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Tag: Femi Gbajabiamila

  • BREAKING: Tinubu nominates Wike, El-Rufai, Umahi, 25 others as ministers [FULL LIST]

    BREAKING: Tinubu nominates Wike, El-Rufai, Umahi, 25 others as ministers [FULL LIST]

    President Bola Tinubu has nominated former Governors Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State for the position of Minister.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports this is contained in a letter addressed to Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and read on the floor of the Senate on Thursday.

    The letter was personally delivered to the Senate by Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Tinubu, following a motion moved by Senate Leader and seconded by the Majority Leader.

    The ministerial nominees’ list also contains the name of Dele Alake, Stella Okotete, Olawale Edun, Abubakar Kyari and Ali Pate.

    See full list below:

    1. Abubakar Momoh
    2. Yususf Maitama Tukur
    3. Ahmad Dangiwa
    4. Hannatu Musawa
    5. Uche Nnaji
    6. Betta Edu
    7. Dr. Diris Anite Uzoka
    8. David Umahi
    9. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike
    10. Muhammed Badaru Abubakar
    11. Nasir El Rufai
    12. Ekerikpe Ekpo
    13. Nkiru Onyejiocha
    14. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo
    15. Stella Okotete
    16. Uju Kenedy Ohaneye
    17. Bello Muhammad Goronyo
    18. Dele Alake
    19. Lateef Fagbemi
    20. Mohammad Idris
    21. Olawale Edun
    22. Waheed Adebayo Adelabu
    23. Emman Suleman Ibrahim
    24. Prof Ali Pate
    25. Prof Joseph Usev
    26. Abubakar Kyari
    27. John Enoh
    28. Sani Abubakar Danladi
  • Gbajabiamila to tender resignation as House of Representative member

    Gbajabiamila to tender resignation as House of Representative member

    The chief of staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and a former speaker  of the House of Representative, Femi Gbajabiamila, will today June 14 resign as a lawmaker on the floor of the House of Representative.

    This is coming in order for him to focus on the task of serving as Chief of Staff.

    Channels Television reported that after the Member representing Surulere 1 resigns, INEC will need to conduct a fresh election to fill the role.

  • EXPLAINER: Simplified steps to access FG’s interest-free student loans

    EXPLAINER: Simplified steps to access FG’s interest-free student loans

    In a groundbreaking development on Nigeria’s Democracy Day, President Bola Tinubu officially signed the Student Loan Bill into law, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s commitment to providing affordable education opportunities.

    The Act which was sponsored by the immediate former Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila, aims to revolutionize educational opportunities for Nigerian students and shape the future of the country’s education landscape.

    Reacting to the signing of the Bill, Gbajabiamila who is now the Chief of Staff to the President tweeted: “I am excited that President @officialABAT has signed the “Student Loan (Access to Higher Education) Bill” into law. I sponsored this Bill in the House of Representatives, confident it will assist indigent students and families in grasping the opportunities that higher education can provide”.

    Under the Act, the Nigerian Education Bank is established to manage and oversee the loan disbursement process.

    The Bank assumes the responsibility of collecting contributions and other prescribed funds, holding them in a dedicated fund, and ensuring their efficient distribution to eligible applicants.

    Contributions to the fund include interests from deposits, education bonds, education endowment fund schemes, and a percentage of taxes, profits from oil and minerals, as well as other sources of revenue.

    By facilitating access to funds for tuition fees, the Bank aims to alleviate financial burdens and enhance educational opportunities for students across the country.

    To access the loan, students must fulfill certain requirements, including first securing admission into any public Nigerian university, polytechnic, College of Education (COE), or TVET school. Furthermore, the annual income of the applicant or their family should not exceed N500,000.

    In addition, two guarantors are required, who must be civil servants with a minimum of level 12 years in service, a lawyer with at least 10 years of post-call experience, a judicial officer, or a Justice of Peace.

    Each guarantor is also required to provide two passport photographs, details of their employment, and evidence of their association with the named organization.

    Self-employed guarantors must furnish information about their registered business with the Corporate Affairs Commission or another relevant authority, along with their banking details.

