TheNewsGuru

Tag: impeachment

  • BREAKING: Senators threaten to impeach Buhari over insecurity

    BREAKING: Senators threaten to impeach Buhari over insecurity

    Senators of opposition parties in the National Assembly (NASS) on Wednesday issued a 6-week ultimatum on President Muhammadu Buhari to fix security challenges in the country or face impeachment.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator Phillip Aduda had raised a point of order for the upper legislative chamber to deliberate on the security situation of the country and possibly begin impeachment proceedings on the President.

    However, the Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan, who presided over the plenary, declined the request of the minority leader, saying the point of order raised fell flat on its face.

    Angered by the action of the Senate President, all the lawmakers elected on the platforms of all political parties other than the All Progressives Congress (APC) took turns to walk out of the legislative chamber while the plenary was ongoing.

    Senator Aduda later briefed reporters at the NASS complex on behalf of his aggrieved colleagues. According to him, the opposition senators have issued a six-week ultimatum to President Buhari to tackle the security challenges bedevilling the country.

    They agreed to commence the impeachment proceedings against the President should he fail to address the insecurity within the period given by the lawmakers.

  • BREAKING: Oyo State gets new Deputy Governor

    BREAKING: Oyo State gets new Deputy Governor

    The Oyo State House of Assembly on Monday approved the appointment of Adebayo Lawal as the new Deputy Governor, following the impeachment of
    Rauf Olaniyan.

    The approval followed the nomination of Lawal to the lawmakers for consideration by Gov. Seyi Makinde as replacement for Olaniyan.

    Lawal, who is the Chairman of the State Housing Corporation had served as the state Attorney-General. He hails from Kisi in Irepo Local Government area.

    Lawal’s nomination is contained in a letter by the governor to the lawmakers, which was presented at the plenary.

    The House had gone on a short recess shortly after the impeachment of Olaniyan as the deputy governor. The lawmakers later reconvened at about 12.15 p.m to consider the appointment of the new deputy governor.

    The Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin, while reading the letter from the Executive, said it was in response to an earlier letter sent by the lawmaker to the Governor dated July 18, informing him of the impeachment of Olaniyan.

    Defending the nomination of Lawal, the House Majority Leader, Sanjo Adedoyin, said that the nomination should be favourably considered, approved and adopt in view of his antecedents in contributing to the progress of the state.

    Seconding the motion, Kazeem Olayanju, representing Irepo/Olornsogo State Constituency, said that the House should confirm Lawal as the new Deputy Governor of Oyo State.

    In his remarks, the speaker put the nomination to a voice vote, which went the ways of the “ayes”.

    According to him, with the vote, Lawal has been approved as the Deputy Governor of the state. The House, however, adjourned plenary until July 21.

  • BREAKING: Oyo Assembly removes Seyi Makinde’s deputy from office

    BREAKING: Oyo Assembly removes Seyi Makinde’s deputy from office

    The Oyo State House of Assembly has removed Rauf Olaniyonu, the Deputy Governor to Seyi Makinde, from office.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Olaniyonu was removed from office on Monday, following his impeachment by the State House of Assembly.

    The Oyo State House of Assembly impeached the Deputy Governor at its plenary after he was found guilty of all the allegations levelled against him following the reports of a seven-man panel constituted by the State Chief Judge, Justice Munta Abimbola.

    The Chief Judge had on Thursday constituted the panel to investigate the allegations levelled against the deputy governor by the lawmakers. The panel was said to have begun its sitting immediately and worked all through the weekend.

    The House Majority Leader, Mr Sanjo Adedoyin, read the panel’s reports at the plenary. The lawmakers, after considering the panel’s recommendations, pronounced the impeachment of the deputy governor and that it should take immediate effect.

    The House had in June directed Abimbola to constitute a panel to investigate Olaniyan. It served the deputy governor with a notice of impeachment over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and financial recklessness, among others, following his defection from PDP to APC.

    Olaniyonu had also jointly taken the State House of Assembly; the Speaker, Mr Adebo Ogundoyin and Clerk of the House to court over the impeachment move by the lawmakers.

    He said: “We appeal for an order of injunction restraining the respondents from enforcing or implementing the judgment on Thursday. This is pending the determination of the appeal lodged against the said judgment.

