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Tag: Lawan

  • Senate President begs NLC, TUC to abort nationwide protest

    Senate President begs NLC, TUC to abort nationwide protest

    President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has urged the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, to “abort” the planned protests against the Federal Government’s proposed removal of fuel subsidy.

    Lawan described the planned nationwide protest as “totally unnecessary”.

    He made the appeal on Monday when he met with the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, over the planned removal of subsidy on petroleum products by the Federal Government.

    Lawan faulted the timing for the planned removal of subsidy on petroleum products.

    He stated that in as much as the administration and management of subsidy on petroleum products are flawed, President Muhammadu Buhari-led government believes that sufficient planning must be carried out before its eventual removal.

    He said, “The position of everyone in government today is that admittedly, subsidy administration and management are flawed because of so many reasons.

    “Admittedly, the burden is huge and massive and there is a need at one point to do away with the subsidy.

    “Even though our economy is growing, we still have the challenge of getting things to be better for our people.

    “A lot of us in this administration believe that the issue of removal of subsidy should be handled with utmost care, especially that sufficient planning needs to be done.

    “It is not about NLC, we are talking about every Nigerian. We are concerned beyond the Nigeria Labour Congress.

    “I am taking this opportunity to appeal to the TUC and NLC to shelve this plan to go on strike or demonstration, it is totally unnecessary.

    “There is not going to be a removal of subsidy, so there is no need for this. Please, let’s not create unnecessary tension where there should be none.

    “I appeal to them using this medium, to please forget about this January 27, 2022, deadline because there is no need for any deadline.”

  • Lawan, Ngige, others hail Buhari at 79

    Lawan, Ngige, others hail Buhari at 79

    The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Deputy Speaker, Ahmad Wase; Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige: and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, have poured encomiums on President Muhammadu Buhari on his 79th birthday.

    Lawan acknowledged Buhari’s “purposeful leadership, vision, courage and steadfastness in the pursuit of the right cause and common good” in a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser (Media), Ola Awoniyi, titled ‘Senate President greets Buhari @79.’

    The statement read, “I join the multitude of fellow Nigerians and your other well-wishers across the globe in thanking Allah for His great gifts of good health and long life to you.

    “This benevolence of Allah has enabled Your Excellency to continue to provide purposeful leadership to our country in this time of unprecedented challenges across the world.

    “You are a leader who has matched vision with courage and who is steadfast in his pursuit of the right cause and common good.”

    In a separate statement, Gbajabiamila said the President has done great things for Nigeria since he came to power in 2015, noting that such a man should be celebrated by all well-meaning Nigerians on his birthday.

    The Speaker extoled Buhari for putting Nigeria first before any other consideration.

    In the statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Speaker on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, titled ‘Gbajabiamila greets President Buhari at 79,’ Gbajabiamila said at 79, Buhari has achieved a lot, both as an individual and as a leader, with uncommon character and integrity.

    The Speaker said he believed that the President would do a lot more for the country in the remaining period of his administration. He also noted “with delight how the President keeps faith with the manifesto of the All Progressives Congress.”

    Similarly, Wase, in a congratulatory message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Umar Puma, titled ‘Wase celebrates President Buhari at 79,’ said the President deserved to be judged fairly based on his track record in the last six years.

    The Deputy Speaker described Buhari as “a patriotic, compassionate and leader whose love for the nation and achievements will stand him out on the annals of Nigeria’s history.”

    Ngige also paid glowing tribute to the President on his birthday.

    He described him as “a hero, who met Nigeria at the crossroads of socio-economic challenges, and has already left footprints on the sands of time.”

    In a statement on Thursday, by his Media Office in Abuja, Ngige described the President as “a colossus, who upon crossing the Rubicon in 2015, retrieved Nigeria from a threatening morass, and set er on a fruitful march of socio-economic and political recovery.”

    The statement titled, “Senator Ngige salutes President Buhari at 79,’ read in part, “At crossroads in 2015, Nigeria needed a statesman, an honest leader with an undistracted focus on national rebirth and the lot fell on President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “Six years in saddle, despite teething challenges , worsened by COVID-19 pandemic which shut and brought the entire world on bended knees , Nigeria has trudged on, first through the era of change and now, the consolidation moment of the Next Level.”