    Institutional efficiency is crucial to the loan application process and each institution must ensure that all applications from their respective schools reach the Bank within 30 days after the close of admissions for the academic year.

    The Act further outlines that the processing and disbursement of loan applications should occur within 30 days of reaching the Bank.

    These applications must also be forwarded to the Minister for approval within the same timeframe, emphasizing the importance of timely processing to expedite loan delivery.

    The repayment terms outlined in the law are designed to ensure the sustainability of the loan program and beneficiaries will commence repayment two years after successfully completing the National Youth Service Corps program.

    The repayment process entails a direct deduction of 10 per cent from the beneficiary’s salary at the source by their employer, or if self employed, 10 per cent of their total monthly profit to the designated Students loan account prescribed by the Bank.

    The new law has been hailed as a progressive initiative and an embodiment of government’s commitment to empowering the younger generation and broadening their educational horizons.

  • ANALYSIS: Shortcomings that marred 9th Assembly Under Gbajabiamila

    ANALYSIS: Shortcomings that marred 9th Assembly Under Gbajabiamila

    The House of Representatives of the 9th Assembly bade farewell to its members during a valedictory session on Wednesday, 7th June, marking the end of its four-year term, while the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, announced the rescheduling of the Senate’s valedictory session from Thursday, June 8 to Saturday, June 10.

    Speaker of the 9th Assembly, Femi Gbajabiamila, took the opportunity to present the scorecard of the House, highlighting the achievements and challenges encountered over the last four years.

    During the session, Speaker Gbajabiamila commended the House for its contributions to various sectors and its positive impact on the lives of Nigerians.

    Notable achievements included implementing a January to December budget cycle, which brought stability to the budgetary process and enhanced economic certainty. The House also reformed oversight processes to promote better collaboration between government arms and increase transparency in budget expenditure.

    The passage of critical legislation, such as the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and the Police Act, was also highlighted as significant accomplishments. While the PIA aimed to revitalize the oil and gas sector and create a functional regulatory framework, while the Police Act sought to improve relations between law enforcement and citizens, ensuring accountability and protecting citizens’ rights.

    “We passed the Police Act to change the nature of relations between the police and citizens in our country and ensure that police officers who fall short of their responsibilities can be quickly held accountable.

    “I sincerely hope that the work of police reform will continue in the House of Representatives until we achieve a system of policing that meets our nation’s needs and reflects the best of us” Gbajabiamila said in his valedictory speech.

    While the 9th Assembly achieved significant legislative milestones in its four-year tenure, TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that out of 2,232 bills considered, the Assembly concluded with a substantial 1,197 backlog of bills awaiting second reading, indicating a potential delay in addressing critical issues and implementing necessary reforms.

    With another 308 bills pending in committees and a total of 510 bills passed over the course of its four-year lifespan, the efficiency of the 9th Assembly in moving legislation forward has come under scrutiny as the backlog suggests that further measures could have been taken to strengthen the committee structure, improve coordination, and facilitate timely reports and recommendations.

    There were also concerns about the quality of some legislative outputs despite the number of bills passed. Critics argued that some legislation lacked the necessary depth, clarity, and attention to detail, raising doubts about the effectiveness and long-term impact of certain laws enacted by the assembly.

    Additionally, despite the constitutional provision for affirmative action and calls for increased female representation, the 9th Assembly fell short of achieving gender parity. Constitutional amendments aimed at removing barriers to women’s full participation in politics and governance did not materialize, as admitted by the former speaker.

    “To succeed in our shared ambition of building a prosperous and peaceful country, we must do everything within our power to ensure that our daughters and those yet to be born can grow up in a more open, more equal society than their mothers did.

    “Unfortunately, we did not succeed in removing some of the constitutional barriers that have long stood in the way of women’s full and unhindered participation in the politics, governance and economy of our nation…I hope the 10th House of Representatives will take up the mantle and do better than we did,” Gbajabiamila said.

