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Tag: Assembly

  • Inauguration of Ogun assembly postponed

    Inauguration of Ogun assembly postponed

    There was heavy presence of security personnel at the entrance of Ogun State House of Assembly on Tuesday, as the planned inauguration of the 10th assembly was postponed.

    Speaking to journalists at the entrance of the assembly complex, a member-elect, Olalekan Adeleye (PDP- Odogbolu), expressed shock over the postponement of the inauguration.

    Armed police officers and personnel of the Department of State Security (DSS) were present at the entrance of the assembly, screening those allowed into the assembly complex.

    Adeleye lamented that no letter was issued to members on the postponement, rather a WhatsApp message was said to have been sent to members-elect.

    “What is happening here this morning is strange. We have been in high spirit, hoping that we will resume here at 9am for our inauguration.

    “To our dismay, we are locked out and when we asked questions, someone called my attention to a WhatsApp message purportedly sent by the Clerk of the House that the inauguration has been postponed to June 20.

    “If at all this is going to happen, there are appropriate ways of communication.

    “The notice of this inauguration was sent via a proclamation letter written by the governor that the 10th assembly would start by June 13.

    “And if there is going to be a postponement, such proclamation letter should be withdrawn and followed by another proclamation letter conveying the new date,” he said.

    The member-elect who spoke on behalf of other eight PDP members-elect, who were also on ground, added that the sudden postponement was not the best way to start the present legislature.

    He noted that no senior management staff of the Assembly was around to talk to them on the reason for the postponement.

    Reacting, the immediate past Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo, urged opposition party members-elect to keep calm over the postponement of the inauguration.

    Oluomo, who is representing Ifo-I, said that the news of the postponement was sent via the platform created for both the newly-elected members and the returning ones.

    The former speaker urged the members-elect not to be disturbed by the postponement, advising all members to wait for the new date.

    Currently, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has 17 members-elect while the PDP has 9 members-elect.

  • 9th Assembly a rubber stamp, senator reveals

    9th Assembly a rubber stamp, senator reveals

    The Senator representing Adamawa South Senatorial District, Senator Binos Yeroe, yesterday has said that the ninth Senate was a rubber stamp.

    Senator Yeroe declared this during his speech at the valedictory session by the red chamber, saying he agreed with those who labelled the ninth assembly as rubber stamp.

    He noted the approval of the N22.7tn Ways and Means further validated the rubber stamp accusation.

    Recall that in May 2023, the Senate approved the restructuring of the controversial N22.719 trillion naira ways and means advances, ostensibly to ensure that the government does not shut down.

    Yeroe said, “I agree with those who say the ninth Senate is a rubber stamp. Furthermore, the suspension of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, and subjecting him to investigation is a mild indictment on the National Assembly.

    “I hope the 10th Senate will take its job as the watchdog of the executive more seriously. I also hope that the 10th Senate will operate and adhere to its own rules. Take the rules on the procedures of the bills in rules 76, 77 and 78 for instance, that state that bills that are being read should be circulated to all senators. But very often, bills passed first and second reading without senators reading through them. I hope the 10th Senate will conduct its business more properly.”

     

  • Two Speakers emerge as controversy rocks inauguration of Nasarawa Assembly

    Two Speakers emerge as controversy rocks inauguration of Nasarawa Assembly

    The Nasarawa State House of Assembly was on Tuesday thrown into a controversial situation following the emergence of two Speakers at the inauguration of the House.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the two Speakers include the immediate past speaker, Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi and Mr Daniel Ogah Ogazi, representing Kokona East constituency.

    While Abdullahi was elected at a sitting which took place at the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ogazi emerged as Speaker from the proceedings at the State Assembly complex.

    The Nasarawa government had ordered the postponement of the inauguration of the seventh Assembly of the State House of Assembly indefinitely.

    Mr Ibrahim Musa, the acting Clerk of the House, in a statement in Lafia, said the postponement was based on security advice to Gov. Abdullahi Sule.

    Musa called on the members-elect and the public to bear with the decision as a new date would be communicated to them in due course.

