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Tag: Gbajabiamila

  • [TNG NASS Snippets] Reps expose how Ayade as PDP Governor co-sponsored Gbajabiamila’s Speakership ambition in 2019

    [TNG NASS Snippets] Reps expose how Ayade as PDP Governor co-sponsored Gbajabiamila’s Speakership ambition in 2019

    By Emman Ovuakporie
    This week’s TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) snippets will focus on how Cross River Governor Senator Ben Ayade co-sponsored Femi Gbajabiamila speakership ambition while in Peoples Democratic Party PDP in 2019. Other issues of the week:
    • Stop giving states monthly feeding bottle, embrace true federalism, Rep Chinda tells FG
    • Gbajabiamila’s Bill seeking to compulsorily recruit disabled persons scales second reading
    • The battle ahead as Senators consider Electoral Act Amendment Bill without electronic transmission of results.
    Reps expose how Ayade as a PDP Governor co-sponsored Gbajabiamila speakership ambition in 2019
    …. insist two defected Cross River lawmakers were never with us since 2015
    …they were PDP only at daylight by midnight they were active APC reps
    It was revelations galore on Tuesday as two PDP members defected to APC leading to the exposure of the roles both lawmakers and their governor played during the 2019 Reps speakership race.
    This came to fore after two Cross River lawmakers defected from PDP to APC last Tuesday as other PDP reps even celebrated their defection as they were both known to be midnight members of APC.
    Some of the PDP Reps who spoke to TNG under the condition of anonymity said unlike when other colleagues defected there was reaction but in their case there was relief that their Midnight’s colleagues had finally pitched their tents with APC.
    One of the lawmakers from the north ce ntral geo-political zone said”we knew from 2015 that they were not part of us that was why we celebrated their exit.
    “In 2015 they both voted against PDP candidate in the person of Yakubu Dogara and in 2019 they voted against the party’s candidate.
    “You must have noticed that when their defection was announced we just ignored them because they were never part of us.
    Another lawmaker from the north east geo-political zone spoke in the same vein declaring that”we have no regrets they were obviously moles since 2015.
    “In the 2019 speakership race one of them took Gbajabiamila to Ayade and Ayade as a PDP Governor co-sponsored the current speaker.
    “We are even celebrating their departure, we wish them the very best with their governor in APC.
    TNG recalls that Femi Gbajabiamila, on Tuesday announced the defection of Lego Idagbo, who represents Beckwara/Obudu/Obanliku Federal Constituency and Michael Etaba of Obubra/ Etung Federal Constituency.

    The two lawmakers, in separate letters read by Gnajabiamila, cited the crisis in the PDP as the reason for the defection

    Also, Ayade had defected to the ruling APC barely three months ago.

    Stop giving feeding bottle to states monthly, embrace true federalism Rep Chinda tells FG
    The House of Representatives caucus leader of the PDP, Rep Kingsley Chinda has advised the Federal Government to stop giving feeding bottle to states as embracing true federalism will make governors stand on their own.
    Chinda said”the way we run this federation is like a feeding bottle approach by the Federal Government as states on a monthly basis are fed like babies.

    He ecplay that “For me that is one thing I also say. I have heard the president passionately talking about local government autonomy, in fact instructing council chairmen to either use their money or go to jail if they release it to their governors, I don’t know whether he said so but I read it on the social media. Wonderful, beautiful, in fact that is the content of our constitution.

    Now when we are talking about restructuring, is the federal government to also do the same when it comes to her relationship with states, not just the states and the local government.

    So if the president is the champion for local government autonomy, the president should also be the champion for state autonomy which is the whole essence of restructuring.

    This is a federation, Nigerian portends to be the federal republic of Nigeria, not unitary republic of Nigeria. So Mr President should act that way.

    The constitution has made it clear when it comes to the powers of the federation, all we are saying is that there are things that we see as unnecessary baggage on the shoulders of the federal government, that federal government should shelve and allow states to run these issues.

    We take things like education, federal government has no business in education. Now go back to history, the west today you see them as people who are advanced in education and the north appears to be slightly backward in education why the allowed education for the regions. If we had the system we have today, the west would not have enjoyed that advantage.

    You know, if these things are moved out of the shoulders of the federal government, the north might even overtake the west when it comes to education.

    The entire society is moving, life itself is dynamic, we cannot continue with this feeding bottle system, states running to Abuja for allocation and then thereafter you go back; and federal government frittering away monies because of projects that they cannot even monitor.

