TheNewsGuru

Tag: Lawmakers

  • BREAKING: Oshiomhole meets Buhari, reacts to lawmakers’ defections from APC

    BREAKING: Oshiomhole meets Buhari, reacts to lawmakers’ defections from APC

    The National Chairman of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has said that losing majority of the lawmakers to opposition parties on Tuesday will not in any way affect the party’s victory in the 2019 elections.

    Recall that 15 senators and 37 members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday defected from the ruling APC on Tuesday with majority joining the PDP.

    Oshiomhole, who spoke with State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, said those who left are “mercenaries” who were in APC just to win election.

    He said the governing party is “not disturbed at all” and that he is not losing sleep over the defections.

    Oshiomhole also said it is good that those who never believed in the APC are leaving ahead the electioneering activities because that would enable the party concentrate on its campaigns.

    He said those who defected cannot affect the electoral fortunes of APC because President Muhammadu Buhari got more votes than them in their own constituencies in the last election.

    He described the defectors as right wing politicians who believe in the philosophy of “share the money” and did not belong to the progressives group.

    He said even while they were in the APC, they constituted themselves as opposition to the governing party.

     

    More to come…

  • BREAKING: Imo lawmakers commence impeachment process against Okorocha’s deputy

    The Imo State House of Assembly has commenced impeachment process against the deputy governor, Eze Madumere.

    The Deputy Speaker, Ugonna Ozuruigbo, who moved the motion that the impeachment process be served on the embattled deputy governor, accused him, among other things, of abandoning his duties and office as the state’s number two citizen for a long time.

    The plenary, which is tension-soaked, is currently on going.

    Armed security men have barricaded the entry and exit points of the complex.

     

    More details shortly…

  • Ebonyi lawmakers’ ultimatum to Anambra government, By Carl Umegboro

    By Carl Umegboro

    The up-to-the-minute squabbles between Anambra state government and Ebonyi House of Assembly is to say the least uncalled for and trivial. The state governor, Chief Willie Obiano renamed the old ‘Abakaliki Street’ in Awka to “Club Street’ purportedly to synchronize the master-plan. Consequently, he designated another street the government considered suitable and more strategic for its swap. Unfortunately, the development was probably misunderstood, hence offensively rebuffed by the Ebonyi lawmakers leading to a seven-day ultimatum slammed on Obiano to revert to status quo ante or face their sanctions. Since then, it has become a supremacy battle, funnily through press wars with threats of sanctions if unheeded. But the question is, is a trifling issue as this amongst the reasons why lawmakers are elected into offices by the people?

    The sanctions reportedly included having all the institutions, streets and monuments named after Anambra indigenous people scrapped or renamed in Ebonyi state. However, the state government through its spokesman, C. Don Adinuba debunked malice but elucidated that the contentious area is over the years notorious as a dungeon; a slum with shanties and illegal structures where prostitution and other illicit activities triumph, and added that the government merely did sensitive restructuring exercise which didn’t erase the state’s name in the state capital as purported but a strategic swap noting that the two states are brothers and sisters that have maintained harmonious relationship over the years.

    Obviously, issues of this nature are best resolved through channel of mild communication and dialogue especially for two states under a geopolitical zone, and not by ultimatum as issued by the protesting lawmakers let alone through the media. The simple truth is that Anambra or any other state doesn’t require permission or consultation with another state to embark on restructuring exercise within its landscape especially to restructure its facilities. The appropriate action on discovery of the renaming exercise would have been to send delegation to the state government for firsthand fact-finding, explanations and motives for such action rather than dangling on assumptions.

    In structured system, to pass a resolution directing another state government to comply is alien, aberration and amounts to legislative rascality. The reason is that resolutions at plenary can only be implemented when reasonable, realistic and within jurisdiction. The worst part is the press war adopted to deal with a matter that should soundlessly be handled by the two state governors without third-parties’ knowledge. Nonetheless, as long as a new place was designated for its swap, apparently, no harm was done except a mischief could be substantiated or it could be established that the area has exceptional interests that characterize Ebonyi and its people which may be jeopardized if altered. Above all, change is always constant.

    Thus, it calls for maturity, understanding, mutual respect and cooperation. It is never an issue that should be subjected to open show of muscles or ultimatum but reverence and dialogue. To forcefully demand the governor to revert is completely out of it but a tete-a-tete with the state government. For all intents and purposes, the fight is grossly trivial as it cannot add any value to the lives of indigenous people of either state. Had the fight been tied to a dispute over control of infrastructural developments or mineral resources in the area that can impact positively in the lives of the people, it would then worth the time and energy more especially sitting allowance of the lawmakers as the people deserve value for their money. Unfortunately, it is naively a fight over mere alteration of designation. Hence, there’s urgent need for restraint and to sheathe the swords in the interest of peace, unity and stability. The two states are joined at the hip and should not be seen fighting each other sadly without clearly defined purpose. Some communal disputes had in the past originated in comparable manners and degenerated to something terrible and unfathomable. Sadly, the grass-root in all the cases ended up bearing the repercussions.