  • Lagos Assembly re-elects Speaker for 3rd term, Ekiti, Osun get new Speakers

    Lagos Assembly re-elects Speaker for 3rd term, Ekiti, Osun get new Speakers

    Mr Mudashiru Obasa has been re-elected unanimously by the 39 lawmakers in the Lagos State House of Assembly to become the next Speaker of the state’s 10th Assembly.

    Obasa (APC-Agege I) was re-elected by his colleagues to lead the Lagos State House of Assembly as Speaker for the third consecutive time.

    Obasa was unanimously re-elected after a proclamation of the Lagos 10th Assembly by Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat and other top government officials at the chamber of the House.

    The lawmakers also elected Mr Mojisola Meranda as the Deputy Speaker of the 10th Assembly.

    Obasa, the most ranking member of the House, was nominated by Mr Temitope Adewale, member representing Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency, and was seconded by Mr Sylvester Ogunkelu, member representing Epe II  Constituency.

    Also, Mr Noheem Adams, the Deputy Majority Leader in the Ninth Assembly, was elected as the new Majority Leader while Mr Adedamola Kasunmu, member representing Ikeja Constituency II,  was elected the Deputy Majority Leader.

    Mr Mojeed Fatai, member representing Ibeju Lekki I Constituency, was elected as the Chief Whip while Mr David Setonji , member representing Badagry II Constituency, was elected the Deputy Chief Whip.

    8th Osun Assembly: Adewale Egbedun emerges Speaker

    Mr Adewale Egbedun, the lawmaker representing Odo-Otin State Constituency,  on Tuesday, emerged the Speaker of the 8th Osun State House of Assembly.

    Egbedun, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member and a first time lawmaker, was nominated by Abiola Ibrahim representing Irewole/Isokan Constituency while Areoye Ebenezer representing Atakumosa East/West Constituency seconded the motion.

    Mr Akinyode Oyewusi, the lawmaker representing Ife North State Constituency was equally elected as Deputy Speaker.

    Oyewusi was nominated by Elisha Oderinwale, lawmaker representing Ayedire State Constituency, and which was seconded by Kashope Abolarinwa, lawmaker representing Ifedayo State Constituency.

    Mr Simeon Amusan, the Clerk of the assembly, thereafter, administered the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office on the nominated Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

    Egbedun, in turn administered the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office on the remaining 24 members of the assembly.

    In his acceptance speech, the new speaker called on his colleagues “to join hands with him to run a true and new age Osun House of Assembly”.

    He said the 8th assembly, under his leadership, would focus on legislature that would improve workers’ welfare, infrastructural development, improve peoples lives and also work with the executive to develop the state.

    Egbedun, however, said that the assembly would revisit the laws passed by the 7th  assembly at the twilight of its tenure, especially between August and November 2022, to correct obnoxious bills/laws passed.

    In his proclamation address , Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun, sought the support of the legislature to achieve his five-goal development agenda of good governance for the state.

    Adeleke said that since the executive and overwhelming members of the legislature belonged to the same political party, the two arms should work towards the same goal of good governance and providing the people with the dividends of democracy.

    Egbedun took over from Rt. Hon. Timothy Owoeye, an All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker, who piloted the affairs of the 7th Osun House of Assembly from 2019 to 2023.

    Other principal officers elected afterwards include: Babajide Kofoworola (Ede North) as Majority Leader; Adekunle Oladimeji (Irepodun/Orolu) as Deputy Majority Leader.

    Also, Olawale Akerele (Ilesa West) was elected as Chief Whip, while Afeez Ibrahim (Olaoluwa) was elected as the Deputy Chief Whip.

    Eminent personality at the inauguration include former Osun governor and PDP chieftain, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and former Osun House of Assembly Speakers Adejare Bello and Najeem Salaam.

    Others are Osun Chief Judge, Mrs Adepele Ojo, and former Osun assembly lawmakers, among others.

    Aribasoye emerges as speaker of Ekiti 7th Assembly

    Mr Adeoye Aribasoyo (APC- Ikole 2), has been elected as the speaker of the 7th assembly of the Ekiti State House of Assembly.

    Aribasoyo was elected shortly after the proclamation of the 7th assembly by the clerk of the house, Mr Tola Esan in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday.

    The speaker was unanimously elected after he was nominated by Mr Femi Akindele (APC-Irepodun Ifelodun Constituency 1).