    So let us begin to run a federation that is the essence, that is the entire thing about restructuring. The things that we think are not necessary for the federal government to overburden itself shelve it for states to handle. The ones that local governments can handle, let local governments handle under the constitution.

    We take things like security, we have been battling with insecurity in Nigeria. The structure of our constitution does not help us. The police man in your village will take instruction from the commissioner of police who will take instructions from the IG who will take instructions from the commander I chief and so before those instructions come down, the situation is beyond control.

    All we are saying, things like security let the states that can afford have their own state police. Local governments that can afford should have their own local government police and all of them will have different functions.

    There are crimes that will go to federal police, there are crimes that state police can handle, there are crimes that local government police can handle. There is no way there cannot be improvement in the security system.

    You come to the health sector; states should be allowed to manage that sector. The federal government cannot be investing in everything and that is why you have duplication of agencies, functions everywhere because it is so much and so it is not thorough.

    So when we talk of restructuring, perhaps people look at monies and all that, we are talking about states managing their resources. Perhaps the south or Niger Delta that produces oil will now have the whole of the oil money and I think that is the pain, it brings us back to the issue of let us look at Nigeria as a state, as our state and let the interest of the country be uppermost in our minds.

    It will even challenge states if you say look, you get what you generate and pay tax to the federal government; every state will begin to generate resources. Little did we know that we have so much gold in Zamfara, so why won’t that be made a formal thing, let the state get a formal resources from that wealth and pay tax to the government. Every state in this country is blessed but we are only being lazy by the system of government that we practice.

    Gbajabiamila’s Bill seeking compulsory employment for disabled Nigerians scales second reading

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila’s Bill seeking an insertion into the constitution to provide employment for physically challenged Nigerians passed second reading.

    The speaker since he emerged has a passion for the physically challenged and this was displayed as he personally promoted a Bill to provide for the disabled.

    Although the percentage was not expressly stated in the Bill but it was passed though Hon Uzoma Nkem-Abonta had requested that it ought to have been stated.

    Electoral Act Amendment: Senators set to consider Bill without electronic transfer of results

    The Senate is set to consider and adopt the controversial Electoral Act Amendment Bill without electronic transfer of election results.

    TNG feelers point to the fact that just like the PIB that didn’t get any major apposition during consideration last week, this Bill that suddenly appeared without electronic transfer of election results may just fly like other executive Bills.

  • Gbajabiamila backs calls for devolution of powers, social media regulation

    Gbajabiamila backs calls for devolution of powers, social media regulation

    Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila has thrown his weight behind the calls for power devolution and regulation of social media.

    Gbajabiamila also explained that President Muhammadu Buhari did not honour an invite by the House last year over insecurity in the country because some members believed it amounted to setting a bad precedence.

    He gave an indication that the bill seeking amendment to the electoral law would be passed by the House before July 16.

    The Speaker spoke during a chat with youths monitored on Channels Television and Television Continental (TVC) yesterday.

    Gbajabiamila, who noted that Nigerians had yet to determine the type of restructuring they desired, however admitted that power devolution was important because many items on the Exclusive Legislative list could be transferred to states.

    He said: “Most people have come to understand that the government is top-heavy with 64 items on the Exclusive list. The form of devolving power is restructuring itself. Everybody talks about restructuring, but nobody has been able to talk about what restructuring is.

    “As far as I am concerned, the outcome or end result is what is important. In devolution of power, what people are saying is to empower the states more. In doing that, you empower the local government so that people can feel government.

    “ In a real federal structure, the federating units are the ones that basically come together and submit some power to the centre.

    “But in this case, it is 64 items and I have never seen a country where you has 64 items or that many items on the Exclusive list. There are so many things in the Constitution that the central government have no business getting involved in.

    “When you devolve power to the state, revenue mobilisation will give more money to the states because you will reduce the responsibility on the Federal Government. We hope that with this Constitutional amendment, we can do some significant changes that will reduce the burden on the Federal Government and send the responsibility to the states where they belong.

    “We are not just going to have cosmetic changes to the Constitution because that will not get us anywhere. The changes have to be far-reaching enough to define us as a people. We hope to reshape the constitution in such a way that states are real federating units, more independent and more autonomous to the centre.”

    Gbajabiamila described social media as a double-edged sword that needed to be regulated

    He said: “I am glad that the issue of social media regulation has come to the fore with Twitter’s suspension.