    “It’s expedient that an order of injunction be granted so that the outcome of the appeal will not be rendered nugatory”.

    Olaniyonu, however, stressed the need for Nigerians to respect the court processes, being the fundamental principles of the rule of law.

    “It is no longer news that His Lordship went ahead to constitute the panel in spite of the clear notice of pending appeal and application for Stay of Execution.

    “With Respect to His Lordship, the Honourable Chief Judge, as number one citizen in the Judiciary, should have respected the judicial process,” he said.

  • Kogi Speaker says impeachment saga a “mere rumour”

    The Speaker, Kogi House of Assembly, Mr Prince Matthew Kolawole, on Sunday described as “mere rumour” his alleged impeachment as leader of the parliament.

    “My rumoured removal or impeachment going the round is but concocted lies and handiwork of some idle and frustrated legislators, ” Kolawale said in a statement issued in Lokoja.

    A statement had earlier been issued on Friday, claiming that 19 members of the confluence state had impeached the speaker for alleged financial misappropriation and money laundering.

    But the speaker described it “sheer handiwork of some frustrated lawmakers as he queried where and when the purported impeachment took place beside only appearing in a press statement.

    “Ordinarily I wouldn’t have reacted to the lies but l think it’s necessary l put the records straight for the general public to know. ” The embattled speaker said.

    Kolawole explained that the House, which went on recess on April 6, held an emergency sitting on June 17, when four Principal Officers of the Assembly, including the Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Ahmed, were impeached and three others suspended.

    “Unfortunately the very people, whom the mischievous statement claimed impeached me, were the same legislators with me in the House on Friday, June 17 that appended their signatures and affirmed the impeachment of the principal officers through vote voice.

    “I believe their signatures were forged. It was because of similar offence that the principal officers were impeached and suspended for gross misconduct, including blackmailing members of the House on social media against the rules and ethics of the Assembly.

    “The fact is that impeachment of any legislator can’t be done outside the House so where did they sit to carry out my impeachment?

    “The question now is, how and when did it take place? Who has the power to open the House when the House is on recess or break?

    “According to the house rules, only the Speaker has the power to convene a sitting once the house is in recess.

    “We had the Sallah break, combined with election break for all of us to handle our elections during party primaries, so how, where and when did they impeach me ?”

  • Oyo Dep Gov, Olaniyan, in hot soup, served impeachment notice

    Mr Rauf Olaniyan, Deputy Governor of Oyo State has been served an impeachment notice by the Oyo State House of Assembly.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the State House of Assembly levelled five allegations against the Deputy Governor and gave him seven days within which to respond.

    Twenty-four (24) lawmakers signed the petition, which was read during plenary, against Olaniyan.

    In the petition, entitled: “Petition and Notice of Allegations against the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan,” he was accused of gross misconduct, abuse of office, financial recklessness, abandonment of office and official duties and insubordination.

    “This is in accordance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended),” the petition read in part.

    The lawmakers, who signed the petition, included: Fadeyi Muhammed (Ona Ara), Onaolapo Sanjo (Ogbomosho South), Babalola Olasunkanmi (Egbeda), Adebisi Yussuf (Ibadan South-West I), Okedoyin Julius (Saki West) and Adebayo Babajide (Ibadan North II).

    Others were: Kehinde Olatunde (Akinyele II), Olajide Akintunde (Lagelu), Mustapha Akeem (Kajola), Popoola Ademola (Ibadan South-East II), Owolabi Olusola (Ibadan North-East II), Olagoke Olamide (Ibadan North-East I), Olayanji Kazeem (Irepo/Olorunsogo) and Ojedokun Peter (Ibarapa North).

    The remaining lawmakers were: Gbadamosi Saminu (Saki East/Atisbo), Mabaje Adekunle (Iddo), Oluwafowokanmi Oluwafemi (Ibadan South-West II), Akeem Adedibu (Iwajowa), Fatokun Ayo (Akinyele I), Rasak Ademola (Ibadan South-East I), Obadara Akeem (Ibadan North-West), Oyekunle Fola (Ibadan North I) and Adetunji Francis (Oluyole).

    In his reaction shortly after the petition had been read by Clerk of the assembly, Yetunde Awe, the Speaker, Mr Adebo Ogundoyin, said it met the two-thirds requirement to initiate the process.