    Also, Sanwo-Olu congratulated the President on his birthday.

    Sanwo-Olu, in a message issued on Thursday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Gboyega Akosile, described Buhari as a leader who has sacrificed much for Nigeria.

    He said, “On behalf of my family, the government and people of Lagos State, I congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari on the occasion of his 79th birthday. You have sacrificed the greater part of your life in service of our dear country.”

    The governor also lauded Buhari for contributing to the growth and development of the country.

    “You have contributed immensely to the unity, growth and development of Nigeria right from your youthful days till date, having served in different capacities as Minister of Petroleum Resources, Head of State and currently President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander -in- Chief of the Armed Forces.

    “I hereby join family, friends, associates, leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress in celebrating President Buhari’s 79th birthday. I wish our President more prosperous years in good health and wisdom as he continues to serve our dear nation,” he said.

  • Lawan, Gbajabiamila, governors, others congratulate President Buhari at 79

    Lawan, Gbajabiamila, governors, others congratulate President Buhari at 79

    Senate President Ahmad Lawan and House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila on Thursday felicitated President Muhammadu Buhari on today’s celebration of his 79th birthday.

    Also, Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Adegboyega Oyetola (Osun) as well as Labour and Employment Minister Chris Ngige saluted the President on the celebration.

    In a statement yesterday in Abuja by his Special Adviser (Media), Ola Awoniyi, the Senate President said: “I join the multitude of fellow Nigerians and your other well-wishers across the globe in thanking Allah for His great gifts of good health and long life to you…

    “You are a leader who has matched vision with courage and who is steadfast in his pursuit of the right cause and common good…

    “The National Assembly will continue to work with you in line with our shared vision and in the best interest of our dear nation.”

    Gbajabiamila, who congratulated President Buhari through a message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, said: “Mr. President, Nigeria and Nigerians are proud of you. The way you have been steering the ship of the Nigerian state has been commendable.

    “I, therefore, join millions of our compatriots to wish you a happy birthday and more years in good health.”

    In a congratulatory message by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, Governor Sanwo-Olu said: “You have contributed immensely to the unity, growth and development of Nigeria right from your youthful days till date, having served in different capacities as Minister of Petroleum Resources, Head of State and currently President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.”

    Oyetola, who congratulated President Buhari through a statement in Osogbo, the state capital, by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Ismail Omipidan, said: “It is noteworthy to mention that, despite the challenges confronting us as a country, you have made remarkable and impactful contributions to the growth and development of the country. You have remained an incorruptible and honest leader.”

    Ngige, in a statement by his Media Office in Abuja, described the President as a colossus who, upon crossing the Rubicon in 2015, retrieved Nigeria from a threatening morass, and set her on a fruitful march of socio-economic and political recovery.

    He added: “…The expansion of roads and railway infrastructure, illustrating the unambiguous commitment to national infrastructural rebirth, and summarised by the administration’s five legacy projects, viz: the Second Niger Bridge, now 80 per cent completed; the Lagos-Ibadan-Ilorin-Kaduna road; the East-West road; Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road and the Mambilla Project and more!”

  • Nigerians indebted to armed forces for sacrifices made – Lawan

    Nigerians indebted to armed forces for sacrifices made – Lawan

    President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, said on Monday that the Armed Forces deserved the support of Nigerians for the sacrifices they are making in dealing with various forms of insecurity across the country.

    Lawan, according to a statement by his media aide, Ezrel Tabiowo, said this on Monday when he received a delegation of the 2022 Armed Forces Decorations team at his office in Abuja.

    The Senate President said that the armed forces in its bid to secure and protect Nigerians against the activities of insurgents and criminals, continue to pay the ultimate price which has resulted in countless deaths of exceptional military personnel.

    He said, “It is important that we appreciate the sacrifices done by our armed forces, especially those who have been directly affected and their families.

    “I believe that the same story obtains on the efforts by the armed forces to fight insurgency, militancy, banditry and many other forms of security challenges within our borders.

    “Presently, our armed forces are involved on many fronts. What is expected of us as citizens and institutions is to continue to support our armed forces, especially the legion in whatever way we can. Therefore, it is an opportunity for us to also make our own contribution to this annual and very important event of remembering our armed forces.”

