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  • Death Threats: Nigeria still running a democratic government, Dogara tells Buhari, Oshiomhole

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has said President Muhammadu Buhari’s statement that whoever rigged the 2019 general elections should be ready to die was a violation of Nigerian laws.

    Dogara, who addressed a press conference on Monday in Abuja, argued that Nigerian laws have provided sanctions for electoral offenders, adding that Buhari’s speech was a call for extra-judicial killings in the country.

    Read full text of the speaker’s speech below:

    BEING THE TEXT OF A PRESS BRIEFING BY RT. HON. YAKUBU DOGARA, SPEAKER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON ISSUES ARISING FROM THE POSTPONEMENT OF THE PRESIDENTIAL AND NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS BY THE INEC ON FEBRUARY 18, 2019.

    1. This press briefing is to call the attention of well meaning Nigerians and the international community to the incendiary statements made by President Muhammadu Buhari, and Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the national caucus of their party, earlier today.

    2. At the meeting the President said: “Anybody who decides to snatch boxes or lead thugs to disturb the election, may be that would be the last unlawful action you would take. I have given the military and police the order to be ruthless. I am going to warn anybody who thinks he would lead a body of thugs in his locality to snatch boxes or to disturb the voting system; he would do it at the expense of his/her own life.”

    3. Mr. Oshiomole also claims that the PDP was given prior notice of the postponement of the elections.

    4. In this context, we categorically deny these false claims and unnecessary blackmail and regard the President’s statement as a call for extra-judicial killings considering the fact that there are adequate provisions in our laws to address electoral offenses.

    5. These statements clearly indicate that our democracy has become the victim of a full blown dictatorship, when one considers that a democratically elected President would give a directive that is in clear violation of the laws of the land which by his oath of office he is to defend and protect.

    6. Inview of this statement by the president, it is obvious that the military has been given a central role and coopted into the conduct of the election despite the fact that they have no constitutional role in our electoral process.

    7. It should be noted that our party chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, was the first to call for an inquiry into why the elections were postponed last Saturday. In reality, we support a genuine and transparent probe into why the presidential and National Assembly elections could not hold. We also hope that the president’s inflammatory statement is not a threat aimed at intimidating the electoral commission.

    8. We also strongly condemn Mr. Oshiomole’s false, mischievous and inflammatory claims against our party, when he said INEC colluded with PDP to abort last week’s elections. This is a very surprising statement considering the fact that the Federal government controls every institution and agency involved in the electoral process, including the CBN, Nigerian Airforce, Aviation authorities amongst others.

    9. From our position, we strongly believe that the deliberate delivery of election materials to the wrong electoral centers, cancellation of flights, and other actions that undermined the logistics arrangement of INEC were deliberately done to sabotage and manipulate the process.

    10. We are also very familiar with the pressure brought on INEC by top government officials and APC leaders to go ahead with the elections despite not being adequately prepared for the election. We are also aware the APC wanted the INEC chairman to conduct elections in some states and postpone in other states so as to have staggered elections. It should also be noted that the areas that would have been affected by inadequate delivery of materials were PDP strongholds

    11. It is important to note that the APC in its usual manipulative style is now shifting the blame on INEC leadership while absolving itself and the other institutions of government under its control of any blame.That is the common strategy that super villains always employ.

    12. Obvioulsy, we know they are doing everything humanly possible to discredit INEC, remove the chairman and stall the process conscious of the fact that they cannot win this election.

    13. Embarrasingly, this is the first time that we have witnessed a ruling party play victim, which is a clear indication that they have lost the plot. Evidently, their recent actions and statements clearly show they are panicking and desperate to cling onto power, even when the people have rejected them.

    14. Also, opinion polls conducted by the APC, and other international agencies clearly indicate that the APC will lose this election, anytime it is conducted; we believe that is why they are resorting to desperate measures of arm-twisting the electoral commission, undermining the entire process and planning to unleash terror on the country.