    Ogundoyin said that the assembly would give Olaniyan seven days within which to respond to the allegations, adding that failure to do so within the period could lead to the commencement of an impeachment move against him.

    “The window of response takes immediate effect and to lapse on Wednesday, June 22,” he said.

    TNG reports the House, thereafter, adjourned sitting till June 16.

    Recall that Olaniyan had on June 5, 2022, announced his defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Olaniyan announced his defection while speaking with newsmen in his private office at Ojoo area of Ibadan.

    He, however, said the defection didn’t affect his position as the deputy governor of the state, saying he had not resigned.

    The deputy governor added that he took the decision after consultations with his supporters from across the state.

    Olaniyan who described politics as free entry and free exit, added that all his political supporters prevailed on him to join the APC.

    The development doused tension and rumours over the sour relationship between the deputy governor and his boss, Gov. Seyi Makinde.

    Olaniyan was welcomed into the APC by the governorship candidate of the party, Sen. Teslim Folarin.

  • Matawalle swears in Nasiha as Zamfara’s Deputy Governor

    Matawalle swears in Nasiha as Zamfara’s Deputy Governor

    Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara on Wednesday swore-in Sen. Hassan Nasiha as the state new deputy governor, following the impeachment of Mahdi Aliyu by the State House of Assembly.

    Speaking at the ceremony in Gusau, Matawalle said that the action was to fill the vacuum created by Aliyu’s exit.

    He said that a deputy governor must be vibrant, honest and loyal to the goals of any administration.

    Matawalle said that Nasiha was selected after a wide consultation among stakeholders in the state, describing him as most qualified for the office of the state deputy governor.

    He, however, reminded the new deputy governor that he was appointed at a time when the state required commitment and out-of-box solutions to tackle security, economic and social challenges facing it.

    The governor advised him to abide strictly by the Constitutional provisions guiding the operations of his office.
    Speaking, Nasiha affirmed his loyalty to the governor and his administration.

    He promised to work towards the success of the administration especially in the areas of human capital development.

    “I am very much aware of the state challenges, particularly that of insecurity, I will support the governor’s policies and programmes aimed at bringing peace and development to the state.

    “I promise total loyalty to the governor to enable him achieve good governance in the state.

    “No doubt my appointment as deputy governor is a trust, I am therefore, appealing to public to pray for me in discharging the duty,” he said.

    Nasiha, 62, was Senator representing Zamfara Central at the National Assembly before his appointment.

    He was also the immediate past caretaker Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

  • Senator Hassan nominated as Zamfara Deputy Governor

    Senator Hassan nominated as Zamfara Deputy Governor

    Senator Muhammad Hassan Nasiha has been nominated as the Deputy Governor of Zamfara State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Senator Hassan was nominated hours after Mahdi Gusau was impeached as Deputy Governor on Wednesday by the Zamfara State House of Assembly.

    The nomination of Hassan was contained in a letter from the State Governor Bello Matawalle that was read at resumed sitting by the Speaker of the House, Nasiru Mua’zu.

    TNG reports Senator Hassan is representing Zamfara Central Senatorial District.

    The Zamfara House of Assembly impeached the State Deputy Governor from office, following the adoption of a motion by Majority Leader, Faruku Dosara (APC -Maradun 1) at plenary in Gusau.

    The motion came shortly after the House adopted the report of Justice Haladu Tanko panel which investigated alleged cross misconduct and abuse of office against the deputy governor.

    Speaker Muazu, who presided over the sitting, directed the Clerk Saidu Anka, to conduct a voice vote on the impeachment of deputy governor Mahadi Aliyu from office.

    Twenty out of the 22 lawmakers present, voted in favour of the impeachment and the deputy governor was pronounced impeached.

    The House had at its sitting on Feb. 7, served the Aliyu with a Notice of Impeachment over alleged gross misconduct and abuse of office.

    The state Chief Judge, Justice Kulu Aliyu, also on Feb. 14, inaugurated an investigative panel on the deputy governor following a request by the lawmakers on Feb. 10.

  • Abia Assembly adjourns indefinitely as Deputy Speaker, Majority Leader escape impeachment

    Abia Assembly adjourns indefinitely as Deputy Speaker, Majority Leader escape impeachment

    The Abia House of Assembly, on Tuesday adjourned indefinitely as the Deputy Speaker, Mr Ifeanyi Uchendu and the Majority Leader, Chief Solomon Akpulonu, narrowly escaped being relieved of their positions.

