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Tag: Lawmaker

  • Reps member’s aide kidnapped in Cross River

    Reps member’s aide kidnapped in Cross River

    Mr. Kenneth Abang, a legislative aide to a House of Representatives member, representing Boki-Ikom Federal Constituency in Cross River has been kidnapped

    Abang, who is an aide to Rep. Chris Agibe was abducted in Betem community in the Biase Local Government Area of Cross River.

    He was kidnapped alongside his relative, Miss Eunice Abang on Jan. 30.

    Abang’s, Mr Fidelis Ekpah, told NAN in a telephone interview on Tuesday in Calabar that Abang was traveling to his home town in the Boki Local Government Area when he was abducted.

    Ekpa explained that Abang was traveling to prepare for his late father’s burial, schedule to hold on Feb. 3 and Feb. 4.

    “Mr Kenneth Abang has been kidnapped along the Calabar-Biase highway while traveling to Boki to make preparations for his father’s burial.

    “He was kidnapped alongside his relative, Miss Eunice Abang. They took them away and abandoned his car by the roadside.

    “This is a double tragedy for us. We were already planning for his father’s burial before this ugly incident occurred.

    “I want to appeal to the police, the army, civil defence and the department of state service to come to our aid and rescue our brother and his relative,” Ekpa said.

    The spokeswoman of the Cross River State Police Command, SP. Irene Ugbo, who confirmed the abduction in a telephone interview with a NAN correspondent, said that efforts were ongoing to rescue the victims.

    “The deputy commissioner of police in charge of operations has drafted our men to the area to ensure the release of Abang and his relation.

    Ugbo said: “we are on the matter. I can assure you that efforts are on to rescue the victims and arrest the suspects,” she said.

  • Gunmen abduct Edo Customary Court president, ex-lawmaker

    Gunmen abduct Edo Customary Court president, ex-lawmaker

    The President of Igueben Area Customary Court,  Mrs. Precious Aigbonoga, was on Monday abducted by gunmen, around Ugoneki axis, on her way to Court in Igueben Local Government Area (LGA) of Edo.

    The Chairman of the Lion Bar, Chief Nosa  Edo-Osagie, in a statement by Mr. Festus Usiobaifo, the  Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Benin branch, expressed sadness over the abduction.

    Edo-Osagie, while condemning the act in strong terms, expressed worry over bandits operation in the area and the kidnapping of  Aigbonoga, who he described as an easygoing, gentle, and hardworking judicial officer.

    “Meanwhile, the Dream Team is in close touch with the Commissioner of Police, C.P. Mohammed Adamu Dankwara. By the grace of God Almighty, His Honour shall be rescued unhurt, and the bandits brought to book, Amen!, ” he said

    The abduction is coming on the heels of Saturday’s abduction of 32 passengers waiting to board a train from the Igueben Station in the Igueben LGA of the state to Warri in Delta, by suspected herdsmen.

    The kidnapped court’s president is the wife of Mr. Afebu Aigbonoga,  a PDP House of Assembly Candidate for Etsako West Constituency 1.

    In a related development a former Edo State House of Assembly member, Festus Edughele, was also kidnapped on Monday by suspected gunmen in Ubiaja, on his way from Orhionmwon LGA to Benin.

    A former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Festus Ebea, who confirmed the incident, said his former colleague intended to board the now suspended train service from Ubiaja to Abuja.

    Ebea said, “he was kidnapped this morning in Ubiaja on his way from Orhionmwon to Benin.

    “He had intended to take the train for Ubiaja but he could not do so since the train services had been suspended.

    “The family is aware of his kidnap, the police division in that area has been informed and we hope action will be taken to rescue him,” he added.

    Contacted, the Edo Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor,  could not comment on the alleged abduction, as he refused to answer all calls put across his cell phone.

  • Attempted murder: Court remands another suspect in ex-lawmaker’s attack in Prison

    Attempted murder: Court remands another suspect in ex-lawmaker’s attack in Prison

    A Grade I Area Court in Nyanya, Abuja has ordered that Joseph Utum, a 2nd defendant in the charges of alleged attempted murder of a former member of the House of Representatives, Robinson Uwak, be remanded in Keffi Correctional Centre.

    Justice M. Inuwa made the order shortly after Utum was arraigned by the police and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    Utum was accused of conspiring with the estranged wife of the ex-lawmaker, Kezia Robinson Uwak, formerly Kezia Irek, to eliminate him.

    The Inspector-General of Police had, on Dec. 16, arraigned Kezia Robinson Uwak and Ibiang Yemiode Ofem, without Utum, before the court on charges of joint act and attempt to commit grievous bodily harm on the ex-lawmaker.

