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Tag: Lawmakers

  • Leadership tussle: Consider Constitution’s supremacy over party supremacy group advice lawmakers

    Faculty Board of Initiatives led by Hon. Eseme Eyibo addressing newsmen in NASS over 9th NASS leadership
    By Gabriel Okoro, Abuja
    A group of old and serving members of the House of Representatives under the auspices of Faculty Board of Initiatives on Wednesday adviced federal lawmakers to elect their choice leaders in both chambers of the upcoming assembly on the ground of country’s constitution supremacy rather than political party supremacy.
    The group led by the ‘Dean Faculty’ ,Eseme Eyibo, ex- spokesman and chairman House committee on Public Affairs of the 6th House of Representatives, at a media briefing in Abuja, warned that the legislature should be allowed to choose its leadership.
    Eyibo stressed that the country can be great and democracy evolving, if separation of powers, independence of legislature is allowed, even though parties may associate with their sentiments.
    He argued that party supremacy and loyalty as has been canvassed, cannot be far above constitutional supremacy, which provides how the parties are formed and the independence of the various arms and the legislature .
    Earlier in his address, Eyibo explained that in the current democratic system of government, where the rule of law prevails, it is the legislature as provided by section 4 of the constitution that make laws and as such, a critical arm of government in the tripod.
    The ex- member of the House accompanied by his colleagues, Blessing Alapa, Chris Eta, Ibrahim Buba and a serving member, Chukwuemeka Ujam, argued therefore that if government or the three arms must stand in a tripod arrangement, then the legislature should be allowed to choose its Leadership.
    According to him, in such critical contest, stakeholders must begin a talent hunt to get the best, especially for the positions of Senate President, Speaker House of Representatives.
    He noted that history can vindicate past succession challenges, specifically from the times of Ghali Nabba, Dimeji Bankole, Aminu Tambuwal and the current speaker, Yakubu Dogara where the independence of the Legislature played a role, cautioning that such precedence cannot be jettisoned or allowed not to be the norm.
    His words: “History, from Nabba up to Dogara is very consistent” he added, pointing that the general interest of a particular candidate and the independence of the Legislature have often being uppermost in the heart of the lawmakers in choosing their leaders.
    ” interest of members, separation of powers and independence of legislature are something very consistent “
    The group added that whoever is interested in becoming speaker, or any leadership position in the National Assembly must be acceptable, galvanise interest of members , noting also that all political parties are stakeholder in choosing the principal parties, instead of the whims and caprice of one political party.
    Fielding answers to newsmen, the group said religion does not play a role in the choice of principal officers, provided the candidates are acceptable to their colleagues and they are allowed to choose freely without external influences and entanglements

  • How lawmakers threatened to sack me for declining to offer them bribe – NAFDAC DG

    The Director-General of the National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mojisola Adeyeye, has claimed that the House of Representatives committee on healthcare services had demanded a bribe from her.

    Concise News reports that speaking when she was a guest on Sunrise Daily, a Channels TV programme on Friday, Adeyeye said the committee asked her for the bribe in the form of “money for welfare” when they visited her in December 2017.

    The NAFDAC DG said this happened at a time the agency was “bleeding profusely” as a result of lack of fund.

    According to her, “when I came to NAFDAC, there were a lot of things that were wrong. Take oversight function or whatever that is done, I was shocked when I was told to give money, I said money for what? … money to the committee that visited us. The health care services committee of the house of representatives.

    “This was 2017 December, not even a month to my resumption. We don’t have another country, this is Nigeria. I was shocked first because this was the same day I went for a Powerpoint presentation… we don’t have the equipment, about 70 per cent of our equipment need to be upgraded.

    “We don’t have vehicles and you use vehicles to go after the bad guys or to ensure compliance. Our directors didn’t have computers, laptops, it was shortly after that, they then asked me (and said) we need welfare.”

    “I said I cannot. For just the visit? I couldn’t believe my ears because it saddens me. Yes, it can be referred to as them asking for bribe. It saddens me. This is an organisation that was bleeding profusely.”

    Adeyeye added that that day was “the worst day of my professional life” as NAFDAC DG and that her refusal did not go down well with the lawmakers.

    “It wasn’t taken well at all. I was threatened and I couldn’t believe that too, you are threatening me?” she said.

    “Somebody that was acting like this from the US was also out. It saddens me because we don’t have another country.”

  • 2019: 10 lawmakers who will not return to Lagos Assembly

    Ten lawmakers in the Lagos State House of Assembly will not return for the 9th Assembly, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    The publication of final list of candidates for the state assembly election in Lagos State by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reveals that some lawmakers’ names were missing.

