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Tag: Gbajabiamila

  • Gbajabimila constitutes sub-committees, cancels victory party to focus on duties

    Gbaja constitutes sub-committees, to visit constituencies ‘making the headlines’

    Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house of representatives, has constituted four sub-committees in the legislative chamber.

    Gbajabiamila constituted the committees on Thursday after the first session of the newly inaugurated house, before adjourning plenary till July 2.

    The committees including welfare, selection, media and publicity as well as rules and business are to commence work immediately pending the formation of all the relevant committees.

    Addressing journalists, Khadija Ibrahim, chairman of the sub-committee on media and publicity, said Gbajabiamila has also resolved to visit select constituencies that have been in the news recently.

    She said: “The traditional victory party done after the emergence of speaker has been cancelled due to the fact that we have a lot of work to do. In the two weeks recess, we are going to work, we are not going on holiday. New members will settle down and get to work

    “Mr. Speaker has emphasised he is going to visit some constituency offices and have a feel of what is happening in them especially those making the headlines. So he wants to go and know what is happening in those constituencies.”

    The former minister of state for foreign affairs added that the green chamber will work in unity and devoid of party affiliations.

    “We remain as one house regardless of party affiliations. There is not going to be any prejudices or leaning towards one party,” she said.

    “We stand united. In one Nigeria we believe, in one Nigeria we stand and will work harmoniously with the executive. The three arms of government needs to work hand in hand to make progress in this country.”

  • NASS Elections: Tinubu congratulates Lawan, Gbajabiamila, urges harmonious relationship with Executive

    NASS Elections: Tinubu congratulates Lawan, Gbajabiamila, urges harmonious relationship with Executive

    All Progressives Congress National Stalwart, Sen. Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday urged the new 9th National Assembly to extend hands of fellowship and friendship to the Executive to achieve progress in the country.
    Tinubu made the call in a congratulatory message entitled: “Nurturing and Deepening National Assembly Institution, Democracy,” released by his media adviser, Mr Tunde Rahman, in Lagos.
    He also urged the assembly to do all within their powers to nurture and deepen the institutions of the Legislature and the country’s promising democracy.
    According to him, their task is to complement and support President Muhammadu Buhari to deliver on his administration’s progressive agenda to take the country to the Next Level with detailed, timely and progressive legislative initiatives.
    “It is imperative that the new leadership quickly departs from the adversarial posture of those that came before and extends hands of fellowship and friendship to the Executive.
    “A convivial and cooperative relationship between the legislative and executive arms of government is our best chance at achieving the progress that we, as Nigerians, deserve and it’s incumbent on our new leaders to make this a reality in this next dispensation.
    “Our system speaks of complementarity between the Executive and Legislature and does not preclude the Legislature from working harmoniously with the Executive in the service of our people, ” he said.
    Tinubu congratulated Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, and their deputies, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege and Alhaji Ahmed Idris Wase, on their election as presiding officers of the 9th National Assembly.
    “To have been selected by such overwhelming majorities by their peers is a wonderful honour and a clear demonstration of the implicit confidence reposed in them as leaders and legislators.
    “The offices these leaders have been entrusted with are sacred and must not be toyed with.
    “Their emergence as leaders of the 9th National Assembly comes at a crucial time in our nation’s history. As we celebrate 20 years of uninterrupted democracy and our new National Democracy Day of June 12.
    “We look backwards to recognise the sacrifices and valour of our heroes past. We also look forward with hope for the future of our nation and our democracy, “he said.
    Tinubu said that the election of the assembly leaders was free, fair and transparent, saying that it is a further demonstration that the nation’s democracy is functioning well.
    He said that their election also reaffirms party supremacy as the leaders were also the choice of the governing APC and the party’s caucus in the National Assembly.
    The APC leader also congratulated those who contested the various positions but did not win at present for putting up a gallant fight.
    “However, the time has now come to put aside all differences and rally round the new officers to work together.
    “I wish the Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Speaker and Deputy Speaker and all their colleagues in the National Assembly a successful and impactful tenure and once again congratulations,” Tinubu said.
  • NASS election: PDP, APC congratulate Lawan, Gbajabiamila

    NASS election: PDP, APC congratulate Lawan, Gbajabiamila

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that the victory of its candidates at the election of principal officers of the 9th National Assembly is a triumph of democracy and party politics.

    Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, APC National Publicity Secretary, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

    He added that it was a triumph of democracy over the brazen lawlessness of anti-democratic forces and a defeat of impunity of minority party.

    He congratulated President, Muhammadu Buhari, the party’s National Chairman, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, its governors, stakeholders and members on the success of the election.

    Sen. Ahmad Lawan emerged as President of the Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly while Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege emerged as Deputy President of the Senate.

    Mr Femi Gbajabiamila and Idris Wase emerged as Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    He added that the APC had consistently maintained that the leadership of the National Assembly belonged to the party in the majority.

    The APC spokesman maintained that outcome of the elections had clearly validated the party’s efforts to institutionalise party discipline and loyalty.

    “It is triumph of internal democracy, anchored on consensus building, to which we lay claim, over anti-democratic methods that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had foisted on our democracy over 16 years.

    “We are deeply humbled by the honour bestowed on our great party,” he said.

    He added that while the party’s members were entitled to savour this victory, they should avoid pettiness and continue to stretch hands of fellowship to progressive forces in other political parties and groups.

    This, Issa-Onilu said, was critical to consolidate the country’s democracy.

    “We must recommit to cooperation between the Executive and Legislative arms of government; the support of the National Assembly remains critical as an arm of government,”he said.

    This, he said, was necessary to enable the APC-led administration to continue to deliver on its infrastructure scheme in the country, to boost economic development.

    According to him, more synergy between the Executive and the Legislature will also boost the fight against corruption and give more impetus to national reorientation and the efforts to secure the nation.

    He said there was, therefore, need to make a new start and move forward to address the country’s challenges.

    He stressed that the 9th National Assembly must immediately address itself to delivering critical legislative intervention

    He said it would enable the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to succeed for the benefit of Nigerians.

    He added that this was critical to ensure the smooth running of government.

    He congratulated National Assembly members on the platform of the APC on their inauguration after their victories in the 2019 National Assembly elections.

    He also applauded the electorate nationwide, whose representatives in both chambers of the National Assembly had entrusted the leadership of the legislature in the hands of APC members.

    Meanwhile, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has charged the new leadership of the bi-camera federal legislature to jealously guard the independent of that critical arm of government.

    The main opposition party, in a congratulatory message, acknowledged the new set of the leadership of the two chambers and congratulated them for their electoral victories in the keenly contested positions.

    In a statement, Tuesday night by the spokesman for the PDP, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, the party also commended all those that made the contests robust for helping to deepen democratic practice.

    The PDP said it will always stand on the side of decency and utmost respect for the institution of the National Assembly and the values we hold as a people.

    The statement said, “Our party therefore charges the federal lawmakers, as representatives of the people, to place the welfare, wishes and aspirations of Nigerians above every other considerations by ensuring a strong and independent legislature that upholds the tenets of democracy and the dictates of our constitution.

    “The 9th National Assembly therefore must work hard to save our nation from the prevailing despondency caused by the misrule of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, by effectively applying its statutory legislative instruments to guarantee good governance and fiscal prudence, curb corruption, check the excesses of the executive and protect the rights of Nigerians from incessant violations”.

    The party charged the lawmakers to bear in mind that their allegiance is to the people and the constitution, and not to any particular leader or group.

    “Our party, therefore, charges the legislature to work only in the interest of our nation and resist the manipulations and pressure that might come from quarters that seek to undermine our democratic order.

