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Tag: Deputy Speaker

  • APC govs to meet Buhari, Oshiomhole over deputy speaker

    APC govs to meet Buhari, Oshiomhole over deputy speaker

    As part of efforts to settle for a consensus candidate from the North-Central for the position of deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, All Progressives Congress (APC) governors from the zone are to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari any time this week.

    The meeting is expected to be attended by the national chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and all party chairmen from the six states that make up the geopolitical zone.

    Only last Thursday, the governors and some state party chairmen reportedly endorsed Senator Ahmed Lawan for Senate President and Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila as speaker of the House.

    A close aide to Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau, who disclosed this to some select journalists, said the meeting was in furtherance of efforts by the governors and party leaders to ensure that lawmakers from the region accept the decision of the party to zone the position of speaker to the South-West and deputy speaker to North-Central.

    He said Lalong was already in Abuja and was putting finishing touches towards hosting the meeting to find a common ground for the zone.

    “His Excellency and his colleagues may be meeting with President Buhari sometime this week to finalise the position of the North-Central on zoning of political offices. You are aware that we have been given the position of deputy speaker, but some of our lawmakers in the geopolitical zone are still contesting for speaker.

    “This is giving the party and especially leaders in the zone some concern because, the North-Central is the heart of APC and we do not want a situation whereby it will become the problem of the party. We want to nip this current disagreement in the bud before it causes some damage to the party,” the source said.

    Continuing, the party stalwart from Plateau said: “Right now, there is Hon. Bago from Niger, Hon. Dyegh from Benue and our son, Hon. Idris Wase from Plateau, all contesting for speaker. But the party, in its wisdom, said no; let’s give it to South-West. You people should take deputy speaker. There is no doubt we deserve more, but deputy speaker is also fair.

    “In fact, those contestants will also be part of this upcoming meeting. We want to talk like brothers and like true party men. This is not a fight or imposition, but we will talk to ourselves and resolve this matter once and for all,” he stated.

    However, it was gathered from other sources that although some of the governors were not comfortable with the position of deputy speaker at the meeting they held last week at Plateau Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, they all agreed that there was need to close up and avoid any pitfall that may give the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) an opportunity from taking over leadership of the House and Senate.

    Recall that following the zoning of the position of speaker to South-West and deputy speaker to North-Central at the dinner hosted by President Buhari for all APC Reps-elect, the governors also met in Abuja to review the zoning, where they endorsed Senator Lawan and Hon. Gbajabiamila for Senate President and speaker.

    The meeting was attended by Governors Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarawa), Sani Bello (Niger) and Hon. Emmanuel Jime, the APC gubernatorial candidate in the just concluded general election. Party chairmen from FCT, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Plateau were also at the meeting.

  • Ekiti Assembly impeaches Deputy Speaker for second time

    Ekiti State House of Assembly on Thursday removed the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Segun Adewumi, for alleged gross misconduct.

    Adewumi, (Ekiti West Constituency I) in the assembly was elected on June 6, 2015 as the number two man in the Assembly.

    He was removed in 2018 by pro-Ayodele Fayose lawmakers for alleged disloyalty.

    The PDP lawmaker was reinstated as deputy speaker last year few days before Dr. Kayode Fayemi was inaugurated as governor.

    The Assembly elected Olaposi Omodara (Irepodun/Ifelodun constituency 1) as new Deputy Speaker.

    Adewumi was earlier impeached in May 2018.

    Back then, the Assembly accused Adewumi of committing several acts including personal conducts likely to bring the Assembly to disrepute, obvious threat to peace of members and obstruction of constitutional functions of ‘The House.’

    He was also accused of “dereliction, desertion, abscondment and abandonment of constitutional vested responsibilities of the Office of the Deputy Speaker.”

     

  • 2019: Bauchi Deputy Speaker, seven others dump APC

    2019: Bauchi Deputy Speaker, seven others dump APC

    Four members of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, including the Deputy Speaker, Abdulmumini Fanti, have dumped the All Progressives Congress for the Peoples Redemption Party.

    Two senatorial and two House Representative aspirants also dumped the APC.

    Member representing Bauchi Constituency, Mr. Abdullahi Shehu, disclosed this in an interview with journalists in Bauchi on Sunday evening.