    While some of these lawmakers lost out in their aspirations to return to the house, and others who wanted to represent their respective federal constituencies in the House of Representatives failed at primary elections.

    The lawmakers who couldn’t secure return tickets to the house during the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries, according to findings are: Messrs Akeem Bello (Amuwo Odofin II) and Sola Giwa (Lagos Island)

    Others are: Oladele Adekanye (Lagos Mainland I) and Dayo Famakinwa (Ajeromi-Ifelodun I).

    The four are all first term lawmakers in the house.

    Bello, the former Minority Leader of the House and Famakinwa were part of the seven lawmakers that defected in 2017 from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling APC.

    Other PDP defectors include Mr Victor Akande (Ojo I); Olusola Sokunle (Oshodi-Isolo I); Jude Idimogu (Oshodi-Isolo II); Fatai Oluwa (Ajeromi-Ifelodun II) and Mrs Mosunmola Sangodara (Surulere II).

    Out of the other six lawmakers who aspired to represent Lagos in the National Assembly, only Mr Bayo Osinowo (Kosofe I) became the candidate of APC for Lagos East.

    The likes of Messrs Segun Olulade (Epe II), Lanre Ogunyemi (Ojo II); Adefunmilayo Tejuosho (Mushin I); Saka Fafunmi (Ifako Ijaiye) and Mrs Omotayo Oduntan who aspired to get ticket to their federal constituencies all failed.

    30 other lawmakers, including the only PDP member in the house, Mr Dipo Olorunrinu (Amuwo Odofin I), got their return tickets.

    If they emerge winners at the poll, they will all be back in the assembly in few months.

    Fourty-five candidates are currently contesting the Lagos State governorship seat, while 640 candidates will be jostling for the 40 seats in the state house of assembly.

  • Budget presentation: ‘Unruly’ lawmakers must apologise to Nigerians

    Budget presentation: ‘Unruly’ lawmakers must apologise to Nigerians

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on members of the National Assembly to apologise to Nigerians for their unruly behaviour during President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2019 budget presentation.

    The Public Relations Officer of NANS, Mr Azeez Adeyemi, made the call on Friday in Abeokuta.

    Adeyemi condemned the lawmakers’ behaviour, saying that it had further tarnished the external image of the country.

    He urged the lawmakers to always promote the integrity of the country, while according due respect to its leaders.

    He stressed that the legislators should jettison personal and political interests while treating matters of national interest.

    “Nigerian students believe that members of the National Assembly should be role models to Nigerian youths and students by displaying worthy and enviable character.

    “It is important to place respect for the honour and integrity of our dear country above any personal or political interests.

    “We, hereby, call on the leadership of the National Assembly to, as a matter of necessity, apologise to the entire people of Nigeria over the members’ unruly conduct during the president’s budget presentation,” he said.

    The NANS spokesperson, nonetheless, urged the National Assembly members to scrutinise the 2019 appropriation bill before its passage so as to ensure the outcome was in the best interest of all Nigerians.

     

  • Don’t tamper with 2019 budget – Oshiomhole warns lawmakers

    National Chairman, All Progressive Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, on Wednesday expressed hopes that the National Assembly won’t ‘distort the 2019 budget’ as presented.

    He also described President Muhammadu Buhari’s presentation of the 2019 Budget as “a successful outing.”

    Oshiomhole spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria shortly after Buhari presented the budget at the National Assembly in Abuja.

    “I think it was done very well and analytically well presented. It covers all the issues.

    “It gives account of the previous budget, how it was implemented and why we will have to consolidate, going forward. I think it was a successful outing.

    “I’m impressed, I’m excited and I pray that the National Assembly will not distort it in a way that will distort the tenet, well-thought out outcome,” he said.

    Reacting to the rowdiness amidst the budget presentation, Oshiomhole said: “I think the lawmakers generally agreed that the budget was good.

    “All the requirements of the law have been met, namely, to lay the budget. How the senators behaved thereafter is their privilege.”

    On his part, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, simply described the budget presentation as “excellent.”

  • VIDEO: Tension as APC, PDP, other lawmakers clash after Buhari’s budget presentation

    There was a rowdy session at the lower chamber of the House of Representatives on Wednesday as President Muhammadu Buhari presented the 2019 budget proposal of N8.3trn before the lawmakers.

    The oil benchmark is pegged at 60 dollars per barrel

    After a tumultuous presentation characterised by intermittent disruptions from lawmakers on platforms of both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other parties, the president later laid the copies of the budget on the floor of the House.

    However, the lawmakers refused to allow the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara take his vote of thanks as the rowdiness continued despite pleas by the Senate President and the Speaker.