    Mrs Bolaji Olagbaju (APC- Ado 2) was also elected as the deputy speaker.

    Olagbaju was the daughter of the immediate past Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, late Bisi Egbeyemi.

    Speaking with newsmen, the speaker said the 7th Assembly would ensure that the people of the state enjoyed dividends of democracy.

    Aribasoyo said the assembly was ready to work for the betterment of the people of the state.

    “We will be futuristic in our approach and worked tirelessly, performing our major roles for the betterment of our people.

    “We are ready to offer selfless service to our dear state, we are fully prepared. I am using we because it is not going to be a one man’s show, we are going to work collectively with my colleagues.

    “I see the light shining in Ekiti State because  the 7th assembly will bring about meaningful impacts to the lives of the people of our dear state.

    “The 7th assembly will join hands with all stakeholders  to take the state to the height that we desired,” Aribasoyo said.

  • Gov. Adeleke announces dissolution of Osun Assembly

    Gov. Adeleke announces dissolution of Osun Assembly

    Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun has announced the dissolution of the 7th State House of Assembly.

    This is contained in a statement by Malam Olawale Rasheed, the spokesperson to the governor on Sunday in Osogbo.

    The governor exercised the authority vested in him by Section 105(3)  of the Nigerian constitution by announcing the dissolution of the 7th  assembly and proclamation for the 8th assembly.

    The governor conveyed the dissolution of the 7th assembly and the proclamation of the 8th assembly to the Clerk of the state assembly.

    The 8th assembly will be inaugurated on June 6.

    Adeleke said: ” I write to convey my proclamation for the holding of the 8th Assembly.

    “In exercise of powers bestowed upon me by Section 105 (3) aforesaid, and of all powers enabling me in that behalf, hereby proclaim that the First Session of the Eighth (8th) Assembly of Osun State House of Assembly shall hold on Tuesday, 6th June 2019 at 10 am in Osun State House of Assembly.”

  • In tears, Ondo Speaker dissolves assembly

    In tears, Ondo Speaker dissolves assembly

    The Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Mr Bamidele Oleyelogun, on Friday dissolved the assembly, following the expiration of its four-year tenure.

    In a valedictory speech, Oleyelogun applauded his colleagues and members of staff of the assembly for their loyalty and support.

    He, however, became emotional and suddenly broke down in tears, while expressing his appreciation to God.

    He said that the dissolution was in line with Section 105 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    In an emotion-laden voice, Oloyelogun thanked God that no member of the assembly lost their lives since the inception of the ninth assembly in June 2019.

    He said that the oneness, unity, and togetherness exhibited by the lawmakers contributed to the success recorded by the assembly under his leadership.

    He extended the assembly’s appreciation to Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu “for giving the legislative arm the enabling environment to thrive for the betterment of the state”.

    According to him, the assembly was successful because it was able to surmount all the challenges and contributed immensely to the growth and infrastructure development of the state.

    He appealed to those who felt aggrieved and offended by his actions to forgive him, saying that he bore no grudges against anybody.

    Oleyelogun advised the incoming 10th assembly to build on the achievements of his leadership.

    Some lawmakers that also spoke said that the house afforded them the platform to contribute their own quota to the development of the state.

    Mr Sunday Olajide (APC), who represented Akure South Constituency 2, said that he delivered the dividend of democracy to his constituency within his ability.

    Olajide also said that he had gained more knowledge in the course of his legislative duties.

    Similarly, Mr Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi (APC), who represented Owo Constituency 1, thanked his constituents for the confidence they reposed in him to serve them.

    Ogunmolasuyi said he made a lot of sacrifice to add value to his constituency and better the lot of the people and state at large.

    He described Oleyelogun as a father and a good leader, saying that he provided a level playing field for all the lawmakers to function.

    Ogunmolasuyi, who looked excited during the session, moved the motion for the assembly’s dissolution.

    The motion was seconded by Mr Gbenga Omole, who represented Akoko South-West constituency.

  • Rivers Assembly approves 4 commissioners for Gov. Fubara

    Rivers Assembly approves 4 commissioners for Gov. Fubara

    Rivers House of Assembly on Tuesday confirmed the nomination of four commissioners whose names were sent to it by Gov. Siminialayi Fubara for screening.