    To sum, a legislative house cannot go outside its territory to give orders and ultimatum to another government, instead should espouse diplomacy and internal dispute resolution mechanism. In addition, embrace protocol; by mandating its state governor who is the chief executive officer to liaise with his counterpart when there are external sketchy matters to deal with. The ultimatum should have been aptly directed to their governor to find out the reasons for such action by a sister state. Then, on the choice of ‘Club Street’ over a place that is already tainted, the state government may have to reconsider its position as the idea may not be a positive verdict in the long run vis-à-vis values and mores. It is akin to endorsing anomalies, oddities and deformities. Be that as it may, live and let live!

    Umegboro is a public affairs analyst and an associate of The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (United Kingdom). [07057101974 SMS-only]

  • Budget Padding: Court mandates Buhari to order prosecution of indicted lawmakers

    A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos in a landmark judgement has ordered President Muhammadu Buhari to “urgently instruct security and anti-corruption agencies to forward to him reports of their investigations into allegations of padding and stealing of some N481 billion from the 2016 budget by some principal officers of the National Assembly.”

    The court also ordered President Buhari to “direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, SAN, and/or appropriate anti-corruption agencies to without delay commence prosecution of indicted lawmakers.”

    The judgment was delivered Monday by Justice Mohammed Idris following a mandamus suit no: FHC/L/CS/1821/2017 brought by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).

    The court also ordered President Buhari to “direct the publication of the report of investigations by security and anti-corruption bodies into the alleged padding of the 2016 budget.”

    In the suit brought against the President of Nigeria and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Justice Idris further held that Buhari in the exercise of his executive powers has a duty to ensure compliance with the provisions of article 22 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, holding further that Buhari is “expected to use his executive powers for the public good of Nigeria.”

    Article 22 of the African Charter provides that, “All peoples shall have the right to their economic, social and cultural development with due regard to their freedom,” and that “States shall have the duty, individually or collectively, to ensure the exercise of the right to development.”

    The court also granted an order directing Buhari to “urgently halt alleged attempt by some principal officers of the National Assembly to steal N40 billion of the N100 billion allocated by his government as ‘zonal intervention’ in the 2017 budget.”

    Buhari is also ordered “to closely monitor and scrutinise the spending of N131 billion (accrued from increased oil benchmark) allocated for additional non-constituency projects expenditure, to remove the possibility of corruption.”

    The court held that “SERAP, being a human rights non-governmental organisation has sufficient interest in the way and manner public funds are being utilized in this country.”

    SERAP deputy director Timothy Adewale said: “This judgment confirms the pervasive corruption in the budget process and the prevailing culture of impunity of our lawmakers as well as the failure of the authorities to uphold transparency and accountability in the entire budget process and implementation. The judgement is an important step towards reversing a culture of corruption in the budget process that has meant that many of our lawmakers see the budget more as a ‘meal ticket’ to look after themselves than a social contract to meet people’s needs and advance equity and development across the country.”

    “This is a crucial precedent that vindicates the right to a transparent and accountable budget process and affirms the budget as government’s most important economic policy document, which is central to the realization of all human rights including the rights to health, water, and education. We are now in the process of obtaining a certified copy of the judgment. SERAP will do everything within its power to secure the full and effective enforcement of this important judgment.”

    It would be recalled that SERAP last year filed the suit after the organisation said it received “credible information from multiple sources that the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have completed investigations into the allegations of padding of the 2016 budget, completed their reports, and indicted some principal officers of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and that the accounts of some of the principal officers containing allegedly illicit funds have been frozen, and that the case files for the prosecution of those indicted were ready.”

    The suit filed on SERAP’s behalf by its counsel, Joke Fekumo, read in part: “Unless the principal officers indicted in the alleged padding of the 2016 budget are prosecuted and any stolen public funds recovered, the Federal Government will not be able to stop padding of future budgets. Alleged corruption in the budget process will not just melt away or simply evaporate without addressing the fundamental issue of impunity of perpetrators.”

    “Addressing alleged corruption in the budget process by pursuing prosecution of indicted principal officers of the National Assembly will provide an important opportunity for the Federal Government to reignite the fight against corruption and fulfil a cardinal campaign promise, to show that the Federal Government works on behalf of the many, and not the few, as well as jumpstart economic activities and break the back of the recession.”

    “Publishing the report of the investigation of the alleged padding of the 2016 budget, and prosecuting suspected perpetrators are absolutely important to avoid another padding, which the Federal Government can ill afford.”

