  house of assembly.

    The forum in a petition addressed to the Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba and signed by its convener and Secretary, David Manga and Ibrahim Saidu, respectively, on Wednesday in Abuja alleged that the Nasarawa State CP, failed to provide security for the principal officers of the state house of assembly.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the immediate past speaker, Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi and
    Daniel Ogah Ogazi both emerged as speakers from two different gatherings on Tuesday June 6.

    According to the petition:
    “Inauguration of the state House of Assembly was scheduled to take place on the 6th day of June, 2023 at 10: am at the Nasarawa State House of Assembly Complex in Lafia.

    “Sequel to the issuance of the said Proclamation, and in line with the provisions of Section 92(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, election into the offices of Speaker and Deputy Speaker were held at the hallowed Chambers of the State House of Assembly where Rt. Hon. Daniel Ogazi (Kokona East State Constituency) won with 13 Votes representing a majority of lawful votes to defeat Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, the immediate Past Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly while Hon. Muhammad Oyanki from Doma State constituency also emerged as the Deputy Speaker.

    “It is surprising to know that the Honourable Commissioner of police whose allegiance is supposed to be to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has pitched his tent in support of the minority faction led by the former Speaker of the House of Assembly.

    “He is providing cover and security for this minority faction as against the validly elected House of Assembly Speaker and the other principal members.

    “On the 7th day of June, 2023, the Commissioner of Police invited the 13 House members including the Speaker to the State Police Command in Lafia and threatened to detain them.

    “He then warned that they must all not be seen close to the House of Assembly Complex again. Surprisingly sir, the same Commissioner of police that told the majority members not to go to the premise personally led the minority members into the house of Assembly on the following day i.e 8th day of June, 2023 to conduct an illegal plenary and prevented the Speaker, Rt. Honourable Daniel Ogah Ogazi and other 12 members from entering the Assembly complex to perform their constitutional duties.

    The group stressed that Monday being the 12th day of June, 2023, the Commissioner of Police withdrew the two policemen attached to the Ogazi who had been with him since the time he was the majority leader of the House of Assembly.

    “The action of the Commissioner of Police in withdrawing his security is tantamount to exposing the speaker to danger. Even an ordinary member of the State House of Assembly is entitled to at least a Police officer not to talk of the Speaker and the number three citizen of Nasarawa State.”

    The forum appealed to the Inspector General of Police to use his office to transfer Maiyaki Baba, out of Nasarawa State due to unprofessional conduct.

    Responding to the group’s petition, Kingsley Emeka, assistant commissioner of Police at the Force headquarters, said he has seen the inscriptions written.

    “We are practicing democracy and I’m sure that democracy is going to play the way it supposed to be. I have a Boss here which all of you are aware that the Inspector General of Police is here. So we are going to pass this to him which I believe that the needful will be done”.