    “On our part, the PDP, as a party, will remain truly committed to the welfare of Nigerians. We shall continue to keep our focus on the quest for good governance, national cohesion and economic wellbeing of the people, even as we pursue our collective aspiration for the successful retrieval of our stolen Presidential mandate at the tribunal”, the statement added.

  • BREAKING: Gbajabiamila defeats Bago, emerges Speaker of 9th Assembly

    BREAKING: Gbajabiamila defeats Bago, emerges Speaker of 9th Assembly

    Erstwhile Majority leader, Femi Gbajabiamila has defeated his contender, Mohammed Bago to emerge as the Speaker of the House of Representative for the 9th Assembly.

    Out of the 358 House of Representatives-elect members who participated in the voting exercise on Tuesday, Bago only polled a total of 76 votes.

    While the winner, Gbajabiamila who is the anointed candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, garnered 281 votes.

    Immediately Gbajabiamila exceeded 181 votes which he needed to emerge speaker, there was jubilation in the House as lawmakers congratulated him.

    One invalid vote was recorded out of 358 votes cast

    Details soon…

  • [Video] Gbajabiamila’s supporters chanting his candidacy ahead of NASS election

    [Video] Gbajabiamila’s supporters chanting his candidacy ahead of NASS election

    Ahead of today’s election of principal officers of both legislative chambers of the National Assembly, supporters of the erstwhile majority leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, who is seeking to be the speakership position were seen chanting the Gbaja/Wase ticket in show of strength.

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  • Three aspirants step down for Gbajabiamila/Wase – Jibrin

    The Director- General Femi Gbajabiamila/ Idris Wase Campaign Council Hon. Dr Abdulmumin Jibrin has said that three aspirants for the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives of the 9th National Assembly have stepped down from the contest.

    He made the disclosure at a forum where lawmakers across parties converged to endorse the candidature of Gbajabiamila and Wase in Abuja on Sunday.

    He said that three lawmkers viz: Hon. Segun Odebumi, Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas and Hon. Nkiruka Onyejeocha have agreed to step down from the speakershilp contest in order to rally support for the duo.

    The DG assured that the 9th Assembly under the two All Progressives Congress APC candidates will make history as the best Assembly the country ever had.
    The APC annointed candidate Gbajabiamila also assured the lawmakers that he will make the Nigerian parliament the bastion of democracy in the entire West Africa.

    He said that the task of nation building is a joint one and called for votes for his candidature and his deputy.
    End

  • Speakership race: APC finally speak on allegations against Gbajabiamila

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has defended its candidate for the Speakership position of 9th House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, over reports making the rounds that he was convicted by a Court in the United States of America.

    The APC while urging Nigerians to ignore the reports, said the they were sponsored. The party described the allegations as “phantom and infantile”.

    It noted that the allegations had become reoccurring fabrication.

    It recalled that the same baseless allegations were made against Gbajabiamila in the lead up to the 8th National Assembly speakership race but came to naught.

    The party emphasised that Gbajabiamila had never been convicted for any crime in Nigeria and abroad.

    “We urge Gbajabiamila and his vibrant campaign team to remain focused on their extensive country-wide consultation and engagements which has been well-received and endorsed across party lines.

    “Ahead of the June 11 inauguration of the 9th National Assembly, we urge all APC federal lawmakers to rally around the candidatures of Sen. Ahmad Lawan, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and all our candidates for the respective principal positions,” it said.

    The party also commended Sen. Danjuma Goje for his decision to withdraw from the 9th Senate Presidency contest in support of the party’s endorsed candidate, Sen. Ahmad Lawan.

    The commendation is contained in a statement issued Thursday in Abuja by Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, the party’s National Publicity Secretary.

    It also commended the fatherly role played by President Muhammadu Buhari in ensuring compliance with party decisions and directives.

    According to the party, Goje has demonstrated himself as a reliable and committed party leader, good role model and elder statesman.

    “We believe that Goje’s selfless actions typify APC’s progressive ideals and should be emulated by all party members to ensure unity, strength and supremacy of our great party.