    “The allegations of crime of budget padding against the indicted principal officers of the National Assembly is a gross deprivation of the good people of Nigeria’s legitimate wealth and natural resources. We respectfully urge your Lordship to hold that the citizens of Nigeria have been deprived of their natural wealth and the indicted principal members be prosecuted by the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation.”

  • Kano Assembly crisis: Lawmakers settle differences, elect new principal officers

    Kano Assembly crisis: Lawmakers settle differences, elect new principal officers

    The Kano State House of Assembly on Thursday resumed sitting after four days of drama which led to the removal and subsequent appointments of some principal officers.

    The embattled Speaker Honourable Yusuf Abdullahi Atah, after unanimous decision of the lawmakers, observed the swearing in of the former speaker honorable Kabiru Alhasan Rurum as the new Deputy Speaker.

    The session which kicked up at about 11: 29 am saw in attendance 36 members of the House from the Kwankwasiyya and Gandujiyya factions and the only PDP representative at the House Honorable Abdullahi Muhammad Chiromawa who said his participation in the crisis was to effect positive change in the House.

    The plenary session lasted for about an hour as members were seen exchanging pleasantries devoid of any rancour or ill-feelings among them.

    The Speaker, while announcing the change said: “I received information that Honorable Muhammad Bello Butubutu and Honorable Baffa Danagundi Kano of municipal constituency have been appointed as the new Chief Whip and Honorable Sanusi Bataitya as Deputy Majority Leader and Honorable Ayuba Labaran Durum to serve as majority whip.

    In his acceptance speech, the new deputy speaker Honorable Alhasan Rurum said, ” I accept this position as the members of the Assembly unanimously agreed. I will try my possible best to harmonize the house and I thank Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and all stakeholders who intervened.

    “Today Thursday, marked 11 months since I stepped down as the speaker of the House and am back as the deputy speaker and as expected of us, I would discharge my responsibilities without fear or favour and carry out my responsibilities as expected.”

  • Police blame Senate invasion, mace theft on lawmakers’ conspiracy , faulty security equipment

    The Divisional Police Officer in the National Assembly, Sulu-Gambari Abdul, on Wednesday blamed the April 18 invasion of the Senate and removal of the mace by hoodlums on internal conspiracy.

    Abdul stated this during an investigative hearing into the incident by joint ad hoc committee investigating the incident.

    According to him, what happened at the National Assembly was an act of internal conspiracy among some security agencies and some lawmakers.

    “There should be a synergy between security agencies and the lawmakers but in this case the attack came from the roof as the senators are not helping security matters.

    “On April 16, there was an earlier hint that a group planned to invade the National Assembly and disrupt activities, which called for a build-up of security with two units of mobile police mobilised to the complex.

    “However, on April 18, at about 11 a.m., my attention was drawn to a group protesting at the gate, and while I moved to address the group I was informed that some people were running away with the mace.

    “I signalled all the entry points that nobody drives in or out but three men approached me identifying themselves as security operatives and requested to be allowed to go.

    “The strain of blood on their clothes made me suspicious and I ordered that they should be arrested.

    “In all, six people were arrested same day and handed over to the Force Headquarters alongside charms recovered from them.

    “In addition, an unmarked Prado jeep and a Toyota Hilux were impounded and they are with the police.

    “It was later that I observed that the protest was a diversionary attention to move me out and that the protesters were same group with those that attacked,’’ Abdul said.

    He said that there was no communication from the Sergeant-at-Arms to the National Assembly during the invasion by the thugs.

    Earlier, the Sergeant-at-Arms, Brighton Danwalex, had said that report from investigation after the incident said that a senator, Ali Ndume, instructed the men assigned to protect the mace not to touch it during the invasion.

    According to him, it was wrong for them to take orders from Mr Ndume.

    “Security men are having challenges with some legislators because they don’t want to follow checks,’’ he added.

    Mr Danwalex said that security officials were overpowered due to lack of non-functional security gadgets to enhance operational capacity.

    “There is no functional walkie-talkie; we would have alerted all the exit points.

    “The CCTV is not functioning and there is only one operational patrol vehicle and the entrance into the white house requires biometric doors,’’ he said.

    The chairman of the committee, Bala N’allah, requested the police to furnish it with copy of station diary where entry of the crime was made.

    He also directed that the committee should be given copy of crime routine diary, pictures of those arrested and the transfer register explaining where the invaders were transferred to.

    On her part, the co-chairman of the committee, Betty Apiafi, blamed the invasion on negligence on the part of the Sergeant-at-Arms.

    She accused them of failing to raise alarm having observed something unusual.