    The four were members of the State Executive Council of immediate past Gov. Nyesom Wike.

    They are Commissioner for Education, Prof. Chinedum Mmon, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zacheaus Adango, and Commissioners for Finance, Mr Isaac Kamalu and that of Works, Mr George Kyeli.

    The Assembly itself is due for dissolution on June 3.

    Leader of the House, Mr Martins Amaehwule (PDP-Obio/Akpor 1), said the approval was necessary to enable the quartet to continue the good works they were doing in the service of Rivers.

    Amaehwule noted that members of the 9th Assembly were of the view that all members of the immediate past State Executive Council of former Gov. Wike be retained in the new administration.

    He explained that this was because of their competence, hard work and passion to serve Rivers, adding that they all did well in the Wike administration.

    Responding, the Education Commissioner-designate, Mr Mmon noted that his target for the ministry was to digitalise its data and information.

    “This means that information about any school in the state; the location; number of pupils or students and their classes and ages among others, will be readily available.

    “This is what is paramount to my heart for the ministry and if I am able to achieve that, then I will be fulfilled,’’ he said.

  • Plateau Assembly holds plenary after 2 month-closure

    Plateau Assembly holds plenary after 2 month-closure

    The Plateau House of Assembly on Tuesday held its plenary after two months of closure and congratulated the new state Gov. Caleb Mutfwang.

    It would be recalled that security operatives sealed the assembly complex since April 4 over leadership tussle.

    The Speaker, Abok Ayuba, who presided over the Tuesday plenary was elected speaker by his colleagues in June 2019 but was impeached on Oct. 28, 2021 by members of the assembly.

    Ayuba, however, challenged his impeachment which he described as illegal, saying that it contravened the rules of the assembly.

    He was eventually reinstated on April 3 by a Plateau High Court presided over Justice Nefisa Musa.

    The speaker who succeeded Ayuba, Assemblyman Yakubu Sanda, challenged High Court judgement and claimed that he was still in charge, the situation led to closure of assembly complex by security agencies to avoid breakdown of law and order.

    The reinstated speaker, during the plenary, decried the time wasted over the needless closure but thanked God that they finally resumed legislative business.

    Also during the plenary, a motion for a matter of urgent public importance was moved by Assemblyman Bala Fwenji, member representing Mangu South State Constituency.

    Fwenji said that he moved the motion in pain because most parts of his constituency came under serious attack with no fewer than 180 people killed, many sustained various degrees of injuries while more than 30,000 were displaced.

    The members unanimously condemned the persistent attacks in the state and called on Plateau and federal governments to investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice.

    The lawmakers said that according to Nigerian Constitution, security shall be the primary responsibility of government.

    They called for a review of the law establishing Operation Rainbow, the state security outfit to make it more effective in combating the challenges.

    The assemblymen called for roundtable for the key stakeholders in Plateau to find a permanent solution to the attacks.

    They called on government to direct State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to assess the situation and assist the victims to ameliorate their sufferings.

    Plateau Rural Access Agency bill passed second reading during the plenary.

  • 10th House: You’re both Speaker, Deputy in waiting, Shettima tells Abbas, Kalu

    10th House: You’re both Speaker, Deputy in waiting, Shettima tells Abbas, Kalu

    The Vice President-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima has referred to the duo of Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, (APC, Kaduna) and Hon. Benjamin Kalu (APC, Abia) as Speaker and Deputy Speaker in waiting.

    Recall that the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC, on Monday endorsed their candidature as Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives.

    The VP-elect made the reference on Friday evening when the duo accompanied by 178 other members-elect visited him at his campaign office at the high brow area of Asokoro in Abuja.

    He expressed delight at the crowd behind the party’s choices saying that he was more than happy, but overwhelmed.

    Responding to speeches made by the duo earlier, the VP-elect said: “Thank you so much Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, by God’s grace our Speaker in waiting. And my very good friend, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, our Deputy Speaker in waiting. To say that I was pleased meeting this collective is an understatement, I was overwhelmed.”

