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Tag: Lawmaker

  • Protests at airport after two lawmakers were detained by police

    Protests at airport after two lawmakers were detained by police

    Protests erupted in the Ugandan capital on Friday after police detained two lawmakers at the international airport as they prepared to travel abroad for medical care, witnesses said,

    People demonstrated in different parts of Kampala, burning tyres and piling rocks and other barricades in the middle of the roads.

    Police said the protests were limited and had been contained.

    The lawmakers, Robert Kyagulanyi and Francis Zaake, said they were tortured by security forces while in detention.

    They were trying to leave to seek medical treatment abroad when they were arrested at Kampala’s international airport on Thursday night.

    Kyagulanyi’s lawyer last week told Reuters that his client had been left unable to stand after being beaten while in detention.

    When he appeared in court a day after his lawyer spoke, he was unable to walk without help.

    Government spokesman Ofwono Opondo last week dismissed the lawyer’s comments as rubbish

    Friday’s demonstrations were most intense in Kamwokya, a suburb of Kampala where Kyagulanyi, a pop star known by his stage name Bobi Wine, has a recording studio, according to Dick Nvule, a local radio reporter.
    “Protesters blocked the roads using garbage cans and burning tyres. Motorists have to get alternative routes to the city centre.

    Soldiers and riot police are still clearing the roads,” Nvule told Reuters.

    Police spokesman Luke Owoyesigyire said police were monitoring the city to ensure no illegal rallies took place.

    The two parliamentarians were among a group of five lawmakers who were detained on August 13 in Uganda’s northwestern town of Arua and accused of throwing stones at a presidential convoy during the campaign for a parliamentary seat.

    Police said on Thursday they had stopped Kyagulanyi, who has been charged with treason but released on bail, as they awaited further guidance.

    Zaake has not been charged but has been in hospital in Kampala. Images of him posted on social media show him lying on a bed, eyes closed, with multiple bruises on his hand and other body areas.

    Kyagulanyi in particular has risen as a formidable threat to President Yoweri Museveni’s 32-year rule, winning popular support through his music and strong criticism of the government.

    Reuters/NAN

  • Osun 2018: APC kicks as lawmaker representing Akande’s constituency defects to PDP

    A lawmaker representing Ila Orangun constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly, Mr Clement Akanni has defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Ila Orangun is the home town of the former Interim Chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande.

    Akanni announced his defection at a ceremony held in front of the palace of the Orangun of Ila, Oba Abdulwahab Oyedotun.

    The lawmaker dumped the party just as one of the aides of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who is the Chairman, Osun State Local Government Service Commission, Peter Babalola, resigned his appointment.

    Babalola, who was one of the governorship aspirants of the APC, was the Chief of Staff to Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, when he was the governor of the state but he defected to the APC immediately after Oyinlola was sacked from office.

    Babalola is believed to be returning to the PDP and he said in his letter of resignation that he thanked the governor for giving him the opportunity to serve, adding that his resignation would give him the opportunity to ‘dedicate my time to other engagements.’

    But the lawmaker described the APC as a party of tyranny, saying the party’s leadership was envious of his achievements and was always working to stop his moves to serve the people.

    “Whenever I tried to positively influence government policies to favour my constituents, some people in the APC would say no. Two of my followers were killed through fetish means. I can’t continue with a party full of devilish individuals.”

    The immediate past Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Ganiyu Olaoluwa, expressed delight at the decision of the lawmaker to join the opposition party, saying it was a testament to the fact that the PDP was the party to beat in the September 22 election.

    But the Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy of the APC in Osun State, Mr Kunle Oyatomi, said the party was not happy losing some of its members to the opposition parties.

    He said, “We are not happy that those people left. They themselves know the reason why they have to leave, but whatever it ist and by whatever manner they have left, we wish them luck.

    “But let me emphasise this, their leaving will not diminish the popularity of the APC. In the next one month, the boys will be separated from the men and by the grace of God it shall be APC all the way.”

     

  • Lawmaker strips naked during speech in front of National Assembly [Video]

    A Venezuelan lawmaker, Gilber Caro, on Tuesday stripped down to his underwear during an emotional debate in front of the country’s National Assembly.

    Caro in a passionate speech that elicited applause from his audience removed his jacket and then his blue shirt, before walking off to remove his belt and his trousers, all the while continuing his speech.

    Gilber Caro, a member of the opposition party Popular Will, called for unity and support for Juan Requesens, 29, an opposition leader who was accused and jailed for allegedly having a role in an assassination attempt on President Nicolas Maduro on August 4 during a military celebration.

    While removing his clothes, Caro, 43, asked his audience, “Where does a man’s dignity rest?”

    “A man’s dignity and love is not carried inside what I just finished removing,’ Caro yelled. ‘The dignity is in the heart and we carry Venezuela in the heart, [too],” said Caro, who only regained his freedom in June, after spending 17 months in jail after Maduro accused him of carrying out terror attacks in 2016.