    While the APC lawmakers are shouting “four more years”, the PDP lawmakers are chanting “freedom come by struggle.”

    The National anthem was later recited and President Buhari was led out of the chamber amidst cheering and boos from the lawmakers.

     

    More details later…

  • Video: Buhari chides lawmakers for intermittently disrupting 2019 budget presentation

    Video: Buhari chides lawmakers for intermittently disrupting 2019 budget presentation

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday during the 2019 ongoing budget presentation chided some lawmakers for interrupting his presentation to the joint assembly of the lawmakers.

    From point of entering the chambers, some lawmakers were seen chanting anti-Buhari songs while some hailed him.

    “This will be my last speech in the 8th National Assembly” Buhari said while reading his speech. The PDP members in aloud voice said”Amen!”
    “The economy has been recovered”, Buhari said but the PDP members further shouted “Ha, no!” While the APC members continue their applause for the president.

    The boo continues whenever he made his point.

    However, the president was forced to pause for a while and specifically address the lawmakers for decorum.

    In his words: ‘Distinguished lawmakers. The whole world is watching us and we are supposed to be above this.’

    He later continued with his presentation.

    Watch video below:

     

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    Buhari chiding lawmakers for interfering while he presented the 2019 budget…

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  • BREAKING: PASAN members shut down NASS as lawmakers flee [Photos]

    BREAKING: PASAN members shut down NASS as lawmakers flee [Photos]

    …shut power, water facilities

    …barricade all entry points

    Members of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) on Monday made good their threats to shut down the National Assembly Complex over unpaid allowances.

    Recall that the workers had given a 12- day ultimatum which elapsed by 12midnight on Monday.

    As it is, the industrial action may affect presentation of the 2019 budget by President Muhammadu Buhari scheduled for Wednesday.

    To drive home their demands all entry points into the complex were barricaded by the striking workers as security agents attached to NASS simply demand for identity cards to allow workers and lawmakers entry into the complex.

    The power station supplying electricity to the various offices has been disconnected and water supply into lavatories was also affected.

    TNG correspondents in Abuja confirmed that workers were seen loitering at the various entry points while the NASS massive Complex looks like a ghost town.

    National President of PASAN Bala Hadi in a chat with journalists said so far the industrial action has been successful “at least we’ve succeeded in ensuring that workers didn’t gain entry into the complex.

    He explained that”we are not stopping kawmakers from entering the chamber but what we can assure you of is that no civil servant here will render any service.

    Asked what strategy he has to deploy should the action so far fails, Hadi said” we can’t teveal that for now but we are doing our best for now.

    As at the time of filling this report NASS remained largely deserted.

    More details later…

  • BREAKING: Amosun’s candidate, three lawmakers defect to other parties

    Adekunle Akinlade, the preferred governorship candidate of Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun, has dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Allied People’s Movement (APM).

    Mr Akinlade, who lost to Dapo Abiodun at the recently conducted APC governorship primary in Ogun State, defected alongside three other members.

    The other members are Rabiu Kaugama (Jigawa) who moved from the PDP to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Mohammed Ajanah (Kogi) from APC to PDP and Salisu Koko (Kebbi) from APC to SDP.

    Mr Akinlade’s defection is coming few days to Independent National Electoral Commission’s deadline of governorship candidates’ substitution.

  • 2019: UK warns lawmakers against abandonment of legislative duties

    2019: UK warns lawmakers against abandonment of legislative duties

    The United Kingdom on Monday cautioned the National Assembly leadership and members against allowing their personal political ambition to affect their constitutional responsibilities to Nigerians.

    The Acting British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Harriet Thompson gave the warning after a meeting with the Senate leadership led by Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and the Majority Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan, in Saraki’s office.

    She told journalists after the meeting that her mission was to draw the attention of the National Assembly members to the statement released by the international community on Sunday concerning the 2019 general elections.

    Thompson said she conveyed the UK’s message to the federal lawmakers not to abandon the legislative activities before them while pursuing their individual political ambitions towards the 2019 polls.

    She said, “We met with the Senate President and the Majority Leader of the Senate in order to talk about very important legislative business that the National Assembly should undertake even before the elections especially with the start of the official campaign period at the weekend.

    “We are very pleased to hear from both the leader of the majority and the Senate President that there is a great commitment to continue their important works.

    “The bills that we particularly mentioned were the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill, the Police Reform Bill, The Community and Non-Allied Matters Act, the Gender Equality Bill and the Disability Bill.

    “These are all bills that we believe would make things better for Nigerians, for their rights, for their opportunities, and for economic development.”

    The British government’s concern was coming on the heels of the inability of the federal lawmakers to form a quorum last week to carry out their legislative duties.