    “It is important that like everything in life, there has to be regulation. We know that social media is perhaps the most potent instrument that can be used for the good and can also be used for the negative. While we welcome the good, we must not paper over the bad or the evil. That is my position about social regulations.

    “We must strike a balance where people’s right to free speech is not treaded upon. But where your right to speech ends that is where the other person’s right to protection begins. Everybody has a right and you cannot, because of your right to speech destroy me and nothing comes out of it. Many more democracies that we all look up to, are already in the mood of regulating social media.

    “The National Assembly has been contemplating regulation for a long time and each time they do, people kick and when you ask why they say freedom of speech.

    “It is a delicate balance, but it is something that we need to do as responsible people. We have a responsibility to protect every single citizen of this country and that is what government is supposed to do.”

    Responding to a question on what the House has done about the security situation in the country, Gbajabiamila said: “We have done a lot.”

    He added: “We have passed several motions and have gone to do something that I almost historic when we invited the President to address the House on the security situation.

    “But unfortunately, some people thought it was a dangerous precedent. The President was very determined to come and address the House and a date was fixed. But at the end of the day, we didn’t have that opportunity.”

    The speaker warned that “when we start playing politics with security, then we will have a problem.”

  • Gbajabiamila: 1999 constitution hurriedly put together, fall short of standard…must be amended

    Gbajabiamila: 1999 constitution hurriedly put together, fall short of standard…must be amended

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has listed the issues with the 1999 Constitution presently run by Nigeria, saying the law was hurriedly put together and falls short of the required standards.

    Gbajabiamila said this in Lagos on Tuesday at the public hearing organised by the House’ Special Committee on the Review of the Constitution.

    The Speaker noted that the hearing was part of a deliberate effort by the National Assembly to seek the guidance and support of citizens towards amending the Constitution.

    He also noted that it was not the first time the parliament had undertaken such a task, “but this may very well be the most important constitutional amendment process in our nation’s recent history because the decisions we make now will have far-reaching consequences for the future of Nigeria.”

    Gbajabiamila said, “A nation’s Constitution is the foundation of its existence. It is supposed to set the terms of our nationhood and define who we are in a manner that reflects both our common truths and highest aspirations. Our constitution falls short of this standard because the 1999 Constitution is the product of a hurried national compromise that we entered into two decades ago in order to ensure that the military returned to the barracks and that we returned to democratic government.

    “It was always the intention that we will one day as one people and one nation, return to amend this document so that it gives voice to the yearnings of the Nigerian people and sets out in clear details how we intend to achieve the shared ambitions of our nationhood. Providence has cast upon the 9th National Assembly the responsibility to write such a constitution for the Nigerian people.

    “The foundational constitution of the United States of America deemed people of colour to be ‘less than’ and denied women the right to vote. It did not include any limits on the President’s term of office and allowed for citizens to be denied the right to vote for failure to pay the ‘poll tax’.

    “Twenty-seven reviews and amendments, over one hundred years cured these and other defects. No nation in the world has a perfect constitution, but we need a near perfect constitution in Nigeria and we can achieve that through substantive amendments that significantly alter the character of our nation.”

    The Speaker stated that the task before the lawmakers was now to use the process of review and amendment to devise a Constitution that resolves the issues of identity and political structure, human rights and the administration of government, resource control, national security and “so much else that have fractured our nation and hindered our progress and prosperity.”

    He added that the National Assembly is to produce a Constitution that “turns the page on our past, yet heeds its many painful lessons.” While noting that it is not an easy task, he stressed that it is a necessary and urgent one.

    Gbajabiamila said, “We will not be able to deliver on this historic assignment if we restrict ourselves to tinkering around the edges of the constitution or by imposing upon ourselves artificial redlines that restrict honest conversation.

    “We will have failed in our mandate if the Constitution that emerges from this process continues to look to our past rather than reflect our present and speak to our future. We have an opportunity for renewal, and we must seize it, or face the harsh judgment of history.

    “Through this constitutional review process, we have it in our power to restructure our government to make it more effective, reorganise our politics to make it more inclusive, enshrine efficient mechanisms for holding the institutions of state to account and put an end to the debilitating conflicts that even now continue to tear our nation apart.

    “We will do what is necessary to achieve these outcomes because all of us in the House of Representatives recognise that this moment in our history is fraught with promise and peril, and the future of our country lies in our hands.”