    Although the assembly made strides in parliamentary diplomacy and defending the rights of Nigerians abroad, ongoing challenges related to security and emigration were also not fully resolved.

    “Too many of our young people have lost faith entirely and are choosing in droves to seek their fortunes and their futures in other lands. We are losing some of our best and brightest, and if we don’t act now, the consequences of this loss will shortly become painfully evident,” the former speaker added.

    Ironically, however, the lawmaker who represented Birniwa/Guri/Kirikasamma constituency in the 9th National Assembly, Abubakar Fulata described the 9th Assembly as the “most productive of all Assemblies in the history of the National Assembly”.

    By acknowledging these shortcomings of its predecessor, the incoming 10th Assembly can build upon the achievements recorded and strive for more effective and impactful governance, ultimately serving the best interests of the Nigerian people.

    Gbajabiamila will, however, on 14th June 2023 officially take office as the newly appointed Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

  • Subsidy: FG, Labour to meet on implementation framework

    Subsidy: FG, Labour to meet on implementation framework

    The meeting between the federal government and the labour unions ended on Monday with a resolution to reconvene on June 19 to agree on implementation framework on resolutions reached.

    Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the House of Representatives, who led the government side, disclosed this at the end of a meeting between labour and government representatives at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He said that the meeting agreed on a seven point resolution to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) on Nigerians.

    “The Federal Government, the TUC and the NLC to establish a joint committee to review the proposal for any wage increase or award and establish a framework and timeline for implementation.

    “The Federal Government, the TUC and the NLC to review World Bank Financed Cash transfer scheme and propose inclusion of low-income earners in the programme.

    “The Federal Government, the TUC and the NLC to revive the CNG conversion programme earlier agreed with Labour centres in 2021 and work out detailed implementation and timing,” Gbajabiamila said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Compressed natural gas (CNG) is a fuel gas mainly composed of methane, compressed to less than 1 per cent of the volume it occupies at standard atmospheric pressure.

    It is the cleanest burning fuel operating today and brings about less vehicle maintenance and longer engine life.

    Gbajabiamila added that meeting also agreed to review issues hindering effective delivery in the education sector and propose solutions for implementation.

    “The Labour centres and the Federal Government to review and establish the framework for completion of the rehabilitation of the nation’s refineries.

    “The Federal Government to provide a framework for the maintenance of roads and expansion of rail networks across the country.

    “All other demands submitted by the TUC to the Federal Government will be assessed by the joint committee.”

    He stressed that the NLC agreed to suspend the notice of strike forthwith to enable further consultations as well as continue the ongoing engagements and secure closure on the resolutions.

    The resolution was endorsed by the Presidents and Secretaries of the NLC and TUC, and Ms Kachollom Daju, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Labour Employment.

    The federal government had earlier obtained a court order restraining the Labour from embarking on a nationwide industrial action on Wednesday.

  • Why appointment of Gbajabiamila as Tinubu’s CoS is aberration of the Constitution – Lawyer

    Why appointment of Gbajabiamila as Tinubu’s CoS is aberration of the Constitution – Lawyer

    Public interest and human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong has described the appointment of Mr Femi Gbajabiamila as Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu as an aberration of the Nigerian Constitution.

    In a lengthy post on his official Facebook page, Effiong said it is travesty for Gbajabiamila to be appointed as President Tinubu’s CoS without him first resigning not only his Speakership position, but also as a member of the House of Representatives.

    Effiong wrote: “The appointment of the current Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, as the Chief of Staff to the President by Mr Bola Tinubu is a constitutional aberration.

    “Nigeria operates a constitutional democracy based on the principle of separation of powers. Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the 1999 Constitution vest the legislative, executive and judicial powers of the Federation in the National Assembly, President and established Courts respectively.

    “The principle of separation of powers under our constitutional framework applies both to functions and personnel of the different organs of government. The intention of the framers of the Constitution was to give each arm independence from the other arms of government.

    “It is a travesty of this principle, for Gbajabiamila’s appointment as Tinubu’s Chief of Staff to be announced without him first resigning not only his speakership position, but also his membership of the House of Representatives.