    Watch the moment, Caro stripped as shared by VPItv on Youtube:

     

  • 2019: Kaduna Deputy Speaker, lawmaker dump APC

    2019: Kaduna Deputy Speaker, lawmaker dump APC

    The Deputy Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, John Audu, representing Kachia Constituency, has defected from the ruling APC.

    ‎Confirming his defection in a statement, he personally signed, Audu said it was a difficult decision taken by him.

    According to him, he consulted widely with people of his constituency before leaving the party.

    He cited impunity in the party as the main reason for his defection.

    Audu did not mention the new party he will join.

    “I write to withdraw my membership of the All Progressive Congress APC with effect from 7th August 2018 .

    “This is the most difficult decision ever taken after due consultation with the good people of my constituency.

    “However, I came to realize that most of the party supporters have left due to impunity and division in the local government and the state level of the party. Please accept my best regards,” he wrote.

    ‎Another member of the state assembly representing Kudan Local Government Area, Junaidu Yakubu, has also dumped the APC.

    In a letter signed by him and submitted to the party secretariat, he said it had become imperative “in view of the draconian leadership of the party at the state level and the local government.”

    “I feel I will not serve the interest of the people in my constituency under the said leadership. This decision was arrived at after due consultation with my people whom I had sworn to protect their interest under the party,” he said.

    He also did not mention the new party he will join.

     

  • APC suspends Edo lawmaker for anti-party activities

    APC suspends Edo lawmaker for anti-party activities

    An All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker in Edo, Mr Ojo Asein, has been suspended by his Uhonmora Ward 2 for alleged anti-party activities.

    The APC Ward Chairman, Mr Lucky Aroye, said the local government and the state party secretariats have been notified of the suspension.

    Aroye said in a statement, signed by all the ward executives on Thursday in Benin, that Asein allegedly held several meetings with an opposition party during which he allegedly told his supporters

    to prepare for defection.

    The lawmaker, representing Owan West Constituency in Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA), was also accused of inciting his supporters against decisions of the state party secretariat.

    “Asein has been going about holding meetings under the disguise of the APC where he openly told the members to prepare themselves for defection.

    “All this, we have warned him against, but rather than stop, he persisted. We drew the attention of the local government and state officers to this, and we have their support to do what is constitutionally right against such action.

    “It is in this regard that at an enlarged meeting of the ward, we took the decision for his suspension by invoking Article 21 of the party’s Constitution. The same Article, spelt out disciplinary procedures,” the statement said.

    When contacted on phone, the lawmaker declined to comment on his alleged suspension, saying that he would not speak on the issue, as `nobody has the right to suspend me.”

     

  • Student bags two years in jail for wooing lawmaker

    Student bags two years in jail for wooing lawmaker

    A 25-year-old Ugandan student has been sentenced to two years in jail for wooing a female legislator in the country.

    The court was told that Brian Isiko had been stalking and hoping that he would make his desired love for the legislator come true and never stopped asking for intimacy from the Kabalore woman member of parliament, Sylvia Rwabogogo, reports Ugbliz.

    I love you so much and want to protect you. My love is for you alone and since there is no one taking care of you, I will do it,” one of Brian Isiko’s messages.

    It was also reported that while in court, the accused Brian was smiling while Ms. Sylvia lamented the developments of the incident to the prosecutors which provoked the judge sentence the accused to two years in jail.

  • Lawmaker slumps, dies during early morning exercise

    A member of the Cross River State House of Assembly representing Obudu constituency, Stephen Ukpukpen is dead.

    The lawmaker died in the early hours of Monday, few hours after the 2018 Democracy Day Anniversary.

    According to a report by National Daily, the lawmaker died suddenly at about 6.50am Monday morning.

    A family, however, explained that Ukpukpen, who prior to his death didn’t complain of any ailment, slumped while having his usual morning walkout exercise and was rushed to the hospital but died in the process.

    The source said, “We don’t know the cause of his death yet but we’re preparing to take him to the mortuary now”.

    However, the Cross River State House of Assembly was yet to offer any official statement as at the time of filing this report.

     

  • Nigerian Lawmaker’s son, Abraham Badru shot dead in London after saving woman from sex attack

    Abraham Badru, The graduate son of a Nigerian lawmaker was shot dead near his family’s London home in the latest round of bloodshed in the capital.

    Abraham Badru, 26, who was given a police bravery award as a teenager for saving a woman from a sex attack, was gunned down in the street in Dalston, Hackney, just after 11pm on Sunday.

    Abraham, who worked as a football coach after earning his Masters degree in sports coaching from the University of Gloucestershire in 2015, was found slumped on the pavement by police called to reports of a loud gunshot.

    He was pronounced dead a short time later. His mother, who had rushed to his side, was seen by witnesses collapsed in tears on the pavement.

    Abraham’s 62-year-old father, Dolapo Badru, represents Lagos Island I at the House of Representatives on the platform of All Progressives Congress.

    He told the Standard his “quiet and hard-working” son once saved a young woman from rape on the estate and later gave evidence which led to her attacker being jailed.