  • Gbajabiamila, Governors, others pay tributes to late COAS Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru

    Gbajabiamila, Governors, others pay tributes to late COAS Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru

    An avalanche of tributes were paid to former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru and ten others who died in an air crash in Kaduna on Friday.

    According to an army statement confirming the death, the ex-COAS was en-route Kaduna from Abuja when the unfortunate incident happened.

    “The Nigerian Army regrets to announce the passing away of its Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru,” the statement, signed by army spokesman, Brigadier-General Ibrahim Yerima, said.

    “The sad event occurred following an air crash in Kaduna which also claimed the lives of 10 other officers including the crew.”

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier in statement described the COAS’ death ‘sad and sorrowful’.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari is deeply saddened over the air crash that claimed the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and other military officers,” a statement signed by presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, said.

    Nigeria lost a dedicated officer – Gbajabiamila

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, said the death of the Army Chief was unfortunate coming at a time that the Nigerian military was finding solutions to the security challenges in the country.

    In a statement signed by his spokesperson, Lanre Lasisi, Gbajabiamila said having taken over from the immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, a couple of months ago, Attahiru has shown a lot of commitment in tackling the security situation in the country.

    Gbajabiamila, who said he had a few meetings with Attahiru in search of solutions to the challenges, noted that the late Army Chief came across as a core professional officer.

    He said the Nigerian military, especially the Nigeria Army, has lost a dedicated and committed senior officer whose services to fatherland will be sorely missed.

    ‘Highly Pained’ – Governor Lalong

    The Northern Governors Forum, in a statement signed by the office of its Chairman and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, said it was distressed over the sad incident.

    Lalong said this is another sad day in the history of the nation as it has lost patriotic Nigerians who gave their lives to the defence of the territorial integrity of the country, and also ensuring that its citizens live in peace and security.

    “Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru was a committed soldier whose passion for defending Nigeria was very clear throughout his military career even before his appointment as the Chief of Army Staff,” he said.

    “Since his appointment, we have engaged him as Northern Governors Forum and individually as Governors towards enhancing the security and safety of our States, region and the nation at large.

    “Within the few months he held sway, we have seen improvements and high resolve to bringing an end to insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities.

    “We had been working on consolidating this before this tragic incident that took his life and that of others working with him. We are highly shocked and pained.”

    Lalong while condoling with the the President and Commander in Chief Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian Army, families of the deceased officers and men, as well as the entire Nigerian Armed Forces said the sad event is deeply regrettable but should not deter the Armed Forces from giving their best in the service of the nation just as the deceased COAS, officers and men did before their tragic death.

    He prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest and comfort their families.

    Devastating to Nigeria – Governor Bello

    Niger State Governor and Chairman of the North Central States Governors’ Forum, Abubakar Bello, said the death was devastating to the nation at its trying moment of insecurity.

    Governor Sani Bello disclosed this in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Mary Noel-Berje.

    He said the death of COAS and others was coming at a time when the newly appointed Chief of Army Staff along with other Service Chiefs have developed renewed efforts in tackling insecurity in the country.

    The Governor said the late Chief of Army Staff has, within his short time in the office, demonstrated and showed remarkable commitment and professionalism in the course of discharging his duty.

    He called on the family, the Nigerian Army, friends and associates to accept the death as the will of Allah and bear the irreparable loss.

    The Governor enjoined all to pray for the repose of his soul and other officers, and for Allah to give their families the strength to accept their divine call as all souls shall taste death.

    A national tragedy – AGF Malami

    The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN described the crash and deaths as a national tragedy.

    Malami received the news of the crash of the military aircraft in Kano while attending to guests in preparation for the wedding ceremony of his second son, Abiru Rahman Malami billed for tomorrow, according to a statement from his media office.

    He described the Late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru and members of his team as dedicated patriotic Nigerians whose efforts to improve the security situation of the country was manifest.

    Malami prayed Allah to grant eternal salvation for all that lost their lives in the air mishap.

    He also prayed that the family members have the fortitude to bear the loss

    The Minister said the late Army Officer who died in active service to the nation will always be remembered as a selfless and patriotic Nigerian who is passionate in duty.

    A shining star – Governor El-Rufai

    In his reaction to the disaster, Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, said Lt.Gen. Attahiru was a shining star whose sudden death has robbed Nigeria of an officer striving to bring new drive to secure the country against terrorists and other threats to national security, according to a statement signed by the state’s Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan.