    “The position of Chief of Staff to the President is not a trivial position. It is a very significant executive position. By virtue of 68 of the Constitution, it is forbidden for a member of the National Assembly to occupy executive position while still a legislator.

    “Section 68 of the Constitution further provides that a member of the National Assembly shall cease to be a member, if circumstances arises which would have disqualified such a member, had it arisen at the time of the election. This appointment is such a circumstance.

    “Section 68 of the Constitution further provides that a member of the National Assembly shall cease to be a member, if circumstances arises which would have disqualified such a member, had it arisen at the time of the election. This appointment is such a circumstance.

    “The relevant question is: if Gbajabiamila was the Chief of Staff to former President Buhari, would he have been qualified to seek re-election as a member of the National Assembly without first resigning his appointment as mandated by Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

    “The answer is obviously in the negative. The attempt to strike-down Section 84(12) was defeated at the Supreme Court.

    “Also, the Code of Conduct for Public Officers under Part 1 of the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution forbids a public officer from enjoying double emoluments.

    “The fact that the tenure of the current National Assembly will elapse in a few days time, does not lessen the controversial character of this appointment. Gbajabiamila’s appointment has trivialized the status of the National Assembly as a separate arm of government.

    “As a legal practitioner, he ought to know the implications of his conflicting dual roles on our nation’s nascent democracy and constitutional order. His acceptance to serve two masters in this circumstance has eroded whatever was left of the independence of the National Assembly.

    “I have however noted that Gbajabiamila in his acceptance statement on his social media accounts, indicated that his appointment will take effect on June 14, 2023; a day after the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly.

    “It would have been tidier for the appointment not to be announced until he has vacated his position as Speaker of the House of Representatives in order to preserve the institutional integrity of the National Assembly as a separate arm of government.

    “If urgent national issues arises that requires the National Assembly to assert its independence, and call the Executive to order, can the Speaker discharge his functions effectively and independently given his conflicting positions following his appointment as Chief of Staff?

    “The fact that the appointment has not yet taken effect does not extinguish the appointment or render the instrument of appointment (letter of appointment) void. It only means that he’ll begin to perform the factions of his new position at a later date. But he has been appointed”.

  • President Tinubu meets with NASS leadership over successors

    President Tinubu meets with NASS leadership over successors

    President Bola Tinubu met with Senate President, Ahmad Lawan and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila on Thursday in Abuja over the choice of the leadership for the 10th National Assembly.

    Lawan told newsmen after the meeting that the president emphasised the need for the right choice of leadership for the National Assembly.

    He said Tinubu maintained that the emergence of the leadership should be in national interest; in the interest of the National Assembly and of the legislature.

    “We are getting somewhere and our prayer is that we are able to resolve all the outstanding issues. Mr President is positively disposed to everything being done smoothly.

    “We believe that Mr President having been a senator himself and his vice-president also having been a senator, will always wish and pray for the right leadership for the National Assembly,’’ he said.

    He said having been the chairman of the 9th National Assembly, it was necessary for him to work with all major stakeholders, especially with the leadership of the country.

    Lawan explained that Tinubu gave necessary advice on how the new leadership of the National Assembly should emerge and what needed to be done to ensure its stability and productivity.

    He said the new leadership must ensure peaceful working relationship between the Legislature and the Executive arms of government.

    “I have never indicated interest to run for the Office of the President of the Senate in the 10th National Assembly.

    “We have worked together with distinguished senators of the 9th National Assembly and members of the House of Representatives to create a very conducive environment for us to work.

    “We have been productive; much more productive than any National Assembly.

    “We worked very closely with the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and that helped the administration a lot,’’ Lawan said.

    “Those of us who have been there longer, owe everybody that responsibility to at least help to mentor those who are new if we are not going to be presiding officers or principal positions,’’ he added.

  • HOR: Gbajabiamila, deputy clash over time during plenary

    HOR: Gbajabiamila, deputy clash over time during plenary

    Femi Gbajabiamila, the speaker of the House  of Representatives, and his deputy, Idris Wase clashed over sitting of House on Wednesday.