    He said: “A few years ago, a girl was raped on the estate and Abraham fought them off. He went to court to testify against them and the police gave him an award.”

    Friends paid tribute to Abraham as a “bubbly and outgoing” young man who was “making a life for himself” after completing his studies.

    They said he had a fiancee in Nigeria and had volunteered with the Team Nigeria UK football coaching charity, and had been due to coach at an open trial in Charlton on Tuesday (today).

    A volunteer said: “He’s such a wonderful guy full of life and very hard-working.”

    Abraham had previously worked with Bristol council as a sport development officer, according to his LinkedIn profile and had interned at non-league Gloucester City FC during his degree studies at the University of Gloucestershire.

    In a statement, his former club Almondsbury FC, near Bristol, said: “The club are shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of former striker Abraham Badru.

    “We would like to send our thoughts and prayers to Abraham’s family during this difficult time.”

    Neighbours said Abraham had been to church earlier that day and was getting out of his car when he was shot.

    One neighbour said: “As soon as I heard the bang, I knew it was a gunshot. I went to my balcony and saw a man slumped over on the ground at the back of a car.

    “There was just one shot and a cry of pain. No speeding scooter and no speeding car.”

    Another said: “His mother came out and saw him on the floor. It was terrible listening to her collapse crying on the floor. She was just screaming.

    “Everyone was very upset and I had to go away, I couldn’t take it. It happened on our doorstep and I had to say a little prayer for the family.”

    A school friend added: “He had just finished studying a masters in sport at university. He was a bubbly guy and worked so hard. We went to the same church as kids.

    “His mother is a devout Christian. I’m lost for words. I just cannot believe it. He was the nicest guy, very happy and outgoing.”

    A police cordon remained in place in Ferncliff Road this morning as detectives continued to investigate the shooting.

    Abraham’s mother was being supported by family members at the her home, around 100 yards away. The family were too upset to speak this morning.

    A neighbour said: “They are a lovely family, church going and loving. Everyone is stunned this could happen to Abraham.

    “He was a gentle, respectful young man and I pray for his family who are in pain right now.”

    The murder is the third in Hackney this year and comes as 19 young men under the age of 25 have been killed in the capital in 2018.

    Detective Chief Inspector Larry Smith, from Scotland Yard’s murder squad, said: “We are appealing for information so we can establish the circumstances which led to a young man losing his life.

    “Anyone with information who hasn’t yet spoken with us should come forward without delay. Your call will be treated in the strictest confidence.”

    There have been no arrests.

    [Evening Standard]

  • Minister banned from attending parliamentary proceedings after slapping lawmaker

    Zambia’s parliament suspended a cabinet minister on Tuesday from its proceedings for one month for slapping a fellow lawmaker within parliament grounds.

    Verbal abuse is common among members of parliament in Zambia but physical assault is rare.

    Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini said Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo was suspended for slapping outspoken lawmaker Chishimba Kambwili in October 2017.

    Kambwili has repeatedly accused government officials of corruption since his dismissal as information and broadcasting minister in November 2016 but the state denies the allegations.

    Kambwili complained after the incident that Lusambo had slapped him twice after accusing Kambwili of making false accusations against the government.

    Matibini said Lusambo was banned from entering parliament grounds and using its facilities during the period of suspension and would not be entitled to any allowances.

  • Nigerian becomes first black elected senator in Italy

    Toni Iwobi of Spirano in Lombardy who belongs to the anti-immigration League is the first black to be so elected in the history of Italy. Iwobi, announced “with great emotion” on his Facebook page that he had been elected to the senate in Italy’s general election.

    “After more than 25 years of fighting as part of the League’s big family, I’m about to start another great adventure,” Iwobi wrote, going on to thank leader Matteo Salvini and his other fellow party members.

    “I’m ready, friends,” Iwobi said. Iwobi, 62, was born in Nigeria and came to Italy on a student visa some 40 years ago, before going on to marry an Italian woman and start his own IT company here.

    Campaigning with the slogan “Stop Invasion”, Iwobi said his concern isn’t just for Italians but for migrants, who the League claims it prefers to help “in their own home” rather than in Italy though its “Italians First” programme contains few proposals for international development aid.

    Despite being one of very few black members of the League, whose leader has made many inflammatory remarks about non-Italians and Muslims, Iwobi insists that the party isn’t racist. “Racism means thinking yourself better than others, while in the movement I find many firm positions, but also a lot of respect,” he told the Corriere della Sera.

    He was quick to defend fellow party member Attilio Fontana, who caused outrage during the campaign by saying that immigration to Italy threatened the survival of “our white race”.

    “Where’s the problem,” Iwobi asked, claiming that Fontana had simply been referring to Italian “culture”. Fontana went on to win his campaign to become president of Lombardy, Italy’s most populous region, by a margin of 20 percent.

    Before running for senator he represented the League as a municipal councillor in Spirano back in the 1990s, and more recently headed Salvini’s national committee on immigration.