    Similarly, Shehu Sani, accused the security operatives in the complex of regularly collecting money to allow unauthorised persons into the premises.

    “People troop in here by paying money to security. Supposing they were terrorists and had it been that they came in to kill someone, they would have succeeded.

    “How could five thugs succeed if there was no collusion?

    “Security men here control crowd who come to protest but melted away that day and the two Sergeant-at-Arms, who normally protect the mace, were not seen,’’ Mr Sani said.

  • Benue killings: Ortom appear before lawmakers, says menace will end soon

    Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has expressed optimism that the renewed commitment shown by the Federal Government concerning the killings in the State will end the bloodbath in the State.

    Speaking Thursday when he appeared before the State Lawmakers who summoned him to throw light on measures taking by the State Security Council to halt the incessant killings, Governor Ortom said the deployment of additional security personnel will solve the problem.

    He commended the Federal Government for deploying more military, police and Civil Defense personnel to the State.

    The Governor appealed to the people of the State to unite against external aggressors rather than engaging in internal conflicts.

    Commenting on the arrest of Mr. Tashaku Aliyu, Governor Ortom said he has no problem with his arrest but said justice should be done in his case do that in the end, truth will prevail.

    In his remarks, Speaker, Mr. Terkimbi Ikyange commended the Governor for his doggedness in resisting the take over of Benue land and assured him of the support of the House.

  • Lawmakers join ‘hijab debate’ urge committee to investigate alleged rights violation

    The House of Representatives on Tuesday intervened in the raging controversy over the refusal of the Nigerian Law School to call a graduate, Amasa Firdaus, to the Bar.

    The House directed its Committees on Justice and Judiciary to investigate the matter and make appropriate recommendations to the floor.

    The resolution followed a motion moved by a member from Kano State, Mr. Abubakar Danburam-Nuhu.

    He had faulted the Law School on the grounds that it infringed on the fundamental rights of Firdaus.

    The University of Ilorin graduate was due to be called to the Bar on December 12.

    However, the Law School stopped her after she insisted on wearing the Hijab.

    On its part, the school insisted she must adorn a wig, the conventional head cover worn by lawyers.

    Firdaus had been quoted as saying that she opted to wear the Islamic head scarf to challenge the status quo.

    On Tuesday, Danburam-Nuhu, while arguing his motion, told the House that under Section 38 of the 1999 Constitution, Firdaus was entitled to dress the way she liked.

    “The section supersedes any provision by any government agency or institution”, he stated.

    He said the wig or the dress code of lawyers was borrowed from the West, adding that Nigeria must not impose it on its citizens because it came from the West.

    Danburam-Nuhu claimed that in the UK and some African countries, including Kenya, graduates were allowed to use the Hijab during graduation or other similar ceremonies.

    The session was presided over by the Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara.

  • 2019: 27 Imo lawmakers endorse Okorocha’s son-in-law for governor

    Legislators of the Imo State Assembly have endorsed Governor Rochas Okorocha’s son-inlaw, Chief Uche Nwosu, for the governorship of Imo State ahead the 2019 general election.

    This was disclosed yesterday by Hon. Henry Uzoma Ezediaro member representing Oguta state constituency in the Assembly and House committee chairman on Petroleum, ISOPADEC and NDDC. Briefing newsmen Saturday in Owerri, the Imo State capital, Ezediaro said that following consultations and meetings by the state legislators, they have resolved that election of Nwosu as the state governor in 2019 would ensure the continuation of the programmes of the current administration.

    Ezediaro said, “Without Uche Nwosu as governor in 2019‚ most of the on going projects and laudable programmes of the Okorocha administration in the state would be abandoned by any person who has not been part and parcel of the current administration.

  • Cancelled Dinner: Buhari apologises to lawmakers over ill-treatment at Aso Villa

    President Muhammadu Buhari has apologised to the leadership of the National Assembly over the cancellation of the planned dinner for the lawmakers in the State House.

    TheNewsGuru reports that the President was to host the lawmakers to dinner at the new Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, by 8:30p.m. on Thursday.

    He, however, met behind closed doors at his official residence with the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara with the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and some presidential aides in attendance.

    Mr Femi Adesina, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, told State journalists that the President offered the apology after the closed door meeting with the Senate President and the Speaker..

    He said the President rescheduled the dinner with the lawmakers for Oct. 31.

    TheNewsGuru reliably learnt that the Thursday’s planned dinner failed to hold due to misunderstanding between security officials at the main gate of the Aso Rock and the lawmakers.

    According to sources, the lawmakers were asked to come down from the bus conveying them to the Villa in order to be issued visitor’s tags, but they were said to have turned back.

    The President was to use the opportunity of the dinner to discuss some national issues including the approved draft 2018 budget.

    The draft budget was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Oct. 26