    15. Finally, let it be known that the PDP, with the support of every well meaning Nigerian, will employ every legitimate means to resist attempts by the APC and the Federal government to undermine and compromise the electoral process and truncate our democracy.

    16. The PDP believes in a united and democratic Nigeria and will continue to do all within its means to protect the country, her people and constitution from undemocratic elements.

    17. We call on all Nigerians not to despair, but turn out en mass on Saturday to vote and defend their votes. We also urge the international community and their observers that are in the country to monitor the election and be vigilant because their presence as impartial arbiters is important in ensuring we have peaceful, credible, free, fair and transparent elections. The security agencies are also enjoined to be impartial and remain loquat to the constitution of the Federal Republic.

    Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara
    Speaker, House of Representives
    Federal Republic of Nigeria

  • 2019: Its time for North-east to produce president – Dogara

    From Jonas Ike, Abuja

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, has said that the February 16 Presidential election offers a very rare opportunity for the north east to produce a president in the person of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Speaking in Bauchi on Tuesday at the Presidential campaign rally of the PDP, Hon Dogara noted that some people think that the north east can never be able to produce someone that will have the golden opportunity of becoming the president of Nigeria.

    “They thought no one from the north east would come out to take the challenge..many unpatriotic people wished that a day like this will never come where one of us; a father, a leader from North East, will contest for the position of the president.”

    He added that whereas Nigeria is now the poverty capital of the world, the north east is the poverty capital of Nigeria, a situation that will change when “one of us, our leader form the North East, and who is getting a huge acceptance wherever he launches his campaign, is brought to power.”

    Furthermore, he stated, “It is now left to us, the people of the north east, to come out enmasse to vote for him. That’s the only way to show our total support for a better tomorrow, and who ever votes otherwise has shown that he is not after the development of North East.

    “I want to make it clear to you, we are not campaigning for Atiku just because he is from our zone, no, we are campaigning and supporting him because of our belief that he will work for a better Nigeria. He is the only one that will bring an end to hunger, poverty, insurgency, especially Boko Haram, and also one who will make education a top priority. He will provide jobs to our youths.”

    The speaker argued that Atiku will work to unite the country and return it on the path of development, while taking a swipe at the Bauchi State governor, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, who he described as a Pharoah.

    “It is only in Bauchi that a Pharaoh-like regime is being practiced. If you are a photocopy of Pharaoh, know what happened to the original Pharaoh.

    “We are bringing someone (Sen Bala Mohammed) who will bring back the lost glory of our dear state. It’s unfortunate that over 1.3 million children in Bauchi State are out of school today, which means if care is not taken, we may face another bigger security challange of our lives in the near future.

    “Let us wake up and chase away hunger, poverty, insecurity and a Pharaoh-like government,” he charged.

  • JUST IN: Dogara officially announces defection to PDP

    …as lawmakers approve N30,000 minimum wage

    …2019 budget passes second reading

    …House adjourns plenary till February 19

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara on Tuesday officially announced his defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The Speaker made the announcement during plenary on Tuesday.

    Recall there was rigorous exchange of words between the APC and PDP on the purported defection of the speaker in September 2018. The speaker on different occasions beat down accusations of his defection to the PDP while insisting that he was still consulting widely if he should defect or not.

    It was generally believed that the speaker will defect with the Senate President to the PDP in July 2018 considering their closeness.

    However, despite the denials, Dogara had from late last year pitched his tent more with the PDP. He was physically involved in the party’s activities and is seeking reelection back to the House on its platform.

    Aside the speaker two other lawmaker of the APC announced their defection to PDP

    2019 Appropriation Bill pass second reading

    Meanwhile members of the House of Representatives have passed the 2019 appropriation bill for a second reading.

    The bill was passed on Tuesday during plenary presided by the speaker, Yakubu Dogara.

    The speaker, while putting the bill to vote, referred it to the committees on appropriations and all other relevant standing and subcommittees.