    Shehu claimed that he and his colleagues left the APC with over 300,000 of their supporters.

    He said, “Three members of the Bauchi State House of Assembly and I have left the APC for good. The party’s injustice and mandate theft in the direct primaries conducted on October 7 are some of our reasons for dumping the party.

    “Our people chose us to be candidates while the party leadership denied us the mandate. The next option for us is to opt out of the party.”

    He listed other lawmakers who left the party with him to include Fanti, (Alkaleri Constituency); Ibrahim Katagum (Katagum Constituency); and Auwal Hassan, (Shira Constituency).

    “Two aspirants who contested Bauchi South and Central senatorial tickets under the APC, Lawan Ibrahim and Bappah Misau, have also joined the PRP.

    “Two ex-lawmakers (who are House of Representative aspirants), Abdulmumini Ningi and Dayyabu Chiroma have also defected to the PRP.

    “We defected along with 300,000 supporters to the PRP to salvage the state from the APC,” he added.

    The state Chairman of PRP, Alhaji Shehu Ningi, confirmed to journalists that the former APC members had joined the party after they were “cheated and denied tickets” in their former party.

     

  • Former Edo Speaker emerges new Deputy Speaker

    Immediate past Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Dr. Justin Okonoboh, has been named the new Deputy Speaker.
     
    Dr. Okonoboh emerged Deputy Speaker after the impeachment of Hon Victor Edoror.
     
    Edoror was made Speaker in 2015 and was impeached in 2016. He was made Deputy Speaker in 2017 when Dr. Okonoboh was removed as Speaker.
     
    Okonoboh was first elected Speaker in 2016 and removed in 2017 for financial recklessness.
     
    Both Edoror and Okonoboh hail from Edo Central Senatorial district.

  • Defection: Kaduna Assembly declares former Deputy Speaker’s seat vacant

    Defection: Kaduna Assembly declares former Deputy Speaker’s seat vacant

    The Kaduna State House of Assembly on Wednesday declared the seat of its former Deputy Speaker, Mr John Audu-Kwaturu vacant after he announced his defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
    Also declared vacant is the seat occupied by Alhaji Junaidu Yakubu, the member representing Kudan constituency, who also defected to the PDP.
    Both Audu-Kwaturu, who represents Kachia constituency and Yakubu were elected under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
    Audu-Kwaturu had a week ago announced his resignation from the position of Deputy Speaker.
    Declaring the seats vacant at plenary, the Speaker, Aminu Shagali said the defection of the lawmakers had no basis as the APC in the state was not in any crisis.
    According to him, the action of the assembly is in line with the provision of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lawmakers have unanimously elected Mr Nuhu Shadalafiya, erstwhile Chairman, House Committee on Information, as the new Deputy Speaker.
    Shadalafiya represents Kagarko constituency in the assembly. (NAN)
  • 2019: Kaduna Deputy Speaker, lawmaker dump APC

    2019: Kaduna Deputy Speaker, lawmaker dump APC

    The Deputy Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, John Audu, representing Kachia Constituency, has defected from the ruling APC.

    ‎Confirming his defection in a statement, he personally signed, Audu said it was a difficult decision taken by him.

    According to him, he consulted widely with people of his constituency before leaving the party.

    He cited impunity in the party as the main reason for his defection.

    Audu did not mention the new party he will join.

    “I write to withdraw my membership of the All Progressive Congress APC with effect from 7th August 2018 .

    “This is the most difficult decision ever taken after due consultation with the good people of my constituency.

    “However, I came to realize that most of the party supporters have left due to impunity and division in the local government and the state level of the party. Please accept my best regards,” he wrote.

    ‎Another member of the state assembly representing Kudan Local Government Area, Junaidu Yakubu, has also dumped the APC.

    In a letter signed by him and submitted to the party secretariat, he said it had become imperative “in view of the draconian leadership of the party at the state level and the local government.”

    “I feel I will not serve the interest of the people in my constituency under the said leadership. This decision was arrived at after due consultation with my people whom I had sworn to protect their interest under the party,” he said.

    He also did not mention the new party he will join.

     

  • National Assembly will reconvene next week — Deputy Speaker

    National Assembly will reconvene next week — Deputy Speaker

    The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yusuf Lasun on Thursday confirmed that the National Assembly will reconvene Tuesday next week to consider matters of public interest.