    Gbajabiamila was angered by Wase’s confrontation challenging his order on the Green Chamber on Wednesday afternoon.

    Mr Gbajabiamila on Wednesday directed that the agenda on the Order Paper be few to allow him attend the commissioning of the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies.

    He stated that Thursday’s session must not exceed 2 p.m. to allow him to attend the event.

    “Chairman Business and Rules, let’s make the order paper light for tomorrow because we have this — it is very important — the permanent site of the NILDS. It is at 2:30. So it will be good we close by 2pm,” he said.

    But his deputy challenged his decision, noting that the House cannot afford to be waiting time on commission while the business of the House is left undone.

    “We have lost quite a number of periods of time. For the commissioning of projects for God’s sake, why do we have to shelve a lot of activities that we have just to go and witness the commissioning of a project of NILDS? I want to beg sir that we should do our functions,” he said.

    Mr Gbajabiamila was left fuming as he noted that no deputy speaker has ever challenged the speaker.

    “Mr deputy speaker, this is the first time in history. I have been in this house for many years, perhaps even longer than anybody here. This is the first time in history that a deputy speaker will challenge what the speaker is saying,” he said.

    This fight may not be unconnected with the speculation that Mr Wase is leading other aggrieved members to impeach Gbajabiamila.

    It would be recalled that Mr Gbajabiamila is backing Tajudeen Abbas for the speaker of the House

  • Plot to impeach Gbajabiamila thickens as 160 lawmakers allegedly sign notice

    Plot to impeach Gbajabiamila thickens as 160 lawmakers allegedly sign notice

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila is fighting the battle of his life to escape the impeachment gale hovering around him as 160 aggrieved lawmakers sign notice.

    Despite allegedly doling out $10,000 each to members of the House of the concluding 9th Assembly, fear of the unknown has prevented the Speaker from convening plenary sessions.

    Before releasing the $10,000 gratification, not less than one hundred and sixty members were alleged to have signed his impeachment notice.

    In furtherance to his continued battle for survival, the Speaker Gbajabiamila on sensing the mood of the members when the House convened Wednesday morning, 17th May 2023 abruptly adjourned indefinitely.

    His Deputy, Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase was even raising his hand to speak when he hurriedly hit the gavel and adjourned the Plenary, a development which further infuriated members.

    Impeccable sources equally hinted that the members were moving against Gbajabiamila over sundry charges of corruption.

    The leadership of the 9th Assembly is further being accused of diverting a whooping sum of N4 billion meant for the training of legislative aides for the past four years.

    The National Assembly budget every year provides for the quarterly training of aides, the sum of N250 million which amounts to a billion naira annually.

    Sources, however, revealed that for the past four years now, no single training has been allegedly conducted for the aides. So, members are asking questions about the money which are usually budgeted for the capacity building of their support staff.

    Questions are also being asked about the ongoing projects, which were being executed to the detriment of the uncompleted ones started by the previous leadership of the National Assembly.

    Apart from the leaderships being accused of over invoicing the contracts, the members are also questioning the rationale behind embarking on new projects when the old ones inherited from the previous leaderships were yet to be completed.

    The leaderships of the 8th Assembly, began the construction of quarters for the principal officers of the legislature which are yet to be delivered.

    The projects causing the agitations are, the Mosque, the library block, the National Assembly Service Commission, (NASCOM) building, the gates and gate houses and the barricading of the stays with transparent glasses.

  • Gbajabiamila adjourns plenary indefinitely over fear of impeachment

    Gbajabiamila adjourns plenary indefinitely over fear of impeachment

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila on Wednesday adjourned plenary indefinitely over fear of possible impeachment plot by some lawmakers.

    Gbajabiamila, who presided over plenary after weeks of recess, called for adjournment over speculation of his impeachment.

    He hinged the adjournment on the current induction by members-elect.

    It was gathered that some lawmakers had perfected plans to impeach Gbajabiamila over the imposition of Rep. Tajudeen Abbas as the consensus candidate for the 10th House of Reps. Speaker

    Some of the lawmakers who spoke with NAN on the impeachment plot under the condition of anonymity alleged that the speaker adjourned the plenary because of the fear of impeachment .