    Lawan also said that the National Assembly on its part would support the military by ensuring that sufficient funds are appropriated to cater for security in the 2022 budget under consideration by the legislature.

    “I want to commend our armed forces for working so hard with so little to fight different shades of insecurity in our country.

    “As a Parliament, we are very conscious of one fact, that given your commitment to fighting for the security of this nation and our people, we must continue to provide significant resources to our armed forces for them to be able to do better than what they are doing”, the Senate President said.

    Lawan, on behalf of the upper chamber, donated the sum of 5 million to the fallen heroes, while he gave the Nigerian Legion N500,000 in his individual capacity.

    The Leader of the 2022 Armed Forces Decorations Team, Major General Abdulmalik Jibril (retd.), said the team decided to pay a visit to the Senate President in accordance with a directive given by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), during the armed forces remembrance day celebration.

    Jibril who is the National Chairman of the Nigerian Legion added that the visit was also intended to solicit support for the cause of the fallen heroes of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

     

     

     

     

  • SERAP asks Lawan, Gbajabiamila to reject Buhari’s fresh request to borrow $4bn, €710m

    SERAP asks Lawan, Gbajabiamila to reject Buhari’s fresh request to borrow $4bn, €710m

    Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Senate President Dr Ahmad Lawan, and Speaker of House of Representatives Mr Femi Gbajabiamila to reject the fresh request by President Muhammadu Buhari to borrow $4 billion and €710 million until the publication of details of spending of all loans obtained since May 29, 2015 by the government.”

    President Buhari recently sought the approval of the National Assembly to borrow $4,054,476,863 billion and €710 million, on the grounds of “emerging needs.” The request was contained in a letter dated 24 August, 2021.

    In an open letter dated 18 September 2021, and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization expressed “concerns about the growing debt crisis, the lack of transparency and accountability in the spending of loans that have been obtained, and the perceived unwillingness or inability of the National Assembly to vigorously exercise its constitutional duties to check the apparently indiscriminate borrowing by the government.”

    SERAP said: “The National Assembly should not allow the government to accumulate unsustainable levels of debt, and use the country’s scarce resources for staggering and crippling debt service payments rather than for improved access of poor and vulnerable Nigerians to basic public services and human rights.”

    According to SERAP, “Accumulation of excessive debts and unsustainable debt-servicing are inconsistent with the government’s international obligations to use the country’s maximum available resources to achieve progressively the realisation of economic and social rights, and access of Nigerians to basic public services.”

    The letter, read in part: “The country’s public debt has mushroomed with no end in sight. The growing national debt is clearly not sustainable. There has been no serious attempt by the government to cut the cost of governance. The leadership of the National Assembly ought to stand up for Nigerians by asserting the body’s constitutional powers to ensure limits on national debt and deficits.”

    “SERAP urges you to urgently propose a resolution and push for constitutional amendment on debt limit, with the intent of reducing national debt and deficits. This recommendation is entirely consistent with the constitutional oversight functions and spending powers of the National Assembly, and the country’s international anti-corruption and human rights obligations.”

    “Indiscriminate borrowing has an effect on the full enjoyment of Nigerians’ economic and social rights. Spending large portion of the country’s yearly budget to service debts has limited the ability of the government to ensure access of poor and vulnerable Nigerians to minimal health care, education, clean water, and other human needs.”

    “Should the National Assembly and its leadership fail to rein in government borrowing, and to ensure transparency and accountability in the spending of public loans, SERAP would consider appropriate legal action to compel the National Assembly to discharge its constitutional duties.”

    “The National Assembly under your leadership has a constitutional responsibility to urgently address the country’s debt crisis, which is exacerbated by overspending on lavish allowances for high-ranking public officials, lack of transparency and accountability, as well as the absence of political will to recover trillions of naira reported to be missing or mismanaged by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.”

    “The National Assembly should stop the government from borrowing behind the people’s backs. Lack of information about details of specific projects on which loans are spent, and on loan conditions creates incentives for corruption, and limits citizens’ ability to scrutinise the legality and consistency of loans with the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended), as well as to hold authorities to account.”