    Recall that the house had last week commenced debate on the appropriation bill which was presented by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Buhari had in December 2018, proposed a budget of N8.83 trillion for 2019.

    The president presented the budget at a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday.

    The proposed budget shows that about a quarter of the sum (N2.14 trillion) will be used for debt servicing while capital expenditure is expected to gulp N2.031 trillion.

    Further breakdown presented by the president shows that proposed recurrent expenditure is N4.04 trillion while statutory transfer is N492.36 billion.

    There is a sinking fund of N120 billion, while capital expenditure is N2.031 trillion

    Reps approve N30,000 minimum wage

    Members of the House of Representatives also on Tuesday approved the N30,000 minimum wage agitated for by the organised labour.

    The Speaker, Yakubu Dogara had during a public hearing held in Abuja on Monday opined that the Federal Government should be living wage and minimum wage as obtainable to Nigerian workers.

    He insisted that the N30,000 being agitated for by the workers was not even enough going by the prevailing circumstances economically.

    The house later adjourn plenary till February 19.

     

     

  • 30,000 too small, pay ‘living-wage’ not ‘minimum wage’ – Dogara tells FG

    Speaker of the House of Representaties, Hon. Yakubu Dogara on Monday urged the Federal Goverment to pay workers a living wage and not minimum wage, while stressing that N30, 000 demanded by organised labour is too small.

    Dogara made the remarks during a public hearing on the minimum wage bill.

    His words: “While we’re not oblivion of the economic situation in the country, we are saying that the N30,000 being demanded by the organised labour union is still not enough for the minimum wage.

    “we should be paying our workers living wage not minimum wage”

    Earlier in his remarks, the chairman ad-hoc cttee on minimum wage bill, Yusuf Lasun while reminding all gathered that the hearing is to do some amendments of the National minimum wage Act assured that it will undertake utmost concern and provide the best recommendations to the House

    Meanhwile, while introducing himself at the session, the Minister of Labour Employment and Productivity, Chris Ngige was booed when he shouted great Nigeria workers.

    Details soon…

  • Elections: We have evidence Bauchi Govt arming thugs with assault rifles – Dogara

    ..Says not opposing Gov Abubakar because he isn’t originally from Bauchi state

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, has disclosed plans to unleash violence on the people of Bauchi State during the forthcoming elections, adding that there is evidence that the state government has procured assault rifles for that purpose.

    He also debunked insinuations that he is opposing Governor Mohammed Abduallahi Abubakar’s re-election because he is not originally from the state.

    Speaking at a press conference by a coalition of political parties and stakeholders United against the Bwuchi state government, Dogara said they had uncovered a government sanctioned plot to perpetuate violence on unprecedented scale to ensure that the present administration continues to rule over the affairs of the state against their will.

    “Now, we have heard, with some evidence, that violence on unprecedented scale is being planned in order to ensure that whether we like it or not in Bauchi State, they will maintain the status quo. Now, the reason why I must address this is because we are all aware, most of us, including journalists, of a young man who came out to polling booth with an assault rifle and the picture was captured, I can even name his name if you want. I can say one his name is Ilela, you can fill the gap.

    “Now, my worry is that this thing is being encouraged by the government of the state, all of you know that but the warning I will deliver is that they should desist from planning to kill our brothers and sisters, our uncles and our relations in Bauchi State. If someone does not have his own relations in the state and that is why he trying to promote violence, I want to say categorically here that he should desist from doing so. And some of our brothers that are conniving with him, by the time this crisis comes, his own sister is not going to be killed because he doesn’t have them, he doesn’t have uncles that will be killed, he doesn’t have brothers and sisters that will be killed and nephews and nieces that will be killed but we all have them.

    “But in spite of all those things, the resolve of all the people of Bauchi State, as has always been, is to cast their votes, to stay there till their votes are counted and until the results are known and by so doing, as we always done, the will of the people will prevail. Now, if anyone is killed, the chief promoter of this violence, we are delivering this warning, we will not only defeat him, we will ensure that we get a bus that may escort all that he has, maybe 10-seater bus out of the state so that we can live in peace that Bauchi is known for and make the kind of progress that is needed,” he stated.