    “This collective has come to prove to Nigerians that what binds us together is greater and supersedes whatever divides us. Rt. Hon. Members, the trajectory of global growth is facing Africa and Nigeria to make or mar that transition. 220 million black people, one out of every four black is a Nigerian. Average age in Africa today is 19. The Asian economy, the Asian Tigers are maturing. China today is aging. Indonesia, Malaysia and South Korea are all aging. So the future of the world rests on this continent.

    “I’m quite glad because this is a gathering of ladies and gentlemen of different political colouration. We are bound together by our collective desire to reposition our nation. I urge you to maintain this momentum, to sustain this brotherhood and sisterhood, so that collectively we can catapult our country to a higher pedestal. The country is in dire state,” he said.

    Senator Shettima therefore assured the party’s anointed aspirants of his determination to speak to other contestants sonaa to get their support and forge a united front going into the new administration.

    “Be rest assured that we are not only on board this project, I will take it upon myself to reach out to other contenders. Politics as said is all local. Rt Hon. Muktari Betara Aliyu is my brother. We are from the same subregion, we are from the same state. And I have the best of relationship with him. I met him two nights ago, and I will sustain that discussion, so that at the end of the day there will be no winner, no vanquished.

    “Around 1 pm today, I met with Rt. Hon Esse, the deputy Speaker. He is someone who’s very close to me. We will continue the engagement so that we can have a rancour free 10th Assembly,” the VP-elect assured.

    Speaking earlier, the APC anointed Speakership hopeful, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas told the VP-elect that he will in conjunction with his deputy run an inclusive House which will not disappoint the administration, the party, as well as the country as a whole.

    He expressed delight at the prosect of having both the President and his Vice as alumni if the National Assembly, noting that such has never happened before.

    “We are here to say we are very grateful to you, to Mr President-elect, and to the party for finding us worthy of this mantle of leadership. I want to assure you that we will not disappoint you, the party and Nigerians. Your Excellency, I want to congratulate us after June 13th if God makes it possible that we will be in the reign of leadership, that we will be extremely lucky, because there’s never being a time in the history of this country where the number one and number two citizens being products of the National Assembly.

    “Mr President-elect was a senator, he understands the system very well. You are just an outgoing senator who also understand the system very well. So we believe synergy and working in a mutually beneficial manner will be very easy for us.

    Hon. Benjamin Kalu who’s the only surviving APC member from his State in his speech thanked the party and the leadership for considering inclusion and national cohesion in chosing him for the presiding officer s position despite the poor electoral outing the party had in the South East.

    “Before now, no South Easterner was in the presiding officer’s position in the last four years, but this time, irrespective of the number of votes that came out from the South East, the party considered cohesion and gave us this. We are grateful.

    “Here with me today are members of the House from the South East, we are about 43, and irrespective of the political parties differences they are solidly standing by this your decision. And they will show it on the day of election because this a decision that will give every part of the country a sense of belonging,” Kalu added.

    The chairman of the Joint Task – 10th Assembly which has taken over the campaign of the duo, Hon. Usman Bello Kumo earlier introduced them to the VP -elect, saying that the group before the zoning was a neutral one supporting no aspirant nor fighting anyone.

    He however said since the party took its zoning decision, the group based on its resolution decided to collapse its structure for the joint ticket to ensure that the party’s position is respected and delivered.

  • BREAKING: Borno assembly member-elect from Chibok is dead

    BREAKING: Borno assembly member-elect from Chibok is dead

    Mr. Nuhu Clark, a member-elect for Chibok constituency in the Borno House of Assembly, is dead.

    According to reports, the deceased died in India on Monday, while undergoing treatment.

    Babakura Abbajatau, The state Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information, and Culture, confirmed the development in an interview with NAN in Maiduguri on Wednesday.

    Abbajatau said that the state government would soon make an official statement after speaking with the family of the deceased.

    While mourning the deceased, the Borno Deputy Governor, Umar Kadafur, described the death as a huge loss to his immediate family, people of Southern Borno and the state at large.

    Kadafur described the death as a great loss to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in view of his outstanding contributions to the growth and development of the state.

    He commiserated with the immediate family of the late politician, and prayed to the Almighty God to give the family the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.

    Clark was a former Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation before resigning on April 25, 2022, to contest the Chibok State Constituency election on the platform of APC.