    Rep. Ahmed Wase, the Deputy Speaker had in a swift move opposed Gbajabiamila, claiming the adjournment was needless but it was rejected.

    Wase said the adjournment was not proper; adding that the induction could be going on simultaneously with plenary just like it was done at the Senate.

    According to Wase, I respect the view of distinguish colleagues, Rep Ibrahim Isaka, who moved for the adjournment, but I think Mr Speaker this institution has a lot memories.

    “There has never been a time because of induction the House suspended plenary.

    “I don’t know the rate of attrition in terms of those who are back to the House compared to those who are now not returning, that we have to adjourn the House because of induction.

    “I think there are many issues in the country that we need to face and tackle; we are running out of time Mr Speaker, we have just today and tomorrow for the week.

    “We lost yesterday, I want to beg my brother to consider his own stand, he should know that in any way that there is nowhere in our own rules that says that we are doing induction.

    He said the days for sitting in the House were clearly stated out in the House order.

    Earlier, Rep. Isaka (APC-Ogun) had come under Order 6, 1 and 2 for mater of privileges to move his motion.

    According to him, my point of order is that today as we speak, induction programme is on-going at the ICC center, which I am privileged together with other members to be part of Batch B.

    “Last week because of this same programme the House adjourned, the plenary was not in session but today because of the plenary I have to be here while this programme is ongoing.

    “I cannot be properly accommodated on the programme at the induction ground alongside plenary.

    “That is why I am coming under order of privileges order 6,1,2,3. Mr Speaker, my prayer is that the House do adjourn to allow us participate in the programme,” he said.

    Isiaka urged the House to reconvene after the programme, saying, “I am not the only victim of this, there are other members who are complaining about their privileges. I so move.”

    Rep. Yusuf Gagdi (APC-Plateau), one of the aspirants for the 10th National assembly speaker raised his hand and attempted to speak but was equally ignored.

    Meanwhile, the Senate has been sitting since the induction of lawmakers began, while the House of Reps which reconvened on May 17, immediately called for adjournment after many postponements.

    Also, Rep. Benjamin Kalu (APC-Abia) was chosen as the consensus candidate for the post of a Deputy Speaker.

    This was said to have angered some of the aspirants who now constituted themselves as G-7 to oppose the consensus candidate allegedly imposed by Gbajabiamila.

    Among the G-7 are: Rep. Ahmed Wase (APC-Plateau) Rep Yusuf Gagdi (APC-Plateau) Rep. Sani Jaji (APC-Zamfara), Rep. Sada Soli (APC-Katsina), Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa (APC-Kano) and Rep. Aliyu Betara (APC-Kano).

    Speaking on the issue, Rep. Abubakar Nalaraba (APC-Nasarawa) said he was aware of the alteration made in the house rule to favour Gbajabiamila’s preferred candidate.

    “There are some agitations by members because there is a particular alteration from the house rule which was conspicuously inserted and has never been deliberated upon at the plenary or in the vote and proceedings.

    Sequel to this, he said, “some members promised to take it up with him and to bring it as Order of Privilege in the house so that members would discuss why would the insertion be in the House rule in the 10th Assembly.

    “I think that might be the reason why he adjourned the house and that insertion was done probably to make the election seamless for his preferred candidate.’’

    The doctored standing rules referred to as the 10th edition cited, has a new  provision for electing the Speaker and Deputy through an open ballot instead of the existing rule of secret ballot that has been in use since 1999.

    Section 2 (f) (iii) of the controversial clause captioned “election of presiding officers” stated that, “every member voting shall name clearly and in the open the candidate of his choice.”

    Gbajabiamila is being accused of single-handedly manipulating the rules of the House to edge out more credible aspirants in favour of his preferred candidate Rep. Tajudeen Abbas.

    Attempt by NAN to get the reaction of Mr Lanre Lasisi, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Gbajabiamila was abortive as he did not reply the SMS sent to him.