    “SERAP notes that if approved, the country’s debts will exceed N35 trillion. The government is also reportedly pushing the maturity of currently-secured loans to between 10 and 30 years. N11.679 trillion is reportedly committed into debt servicing, while only N8.31 trillion was expended on capital/development expenditure between 2015 and 2020.”

    “Ensuring transparency and accountability in the spending of loans by the government and cutting the cost of governance would address the onerous debt servicing, and improve the ability of the government to meet the country’s international obligations to use maximum available resources to ensure the enjoyment of basic economic and social rights, such as quality healthcare and education.”

    The letter was copied to chairmen of the Public Accounts Committees of the National Assembly.

  • PIA: Lawan debunks allegation of $10m bribe

    PIA: Lawan debunks allegation of $10m bribe

    Senate President Ahmad Lawan has described as false the 10 million dollars bribe allegedly offered to members of the two chambers of the National Assembly to pass three per cent host community development fund.

    Lawan stated this while briefing State House correspondents after a closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Monday.

    The senate president frowned at the way and manner that some citizens had been spreading fake news and misinformation against the NASS and the government.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Sahara Reporters had reported that the leadership of NASS had been allegedly accused of taking bribe to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill.

    According to Sahara Reporters, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila were paid in dollars to ensure the passage of the PIB which was signed into law on Aug. 16 by President Buhari.

    However, the senate president said, “People say anything or everything about the President, about the administration, about members of National Assembly, they call us names and this is part of the intangible dividends of democracy.

    “But we are determined to ensure that the space is wide open for everybody to say whatever he wants to say.

    “But I will advise that don’t say things that are bad. Recently, somebody said 10 million dollars was given to the Speaker and the Senate President to give to members of the National Assembly to pass three per cent host community development fund.

    “That is funny, but also very serious.

    “I really want to take this opportunity to take exceptions to those kinds of unwarranted, false and fake information being fed to the Nigerian public and the danger people will face with this is you cause unnecessary damage to the reputation of people.”

    Lawan recalled how he filed legal suit against someone (name withheld) who allegedly spread similar falsehood against him.

    “I had an occasion to take someone to court because of this kind of thing about three months ago.

    “But Nigerians are better judges than anywhere else. So, the freedom of expression is there, probably more than anywhere in the world, but I want to caution that Nigerians should always think positive about their leaders, administration and governments.

    “And if they have issues they feel very strongly about, let them speak the truth and we are prepared to tell corrections, and that we feel should be able to make us do better,” he added.

     

  • Buhari, Lawan celebrate Omo-Agege at 58

    Buhari, Lawan celebrate Omo-Agege at 58

    President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege as he celebrates his 58th year anniversary.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, Buhari acknowledged the Deputy Senate President’s contributions to the harmonious executive-legislature relations.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari felicitates with Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, on his 58th birthday, August 3, 2021, joining All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership and members to celebrate with the party chieftain whose dedication to good governance and democratic growth remains outstanding.

    “President Buhari congratulates the Deputy Senate President of the 9th National Assembly on another milestone, measured out by God’s grace, saluting his commitment to development of Delta State and the country, serving variously as Commissioner of Special Duties and Secretary to the State Government before his election to the Senate in 2015.

    “The President believes Sen. Omo-Agege’s down-to-earth leadership style, coupled with his foresight and generosity in sharing ideas has been most pivotal in the harmonious relationship with lawmakers, appreciating him for always bringing his vast experience as a lawyer to shape party issues and national discourse.

    “As the Deputy Senate President turns 58, President Buhari prays for his good health, strength, and continued service to God and mankind,” the statement reads.

    The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan also extended his heartfelt message to his deputy.

    Lawan’s message is contained in a statement signed on Monday in Abuja by his Media Adviser, Mr Ola Awoniyi.

    The senate president joined other distinguished members of the red chambers of the National Assembly, family members, friends and political associates in celebrating the occasion with his deputy.

    He described Omo-Agege as a worthy son of Urhobo and great representative of the Delta Central Senatorial District.

    “Sen. Omo-Agege has been an invaluable colleague and dependable ally in the leadership of the august assembly of the ninth Senate.

    “This has enabled us to work in harmony between us and fellow distinguished senators, who had graciously given us the mandate to pilot the affairs of the upper chamber.

