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Tag: election

  • 10th NASS: All governors are solidly behind APC’s zoning – Gov Abiodun

    10th NASS: All governors are solidly behind APC’s zoning – Gov Abiodun

    Nigerian Governors across party lines have keyed into the choice of Senator Godswill Akpabio, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas (PhD), Senator Barau Jibrin and Hon. Benjamin Kalu as the Presiding Officers of the incoming 10th National Assembly, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has said.

    The Ogun State Governor said himself and colleagues took the decision after their meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday.

    He spoke when he received a delegation of the Tajudeen Abbas/Benjamin Kalu Campaign Team under the Joint Task – 10th Assembly in Abuja on Thursday.

    “We (governors) met with the President two days ago. During our meeting, he told us that campaigns are over. He said that he’d be President for all. So, he sought our understanding and collaboration.

    “It is within the right of the President to seek those that will make his job easier. He has decided in collaboration with the party that these are the people that he wants to work with.

    “All of us across party lines keyed into what the President told us. We had our meeting after meeting him and decided that we should support the President,” the Governor said.

    He said he met with the members-elect of Ogun State and told them “you’re standing solidly with Mr. President and the party.

    “I, as Governor of Ogun State, am standing solidly behind you (Tajudeen Abbas),” Governor Abiodun said.

    He said God gives power to whom He wishes at the time He wishes hence, noting that with the array of members-elect that have aligned with Abbas and Kalu, “it shows the level of support that you have.”

    “I want to thank all those that have keyed into your leadership. Like the President reminded us yesterday (during meeting With. APC lawmakers-elect) , these are positions for the party with the majority. But that party must seek the partnership of other political parties.

    “You should carry along all members or most members to ensure that you succeed. Your success will be measured by the way your members take dividends of democracy to their people.

    “I believe Hon. Tajudeen Abbas will provide meaningful, purposeful, meticulous, people-oriented leadership,” he noted.

    He said there could be only one occupant of the Speaker’s chair at a time, noting that “there are other smaller chairs that your members can occupy.”

    Speaking earlier, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas said the visit to the Governor was to seek his support, blessing and cooperation to be able to clinch the position and stabilize the 10th House.

    He lauded the purposeful leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun and promised to carry all members along irrespective of their party affiliations if he emerged victorious on June 13.

    Also, the Chairman of the Joint Task – 10th Assembly, Rt. Hon. Usman Bello Kumo, told the Governor that the forum adopted Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas after the APC leadership announced him as its choice for Speaker.

    He said the Joint Task is at the forefront of marketing the lawmaker, who represents Zaria Federal Constituency, purely based on merit.

    “We present to you a parliamentarian par excellence. The only lawmaker in the history of our democracy that sponsored 74 Bills within a 4-year term, out of which 21 were signed into law by the president. We’re marketing Tajudeen Abbas on merit. As a favour, the party endorsed him as the speakership candidate.”

  • Enugu gov, Mbah says economy, security, Nnamdi Kanu top his meeting with Tinubu

    Enugu gov, Mbah says economy, security, Nnamdi Kanu top his meeting with Tinubu

    Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, on Thursday, has said top in his agenda while meeting with President Bola Tinubu were economy, release of Nnamdi Kanu and security as they affect his state.

    The Enugu governor made this disclosure while briefing Presidential Villa correspondents after the meeting, he described the meeting as heartwarming, said partnership and collaboration with the federal government was critical to actualising his administration’s agenda for Enugu State, especially in the areas of economy, infrastructure, security, and activation of dormant assets.

    He also said the meeting equally discussed the need to release the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, saying it is a demand by the South East, which is very much in tandem with President Tinubu’s promise in his inaugural address to engender national healing and reconcilation.

    “I came and frankly I brought to the President, the warm greetings and best wishes from the government and the people of Enugu state.

    “But, above all, you may also know already that we made massive campaign promises to the people of Enugu. And we also have expressed humongous vision. We’ve taken a bold view of what the new government could achieve in the next four years, in terms of growing our economy from the current levels to $30 billion. And one of our core governance philosophies is to collaborate and to have partnership; and we have identified the federal government as our core partner.

    “A lot of people do not know, but we have huge mineral resources in Enugu State. And these resources are sitting under our ground, not being productive. So, we believe with the partnership we’re trying to build with the federal government, we’re able to transform these assets into productive assets.