    Hon Dogara explained that neither he, nor other people standing against the governor of the state have any grudge against him because he is not from Bauchi State originally, but because he has failed to bring development to the state, having failed in human capital development, promotion of healthcare, education, infrastructure, among others.

    “We are not fighting as some of them have alleged and rightly so, that the governor is not originally from Bauchi State, that is not the reason. We have welcomed so many people who have done good to this state and we will not stop but anyone who will bring lack of progress, will steal resources from Bauchi, will encourage underdevelopment of Bauchi, even if he is the original son of the soil, we will fight that person. And I want to say before you all here, before all the people of Bauchi, that even among them, we are working hard to make sure that when one of them emerges the governor and begins to do what Governor M.A is doing in Bauchi State, they will see what M.A is seeing. We will continue to try until we get the best that will take this state out of the dungeons. That is very, very important.

    “So, it doesn’t matter where you come from, provided you are not for the people of Bauchi State, some of us have vowed – there is nothing we are looking for from the governor, not appointments, contracts or anything- because God has brought us to the level where if we see that some is wrong, we should be able to say it and stand by it, to stand with the truth and not what is convenient or promote our interest or what will bring money to our pockets. We do not need it.

    We are fighting agents of underdevelopment and for the people of Bauchi State. We will not only defeat him, we will prevent anyone from stealing elections in this state and continue to perpetuate himself so that he can continue to play with the destiny of Bauchi State.”

    If you play with education, you are playing with your future. 1.3 million children out of school is too much a burden for us. If we continue like this, we are going to have millions in next few years so what do we do with them? They are unskilled, they are not trained, even if you build the industries, you cannot employ them because they do not have the training, they do not have the skills, so what do you do with them? And then, imagine if they are two to three million in the next 15 years, what do we do with them, throw them in wells? Kill them, because they will kill us. So, that is the grave danger that all of us as stakeholders face.”

    He warned the people of Bauchi not to joke with the future of their children by supporting the re-election of a governor that does not care that 1.3 million children are out of school, not because there is no funds to promote development of education and other areas, but out of greed and lack of concern for the growth of the state. The speaker noted that it is inevitable when youths are not trained, they will become a security threat in the future because of poverty and idleness, among other things.

    “Instead of sinking boreholes, improving our hospitals and schools, all they do is use them in producing billboards, banners and posters. Our youths who should be in school, about 1.3 of them are out of school, the only job they have is for them to guard these billboards and if you are not prepared to be a guard man or guard woman of these billbords, then there is no job for you. That is the unfortunate situation that this state that is blessed with talents, blessed with elites, has found itself.

    “Now, our governor made a very big mistake; the mistake is that he thought he could gather money accruing to the state and price all of us, including the elders here. He believes that all of us have price tags and I can assure that most of us have been priced already. If not because of the interest of Bauchi State, I can beat my chest and swear with whatever that we will not be seated here, all of us would have settled because the governor would rather pay Baba Waziri (Alhaji Bello Kirfi) he would rather pay me, pay some of us, than pay all these noisemakers or some of these our brothers who worship only their stomach, their God is their stomach. If that is not the case, there is no sane person in Bauchi State that will align with what is happening in this state. There is no progess virtually in all areas of human development and you talk about the local government system, it is dead.

    “We are not talking about 50 billion here, what of the money accruing to local government? What happened to it and it is hundreds of billions in the last 3 years plus. Where is the money in Bauchi State? So, when we talk, we talk with pains. You can now understand. Look at the progress that is being made in Gombe, states like Jigawa in those days, even in Adamawa, if you go to Yola, you can see some progress being made. Go to Plateau, in spite of crisis upon crisis in that state, look at the progress that is being made. What has happened to Bauchi State? Is it because we are cursed? So, what is the problem?