    “The Governor said the news of General Attahiru’s death has left him deeply shaken, with a sense of great personal loss, coming so soon after his appointment had brought immense pride and a sense of hope to the people of Kaduna State,” the statement said.

    “Governor El-Rufai on behalf of the Government and People of Kaduna State, has extended his condolences to President Muhammadu Buhari, all branches of the military, especially the Nigerian Army, and the family of General Attahiru, as well as the families of all the officers who have lost their lives in this national tragedy.

    “He prayed to Allah to forgive their shortcomings and grant them eternal rest, and comfort their families as the nation, grapples with this colossal and very painful loss.”

    Death gives meaning to life – Chief (Dr.) Richard Oma Ahonaruogho SAN

    While the nation mourns the death of Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and others who died in a military helicopter that crashed in Kaduna, yesterday, May 21, 2021; the relief that his beloved wife, Mrs. Fati Attahiru, who was earlier but erroneously reported as one of the dead is alive, came as a soothing balm for a beleaguered nation.

    There is no gain saying that the air mishap, is one too many for a nation at war with the Boko Haram insurgents and other criminal elements at this time in our nation’s history and it is hoped that adequate steps would be taken upon completion of due investigations to protect our military hardwares and personnel.

    With twenty-two days to his fifty-fifth birthday on August 10, 2021, the life of the late Chief of Army Staff, whose appointment to that highly exalted office, lasted barely four months (116 days) from his appointment as the 25th Chief of Army Staff on January 26, 2021, to May 21, 2021, may be considered short lived, but he no doubt lived a significant life and died in the line of duty for his beloved nation for it takes love for one’s country to enlist in the armed forces.

    Being too grief stricken for now, a nation in mourning, will hopefully awake to a brighter and better tomorrow from the sacrifice of the life and times of the late Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru who was a highly decorated Officer, as we mourn his demise on the one hand and contemporaneously celebrate the life of his wife, Mrs. Fati Attahiru.

    Nigeria shall overcome.

     

  • Gbajabiamila: We need more funding for our military to win fight against insecurity

    Gbajabiamila: We need more funding for our military to win fight against insecurity

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila said only nine per cent of the total budget of the Nigerian Armed Forces is spent on weapons.

    Gbajabiamila made this known at public hearing on the Armed Forces Support Trust Fund (Establishment) Bill, organised by the House Committee on Defence on Monday in Abuja.

    Gbajabiamila said that appropriation records show that about 91 per cent of the current funding of the Armed Forces is spent on recurrent overhead, salaries and welfare.

    “This bill seeks to provide an injection of additional capital funding for the Armed Forces of Nigeria at a crucial time in our nation.

    “I am sure many of you will wonder why the Armed Forces of Nigeria need an additional financial injection at this time.

    “The fact based on appropriation records is that about 91 per cent of the current funding to the Armed Forces go on recurrent overhead, salaries and welfare, leaving only nine per cent for capital purchases.

    “This reality has prompted this 9th House of Representatives to seek a way of providing funds that will be focused on the capital needs and training of our Armed Forces,’’ he said.

    Gbajabiamila said that the importance of the bill is evidenced by the dwindling resources available to the Armed Forces of Nigeria to prosecute the various security operations it is involved in.

    According to him, this requires innovative ideas to raise additional funds without placing any burden on Nigerians, in support of the Nigerian military.

    Gbajabiamila said that Nigeria’s expenditure on military hardware and training in the last five years hovers between a paltry nine to 11 percent of budgetary allocation to the Armed Forces.

    He said that it is grossly incapable of empowering the military to face the security challenges in the country especially the insurgency in the North East.

    Gbajabiamila said that to succeed in the fight against insecurity, the Armed Forces of Nigeria required more funding for modern weapons and required trainings.

    He said that spending on military hardware must definitely increase to support the zeal and commitment already being exhibited by the soldiers.

    The speaker said the bill is a time limited endeavour to upgrade the equipment infrastructure of the Armed Forces.

    According to him, if Nigeria must develop, we need to get our security estate right by ensuring that our military is adequately equipped and well- trained; this requires funding which cannot be sourced solely through the annual budget provisions.

    Gbajabiamila said that during war times, countries do not fund their military through regular appropriation alone as seen in the United States, United Kingdom and all Western powers who engages in extra budgetary funding.