    Kezia and Ofem, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, were remanded in Suleja and Keffi Correctional Centres respectively.

    The police, in the F.I.R, said the defendants were arrested for agreeing “to do away” with Uwak to enable Kezia to convert and inherit his valuable property worth millions of naira in FCT, Port Harcourt and Uyo.

    The police alleged that in furtherance of the agreement, Kezia on May 27 took a kitchen knife to stab Uwak, while he was asleep, adding that if she had succeeded to stab him, “it would have resulted in his death or bodily harm.”

    “All these were done pursuant to your agreement. And you thereby committed the above offence,” the charge read in part.

    The police further said the alleged offences were contrary to Sections 95, 79 and 248 of the Penal Code.

    Justice Inuwa adjourned the matter until Feb. 7 for trial.

    NAN

  • Midterm: Dead US lawmaker wins election

    Midterm: Dead US lawmaker wins election

     

    A Pennsylvania state representative who died in October, Anthony DeLuca, was reelected during the United States midterm elections.

    Fox News reported that DeLuca died in October 9, 2022 “after a brief battle with lymphoma, a disease he twice previously beat.”

    The 85-year-old democrat was Pennsylvania’s longest-serving state rep before his death.

    Reacting to his reelection, the Pennsylvania House Democrats Caucus said, “While we’re incredibly saddened by the loss of Representative Tony DeLuca, we are proud to see the voters to continue to show their confidence in him and his commitment to Democratic values by re-electing him posthumously

    “A special election will follow soon.”

    DeLuca was a resident of Penn Hills for over 60 years.

    He started his political journey by serving at the Penn Hills Government Study Commission.

    After five years as a Penn Hills Councilman, followed by two years as Penn Hills Deputy Mayor, he ran for his legislative seat and defeated the Republican incumbent.

  • 2023: Lagos assembly member denies plotting against Obasa

    2023: Lagos assembly member denies plotting against Obasa

    A legislator, Mr. Gholahan Yishawu, says he not only wants the Lagos Speaker, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, to be re-elected in his constituency in 2023, but also wants him to again lead the 10th Assembly in the State.

    Yishawu, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Eti-Osa 02 state constituency, made this known during an interactive session with newsmen in Lagos on Wednesday.

    The lawmaker, who is Chairman, House Committee on Budget and Planning, denied an allegation that he was part of a plot to stop Obasa from leading the house again after the present ninth Assembly.

    He said that the number of terms a person could serve as speaker was not limited, and the more experienced the person, the better he would deliver on the job for the benefit of the people.

    Yishawu said he maintained a good relationship with the speaker and aligned with his good agenda to move the assembly and the state forward.

    “I support his re-election in the 2023 general elections and as speaker in the next 10th assembly because of his leadership skills.

    “I will continue to support the vision of Mr. Speaker to fast-track the success of the House and the development of our dear state,” he said.

    The lawmaker advised all members of APC to disregard rumours deliberately instigated to cause misunderstanding among leaders and members of the party.

    He said his primary duty was his legislative responsibilities and activities targeted at improving the lives and welfare of his constituents, which he had been doing.

    Yishawu said that the attention of every member of the party should be on preparations for the forthcoming elections.

    He said that they must be focused on ensuring victory for Sen. Bola Tinubu in the presidential election.

    Yishawu said attention should also be on achieving victory for the APC candidates in the Governorship, Senate, House of Representatives, and the House of Assembly elections.

  • What my abductors almost used me for – Osun lawmaker’s father reveals

    What my abductors almost used me for – Osun lawmaker’s father reveals

    Pa Muftau Lawal, the father of Adewunmi Kofoworola Babajide, the lawmaker representing Ede North State Constituency in Osun State House of Assembly has narrated his experience in the hands of his kidnappers and how he was almost used for ritual.

    In Auguts Pa Lawal was reportedly abducted at his residence in Ede.

    Speaking in an interview, Lawal narrated how unknown individuals came to his house on motorcycles and threatened to kill him.

    According to him, “I was in front of my house in the evening when I saw these people in their numbers. They alighted from motorcycles and some children who were playing beside where I sat, ran away. Some of them said they should burn me alive while some said they should gun me down and I was already scared when one of them said they should pour petrol on me and set me alight.

    “Not long after they left, another set of people came and immediately they alighted from the motorcycle, ordered me to climb the motorcycle. I asked them where are you taking me to? One of them responded, ‘we are taking to you to meet your son, Akogun’. Because of my age, my sight is already blurry, I couldn’t see clearly as we were going. But after a while, I noticed we were on Ilesha route, because that’s my route when I was young.