    “Of course, you know that the growth level we have proposed is one that is going to be driven by the private sector and private sector wants the ease of doing business; and one of the core indicators of the ease of doing business is security and infrastructure. So, we also had that conversation with Mr. President.

    “And finally, we also talked about the release of Nnamdi Kanu. You know, that the South East has made a collective demand to have Nnamdi Kanu released. And we basically identified with that and request Mr. President, who in his inaugural address promised the people that he’s going to engender national healing and he’s going to serve with compassion. So we’ve basically informed him that this would serve as a pointer to his administration’s extension of hands of fellowship to Ndigbo”, he said.

  • 10th NASS: CUPP’s Spokesman, Ugochinyere hails Tinubu’s meeting wiith Lawmakers-Elect

    10th NASS: CUPP’s Spokesman, Ugochinyere hails Tinubu’s meeting wiith Lawmakers-Elect

    The Spokesperson for the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) and a member-elect representing Ideato North and South Federal Constituency of Imo State, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere has lauded the President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu for taking the initiative of meeting elected members of 10th National Assembly ahead of the Tuesday proclamation.

    Hon. Ugochineyere who’s also the Communication Advisor for the Tajudeen Abbas/Benjamin Kalu Speakership Campaign also expressed confidence that the move by the President was a game changer in the presiding officers contests, as it would help bring about positive outcome on Tuesday.

    Recall that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu after meeting with APC NASS Caucus on Wednesday night also met with 109 Senators elect and 360 House of Representatives members-elect on Thursday afternoon at the presidential villa Abuja, where he urged the lawmakers to close ranks and support the All Progressive Congress, APC consensus candidates for National Assembly leadership, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Senator Barau, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and Hon. Benjamin Kalu.

    In a statement he personally signed on Thursday evening after the meeting, Hon Ugochinyere noted that the President who was accompanied to the meeting by the Vice President, Kassim Shettima, incumbent Senate President Ahmed Lawan, incumbent Speaker and Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume and other key leaders, said this is in the interest of delivering a working country and ensuring a smooth take off of govt with the seamless election of Presiding officers.

    “According to Tinubu, the four chosen ranking lawmakers for the Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Speaker, Deputy Speaker have the capacity, competence, experience and inclusive spirit and humility to deliver on a stable and progressive parliament that understands the urgency and need to solve critical national problems with parliamentary instruments.”

    “The President and his Vice spoke in a humble way with open mind on the need for lawmakers to join hands with him to deliver by supporting and electing Akpabio and Barau as Senate President and Deputy and Abass and Kalu as Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively.

    “While begging the aggrieved aspirants to bury the hatchet, the President assured lawmakers that he will ensure that Nigeria potentials will be turned into reality, if they all drop our colours and fly the national colour of progress.

    “Thereafter, messages focusing on the need for collaboration and joint task of working to deliver on the Nigerian project were delivered.

    “The lawmakers-elect who responded via Sen. Abaribe Enyinnaya thanked the President for taking off on a good note by building the bridges of cohesion , inclusion and stability and assured the President that his message was well delivered and received by lawmakers,” the statement said.

    Ugochinyere, according to the statement also spoke to the media after the Presidential parley, saying that “lawmakers have accepted the message and hand of friendship extended by the President towards having a stable and united all inclusive Parliament that will deliver on urgent national goals.”

    Ugochinyere said “the President decision to invite members of the opposition alongside lawmakers of the ruling party in his quest for a seamless take off of government is a positive development that has been accepted on the grounds of people’s interest and need for courageous decisions in solving huge national problems.”

    He assured that lawmakers have agreed to work harmoniously with the executive on that ground, without compromising the independence of the legislature.

  • ‘Roforofo’ fight in Delta APC takes a new twist as national leadership ratifies expulsion of Cairo Ojougbo

    ‘Roforofo’ fight in Delta APC takes a new twist as national leadership ratifies expulsion of Cairo Ojougbo

    …rescinds earlier letter

    …see letter

    The ‘roforofo’ fight in Delta APC takes a new dimension as national leadership of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) has upheld the expulsion of the former Director of Projects of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Cairo Ojuogboh.