    “Nigeria is at war against insurgency, terrorism, kidnapping and all manner of insecurity; hence the need to uplift the resources available to our armed services to enable them procure the best tools to help win this war.

    “So, what we seek to do in this bill is not new or unique to us as a nation; the solution to our security challenges requires asymmetric actions across many policy areas. This is what we have tried to do as the representatives of the people.

    “The concept of a trust fund already exists for the Nigerian Police; it only makes sense to also bolster our military capability as well through this unique vehicle,’’ he said.

    In his remarks, Chairman, House, House Committee on Defence, Rep. Benson Babajimi (APC-Lagos) said that the bill seeks to explore alternative sources of funding for the armed forces.

    He said that the need to create additional funding for military has become apparent giving the myriad of security challenges facing the country.

    According to him, only approximately nine per cent of the annual budgetary allocation is available for capital expenditure in the military; a large chunk goes for recurrent expenditure.

    The rep said that the Nigerian armed forces had continued to expand and there was need to provide adequate weaponry and equipment to sustain the ever-increasing operations.

    Babajimi said that efforts in the past to meet the required weapons to adequately combat insecurity had met brick wall due to insufficient funds.

    He said that Nigeria ranked very low in terms of defence spending and that develop countries like the U. S. , Russia, United Kingdom, Poland all have alternative sources of funding for defence.

    The lawmaker said that Nigeria is ranked fourth in Africa in terms of military spending, after Algeria, Morocco and South Africa.

    While Nigeria spend $2.6 billion, Algeria spends $9.7 billion, Morocco $4.8billion and South Africa $3.1 billion.

    He said given the security challenges facing the country today, the fund seeks to ensure a robust, efficient, well-trained and equipped armed forces.

    The chairman said that the house will stop at nothing to ensure that the Nigerians are safe and their properties secured across the country.

  • What Gbajabiamila said about Southern Governors’ calls for restructuring – Reps

    What Gbajabiamila said about Southern Governors’ calls for restructuring – Reps

    The House of Representatives has said that Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila is not opposed to the call by Southern Governors for the restructuring of the country.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that seventeen (17) Southern Governors had convened on Tuesday in Asaba, the Delta State capital and had demanded for the nation’s restructuring, asking President Muhammadu Buhari to address the nation and to also convene a national dialogue.

    But the House via a statement issued on Friday by its spokesman, Benjamin Kalu, said the Speaker and indeed the current leadership of the House has shown commitment to total review of the 1999 constitution to meet the yearning and aspiration of the Nigerian people.

    “The attention of the House has been drawn to several publications on online and traditional media claiming that the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, is opposed to the Southern Governors’ call for restructuring,” the statement partly read.

    “The House gathers that this allegation was attributed to statements made by the Speaker at a recent interview seeking his opinion on the issue. The House states clearly and unequivocally that the publications are false and misleading.”

    SEE FULL STATEMENT BELOW:

    The Speaker did not say He is opposed to the Southern Governors’ calls for restructuring

    The attention of the House has been drawn to several publications on online and traditional media claiming that the Speaker, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, is opposed to the Southern Governors’ call for restructuring. The House gathers that this allegation was attributed to statements made by the Speaker at a recent interview seeking his opinion on the issue. The House states clearly and unequivocally that the publications are false and misleading.

    For the avoidance of doubt, below is an accurate reproduction of the statements made by the Speaker at that interview;

    “This is not a time for name-calling or blaming one person or the other. If truth be told, we all have equal shares in the blame and whatever challenges we have, we all must come together. In the same way we all have equal shares, we must all come together to make sure that we resolve whatever issues there are. Like I said earlier, the greatest nations have gone through challenges worse than this and I believe that it is that spirit of oneness and that spirit of togetherness and unity and love that will take us through this. You know sometimes there are many things that people have said here and there and you never know where these things are coming from. Sometimes God even puts you through challenges so that you can come out of it stronger, bigger, better, bolder. That’s what I believe is gonna happen to Nigeria. We’re all put together in this one geographical space for a reason. It wasn’t by happenstance or coincidence or by chance. It was ordained by Almighty God and He doesn’t make mistakes, He doesn’t go wrong. What He decrees is what will be and I believe He put us all together. No matter your religion, no matter your ethnicity, talking about over 250 ethnic groups in one country, it is that diversity that God had foreseen that I believe we should tap into as Nigerians. I have belief in the Nigerian resilience and in the Nigerian spirit; and in the spirit of Ramadan, we must continue to pray.”

