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Tag: House of Assembly

  • Alia submits list of 8 commissioner-nominees to Benue Assembly

    Alia submits list of 8 commissioner-nominees to Benue Assembly

    Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia has submitted the first batch of commissioner-nominees to the State’s House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.

    Mr Tersoo Kula, his Chief Press Secretary, who made this known in a statement on Friday in Makurdi, said that the transmission of the list to the House was in line with constitutional provisions.

    Recall that Alia had sacked all the 17 commissioners and his Chief of staff on Wednesday.

    Kula listed the first batch of commissioner-nominees to include: Theresa Odachi, Dr Benjamin Ashaver, Dr Margaret Adamu, and Dr Peter Oboh.

    Others, he said, are  Dr Timothy Yangien, Mr Denis Iyaighgba, Mr James Dwem and Dr Paul Ogwuche.

    He said that the second batch of nominees would be forwarded to the House of Assembly in a matter of days.

    Kula said the governor was committed to ensuring transparency, competence, and inclusivity in the selection of individuals to drive his administration’s vision and mission for the state.

  • Edo assembly raises alarm over resurgence of cult killings

    Edo assembly raises alarm over resurgence of cult killings

    Edo House of Assembly on Wednesday raised concerns over cult-related killings, urging swift enforcement of the anti-cultism law to curb the rising threat.

    Mr Bright Iyamu (APC Orhionmwon South) raised the alarm under matters of public importance, noting that several lives had been lost due to an ongoing, deadly cult war spreading across the state.

    He stated that Section Four of the Secret Cult and Similar Activities (Prohibition) Law 2025 clearly abolished secret cults and prohibits cultism throughout the state.

    Iyamu stressed that cultism was a major social vice responsible for youth deaths, noting that a medical doctor was recently killed at UBTH in cult-related violence.

    “On Friday, a man was shot and killed in G.R.A. due to cult violence, similar disturbing incidents are occurring in other parts of the state.

    “The state is gripped with fear and uncertainty, with people unsure what horrors might unfold next due to the increase in cult-related killings,” he said.

    Iyamu, in his consequential motion, urged the government, police, and other security agencies to immediately enforce strict measures to prevent more cult-related killings and violent crimes.

    He appealed to community youths and vigilantes to join efforts in identifying and exposing cultists, ensuring those responsible face the full force of justice.

    Iyamu also asked the government and media to collaborate in enlightening the public about the provisions of the anti-cultism Prohibition Law across the state.

    Other lawmakers who spoke on the issue called on the Edo government to implement all provisions of the law fully, ensuring perpetrators were arrested, tried, and punished.

    The Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, directed that clean copies of the resolution be sent to the relevant authorities for further actions.

    Meanwhile, a bill for a law to establish the Edo State Public Private Partnership and enhance infrastructure and service development in Edo was passed.

    Also passed was the bill for a law to enact the Edo State School of Nursing, Health Science and Technology in Udomi 2025

  • Kaduna Assembly to take legal action against El-Rufai

    Kaduna Assembly to take legal action against El-Rufai

    The Kaduna state assembly has threatened to take legal action against former Governor Nasir El-rufai of Kaduna state for allegedly calling them “stark illiterates”.

    The members of the house described the allegation as a defamation of their character.

    The Chairman house committee on information, Henry Marah, stated this on Tuesday while responding to some allegations made by el-rufai against the assembly.

    “I wish to remind the former Governor that all the Hon. Members of the Assembly have met constitutional requirement to contest and win their various elections.

    “(This is) enshrined in section 106 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

    “The former governor also alleged that the assembly do not have the capacity to probe his Government/Administration.

    “It is also disheartening to note that the Governor is ignorant of the provision of Constitution specifically section 128 and 129 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

    “(This) empowers the assembly to conduct investigations on any matter or thing with respect to which it has power to make laws,” he said.

    Marah denied the former governor’s allegation that the report of the ad-hoc committee that investigated his government was written by someone else.

    He said that the assembly was discharging its duties and constitutional responsibilities by  carrying out the investigation.

    According to him, the former governor remains indicted until the committee report was successful challenged in court.