    “That is why all of us here have agreed to work together and even if it means producing one candidate in order to ensure that we send lack of progress and development out of Bauchi State, we are prepared to do that.”

  • No rift between Buhari and NASS – Dogara

    The Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, says the National Assembly does not hate President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Dogara said this on Saturday at the kick-off of the Peoples Democratic Party campaign for the governorship and National Assembly candidates in Bununu, Bauchi State.

    “None of us hates President Buhari and we are not against him, but we are only exercising our independence as contained in the Constitution.

    “We are all looking at the plight of our people, especially insurgency, poverty and other vices that have continued to bedevil the masses.

    “You can see what is happening between the American president and the legislature which is normal,” he said.

    Dogara recalled that NASS had, sometime last year, initiated a bill for the autonomy of Local Government Areas but regretted that it was aborted by State Assemblies.

    He emphasised that the autonomy would have brought development to rural areas where the majority of the people lived.

    Dogara stated that Alhaji Abdulkadir Muhammed, the Bauchi State governorship candidate of the PDP would decentralise the local government system in the state, even without the approval of the Federal Government.

    The Speaker said that personal efforts made by him to reconstruct mosques and schools in his counstituency were scuttled by some individuals.

    He warned the people against trying to instigate trouble in the areas, saying that “it is always retrogressive.”

    The governorship candidate, Mohammed while addressing the gathering, called on the people of the area to resist the proposal by Independent National Electoral Commission to relocate collation centre from Zwall to Dass.

    Mohammed, who stressed the need for people to change the present administration in the state, assured them that PDP would take over the state in the 2019 general elections.

    He pledged to provide functional education, infrastructure and agriculture, if elected into office.

  • Insecurity: Dogara Accuses Northern Elders, Elites of Conspiracy of Silence

    …Says Buhari is not serious about ending ASUU strike

     

  • Buhari, Saraki, Dogara, others mourn Shagari

    Buhari, Saraki, Dogara, others mourn Shagari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the news of the passing away of the First Executive President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Shehu Shagari.

    The president’s condolence message was contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Friday.

    The President said: “On behalf of my family, the government and the people of Nigeria, it is with immense sadness that I received the news of the passing away of the First Executive President of Nigeria, Alhaji Shehu Shagari which event happened on Friday in Abuja.”

    He described the death as the departure of a patriot whose life of service and humility was widely acknowledged.

    President Buhari recalled part of the birthday message he (Buhari) sent to him last February when he said, “ we are enthralled and regaled with the many years of unequalled patriotism, sacrifices and contributions to national development.

    “More specifically, we celebrate the role modelling qualities of integrity, diligence and humility that have been the hallmark of your visionary leadership.”

    The President was grateful to God that Shagari lived to a ripe age and led an exemplary life, which he urged Nigerians of all walks of life to emulate.

    “Nigerians held him in the highest esteem even when he was out of office until his demise and will forever miss his wise counsels,’’ he added.

    He prayed that almighty God would comfort the family of the ex-president and all those who mourned him and will grant the soul of the former president eternal rest.

    In similar vein, President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki also extolled the virtues of the departed for Nigerian leader.

    Saraki, whose reaction came in two tweets via his verified Twitter handle, said the late elder statesman “dedicated his best years in the service of our nation and its people.”

    He said, “My family and I join the entire nation to mourn the passing of former President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, who led our nation in the Second Republic.

    “President Shagari was a quintessential public servant, haven served in seven cabinet positions and as a legislator.

    “He dedicated his best years in service of our nation and its people.

    “May Allah grant him a place among the righteous ones in Aljannah Firdaus.”

    Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara also mourned former PresidentShagari, describing him as a father and true democrat.

    In a condolence message by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, the speaker stated that the former president was an icon of transparency.

    ”We have lost a father, man of peace, true democrat, patriot and a nationalist.

    “He led an exemplary life of service to God and country worthy of emulation. He was a president for all Nigerians irrespective of tribe, religion or region,” he said.