    “I asked again, where are you taking me to and the one behind me said ‘if you ask any question again, we will kill you here’. I stopped asking them questions. We were going on a high speed. Then, it was already dark, so I can’t see anything again.

    “Later, we got to a place, there is a house there and I was asked to go inside. I met an old man with a boy, the man is a herbalist and he welcomed me. Those who carried me to the place left. I saw the herbalist as he consulted his oracle; after many incantations, the herbalist asked me if we have any deity in our family and I told him no, that we don’t have any deity but my wife family has one they do worship which is “Sango”– God of lightening. The herbalist now said, ‘I can see’ as he shook his head. Later, I noticed that he was calling those who brought me to him to come and carry me that I can’t be used.

    “Those who brought me didn’t answer and I was there for weeks before they came back six days ago around 3am to carry me. As we were going in the middle of the night, I noticed that a car was coming behind us and not quite long, the motorcycle that they used to carry me stopped and I was asked to enter the car. It was the car that carried me to Lokoja in the morning.

    “The car, which carried me, after getting to Lokoja, asked about any Police station to present myself to them and explain how I got there, which I did. It was there in the station they contacted some people in Osun to get my son’s phone number. They called him to inform him that I came to explain how I got to Lokoja. It was my son who arranged how I got back to Osun.”

  • Kogi @31: Lawmaker congratulates Kogites, canvasses support for Tinubu/ Shettima

    Kogi @31: Lawmaker congratulates Kogites, canvasses support for Tinubu/ Shettima

    In commemoration of Kogi State’s 31st anniversary, the lawmaker representing the people of Yagba Federal Constituency has facilitated with the people and government of Kogi State and urged Kogites for continued peaceful coexistence as well as robust participation in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

    In his congratulatory message to the people of the state to mark the anniversary, Elder Leke Abejide stated that the confluence state has come a long way and that it has become a task for every member of the state to work for the state’s progress.

    The chairman of the House Committee on Customs also revealed that since the creation of Kogi state on August 27, 1991 by the administration of former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, the state has passed through thick and thin, adding that while the state has yet to reach its full potentials, it has made significant progress overtime.

    He further said that Kogi will be on the verge of rapid socioeconomic transformation in the coming years, noting that such transformation has already begun in the Yagba Federal Constituency and is expected to spread throughout the state and Nigeria at Large.

    Kogi, a North Central state blessed with abundant Mineral Resources, has had several leaders since its inception more than three decades ago. The state was first led by Military Officers Col. Danladi Zakari, Col. Bzigu Afakirya, Col. Paul Omeruo, and Col Augustine Aniebo, followee by Executive Governors which includes late Prince Abubakar Audu, former Governor Ibrahim Idris, former Governor Idris Wada, and the incumbent governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

    Abejide thanked all the great Leaders who have immensely contributed thier quota in the developmental strides of the state since inception. “While we are aware that so much more is left to be achieved, I assure Kogites that a Tinubu Presidency will attract more development to the Confluence state if voted in as President in the 2023 Elections,” he said.

    Kogi state, formed from parts of Kwara and Benue, is the most centrally located in Nigeria hosting the Confluence of Rivers Niger and Benue and shares borders with nine other states and the Federal Capital Territory. Kogi is a mini Nigeria with Several ethnic groups. The Ebira, Igala, and Okun (Yoruba) make up the majority of the state’s population. Bassa Kwomu, Bassa Nge, Oworo, Nupe, Ogori, Egbura Koto, and Kakanda are among the smaller ethnic groups in the state known to be blessed with abundant human and natural resources, and fondly refered to as the Confluence of Opportunities.

    Hon. Leke is seeking re-election to the Green Chamber of the National Assembly for a 2nd term under the platform of ADC. The passionate supporter of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu the APC Presidential flagbearer, described Tinubu as his mentor who has all it takes to turn around the fortunes of Nigeria, just as he did for Lagos State.

    Abejide is the National Coordinator and Convener of the Asiwaju Confluence Campaign Organisation ACCO23 and has been working round the clock to mobilize support for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2023 General Elections.

    He is also a major political actor in North Central Nigeria and a well known philanthropist who have imparted the lives of the people before his election into the National Assembly in 2019. His performance on the floor and back home to his constituents is unmatched as he is described by many as a gift to this generation.

  • PDP engaging in propaganda while APC is forging ahead – Dep Speaker, Wase

    PDP engaging in propaganda while APC is forging ahead – Dep Speaker, Wase

     

    Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Wase has said while the All Progressives Congress (APC) is busy on internal reconciliation, opposition party, PDP is deeply involved in propaganda activities.