    He added that all findings of the committee against the governor were in the public domain.

    “On the relief of the former Executive Chairman, Kaduna Internal Revenue Service KADIRS, Abubakar  Zaid of his appointment, the Hon. Speaker, Yusuf Dahiru, has no powers to hire or fire any appointed officer in the state,” he said.

    NAN reports that el-rufai made the allegations on Freedom Radio discussion programme on Monday.

  • C’River Assembly invites commissioner over alleged illegal levies

    C’River Assembly invites commissioner over alleged illegal levies

    The Cross River House of Assembly, has invited the state Commissioner for Environment over alleged illegal levies imposed on truck drivers.

    The house took the decision following a complaint made during the house session on Monday by Mr Okon Owuna, the member representing Akamkpa I in the assembly.

    Owuna said that the levy tagged: “Cross River Evacuation Permit” was imposed by the Ministry of Environment on trucks hauling granite from quarries in Akamkpa.

    The lawmaker said that the levy was illegal, and not approved by the Cross River Internal Revenue Service.

    “This levy is not also backed by the state Revenue Administration Law passed by the State Assembly,” he said.

    He further said that the collection of the illegal levies had caused serious hardship on truck drivers as well as business owners in the area.

    “This has led to the withdrawal of their trucks to quarries in neighbouring states, this trend should be stopped to preserve the good image of the state.

    “If this trend is not checked, it is capable of destroying the hard earned reputation and good image that Gov. Bassey Otu has built for the state,” he said.

    Other lawmakers who spoke on the matter described the imposition of illegal levies by the ministry as double taxation.

    The Speaker, Mr Elvert Ayambem condemned the act and said that the Commissioner of Environmental and Chairman of Internal Revenue Service should appear before the house.

    Ayambem said the invitation of the two government officials would enable the house adequately understand the issue and proffer lasting solutions.

  • Imo Assembly recommends sack of CJ over alleged age falsification

    Imo Assembly recommends sack of CJ over alleged age falsification

    The Imo House of Assembly has recommended the immediate sack of the state Chief Judge (CJ), Justice Theresa Chikeka, over alleged age falsification.

    The house made the recommendation at the committee of the whole on Wednesday, after considering the report of the four-member ad hoc committee, set up to investigate the allegation against the CJ by a civil society engagement platform.

    According to the committee’s report, the petitioners were invited in the course of the investigations, along with the Head of Service (HOS), the Secretary, Imo Judicial Service Commission and the CJ.

    The report further stated that while the others honoured the invitation, the CJ failed to appear.

    The committee also reported that the response of the Nigerian Law School and Imo HOS showed that the CJ allegedly altered her date of birth from Oct. 27, 1956 to Oct. 27, 1958.

    The house, therefore, resolved to adopt the committee’s recommendation, authorising Gov. Hope Uzodimma to remove the CJ “on the ground of gross misconduct in keeping with section 292 (2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended”.

    The Speaker, Mr Chike Olemgbe, directed that the recommendation be forwarded to the National Judicial Council for necessary action.

  • Ogun assembly summons traditional ruler over land grabbing

    Ogun assembly summons traditional ruler over land grabbing

    The Ogun State House of Assembly has summoned the Olu of Obafemi, in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, Oba Taofeek Kayode, to appear before it on Wednesday regarding allegations of land grabbing.

    The Chairman of the House Committee on Justice, Ethics, and Public Petitions, Oluseun Adesanya, issued the summon in Abeokuta on Monday during a committee meeting with representatives of the Agboro Latunde Community Development Association.

    The association was led by its Chairman, Olaseni Adeoye and the Secretary, Koyade Onitande.

    The community had accused the traditional ruler of forcibly taking possession of land belonging to some members of the community.

    Adesanya, in company of other lawmakers, explained that the invitation of the traditional ruler became imperative, as part of the quasi-judicial function of the assembly.

    The lawmaker also explained that it was important to give all concerned parties in the dispute a fair hearing in accordance with the principle of the rule of law.