    Dogara said that the late Shagari led Nigeria with dignity and honour and respected the independence of the legislature and judiciary in the second republic under the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN).

    According to him, he was a bridge builder and one of the major highlights of his presidency was the alliance he formed between the NPN and the Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP), in accordance with his politics of give and take.

    ”His demise is a big loss to Nigeria and all lovers of democracy on the African continent.

    ”His death came at a time we are in dire need of his elderly wisdom and counsel as we navigate the most challenging pace as a nation.

    ”We extend our heartfelt condolences to his immediate family, especially his eldest son, Rep Aminu Shagari, who is our colleague in the House of Representatives, the people of Sokoto state, the Sultanate Council and government of Sokoto over this irreparable loss.

    Former Military Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, has also expressed heartfelt condolences to the family of Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari, GCFR.

    Babangida, one of the military officers that toppled Shagari’s government in December 1983, issued a statement of condolence, in which he also described Shagari as the “quintessential public servant who was “Beckoned to Serve”.

    “My heart and prayers go to his Family, the government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Sokoto Caliphate and Sokoto state”, Babangida wrote..

    ” Nigeria and indeed Africa has lost a statesman and democrat whose wisdom, counsel, presence and experience and his sterling qualities of honesty and transparency are needed in these very trying moments of our national life.

    “President Shehu Shagari was a great patriotic leader and an accomplished gentleman, at first a teacher, an administrator, a technocrat and an honest decent unassuming simple Nigerian Leader.

    “He will be remembered for his tolerance and politics of peace without bitterness.

    ” President Shehu Shagari was a nationalist who never showed any discrimination due to ethnicity or religion and was a very dependable bridge builder.

    “To keep his memory alive Nigerian politicians and indeed all fellow Nigerians must put to practice all his ideals of peace and party politics without rancour, irrespective of any form of provocation.

    Babangida urged all persons vying for political offices to emulate him and keep alive the political principles of the late Turakin Sokoto.

    “I pray for the repose of his soul in Jannatul Firdaus. I pray that the entire nation, his Family, Sokoto State and indeed the Sokoto Caliphate will accept his passing with equanimity”, Babangida added

    The national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Friday described late Alhaji Shehu Shagari as a statesman, patriot and political stabiliser who served the country well in different capacities.

    In a statement issued by his Media Officer, Mr Tunde Rahman in Lagos, Tinubu said that Shagari, who entered politics in 1951, served the country in different capacities and served well.

    He said that late Shagari particularly helped in advancing the country ‘s democracy and had the temperament for good leadership.

    ”Former President Shehu Shagari was a decent man and a statesman, who believed in and worked for the unity of this country.

    ”He served Nigeria in different capacities – administrator, provincial secretary, House of Representatives member, minister in several ministries and president – and in each capacity he did excellently well.

    “He contributed his quota to the growth and development of the country.

    ”In the Second Republic, as the first executive president, his was a moderating voice, a stabilising factor.

    ”Even within the defunct NPN, with all its reputation, he was of a different type. He wore integrity on his collar like a badge of honour, ” he said.

    Tinubu said that late Shagari’s background as a school teacher, his maturity and moderation helped to mould his politics.

    “He was true and pure. He was humble and humane. He led a Spartan way of life. He was modest and unpretentious. Truthful and sincere. He was generally a good man.

    “He saw the good qualities of his political opponent, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, he gifted him the highest honor in the land, the GCFR award, ” he said.

    Tinubu commiserated with his family, associates, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal, the government and people of Sokoto State.

    ”Although we never wish our elders leave us, it is nonetheless pleasing that President Shagari left us at an advanced age.

    ”My condolences to his family and associates. Our prayer is that Almighty Allah grant him Aljannah Fridaus.

    ”May He also grant the family the strength to live without him and to carry on with President Shagari’s legacies of commitment to national unity and excellence in service.

    “I commiserate with Governor Aminu Tambuwal, the government and people of Sokoto State. I commiserate with the Muslim Ulamma in Nigeria and the world.