    “I am confident that we will continue to work together as we have done so far, to enhance the delivery of the promises contained in the Legislative Agenda that we published at the inception of the ninth Senate in 2019,” Lawan said.

    The senate president wishes the “Obarisi” of Urhoboland many more years of good health, happiness and continued impactful service to his fatherland, Nigeria.

  • Eid-el-Kabir: Buhari, Lawan, Gbajabiamila, Saraki greet Muslims

    Eid-el-Kabir: Buhari, Lawan, Gbajabiamila, Saraki greet Muslims

    President Muhammadu Buhari, Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and a host of other influential Nigerians have sent congratulatory messages to Nigerians on this year’s occasion of Eid-el-Kabir.

    In a statement by his media aide, Mallam Garba Shehu, the President emphasised the significance of the celebration, and appealed to Muslims “to demonstrate the good virtues of Islam.

    The President said: “Taking advantage of the celebration to exploit fellow citizens through outrageous prices of food and rams is inconsistent with the fine virtues of Islam.

    “As practising believers, we shouldn’t seek obscene profits by making life difficult and miserable for others. We should not seek happiness at the expense of others. Remember that Islam is a religion of charity that urges us to love our neighbour as we love ourselves.

    President Buhari added: “I urge all Muslims to continue to live in peace and harmony with their fellow Nigerians of other faiths in the spirit of peaceful coexistence. Let us pray for the progress of Nigeria at all times. Let us expose undesirable elements among us who are creating security problems for the country”, he said.

    The Senate President on his part called on Nigerians and Muslims to work for peace, unity and progress of the country.

    In a message, he said: I felicitate with all Nigerians and the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir.

    “Every true Muslim is always grateful to Allah the Most Beneficent and the Most Merciful for the privilege to celebrate Sallah, regardless of our circumstances.

    “The best way to demonstrate our gratitude to Allah is to share His blessings with our neighbours and show love and kindness to all, as taught us by Holy Prophet Mohammed (SAW).

    “I also want to use the occasion to urge the faithful and all Nigerians to be steadfast in working and praying for the peace, unity and progress of our beloved country.

    “The current challenges are painful but this is a passing phase in our historical process of nation-building.

    “The government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari is determined that we get the challenges behind us and steady our nation’s march to its manifest destiny of greatness.

    “The Ninth Senate and entire National Assembly will continue to facilitate the legislative environment needed for the success of all the efforts at the public and private sectors targeted at the security, peace and prosperity of Nigeria.”

    In a similar message, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila called for prayers and unity of purpose among Nigerians urging them to use the Eid-el-Kabir to pray for their leaders as they find solutions to the country’s problems.

    Gbajabiamila said Nigerians must remain united and steadfast to be able to face the challenges confronting the country.

    He called on Muslims to imbibe the habit of sacrifice and love for one another as characterised by the Holy Prophet, Muhammad (SAW).

    Speaker Gbajabiamila said there is more that unites us as a people, hence the need for togetherness and peaceful coexistence.

    His Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, in a statement, said the Speaker urged Nigerians to conduct themselves in a patriotic manner as “we have no other country we can call our own than Nigeria.

    He said: “I congratulate my Muslim compatriots for marking this year’s Eid-el-Kabir. This is a time for us to be more united as a people.

    “As Muslims, we must make frantic efforts to emulate the virtues of the Holy Prophet, whose life is a perfect example of what we all should be.

    “The act of sacrifice, one of the major lessons of the Eid-el-Kabir, should be part of our lives. We must make sacrifices for ourselves, our families, our friends, our neighbours, and of course, our country.

    “I enjoin all of us to continue to be good citizens and make meaningful contributions for our continuous peaceful coexistence.”

    In his own goodwill message, the immediate Past Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki congratulated Muslims across the world on this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration while also calling on the ummah in Nigeria to continue to demonstrate fear of God which he described as a key ingredient in building a better Nigeria.

    Saraki in his Sallah message released in Ilorin and signed by his media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu, also noted that, like last year, this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festival is holding with the Covid-19 pandemic still prevalent while the challenge has prevented many Muslims from embarking on the holy pilgrimage.