    The decision to ratify Ojuogboh’s expulsion as recommended by the Delta State chapter of the party is coming barely 24 hours after the National Legal Adviser, Ahmad Usman El-Marzuq, Esq. nullified the punitive action, on the claim that the erstwhile party chieftain was not given fair hearing.

    In a fresh letter dated June 7, 2023 and signed by the same El-Marzuq and addressed to Dr. Ojuogboh’s counsel, the party retracted the nullification of expulsion, stating that subsequent facts have revealed the inconsistencies in Dr. Ojougbo’s claims of defence.

    El-Marzuq stated that the APC now agrees that the expulsion of Ojuogboh is very valid for dragging the party to court without first exhausting internal dispute resolution mechanism as required in the party’s constitution. Dr. Cairo Ojougbo’s expulsion was thus endorsed for constituting an illegal parallel state executive committee and the open display of anti-party activities evidenced by a video clip celebrating the undeserved loss of the APC governorship candidate in Delta State.

    According to El-Marzud, dragging the party to court was a gross violation of Article 21.5(v) of APC constitution. In addition, constituting an illegal parallel state executive committee which purportedly expelled the party’s governorship candidate, Ovie Omo-Agege, offended Article 21.2(vi) of the same constitution.

    He stated that Ojuogboh demonstrated glaring anti-party activity when he was seen in a widely circulated video clip in the media, wherein he was seen lampooning Ovie Ono-Agege and celebrating the unjustified loss of the party and its candidate in the gubernatorial election in Delta State.

    “After a thorough review of these emerging facts, the party has been advised that the expulsion of Dr. Cairo Ojuogboh by the Delta State executive committee is valid and justified.

    “It is further advised that the expulsion of Dr. Ojuogboh from the party with specific reference to Article 21.5(v) of the party’s constitution be affirmed.

    “Therefore, I must formally retract the earlier letter sent to you. It is now clear that the expulsion of Dr. Ojuogboh from the party is valid, based on his violation of the party’s constitution by filing an action in court against the party and establishing an illegal parallel executive committee to carry out his machinations aimed at destabilizing the party.

    “I request that you communicate these developments and the party’s position to your client, Dr. Cairo Ojuogboh. It is crucial that he understands the grounds upon which his expulsion has been ratified by the party and that the decision is final,” the letter stated.

  • Six days to proclamation, Akpabio battles campaign attacks, denies tagging NASS corrupt body

    Six days to proclamation, Akpabio battles campaign attacks, denies tagging NASS corrupt body

    Six days ahead proclamation Senator Godswill Akpabio has denied a meltdown in his campaign to be Senate President on the heels of retribution over claims he said were being credited to him as having in the past alleged the National Assembly to be a corrupt body.

    Alleging a conspiracy by rivals to derail his campaign by rehearsing what he described as a false attribution to him, Akpabio affirmed on Wednesday that he has continued to maintain the support of the Stability Group.

    He claimed that as minister of Niger Delta Affairs that he put down the National Assembly and described the legislative branch as a cesspool of corruption.

    He has as such charged those crediting him with the claim to stop adding that no senator has withdrawn support for him as being alleged.

    A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Jackson Udom,  described the news item as “unfounded, false and a calculated attempt to smear the seamless relationship between the former Minority Leader and his distingushed colleagues who are very much in support of his aspiration. They should stop the propaganda against Senator Akpabio because no Senator has withdrawn his support from him”

    The statement read, “as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Senator Akpabio had described the parastatal under his  ministry as a cesspool of corruption and NOT the National Assembly.

    “He made this remarks whilst justifying the Forensic Audit of the Commission which was ordered by former President Muhammadu Buhari. In fact, he decried a situation where few individuals would corner huge contracts in the agency under the guise of giving them to the lawmakers without the knowledge of the lawmakers.

    “There was never a time whether in public or in his closets that he described the National Assembly, which he is a very proud member, as a cesspool of corruption. Those peddling and sponsoring such unfounded allegations are doing so for political gains. Any organized campaign of calumny against Akpabio will surely fail,” the aide said in defending Akpabio from claims of calling the National Assembly as corrupt.

