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Tag: Lawmaker

  • Lagos lawmaker loses wife

    Lagos lawmaker loses wife

    Mrs Adenike David, wife of Mr Setonji David, the lawmaker representing Badagry Constituency 2 at the  Lagos State House of Assembly, is dead.

    Mr Posu Davies, media aide to the lawmaker, announced her death in a statement  on Saturday.

    Davies said that Mrs David died at 60  on Saturday ,after a brief illness.

    According to him, the death of  Adenike has left  sores in  the hearts of the good people of  Badagry.

    “As I write, the residence of the lawmaker is filled with hundreds of people mourning the deceased and signing the condolence register.

    “Her death is saddening.

    “The general public should note that obsequies plans would be released and made available to all soon.

    “May God give him(the lawmaker) and his family the fortitude to bear the loss.

    “And may the soul of the departed continue to rest in the bosom of the Lord,” he said.

  • ‘My suspension politically motivated’ – Edo lawmaker alleges

    ‘My suspension politically motivated’ – Edo lawmaker alleges

    Mr Donald Okogbe, representing PDP Akoko-Edo 11) in Edo House of Assembly on Monday described his suspension as a “vendetta that was politically motivated”.

    The Speaker of the Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, on Monday suspended three lawmakers over alleged plot to impeach him and other principal officers.

    The three suspended lawmakers are; Mr Donald Okogbe (PDP Akoko-Edo 11), Bright Iyamu (PDP Orihonmwon South) and Adeh Isibor, (Esan North East 1).

    Okogbe noted that the speaker, by the rules of the House and Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, did not have the unilateral power to suspend a member.

    Okogbe, who said the allegations levelled against them were untrue and unfounded, noted that  the action of the speaker was unconstitutional and against the rules of the House.

    “The suspension is purely a vendetta that is politically motivated.

    “The speaker acted with impunity and has become a tyrant in the red chair and has become one man suppressing the democratic ideals of the House,” he said.

    Okogbe, who also denied the allegations of planting charms in the assembly complex, said he was a devoted Catholic and do not involve himself in rituals

    “The allegations levelled against me and others are completely untrue and as a Christian, I hold strongly to my Catholic ideals. I do not have a hand in the ritual and I do not do ritual.

    “The suspension came to me as a shock but what is more important is that the House rules and the Constitution of the country made it clear that suspension of any member can only be approved if it enjoys the support of the majority of the Lawmakers.

    “Our position is that the speaker does not have the sole power to suspend and that is the point we made during plenary.

    “Even if that power exist, suspension of a member cannot be from one sitting and not indefinitely. Anything otherwise is illegal. The power to suspend rest on the members of the House,” he added.

    According to Okogbe, I am not bothered because I know that no unjust decision will stand and justice shall prevail.

    Also speaking, Bright Iyamu, (PDP Orihonmwon South) said the suspension was illegal adding that they were still studying the situation.

    “We are in a meeting, when we are done, we will brief you,’’ he said.

  • Plateau speaker inaugurates 9 of 16 new lawmakers

    Plateau speaker inaugurates 9 of 16 new lawmakers

    The Speaker, Plateau House of Assembly, Gabriel Dewan, has inaugurated nine out of the 16 members who won their cases at the Appeal Court.

    Dewan, at a brief ceremony on Friday in Jos, explained that the nine members met the criteria to be sworn in, while the other seven did not.

    The speaker also stated that the House of Assembly had been intact, and that there was no crisis, as was being wrongly portrayed in the media.

    He stated that the inauguration was delayed because the house was following due process  in order not to flout any law or laid down rules.

    “Yesterday I was informed that nine of the 16 members met the criteria to be sworn in and today I swore them in.

    “Everything has been going on smoothly in the assembly.

    “We have extended the tenure of the Transition Implementation Committee in the local governments areas as requested by the executive.

    “This is to give the executive time to prepare for the election of substantive local government executives,” he said.

    According to reports, those sworn in include Mr Dickson Chollom – Barkin Ladi, Mr Abdul Adamu- Mangu North, Mr Daniel Nanbol – Langtang North  Central and Denti Laven  – Pankshin South.