    “There is no doubt that the majority APC caucus is going into the incoming 9th National Assembly as a united house,” it said.

  • Speakership: 9th Assembly Progressives adopts Gbajabiamila/Wase ticket

    A group of House of Representatives Members and Members – Elect, known as the 9th Assembly Progressives have adopted Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila as Speaker and Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase as Deputy Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives.

    The group led by a ranking member of the House, Hon. Oluwole Oke (Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency, Osun State) comprises non – APC Members and Members – Elect and has large spread among the minority parties, various geopolitical zones and different gender lines. Currently, the 9th Assembly Progressives comprise sixty members.

    The decision of the 9th Progressives has been informed by a number of factors –
    First, in mature democracies with entrenched legislative traditions, the moment there is a leadership vacuum, the leader of a Majority Party in the legislature automatically assumes Headship of that House.

    Examples abound, including, the recent Speakership of Nancy Pelosi. For this reason and in order for us to deepen the progressive values in the National Assembly we, the 9th Assembly Progressives, have adopted the joint ticket of Hon. Femi/Hon. Wase in the Speakership race.

    Second, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who doubles as the Leader of Hon. Femi’s Party, has nominated him for the Speakership position. Deeming him as a man that will foster peace, unity and prosperity throughout the 9th Assembly. Endorsing and voting for him, is therefore an endorsement and vote for a smooth and productive working relationship between the Executive and the Legislature in the new Government.

    Third, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila is the most experienced and prepared candidate in the current Speakership race. Hon. Femi has been a Member of the House since 2003 and has played a pivotal role in creating the right legislative culture, values and practice which now characterize the Legislative Arm of Government. His commitment to the defence of democratic values is glaring and he has been consistent in his views, values and votes, which is the hallmark of a true Parliamentarian.

    Fourth, since becoming a Member in 2003, Hon. Femi has sponsored some of the most critical bills that have been debated on the floor of the House of Representatives. Some of his Bills were pivotal and contributed to the amendment of the 1999 Constitution. His innate brilliance shows in the quality of Bills and Motions he has sponsored in the House and his contribution to debates is passionate, deep, insightful and always logical. He has vast understanding of the Rules of the House and is a Master in Legislative Proceedings.

    Fifth, Hon. Femi commands the respect of the Members of the House. In 2015, he was overwhelmingly elected as the Leader of the House and he gave support to the current House leadership for the entire term of the 8th Assembly. He has also contributed immensely to making legislative work easy. A notable contribution he made is the printing and distribution of the Rules of the House free of charge to all Members of the 8th Assembly.

    We the 9th Assembly Progressives believe that now is the God ordained time for Hon. Femi and we must join our hands with the voice of the People, which is the voice of God. We the undersigned Members Elect and Returning Members of the 9th Assembly Progressives hereby adopt Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila as Speaker and Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase as Deputy Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives.

    We therefore, urge all our Colleagues in the 9th House to ensure the election of Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila as Speaker and Hon. Idris Wase as Deputy Speaker un-opposed.
    Long Live the 9th Assembly, Long Live the 9th Assembly Progressives, Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