    The lawmaker said the party was fixing the cracks caused by primaries by reconciling aggrieved members ahead of 2023.

    Wase made the disclosure when he visited Imo governor Hope Uzodinma on Thursday.

    The APC chieftain said the ruling platform will “bridge all gaps and win with all margins”.

    Wase accused the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of engaging in propaganda.

    “They are only making a mountain out of a molehill so that they could sell their party.

    “There is nothing to worry about”, Wase added.

  • US lawmaker Jackie Walorsk, aides die in car crash

    US lawmaker Jackie Walorsk, aides die in car crash

    US Representative Jackie Walorski and two of her staffers were killed in a car crash on Wednesday.

    Walorski, a Republican from Indiana’s 2nd district was 58.

    Their deaths were confirmed by the sheriff’s office in a Facebook post. “A northbound passenger car traveled left of center and collided head on” with Walorski’s vehicle, the sheriff’s office wrote. The driver of that car was also killed.

    “Devastated to hear the horrible news of the passing of Jackie Walorski and her two staffers,” House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., tweeted. “She was a dear friend who loved serving the people of Indiana in Congress.”

    Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who was traveling in Asia, ordered the flags at the Capitol to be flown at half-staff in honor of Walorski and her staffers, her spokesman said.

    A lifelong Hoosier, Congresswoman Walorski lived a life of service: whether caring for impoverished children in Romania, representing her community in the Indiana Statehouse or serving nearly a decade in the House,” Pelosi said in a statement. “She passionately brought the voices of her north Indiana constituents to the Congress, and she was admired by colleagues on both sides of the aisle for her personal kindness.”

    The White House said it will fly flags at half-staff on Wednesday and Thursday in memory of Walorski.

    According to the news stations, Ms Walorski’s vehicle was struck head-on by a driver who crossed over into oncoming traffic; the driver of that vehicle died as well.

    The Indiana Republican served on the House Ethics Committee and was considered a potential contender for a future leadership position, having in the past served on the team of Minority Whip Steve Scalise.

    President Joe Biden offered his condolences in a statement Wednesday, saying that he and first lady Jill Biden were “shocked and saddened” when they heard about the car crash.

    “Jill and I are shocked and saddened by the death of Congresswoman Jackie Walorski of Indiana along with two members of her staff in a car accident today in Indiana. Born in her beloved South Bend as the daughter of a meat-cutter and firefighter, she spent a lifetime serving the community that she grew up in – as a journalist, a nonprofit director, a state legislator, and eventually as a Member of Congress for the past nine and half years,” said Mr Biden.

    “We send our deepest condolences to her husband, Dean, to the families of her staff members, Zachery Potts and Emma Thomson, who lost their lives in public service, and to the people of Indiana’s Second District who lost a representative who was one of their own,” added the president.

  • Lawmaker calls on Nigerians, Kogites to get their PVC before INEC 5Days deadline

    Lawmaker calls on Nigerians, Kogites to get their PVC before INEC 5Days deadline

    The lawmaker for Yagba Federal Federal Constituency, Kogi West, Elder Leke Abejide has urged Nigerians and the good people of Kogi State to move quickly and register for their permanent voters cards (PVC) with just five days left before INEC closes the registration.

    The House of Representatives member, who is also Chairman House Committee on Customs gave this indication while addressing Journalists and Pressmen on Tuesday 26th July 2022. He noted that the populace have now understood the fact that power have changed hands to the electorates, and that having their PVCs will allow them to cast their votes for the candidates of their choice in 2023 General Elections.

    The influential lawmaker seeking re-election under the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for Yagba Federal Constituency Kogi State, is regarded as one of the most prominent figures in Kogi politics after winning his first election with the ADC party in a state where the All Progressive Congress is the dominant force.

    Elder Leke, who is also the convener of the Asiwaju Confluence Campaign Organization (ACCO23′), has completed a number of projects in his constituency and other Regions of Kogi West.
    Recall, the lawmaker made a humanitarian act that is thought to be the first of its type when he donated aid worth more than N500,000,000 (Five Hundred Million) to more than 2000 constituents in Yagba East, Yagba West, and Mopa Muro Federal district.

    He is the only National Assembly Member who has consistently paid WEAC fees for all his Constituents both in Public and Private Schools.

    According to reports, in recent time, his enormous accomplishments have persuaded numerous Kogites to defect to the ADC in solidarity for his excellent performance in the green Chamber.

    The lawmaker, urge all Nigerians to take advantage of the opportunity to register while praising INEC for making the process of registering and obtaining a PVC seamless.

    Hon. Leke is an apostle of one man one vote, and “a man of the people.”