    Others were ; Mr Abel Nansak – Langtang North, Mr Bendel Nanchuat – Langtang South, Mr Sylvester Wallangko – Bokkos,  Mr Mathew Kwarpo – Mangu South and Mr Bako Ankala – Rukuba.

    Meanwhile, Isa Madaki Ajiji, representing Jos East State Constituency, was elected Deputy Speaker, while Mr Joseph Bukar of Shendam Constituency emerged Majority Leader.

  • Edo Assembly lifts suspension on lawmaker

    Edo Assembly lifts suspension on lawmaker

    The Edo House of Assembly on Tuesday lifted the suspension placed on one of its members, Mr Sunny Ojiezele (PDP- Esan South East).

    The Speaker, Mr Blessing Agbebaku, stated this at Tuesday’s plenary in Benin, directing him to resume plenary on Thursday.

    Ojiezele was suspended on Jan. 29 for allegedly causing disunity among lawmakers.

    Meanwhile, the house has commended Gov. Godwin Obaseki for assenting to the financial autonomy bill for both the state legislature and judiciary passed in December 2023.

    The Speaker said this, adding that the governor had signed the bill into law.

    He added that the law would further deepen the dividends of democracy in the state.

    He also appreciated his colleagues and the staff of the house for their cooperation in achieving the enviable feat.

    Also speaking, the Deputy Speaker, Mrs Maria Edeko(PDP- Esan North-East 11), said the passage of the autonomy bill into law by the governor was a milestone achievement of the 8th assembly.

    Edeko, said the Constitution of Nigeria provided for the separation of power between the three arms of government.

    “Today I am glad and happy that this all important bill has been passed into law because it will help the house achieve its goals in a way that would benefit people.

    “In fact, it is today we got independent in Edo. This means trust, integrity, respect and accountability.

    “Democracy is all about ensuring popular participation and control of the process of government and the legislature and Judiciary are two critical arms of government that can be leverage on for good governance in the state.

    “This is why I am an ardent supporter of gov. Godwin Obaseki because he is building institutions and carrying out reforms in all the sectors,” she said.

    “The governor has expeditiously assented to this bill because he understands the benefits that are bound in it.

    “Now that the bill has been passed, we must put implementation strategy on ground to kick off because the legislative arm, cannot afford to fail.
    “We must work hard to defend democracy. I think that the eight assembly is very lucky because we are well positioned to do the work we were elected to do.”

  • Reactions trail Rivers 27 PDP lawmakers’ defection to APC

    Reactions trail Rivers 27 PDP lawmakers’ defection to APC

    The South-South Youths Initiatives on Monday advised Rivers Lawmakers not to allow party politics define their responsibilities to the people of the state.

    Oscar Imaete, President of the group gave the advice while reacting to 27 lawmakers’ defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The lawmakers who defected to APC are loyalists of Mr Nyesom Wike, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), while the remaining four lawmakers supported state Gov. Siminalaye Fubara.

    Imaete said that ‘’though it is within constitutional rights of the lawmakers to decide their alliance, the reason for defection may not be addressed even in their new party.’’

    According to him, the Rivers APC is currently battling a lingering political crises in the state.

    ‘’The party crises in APC in the state could also affect the smooth operations of the lawmakers.

    He however, expressed concern over the current status of the APC in the state.

    “Recall, the 27 members who crossed to the APC had blamed their action on an unresolved internal party crises in the PDP.

    ‘’The state has suffered stagnation due to various incidents of political tussle and cannot afford to continue any longer.

    “Hence, the need for lawmakers to separate party politics from governance” Imaete said.

    In a related development, the Ogoni Development Drive (ODD) and Coalition of Rivers Civil Society Group has sued for peace in the state.

    The group made the remark in a statement signed by Mr Henry Ekene, Rivers Representative, Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR) and two others.

    They urged President Bola Tinubu to caution Wike to give peace a chance and allow Gov. Siminilaye to attend to his responsibilities as a governor.

    ‘’We want peace in the state and not anarchy; Wike’s action may push us to move to Abuja and occupy his office in protest.

    ‘’This should sound as a warning to him and his lawmakers in the state,’’ they said.

    Reacting also, the state Assembly candidate of the APC in 2023 elections, Mr Omuboye Sukubo, said that defection was allowed in politics and the lawmakers had the right to defect.