    It is clear to objective reason that nothing in the above statement opposes the Southern Governors’ call for restructuring. Indeed, from the beginning of the 9th Assembly, the House under the leadership of Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has reiterated its commitment to a thorough review of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as can be seen by the composition and activities of the Constitutional Review Committee of the House.

    The media is hereby cautioned to be mindful of peddling false news in the bid to misinform the general public. This is misleading and detrimental to our democracy as a nation. Like the Speaker rightly said, this is not a time to apportion blames rather this is a time for us to come together and deliberate on issues that have birthed the problem we are facing as a nation and to find a suitable solution to it.

    The House urges Nigerians to disregard this news and continue to pray for a peaceful Nigeria.

     

    Signed,

    Rep. Benjamin Okezie Kalu

    Spokesperson

    House of Representatives

  • Why Governors, other elected public officials should not join calls for restructuring – Senate President

    Why Governors, other elected public officials should not join calls for restructuring – Senate President

    Senate President Ahmad Lawan has cautioned governors and other elected leaders against joining the agitations for secession or calling for restructuring of the country.

    Lawan, who stated this while fielding questions from State House correspondents in Abuja on Thursday, said he was not against those calling for restructuring but elected officials must not be among those advocating for such calls.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Lawan’s position is coming barely three days after the 17 southern governors after a meeting in Delta State banned open grazing and also demanded immediate restructuring of the country.

    According to him, state governors must ensure that they restructure their respective states first before calling for restructuring at the federal level.

    He said: “The call for secession or the call for restructuring, many are genuine calls even though I never believe that someone who is calling for secession means well or is a misguided person.

    “But I believe that when somebody calls for improving the structure that we have is a genuine call.

    “But I want to advice here, I believe that as leaders those of us who were elected must not be at the forefront of calling for this kind of thing because even if you are a governor you are supposed to be working hard in your state to ensure that this restructuring you are calling for at the federal level you have done it in your state as well.

    “This is because what you may accuse the federal government of whatever it is, you may also be accused of the same thing in your state.

    “So, we are supposed to ensure that we have a complete and total way of ensuring that our systems at the federal, state and even local government work for the people, and that we allow people to participate in governance so that whoever feels that he has something to offer to make Nigeria better does so freely without any hindrance.’’

    The senate president said Nigerians must come together regardless of their religious, ethnic or political persuasions to find lasting solutions to the nation challenges.

    He, therefore, called on all elected leaders across the three tiers of government to always avoid primordial sentiments capable of creating division and social discontent among Nigerians.

    “We should avoid partisanship, we should avoid regionalism. We are all leaders and we are in this together. The solution must come from us regardless of what level of government we are – whether at the federal, state or even at the local government level,’’ he added.

    Lawan also frowned at the way and manner local government system was relegated to the background in the country, saying for the nation to address its security challenges the local government system must be functional and efficient.

    “I want to take this opportunity also to say that we have diminished the local government system. I think we can attribute some of the security issues to the lack of functional local government system.

    “For me, I think the time has come for us to take up the challenge to ensure that the local government system functions. This is in keeping with looking for ways, for means, for solutions to the security challenges that we face. We must never neglect the local government system.

    “I believe that this is one system that had worked even though in a different name. When it was Native Authority it was very effective, very efficient.

    “So, we must go back to our local government to ensure that the local government continues to be autonomous, continues to be functional in order to compliment whatever the States and the Federal Government would be doing.

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, who also spoke to the correspondents, called for a national spirit of oneness, saying that “If truth be told, we all have equal shares in the blame for what’s happening today.

    “Whatever challenges we have, we must all come together to make sure that we resolve these issues we’re facing.

    “We must imbibe that spirit of oneness, togetherness, unity and love that would take us through this.”

    He enjoined Nigerians to always be their brothers’ keepers and avoid acts capable of creating social unrest.

  • Eid-el-Fitr: Buhari, family members, Lawan, Gbajabiamila pray at Aso Rock

    Eid-el-Fitr: Buhari, family members, Lawan, Gbajabiamila pray at Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari with members of his immediate family observed the Eid-el-Fitr prayer at the State House on Thursday.

    The celebrations marked the end of a month-long Ramadan fast, usually followed by large congregational prayers at designated eid grounds.

    Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, had in a statement said Buhari’s decision to pray in Aso Rock was in compliance with the COVID-19 non-pharmaceutical intervention measures put in place by the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) and the Federal Capital Territory Administration, to save lives and protect people from all dangers.