    “The essence of Eid-El-Kabir is the demonstration of the fear of Allah by Prophet Ibrahim (ASW) and his son, Prophet Ismail (ASW). If all of us can imbibe the fear of Allah, then our society will be better. Our country will develop if leaders display fear of Allah in taking key decisions that will affect the interests of the country and lives of the ordinary people.

    “Only the fear of God will compel leaders to always take decisions that will engender unity, peace, justice, equity and development in the country. Also, if ordinary people display the fear of God, we will all obey the laws and justifiably insist on the government initiating the right policies at all times.

    “Therefore, my muslim brothers and sisters should focus their prayers during this festival period on how Allah can help us to entrench fear of God in our society and in us as individuals, families, governments, corporate bodies and institutions. This is all we need to restore peace, prosperity, development and build a more efficient country that can serve the interest of all and sundry”, Saraki stated.

    He further prayed for God’s protection and success for all members of the security agencies on the frontline fighting against insurgents and other criminals. “May Allah heal our land and give us victory over all threats to the territorial integrity of our country. Eid mubarak !”, he added.

  • How Nigerians bombarded me with 900 text messages in one day over alleged ‘doctoring’ of Electoral Bill – Lawan

    How Nigerians bombarded me with 900 text messages in one day over alleged ‘doctoring’ of Electoral Bill – Lawan

    Senate President Ahmad Lawan has refuted allegations the Senate had introduced extraneous clauses into the Electoral Act (amendment) Bill.

    Lawan spoke following the laying of the report on the Bill by the Chairman, Senate Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission, Senator Kabiru Gaya (Kano South) at plenary.

    Key among the clauses said to have been surreptitiously introduced into the Bill was the ban on electronic transmission of election results by INEC.

    He lamented that following the publication of his phone number and that of the Speaker, Femi Gbajabimila on social media, he received over 900 short messages (SMS) on his phone in one day.

    The Senate President insisted that those who have accused the Senate of inserting clauses into the Bill either spoke out of ignorance or were simply mischievous and rabble-rousers.

    Lawan said: “There are various accusations, insinuations that the leadership of the Senate or leadership of the National Assembly has tempered with the report of the committee on INEC of both chambers.

    “Some of those accusing the leadership of the National Assembly are misinformed and innocent. Some are simply mischievous and rabble-rousers.

    “This is the first time this report is laid here and this is the report of the committee. This is the decision of the committee on INEC and therefore whatever will be discussed or considered about the bill, will be on the basis of what has been presented to the Senate here.

    “If anybody feels very strongly about anything, lobby the distinguished senators to canvass for your positions, rather than blackmail our leadership.

    “Because my phone numbers and that of the Speaker were published and in one day, I received over 900 text messages saying we have manipulated this. We didn’t.

    “We will do what is right. We have our procedures. And lobbying is part of democracy.”

    The report of the Senate Committee on INEC on the Electoral Act (amendment) Bill is expected to be considered tomorrow (Thursday) by the Senate.

  • NASS to pass Electoral Act Amendment Bill in two weeks – Lawan

    NASS to pass Electoral Act Amendment Bill in two weeks – Lawan

    President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, says the National Assembly is working towards passing the Electoral Act Amendment Bill in the next two weeks.

    Lawan said this at the inauguration of Mr Abimbola Yusuf, as Chief Commissioner of the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) and 37 other Commissioners from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday in Abuja.

    He has urged Nigerians who were not comfortable with certain clauses in the ongoing amendment, to take their complaints to their representatives, for consideration before the passage of bill.

    “The national assembly is embarking on the amendment of the Electoral Act probably by next week or within the next two weeks.

    “It is very important that those who feel very strongly about any amendment that they think should be effected in the Electoral Act should contact or talk to their members of House of Representatives as well as distinguished Senators.

    “I want to state categorically clear here that presiding officers are not the ones to determine what is coming or what is not.

    “So it is very important that in the same fashion, in the same way, the Public Complaints Commission is utilised properly by the general public,” he said.

    He assured the PCC of the national assembly’s support towards tackling its challenges.

    “We are making efforts to overcoming the challenges facing the commission which is largely funding,” he said.

    Lawan, while noting that millions of Nigerians were ignorant of the workings and powers of the commission, urged the commissioners to embark on omedia campaigns to enlighten the public on its activities.