    According to him, it’s not unusual; there is no longer politics by ideology, it’s more of stomach infrastructure and way of survival.

    ‘’How you get to power and be in control; it is not about governance,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • 30-year-old lawmaker becomes new Plateau speaker

    30-year-old lawmaker becomes new Plateau speaker

    Members of the Plateau State House of Assembly have elected Mr Gabriel Dewan (YPP- Pankshin North) as the new speaker of the house.

    The 30-year-old Dewan was elected on Tuesday, shortly after the resignation of the former speaker, Mr Moses Sule (PDP -Mikang).

    The speaker who spoke with newsmen after his election said that his number one priority would be to unite members of the 10th house for the good of the state.

    He urged Plateau people to look beyond political parties, religion, and ethnicity at this critical moment in the life of the state.

    “We should come together and unite because we have no other place other than Plateau, and we shouldn’t allow politics of any kind to divide us.

    “I have always said in the assembly that I am a unifier. I am the only member of the Young People’s Party (YPP), and whenever I make a contribution on the floor of the house, I always say that I am coming to balance the gap between the APC and the PDP.

    “And now that they (APC and PDP) have met and deemed it fit to make me the speaker, it is the right time for me to unite them more.

    “All I am asking from Plateau citizens, especially the electorate, is that they should not allow any politician to cause enmity between us because politics will come and go, but Plateau will remain,’’ he appealed.

    The new speaker appreciated his colleagues for finding him worthy to lead the 10th assembly at this critical moment in the history of Plateau.

    Dewan promised to lead his colleagues with sincerity and commitment.

    Sule, the immediate past speaker, told newsmen that, as leaders, they sometimes needed to make sacrifices for things to work.

    The former speaker said that his resignation was borne out of patriotism for Plateau to move forward.

    “I was not coerced or forced to resign; I did so on my own volition because positive sacrifices have to be made by leaders for the good of the state,’’ he said.

    The Court of Appeal had on Sunday nullified the election of Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), bringing an air of uncertainty in the state.

    NAN

  • Lawmaker sponsors wedding of 9 female orphans in Zamfara

    Lawmaker sponsors wedding of 9 female orphans in Zamfara

    Rep Kabiru Maipalace (PDP-Zamfara) has sponsored the marriage of nine female orphans under his Women, Orphans and Less privileged Welfare Project.

    Presenting furniture and other wedding items to the beneficiaries in Gusau on Wednesday, Maipalace said the gesture was the fulfilment of his campaign promises.

    Maipalace, represented at the occasion by his Legislative Secretary, Mustafa Hassan, said the gesture was part of his intervention to the vulnerable groups under his committee on women, orphans and less privileged.

    “Under the committee, we have identified 41 female orphans and less privileged to be sponsored for marriage by the lawmaker and we are starting with nine now.

    “Today, we are presenting nine sets of furniture and other marriage items procured by the lawmaker for the beneficiaries,” the lawmaker explained.

    Maipalace urged the beneficiaries to respect their marriages and utilise the gesture for their future.

    Also, the Chairman, State Hisbah Commission, Sheikh Umar Hassan, commended the lawmaker and described the intervention as a moral support to the society in general.

    “This will help in reducing economic hardships and vices in the society,” Hisbah chairman said,

    Hassan appealed to philanthropists and wealthy individuals to emulate the lawmaker in supporting the vulnerable groups.

    The Chairman, Zamfara Media Cooperation, Alhaji Bello Dakingari, urged the beneficiaries to utilise the gesture effectively.

    “I believe this kind gesture will be one of the best approaches in reducing the pressure of poverty in the society.”

    In their separate remarks, the Secretary of the committee, Hajiya Sadiya Mahe, and State Women Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hajiya Kulu Master, appreciated the lawmaker for his concern to women.

    They urged beneficiaries to utilise the gesture for their marriages and respect their husbands for future benefits of their lives.

    Malama Nabila Abubakar who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked the lawmaker and members of the committee for selecting them to benefit from the project.

    “On behalf of all the nine beneficiaries of this programme, we appreciate the gesture and we promise to give priority and respect to our marriages,” Abubakar said.

    The wedding ceremonies for the beneficiaries are scheduled to hold in their various families.