    The President, was also joined by the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; the National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Monguno (retd); his Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari; his personal aides, among others at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa to observe the eid prayers at 9:00am.

    The First Lady, Aisha Buhari, along with children was also part the congregational prayer at the Forecourt of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

  • Gbajabiamila frowns at ‘hidden charges’, ‘corporate prostitution’ in Nigerian banks

    Gbajabiamila frowns at ‘hidden charges’, ‘corporate prostitution’ in Nigerian banks

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has expressed concern over the way banks charge customers indiscriminately during transactions.
    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Gbajabiamila said this when he hosted the Board and Management of the Standard Chartered Bank, led by the Chief Executive Officer, Mr Lamin Manjang, on Monday in Abuja.
    The speaker said apart from charges known to the customers, there appeared to be other ‘hidden’ charges that the banks imposed on their customers.
    He stated that the House was concerned that such a practice was making customers helpless, while calling on Nigerian banks to come up with ways to address high charges on loans and other facilities they offered.
    “One of the issues at stake is the rate at which banks charge customers, there are claims that banks have hidden charges.
    “This has come up a couple of times on the floor of the House and it is something we should look into.”
    Gbajabiamila also expressed concern over the kind of exploitative marketing some banks’ marketers were being subjected to and demanded to know if that was the practice all over the world.
    “You have corporations in the United Kingdom and other parts of the world, what obtains here in terms of banking, in terms of marketing
    “Sending people to go and knock at people’s offices and all that; does it obtain in those places?”, he asked.
    The speaker noted that such practice does not obtain in those countries, adding that if it is not international best practice, why should it obtained in Nigeria.
    “Some years back, I came up with a bill against corporate prostitution, but that it did not sail through.
    “We are here to support you, whatever we need to do, we should do it to support you.
    “We need to know the kind of marketing that takes place. Is it digital marketing? We also have to set realistic targets for the marketers.
    “We have the responsibility to protect Nigerians, and we also have the responsibility not to kill your business, so it is a delicate situation,” he said.
    The CEO of Standard Chartered Bank had earlier said his bank was one of the oldest banks in Nigeria and that it had a strong presence in Asia, Middle East and Africa.
    He said having taken the position of CEO of the bank two years ago, it was imperative to visit the Speaker to reiterate the bank’s commitment to Nigeria,
    He said the bank would continue to play its role to make Nigeria achieve its goals.
    Responding later to the issue of exploitative marketing, Manjang said it was a practice that allowed banks to market their products to the customers, but that it had to be ethical.
    “It’s not peculiar to Nigeria but it has to be ethical, teams usually go round but the ethical conduct has to be there.
    “You need to have marketing for people to know what you offer, if there are any abuses or conducts that are not ideal, they should be called out and addressed,” he added.
  • Again, Gbajabiamila meets Buhari over security challenges, others

    Again, Gbajabiamila meets Buhari over security challenges, others

    President Muhammadu Buhari has met behind closed door with the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the meeting was part of the ongoing strategic engagements of the president with relevant stakeholders aimed at finding solutions to the nation’s security and socio-economic challenges.

    Speaking to State House correspondents at the end of the meeting with the president, Gbajabiamila reiterated the commitment of the National Assembly to continue to assist President Buhari as “he works hard to find a lasting solution to the present security challenges confronting the nation.’’

    He explained that his discussion with the president centred on security and other matters related to the development of the country.

    He said: “We always speak about the state of security because that is number one; we spoke about the economy; we spoke about the politics of it all. At least he has a listening ear.

    “We proffer ideas and he tells us his own views and we come to some consensus one way or the other.

    “Some of these things, you cannot be privy to them for now. We are still working on a way out and all I will always say is, uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.”

    According to the speaker, the president is very passionate about finding a solution to the problem.

    “The President is dealing with a very difficult situation and he is as passionate as anybody else, to bring it to a closure and we are here to help him achieve that,” he added.

    He revealed that the House of Representatives had since set up a special committee that would offer solution to the nation’s security challenges.

    “You are aware that the House of Representatives sometimes passed a resolution where we set up a special ad-hoc committee, which involves all Principal Officers and 30 other members of the House.

    “We are going to start that process by looking at different solutions and we would be bringing the report to the President.

    “He is fully aware of it and he is open to any and everything that would help us in coming to a resolution in this security matter,” he said.