  • Speakership: 7 days to proclamation, Abass, Kalu coasting to victory as 106 of 143 NW, NC Reps-elect stamp their candidacy

    Speakership: 7 days to proclamation, Abass, Kalu coasting to victory as 106 of 143 NW, NC Reps-elect stamp their candidacy

    Seven days to proclamation of tenth Assembly, the Speakership and Deputy Speakership candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the incoming 10th National Assembly, Hon. Tajudeem Abbas and Hon. Benjamin Kalu seem to be coasting to victory as 106 out of 143, South West and North Central Reps-elect endorse their candidacy.

    This was as the duo have garnered more endorsements in the last 48 hours, following the resolution by 106 out of the 143 combined members-elect from the North West and North Central geopolitical Zones threw their weights behind their candidature on Tuesday.

    With the latest development, the Abbas/Kalu ticket appears to be getting closer a landslide victory on Tuesday, June 13, 2023.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reliably gathered that during the separate endorsement meetings in Abuja on Tuesday, 72 out of 92 members-elect from the North West zone and 32 out of 51 from North Central lawmakers declared their support for the ticket as part of the ongoing operation ‘Meet-The-Caucuses’ embarked upon by Abass and Kalu.

    The meeting which held in the Ladi Kwali Hall of the old Sheraton Hotel Abuja had in attendance, member-elect from the North Wes, while those of the North Central held at the Transcorp Hilton respectively.

    Other zones of South-South and North East will followed suit on Wednesday while Southeast and Southwest will be held on Thursday.

    Briefing newsmen on the progress so far, the Communication Adviser to the Tajudeen-Ben Kalu group (TBK) and lawmaker elect for Ideato North and South Federal Constituency, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, described the success recorded so far as a victory for the growing quest to build a stable, strong, united, harmonious and all-inclusive House that will deliver on life-changing people’s legislations that will help to deliver on the renewed hope agenda of the present administration.

    According to him, the massive support from all zones and ethnic and religious divides is clear evidence of members’ commitment to seeing Nigeria move forward, and an indication of a significant buy-in into the Abass and Kalu message of unity and competence rooted in inclusiveness and teamwork.

    Hon. Ikenga described Abbas and Kalu’s legislative competence and capacity, plus their unrelenting reaching out and door-to-door engagement with members-elect, as “one of the reasons for the across-board acceptance.”

    Ikenga said “the commitment of the Abbas/Kalu to a peoples’ 10th NASS leadership is not in doubt, as shown by the readiness of Abbas/Kalu to carry every member along in the quest to deliver on the agenda for a peoples parliament that will help in realizing the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

    He said “Abbas and Kalu’s team spirit and unity are the first of their kind in the leadership race, with a Speaker and Deputy running together with a clear agenda for the members and the country.”

    Ugochinyere therefore urged other aspirants to let go their ambitions, and support the duo towards delivering a people’s oriented 10th National Assembly.

    He expressed optimism that “Abbas and Kalu’s Commitment with help deliver the renewed hope agenda of President Tinubu and also ensure a working and independent legislature endeared them to the lawmakers elect who agree that the 10th Nass needs a competent leadership with team spirit, unity, and INCLUSIVENESS which Abass and Kalu represent.”

    “After Abbas and Kalu presented their road map to the lawmakers-elect from the two regions, they rose in their different zonal engagement with them and resolved to vote for the duo in a landslide. They praised the legislative competence of Abbas and Kalu, which saw them moving over 100 bills that have over 23 already signed into law, and said the 10th Nass couldn’t miss such men with an iroko style legislative capacity rooted in teamwork, inclusiveness, and humility.

    “They appreciated Abbas and Kalu’s unrelenting engagement with lawmakers with opposing views that they reached out, and extending hands of fellowship is something worthy of commendation. Odds are in their favour in winning the election come June 13th with the gale of endorsements flying in from all corners. Currently 106 out of 141 lawmakers-elect from Northwest and North Central (72 out of 92 lawmakers elect from the North West zone and 32 out of 51 North Central lawmakers) have declared their support at the ongoing zonal caucuses meeting by Abass and Kalu. In the coming days, we are optimistic that more members-elect will declare their support for the duo.”

  • 10th NASS: There’s need for Tinubu to be cautious over emerging leaders-MD Africa Devt Studies Centre, Victor

    10th NASS: There’s need for Tinubu to be cautious over emerging leaders-MD Africa Devt Studies Centre, Victor

    Ahead proclamation of the National Assembly on June 13, the Managing Director of African Centre for Development Studies, ADSC, Victor Walsh Oluwafemi has advised President Bola Tinubu to tread cautiously over emerging leaders of the tenth Assembly.