     

  • Tribunal sacks Osun PDP lawmaker, orders election re-run

    Tribunal sacks Osun PDP lawmaker, orders election re-run

    The National and State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting at Osogbo on Saturday nullified the election of Mr Awoyeye Jeremiah (PDP- Ife Central).

    The nullification followed a petition filed by Mr Adejobi Johnson of the All Progressive Congress (APC) challenging INEC’s declaration of Jeremiah as duly elected on March 18.

    Johnson prayed the court to nullify the election citing failure on the part of INEC to apply the principle of margin of lead in declaring a winner at election

    Having sacked Jeremiah, the tribunal ordered INEC to conduct fresh elections in 26 polling units in the constituency.

    In the unanimous judgment of the three-man tribunal, led by Justice .V. Eboreime, it ruled that Johnson proved that INEC did not comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act (2022).

    Eboreime said the manual for election used to declare Jeremiah as the winner was questionable.

    Speaking after the judgment, INEC’s counsel Mr Vilba Kintai, and Mr Nurudeen Kareem counsel to Jeremiah, said they would appeal against the judgment.

  • German opposition lawmakers call for migration crackdown

    German opposition lawmakers call for migration crackdown

    German centre-right opposition lawmakers on Friday called on the country’s coalition government to sharply limit the number of asylum-seekers allowed in the country.

    Members of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party the Christian Social Union (CSU) introduced the proposal in parliament.

    The proposal in parliament would noticeably reduce irregular migration in order to relieve the burden on the federal, state and local governments.

    “We offer to solve this issue together, because otherwise it can develop into a major social conflict,’’ CSU politician Alexander Dobrindt said in parliament on Friday.

    Dobrindt said asylum numbers in Germany were rising, municipalities are overburdened and social acceptance of migrants is waning.

    Dobrindt said the CDU/CSU proposal called for expanding the list of so-called safe countries of origin, which allowed for accelerated asylum procedures and potentially swifter deportations.

    This was to include Georgia, Moldova, India, Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria.

    He also said that Germany should work to speed up deportations of migrants whose asylum claims have been denied as well as re-establish controls along the borders with Poland.

    Also the Czech Republic and Switzerland were to prevent migrants from traveling to Germany from southern Europe.

    Dobrindt framed the proposal as a response to a call from Germany’s Social Democratic (SPD) Chancellor Olaf Scholz earlier this month for the CDU/CSU to join a Germany Pact to modernise the economy and streamline government bureaucracy.

    Dobrindt also accused Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, an SPD member, of blocking needed migration reforms at the EU level.

    Faeser rejected the criticism and pointed to government policies, including cooperation with Czech and Polish border guards, as evidence that “our measures are working, we control and regulate migration.’’

    Faeser said there were no easy solutions and accused the CDU/CSU of trying to exploit debate over migration for political gain.

    She said 200,000 persons annual cap on migration proposed by the CDU/CSU was mere populism that only strengthens the far-right.

    “Don’t continue on the misguided path of political campaigning on the backs of people who are threatened by war and terror,’’ she said.

     

  • Sagamu cult clash: DSS arrests lawmaker, six others

    Sagamu cult clash: DSS arrests lawmaker, six others

    Security operatives in Ogun State on Wednesday tracked six suspected cultists, allegedly involved in the violence that erupted in Sagamu at the weekend to the official residence of a member of the state House of Assembly.

    The member, representing Sagamu State Constituency (1), Hon. Damilare Bello Mohammed, was alleged to have provided shelter to the fleeing cultists.

    A team of security operatives, in a sting operation after a tip-off, arrested the suspects in the premises of the lawmaker.

    Those arrested, according to sources, include Damilare Bello Mohammed aka DRE, Debbo Animashaun, Bamidele Saheed, Ismaila Onitire, Adewale Otesanya and Tobi Owoade.

    They are presently undergoing interrogation at the Department of State Service (DSS).

    Sources revealed that many dangerous weapons, including guns, were recovered from the suspects.

    Hon. Bello was arrested by the DSS for masterminding the violent protest that took place in February this year in Sagamu over the naira redesign policy by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    During the protest, irate youths vandalised about 10 banks and other public infrastructures.

    Last weekend, Governor Dapo Abiodun vowed that the state will introduce death penalty to curb against cultism in the state.