    Lasun made this announcement on Thursday shortly after a meeting of the All Progressives Congress caucus in the National Assembly.

    “First, let me make one thing very clear that we are on a lawful break. We didn’t just adjourn in order to run away from our duties, but went on recess at the time we normally have our annual recess.

    “But based on the president’s request and the meeting we held with INEC Chairman on Wednesday, we are convinced on the need to reconvene and address them,” he said.

    Issues expected to be considered are supplementary budget, as well as approval of funds for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enable it prepare for the elections.

    Rising from the meeting that lasted for about three hours, the Caucus called for urgent and thorough investigation of the invasion of the parliament by armed men from the State Security Services (SSS) on Tuesday.

    Mr Lasun frowned at the formation of various groups within the APC caucus.

    Apparently referring to the Abdulmumin Jibrin-led Parliamentary Support Group, a pro-Buhari group in the House, he insisted that “nobody, no matter the group he/she belongs to can say that they like and support President Buhari more that the APC Caucus”, adding that “the Caucus remains one united body.

    The deputy speaker said President Buhari will run for re-election as a consensus candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “Before he emerged in 2015, I was already campaigning for Buhari in 2014, and the party’s national leadership and all its organs had agreed in principle that the President will be our consensus candidate in 2019.

    “Mark my words, I said this on principle. And when the time for primaries reaches for candidates to be elected, we are all going to adopt President Buhari as a consensus candidate of the APC, so let nobody come to deceive anyone that they love the President or Nigeria more than some of us,” he said.

  • BREAKING: Ekiti Assembly Impeaches Deputy Speaker

    The Deputy Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Adesegun Adewumi, has been impeached.

    The House, at its plenary on Thursday, also removed it’s Chef Whip, Hon. Akinniyi Sunday.

    Hon. Animasaun Adesina, representing Ekiti West CONSTITUENCY II, was elected as deputy speaker to replace Hon Adewumi, while Hon. Onigiobi Olawale, representing Ekiti South West constituency I, was appointed as the new Chief Whip.
    Hon. Adewumi was removed as deputy speaker after a motion moved by the Leader of Business, Hon. Akinyele Olatunji and seconded by Hon Olayanju Olanrewaju

    Hon Akinyele alleged that Hon Adewumi was found to have indulged in activities capable of bringing the dignity and integrity of the House to disrepute.

    Other allegations against the impeached deputy speaker were gross misconduct, lack of leadership qualities and acting in a way that could destabilize the state.

    The Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon (Pastor) Kola Oluwawole, announced that 18 members of the Assembly signed the notice of impeachment of the deputy speaker in accordance with Section 92 (2c) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    Members present at plenary unanimously agreed that Hon Adewumi had exhibited high level of disloyalty and unpatriotism and as such should be impeached.

    The Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Hon (Dr) Samuel Omotoso, nominated Hon Animasaun as the new deputy speaker and was seconded by Hon Afolabi Akanni.

    The nomination was unanimously accepted by members, while the Speaker announced Hon Onigiobi as the replacement for the chief Whip in accordance with the directive of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State.

    In his acceptance speech, the new deputy speaker, Hon Animas aunt, said he was honoured by the election and promised to perform his duties in accordance with the constitution.

  • Oshiomhole denies ‘willing’ official cars to ex-deputy speaker, Ativie, says ‘charge her for stealing’

    The immediate past governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has denied giving out official vehicles attached to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly to the impeached Deputy Speaker, Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie, for her personal use.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the lawmaker had last week said she won’t return the vehicles because the former governor had ‘willed’ them to her for willingly stepping down for the her then deputy (Dr Justin Okonoboh) to emerge Speaker while she became his deputy. She even stated that some of the vehicles had been sold.

    However, responding to the allegations, Oshiomhole, who spoke in an interview with newsmen in Iyamoh, Etsako West Local Government Area of the state said the claims by Ativie were false and that the new House leadership should charge her for fraud and stealing if she refused to return the vehicles by the stipulated deadline.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Ativie was impeached with Okonoboh, who hails from Edo Central and the ex-Majority Leader, Mr. Foly Ogedengbe, for alleged misconduct. They were directed by the new Speaker, Mr Kabiru Adjoto, to return the official vehicles in their possession.