    Shagari led the country under the platform of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN), between 1979 and 1983. He won second election before being dethroned by a coup d’etat that brought in Muhammadu Buhari as military head of state.

    The former leader was born Feb. 25, 1925 in Shagari town in Sokoto State.

    After his early education, he worked as a teacher for a brief period before entering politics in 1951.

    In 1954, he was elected to the House of Representatives.

    He served seven times in a ministerial or cabinet post as a federal minister and federal commissioner from 1958–1975, before he was elected president in 1979.

    The remains of the former president, who died at the age of 93 on Friday at the National Hospital Abuja, would be transported to Sokoto for burial on Saturday according to Islamic rites.

  • Strike: Saraki, Dogara sue parliamentary workers

    Strike: Saraki, Dogara sue parliamentary workers

    Senate President Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, have dragged workers of the National Assembly to the National Industrial Court of Nigeria to restrain them from closing down the federal parliament.

    The workers, under the aegis of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), are currently on an industrial action over unpaid allowances.

    Saraki and Dogara, in their motion ex parte filed on December 18 and obtained by our correspondent on Thursday, are seeking the order of the court to restrain PASAN members from proceeding on strike pending the determination of the motion on notice before it.

    The motion on notice was deposed to by a legal practitioner in the office of the Senate President, Mr. Sambo Ndahi.

    Ruling on the Order of interim injunction issued through suit No. NICN/ABJ/360/2018, Justice Sanusi Kado directed the leadership of PASAN and their agents to refrain from proceeding on strike.

    PASAN had, on Monday, embarked on a four-day warning strike over unpaid allowances to the tune of N2.7bn.

    PASAN members were stopped from gaining access to the National Assembly on Wednesday when President Muhammadu Buhari presented the 2019 appropriation bill.

     

  • Alex Badeh: Saraki, Dogara, Okowa, others react to murder of Ex-Defence Chief

    Alex Badeh: Saraki, Dogara, Okowa, others react to murder of Ex-Defence Chief

    Reactions have started trailing the murder of the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, retired Air Chief Marshall Alex Badeh by unknown gunmen on Tuesday.

    The Nigerian Air Force had announced in a series of tweets late Tuesday that Mr Badeh was shot dead by unknown gunmen yesterday along the Abuja-Keffi road.

    In his reaction to the news, Senate President Dr Bukola Saraki described Badeh’s death as a “great loss” to the nation.

    Saraki tweeted, “Nigeria has suffered another great loss with the passing of former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh. My heartfelt prayers go to his family and our Armed Forces at this tragic time. May the Almighty grant him eternal rest. Amin.”

    Reacting also to the shocking news, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara described as “saddening and alarming,” the report of the former Defence Chief’s murder.

    “News of the gruesome murder of the former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, is both saddening and alarming. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones, and I hope that those responsible are swiftly apprehended and brought to justice,” Dogara said in tweet.

    Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, while commiserating with the family of the deceased, described the assassination as an ‘unfortunate and terrible incident’.

    He, therefore, urged security agencies to bring Badeh’s killers to book.

    He tweeted, “The killing of former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh by unknown gunmen is quite unfortunate and a terrible news just like the case of General Idris Alkali who was abducted and later killed.

    “I appeal to security agencies to work together and unmask those involved in the heinous crime that led to the death of the retired Defence Chief.

    “Our country is being bedeviled by one manner of killings and abductions or the other. We never knew that it would deteriorate to a level where a former Chief of Defence Staff would be murdered in such a gruesome manner.

    “It is my prayer and the prayers of all Deltans that the almighty God will give the family the fortitude to bear this loss.”

    On his part, former Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fain-Kayode, said Badeh’s murder was despicable and that those behind it must not go unpunished.

    “The brutal murder of the former Chief of Defence Staff and former Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Alex Badeh, is a despicable and cowardly act. Those that were behind it shall not escape justice and they will pay a terrible price for their wickedness. God will avenge,” said Fain-Kayode.