    Victor made this disclosure in a chat with newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday emphasizing that:

    “The outcome of the various meetings with the key contestants seems not to be yielding expected positive results and this is why our amiable president who has not taken an hour break after assumption of office to tread softly.

    “The drumbeats so far from the Senate is not looking too good because if it’s not adequately addressed we may have a heavily lopsided NASS leadership favoring one zone.

    “Also, the leadership tussle at the House of Representatives will breed unwarranted dissents in the 10th House and against the Tinubu Administration, leading to avoidable delays in lawmaking processes and in policy implementation. “

    Victor who had been a consultant to NASS for almost two decades pleaded with the president to look beyond the rhetorics and do the needful before his proclamation next week.

    He explained that: ” So far, the idea of a consensus candidate is not flying in both apex legislative chambers and this is a signal that all may not be too well if adequate consultation is not made before proclamation.

    “He has met with all the critical stakeholders as President-Elect and an inaugurated president and the coast is becoming more cloudy.

    “If the outcome of the meetings with contestants is not yielding expected results what is he offering them to shelve their ambitions.

    “They’re men who won elections and got elected, any negative sway may make them remain resolute.

    “There’s urgent need for the coast to be clearer at least 72hours before his proclamation as this will restore total confidence in the lawmakers-elect as 24hours in politics could become a milestone at the end of the day.

    “At this juncture, personal ambitions of aspirants for the leadership of the tenth Assemble should be trumped by inclusive governance and progressive principles so that the renewed hope agenda of President Tinubu is entrenched even at National Assembly, knowing fully well the institution’s fundamental relevance to our national growth and development.”

  • You don’t have right to sack us – Cross River Auditor General tells governor

    You don’t have right to sack us – Cross River Auditor General tells governor

    Wevole Ezin, Calabar

    The Cross River State Auditor General Mr John Odey and his Local Government counterpart, Mrs Franka Inok have said that the State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu has no power to force them to retire from service.

    They both stated this on Tuesday in a letter addressed to the Chairman Civil Service Commission, Mr Oko Inaku stating that they will remain in service until their formal retirement age of sixty years or mandatory thirty five years from service.

    This was sequel to the compulsory retirement letters by the the governor through the Chairman, Civil Service Commission, issued to the two Auditor Generals on Monday directing that they vacate office.

    In the letter titled: “Re – Notice to vacate Office”, with reference number CRS/AGLG/81/Vol 11/565 the officials stated thus: “We wish to bring to your notice sections 127 of the 1999 Constitution and Section 42 of the Cross River State Audit Law number 2021 as amended regarding the removal from office of the Auditor General”

    Speaking on the legal position of the two officials, a legal practitioner, Mr. Eteng Okposin revealed that Article 11 of the Nigerian Constitution states that the Executive Governor of a state has the power to hire and fire officials depending on his disposition of their service if unsatisfied.

    “The governor of a state is charged with the execution of state laws alongside the responsibility of state executive officers, regulatory and judicial officers subject to the approval of the House of Assembly and can sack, dismiss, terminate the appointment of any official without consulting the State House of Assembly except those democratically elected”

    Okposin said the person in question may seek redress from the court if necessary.

    A staff of the Civil Service Commission Bright Ogbolo stated that in 2015, “the former governor of the state, Senator Ben Ayade dissolved all the boards, agencies and commissions including statutory ones “and when the Judicial Service Commission instituted a matter in Court against the governor the matter was thrown out”

    However, Odey and Inok have both dared the governor’s directives as they still report for duties in their offices.

  • HoR Committee wants presidential panel to probe Nigeria Air’s unveiling

    HoR Committee wants presidential panel to probe Nigeria Air’s unveiling

    The House of Representatives Committee on Aviation headed by Hon. Nnolim Nnaji has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately constitute a high powered presidential panel to undertake a holistic review of the Nigeria Air project.

    The aviation committee also recommended that all individuals, groups and organisations involved in the controversial unveiling and operation into Nigeria, the Boeing 737-800 aircraft painted in Nigeria Air livery be made to face prosecution.