    The Deputy Majority Leader, Chief Paul Taribo, of (PDP–Ukwa East) had moved the motion for the removal of the two principal officers.

    The Minority Leader, Chief Chijioke Chukwu, (APC—Bende South) supported the motion.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the development caused commotion and delayed proceeding as shout of order by the Speaker, Mr Chinedum Orji, was ignored.

    The Speaker had demanded reasons for their removal and evidence for the allegation but none was given.

    NAN gathered that the allegation may not be unconnected with incompetence.

    However, Taribo, who moved the motion, insisted: “I’m saying that these two officers should be relieved of their duties’’.

    Mr Obinna Ichitta, (APGA—Aba South) also gave his support to the motion.

    “I’m so happy that my colleagues have spoken the way they did and I support everything they said,” Ichitta said.

    Also, some members had demanded that the motion be subjected to a voice vote but the Speaker adjourned the House sitting.

    Meanwhile, the House had earlier confirmed the nominations of Mr Henry Balogu, Mr Clement Ugorji, Mrs Ngozi Ukwenyi and Mrs Joy Nwakamma as Chairman and members of the state Judicial Service Commission respectively.

    The House also received from the Auditor-General of the State, the state’s third and fourth quarter audited report ending Dec. 31, 2021.

  • Zamfara lawmakers: “We have credible evidences to impeach Deputy Governor”

    Zamfara lawmakers: “We have credible evidences to impeach Deputy Governor”

    The Zamfara State House of Assembly on Monday expressed confidence in the witnesses presented at the investigative panel hearing for the impeachment process against the state’s deputy governor, Mahadi Aliyu-Gusau.

    A counsel to the lawmakers/complainant and Director, Legal Matters of Zamfara of the Assembly, Nasiru Jangebe, stated this while speaking with newsmen after the maiden sitting of the impeachment panel which held at the State High Court 4, Gusau.

    “You know, we have mentioned our case and led seven witnesses before the panel and the matter was adjourned to Tuesday for address.

    “We are satisfied with all our submissions, we believe that the witnesses are credible and unchallengeable,” he said.

    On the restraining order given by the Federal High Court Abuja, Jangebe said when that order was issued, there was no impeachment process against the deputy governor.

    “You know by the provision of the Constitution, once the impeachment process starts, no court should interfere in the matter.

    “Therefore, as far as I am concerned, that order will not affect this process,” he explained.

    The deputy governor who is the defendant was absent at the sitting without representation.

  • 7 witnesses appear before Zamfara panel on deputy governor’s impeachment

    7 witnesses appear before Zamfara panel on deputy governor’s impeachment

    Seven witnesses appeared before the Zamfara probe panel set up to investigate the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Mahadi Aliyu-Gusau as it began sitting on Monday in Gusau.

    Chief Judge of Zamfara, Justice Kulu Aliyu, set up the panel to investigate alleged misconduct and abuse of office levelled against the deputy governor.

    The petitioner, the Zamfara House of Assembly, had announced that it would present seven witnesses and documentary evidence to establish gross misconduct and abuse of office against the deputy governor.

    The proceedings, holding at State High Court, Gusau is being chaired by the Panel Chairman, Justice Halidu Tanko-Soba

    Justice Tanko-Soba promised to be fair during the investigation and would give the deputy governor a chance to defend allegations levelled against him.

    Secretary to the panel, Ashiru Sani-Tsafe, said he had served the deputy governor with all the necessary notices and scanned copies of the delivery report to his email addresses and WhatsApp to serve as evidences.

    Counsel to the petitioner and Director, Legal Matters at the state’s House of Assembly, Nasiru Jangebe, presented the seven witnesses to the panel for cross-examination.

    Jangebe also brought several documents as supporting evidence before the panel.

    Secretary to the State Executive Council, Abubakar Muhammad, the Head of Service, Kabiru Muhammad and former Permanent Secretary, Deputy Governor’s office, Mainasara Bakura, are among those assembled to give evidence before the panel.

    Others witnesses include the Director of Finance, Deputy Governor’s office, Maikano Bungudu, and Cashier to the office, Lawali Adamu, among others.