    He further noted that petitions against the traditional ruler included allege cases of land grabbing, threats to life and actions likely to cause communal clashes in the Agboro Community.

    The committee chairman warned that the failure of the royal father to honour the invitation would prompt the Assembly to involve security operatives to take appropriate action.

    NAN

  • Delta Assembly recalls suspended lawmaker

    Delta Assembly recalls suspended lawmaker

    The Delta House of Assembly on Thursday in Asaba recalled its member, Mr Matthew Omonade (APC-Ughelli North I), after 29 days of suspension.

    The recall was announced during plenary by the Speaker, Mr Dennis Guwor, following an adoption of the report by the ad-hoc committee set up to investigate Omonade.

    Recall that the assembly had on May 14 suspended the lawmaker over alleged gross misconduct.

    “The house has, therefore, lifted the suspension following the adoption of the recommendations of the committee.

    “He is expected to resume plenary and other legislative duties on the next sitting day,” Guwor said.

    Earlier, the Majority Leader, Emeka Nwaobi (PDP-Aniocha North), who chaired the committee, said after a thorough investigation, it recommended that Omonade be sounded a note of warning against future occurrence.

    He said the committee also recommended that the recalled lawmaker be made to study the rules of the house.

    According to the committee’s recommendations, Omonade should know that laws are universal and can be domesticated in any state or country without anyone being accused of plagiarism.

    Nwaobi said since he had remorsefully apologised to the governor, speaker and the entire house, the committee recommended that the suspension be lifted.

    In their various submissions, Mr Oboro Preyor (PDP-Bomadi) and Mr Austine Uroye (PDP-Warri South I) supported the committee’s recommendations.

    The recommendations, unanimously adopted by members via a voice vote, were seconded by the minority leader, Mr Edafe Emakpor.

    The house also approved Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori’s request to review and implement a new tariff regime for the 8.5 Megawatts Asaba Independent Power Plant (IPP), operated by Messrs Bastanchury Power Solutions.

    The governor’s request was contained in a letter read during plenary by the speaker.

    In the letter, Oborevwori explained that the upward review of the electricity tariff from N31.74 per Kilowatt to N75 per Kilowatt became necessary due to the current economic realities.

    He said this would enable the company to sustain its services to the state.

    Oborevwori, however, noted that the state government, through the Ministry of Energy, recommended a reviewed amount of N63 per Kilowatt, inclusive of VAT, hence the need for the house’s approval.

    The majority leader moved a motion for the assembly to receive the governor’s letter for consideration.

    Leading the debate, Nwaobi said it was no longer news that the economic situation informed the governor’s request and, therefore, urged the house to give it speedy approval.

    The motion, which was unanimously adopted by the assembly, when put to a voice vote by the speaker, was seconded by Mr Oboro Preyor (PDP-Bomadi).

  • Delta 8th assembly passes 9 bills within 1st session

    Delta 8th assembly passes 9 bills within 1st session

    The Speaker of the Delta House of Assembly, Mr Dennis Guwor, has presented the eighth assembly’s first-anniversary scorecard, saying it passed nine bills.

    The speaker disclosed this in Asaba on Tuesday while briefing newsmen on the activities of the assembly within the last year.

    Guwor said the house received 18 bills, made up of 15 executive bills and three private-members bills, within the year under review.

    ”And out of the 18 bills received, nine have been passed and three assented to.

    ”The bills assented are, The Supplementary Appropriation (Amendment) Bill, 2022; Additional Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2022 and the Appropriation Bill, 2024,” he said.

    The speaker said that apart from the bills passed to positively impact the lives of the people of the state, the assembly also passed some resolutions.

    “One of such resolutions is the resolution calling on Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori to set out security measures to forestall the recurrence of the destruction of farmlands and produce by herdsmen in Abraka and its environs, which occurred on Aug. 17, 2023.

    ”The resolution also added that the peace, love and order that is presently prevailing in the communities be maintained.

    ”The assembly also passed a resolution condemning rising incidence of open sex trade and use of illicit drugs among youths in Asaba and environs among others,” he said.