    The committee in a resolution read by Hon. Nnaji at the end of the investigative hearing on the recent unveiling of the National carrier further emphasized the need for the proposed presidential panel after a careful review of the entire project advise the Federal Government on the way forward

    The committee came up with the resolutions after evaluating the submissions by all the stakeholders and that of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation, Dr Emmanuel Merebole who in his presentation admitted that the airline had not been launched rather the aircraft was chartered to test Nigerians’ acceptance of the project.

    Dr Merebole also told the committee that the Nigeria Air had not acquired any aircraft and that it had no air Operator’s Certificate, (AOC) which the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA) Captain Musa Nuhu .also collaborated

    The Skypower Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO( Managing Director Basil Agbosrimi confirmed that the handling company was yet to acquire shares in the national carrier. The second named Nigerian institutional investor MRS did not turn up for the meeting just as Ethiopian Airlines also abstained.

    The committee equally established that shareholders’ agreement was yet to be executed which made it impossible to establish the funds being brought into the projects by all intended investors.

    Nnaji had during his opening statements stressed that the purpose of the interaction was to prepare a guide for the in-coming 10th Assembly to continue adding that the committee was not opposed to the the establishment of a national carrier but would want it transparently done.

    He said it was regrettable that the former Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika despite promises of supplying the committee details of the transactions failed to carry the House along in the entire arrangement.

    He however praised the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA) for refusing to bend the rules in favour of the Nigeria Air urging the authority to remain steadfast in its oversighting of the industry.

  • 10th NASS: Akpabio’s bid shaky as senators-elect withdraw support

    10th NASS: Akpabio’s bid shaky as senators-elect withdraw support

    Days to the June 13 proclamation of the 10th National Assembly, the zoning formula of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC with regards to the office of the Senate President appeared to be shaky on Tuesday following concerns that some senators-elect might have withdrawn their support for the APC-backed candidate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

    The development came as a Senator-elect from Kano State, Sumaila Kawu, warned President Bola Tinubu against interfering in the election of presiding officers of the two chambers of the 10th National Assembly.

    There were indications that senators-elect who were hitherto expressing support for Akpabio, are reportedly withdrawing on account of issues connected with his relationship with the National Assembly when he held sway as Minister of the Nigeria Delta.

    Three years ago, at a public hearing of an investigative panel at the House of Representatives, which was set up to probe corruption allegations at the Niger Delta Development Company NDDC, Akpabio had reportedly fingered the lawmakers as major beneficiaries of contracts.

    Some of the senators-elect hinted that they are having a rethink on Akpabio’s bid over accusations that he was disrespectful to the institution of the legislature when he, as the Minister of Niger Delta, openly accused National Assembly members of hugely benefiting from large contracts in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) without proof.

    “It is important that people who have gone to court, people who genuinely did jobs should be paid for their jobs. For me, I am not against it because, of course, who are even the greatest beneficiaries? It is you people. I just told you that we have records to show that most of the contracts in the NDDC are given out to members of the National Assembly”, the then minister had said.

    His utterances before the panel have now come back to haunt him.

    Deputy Director-General of the Akpabio/ Barau Campaign Organisation, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), had on Monday, appealed to senators-elect to support Akpabio’s bid.

    A senator-elect who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the withdrawal of support for Akpabio, querying how he can preside over a National Assembly he once despised.

    He said; “I have withdrawn support for Senator Akpabio. It is not only me. Many of us have withdrawn our support and it will show on the floor.

    “I used to have very high regards for Senator Akpabio as a person but I cannot support him to be the Senate President.

    “How can he (Akpabio) come and preside over an institution which he once described as a cesspit of corruption after benefitting from the same institution?,” the Senator-elect queried.

    On his part, Kawu said; “The constitution is explicit about how the President and Deputy President of the Senate shall be elected. For instance, Chapter 2 of the 9th Standing Orders of the Senate 2022 (as amended) stipulates the procedures for selection of Presiding Officers of the Senate.

    “Similarly, Section 50(1)a of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended) states that, ‘there shall be a President and Deputy President of the Senate, who shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves.

    “Also, section 50(1)b stipulates that, ‘A Speaker and a Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves.

    “It is therefore clear that, the election of these Presiding Officers is purely an internal affair that concerns only members of the National Assembly and therefore, they should be allowed to decide who among them would occupy the positions in order to avoid repetition of the past mistakes – we may all recall the incidences of the 7th and 8th National Assembly.”