  • Ninth House: PDP Rep caucus denies endorsing Gbajabiamila for Speaker

    Ninth House: PDP Rep caucus denies endorsing Gbajabiamila for Speaker

    From Jonas Ike, Abuja
    The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives Hon. Leo Ogor has denied media reports that the PDP Caucus in the House has endorsed the candidature of Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila for the exalted office of the Speaker in the 9th House of Representatives.
    Ogor who doubles as Leader of the PDD Caucus said in a statement on Wednesday that propagandists are mischievously twisting a goodwill message to imply support for one of Speakership aspirants.
    The lawmaker emphasized that while the caucus has directed its members to participate in meetings and strategy sessions of the APC Speakership aspirants, they never directed them to consider voting for any of the aspirants.
    According to the Minority Leader, even though some confused elements in the ruling party are claiming to be ‘talking to one part of the PDP House caucus before talking to the other’, the PDP House caucus remains resolutely united, with decisive plans for strengthening democratic growth while patriotically exerting influence on the Speakership election process.
    He stated that the PDP’s national leadership and members of the PDP caucus will consider the national interest and take a collective decision on whom to vote for on June 11 when the House is scheduled to be inaugurated.
    “In the Eid el Fitri message issued on Tuesday, we felicitated with all our Muslim brothers and sisters across Nigeria, we emphasized the significance of worthy virtues and also stated that our members may participate in meetings, strategy sessions and other activities of Speakership aspirants so as to come back to the caucus with convincing assessments.
    “While some publications including PUNCH newspaper have disseminated accurate and objective report, few others fabricated a completely new angle with one even using a deliberately fictitious and grossly erroneous headline in a manner that suggests being used for the ruling party’s usual misinformation and propaganda.
    “Contrary to what has been sensationally reported by some, at no time did we give our members a directive to vote for any APC speakership aspirant; I hereby categorically dissociate myself and the PDP House Caucus from the false comments being attributed to us as participation in meetings should not be deliberately misinterpreted as a directive on voting,” Honourable Ogor stated
    According to Ogor, the PDP House Caucus has remain solidly united, even as it continues to grant audience to various Speakership aspirants.
    “Of the three arms of government, the legislature is the first when it comes to the ethos and praxis of democracy; hence, our willingness to further facilitate democratic values and legislative camaraderie – values that are lacking in the ruling party – up till that day when our great party, the PDP, will take a decision.
    “Indeed, on May 22 and again, on June 4, all the House Speakership aspirants of note came one after another, to meet and discuss their plans with the leadership of the PDP House Caucus.
    “While we have taken the decision to enable all individual members to interact and exchange perspectives, the PDP House Caucus shall – with the input and advice of our party’s national leadership – take a final decision soon, in the interest of Nigeria and we will communicate our formal position to the public.
    “Our unflinching commitment to the principles and ethos of democracy, our keenness for dialogue and our willingness to make sacrifice for the national interest should not be unduly exaggerated as a tacit endorsement or assurance of vote for any candidate of the ruling party,” he stated.

  • Speakership: Gbajabiamila’s campaign vows to sue CUPP over alleged conviction

    From Jonas Ike, Abuja
    The race for the Speaker of 9th National Assembly is getting hotter by the days as one of the leading aspirant and the anointed candidate of the All Progressives Congress APC Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has vowed to file suit of criminal defamation of character against some persons said to be behind the smear campaign on his candidature.
    The Director-General of the Femi Gbajabiamila/Idris Wase campaign council Hon Abdulmumin Jibrin (Kano, APC) who addressed a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja said that the reports in some sections of the media that Gbajabiamila was convicted by the Supreme Court of State of Georgia is a hatchet job done to puncture his candidature and smear his reputation.
    He said that the APC’s anointed candidate Femi Gbajabiamila has never committed any perjury in Nigeria and or in any other country of the world. He said that the lawmaker has already instructed his lawyers to file court case against those behind the smear campaign on his candidature.
    According to him, the lawmaker has responded to these allegations that he corruptly enriched himself with $25,000 belonging to his client in the United States and urged the public to disregard the accusation.
    He said: “this is a hatchet job. This campaign of calumny is targeted at smearing his reputation. We urge the public to disregard this accusation”.
    The DG further stated that the lawmaker has instructed his lawyers to sue for defamation those behind the smear campaign with immediate effect.
    Our correspondent recalled that on Tuesday, Chairman of the Coalition of Political Parties in Nigeria CUPP Barr. Ikenna Ugochinyere addressed a press conference in Abuja alleging that Gbajabiamila was convited in the United State for perjury and so was not qualified to vie for the speaker of the 9th National Assembly.