    In Oshiomhole’s words: “Ativie has to return those vehicles and I believe that the government, whether the executive or legislative branch, has to follow the legal procedures to recover those vehicles, and if she has privatised them, charge her for stealing. I had a meeting, incidentally, with the members of the House few days after the change (impeachment) and I pointedly reminded her that she had to return those vehicles.

    “You will not forget in a hurry that (for) everything that happens in the state, the governor is the person that everybody looks at, whether he knows about it or not. Even those who know that the governor does not know, it is very convenient to just blame him for everything.

    “At the eve of the governorship election, the House had reasons to make a change which offset what we commonly refer to as the tripod. But once they made the change, the thing was either she resigned when the House realised that they agreed with the party that we needed to make an adjustment or they impeached the Speaker.

    “And they were not ready to impeach her because they said it would not be fair to impeach her, though there were arguments that, after all, she was married to an Esan (Edo Central) man and, therefore, by marriage, she is Esan. But again you know that in Nigeria, it depends on what suits you. One of the concerns she raised was that now that she had the vehicles of the Speaker, if she had to resign and be made a Deputy Speaker, she would not be entitled to those four vehicles.”

    He further explained that an agreement was reached at the meeting that she could use the four vehicles as the deputy speaker for as long as she occupied the office.

    Oshiomhole, however, noted that the agreement did not mean that her successor would have four vehicles because the vehicles were meant for the office of the Speaker but “personal” to her as deputy speaker.

    “How does that amount to asset transfer? I am not in a position to give out government assets. The car that Governor (Godwin) Obaseki is using now, incidentally, was one of my official cars. The one he is using in Abuja is the one I handed over. They are not my property. It is true that governors have powers but those powers are derived from law; the limits of those powers are also well-specified in law,” he added.

    On the letter alleged to have been personally signed by him to transfer the vehicles to the suspended lawmaker, the ex-governor stated, “If it is anything done by me, I have told you what I did and I think it is very straightforward. First is that I never wrote her a letter donating government cars to her. No. I couldn’t have; it doesn’t make sense. I don’t even have such powers, even if I wish to and if I am going to donate government cars, I cannot donate cars belonging to the Edo State House of Assembly.”

  • Edo Assembly lifts suspension on ex-Speaker, Majority Leader

    …As former Deputy Speaker, Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie

    The Edo State House of Assembly on Monday lifted the suspension of its former Speaker, Dr. Justin Okonoboh, and Majority Leader, Mr. Foly Ogedengbe.

    The resolution followed the recommendations of an ad hoc committee which had the new Deputy Speaker, Mr. Victor Edoro, as Chairman.

    It, however, said that the suspension of the former deputy speaker, Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie, and the member representing Esan North-East II, Mr. Magnus-Desmond Ezehi, would remain until they showed a sign of cooperation with the committee.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Okonoboh, who represents Igueben constituency, Ativie and Ogedengbe were impeached last Monday by 19 members for alleged gross misconduct.

    The member representing Akoko Edo I, Mr. Kabiru Adjoto, had been elected as the new Speaker.

    The affected members had also been suspended for three months, pending the outcome of an investigation by an ad hoc committee.

    The chairman of the committee explained to the House that the former speaker and majority leader were “seemingly cooperative” with investigations while Ativie and Igbas allegedly showed no respect to the committee and the House as of the time of submitting its preliminary report.

    Edoro also noted some of the property of the assembly had been returned by the two suspended members.

    “Consequently, the suspension of the members, Okonoboh and Ogedengbe, is hereby lifted, while Ativie and Igbas remain suspended,” Adjoto said shortly after the resolution was passed on Monday.

    Meanwhile, the assembly has reconstituted its Principal Officers Council and 23 House committees.

    The new members of the council and their positions include Mr. Sunday Eghedo (APC), Deputy Leader; Mr. Osaigbovo Iyoha (APC), Chief Whip; Mr. Sylvanus Eruaga (PDP), Minority Leader; Mr. Audu Ganiyu (APC), Deputy Chief Whip; Mr. Sunday Osazemwinde (APC), co-opted member; and Mr. Festus Edughele (APC), co-opted member.