    In fulfilment of its constitutional duties, Guwor said the assembly screened and confirmed nominees for appointment as members of the State Executive Council and into government agencies, boards and commissions.

    ”The action of the house in screening and confirming the nominees into agencies, boards and commissions, is to ensure efficient and effective administration of government in the state.

    ”We do not stop at the confirmation of these appointments, the house, through its committees, regularly performs oversight activities of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the government,” he said.

    The speaker, however, reiterated the commitment of the assembly to the welfare of the staff of the Delta State House of Assembly Service Commission.

    He linked the ongoing strike by the state chapter of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) to the fallout of the adoption of the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS).

    ”The state government has set up a committee to work out details of implementation and the committee is already wrapping up the assignment.

    ”So, it is not a peculiar issue to Delta House of Assembly. For the record, the state government is not owing any arrears of salary payment to the staff of the assembly,” he said.

    Guwor noted that the assembly had consistently built the capacity of its workforce through staff training and retraining.

    ”I must also put it on record that the eighth assembly is poised to deliver on its mandate of law-making, representation and oversight of government programmes, projects and policies.

    ”We will collaborate without compromising the independence of the legislature with the executive arm of government to ensure development gets to every part of the state,” he said.

    Guwor also reiterated the commitment of the assembly to supporting government policies that would help to ameliorate the economic pains of the people of the state.

    ”As we move on to the second session, we are more than ever before prepared and propelled to discharge our duties and responsibilities and ensure the policy trust of government, which is in consonance with our legislative agenda, is fully implemented for the benefit of our people,” he added.

    Guwor commended the media for their support in creating visibility and prominence for the assembly’s activities.

    He urged the media to continuously use its position to support and safeguard the development and growth of the legislature to deepen and sustain democracy and democratic institutions.

    According to him, the legislature is the hallmark of democracy without which there cannot be true democracy.

  • Rivers Assembly screen, confirm new Attorney general

    Rivers Assembly screen, confirm new Attorney general

    Members of the Rivers Assembly have screened and confirmed the appointment of Mr Dagogo Tamunoiboroma as the new Rivers Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

    Tamunoiboroma was confirmed at a plenary at the temporary assembly chamber in Government House, Port Harcourt.

    Factional Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo had read the correspondence from Gov. Siminalayi Fubara, requesting the screening and confirmation of the Commissioner-designate.

    Responding to the governor’s request, House Leader, Mr Sokari Good-boy and Deputy Speaker, Mr Adolphus Timothy, unanimously adopted the confirmation of the nominee.

    They based their confirmation on his track record while also adding that he was “a man of great repute and pedigree”.

    According to members, the nominee has all it takes to support the governor in his quest to move the state forward.

    Earlier, during a brief screening, Tamunoiboroma had pledged commitment to the government and people of the state.

    He also stressed the rule of law which, he said, would prevail at all times.

    The prolonged political rift between Gov. Fubara and his predecessor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has torn the Rivers House of Assembly into two.

    One of the groups is led by Oko-Jumbo while the other group is led by Martin Amaewhule.

  • Assembly confirms appointment of Oborevwori’s 5 nominees

    Assembly confirms appointment of Oborevwori’s 5 nominees

    Delta House of Assembly on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of Mr Anthony Elekeokuri, a former lawmaker, as the Director-General of the Delta State Investments Development Agency (DIDA).

    The assembly, presided over by the speaker, Dennis Guwor, also confirmed the appointment of Chief Lucky Umoru as the Chairman of DIDA.

    Others confirmed were Mrs Roseline Amioku and Mr Ikechukwu Madumezie as the chairman and member of the State Civil Service Commission respectively,

    Mr Ugbaka Ikenna was also confirmed by the lawmakers as the Auditor-General for Local Governments.

    The confirmation of the nominees took place after a thorough screening on the floor of the assembly.

    Recall that Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori had earlier forwarded names of the nominees to the assembly for screening and possible confirmation.

    In his remarks, the speaker commended the lawmakers for their contributions toward the successful screening of the nominees.

    Guwor, who also congratulated the nominees on their successful screening and confirmation, enjoined them to justify the confidence reposed in them by the governor.